Autumn leaves...and blessings abundant!

My eyes have really opened to the warmth and beauty of nature's gifts this autumn. Every day, as I'm out and about, the palette changes, introducing deep, warm hues of red, yellow, orange and purple. As I shared in my previous post, we have enjoyed lovely walks and inhaling every detail of creation as it changes. I thought that this harvest season yields the perfect opportunity to reflect on the blessings in our own lives, thinking of the things that we can be grateful for every day. So, for the month of October (at least!), I thought of doing a little display on our mantel, something to remind us of the blessings that we enjoy! Sometimes we get so bogged down by 'normal life' and the stresses of modern day, that we forget that we are fortunate to have so much to be thankful for.

As always, a little sewing to start me off! I wanted to make a simple wreath to hang above the mantel, and used an existing heart twig wreath that had been shoved away in a cupboard. Inspired by the latest issue of 'Mollie Makes', I sewed some felt and fabric leaves to decorate the wreath. I am so pleased with the results!

Autumn leaves...

 

 

And hanging above the fireplace...ta-dah!

 

 

 

With the new wreath in place, a few reminders of autumn and all-year round blessings...

 

 

 

A heart garland to remind us of family, that we are bound together by love...We are thankful for each other...

 

 

 

Pumpkins to remind us that we have plenty to eat...we are fortunate in a world where some many people go without...

 

 

Tartlet candles, to remind us to be light in the darkness, to share the bounty that we enjoy, with those who are less fortunate...



 





The vintage 'Flour' tin and milk can also reminds us of these blessings, harvested all year round. In fact, we are very blessed to just be able to buy these from the supermarket! :)

A vintage toy sewing machine...a reminder that we are thankful for the health, ability and resources to work...

 

But most of all, we are grateful for the faith we have, and the love of God that upholds us every day, and His word...

 

 



 

The cotton reels are little reminders that we are clothed...for that we give thanks!

 

 

And so, we reflect, and give thanks...for the friends that we have in our lives too...and as a reminder? This beautiful red toadstool, made for our family by a dear friend. She hand engraved each of our names, and our family name. We are very blessed to have so many wonderful, selfless people in our lives!

 

 



 

I hope that you can also reflect today on the blessings in your life. And may many more come your way!

 

 

Tania♥





 

Family day out: Nene Valley Railway

Hello there! Have you all had a good weekend? What did you get up to? For us it was spent as a family just relaxing at home, watching 'Brave' at the cinema, and going on a lovely train ride on Sunday. For those of you who are familiar with 'Thomas the Tank Engine',  you might be aware that the real life engine resides at Wansford station near Peterborough. We hopped along with the kidlets yesterday to see him, and to experience the charm of steam engine train rides in the country!

Our day in pictures...

 

 

 



 

Trusty Thomas, ready to pull us on the first leg of our journey to Yarwell station.

 

 

 

Passengers at the ready...

 

 

 

 

We loved the old interior of the carriages...

 

 

I found a cheeky monkey on board...

 

 

 

Once Thomas had done his duty, the big steam engine was hooked up to chug us away on the rest of our journey!

 

 

 

From cheeky monkey to stowaway in a suitcase?

 

 

 

On our travels today, I saw this lovely old typewriter...♥♥♥

 

The Nene Valley Railway offered a lovely, easy-going family day out, one we all enjoyed! If you're ever in the area, it is well worth a visit. Pack a picnic and jump off at Ferry Meadows station for a quiet lunch in the vast grounds of this leisure park.

 

Now, I'd love to hear what you've been up to this weekend! May you have a happy, joyous, productive week!

 

Blessings, Tania ♥

 

 













 



Tickled pink!

We have enjoyed the most glorious, happy, sunkissed days this past week, and I cannot begin to express what this has done for my mood! I must admit, I didn't think we were ever going to feel the warmth of the summer sun this year with all the rain we've had! So, as you can imagine, we have made the most of our balmy days, with a visit to the seaside (previous blog post!), and a little excursion to Cambridge on our bikes. We cycled along the river into the city centre, and just soaked up the rays of sunshine, bird song, fresh air and cheery atmosphere.

It's not everyday you see cows so near to a city's centre...it felt like we were in the middle of the countryside!

Beautiful Cambridge...I love the university buildings with their aged character and architectural details.

Me and my crew...

Family time...

Cambridge is one of my favourite places to visit. It has a very special atmosphere and buzz about it, but at the same time it feels very tranquil and easy going...well worth a visit!

Over the weekend we also managed to visit our favourite Boot sale. Normally the children get a little bored with this, but not this time! I was surprised at their enthusiasm and bartering skills! They were left to their own devices to look for thrifty bargains, and boy, did they haggle their way to some discounted treasures! I was in my element with my thrifty finds too...

My Loot...yummy candy-coloured cuteness! Total spent: £8,75!

Dreamy letters...perhaps for little miss' bedroom?

Gorgeous, yummy bracelets, reminiscent of Bakelite to cheer up any summer outfit...£1!

Pretty little hankie in it's original box...50p

Heidi children's book, very good vintage condition, and a steal at 25pence!

Vintage buttons...50p

Little metal tins for a little project...£1

But, my favourite find of the day by far...Vintage Batger's tins at £1 each! Batger's was a British confectioner, and was established in 1748. It is hard to date these tins, but they certainly have some age to them. As can be expected, they're a little battered and bruised, but I think this adds to their charm! They look lovely in my kitchen!

Now, I have been hankering after a typewriter for some time now. I just love them for their craftsmanship, purpose, aesthetic beauty, and mostly because of the era that they're from. And, nothing looks nicer and more charming than a typed letter! My sweet girl knows this too well, so imagine my surprise when she tapped me on the shoulder during our Boot sale outing, and presented me with a big smile and a 'Mummy, I've bought you something you've always wanted!' Yes, you've guessed it...my little miss bought me a typewriter with her pocket money! She haggled, and paid the tiny sum of £4 for a pristine Daro Erika typewriter! I kid you not...It is in perfect working order, and in it's original leather case. When I read the first paragraph in the instruction manual, and had a good giggle, and a pang of nostalgia...

Well, I was tickled pink! I am so excited to put it to good use!

So, a bit of a lengthy post, but a lot to share! My sister and her kidlets are coming to visit for a few days, so blogging will have to wait for a bit. Hence today's waffling on my part! Have a fabby-dabby-doo week, until we meet again!

Blessings, Tania ♥

A Vintage Affair

Well, it feels like I have walked in circles in a dense wood, and have finally found may way home! That's what it feels like when I can't sit down with pen and paper to write...well, pen and paper don't have limitations,  unlike computers and the big wide web that is the internet! At first I had a damaged computer screen (don't ask!), and once that was repaired, horrible little gremlins interfered with our internet provision and I was unable to blog yet again! So, as you can imagine, I have A LOT to tell you! But, today will be a post about a vintage affair...a do...a party!

Time is a funny old thing! Sometimes it's draggged out and you wish the seconds, minutes and hours away. Like when you're counting down to something lovely that is going to happen. And then there are times when it seems you've blinked, and ten years have gone by quicker than you can say 'fiddlesticks'! Our little sweetheart is ten...double digits! Where has the last ten years gone?

Before I get all mushy (oops...too late!) and lost down memory lane, I'll share some pictures of the celebrations with you. I took many, and I'm bound to share bucket loads with you, so in advance: Sorry! I just can't help myself!

A Vintage Tea Party...

In my mind ten is an important birthday. After all, it's a decade! So, it deserves a little soiree! And so preparations were off to a start..

Giant tissue pompom takes centre stage...

Flowers and jam...

Sweets in jars...

Lollipops in vintage tin...

Personalised drinks jar...

Roses and Baby's Breath...

Party favours...Pearls and Love Hearts ♥

The birthday girl requested a game of 'Pass the Parcel', so a special surprise was wrapped up in layers of brown parcel paper. Each layer had a little sweet treat and snap card tucked inside. (I made sure that everyone won a little card and treat to keep it fair!)

The girls could then match their snap cards to a little present in the lucky dip suitcase.

All ready...

Let's get this party started!

There was laughing...

And dancing!

And cake of course!

It was my first attempt at making sugar roses...and bows! I know it's no 'Ace of Cakes' masterpeice, but I was pleased with my creation!

At least the birthday girl liked it! ♥

Happy birthday our little munchkin!
Until next time my lovely blog friends! Hopefully next time will come a little sooner than the last!

Blessings, Tania ♥