Reflecting...

Hello my friends,

It's been such a long time hasn't it? I have been busy with the usual summer activities; taking the kids out, enjoying (and attending) the Olympics and finally, visiting my sister and her lovely family in LA. We had a fabulous time and also took a little road trip to San Diego (where my daughter took this candid photo of me and Chris) via Laguna Beach which was complete bliss.

This break has given me much time to reflect on what I want and where I am going. I always get like this at this at the end of the summer. I'm almost more driven and optimistic at this time than I am at the start of a new year. I think it's the fullness I feel from having spent plenty of time with the children and the realisation that they will be going back to school, getting on with their development, and I need to concentrate on mine.

And so I have taken stock. Looked at where I have come from and where I want to be going. My successes and my disappointments. And although I have loved blogging; especially when I started (what seems like a lifetime ago) when we lived in Canada, I have come to the conclusion that I am no longer getting what I need from blogging and therefore am not giving much back. I feel the constant guilt of an untended relationship and that is not good for me - or my writing!

That's not to say I have nothing to write about, I mean, stuff has been happening. A new barn was built and furnished, the house is improving, I joined a band and there have been achievements made in the family that I'm incredibly proud of. It's just that, well, I've lost the desire to tell the stories.

And so I have decided to call it a day. Forever? For a month? A year? I have no idea. But I want to thank all of you for reading my little blog, for joining me on that part of my journey. The blog that I feel never really got it's act together. It could have been, should have been, so much better. But still, I'm proud of it and grateful that you took time out of your day to read my ramblings. For the time being I will leave the blog up- I hate goodbyes, in the hope that my desire to write returns. I will still be following you all and popping in to see how you're doing and say "Hi". So for now I'll just say...

See you around,

Hugs,

B x

Everything's peachy...

Hello my Lovelies,

I have been glued to my t.v since Friday watching the Olympics and marvelling at what a magnificent job we have done so far! Meals have been chosen for their simplicity and quick preparation time - less time away from the action on the box ;o)

So I have been using my Leon; Naturally fast food and my Leon; Baking and Puddings. Today we opted for the Baked Peaches, which I coupled with a scoop of ice-cream - delicious!

So...everything here is just peachy - how are things with you?

Hugs, B x

At the bottom of my garden...

Phew, what a busy couple of weeks! 

We have finally finished the landscaping around the barn...

 ...and the garden has had a bit of a makeover too.

 You may have noticed a new tab at the top of the page - images and info to follow...

 Well, I have got together with a friend and have been producing hand painted signs for weddings and anniversaries for sale on her website...

It seems to be the perfect time of year for it...

I've had quite a few orders to fulfil...

But it seems I'm not the only 'Busy B' around here!

Back soon with more info - what have you all been up to?

Hugs, B  xxx

A beautiful find...

Today, while reading the paper on-line, I came across something that took my breath away...

'Gammelyn's Daughter'

Kirsty Mitchell is a talented photographer, who lost her Mother to a brain tumour in 2008. Her Mother, Maureen, was an English teacher who would read wonderful stories full of fantasy to Kirsty as a child. Unable to deal with the real world and the loss of her Mother, Kirsty retreated and created a fantasy world of her own that is now a collection called WONDERLAND.

'Euphaeidae'

'A Floral Birth'

'Lady of the Lake'

'The Lavender Princess'

'Spirited Away'

 I think these are some of the most stunning photographs I have ever seen. I have been back and looked at them over and over again and never tire of them. She has lots of other amazing work over on her website;
Kirsty Mitchell Photography.

I wait with baited breath for a chance to see them in the flesh at her next London exhibition.

I hope you enjoyed them too.

Hugs, B x

Sweet stuff

I have a very sweet tooth. But, I have to admit to totally missing the Macaroon boat. I have never (until today) had the pleasure of one of these colourful, sweet delights. So, when I saw one last box sitting all alone on the shelf in my supermarket (and reduced!) I decided to treat myself. I got them home and they almost looked too good to eat, so I thought I'd take a few pics to share before I made them disappear...

And I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised! They really do taste as good as they look.

Hope your week is full of sweetness.
Hugs, B x

Easter in Cape Verde...

Shhhh. Can you hear that? Beautiful isn't it? That, my friends, is the sound of silence. The sound of kids back to school. Which didn't happen until yesterday and kind of had me hanging on for dear life by my fingernails. But I made it. And so did they. And now, we are back to normal - and I am enjoying the silence.

So, I thought I'd take the time to fill you in on our trip to Cape Verde. As you can imagine I have TONS of photos, but I am going to try and restrain myself and not bore you to tears! I think I will follow the theme I started with and just keep quiet and let the pics do the talking...

Fun in the sun...

Out and about...

I found Cape Verde to be a beautiful place, poor, but richer for it's wonderful, happy, friendly people. It was lovely to have some time away, we came back totally rested and the kids made some lovely friends. The only mishap was on our last day, when a little boy dropped a plate on my foot. I ended up with a couple of stitches, but I found that a couple of Caiparinhas (Brazilian cocktails) sorted me out and dealt with the pain! It was a small price to pay for a wonderful holiday.

Back here in the UK it seems like the rain will never stop, but after my lovely break, donning my raincoat and my wellies to do the school-run doesn't feel so bad...

Hugs, B x

Easter colours...everywhere.

So I'm off to Cape Verde tomorrow. You'll all be pleased to know, I did knuckle down... a bit. There will be slightly less of me to wobble by the pool...slightly...! I won't be taking my big camera with me (and I can't find my smaller one) so any pics I manage to get will be from my iPhone

It'll be me Chris and the 2 little ones having one week of down time - Jess is staying behind to study for her upcoming exams; such a good girl. I hope you all have a peaceful Easter break with the ones you love.

www.freeimages.co.uk

See you soon...

Hugs, B x
Pic 1; here Pic 2; here pic 3; here pic 

Love is...

The sun is shining and I am preparing for our Easter holiday to Cape Verde. Woohoo! I have been doing my pilates religiously and have even joined a boxercise  class to try and fight the wobble... but this no carb thing...

is just...

not...

working....

Ooops!

Have a fun week with plenty of what you love.

Hugs, B x

I see the future and the future is green...

Hello my lovelies!

I have been busy spring cleaning and generally trying to get my house in order. We've still got work to do on the barn (believe it or not!) landscaping should start later this month and our front room (which has basically been out of action since we moved in due to damp) is now damp-free and freshly painted...white. So, using nature and the time of year as my guide I see shades of green being my palette for the furnishings in this new room.

It's the room you walk into from the front door, so I want it bright and welcoming but cosy enough to snuggle in, as it will be our new 'library' or 'reading nook'. These images are my inspiration....

This is not in my comfort zone; as it's quite a bit brighter than my usual taste, but it 'feels' right for this space - let's see how far I go with it!

Happy Tuesday to you all!

Hugs, B x

Image 1,2 and 3: Design Sponge


Image 4: This is Glamorous


Image 5: Restoration House Interiors

'Springspiration' and celebrations...

Hello you lovely lot. It's March - yippee! I have been turning to Pinterest for 'springspiration'. My new word for all things that bring spring into your heart.

 Blooming gorgeous!

 Wellies, a cotton dress and a cardie -
my favourite spring outfit.

Natures gorgeous pallet.

This weekend my little Eva ran her socks off for her school in the County Cross Country.
She was one of 70 girls in her age group and the little tinker managed an almighty SIXTH PLACE!
(I know she looks pretty unhappy, but honestly, she LOVES cross-country!)

Put that along with the fact that our Max has just got a place at the local Grammar school and I'd have to say this week we all have a spring in our step! 

Hugs, B x

All photos (except the last one) from Pinterest 

Baking sunshine

As there's very little in the way of sunshine at the moment in these parts and we are all getting a little bit grumpy, Eva and I decided to make some sunshine of our own.

Sunshine...and a nice cup of tea by the fire. Perfect.

Enjoy your weekend lovelies,

Hugs, B x