Created

For a few weeks I have been thinking that MJ needs a bin in his bedroom. Buy a bin...easy you would think. But not so, for me anyway! I looked all round town. There were stainless steel bathroom bins, wicker bins, large plastic office type bins, tv inspired kids bins...but none really fitted the brief of a bin for MJ's room. I almost bought a bright red with green lid, plastic bin but as I took it to the checkout I realised I didn't want this cheap, tacky and plastic thing in MJs room. I'm so glad I put it back. Just a couple of days later the 'Created' magazine arrived through our door. In it I spotted a bin that I liked the look of and so I ordered it. It is perfect! It looks good, is the right size and best of all it is supporting the employment, at a fair price of people in a third world country. It even provides a good illustration for being able to talk to MJ about people who financially are not as well off as us.


Our new bin

Not only did I get the perfect bin, I also ordered some tea towels and was so impressed by these too. In fact I think they are to beautiful to be used in drying dishes so my mind is working overtime wondering what I could turn them in to.


Beautiful woven tea towels

Have a look at the 'Created' website. It is full of beautiful, ethical things which could make Christmas shopping a breeze!

Free food

I love this time of year because I love free food!

On thursday my friend let me help myself to her plum tree. Yesterday we arrived home to a bag of pears sitting on our door step. This afternoon we went foraging for blackberries and tonight I was given a bag of cooking apples. Free fruit...awesome!



We made plum fruit leather



and blackberry pancakes.



Let me introduce you to Mr Puppet. MJ and Mr Puppet love fruit, so they too loved this weekends fruit abundance.

Columbia Road, London

A friends baby shower took me into London today. As I had a few hours to kill before the party started I thought I would visit Rob Ryans shop, Ryantown. It is only open at the weekends and I am rarely in that part of the city on a weekend so it was the perfect opportunity. Little did I know that in finding Ryantown I would also discover a street full of beautiful shops, filled with beautiful things. That is Columbia Road, London.

I purchased some fabric from beyond fabrics. I just couldn't pass it by. It was filled to the rafters with amazing prints and was just the shop I would love to own and run.

Now I am back home and my head is buzzing with new ideas but my body is too tired to fulfill them so I think I will take my sketch book to bed and note them for another day.



Finally I found Ryantown.

{this moment}

From Soulemama a friday ritual {this moment}



{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Autumn beckons

In order to stay positive about the changing seasons I feel I need to get back to blogging.

Blogging helps me
:: look for the beauty in everyday life.
:: stop and consider what I have done with my day.
:: increase my learning.
:: share my findings with others.

I know blogging will help me to embrace Autumn postively and cease to mourn the passing of summer.



I am totally in awe of the colour of these beans we have grown at the allotment. What inspiration comes through nature!

Parenting cards

Recently I came across the idea of 'parenting cards' which are little daily reminders of how to understand or treat our children. I decided to make some so I can randomly choose one each morning and try to remember it and act upon it throughout the day.



They have challenged me to slow down and think about ...

:: How I spend my time at home with my children
:: How I react when something goes wrong
:: How I physically and verbally show them how much I love them
:: How I am affecting the way my children see the world
:: Whether I am a positive or negative influence on their lives...and so much more.

I certainly haven't got it sorted...just this morning I had to hold myself from getting frustrated at MJ for making a mess with the muffin mixture when really he was being a two year old who was trying hard to be helpful.

My aims for becoming the wife, mother, daughter and friend that I desire to be are to...

:: Be gentle and not pushy
:: Be slow, thoughtful and considerate
:: Bring comfort and happiness
:: Listen without being distracted.

I have alot of work to do!

Just now...

Sorry I haven't been blogging for awhile. Life with two kids is double the fun but takes away any free time I had before! The thoughts of crafting are still there but the reality of crafting has yet to take place.

Just now I am...

:: looking at birthday cake recipes for M

:: inspecting my post pregnancy stretch marks : (

:: drinking a hot lemon and honey in the hope it will cure a sore throat

:: wondering if there is anything urgent I should be doing while my babies sleep

Oh dear I spoke too soon...little eyes are open and peeking at me.