No ordinary day ...

In many ways Miss Marple would have been proud of my birthday presents, I was delighted with them and was once again left ooohing and aaaahing over the thoughtfulness and generosity of my family and friends. Mr Ragged Roses had taken the day off work, so that we would be able to spend the day together (a gift in itself) and had also agreed to do the school run (another gift!). Before the girls went their separate ways I was told to open their pressies.



Well Little sister I think has been reading my school post recently and taken it all to heart. In true Miss Marple fashion I wore it all day on my grey knitted cardie. I think that for this day I was really allowed to be Head Girl too, spoiled rotten.



She also bought me the latest Alexander McCall Smith book, the latest in the 44 Scotland Street series, which I think is my favourite of all the books he writes. I love them and particularly as they're always published around my birthday time!



She was also very insistent that I would like some fabric samples! So M had to go to CK for her and request some "Pretty material" - methinks he deserves a "headboy" badge for that!



Big sister not to be outdone, had taken herself off shopping and had come back very pleased with herself at having found just the right present for me. She wasn't wrong - I love the vintage sweets' advert ( I loved fruit gums in the yellow box when I was little) and some milk bottles for me to enjoy before the dentist (in a pink and white striped bag no less). Didn't they do well?



During the day whilst the girls were at school. M and I went for a walk, our first walk alone together in years. Isn't it amazing how fast you can walk without children. We practically legged it down the side of Ditchling Beacon, but it was quite a different story on the way up again, I think it was all the food we'd eaten for lunch in the village that did it. It was the perfect way to spend the day - I loved it.



As for M, well knowing me as well as he does, it came as no surprise that his presents were so lovely, generous and well, just right. Look at these beautiful, scrummy CK jimjams (I told you Miss Marple would have approved), aren't they just beautiful. I think they deserve another photo don't you.



Anyone who knows me knows that I really don't like being cold and I really love snuggling up in my PJs on the sofa with a book or a good film to watch, but these jimjams were almost too good to wear (more on them later ...)



So along with my nightwear came an assortment of books. Well Mr RR for somebody who forgets wear his glasses or keys are most days, you certainly have a good memory! I saw this book months ago when we visited the Tate, I drooled over it. I love the work of Edward Bawden, love his illustrations



Look at the endpapers, Brighton Pier, it was meant to be ...
His book illustrations are wonderful and



after visiting the Transport Museum in Covent Garden



I fell in love once more with all the beautiful old London Underground posters.



I finally got my copy of (the very appropriately named) "A Fortnight in September" (look at the bookmark, isn't it beautiful) . I had tried to order it but it was being reprinted and M found me a copy for sale in a bookshop. I breathed an audible sigh of contentment when I snuggled down to open its pages - oh how I love those books.



I also got a bit of pretty too - do you like my hairslide? It makes me feel all girly and not Miss Marpleish at all.



A dear friend sent me this book. Now, she and I seem to be living in paralled universes, the daily coincidences that take place in our lives are remarkable. Just the other day I was standing in the bookshop looking at this and wishing hard that it would come my way and thud there it lands on my doorstep. Thank you! I spent a very indulgent afternoon reading this yesterday whilst recovering from the dentist (thanks for all the well wishes, yes, it was awful, no I won't tell you all the details, suffice to say that I had 8, yes 8, injections!). I have long admired the Yarnstorm blog and this book is just wonderful, a real delight, it really really cheered me up yesterday.

Well now back to the pyjamas. Those gorgeous, gorgeous pyjamas. There is I'm afraid an unhappy ending. I rushed to put them on in the evening and found that not only lost sight of my hands and feet as the arms and legs seemed to go on for miles and miles but, here's the problem, I couldn't move without them falling down! Not one step could be taken without the trousers rolling down my legs and, of course, my hands being hidden up metres of sleeve I was unable to do anything about it. Being 5'2' (5'3" on a good day) and a small size I can only assume that these are only made for the long legged beauties in the catalogue. Oh woe is me. Mr RR found it hilarious I was devastated!



There is a happy ending - I swapped them for this lovely bag this morning. Not very good at keeping me warm at night I have to admit, but oh so lovely and just the right size!