Thursday 8 December 2011

Word Love......

A few months ago I saw a wonderful word sign on a door, in a house, in a magazine....I loved the words, so I took a photo of the picture and kept it on my phone....I'd never seen anything like this in the shops......one day, I told myself, I would try to make something like it. Then yesterday I took my friend M out shopping to a town we had not explored before.....we wandered into a nice little shop, and oh my, oh joy.....there was the lovely little sign, just like in the picture....well I thought it was just like the one in the picture, but it turns out one of the words is different.....but that didn't matter, I still loved the words anyway......I oohed and ahhhed over it....but in the end my head overruled my heart and I walked out of the shop empty handed.


We did a little more wandering, and a little more looking, and then had a spot of lunch in a nice little cafe....the best ever panini we've ever had, actually....but the little sign had been playing on my mind, niggling at me.....so I said, on the way home I'd pull over outside the shop and run in....if it was still there I'd have it, if it wasn't, it wasn't meant to be....and guess what....it was still there....soooooo, I did have it.......


I these words....they are such wise, wonderful words to live by.....keep Peace in your heart, always live in Hope, and spread Joy wherever you are! The words are ideal to hang for Christmas.....reminding us to spread the Christmas spirit, but they are also perfect for remembering at any time of the year.

The other sign, incidentally, said.....Joy Love Peace....which is absolutely lovely too, but I do have a couple of other words that say Love....and I need to remember to stay hopeful.....so this sign is actually even better than the one I coveted in the magazine!

May we all keep Peace in our hearts, always live in Hope, and spread Joy wherever we are!

-xx-

Thursday 1 December 2011

Christmas is coming......

I've been a little preoccupied of late.....planning and organising for our super duper, fabulicious news which I received back here.......the most wonderful of wonderfullest Christmas surprises for my Angels....so I haven't really had the time to pop into my blog and record the things that are making me happy just now.....although, as its a s u r p r i s e I can't really put anything about what I've been up to on my blog anyway.....just in case one of my delightful Angels just happened to check up on my blog and all was exposed just a little too early.....but it is good.....it is worth the wait....all will be revealed s o o n....I promise.
But now it's December, the magical big C.....Christmas can full-heartedly be talked about. Every year for the last 12 years (bar one) I've made advent calendars for my four Angels....I prefer handmade and customised calendars to the commercialised shop-bought a-choc-a-day type of calendar.....I include little pressies, sweeties, and a chocolate coin or two, but also items to evoke the Christmas atmosphere......little bundles of cinnamon sticks, tiny parcels of cloves, small sprigs of christmas tree, holly and ivy, a decoration, maybe a christmas poem I've penned....you get the picture.......

Big Lad's Advent Calendar 2010

What started out as a special little treat for two Angels, has now turned into quite a major undertaking, not to mention quite costly......it requires quite a lot of planning in plenty of time for the 1st of December, and even though I try to make at least half of the items, that still leaves half to buy.....and since I have four Angels it all adds up quickly......and we haven't even got to Christmas proper!

And so it is for two reasons this year......all the planning and organising for our Christmas surprise, and the cost.......that I sadly decided to forgo my handmade calendars and give my Angels a much cheaper and quicker alternative......a-choc-a-day advent.....Sorry Angels......but I promise it WILL all be worth it!!!

I actually thought the Angels would quite like the change of calendars this year......a chocolate every day for 24 days......but although they were obviously happy they had advent calendars, it was Little Lad who voiced his (and I suspect everyone's) disappointment at not having one of Mummy's special calendars.....it really tugged at my heartstrings......initially, because I hadn't stretched myself just that little bit more to find the time and the money......secondly, because it made my heart sing that they did actually prefer mine.....and lastly, because in just a few days I can at last reveal why our Christmas is going to be so special this year.....yay!

But while I haven't been thinking about and planning and organising advent calendars this year, I have been  thinking about.....and making.......lots of teeny tiny hearts......


Now I've not yet crocheted a blanket....it's on my wish list of things to do.....I will get there eventually......so I can only imagine what it must be like to sew all those straggly little ends in.....just the thought of all those little tails on my hearts filled me with dread.....



But needs must and all, so I set to and threaded, weaved, and snipped till all the teeny tiny hearts were tail free.....


Such a colourful little pile of strands.....not to be wasted mind.....I'm saving them till the spring, then I'll pop them outside on a warm, calm day for the birds to help themselves.....a little helping hand with their nest building.....


So now tail-free, they need to be made into something pretty.....




Ooooohhh, I know......lots of little strings of bunting.....





....just perfect for Christmas decorations and presents.....



Happy Advent!

-xx-

Wednesday 30 November 2011

Roses......

in November......how can that be? But it is......the last day of November and I have two roses in my garden at present.....this unbelievably mild November weather, and the plants just can't decide if it's autumn or spring.


This yellow rose is usually a one-hit-wonder.....it blooms just once in spring, and then it's done it's dash for the year.....but here it is, firmly making a stance and putting out a second flush.....all of a single bloom......



or does it think it's spring already.....and this one single bloom is the best effort it can muster?


And this tiny little red bud is on a tiny little plant that always seems to have black spot......but it nevertheless always produces two or three of the most exquisite blooms of deep red, it's petals as deep and lustrous as  velvet....now it barely has a leaf on the plant, but here it is bravely offering up a tiny red bud.....



To be honest, I'm quite liking this mild weather too.....the heating doesn't have to be on full blast just to stay warm, so saving money (always a good thing)......the school runs are bearable without the freezing cold, snow, lashing rain, blustery gales....and it's only 22 days until the shortest day.....yes quite likeable indeed!

-xx-











Tuesday 29 November 2011

Home Sweet Home.......

I'm absolutely loving our new front door mat......




It makes my heart sing when I arrive home and see this delightfully pretty sight.

I have quite a "love/hate" relationship with our home.....I absolutely L O V E how our home WILL be.....onnnne day.....but I HATE that we have lived here for almost 10 years now, and still nothing is finished, and still most of the rooms are in a very sorry state.

But last weekend I purchased this most homely of homely door mats......and I totally rejigged the layout of our lounge (and tidied as I went) .....and what a success it was.....we all LOVE it, and it feels so much more cosier for the winter months......most definitely not a layout for summer!

I also totally cleared the whole length of our kitchen worktop and tidied the windowsill .....what a difference......hope it can stay that way....ha ha......just got the big central island to tackle now in the kitchen.

Just these few little things done, and I'm falling in LOVE with our home again......a little bit of Home Loving, so I can Love My Home....it really has made the world of difference to how I feel......I wasn't wanting to be in the lounge at all, and now here I am, in the middle of the day cosied up with the fire on (not that I like this old gas fire.....it will be replaced onnne day....but it does give a warming glow) typing my blog......


It's such a dark, blustery day today.....just perfect for cosying up in our new cosy rejigged lounge recording some of my current loves....and.....

Loving My
Home Sweet Home

-xx-



Tuesday 1 November 2011

Goodbye October...

After quite possibly the worst October in my life....it really was PANTS......a new month is finally here......Welcome November!


And what a good start so far.....the sun is shining, the autumn leaves are looking glorious...



...and my laptop is up and running again.....for the last two weeks I've had computer problems.....but a trip to the Apple store today (2nd in 4 days....their customer service is excellent though!).....and all problems are resolved and repaired, and my laptop is now running brill again....yay!!!!


But it really is quite shocking how dependent we have become on technology....I felt quite lost without a working computer in the house....I couldn't catch up on my favourite blogs, I couldn't write my own blog, I couldn't search the internet, my Angels couldn't do their homework.....but thankfully, all is restored to order once again.








The holly trees are absolutely loaded with bright, shiny red berries.....




I hope that doesn't mean a hard winter is in store for us again.....if so, it would be the third winter in a row.....think it might be time to think about escaping the winter for somewhere warm and sunny.....in my dreams anyway....he he he.




And even my marguerites are still flowering their sweet little hearts out....




But best of all, the super, duper, fabulicious news I received a few weeks ago is still on-track.....things are being organised, with lots of happy surprises and memories in the making.....I can't wait....but all good things come to those who wait....so I'm trying to be patient......while keeping busy getting things ready.

November IS going to be a good month!!!


-xx-



Monday 31 October 2011

The Best News......

A few weeks ago I received some super, duper, fabulicious news.....but I also received some potentially terrible news......I was told my Dad thought he had the big C..... cancer......well I have just found out that it was a bit of a storm in a teacup.... thankfully there is NO cancer......and my wonderful Dad will, with the grace of good fortune, be with us for many more years to come......P H E W ! ! !......that's a H U U U U G E relief!

And then we've had good news of my friend M's husband, who has been in hospital for over three weeks...after a battery of tests, it looks like everything is OK......and he is home again.....PHEW!!!....another HUGE relief!!!


Things really are looking up.....life really is good!!!





-xx-

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Birthday Bunting & Cute Cosies.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!......It's my very good friend M's birthday today.....but sadly she's not the happiest of people at the mo.......her husband is in hospital and she has worries on her mind.....so any little minute I've not been keeping her company, I've been secretly whipping up these little treats for her new kitchen.......birthday bunting for the pantry....




and cute cosies for her new egg cups......




They're only little things, but I hope they brightened her day a little......and maybe bring her a little joy and a smile when she sees them each day.

I hope with all my heart, M gets some good news from the hospital tonight.....it would be the best birthday present ever for her.

Happy Birthday M!

-xx-



Tuesday 4 October 2011

Special Day......

Today is a special day.....I decided I had earned some Treat ME time, and had planned a day of mooching round some pretty little shops, with some serious coffee indulging and relaxing in a nice cafe, thrown in for good measure.....


But things don't often go exactly as planned......the day started off brill, with some super duper, fabulicious news......can't say any more now, but all will be revealed eventually......but then took a sudden turn for the worse, with some potentially terrible news.....but I'm trying not to dwell on that.



As my very good friend M was unexpectedly at home.....due to very unforeseen weekend happenings.....we decided to go out together to keep our minds occupied and away from our troubling situations.....M treated us to a delicious lunch......and I treated myself to this simply gorgeous cup and saucer/plate combo made by Maling, which I found in a charity shop.....perfect for my "time out" cup of tea and cookie or cake......




Then these goodies found their way to me.....




The book looks wonderful, with lots of little projects to make.....I can't wait to try some....usefully divided into seasonal sections.....




And this PINK ♥ bowl is perfect......just what I needed as my largest Nigella Lawson "egg" bowl was accidentally broken recently .......




I also bought some sweet pink flowers for my bedroom....





And to finish off the day, we had some delightfully delicious cupcakes made by Big and Little Misses on Sunday......




It turned out to be quite a PINK day actually.....not at all how I had planned the day.....but still lovely just the same


-xx-

Thursday 29 September 2011

Ahhhh, Indian Summer.....

How wonderful.....the weather has turned back all summery, balmy, gentle.....like a last minute gift from the gods......sitting outside having lunch today in the glorious sunshine with the soft, warm wind gently wafting was just bliss....it felt like being draped lightly in a cosy blanket....just what the doctor ordered after the quite chilly last couple of weeks.....and may it last until the end of October....well, it's good for the soul to be hopeful!....to stay positive, think positive, act positive....so positive things come to us.

This year our vegetable garden hasn't been particularly productive unfortunately.....but what we didn't have in quantity, we certainly had in quality.....the most gorgeous tomatoes, not abundant, but thankfully not blighted like the last couple of years....the taste was out of this world......little green peas packed into little green pods..... just a few....and only eaten raw....far to good and sweet to cook.....and teeeny tiny sweetcorn......not quite perfectly formed, and again not abundant, as in previous years .....but the taste of just picked and quickly cooked sweetcorn is to die for.......





I know they don't look quite so small in this photo, but they are sitting on a small side plate......and they were very scrumptious for lunch......golden yellow kernels, smothered in soft, golden butter, eaten outside under the golden yellow sun.....what could be more sunshiny than that? Just don't tell my Angels I ate the very last three cobs without them......they were just so tiny, and not enough for everyone.....much easier to gobble them myself and save the arguments.....sorry Angels!

Our fruit has been a little better.....a rampant haul of hugely, thick rhubarb.....is rhubarb a vegetable of fruit?....a good crop of pleasing plums.....a few edible pears for the very first time......the tastiest strawberries I have ever eaten.....although sadly, not nearly enough of them......and more than enough sweet, juicy apples.....




And although not edible, we've had a reasonable crop of gourds.....especially considering we didn't actually plant any this year....they self-seeded themselves from our homemade compost.....from a couple of years ago!











All stand to attention!.....




The orange colours just seem to zing and glow under the autumn sunshine......I think they'll make pretty little jack-o-latterns for halloween.....





Long may our Indian summer last!!!!!

-xx-

Thursday 22 September 2011

Happy Birthday & Happy Hooking.....

It's our friend Big Miss A's birthday today......HAPPY BIRTHDAY!......so I got my hook out on Tuesday and rustled this up for her.......




I haven't picked up my hook since the school holidays started......it was really enjoyable to feel it in my hands again, the yarn being drawn through my fingers, the calm rhythm of hooking......so peaceful and soothing.


I'm relatively new to crochet.....well, I say new.....my Nana actually taught me when I was a little girl....she taught me many things, my wonderful Nana.....I used to sit for hours at her feet, sewing buttons onto facecloths, sorting the buttons into sizes, colours, etc.....my Pop made me a finger knitting doll from an old wooden cotton reel and some nails.....then my Nana taught me to finger or french knit. Anyway, I digress .....my Nana taught me to crochet when I was little, but then knitting took over, and I completely forgot how to do it.....then in my late twenties I asked my Nana to crochet me a blanket....something to occupy her really.....I bought the yarn and had high hopes for a cuddly, cosy blanket.....by now though, I think she was really past producing something on this scale......so I asked her to teach me to crochet instead, so I could complete the blanket myself, and not waste the yarn. I picked it up quite quickly, my old memories brought back to the fore.....and I completed that lovely blanket..... unfortunately, as time has gone by, my tastes have changed, and the colours are less than appealing to me now.....but I still have the blanket, stored away.....think it's about time to bring it out into the light of day again though.


Anyway, after finishing it, life kinda took over.....I had one Angel, then another.... and before I knew it, I had four darling Angels.....a crochet hook was never held again. Until quite recently that is......I had rather a stash of balls of yarn, all odds and sods that had been used for a variety of knitting projects over the years, and I decided it was time to get rid of them....use them up.....I had this idea that if I taught myself to crochet again, I could just make some little things like crocheted flowers to use as brooches or the like, which would use up my stash....AND....give me some pretty new brooches to boot. So I took a cruise around Amazon and bought this lovely book Cute and Easy Crochet which has easy to follow tutorial pictures for beginners, and some lovely patterns, including some easy flowers. Within minutes of starting, I was up and running.....well hooking actually....it feels like I was meant to hook....the skills my Nana taught me way back when must be somehow embedded in my brain ....I was surprised how much I enjoyed twisting and twirling that little hook.....and produced several little flowers before you could say "by hook or by crook".....my poor fingers ached!







Then I saw a picture of some charming crocheted heart bunting in a magazine which really got me excited....I set to, searching the internet for patterns to make it....I did find the pattern I wanted here, which I haven't tried yet..... but I also came across a most delightful teeny tiny heart pattern and tutorial at Attic24....this incidentally opened my eyes to the world of blogging, of which I now hugely enjoy....both reading my favs .....and writing my own. But again, I digress....I was off.....teeny tiny hearts strung onto a ribbon of single crochet were popping up all over our house.....in the kitchen...




in the larder......using a slightly different heart pattern I found here.......





on the Miss' bedroom door.......




And of course, I couldn't leave my Lads out, so I thought little flags on a string of single crochet would be more appropriate for their bedroom door......




And strung in the bathroom too.......




Then the third issue of MollieMakes dropped through my letterflap with gorgeous teeny tiny flowers and butterflies.....so they were made with some teeny tiny hearts....and strung onto a ribbon of single crochet.....a gift for my friend S, for her new campervan.......




Which brings me back to Tuesday....enjoying the feel of a hook again, the soothing rhythm of hooking. I'd love to make a gorgeous snuggly ripply blanket like Lucy's here....but it would use just soooo much yarn....and I have rather a penchant for deliciously soft, cosy, natural yarn.....the thought of all the necessary pennies makes my eyes water......that ripply blankie will just have to wait for now....I'll have to stick with the pretty flowers like Big Miss A's, and teeny tiny bunting.



-xx-

Sunday 18 September 2011

Thrifty Pressies.....

My friend M regularly takes a cruise around the local charity shops......sometimes she comes home with absolutely nothing......but sometimes she hits the jackpot and finds some dishy goodies......sometimes she keeps them for herself......and sometimes she shares her haul. On Friday she spotted some lovely pink plates, but left them there to mull over.....yesterday she went back to look again......if they were still there, she was going to nab them....if they weren't, it wasn't meant to be. Yippee.....they were still there! She kept a couple for herself.....and gave the rest to me......YIPPEE..... they are sooooo pretty in pink........






And what a charming little pressie......they're not really old, or antique.....probably vintage would be the correct description for them.....but I absolutely  them.....and at only £3.50 for the whole lot.....8 plates in total....I've absolutely no qualms about using them everyday. We used the soup/dessert ones last night for dessert, but Little Miss was quite disgruntled that her dessert wasn't served in one......so tonight, I did serve her dessert in a pretty pink plate....."goodie, I've got a new plate" she squealed quite delighted......well they are very girlie.

On a previous cruise round the charity shops a few weeks ago, my friend M spotted this gorgeous cheese dome......




She didn't need one for herself, so came round to collect me, so I could go see it. Luckily it was still there, and of course I thought it was just wonderful.....and at only £4.50......I simply had to have it......




All sparkly, with the light refracting off the pretty ribs and ripples.....I thought it was a real bargain which was just waiting for me to snap it up.........





I soooo  finding treasures like these to use and enjoy......and maybe they will become family heirlooms in years to come.....since all my Angels ♥ and appreciate these lovely treasures too.

-xx-