Letters

With my birthday out the way, this week has been a little more productive. I have also got around to writing my thank you cards. I truly loved the presents I received and feel so grateful for the people I love in my life. Lately I have been visiting a super fab blog, it is quite timely as it is all about 'writing thank you' s'. The charm and well written letters by author Leah, have me visiting this site daily for a glimpse into her thoughts. Please visit http://thxthxthx.com to find out more.

Images taken from http://thxthxthx.com/

Folders

The last few days, I have been entertaining friends, tidying up, washing and trying to stick to my dream of living with a few things. Today I really wanted to snap some photos, or find something great to put on here, but time is flying by. So I looked through my holiday photos from a couple of weeks back and thought I would share them. After this post, please think of me as I potter into the various rooms in our home, a little hot and a little bothered about where on earth should start....?

Made

Why is that the day you set aside to get things done, is the day when the sun is out and the motivation is lacking. So we spent the morning outdoors. After early lunch and thought that I would take some photos of two of my gifts hand made by Lucy and Jo. I loved receiving these gifts, firstly because I love the creative element of them. Secondly, I have always wanted one of Jo softies and I can eat Lucy's award winning cake daily!...(it is truly award winning it came first place in it's WI category). Thanks for taking the time to make these for me my dearest friends.

Birthday

Last night, Richard and I headed into Brighton to see Broken Bells play. We decided the support band was too much and the evening sun was pulling us outside. Anyway to cut a long story short, I met and chatted to the lead singer James Mercer (also The Shins). Nice guy, made my evening. The night was one of my many Birthday treats from Richard. He really did think of everything, I am very blessed that he is my husband.

Visiting

I remember when I used to catch the London underground into work, I would wonder what people did for a living. Now my wonderings are about homes and costal/country living. There is about exploring and imagining who lives in these places and homes. During our break in Cornwall we visited a new place every day. When I remember I tried to take photos of homes. The looking down snap was inspired by a photo I saw a while ago on Flickr of view looking over the built up skyscrapers of Tokyo. It has not got the same vivid colours and density but I like the feeling of looking down in a place that people call home.

More

Returning home from a lovely week in Cornwall, was a little mixed. We were sad that the holiday was over, we relished our family time and loved sleeping in everyday. But we were excited as we returned with a to do list....I know it sounds terrible, but really it is a good thing. We never really unpacked when we moved into our home. We have too many boxes that occupies our valuable fourth bedroom. This room over the last two years, could have been a 'make' room or playroom instead of a chaotic junk room. Many posts have referred to my attempts on de cluttering, but while we were away, we lived with very little and loved the freedom that it brings. So while I de clutter an hour a day.....I need this to be achievable, what motivates me is the other things on our list. On list, we have plans to paint the shed, (similar colour to my shot of a National Trust Store) and for me to practise my DoF.

I will be back soon!

There is an air of excitment in our home, we are off for a little break. We are so tried and in need of some family time. We have packed farmyard dominos, jigsaw puzzles, face paints, art stuff, books and the beloved camera. Here's hoping that the weather will hold out. A few snaps from my week....the cornflowers were bought locally and now passed onto a friend and the lilies to my step-mum as they would probably last, but they need to be enjoyed.

Lilies

Our lovely friends from London visited last weekend. It will be four years this October since we moved to Sussex and we now feel this is the place we truly call home. We certainly had our fair shares of up's and down's and missed our dearest friends and family, but over time it has got easier. Even with all the beautiful and deep friendships, there is something so easy to being with friends that we known for 12 years or so. Anyway they came bearing gifts of food, drinks and these stunning Lilies.

At the last minute on Sunday afternoon, we decided to go and explore somewhere new. I am somewhat ashamed to say that after two and a half years of living in Sussex, we visited the beauty that is Devil's Dyke for the first time. The views were incredibly. We watched the many folks flying their kites and took lots of photos. I will be posting a wind blown L on Flickr today.

Times like these

Items from a friend's kitchen

L's flower girls dress on a vintage hanger

Lots of thoughts have been buzzing around my head lately. Our very sweet and highly regarded village school, may be forced to take on more pupils than it can accommodate. This means the years may have to mix, I keep telling R and myself, that the school has the interest of the little ones at heart. He is not too sure and others have voiced concern. All I know is that I relish the holiday's I get a break from the school run and have lazy days with the girls and some time to think.

Wonder Wall

For fans of Naploeon Dynamite, you have to visit this link (click design mom). The above is a mural from twelve year old Ralph's room. He is into all things films and his mum, cleverly came up with the concept of this image instead of poster. Love it!

ps. Listening to Diane Birch and off to see Broken Bells on the 22nd June