A Thing of Beauty . . .

For those who chanced upon it, 3191 A Year of Mornings was an inspiration. Their subject material was very mundane: socks, coffee cups, fruit, toes etc but the composition was delightful. After a break of a few weeks they have returned with a variation on their original site, entitled 3191 A Year of Evenings, which promises to be just as fascinating.

It reminded me of a book I read many years ago entitled 'Hidden Art' by Edith Schaeffer, in which she encouraged the reader to recognise the potential for artistic expression in the most ordinary of contexts.

I have decided to see whether I can perceive something of beauty every day and , if and when I do, I shall post it on this blog.

I have begun with the lunchbox my elder daughter gave me at Christmas. Over the years I have received a number of beautiful presents from my girls, who demonstrate their remarkable perception in buying me things I love but would never buy for myself. This year and this lunchbox are no exception.

2008

I'm not sure how I feel about the beginning of a new year, except the fear that if I don't do things differently it will be the same as last year and the one before that .... Not that there was anything desperately wrong with any of the last few years. Apart from the death of my dad in March, which still makes me feel very sad, there were many good times. But the new year is the time to take stock and move on and I'm not sure how to do so.

One thing I would like to find, which may prove to be crucial, is a spiritual home. Somewhere where I can stop pretending to be someone else and feel free to be me, vulnerable to others and to God. My local church is full of some lovely people but there is no space just to 'be' with each other - body, mind and spirit. There's always too much stuff in the way.

I have no idea where, if anywhere, I am going to find this 'home' but I am resolved to try.

Happy(?) new year!

Pudding

Yesterday I baked a Christmas cake. Today I made a Christmas pudding. Nigella has nothing on me - apart from a voluptuous figure, a wealthy husband and a shelf-ful of books to her name etc etc!

Steaming a pudding is a whole day's work - 8 hours spent topping up the pan to ensure it doesn't burn dry - but well worth it. And you get to make a wish as you stir it.

So we have a cake and a pudding. Now all we need is the main course. I gave up on turkey a few years ago and since then we've eaten goose, biryani, chicken and pork. The girls have voted for crispy duck this year, with pancakes. We'll see.

Cake

Today I baked a Christmas cake. It filled the house with the aroma of dried fruit, warm spices and brandy.

I followed the recipe from my battered old Good Housekeeping cookery book. I've tried others but I think this one's the best.

My mum had a Good Housekeeping cookery book. Hers was neatly covered in brown paper and plastic and we had to ask permission to look at it. I haven't taken such good care of mine. The dust jacket's lost, the spine and one half of the hardboard cover have fallen off and the pages are well thumbed and splattered with greasy marks (especially the recipe for macaroni cheese, my fall back when I can't think what else to cook). It's served me well since my final year at university when I bought it for 50p as an introductory offer to some book club.

The other cookery book my mum used was one by Molly Weir, a redoubtable Scotswoman who later appeared on adverts for Flash. I wonder what became of her?

Advent

The first Sunday in Advent.
New year.
New beginning.
I do hope so.

Summer in St Ives

Our holiday next summer has been confirmed. We have a fortnight in Seashore, our first choice. The girls are pleased. They will have two weeks on Porthmeor beach instead of being dragged round the artistic treasures of northern Italy. Alan and I will have to wait until they leave home before we're able to shoulder our rucksacks and set off for the continent again. It's a shame. The new Eurostar Terminal at St Pancras looks very inviting (and I'm not just thinking of the impressive champagne bar). Perhaps we'll manage a long weekend break in Bruges, or Strasbourg. Meanwhile we'll have to make do with cornish pasties, body boards and the south west coastal path. I'm not complaining.

Karine Polwart

I went to hear Karine Polwart at St George's last evening with Alan and Steve and Moira. It was the first time I had heard her live and it was great. She began and ended her gig with two of my favourite songs ('Daisy' and the 'Heron' song) which was very nice of her! Listening to her sing and talk reminded me of home (Scotland). I liked that.

There was a competition to suggest the cheesiest combination of fish and names of musicians/songs etc. I particularly liked 'Skate Rusby' and 'Pike and Tuna Turner'. We scribbled a few suggestions and one of mine 'Red Hot Chilli Kippers' made it to the shortlist but was outvoted by 'Sushi and the Banshees'. I was, of course, gutted!!!