One thing that I love about living here in the UK is the seasons. I just can't imagine living somewhere where the weather is the same all year round. By the time each new season rolls around I'm ready for it. Looking forward to the change and ready to embrace what comes along next. That's why winter for me is so special. After those cosy autumn evenings snuggled up as the weather starts to get colder there's something I love about the cold snap that signal's winter's arrival. As an outdoor lover I love going out with the family in those colder winter days when it's like the frost has taken ... read more
Archives for November 2017
Time to Challenge Yourself?
Image source You have a pretty great life right? You have lots of fulfilling hobbies, a family you love and plenty of things to keep you entertained. But, do you ever wish for more? Not in a dramatic “I’m going to give it all up and join the circus.” kind of way, but in the “ I need to break out of this safe cocoon and try to do more; be more” kind of way? If you do, you’re not alone. So many of us have built up such cosy lives that we basically start to coast. We get up in the morning, feed and clothe the kids, do the school run, work, cook, craft, repeat -you know the drill - and it’s ... read more
Wakey, Wakey, Elephant – Linda Ravin Lodding and Michael Robertson
Master C is so difficult to wake up in a morning these days. Seeing as he shares a room with his sister at my place the pair of them have got into a bit of a bad habit of staying up far too late (especially for a school night) talking and playing in their room. I had been hoping that after this long the novelty of sharing a room would have worn off, but it seems I was wrong. On a weekend it's fine because I can let the pair of them have a bit of a lie in, but on school mornings I need to get them both up so they can be ready and leave on time. Usually Little Miss C just takes a bit of ... read more
How to date when you have children
Dating isn't necessarily easy at the best of times, but if you've already got children it can add a whole extra dimension of complexity. If you let it. It needn't do so though. Believe it or not, there are people out who want to date someone who already has children from an existing relationship, no matter what age the kids are. Obviously if you're in the senior dating category it might almost be expected that you already have kids. If you're younger though it's something that you might want to declare early on in any new relationship, ideally even before it gets to the "relationship" ... read more
Romeo Explores The City – Alain Greé
Hot on the heels (excuse the pun!) of Romeo's Big Book of Clever Ideas is a second title from Button Books featuring this lovable hound. Romeo Explores The City is targeted at a slightly younger audience (roughly 1 - 3 years old) and is a beautiful series of questions to ask children about what they may see in a city, before they turn the page to explore further. With questions like "where do we go when we want to travel by plane?" or "where do we go when we want to buy toys or clothes" it really gets children thinking and talking to the grown up reading the book. A lovely sharing ... read more
Romeo’s Big Book of Clever Ideas – Alain Greé
Master C is a logical thinker. With him the "why?" stage never quite ended, as he just kept asking why questions, but as his understanding of right world around him developed it just meant that the questions developed too. Now that he's five the questions keep coming thick and fast, but they are now punctuated by him thinking in incredibly detail about things and they are often very, very specific questions. There's absolutely no doubt that it's a wonderful skill for him to have, but as a parent at times it can be so incredibly frustrating when all you want to do is get out of the house on ... read more
The Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts Show – NEC, Birmingham
With everything that's gone on over the last few months there are a few things in live that have had to slip. One of those has been the time I've had to spend crafting. In many ways crafting (along with running) is my therapy. It keeps my head in the right place when the rest of life is manic and it's certainly been manic of late. Over the years I have written many times on this blog about losing, and then re-finding, my crafting mojo, but this time it's different. I've wanted to craft. Desperately so at times. But there just aren't enough hours in the day and the kids, keeping a roof over our ... read more
Smart Decoration Is Already At Your Fingertips
Pexels Moving into your new home can be a wonderful time. Living in a family home for the past few years could have been the best years of your life. However, there’s no shame in admitting you’d like the place at least a little redecorated. Updating the space as your tastes develop can help you own the space, and stamp your personal or your family’s personal identity upon it. Maybe you have something that is spurring this decision on, such as the arrival of a new child, or the fact that your children have flown the nest. It can feel difficult to decorate in a smart way that works for ... read more
Fighting the Common Plights of Old Age
Old age is something that only certain people are fortunate to reach and attain, there are no two ways about it. But, even though it is a privilege to be able to reach old age, there are still some common plights that come with it. But, if you're going to live comfortably in your twilight years, then you're going to have to do all you can to fight these plights. Or, if you want an elderly relative of yours to live comfortably in these years of rest, then you should help them fight these plights too. For advice on what should be done, make sure to read on. Image source Fighting bad ... read more
Paddington Pop-Up London
There's really not long to go now until Paddington 2 opens in cinemas here in the UK and I'm thrilled that other people can finally see the film as I absolutely loved it. I've already written all about what I thought of it, but there's another special part of the story to tell you about - Paddington Pop-Up London. Just as soon as you've seen Paddington 2 you'll understand why Paddington Pop-Up London is such a key part of the film. I don't want to give away any major spoilers, but the Pop-Up is basically the reason Paddington ends up going to prison. It's a beautiful book that shows off ... read more