wet weekend...............

Well I don't know how the weather is treating the rest of you but here we seem to be either bathed in lovely spring sunshine or braving the monsoon season, all within the space of a few minutes. Far too confusing for my little brain and it means that twice I've had to cycle home in torrential rain wearing naught but a flimsy cardigan, "never prepared" being my motto.

We had a friend's 40th birthday party this weekend, a very posh do which entailed proper dressing up. I dragged my black dress from the back of the wardrobe, dusted it down and with the addition of a few turquoise accessories off we went, Ian resplendent in kilt and sporran, being of the Scottish variety.

Kitty has never seen me in evening dress let alone high heels and was fascinated by my shoes. She has been clattering around the bedroom in them all week. I learnt on the night why I never wear high heels, apart from making me walk like a drag queen, they're bloody uncomfortable. Being blessed with feet wider than a pair of flippers does not make wearing dainty strappy shoes a pleasure, give me flip flops any day.


Sunday was spent recovering from Saturday night. Once again I was reminded that I SHOULD NEVER EVER drink champagne, so for most of the day I felt the need to swoon on the sofa in a rather pathetic manner. Jack attempted to make me better with his toast crust heart, did the trick momentarily until my nearly 40 year old body reminded me of it's limitations when it comes to alcohol. Never again (until the next time).

This beautiful lilac was brought from a friend's garden. I love the blowsy beauty of it but I have to tell you, it smells like toilet cleaner. It gets right up my nostrils and I can't get rid of the smell. Is it just me?

I may be back later in the week, if we haven't been washed away, see you all soon.............

the week so far.................

This has been one of those weeks where nothing much has been done, a fairly relaxed affair, much mooching, wandering and pootling about. I have actually pulled my finger out and managed to make a couple of orders for people but I've also managed to grab the odd bit of sunshine earlier on in the week and created a few crocheted hangers in the garden. A nice quick and easy project, simply four lines of treble crochet sewn around the hanger with the addition of a simple flower. I also dug out my rather large bead collection and added to my expanding necklace collection.

One of the car boot finds came in very handily for these garden projects. An old folding table picked up for 50p now covered (very haphazardly) in oilcloth. This will undoubtedly accompany us on our camping trips this summer, the children have earmarked it for a few activities, poor table.

Sitting in the garden I noticed that the few plants I do have seem to have a common theme, a colour I'm not usually fond of but one that pops up everywhere in my small bed..........

...........purple. I'm drawn to purple flowers, especially alliums, I'm so impressed that the bulbs I chucked in the bed in November have produced the goods, I wasn't holding out much hope, so dire are my gardening skills.

Plans are afoot for our little garden, hopefully these will come to fruition in early June, although knowing our gardener the end of the month is more likely. There's also some very exciting (for me, anyhow) news which I'll update you on in the very near future.

Lastly I have a huge apology to all for of you for a terrible error on my part. Whilst rummaging through the carnage downstairs which is supposed to be my sewing room I came across one of these...............

...............hmmmm I thought, why do I have another of these? Then the horrible realisation dawned that way back in December I had a little giveaway which I then forgot to give away. What can I say??!! Lesson learnt, don't arrange a giveaway a week before Christmas because in the excitement my shrivelled up brain will forget that I've done one. So sorry to all of you who left a comment. As an apology I went out and bought another one and I will be doing the draw and giving away two and some other goodies next Friday. I'll count in all those who left me comments back then and anyone who leaves me another before next Friday. Does that garbled message make sense to anyone? Just pop in and say hi if you haven't already and you're in!

Ok everyone, have a lovely weekend, I have a feeling car bootin' may be off this weekend (sob), I can hear my bank account breathing a sigh of relief, but you never know! Emma, I'll be keeping an eye open for a table if we make it.

Byeeeee............

car bootin' treasure..........

Let's start with a couple of pics of my very own fashionista, useful blackmail material for those turbulent teenage years. Particularly loving the wedding veil and socks combo. This is how she walked around to a friends house to collect Jack, oh to be four and without any self consciousness again...

So, dear readers, would you like me to treat you to a quick peek at the latest car boot finds? Of course you do........... Sunday morning was bright and sunny so 7.30am found Andrea and I ready to start our regular saunter around what was a huge boot fair. This local (about 5 mins from my door) car boot has grown in both sellers and buyers and there's always a good atmosphere up there. There's been a distinct change in the people buying of late with a lot more arty / crafty looking people wandering around, people have cottoned on to the bargains to be had, great for the sellers but makes treasures a bit harder to come by. I nearly bopped a woman on the head with the two vintage windbreaks she snaffled just before I got to the stall. That's what keeps me going back, you just never know what you're going to find.

Plants are a great car boot favourite, cheap and abundant, the choice is fantastic. This week I treated myself to a foxglove and aquilegia. Let's see how long it takes me or the rampant snails to finish them off.........

Another fortuitous fabric find, two lovely patchwork cushions for £1. Lovely, lovely...........soon there'll be no space left on the sofa, that'll discourage lounging, doing my bit for a healthy lifestyle you see.

Although I can now crochet I find it impossible to pass a granny square by, especially for the magic sum of £1 - the price of most things it seems.

A fabulous red polka dot raincoat for the fashion queen, yes, you guessed it £1.

Here's where I pushed the boat out, couldn't resist this fair advertisement from Montana (apparently). Loving that name! Worth the £3, had to barter for this one, paying £5 for anything at the car boot is out of the question.

The colours are fantastic, really vibrant. Jack has his eye on it, but I have a space in mind in the kitchen once it's framed.

Bringing home something that Ian approves of always makes my Sunday jaunts more acceptable, the poster was well received but he loved this..............

..........our very own medicine cabinet for 50p. I virtually snatched it out of the bemused sellers' hands. Love that green, helps me forget the so-near-but-oh-so-far vintage windbreak ........just have to go back this weekend!

two wheeled wonder..............

Can somebody explain to me why our (or is it all?) children become hysterically giddy at bath time each and every night. Or why wearing a pair of green pants on your head whilst chasing your older brother round the bed is ever a good idea..............it always ends in tears! Phew, kidlets are now safely tucked up, the cider has been poured and peace and quiet has descended upon us.

So, how are you all? Enjoying the long weekend? Ours has been stretched out by a couple of days, Ian took two days off last week and we managed a trip to Malvern without children........bliss! We had a civilised lunch, wandered around the bookshops and antique shops without the need for eyes in the back of our heads, and enjoyed a leisurely coffee. Forgot the camera of course, but Malvern is a lovely place, views to die for and fantastic people, well worth a visit.

The rest of the weekend so far has been a quiet one. A trip to Burford for lunch yesterday, where I met the lovely Rachel from Rubyred. It's always so strange when you first meet a fellow blogger, almost as if you belong to a secret society, but within seconds we were chatting about blogland and everyone within it.

Today will be marked down in our family life as a momentous one. Kitty took the plunge and this happened...................


............a cautious start


..................a helping hand from Daddy


.................and she's off!


.................one very happy little girl and two ridiculously happy and proud parents.

Meanwhile big brother whizzed around the park, darting amongst the trees and working up an appetite for ice-cream.



Living here for a while means that we take this park for granted a little. Sometimes familiarity means that you don't notice just how beautiful a place is. Today whilst I waited under this tree, guarding Ian's bike and cameras whilst he chased Kit round the lawns I realised again why we love living here. This particular park is within five minutes walk from our front door and it really is a lovely place. Huge trees, two wonderful lakes, a few animals to feed and a pretty tea room make it near perfect really............



I had to finish with these pics of our own Gok Wan, confident of her own style and becoming more stubborn about it each day. This girl knows what she wants to wear, and she doesn't want any of it to match................

What's a mother to do?? And look at those little stripey legs finished off perfectly with gold shoes and an Ikea shoe horn used as a walking stick. Love her to bits!