Chit-chat Wednesday and Cosy Days

We've just passed the Winter Solstice in Australia and I've been enjoying cosy days in our little brick terrace. One advantage of a small house is that it doesn't take a lot to heat. These couple of pics show where I've been scribbling in notebooks. They feature a few things I love in a room: black-and-white checkerboard floors, vintage chandeliers (I have a pink one in my kitchen), stained glass window and fairy lights.
I've also:
Finished Poets Cottage after nearly three years since it was first conceived in Tasmania on a family holiday (August 2007). At 93 000 words, it's one of my smallest books but I'm very happy and proud of it for many different reasons.
Visited my hairdresser who must have thought I had died or moved after three months of not seeing me. My new profile pic shows me chirpy now that I can see.
Been writing crime short stories for the annual Sisters in Crime competition. I love writing short stories after finishing a novel.
Lost everything (except photos and my draft manuscripts) in a major computer crash the day after I finished Poets Cottage. I had no computer for a week which was rather lovely when I got over the initial horror.
Bought a few goodies from op-shops and EBay. More to come on that.
Cheered my lovely daughter on in her first-ever sports carnival. Having been totally pants at sports all my life, it was amazing to see how good Daisy was. She won two seconds (javelin-throwing and long-distance sprint) two thirds and a ribbon for good effort
The photo of her running here is a race she actually lost when she turned around to see where her friend was. I love it, because it shows her enjoyment of the race.
I've been reading The Elegance Of The Hedgehog, a wonderful book. Bit slowish at first but if you persist you're rewarded with a magical read. This was my bookclub pick.
How about you? What cosy things are inspiring you or what are you up to? What features do you like to have in a house to feel 'right' in?
Do drop me a line. I'd love to know.
And a reminder that my giveaway closes next Monday and I'd hate for you to miss out.
Thanks for visiting me. xx

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday and Massive Giveaway at Tale Peddler!

Hello,
I missed you all and I'm so pleased to finally be back blogging to celebrate the end of writing Poets Cottage. (Yes, it's true! Poets Cottage is finally with my agent!). Also to celebrate Tale Peddler turning ONE. How can this be true? It seems only a few months since I tried to fathom Google Blogger out! And also to say thank you to all the lovely and fab people who have commented, followed, lurked and been there for me in that year as I continued to attempt to fathom the mysteries of Blogger…
To celebrate all these things - I am having a Giveaway!
And so gentle ladies and gents, do not push, poke and become all frantic to get to the goodies. You do have a week.
Up for grabs in the first-ever Tale Peddler giveaway is the following:
1/ A very pretty, cute and lovely purse/make-up bag from one of my favourite King Street shops, Pretty in Pink. Quite appropriate as Tale Peddler began life as a shocking pink colour. To celebrate I have gone pink again!
2/ Not one but three current Australian magazines. This is a great chance for an overseas reader to grab some magazines not available in their country and also for Australians to stock up. I have the wonderful, whimsical, pretty and clever Frankie, and Frankie's older sister still clever crafty and vintage, Notebook. And Australian Country Style with some super country homes and its usual beautiful styling and photography.
3/ And there's also some divine Hedgehog bookplates by the wonderful Emily Martin from Inside a Black Apple. My house is beginning to look a bit like Emily's Blog with all the prints I've been buying. These plate are from Emily's fab Etsy Store here.
4/ And of course, it wouldn't be a Tale Peddler giveaway without Johnny Depp. Here is a sealed DVD of one of my favourite Johnny movies, Secret Window where he plays a writer. It's not one of his more well-known films and the writing isn't terrific but he's in good form and it's a little bit creepy as well.
You know the drill. You have to either be a follower of Tale Peddler or a Facebook friend to enter. If you are on Facebook, leave a comment in the comment box or tick the like box and you shall have your chance.
If you are a follower leave me a comment and you are then eligible. And if you mention this giveaway on your Blog or Twitter and let me know - you get a double chance!
This giveaway is open to all countries, hedgehogs and other galaxies if they so desire.
And the Magic Hat - who normally only ever appears at The Magic Hat Bookclub - has kindly agreed to be the vessel for the lucky duck's name who will be pulled out and announced next Wednesday. And so calling all Lucky Ducks to get your entry in!
I really can't believe it's been a year and I'm still here trying to work out Blogger. I had promised myself to buy a proper Blogging book and I never did. I'm as perplexed by the Blogging business as I was the first day I began Tale Peddler. And I remain eternally uplifted by how much talent, beauty and inspiration there is to be found in the Blogging world.
Thanks for reading and being there in my first year.
xx