Monday 19 September 2011

Present joy

Pomona's cottage seems to be becoming a bit of a bloggers' retreat at the moment - not only did the lovely Barbara ramble along from her English garden for a little holiday last month, but also this weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Emma from Silverpebble and Mrs Thrifty Household when they came to stay in our B&B.

It was lovely to meet them both and sit about and chat while the Head Chef rustled up supper and generally slaved over a hot stove, but what was even more of a delight was the present that Emma brought for me. As you may well know, Emma makes the most beautiful jewellery, and funnily enough, just before she arrived I had been dropping broad hints to the Head Chef about the acceptability of some of her jewellery on the present front . . .


Actually, they were more than broad hints it was more like 'Emma who is coming to stay makes the most wonderful jewellery and if you would like to give me a present (no, maybe it was more definite than that, more next time you buy me a present (eg Christmas)) you could (no, ought) to look at her website. She makes it all herself, you know, and it is just so beautiful . . .'


The Head Chef just looked bemused, because for him presents are impulsive things - no, not even impulsive - a present is a stress purchase, and it's no good, I have tried sending him the links in emails so he just has to click on them, but he doesn't even have a Paypal account, so that cuts out Etsy. (But come to think of it, he did manage to find a pig trailer and order it online, and a man turned up with it the very next day, and I have never seen him so beside himself with glee . . .)

[The weekend before Christmas he will go into town to buy me a present under pressure from Princess Bunchy, and they might get some bits and bobs she likes from Cath Kidston because it is one of her favourite shops, and he will remember to get some bars of Green and Black's 70% dark chocolate from the supermarket because he likes having it in the fridge and I eat the odd square (except by Christmas I will probably be trying to cut down and go to the gym more to eradicate the winter midriff) and he will also buy me a bottle of Neal's Yard bubble bath, as he has done for the past I don't know how many years, and a bar of Neal's Yard soap for Princess Bunchy to give me (and I do like Neal's Yard, but a surprise would be nice, except the surprises are often not so good, and have to be taken back after Christmas, and I get consumed with guilt for being so ungrateful . . .). And how could I not enter into the spirit of things when last Christmas I was given the most expensive present I have ever received from the dear Head Chef - I am sure that I am an object of envy being the recipient of a Caframo Ecofan to sit on the top of the log burner and improve the warm air circulation in the house so that I will never again be chilly in winter, and that is why I didn't have the usual little bag of treats as who could want anything else when they have an Ecofan, and anyway it must be better to have one expensive must-have gift, rather than a quantity of cheap fun . . .]


So wistfully I went back to ironing the sheets and then blow me down with a feather, Emma arrived bearing the most wonderful present - one of her beautiful handmade necklaces with vintage beads, and a lovely little knitty badge, all packed up in a silver-tissue-lined birdie box. Christmas come early and even better, because Christmas could bring a log splitter or heaven knows what sort of exciting gadget (it may help you to know that the Head Chef's most treasured possession is his log pile, and I wasn't here this morning when he showed our two lovely guests around, but I would be surprised if it did not include the ceremonial viewing of the wood stacks). [And come to think of it, I bet you if I expressed a desire for a Denver boot to fit a trailer wheel, I would definitely get lucky.]


So if you want to see more lovely jewellery, go and visit Emma at Silverpebble (I especially like her new Nature collection), and for thrifty hints and tips Mrs Thrifty Household is the person to visit, especially if you want to see nasturtium seeds in a new light.

And if anyone out there wants to give me a nice gift for Christmas I could send you a link . . .  but for the present I am joyful.

30 comments:

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Who's a very lucky girl then?? Emma's jewellery is stunning and your little necklace is no exception.
How cute is the little knitting badge too!
Vivienne x

Annie said...

What a lovely gift ... I could almost be persuaded to run a B&B if guests bring such beautiful things ;) Scrub that, all the ironing of sheets would floor me!
Lucky you, and lucky Emma and Mrs Thrifty Household, and Barbara too, getting to enjoy some Rifleman's Cottage comforts :D

Amy Friend said...

Nice gifts! Thank you for introducing me to Emma's work. I added her to my Etsy favorites. I will have to give Mark some hints.

PinkCatJo said...

Very pretty = what a special gift. It sounds like you've had some lovely visitors. x

silverpebble said...

Well I can safely say that I had a wonderufl time. Mrs TH and I need not eat for a week now. We have been utterly spoilt. We WERE shown the woodpile and very impressive it was too.

Huge thanks to you both for your fabulous hospitality. Our tiny minibreak was just what we needed. I'm so glad you liked the little necklace x

Simply H said...

What a gorgeous gift Pomona - I love your new necklace x

Simply H said...

What a gorgeous gift Pomona - I love your new necklace x

VintageVicki said...

What lovely pressies :)

My trick @ christmas/birthdays is to make sure my youngers has been shown things I'd like OR I email links to websites - neither is subtle but it means I get something lovely!!

The Weaver of Grass said...

I must say Pom that all 'agricultural' men are the same I think. Presents come very low on the farmer's list of things to do/get - although a pig trough would feature highly! Hints are useless - a downright 'this is what I want for Christmas' is the only way to get anywhere.

Rosa-Munda said...

Your new jewellery is so pretty!
I normally have to resort to emails for present giving (etc!) and sometimes we get a result (as long as its a book from Amazon!!) Ros x

Barbara said...

Just had to visit the bloggers that enjoyed your B & B as we obviously had something in common.

What a pretty necklace.

Oh dear! Someone after my own heart. Surprises would be nice but then I really prefer something I know I want!!

Lola Nova said...

Oh how wonderful! To have some blog friends to stay and get presents!

I love Emma's designs!

millefeuilles said...

I think you clearly deserve a silver gift, my dear! Yes, Emma's work is dreamy. I am so very patiently waiting for a snowdrop necklace from her... I don't mind waiting in the least (not really) because I am sure it will be well worth the wait.

I am vaguely threatening to come and visit too one day... you are warned.


Stephanie

ps It was good to hear about your three happy Phd years; the feeling is mutual.

Angela said...

Lovely jewellery
And thank you for the kind comment on my blog

Katy Cameron said...

Lol, oh dear! My mum can be somewhat hit and miss with her pressies, but at least she follows lists when presented with them!

Love what you got though :o)

Canadian Abroad said...

Love, love, love that necklace. And my husband would love a log splurged too. He only gets to play with one at his cousin's in Sweden usually!

**Anne** said...

Your gifts a lovely and all the more enjoyable as you had been lusting after some of Emma's work! :) Enjoy!
Anne xx

driftwood said...

Emma's jewellry is so lovely, you are a lucky thing! xxx my best Christmas present. last year I got a new snow shovel. which was very useful actaully x

Gina said...

What a delightful gift - Emma's jewellery is always spot on!

menopausalmusing said...

Loving the words "a present is a stress purchase"......... it sums up the present buying mentality in this house too.

Lucky you to meet such lovely bloggers and your necklace is very, very beautiful.

Pipany said...

Oh lucky you! I love Emma's work and the acorn in her new collection is just gorgeous. Oh hang on, have just remembered I won your give-away so am now sounding like a greedy brat!!! x

Karen L R said...

Just marked Emma's shop as a favorite! Lovely things.
(Batman has a similar obsession with woodpiles xo).

Frances said...

Oh, that necklace is a beauty, and I also like the witty little badge.

I am sure that your guests must have had a wonderful time. Hoping that eventually I might also get to your part of the world and see that woodpile!

Meanwhile, I am going to get some more apples and try your recipe...since I am now back at work, my time is being rationed again.

xo

Sylvia said...

Thanks for your nice comment on my blog :-)
What a lovely necklace, enjoy wearing it !
Have a wonderful week,
Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Hmm, your OH sounds just like my mine! I've even now resorted to buying some things I'd really like for my little one to wrap...:)
Gorgeous jewellery!
Fiona.

Nicky said...

Quilty retreat - that sounds very tempting...

Had a look - beautiful necklaces...but my hubby just goes to the local town and gets something for me there (which is not much) - so I help him sometimes by doing his shopping for him!

Mrs. Micawber said...

Mr. M also tends to less-than-romantic gifts, purchased under duress. But he loves me every day of the year, which makes up for any paucity of presents on just 2 of those days.

Beautiful necklace! I also really enjoyed your discursive paragraphs(s) ...

Pat said...

The more of read of your wonderful posting, the more I felt a true kinship...my Mr. Outback views purchasing gifts the very same way...and as for HIS woodpile - well our two DH's could spend hours comparing... and yes, the log splitter has a place of honor in our pole building. A truly delightful read!

And your new jewelry from Emma is exquisite - I am on my way to check out her offerings.

Sewmancer said...

Such a pretty, wonderful present!

Greedy Nan said...

There's a lot of stuff here to comment on so I'm going to take my time! Firstly and foremostly though I went to look at the teatowels: there are many to choose from and most too nice to be used for the intended purpose. I think two of my favourites are the male and female tea making cartoon and the PG monkey. Strange how they're both about a nice cup of 'rosie'.

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