Happy New Year!

Happy New Year my lovely friends!
Yes, this is THE year for us ALL - I can really feel it.
Full of magic, inspiration, new loves, new friendships, great collaborations.
Life is most definitely for living... to enjoy all and every part of it.
Even on the darkest days, lightness can be found... trust me.
Have a wonderful celebration this evening... hugs your loved ones tightly.
See you next year.
x

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2012 - looking back

 

My year in pictures.

1. Wassail at The Ethicurean
2. Charlie becoming a Beaver
3. Archers in the woods
4. Stonehenge
5. Blossom
6. The Olympic Torch
7. Sennen Beach
8. Giffords Circus
9. Hill rolling at Tyntesfield
10. Rufus' 5th party
11. Frosty mornings
12. My Kings!

Happy 2012 - here's to a happier 2013!
x

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kings, carols, and Lego - Christmas

 

Christmas whizzed past in a whirlwind of school performances, Christmas markets, rushed decorating and Lego building!
Christmas Eve we walked up to the Church in my parents village to the Crib Service.  This is my favourite part of Christmas.  Watching little children come up, dressed as parts of the Nativity as the story is told.  My boys dressed as Kings and Rufus was chosen to place one of the King figures into the crib.
Christmas Day was loud, as cousins played together.  Lego was the theme.  Dan spent the entire day building one Lego base or another - he was in heaven!
And before we know it - it's over for another year.
It was lovely - but somehow the magic just wasn't there for me this year.  I think all those markets before just sucked the life out of me.  Note to self - only do one next year!
Hope you had a wonderful break...

1. My parents tree
2. Charlie as King Caspar in his school performance of Hey Ewe
3. Rufus singing carols with his class in church
4. Charlie with our German Christmas Pyramid
5. Boys as Kings in the Crib Service on Christmas Eve
6. Lego in their Pyjamas - Charlie didn't change all day!
7. My parents table dressed for dinner
8. Cousins

x

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Hey diddle diddle..

Christmas and a trip to the theatre go hand in hand.  As a family we always try to go.  To me, it is an important part of the Christmas magic.  This and maybe a sprinkling of snow!

A few weeks ago, in the heady excitement in the run to Christmas, I took the boys to see a spellbinding performance of Hey Diddle Diddle at the Bristol Old Vic theatre.  Written for younger audiences aged 3-6 years, the show is performed by just three actors - each one playing an instrument, acting and singing to bring the story to life. Popular nursery rhymes blended seamlessly to bring together a quite enchanting tale.

I thought Charlie would be a little too old for this style of performance, but he soon became swept along with the magic of each story, singing loudly to The Grand Old Duke of York and snarling to show his wolf like teeth!

Rufus' only words throughout was 'that's really cool' when the youngest child/actor climbed up into the fabric and hung from the ceiling as a spider.

As I no longer have toddlers, we don't seem to sing nursery rhymes much. I love to recall them and remember singing Twinkle Twinkle to my boys.  My favourite part of the play was the Owl and the Pussycat - I must get myself a fur coat!

Hey Diddle Diddle is on at the Bristol Old Vic until Jan 5th.
Do go along it is pure magic.
x

this is a gifted post.

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Longleat to meet Father Christmas...

I had always thought that Longleat Safari Park was a place to visit in the summer, or at least in warmer times of the year.  But when I was kindly given tickets to visit by Moneysupermarket  to review as one of Britain's best days out... I jumped at the chance.

After looking through what was on over the Christmas period, my excitement grew.  A chance to ride a steam train to meet Father Christmas!  My two sons will flip with joy at the sight.

So just 3 days before Christmas... we set off early to Wiltshire.

As we arrived the sun just started to shine. The long road snaking down the hillside towards the big house, gave us sneaky views of golden lions on large gates, a giant Christmas Tree and an Ice Rink. We opted to experience the Safari before the Christmas delights at the Mansion House.  

We travelled up through woodland and came out to the top of the hillside.  Stretching down before us we could see small dots of animals. From the back seat there was squeals of 'I can see a Giraffe' or 'Is that a Rhino?', their excitement was infectious.  We started from the top, and after a quick loo stop, we drove through the enclosures of the Giraffes, Zebra's and Rhino's.  And then on to the Monkey enclosure.

Please excuse the high pitched squeals.  Yep - one of our family highlights!  The little blighters. You can opt out of the Monkey enclosure if you don't want to risk your aerial!

Then forward... into Big Cat territory.  Rufus, my youngest is a big cat fan.  He sleeps every night with his toy tiger 'Tigey' which he had on our first family visit to Longleat 3 years ago.  Tigey had come with this time to return to his homeland and say hi to his fellow Tigers.

We really didn't expect to see the Tigers so close.  I thought they would be lounging in their huts.. sleeping.  Happily, no.  They were prowling around, a huge beast crossed the road within metres of us.  It was breathtaking.  Paws the size of dinner plates.  At this point my boys were hushed in the awe of such a gorgeous creature.

We followed the road on into the lion's area.  When suddenly we came to a stop.  Two lionesses bounded across the road, quickly followed a by a line of tiny lion cubs. We all squealed with delight! Nine leaping, lion cubs (could be part of the 12 days of Christmas?).. snuffled, climbed and played amongst the trees.

The Safari was such a delight, much excitement and wonder.  It truly didn't disappoint. It really didn't matter that we were on a day out in December, the sun was bright, and most of the Safari was spent in the warmth of the car.

On to the house for a date with the man in red.  I had already bought tickets quite easily via the Longleat website, using their on-line booking system.  I had printed off the tickets at home, and advised them of the ages and names of my boys before they arrived to meet Father Christmas.  

We arrived at the train station in good time.  Everywhere was bedecked with garlands and baubles. Christmas music was playing.  We boarded the Santa Express, a small red steam train with beautiful bright yellow carriages. As the train set off, past the lake, we could see the Sea Lions jumping up around the paddle steamer.

Rounding the corner we gasped at the sight - a winter wonderland.  Snow!  As the train pulled into stop, we could see an avenue of fir trees and lanterns, marking the way through the snow covered woodland.  We jumped out of the carriage and ran up the path.  Past the Elves and on to the little wooden cabin at the end.  Hesitantly Rufus knocked on the snow covered door... it creaked open and a smiling elf stood there.

'What's your name?' she asked.  

'Rufus' he replied

'Well you better come in and meet him' she said.

We stepped through the door.  The warm glow of a real roaring fire lit up the faces of the elves and there sat beside the fireplace was Father Christmas in his long red coat and black boots.  Father Christmas asked the boys if they had been good, and said he knew they had done well at school and were kind to their friends.  He then gave them gifts with their names on, and wished us a very Merry Christmas.

It was truly magical.  Snow covered Lapland had come to Longleat.  He had even bought six of his reindeer too.  We waited by the steam train until all of the passengers had in turn seen Father Christmas.. when his last visitor had been, he walked down to the train to wave us all off.  A really lovely touch.

Back at the house, we visited the Jungle Kingdom and the Adventure Castle.  We feasted on mince pies and drank mulled wine.  Watched the ice skating and listened to the singing Christmas tree.

There really is so much to see at Christmas time in Longleat.  Next year I might book to see the Pantomime too.  

Thank you Tots 100 and Moneysupermarket for giving us such a magical family adventure.

x

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SALE!

Hello!
Merry Christmas lovely people.
Hope you've had a wonderful few days.
We have.
Just popping to let you know I am having a little sale in my shop.
50% off selected Sale items.
All orders will be shipped after 2nd January 2013.
Whoop!
Just a little thank you to you all - Merry Christmas!
x

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merry christmas dear friends...

Wishing you all the most wonderful of Christmasses!
I am signing off now until sometime later...
To spend much needed time with my family, to play board games, build Lego creations, eat, drink, laugh and love much.
I am sure you are all looking forward to doing the very same.
Have a wonderful, wonderful holiday.
And thank you so much for your kind words and support you have given me, this blog and my work.. I am hugely grateful.
Off to wrap some more gifts.
Hugs!
x

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Mid winter solstice...

Most people who talk about the darkest days of winter, welcome the Mid-Winter Solstice.
From now on we will be having slightly longer days... until the Mid-Summer Solstice in June.
(other way round in the Southern Hemisphere).
Solstice to me is a treasured time.
Candles are lit around the house.
The boys and I in the past have made solstice lanterns out of jam jars, tissue paper and tea-lights.
We spend the evening feasting on a big celebratory stew... with crusty bread.
Then toasting marshmallows on the fire.
Telling or reading stories and cuddling up on the sofa.
It is the only thing to do on the shortest, darkest day of the year.  I think I love it more than it's summer sister don't you?
Happy Solstice my lovely friends.
x

Past years of solstice are here.
Have a look at the curve of Venus - stunning!
Oh and last day of school!
x

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New Stockist...

Hello!

Just popping in to let you know of my new stockist.

This beautiful shop in the Netherlands - BL-IJ
As from the New Year my range of Insect prints will be available to buy over there.
So all my Dutch followers you can pop along a see them in person!
I am so excited - my first Dutch stockist.
For a full list of my stockists please see my ever growing stockist page.
Have a lovely weekend.
x

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Nature in the home - the Christmas Collection...

Image via here

Hello!
This weeks Nature in the home Christmas Collection comes from the pages of Cox and Cox.
Such a gorgeous shop... their festive range to me is just perfect.
In this image I love the wood and white.
The rough logs, branches and pine cones brings textures to the muted colour pallet.
Stars and a little deer and the Noel sign just give a little hint of the season.
Perfect.
x

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tears of joy in their eyes...

all train journeys should be this beautiful.
x

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paper balls...

Another small change.
Paper balls, hanging above my dining table.
We still haven't the tree up.
Rufus and Charlie have been sick over the weekend, vomiting.
Now Rufus has a burst ear drum!
*Sigh*
We are tired... hopefully Christmas will come to our home soon.
We need it!
x

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Bath, bloggers and buns...

To wander the streets of Bath is a treat at any time of year.
But add a sprinkle of Christmas magic and the chance to meet up with fellow bloggers makes the day perfectly special.
We all took too many photographs, talked about the joys and inspirations behind our blogs and what we love about each others.
Bonded over haberdashery in the Makery Emporium.
Ate noodles, regaled stories of our children, life and blogging.
Fell in love with a beautiful bakers and it's cakes.
Ooo'd and Ahhh'd in Toast.
And came away with stronger friendships and a promise to make it a regular event.
It's lovely when that happens isn't it?
Thanks ladies - here's to more!
x

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trees of christmas past...

Just a little look back at the past 3 tree chopping excursions.
Look at Rufus.. he looks so diddy!
x

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