Easter eggs, hens and feathers

I just love eggs, feathers and chickens.






At this time of year the chickens are laying




it is a joy to collect the eggs each morning.





I hope you enjoy this selection of the 'best of' egg photos from my home and garden.

Join in on My Romantic Home blog for Show and Tell Friday


Big Hugs,

Margie

Time for you

Take a seat and take time for yourself, to reflect, time to enjoy nature, or time to think about your life, you know you deserve it.

(This post was inspired by Louise at Cape Cod Rambling Rose where she recently had a wordless post, with the most beautiful photos of where she lives)

Big Hugs,


Margie

La Fheile Bhride and Thank You

We are again preparing for our St. Brigid's Day celebrations. The Celtic Saint who lived in our area. She is the symbol of Woman in many religions. In Kildare there are many events taking place to celebrate her life.

Solas Bhride, an order of Brigidine nuns, founded by St. Brigid (who are unusual as they are Catholic and also celebrate the Goddess) hold workshops and events all through the year. A yearly event for us locals is a visit to the holy well a walk around the Cathedral, a visit to the mighty oak, and home for tea and cake. The reed cross will be made tomorrow for pride of place in the home for the year ahead.

Happy La Fheile Bhride (Happy Saint Brigid's Day) everyone.

Elly at My Everyday Things sent me a wonderful Christmas package with beautiful items, an angel a star, a heart, a sachet of Christmas scents (everything so thoughtfully chosen, perfect gifts) and a drawing by her daughter(very special as there were some greetings written in Dutch), and a very sweet card with red and white (so you Elly) images on the front. They arrived all beautifully packaged. ( I was so excited I opened them before taking a photo). Thank you both for your thoughts and kindness it really means a lot to me.

This week another pretty package arrived this time from Marjolijn at Something White. I just about managed to contain myself and take a photo before I opened it up.

Lindt chocolates in a pretty pink tin, a magazine (I am going to look at now with a cup of Earl grey tea), a linen bag, serviettes, soap, body wash and L'occitane products and a beautiful card all tied with care and attention. Thank you my dear friend, I am delighted with your gifts and your kindness.

Marjolijn and Elly you are both very inspiring and creative, I am humbled by your generosity.

Big hugs,

Margie

Nollaig na Mna and Driekoningen

In Ireland, on 6th January, we celebrate Nollaig na Mna. It is the gaelic for Women's Christmas, a day that traditionally the men in the house do the housework and the cooking, as a "Thank You" for the work carried out by the women of the house in the run up to and including Christmas. As a feminist I think that it is really important for men and women to share the burden of housework and housekeeping all the year round, but I do know that in some cases the woman is the primary carer and will spend more time at home, and I do think that it is really important to acknowledge this work today.

In Belgium and Holland it is DrieKoningen, the day when the Three Kings arrived to Bethlehem having followed the star.

So to all my blog friends,

Happy Women's Christmas

Nollaig na Mna dhuit

Big hugs,


Margie

Seasons Greetings

It was Christmas Eve before Chez Margie was ready for the holiday season. Mr. Margie finished the book shelves and Leiny and I cleaned and tidied the whole house. Duane took the Christmas decorations down from the attic.

As a result of being so busy in work, I only made 15 handmade cards this year. I chose the tartan I used for the twins and had silver as a secondary theme.

Leiny looked so festive in her red billabong shirt, and was delighted to have the whole family together for the holidays. She has been knitting gloves as gifts.

She baked gingerbread cookies and I had the warm mulled apple ready when Mel and Chris arrived from their long drive and ferry trip.

Mel and Chris had a wonderful gift for us all. They are due a baby in July next year.

Happy Christmas everyone,

Big Hugs,

Margie

Rain and Floods

For the last few weeks it has not stopped raining. The roads I usually drive to work were flooded and had to be closed, I had to drive the long way around. My Landy has a leak above the door, so I needed a supply of towels to catch the flow of water.

I was one of the lucky ones, as in town many homes were flooded, and people lost everything they had. The Red Cross and the Vincent De Paul have been asking for blankets, towels, sheets etc.. as well as donations. With Christmas coming closer it will be a difficult time for many.

I have not been to visit many blogs recently but hopefully over the holiday season I will have more time. I have just updated my Christmastime Magic blog also.

Big hugs,

Margie

The Vintage Look in Henley

Sorry I have not been visiting all your wonderful blogs. I am visiting Mel and Chris in Henley at the moment, on a welcome pre-Christmas break.

The Vintage Look, is a tiny little shop tucked away in the back of the Waitrose car park.

There are plenty of Christmas gift ideas and wonderful vintage finds.

Jugs, teapots, baskets, soapdishes, heart garlands, ribbons, lavender bags, notice boards, and tiny little mannequins for hanging jewellery on, a haven of trinkets and vintage styles. I loved shopping.

Check out Karin's beautiful give away at Seasons of my Home.

The Christmas preparations continue on my Christmas Time Magic blog, click here to visit.

Big hugs,

Margie