I've been feeling like winter has overstayed its time, as I'm so sick of it now. However, the sun came out today, and the air was mild, so I felt pretty optimistic.
As I stood by my bedroom window, I saw this beautiful bird chilling on the floating pontoon in the Llangollen Basin Visitor Moorings. It was perched at that one spot long enough as if it was saying "come have a coffee and bread with me." Well, that's what I heard; so I put the kettle on, made myself a coffee and an open face cheese sandwich and fruit... I was eager to use my new hand-embroidered tablecloth, and of course get closer to the sun.
Speaking of something that reminds me of spring, is this lovely hand embroidery table cloth that I bought at one of the many little independently-owned vintage shops in the town of Llangollen, Wales.
I tend to go for plain, neutral earthy colours, but somehow this design, colour, and fabric is reminiscent of ones I made with my sisters back in high school.
I have pillowcases in my mum's "good drawer"...you know that drawer where items that are regarded as precious go? Items that never get used, and just keep up space? (My mum still has that crowded drawer in her bedroom).
This tablecloth made me think just how global the world is. To think that these designs and patterns were made by my sister and I, all the way in Jamaica, yet here I was thousands of miles away in a small, charming, historic town in Wales, holding this individual tablecloth.
I smiled as I spotted this item neatly folded in a wicker basket, and I grinned when I saw the £1.00 price tag.
I see pre-loved items as "new to me items."
Why shouldn't I buy this tablecloth because it's not brand new?
Do you think going into a posh shop that sells handmade items, with a price tag of £28.00 would have made it more attractive and precious to me?
NO! it would not.
I selected that random price because I do a lot of eye shopping in fancy stores and I'm familiar with current prices. I know of common marketing and psychological tricks that manufacturers and companies play on ignorant consumers.
I've also seen persons pick up items like these celebrating the "under £30" bargain that they fool themselves into thinking they got.
I know this tablecloth has a story, a history behind it, and the person who stitched it.
I imagined the pride and joy the person must have felt with every stitch that completed the pattern.
Touching the table cloth, sparked joy within me. A got a truly positive vibe from it. The design and colours gave me hope that trees will bloom again and very soon I'll see pretty flowers growing wild.
The tablecloth made my coffee and snack feel more wholesome, and everything felt right.
While dining, a few locals went by with their dogs and we said hello, and exchanged pleasantries. Of course they admire the fact that this beautiful tourist destination that's super crowded during the summer is my temporary home for a few nights before I move on.
A lady went by with her son. They both had ice cream cones, and we all marvelled at how awesome it is to be having ice cream in February.
We were all optimistic about the weather and the change of season coming.
Do you love the feel and smell of spring in the air?
Do you like to have coffee al fresco during the springtime?
I do! Spring spurs me to "spring clean" and take stock of the things that mean value to me.
Springtime for me, is when I love to prepare simply little meals and use my favourite coffee crockery, and now my new precious tablecloth, a souvenir that will always give me happy memories of Wales.
I'd love to hear what your favourite season is, and what are some of the things on your agenda for Spring? or whichever season you might be experiencing in your part of the world.
Thanks for reading, have a lovely day!
All images are mine
