An award?

For little old me? I would like to say a huge HUGE Thankyou to Caroline from Atelier Caroline, who believes my blog to be worthy of the A Blog with Substance award.

I am so touched to know that someone enjoys reading my random ramblings about our lives. Please use the link above to check out Carolines lovely blog, I love checking in to see what's new over there, she has some awesome crafty ideas and tutorials.

So now to accept my award!

I would like to Thank my husband who allows me to avoid housework in favour of blogging ..............

Nah just kidding! He is awesome but this isn't the Oscar's ;-)

In order to accept my award I must

• Thank the blogger who awarded it to you  ( Done! Thanks again Caroline)
• Sum up your blogging philosophy, motivation, and experience using 5 words.
• Pass it on to 10 other people you feel have blogs with real substance.

5 words to sum up my blogging

Sharing

Family

Memories

Therapy!

Enjoyment

My top 10 blogs with substance (in no particular order)

Sonja @ Home cooking with Sonja - much more than just cooking, warm sweet and friendly blog that makes me want to fly to Holland every Sunday! And she leaves me the sweetest comments.

Leslie @ A spoonful of everything - Creative, funny and friendly, reading Leslie's blog is like sitting at the kitchen table having a cuppa with a good friend.

Cheryl @ A pretty cool life   - has impeccable taste in all things gingham and she allows me to semi - stalk her on Facebook.

Melanie @ The crafty Cupboard - I love checking in to see what sewing scrumptiousness she has been creating - She also once allowed me to be the only non-US participant in a giveaway.

Raymonde @ Everyday I walk with you .. another sweetheart who is super friendy. This lady take amazing photos!

Tiffany @ Elastamom's excerpts - Tiffany writes with such humour and honesty. I love her blog.

Jen @ Larson Loves and her craft blog craft-o-maniac - I love the way Jen writes and also her decorating and craft ideas are fab.

I would also like to shout out to my friends and family whose family blogs are filled with love, life and plenty of substance. They are all linked over in my sidebar, some are private some are family content only so I wont leave links, but I do think they are awesome xx (I know that technically this take me over 10 but I couldn't choose between them!)

What a happy bunny I am this morning !

Buttons and memories

When I was a little girl I would spend some of my School holidays being looked after by my Granny. My sister , my cousin and I used to play a ton of games. We had the best fun making mud pies, putting up the tent, playing bowls and running through sprinklers. I have a scar on my forehead from where I fell from "the mean machine" (an old chopper bike that my Grandad bought at an auction) and fell head first into my Grandad's prized rosebushes! Oh the thorns!  He believed in buying almost everything second hand. If anyone was having a conversation about purchasing somehting new, he would extoll the virtues of visiting the "saleroom." We would jokingly finish his sentences for him " those come up at the sales all the time"

My Grandparents were both retired, my Grandad loved to visit auctions where he would buy antique  furniture to sell on and clocks that needed to be restored. He would fix them all himself and then sell them. Their house was  like an aladdin's cave for a nosy child like myself. I have always loved raking around, give me a box of photographs or a cupboard full of junk and I could spend hours just raking through. Oh the "treasures" that I was allowed to play with!

My Gran loved to sew. Although I don't have many memories of her sewing, because she became too shaky and had very bad osteoporosis and osteo - arthritis. I do however have two beautiful dresses that she made for me and I still have an apron that she made, because I loved to bake. It is made from beautiful vintage fabric with roses on it. I love seeing my girl wearing this apron when we bake. (and my boy! sshh don't tell him I told you) Unfortunately I have allowed it to get stained and it upsets me whenever I see it. But I suppose it just proves how long it has been enjoyed.

She had a huge cupboard in her living room. It had double doors on the front and her couch sat in front of it. I would beg Granny to let me look in her cupboard. This was her fabric cupboard. Some days she would pull forward the couch and open up those doors. I remember it seemed to go on forever! I would spend hours looking through the little drawers. Flicking through the boxes of patterns. Running my fingers through all of the buttons in the tins. The piles and piles of linens and fabric, silks and sheets. I can still see it.

Hands down my favourite thing in this cupboard was the parachute. A beautiful white silk parachute from WW2. I would ask Granny to tell me the story over and over again about how people would be thrilled to find these parachutes. They were commonly used for wedding dresses because everything was rationed and money was tight. I am sure most things in this cupboard were bought at an auction, someone would have tossed it into a box while clearing out a house. I am also sure this is where the contents went when my family was emptying out the house once my Grandparents had passed. It would have been a fitting tribute.

I was always desperate to learn how to sew. I remember being allowed to use her sewing machine once. I made a little outfit for my doll. I thought it was the coolest thing ever! I was also allowed to use her pinking shears! Wow I loved those things.

I have been thinking a lot about my Granny recently. It could be because it would have been her Birthday on Monday. I think it has has a lot to do with how much sewing I have been doing. She used to love sewing dresses and outfits for my Aunt and I just love seeing my girly wearing something that I made.Unfortunately I only started sewing a year ago. I am teaching myself with the help of tutorials from blogland.We lost my Gran 4 years ago, 5 weeks before my baby girl was born, so I could never tell her how much I love it.

What I wouldn't give to go back in time. I would ask Granny all about sewing. What she liked to do. I would raid that cupboard to within an inch of it's life! All of that amazing fabric!!  At the very least I wish I had those tins of buttons. We Cousins would spend hours and hours sorting them, weighing them, selling them to each other. So many memories are rubbed into the buttons in those tins.


I loved those summer days, spent playing cards with a pile of pennies each. Baking in the kitchen. Watching Grandad tend his tomato plants in the greenhouse. Watching old black and white movies and having to shout to hear each other over the horseracing that my Grandad loved to watch. At full volume.

And of course I couldn't have a post about my Gran without mentioning the Glory hole. In her kitchen there was a huge cupboard, it went deep under the stairs. This was fondly called the Glory hole and it was anything but glorious! LOL. This was where everything was stuffed! From the hoover to spare dishes and glasses, bags, newspapers and my favourite little stool with the steps that folded out from underneath! It was crammed. Lol.

I didn't realise how alike we are. I suppose I have only realised as I am getting older.  Apart from our joint love of sewing and photographs, family history and things that are old/vintage. We have our shared dislike of all things housework! Her house was never really untidy and it was by no means dirty . But occassionally frames needed a little wipe on your trousers to take away the dust.

Every cupboard in my house is like a Glory hole. You have to be very careful when opening any of the doors. I should probably do a tour like an air hostess - "here we have the over head cabinets, please open the doors carefully as items may  have become dislodged during recent rummaging" And more often than not, my frames need a "quick dicht" across my thigh before letting someone see the beautiful face within. But I am realising that this is me. I would still rather be baking, spending time making memories with my children, playing with fabric and running my fingers through piles of buttons.

I am now firmly in the mood to head out to an auction and see what treasures await! I wonder who I can bribe to come with me? Maybe my sister, for old times sake.

My Heart. Part two.

One week ago , I wrote about how I found this quote  to be very appropriate for this time in my life.

Yesterday was another huge leap for us.

On a cool and rainy day, my Baby started Nursery. For all non UK readers, I believe this is the equivelent to Kindergarten. Just one tiny step from "Big School"

We chose special Nursery shoes

And tucked them into her special Nursery bag.

My excited girl.

She seemed so grown up and ready!

One last pic before going in.

K's peg where her special bag and kitty shoes will live.

She did so well. She skipped in all happy and got straight down to some busy playing. When I went to collect her she told me how she had had a great first day, ate some snack and listened to a story about a Princess. It couldn't have been better.

A very Happy, grown up but super tired Kirsten.

All ready to go home.

I feel so much happier now that I know she is happy and settled. She IS ready.

And it seems that I am too.

Just what I needed.

I was looking back through some old parenting forum posts of mine, to get some routine/feeding help for my sis. While I was delving back into my girly's baby days I came across this. And I am glad I did.

Today it was just what I was needing to read. So I htought I would share it, in case you needed to read it today too.

The Mayonnaise Jar and the Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar... and the coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a infamous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things. Your family, your children, your faith, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter. Your job, your house, and your car.

The sand is everything else. The small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Stashbustin'

I am always ALWAYS starting/planning crafty projects but never finishing them. I came across a great idea on another blog (Atelier Caroline)

It is time for a little Stashbustin' in Septmenber!







I will not be allowed to buy any fabric or crafty accessories. I must use only things I have on hand and finally, FINALLY finish off all of those projects that I have started, or have just bought fabric for!

I am super excited, I like a challenge! Although it is a little daunting! Because I am so bad at not finishing anything, the number of projects on my to - do list have already run into the teens! !

Am I allowed to buy time during September??

This will also leave me guilt free and with an empty cupboard to concentrate on all of my fun Christmas crafting ! And seeing as I wont have much stash left, maybe a little shopping wll be in order......................

Bring it on!

My heart - part one.

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

-Elizabeth Stone-

On Wednesday one half of my heart began it's journey through high school. At the other end of this journey, will be an adult.

Fraser has been incredibly mature this week.

And I couldn't be more proud.

Ugh!

Think I am gonna buy myself a huge roll of this

to wrap myself up in!!

Ugh!

The story began on Sunday. I had the best day ever! I started a post about it but ended up with around 150 photos, so it will need to be re-thought haha. We spent the whole day out at a fun park and it was awesome.

I came home and was worn out after spending the whole day in the sun and racing my whole family on  one of these

So I was tired! LOL

I had just slipped on my favourite, super comfy, gingerbread man PJs , ready to finish off my great day on the couch watching TV. I stepped on the top step and slipped. I flew up in the air and managed to land, somewhere near the bottom, on my foot. Ugh. I don't think anything is broken but it is bruised and pretty sore! I am grateful as it could be worse. The last time someone fell down our stairs He put his head through the wall at the bottom! They are steep. The steps are too narrow. I hate them.

This morning after hoovering (vacuuming) I was returning the hoover to the cupboard and it came apart. Unfortuately I was lifting it quite high and it fell right on my big toe! On the same foot.

Ugh.

After much swearing and yelling, my dear boy came running down to make sure I was ok. He administered some excellent first aid! Ice and a plaster (bandaid) on the toe and a nice iced drink for Mum.

(it was too early for wine ;-) even by my standards!)

Ugh! Again I don't think anything is broken but my whole foot hurts even more and now there is not one part of it that is not bruised, twisted, sprained or bleeding, so it is making walking pretty difficult.

So I have decided I am a liability and should just wrap myself up in a huge bit of bubble wrap, lay on the couch and be served!

While I'm at it I should probably bubble wrap my heart a little.

Tomorrow is the day.

Fraser starts High School.

Ugh.

A wee before and after

A few weeks back I mentioned that I was starting to "decorate" my house. All of the painting etc was done a  year ago when we bought it. I have spent a whole year and (more) looking at , mostly, bare walls. Just not sure what direction I wanted everything to go in.

Just recently I seem to have been quite inspired by certain little bits that I have bought or been given. One thing has led to another and I am getting a feel for the space and the things I want to put in it.Like my hall, I havent been sure what I wanted in the Hall, I saw a little wooden heart one day and knew I wanted to incorporate the blue colour. .  Lots of these things I am making myself so it is so enjoyable for me.

Today I thought  would share my Hall. It is not finished as it still needs a curtain or something at the window. But I hope you will agree that it is certainly better than when we bought the house!!

Before

  my beautiful Barbie pink walls with red carpet with lots of mismatched wood

 (these pics do not do the colour justice! it was awful!)

After

The wallpaper had to stay as we just didn't have the time to change it with so much else going on, but I don't even notice it now that it is no longer  that beautiful shade of pink!

Please ignore all of the squint pictures, um ...................... it's the walls..........nothing at all to do with the fact that I can't ever wait on Murray hanging things properly with spirit levels................... I eyeball it, hammer bang crash , done!

I couldnt work out what I wanted in these frames. For now they have some "prints" made from a wallpaper sample!

My Peat family sign is about to have a facelift so it fits with the new blue/white/brown theme

This shelf was here when we bought the house, it was in the bathroom I think. we added the little bit of wood to put the hooks on , the hooks obviously and then painted it white. I haven't finished my project for what is going on this shelf yet. I take babysteps with everything lol

my new sign that arrived from ebay yesterday, which I can now see needs to go up just a little.

On hindsight, this is a really rubbish post LOL the lighting is terrible and the angles - ugh. But it will have to do - my blogging time is up! LOL

Ever closer to showing off my kitchen! Woo hoo! Just need a sunny day for some pics!

It's a wonderful life.

Sorry everyone, I didn't mean to leave that sad post up for so long! I was going to do another post on Sunday but we have just been having way too much fun for me to take some time out to blog.

This arrived in the post today

and I love it.

Life IS wonderful and I have such a lovely time with my family.

These peeps are just awesome

On Saturday we had "Tinkerbell day". The Tinkerbell movie was on TV and K had never seen the movie before.She loves Tinkerbell.

 Fellow Tinkerbell fan Beebs, was invited  to come round and watch too

 Beebs was under strict instructions to bring her Tinkerbell cushion, purse , stickers and cup.

K wore her new Tink T shirt from Granny

Then we made pasta together with my brand new pasta maker

Yum!

We have loved on our meatball,

Enjoyed story time with the delicious Baby Joe

(look at him listening intently to my big girl telling him a story. Melt . My . Heart. )

And had plenty of giggles along the way!

"The best thing to hold on to in life is each other."

Crying in the nighttime

Tonight I am laying in bed. Thinking.
Summer must be coming to an end. I can no longer stop my mind from turning to the school year beginning and the changes that this will bring. I can't seem to stop the huge tears that are rolling down my cheeks. 

Letting go is so very hard. In the next few weeks i have a lot of this to do. Gearing my babies up to take the big steps into the next chapters of their lives.

Filling them up with my love and assurance. Hoping they can tap into these reserves when they are feeling alone and unsure.

Hoping to bank up every hug , every I love you, every word of encouragement. Will they feel it when they need to? Will they know I am right here waiting for them to come home, to me?

Buying school supplies to tuck into their bags. Smart new clothes for the first day at school. Taking kirsten to choose special nursery shoes to keep in her new peppa pig bag that will hang on her very own peg. Wishing I could weave a little of myself into these things that will be with them when I can't be there.

My children are individuals. They are creative and funny and smart.

I want them to remember who they are, always. I can only hope that they can hold on to themselves when others try to chip away at it. To have the confidence to be exactly who they want to be, even when they are under pressure to change.

From the moment Fraser was born he shone. He was everyone's baby, ready with a smile and a cuddle for anyone he came into contact with.

From the time that he could walk and talk, he performed. Many a day / evening was spent with us applauding his many and very extravagant entrances and performances.

Always ready with a song, a joke or a dance. Fraser has always craved a stage and lives for an audience.

His love for costumes and characters is legendary. When he was 3 he was asked to be Santa in his playgroup Christmas show. He absorbed himself so completely in his "role" , he wore that Santa suit for 3 months straight!

My sister and I have always joked that we were destined to spend our nights and weekends, sitting in the wings , sewing sequins.

Kirsten was different. From the moment she was born she was my baby. A mummies girl through and through. Which is , if I am honest, the relationship I have dreamed of having, with the daughter I have dreamed of having my whole life.

She is about to step out into her own branch of creativity, she is breathlessly counting down the days to her very first ballet class. Her confidence is different to her brother. She has a quiet strength and determination. But the confidence us there along with a slight shyness. 

Fraser is about to take a huge defining step. The friends he will make in the next few weeks could mould and define his future, at least for the next 6 years.

Never before have I  felt so torn. I want him to fit in so badly , yet I want him to stand out. I want him to shine in the special and fabulous way that only he can.

I get stopped in the street to be told how wonderful my son is. How talented , funny , generous, helpful and polite he is. I am so proud I could just burst.

Please let him understand that this is what it's all about. It is better to be known for these qualities , than to be an undistinguishable face amongst any "in crowd"

How can I protect them ?  How can I keep them safe? How can I do this but at the same time do what I must do and let them go???

I don't know,

What I do know ,is that I will always be right here, in the wings, quietly but proudly sewing on those sequins and whispering love and encouragement along the way. No matter what.