The Blackbird Sings

Ten things that are making me happy this week...

I honestly haven't posted new blog entries as often as I'd hoped during my time in Paris and there have been many reasons for this. But - inspired by my twitter friend Fritha's post on her blog - I thought I'd make a quick list of ten things that are making me happy this week.

Issey & Ruby

(Footnote: I chose the photo of Issey & Ruby to illustrate this post because it's so damn cute, and then realised that Fritha did the same with hers, featuring her cat in a very sweet pose. This part was unintentional (but maybe subliminal?), as I'd forgotten that she had chosen a cat photo too!)

Ten things that are making me happy this week...

1. The fact that I seem to have finally kicked my migraine attack into touch after suffering from various nasty symptoms on and off over the course of the past week or so.

2. We're leaving Paris tomorrow, and although I'm sad about this, I'm incredibly happy that Leon and I are travelling back together this time (this has never happened before!) because he's coming to stay in Suffolk for a week. He'll be meeting my family and many of my friends for the first time, and we've rented a beautiful cottage which is just a stone's throw from my mum's house. We can't wait for our week of relaxation! And it gives me a chance to be a 'tourist' in my home county, because we'll be out exploring the area all week.

3. I will finally see my little kitten Issey again tomorrow! She has three and a half weeks of hugs to catch up on! I've missed her so much. Mum says she's grown quite a lot, so I'm sure I'm in for a surprise! I'll also be sure to give little Ruby (Issey's sister, and my mum's cat) plenty of love too. I've missed them both.

4. Leon and I have the use of my brother's little sports car for our week in Suffolk. Thanks Cris! I only hope I'm able to drive it ok..... ;)

5. My beautiful ring from Leon. You can see a photo in this post.

6. I sold another two paintings at Snape Maltings gallery this week! This was one of them: In The Air 3. They also want more work from me which is great.

7. I am very excited about an upcoming solo show the gallery have asked me to do in the Autumn of 2012. I have a meeting with them next week to discuss the details!

8. Fresh watermelon. My new favourite fruit and packed full of vitamins. I can't get enough of it - the watermelon is so good here.

9. We're planning a trip to the city of Norwich next week! One of my favourite places.

10. The imminent arrival of my Hotel Chocolat Chocolate Tasting Club box of chocs. Heaven.

My lovely American boy.

I've been meaning to write a blog post for days. I have so many ideas for blogs at the moment (covering a variety of subjects; some personal and some work-related) but seemingly no time to write them! So tonight, instead of writing something lengthy, I wanted to share this photo with you instead. It was taken years ago but I only saw it for the first time the other week. It's a photo of my boyfriend...

Leon (c.1992)

He was lovely then, and he's lovely now.

I didn't know him then because I was just a teenager in Suffolk, England, and as you can see he was a gorgeous American man in Paris. But many years later we met and fell in love. In this photo he's about the same age as I am now. If I'd met him then I know I would have fallen in love with him, but sometimes life makes you wait for these things.

That's all I really wanted to say.

**

P.S. Those glasses are something else, aren't they?! I think they may almost be in fashion again!

[Oh, and by the way, you should really check out both the shop and my website. I've added a ton of new things to both of them this week. Enjoy!]