Long time no see

So, I feel like I just got into my stride with this blogging lark, and disaster strikes.  My poor dad got really ill and was in hospital for three weeks.  This together with just loads of "stuff" going on, means yesterday was the first time in weeks I even looked at my blog.  Anyways, here I am! 

Its half term this week which is such a relief.  My boys were just exhausted and desperate for a break.  We are just chillaxing for the first half of the week, then we are off to Bluestone in Pembrokeshire on Friday for a long weekend.  We have never been before, and are not sure if we will like it!  We got such a fab deal on the weekend, that we thought we would give it a go.  The good thing is that the lodge does not have Sky or even wifi!  We will be doing lots of walking and cycling hopefully.

Yesterday I got a treat in the post.  I had ordered a Mistletoe Kisses brooch from Lisa at Bobobun.  It is just so lovely!

If you have never read Lisa's blog, go and have a look.  Its just lovely!

Today we are off to see my Dad who luckily lives in Malvern, so of course, chance to browse those fabby charity shops!!

See you later peeps.

lol xxxxxxxxxx

Its a start!

The above picture may look like a pile of jumble, but its actually the start of my Christmas shopping.  Two of our three boys have birthdays in December, so it is always a hideously costly month for us.  This year, I am determined not to go overboard.  I have taken full advantage of the summer sales, visits to factory shops and charity shop treasure, and have made a really good start.  I am going to fill the various tins I have found with jammie dodgers or lollipops.  I have made full use of Boots No 7 vouchers and stocked up on other smellies from TK Maxx for stocking fillers.  I still have lots to buy, but am going to get a couple of things a week from now on. 

I have also saved all of my Tesco vouchers and Nectar points, so that we can have meals at Pizza Express and Ask for the boys birthdays, already paid for.  We also have some M&S vouchers saved which I will use for my Christmas food shopping.  I really hate that feeling in December of spend, spend, spend.  I shall avoid it at all costs!!

Have a good day.

lol xxxxx

Richmond!

Well, we honestly had the best weekend.  I have been to London many times, but never before to Richmond.  It is so, so lovely.  We were staying in a hotel at Richmond Gate, and the view from Richmond Hill of the Thames, walking into town is just fantastic.  We had a lovely supper at Carluccio's on Saturday night, and then Tim was up at 6 am to go off and do his "ultra duathlon".  This meant that I had eight hours all to myself! Bliss.  I had a long walk all around Richmond, breakfast with the papers, and then, my long awaited visit to Petersham Nurseries.  I walked there along the Thames from Richmond.  If you have never been, then go and look at their website.  It is just the most beautiful place I have been to in a long time.  It was the perfect autumn day yesterday, so I was able to sit outside with my coffee and lemon poppy seed cake, and just take it all in. 

After an hour or so there, I walked through Richmond Park, past lots of deer, to the race village.  I was surprised at how quiet the park was, even though there were 3,500 race goers and their families.  It is so peaceful there.  Again, the views towards London were fab.  Tim finished the race in a really good time, so he was pleased, even though he was completely knackered!!

It really sets you up for a while, a weekend away without children.  I was so happy to see them when we got back, and feel like I have had my batteries recharged!

Anyway, start of another week.

lolxxxxxxxxxxxxx

All you need is love

We will have been married for 18 years on Sunday.  No mean feat nowadays, methinks.  Two couples who are very close to us have split up this year, which has been hugely upsetting.  We felt that if there was ever a year to celebrate our anniversary, then this is it!  We are off to London for the weekend, just the two of us.  Tim is doing a duathlon on Sunday, which leaves me to have Sunday morning by myself.  I am going to go to Petersham Nurseries, as I have never been and I hear its just lovely.

We have this on the wall in our conservatory, I just love it.

The postman was my friend this morning, as he brought me a parcel from Amazon -

I just love The Farm Chicks blog, and the book is just lovely.  Is it too early to think about Christmas?  I don't think so!!

Enjoy the weekend.

lol xxxxxxx

Had a lovely day today!  Went to the gym and met a friend for coffee then did body balance.  Of course, I went on the Pashley!  Walked the dog past Age Concern, and spotted  CK treasure in the window, for only £1 !!

I shall give it to my Mum for Christmas.  And the vintage doily?  They threw it in for free!!

Then huge news.  Alfie, our number 3, came home from school to say he has been picked for choir!! Have finally got a musical one!!!

lol xxxxx

The Princess!!

Its official!!  I have the most lovely husband in the world!! When Tim came home from work last night, he had an early anniversary present for me, a Pashley Princess!!

Oh my!  I have wanted one of these for sooo long.  I have tried looking on ebay, but they are the same price as new.  It really is the best present I have ever had.  I will post another photo next week when the basket arrives.  Will try and stage that photo a little better too!

Second bit of exciting news was this letter received today

Hmmm, now I really am not a very good cook, in fact I hate cooking.  However, a little tiny part of me thinks it would be fun.  The boys are desperate for me to do it.  What do you think?

Anyway, today I get out the paintbrush!  Have been waiting for the boys to go back to school so that I can paint the hallway and stairs.  The walls really are filthy!  Am going for F&B Farrows Cream.  We have had this in every hallway we have ever had (quite a few), and it just always looks warm and welcoming.

Wish me luck!

lol  xxxx

Dear Diary ...

Well, I have no idea what I am doing, but I'll give it a go!  I am just going to treat this as my diary, because I can't believe anyone would know where to find me!

So today, this is just a test page, see how I get on.  Several things made me happy today, first off I found not one, but two candy striped sheets at the charity shop, one of which is already washed, dried and  on number 3's bed

Secondly, I made this realy cute little gift tag for my lovely hubby's anniversary present, all by myself!!  You will learn that I yearn to be crafty, but its a struggle.  I have nice ideas, but not a lot of patience!  Reading lots of lovely blogs has helped though, I am determined to try harder!

Oh dear, should have taken the picture the other way round!  Told you I had a lot to learn!

Anyway, must dash, have second hand uniform shop to open at school.

lol  xxx