I embroidered this little cross stitch cottage when I was a teenager and for a while it was framed, then got it packed away and taken out of its frame for easy storage ... but today I re-framed it ... in a little frame I bought from the antiques fair ... it isn't an antique, but I fell in love with it and think it looks so sweet!
I remember years ago when I stiched this, I thought it was like Rose Cottage in Mary Stewarts book and wondered if I would ever live in a place like it!
so it's here ... the day I have dreaded since the day he was born ... the day I hoped would never come, but you know what, now it's here I am actually quite peaceful about it ...
Billy started school today and this was the best picture I managed to get!!
His biggest upset was having to wear uniform ... but he did look cute!
We talked long and hard about home schooling him, and I would still love to, we even went to a wonderful homeschooling group on Friday mornings for a couple of years, but I had to face reality, that I have limited energy, that I have some other goals which I need to put my energy into. It was a really hard decision to make, and some of it was that as we are quite rural, with no other children near by, for him to have the friends we want him to have, that I would have to be off out with him a lot to clubs and groups and I just don't have the energy for that.
We are very blessed to have a school not far from us, a small school with a lovely caring ethos, a school that focuses on a lot of outdoors activity ... the only school I feel peaceful about sending him to. He is only part time to start with, so we can both get used to it ... how did my baby suddenly become a school boy?
So a few days ago we picked up the newest member of our family ... sweet Duggee-dog ... he is a little springer spaniel puppy and we are all in love!
Timber isn't really sure about him yet ... think he is a little too small to be of any interest to him, but I am sure they will soon be best friends!
I wasn't sure I could love another after Dilly, and no other dog will replace her, but this little wooflet has already got a place in my heart and I know it was the right time to get him.
Isn't he adorable!
For my birthday Steve bought me an old printers tray ... I have always loved them, as I am a big lover of storage and could there be anything more cute than a load of compartments?? It needs a bit of a clean up and a couple of the divider are broken but that just adds to its charm right!?
The small compartments fit a 5ml bottle of essential oil perfectly and the longer ones can squeeze a 15ml! ... 'cos every girls need more oils storage doesn't she ;)
I have seen these painted up white and they look so lovely, but thinking of my decor, the natural wood is probably best ... I want it in our bedroom but Steve doesn't want oils in the bedroom as well.
Then the other day Steve came back from his work shed with this beauty ... I think its for old work tools and is in really rough condition ... he said it was just ruining out there, getting damp ... so we are drying it off and I am hoping it can be done up and would be perfect for my work space!
The back and the draw bases may need replacing, but it has so much potential!
Have you found any bargains this month or bought any treasures?
I love sharing about essential oils and trying to live a more holistic life, however I find myself running around the house like a mad thing before I am going out to share with somebody, collecting all the products I use and shoving them in any bags I can find ... it takes time to put it all away after too, so I have been looking at other options and came across this 4-in-one make-up/ beauty/ cosmetics/ hair dressing case and thought it would be perfect ...
The top part opens up with hinged shelves like an old sewing box, the 2 middle sections have divides in them and the bottom section is a nice huge box. Each section comes off and so is pretty interchangeable depending on how much/ what I want to take.
I also have a problem, that I don't like run of the mill things ... I like to personalise things and make them pretty and I really wasn't a fan of the plain silver colour. They did do the case in black or pink, but they were a little more expensive and I didn't want either of them ... so I decided to buy some pretty sticky-back plastic (fablon) and make something more 'me'.
I am so pleased with how its turned out ...
These pictures were taken before I had finished, so one of the compartments isn't covered ... they are all done now thought.
I get through a lot of some of the products and oils, so my plan is to keep some about quarter full in in the case permanently so I don't have to rush around and get everything.
I picked up this lovely vase from a charity shop at the beginning of April. It looks lovely with tall flowers in it! It was only £1.50 which I thought was a bargain!
Yesterday we had a family trip to the Antiques fair at the showground at Builth Wells. Its a huge 2 day event. We have been a few time before and often see Bargain Hunt filming there!
I saw this sweet frame on one of the first stalls we stopped at. It's not old, but I really like the dark green and am a sucker for little frames! It cost me £8, so not necessarily a bargain, by I'm looking forward to finding the perfect photo for it :)
For the last year or so I have been looking for the perfect chunky ring ... don't ask me why ... I have just wanted one. I used to wear lots of rings, but since getting engaged, I have only really worn my engagement/wedding ring. I spotted this chunky silver ring with green stone on one of the last stalls. It had £10 on it but the man let me have it for £8. I LOVE it ... it's the perfect shade of soft green.
Have you found any bargains this month or bought any treasures?
On Saturday we went to Wonderwool Wales ... I have been quite a few times now and each time find it so inspiring and just want to come home and dig out all my wool and get making!!
I didn't buy much this time, but did treat myself to a simple circular loom ... perfect for making mats and coasters!
I of course got going with it straight away and dug out my bag of wool scraps.
I love how its an easy thing to pick up and put down when I just have a few minutes!
As you can see I have a bit to go!
I am not sure what I am making ... nothing specific in mind, but will probably end up as a table mat.
What have you been making recently?
Ok, so heads up folks, I am going to be totally transparent and up front here ... this book, that I have been so happy to share and talk about is by my sister-in-law, who is also a best friend. Finding out, after years of writing that she had a publisher, was like hearing she was pregnant with another little niece or nephew!
Viper by BEX HOGAN
I couldn't wait for it to arrive as I had pre-ordered it back in October, when it was first available. By the time it's release date came in April our whole family was ready to par-ty!
This book is a YA (Young Adult) book, but totally gripping for older adults too and not for the faint hearted!
Many people who know Bex, maybe surprised that this lovely, sweet girl could write such a blood thirsty story, but having read some of her past work, I kinda knew it wouldn't be pretty ;)
Marianne has been training to be the Viper for her entire life - to serve and protect the King and the citizens of The Twelve Isles - but to become the Viper and protect the islands she loves she must find the strength to defeat her father. Seventeen-year-old Marianne is fated to one day become the Viper, defender of the Twelve Isles. But the reigning Viper stands in her way. Corrupt and merciless, he prowls the seas in his warship, killing with impunity, leaving only pain and suffering in his wake. He's the most dangerous man on the ocean . . . and he is Marianne's father. She was born to protect the islands. But can she fight for them if it means losing her family, her home, the boy she loves - and perhaps even her life?
I haven't really had the time to read as much as I used to and definitely not finished a book in a while, but I couldn't put Viper down and was having a sneaky read while waiting for the kettle to boil, while I was on the loo and when I should have been washing up!
This book throws you into the world of pirates and what it takes to survive among them. Marianne is a main character you care about and takes you on her amazing journey with her ... can't wait to see the film as it surely will become one!
My baby is gone ... I have been knowing it would come sometime as she was nearly 14 years old. She was the sweetest little love and her whole mission in life was to love me, which she did without fail.
The last few years of her life weren't as fun for her, she was pretty deaf and about 90% blind, however she was still happy and sweet.
Getting her was the best decision ... before, I was so depressed ... I cried everyday ... she bought me unconditional love and so much joy.
She had the softest fur and prettiest face. There will never be another like her for me.
Although I have cried, I feel peaceful. It was her time. She didn't suffer for long. She had a fit at about 6.30 on Wednesday morning and died peacefully at 9.30am. She was in my arms and I was kissing her. This is our last selfie together
Thank you Dilly-dolly, for being mine and loving me x