• My Sew A Little Happiness Every Day sampler
    Crafts for adults

    My Sew A Little Happiness Every Day sampler

    June 27, 2020 - By 

    I know that lockdown isn’t over at all but last week, my son returned to school for a very few hours, and it felt like that phase of our life was over. At the start of lockdown Sarah from Pretty Fabrics & Trims mentioned she was going to start a 20″ square sampler, adding some stitches to it every day. It was a bit of a community project as everyone was invited to join in, and you could share your progress on Instagram using #SewALittleHappinessEveryDay. I really wanted to join in but find it hard to focus and finish projects…

  • Walking amongst the moon daisies in West London
    days out - Hillingdon - Local Review - London

    Walking amongst the moon daisies in West London

    June 27, 2020 - By 

    We’ve discovered some amazing places to walk our puppy near us. I’m not sure we would have found quite so many pretty places on our doorstep if it wasn’t for the puppy. He loves going on a walk, especially if he can run through long grass. We recently re-visited one of our favourite walks to tick some more geocaches off our list. We went out after dinner when it was cooler and came across the most wonderful fields of moon, or oxeye, daisies in West London. They were so pretty shining in the late afternoon light. We definitely have a…

  • Make a colourful bookmark with Aquabeads
    Aquabeaders - Crafts for kids

    Make a colourful bookmark with Aquabeads

    June 26, 2020 - By 

    My children were so excited to sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge. They are two little bookworms and love nothing more than making a den and reading. The Summer Reading Challenge gives them a little boost to carry on reading when school is out for the summer holidays and they are so pleased that our local library has re-opened so they can get their hands on more books! We were recently sent some Aquabeads to craft with. My daughter just loves a little crafty afternoon and was so pleased to have something new to craft with. It’s been almost…

  • 10 activities to keep tweens busy this summer
    Family Life

    10 activities to keep tweens busy this summer

    June 25, 2020 - By 

    What a scorcher it is today!  We are really hoping this weather will continue during the school holidays. This term is flying by and we only have a few weeks of home learning left to do. I can’t wait to have 6 weeks off before (fingers crossed) the children will be able to go back to school full-time. We are looking forward to a relaxed summer with no plans to travel very far this year, although I have to admit that the learning won’t really stop! I have lots of resources on my blog if you’re looking for other ways…

  • 5 ways to celebrate the birthday of the NHS
    Family Life

    5 ways to celebrate the birthday of the NHS

    June 24, 2020 - By 

    Until the pandemic, the NHS, the National Health Service, I think was often overlooked and taken for granted. The NHS was created on the 5th July 1948 making healthcare accessible to everyone who needed it. Over the last 3 months there has been a huge outpouring of thanks for all the work our health care, social care and key workers do on a daily basis. From the weekly Clap to Carers, to home sewers making up uniform bags, and donations of food and home comforts, it has been heart warming to hear how people have helped the NHS. Did you…

  • How to make a DIY book sign post
    Crafts for kids - Crafts for teens - Crafts for tweens - World Book Day ideas

    How to make a DIY book sign post

    June 23, 2020 - By 

    A few weeks ago my children’s school set them a fun challenge – to make a book sign post to decorate the school grounds. Both my children love to read and wanted to take part. It was a really fun project so I thought I would share it with you in case it inspires your children too. I’m sure you’ve seen this kind of sign post before. They usually feature travel destinations but there’s no reason why they can’t be adapted for literary destinations or titles too. My children were asked to decorate their book signs with the titles and…

  • The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies
    What I'm reading

    The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies

    June 22, 2020 - By 

    I’ve made sure to make more time to read lately. It’s so easy to slip into bad habits of going to bed later and later, so I’m trying to go to bed earlier so I have time to read a few chapters before bed. I really enjoy reading books by Dinah Jefferies, so was delighted to find her latest book available to review on NetGalley. The Tuscan Contessa by Dinah Jefferies Contessa Sofia de’ Corsi’s peaceful Tuscan home has been upturned by the arrival of German soldiers. Desperate to fight back, she provides shelter, medical aid and any help she…

  • geocaching cake
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List: Life in Lockdown {Week 13}

    June 22, 2020 - By 

    I love to start the week by writing the Monday Happy List. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures. It’s usually a post I love to write but obviously life has changed considerably for us and everyone else in the UK over the last few months. With lockdown easing in the UK our life hasn’t changed much at all. The weeks are looooong but we do manage to squeeze in a lot of living, even if it…

  • Re-visiting the Battle of Britain House Ruislip
    days out - Ruislip

    Re-visiting the Battle of Britain House Ruislip

    June 21, 2020 - By 

    One of the best things to come out of this period of lockdown has been the chance to discover our local area. We’ve lived in Ruislip for 6 years but also seem to seek out the same places, namely the Lido and the Farmers Market. With a lot more time on our hands, and a puppy to walk, we’ve discovered some gorgeous new places on our doorstep. It seems a long time ago since we ventured out to the ruins of the Battle of Britain House in Ruislip Woods. We decided to place a geocache there so recently went back. Re-visiting…