Baby Showers and Spring Flowers...

Good Morning all you lovely people. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend and have all been well. Sorry for my disappearance lately...I could tell you why but then I would have to add a moaning tag to the post and this post is far too pretty for that!

It has been a bit crazy in these parts lately, there have been family visits, school holidays, baby showers and men in uniform...yum!

Lets start with flowers. Nowadays I buy fresh flowers ALL the time. In fact it is rare that I go shopping anywhere and not bring some home with me. I love them. But this wasn't always the case.
Each time I am in my little kitchen snipping, and pruning a new bouquet or two and gently and precisely adding them to jugs or vases my husband always like to remind me of when we first met and the opinions I had on bought flowers.
"A waste of money, all they are going to do is die! I would rather have something I can keep!"
Yes! That was my opinion back then, but like I say to him now,
"that was before my depression hit rock bottom and I realised that flowers are a beautiful way to brighten up your day, natures very own anti-depressant!"

This is exactly why flowers are now so important to me. To walk up my path and have a cheery colourful bouquet greeting me in the window is uplifting and immediately makes me smile, even if I have had the crappiest day. I am home and my home is lovely and filled with the simplest, lovely things.

Now on to something that has really brought a smile to my face. My best friends bump!

I always think when someone so close to you is expecting you travel with them on each step of their journey. You comfort them when they are going through dreaded morning sickness that makes them look like death.

You call them fatty as the bump grows larger and larger. Moan when said bump doesn't kick on demand, and gently try and persuade them to add your name to bumps when they arrive...no? just me then?!?

Obviously as a friend or sister you can't go through everything with them, it is their journey and it is happening to them, but we get all the fun bits and can make the journey a little more joyous and exciting.

That is why I love the idea of baby showers. A new concept to these shores but a fab gift from our friends over the pond.

And of course I jumped right in...no silly games though, we are all far too interested in cake to be bothered about games :)

This is the fat one...no this is Becky and she is positively blooming and nowhere near as fat as I was hoping thinking she would get ;)

We went with cute pink tea party and it was a big success. We had a fabulous time, cooing over baby clothes and little gifts, baby names and bump.

I love my friend and I was so happy that I could do this for her, and hopefully it will be something wonderful she can treasure. A very pretty and yummy step on this journey xxx

Happy Sunday xx

Hoppy Easter...

I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter and blessings have befallen you.

We have had a lovely time. Peaceful, loving and fun family time.

Flowers and cards x

Warm Carrot and Hazelnut cake x

Melting moments x

Little chef x

On the hunt...

Easter goodies x

Waiting for Easter feast x

Cakes x

Nom...

Nom, Nom...

And cute pup got his first(and much needed) bath with us.

Happy Easter everyone xxx

Tea for One...

Today is the day a new journey began in our humble home and family. Today is the day I became a military wife.

My husband packed his bags and sailed(well got on a train) into the distance to begin(again...he was in it for 6years when he was younger) his adventure in the Royal Navy.

It has been a bit of a strange day. People asking how I feel, how are the children etc. The truth is of course, that there is, at this minute, not much change. He has only been gone a few hours.

I did sit in the kitchen once I had waved him off(not literally as I had to get home and left him in the middle of town to fend for himself.) and looked at the two mugs from the morning cuppa sitting next to the sink, waiting for their morning bubble bath, and it did hit home a little that, that will not be happening very often. 

I washed the mugs and put his aside. It will hang with the others on the mug stand, but unlike the others it will not be used until its owner is home and enjoying a hot beverage.

I still get to enjoy mine though and in a very, VERY quiet house. I am going to have to get use to all this free time. I think I can actually manage it, even if I am forced to spend it all crocheting and reading...

Before he left though, he did make Mothers day a glorious day for me(unlike last year when not even a card was in sight!) 

Now I can sip my tea from some really exquisite porcelain.

I have been hankering after some Pip Studio china for sooo long but I just couldn't justify the spend, and as for the bag!!! LOVE IT! 

Hopefully I will have better luck with it than a few other CK bags purchased in the past and this one wont come apart!

 I also had a cake made, just for me. Nom, nom...

Stunning flowers. These were from little bug(via Daddys wallet)

 These were from middle bug(from his own pocket...used some of his birthday pennies)

I adore gerberras and roses. I think gerberras are really playful flowers, they are rising up simply to spread a smile and colour. 

Roses are grown up, complex. With a little time and care they open up layer by layer to reveal the ultimate beauty of all these layers combined...a bit like women ;)

Biggest bug has also ordered me a gift with his own pennies and I am so EXCITED for it to come. I will definitely share a pic when it arrives.

So today was tea for one but dinner for dozens it seems...Small bug LOVES dressing up in his chef outfit(just like Daddys...except Daddy didn't like putting it on so much!) and making us all yummy treats. The problem comes when imaginary meets reality...sticky and smelly plates and pots where real food has somehow managed to sneak into play...

It looks like every toy in his room could dine out with him...and Mummy gets left with the washing up!

So it has been a very surreal few days since the weekend. Positive for the most part but with some sentimental and sad moments thrown in.

Tomorrow is a new day and a day to embrace this new path we are travelling on, together, as a team. One step at a time.

Happy Tuesday xxx

Making the Best of it...

Hi there. So what about this sunshine? I don't know about you but when that sun is shining I am filled with ideas and excitement before I even open my eyes, which is why it really, REALLY sucks to have the crappiest immune system ever!

Guess What???

Yep!

I am ill again!!!

This is getting sooooo boring. My house has so many messy spots which I am noticing more and more every day. I have redecorated at least 10 times in my head since being laid up.

I have spent thousands!

I have won the lottery, all different amounts and planned how to spend it and deliberated on how deserving family and friends are and how much they will get.

I have been on about 20 different holidays, some with kids and some without...

I have bought so many pretty things that in reality I can't afford. I have made Pinterest boards which display these desires...even made a holiday one(a girl can dream).

I have made soooo many cakes(and eaten them) and my decorating skills would put Cake Boss to shame hehe!

Obviously in reality I have been lay in my bed or on the sofa, feeling sorry for myself, crocheting and moaning. I have been drinking tea and eating out of boredom!

I have been enjoying marathon programme catch up. Mainly Call the Midwife and Sewing Bee, that has been one good thing. I am longing to learn to use my machine and Sewing Bee doesn't help this longing!

I think it is safe to say I am a little worn out with my own company. 

I have been popping in and out of blogland and seeing all your lovely posts but I am so worn out that I get through some and then doze off again.

I have made a concious decision this morning after waking up without the ability to swallow and discovery of white spots on the tonsils, to spend the morning typing(albeit moany typing) on my little blog and upload some of the photos I have been snapping away at.

My little bug. We went to the cinema over the weekend(I started feeling really poorly half way through Muppets Most Wanted) he had to take Fluffy and Mickey with him and they thoroughly enjoyed it.                                             

Something that has been a source of mindless entertainment...it gets boring very quickly!

Some flowers to cheer a girl up :)

The garden is getting a mini makeover. Just something to make this very small and ugly yard a little less of an eye sore!

More bright, beautiful flowers.(both bunches were reduced and count as medicine for sure)

New wool storage...

Cute retro Pop bottles...little in love...

So there are some of the nice things about the last few days.

I haven't been too bad with my frugal March.

I have looked for bargains everywhere. I spent a lot of money on my food shop, but I managed to buy enough for over 2 months for £400. I know that sounds like a lot but for a family for 2 months and it includes meat and all cleaning/household products, I am quite chuffed!

These pop bottles are a sparkling £2 each from Tesco, which is a bargain I think. They have a lovely range at the moment with all this gorgeous coloured glass and some stunning pastel cookware(which definitely did not become part of my March)

Wilkinsons also have some gorgeous coloured glass products including Kilner jars. Again I haven't indulged as they really couldn't be justified.

I know you may think that these bottles can't be but they can I just can't go into details...yet!

(My crochet ta-dahs can't be shared right now either :( )

But a sneaky peek wont hurt ;)

ooooo and another little tip. Right now we are in garden stuff season. Now, if like me you are not the greatest gardener but still find yourself browsing these aisles then despair not.

Garden paraphernalia is usually a lot cheaper than pretty indoor decor.

The bucket I am now using for yarn storage is a gorgeous pastel green and has the wooden embellishment on the handle. It was £4 in the garden section at Tesco!!! £4! If this was an indoor decorative item you would be looking at upwards of £10.

I also use a lot of string in my crafts and for wrapping and twine is perfect...gorgeous twine holders are EVERYWHERE at the moment and they are really reasonably priced.

Keep an eye out people x

Happy Tuesday xxx 

Happy Heart Day...

Hello. Well it is that day again. Flowers, chocolates and hearts. I am a big fan of V day, not because of the above first two but because it is a day dedicated to love. 

A long time ago a priest put the love and marriage between people before his own life(or so the story I have heard says)

So today I woke up to a 5 year olds display of love...

This HAD to be left for me to sit on surrounded by love hearts...

The Mans attempt at handmade :)

More love from my littlest bug...the bigger bugs are making me wait until they have finished school to hand me their efforts...

Gorgeous little heart bunting brightening the fireplace. These hearts are a version of the Boho Hearts(I messed with the pattern a little) from the wonderful Cherry Heart.

Great thing about little bugs is the cuteness of gifts from them. I think his teachers are so fab they all deserved a little valentines love.

For when my bugs come home I decided to make them some yummy edible hearts, Welsh style.

Raspberry and white chocolate welsh cakes

The raspberries give them a lovely pink colour, especially inside.

We are going to enjoy home made pizza tonight and lots of cuddles. This rain is telling us to snuggle under blankets and watch Disney whilst eating naughty foods and drinking hot chocolate.

Even on this grey and gloomy day though there is stunning bright colour. The tulips are opening up so quickly today. They are making my heart sing :)

I am surrounded by love and lots of the things I love. No posh pressies, No fortune spent and still a VERY happy Mummy, Wife and Lady x

I hope you are all having a lovely Friday and I am sending you all my love xxx

Happy Valentines Day x