Afternoon tea at my new desk

Today my new desk arrived! 

I have needed a new desk for a few years now because my 50-year-old formica-topped table was starting to fall to pieces. The back extending flap was beginning to fail, and I was in danger of losing my computer monitor which was sitting precariously on it.

Over 2 years ago I saw this desk online and fell in love with it. I dreamed of owning it and put a picture of it in my One Notes dream list app.  At the time the price was too high, for me, and I didn't think any more about it. Then at the beginning of this month, while I was browsing online, I saw that the desk was on sale with 40% off the original price. I couldn't believe my luck. 

The desk is made of solid oak and has 3 drawers. It is not as deep as my formica table, but it is much wider. 

I have also pre-ordered an oak floating shelf, for the back of the desk, to sit my monitor and speakers on. This will enable me to store my keyboard and mouse underneath the monitor when I want to do paperwork or crafting. The floating shelf should arrive mid-to-late August. Something else to look forward to 😊

After the delivery men assembled my desk and placed it in my room, I couldn't wait to set it up with my ornaments and computer monitor. There is plenty of room in the drawers for my A4 folders, notebooks, pens and anything else I am not using at the moment. 

The desk is a little bit high, so I added a cushion to my chair, and it is very comfortable.

Once everything was set up on my desk, I decided to have my afternoon tea there. I had English Breakfast tea in my Redoute Roses teacup, which my sister-in-law gave to me. And with it I had a couple of pieces of Ginger Slice which were yummy. It was lovely and I am so happy. 

I hope that you have kept well since my last post in April. My chest infection and collapsed lung cleared up after a couple of months and the x-rays came back normal. No more patches on my lung which is a big relief. As a result, things have been rather quiet here.

Winter is here now, and we have been experiencing some really nice days in-between the rainy squalls. The plants in the garden seem to think that it is Spring and we have had daffodils (Earlicheer) already flowering. And anemones, freesias, ranunculi and bluebells are poking their way through the ground.

I have been yearning to start gardening again due to the warmish weather. But the frosts are still to come (if we get any). A few days ago, I took some fuchsia cuttings from unusually early, new growth. The cuttings are keeping warm inside the house. I used rooting hormone to help them along. At least it has satisfied my gardening urge. 😊 On the next sunny day, I plan to take more cuttings of different shrubs to see what happens.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Lots of hugs, Rose xxx

20 Winter Comforts - My Hygge List

It's that time of year again when the days are becoming shorter and darker and the nights are drawing in earlier. The cool weather is sneaking up on us. The temperature is dropping and here in Auckland it is a mild 16 C during the day and 11 C at night. Soon to get colder.

Winter has begun and I am well prepared against the Winter blues this year.

I've made an activity list, to help me stay happy throughout this Winter, which I would like to share with you.

The first 2 things on my list I have already completed and will repeat them again as needed throughout the Winter season.

1. Bring flowering plants or potted bulbs into the house

- Cyclamens (I managed to find miniature cyclamens on sale for $3 each)
- Hyacinths
- Grape hyacinths
- Miniature daffodils

2. Keep desk clean and tidy and fill with pretty things

- plants
- shells
- candles
- trinkets

3. Go for a walk

- Dress up warmly and get outside to soak up the sunshine when it shines.
- Dress up warmly and walk outside on the grass on a frosty morning. Listen to the frost crunching under foot.
- Take photos

4. Snuggle up inside on a dull or rainy day

- Wrap up in a cuddly blanket or warm throw rug
- Wear snuggly bed socks to warm your feet
- Cuddle a covered hot water bottle
- Read a good book or magazine
- Light a scented candle
- Listen to the rain on the roof while being warm and cosy inside

5. Have a home spa

- Pedicure (don't forget the nail polish)
- Manicure
- Relax in a hot bubble bath with scented candles
- Rich hair treatment mask
- Scented moisturisers
- Beautiful scented soaps

6. Create something beautiful

- Colouring in
- Tapestry
- Cross-stitch
- Make a piece of jewellery
- Crochet
- Knit

7. Plan the Spring vegetable garden

- Draw a plan on grid paper
- Sort out seeds already on hand
- Order more seed if needed
- Work out dates to sow each vegetable indoors or directly into the ground

8. Make a delicious hot drink

- Hot chocolate with frothy milk and marshmallows on top
- Hot blackcurrant juice
- A pot of English Breakfast tea served in favourite cup
- Hot lemon, honey and ginger drink

9. Phone friends and family for a chat

- Phone rather than text or email

10. Cuddle cats

- Cuddle and play with the cats
- Take cats for a walk on the land

11. Watch TV on-demand

- Gardener's World
- Escape to the Chateau
- Doc Martin
- Binge on box-sets

12. Watch beautiful Winter sunrises and sunsets

- Watch the sunrise or sunset from inside the house
- Take photos

13. Blog

- Write blog posts
- Take photos for blog
- Read and answer blog comments
- Comment on other people's blogs

14. Play games or do puzzles

- Jigsaw puzzles
- Crossword puzzles
- Puzzle books
- Board games
- Computer games

15. Watch YouTube

- Funny animal videos
- Funny cat videos

16. Bake something

- Chocolate brownies
- Mid Winter Christmas cake
- Make Russian fudge

17. Practice gratitude

- Each day, in a notebook, write down 3 things that you are grateful for and 3 things that you enjoyed today.

18. Meditate using Mindfulness CDs

- Ten minutes a day

19. Have an early night

- Read a good book in bed
- Have a cup of hot chocolate
- Fluffy warm duvet
- Hot water bottle

20. Have something to look forward to every day

- Plan your day

Use ideas on this list or think of other things to stay toastie indoors or adventure outdoors.

I hope that you can stay relaxed and happy during the cooler days of Winter.

Can you think of anything that you would like to add to this list?

See you soon

Hugs

Rose x