a winner

weekending

Oh how I love March and the promise of spring in the air.  The sun shone a little, it wasn't too cold and the rain stayed away so we decided to go to the seaside.  Granted not exactly toe dipping conditions but perfect for a walk and some exploring.

We flung together a picnic and took off with 'are we nearly there yet' ringing in our ears.  

We had a great day, walking on the almost deserted beach searching for pretty shells.

We drew sand pictures, explored rockpools and popped seaweed.

We arrived home exhausted in the best possible way.  The little ones are all snuggled up on a journey to dreamland, a side effect of the lovely fresh sea air.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

goodbye february ......

my garden moodboard for february ...

 

spring is awakening ...  and many of the plants in our garden are unfurling themselves from a deep, dark sleep ...

 

little buds bringing the promise of beautiful green foliage and wondrous blooms ...

 

 february's moodboard is sparser than i expected but full of promise ... the last remaining berries are all but gone, but the trees and hedges are budding and showing the gorgeous pale green of new growth ...

 

and there are even a few tiny blooms to be found ... pretty snowdrops and catkins are among the few in our garden ...

 

i have loved searching in the garden for new growth, collecting and photographing the changes in nature these past two months ... thank you Caroline for the inspiration ... x

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my january moodboard is here if you fancy a look ...

52 weeks of happy (21/52) ......

joining in with Jen and 52 weeks of happy ...

 

here are my four smiley happy things from the past week ...

 

enjoying the weekend at home, doing a bit of crafting and baking ...

 

a poorly little fairy feeling much better and completely unable to resist temptation ...

 

drying washing on the line in the sunshine ... and an airing cupboard scented with fresh air ...

 

simple pleasures ... xx

 

hope you are all having happy times whatever you are up to

 

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don't forget to pop over and enter my giveaway if you'd like ...



giveaway ......

while looking back through my previous posts i realised that i had missed a small blogging milestone ... 100 posts ... that's a lot of rambling ...

 

so i would like to celebrate with a little giveaway ... and as my 100th post was lovely things ... anna wiscombe ...

it seems fitting that my giveaway gift is a lovely brooch made by Anna ...

 

 if you would like to enter ... all i ask are two things ...

that you please leave a comment on this post ... and that you are a follower of the linen cloud ...

the closing date for the giveaway is 3rd march ... i will choose a winner at random ...
and let you know who the lucky recipient is in a blog post on monday 4th ...

wishing you lots of luck ... xx



52 weeks of happy (20/52) ......

four simple happy things ... linking as always to Jen at little birdie ...

 

spring is in the air ... the sun is shining ... and we've been ...



going for a walk in the spring sunshine with my mum ...

 

finding pretty primroses on the roadside ...

 

playing with our shadows ...

 

finishing up for half-term on friday with the promise of fun times ahead ...

 

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Mr F and i had a really great day on sunday ... we mooched around a museum, visited a craft and vintage market and finished up with a lovely meal for two ... it really made me happy to have time together to just be us ... doing some of the things we love ...

 

wishing a warm welcome to all my new followers ... it's great to have you here ... xx

happy valentines ......

happy valentines day ... just wanted to wish you all lots of love ...

 

we're not big on the commerical side of valentines here ... but i am not averse to finding pretty things to adorn our home ...

 

with this in mind i bought this gorgeous little print for Mr F ...

 

it is just perfect ... and he was thrilled ...

 

 

and to make it even more perfect ... it is the work of a blogging friend ... the lovely Jen ...

 

pop over and visit her etsy shop and blog and see her beautiful artwork for yourself ...

 

i get to enjoy this lovely print too ... clever me ... and Mr F has arranged for his parents to babysit for us on sunday so we can have a date day ...

i am very excited ... xxx



52 weeks of happy (19/52) ......

just a quick one ... 52 weeks of happy ... my four simple happy things this week ...

 

pop over and visit Jen ... this was her wonderful idea ... 



pretty porcelain knobs to finish off a diy project ...

 

weekend crafting with the little ones ... book page garlands ...

 

my eldest reading to me from some of the books i have read to him since he was little ...

 

planning a child free day out with Mr F in the very near future ...

 

 

hope you are all having a happy week ... thanks so much for reading ... xx

lovely things ... anna wiscombe ......

another lovely thing to share with you ...

 

the work of Anna Wiscombe ...



'Anna uses birds, animals and leaves in her designs, she produces a collection of decorative and functional wooden products that are full of intricate details and have their own special character.

 

 Anna's love of nature and the shapes found within it are given a contemporary edge by using bright colours and stylised forms whilst always complimenting the natural beauty of the wood.

 

Whilst pieces are replicated, no two will ever be the same, making each one an individual character for you to enjoy.'

 

 www.annawiscombe.com

 

 

 Anna makes and sells beautiful necklaces and brooches ... as well as wall birds and ornaments in her etsy shop and through her website ... you can click on the first two pictures to be taken to their listing in the etsy shop ...

i am thrilled to have welcomed a family of wall birds into our home ... i can't wait to get them up on the wall ... 



 

 

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this past week we have been otherwise engaged ... they hasn't been much time for blogging ... we were working on something special ...

 

we are happy to be a nappy free zone ... the little fairy 'is a big girl now' ... the last of the baby stage ... xx

 

crochet owl ......

a little owl ...

 

after completing the little fairy's blanket, i decided to stick to small scale crochet projects ...

i found the tutorial for the owl on pinterest ... it is from the Bunny Mummy blog ... you can find it here ...

the tutorial was really helpful and i managed to follow it until i had finished the pink ... a minor miracle, you understand ...

i got muddled with the darker pink whilst shaping the head ... but i sort of made it up as i went along ... and i think i've managed to salvage it ...

i changed the eyes slightly too ... making them smaller and stitching the pupils rather than adding beads ...

all in all ... i am pleased with this little offering ... it would make a lovely gift for a little one ...

but i am determined to master the head shaping ... so will definitely be having another go ...


52 weeks of happy (18/52) ......

52 weeks of happy ... four simple happy things this week ... joining in with the lovely Jen at little birdie ...

  

 

seeing snowdrops appear here and there ... the first glimmer of spring ...

 

bright blue skies ... a welcome change from steel grey ones ...

 

a lovely forest walk on sunday afternoon ... completely rain free ...

 

attending a parent teacher meeting today for my second little boy ... and hearing great things ...

 

wishing you all a very happy week ... xx

 

apple cake ......

apples, cake ... apples in a cake ... what's not to love ...

 

this recipe for apple cake is inspired by my mum and granny ... i grew up eating homemade apple pie ... made with delicious shortcrust pastry ... sadly i am not so skilled with pastry ... so i deviated a little and made an apple cake instead ...

it is quite moreish served with cream or custard ...

 

apple cake

ingredients

300g self-raising flour
150g caster sugar
85g butter, at room temperature
3 large eggs
approximately 3-4 tbsps of milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp of cinnamon
3 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced
juice of 1 lemon

method

preheat oven to 180 ... grease and line a 20cm cake tin ...
peel and slice the apples thinly ... once sliced, pour over the lemon juice and set aside ...

whisk the eggs with the caster sugar until light and fluffy ...
mix in the butter and add the vanilla essence ...

sift the flour gradually into the mixture ... and fold carefully ... the mixture can be a little heavy ... if this is the case, add a couple of tablespoons of milk to loosen the mixture a little ...

pour half the cake mix into the tin and arrange most of the sliced apples on top ... pour the remaining mix into the tin and add the remaining apple slices ...

bake for 45-50 mins or until golden on top ... a skewer will come away clean when it is cooked through ...

allow to cool in the tin and enjoy ...
 

i always add cinnamon ... as apple and cinnamon are one of my all time favorite flavour combinations ... my brother hates it ... so if any of you are in a similar boat feel free to leave it out ...

happy baking ... xx



goodbye january

While I'm not sad to say goodbye to the long, dark days of January I will miss the snug, cosy feeling which abounded here.

January was a month full of the promise of snow which sadly never delivered for us.  Instead we had bone chilling temperatures and lots of grey sleet.

Despite the weather we have had a lovely month full of family, friends, good food and fun.  And yesterday afternoon the weather mellowed a little, bringing warmer temperatures, blue skies and the glimmer of spring. 

So I grabbed my camera and spent a happy half hour mooching around the garden finding some evidence of nature.

After reading Caroline's post earlier this month I have decided to join her in creating a moodboard for each month this year. I'm looking forward to seeing the differences with the change of the seasons.

I think they might make a pretty calender for next year.

lovely things: laura amiss

Something pretty to brighten up your week.  A lovely artist whose work I admire, Laura Amiss.

source: laura amiss 









Laura is an illustrator and designer working with textiles and print.

"My handmade canvases are unique and are created using a selection of new and reclaimed fabrics. My work is composed of subtle lines and color combinations produced through layering, piecing and sewing fabrics together. I draw inspiration from my every day environment and hope that the way in which I recapture the landscape or moments of ordinary life allows people to appreciate them with a fresh perspective."

www.lauraamiss.com



source: laura amiss

Laura has a lovely etsy shop selling her prints and canvases.  The colours she uses are beautiful and are perfect to welcome spring.

source: laura amiss

I love these prints.  They're definitely on my wishlist.  So what do you think? Do you have a favourite?

52 weeks of happy (17/52)

52 weeks of happy.  Week 17, simple things making me smile this week.

This weekend, exploring. We really needed fresh air after being housebound due to freezing temperatures and grey sleet for the last few weekends.

The look of pure glee on Mr F's face today as he unpacked an early birthday present.  A drum kit.  He just couldn't wait until June.

A catch-up lunch with one of my very best friends.

Seeing the first snowdrops peek through the soil, announcing spring.

As always I am linking to Jen at little birdie.  What has made you happy this week?

creamed rice pudding

I noticed from your comments on my last post quite a few of you enjoy rice pudding as much as we do.  So I thought you might like the recipe for my quick creamed rice pudding.  The recipe serves four but you can alter the quantity to serve more people.



creamed rice pudding

ingredients

100g pudding rice

500ml full cream milk

100ml fresh cream

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tbsp golden caster sugar

method

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook slowly over a medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring regularly. You will know it is ready when the liquid has mostly disappeared and the rice is soft.

The recipe lends itself very well to change. When making it I always measure the quantities of rice and liquid but add the sugar and vanilla to taste. We like it with more vanilla and less sugar.  You can alter it to suit.

A little warning.  It does need a watchful eye as it can catch and burn if left too long.

The berry sauce is easy to throw together.  I use a handful or two of frozen berries, about two tablespoons of brown sugar, some mixed spice and heat gently.

As the berries thaw and mix with the sugar it creates a really lovely syrup.  If the recipe is for adults you could add some port as well.

I always make a bit extra. The berries are lovely as a breakfast topping too, on porridge or greek yoghurt.

Enjoy.

I just wanted to say hello and welcome to all my lovely new readers and also offer a little apology for not always replying to everyone's comments.  Time runs away with me but I do love to read each and every one. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat. x

52 weeks of happy (16/52)

Week 16.  Joining lovely Jen with her 52 weeks of happy.  My four simple happy things.

I seem to be focussing on indoor happiness at the moment.  The weather has been so dreary here. Grey, bitterly cold, sleet filled days with no proper snow. Not really suitable weather for being oudoors enjoying nature.

Roll on spring and all the joy it brings.  So my happies this week.



Homemade creamed rice pudding with mixed berry sauce.

Finding random groups of tiny people all over the house.  'All the bodies ... they're my friends' to quote the little fairy. 

All five of us squashed on the sofa, snuggled under blankets, watching films.  A lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon.

The first creme egg of the season.  Mr F and I have a tradition.  Whoever spies the first creme eggs brings two home to be enjoyed with a cup of tea.  We've been doing it since we met and I'm convinced it gets much earlier each year.

Wishing you all a happy week.

playing hooky

My granny square blanket started in the summer and then flung aside to make way for other projects.  And now finally finished. A cosy blanket for the little fairy to snuggle under as the temperatures plummet and the sky is full of snow.

I loved making it whilst learning the basics of crochet.  I still have so much to learn but I am pleased to have completed my first crochet project.

The blanket is a large granny square edged with a simple chain stitch. Not the most impressive pattern or stitch, but I like how the little edging finishes it. 

It is far from perfect and more than a little wonky but the little fairy has given the blanket her seal of approval and loves snuggling under it for storytime.

So, I'm off now to plan my next crochet adventure.

weekending

It is so, so cold.  A bitter, biting wind is whooping and wailing outside.  Time to batten down the hatches. We have been promised some snow although it is difficult to imagine as I look out at the grey sleety rain trickling down our windowpane.

I am so happy the weekend has arrived.   I have plans for a cosy weekend at home. 

Stove lit, snuggling under blankets.  Feasting on warming soups and stews. Trying out a new recipe for apple cake and enjoying some films with the little ones.

And if the snow does arrive I expect there will be some sledging and snowman building.

What about you?  Any plans?  I hope you have a warm and cosy weekend whatever you get up to.

52 weeks of happy (15/52)

Joining Jen at little birdie with the four things that have made me happy this week.

“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything"

This is the quote which inspired Jen. So true and it is really lovely to record the simple things which bring happiness day to day.

My happies are all from today.  A lovely day from start to finish.

A beautiful rainbow despite the grey sleet filled sky.

A fox in a box from the lovely oooh betty. Emma is doing a really lovely thing to help a family who have suffered an unimaginable tragedy.  Please show your support if you can.

Seeing my brother who came home from holidaying in Australia today.  The photo is from my wedding.  The wanderer is the one on the right.

The gorgeous view on my way home. A little inland lough behind our house. Both sky photos were from today, just a few hours apart.  That's winter weather for you.

So as you can see no snow here.  Hope you are all safe and warm if the snow has arrived in your part of the world.

Wishing you all a happy, warm week.

nuts and bolts

No, not a post about engines, you will probably be relieved to hear but one about robots.

As mum to two boys who have cleverly copped on to their mother's love of making, I constantly receive requests for things little boys love.  Monsters, beetles and dinosaurs.

The latest was robots.  So this little appliqued robot came into being.  I'm not sure what to do with him though.

I was thinking of framing him for their room but I don't know.  They are quite taken with him and this means both could enjoy him.

I wonder should he say something.  I can't decide.

I am feeling so much better these past few days and want to say a huge thank you for the lovely comments on my last post.  They made my day.  I'm sure all the positive vibes helped me get rid of the bugs. 

52 weeks of happy (14/52)

Linking up with lovely Jen for my first 52 weeks of happy of the new year.

I have been feeling pretty miserable with a horrible cold and cough.  It is still bothering me so my happies are a little late this week. With a bit of luck I will be blooming with health again for next week.  Fingers crossed.



Some lovely winter sunshine.  I think we all need more of this.

A magic horse created by the little fairy on a rainy afternoon.  I love the flower on his tail.

 

Lemons, for my beverage of choice at the moment.  Hot water, honey and lemon.

And lastly, getting the Christmas decorations all packed away.

Simple happy things.  Hope you are all having a happy, healthy start to the new year. x

liebster

"The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 300 followers and the rules of the award is that the nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver, and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It's a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people, get more followers and find some blogs that they want to follow."

I was delighted to receive the Liebster Award from lovely Jen at little birdie. A very happy beginning to the new year.

So here goes.  Eleven random facts about me.

I love bluebells.  Spring walks in bluebell woods make me happy.

I am a bit of a magpie.  Always looking for something sparkly.

My favourite crisps are pickled onion Monster Munch.

I really want to learn a new language.  Maybe Italian.

I can't imagine not having music to listen to.

One day I would love to own a caravan or campervan.

I would like to have been a midwife.  What an amazing career.

I plan to keep hens sometime soon.

I once met Bill Clinton.

I love kids movies.  My current favourite is Up.

I love to travel and my current dream destination is Montreal.

Here are my answers to Jen's questions.

Bourbon cream or custard cream? Definitely bourbons. I love them.

Camping or luxury hotel? Somewhere between the two.  Campervanning.

What's your favourite word?  Kayak. Palindromes are cool.

What smell do you like the most? Freshly cut grass.

What's the worst christmas present you have ever received?  I honestly can't remember. Probably so bad I have wiped it from memory.

Which is your favourite season?  Autumn, closely followed by spring.

Lego or Playmobil?  Lego no question.  I adored it when I was little and my little ones love it now.

Who is your favourite actor? Hugh Jackman. Easy on the eye and talented.

Bright colours or pastel colours? Brights. I love rainbows.

What is your ideal day off?  Spending the day outdoors in lovely warm weather, exploring with my family. Forest, beach, wherever.

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Vegetables, I love them .  But if I had to choose just one, then beetroot.

Eleven questions.

1. What did you want to be when you were little?

2. What is your favourite flower?

3. What's you most vivid memory from childhood?

4. You are invisible for a day, where would you go and what would you do?

5. If you could choose to live anywhere, where would it be?

6. What book would you happily read again and again?

7. If you were an animal, what would you be?

8. What is your desert island essential?

9. Are you an early riser or a night owl?

10. Do you have a favourite quote or saying?

11. Sweet or savoury, which couldn't you live without?

Spreading the love I have chosen 11 great blogs which I love to read.  I hate not being able to include all my favourites but the list is getting pretty endless.

ouch flower
lazy daisy jones
hello olive
vintage sheet addict
the view from here
cupcakery
two add two
tracey english
dandelion and olive
goldlion diaries
oooh betty

These lovely blogs are well worth a visit.  Pop by and see for yourself.

I'm looking forward to seeing your answers, if you have the time and energy to play. 

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A big thank you to two other lovely bloggers who kindly included me in the Liebster Award late last year. Due to lack of time and Christmas I never got a chance to pass it on, until now.  So thank you so much, Sue and Tammy.

not so lazy daisy

Just before Christmas my postman arrived with a parcel and inside all wrapped up so prettily.

Gorgeous gifts from my lovely friend, Lazy Daisy Jones.

Cue squeals of sheer delight as I opened parcel after parcel of beautiful handmade goodies.

How amazing are they? I am in love.  I am a little ashamed to say that the lovely doll was intended for my little fairy but I don't think I can part with her.  Can you blame me.  But I feel bad.

So after discussions with Miss Daisy it has been arranged that I can be her guardian until the little fairy is old enough to really appreciate her.  I think it's safer that way.

And those crochet toadstools, the cherry brooch and snowflake.  I love, love, love my gifts and if that wasn't enough in the parcel was some of the most amazing fabric tape.  I have been properly spoilt.

So to my wonderful blogging friend, thank you lovely Daisy for really spoiling me.  Isn't blog land wonderful?

 

This exchange of gifts was part of the Snowflake Swap organised by Kate.  Thank you so very much.

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Thanks so much to everyone for their comments over the festive season and welcome to all my lovely new readers.  I hope you enjoy it here.

Happy New Year. x

happy new year

may you always be blessed ...

with walls for the wind ...

a roof for the rain ...

a warm cup of tea by the fire ...

laughter to cheer you ...

those you love near you ...

and all that your heart may desire ...

an irish blessing

Wishing you all a truly Happy New Year.  I hope it brings much happiness and joy. x

52 weeks of happy (13/52)

Timely.  My week 13 happies on the eve of 2013.

Four simple, happy things for my 52 weeks of happy.

Our surprise visitors on Chrismas Eve. Just magical.

A wonderful Christmas full of family, fun, food and love.

Beautiful blue skys on winter walks.  So lovely to get some fresh air.

A great day out to W5 in Belfast, an interactive discovery centre for the kids. They had an absolute ball playing and discovering and to top off a great experience we got to travel on the Winter Express train and meet Jack Frost.

Another week full of happy.

Wishing you all happiness for the coming week.

christmas magic

On Christmas Eve we had two surprise visitors.  No, not Santa and Rudolph. We, like many homes were anticipating their arrival but our visitors were a genuine surprise.  In fact, they nearly gave Mr F a heart attack.

After laying out some hay and carrots on our patio table for the reindeer, and a mince pie and beer for Santa, donning new pyjamas and reading favourite Christmas stories, the little ones were tucked up for the night.

I was elbow deep in ingredients for our Christmas dinner when I realised I needed some parsley for the stuffing so Mr F kindly offered in sous chef capacity to get some from our vegetable patch.

He returned, a few minutes later, visibly shocked and exclaiming "you've got to see this".  Well, what could I do but have a look.  And there they were.  Our surprise guests enjoying a meal of reindeer food from our patio table.

Mr F thought they were reindeer at first, hence the initial shock.  He had just heard the munching and popped round the side of the house to have a look and was met with two hairy behinds.  Little wonder he was a bit shaken.

The little donkeys have taken up residence in our neighbour's field right next to our house.  He has kindly taken them in, for now at least.  We can only presume they have been dropped off.  A sad sign of the times. Once loved pets that have proven too expensive.

But they have been lucky to find their way here.  I will keep you posted on what happens.

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I posted today on modflowers about some pretty things I love.  Gorgeous screen printed ceramics which are definitely on my wishlist.  Take a peep if you get a chance.



chilling

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  We had good times here.  Santa visited and was very kind.  We have ate, drank and made merry.  So today we are chilling.

I am guest posting today at modflowers.  I've shared a recipe for a lovely festive dessert.  Pop over and take a look if you can bring yourself to think about more food. 

merry christmas : 52 weeks of happy (12/52)

Wishing all of you lovelies a very Merry Christmas and a stocking full of Christmas joy.  Have a good one.

My 52 weeks of happy.  I have had many happies this week but sadly limited photo opportunities, so for the record, week 12.  My four simple happy things.

Going to see our two boys perform in their school nativity play.

Seeing the look of delight in my little man's eyes when he won a prize in the school raffle.

Receiving lovely gifts in the post and finishing up school on Friday. A two week break from routine. Lovely.

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I am guest posting today at modflowers.  I have been making paper stars.  It would be lovely if you could visit.

a little excursion

Just a quickie to let you know I am delighted to be guest posting over at modflowers today and during next week.  Pop over and visit.  I would love to see you there.