holiday snaps

This week, one month ago we were in beautiful South Wales. For seven lovely days. I left a little piece of my heart there. We all loved it so much. Our return has been planned.

These photos are an edited selection of hundreds taken. I didn't want to bore you all to tears so chose just a few. I think they capture our fun in the sun.

The colours in these pictures please me no end. So many perfect blues and greens. My favourites.

I can't believe how long it has taken me to get this post together. This summer is running away from me. 

the year in books: july

For the year in books last month I read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson. I loved it. Unreservedly, in fact.

It is beautifully written, brimming with well drawn, interesting characters and has an original, unstructured format. The novel raises the question 'What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?' 

There have been rave reviews about Life after Life but I know some people haven't gotten on with it. Persevere, I think it is well worth the effort. I loved it and quickly became wrapped up in Ursula's lives. It will be a joy to read again.

This month I am reading That Summer at Hill Farm by Miranda France.

Joining in as always with Laura.

simple pleasures

Some of the simple things making me smile recently. 

: :    Spanish hot chocolate. Chocolate heaven.

: :    Beautiful butterfly from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by our fairy.

: :    Baby succulents. From my jelly bean plant.

: :    Blue, blue skies. And not a cloud in sight.

I enjoy these posts. Taking a moment to slow down and appreciate the simple things. There really is pleasure to be found in the everyday. It's about taking the time to look around and see it.

What's your simple pleasure?

collections

A collection of pebbles. Collected on a lovely day at the beach. Pebbles in all their forms, are beautiful. I have always enjoyed gathering and admiring them. The different shapes, colours and textures really appeal to me. I love how tactile they are. A sea smoothed pebble particularly pleases me.

I was inspired to photograph my collection of beach pebbles by the lovely Caroline from scraps of us. 

Caroline has a beautiful blog featuring her stunning photography and adventures with her little ones. She has started a series called Collections, in which she photographs the things that she and her children pick up when they're out and about. It's a great way to record all the little treasures that are found. 

Pop over and visit. Maybe you have a collection to share.

the blog hop

Thank you to the lovely Col from Hello Olive who very kindly nominated me to take part in the blog hop. For those of you who don't know Col pop over and say hello. You'll find a very lovely blog and Etsy shop selling gorgeous prints designed by Col. She is quite the talent!

As part of the hop, I will be answering a few questions about my creative process.

What am I working on?

To be perfectly honest, at the moment not much and that makes me feel a little sad. I have been so busy with family life this past few months my love of making has been shelved. It definitely hasn't disappeared. It's simply waiting patiently in the wings. 

I have on-going creative projects which are a part of our family life. Baking, growing vegetables and tending our jungle of a garden. But the projects I really love doing just for fun and relaxation deserve more of my time. In September my youngest will be starting primary school. A new chapter, meaning more time for creativity. I can't wait.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Honestly I'm not really sure. I suppose the things I make differ from others because they are mine. We all create differently. From where we find inspiration to the physical process of actually making something. Each make has it's own identity. 

Why do I create what I do?

Simply because I love to make things. Being creative is very important to me. It has always been part of who I am. As a child I made things constantly. Always painting or drawing or sewing.

When I became a mother, my creativity returned with a vengeance. I gave up work to look after my children. A decision I have never regretted. But being creative allows me a little escape from the everyday. Time to relax, empty my mind and just be me. Making things for the love of it. Is there a better reason, I wonder?

What does my creative process involve?

Inspiration comes from everywhere. From books, magazines, online. But the most inspiring thing for me is nature. All things flora and fauna. I was a free range child, spending long days exploring nature with my brothers, cousins and friends. My love of the natural world has remained.

Botanical prints, floral fabrics, animal motifs, insects and birds of all descriptions are very evident in my home and creative projects. 

My creative process begins with choosing an idea. I have many scribbled down in notebooks with curious little doodles alongside to help jog my memory. I really enjoy gathering together the supplies and getting started. I love when I can create uninterrupted. Not often a reality but a pleasure when it happens.

Pure joy is in finishing. Creating things makes me feel good.

And that is that. I hope you have enjoyed reading my contribution to the blog hop.

And now its time to introduce two very lovely and talented women. I have many favourite blogs and these are two of the very best. Pop over and take a look. You won't be disappointed.

Sharon blogs at modflowers. She designs and makes beautiful creations from vintage fabrics. Her blog is a joy to read. Full of adventures in stitching, thrifting and living creatively.

Aniko blogs at Idle Needle. She shares snapshots of her life in Northern Europe. Aniko is a talented creative who has a great eye for finding vintage treasure. Her blog is wonderful. 

nature in the home

A hedgerow posy gathered along the lane where we live. The meadowsweet had such a heady scent I couldn't resist picking a few along with red clover, meadow vetchling, tufted vetch, common vetch and ragged robin.

The tin was found at a car boot sale this morning. I love it. The colours and shape. A pretty vase for a little bunch of wildflowers.

Joining in with Lou for nature in the home.

midsummer

Midsummer. The longest day.  And what a lovely day.

The sun shone bright, tempting us outdoors to spend the day in the garden. Picking flowers for the little fairy. She wore elderflower blossom in her hair. The boys played football long into the evening. We dined on the patio, enjoying the fresh air and a lemon cake for dessert.

A perfect solstice.  Family fun in the summer sunshine. A promise of things to come. Making memories in these long light filled days. I love this time of year.

Wishing you all a happy midsummer.  

simple pleasures

A few of the simple pleasures making me smile recently.

: :    Bees. Buzzing from flower to flower, heralding summer. 

: :    Tiny apples. I'm looking forward to apple picking in the autumn.

: :    Pepper. A gentle and constant friend. We all love her.

: :    A fun family day out at Strangford Lough Maritime Festival.

After a weekend of torrential rain and thunderstorms, the skies have brightened and the sun is peeking through the clouds.  It seems the bees are right, summer might just be here.

the year in books: may & june

May has flown by in a flurry of family celebrations, leaving little time for curling up with a cup of tea and a good book.

Not a great excuse but the only one I have. But I do have good intentions. I will get back on track.  This month, I need to finish The Land of Decoration, my May read and I have a copy of Kate Atkinson's Life after Life waiting in the wings.

I am really enjoying this project and despite life getting in the way sometimes, I'm delighted with how being part of #theyearinbooks has revived my love of books and reading.

Joining in as always with Laura.

goodbye may

A snapshot of the beautiful blossom in our garden this month.  The trees are awash with tiny pale blooms.  Our apple trees have never had so many flowers, the elderflower blossoms are just appearing from their tiny green buds and pretty blossom weighs down the branches of the hawthorn. 

May, you have been especially beautiful this year.

after the rain

I love this time of year and its ever changing weather. Bright sunshine this morning gave way to torrential downpours this afternoon. After the rain, freshness filled the air. A clean, damp scent. A scent I love. Maybe I could bottle it. 

The skies were beautiful, full of clouds. Pretty wispy clouds emptied of their cargo. And in the hedgerows, clouds of cow parsley dampened by the rain.  

wildflower posy

A wildflower posy gathered from the hedgerows along our road. A little posy for our eldest to bring to church to celebrate his First Holy Communion last Sunday. Despite not being especially religious, we had a lovely family gathering to celebrate another milestone in our little man's life.

Gathering these flowers will be ingrained forever in my memory.  Eight o'clock in the morning, dressed in pyjamas, raincoat and wellies, as the rain poured down.  I must have looked like I had lost the plot.  But I loved picking each pretty bloom. I really hope the neighbours were having a lie in.

Joining in with Lou for nature in the home.

sunday rambling

After a week of incessant rain the sun appeared this afternoon, so we took ourselves out for some Sunday rambling and exploring.  We visited a little National Trust church nearby which has beautiful grounds with masses of space to play and explore.

The little ones ran, climbed and scaled the fallen branches, casualties from the unmerciful winter winds. The fallen trees were a perfect hunting ground for all types of bugs. Spiders, woodlice, centipedes and millipedes were discovered and inspected.  

Being outside in the sunshine lifted all our spirits after so many cold and dreary days.  I've just watched the weather forecast and it seems the weather is on the up.  Fingers crossed for more warm sunny May days.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

may day

May Day and the beginning of summer.  

May is without doubt my favourite month.  My grandmother always marked the beginning of summer by having a May altar in her hallway decorated with wildflowers and a statue of the Virgin Mary. Combining the pagan traditions of the Gaelic festival Beltaine with her Catholic faith.

As a child I picked wildflowers from our hay meadows to fill the vases. Bunches of buttercups, marsh marigolds and cuckoo flowers picked throughout the month of May.

When Lou suggested we join her in reviving the ancient Pagan tradition of flower baskets to mark the return of Nature in the Home I was sold.  The idea is to leave little posies of flowers on friends and neighbours doorsteps to mark May Day.  

I filled an old jam jar with a few blooms from our garden and some pretty green foliage and left it on my friends doorstep. I really enjoyed making the posy, remembering my flower collecting years ago and my friend loved the surprise. It's definitely something I'd like to do again. 

Pop over to Lou's lovely blog to see more May Day prettiness.

eight

Today we celebrated a birthday.  Our eldest turned eight.  

Our precious first baby, growing each year into a wonderful little boy. Always full of questions and with a insatiable love of the natural world. Happiest investigating under rocks or tree bark for insects and spiders.

He is kind, strong and a great friend.  We love our sensitive soul so very much.

Happy birthday little man.

simple pleasures

Some simple things making me happy lately.  Simple pleasures providing joy everyday.

::   Blossom.  Beautiful blossom everywhere.
::   Daisy chains. Making daisy jewellery for the little ones.
::   My constant companion.  Wandering in the garden, admiring the blooms. She adores their scent.
::   Spring salads and the changing seasons effect on the way we eat.

Are you enjoying the season?  What's your simple pleasure?

the year in books: april

My book choice for April is a lovely hardback I bought a while back called The Land of Decoration. I love the illustration on the cover and the end papers. Not the most sensible reason for adding a title to my reading list but an irresistible one all the same.  I am a complete sucker for a pretty book.

I am looking forward to seeing if the story will equal its prettiness.

For #theyearinbooks March read, I chose The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.  I really enjoyed it.  It was utterly absorbing from the start.

The Book Thief is the story of a little girl living in Germany during WW2. The story is told from the perspective of working class Germans during wartime.  Not a usual perspective, but very interesting.  Death narrates the novel, guiding the reader through the story, providing insights into the characters and future happenings. The writing style is unique and really adds to the experience.

I particularly loved Liesel, the little girl, her desire to read and her unquenchable love of words.  Qualities at the heart of every bibliophile.

I also finished The Night Rainbow which I started as a second read in February. It was fairly enjoyable. Definitely not a page turner.  Although short it took me a while to finish.  A 'slow burn', I would say.

Joining in with Laura.

four

Tomorrow our beautiful little girl will celebrate her fourth birthday. 

Excitement abounds here. We've been planning a family get together for tomorrow afternoon.  She has requested a tea party with lemon curd sponge cake, fruit scones and chocolate crispie buns.  That's my morning sorted then.

Tonight the sun set turned the sky into a stunning swirl of colour.  The little fairy was delighted.  She peeped out her bedroom window and declared the sky had turned pink just for her.  

She is so special, bringing us an abundance of happiness. Full of fun and giggles, she is a friend to all. She adores her older brothers, and they her. Our precious little girl, we love you so very much.

Happy birthday little one.

goodbye march

March was a good month.  The weather has been changeable but there have been some beautiful skies and welcome sunshine. Spring may well have sprung.

Our garden is wakening up, beginning to unfurl in the warming temperatures.  We are planning our vegetable plot for the year ahead.  Growing things we will definitely eat seems to be the emerging strategy.  We had a bumper crop of Red Mustard last summer.  And absolutely no idea what to do with.  It did produce a lovely yellow flower though.  I am more enlightened now and tempted to grow a small amount this year.  Have you grown it before?

Today was especially mild and the sun shone.  I wandered around the garden after lunch enjoying the warmth.  Green buds are everywhere.  I am looking forward to perfect new green leaves covering the trees and shrubs.  A leaf covered tree. There is real beauty in nature.

Joining in with Annie's 'how does your garden grow?'