I heart houmous

After almost a week of not eating, it is so amazing to have my appetite back again. And this time I'm determined to eat well and keep myself healthy, for the rest of the school year at least!

I'm loving lunch from my new chopping board today, and what a bargain at £4 from good old Wilko's! Red pepper houmous and a lovely juicy cucumber courtesy of my new favourite supermarket - Aldi. Yum yum.

I am picturing using the heart as a cheese board too, maybe at one of those wonderful dinner parties I errm never have....!!

Oh my word.

I think I may have started every single post for the last six months with this, but I am such a BAD BLOGGER!!

I'm going to use the same excuse as ever - work. And life. They all get in the blinkin' way of my fun. But what fun it has been since my last post.

The garden fence got finished and the lawn has since had not one, but two mows. Whoa.

Easter feels like a lifetime ago, but it came and went with the inclusion of the now somewhat ubiquitous creme egg brownies. Heart attack on a plate, yes please.

My friend's little man liked his First Birthday quilt. Well to be fair, he wasn't too fussed until bedtime when he liked rubbing it on his nose, but his parents seemed very pleased with it. And Auntie Bibbitybob got to have cuddles whilst he unwrapped it, so all was good there.

And what's happened since? Well, I took a few days out and visited an old friend in Leigh-on-Sea. The weather was a bit wild, but just look at that sky! That's a completely unedited photo.

We spent our time mooching round, with me coo-ing at gorgeous houses and equally stylish house-y shops and ate delicious food in little cafes. I think I may have returned about three stone heavier, but I reckon it was worth it.

I also became Godmother to my friend's gorgeous little lady. I take my duties seriously, and began by teaching her a very important life lesson. Ice cream, spoon...go!

Last weekend I went on a lovely long and blustery beach walk about 30 minutes drive up the coast. We even saw seals bouncing around in the water, which was just fabulous.

This weekend saw the first BBQ of the year (hooray!) and then the onset of a very nasty bout of tonsillitis which has seen me bedridden all week. And there lies the explanation of why I have found time to blog! But as I say every time, maybe now once I've caught up I will be able to keep on top of this place a little more...I miss you guys xxx

Brush is back in hand!

It's been a while since I did any furniture painting, but after a chance conversation inspired me yesterday I decided to pick up the paint brush and do a little make over.

The original version wasn't bad at all, but I think that a bit of Annie Sloan in 'Paris Grey', a clear coat of wax and some hand painted 'distressed' details have given it a new lease of life. What dya reckon?

Operation Garden Clear Up

 

With the sun shining, today seemed like the perfect day to start this years 'Operation Garden Clear Up'. My poor garden has been rather neglected since I bought the house, with the majority of my time and money going on the inside. But this year I'm hoping to be able to break the back of it and get it looking much more cheerful for Summer!

 

 

With a super blue sky and very bright sunshine (I was working in just a vest top, it was so warm...and trousers, obviously!!) I lugged the entire wood pile to the back corner of the garden and stacked it all neatly behind the compost bin. Just look at the size it was! Phew. I won't need the gym this week!

 

As you can just about see in the top photo, I've made a start on painting the fence. I went for something cheerful...fingers crossed it looks good when I've finished.

 

 

And speaking of cheerful...Daddy and Uncle BB popped round for a cuppa on their way back from work and helped me (read: they did the heavy lifting) move my old sofa from the garage into my summerhouse. It's my lovely little Laura Ashley baby, but it's so faded from being in a bay window, mucky from years of use and naughty cat shredded in places. I'd only get pennies for it if I sold it, which would make me very sad. It was my first ever single girl house purchase, and it still holds a special place in my heart (seriously....I do know it's just a sofa...but....).

 

 

So today she moved into her new little home! The perfect little spot for curling up with a good book or pile of crochet in my sun trap. Oooh I do hope that the sun will be shining tomorrow too!

One final fling

It's almost as if my brain has kicked into "must make this week a productive one" mode...just in time for back to work tomorrow.

As per usual for a day off (note: this never happens when I have somewhere to be...), I woke up at silly o'clock this morning. Inspired by my new stripy towel bargains, I decided that it was time to make the 'faux' Roman blind for my bathroom window (see below, looking pretty nekked!!). 

Now bear in mind that I have lived in this house for two and a half years, and the bathroom was one of the first rooms to be finished. Which means that I've probably owned the fabric for this blind for at least two years. It took me an hour to make. An hour. Two years wait and it took me a blinkin' hour!!! Sometimes I really have to wonder at myself...

But it's done now, and suddenly the bathroom looks much prettier. I need to start adding a few more pretty, twiddly bits now, something that I feel this house is sorely lacking. Roll on car boot season.

Then, seeing as I was on a roll with the sewing machine, I finally finished sewing up the blanket I am making for a special little man's first Birthday.

It is backed with super snuggly fleece and is a fabulously random mix of fabrics, including the odd bit of Ms Kidston. I even added an extra special little label - I always think it's nice to add a bit of history to a gift like this (and because, err, it went a little bit wrong on that seam...shhh!). I just hope Ethan and his Mummy & Daddy like it...!

Happy Half Term

Oooh half term took a long time to get here, and now that it has it seems to have flown by! 

 

Last weekend I spent a lovely few days by the seaside in Robin Hood's Bay. Just look at the view I had from my bedroom window...bliss! Three days with my parents, and having a very lovely lazy time. 

The weather was just beautiful, so on Sunday morning we got wrapped up and went for a walk along the beach.

Look at the treasures I found! They will be joining the random rocks and shells in my downstairs toilet that I've collected on my travels. I especially love the little fossilized starfish that Mummy BB found for me!

Sunday afternoon was a bit of a crochet fest. The first few hexies that I made for my blanket were too loose so I've had to relegate those (I haven't the heart to pull them to pieces just yet...) but it's slowly growing...!

 

I also managed to start a few little jobs back home - this is a blanket I am making for my friend's little boy's first Birthday. My friend chose the fabrics and I am putting it all together for her. Hopefully she will love it, and the fleecy backing will mean it is lovely and cuddly for him.

 

And I've finally made a long overdue attempt on tidying up my garden - starting with adding a bit of colour to the fence! I can't wait to get it looking a little bit smarter...hurry up, Spring bulbs!

So now I have two days left, and very few plans so hopefully I'll manage a bit more progress with these jobs. I'm feeling a bit sore and sorry for myself after a spot of minor surgery today, so curled up on the sofa with my blanket and a big cup of tea. 

 

I don't want to wish away the holidays, but I start my new job on Monday which is very exciting...!! And then only 4 weeks and 4 days until Easter holidays hehe. Hope those of you who are off this week have had a good one, and everyone else enjoys their weekends!

Bringing the outside in

I had grand plans on Saturday to spend a few hours tidying up my very dead looking garden, until I went outside and felt how cold it was! So I decided that the better option to open the windows for some fresh air, and bring the outside in. Can't beat a bunch of daffs for 99p from Mr Aldi!

My favourite little vase went to the great glass collector in the sky a couple of weeks ago, so I re-purposed an old coffee jar and tarted it up with the lovely Joules label from my new dress and some recycled red and white string. They are on my bedroom shelf and certainly cheer me up in the mornings!