In which I am spoiled some more.

It's like my birthday just keeps on going. First Shula announced that she's made me a purple scarf. To date, this wonderful woman has given me her home-made jam & muesli, and now she's offering me her lovely crafting. I only wish I had the skills to reciprocate. Maybe I will start sending slabs of cake in the mail to her as my best offering..

Then my Mum came to stay, bearing Sheridan sheets. See the red Myer bag on the floor near Cherub? That's them. They're white. And luxurious. So we baked her some cupcakes (and arranged them attractively on the new cupcake stand, birthday present from my friend Astrid) to celebrate her forthcoming birthday in July; she'll be back in Sydney on the actual date and might not have someone to whip up cupcakes with hundreds and thousands. Much less help with the candle-blowing. I know this is not a madly flattering photo but I couldn't resist the snippet of Cherub taking a big breath.

Here's a better photo...

More goodness arrived via Australia Post in the form of a brown paper parcel not tied up with string but definitely bearing a favourite thing. From the lovely Jac at Six Impossible Things who realised she could help me with my tea fetish. Anyone for a cuppa? I can even help the Earl Grey drinkers now.

The tea arrived on the same day as the hat I ordered from Stacey at Sheep's Clothing. I love it so much I want it to stay winter so I can wear it every day.

It goes strikingly well with the purple scarf from my friend and knitting supervisor Jenny, another birthday present. Stacey also sent me a knitted flower hair tie and some fund-raising chocolate. Which I've only half-eaten.

I feel simultaneously not worthy and also that I could get very used to this.

In Bed with Ma Doona.

I'm letting you into my bedroom, although I had to rush around and tidy it before I let you look.

I wanted to show you my pretty new manchester, which was part of the booty-haul from my recent birthday. Jenny & Astrid and their families bought it from me from my wishlist. It's satin-y on the top, which I wasn't expecting but there you go, these are the dangers of internet shopping - somehow I didn't pick out the satiny sheen in the thumbnail on the website. Thankfully, the underside is normal cotton. Not that I mean to whinge here! I love the pattern & colour, but all over satin in mid-winter doesn't seem warm & snuggly enough, somehow.

I just love gorgeous bedlinen. And I've really learned to appreciate the good stuff. My advice to all you young things about to move out of home is to save up and buy the Sheridan. Stay away from supermarket or discount-store sheet sets. (Unless they specify impressive thread counts.) When we were really, really strapped for cash I resorted to el cheapo linen. What a waste of money. I've got some of my Mum's good linen that she gave me when she moved to Sydney and some of it is 20 - 30 years old and still in much better condition than the kmart sheets.

I can only do small disposable income purchases these days, which is still an improvement on the bad-linen days. So coffees, the new Harry Potter book, the occasional night out are all fine now. But I have my dreams of what I'd do with proper disposable income. First and foremost would be a new computer because this one will die some day soon. And then I would be prowling through the manchester departments with intent.

What would your indulgence be?