Our "Bandstand"

Our first night in our current house, we opened 1 or 3 bottles of champagne and celebrated in the top corner of our garden where there is a gorgeous canopy of roses and montana clematis (which sadly only flower for a couple of weeks of the year).  I think it was my mum in law's partner Paul who called the area the 'bandstand' and thus it has remained.  Not so many late summer nights of drinking until the early hours since George but we have prettied it up and it was lovely to enjoy a meal (beetroot & turnip risotto - slightly enthusiastic with the beetroot here!) with my beautiful twin and her gorgeous boys :-)  Time for a new tablecloth project for my mum with some lovely Cath Kidston material I have spotted - update soon.

Must. Stop. Taking. Pics. Of. MY. Vegetables.

Oh go on - just one more for you.....

Courgettalicious

Unusual ideas for a fridge and allotment full of courgettes (they look like marrows but are, in fact, courgettes!)



Apparently the courgettes flowers are delicious as tempura - must try!



Fridge full of courgettes - taking up hubby's beer space



Courgette Cake from Nigella How to be a Domestic Goddess - DELISH!




Courgette bread from my Allotment book - surprisingly good!



Imagination

I have always had a bit of a wild imagination.  Since a child I've always had crazily vivid dreams and I remember now just loving playing with dolls, action figures --  whatever to make up stories and plays.  In the last month or so George has begun to take himself off to another place. Dragons saving princesses, animals being rescued and all sorts of gorgeous make believe-ness. I just love watching his little mind working.  Many of his 'baby' toys are now having a second wind as he plays with them in new ways.  Every age is my favourite, but right now he is the most fascinating, loving and gorgeous little boy on the planet. Maybe a bit biased but I really think so :-)

Loving my roses

How may my garden grow...

Here comes the sun you little darling

Believe it or not on the morning of these photos I felt so sad.  Sad that I didn't have my baby last November for George to now be playing in the sun with, sad I didn't have my baby in February to be introducing to the sunshine and sad I wasn't peering down at what should be a very pregnant tummy. Suddenly there seemed so much to be sad about.  Then in the bright morning light I gave myself a hard kick and told myself to be thankful. Thankful for my beautiful son who fills my heart with more love than I could ever have dreamt (and is frankly quite delighted to have 100% mummy and daddy), thankful for my wonderful husband who depsite it all loves me unconditionally and for my garden full of summer sun and delicious roses and pretty blooms.  Life can be tough but if we can't see the light then what's the point.  That day was a pretty special one after all.

Happy Holidays

I haven't got round to blogging as I've been waiting for myself to sort out my holiday pics - still waiting! Figure might be best to post without my photoshopped pics...

1st rule of camping - children sleep when it's dark and wake when it's light = summer solstice not the best night to camp! Not so much on the sleep front but good fun was had even in the mud and rain. Or in George's case, especially in the mud and rain.  Lots of puddle jumping in preparation for our visit to Peppa Pig World.

Beaches - hot, cold, pebbly or sandy are just heaven to me - and my boy.  There is something so awesome and inspiring about the sound, the smell and the look of the waves rolling in from the sea.  Nature at its most beautiful and best. George loved ducking the waves in his puddle suit and running around starkers. 

 A high and low light was a mackerel fishing trip where we encountered 8 ft waves - thankfully hubby (no sea legs) Greer stayed safe on land while George and I braved the seas with mum and dad. Admittedly I had my doubts but once the fresh mackerel were on our make shift bbq for tea it was pretty damn good! No pics taken on the expedition for fear of 1. George stumbling overboard with no life jacket and 2. the contents of my stomach going overboard. My sea legs bragging rights have taken a serious knock.

 A couple of nights camping was followed by 4 nights in a stunning cottage surrounded by rolling green hills, ducks, loveliness  and lie ins thanks to Nanny :-)

George also loved the last trip to Peppa Pig land. For a boy who is anti-slides at the playground he was mad for the water slide, log flume and rollercoasters - but insane for Peppa herself.  I hope I never forget the look on his face when he first met Peppa! And I had to admit loving taking him on his first log flume ride and Ry and i sneaking off for an 'adult' roller coaster. I always loved theme parks as a kid and have many brilliant memories. George will certainly be experiencing a lot more of that as he grows up.