Telling it like it is...THE big 4-0

I worry.

I worry about what people think about me.

Quite a lot.

It's my weakness.

I've been saying for ages that I would show you guys my revamped kitchen floor...

But I have procrastinated- I'm very good at that.

In my warped mind, I would rather show you my floor when it's looking bad. Then I figure you won't judge (as we all agree it looks bad) Lately I've been taking a long hard look at myself. Another thing I have noticed is I really avoid putting pictures of myself on here. I look at other blogs I follow and people have pics of themselves and their outfit for the day etc and I am in awe of their confidence. I convince myself people would be picking me apart. I need to stop that.

Tomorrow, I turn 40. I think this is a really grown up age. An age when I should be comfortable in my own skin. Caring less about the things that don't matter. So in honour of the occasion...

Welcome to my kitchen...

I'm honestly not angry or upset in this picture, I just find it really difficult to smile without looking like a total goofball! Also, I was cooking an omlette and burnt the pan - doh!

I think the floors look so much better that the old laminate. The house was built in 1840 and these are original boards - very cool.

My new photo wall is getting there, I do need more pics though. I would like to cover alot of that wall. The heart on the right I made with assorted red buttons.

As you can see, the hearth were the cooker goes has been uncovered and needs to be stripped and then painted bright red which is what it would have looked like originally.

I love this gorgeous big window, I can look out at the barn and the garden while I'm doing the dishes. Excuse the mess on the side...I was cooking my omlette remember!?

My favourite hand towel on the left by PIP Studio.

I got this R from a charity shop, they had sold out of B's!

                                                                    See...total goofball!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

Hugs,

B x

Tea, with the Queen, in my kitchen...

Ah...I may have exaggerated...ever so slightly...

Just wanted to show you a few little things that I picked up recently on my visit to my local flea market. And I felt sure the title would reel you in! And it's not a lie...well not exactly....

Isn't she lovely? What a gorgeous patina. I think I paid about 1 pound for her! You may find this a little gross...she still has the loose tea inside. I can't bear to part with it. It kind of feels like it came as a package and so I have to keep it that way...am I weird? I also picked up these little beauties...

So pretty! And although I blogged last year about taking the colour out of my kitchen, it seems that slowly but surely it has been creeping back in. It's funny, I swoon over pictures of white kitchens. I go weak at the knees for that pale Scandinavian chicness. But when I try to achieve the look at home, I always feel like I'm not 'done'. And so the colour creeps back in...a touch of blue here...a splash of red there, until before you know it, I'm back to a more 'English Country' style.

I'm thinking I should just go with it. After all, style shouldn't be forced. I must be a true English country girl at heart. I'm sure Her Majesty would approve!

Hugs,

B x

HAPPY NEW YEAR from....Dubai!

Hello dear friends, I  just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year from the sunny shores of Dubai.

Spot on Vanya! And thank you all for playing along :O)

I've been having trouble with Blogger while I've been here, so I'll try to keep this short and sweet.

Wishing you all the very best for 2011

The year that I turn 40.

I declare 2011 to be 'The year to feed my soul'. Classes, travelling, books- whatever takes my fancy.

It's my time to discover me.

What are your plans for 2011?

Hugs,

B x

Christmas Wishes...

Hello my sweet friends. Firstly, a quick update on the 'floor issue'. I was incredibly grateful for all of your advice and am still toying with the idea of painting it white. That being said, it was very clear that I wasn't going to be able to fix the issue that was staring me in the face - the missing floorboards. So, hubby still away, I tried to call around and get help in. Unfortunately I had to declare my little whoopsie as I couldn't get it sorted before Chris was due home. However, I now have a guy coming to sand, fix and polish it at the beginning on January, so fingers crossed it will all be fixed sooner or later!

Now, that would probably be my first wish for Christmas but beyond that I haven't really given much thought to what I want on my Christmas list so here goes...

Seriously need one of these babies. I'm no camera expert, but something quick and easy to use that doesn't die on me would be much appreciated!

Ooooh, preeeeeeety! I've no idea where I would put her in my cramped cottage- maybe we could lose a sofa to make room?! Want one too? Take a look here.

It's been pretty nippy round these parts too and I was thinking that one of these would come in very handy for the party season...

...from Top Shop - and just been REDUCED!

And finally, I'm not a great 'bling' lover, but I would love to find this little treasure from Tiffany under the tree...



But top of my Christmas list is a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year for my family and for you and yours.

Lots of Love from us all at Pear Tree Cottage...

B x

I'm going to do it once a day...

Hi Ladies,


How have you been?


Did you have a good weekend?


We had one sick child, a night out with "The Girls" and a rained-off rugby tournament. So, all in all, quite an eventful weekend.


During the weekend I also did a lot of blog reading and decided that mine needs a bit of a shake-up.


I am a commitmentphobe (if that's actually a word) and I've always tried to avoid tying myself down - it's a wonder I ever managed to get married!


When I started blogging, I told myself that I wouldn't let it take over my life, that I would just do what I felt comfortable with and that has led to me blogging generally once a week.


On reflection, I have decided that I need a shake up. I need to say more. Get out there, stop 'hiding' behind single posts. So, for the next week I am going to blog everyday, at least once a day.


I know to some of you that may not sound particularly adventurous or challenging , but for me it will be an exercise in writing, time management and photography that I really need. So, good or bad, big or small, I am going to put it out there.





It's not about quantity over quality, it's about finding the quality in my everyday life.

See you tomorrow!

Ok, here we go...

Some of you may remember me talking about new plans...to do something new...get creative...

Well the time has come...I'm a little scared...actually I'm slightly petrified...but I really feel like, if I don't do this now, I'll never do it. I don't want to be one of those people with all the talk and nothing to back it up...the person full of "what ifs"...

...so, I am starting my clothing business...

...{Little Bee}...

it'll be small...very small to begin with...but, who knows right?

Making gorgeous skirts for gorgeous little girls...I've never had any sewing training ...but after spending last year making clothes for Eva and friends asking where I got them,

I thought...maybe this could be *my thing*?

So, this small but expensive (US fabrics are shockingly expensive and hard to get hold of over here) pile of fabric is where it all begins...

...wish me luck!

B x

Don't know what's wrong with blogger, it's messin' up my layout :o(

How do you know?

Chris and I are the blessed parents of 3 beautiful children...

Once upon a time, due to personal circumstances, I thought I would only have 1 child...just me and my girl and that was fine...


...then I met Chris and he adopted Jess...so 2 became 3...and soon after we were 5, when Max and Eva came along in quick succession.

We decided a long time ago that 3 was enough for us (probably when Eva had had her 5th tantrum of the day!) but we never got around to making things 'final'.

So here we are 5 years later, and we have finally decided to really get things 'sorted'. And Chris (reluctantly; as he hates hospitals) has said he would bite the bullet and get 'the snip'. It was what we both wanted.

I feel like I am finding 'Me' again - I am no longer only "Mum". We are after all entering a new phase in our family, where we can all go to the movies, play boardgames together or just hang out - I love it.

So why when, my husband calls my mobile to tell me that he has an appointment to see the doctor, do I burst into tears in the supermarket?

What's that all about!?

I am done with bibs and bottles and teething and potty training...

I am done with sleepless nights and early rising...

But I am that woman who can't hear a baby cry without her womb contracting.

I can't help cooing at an infant in a restaraunt or bending down to talk to a toddler in the mall

I am eternally broody.

I am not saying I am even thinking about having another baby. I know that from my reaction when we've had 'scares' over the passed 5 years - and there have been a few! Apart from anything else, we can't afford another child. At the moment we are putting one through college and 2 through private schooling - all on my husband's salary. Something I know he could do with a hand with; not possible with a new addition to the family...

...But the thought of there being no possibility of ever having another baby, frankly, scares me.

So, my question to you lovely ladies (especially those of you who have already been down this road) is...

...How do you know when you're done?

B x

(I don't know where I got the image from; sorry)

My name is B... and I am a 'dump-diver'...

...it's time to confess. I have taken to frequenting my local dumps/recycling centres on the lookout for pieces that will fit in my period home but without the 'antique' price tag...

...And here is my first find...








I was sure that this little chair could be totally cute with a little TLC...






I started by gently sanding it down before beginning to paint...






....I used tester pots of paints that I already had in the house and followed up with a little *distressing* and then 2 coats of clear varnish...It took about 4 hours in total and I made dinner and put the kids to bed simultaneously!

And here i the end result....















This chair cost me....NOTHING! And I couldn't be happier with the outcome! I'm very proud of my chair from the dump... now I just need to find a desk to go with it...hmmmm....

Thank you!

I just wanted to take the time to thank the readers, commenters and followers of this blog (old and new) for their constant support.

I have learned a lot about myself in the months I have spent blogging and although I have not reached my goal- of knowing what I want to do with my life now that the children are all at school and feeling 100% fulfilled. I can say, without doubt, that I am a lot nearer than I was when I began blogging.

You ladies have been such an inspiration and I admire so many of you for just knowing who you are and what you deserve and I am learning that that makes for a happier wife, mother, daughter and friend.

I realise that this may seem like one long ramble...and I have had 2 glasses of wine... but I feel that after many years of giving myself to my family, blogging (and specifically you guys) have given me permission to dream, to create and to plan for more. And I am excited for what may lie ahead.

As I said, I'm still not sure where I'm going with this...originally I thought that sewing, specifically children's clothing, was in my future. But now I am enjoying casting my net wider. I am looking into making jewellery, housewares, furniture...there is so much that interests me, this is my time to create and find out what I'm about. Maybe it's more that one thing? Maybe it's a market stall? A little shop? An Etsy store? Who knows? But I feel that with friends like you I can do anything I set my mind to; you are such great inspiration.

Thank you!

Leaving...

I'm starting to get excited about having a new house to play with; I really want to show you guys our new home, but until we have exchanged contracts I think it would be tempting fate. All I will say is; it's the oldest house I will have ever lived in...

Having said that I have to admit that last night I had my first 'wobble', thinking about leaving Canada behind. This is where my two youngest have lived most of their lives. Max was 4 and Eva was 2 when we arrived on July 1st 2005. Eva had her best tantrums here!



As she demonstrates here...

She really wasn't happy about the one on one with Dora!

And they both started the year with ice-skating lesson...that was the only year they took ice-skating lessons! Our first snow storm, getting the kids into their snow gear, digging our way out of the drive, all things that drive me nuts about Canada, but things I will never experience again and that have been our life for the last 4 years.

The baking hot summers, barbies, walks around the pond; we have loved our summers in Unionville.

And our Jessica has grown into a young woman in her four years here. Her love of the arts has been cemented during her time here...



...we will always have fantastic memories of our Mother/Daughter trip to New York for her 16th



I have found several new loves; sewing, taking photos and blogging - all covered here:-

And my lovely, clever husband came, started a new job, conquered it and has moved on to the next.

Part of me wishes we'd spent less time flying home to England in the summers and enjoyed our limited time in our Canadian home.

Can you leave memories behind? I kind of feel like leaving this land will leave a part of us here too. Silly... isn't it? B x

edit: My apologies for some of the photo's sizing etc (they looked ok in the preview)

You gotta have friends

Hi guys, I hope you've had a good week and are now kicking back and doing something you enjoy this weekend. Well, we are on the THREE WEEK countdown to our relocation to the UK.




Am I packed? No.




Do we have a removal company yet? No.




Have I had my garage sale yet? No.




Have I checked out the kennels for the dog? No.





Ok, so I still have stuff to do...I'm working on it!




I'm now starting to think about what it's going to be like not living here any more. I drive down streets and think; "I may never drive down this street again" (I've always been a little dramatic) When we left England we knew it was always going to be home, so there was never the question that we might not return. But Canada is a long way away and I am aware that when life is happening we don't always get the opportunities to go back. The thing I'm most sad about leaving is our friends. My friends, the kids friends, it's going to be tough. Eva and Max were 2 and a half and 4 when we came here, so the friends they have here have been their friends for most of their lives. Jess didn't want to come to Canada; I still have memories of a gang of 13 year old girls crying hysterically and chasing our car up the road - not wanting her to leave! Now she is older, she is excited about the new opportunities that await her, but sad about the people she will leave behind. And Chris and I have made some great friends who we will always be grateful to for making us feel so welcome.

But I also have a new group of friends who I am packing up and taking with me; I'll take them with me on the flight, put them in the car at the other end and then introduce them to my new home. You lovely ladies!

I have met some fabulous girlies since I started this journey in February and I look forward to developing those friendships over the months and years even if I am moving continent! On this note; I was happily surprised to find that I had received 2 blog awards this week. My first! So, "Thank you" to Design it Chic and Robbie S Redmond @ A Spiritual Connection who gave me this award this is how it works;

The "Love Ya" Award states:These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

The ladies listed here have made me feel so welcome to the blogging world, I wanted to say "Thanks" and ask that you stop by and leave them a comment - you'll be glad you did!

Kasey @ Lola B's

Koralee @ Blue Bird Notes

Nydia @ Polymer Clay Snails

Mandi @ Miss(es) Canadian Pie

Jessica @ 3 including me

Sweetly Lovely Afternoon

Kriste @ The Geek and the Belle

Mom's Fortress of Solitude

Lastly; I must apologise for the long post. I have tried to make up for it by sharing the flowers that are blooming in my front garden with you! -

Happy Sunday x