Eleanor Holmes

Having lived in Lincolnshire her whole life, Eleanor now revels in her own slice of countryside complete with a burgeoning veg patch and partner in tow. She loves to see the seasons ebb and flow and relishes the simple things in life: baking cakes, fermenting cider, nurturing seedlings and hosting dinner parties in the faded evening sunlight.

Eleanor’s house is filled with a plethora of books and alongside reading as many as she can, she also uses literature to inspire her own writing for her blog – Creative Countryside – and beyond. She also loves the scent of old books, hand-picked roses, anything with cinnamon and a roaring open fire in the grate.

A few questions about nice things...

Who do you most admire?

Family members who strive to live positively and with courage every day, despite facing adversity. My father for never giving up on his dreams of a life in the country. My husband-to-be for bringing light into my life and sacrificing so much to help others in his role as a firefighter.

What are your favourite possessions?

My books. I have always been somewhat of a hoarder, but try to prise a book from my hands and it won’t end happily; I cannot imagine parting with the words that I have followed, been dedicated to, have siphoned knowledge from and have devoured whole-heartedly.

I also have a beautiful brooch that my grandma gave to me last Christmas which she wore when she was engaged to my granddad. It’s going to be my ‘something blue’ at the wedding and I know I will always treasure it.

Tell us about your perfect day or weekend...

It’s no secret to those who know me that I remember everything by the food consumed; holidays, day trips, celebrations… my first memory even concerns food, more specifically a pink birthday cake in my grandma’s kitchen. So of course my perfect day has to involve the perfect food: Christmas dinner. I know that many profess it is dull but to those naysayers I simply argue they have yet to taste my mum’s roast potatoes. An exploration of a National Trust house or wander through a magical garden would be all else I needed. Simple pleasures.

What makes you happiest?

I’m not one of those people that need to escape reality to feel happy; I actually quite like the mundane.  As long as I am with those that I love, there’s not a lot else.  Except perhaps a slice of cake or two.

What would you like to do in the future?

Read more. Write more. Live life to the full.