Bears and Books

On Friday morning I popped into the hospice shop and found these little gems.

Now you might not consider this little thrifting haul something to be celebrated, but I do!  

Lot consists of...

1.  A Disney Princess 12 x 12 scrapbook....totally unused.  This will be perfect for scrapbook pages of our trip to Disney Paris last year.  

2.  A Care Bear in PERFECT condition.  I longed for a cuddly care bear when I was growing up.  I made do with the little plastic Grumpy Bear that Chris bought for me one day when I too was inconsolable after dropping an ice cream.  

However, Care Bears is beginning soon (Feb 16th if you are really interested) on Tiny Pop, and I know one little lady who is excited about this.  So I have hidden this little bear until a suitable occasion arises. Incidentally, this bear is Wish Bear who according to Wikipedia " helps make wishes come true, and although they don't always come true, making wishes and working hard to help make them come true is still fun."

3.  A cake plate which matches a beautiful tea set I recently fostered.

4.  Two novels, one selected (Tiger Hills) because I liked the title and more importantly loved the cover and "The Other Queen" by Philippa Gregory.  The first Philippa Gregory book I ever read was "The Other Boleyn Girl".  I loved it.  I have picked up most of her others and found them enjoyable, until I encountered "The Cousins War" I quite enjoyed the White Queen, I tolerated the Red Queen and I endured the Lady of the Rivers.  I have thus far avoided "the Kingmaker's daughter" (although I have recently finished the "Virgin Widow" which was about the Anne Neville).  But this book is about Mary Queen of Scots and so I am hoping that this Tudor / Stuart saga will suit me.

That was Friday.

Saturday brought even more treats.

Chloe and Melissa kidnapped Beatrice this morning and took her off to Build a Bear....here is my update of Bea and Thomas kissing their bear's hearts.

(I am reliably informed that they also rubbed the bear's hearts on their eyes - so they could see and on their bottoms - to the bears would be "smartypants")  As you might have anticipated Rainbow (Bea's "builder bear") is pink.  She arrived home wearing a wedding gown, accessorised with sparkly shoes, a bouquet, veil and, I jest not, a garter!  But she was quickly transformed into her second outfit...a Rapunzel dress.

But what did I do with my morning?  Two hours in which I could mark, or clean....so I choose to clean and then the postman arrived bearing ebay treasures.  Namely.....

I bought this because I couldn't find my copy.  My copy was the book I was given by Mrs Currie in fourth year, some 20+ years ago.  I determined to read this again for two reasons.

1.  I want to read a book I know I will love, rather than taking risks with books I hope I will love.

2.  I am feeling rather nostalgic (thanks Kerry) and as I read this book I always felt that Mr Rochester echoed my husband *

*  obviously NOT my husband at the time.

Thus, my hour was spent here.  Attempting to conclude my current novel.  

It is "Changeling" by....Philippa Gregory.  The best I can say is "meh...it's OK"

Bring on Lowood!

But, I hope you can see that my life is bears and books at the minute.