• Love Hearts inspired painted rocks
    Crafts for kids - Painted rocks - Valentines Day crafts

    Love Hearts inspired painted rocks

    February 5, 2020 - By 

    We love making our own painted rocks. They are such a simple but fun craft that anyone can do With Valentine’s Day coming up next week, why not make a few Love Hearts inspired painted rocks? These are a calorie-free treat which everyone will love to find! We used: Bag of smooth pebbles or rocks Selection of posca pens Varnish to seal the painted rocks (we use Wilko Gloss Yacht Varnish) How to make Love Hearts inspired painted rocks First we washed our rocks in warm soapy water and left them to dry. Then we raided our craft supplies for…

  • Bichon Frise puppy 12 weeks
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 277}

    February 3, 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 a post I love to write. Monday Happy List {Week 277} Last week we attended a puppy induction talk/Dog School at our local Dog’s Trust. It was a really interesting talk and we are looking forward to starting our proper classes (with our pup!) in a few weeks. Our little puppy turned 12 weeks and what…

  • Plusnet hack at home
    Family Life

    Hack at Home {Plusnet X Scouts}

    February 2, 2020 - By 

    Both my children are interested in a more sustainable way of living. I love that they are always coming up with ways to cut down on waste at home and find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. My son recently became a travel ambassador at school, encouraging more people to walk or cycle to school and reduce unnecessary car journeys. Preparing for the Future campaign My kids are real digital kids, never happier than with a tablet in their hands. But this is something we encourage them to do. They are also members of Cubs and I think they strike…

  • The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford
    book review - What I'm reading

    The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford

    February 1, 2020 - By 

    I felt that I wasn’t doing very well in my 2020 Goodreads challenge until I saw the front cover of The Lost Lights of St Kilda by Elisabeth Gifford on NetGalley (thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book!). I spent 5 years living in Scotland, which is where I first heard about the magical islands of St Kilda, an isolated archipelago of islands some 40 miles off the west coast of Scotland. The Lost Lights of St Kilda is set on the beautiful and remote islands, linking one of the islands inhabitants, Chrissie, to a parallel story…

  • Family Life

    Four craft ideas for someone in a nursing home

    January 30, 2020 - By 

    Disclosure – this is a collaborative guest post Craft is a fantastic activity for people in nursing homes. It keeps minds active and encourages them to use the muscles in their hands and fingers. It can also encourage them to remember things from their past and can involve all of their senses, such as smell and touch. The feel of wool or the smell of glue may remind them of their youth and bring up memories they thought were long forgotten. All this helps to keep their minds and bodies healthier for longer. Furthermore, it can give them a sense…

  • Crafting: Winter Craftpod subscription box
    Crafts for adults

    Crafting: Winter Craftpod subscription box

    January 29, 2020 - By 

    It’s been a slow start to the year for me. Our little pup takes a lot of time (I’m constantly watching for signs he needs the loo!) so I haven’t had much free time. That’s why I love a subscription box though! They contain everything you need and the projects can usually be finished in a few evenings. Winter Craftpod subscription box My husband kindly gifted me the Winter Craftpod box for Christmas, which was a lovely treat. I tried to resist any spoilers of the contents on Instagram so was delighted when I was able to open it. This…

  • Bichon Frise puppy
    Monday Happy List

    Monday Happy List {Week 276}

    January 27, 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 a post I love to write. Monday Happy List {Week 276} Last week my daughter was invested into Cubs bringing an end to our 4 year association with Beavers. I stopped volunteering with the Scouts at the end of last year and I’m pretty excited to have two children in Cubs. My daughter is ready for…

  • Celebrate Dr Seuss Day: Truffula trees craft
    Crafts for kids - Dr Seuss Day craft

    Celebrate Dr Seuss Day: Truffula trees craft

    January 26, 2020 - By 

    If you love sharing a book with your child then you will probably know of Dr Seuss. But did you know that there is also a Dr Seuss Day which is celebrated on 2nd March? It’s a lovely reason to pick up a Dr Seuss book, re-read an old favourite or discover a new story. We’re big fans of The Lorax , it’s a brilliant book for kids (and adults too!) and as relevant today as the day it was written: “I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees, which you seem to be chopping as fast as you…

  • Free printable Valentine's Day bookmarks
    Crafts for kids - free printables - Valentines Day crafts

    Free printable Valentine’s Day bookmarks

    January 25, 2020 - By 

    January isn’t my favourite month. The days are short and cold. However, we are surrounded by signs of Spring and are excited to start thinking about Valentine’s Day next month. We’ve already shared our free Baby Yoda printable but were back with another Valentine’s Day printable, sweet cut out and colour bookmarks for kids to make this Valentine’s Day. Free printable Valentine’s Day bookmarks We love to spread the love on Valentine’s Day and I’ve always encouraged the children to make and give Valentine’s Day cards to friends and family. This year we are sharing our free printable colouring bookmarks…