Apologies to all of you who have been leaving comments on my posts these last couple of months. Ever since Jos started having health problems back in September, there seem to be fewer hours in my days, so that replying to them has been falling by the wayside. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get back into my stride. I'm just hoping that once Jos has recovered from his op (which is scheduled for 28 February, by the way), things will get back to normal.
As we are in desperate need of a change of scenery, we have thrown caution to the wind and have booked a couple of nights at our favourite B&B in Beernem near Bruges in February. And we might even have booked a cottage for our annual UK holiday in June ...
If the latter still seems like a long way off at the time of writing, I won't be fooled as time has a tendency to fly whether one's having fun or not.

For the sake of this blog's continuity, however, I'm taking you back to 2024's final days as, try as I might, I hadn't finished telling you about them yet.
On Sunday the 29th of December it soon became clear that Saturday's sunny outlook had just been a blip, the weather having reverted to its former gloomy and mizzly state, with highs barely above freezing point.
It was far too cold to make outfit photos in the passageway and, with barely a smidgen of daylight making it through our kitchen window, we had to make use of our daylight lamp to show you what I was wearing. Pardon the ghost-like appearance of yours truly :-)
My black floral Diolen balloon-sleeved dress was a Think Twice sales bargain back in August, while I picked up the caramel short-sleeved cardigan during our Boxing Day rummage at the charity shop. Both the necklace and chunky flower brooch were old charity shop finds.
Bored with spending my time reading and occasionally napping on the sofa, I decided that now was the time to head upstairs for some long-overdue dusting and sweeping. In fact, whole generations of dust bunnies had been reared in our upstairs rooms since they'd last been properly cleaned.
The ladies on the spare room mantelpiece were duly relieved from their gossamer veil of dust as were the myriad of objects and heirlooms which reside on every available surface in our bedroom. Keeping everything squeaky clean all the time is verging on the impossible but as I'll never be a minimalist that's something I've learned to live with.
We didn't venture outside all day, except for a short walk to our neighbours across the street to feed their cats Bob and Billie while they were off to New York for a week.
Monday's weather was a carbon copy of Sunday's. What's more, as those who are supposedly in the know had us believe, the weather gods' offerings of infinite shades of grey would be repeated as December segued into January.
I'd woken up with a blocked left ear and a niggling headache which simply refused to budge so, apart from accompanying Jos on the year's final supermarket run, the sofa is where I spent most of the day.
It was late afternoon when I finally got my act together as we were invited by our friends Inneke and Maurice to have a rummage at their deceased neighbour's flat which they are helping to clear. It felt a bit awkward going through this late lady's cupboards and wardrobes, but I was reassured by Inneke that she would have loved it that her things were going to such a loving new home.
With Dove Cottage already bursting at its seams, we did have to leave behind any bigger items, picking up some smaller odds and ends instead. These included a couple of tote bags, some hand-embroidered napkins, a pink denim jacket and yet more belts.
I couldn't leave behind this twosome of owls, who are now enjoying the company of the Tiffany-style owl lamp which was a gift from Jos's daughter An last year.
The walnut chocolate mould (above, top right) has joined our kitchenalia collection and we are now the proud owners of a fancy new coffee machine (above, bottom left).
These new additions to our kitchen prompted another cleaning session on Tuesday the 31st. I've got to strike the iron while it's hot, as I never know when the mood for this level of domesticity will next take me. And speaking of ironing, I did indulge in some of that seldom seen activity too! Get me!
This is what I was wearing! Both the skirt and the jumper were bought on the high street. While the rust coloured faux-suede paperbag waist skirt was a sales bargain, bought at 70% off in January 2022, the green poloneck is an old wardrobe stalwart having resided there for at least 15 years.
The indisputable star of my outfit is the tooled leather cowboy belt. It's the genuine article and must have been picked up by Inneke and Maurice's neighbour on her travels.
The Edelweiss hiking souvenir brooch I pinned to my poloneck was a flea market find in February 2024 and the orange and brown hued wooden beaded necklace was charity shopped.
In order to keep cabin fever at bay we decided to drive down to the small charity shop in the neighbouring village of Reet after lunch. The shop's stock can be rather hit or miss and we were fully expecting the latter, so imagine our delight when it turned out there was quite a bit of treasure to be found this time around.
Apart from a Mango jumper (which you'll get to see me wearing in a minute) there was a pair of floral denim trousers, a dress by posh label Essentiel Antwerp and a cushion printed with Vizzini (
Sheila's lovely boy) lookalikes. For some reason, Bess initially wasn't a fan as she was clearly freaked out by it.
I also ended up buying this magnificent red wool dress. Trimmed with faux fur at the cuffs and neck and with braided frog buttons decorating its bodice, I though it was fit for a Russian princess. Not for this particular princes though as, while it fit me perfect in the waist and effortlessly skimmed my hips, it was just a bit too narrow on top. Although I wasn't able to try it on in the shop, I'm generally quite good at guessing my size. Obviously not this time, so I'm letting Angelica do the honours. I even generously lend her my muff which doubles as a handbag!

Wednesday the 1st of January was a complete write-off. Although the mercury had climbed to 9°C by now, the day was even more miserable than those barely above freezing point ones courtesy of a nasty gale-force wind. As if that wasn't bad enough, I was feeling a bit maudlin and wasn't at all looking forward to my return to work the next day. And wasn't it just typical that this turned out to be a sunny one? I bet the weather gods must have been laughing behind my back!
After the shortest working week ever of just one day we've arrived at Friday the 3rd of January, and the final day covered by this post. A frosty but sunny day, with highs of 2°C, it offered the perfect opportunity to wear that Mango jumper I'd charity shopped on Tuesday.
Biscuit and cream might not be my go-to colours, but add a generous helping of custard and suddenly it's very me indeed. As its companion, I picked a vintage chevron patterned knit skirt in shades of biscuit and chocolate. More custard was added with my fleece-lined opaques - a gift from lovely
Kezzie - and charity shopped woolly hat.
The belt by Massimo Dutti and the orange beaded necklace were charity shopped as well, while the brooch was picked up from Think Twice a couple of months ago.
Clouds had gathered by the time we'd had lunch but there were still enough patches of blue sky to tempt us outside for a walk. For a change of scenery, we opted for the park in the nearby town of Boom [boːm], which apparently we hadn't visited since early October.
As our last visit was just days before everything went truly pear shaped, bad memories needed to be chased away, so that we entered the park with some trepidation. We needed have worried though, as any lingering negative vibes appeared to have been swept up and buried beneath a deep pile carpet of Autumn leaves.
Still, instead of circling the ponds as we usually do, we headed to the park's tapering town-side end.
Here, a modernist water garden punctuated with several bronze sculptures by well-known Flemish artists was laid out in 1931.
The building with the Art-Deco tower beyond belongs to Jos's alma mater and was built at approximately the same time.
The most prominent of the sculptures is Solidarity (above) by the Belgian sculptor, draughtsman and graphic designer George Minne (1866-1941), famous for his idealized depictions of man's inner spiritual conflicts.
With the remaining sunshine on the wane, the temperature was soon making its way below freezing point. As the cold was numbing our faces and making our eyes water, we decided to call it a day and make our way back to where we'd left our car.
Waffles and hot chocolates were waiting for us at home!
So much to like! I love owls, though I appreciate it must have felt very odd to go through a stranger's things. The red wool dress is lovely - is there no way around the too-snug top?
ReplyDeleteI am in love with the cowboy belt! It’s such a one-of-a-kind item to find. Well done, big sis 💖👏🏻
ReplyDeleteCan you believe i sat in the sun in front of my home for a hour last Monday! I just couldn't read because I had to keep my hands under the blanket, lol. Other then that we see no ray of sunshine here at all. But we are going to the park today, its 0 degrees, so need to layer layer layer. That red dress looks amazing. Are you going to sell it on now them? I hope you also will be able to go for a walk today, I think you will! Happy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteWell I hope you're fully recovered from all that domesticity! That said, your collections are looking resplendent once more! Love the walnut chocolate moulds and coffee machine and I'm so glad you didn't leave those two owls behind. They are in good company!
ReplyDeleteAll of your outfits are gorgeous. The cowboy belt is fabulous and you've styled it to perfection. What a shame about the Russian princess dress - how frustrating!
It's good that those demons have been exorcised by a visit to Boom park. xxx
I'm very happy to hear of not one but two holidays booked, you both deserve them after the trauma of last year.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to help Inneke and Maurice with clearing the neighbour's flat, speaking from experience it's an exhausting and overwhelming job. I absolutely love the cowboy belt and Jon would have soon snaffled those owls, he loves how cat-like they are.
What a shame Bess hated that cushion - what a cool print! And equally sad that the fabulous Cossack-inspired dress didn't fit.
As always I'm drooling over your collections - especially the heads! Your outfits are fabulous, full of colour and interest. That polo neck is a great colour.
How dramatic those clouds look in the photos of your trip to Boom Park, a wonderful place to blow away a few cobwebs. xxx
No wonder your head is full of worries, but everything will definitely be fine with Jos after the operation. It's good that you booked your time off.
ReplyDeleteThe pink denim jacket is great and the owls are really cute
I send you greetings from Ban Krut and a huge hug, Tina
Praying for Jos' surgery! Hope all will get back to normal for you, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the first outfit! You look wonderful in it...and I hope Bess is doing well...love her!
hugs
Donna
The holiday bookings sound like a very positive thing to do, as is revisiting the park.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a walnut shaped chocolate mould but now I'm intrigued. So many possibilities.
Sending well wishes to Jos as he waits for surgery.
-Goody
So many wonderful outfits. I love the first dress you worn. I also really like the red orange skirt and the green turtleneck combo. That rust faux suede skirt is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI also like your new purchase. That red wool dress is stunning. I can't wait to see you wear it.
Lovely photos of your home. The Tiffany owl is very pretty.
The photos from the walk are wonderful too. The Solidarity sculpture is so interesting...I feel like the fact that two figures are placed on a station on water makes it even more reflective. It's like their surrounded by an eternal element that can symbolize our mind. When the water is still, so are our thoughts...and then there are waves, our thoughts are in turmoil.
what will you do with the to snug "russian" dress now??
ReplyDeletegreat work to clean the upstairs and the kitchen shelfs - it must have being epic with all the things standing around...... here called "rumstehchen" :-D
stay warm! xxx
Glad you've got holidays to look forward to!!! That wooden necklace looks like cherries in various stages of ripeness!
ReplyDeleteYou did well on the red dress but gutting it didn't fit!!
That s a good idea of Inez to invite you to take some things - I would say that is a way of reducing the load to deal with!
Mmm, if like waffles and choc-my train is delayed and this platform is freeeeezing!! Xx
You never have to apologize for spending less time online or focusing your efforts on what matters most: your loved ones, your life, and all the rest. Sometimes, it's hard to keep up with the many demands on our time. Never apologize for prioritizing your time as you need to. How exciting that you have booked a few nights at your favourite B&B. That will be so much fun! It sounds like you have some really special things planned for the future.
ReplyDeleteThat black floral dress is gorgeous and I love the accessories that you paired with it. It's amazing how quickly the dust seems to take over! I'm glad you were able to get rid of them so everything was clean as you headed into the new year. (I am never going to be a minimalist either, so I have also given up on the idea of everything being spotless and perfectly cleaned all at one time.) Oh, I just adore those owls. They look wonderful next to that amazing lamp! Your house looks like the most incredible place on earth. I always love seeing some of your collections. The park you visited looks so lovely! Your pictures are so beautiful.
the creation of beauty is art.
Your beautifully styled and colorful outfits are sure to brighten up the grayest days. I never have a single minute of laying and napping.. there is always just too much going on.
ReplyDeleteDealing with illness is draining. It's normal to feel sapped of energy while in its midst. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteLove the red wool dress and cowboy belt. You find great stuff!
ReplyDeleteNice to hear that you have already booked for your holidays.
The outfit with the green jumper and the red skirt is very pretty.
The owls are a beautiful decoration, they radiate something so cute.
You are very efficient with your booking of holidays. Loved all your charity shop finds and what treasures from the house clearance. The red wool dress is amazing; what a shame it's too small on top. That's usually my problem, too that and the waistband. All the chocolate over Christmas hasn't helped either! I'm glad you were able to venture out for a walk; there's nothing like it for clearing the head and blowing the cobwebs and blues away.
ReplyDeletexxx
That was me above Ann - I keep forgetting I need not to be anonymous!
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice that you got to go through the closets and things, and take what you liked. I'd like to think my own things will be dispersed like that one day. Your Chambers belt (from Phoenix, Arizona) is from a company still in business: https://chambersbelt.com/about/ - your belt is probably 1960s or early 70s - those embossed leather belts were huge back then, and very much in style now!
ReplyDeleteLove those sculptures!
And how did I miss that Vizzini-inspired print! Thank you so much for the kind shout-out, my dear.
ReplyDelete