Hello dear Off-Topic readers, It’s always odd to be writing this when we’re about to dive into a national holiday here in the UK, knowing you may be elsewhere in the world and in the midst of a regular week, but either way, it’s Queenie’s jubilee, so we’re on the crest of a four-day weekend…although somehow it’s snuck up on me, so I’m writing this newsletter in a little more of a rush than usual. Although hopefully it will be perfectly-formed-by-association with the four perfect things I wanted to share with you.
I don't know why you love your stapler, but I love mine because it looks like a friendly whale from the side, and I've had to stop myself putting googly eyes on those side rivets
Not sure what it is with the Finns (the people of Finland, I mean) and crockery but I have one of the Arabia Moomin mugs and it is JUST RIGHT. It's a Christmas one so I only use it for a few weeks each year. The rest of the time I mostly drink from Duralex Gigogne 220ml glasses which are also a lovely size and shape and feel just right in the hand (mine at least), and I love that they're incredibly robust and also cheap and easily replaceable if they ever were to be somehow broken - rare combo of very nice and not at all 'precious' (also still made in France!).
Ugh, the salt grinders! We gave up and now have finely ground salt next to the cooker for cooking and a jar of Maldon flakes for when we're eating; all a bit fiddly but we are freed from the treadmill (haha) of ever-failing salt mills. We do have one for pepper which has a stupid design flaw that means a few peppercorns get left in the bottom of it when all the rest are gone; it's like there's absolutely no quality control or prototype testing in the seasoning mill design process anywhere!
Ah Florence, you got me thinking after reading your newsletter. 4 perfect things...I am so very very blessed that I struggled to limit it to 4 😊
After my family, who of course aren't perfect, but I couldn't wish for a nicer one...my sewing room and it's contents make me smile every time I go in to it.
My shelves of books. The wood burner on a chilly day. The beautiful views from every window of our home of either river, mountain or bushland.
I do share your grrr about salt and pepper grinders! Yet to find a good one. I also share your love of stationery, particularly beautiful notebooks and pens.
Oh my!!! I am intrigued at the idea of wafer thin wooden paper clips in the shape of animals that come in a perfect Japanese slide boxes! Please ask your husband ti divulge the source of this incredible treasure!!!
I don't know why you love your stapler, but I love mine because it looks like a friendly whale from the side, and I've had to stop myself putting googly eyes on those side rivets
Not sure what it is with the Finns (the people of Finland, I mean) and crockery but I have one of the Arabia Moomin mugs and it is JUST RIGHT. It's a Christmas one so I only use it for a few weeks each year. The rest of the time I mostly drink from Duralex Gigogne 220ml glasses which are also a lovely size and shape and feel just right in the hand (mine at least), and I love that they're incredibly robust and also cheap and easily replaceable if they ever were to be somehow broken - rare combo of very nice and not at all 'precious' (also still made in France!).
Ugh, the salt grinders! We gave up and now have finely ground salt next to the cooker for cooking and a jar of Maldon flakes for when we're eating; all a bit fiddly but we are freed from the treadmill (haha) of ever-failing salt mills. We do have one for pepper which has a stupid design flaw that means a few peppercorns get left in the bottom of it when all the rest are gone; it's like there's absolutely no quality control or prototype testing in the seasoning mill design process anywhere!
Next week's post had better be 100% footnotes.
x
Ah Florence, you got me thinking after reading your newsletter. 4 perfect things...I am so very very blessed that I struggled to limit it to 4 😊
After my family, who of course aren't perfect, but I couldn't wish for a nicer one...my sewing room and it's contents make me smile every time I go in to it.
My shelves of books. The wood burner on a chilly day. The beautiful views from every window of our home of either river, mountain or bushland.
I do share your grrr about salt and pepper grinders! Yet to find a good one. I also share your love of stationery, particularly beautiful notebooks and pens.
Have a wonderful long weekend 😊🎉
I had to look at all the colors of the salt and pepper shakers. Yes, the green would go nicely with the purple.
One of my favorite things is a Bodum insulated glass that keeps my morning coffee hot.
Oh my!!! I am intrigued at the idea of wafer thin wooden paper clips in the shape of animals that come in a perfect Japanese slide boxes! Please ask your husband ti divulge the source of this incredible treasure!!!