SHALL WE RETIRE TO THE LOUNGE?

I love the warmth of all the Autumn colours but my main colour throughout the cottage is blue so have to be careful which shades of Fall I use. I tend to favour oranges and browns rather than red so we don't have too much colour clashing going on!

A cozy corner! A much cherished cross-stitch picture of all the seasons made by my dear friend Sue. The little Fenton glass basket holds dried rosehips and to add a little  Halloween to the mix, tiny witches brooms! The tiny Fortnum & Mason basket contained Halloween choccies (long gone!). I adore the figurine of the Grandmother and Grandchild called 'The Quilt', reminds me of Soraya and me(or I)!

 My dresser which I promise will one day have a paint treatment! Our lounge is very long(33ft) so I tend to keep this end the cozy end. I can snuggle up on the huge squidgy chair and read(or fall asleep!).

 Danish Pixie children, this one is Winter.

And this one is Autumn! Aren't they adorable? Loving the clogs!

                                                                THE FIREPLACE

One of our three large windows. As I have mentioned before, our cottage was formerly the village stores so I have these three huge windows to play with!

     The wooden dough bowl was bought at a local antiques fair and restored for me by my lovely brother!                                                  

Next week I will be doing the Halloween decorations, yippee! Bring on the witches, wizards and pumpkins!

TTFN ANNEMARIE XXX

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AND THE AUTUMN LEAVES WERE TURNING TO THE COLOUR OF HER HAIR....

Our little Cherub Chops having a rare nap! She really fights her daytime naps now but this time gave in and fell asleep on my lap. I very gently transferred her to the sofa, made myself a nice cuppa and just watched her sleeping. Sheer bliss!!

I ADORE Autumn! Such a lovely time of year, all snuggly and toasty..cool and sunny (if it isn't raining!). A pleasant hiatus before the harsher weather is upon us. We haven't turned that switch on yet(central heating) but I feel the time is getting near. I am hearing little groans from the men in the family, such wimps. I like the house cool and fresh so they will have to wait a while longer!

Autumn has arrived in our home and would like to share some of its little touches around and about our cottage!.
                                                      

 

Ain't that the truth!

THE
KITCHEN

I recently bought these little pumpkins at a Craft and Vintage Fayre locally,cheap as chips but adorable! 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The little sugar bowl and milk jug, a little worn but it adds to the character!                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

The little condiment set, the spoon is missing but adore the little leaf they sit on. This was made in Germany.

   

Scarecrow bear and his pumpkins! The little cart is an antique toy, very rustic and basic.

Dont look so worried Tallulah, you are here for keeps!

Love that cup and saucer, my Daughter and SIL bought it for me in France.

A lot of people would probably say that I am an old crow! Who cares! This little stool is very old, too rickety to sit or stand on but makes a lovely shelf!!

Had to include my favourite lamp, don't you just love those cups and saucers. Am I the only person who can't resist cupcake cases? Probably!

THE LAMP!! again

Very old scales and weights. Love these greeney blue pumpkins. Although my kitchen is quite modern (that is another story!) I do like to add an antique here and there like this little barley twist leg table.

Tomorrow we will move into the Lounge where natures paintbrush has again coloured our home.

TTFN ANNEMARIE XXX
p.s. I hope this all makes sense, suffering from Labyrinthitis at the mo and the world won't stop spinning!! xx

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SEASONS OF YOUR LIFE

August always comes to me with trepidation, I lost both of my parents within 19 days of each other in August 2004. The smells and feelings of this month always take me back to that highly charged emotional time. Having to delay our grief over my Dad's sudden death because my Mum was so ill. We all piled into her hospice room after Dads funeral as she was too poorly to go herself, my husband even videoed the event so she could watch it with my eldest brother who selflessly stayed with my Mum. Three weeks later we were all gathered again this time to say goodbye to our amazing, strong Mum.   Looking back, I don't know how we all got through that time.
Seven years on, I still miss them everyday but this year I didn't linger on  the events leading up to their deaths as I have in the past but focussed more on the wonderful, loving, kind people they were and the legacy they left us all.
As human beings we need time to heal, to grieve in our own way. Our feelings are ever changing just like the seasons, we grow spiritually as we grow older and the Winter of our life doesn't hold the fears we had when we were in our Springtime.  Life is a circle and we are all part of that big circle.
Still, I will not be sad to say " Bye bye " to August but look forward to the new seasons ahead and everything they have to offer. I adore Autumn!

Beautiful flowers from my daughter, SIL and granddaughter!

I spent yesterday, the anniversary of Mums death, with my darling Soraya, so full of  life and laughter. Just as my Mum and Dad would have wanted. In their words "life is for the living", how true is that!
Thankyou to my lovely daughter for making it a special day for me and to my husband, sons and friends for thinking of me, I am lucky in so many ways.

And more flowers when I got home from hubby and boys!!

C'MON AUTUMN!! I'M READY AND WAITING FOR YOU!!

To get us all in the mood , a little taster of what is to come.....

THE PUMPKIN WINDOW (SIL in background on his laptop!)!!

 

WITCHY WINDOW...HOCUS POCUS

 

 

WIZARDY WINDOW.....WHERE'S HARRY?

FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS ALL IN A ROW...

 Oooh I cant wait, can you?

TTFN ANNEMARIE XXX

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28 YEARS AGO TODAY!

On July 6th 1983 at 18.57 pm our little Carly Michelle arrived into the world, weighing 8lbs 4oz. A much longed for daughter and a little sister to Christopher. I never thought I would have a little girl growing up with three older brothers, so I was absolutely delighted to be launched into a pretty,  pink world!  Don't get me wrong I was delighted to have our little boy (and the two little munchkins that followed Carly!) but I was so excited to have my girl that I didn't sleep for 24 hours after her birth! Chris didn't really take much notice of her, at two and a bit years old he was more interested in the bedside tables in my hospital ward than his little sister! He did start to take notice 11 months later when she started walking though!  Such an easy baby, always happy and smiling and a joy to be around.

The next few years were a whirl of ballet, gymnastics, netball, hockey and rugby (I hated that sport, worried about your teeth all the time!). So sporty but so girly too, loved dresses and dressing up, dolls, My Little Pony, Care Bears then later Kylie Minogue and The Spice Girls. All the sleepovers, re-enactments of Grease!

Always made us so proud in everything she has done, has always been competitive and asks a lot of herself. An amazing business woman and entrepreneur, is never happier than when she is planning a new venture or event! The greatest joy for my husband and myself has been watching her take on the role of Wife and Mother with such passion and love. Such a joy to watch her relationship with our little granddaughter grow into a lifetime of love.

The world became a better place on that sunny day back in 1983! Thankyou Sweetheart for all the joy and laughter you have brought us and continue to give to us. We all love you so much!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl, hope you have a lovely day and a wonderful year ahead!

Go to our other website to see the tribute my husband made for Carlys Baby Shower.

TTFN ANNEMARIE xxx

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WELCOME TO OUR BOUDOIR!

Come on in......

Just give the door a little push, the latch is a little stiff. Sorry about the squeaking, really must oil those hinges.

Just push the door shut after you, thanks!

 FEEL FREE TO HAVE A NOSEY AROUND!!!

A few of my favourite things on my dressing table, the little hardanger picture was made for me by my dear friend, Sue. Also little presents from my daughter and granddaughter, so precious to me!  The La Dolce Vita perfume was my Mum's, still can't bring myself to smell it yet, maybe soon.

My favourite girls, also a little wreath bought in Salzburg a few years ago.

YES, I LOOOVVVVVEEEE THE BEATLES!!

Our little brood, a few years ago now, it was our youngest's first day of school. All those white shirts and blouses, I had snowblindness after an ironing session on all of those!

Guess who figures greatly in our lives? Our little cherub chops!

View from our windows, above is the church hall, venue of many childrens parties! Also our village green.

Our village Church, the clock is very handy, it chimes every hour, the bells can be a little annoying when you want a sleep-in on a Sunday morning though.

I love my carpet bag, I keep all my sewing projects in it. Always wanted Mary Poppins bag when I was little!

I adore these two little terriers. so cheeky!

Couldn't resist these little door knobs from Laura Ashley.  So cute!

If you don't mind shutting the door behind you, I think I will grab forty winks! Thanks for visiting!

TTFN ANNEMARIE xxx

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I'M BACK!!

The last few weeks have flown by, what with Easter, colds, numerous Bank Holidays (thankyou Catherine and William!), more colds and lack of energy, blogging seems to have taken a backseat.

Here in England we had the hottest April and early May since records began, hardly any rain(very unusual for us!). The Spring flowers just seem a distant memory now, the daffs are now just sad and make the garden look so untidy. The tulips have gone too and all the usual summer flowers are already blooming. I dont usually do my Summer pots until mid May but everything has been so early that they have been planted up a few weeks now!    

I planted up this old Belfast sink with summer flowering pansies, pastel blues and yellows, so pretty! The sink itself was a real bargain, bought locally from a lady who was renovating her house, I don't think I would have got rid of this sink though!

I love planting up unusual containers, in the past have used old watering cans, wire baskets and old teapots!

I picked up this 1950's dolls pram at a local antique and craft shop, it just screamed out to me..."Take me home!!"...so I did! It is so like the pram I had as a little girl. I remember looking through the toy shop window in the small town I grew up in and wishing it was mine. Then HORROR!!! One day the pram had gone and  I was devastated!  A few weeks later on Christmas morning...yes my beautiful pram! My Mum had put the pram on layaway, she was obviously stronger than me because I don't think I could have let my daughter be so devastated! I am just too soft!! That was a wonderful Christmas!

These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago and the flowers have really bloomed madly. This year I am favouring blues and yellows together and also different shades of pink. I am eagerly awaiting my peonies to bloom, there are lots of buds so can't wait to see them in all their glory!

My daughter and I are still very busy organising her Reception at the end of July(so close now!). Our little Granddaughter had her fitting for her dress last week and she was amazing, holding her arms out straight like an aeroplane when told to so she could be measured! Obviously she is just like her Mummy!

I am currently reading the Kate McCann book about the abduction of her little daughter Madeleine four years ago in Portugal. I can only imagine how devastating and hopeless this must be for the McCanns. Could I just ask everyone going abroad on holiday this Summer to be aware and keep looking for this precious little girl.

TTFN. ANNEMARIE XXX

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MOTHERS DAY MEMORIES

The Beatles and Tom Jones, whenever I hear them I am back with you in our kitchen at home, the radio was always on (still is in my house!).

You peeking through the school fence when you walked by during playtime, touching fingers.

Lines of sparkling washing!

Hot dogs on Saturday evening, our Aunty and Uncle always turned up and you used to say that they could smell them cooking!

Walking home from Sunday Mass and buying our favourite biscuits on the way back.

Teaching me how to iron hankies!

Slipping me a piece of sugary apple when you were making apple pies!

Seeing you cry for the first time when I was 7 years old because my eldest brother had been in an accident. I only ever saw you cry twice in your life, the second time was when you were diagnosed and even then you pulled yourself up by your socks and got on with it!

The way you put my problems in perspective, nothing and nobody is worth getting upset over!

My Monday presents, I have always hated Mondays so you always bought me a little present, a magazine or maybe some Quickies (eye make-up cleansing pads!).

The look on your face when you first saw my babies, pure love.

Getting words jumbled up,   'melongitis' for example. Your Granddaughter does the same thing now, remember scowling(scouring) pad, Carly?

Stopping for a coffee after shopping, two hours later....

There are so many good memories Mum, you and Dad always made me feel safe and secure. I miss you everyday but especially today, Mothers Day. Thankyou for all the good times, all the laughter and for showing such strength at the end, as always thinking of others. I know that you can see your Great Granddaughter, the light of our life, she brightens our days just as you did. Happy Mothers Day Mum, love you lots.

One of my favourite photo's of us together back in 1981, we always laughed until we cried!

Happy Mothers Day also to the best little Momma in the world, Soraya is so lucky to have you. You are so loving and caring, such fun too! Have a lovely day Sweetheart! Thankyou for your lovely post on your blog Mummysshoes.com.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mummies and Grandmas out there, enjoy your day! xx

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