It has been so chilly this last week. I know its been colder in other places (we didn't get snow), but we've still been feeling the chill. On Sunday we went for a blustery walk on the beach. The children wouldn't keep their mittens on and insisted on playing in the salty shore water, needless to say they got pretty cold, pretty quick and we didn't last long! We're so lucky to be able to hop in the car for less than 10 minutes and then be at the beach. 

We're finally getting settled in the new house, the novelty of the cows and sheep being outside is not wearing off, I love how Edie wants to "see the moos mummy" every time we try to go anywhere. Charlie is less bothered, but still gets pretty excited when he sees a pheasant wandering around the back garden.

Our little slice of the world feels pretty happy right now, I'm looking forward to a weekend of baking with the children, more blustery walks and as always a bit of  knitting!

Happy days x

Sunday Stitch Up

Sunday's three...

Bright and early start thanks to little Edie Rose, she is a chirpy little early riser. Despite being super tired, it was the best start to the day, snuggled on the sofa with a cuppa and the babes at 5.30am...

So, in a bid to catch the worm I packaged up a couple of orders and finished a cream version of my crochet boot cuffs (all before 7am). I'm really excited to get these in the shop. Even though they're more of a winter accessory, I do think they'd look cute with bare legs, a skirt and boots for a summer evening...thoughts?

Reading. I've been reading. Very excited about this. I am notoriously bad for making time to read. I probably manage one maybe  two books a year. Not because I don't enjoy reading, I love reading,  but I think I'm too busy to do it, which I obviously am not, I managed it today! So, I am challenging myself to have finished 2 books by the end of the month. We'll see how I get on, but I have to give it a shot!

Happy days x

Fresh Start, making the best of ourselves...

So, alot of the time I think about how I can do things better. For me, becoming a parent makes me want to be a much better version of myself. I want to give my little people a happy loving home, a stable upbringing and I want them to thrive. This is, I'm sure, what all parents want. Lately, I feel I've been busy and hectic and lost a little focus on what's important. So after having a little word with myself, the FRESH START begins. With it, the excitement of three whole days off work to be spent with Charlie, Edie Rose and Ross. Yi-P-EEE.

The weekend is planned in my OCD organisational nirvana head and I intend to make the absolute best of the precious time we have...stay tuned...

Happy Days x

Brown paper packages tied up with strings.....These are a few of my favorite things!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG... well almost!

I totally LOVE this time of year. New beginnings, bulbs sprouting, and blossom - which has to be one of my absolute favourite things.....

Cherry Blossom

It also is still chilly enough to wear knitwear, and this is my favourite cowl of the moment...

Starry, Scallop Cowl

Its not quite a brown paper package tied up with strings..but a mint one...but also one of my favourite things at the moment...

Order ready to ship

Family fun, Beach walks and Treasury Time...

1. Family Fun - Lovely Lulu - my dear sister is soon moving to Berlin, so she came to Cornwall to visit with my Pa this weekend. It was just wonderful to spend such happy times together. Lots of fun beachy walks with the kids, and girly catch-ups and giggles...I'm REALLY going to miss her :(

2. Super sales - well, not quite but the balls are rolling in my little Etsy store, this weekend a pair of Mustard Yellow Boot Cuffs and a little girls Ruffle layer skirt.

3. Treasury Time - "You make me happy, when skies are grey.."

Boot cuffs, baking and boredom...

Well, a lovely productive weekend is being had so far.

1. Friday spent baking lots of delicious things with the boy for a lovely afternoon tea with my lovely grandparents (who brought beautiful daffodils and they really made me smile!) ... Booster bars and Banana cake, as well as a big batch of freezer meals - I'm going to love coming home from work knowing that that's another thing not to worry about next week!

2. Boot Cuffs - headbands, ear warmers, fingerless mittens and pyjamas, all things aded to the Etsy and Folksy shops this weekend :)

3. Boredom - an odd one, but definitely made Ross and I smile at 3.30 am when Charlie wandered into our room and told us he was bored... sleeping at night not exciting enough then Charlie? My word!

Happy Saturday!

1. Blustery beach walks - we had a proper blow out on the beach today - kids LOVED it, especially Edie - there were loads of dogs (she loves them) and she just ran around woofing away - such a joy to watch!

2. It's the simple things that make you happy - I had a rare and cheeky lie in today - slept until 8am - now that is what I call bliss!

3. Stocking my Etsy shop - I am determined this year to give it my all, added more items today, some little girls crocheted headbands. Looking forward to adding the boot cuffs I'm currently trying to perfect the pattern for over the next couple of days.

Happy Days :)

Monday January 2nd 2012 - New Year Brilliantness!

Today's Three:

1. Start as you mean to go on - LOVELY (?!) morning run, got to get the fitness thing sussed this year! It was so worth it after I had done it! Felt great - brilliant start to the day, now just to make sure I continue with the sentiment...

2. Crocheting - simply addictive, that is all!

3. Christmas - last mention, I'm sure its still ok to, (the tree is still up) has been such wonderful Family time. I'm back to work tomorrow and can't believe how quickly the time has flown(!) it has been so amazing to have time off to spend with the children doing nice things, beach walks, the zoo, the aquarium, long woodland walks etc... Rather sad to wipe the message from Father Christmas off the Blackboard wall though...

Thursday December 29th 2011 - fun stuff

Todays Three!

1. Family day at last -  Such fun had with the babes, took them to the local aquarium - which they TOTALLY LOVED  -  especially Charlie, who spent the whole time trailing a stool step that he was given to see inside the taller tanks - LOVE

2. Loving crocheting these brilliant Uggs for Edie - great pattern from monpetitviolon LOVE!]

3. Finally a lovely and very rare night out with my besets friend V, so rare but zoo precious - how lucky I am to have her x

Saturday 24th December 2011 - It's the most wonderful time....

Todays Three:

1. The tent is finally finished, hope they love it!

2. Lovely Christmas Eve Beach Walk - weather was lovely, charlie had such fun running in and out of the sea, throwing pebbles and being chased by my dad...ahh!

3. Loving the Christmas Spreadsheets. Some time ago I mentioned my Christmas Geeky Spreadsheets. Well, so far so good, and they appear to be making the festivities go swimmingly so far! I am pleased to say that as it stands presents are bought, some wrapped, food planned and ordered without any further trips to the supermarket! Fingers crossed...EDITED...the ultimate quest for organisational nirvana has hit a couple of pre Christmas bumps that could have ended disastrously! So, I ordered all food online to avoid crazy supermarket shopping with millions of people. For the last couple of weeks I have thought gleefully about it all arriving on 23rd Dec between 6pm and 9pm. Turkey, veg from a local place and a big supermarket shop. Turkey email confirmation lost, and credit card used to pay for massive online shop had expired. All rectified, but dangerously close to time! Those were a couple of dicy moments...lessons learnt though and all the mega panic thoughts that I'd ruined Christmas a distant memory after a couple of glasses of mulled wine :)

Tuesday December 20th 2011 - 5 more sleeps

Today's Three!

1. DIYed Tent - Really excited about starting the tent we're planning on making for the kids for christmas. Found this lovely tutorial for an indoor A-Frame tent on mycakies.

2. Crochet Heart Decorations - I made a load of these for the tree this weekend - so easy - tutorial here...

3. The Planner - finally finished it. The first few days have been brilliant - such a massive time saver :). I love a good printable!

Thursday 15th December 2011 - how to be a domestic...goddess isn't that what Nigella says?

Today's Three:




1. Brilliant baking - have really enjoyed baking for christmas coffee tomorrow. Nigella's Christmas was the go to recipe book, with some Chocolate Christmas Cookies and Spiced Christmas Tree Biscuit Decorations!





2. More organising - the planner is almost done thanks to some brilliant printables found via a brilliant round up of free printables...ahhh

3. Christmas is coming - almost ready, well not really... cards to post, presents to wrap and so much more, but I can't begin to say how lucky I feel right now, something quite magical about this time of year that really makes you appreciate what you have!

- Happy Days!

Saturday 10th December 2011 - Sunny Saturday stuff.

Today's Three:

1. Beautiful sunny day with a lovely long walk and lunch on my brother in laws boat - the children loved it!

2. DIYed Christmas decorations - cutting out reindeers and trees from felt to assemble for some dangling tree decs.

3. Baking - made some of Mrs Beetons tea brac. Super easy and super yummy. Love classic and simple baked.

BELATED - Thursday November 10th - Pickles, Poseys & Plates...

1. Neighborly love - yet again my adorable neighbors have given us treats, dearest Roland arrived yesterday with a pot of marrow chutney and pickled onions which will be ready for Christmas - human kindness is a remarkable thing...

2. Bloomin' marvelous flowers - My lovely grandparents popped over last night with a lovely pot of Hyacinths - my favourite bulbs, I keep meaning to pland some in the garden, so this is a wonderful treat to brighten up the house.

3. DIYed Plate - I've been making some decorative plates for people as gifts for special occasions (weddings, children's birthdays etc..) and I've just finished one for my grandparents. The family home that my mum and her 5 siblings grew up in, and the subsequent 13 grandchildren and now 2 great grandchildren have known all our lives, was 100 years old this year and they organised a big family party to celebrate family life in the home. Unfortunately they had to cancel it for various reasons and I know they were so disappointed, so I thought I'd give them a plate to keep and remember :)

Monday November 7th 2011 - Cheerio Choo Choo..

Charming moments of the weekend were...

1. Charlie's cheerio's Choo Choo train. So funny watching him discover a way to transport his cereal around the lounge. I just love the amazing imaginations that children have - magical!

2. Took this pic of lil' Edie Rose off the camera from Halloween - a perfect plump little pumping - ahhhhhhh!

3. Chilly Crisp Sunshiney Mornings - So frosty this morning - it was BEAUTiful on my early morning walk to work. Ahhh winter is coming, and so is Christmas!

Sunday November 6th 2011 - Organise-Mania - Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!

I have high expectations of what I want to be achieve. Sometimes my ideas are unrealistic. I'd rather be this way than not though...

One of my best friends once dropped the phrase "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" into our conversation. I liked it alot. So much so infact, that I think about this phrase all the time and try to apply it to to my daily rumblings of a routine. I know that I'm not always going to be able to do EVERYTHING I want to do, time is very precious and in short supply, but if I don't give it my best shot, then that I will regret.

1. My Love of Lists - In the spirit or trying to be super dooper organised, I've started a mega Christmas TO-DO list. This has been arranged in spreadsheet form (what a geek I am), including separate tabs for Presents, Food, Decorating, Cards. This is the first attempt and I'm sure it may need revising ALOT, but I hope that I may be able to use this as a basis each year and take a little stress out of the happy time!

2. Christmas Cake Bake-Off - I decided that this year, as the whole clan aren't going to be together, that I wanted to make a Mini-Christmas Cake for everyone from the same batch, so that we can all share a piece of Christmas cake on the day, even though we aren't all together. Today was the day, turned out rather nice, now time to feed the cake...pass the brandy :)

3. Mega Meal Planning - I am in love with the life is messy planner by mayi carles. ESPECIALLY the meal planning. I really believe that you will not use something that you don't like the look of. However I love the look of these and have found that I am using it to the letter, wonderful to find things that make life that little easier :)

Happy Days

Saturday November 5th 2011 - Bonfire Night, Baking and Cloud Dough?!

Yippee its the weekend! A long old week, this week, so so glad to have a couple of days off work to enjoy the best things...

1. Fireworks Fun - watched a firework display at a friends house last night, Charlie surprisingly liked the spectacular views and noises, while little Edie was not convinced!

2. Bumper baking - some River Cottage Booster Bars today (click for the adapted recipe), rather de-lish looking, honey, oats, peanut butter, dried apricots...mmmm...Charlie has just help dig a couple of potatoes from the garden("they're very tiny potatoes mummy")and its rather chilly outside, so we're looking forward to them cooling down before we tuck in!

3. Cloud Dough - saw this lovely idea on pinterest which mixes flour and baby oil to make a lovely sensory dough. Charlie and I made it today and he absolutely LOVES it. He's been hiding dinosaurs all day - so adorable!

Tuesday October 25th 2011 - Organising above and beyond...

Source: None via Carolyn on Pinterest

1. So the day started with a chilly walk to work at 6.45am today, with an oh so spectacular crescent moon following me on my way. It was beautiful!

2. Trying to be super organised mega woman this week, totally inspired by a blog I've found written by Mayi Carles called heartmadeblog. She has so much enthusiasm and makes these brilliant planners, I've got the life is messy planner and it is just heaven for me a lover of lists, and at the same time looks brilliant! They say you're much more likely to use something if you like the way it looks, so here goes... :) And now to work on promoting my Etsy and Folksy shops....

3. Another part of mega organised week is getting ahead of meal planning and using the slow cooker for meals on the days I'm at work. So far so good, we've had a hearty stew, macaroni cheese (brilliant), and tomorrow its chicken noodle soup, my personal fave. Mega satisfying to whack the ingredients in at 6am and getting home to a nice hot meal with virtually NO effort! Here's to finding a super idea for thursday, Pinterest here I come!.

Wednesday April 20th 2011 - Todays Three Things!

The Daily 3!

1. Macaroons - my first ever batch! I have always wanted to make them and today was the day! The end result was pretty good, I made far too many though and to avoid scoffing the lot, I gave my lovely neighbours Roland and Roma a few to have with their afternoon cuppa.

2. DIYed sun dress - I finally got round to making Edie the sun dress I've had in my head for ages, lets hope it fits, by the time I finished she was sleeping soundly so couldn't test it out!

3. The garden - such glorious weather again today, pottering around the garden was just lovely, nothing like a bit of sunshine on your face to make you smile...

Tuesday April 19th 2011 - Todays 3!

The Daily 3!

1. Sunshine - my oh my the weather here in Cornwall is just marvellous! Such a joy to potter around the garden avec les enfants! Today was particularly lovely, pasties for lunch in the garden...mmmmm.

2. My peas - they're coming along a treat, can't wait to plant out in the allotment this weekend.

3. The Cornish Food Market - a fab new local online grocery delivery service, that offers FREE delivery, locally sourced produce and is cheaper than other supermarkets - amazing idea! I was thrilled with my order when it arrived on time last night!