sweet february

As we approach the end of February it feels as though all we have done this month is scoff sweet stuff. Not so bad I suppose. After the loved-up chocs and sweeties from Valentines Day the sugar sprinkled highlight of the month has to be Pancake Day, or it’s more forgotten, original name - Shrove Tuesday!

Actually we have pancakes quite often for breakfast at the weekend. And as much as it is a ‘special treat’ for the kids, and they do still get super excited each time, it’s just so simple in both ingredients and method that I don’t know why we just don’t have them every morning............and then I remember!

sunday scraps

Not to be confused with the usual sibling scrapping that can occur from a sunday with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Ooohhh, let’s just ponder a while on that last bit…..nothing to do and nowhere to go………… Ahhhhhhh…….Nice.

The sunday just gone was that exact sort of day. Bliss. It’s been a while since we’ve had such a day. 

A typical day of iffy weather. Which meant an expedition of sorts was completely out of the question but for a quick jaunt in the garden for a go on the swings, a bit of mud pie making and the planting of the first tree in our new improved garden - but that’s a whole other blog post.

So, it occurred to me a while ago that the paper recycling was becoming a mountain of epic proportion every week. And a lot of what was being recycled was actually quite nice papery bits. That could be used for cards and gift tags and garlands and well, all sorts of things really.

I seem to get a lot of catalogues through the post. Actually, loads. Some are very uninteresting but some of them, well they are like little magazines in themselves. With stunning images and layouts. It seemed a shame not to reuse some of the pages, as too when throwing out those free calendars you get with magazines { such as Mollie Makes etc }. I don’t buy so many magazines of the papery kind anymore. I’ve become hooked on the digital versions* of all my favourites that I can peruse with ease on my iPad. I think this is why I’ve noticed the beauty in all these free catalogues.

So anyway, on sunday. Our lazy, blissful sunday. While the nippers enjoyed a bit of communal colouring in, I enjoyed a bit of sunday scrapping, armed with a couple of paper punches { mainly scalloped circles }, a stash of willing papery bits and a cup of tea. 

I’ve been doing this for the past year or so now so what began as an envelope full of paper cutouts has now grown into a box.  I could probably stop now as I have plenty but I must admit to finding it just a wee bit addictive. 

* My favourite digital mags are; Donna Hay Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Mollie Makes ‘Gathered’, Country Living , Gardens Illustrated and Selvedge.

I admit it. I am a Mag Hag.

✴ happy monday

I'm so loving these lighter evenings. And todays sunshine and blustery winds meant that for the first time this year I was able to hang the washing out on the line. Hooray! I do love washing on a line.

Did you have a lovely weekend? I did. I had a day to myself to potter on saturday and a sunday in Windsor by the river, and a lovely dinner, which I didn't have to cook, or clean up after. Brilliant!

I made earrings and necklaces and brooches galore. I made fat quarter skirts {for a small person} and played around with pretty fabrics for dresses {for a big person}. I spun around in circles with Miss Ella in a giant teacup and I watched my beloved Boardwalk Empire, with a lovely glass{es} of red.

I didn't do any paperwork or serious businessy stuff or tidy the house. I'm still very behind with getting in touch with people and am late with some birthdays. 

Oh well, I'm only human...!

Have a good week. x

✴ happy monday

Cough , be gone, I will have no more of thee...

Yesterday, I managed to drag my weary and still slightly poorly body out to the Country Living Spring Fair. Never to let a dose of illness prevent a day of shopping! The little one and the mr headed off to London Zoo after dropping me in Islington. It was a perfectly balmy day, the first official day of Spring now that we have given up an hour {a precious hour to someone with little sleep...} but it was worth it for a beautiful fresh day and lovely light evening. Wasn't it warm?

I trudged through the crowds and managed to keep my consumptive coughing to a minimum thanks to a big bag of wine gums. And bought some lovely lovelies. 

Hankies {no surprise there...} and tea towels from Thornback and Peel, pretty little girl dresses from Bread and Jam, wooden toys from Croglin Designs, and a vintage jug from Garden Brocante, plus some cakey bits and fabricy bits.

The best bit was bumping into an old friend from the north! Fancy seeing you here, Mrs A...Such a lovely surprise! 

Today I'll be mainly playing with the little one in the garden and filling in the census form - have you done yours yet?

✴ winkworth arboretum...

...on a cold, wet sunday afternoon.

Starting with a very welcome pit stop for hot soup and cheese toasties in the cafe and deciding that the rain was probably not going to stop any time soon, we braved the cold and drizzle of the great outdoors.

Suitably attired in wellies and waterproofs it was evident that it really wouldn't take too long for the littlest member of the group to end up with soggy and mud splashed trousers after a good session of puddle jumping. 

Despite picking probably the worst afternoon to visit this idyllic National Trust spot, everything still looked beautiful and spring like. Patches of daffodils and snowdrops carpeted the mulchy earth and raindrops clung to budding branches like crystals, catching small rays of light through the dark ominous clouds above. Delicate pale green lichen hung from branches looking like clusters of seaweed washed up and left behind by the salty sea. So pretty. 

After a bit of wandering and a lot of pondering over a damp and just slightly bit confusing map we eventually came across an old, weather worn boathouse. Believed to have been built around the turn of the century, the National Trust have kept it quite untouched and rustic inside with a few oars nestled in the rafters, a slightly crumbling wooden canoe on the floor and fish trophies on the walls. A couple of comfy whicker settees and chairs have been placed by the open doors leading to the small balcony over looking the lake and on a side table, an old chess set, perhaps to while away the long tedious wait for a bite { I don't really get fishing...}. The perfect place to hide out from the rain with a hot flask of tea....um...if only we'd been so prepared..!

A walk in the woods on a rain soaked day which holds such romantic captivation for lovelorn couples can be tantamount to trauma with a toddler in tow. For many reasons; 

one, a small person will positively insist on holding the map/umbrella/camera... in fact anything other than your hand... two, a small person is incapable of walking along a designated path choosing instead the most muddiest embankments, deepest puddles and steepest verges and any other route with a slight element of danger, along which to tread... three, at some point, and maybe even more than once, a small person is guaranteed to 'step out' of a wellie boot and will therefore require carrying the rest of the way back to the car while bemoaning the "wet sock..." they are now sporting.

Happy weekend.

✴ weekend crumbling

{tea lights in vintage brioche tins and lace doily}

You know when someone is a little bit poorly by looking into their eyes, glazed over, perhaps a little pink and with a droopy lidded tiredness that sums up the overall feeling of being run down. I saw this on the little lady over the past few days {a lot better now but for a bit of a cough} and I saw this in my own eyes in the bathroom mirror last night.....Eughhh...lurgy has at last got me. It was inevitable but nonetheless annoying and totally unwelcome.

{brioche tins, wire basket, 1920's ash butter bats and rolling pin and embroidered tablecloth}

Not helped that I was solo parenting all of yesterday and last night and had planned to prepare a lavish dinner for a dear friend who had a special valentine birthday. When cooking for friends I usually plan the menu for days, pouring over the cookbooks and cookery magazines  but yesterday, struggling with a general feeling of Hhhmmppffff  I ended up completely and utterly making it up as I went along, and actually it worked a treat... to the point that I wish I'd paid a bit more attention to what I was throwing into the cookpot {or tagine..} so I can recreate the tasty dish which magically appeared on the table last night! Chicken and squash tagine followed by rhubarb and strawberry crumble. Yum. I think I just about got away with it! Or maybe I was feeling so poorly that anything would have tasted sublime and warmed the cockles?!

 {vintage lace and trims currently being used for headdresses and accessories}

{a bundle of french linen pieces and assortment of cross-stitch monograms}

Although I' haven't been blogging as much as I'd like to recently I have been shopping, oh yes. Thrifty vintage shopping, my absolute fave! With recent visits to Kempton, Kingston and Farnham I have gathered quite a few lovely things. I'll show you just a small selection now and hope to get round to photographing everything else soon.

{glass dome with blue and white china dish and 6 small cocktail glasses}

Anyway I think it's time for more honey and lemon to soothe my croaky throat. Or perhaps a hot toddy?!
Tonight I'm making a completely-made-up-as-you-go-along* sausage stew and blackberry and pear crumble. A gloomy dark and damp day such as this {where are you spring???} deserves a warm and cosy evening of stodgy comfort food and something good to watch on the tellybox {where are you Lark Rise???}.

* although completely-made-up-as-you-go-along several times before so practically a bona fide recipe.

Taking part with Flea Market Finds

✴ pumpkin head

This cold has taken over my weekend. Resulting in a bout of sinusitis which has been dreary beyond belief. It feels a lot like having a bowling ball for a head....or more aptly, a heavy pumpkin head. 

I had to cancel a girly day out and resorted instead to a day in bed....made only slightly more bearable by a tankard of tea, a hot water bottle and the Cranford box set.....bliss! I could watch it again and again...actually I have....and will do again no doubt.

Lovely Mr H has entertained the little one all weekend and allowed me to rest and wallow. The cats, as usual did nothing to help....not even a cup of tea....lazy.

I'm not sure whether to feel relieved or saddened that there was only one small timid little trick or treat-esque type knock at the door. 

The little one marveled at the pumpkin heads {or 'potatoes' as she likes to call them} and the simple cut out mice silhouettes from Martha were a triumph of wonderment and awe. 

And we were so glad of the extra hour.

Happy All Hallows.

✴ a quiet sunday morning...

...positively never happens in this house any more!

Good morning! I've been early {relatively} morning cleaning, tidying, sorting and hoovering with a reasonably loud Radiohead accompaniment without a considerate care towards the loud whooping, into wee hours, wii playing exuberantly joyous neighbours  !!!

Although I get nervous about being annoying and so it probably wasn't that loud at all....!

Anyhoo, it feels like a day for sorting - I'm going to tackle my wardrobe {or lack thereof} now.

Earlier this week, Ella pointed at the Queen on a ten pound note {NOT pocket money!!!} and in a quite determined way said, 'Mummy'. I feel a wardrobe sort out is long overdue...and possibly a cut and colour....and a manicure.............

These three little books seem quiet and calming, even if the house isn't. They are little Observers books of 

House Plants :: Music :: Birds.

They are just so retro and sweet and cost just a few pound from the local charity shop. I think it might be quite nice to try and collect them all.

Happy Sunday. x

More Flea Market Finds here

{edited to be kinder to apologetic neighbours}

✴ out of season

There is something enchanting and a little bit magical about a British seaside on a grey blustery day, out of season.

Ghostly, with remnants of Victorian architecture, dilapidated and rusting from the harsh salty sea. It saddens my heart to see the deterioration and loud, tacky intrusion of the rides and the games arcades.

Why is no money invested into the restoration of these British treasures?

Once, amazingly grand and beautifully ornate.  Now, run down and slowly crumbling into the sea. 

 Promenade :: Pavillion :: Esplanade 

Candy Floss :: Peppermint Rock :: Fish & Chips

{Sunday in Southsea}

✴ home is where the hearts are

We've just returned from a weekend up north celebrating mum and dads ruby wedding anniversary. Forty years!

Gosh! 

There was much raising of glasses and eating of yummy food and cake, of course!

Aunty Lulu decorated the house with fine paper prettiness.

There were plenty of red roses and gifts of champagne.

I gave them my gift of a scarlet embroidered heart.

{pattern from 'Made in France'}

And valentine gift of embroidered 'Love' magnets for Mr H.

Happy Anniversary Mum and Dad

Happy Valentines Day All!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

✴ some kinda one-derful

Last weekend was all about the number one. In this new decade which the powers that be ( whoever they may be) have named the 'one-ders' (!?) my little Ella reached that most important of milestone birthdays.....The very first!

Just like the Queen she celebrated it twice. Oh, get her!

She had a party on her actual birthday for her fellow one-ders and then a second at the weekend for family and close friends. Needless to say there was much baking and culinary creativeness for both!

We had sugar-free birthday buns for the baba's and sugar full birthday cake for the mama's (and papa's) and colourful cupcakes and sweet treats to thrill!

In a desperate bid to alleviate that gloom and doom of 'post christmas decoration pulling down syndrome' of which I suffer badly from each and every year, we had birthday paper chains, balloons, fairy lights and baby food jars (saved last year for some impromptu jamming sessions) filled with a selection of pink flowers and tied with pink ribbons...So pretty!
Much fun was had by all. Especially by a new one year old.

Happy Birthday little one.

xxx

✴ sunday love...

It's the last sunday before home time, yes it is...Already three months away in Australia has gone 'poof', away! Suddenly we find ourselves saying 'oh one more time at doing that', or 'last time we go there'.....etc...etc...

So we drove up to Mount Tamborine, 'one more time...'. We headed on down to Ceder Creek Falls, like everyone else, and parked in a no parking zone at the side of the road, like everyone else. The idea was to do an quick half hour stroll on the easy route as outlined on the website, because it claimed to be pram friendly, but wasn't, not in the slightest, infact I would say the big warning sign reading 'this path is not suitable for wheelchair users and strollers' to be a big indication that this path was NOT pram friendly....Sigh.....

And it was hot, phewee was it hot. You know that slightly self-conscious feeling when you realise you are totally overdressed for an occasion? Well that feeling happened today, everyone else seemed to be walking around wearing nothing but a headscarf and a smile and I was dressed as Nanook of the North, with a pram.

So Mr H took the pram back to the car to pick up the Baby Bjorn which we had thankfully stashed in the boot and me and Ella took some quiet bottle feeding time sat under a beautiful tree in the picnic area, listening to the birds and hearing the distant trickle of a waterfall and people splashing in the lagoons...Lovely.

I first noticed Mr H returning to us because I was slightly bemused at his hurried nature, and then a little curious at his decision to cut through the bracken and bushes instead of walking around to the clearing, and then I noticed that he wasn't carrying anything, no Baby Bjorn.....Hhhhmmmm......Curiouser and curiouser.....

It turns out that the police were doing a parking check (slow crime day...) and handing out fines and Mr H had got back to the car just in time. What happened next was a speedy pack up of everything and a dash back to the car. All around us people were passing the word and then racing out to get to their car before getting caught! It felt a bit like being at an illegal rave that has been ambushed by the law (I imagine..)!! In reality, it was a bunch of thirtysomethings out for a picnic with their kids! Deary me!

We did eventually get to do the walk and NO it wasn't worth it, but never mind, let's focus on that quiet time sat beneath the tree.

Other sunday love moments...

Splashing about in the ocean.... well, more at the edge of the ocean...

An evening stroll along the beach, skirts billowing in the breeze...

A quick stop at the Beach House for a margarita (and some yoghurt for the baba)...

Looking at the fairy lights in the trees before heading back along the beach to put a sleepy baba to bed.

Nighty night...