The Retired Husband – soulgifts

Saturday Smiles – when things go wrong

September 4, 2021

You ever had one of those days/weeks when everything seems to go wrong? That was us this week. It was like the King Midas touch in reverse. We ordered a top of the range NASA science inspired mattress topper for our bed. It was 50% discount. Still expensive but not so eye wateringly much as … More Saturday Smiles – when things go wrong

Pandemic Paintings

June 16, 2020

Himself has completed his paint by numbers painting. And made a stunning wooden frame. He did a great job all round. It is aptly titled HMS Corona 2020. That ship has sailed, leaving in its wake a plethora of new ‘viruses’ to contend with, and many an adjustment to a new ‘normal’. I painted … More Pandemic Paintings

Isolation art

April 17, 2020

In these surreal times creativity has taken some more twists and turns in our household. This paint by numbers crazy cat family joins my menagerie of other colourful feathered and furred friends I decided to give a shot at doing one of those diamond dotz thingys Found this Rainbow Moon Yet to be framed. Himself … More Isolation art

The Old is Transformed

March 12, 2020

The year before we left our homeland Finland to travel to the other side of the world and a new life, was 1959. I was seven years old. The youngest of three. Memories and images float in my mind of a family trip to an art gallery. A big room with filtered light. Quietness. Walking … More The Old is Transformed

Damascus Wood

February 26, 2020

Himself has been at it again. Creating masterpieces. He has developed something he calls Damascus Wood. You may have heard of Damascus Steel. During our road trip to Darwin I asked my brother, who lives there, to help me make a knife. He’s a master craftsman. Well – he and Himself did. While I watched … More Damascus Wood

My New Laundry

February 12, 2020

Himself has been busy renovating again. Our laundry has been long overdue for a make-over. It has been a work in progress for a few months. For a small room, it’s a big job. Old, open wall shelving was removed. Thought to be a good idea at the time, it never really fitted the brief. … More My New Laundry

The Lego Master and His Apprentices – Pt 2

December 31, 2019

Yesterday I gave you a glimpse into my world of Lego contruction. I am but a mere novice. The Retired Husband (from now on to be called Himself) is far more seasoned. Yet even he had to call on The Master for help. Many times. Admittedly not as many as me. In my defence, his … More The Lego Master and His Apprentices – Pt 2

The Falls of My Life

December 3, 2019

For some reason today I was thinking about some of the nasty falls I have had over the years. Maybe it’s because I need to clean the oven range hood. It means using a step ladder. Something I am leery of doing. I had a nasty fall off it once. I was putting stuff into … More The Falls of My Life

TRH has been busy making

November 15, 2019

The Man Cave has been in full production mode for many months. I present you a selection of what has emerged from there – Christmas decorations A hexagonal patterned coffee table + coasters – private order And then there are the clocks. Most of them have been sold or gifted A private order thimble holder … More TRH has been busy making

Jimmy’s and Billy’s Books

November 5, 2019

My neighbour has kindly loaned me some books to read. Since retirement he has discovered a love of reading. Never picked up a book before in his life. Now he’s taken to it like a duck to water. He has even taken to handing me books he’s enjoyed himself. The range of reading material … More Jimmy’s and Billy’s Books

soulgifts – Telling Tales

Creating magic with words

Category: The Retired Husband