And she's off!

A year and 3 months ago my beautiful baby Daisy was born, she was so small and helpless. All she wanted was milk, clean bum and cuddles. Awww!

And look at her now, she's got the hang of this walking lark, it's taken longer than her bigger sister Molly, but she's got there. Yeay! Well done baby, we are very proud of you. x
Today the sky was so blue and just a light breeze. So out went the washing and off came the cover for the sandpit. And I put out my favourite chair, got a book and coffee. Sat happy while the girls played. I can always do some painting later when Daisy's having her nap. It was nice to enjoy some time with them and not think about anything else.
I found some old wellies in a box and popped them in the garden, I'll get some plants to grow in them this weekend. That will look cute. But for now I put the old flowers from the walk we had last week, they still look pretty.
I must look out for an old watering can too. That would look sweet with fresh mint growing out of it. Hmmm? And I'd really like a very little summer house, where I could work on warm summer nights. (Now I'm dreaming) Our gardens far to small, oh well maybe one I'll get one.

We had a yummy lamb roast for dinner tonight and here's Dougal trying his luck with the left over bits. lol Cheeky puss. (Yes he did get some but from his bowl not our pink dotty plates). And he had to share it with Thomas and Megan.
Right I really must do some real work now, my days are running out. The open day is less than 2 weeks away. I will be ready! I keep telling myself that. lol

Night everyone ;)

Catherine x

Let the sunshine!

It was so lovely to wake up to sunshine on Saturday morning. I was up with the girls nice and early and gave my hubby Ben a lay in, He's been working very hard and staying up all hours, plugging away on our new look website. So I think he deserved it. Plus he did all the driving on Saturday and that's very tiring in the heat.
I put together a picnic of ham salad and egg sandwiches, crisps, cherry tomato's, strawberries, grapes, banana cupcakes, yogurt's, chunks of cheese and cold drink. Popped it all in a basket with pink dotty plates to eat it off and a pretty flowered sheet to sit on. Some toys for the girls to play with and big brolly and suncream to keep the sun off.
Off we set, first stop my favourite little shop Cupcakes in Hawkhurst, I just had to go there for one last look, as sadly it will be closing very soon. :(. The lovely owner Tracy is moving off to pastures new and green in Scotland. Wishing you, your partner and all the animals the very best of luck with your big move. x
Look what I picked up from the shop, this beautiful vintage pink jug. (Just gorgeous). Checkout her website for more lovely items http://www.cupcakesdirect.com/


As the day went on we stopped off at Cranbrook and popped into a couple of nice shops there. What a pretty little village. They have this lovely old windmill, which is open to the public on Saturdays from 2.30pm. And there are lots of different shops and cafes to visit. I popped some business cards into a couple that took my fancy. This one was my favourite, Maisie K. It was full of gorgeous gifts and goodies for little girls and big girls too. Molly just loved it in there, pink and fluffy items from the floor to the ceiling. Every girls heaven. I hope to hear from them, think I'll pop them a sample pack of pegs in the post. (Well you have to promote yourself! don't you?)
After we'd left here we where all very hungry, so Ben drove us out to the Headcorn Aerodrome. And we set out the picnic, tucked into the food and watched the planes land and take off. Molly and Daisy really enjoyed that. And got very excited when the took off, they screamed with delight. Bless them.
Once we'd eaten, Molly played with one of their bunnies, this ones called Berry. And she really belongs to Daisy but Molly wanted her today and was more than happy to feed her carrot and cake. She chatted away to her making sure she was happy. That was so sweet watching her play and Daisy didn't mind she was off having fun with her daddy, playing chase the ball.
Here are the girls with Ben, he's giving driving lessons. Daisy says " look I can drive, it's easy" scream if you want to go faster! lol

Tell if this is your wake up call on a Sunday morning at 7.30am "Look mummy I've found Mog and Bunny" This was my wake up call today, Mog and Bunny book and cuddly wet eared Buttercup Bunny in the face. lol (Nice!) So up I got and came downstairs to see the sun shining and the birds singing. No not really! I got the lay in today, yeay! my gorgeous hubby Ben came downstairs with the girls and made them breakfast and kept them happy until I joined them later. Arr the bed to myself, what bliss!

Thanks Ben your the best x

When I did come downstairs the sun was shining and birds where singing, it was a lovely morning. The girls got to play their sandpit, so now the whole patio looks like a beach, (why do they have to throw it everywhere?) and why does Daisy like the taste of it so much? lol
It was so nice to be able to sit outside and drink my coffee and eat my toast in the sun, just what Sundays should be like.

As the Tour De France was on and most of the roads closed today we went out for a walk up to Rochester and back again, sorry to say the only bikers we saw where from a distance, I'm not really into sports so it didn't bother me that much and by the time we got the Rochester they'd all gone. Don't know what all the fuss was about lol

This is Megan helping with the grass cutting, she's looking for mice, "I know I left one under here somewhere!" silly puss.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the sunshine.

Catherine x

Just doing what I can!

Why do some days just feel like you go round and round picking up toys? So you don't fall over on them and break something. This was our living room this morning the girls had a great game of throw everything on the floor. (Bless them!) Does anybody Else's living room end up like this? They 're like a little whirl wind that's whips everything up and dumps it on the floor. lol Good fun for them though, hard work for me. :(


Arr! that's better, all tidy again. Room to run around and move about. Molly's showing you, by running from one end of the room to the other. That's kept her busy for a while. And made Dougal dizzy from watching her go back and forth. Silly old puss!
I just had to photo this, Molly striped off the bunnies, so they are now all nude. lol She was given them all a clean. And sat them all together on the sofa. Poor Buttercup, Benjamin and Lola. I'm sure your mummy will dress you all soon. Don't want you catching a cold.
Isn't it funny the things that little ones get up to? I was just the same, my mum told me that if I got a new doll. The first thing I did to it was take all it's clothes off and give it a wash. lol I don't remember doing that. I do remember bandaging the all up. thankfully Molly's not at that stage yet. But give her time.

Well as promised from one of my other blogs, below is a couple of funny pictures of our silly cats dressed up.

This is Thomas in a wool bobble hat and cardigan.

And here's Dougal ready for dinner in his bib. Our cats must the silliest things in the world. And we love them for it. Anyone else have funny pics? I'd love to see.
Once again it's getting late and I have loads of stock to paint and price up, my times running out. I've only got 2 weeks left before the open day. Ahhh! No more lists, I've taken my friend Tracy's advise from the leaping hare and just do one thing at a time. Thanks honey, it's working for me. I do have one list left and I think every girl needs one of these. My wish list x (well I have to dream ;) don't I?)

bye for now.

Catherine x

The sun was out, so off we went!

Today I took one look at the lovely sunshine and thought to myself, I must get out with the girls for a nice walk up the hill and off to the library, for some new books. On the way I stopped and took this photo, this lovely view is at the top of our road. And the hill is full of wild flowers, some of which we picked on the way home. See photo further down.



Here are the girls at breakfast, still in the arty mood from the other day. Daisy just likes to eat the crayons and this makes Molly very cross. lol As you can see Daisy's just full of cheek. That the dinning table she's got on top of. Naughty little thing.
Fed and washed, off we set on our walk.

Molly loves the pigeons and enjoys chasing them. There is always loads of the things by the library, so she is spoilt for choice and just runs after them all. lol

It was very windy here, it's right next to the river and it smells all seaside when the tied is out.

Picked up these lovely books from the library. I fancy making some of the yummy treats from the afternoon tea book.
I also got the Derek Jarmans' garden, after Tracy from Cupcakes at home recommended it. The photos look beautiful and I'm looking forward to reading it.
I've been waiting for the Vintage Fabric Style to come in and was very happy to be told it was there ready for me to take home. Lots of lovely items to make and do.
And lastly Gordon Ramsay's Sunday Lunch. I just love his shows and the food he cooks, always looks so yummy. I'll have to give some of the recipes ago. I bought his wife's cook book for my birthday last year and that's very good too. I hoping Gordon's is just as good.

I left the library a happy bunny, arms full of lovely books to read and I picked up a DVD for a £1. The very funny Bruce Almighty. I do like a bargain.

On the way home as promised, we picked some wild flowers and Molly tried to catch the butterflies that where flying in and out of them all. There was so many different ones to collect. Wild sweet peas, buttercups, thistles and scabious's (they are one of my favourites because my Nana just loved them). They always remind me of her, she loved cut flowers in a vase. They always made her smile. Miss you Nana, but I know you're watching over me and keeping me safe. x

Once we got home, I made us some lunch. Here's Molly enjoying one of the yummy cupcakes I made. There is not much left, just crumbs. Don't think it touched the sides, she ate it so fast. lol After Daisy went for her nap and Molly and I sat down and watched the film I bought. She loved the funny newsreader man, with all the funny faces and noises he made. (if you've seen it you'll know what one I mean). If you've not watch it, it's well worth a look.
It was a good day, lots of quality time with the girls and I even made some painted some stock and enjoyed a coffee or two.

Shopping night again and a naughty McDonald's for tea, I know it's bad, but it's so yummy and makes a nice treat.

See you soon.

Catherine x

Baking, painting and making!

I woke up this morning with lots of plans to get stock made, packed and priced for the forth coming open day fair at Luddles farm, Cobham. But here I am being naughty and reading my favourite blogs and posting my own. I'm very bad. Please tell me I'm not the only one that gets side tracked by the computer! Please rise your hand if your the same. lol

I was very good last night, as well as making dinner I rustled up these yummy cupcakes, muffins and banana loaf. I thought my cake stand had been empty for to long and needed filling up.

Hmm! Ben couldn't resist eating one before they'd even cooled down and I'd had a chance to ice them. I think my baking brings out the kid in him, he normally wants to lick the spoon and eat the left overs in the bowl. Bless!
Here's the yummy Banana loaf, it's the same mix as the cupcakes and muffins. Very easy to make and kids love it. Sweet and fruity. They don't last long in this house.
Have a go yourself.

For cupcakes, muffins or loaf

225g (8oz) Unsalted Butter, softened

225g (8oz) Caster Sugar

225g (8oz) Self-rising Flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

4 Eggs

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

225g (8oz) Mashed Ripe Bananas

Combine the butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, nutmeg and eggs in a large bowl and beat with a wooden spoon or electric whisk ( for all you lazy lot lol) until a nice smooth mix. Stir in the mashed bananas until well combined.
Spoon the mixture into 18 cake cases or 1 large lined loaf tin. (Greased proof paper)
Cook for 20/35 minutes, checking every once in a while. Remove and cool until cold.

You can serve them with or without the icing, it's up to you. I like to ice them as I have a bit of a sweet tooth. And Ben and the girls like it too.

For the icing

1 Tbsp cream cheese

175g (6oz) Icing Sugar, sieved

30g (1oz) Unsalted Butter

1 Tsp Vanilla Essence or flavouring

Sugared flowers for decoration.

Combine it all together until smooth and thick. Spread onto the cupcakes, muffins or loaf and decorate with sugar flowers, leave to set for an hour. I also whipped up some white chocolate cornflake cakes. Just melt the chocolate and mix in the cornflakes, pop in cases and chill to set in the fridge. Naughty but nice. I hope you ejoy them as much as we do.

We took this photo the other day, it's Megan, she's always wanted to be a fairy and have wings or her own, now she can fly up and catch all those birdies that got away from her. Watch out birds here comes super Megan. She's had her Redbull and is out to get you all. LOL

What a silly cat, she let Molly dress her in them. It was so funny to watch her walking around the living room in. What a pretty puss she is. I'll pop some other pictures on soon, of our other cats dressed up. They are very funny and just sit there and let dress them. Soppy things.

Anyone else got cats as silly as ours?
Here's Molly creating more master pieces, after the playtime at Early Learning Centre yesterday, she's been bitten by the drawing bug and spent ages at the dinning table colouring and scribbling.
And here's a finished picture ( can you tell what it is yet?).
Well done baby x

Ok now I'm off to do some real work lol I have this tray full of half done items, ready and waiting for me to finish them off. And they wont do themselves, I haven't got a magic wand:( sometimes wish I did. Bet I'm not the only one?
I'll post a picture of the finished products. Will be back soon x

Catherine x

A Creative Day!

Just another picture from the wedding, Daisy drinking a toast to the bride and groom. As you can see she really enjoyed herself. Little boozer lol (Don't worry the glass was empty). The only grapes this cutie had was the fresh ones, served with the cheese and coffee after.

I popped out yesterday with the girls to the post office and on the way home stopped in at the Early Learning Centre, for another buggy. This ones for Daisy. Now she's walking around, she kept stealing her sisters one, so she has her own now. And there is no more screaming and hair pulling over them, ah! peace at last.
Don't the bunnies look sweet in them, although Daisy's one doesn't stay in hers for long. She throws it out and climbs into it herself. Poor bunny :(

I'm glad I popped in the shop, they are now doing a playtime every Tuesday between 10am and 12pm. I took the girls down this morning and they loved it. Today was drawing and colouring. Daisy scribbled on the cat one and Molly coloured in the flowers. ( I helped with the cat face)

What a good idea of Early Learning. It was free too, so that was a added bonus. I will definitely take them next week. It was so nice to see them play with other children. Daisy hit it off with a little boy and they sat talking in baby gabble and passing each other crayons. Bless! Well worth a trip to your local store to see if they're doing it to. http://www.elc.co.uk/ maybe look on here. Activities are suitable for 0-6 years. My two are 1 & 3 months and 2 & 4 months. And they enjoyed it. Pop along and give it ago.

Molly was very pleased to receive a sticker for the picture she'd coloured in. That put a big smile on her face. We've pegged the pictures up in the living room for their Daddy to see later. He'll love them.

I took this photo a couple of hours after we'd got home. How lucky we where! I always walk everywhere and I would of got soaked to the skin in this little lot. The heavens just opened up and there was thunder and lighting. Our drain down the side of the house decided to block too. So I had to get out there and scoop all the leaves and dirt out of it. Made me think of all those poor people that live in the flooded areas. I don't know how they cope, Just a very small amount of water made me panic. Don't know what I'd do if it came in the house. (Cry, I think)

I want to wish anyone on here that's been affected be the floods, all the very best and a safe and happy future. x

I hope this will cheer everyone up, a gorgeous summery photo of some wild Daisies and some of that pretty plant from the farmers market, I can't remember the name. Molly and I picked them yesterday. And they're now sitting on my dinning room table and every time I look at them, I forget the bad weather outside the window and smile.

Here's dreaming of sunny days to come.
Enjoy your evening and try and keep dry.

Catherine x

The sun came out and shined bright!

Congratulation's to the happy couple.Pictured here with all of the brides family. We where so lucky with the weather, on the way over to the church it poured down and wasn't looking good. But just before we arrived it all cleared away and the sun shone down on everyone.
The service was lovely, I'm not a churchy person but I think if more churches where as fun as that one then more people would go. The music was all played by live band and the vicar Mark made jokes. And the best bit was after when there was tea and cakes served lol Then everyone made their way outside for photos.

I just loved the bridesmaids dresses, what a beautiful colour. They looked so cute with their little summer brollies.
I just had to take this picture, it shows Lois in her true form, how we all know her. She just has a magic touch with children, weather babies, toddlers or older ones. They just seem to relax in her arms.
She's going to make a wonderful mum someday. (This is a friends baby not hers, not yet!) Give her time lol
When I worked with Lois at a after school club we used to have so much fun, and when I was expecting my little Molly, she used to talk to my bump everyday and say "this is auntie Lois, hello in there" lol When Molly was born and met Lois for the first time, she was crying and I handed her over to her for a hold and when Lois spoke to her she stopped straight away. And her little face just looked like she was thinking I know you, you're safe. Bless!
So all that talking to her in my belly worked. Ben and I got that very same look from Molly when she was born.

Talking of babies, here they are, my 3 girls and yummy Ben. Molly had the cutest dress to wear but refused to keep it on. Little madam, I'm 2 and know what I like and don't like. lol And I want to wear my leggings and pretty top. Stomp stomp stomp!

At least Daisy kept her dress on and didn't moan about it. And Jade looks pretty as a picutre. Don't we all look posh, I just love to dress up. Don't get to do it much.:(

Anyway the day went off very well with no hicups or hitches. The reception was lovely, nice food, wine, music and company. Look at the cake, isn't it gorgeous. Very simple and pretty.

There was speeches, toasting and dancing and we left happy and full of joy. But slightly sleepy. The girls crashed out in the car on the way home and where popped into bed once we got in.

What a lovely day, one I will remember for a long time.

Congratulation's once again Lois and Joseph, have a long and happy marriage. x x x

Maybe oneday it will be my big day. I can only dream for now.

I'd best finish up now, lots of things to do.

Take care everyone best wishes.

Catherine x