Three Sisters Bake

Braving that cold February wind we headed to Quarriers village outside Bridge of Weir. Scooters and bikes for a wee bit of exercise on the cycle path. Quarriers village is a fascinating place- it is a collection of houses, each one unique which housed 'house parents' who fostered and adopted children. Now they are all private residences or businesses. One such business is Three Sisters Bake, a wonderful cafe restaurant. We had just planned on coffee and cake but we were tempted to lunch. The food was delicious but the highlight for the kiddos were the babycinos with marshmallows! 

Chasing Rainbows

You can chase rainbows every day but do you ever find the pot of gold? I guess not which is the point of the story. The boy and I chased a rainbow round the woods recently and I tried to explain to him scientifically, biblically and well the folklore significance of a rainbow. He was a bit baffled, and I don't blame him.

Looking back over my photos and thinking about what makes up my days - I think I know the truth about rainbows. They are special, and beautiful, an expression of love and promise. They always come after rain and storms and they are not an end in themself. In short we live day to day, dread Mondays, ache for our days off, exalt in the gentle kind moments, look for beauty - and it never ends. The pot of gold always out of reach, the rainbows evaporating in a flash to reappear again when the sky clears. 

Rainy Day Saturday

It's cold, it's wet, it's dreich - guess it must be deepest February. What to do but get out in between or amongst the showers. A quick scoot around the park was the order of the day. I can't tell you it was pleasant weather but we are stoic so we gave it a go! 

And in case you think I'd forgotten here is the Saturday dress- albeit it was buried under a million layers today.....

Tuesday Again

It's becoming a bit of a habit that I write posts in my head but never take the time to set them out here. It's not that I don't take pictures, or don't write it all in my head - it's just that I often seem to think that is enough. And maybe it is sometimes, but it doesn't let YOU know what we are up to or what I'm thinking. It doesn't let me connect with you, so more of an effort please on my part!

So today, my precious mid week day off and the wee one and I took ourselves down to the West End. Just a little hour of shopping. You see those heart shaped cookie cutter, those were what we were after. They are for our Tuesday afternoon crafting. Something I am trying to establish with the kiddos to counter the TV, the iPod and the iPad. More of that later. 

The little heart (the wee ones), the dress and the teak pear bowl, well they were just the incidentals from too many charity shops in quick succession. And back to the dress (and the posts I write in my head) - I have been trying to wear a dress each weekend. Otherwise my uniform is BDG skinnies, and a jumper or tunic. I needed to make more of an effort so the 'Saturday dress' was born! And I do try not to wear them over jeans, but properly with tight or leggings. I can't promise a weekly outfit post but you may get a picture of the dress- we will see. 

Oh and I took Monday off this week which is always a good idea in my book. Anyway onwards and upwards and hope you all gave a good week.

Ps the wee one started stroking the soft willow buds and ended up grabbing an handful, made me chuckle! 

Hearts for February

I don't think that I am the only one getting through January with the odd indulgent treat. Shhhhhhhhh but I have bought a few things from the Tatty Devine sale. The little biscuit heart necklace is so delicate and pretty that it inspired me and the children to make and decorate some hanging hearts. 

Two Christmas's ago, I saw Karen's (from A Quiet Corner) branch that she put up for hanging decorations from - then when my neighbour offered me some twisted hazel I took a branch and it has been hanging there ever since. We use it at Christmas, Valentines, Easter and its default is birds and owls of course!

We cut heart shapes from strong red card and stuck them together with pink string to hang them. Then we decorated them with paint, glitter pens and stickers. We meant to do more of them but got a little bit waylaid by hand painting and those butterfly painting you make by folding the paper over some paint splodges! 

I rather like them, ushering in St Valentines in a few weeks as they do, and the kiddos are very proud. We think they go well with the  toadstools and birds- our midwinter decorations.

Candles and keeping warm hearted

I refuse to be down or deprived in January - a very slow move back into the normal routine is so much easier for the spirit than feeling the weight of new resolutions on your shoulders or total abstinence. I am brightening up our home with candles and with warming food and drink. 

Warming my heart and spirit is Beth Kirby's writing on Local Milk - her beautiful pictures and evocative writing are a constant source of inspiration. There is a mindfulness of the seasons, a care for the past as well as hope for the future in her writing that chimes with my own thoughts and feelings. Her aesthetic is at once so new and fresh but forever ancient - her current post on her 'heart of winter' is just exceptional. Take a look if you don't know her work already, and I am certainly going to be making the hot buttered cider soon.......

Last days

We have been savouring the final days of the holidays. Busy with family for Christmas and New Year  - which we have been reconnected with, just made our Holiday season. 

For the last few days when we were just the four of us, we took time to get out for a family walk and a VERY optimistic first picnic of the year! Not bad for 2nd January! A pizza and bowling trip was brilliant fun and we are planning monthly family days like this. 

We rounded off the hols with a beautiful meal with friends and some wild Wii playing from the children (and one competitive adult! ). Thank you Nic and Gordie (Nic's lovely picture is the final one). 

Lets get the first day back done! Good luck everyone! Jo xx