This Is My Village

Hello my darlings………how are things with you? Here in Two Crafty Brownieland we are reeling from yet more horrific tragedies in London. Words just fail me, and as this hideous story of the Grenfell Tower unfolds, the realisation that it may have been preventable makes it almost unbearable. I have certainly found it hard to carry on with things that feel so mundane, like writing blog posts and posting pictures. But as Lu put it, all we can do is really LIVE our lives, and I do agree. Love more, hug harder, be kind and care for each other in these terrible times.

So this week I am writing about my village. Your village I hear you cry? But you live in London, a huge, dirty, dangerous, impersonal city!! Or so you would think……

Meet Mehmet. He runs the little store at the end of my road. He is kind, chatty and will always give you credit if you haven't quite got the right money. He holds keys for many of us in case we lock ourselves out, and has once run down to my house when I was away and couldn't get through on the phone.

This is Crystal. She owns The London Bead Co, just across from the station. I have been going in there for years.

The shop is a treasure trove of wool, buttons, thread.....

fabric, beads, and just about anything else you might need for crafting.

She employs some ladies who think they are in charge, including the gorgeous Alex.

Alex has a heart of gold, a dazzling smile and can make the most perfect loops in a piece of wire you have ever seen. Alex will always help, and advise if you are stuck, and has on occasion strung my purchases into a necklace while I was getting my purse out. Over the years we have got to know each other and I am proud to call her my friend.

Talking of the village station, there has been prettifying of the platforms in the last few weeks. Someone has planted lots of pretty flowers and herbs, and we are encouraged to water them while we wait for our train.

The first morning I saw these, I can't tell you how much it cheered up my day…..

Lucia has a fab little Italian restaurant round the corner from us. With their own pizza oven, they have long been the top choice for my boys when we’re eating out. Lucia has the most gorgeous smile, and always has time to chat and catch up on news.

My village has a butcher…..

A baker......

And an ice cream maker!!

My Lu lives in the village, not far away, as do many of my good friends. If I walk out, I will meet someone I know, without a doubt. More than likely I will stop to chat and pass the time of day. I am quite clear where the boundaries of my village lie, and in days of yore, green fields would have separated us from neighbouring settlements.

My village isn't quite what I imagined, growing up in Africa and an avid reader of Enid Blyton. But if you had told me I would find my village in the middle of London? I'd have just laughed. It may not be the prettiest of villages, but actually it's the people in it that make it the warm, thriving community that it is.

That's all from me, my lovelies. Have a lovely weekend, and cherish every moment. We are so lucky to still be here.......

Jenny xxxxxxxooooooo

Comments

[Maija]

You are so right! I have always thought of London as a cluster of villages and mine is not dissimilar to yours! Love living in London ❤️

[Two Crafty Brownies]

Hi Maija!! Yes, and I think only maybe we Londoners know that!! Hugs, Jenny xxx

[Anne Donald]

Your village like wonderful! Yes, we must live our lives to the full, and celebrate the positive, not dwell on the negative.
Have a great weekend xx

[Kelly]

I enjoyed getting this glimpse into your village! As much as I love my rural life, there are times I think I would enjoy having so many of the things you've shared here just steps away.

I come to places like your blog as a way to escape the realities of the world. That's not to say I'm not aware of the bad/sad things or diminish them by posting/reading about trivial/happy stuff... it's just a way of coping and moving on. Not letting the evil win.

Thank you for sharing your happiness with us today. :)

[Elizabeth Nkomba]

Jenny's dad and I visit her village in London twice a year and have been doing so for many years. The people we have met are lovely, such as the security guard at the Sainsbury's local, her neighbour Deirdre and the family from Bangladesh next door.
We are coming to visit again in a month's time and cannot wait!

[Meredithe]

Oh Jenny, what a charming village you live in! I live in the suburbs of a big city and we have our little village too - it's what you make of your neighbourhood, isn't it? I so hope to visit you one day and see your village in person! Hugs from Over Here xx

[Two Crafty Brownies]

Hi Meredithe, yes, it so is!! I do so hope we get to meet you one of these days, Jenny xxxxx

[Two Crafty Brownies]

Hi Mum! Thanks for commenting. Yes, I think Im going to need a part 2 and 3 to mention all the lovely people!! xxxxx

[Two Crafty Brownies]

Hi Kelly! It is a balance isnt it between acknowledging the bad stuff yet carrying on going. I long for the country deep down!! Jenny xxxxx

[Two Crafty Brownies]

Hi Anne, we must indeed, though it seems hard at times.....hugs, Jenny xxxxx