Our Bit of the World...

i'm back...we'll sort off.....

2010-10-14T21:07:00.002+01:00

yes ive been away...life took over...but ive been popping in and out and now the attraction is too strong and so i'm back....but somewhere new......here

http://ourfunfrollocksandfamily.blogspot.com/

please pop over and say hi....would be fab to hear from you all again.....xxx

Goodbye

2010-07-07T21:14:00.000+01:00

I have decided to leave the whole world of blog land....

I have had fun sharing my times with you, however, I now feel that I want to give my time to those closest to me.

I will be popping into say hi to some of my favourite bloggs....

Good Luck and Good Bye....x

Hobby needed.............any suggestions..............

2010-06-29T18:24:00.000+01:00

I need a hobby.................

As you can imagine with three boys under the age of six, I could spend every waking ( or sleeping for that matter) of the day, cleaning, picking up, tidying.....and to be honest..............

IVE HAD ENOUGH.....

I need something else......a HOBBY........something that I go out to do....something that I leave the house for......something that I enjoy and can do as and when I want to......

Any suggestions would be great...........am thinking.............................GOLF.......

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cornwall June 2010

2010-06-20T09:32:00.000+01:00

We'll after our time with the 'chicken pocks' we eventually got ourselves together and we set off west to Cornwall.....

We arrived at a lovely campsite called 'Tollgate Farm' and pitched the tent and gazebo.......

We cheated slightly as we paid for a pitch with electric hook up......so out came the electric air bed pump, the electric heater and the lamp.......

and this was our view first thing in the morning....

we spent the days enjoying the dry but not quite so sunny weather and exploring our new patch....

we tripped over to Falmouth and enjoyed a Park and Float rise which is a cornish Park and Ride......

and on our way from Falmouth to our campsite we noticed that the boys had falled asleep in the back of the car and so we made a unexpected stop at Mylor......a lovely Cornish vilage, which my mum had a milk round in when she was young.....

as we drove through the village we saw these little fellas, just sat beside the road, obviously enjoying the same view as us....

so in a greedy moment and wantng to make the most of the few seconds peace and quiet we pulled up outside of a small public house and enjoyed a quick.....

the rest of the day was enjoyed visiting my auntie and uncle in the home just outside of Perranwell Station....

as the week progressed the weather improved and so we spent our days playing golf, eating ice cream and visitng a few of the lovely beaches that Cornwall have to offer....

We stayed just outside of Perranporth which is quite a windy part of Cornwall and so we had to invest in the fun of kite flying, OHHHH and how it flew.....

Hope you are able to enjoy a few special moments with your loved ones this summer...

We now have the bug and have got many plans to make use of our new portable home throughout the summer holidays...

Take Care

Half Term and Chicken Pocks

2010-06-02T09:07:00.000+01:00

We are preparing this half term as next week we are off to Cornwall with the tent........I can not wait, we are booked onto a working farm, which i'm sure the boys will love.......we thats if these little fells feel better....

Yes we have been struck with the 'CHICKEN POCKS', sooo sore and soooooo many of them......

Oh well heres to sleepless nights, ironing, calonine lotion and looking forward to next week......xxx

??????

2010-04-27T15:21:00.000+01:00

Today I am having on of those.....

WHO AM I .....days.....

Do you have them.....???

Am I a rubbish housewife or am I just comfortable with a lived in house.....

Am I a super organised person with all lifes essentials in my bag or am i a 'mobile and wallet' person.....

Am I gonna jump into bed tonight with the boys or am I gonna spend the evening cleaning, sorting and tidying.....

Really feel like I'm not sure who i am or even what sort of person I am......i spend alot of time cleaning, tidying and sorting but would really like to find some hobbies for my sefl.....BUT....WHAT AM I INTO ????/

Answers on a postcard please.....xxx

Just the Two of Us

2010-04-20T13:27:00.001+01:00

Today was far too lovely to do anything but enjoy the fresh air and sure sings of spring....and so one the two older boys were settled and happy at school and nursery, Mason and I went off for a little 'us' time.....

We are sooo lucky to have such a beautiful place on our doorsteps as decoy......

A huge lake with trees, ducks, wildlife and most importantly PEACE and QUIET......

There were a large amount of rather RANDY ducks which you could hear from all over the lake...

we sat and took it all in

with a few small items from home

plenty of kisses....

After about an hour, I managed to pull Mason away from the water to walk further around the lake.....and to his delight we found a huge stick.....well this stick became a sword, a horse, a drum stick and many more things in his little mind....

He was just happy to strole, play and be close and comfortable with the delights that nature had to offer today....

Then to say thank you for his company today I treated him to his favourite 'lolly'

which left us with a few more minutes for playing tractors and cars in the grass before we had to collect Jenson from nursery....

What a truly lovely morning !!!!

Hope your days bring you a little moment of pure pleasure....

xxxx

WHAT A STATEMENT ON LIFE....

2010-04-14T16:14:00.002+01:00

I found the following words on a friends Facebook profile and dont think I have heard such a great statement on life for a long time....what do you think ???

'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body,but rather to skid in sideways, wine in hand,body thoroughly used up,totally worn out & screaming,'WOO HOO, what a ride!'

xxx

were on the move........

2010-04-07T07:57:00.000+01:00

It doesnt seem like it was five miniutes ago that we moved out of our two bed semi into a three storey town house......

ideal as the inside space is for our family of five there is only a small decked courtyard at the back and my boys are craving grass and outdoor space....

and so last night ew looked at a converted three bedroomed bungalow, with LARGE garden and outbuildings........so were on the move again....not until September as the current owners need to find something.......but thats the beauty of renting ....were in no rush and can go as soon as they give the nod.......

Only one thing........

My new large beautiful.....georgous.....lovely....dresser wont fit in ANYWHERE..........

So if anyone would like to give the wonderful peice a new home then please give me a shout for more details pics etc......

thanks

Marshmallow Icing

2010-04-01T14:57:00.000+01:00

I have today had an experiment with the idea of Marshmallow Icing.....

Its ok, but I have to say I dont think that you can been good old icing sugar and water or butter....

I have found it very very sticky and also that the marshmallows only need a second or two in the hot oven to melt otherwise you get a bitter burtn taste to them......

Ok, but unless I have done something silly and wrong I dont know that I'll bother to try this one again.....

Have a fab weekend what ever you choose to do....

xx

Welcome Easter

2010-03-31T17:35:00.001+01:00

Well it may feel more like November that March outside but that is not the case on my kitchen table.

You may remember last year we recycled our potted christmas tree into our easter tree but unfortunatly he did not survive our house move last summer and so today I tripped off to find a replacement.

What do you think ???

Today has been the first day that I have had a few hours child free since January and so 'PUHH' to the house work, I tripped into town with one thing in mind ................EASTER..................

As well as some lovely thrifty finds, for our upcoming camping trip to Cornwall, I also found two lovely hyasynth (not sure how to spell that one) bulbs for Harrison class teachers as easter gifts....

and also some bits and bobs to get creative with for Harrison to take to his friends....

all they need now is a chocolate egg for a centre and there finished.....

Wishing you all a very HAPPY EASTER whatever you choose to do and wait to see you again next week with our application for weight watchers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxx

xxxxxx

Answers on a postcard please......

2010-03-19T17:42:00.001Z

I have seen some lovely looking fairy cakes here at greedy for colour...

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v0FVhg9Jafk/S5BIb17eElI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/cqANpo6hulU/s1600-h/DSC_0025.JPG

the lady uses marshmallows as a form of icing ontop of fairy cakes.....

does any know what to do??? is it just a case of popping a large marshmallow ontop of a cooked cake and popping it ino the oven for a few mins.......looks far easier than butter icing !!!!!!

im sure this little man would love some marshmallow topped fairy cakes....and mummy too....

xxxx

Bread Maker

2010-02-22T16:59:00.000Z

At last I have purchased a bread maker......

any tips and hints or recipes would be lovely.....

xxx

At Last a decision made......dresser for sale......xx

2010-02-21T17:43:00.000Z

I have this weekend made a decision......since our new dresser arrived my smaller one has been pushed into the corner of the lounge......

I have today decided that yes I will sell my small dresser

Collection would be from Newton Abbot, Devon and I am asking £150.00 for this lovely dresser...

If anyone is interested then please let me know as I will this week be putting it on ebay !!!!

My New Dresser

2010-02-18T20:32:00.000Z

Some of u may remember that I recently aquired a new full sized dresser....well in its original state I have to say I was not too keen.....however with a lick of paint......what do u think ????

I'm quietly pleased......xxxx

Haiti I can See Your Halo

2010-02-03T14:49:00.000Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0PCqXeIMII

Every time I cry like a baby

God Bless Haiti

xxx

Be Still My Beating Heart

2010-01-23T14:03:00.002Z

Oh .....woow......

I have just taken delivery of a HUGE Welsh Dresser........FREE TO GOOD HOME......

So many Plans and Such little time.....

Quick wheres the Farrow and Ball....

Pic's to follow I promise....

xx

A busy week and a new tipple.....

2010-01-16T22:34:00.000Z

This week has been very strange with my second son starting nursery. Jenson was three in October and has now started at the nursery linked with my eldest sons school........how lost was I ???? I had made arrangements for my youngest son to have a day with nanny so that I could give Jenson my full attention, after settling him in I made a slow but perfectly timed exit only then to find myself completly lost.....what would I do....where would I go......no nappy bag......no pushchair....nothing.....so as Mondays normally go I went to the supermarket, well that took half and hour and not wanting to drift too far from the school I decided the perfect place to loose myself was the local recycling centre.......and how the time flew.....I lost myself in other peoples rubbish....seived through the piles of old pots, plates and chairs........and came out with a small wooden childrens play kitchen for £4, a hand painted childrens magazine rack £2 and an extra large saucepan £2, perfect for the weekly family stew.......

The next day and the same routine and once I returned home again with my own company I decided to put up some recent photos that had been collecting dust in the dresser draw......what do you think....

Whilst pottering around I found a familiar little felloow who should be sleeping the year away in an old shoe box.....oh well he will have to stay put now until next year.....

Tonight once the two small boys were dreaming of tomorrow I decided to leave the older one playing lifeboats with daddy and slip off to do a bit of food shoping in peace and quiet......I decided to visit a competitors supermarket ( I work in one in the town) and as always I have to slip upstairs and have a mooch around the homes and clothes section.....slightly disappointed as I had not found anything NEW i slipped down to look around the flowers and plants and look who I found looking very sad on the reduction counter....a new pot and a drop of water and my 50p plant will soon look a million dollars.....

Finally I had an order from the other half for some liquid refreshments and fancied something different myself......woooooow and what a find......for those of you who love, as i do, the taste of Elderflower heres one for you to try....

and at something like £2.50 a bottle it is truly addictive.......

Hope you are all able to get out a little now the white lady has moved on for a while.....

Take Care

My Babies and the 'white' stuff

2010-01-07T13:21:00.000Z

The innocense of children and the pureness of snow....xxxx

Calling all you Delia's / Nigella's and of course Kirsties....

2009-12-14T17:51:00.001Z

HELP REQUIRED

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bored with the 'evening meal' chore in our house...

there is soo much that this one wont eat or that ones does not like that the weekly Cottage Pie, Jacket Potatoes, Fajita Wraps and 'something' with chips is now running rather thin.....

I NEED IDEAS PLEASE....

Any ideas that you ladies have or tried and tested family meal ideas....

Thanks

Birthday Cakes

2009-11-12T16:32:00.000Z

Today I have received a real treat, well not really for me but they made me smile non the less.

I had ordered cupcakes for my sons 2nd birthday this week, decided to have a change from a ThomasThe Tank cake....

I found a lovely local lady on line and placed and order for 9 bright cupcakes and this is what arrived....

How lovely are these....

Thanks to Kate at http://www.cakeadoodledo.co.uk/index.html

Cant beleive its nearly two years since my baby arrived....

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cant wait...

2009-10-14T23:04:00.003+01:00

Sorry couldnt wait to show you this pic of my dresser.

I picked it up in the paper for 35.00 and gave it a little TLC..

what do you think ??

Thank you for all your adice.

2009-10-14T22:59:00.002+01:00

Just a quick post to say a huge thank you for all of your advise on my previous post....

I have to say things have hugely calmed down lately, H has settled back into school and J will be starting nursery in Jnuary...I have to say I am the worst, I would be just as happy to keep them home with me doing NICE things until they are 16 !!!!!!

I thought I would share a photo, id ont do this much, of my three boys.....monsters....

like butter wouldnt melt hay !!!!!

Take Care all and will be in again soon with some cheery pics of life in Devon

I am still alive....well just about !!!!!

2009-08-23T19:37:00.001+01:00

Hi there everyone.

Am so sorry that I have been away from blog land for such a long time but life has been pretty mad.....

We have moved house and are settling in well to the new place, getting use to the space is taking quite a while but im sure that I will cope....

I have also had to undergo general anistetic, 4 teeth out.....not very nice at all and am already fed up with custard and mashed potatoe, could kill a roadt beef meal !!!!!!

I have been keeping my eye on those who make me smile and will return with something more interesting to say soon.

Take Care and thanks for the comments.

Tor

xx

For Sale Vintage Cot

2009-04-16T07:50:00.002+01:00

My baby is day by day turning into a bigger baby and he is outgrowing his cot.

This cot would not appeal to everyone as it is what i would call 'vintage'

It is in need for a little TLC to the white paintwork but the painted inages to the ends of the cot are fine.

If you follow this link http://mollychicken.blogs.com/my_weblog/2008/10/she-tidied-her-room.html to Molly Chicken, the cot that she changed into a sofa is the same as the one I have.

I am fully open to any offers you many like to make if this cot appeals to you.

I will leave this open for a week and then make a decision.

Thanks and if you want any other photos of mine then please just ask.

xx

Happy Easter....

2009-04-08T18:04:00.001+01:00

Sorry I have not had time to post recently but I really do not know where the times goes......sad excuse I know...

I do however, follow all of my favourite ones daily and so please do keep up the good work you guys......

Anyway thought I would spare a second to share our easter tree...

HAPPY EASTER ALL !!!!!

Help.......Recipe Needed !!!!!

2009-03-20T10:12:00.000Z

Calling all you cooks......

I need a recipe for a fullproof desert and for some lovelt cupcakes.....

We have been invited to my sister in laws for a roast on sunday and I have offered to supply the desert. I have a recipe for a Baileys Cheesecake which I have made more times than I would like to mention and fancied something nice and new but EASY to make....

Plus I have offered to make cupcakes for the children !!!!! Me and my big mouth !!!!!

Any Ideas ????

xxx

Bridgewater For Sale

2009-03-19T14:19:00.002Z

Ok ladies, I am selling my Emma Bridgewater Toast and Marmalade tea pot (Full Size), Cream Jug and Sugar Bowl with Lid.

The Tea Pot retails for £49.00, the jug £19.95 and the sugar bowl and lid £19.95.

It has NEVER been used and sits on my kitchen cupboard, such a waste.....

Please leave a comment below if you are interested in buying them from me and I will be incontact.

Do not have any idea of how much to ask for these peices so please give suggestions....

Thanks

xxxxxxx

So much to cath up on....

2009-03-15T21:36:00.011Z

Well I really do not know where the time goes these days, the weeks seem to merge into each other. I do make time daily to catch up on some of my fav blogs and see what you are all up to.

Things have calmed down in the Montandon household, Harrison's swearing issue has been bought under control and yes ignoring it worked, I have to say that things got worse before they got better and I dont think that I have cried so much for a long time.....but it worked and yes we do still have the odd F&~* or B*gger but thats about it... we have now moved onto another delightful phase, such is life I am starting to realise...

Firstly I received my lovely Valentine swop.....

my lovely gifts included:

A spotty wooden spoon

A wicker wreath

A Valentines Make and Do Idea book

A 'Scrath and Sniff, valentines card

A east of india heart

A heart broach

How lucky was I..... thank you soooo much Catherine (Molly cup cakes)

For those of you who live locally you will understand how lucky we are to have such a beautiful place in the middle of our town. Decoy lake is on a good day one of the most lovely places you could wish to visit and at this time of the year when nature is starting to wake from its wintery sleep I love it, oh how I love to take a seat on this bench with my cup of tea and let the children enjoy the play park that is mother nature.....

I have soooooooooo many projects that I would like start but just not enough hours in the day, however, I have made a start at giving a new life to a set of table and chair that I was kindly given..... I have decided to paint each chair and recover the seat pads, heres how far I have got....

My mother in law comes to visit everiy Friday, I go to market and buy fruit and veg suplies for the weekend and collect her from the bus station........In conversation I said how I would love to be able to crochet granny balckets to go onto the boys beds, no Ben 10 for me, I want their bedroom to be bright and colourful, a real delight for the eye..... she tried on a previous visit to teach me, however, with two small children at your feet that was easier said than done..... but look at what she has made for me..

68 square of delightful colour and vibrancy........we have decided that we need 88 for each blanket and so this I think will keep her busy until the spring arrives, I have however had more lessons and now she has made me sone middles and I am slowly turning them into squares.....

Once the covers are comnpleted for the boys beds, mine is next and here my colour scheme.....pertty egh !!! ??

Finally I have been lucky enough to have a little time for some thrifting..... and here are my finds.....

What my mother would call a 'Piss Pot' £4 in the market, I can see it outside the front door in the spring full of colourfull blooms.

A set of pretty bowls, how lovely will these look at a summers BBQ, I see them briming with strawberrys and a huge blob of clotted cream.......£3.50 for 5.. !!!!

and some silver cutlery, 5p per peice, woow oh yeah and the pretty napkins you can see underneath another bargain at £1.50 for 6.......

Add to that little list a lovely pair of vintage curtain which you will have to wait for next time to see.

I have been taking my photos on my Blackberry as I dropped my camera on christmas day and he no work now !!!!! but I have a new one on the way so I hope that the quality of pics that you see are soon to improve......

As you see we have been busy........ also going on we have had......a smear test, Hand foot and mouth x 3, an ill husband, a broken food steamer AND slow cooker, two viewings on the house (yes were too are on the market) and 1 Diet started tonight, after I have eaten a large box of Maltesers and drank a bottle of Rose wine .... woops......

take Care and see you all soon...

xxx

Mel Mel.......

2009-02-28T21:58:00.000Z

Think I have put the comment mod on, whatever that really is...

It just says that I need an invitiation to view your blog ?????

xxx

Help and Advice Needed.....

2009-02-27T23:20:00.000Z

Miles appart from my usual posts I am today asking all you mummys out there for your help and advice.....

As you are mostly aware I have three boys, 4,2 & 1..... well my four year old, Harrison, has recently started reception school and seems as a rule to be enjoying himself, even though we have had a little blip this week involving a few tears when I leave him...................

well...........the problem i have is........... swearing................swearing ........................ and more swearing.....

It is really awful, the F word and the TW*T word is being used continually and in the perfect contects.......

I have treid to ignore him but the just keeps on " Mummy, Mummy, Mummt TW!T Mummy Mummy F%£&ING"

I have even tapped him hand.........oh and his backside when he was swearing as we walked up the stairs......

Today I have been marching him up the stairs to his bedroom and making him stay there on his own, then when I go to get him back down I remove a toy from his box explaining to him what and why I am doing it.........

He also seems to be really agressive at the moment, full of stomping feet and slamming doors...... is this just a 4 yr old boy feeling his feet or is this the sign of things to come....

Will welcome any advice and tips you may have......

Sorry now bright and colourful photos today but I dont think you would like to see a picture of a tantrum......

xxxx

Stocking Up incase we are snowed in !!!!!

2009-02-06T16:34:00.000Z

I have today popped to the local (supermarket) corner shop......and stocked up on some essentials for the weekend incase we see a flurry of snow or two.....in my trolley were of course nappies......as we use about 14 a day, Milk (6 pints) and a lovely fresh whole grain loaf of bread !!!!!! plus

two bottles of lovely rose wine, saturday night would not be complete without a glass or two....oh yeah and a bottle or two of Henneys Cider, plus JS had the vintage one so am trying that for the first time...

PLUS lovely Kettle Chips new Cheshire Cheese and Chutney flavour...

PLUS Dark Chocolate with Orange...

PLUS Chocolate Chip Spiralos for breakfast well if they last that long....

Some new cleaning clothes to cheer up those horrible daily chores.....

How coild leave this lovely little rose plant sat reduced on the shelf destined for the rubbish bin, so home he came and he now had a lovely little home in a Laura Ashley mug..

plus his friend had to come home aswell........

Hope you all have a great weekend..... and going to strangle the kids now ......JOKE !!!!!!!

xxxxx

ps..

oh yeah in these days of white remember spring is just around the corner.....

Pleasure and Pain !!!!

2009-02-05T16:55:00.003Z

Today has been one of those pleasure vs pain days......

To start with this ........

Oh how sad am I, this was part of one of my best finds so far, for those of you who dont know, I found the Tea pot, sugar bowl, cream jug and 2 mugs in a local charity shop for £3.90....well one dozzie day I pulled one off of the kitchen unit with the iron cord.....and this one saw its last day as a tea cup when my husband dropped the sugar out of the cupboard onto it..........but there is a ilver lining... tommorow I will be going into the market to find a little plant looking for a nice Bridgewater home !!!!

Now for the pleasure.....

Many of you know that I regularly visit, what I think, is the fab blog of The Vintage Magepie......well after a number of hints to ones OH over the christmas period no little rabbit was hiding under my christmas tree and so I decided this Valentines day to take matters into my own hands and I have bought myself a Valentines / Mothers Day prezzie....

A brown paper bag....

Then a white box.....

Then some lovely rose tissure paper....

and finally !!!!!!!

***************** RUBY **********************

Welcome to our home Ruby......

I think that Nicki from the Vintage Magpie will be pleased to hear she is settlred into her new surroundings very well and is already making new friends.....

The pleasure pain day continues as I have just finished one of my favourite dinners.....

Mushroon Risotto followed by fresh from the over home made Banana Cake, all washed down with a lovely cup of tea (mine has to be Earl Grey).........but now I have to go and put on my uniform as I have to work tonight !!!!!

xxxx

Take Care all..

xxxxx

http://thevintagemagpie.typepad.com/

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

2009-02-02T20:45:00.000Z

Well in comparison to the rest of the country we have got off lightly but we have today had a rather down pour of snow, much to the delight of the boys.....

I have to say I do become a bit of a child when there is snow on the ground, on the way back from collecting H from school I could not resist launching a rather small but rather big at the same time snow ball at him......much to the disgust of sone other passing mothers......so silly and so immature........

We now have a rather strange looking snowman on the front grass expertly built by the boys and my husband after tea.....

I could not help but post a pic of the new knifes, forks and spoons that I bought on ebay for the boys.....

They do brighten up breakfast........

By the way the pots having been lovingly painted by J and H........a master piece I have to say....

I hope you all enjoy this snow safely and like responsible....but very fun....adults...xxxxx

xx

Ive Been Tagged !!!!

2009-01-31T18:32:00.000Z

Ive been tagged by the lovely ....http://bekisbloggybits.blogspot.com/.....

Usual rules apply
Link to the person who tagged you - as you can see I cant do this bit yet......
Post rules on your blog
Write 6 random things about yourself
Tag 6 people and link to them
Let them know they've been tagged....

so here goes.......

1, I walked on my tip toes as a child.....even now I can run very fast on tippytoes !!!!

2, I gave birth to 2 of my 3 boys in a birthing pool......HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those wanting babies the natural way !!!!!

3, I was a vegitarian from the age of 7 - 24, and only started to eat meat again after getting very drunk and eating a KFC !!!!!

4, I cant sleep without pants on.......TRUE....

5, I hate mustard.......oh and gerkins..........oh and red wine, again another bad experience of drinking too much !!!!

6, I love Garfield, you know the fat ginger cat......and my parent use to have the newspaper delivered every morning and before they had chance to read it I would have cut the Garfield cartoon strip from the back page.........much to my dads delight I have to add.....

So there 6 random facts about me and so I would like to passd this tag onto.......

http://marypoppins-homesweethome.blogspot.com/ - Mary Poppins.

http://thevintagemagpie.typepad.com/ - The Vintage Magpie...

http://curlewcountry.blogspot.com/ - Curlew Country

http://vintageamethyst.blogspot.com/ - Vintage Amethyst

http://henhousehomemade.blogspot.com/ - Henhouse....

http://www.buttercupandroses.blogspot.com/ - Buttercup & Roses

There....phew.....all done...

xxx

Country Living Fair

2009-01-31T18:22:00.000Z

Any of you ladies going to the Country Living Fair in March i think it is???

My husband has today announced that he is going on a football 'TOUR' not he does not play for Liverpool.....which consists of Fri/Sat & Sun in Blackpool with a large number of men and a very large amount of beer sooooooooo I have thought right then I will plan some ME time and leave the children under his care for once......

Please let me know if you are going and if you have been before would I feel silly going on my own ???/

xxxxx

More Thrifty Meals

2009-01-31T10:23:00.000Z

On the same lines as my last post I have found a great and tasty meal that does not cost the earth......

You will needs:

1 bag of Sainsburys Economy Cauliflower FROZEN .......78p
1 Bag of Sainsburys Economy Plain Flour ...... 48p
1 Block of Sainsburys Economy Cheese .....1.60
Butter .... 84p
1 pint of whole milk .....94p

Boil Cauliflower until soft and drain, not the whole bag, this will do a lot of meals!!!
Melt 1 oz of butter and seive in 1 oz of the plain flour, whisk as you add the flour,
slowly add the milk and some grated cheese.
Bring sauce to the boil and pour over the cooked cauliflower,
Top with some more grated cheese and bake in over for 15 mins or until brown on top.

GREAT VALUE and HEALTHY !!!!!

Thrifting Foods

2009-01-28T22:11:00.000Z

Like everyone, we are feeling the pinch and so I am trying to return to some good old fashioned ways of cooking and providing everyday food for my family....I sat down and started to write a BASIC list such as cheese, eggs, bacon, milk, flour, butter etc etc etc the sorts of foods that you can buy and keep in the fridge/storecupboard and make an variety of things with......such as on saturday morning I make egg and bacon and then I might use the eggs to make some cakes for the boys and then I may use the eggs and bacon and cheese and make a quiche.......

sooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!

Do any of you have any thrifty food ideas that you would like to share, some tips for adding simple ingrediants to make a meal special without breaking the bank ????

xxx

An Award - HURAGH !!!

2009-01-14T21:39:00.000Z

I have received an award...

HURAGH...

from the lovely' bekimarie' at the http://bekisbloggybits.blogspot.com/

I now need to say the rules;;;;;;; OHHHHHHHHH,

1 Please put logo on your blog

2 Place a link to the person from whom you received the award

3 Nominate 7 or more blogs

4 Put the links of those blogs in your blog

5 Leave a message on their blogs to tell them

sooooooooooooooo, i have passed this award onto....

You will have to excuse me but I do not know how to show a link without all of the www. stuff...

http://thevintagemagpie.typepad.com/thevintagemagpie/ (The Vintage Magpie)

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/ (Attic24)

http://doyoumindifiknit.typepad.com/do_you_mind_if_i_knit/2008/09/i-can-finally-show-you-the-end-result.html#comments (doyoumindifiknit)

http://andreafays.blogspot.com/ (Andrea Fays)

http://facebook-melmel.blogspot.com/ (At home with Melmel)

http://athriftymrs.blogspot.com/ (A Thrifty Mrs)

http://wwwjellybelly-jellybrain.blogspot.com/ (jellybelly-jellybrain)

There Done !!!

xxx

Congratulations 2 u all

Heres to 2009

2009-01-13T21:15:00.000Z

My promises for 2009:

Look after the people most important to me....
Do what I feel is right not what other tell me is right...
Eat healthier...
Laugh More...
Dont be afraid of making a fool of myself in the name of fun...
Dont judge others....
Keep working on making our house a HOME...
Dont take life or myself to seriously...
Dont take other peoples action too seriously or personally...
Enjoy the simple things life brings.......

I hope 2009 brings you all that makes you happy....

xxx

January Sale in the Montandon household....

2009-01-11T17:36:00.000Z

Today I have looked around my kitchen only to realise that I have far too much STUFF...

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo

I am going to have a January Sale.

I plan to put things onto Ebay, things that I have bought recently and in the past...

Will keep you all posted when I have done this as there are going to be some bargains to be had......

Hope you have all had great weekends..

xxxx

So Sad... Broken Thrifty Finds...

2009-01-10T17:45:00.000Z

Today my husbands football was cancelled and so into Newton Abbot Town we went, mainly to buy cat food.

Whilst waling up the main street I saw a lovely jug and bowl in one of the charity shops, I popped in and it was only £5 so I had to have it and whilst I was paying I spied another lovely double handles bowl which I could see holding our roast potatoes for sunday lunch....

Bargains at only £5.00 and £1.99 each I think you will agree.............

Well..................

I carried them back to the car on the handle of the pushchair and as we unloaded the children into the car the pushchair tipped back and my lovely finds fell to the floor......

The bowl that goes with the jug brok in two places, two large bits and about 50 tiny fragments....

I have glued the bigger peices as well as I can and turned it around so that I can not be seen....

The handle broke off of the bowl but I have managed to glue this very well and you really can not see it or it will not effect its use to hold roasties !!!!!

How sad was I.......................... I tried so hard not to show it but felt that these two very old peices of chins were in lovely condition until I got my grubby mits on them.....
xxxx

Sorry I have not blogged for what seems like months but I have been following some of yours.....

Attic 24 - Love ya, keep it up as you brighten any grey day !!!!

xxxxxxx

Long time no speak (blog) !!!

2008-12-21T21:16:00.000Z

Well I do not know where the last few weeks have gone, since the 1st December I thought that I was fully organised for christmas until last week when I quickly scanned down over my 'to do' list and realised that I had falled behind and had to seriously get my bottom into gear......

Firstly I have my sons school nativity play which was great, think I have told you about me blubbing the whole way through....

Then my son finished school last wednesday and asked to have a couple of freinds who are also neigbours over for a 'party tea' yes I said with not a second thought as that is what christmas is all about for children, isn't it !

I dashed into town to finish my last bits of shopping and popped into Iceland to get some party food for them and here is what I did with it, I also bought them all father christmas hats to wear !!!

I also provided us adults with a lovely tear and share bread and some wine which of course we had all in the spirit of christmas.....

At my sons school they all painted their own pictures of snowmen on the school windows and here is Harrison's..

Here is a quick peek at my beautiful persian cat 'Jackson'...

And a few more quick christmasy pics....

The other evening when the boys were all tucked up in bed I decided to set out and make them a toy, sooooooooooo out come the sewing machine and the felt and I made two of my older boys two little monsters...

Not as good as many of you giriles can turn out but I liked them, I put them into their christmas cards BUT they were not impressed in fact I think I was far more pleased than they were, they are deeply waiting for father christmas to come infact I think Harrison will explode if he doesn't come soon.....

So thats a little bit of my life.......

well one more thing, I love attic24 (blog) I check every day for updates, you must go and see.... well Lucy at attic 24 had blogged about a lovely green coat from Boden well it was £125 but is now down to £50 in the BODEN SALE soooooooooo I had to pop over and have a quick look and well its all attic24's fault but I am now awaiting with baited breath a delivery from mr postman with a special prezzie just for me............ you guessed it at Green Boden Coat.......

Well now I must go and drink more Baileys..... its christmas after all....

I hope father christmas brings you all you have wished for but must of all I wish you all happy christmas days enjoy special time with your freinds and family and will catch uo with you all again in 2009......

HUGGS and KISSES.................

xxxxx

xxxx

My Oh So Pretty Swop.........

2008-12-11T21:15:00.000Z

Here it is in all its glory, my pretty pretty swop received from http://marypoppins-homesweethome.blogspot.com/ Mary Poppins.........

I have placed it under my tree and will keep you updated on its opening.... I am really pleased to here that Mary is pleased, so far, with what I have sent to her.....

I have to say this was a great idea and I have really really enjoyed buying for someone who I have never met but feel slightly that I know.......strange I know....

My son is in his schools christmas play tomorrow and he is a KING, my mum could not understand why with a head of hair like his he was not an angel but I'm sure that he is happier with being king.....We are allowed to take photos and film so will keep you posted on his success.......

Cold here today and FREEZING tonight........... glad we have a warm and cosy bed to snuggle up in later, and tonight mine is extra cosy as I have a new memory foam mattress topper, replacing my normal feather bed.......can't wait....

Have great weekends and keep warm...

xx

Afternoon of blog searching

2008-12-09T18:21:00.000Z

Thanks for all of your lovely wishes of good luck for me returning to work, it really is fine, infact I am quite enjoying it which is the whole reason for my return....

I have however, had a few hours this afternoon looking around the whole worl of blogs and I am really interested in getting involved in crafting with felt, I am getting a bit board of scrapbooking for a moment. I have found a great link to a 'Christmas Tree Bottle Cover', see

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=9e3d0157714f6110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=header_11&autonomy_kw=felt

If anyone else knows of any other areas that I can look at re felt crafts then please pass them on...

xx

Weekend of Thrifty Finds.

2008-12-07T21:33:00.000Z

It has been of those weekends where I have had a number of lucky finds.

Firstly on Friday I went to my sons school christmas fayre and bought a lovely draft excluder which is blue gingham on one side and blue toile on the other and all for £4.... bargain.

Then on Saturday morning we went as a family to Totnes, we mooched around the town and I bought a couple of lovely lanterns, one sage green and one red, which are just lovely.... PLUS a lovely grey jug with a pretty white floral pattern on the front for £7.50 and a cute but ugly 'House Doctor' doll in a funky floral pattern - all pics to follow....

But tonight I have come up trumps on ebay and won....

a georgour vintage red coffee pot, my sons smashed my cafatier (however you spell it) and I wanted something to make a nice cup of coffee in for after christmas day lunch and a true bargain at 99p.....................

A cute pink vintage gravy boat as I don't have one and had to use a priex jug tonight..... and another bargain at £1.20....

Plus a Vintage Pink Willow Pattern side plate, I hope to use it ti stand the gravy boat on

and another great deal at 99p......

I have had my sister, Andrea Fayes, and her husband for roast dinner tonight which was really nice, we have not got together for such a long time and it was really nice to catch up.....

I have to work tomorrow, I have not worked for 3 1/2 years, since being pregnant with my second son.....am a little scared. I was a admin / pa before having children but I do not have the brain cells..... so I am staring to work in good old Sainsburys. The only problem i see myself having is not eating the customers food and it goes through the check outs..........

Don't forget 'Lotte Duncan' is on QVC tomorrow 12.00 midday, it looks great from the adverts, I will miss it but will catch up when I get home......

Have a great Monday morning .....

xxx

What a Week....

2008-12-05T09:40:00.000Z

Well I have not even had time to think this week let alone blog, even though I have missed it.....

It all started when I popped into visit the lovely Sal, from Sals Snippets on Friday to collect a couple of keep sake boxes that she makes, for my boys to keep special bits in. It really was nice to put a face to her name and I hope to meet her again once the christmas rush is over..... She very kindly gave my boys christmas cups, which Sal they love.....

Then the weekend was a slight let down, my husband had MAN FLU, oh no, well he was well enough to play football on saturday and then went down hill from then and is still off of work ill, which is very rare as he has not had so much as an hour off of work in the last 4 yrs, so he must be ill - bless him....

So on Sunday I popped out to get a few bits to decorate the house for the festive season....

A cute litle christmas tree to go onto of my sideboard in the lounge as we have our main tree in our conservatory....

A lovely Bauble wreath to go on my internal door, plus I have the matching garland down the stairs which looks really nice seeing as i bought them from Next.....

Plus fairy lights EVERYWHERE.......

And baubles hanging from anywhere that looks pretty......

Nearly done in the Montandon household now, its the big christmas tree choose tomorrow so guaranteed domestic........

Now I would like to share with you some photos of my boys heads...... well the back of them anyway, how beautiful, Typical that its on boys......

Mason...

Jenson......

Harrison.....

Yesturday I posted my swop parcel, I hope Mart from Mary Poppins is as pleased with it as I have been putting it together...... Mary and I also had a little swop of our own, Mary posted a box of gold christmas tree decorations to me and in return I posted a box of pink ones to her for her daughters tree........Thanks Mary they are great....

I am now nearly there with regards to christmas prezzies, just a few more bits to get for the boys and i'm sorted....

Today is it 'Christmas Bazaar' day at my sons school....and so last night I made a victoria sponge which I covered in bright red icing and then decorated with smarties in the shape of a star, so anyones children who have a slice will probably be on the ceiling for the rest of the weekend......SORRY.....

Anyway I think that has caught me up for a few days,

xxx

Oh one final thing, my front door step, what do you think of my tree, bought the cute 'Welcome' sign from the lovely market in Newton Abbot ... £4..... bargain..

AWARD AWARD AWARD YIPEE !!!!!!!!

2008-11-30T17:51:00.001Z

I have receied an award................

YIPEE YIPEE YIPEE YIPEE

Thanks you 'FAERIE NUFF'

Glad you enjoy my gabble............the one thbing I am good at in life !!!!!

I now need to pas it into 5 others, hard with soooooooooo many blogs that I love, but I have decided to pass it onto:

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/ - Because I really enjoy the trult 'REAL Blog.

http://thevintagemagpie.typepad.com/ - Because I really NEED one of these rabbits and love to see other people enjoying the same area as I live in, it gives me ideas......

http://vintageheaven.blogspot.com/ - Again what I feel to be a really true blog and I love it.

http://mollychicken.blogs.com - Again a great real life blog, love it...

http://facebook-melmel.blogspot.com/ - Always the first blog I check when I start blogging, such a friendly happy person, love ya....

Sorry for all those other people who I have not listed, I read so many lovely blogs that I could be here al night giving awards.

Take care and will be abkc soon with some pics of my christmas decs which have gone up today and also a couple of special mentions of two very nice bloggin ladies who I have been lucky to have made contact with lately....

Take Care and 'Happy Mondays'

Some Lovely Website I've Found

2008-11-27T19:50:00.000Z

I've been sat here enjoying the peace and quiet with a cup of Twinnings and a Box of Mint Matchmakers by my side.

I am looking around for a christmas prezzie for my youngest, Mason, who is only just one and so I wanted to buy him something special, something that he can keep but also play with.....

I have thought about Steiff but I think that they are more for collecting and I wanted something nicer that a Gund so I have found MAILEG BUNNIES....

But in the search for these bunnies I have found some lovely websites for gifts and other nicey nices....

http://www.wildhart.co.uk/index.php?node=0

http://www.chamomilebarn.com/index.asp

http://www.spanglefish.com/TheDrawingRoom/index.asp?pageid=55791

http://www.dibor.co.uk/CategoryDetailIntro.asp?MainCatId=1&MainCatDesc=Living

http://www.cottontailsbaby.co.uk/index.asp

Now gonna settle down and have a look through 'Country Living'

xx

Pretty Little Things

2008-11-26T17:17:00.005Z

How Cute is this little Pitcher & Jug ???

and such a bargain £1.40...............

and this little soap dish ....

Gonna look lovely in my bathroom with a 'L'Occitane' Milk Shea Soap in it, not to be used though !!!!!

My little boys face after a chocolate muffin.....

He has learnt to run when I come at him with a wet flannel......

My kitchen window sill, I am forever re-arranging this and moving things around....my husband has to hunt the kettle when he comes home from work of an evening.......

Thats it for now,

my boys have upset bellys again and so gotta go and sort them out......NICE............

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

i'm Sorry !!!

2008-11-25T18:46:00.000Z

Just a quick post to say that I am very sorry if any of my babble comes across the wrong way.

I have just read back a message that I left for poor Julia @ Vintage Heaven, where I said ' your house is just like mine, mine is always a mess' I did not mean that I thought her house was a mess far from it, I love her house.

Sometimes I get a bit carried away and when I read back it all sounds stupid, well if I do read back that is ....

See i'm doing it again...

I think I am getting a bit scatty in my old age.

I see a lady every morning running to school then running out again she always looks rushed and hastled and I am turning into that woman.....

Sorry again if what I have wrote does not sound right please beleive I mean it in the nicest possible way. I would NEVER be RUDE....

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My Beautiful Baby Boys

2008-11-24T22:43:00.001Z

Now that I am comfortable on this whole blog thing I am gonna show you my favourite pic of all time, well one of them the others are of my boys ---- NAKED....(not in any form of horrible way).

It was taken by my sister on the day we bought Jenson home from hospital, Harrison was 2 and 3 months.......

How beautifull

ps.

Please don't take a copy of it..... thanks

Tidy, Tidy and Tidy again....

2008-11-24T21:53:00.000Z

It was 9.30 pm last night when my husband finished painting our lounge. I chose a warm plum to go on the lower part of the wall then we have a dark wooden rail then I chose what I thought was a 'champagne' colour to go on the top. Only it wasn't, it was yellow and looked awful, luckily we had some of the kitchen paint left which was a nice mushroom colour and my lovely husband repainted the top half in this new colour. Now it looks very nice, warm and cosy all I have to do now is choose carpet and get the staircase wall papered and we are fit for christmas, oh yes and hope to god that DFS deliver the new sofa......

We have this afternoon put the christmas tree up in my boys bedroom, how loucky are they. I bought them a 5'6" artificial tree to decorate as I am a bit fussy with the real one that goes downstairs.......I also bought them blue and silver tinsel and balls to go on it and so they have gone to sleep by christmas tree light - -how cute and cosy....

I am now going to adapt a photo frame to hold their school photo of all thee of them and then I shall be tripping up the stair....

Cold Tonight, maybe a white christmas????

Need to do some baking tomorrow, and am gonna have a small time thrifting so will show you what I find, if anything !!!

xxx

Most Lovely Day

2008-11-22T21:56:00.000Z

Well today has been one of those days that you never really expect to be anything different from anyother weekend but turned out extra special.

We got ourselves sorted earlier than normal for a saturday morning, as we had planned to meet my dad in Exeter as Father Christmas was going to be going down through the main high street with his raindeers, as an extra treat my husband had no work or football so we set off as a family....

Exeter was very busy but we managed to park the car and as we left the car park we met my dad and walked through the town to find a place to stand.

The boys took up their position on my their daddys and grandads shoulders and here he came....... pulled by six large and two baby raindeers, their faces really were a picture. They watched in a magical transe until he had passed and then we made are way to the guildhall where they were going to park the animals for the children to see.

This was then followed by a sit in a vintage fire engine and majorettes doing their thing....

By this time hunger was creeping in and so we went into the new Pricesshay shopping centre and Costa Coffee, a Brie and Cranberry Panini and Large Hot choc later and we were fit to carry on..

I was very well bahaved I have to say, I passed 'The Orange Tree', 'Crabtree & Evelyn' and 'Molton Brown' without even asking to go in as I know it would involve a large spend.....'The Orange Tree' is my favourite shop, Gisella Graham, Emma Bridgewater, Kipling and Cath Kidston all under one roof - HEAVEN>>>>

With the temperature dropping we decided it was time to leave Exeter and after saying goodbye to my dad we went out to my sisters for a warming coffee and home made cake..

KFC was the final visitng place today and a Large Variety Bucket and Tower Burger went down a treat.

Now the boys are in bed I have realised just how lucky I am and what such a nice day we have had and with a cold Cider by my side, X Factor on the telly I am now looking forward to an equaly nice day tomorrow.

I Hope those of you who attended the Vintage and Handmade fair had a great time, the pics showing on peoples blogs look great !!! Only wish I could have come and purchased some of the lovely looking goodies on show....

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and keep cosy in this cold weather we are having....

xxxx

Ive Been Tagged

2008-11-20T19:51:00.001Z

Thanks to Emma at http://wwwjellybelly-jellybrain.blogspot.com/ I have been tagged......

Rules
* Link to the person who tagged you
* Mention the rules
* Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself
* Tag six other bloggers by linking to them
* Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

So here goes:

1, I didn't eat meat from the age of 7 until I was 24, then I got outragiously drunk and had a KFC.....even though it does not really agree with me I still eat meat now..

2, I used to bite my finger nails and the skin around them.......how horrible.....

3, I love anything bright and quirky, different things that are sometimes a little hippy/shabby

4, I hate wearing shoes or anything on my feet really especially indoors.

5, I have to sleep with at least pants on..........some strange fear of spiders crawling in places they shouldn't go.

6, My house generally looke tidy, well once the boys have gone to bed.... BUT open any cupboard door and you will reveal the truth..... I am a secret horder and hate to through out anything.....

I am gonna tag

http://athriftymrs.blogspot.com/

http://thevintagemagpie.typepad.com/

http://mollychicken.blogs.com/

http://vintageheaven.blogspot.com/

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/ I love this ladies blog.......

http://www.marypoppins-homesweethome.blogspot.com/ My lovely Swop in the Christmas & Cosy Swop....

Recently, well since the birth of my third son, I have had a few issues with knowing who I am. I am certainly not the person I was 4 1/2 years ago before I had any children, I was then quite high maintenance, and would not dream of leaving the house without my hair straightened and makeup on, but I do struggle with who I am now? I know I am no longer the size 12/14 I was before but I am honestly happy in my new size 18 jeans........Tescos £10 Flare Fit....LOVELY....

I know that I am the mum of 3 georgous, happy, healthy boys, which is priority and that I am the wife of a very warm and loving husband but who am I.

Am i the shabby, slightly scruffy person who loves everything DIFFERENT and wants to be individual or am I clean lined, simple styling ? I really don't know, well if I am honest I think I do know who I am its just being affraid of other people liking me being ME. I am slightly scruffy, worn around the edges, I like things that are not normal, slightly quirky but most of all I like cosy, warm, happy and thats what makes me happy.

Maybe I just need to get on with my life, with my family and learn to be me and be comfortable in my own skin, then I will truly be able to enjoy MY life with MY men....

I would love to hear others stories if you felt the same after having children.

I have a December issue of Country Living on the arm of the sofa just shouting to be read so will be back again soon..

Take Care

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lotte Duncan and QVC

2008-11-18T13:45:00.000Z

For those of you, like me, who are addicted to shopping you will probably already have found QVC. Well the fab cook, Lotte Duncan, is starting to becopme the face of food on QVC as of the 8th December with food and a new kitchen range which im sure will be lovely as Lotte is very shabby chic....

Some of you may have seen her lovely cottage in a recent issue of 'County homes and Interiors' ......so so so pretty......

For those of you who don't check out her web site. http://www.lotteduncan.com/ she is a very warm and friendly person and I have actually emailed her for a recipe and received it the same day.....

QVC is great just don't tell the husband.....

xxxx

Baby P

2008-11-17T17:42:00.000Z

I have not been able to bring myself to read any of the reports or watch any of the news with regards to the horrific death of baby P, or Peter as he is being refered to.

I do not understand how such horrific things can happen in this day and age where you even need to have your home inspected before you get a dog (from many places).

The faces of the so called parents have been shown on Facebook and I agree these people should not be protected in any way, shape or form.

I have three little monsters of my own and can not understand how a woman could carry and give birth to a baby only to harm him. She can not be a true woman.

The only little peice of positive to come out of this is that they are now not able to put that little boy through any further hurt or pain, I only hope that before they die someone shows them what and how he felt.

Sorry that this is such a negative and strong post but I feel sick about this and I have not heard any of the graphic details as I will not be able to get it out of my head.

Give Away...........i Think

2008-11-15T13:28:00.000Z

Hello,

I have got quite alot of pink christmas tree decorations that I am not planning on using this christmas.

I don't know if any of you would like them?

I would swop them for gold, bronze or clear ones if anyone has those that they do not need.

Am not sure of these give away things so hope I have done this right?

Will add some photos later once I get them down from the loft?

Take Care

xx

Day of Lovely things....

2008-11-13T21:33:00.000Z

A while ago I purchased a lovely Cath Kidston Hand Made Lampshade from http://www.ziakoko.co.uk/, this oh so lovely thing has been hinden under my bed as I could not find the right base to put it onto.... oh but today that has all come to an end and here it is in all its glory...

Looks lovely in my kitchen....don;t you think ???

I have today visited B & Q to get some gloss so that my husband can start to gloss the lounge before he paints the walls, and whilst I was there I had a quick look around at the wallpapers to see if I could find something nice and pretty to go into our bedroom, once we start decorating it..... oh and look at the beauty I have found...

Wooooow weeeee....

Its from the 'Monsoon' home range and I love it.....

I also found some really sweet little felt heart tree decorations in Pink and Blue and so I have got a couple of blue ones as I have two friends in the cul-de-sac that I live in who have had baby boys recently and so I am going to attach them to cards and give them as '1st Christmas' tree decorations.....

Tomorrow is my baby's birthday, Mason is 1............where oh where has that year gone, it only feels like yesturday that he was born........I can't beleive how quickly the time seems to go, scary really.....

We are going to a local Pizza Hut for tea tomorrow with my mum and dad and my husbands mum, Mason does not really know whats going on and as my other two's boys birthdays were only in August and October we have had enough of parties at home......plus it give them another treat....

I am so excited about the swop, I have already been tinkering in my craft cupboard, and looking for lovely ideas.......

Hope you all have great weekends....

xx

The Menu of the Day !!!

2008-11-12T20:19:00.000Z

The Menu for the day is:

Home Made Cheese and Tomato Pizza

Cheesy Nachos with Spicy Tomato Salsa

Mini Cheese and Onion Sausage Rolls

Mince Pies with Devon Clotted Cream

Danish Pastries

Mini Ring Doughnuts - Boys ate all of these though...

Layered Angel Cake

Oh Yeah and CHIPS......

My sister, Andrea @ Andrea Fays, came for lunch which was really nice, my eldest son was wild after preschool and so I spent most of the time telling him to either, stop juming on the sofa, stop turning out the side board or stop jumping on your brother so I was quite happy to see his best friend and our neighbour out in the cul-de-sac playing on his scooter. So it was coats and shoes on and out we go, this was just what he needed and only came to an end when he drive his toy tractor through something nasty a local cat had left on the front lawn, not nice....

I thought I would show you where I blog from,

We have this weekend ordered our new sofa,

Lets hope they keep their promise and its arrives before christmas, as I really don't fancy the idea of 4 adluts and 3 children on a two seater leather sofa....

Gonna go now as don;t want to miss 'The Commander'.

Can't wait to find our who I have in the swop tomorrow.

Take Care and Sleep Tight...

Excellant Give Away

2008-11-12T11:07:00.001Z

For a fantastic giveaway visit

http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com

Fingers Crossed...
xxxx

Charity Shop Finds and Avon Calling.....

2008-11-11T17:52:00.000Z

I thought I would let you all see what little treasures I found today, two yes two, Vintage KIGU Cigarette Cases, not that I smoke but just thought that they were so so pretty.

What do you think I should do with them ?

Oh yeah & I today have become the local 'Avon' Lady, don't know how it will do but it gets me out, I can do it when I want and not when I don't and I get a little back on what I sell so don't think I will make a million but maybe a little fun.....

Can't wait for the Christmas and Cosy swop to be arranged and see who I am cosying for !!!!

Gotta go now and baby one baby before the other two come back from nannies...

xxx

Angry at Asda and Face Ache....

2008-11-08T21:09:00.000Z

Would you beleive it.... today I took my three boys to Asda to buy some washing powder and a few other essensials for the rest of the weekend...chocolate, wine nibbles etc..........after a short walk around the car park looking for a double trolley I decided that before I lost all feeling in my arm that I would ask a member of staff to find one for me ( carrying a one yr old, holding the hand of a two yr old who is in turn holding the hand of a four yr old, trying to dodge cars, trolleys and other manic shoppers..not easy). I found a 'trolley man' who advised that he would find one for me...after 10 mins of waiting and the boys nagging me for the lastest Thomas The Tank magazine he returned to say that the store only has one double seated trolley and that was being used PLUS that it is unusual to find one person looking after three such small children.....well the cheek.....make me feel like a freak of nature...... Please put me right if I am wrong but I would think that most people venturing into Asda on a sat afternoon even if they only had two small ones would want them in a trolley to avoid being A battered by other shoppers and B getting lost..... So we swiftly went to our local Sainsburys where I parked in an oversided mother and babay space and had the pick of no less than 14 double seated trolleys.... well you know where I will be going next week don't you....

Well to top it all I am still getting over the trauma of having a tooth out yesturday... give me child birth any day, in fact I gave birth to Mason quicker than it took to remove this tooth... I can not say that it is painfull but that horrible taste of money which I presume is my mouth bleding is starting me make me feel slightly nausious.......hope it will be better tomorrow..

One nice thing, my husband has played football at Bodmin today and is coming home with the other team members on the train, so I have had full control of the TV remote, no one talking through X factor and with anyluck I will be snug as a bug in my bed by the time he roles in and feels the need to tell me about the highs and lows of the ever so interesting match...not....what an awfullwife I am...

Cup of Twinings calling now so ta ta for now....

xxx

Hot Blogger Award

2008-11-05T18:31:00.000Z

So sorry for taking sooooooooo long but I need to pass this fantastic award on to some people I beleive this is THE RULES !!!!!!

So, I Victoria of Tilly Rose present the 'Hot Blogger' Award to........ drum role please

http://facebook-melmel.blogspot.com/ ( If I Can) - Fantastic Blogger......

http://vintageheaven.blogspot.com/

http://thevintagemagpie.co.uk/

http://www.salssnippets.blogspot.com/ Lovely Person

http://www.andreafay/ - Bit naughty as she is my sister

http://buttercupandroses.blogspot.com/..... I really want and need to go to this shop

http://theflourloft.blogspot.com/

Hope I have done this right as this whole 'Award' thing is new to me so please tell me if I have not do something as I should..

xxxxx

The Chocolate Diet

2008-11-05T17:24:00.000Z

I have just realised that today I have survived wholey on CHOCOLATE.......

A quick 'Breakaway' for my breakfast in the car on the way to school

A Dairy Milk on the way home from my interview at the hospital, no i'm not a nurse, I wish......

Four chunks of the Fruit & Nut I bought for my husband as I now have the shakes....

Luckily my tea, Lasagna, Chips and Salad is not far away from being ready....

I shall have to eat a large amount of fruit tomorrow to make up for it......

I have today bought the christmas copy of '25 Beautiful Home' as recommended by Mel, thats tonight planned then......

I also bought a cute little blue vase from Sainsburys and a bargain at only 75p.....

I have today sold my sofa corner unit which is being collected tomorrow and we have not even ordered anything to replace it yet.........so any spare cushions anyone !!!!!!!!

Gotta go now as tea is ready...........

Baking Nightmare...

2008-11-03T21:34:00.000Z

Tonight, my friends, I am not a happy bunny......

I have made rock cakes that did not rise and biscuits that you could have played frizzbee with..... Please please please give me recipes that I can make with my boys that will have a scrummy ending.......

xxxxx

Ps. Back to school tomorrow so now gotta go and lay out boys clothes, lay the table for breakfast, empty the dishwasher, clean H's shoes, pack changing bag, have a quick bath and go to bed as tomorrow the daily rush is resumed......

xxxxx

Thankyou Sweetie

2008-11-02T22:44:00.001Z

Just one more thing before I retire upstairs...

Thankyou MelMel for my award.......

Such a Sweetie....

xxxx

Funny Sunday

2008-11-02T22:09:00.000Z

Well people, today has been a really strange day. I don't seem to have done much but don't seem to have stopped either. I started the day by making a 'Poor Mans Tea Cake' which was very very very nice even if I do say so myself......

Then I started to tidy the house only to find more and more mess as I moved around so I gave up and made a cup of tea oh yeah and had yet another slice of cake.

My men all went to watch an under 9's football match which gave me time to shower and make myself feel a little more human.

The rest of the day passed a quick as a blink.

We did however go to the local football club to see the bonfire and fireworks which was great, even though my little one was not too sure of all of the bangs. Bonfirs, fireworks, a hot dog and a bottle of cider ahhhhhh bliss.....................

Now I'm cold and tired so hi ho hi ho its off to bed I go...............

Some pics for you to see......

My SpOOKy doorstep on Halloween......

A few of our ScARy pumpkins....

The huge bonfire that kepy us warm tonight.....

Take care everyone and heres to another mad week, with smiles, laughter, food and Eastenders !!!!!!!

xxxx

Lovely Ebay Find

2008-11-01T23:03:00.000Z

Just a quick note and I am a very tried bunny but I have just won a lovely blind off of ebay. Its blue with white spots one side and blue and red check the other and if I have got the measurement right should fit at my bathroom window....will forward some phots when I receive it........ Does anyone know where I can get some red and white spotty towels or bath mat ?

Night Night for now..

xx

Halloweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!!

2008-10-31T21:09:00.000Z

Well my boys have certainly exhausted the whole Halloween experience.

We had a Halloween party orgainsed by some friends at a local toddler group yesturday which grew from about eight of us to more that 50 screeming children in fancy dress, however horendous this sounds it was actually great and they all seemed to have a brill time....

Today we have taken to boys to the local 'Crealy' adventure park where I have been thrown around on a roleacoaster, swung on a swinging ship and bitten by a baby goat...... however we did come home with another three punpkins so if anyone has any ideas of what I can do with them that young children will eat that would be great....

We have a busy weekend and have been invited to my sisters on sunday for a roast which i'm sure will be lovely, then we are going to an arrange fireworks display at the football club that my husband plays for so hope to catch some great photos for you all to see......

How many of you are sick of 'trick or treaters' by now? and some of the young girls seem to have turned halloween from scary to sexy.............when did that ever happen !!!!

Cup of tea shouting my name from the kitchen now so have a great Halloween evening and sleep tight.............

xxxxxxxxxxx

Its sooooooooo cold....

2008-10-29T20:02:00.001Z

Hi all,

My big baby is currently tucked up tonight in his own bed after two nights a nannies !! We have been out today with some friends to Torquay and the boys rode their scooters along the seafront, followed by lunch which was really nice. I needed to get out after having two days in with two sick children.

Halloween party tommorrow to look forward to, i'm ment to be making sausage rolls and pasties to take but i'm going to allow J sainsburys to provide these for me after the week I have had.

Just to top it my husband is having a 'feel sorry for him night' and gone to bed, probably had a busy day poor love !!!!!

Heres what I had for lunch yesturday, Homity Pie from a local farm shop..

Really yummy but please excuse the tomatoe sauce, I have a bit of a thing for tomatoe sauce with nearly everything....

I am asking for some ideas on houw to jazz up my currently dull conservatory. When it was added to the rear of the house 12 months ago, its a white PVC with 1/3 brick wall 2/3 Pvc we have painted it in a very light mushroom colour, not sure of exact, but it has a neutral carpet and chocolate brown 2 seater seatee....... very bland and boring...I would have loved a day bed with loads of cushions and a pretty standard lamp which I might still have if I can not come up with any other ideas. I am also lucky and have a tie bar supporting the roof and I have wound some pretty lights around it and saw some lovely Gisella Graham red floral bunting which I plan to wrap around aswell......Pretty cushions are not really ideal for me as my boys use tham as bombs.....

Some of the pretty things in my kitchen.....

We changed a kitchen/diner into a huge kitchen and I have 19 kitchen cupboards, only problem is I put something away and never find it again oh yeah and I also have the problem with moving things so everytime anyones comes they are lucky if they can even find the kettle.....

My conservatory in all its glory ----- not.......

As you can see I really do need to sort it and then I can start to move out some of the many toys my boys have chosen to house in there. My husband is going to shelf out an old wardrobe in the boys bedroom to store them in.....

Had a lovely paskage arrive yesturday with some new autumn clothes I had ordered from Lareadoute, really love their stuff, now have a peacock blue top, brown, top, stripe top and charcoal grey pinafore dress which I hope will look as good on as it did on the model...... oh yeah and these mittens..

Now gonna make a nice cup of tea in my very large Emma Bridgewater Hearts mug and I might even cheapen myself and dunk a few biscuits.......

Nighty Night all

xxx

My Baby Has Grown Up !!!

2008-10-27T21:00:00.000Z

Well after a very stressfull day, my two youngest boys have a nasty virus, my biggest baby is staying for the first time at his nannies house.......
In some ways I am hoping that the phone will ring any minute to say that he wants his mummy and in other ways I am so so so pleased that he is being big and brave and getting more and more independant every day and at just four years old staying away from home for the night is a big big thing.......Oh well I have never driven to Exeter in the middle of the night so we will see what the night brings.
xx

Monday UGHK

2008-10-27T07:46:00.000Z

Was nice to hear that everyone liked my finds......Have to say have found blogging greatfun. Have Good MONDAY mornings xxxxxx

Lots of Lovely things and Peace and Quiet...

2008-10-26T14:16:00.000Z

Well as expected my boys were up extra early thins morning what with the clocks changing and so I had pleanty of time to get myself ready for my 'couple of hours peace'. Drove to Totnes and was one of the first to arrive at China Blue.

As i viewed all of the goodies on offer I picked up some lovely items and placed them into my basket, then as I continued to look and saw some even nicer bits and so out came my first finds and in jumped their replacements...... £20.00 does not go too far in a place with such lovely bits and buy coffee and cake....

The Latte was warm and milky and the coffee and walnut cake was fluffy and nutty, bit like me then really......

After my coffee break I had another scout around to make sure that I had not missed anything of importance and this is what I chose !!!!!!!

A georgous pink ceramic watering can which I have used to give a home to a cute pink plant - see above.....

A cute worn out looking flower pot - see above.....

A lovely Gisella Graham oilcloth bag, small but very lovely ( I have a problem with bags !!!)

So well done me I think and all for just £22.50 !!!!!

Also have put up some bunting that my sister made for me for Christmas last year, only taken 10 months but looks good I think, do you ??????????

Back Again !!!

2008-10-25T20:16:00.000+01:00

Ok so now I have three sleeping beautys upstairs, X factor on the telly, husband sleepy from football and a glass of rose in hand, thought it was now time to check out my new blog addiction.

Thank you very much for the nice welcoming comments I have already received, it make this blogging appear very friendly.

I am hoping to find a few really nice shops, nice housey ideas and more importantly a few nice friends.

Have been to a childrens party this afternoon, what happens when you grow up? All of these children were running arouns, having fun with each other not a care in the world. Lovely to see !!!

Plan to have an hours peace tomorrow and go to a lovely local store called' China Blue' based in Totnes, they stock Gisella Graham, Cath Kidston and lots and lots of other fluffy gorgous frilly things.... will keep you informed of my finds, however, husband has given me a budget of £20.00 to include coffee - tight ass !!!!!

Thats all for now gonna have a look around at some other website and blogs, will also have another look at ' At home with Melmel' caught a quick look earlier and got VERY jealous, her house look top of the tree....... xxxx

Well How Nice To Meet You !!!!

2008-10-25T07:50:00.000+01:00

I have been busy looking at all the beautiful blogs people have been listing and decided to get involved myself.

I am Victoria, I live in Newton Abbot, Devon with my Husband, three boys, cat and dog 'Tilly Rose'.

I am addicted to everything pretty, flowery, shabby and PINK, although with four males in the house I am seriously out numbered and so have started to revamp my bedroom with a view to change the wholoe house far more 'me'.

Well the boys are now climbing up my legs for there daily start on the food binge and so will come back again later......

xxxxxxxxxxx