Spring Swap

As you know I really do enjoy a nice swap and have signed up for quite a few recently.  I was paired with Helen for Molly Cupcakes Spring swap and look what she sent me

I was lucky enough to get some wonderful things including some CK smellies, napkins and chocolate of course.

A lovely tin bird house, which the minimads have popped on the front of their playhouse!

A hand painted sign, which is now hanging in my kitchen.

A beautiful lavender filled bird, which I adore.

A pink bead heart

A super cute bunny.  I was overwhelmed and love it all.  Thanks Helen

If you want to see what I sent Helen, then take a look at her blog here.

Writing Workshop - My Spring and Summer Manifesto

Dear Voters (well my boys in this one)

We will make life fun, we will focus on laughter and giggles and grasp what we can get out of the day.

We shall enjoy the seaside and I will ensure that we have the wet suits in the car at all time.

We shall endeavor to make the most of the sunshine and of the environment around us.

We shall picnic in our secret place and run free on the moors.

We shall barbecue in the garden on a Saturday evening focusing on good food and great company.

We shall enjoy the harvest from our garden.

We will make, bake and create on a regular basis. I will not worry about the mess, or stress about the outcome.

We with feed the ducks and float homemade paper boats on the pond.

We will go on family walks and use your maps to explore new places.

We will explore the wonderful parks in the local area and find our favorites.

We will camp and explore new areas, cuddling up under our canvass.

I will try not to shout, but you will need to listen and not just hear.

We will swim and play football.
I will try to say yes more.
I will try and be the best I can.

We will dream, we will grow and we will remain family.

This post was inspired by promt 4 What’s YOUR party manifesto? for Sleep is for the Week's Writing Workshop

A bit of Making

I am starting to get my creative mojo back after a nasty bout of Flu and Vertigo and it feels good.  No it actually feels great.

Inspired by the signs of new shoots and Spring outside my front door I have made new cushion covers for both the sitting room and the conservatory/playroom.

Simple envelope style, in the sitting room from some seconds Laura Ashley picked up last year.

Something a little more funcky in the conservatiry, Pop Garden By Heather Baily.

I have also been making birthday presents for Maxi's friends.  Simple personalised purses filled with wooden beads.

Sugar cubes, inspired by ......  I can not find the post, so if it was you, please tell me.

I am not sure where the sun has gone this morning though, it is very dark and grey.  I am off to the GP for some blood tests (Still feeling not right) and then for a day of play with my boys. 

We are really enjoying our Easter Holidays.            

Farndale and the Daffodils

Daffodils (1804)

I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way, They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company: I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Photos were taken my Mini and Maxi on my point and click

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Farndale

MadDad and the boys went Farndale to see the daffodils yesterday afternoon (I was zonked from Swimming with them in the morning, I am off for blood tests next week to try and find out what is wrong).

It is said that Wordsworth wrote the above poem after visiting Farndale. Well this year daffodils are late and the ground is very boggy, but the boys had a lovely afternoon and loved watching the spring lambs too.

We are very lucky to have this on our doorstep and it always reminds me when MadDad and I were courting.