Its been a while...

Yes, yes, we know we said last time we would 'do better', with more frequent blog posts, but all I can say is, with apologies in advance to Burns and Steinbeck, "the best laid schemes of mice & overworked small business owners often go awry"!

In our defence, we have been very, very busy here at Angel HQ.  The last couple of months we have launched new designs...

These natural vintage linen scented squares are all filled with French lavender and decorated with a combination of antique mother of pearl buttons, ticking striped ribbons and original monograms.  We think these simple designs let the tactile nature of the antique hemp and flax linens shine through but don't just take our word for it!  Available in store and online now.

Added lovely new things to our online homestore... 

These gorgeous merino wool throws are woven in England and we have chosen three co-ordinating designs, in pinks and greens, to feature in our Autumn/Winter collection.  Just imagine snuggling up in front of the fire with one or more of these lovely soft throws?

Started 'growing our own'...

We've had such fun this year with our new raised vegetable beds in the garden.  Despite the truly appalling weather, the plots have been very productive with peas, radishes, spring onions and lettuce in abundance.  Our new potatoes, however, rotted in the ground before we could dig them up and our cauliflowers look very deformed and extremely unappetizing!  The strawberries plants did well, as did the birds who ate all the fruits!  We will have to tackle those blighters next year.  I don't share my strawberries with anybody!

with love from the Angel Girls x

A Winter's Tale

The sun may not give off much heat, at this time of year, but it shows off the frost covered fields, trees and garden quite beautifully...

The new season seems frozen mid-growth, it's every outline highlighted by the frost...

After a very busy day in the workshop, the dog and I decide to go for a quick stroll before darkness falls.  The weak January sun is still able to light up the sky at it sets for another day.

The long path that leads homeward...

A 'light at yonder window' beckoning us in, promising warmth and shelter.  Just what a girl needs when her nose is turning an unflattering shade of blue!

Hot chocolate and spiced biscuits, perfect for thawing our chilled bones.  Well, mine anyway, the dog will have to make do with water and a chew!

To all you hot chocolate lovers out there, if you haven't already tried it, may I suggest Jamie's Epic Hot Chocolate recipe.  Can't be beaten, in my humble opinion, and once tried you will never go back!

... and didn't we have a lovely time!

As Christmas moves into the not-so-distant past and we step once more into another new year, I can't help but think back to our festivities and all the fun, food & frolics! 

We were treated to Christmas lunch, which arrived courtesy of my brother and his wife, and scrumptious it was too.  As you can see, my sister-in-law very cleverly took on the role of chief organiser and champagne taster!

 

Our table was groaning under the weight of all that fabulous festive fodder... but not for long!

 

Not forgetting the most important member of the family.  It gives a whole new meaning to 'a dogs dinner'!  Needless to say, it disappeared even faster than ours did!

 

Just what we needed, a good long walk after all that food!  We count ourselves very lucky indeed to have all this on our doorstep.  It might have been a bit wintery but the late afternoon light was really wonderful.

 

Dried reed banks bordered the ice cold lake, giving it an almost ghostly appearance - particularly when the light began to fade.

The 'feathered' grasses moved gracefully in the cold, winter breeze...

These pretty little seed-heads, ripe with their bounty, would have looked lovely piled high, in vintage glass bottles, around the house.  It's just a pity then that is was too cold to take my hands out of my pockets long enough to pick some!

Glad I managed to take these quick pictures though...

Back home for seconds, or it is thirds?  Some of us ate a little more than others!!

...and a very Merry Christmas was had by one and all. x