Birthday Giveaway & Gizmo

I can't quite believe that the anniversary of this blog has already passed...it seem like no time at all, and forever at the same time, if that makes sense?! Thanks so much to all who follow me, or just read my ramblings sometimes. I'm sorry that I haven't been so regular with my postings recently...it's something I'm trying to change! I'm so grateful that you've stuck with me and to say a proper THANK YOU I've organised my second giveaway, the winner of which will be drawn on 24th September...to give you 10 days to comment & enter!

In this giveaway (which I've tried to make a combination of our Lakeland break and the Mediterranean cruise we took in May) the lucky recipient will receive....

some beach glass from the shore at St Tropez...where we saw Giorgio Armani strolling past! I can't guarantee that he actually stepped ON the pieces I'll send you...but maybe!! I'll pick two of my favourites from the hoard...

also....

this sweet little Jemima Puddleduck fridge magnet...bought in true Beatrix Potter country! Bowness-on Windermere. Guaranteed to smarten up the dullest refrigerator....or anything else metal you'd like to embellish!

Plus....


a little block of famous Kendal Mint Cake (the brown sugar version) For those who don't know what it is....hhmmm...a quintessentially pepperminty sugary block, used by countless British mountaineers to boost their energy while climbing huge peaks (also eaten by the rest of us....!) Great for hiking trips...or just after dinner with coffee!

And...finally...no picture because my battery ran out and I want to post now...a gorgeous little Victorian teacup, saucer & cake plate trio. It's quite delicate, white background, painted in soft blues, greens, pinks & browns in a beautiful flower pattern, edged with a small yellow border...so so pretty!
I bought it in a little junk shop in Carnforth, Lancashire - notable amongst us old movie buffs as having a railway station that was the setting for 1945's Brief Encounter!

There we have it. My super deluxe birthday blog giveaway...just leave me a comment (mention what you like best about my blog if you like? Then I'll try and give you more of it! I'm thinking of a redesign...) and I'll pick a random name out of Paul's fedora on September 24th at 9am. Then this super parcel may shortly afterwards land on your doormat. With love, and thanks, from me xox

Following our successful fostering of the lovely Gwilym (who is now happily living with his new forever family, I'm very happy to report) we decided to foster one more time. Little Gizmo came to us yesterday. He's a small, compact, black brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier...sweet natured, welcoming to dogs, cats and people of all shapes & sizes. He was born with a condition called Cherry Eye, and last week had a major operation to help his sight. He is amazingly resilient and brave...you would hardly know that his vision is restricted. We're giving him some warmth, care and love for a little while as he recovers.
He may not be the prettiest of dogs, but his big heart and handsome nature means that we hardly notice it.



Once again, anyone interested in owning (or fostering!) this lovely boy, you can visit Rescue Remedies for all the details.

It's raining hard. The birds are singing their twilight tunes. I need to think about supper and tomorrow's baking schedule...

Have a wonderful week xox

Comments

  1. Dearest Rachel,
    My heart is overflowing with love and admiration for you, Paul and Alice fostering sweet Gizmo. Oh what poor little sausage he is, I have never heard of cherry eye before which actually sounds quite cute, although it is obviously to the contrary. I can imagine how much he is enjoying being with you all showering him with all of the love and affection he deserves.
    I am so so pleased to hear that Gwilym has found his forever home with a sprollie girlfriend no less!
    Oh golly, I had completely forgotten about your amazing birthday giveaway for a moment with all of the puppy love that my heart is swelling with from your wonderful post. Congratulations on twelve glorious months of your wonderful blog and I am so happy and proud to say that I have followed you since your very first post. What a kind and generous soul you are (but I already knew that!) and I would love to be the very lucky recipient of such beautiful and interesting treasures from your travels so I am going to cross my fingers and my toes for a lucky dip!
    Sending love and hugs to you, Paul, Alice and sweet Gizmo
    Morwenna
    xoxo

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  2. Oh, I love everything about your blog! I especially love the photos from England. My husband is from England and his parents still live there, so your blog makes me very nostalgic. I must tell you, I still have a calendar on my kitchen wall from 2004, since it is a beautiful Beatrix Potter one! Her books are wonderful and her drawings are outstanding and it is down to her that we have the Lake District to enjoy! I would love to win! Thanks for your great blog.
    Kay Guest

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  3. Oh I already love Gizmo and wish I could adopt him! And bear in mind that I am more of a cat person.

    We went to the Lake District last July, as you know, and spend a day in Windemere. We also bought the Kendal mint cake, which for some reason I did not like all that much. But it is true that we did not do any hiking.

    Which reminds me that I should have bought a proper coat for cold weather when I was there.

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  4. What do I love most about your blog, aside from everything? :) I love glimpsing into your beautiful life! You live in such a wonderful area, and do such wonderful things (one of my favorite posts was your description of that writer's workshop!) I get such enjoyment out of following you ♥

    P.S.- Gizmo is adorable... you are so kind for taking him in!

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  5. I love everything about your blog, but especially telling us all about your foster puppies. That is such an amazing thing you guys are doing. Gizmo is so cute!!!

    Would love to win! Blessings.....
    xoxo Gert

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  6. Dear Rachel,

    First off, I want to congratulate you on the 1 year anniversary of your blog! What do I love most about your blog? I love reading about all your adventures, in and around London and all the far-away places you have visited. I just love reading all your posts because you are such a special person! Oh, and I love seeing photos of you and Paul and Alice. Makes it more personal! Your give-away is wonderful! Especially, the jemima puddle-duck magnet. I too, love Beatrice Potter, always have! Whoever wins will be one lucky-ducky! xoxo Rosinda

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  7. Dearest Rachel,
    Congratulations on ONE YEAR anniversary. Time does fly. It was a very fortunate day for me when we shared our first tweet and my world has been made richer and a lot more fun since you became part of it.
    Gizmo is a treasure and I want to place a big o kiss right on his head and give him a cuddle.
    Can tell he is a sweetie. You are his champion and so good for him. Well on to your blog..
    I feel like I have a friend here, one who feels the same joy of life and passion for living it to the fullest. Your travel discriptions and pictures take me away to wonderful places and I so enjoy all of them. Thank you for being who you are and congratulations again on your blog anniversary.
    May we all enjoy many more!

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  8. Forgot to say that your give-a-way is wonderful and generous just like you!

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  9. I am in love with Gizmo! If I could afford his plane fare, he would come and live with me. My staffy wouldn't like it though! I used to have a boy staffy, Mithers was his name-o. How I loved that dog. Good luck with finding a home for him, he is a lucky boy being with you. You are very very sweet to with your wonderful giveaways. Leave me out of the fedora, I am too far away to post and it would probably end up shattered, anyway a beloved member of my family is visiting soon, so I may be the recipient of my fave giveaways, Horlick's light and Sainsbury's deodorant....
    Love always xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  10. hello my sweet friend, oh ...look at little gizmo...poor little guy..i am so HAPPY you have him. and i am so HAPPY that the other little sweetie found a forever home....you and paul have such warm, generous and kind hearts....i just love seeing all of this...and i LOVE EVERYTHING about your blog...especially the doggy stuff.....

    Fall is here....enjoy it all. i too am thinking about what to bake today. Yesterday I baked a pumpkin tea cake out of my Tartine cookbook. John's dad had a stroke on the 3rd of July so I bring him and his room mate, Thurman the goodies...we have come to love his room mate as well...the other day he had tears in his eyes when i gave him the bread..he said it was his favorite and he called and invited his wife to come that evening for a special dessert...gosh that made me so Happy. i am thinking apple cake next :-)

    sending love today to you and paul and alice and sweet little gizmo.

    kary and teddy
    (he is right on my lap)

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  11. I enjoy your blog...it is so lovely!! Wishing you a Happy First Anniversary! You are such a caring lady...love hearing of all the puppies and their adventures. I do so hope little Gizmo will find a wonderful home!
    You are so kind to have a give-away with all the treasures!

    Love and hugs,
    Sherry

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  12. I love hearing the tales of the dogs. In Tweets of old they mentioned that a girl "who ploughs 160 acres says she could do double if marriage minded men would leave her alone." That sounds like Alice. I do think Gizmo is a handsome dog--who looks just like the actor Fred Ward. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0911542/ Tell me there's no resemblance!

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  13. hi rachel and alice...i was so happy to see you at farmhouse...but even happier to hear that little gizmo got a new loving home.....

    wonderful news...

    sending love to you...
    kary and teddy
    xxx

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