A quick hello!

Hello lovelies! Well, I've not had much time to check in here of late...Too busy decorating and feathering my nest! I will not be casting light on recent political events, but suffice to say that there is an atmosphere of real trepidation and uncertainty in the air! But today, just a quick hello and a few snaps to show face. As soon as our British weather perks up and we have some photo worthy light, I will share our living room update with you too.

We have had so much rain over the last couple of weeks, but have spent some time pottering in the garden as it was completely desolate of plants. I am not green fingered at all, but hope to learn as I go. So far, so good...I've planted my first Lupine flowers. They are so beautiful! Any handy tips on keeping these alive would be much appreciated!

Then, there are these self-seeding weed-like poppies...Something I can't kill at least! This popped up in the middle of some building rubble at the bottom of the garden. Such a lovely surprise!

With all the rain, the lawn has looked a little on the wild side. But I keep telling myself that we're going for the quintessential English meadow look! Besides, the bees love the clover! Anything to keep the bees happy...

Rainy days do mean that a little sewing might get done...This little project by Sarah Moore has been on my 'to-do list' for quite some time! A little pea-pod pin cushion. A bit fiddly, and far from perfect, but it sits on the shelf rather happily and imperfectly!

When the sun has poked it's nose out between the clouds, we have seized the opportunity to dine Al Fresco! Nothing quite like lazy summer evenings in the garden, G&T in hand, and good company to while away the time. 

I am hoping there will be plentiful sunshine still to enjoy. Our daughter's birthday coincides with summer solstice, and this always is a reminder that from here on the nights start drawing in again...Rather disheartening if you haven't experienced a proper summer as yet! But we hold out hope for a late Indian summer!

I'll leave you with this last snap...My girlie and I spent Saturday perusing the streets of Cambridge. It was a beautiful day, no rain, and a buzz of excitement perfumed the air as many students were graduating. Pockets of families and friends could be seen huddling together on every corner, celebrating achievements with fresh faced youngsters who are eagerly looking to the future. It was a lovely reminder that despite all the negativity in the press this past week, life still goes on, and we need to stay positive and look upwards. I loved every minute spent with my now fourteen year old little lady, and I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future...This last snap to me, is full of the beauty of years gone by...nostalgia of decades lived, memories made...Let's make our memories good ones! A shelf in a little shop on a cobbled Cambridge street, brimming with old tins...What's not to love?

Here's to love, light, and all things bright!

Blessings,

A little careful sifting...

Oh my...please, if I go missing, don't stick my picture on a lamp post and go looking for me... Chances are I am trapped underneath a pile of stuff in my living room! It has been a busy time of clearing out and sorting through all the things we've accumulated over the years, and I am just scratching the surface. This is all a very necessary exercise, as we are going to re-decorate the living room. It hasn't been done by us since we moved into our home ten years ago! Yikes! In the process, I am sifting through things, carefully deciding what to keep. It is rather painful, as I am a keen collector. Yes, I said collector, not hoarder. And I am saying this whilst sticking out my tongue, and winking at all of you! There is a very distinct difference...  Being a rather sentimental person too isn't helping at all, but I am doing the Marie Kondo test. Every time I look at something, I ask myself: 'Does this spark joy?' If my heart doesn't gallop, it needs to go. I will let you know how I get on. So today, a few snaps of some collected loveliness that does spark joy, and won't get the boot...

Wishing you all days filled with joy where you are!

Blessings

Kitchen reveal: Pastels and pink

Oh my...today is just the most glorious day! After a week of moody grey clouds, it is so lovely to finally see blue skies! I have been waiting for a bright day to take some pictures of our newly decorated kitchen to share on here, and I have finally managed to capture it in lovely, warm daylight.

The walls in the kitchen have been looking a little tired, a faded blue that made me feel a little blue too! I have been threatening to paint it pink for months, and well, all I can say is...PINK!!! It is very pink now, but I absolutely love it! The table and chairs are finished too, in various shades of pastels. It feels very cheery in here now!

Along with a new wall colour, the change has prompted the addition of a few new pretties to tie in all the different shades used. A very dear friend of mine gave me a beautifully sewn embroidery hoop for my birthday. You'll notice it's my name 'growing' into pretty little button blooms. Isn't it beautiful? It sits above another appliqued canvas that she gave me a few years ago.

I did a bit of sewing myself, and made a new door curtain to hide the recycling bin. Goodness, those pleats took forever!

Another project was to add a new tablecloth, and I opted for oilcloth as I always do. With three messy children, and the kitchen table doubling up as a food prepping area, it is both beautiful and practical. I cut the tablecloth to size, and then painstakingly cut a scalloped edge all the way around the hem. It is rather laborious, but well worth the effort. It hangs so much better this way. I used the leftover scraps to make a little counter topper too.

Finally, my favourite Clarice Cliff plate has a proper home too! I love the combination of pink and green, and this cheers up one corner of the kitchen. The curtains are looking even lovelier next to a pink wall too. These were a fabulous find from a charity shop a few years ago. I still love them as much as the first day I hung them.

A little more green...two thrifted vintage glass dishes that I acquired some time ago. The colour is absolutely yummy! Perfect for serving little snacks to visitors!

And so, the kitchen is at last just the way I want it...pretty in pink! Not entirely sure the hubby agrees, but thankful that he lets me express myself in this way. I think he's secretly hoping there will be more time spent cooking and baking!

I hope you are also enjoying a bright day where you are! Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings