Simply B

New Year, New Blog...

2013-01-17T14:15:00.000+00:00

Well hellooooo there! Happy New Year to you, I hope you're well. For those of you who have been here before; I know, it's been quite some time...

...enough time for me to reflect and clear my head a little. Enough time for me to admit that I wasn't really enjoying blogging and enough time to come to grips with what it is I want to do.

I came to realise that although I still want my little corner in this bloggy world, I want my little corner to be different from this one...So, I politely ask that you come and see my new corner over HERE and let me know what you think. I'm sure there'll be some changes, tweaks and bumps along the road - but I'd love you to come along for the ride...see you after the jump!

Hugs, B x

Reflecting...

2012-08-31T14:39:00.000+01:00

Hello my friends,

It's been such a long time hasn't it? I have been busy with the usual summer activities; taking the kids out, enjoying (and attending) the Olympics and finally, visiting my sister and her lovely family in LA. We had a fabulous time and also took a little road trip to San Diego (where my daughter took this candid photo of me and Chris) via Laguna Beach which was complete bliss.

This break has given me much time to reflect on what I want and where I am going. I always get like this at this at the end of the summer. I'm almost more driven and optimistic at this time than I am at the start of a new year. I think it's the fullness I feel from having spent plenty of time with the children and the realisation that they will be going back to school, getting on with their development, and I need to concentrate on mine.

And so I have taken stock. Looked at where I have come from and where I want to be going. My successes and my disappointments. And although I have loved blogging; especially when I started (what seems like a lifetime ago) when we lived in Canada, I have come to the conclusion that I am no longer getting what I need from blogging and therefore am not giving much back. I feel the constant guilt of an untended relationship and that is not good for me - or my writing!

That's not to say I have nothing to write about, I mean, stuff has been happening. A new barn was built and furnished, the house is improving, I joined a band and there have been achievements made in the family that I'm incredibly proud of. It's just that, well, I've lost the desire to tell the stories.

And so I have decided to call it a day. Forever? For a month? A year? I have no idea. But I want to thank all of you for reading my little blog, for joining me on that part of my journey. The blog that I feel never really got it's act together. It could have been, should have been, so much better. But still, I'm proud of it and grateful that you took time out of your day to read my ramblings. For the time being I will leave the blog up- I hate goodbyes, in the hope that my desire to write returns. I will still be following you all and popping in to see how you're doing and say "Hi". So for now I'll just say...

See you around,

Hugs,

B x

Everything's peachy...

2012-07-29T21:06:00.000+01:00

Hello my Lovelies,

I have been glued to my t.v since Friday watching the Olympics and marvelling at what a magnificent job we have done so far! Meals have been chosen for their simplicity and quick preparation time - less time away from the action on the box ;o)

So I have been using my Leon; Naturally fast food and my Leon; Baking and Puddings. Today we opted for the Baked Peaches, which I coupled with a scoop of ice-cream - delicious!

So...everything here is just peachy - how are things with you?

Hugs, B x

At the bottom of my garden...

2012-06-09T18:43:00.003+01:00

Phew, what a busy couple of weeks!

We have finally finished the landscaping around the barn...

...and the garden has had a bit of a makeover too.

You may have noticed a new tab at the top of the page - images and info to follow...

Well, I have got together with a friend and have been producing hand painted signs for weddings and anniversaries for sale on her website...

It seems to be the perfect time of year for it...

I've had quite a few orders to fulfil...

But it seems I'm not the only 'Busy B' around here!

Back soon with more info - what have you all been up to?

Hugs, B xxx

A beautiful find...

2012-05-18T10:55:00.000+01:00

Today, while reading the paper on-line, I came across something that took my breath away...

'Gammelyn's Daughter'

Kirsty Mitchell is a talented photographer, who lost her Mother to a brain tumour in 2008. Her Mother, Maureen, was an English teacher who would read wonderful stories full of fantasy to Kirsty as a child. Unable to deal with the real world and the loss of her Mother, Kirsty retreated and created a fantasy world of her own that is now a collection called WONDERLAND.

'Euphaeidae'

'A Floral Birth'

'Lady of the Lake'

'The Lavender Princess'

'Spirited Away'

I think these are some of the most stunning photographs I have ever seen. I have been back and looked at them over and over again and never tire of them. She has lots of other amazing work over on her website;
Kirsty Mitchell Photography.

I wait with baited breath for a chance to see them in the flesh at her next London exhibition.

I hope you enjoyed them too.

Hugs, B x

Sweet stuff

2012-05-02T15:37:00.000+01:00

I have a very sweet tooth. But, I have to admit to totally missing the Macaroon boat. I have never (until today) had the pleasure of one of these colourful, sweet delights. So, when I saw one last box sitting all alone on the shelf in my supermarket (and reduced!) I decided to treat myself. I got them home and they almost looked too good to eat, so I thought I'd take a few pics to share before I made them disappear...

And I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised! They really do taste as good as they look.

Hope your week is full of sweetness.
Hugs, B x

Easter in Cape Verde...

2012-04-25T23:16:00.000+01:00

Shhhh. Can you hear that? Beautiful isn't it? That, my friends, is the sound of silence. The sound of kids back to school. Which didn't happen until yesterday and kind of had me hanging on for dear life by my fingernails. But I made it. And so did they. And now, we are back to normal - and I am enjoying the silence.

So, I thought I'd take the time to fill you in on our trip to Cape Verde. As you can imagine I have TONS of photos, but I am going to try and restrain myself and not bore you to tears! I think I will follow the theme I started with and just keep quiet and let the pics do the talking...

Fun in the sun...

Out and about...

I found Cape Verde to be a beautiful place, poor, but richer for it's wonderful, happy, friendly people. It was lovely to have some time away, we came back totally rested and the kids made some lovely friends. The only mishap was on our last day, when a little boy dropped a plate on my foot. I ended up with a couple of stitches, but I found that a couple of Caiparinhas (Brazilian cocktails) sorted me out and dealt with the pain! It was a small price to pay for a wonderful holiday.

Back here in the UK it seems like the rain will never stop, but after my lovely break, donning my raincoat and my wellies to do the school-run doesn't feel so bad...

Hugs, B x

Easter colours...everywhere.

2012-04-03T20:24:00.002+01:00

So I'm off to Cape Verde tomorrow. You'll all be pleased to know, I did knuckle down... a bit. There will be slightly less of me to wobble by the pool...slightly...! I won't be taking my big camera with me (and I can't find my smaller one) so any pics I manage to get will be from my iPhone

It'll be me Chris and the 2 little ones having one week of down time - Jess is staying behind to study for her upcoming exams; such a good girl. I hope you all have a peaceful Easter break with the ones you love.

www.freeimages.co.uk

See you soon...

Hugs, B x
Pic 1; here Pic 2; here pic 3; here pic

Love is...

2012-03-28T11:01:00.000+01:00

The sun is shining and I am preparing for our Easter holiday to Cape Verde. Woohoo! I have been doing my pilates religiously and have even joined a boxercise class to try and fight the wobble... but this no carb thing...

is just...

not...

working....

Ooops!

Have a fun week with plenty of what you love.

Hugs, B x

I see the future and the future is green...

2012-03-20T12:16:00.000+00:00

Hello my lovelies!

I have been busy spring cleaning and generally trying to get my house in order. We've still got work to do on the barn (believe it or not!) landscaping should start later this month and our front room (which has basically been out of action since we moved in due to damp) is now damp-free and freshly painted...white. So, using nature and the time of year as my guide I see shades of green being my palette for the furnishings in this new room.

It's the room you walk into from the front door, so I want it bright and welcoming but cosy enough to snuggle in, as it will be our new 'library' or 'reading nook'. These images are my inspiration....

This is not in my comfort zone; as it's quite a bit brighter than my usual taste, but it 'feels' right for this space - let's see how far I go with it!

Happy Tuesday to you all!

Hugs, B x

Image 1,2 and 3: Design Sponge

Image 4: This is Glamorous

Image 5: Restoration House Interiors

'Springspiration' and celebrations...

2012-03-05T12:09:00.000+00:00

Hello you lovely lot. It's March - yippee! I have been turning to Pinterest for 'springspiration'. My new word for all things that bring spring into your heart.

Blooming gorgeous!

Wellies, a cotton dress and a cardie -
my favourite spring outfit.

Natures gorgeous pallet.

This weekend my little Eva ran her socks off for her school in the County Cross Country.
She was one of 70 girls in her age group and the little tinker managed an almighty SIXTH PLACE!
(I know she looks pretty unhappy, but honestly, she LOVES cross-country!)

Put that along with the fact that our Max has just got a place at the local Grammar school and I'd have to say this week we all have a spring in our step!

Hugs, B x

All photos (except the last one) from Pinterest

Baking sunshine

2012-02-18T18:23:00.000+00:00

As there's very little in the way of sunshine at the moment in these parts and we are all getting a little bit grumpy, Eva and I decided to make some sunshine of our own.

Sunshine...and a nice cup of tea by the fire. Perfect.

Enjoy your weekend lovelies,

Hugs, B x

Love is all around...

2012-02-14T16:27:00.000+00:00

Hello my dear friends,

I hope you are all well and keeping warm, wherever you are. Here in the UK it's been freeeeezing lately. But of course I still have to do my duty and take Cookie 'the faithful hound' out for her walks. On one of our walks at the weekend I was trudging along, feeling a little bit sorry for myself at just how cold I was, but it was a new route for us, so I plodded on to see where it would take us.

Bleak isn't it?!

Now, is it just me, or do you see a heart in that tree?
I just thought it was so cute and cheered me up no end and today was obviously the day to share it with you -

Happy Valentines Day!
Sending you hugs, warmth and lots of love,

B x

This girl...

2012-02-08T22:02:00.000+00:00

This girl has a new hobby...

She has taken to it with great gusto...

She will not give up until she has mastered every new move....

Each new achievement makes her happy...

and that makes my heart sing.

What made your heart sing today?

B X

Finding me some happy...part 2

2012-01-31T14:16:00.001+00:00

Picture the scene...

I am doing the daily chores (with my headphones in) stripping the beds and 'hoovering' the bedrooms when I catch sight of myself in the full length mirror. Cheeks flushed, shaking my thang, flicking my hair and playing air guitar with the vacuum cleaner. That, I thought, is me- truly happy! So what was it, I hear you ask, that had me boogieing in the bedrooms? My eighties secret pleasure...

Bet you can't watch without having a little wiggle!

Have a happy week!

B x

Finding me some happy...part 1

2012-01-23T12:25:00.000+00:00

Hello you lovely lot!

Well, it's been a tough couple of weeks for me, with Chris being away, my sister moving to LA and my Nanny passing all in one fortnight. But, you know the saying; 'You can't keep a good gal down!' and with that in mind I've been trying to fill my life with plenty of 'happy' to keep me on the right side of sane!

So, I have been tootling along pinning on Pinterest and reading all of your lovely blogs to feed my need for loveliness and then I came across this....

and this...

I swear I could sit and watch them all day.
So much loveliness I just had to share! Go HERE for more 'happy'.

Have a happy day,

B x

My 'Black Nanny'.

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000+00:00

Today, my gorgeous, kind, special Grandma went to heaven. Being mixed race, I had a 'Black Nanny' and a 'White Nanny'. I lived with my Black Nanny for a while when I was younger.

My sister and I still laugh about the funny things she did and said. She used to sing the wrong words to the songs on the radio, and she had a cat she called 'Simon-the-mimon'. I remember she would light the cooker with burning paper and then stamp out the flames with her toughened Caribbean foot. I thought that was magic!

She loved to care for people, it's what she did. She was never happier than when she was fussing over you or cooking you a yummy Caribbean feast. But she was no push-over; if Black Nanny told you to do something, you did it! I'm not sure what she would have done if you didn't - we never got that far!

She and my Granddad (James) were inseparable. Nanny's name was Matilda but Granddad called her 'Mitty'. They were really popular in the neighbourhood and on a Saturday the house would be full of people. The men would come to play dominoes with Granddad in the back room and the women would come to chat and buy Nanny's bread and beautiful cakes. Granddad died some 25years ago and she was lost without him. By the end I don't even think she remembered he had ever existed - that killed me.

This past summer I took the kids to see her. The little ones don't know her very well because we were in Canada for most of their short lives. I just wanted them to remember her, as I suspected she wouldn't be here for much longer. She was frail and cantankerous - so unlike herself . But they got to feel the most precious thing in the world; the magical feeling of her incredibly soft cheek against theirs. I will miss her, but I hold that memory of her velvety cheek against mine and I'm so grateful to have had her in my life.

I hope that she is in heaven with Granddad, baking bread and holding court with their old friends.

Watching the world go by...

2012-01-05T08:56:00.000+00:00

Cookie is hanging out in her favourite place. She likes to sit and watch the world go by.

Actually seeing her sitting there, kind of reminds me of what last year felt like to me. It was the year I said I'd do more, yet for whatever reason, I remained somewhat disconnected. Sometimes I find it easier to say 'no' so that I don't have to deal with new/difficult situations. This year I plan to spend more time saying 'yes'.

This year I am making a pledge. I will get involved. Be part of the action. Join the party!

*Pinterest

Now, Cookie and I are off to join the doggie party - we're going for a walk!

Hugs, B X

All the best..

2012-01-01T17:06:00.000+00:00

Picture from Pinterest - my favourite new pastime, which is even more fun on my *new laptop*. Feel free to follow me and let me know if you have boards and I'll be happy to follow too - there's a button on the right.

Looking forward to another year of sharing and caring with my you, bloggy friends.

Hugs, B x

Season Greetings...

2011-12-24T21:29:00.000+00:00

Man, I feel like a woman!

2011-12-15T15:38:00.001+00:00

Source: flickr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Saw this today on Pinterest and having spent the last week admonishing myself for not sticking to my
pre-Christmas diet, suddenly things don't look too bad. Curves are where it's at! Time for another glass of Baileys me thinks....

B x

Feeling Festive?

2011-11-29T09:53:00.000+00:00

Hello my lovelies!
I do hope you have been keeping well. I am embracing the entrance of winter and as such, have been making wintery Christmas wreaths. One of my creations has a staring roll in my new header (did you notice?) and the others have been posted in my Folksy Shop

I am really enjoying creating again and if that's all I get out if it, that's ok with me...although a few pennies for my trouble wouldn't go amiss!

I am so looking forward to the festive season. However, the closer we get, the nearer I am to saying goodbye to my little sister and her gaggle of gorgeous girls.

They head off to sunny LA in January to start a new life. Can you believe I came home from Canada 2 years ago, in part, so that our kids could grow up together and now she's off to pastures new!? I just know she's going to have a fab time and am soooo excited as I already have my tickets to visit in August; woo-hoo!

Roll on Summer!

Just kidding! Let's enjoy the moment. I'm getting the decorations out of the loft at the weekend and have my first Christmas dinner on Saturday...I feel that festive feeling coming on!

Are you feeling festive yet?
B x

Remember, remember...

2011-11-05T20:18:00.000+00:00

Remember, remember the fifth of November; gunpowder treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder season should ever be forgot.

Happy Bonfire Night!

B x

Morning Glory!

2011-10-18T07:27:00.000+01:00

Hello my lovely friends. How the heck are you?
I am good, although I have to admit to 'over doing it' a bit lately,
hence my new attempts at clean living.
I use the word attempts as I am really quite well known for some flaky, faddish
ideas which usually last until about lunchtime!

Oh well, this is one of my favourite morning tipples, whether I'm being good...or not.

2 apples, sliced and cored, a few carrots and a nugget of fresh ginger

Pop it in the juicer

Catch all the good stuff!

Your morning glass of goodness awaits!

What's your favourite morning tipple?

Hugs, B x
p.s what d'ya think of my new kitchen counter tops? Fancy, eh?!

Missing you...but having fun!

2011-09-27T09:25:00.001+01:00

I know, its been an awfully long time. I hope you have had a lovely couple of months. I have been enjoying the summer; painting furniture, sorting the barn out and celebrating my sisters' 30th birthday with a night in London and a trip with 'The Girls' to Marbella, Spain. Just wanted you to know that all is well and that now the kids are back at school, I will be back to some kind of 'normal"! See you soon.
Hugs,
B x