Half Term at Home

Hello Lovelies,

Oooooh, the first three weeks of May were gorgeous around here. 

The week before the school broke up for the half term holidays I was so enjoying wandering about in warm sunshine, wearing my home made dress. 

Admiring the Roses in my front garden.............

And enjoying loads of yummy Strawberries and Melon from the greengrocers in town.........

Youngest had an INSET day at the end of the school term and he spent a happy couple of hours at the park with a friend. They loved  the fantastic new play equipment.............

And I enjoyed sitting on a bench making crochet circles...........

I love visiting the park and was planning further trips here, in the eagerly anticipated week off with my boys.......

But the weather had other plans.

We had day after day of rain.........sigh..........at least I could get on with my latest crochet tutorial for you lovelies........... 

Did you spot my little mascot? I love this tortoise, made for me by eldest. It always makes me happy when my boys get creative........

However you're more likely to find them creating virtual worlds .........Minecraft continues to entertain.............

And on such  wet days I don't mind them enjoying some screen time.

I spent some time updating my dresser display, the spring shelves have been replaced with a summer theme and one shelf is dedicated to holiday dreams........I was so happy to find two more "Blue of Devon" jugs in the charity shop the other week......for 75 pence each..........

And the photo is one of my favourites, my boys in the sea when they were younger.

When the rain  stopped briefly we did manage a short  walk through lots of puddles..........

My lot are actually happier to go walking when it's muddy

and the countryside still looked pretty............

As did my garden. This year my front garden finally looks how I've always wanted it to look......with lots of flowers and no soil to be seen..........

But where was the sun?
 The boys made the best of the cooler weather, burning rotten wood with their Dad in the evenings............

I loved seeing them sitting in the garden, chatting around this fire....but boy did their clothes stink.

And the chilly nights made me pull out my circle blanket as the summer duvet just wasn't  warm enough........

It's bright, happy colours certainly made me smile.

But by Thursday, waking up to pouring rain was getting me down somewhat...........

I don't like that my mood is so affected by the weather....but the fact is , it is.

I made the boys dropped scones for breakfast as a treat...........

And baked a cake.............

THIS recipe..........super easy and always eaten with gusto by my lot

On Friday I enjoyed a that special trip to Shugborough  and this weekend we have been celebrating my eldest two turning Fourteen..............

Saturday passed in a blur of tidying up and making the house and garden look nice.........Daisies in an old glass jar make me smile...........

The boys were great at helping with the setting up too.

Then we welcomed family for a barbecue........amazingly it was dry and even warm!

I can't take the credit for either of these wonderful desserts. The Birthday cake was made by my Mum in law and the Cheesecake was made by my niece...........

It's always a special time when we get together to celebrate these milestones.

Yesterday was much easier.........and the sun was shining all day :0)

In the morning we went on a little outing........more about that next time.

And in the afternoon there was time for some more al-fresco crochet.....in the garden this time.

I've been making a little test piece to see if I like my latest blanket colours and plans..........

And I'm thinking it's going to look nice.

The colours are a little bit muted, compared to most of my makes, but I think they are still cheerful.....and cheerful is good :0)

Jacquie x