Tuesday 1 December 2015

Blah blah blah






Hello there.

You find me in a mood. And feeling a bit restless and all over the shop. I feel a bit like Blue Bear looks. Poor thing. Shoved up on the gardening book shelf. He was promised an MOT when his stitches split last month. But there he remains. Overlooked. With all his stuffing hanging out of his rear end. Poor neglected bear.

I found a book token today. It was in my knicker drawer. I've no idea why, although when I want to put something in a safe place, it usually finds it's way there. I mean, who else but me ventures into its' depths. Even I recoil at the rather sad items lurking mournfully within. No frou frou. Just practical pants for Mums on the go, who can no longer tolerate a thong. Anyway, I bought Rachel Joyce's (she of Harold's pilgrimage fame) new book. I really adore her writing, and the blurb tells me that she has faith in the essential goodness of humanity. I could do with some of that right now. This afternoon I've been called an old hag (Alf) and smacked (by Olly). Talk about rotten kids.

I am feeling very ineffective and would really like to have a good long moan to a chum. The kind of moan, where you whinge about this that and the other, and your chum nods encouragingly and tells you that of course you are a wonderful human being. And then she tells you that of course you don't look fat, you look simply marvellous. And you are just imagining the saggy neck and old hands.

I have bought Honey a new dog bed, thanks to the 20% discount from Cath Kidston that arrived in the post. It's in preparation for potential new sofas. I'd really like some material ones, and she won't be able to lay like broccoli on them if I get any. So a fancy new bed, and a bit of persuading that this is where she should lay her head from now on. As you can see, she looks delighted with the new arrangement.

In the past few days, two lovely blogs have said their goodbyes. And while I completely understand their reasons for shutting shop, it still saddens me. I'm aware that I don't post as often as I used to. And quite a few of my favourite bloggers seem to have gone off the boil lately. Are people really turning to Instagram, and other outlets of self expression? Since my phone has broken, I can't deny that I've missed posting snaps on IG, coupled with an off the cuff remark. I enjoy the funny of it. But it really doesn't replace my blog, which has my heart. Does anyone else feel like this?

Lastly, cake. I was chatting to someone about diets today, while buying my Christmas cards. And I decided that there would never come a time that I would give up cake. Cake makes me feel happy. The whole process of cake is fabulous. Making it. Baking it. Eating it. Sharing it. I made two coconut cakes this weekend. Wonderfully fuss free and beautifully moist. One I gave to my sister in law. And what's left of the other is in a tin in the kitchen. I had some with a cup of tea this afternoon, while practising my own brand of mindfulness. And by that I mean that I stared at the wall for half an hour, while planning my weekend away.

Good grief, I'm sure this isn't what you paid a visit for. Sorry about venting the spleen. Let's hope December picks up, shall we?

Stay warm.

Leanne xx





30 comments:

  1. Oh but you are marvellous my love, and I can't remember your hands looking old. Book tokens in my knicker drawer would be wonderful. I have stopped using my unmentionables drawer as a hiding place since Sam found the sweets I hid there. He must have been desperate for a sugar rush! Yes, kids can be rotten but there are moments when they are utterly loveable. Remember those and forget the name calling. I have some insults up my sleeve for name calling moments. Shocks Sams pants off (I only tried the oldest so far). I am a blog girl 100%, I like a good story well told more than anything. I must be the only one left in the UK without an Instagram account. Have a lovely rest of the week. Hope the boys are in a better mood tomorrow. xxx

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  2. Looks like you have done the right thing and used the book token..as for cake it's the only way forward...the making...the smell as it cooks ....and of course the eating! Children say horrid things and they really love you...that's the meaning of kids. We mums just grow thicker skin. And maybe the odd wrinkle or two! As for Honey she will be on your new sofa as soon as you turn your back..have a better week. Barbara :)

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  3. I love your blog Leanne. Every year we travel from Birmingham to Gwithian in our vw camper for two weeks. Reading your blog connects me to that little corner of paradise all year long. You write from my heart, with honesty and humour. I'm so bored of reading blogs that all full of sponsored posts with the latest free clothes/ duvet/ rug/ trip away yadda yadda yadda. Keep it real and don't you dare leave!

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    1. I agree. You're my little ray of Far West Cornwall xo

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  4. Hooray for big knickers Leanne ,thats where i hide things too .ooh coconut cake,i put lemon cheese in mine,then icing and coconut on the top --- yummy ,And dont give up your blog ,we looooooooove you ,i would love to have a blog but not sure how to go about it ,im not very technically minded ,see we cant be perfect at everything ,have a good week x

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  5. I'm sorry to hear that more blogs have disappeared. I really like blogging, even if I'm not some huge success. I doubt I would be one on other social media either. I recently went a whole month without posting anything to IG. I hardly have time to look at my feed there either. Oh well. It's just for fun. I'd be screwed if I were trying to make a living at any of this. I chuckled at your description of your underwear drawer. All mine are cotton, even my bras. There is nothing sexy here. I tried that a long time ago, when I was younger and thinner and guess what? Things usually ended up getting, um, manhandled and destroyed. Probably shouldn't discuss that here, but whatever...it was a waste of beautiful underthings. :)

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  6. Sarah @lobstercottage1 December 2015 at 13:37

    Leanne, please please don't stop blogging. I just love the way you write, even when you're having a rant. I love how you say it like it is without all the gloss and spin of so many blogs out there (although nothing wrong with those of course, they are excellent for when you want to wallow in the self pity).

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  7. Great blog Leanne, I love your writing and photos, keep up the good work and enjoy your cake x

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  8. I'm happy you're still blogging too. I seem to have lost the ability to post pictures on mine, but the words are still pouring out. Do get and mend that sad bear, it's no fun to have your stuffing spilling out. What a lovely stack of notebooks you have there. I do love a good notebook. Have you read Caitlin Moran's article on pants? If not I shall send it to you. Big is the only way to go. CJ xx

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  9. I'm glad you're feeling all over the shop too. You are not alone. Do you think it's the weather and the fact that we've had about 10 minutes of sunshine throughout the whole of November? I loved reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and well as its sibling The Love Song of Queenie Hennessy. Hope you can post some sunny seaside photos soon.

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  10. But it is exactly why I stop by your blog, I love that it's all over the place.

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  11. it's always a treat to see a post from you, Leanne and I'm so glad you are still blogging. I saw those Ladybird spoof books in Waterstones the other day - they are funny if a little overpriced. Brilliant to have a page on your own. I love blogging too, just never get time these days but will be back in the school hols. Really need a good moan too and husband and daughter sick of me doing this so look out blog friends!

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  12. Moan away tis what friends are for. Loving honeys new bed. I chucked that token away for fear of where it would lead me but your use of it is gorgeous. Don't tell t and p! I'm trying to blog once a week so I keep my hand in but there is just so much else to do xxx

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  13. I love the new dog bed, my idea of getting Rocky one was firmly quashed by the remaining male members of the family. I'm snorting quietly to myself over your underwear drawer, my more racier garments were removed by my husband over a pointed lack of use. Well they were probably more cobwebs than lace because of lack of use !! Hope you're feeling perkier xx

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  14. It looks as though Honey is loving her new bed. It doesn't matter what kind of bed we try Archie with, he still prefers the sofas. I'm going for a rummage now in my underwear drawer, hoping to find a book token.

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  15. Please please please don't think about giving up blogging! Or anyone else that reads my comment. The highlight of my day is catching up with the blogs. I have recently joined instagram, mainly to see my daughters photo's of New York, and it is not a patch on a blog. Where you can have a good moan, or share a birthday or just a photo of an interesting object, and then people like me can comment and feel a part of the blog....

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  16. I read more than I write and I don't comment nearly enough but I do love your blog. So please don't you go disappearing too!

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  17. Well, that's exactly WHY I come - it's real. I feel the same way some days, but I can't express it so well. Then, I find your beautiful blog, and you say things exactly as I would and there are beautiful wave pictures to stare at, and you are funny, and I read and nod my head and laugh a little and on I go feeling lifted, so I love your blog and hope it never goes away. Sandra

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  18. No thongs here either; it's comfy pants all the way! Lots of saggy neck and old hands though! Please don't stop blogging; you're like a breath of fresh air in Blogland and where else would I get my coastal fix? Honey looks as if she's biding her time! Now, where did I put that cake tin? xx

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  19. You are wonderful, beautiful and just perfect in every way! xx

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  20. You always raise a smile with me Leanne, you're my kind of girl - keeping it real :-)

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  21. At least the bloggers you follow actually said, "goodbye". I've followed several that have just disappeared leaving me to ponder all sorts of horrible things. Blogging is my first love, and while I've included Instagram and vlogging on YouTube, I don't ever think I will give up the blog. I hope you stick around too and never disappear! :-)

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  22. How lovely to have a personalised Ladybird page! And I love cake. And I keep receipts in my knickers drawer.
    Please don't stop blogging (I have no right to say this as I don't blog!) and I do miss your Instagram photos - can you get another phone, please, and get clicking some more pictures?! Love your words x

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  23. LOVE that ladybird book! I stood giggling away in the queue at the supermarket last night reading it and "The Wife" - and "The Husband" where my husbands name sake buys his wife the same gift for 30 years and she hides them in the attic, he's going to buy her the same thing anyway as he still doesn't know what she likes.
    I like it when you blog, so don't stop.

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  24. This put a smile on my face, Leanne. And like the others, I love the ladybird book.
    And God, kids can be cruel, can't they xxx

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  25. Seems we're both in a bit of a blogging rut lately - as in, not doing it that often. Personally I do use Instagram (sporadically) but I agree completely - my blog's where it's at, always will be. Except things have just been far too crazy lately to stop and think and post. That, plus the miserable light levels - even my usually busy camera has been lying around feeling unloved recently.
    Maybe it's a combination of winter weather blahs and the urge to hibernate combined with that horrible affliction of busy-ness.
    Anyway... Yes to cake, double yes to coconut cake and those Ladybird books are great. I sneaked a look at the Mid Life Crisis one the other day whilst at the garden centre. I stood there snorting and hoping someone would buy me one.
    Don't worry about writing what you see as morose posts. They're really not, they're just real and still funny.
    P.S. I keep embarrassing CDs in my knicker drawer.
    S x

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  26. I have decided that our kids are horrible sometimes because they know that we will still love them. It's a bit of a risk, but it happens to be true xx

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  27. God I love your blog, please never stop writing it! Like you I am happily distracted by Instagram but it's blogging I really love. It can be time consuming though, can't it?

    I love the photo of honey in her bed. Good luck with that! Xx

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  28. Belatedly commenting to say it's always been blog first for me, and always will be I think. I may have effectively had a couple of months off but I've hated that the weight of other things has pulled me away from the land of blog. Your blog, your take on the world, is among those I miss most when my attention is elsewhere. Keep on blogging my friend, please x

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