Another quiet weekend

I knew I would want to read Donna Tartt's "The Goldfinch", the moment I knew it was due to be published this year. However, it was going to be difficult to justify reading a nearly-800-page book for pleasure when I'm supposed to be reading as many new books as possible in order to have a wide range of recommendations at hand when consulted by our customers at work. Then, by a stroke of luck, "The Goldfinch" happened to be a featured title in our shop's Christmas catalogue. All staff are instructed to read as many titles as possible in our catalogue, so there you go. I could have a guilt-free read after all. And I did. And I loved every minute of it.

It's taken a while, but by yesterday I was down to the last 300 pages, so I did nothing all day but read. Such an engrossing, beautifully written book.

In other book news, more new babies to find a spot for. It's always a lovely surprise to find out new cloth-bounds have been released.

As usual around these parts, it is raining, and rather cold too. Hard to believe summer is just a few days away.

Today will be another lazy day. I woke up really early (for a Sunday) to watch the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary episode (so good, by the way), and now I'm feeling rather sleepy.

Some sort of mindless activity which doesn't require major brain function will probably be undertaken. Light housework perhaps?

Hey, there Mr Blue

 

These photos were all taken this morning, within a 20 minute time frame. So why is the sky a different shade of blue in each of them?
Not to worry. I've certainly appreciated this glorious sky today, in all its hues.

Blossom time (also known as "nearly spring")

As usual, I've taken many, many photos of this beautiful tree in the past couple of weeks. Such a lovely display, brightening up the end of winter. 

Cut flowers don't generally do very well in our centrally heated home, but we enjoy them while we can. So much nicer than artificial air fresheners.

My grandmother gave me this little cherub vase and a posy of violets for my 15th (I think) birthday, so many years ago.
It was one of those thoughtful, simple gifts that you never forget, and I like to fill it with violets around this time of year. The fragrance of violets always takes me back to another time in my life...

Catching up

On Sunday, C and I had a lovely day out with my sister and family. Delicious lunch, followed by the  Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performing the music from "Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers".

Just wonderful.

Not much else to report..

 

Watching various plants starting to bud gives me great pleasure.

 

 

 

Quiet weekend

 Added "Les Mis" to my Penguin cloth bound collection.

 Enjoying this sunny corner.

 Made this scrumptious slice with leftover Easter Eggs. Recipe here.

His eyes have changed colour.

I was very industrious on Sunday and cleaned windows. This is a photo of our family room window with garden reflection.  

Raindrops on roses are lovely.

Roses

 

Worth the wait.

 

 

 

"Spirit of Hope"

 

Delbard "Henri Matisse"

 

Delbard "Hommage a Barbara" 

Delbard "Edgar Degas"

 

 

Delbard  "Alfred Sisley"

Survivor of 2010 renovation, name unknown.

Climbing rose grown from a cutting taken from the garden of my childhood home.

 "The Children's Rose"