nine

Today our eldest turned nine. Although I'm not sure how this could possibly have happened. Time just seems to pass so quickly.

He is just lovely. Growing up and becoming confident. Articulate in expessing his opinions and feelings. I really enjoy our chats. He is full of wise words. 'A rock of sense', my granny would say.

Kind, thoughtful and always concerned if someone is upset. I really love the big boy he has become. 

I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate my firstborn, our lovely boy. 

Happy birthday, little man.

simple pleasures

Spring has well and truly sprung, bringing simple pleasures and sunshine.

::   Blossom. More beautiful blooms appear everyday.

::   Watching our nature lovers explore and learn about the world. 

      Like little sponges.

::   Blue skies and colourful street art on a trip to Dublin.

We've had some lovely sunshine this weekend and we've spent our time outside enjoying the warmth. The sky is beautiful this evening. All glowy and pink. A shepherd's delight. Promising more sun tomorrow.

I hope you've had a great weekend with sunshine and blue skies. Wishing you all a lovely week.

five

Today we celebrated our littlest turning five. She has been so excited for weeks. She couldn't quite believe the Easter Bunny would be delivering eggs on her birthday. 

We've had a really lovely day. Presents and chocolate eggs as the sun shone this morning. Then out for Sunday lunch with my parents. The birthday girl was the centre of attention all day. And she loved being spoilt.

Our precious little one. Growing up to be a beautiful little girl whom we simply adore. Full of fun, giggles, kindness and love. A smile so infectious, you bring so much happiness. We all love you so very, very much.

On Saturday next, we will have a small birthday party. With chocolate mousse cake and crispie buns. And fun and games with your brothers and cousins.

Hope you've all had a lovely Easter weekend however you chose to celebrate.

The photo is from our holiday last year in Wales.

beach combing

Oh how I love the beach. Especially this time of year. Wrapped up against the cold wind. Tasting the salt on my lips.

As has become a tradition around St Patrick's Day, we answered the call of the sea. This time to the east and the beautiful Antrim Coast Road. Fossil hunting on our Jurassic coast. 

Hours spent searching for treasures. Sea glass, pebbles, rocks, shells and anemones. So many excited squeals of delight as special finds were crammed into pockets. Adding to their collections.

When the cold became too much, we headed back to the car for a picnic. My numb fingers tingling with relief as they circled a hot cup of tea. After, we drove a little further into the glens. It's a truly beautiful place and we made plans to return when the weather gets warmer. 

We returned home after stopping for tea. Our littlest declared 'this is the best day of my life'. Enough said.

simple pleasures

Just a few simple pleasures bringing happiness lately.

: :     Blue skies and wispy clouds.

: :     Playing with clay.

: :     Gorse blossom and it's coconut scent.

: :     Freshly baked scones. With jam and cream.

: :     Tiny little blooms. The garden awakening from its winter slumber.

I really enjoy taking the time to stop and acknowledge some of the little things which bring happiness to my day. So what's making you smile? Do tell.

lately

Time for a breather. I can't quite believe that it's mid February already. The shortest month of the year seems to be passing at the speed of light. The little ones are on mid-term break. This time a short one. They have only Monday and Tuesday off from school. I hope we get to enjoy some quiet downtime for a few days. We really need it.

We've been on a merry-go-round of birthday parties, school activities and family commitments and I want to get off. Thankfully the remainder of February is much less busy. To my utter relief. 

Today, was a pleasure. Pottering around in my pyjamas until almost midday. Perusing a recent charity shop find, The Reader's Digest Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of Britain. A lovely book full of interesting little paper cuttings tucked inside by its previous owner. 

Admiring the sun's rays on my newly re-potted pilea. And the delicate little bloom on the echeveria, which needs a new pot too. Playing numerous games of snakes and ladders and enjoying a roast dinner. I've curled up now with a cup of tea in front of the fire. 

A slow Sunday, savoured.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend, however you spent it.

simple pleasures

Some simple pleasures making me smile on these bitterly cold winter days.

: :      Freshly baked bread. So delicious.

: :      Winter blooms with perfect colours and papery petals.

: :      Tiny little hands in mine on a winter walk. 

January has been and gone. For me, it is the calm after the storm. Quiet times to recharge and plan adventures for the year ahead. And now February is here, bringing some welcome sunshine. An icy wind blows everyday here and looks set to stay for a while. But winter will come to an end and spring is on its way. Little signs are everywhere. I love the promise of spring.

Are you looking forward to the end of winter?

the year in books: january

The year in books. After failing to complete recording my reads last year, I am excited to be joining in again with Laura for a year long feast of literary goodness. 

I am determined to stay on course this year. I won't allow life's distractions to get in the way of my reading. I will enjoy taking time to lose myself in the wonderful world of words.

This month I've been reading Time's Echo by Pamela Hartshorne and The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith. Laura's pledge to source her books from independent, second hand or charity bookshops has inspired me to try to do the same. So this month, Time's Echo was a charity shop find and The Cuckoo's Calling was passed on to me by my brother.

I'm looking forward to seeing what I find for February.

Joining in with Laura for the year in books.

weekending: one frosty morning

Winter sunshine, the ground covered with ice, hats, scarves and cosy all in ones make for a fun filled frosty morning.

Running wild outdoors in winter. Time well spent.

Hope you're all enjoying the weekend, whatever the weather.

the colour collaborative: january: home

I was delighted to be asked to be this month's guest blogger for the Colour Collaborative. 

Thinking about colour within the home, the shades used and what influenced those choices has been interesting and enlightening. 

In our home, the colours we've used are inspired by the beautiful palettes in nature. The blues, greens, yellows and taupes which make up the landscape around us. 

As I drove along on the school run one frosty morning last week, I realised that the colours which feature predominantly in our home are those found in a frosty landscape. The vivid rich greens of meadows and hedgerows muted by a coating of tiny white ice crystals. The blue of the sky, illuminated by the golden winter sunlight. The soft taupe and brown tones of seed heads and dried foliage along the roadside. These are the colours of our home.

With this realisation I started to wonder does this make our home feel cold. Happily I've put that worry to rest. Whilst the walls are painted in creams, blues and greys accompanied by white woodwork, warmer shades feature in the textiles and accessories in each room.

Bright, primary colours also appear. Here and there. Mainly on toys and in the little one's rooms. But they are minimal. 

Subtle, muted colours prevail. I love their calming tones. My midwife whilst visiting after our youngest was born, commented on how bright and light our home was. She said all that light was really good for your mind. I like that idea. So I guess our home will remain cool and bright.

So that's it, colour in the home and what it means to me.

Don't forget to visit the other Colour Collaborative blogs for more of this month's posts, just click on the links below.

Annie at Annie Cholewa     Sandra at Cherry Heart     

 Gillian at Tales from a Happy House        CJ at Above the River      

Jennifer at Thistlebear 

What is The Colour Collaborative? All creative bloggers make stuff, gather stuff, shape stuff, and share stuff. Mostly they work on their own, but what happens when a group of them work together? Is a creative collaboration greater than the sum of its parts? We think so and we hope you will too. We'll each be offering our own monthly take on a colour related theme, and hoping that in combination our ideas will encourage us, and perhaps you, to think about colour in new ways.

precious things #5

My wedding dress. A precious thing full of memories, woven through every stitch and tiny detail. A reminder of so much happiness from our wedding day. The bodice laced by my bridesmaids as I nervously waited for it all to begin. Just a glimpse of the dress reminds me of the excitement and anticipation I felt on our special day.

Now it hangs inside its cover, unzipped occasionally. A pretty dress to be admired. But I have a quandary. It has been over ten years since our wedding and whilst I love my dress, I have wondered what to do with it.

For any of you who have a wedding dress or a special item of clothing, I'd love to know what you've chosen to do with yours.

For more precious things, pop over and visit these lovely blogs.

Sarah at Mitenska
Leanne at Today's Stuff
N at Creative Academia
CJ at Above the River

nature in the home

A pretty lady with a perfectly coiffed barnet. My new vase. A lovely present. Filled with dried hydrangea blooms from my parents garden. 

Little memories of summer as the wind howls and hail batters the window panes. I'm so grateful to be cosied up inside. Hope you are all safe and warm.

Joining in with Lou for nature in the home.

beginnings

So here we are. Embarking on a brand new year. I'm not particularly enchanted with New Year and all its shiny, happy positivity pressure. 

I try to take a mellow, laid back approach to the turn of the year. As is my way in life generally. Like last year I won't be making any resolutions. Setting myself up for failure isn't how I want to start January.

I do however, have many good intentions for 2015. I plan living simply, taking time to slow down and be present in the everyday. I want to enjoy the special moments and simple pleasures I encounter. I want to explore more and go on adventures. I want to learn new things and be creative.

I've spent some time thinking about a word to sum up my intentions for this year. I love words and found it very difficult to settle on just one. But I've chosen 'GROW'. To grow creatively, in knowledge and through experiences. 

Wishing you all a wonderful 2015 and thank you for reading my ramblings. I really appreciate you stopping by. 

winter walk and happy new year

A winter walk on a bright frosty morning is one of my most favourite things. Wrapped up snug against the chill, two pairs of socks and thermals for good measure. 

We were pleased to have some Boxing Day snow. Not enough to cause problems travelling but just enough for the little ones to have some fun. Excited squeals rang out as they threw snowballs and cracked the ice on puddles. Playing chase through the little trees in the forest. 

Though bitterly cold, the sun shone sending dappled light through the trees. After a play on the rope swings, it was back to the car for a warming flask of tea. Lovely winter downtime.

Tonight, we will be ringing in the New Year at home, most probably with Jools Holland and a glass of wine. Tomorrow, a roast dinner at home with my parents in law for company. I've baked Mary Berry's chocolate celebration cake for dessert. A fitting start to the new year.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2015 full of adventure, good times and fun. Hope you all have a wonderful New Year. 

merry christmas

Just popping in to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tonight, we're cosied up by the fire. The hay and carrots have been left out in the garden for the reindeer. The little ones will be off to bed soon. They are so excited. We will be enjoying a simple supper and a few glasses of wine. I quite fancy a Baileys coffee. 

Tomorrow will undoubtedly begin with a very early start and a lot of excitement. We are spending the day at home. Just the five of us. Christmas Day at our own pace. My favourite way. On Boxing Day, we will visit my family for another festive feast. 

After that I'm planning downtime with my little family. Doing the things we enjoy. The best times.

Thanks so much for your friendship and kind words this past year. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, however you choose to spend it. See you on the other side.