• Liberty fabrics at Creativity in Conflict and Confinement at the Imperial War Museum
    The Weekly Edit

    The Weekly Edit {Week 4/2026}

    January 26, 2026 - By 

    Starting my week with the Weekly Edit is a ritual I’ve kept for years. It’s my favourite Monday morning anchor—a chance to slow down, celebrate the ‘small wins,’ and gather the smiles from the week behind us. Part reflection and part record-keeping, it’s my way of documenting our family’s adventures before the next chapter begins. The Weekly Edit {Week 4/2026} The oldest teen received his latest mock GCSE results and had an interview for Sixth Form. He is growing up so fast and it’s exciting watching him mature into a lovely young man. The youngest teen was picked to play…

  • parenting

    Crafting Memories at Sea: Why a Family Cruise Makes the Perfect School Holiday Escape

    January 23, 2026 - By 

    For many families, school holidays are the perfect time to step away from busy routines and spend quality time together. Yet parents often face the yearly challenge of planning a holiday that balances relaxation, fun and meaningful experiences—not to mention keeping the kids entertained without relying on endless screens. A Family Cruise offers a wonderful solution, blending adventure with calm moments, structure with freedom, and plenty of opportunities for children (and grown-ups!) to create memories that last far longer than the holiday itself. Crafting is at the heart of The Gingerbread House community—whether it’s scrapbooking, DIY keepsakes or helping little…

  • gingerbread cheesecake
    The Weekly Edit

    The Weekly Edit {Week 3/2026}

    January 19, 2026 - By 

    Starting my week with the Weekly Edit is a ritual I’ve kept for years. It’s my favourite Monday morning anchor—a chance to slow down, celebrate the ‘small wins,’ and gather the smiles from the week behind us. Part reflection and part record-keeping, it’s my way of documenting our family’s adventures before the next chapter begins. The Weekly Edit {Week 3/2026} I love seeing the first daffodils of the year. We were lucky to see really early daffodils when we visited Hughenden a few weeks ago. I saw bunches of cut daffodils in the supermarket and couldn’t resist buying some to…

  • family history - Family Life

    From Faded Prints to Clear Memories: How to Restore Old Family Photos

    January 17, 2026 - By 

    Old family photos rarely sit on display. More often, they end up tucked away in drawers, shoe boxes, or albums on the top shelf. They wait quietly, collecting dust while time keeps moving forward. Yet these pictures hold moments that shaped entire families. A smile that looks familiar. A house that no longer exists. A face everyone remembers, but no longer sees. As photographs age, they start to disappear in slow ways. Colours fade. Paper cracks. Corners curl. At some point, people realise that if nothing is done, these images may be lost for good. That is usually when the…

  • parenting

    Smart Shopping Practices to Stretch the Household Budget

    January 14, 2026 - By 

    Rising household costs have become an unavoidable reality for families in the UK and around the world. This is especially the case for those with children. From increased food bills to higher energy usage from laundry, cooking and heating, parents often face huge financial pressure when compared to smaller households.  On top of this strain, electricity prices are projected to rise once again in 2026, and even though this is a modest increase (around 0.2%), with wider economic uncertainty to contend with, this is not great news. Of course, there is no one change that can offset any of these…

  • Christmas Countdown panel
    The Weekly Edit

    The Weekly Edit {Week 2/2026}

    January 12, 2026 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Weekly Edit is something I’ve been doing for the last few years. It’s my chance to sit down and reflect on the little or big things that made me smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. The Weekly Edit {Week 2/2026} Last week we packed away the Christmas decorations. This is always bittersweet as I love having them around, but am also happy to have my house clean and tidy again. We had a real Christmas tree so I was happy I didn’t need to clean…

  • education

    Head Start on Success: Can Online High School Prep You for College?

    January 5, 2026 - By 

    As you navigate the labyrinth of high school, face the challenges of growing independence, and grapple with preparing for college, have you considered the role online education could play in your journey? With the rise in technological advancements, online high schools have begun to emerge as a viable alternative to traditional education. But does this virtual route truly equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary for college? It’s a question that’s ignited a fascinating debate, and one that may shape your academic future. So, let’s explore it together, shall we? The Evolution of Online High Schools How did online…

  • Five Happy Things

    Five Happy Things {Week 1/2026}

    January 4, 2026 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Happy List is something I’ve been doing for the last few years. It’s my chance to sit down and reflect on the little or big things that made me smile in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. Five Happy Things {Week 1/2026} I love the week after Christmas. I had the whole week off, as did the teens, so we planned a few trips. Our first event was for me Lil’ Sis to go and watch Elf the Musical at the Aldwych Theatre. We didn’t manage to…

  • Crafts for adults

    Christmas Countdown embroidery {part 3 & 4}

    January 3, 2026 - By 

    I can’t believe my two weeks Christmas break is at an end. I’m trying not to think about work on Monday, instead focusing on my beautiful Christmas Countdown embroidery. I thought I’d write a post about part 3 & 4 as I’ve had so much lovely time to stitch over the last two weeks. Christmas Countdown embroidery {part 3 & 4} Part 3 was motifs 13-18 and included wrap gifts, make eggnog, go ice skating, dry oranges, Christmas film night and send a card. These were so much fun to stitch whilst watching tv. Part 4 was motifs 19-24 and…