Because it's wet............x

The water butts are filling nicely from this wet weather....BUT....don't you just hate it when.......

the whole house looks like a laundry room.........xxxx.......

Newbies..........x

It's Friday, and the sun is shinning in Somerset.........how perfect.

A very nice friend, kindly passed me a bag of leftover fabric from her daughter's bedroom. She described it as a Toile style animal print, and my goodness it is sooo beautiful. I don't know the make/brand, but it is quite a heavy cotton, I'm thinking cushions for the bumblebee's daybed, but it's the sort of fabric that......you feel like you can't cut. It's too pretty. But I'm sure I will put it to good use.

Did you notice the Ikea Rosali fabric??? I could not believe my eyes. We were very naughty parents last night, and took the bumblebee's off to Bristol Ikea after school, promising dinner out and a quick sight seeing whistle stop tour of the city. Well..... I think we all know by now, that you can't just pop in and out of Ikea......you just CAN'T..........I thought the rosali fabric was discontinued due to conversations with Cath Kidston? Anyway, I did actually squeak when I saw this duvet cover, lying all alone, on a shelf. It begged me and begged me to take it home, and love it forever. I couldn't say no. They also have lovely matching curtains, and bedspread too....just so you know....

But the real reason to shop was because we kept breaking out garden chairs. I cannot tell you the obscene about of pennies it cost to paint these chairs in Farrow and Ball paint. It makes me feel sick thinking about it.....so I was determined not to have wood again, but rather thought metal a la vintage styleeee would suit better. Alas pennies can't stretch that far, so Ikea won out....and I am super pleased with our bargain £15 each chairs.........

I had Mr.Q scrambling up into shelves to get the colours I wanted while the bumblebee's found an empty isle to sing and dance to whatever was playing over the speakers..........we must have looked a sight!

Four chairs, two stools, and a bag full of bits later, we exited..............and journeyed home, quite late, on a school night, with snoring kiddies in the back......tut tut.......

A cup of tea, a good book, feet up in a new garden chair ( without fear of breaking it and falling off....must exercise this week...just must ) enjoying the sunshine.........what bliss.

xxx

Garden love...................x

A certain little bumblebee's 5th birthday is coming up. For weeks this little mite has been changing her mind from a mad hatters tea party, to animals like cats and dalmatian doggies themes....oh it a huge decision don't you know. We have finally chosen fairies........I am not surprised in the least, but pleased....as this is a theme I know well.

So whilst the party ideas ebbed and flowed this morning, I sought solace up at the vegetable patch and with the ladies......this place is fast becoming my refuge and quiet spot.

I fancy we're doing alright with our produce up there, if you stop still for a few minutes ( usually sipping tea ) and actually look at what's around you, the wildlife is a humming buzzing mass of wonderfulness. I love my house, and my little plot......I'm no expert, oh no not by a long shot. But it just so happens that this week, Alys turned up with a helping hand. In the form of her Edible Garden book.......it is invaluable. My new bible, packed with handy helpful hints and tips which are thoroughly tried and tested by the lady herself.

What I like is this............wayward interesting gardens, that look good, and are edible.

" From the start I have to admit that there is no plan - no regime, no particular order or rules to abide by, just recommendations. Your own experience teaches you more than anything else, so you will need to take a big breath and leap forward " Alys Fowler

xxxxxxxxxxxx

A Sunday morning play......x

One bargain Cath Kidston pillow case, found at a home discount shop.....

Added some vintage poppers found in nan's old sewing table....

My new favourite cushion...............................

xxxxx

Project reveal........x

Today I can show you what has been keeping me busy of late.

The pre-school dap bags ( sorry if I have gone on a bit about these!!! )......are finished and ready to be filled with treats for the pre-school leavers at their little picnic next week.

I love traditions, and this was one I was happy to be part of! Both my bumblebee's have handmade dap bags for school from the pre-school...this year I used the blues of the school colours and hand embroidered  the children's names....

I think the stripes are my fav's............what do you think?

This time of year seems to be more busy than Christmas!!! I am speedily munching my lunch, in between typing today, as sports day starts soon.....please let the rain hold off long enough, but perhaps when the parents races start....the rain can come then!

Enjoy your weekends, whatever you are doing, we are celebrating some friends anniversary in their field with a big party.......well earn 't I think.........

Bye bye.........xxxx

Birthday bits and bobs......x

I seem to be having a fuzzy moment with the camera.....so like any other electrical thing, I have pressed lots of buttons, thinking this will help.......but it has made it worse. Fuzzy pictures are "in" today....ok?!!

I have wanted to show you my birthday treats all week, but have been madly sewing like a demon for the pre-school dap bags I am making. I am happy to announce they are all finished and waiting for drawstrings......phewwwwwww.....back to birthday bits...

The bumblebee's were so excited to show me the bits they had chosen, a teacup necklace, a little heart plate and a Cath Kidston tape measure, for all my making.....very thoughtful gifts.

Awwwwww my blurry vintage brooch, it's so beautiful, with dainty little flowers inside resin I think....the clasp on the back is sooo chunky and sturdy, things just arn't made like that these days....

My sister bought me the Hummingbird Bakery book, expandable waistline at the ready, but I'm thinking chocolate cake.........the pictures are beautifully shot, and the recipes are really diverse, ones I know I have nothing like already.

Now Mr.Q has been working on something for me for a while now, and he got soooo excited that he let me see it before my birthday. I had no idea what he was sneaking up to the garage doing night after night, he's a tinker at the best of times, so I just thought he was making or fixing things.....but infact he was....

Restoring an old postal bike for me, asking permission for use of the F&M basket, he's done a fantastic job, and I love riding her. How lucky am I???????

I can fit my shopping in there, perhaps a picnic, small child....................being 30 ......it's not all that bad!!!

xx

30th hide-away...NO getaway......x

Well hellooooooo there, back from the land that time forgot, relaxed, calm, zen like....ready to take on the last 3 weeks of the summer term. Wales charmed us with its lush green countryside, pretty stone cottages, and it's country lanes winding around the bellies of hills and mountains. We saw many a fuschia foxglove, and town/village name we could not pronounce.

Wales was truly a hospitable host for my 30th birthday getaway, our Yurt ( you MUST MUST MUST stay in one, I don't mind where, but you MUST do it....I am a convert ) was soooo cute, and snug and to be honest, I found it hard to leave it all on it's lonesome every day...sniff sniff.

Mr.Q was on tippity top form, as we had fireworked cupcakes to nibble, I had pressies and cards to open ( another post on this soooooon ), posh choccies to scoff with champers in the evening, all whilst I thrashed him at chess.....( and ummm errr perhaps I may have got a little giggly on the bubbles and conked out on the bed with littlest bumblebee to snuggle...ooops)........

Awwwww, and people say, "what's it like being thirty then?".....which I never quite know how to answer...I feel the same, I am the same, ................................think I will always feel like a teenager.....just how it is.

xx