Keep cosy and warm like Wilfie…

You’ve obviously missed seeing pictures of Wilfie, as I had some lovely feedback on last week’s blog, so here’s another one for you. I’d just taken our son Dan’s towels out of the tumble dryer and turned my back for a moment to do something before taking them upstairs… look who snuck into the washing basket. They don’t miss a trick, do they, and always find the warmest place.

Actually, Wilfie had a trip to the vet this week as he’s been sick after eating quite a lot lately and I wanted to make sure it was nothing sinister. According to the vet, he is the perfect weight for a cat of his size, 5 kilos, has a lovely shiny coat and bright eyes. She just thinks he may have an intolerance to an ingredient on the ‘posher’ wet food we had been buying him as a treat. He’s now back on the one he used to have, along with the hard food, which he doesn’t have a problem with but doesn’t seem to enjoy as much, and so far so good.

Like most things nowadays, the experience at the vet’s was a bit different from normal. Owners had to wait outside while the vet collected our pets. Fortunately, it was a beautiful sunny day, just as it is today, but there was a definite nip in the air if you moved out of the sunshine.

Autumn is here and one of my favourite things is the change in the colours of the leaves. We have two Acers in our garden and watching their leaves turn from verdant green to yellow, orange and then deep red, is a reminder of just how incredible nature is.

Of course, following autumn days we have autumn nights and cosying up with the heating on, candles lit, and a hot chocolate makes them more bearable. We treated ourselves to a Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser last year as a wedding gift and paid considerably more than the fabulous Today’s Special Value price offered at the moment. It is tomorrow’s Today’s Special Value, but already on presell and the offer is amazing at just under £85, which includes the two drinking pods and a variety box of different flavoured hot chocolates, as well as a box of coffee lattes.

I love the fact that you can get great results using other milks… we use almond milk and it is equally as smooth and delicious. Last night, I had chocolate mint and Dan had chocolate orange and both were yummy. There are three colour options to choose from, and in case you’re wondering, the Yankee Candle I’m currently burning in the lounge is Shea Butter.

I love beautiful aromas, so was delighted to be able to try the new limited edition Bourbon Vanilla & Clove Bud in Sunday’s Liz Earle Today’s Special Value, also already on presell. Oh, my goodness! It is utterly gorgeous and my husband, Chris, definitely agrees it is unisex. Put another way, that means he will be using it if I don’t hide it!

There are three products in this gorgeous fragrance, Cleanse & Polish, Body Wash and Body Cream, plus the fab three of Original Cleanse & Polish, Instant Boost Skin Tonic and your choice of Skin Repair Moisturiser. It’s fabulous value at less than half price and comes with two gift boxes if you can bear to part with any of it. My advice? Order two, because I’m fairly sure you are going to LOVE the new limited-edition fragrance!

So, I’m delighted to report that I handed in the line edit of my next book on time on Monday, and even more delighted with my editor’s reaction a few hours later… ‘This is just fantastic.’ Phew! I think she liked it. I’ve given myself a week off from actual writing, but I have been thinking about the structure for book 9… I’ll say that again, book 9! It’s hard to believe I’m about to embark on writing my ninth novel when the first one was only published just over five years ago – that’s a lot of words.

I’ll be reading the start of my fourth novel, Alice in Theatreland, at 8 p.m. tonight on my JuliaRobertsTV Facebook page and Instagram Live, juliagroberts, if you’re wondering where to find me. And if you’re wondering whose legs these are, they are Ruth Langsford’s – she sent me the photo when she was reading the book on holiday a couple of years ago. I don’t work with Ruth that often as she does most of her shows with Jackie, but I’m pleased to say I have a show with her a week on Sunday.

Alice in Theatreland is set in the 1970s and is about a girl dancer from Nottingham… sound familiar? Yes, it’s loosely based on some of my experiences as a dancer in that period and while I was looking through some photos for throwback Thursday to put on Instagram, I came across this.

Look at that posture and how young I look – well, it was forty-five years ago! That Austin Healey Sprite started my passion for soft top cars, and I’ve had many since. By the way, her name was Flossie – do you give your car a name?

One comment asked if I could still do that pose… it doesn’t look quite as good, but I’m pretty chuffed I can still get my leg up there and without the benefit of platform soles.

Well, I must dash. I’m off until next Thursday, but as well as the Today’s Special Values I’ve mentioned this weekend, don’t miss the Neom one on Tuesday – I’m currently using their sleep pillow spray and it really does help me to switch off when my mind is racing from the latest book ideas.

Have a great weekend.
Much love,
Julia xx

8 Responses

  1. Hi Julia

    I love seeing pics of Wilfie he is so cute. We have a black rescue cat have had him now for nearly 6 years while I am writing this he is snoring in his bed. His favourite thing is when the bed covers are changed every Sunday he loves to roll around and then settle for hours. Give me animals over humans any day. Love the detail you give about everything whether good or bad.

    My xx

    1. Hi May,
      He is pretty adorable – I have no idea why some people have an issue with black cats! Obviously, there are exceptions, but mostly I agree about preferring animals to humans.
      Thanks for your comments – the better informed you are about something the easier it is to decide whether or not you would like it is the way I look at it
      Love
      Julia x

  2. Hi Julia
    Lovely picture of Wilfie. I adore cats and have 3 – Felix (for obvious reasons), Titch and my newest one Munchkin, who is very naughty but when he comes up onto my shoulder and gives me a kiss then I just melt. He is gorgeous, as are my other 2 but he Is a rescue cat and needs lots of loving and reassuring WHICH I LOVE. I love cuddling all my little friends. I have been lucky as all my cats get on. I would be totally lost without them. Take care Julia and all the very best to you all.

    Lusia x

    1. Hi Lusia
      So good to hear from cat lovers on here – it’s true that cats seem to ‘choose’ whether or not they want to be cuddled but we’ve always been lucky to have affectionate ones. Wilfie’s latest habit is pushing his nose against my glasses when I’m wearing them 😂
      Love
      Julia x

  3. So enjoyed reading that Lovly picture of Wilfie glad all went well at the vet I had to take my 4 cats for their health check ups last week one at a time all was ok with them all and like you we had to hand them to the vet and wait outside while vet checked them over then brought them back to us we were lucky to have dry days the Liz Earle was great value and smell was beautiful. Glad your new book is coming along ok looking forward to reading it. Look forward to your next blog love to you and your family and Wilfie x

    1. Hi Irene
      A bit of a palaver at the vet, particularly if, like you, you have more than one pet, but at least they are open again. Good to hear that yours all got a clean bill of health.
      I’ll be putting a picture of my latest book cover on my next blog – very excited to share it and the story – thanks for your interest.
      Love
      Julia x

  4. Hi Julia, love your wilfie I have three cats, Leo is 7, milo is 4, and blackie we are not sure how old she is, because she adopted us after we found her really hurt and poorly in our garden. They are such an important part of our lives, so understand how you feel about wilfie. Always enjoy your shows, so elegant, professional and always knowledgeable.

    1. Hi Cheryl
      Thanks so much for your kind comments.
      Wilfie has a brother called Milo. He is ginger an£ is our daughter’s cat – a real softie with a perfect ‘M’ on his forehead. I hate to hear of animals being abused – well done you for taking her in.
      Love
      Julia x

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