• Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens
    Buckinghamshire - Family Life

    Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens

    May 21, 2021 - By 

    A few weeks ago we managed to book tickets to visit Chenies Manor and Gardens in Buckinghamshire. This was a place we had wanted to visit for a while, so booked tickets for their special open gardens. Chenies Manor is a gorgeous Grade 1 Tudor mansion house with lovely gardens. Exploring Chenies Manor and Gardens We pre-booked our tickets and drove the short distance to Chenies in Buckinghamshire. The village of Chenies is very picturesque and you drive right past the front of the house to get to the car park. The House is currently closed but we were able…

  • knot bag pattern
    Crafts for adults

    Reversible Japanese knot bag

    May 20, 2021 - By 

    Every year I watch The Great British Sewing Bee and it makes me want to try dressmaking. With real life events starting up again I thought I would explore my options and look for some in person classes. I discovered a fun sounding set of workshops at Ray Stitch, a modern haberdashery on Essex Road in north London. They offer a few beginners courses so I signed up to the Introduction to Machine Sewing Part 1 course to give myself a little refresher (this was also a pre-requisite for the dressmaking course). Reversible Japanese knot bag The Introduction to Machine…

  • The Dream Weaver book cover
    What I'm reading

    The Dream Weavers {book review}

    May 18, 2021 - By 

    Sometimes I read a book that stays with me for a long time. I was recently gifted a copy of The Dream Weavers by Barbara Erskine to read. I love historical novels and this was a great story, set in Anglo Saxon Mercia and the modern day. The Dream Weavers by Barbara Erskine Mercia, 788 AD In the grand Saxon halls of Mercia, King Offa rules with cold ambition. His youngest daughter Eadburh is destined for an arranged marriage, but with reckless spirit her heart is taken by a Welsh prince, a man she can never be matched with and…

  • dog at garden centre
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 344}

    May 17, 2021 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. 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 a post I always love to write. Monday Happy List {Week 344} My daughter and I both got our first hair cuts in 6 months! It felt so good to visit the hairdresser again and have a good tidy up too. A few years ago I bought myself a Signs of the Sewdiac…

  • Sashiko table mat
    Crafts for adults

    Sashiko table mat

    May 15, 2021 - By 

    Although I’m meant to be using up my craft supplies this year, I couldn’t resist Box 8 of Hoop Club by Cotton Clara. It’s been a while since I stitched any sashiko, but I loved the sashiko panel I bought a few years ago, and was happy to do more. Hoop Club by Cotton Clara Hoop Club by Cotton Clara is a monthly embroidery box and you can subscribe at any time. I don’t need any craft kits but I couldn’t resist Box 8. Not only was it sashiko (not even requiring an embroidery hoop!) but the stitched panel was…

  • How to celebrate Middlesex Day
    Family Life - Hillingdon

    How to celebrate Middlesex Day

    May 14, 2021 - By 

    Did you know that Middlesex Day is celebrated on May 16th? We’ve proudly lived in Middlesex for the last 8 years and are looking forward to celebrating Middlesex Day this weekend. Does Middlesex still exist? A little bit of background – Middlesex is a historic county in southeast England. Its area is almost entirely within the wider urbanised area of London and mostly within the ceremonial county of Greater London, with small sections in neighbouring ceremonial counties. The name means territory of the middle Saxons and refers to the tribal origin of its inhabitants. The word is formed from the Old English, ‘middel’ and ‘Seaxe’ (‘Saxons’). Established in the Anglo-Saxon…

  • Care Bears Birthday Bear
    Family Life

    AD/Care Bears Birthday Bear {review}

    May 12, 2021 - By 

    My daughter loves her soft toy collection and was delighted to be gifted a gorgeous new member of the Care Bears family, Birthday Bear from Basic Fun! Unfortunately we don’t have any birthdays coming up to celebrate but that hasn’t stopped her enjoying her new Care Bear. Care Bears Birthday Bear I remember the original Care Bears toys when I was growing up in the 1980s. I had some of the small, plastic figures which I loved, but remember the Care Bears books, magazines, stickers and almost everything! I’m delighted to see that they are back for a whole new…

  • Family Life

    Top tips for creating a grown up outdoors area

    May 11, 2021 - By 

    Disclosure – this is a sponsored post With restrictions easing finally here in the UK we are looking forward to entertaining outdoors again. We can’t wait to invite friends over to enjoy our garden. Top tips for creating a grown up outdoors area Over the last 12 months we have all spent a lot of time at home. From making a home office to staying local for our daily exercise, we have all spent more time at home that we ever imagined. We are very thankful to have a garden large enough for our family to enjoy and the past…

  • dogs at polling stations
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 343}

    May 10, 2021 - By 

    Starting the week by writing the Monday Happy List  is something I’ve been doing for a while. 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 a post I always love to write. Monday Happy List {Week 343} On Bank Holiday Monday we finally got round to visiting Chenies Manor House and Gardens. The weather was pretty cold and windy but we still enjoyed exploring the gardens. We are looking forward to going back when the Tudor Manor House…