• Daughter of the Titanic book
    What I'm reading

    Daughter of the Titanic by Caroline Cauchi

    March 3, 2026 - By 

    I love historical fiction and recently received a copy of the latest book by Caroline Cauchi, Daughter of the Titanic which is published this month. I’ve previously read Mrs Van Gogh, which I loved, so thought I would enjoy another book about a remarkable woman, Helen Melville Russell Cooke. Daughter of the Titanic by Caroline Cauchi She was known for what she lost She lived by the courage she found “Find Polaris” When the SS Titanic set sail, Captain Edward John smith became a legend – and when tragedy struck he was a hero to some, reckless to others. But…

  • The Weekly Edit

    The Weekly Edit {Week 9/2026}

    March 2, 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 9/2026} It felt more spring-like last week. It finally stopped raining and felt a little warmer too. Morden Hall Park is a National Trust former deer park in Zone 4. It lines the River Wandle and was once surrounded by industrial mills, including…

  • lino cutting
    Crafts for adults

    The Monthly Thread: February’s lino cuts & an Irish Chain mini

    February 28, 2026 - By 

    I love the start of a new year. Each month I love to write a round up of what I’ve been making. This helps me to see what I’ve made, and holds me accountable for projects half started or bought. This year I’m calling my series The Monthly Thread. February’s post is all about lino cuts & an Irish Chain mini. The Monthly Thread: February’s lino cuts & an Irish Chain mini February was a great month for us to get creative, especially with Shrove Tuesday, lots of birthday celebrations and a few days away on the south coast. I…

  • A half-term visit to Pause Cat Café in Bournemouth
    days out

    A half-term visit to Pause Cat Café in Bournemouth

    February 26, 2026 - By 

    Looking for family-friendly things to do in Bournemouth over half term, I found a Cat Café near where we were staying. Everyone enjoys a trip to the Cat Café (except the dog, obviously), so we booked a slot in advance so we could sit and relax for an hour during a busy day. Exploring Bournemouth for the first time We’d never visited Bournemouth before, but we spent a few happy hours on Bournemouth pier, in the seaside arcade, and a bit of retail therapy. We even found a branch of Scribbler tucked away on a side street and treated ourselves…

  • The Weekly Edit

    The Weekly Edit {Week 8/2026}

    February 23, 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 8/2026} My teens had a well deserved half term break. We enjoyed a few days at home so they could relax, as well as a short break on the south coast. We stayed in Christchurch but visited Bournemouth and Poole too. We all…

  • Family Life - parenting

    The Calm Home: A Psychological Roadmap to Lowering Family Stress

    February 21, 2026 - By 

    Practical Steps to Reduce Stress in Family Life Family life is often a beautiful mix of love and laughter, but it can also feel like a non-stop race. Between work, school, and endless chores, it is easy for a household to become a pressure cooker of stress. In the field of psychology, we look at the family as a single system. When one person is stressed, it ripples through everyone else. To find more peace, we don’t need to be perfect; we just need to make small, human-sized changes to the way we live and interact. Why Stress Spreads at…

  • homestyle - lifestyle

    7 Common Garage Door Spring Problems and How to Fix Them: A Homeowner’s Repair Guide

    February 20, 2026 - By 

    Your garage door springs do most of the heavy lifting when you open and close your door every day. When these springs break or wear out, your door might not open at all, get stuck halfway, or make loud noises during operation. Most homeowners will face spring problems at some point since these parts handle thousands of cycles over their lifetime. Spring issues can show up in different ways. Your door might feel heavier than normal, refuse to stay open, or close too quickly. These warning signs often mean your springs need attention soon. Understanding what causes these problems helps…

  • lifestyle

    The Advantages of Bundled Fireworks for Memorable Shows

    February 19, 2026 - By 

    Bundled fireworks: the shortcut to a well-paced show A memorable fireworks display rarely happens by accident. Even a five‑minute garden show needs a beginning, a build, and a finale that feels earned. When people buy fireworks one box at a time, they often end up with too many similar effects, awkward gaps between fuses, or a finale that runs out of energy. Bundled packs—curated selections designed to be fired together—solve many of those problems in one decision. They’re not just “more fireworks for less money”; they’re a simple way to get balance, variety, and timing without having to think like…

  • The Irish Chain Mini Quilt
    Crafts for adults

    Stash-Busting Perfection: The Irish Chain Mini Quilt

    February 17, 2026 - By 

    The Irish Chain block is a classic and much‑loved design in patchwork and quilting, admired for its elegant simplicity and striking visual impact. Thought to have originated in the early nineteenth century, the block is built around a repeating grid of squares that create the illusion of interlocking diagonal chains. This distinctive criss‑cross effect gives the pattern its name and makes it a favourite among quilters who enjoy strong geometric layouts. It’s a block I’ve wanted to try for a while, I even purchased red and white fat quarters when I visited the Knit & Stitch show. What is an…