Tea-rrific!

Now personally I don’t go for speciality or fancy teas,  I find it hard to believe anything could beat proper real black tea, but I think I may have just stumbled across the exception to my rule- the recently launched ‘Mini-Tea’ series from Lunartik. I haven’t actually tasted any of the Special Brews myself, though I’m pretty certain anything that comes in such adorable packaging must be pretty damn yummy. Anyway, it’s just something  for all you horrible organised people out there who are already thinking about your seasonal shopping to mull over. And for anyone who doesn’t like tea of any kind (madness!) the Lunartik blog is still well worth visiting, lots of quirky custom art and other gift ideas for the casual browser.

 

 In other news, remember a while back I won two giveaways and was saying that these things come in threes and that I should really play the lottery that week? Well I was right! No, I didn’t win any money but I did apparently win another giveaway which I entered around the same time! I get just as excited about these things as if I actually had won the lotto so I’m really very chuffed right now.

The fatefully lovely surprise (a paper crafting kit!) has come via the wonderful Michelle Cummings, scrapbooker extraordinaire. Thank you! The gracious Ms Cummings has several crafty blogs, like this one and this one.  They really are worth a wee visit, and I’m not just saying that because she’s sending me a prize! As well as having wonderful giveaways, Michelle’s sites are also packed full of inspiration and links to handy tutorials and resources for the aspiring crafter. She’s quite a gem, this girl, so stop by her place and say hello! You never know, you may even get lucky like me. All you have to do is comment on any post to enter her monthly draws!

p.s. Sorry for the post title. My brain’s a bit fried today.

By The Light Of The Silvery Moon

Being a trained journalist and still pursuing my increasingly futile quest to gain employment in that area, I try to keep myself fairly up-to-date with what’s going on in the world. So how the hell did this pass me by? Maybe because it’s out of this world, he he he. (Sorry, that was uncalled for.) Still, can’t believe I missed this one. And the science section’s one of my favourites too! I even remember them launching this rocket and everything:

 

Silver found on Moon – and you thought it was made of cheese

www.independent.co.uk

 

Did you read it, did you hear? The moon is actually made of silver! Ok, so there’s only trace amounts of it in the lunar soil but let me have my notions.  It’s silver I tells ya! Realistically though folks, perfectly lovely as that thought is and all, how long do you give them before they start mining?

p.s You’d think if I was talking about a news story tonight there may just be another wee topic that should have my attention. I wonder, whatever could it be… Ah who cares about it anyway, the moon is made of silver! La la, la la la…

Has It Really Been So Long?

I am a dozy so and so, you know. When it comes to some things at least. Like my blog anniversary! Yes folks, apparently this blog was a whole year old there the other day and I never even noticed! Maybe it’s because I didn’t really post much when I first started here, only around once or twice a month. Or maybe it’s just that time’s slipping away all the more quickly the older I get. Either way, it really doesn’t feel like a year!

And so today I just want to say a big thank you, thank you, THANK  YOU to everybody for making this such an adventure. I know everyone says this, but when I started out on this blogging journey I honestly never expected it to go anywhere; it was only a minor exercise in procrastination back then. Not in my wildest dreams did I expect to encounter such wonderful people and places, never mind forge real friendships with kindred souls all over the globe. You, my friends, are what make this so special for me and I appreciate each and every visit from the bottom of my heart.

Cheesiness aside, though, I really am so very grateful for the joy you have all brought me over the past while. Here’s to another twelve months with my blog buddies new and old!

p.s I have to head out this evening, but I’ll catch up with all your recent comments once I get home. Hope everyone's having a lovely day!

Bottled Beauty

©  Ashley Lebedev

 

Hello Blogland. Hope this evening finds you all well. If not, I have a very special treat for anyone needing a sprinkle of loveliness to alleviate those Monday blues.  It’s only a little link, though I urge not to pass it by my friends, for it is indeed a magical link. A link which will, upon clicking, transport you from the banality of ordinary life to an enchanted faery world of whimsy and wonder. The world of Bottle Bell.

My love affair with this captivating corner of the web began not too long ago when I first encountered the beautiful fine art photography of Ashley Lebedev on Flickr. I was already enthralled even before I stumbled upon her official site. Ms Lebedev’s work is simply stunning, the perfect fusion of vintage-tinged daydreams and soulful talent. It had me floored when I initially came across her photostream. And then I found Bottle Bell…

I don’t even know where to begin describing the joy this webpage brings me, it’s almost too lovely for words. It’s like the prettiest storybook from a bygone era that never was, brought to life for the digital age. Hauntingly beautiful melodies soothe the mind as one wanders through wonderfully named galleries such as ‘Faerieland’ and ‘Forgotten’, where the artistry more than lives up to the whimsical window dressing.  It’s a haven of fae and flowers to which I’ve found myself returning whenever I’m a feeling a bit frazzled or stressed recently. A true little sanctuary in cyberspace. Really, do spin by for a visit yourselves. I promise you’ll be as captivated as I was!

p.s Make sure you read the ‘about’ section to find out the story behind the name ‘Bottle Bell’. It really makes the whole thing all the more charming! Oh, and also, Ms Lebedev is on blogger too if you want to call over and say hello.

Don’t Worry, They’ll Be Back Again Soon

A wee poem this evening, which I hope will bring you a little cheer as the darkness sets in for the season. It’s really feeling like winter now and while I’m sad to leave autumn behind for another year there’s certainly something to be said for sitting indoors, wrapped up in a warm woolly blanket, listening to the wind beat the rain off your windows. I’m even a little disappointed that our electricity workers have become so efficient lately. We had a storm reaching hurricane force the other night and there was me waiting all eagerly with my books and candles and flask of tea. But nope, hardly a flicker all night. Maybe I should’ve just turned out the lights and pretended. Or maybe not… 

Anyway, I’m not that big a fan of winter. Especially if I have to go outside in it, which is far too often for my liking. The next time I’m off struggling against a gale while being suffocated by my scarf with my nose about to break off like an icicle, though, I’ll try my best to remember our mischievous little fae friends below. (Also, the image is the latest of my gimpy creations. It’s not actually finished, but I’m thinking this year’s Christmas cards perhaps?) 

For texture credits please visit my Flickr page.

About the Fairies
By Jean Ingelow

Pray, where are the little bluebells gone,
That lately bloomed in the wood?
Why, the fairies have each taken one,
And put it on for a hood.

And where are the pretty grass-stalks gone,
That waved in the summer breeze?
Oh, the fairies have taken them, every one,
To plant in their gardens like trees.

And where are the great big blue-bottles gone,
That buzzed in their busy pride?
Oh, the fairies have caught them, every one,
And have broken them in to ride.

And they’ve taken the glow-worms to light their halls,
And the cricket to sing them a song,
And the great red rose leaves to paper their walls,
And they’re feasting the whole night long.

And when Spring comes back, with its mild soft ray,
And the ripple of gentle rain,
The fairies bring what they’ve taken away,
And give it us all again.

And His Dog is Just Like Charlie!

© Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
 

There’s no point to this post today. Not really anyway. Only that I came across this picture on Flickr the other day and I think I’ve fallen in love with it. Is it, in fact, my favourite photograph of all time? Possibly. Look at it! It’s just so wonderful in everyway.  Not that it’s necessary to enjoy the image, but if you're interested the man is one David Wasley, described as the photographer as “an artist, a shepherd and maker of coloured windows”. I don’t know the name of the dog.  Mr Wasley is a fellow of The British Society of Master Glass Painters and this was taken on the day of his son’s wedding. What a guy, what a photograph!

Great Scott!

Hello all. Sorry for my absence over the past few days. I was rather embarrassed by my tipsy talk the other night so I’ve pretty much been avoiding this, my real blog, since and have been throwing myself into my Tumblr instead. But then I came across this earlier on when I was supposed to be doing real work and just had to come over and share it with you! 

 

By Watts Industries

Anyone remember the M.M.M.M., that wonderful little contraption that could convert fairy thoughts to music? Well’s here’s another even more monumental invention that’s been hiding it’s light under an Etsy bushel while the world’s scientists continue to slave away in their conventional labs. Yes folks, they said it couldn’t be done but now a little known Bristol inventor has gone and invented a time machine. A TIME MACHINE!!!

According to the manufacturers it’s a “hand held device for traversing the chrono scape”  which transports a willing volunteer through the vortex of time itself. “Feuled by raw liquid ether held in the containment vessel at the bottom,” they continue, “the user has only to wind the clockwork mechanism at the top the desired number of times to initiate chronoporting.” Fair enough.

Ah, but does it work? At $100,000 it would bloody well need to! Now if it was on offer for £9.99 I’d be a bit sceptical myself, but if it costs that much then it must be real. Plus they have photographic proof of its chronosphere-surfing attributes, apparently, which you can view here: video of Watts Industries Time Machine demonstration. I have to admit I haven’t actually watched it myself, it was taking far too long to buffer with my crappy connection, but I’m happy to take their word for it. As aul Fox used to say, I want to believe!

On the whole I think my favourite part of their sales pitch though, aside from their offer of the chance to navigate the boundaries of eternity itself,  has to be their disclaimer:

Watts Industries Accepts no responsibility for chronofreeze, ingestion by theropods, Vexatious encounters with robots and infantication. If raw liquid ether is ingested seek medical attention yesterday.

Don’t say you weren’t warned!

A Little Bit Of Honesty In A Cloud of Drunken Fantasy

I really regretted my last inebriated rant here during the summer, but you all seemed to like it so here’s another one. I should really put this off till the morning, but then I’d never post it. Bloody pub quiz, this wouldn’t be the first time it made me shame myself in front of real people!!! Anyway, if any of you ever wanted to know ‘me’ here’s a bit of a clue:

 Image Source

I consume other people’s dreams too freely, yet I lack the courage to create my own. For me the world is not a magical place but in my head I make it so. I traverse the galaxy in a haze of self-denial.

But I like it this way, it’s the only way I can like anything.  Except the things and people I love. I do actually live a charmed life yet I leave my blessings on my front door to venture off in worlds I don’t belong.  What do I be thinking?

Who knows? It’s probably something to do with those few pints I had earlier but I already forget what I was thinking two seconds ago. It was good too. A fleeting moment of enlightenment lost in a mind fogged with beer and cynicism.

It’ll come back to me eventually. Won’t it? It was my own thought after all, surely it wouldn’t abandon me so quickly. Damn you thoughts! You are all I am yet I can never rely on your comfort. You turn on me too often and, worse, you never give me a hug.

There is a man who betters you, though far too often I give you more attention than him. That is my stupidity, something I am condemned to forever mourn. To sacrifice true happiness for your promises is the biggest mistake I continually make.

So in conclusion this post is a promise. A  promise to myself, and to himself who will never read it, to stop living this escapist fantasy and own up to this beautiful life I’m unbelievably fortunate to lead. I’ll still post about fairies and beauty but from now on I’m going to cherish these little blessings gifted to me from the most mundane corners of the universe.  Twinkling stars that are so close they blind you, lights of the Otherworld that keep you fired on the darkest of eves.

Thanks for reading folks, as always. You yourselves are all little sparkles on the same sky of wonder. Oíche mhaith agus codladh sámh. Dream well my friends!

Halloween Pics (At Last!)

 

So I’ve finally got my connection sorted out. I’ve been trying to post these pictures all week but my broadband’s been so slow recently I kept running out of patience. Ah, the joys of living in the north of Ireland. Seriously, don’t get me started on internet services round these parts. I’m not sure if it’s just my imagination but my connection seems to play up anytime the weather gets bad, which isn’t exactly ideal in this climate!

Anyway, hope you all had a wonderful holiday. It technically still is Samhain here, and it will be for the next few weeks, but that’s just because ‘Samhain’ is the Irish word for November. Wish we celebrated it all month! Actually maybe not. Last weekend nearly killed me. I hardly ever drink anymore and I was out partying two nights in a row, with an extra hour thrown in thanks to the clocks changing. I don’t care if it’s clichéd, I’m getting too old for this shit! Twas fun all the same though.

Right so here are the aforementioned photos. I’ve actually tons more but I just picked the ones of friends who I don’t think will kill me for posting them here (or who won’t  find out!). Sorry folks, but I haven’t bothered to include any of myself; it felt too weird. My two costumes were pretty lame anyway, so you’re not missing anything. I’m really going to put the effort in next year, and I mean it this time!