freedom...what does it mean to you?

I watched a very inspiring TED talk on the Frugal Queen blog last week. It talked about a family who decided to sell all of their possessions and go travelling for a year with their new baby. His argument was that, if you can stop being driven by owning more and more possessions and being held back by the responsibility of owning and storing all of those possessions, you can be free to live the life you want to lead.

Then there was a second video which had a brilliant quote in it..."why do we spend our lives in jobs we hate, earning money to buy things we don't need, to impress people we don't like?"

Then I watched a programme about women having mid-life crises on Channel 4, which showed a woman who ran a successful software consultancy, gave the whole lot away and moved to a canal boat so she could spend more time with her family.

Both of these examples are fairly extreme, but how would you feel about giving away all of your stuff? Would you feel free or naked, happy or miserable?

My husband and I talked about what things we couldnt live without in our lives.
We both agreed that the only thing that we would never sell is our campervan. To us, she is our little piece of freedom. We jump in with the kids and as soon as we are on the motorway (usually heading South West to Devon, Dorset or Cornwall), all of our stress evaporates. Our camper feels like one of the family...we got married in her, our kids have grown up with her and if she's not fallen to pieces by then, I would happily be taken to my funeral in her.

Oh I would quite like to keep the blankets inside the van as they keep us warm at night.

But apart from that, I really think I could happily get rid of the lot.

Getting things done!

I've been having a busy start to January, getting all those things done that I meant to get round to doing, but never quite found the time...

I am always in awe of bloggers who seem to write about 5 beautiful posts a week, knock up something crafty, go for a walk in the woods and cook something homemade with veggies made from their garden. You are amazing but I know that's not likely to happen any time soon around here...

However, I am very proud to say that I have painted my bedroom white and I'm now on the hunt for a pretty desk so I can have my very own work corner. Last year when I was studying, most of my papers and books were in shopping bags on the floor by my desk. Not great as the desk is in the kids' playroom!

I had thought about getting fitted wardrobes put into our room, but we had someone come around and measure up. Even after a half price offer plus 15% off plus first customer order offer etc etc, it still came to £3K. That is way over our budget right now, so I'm going to back back to ebay and buy some quirky, preloved furniture instead.

We decluttered our wardrobe and we only need one wardrobe between the two of us, which means I can use the other alcove for me...I am spending many happy hours looking at pretty images of workspaces.

I also had a groupon voucher for a 100 page photobook. The reason why I bought such a big one is that I havent had any photographs printed since my little one was born, almost three years ago. But I went through hundreds and hundreds of photos, had a lovely journey down memory lane and the job is done.

Time to play...

Today has been a busy day! I dropped my kids off at the childminders, headed to Homebase and bought a huge tin of white paint to redecorate my bedroom. I had great visions in my mind of it being completed by the end of the day... a cross between a minimalist health spa with a bit of sixties/ seventies retro thrown in for a bit of colour. I was feeling Eco friendly so opted for the Eco paint, which promised no fumes, low carbon footprint and happy vibes.

Unfortunately when I got home, the Eco paint is very thin and watery. It splattered all over the carpet ( past the old curtain I had chucked on the floor), and even after 2 coats it looks terribly patchy. So in a bit of a huff, I went back to Homebase to buy some non-Eco friendly Dulux Timeless Once paint, which is what I should have bought in the first place. But it's a slightly different shade of white to the other stuff, so I need to carry on painting tomorrow when it's light again. Sigh.

So when I turned to my iPad with a cup of tea in my hand, I was delighted to see that Jen from Little Birdie has nominated me for a Liebster Award. This is my first award, from one of my favourite blogs ever so I am very chuffed! If you have come over here from Little Birdie, I would be thrilled if you decided to follow my blog as I could certainly do with some more.

"The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 300 followers and the rules of the award is that the nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver, and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It's a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people, get more followers and find some blogs that they want to follow."


                        
So here are my 11 random facts about me...

1. I own a bright yellow campervan called Phoebe.
2. I spotted her whilst waiting at a red light after I went shopping for some new shoelaces for my Dr Martens.
3. Despite being terrified of heights, I once bungee jumped off the highest cable car in New Zealand
4. My current favourite band is "The Lovely Eggs", who write very silly songs. They are described as a cross between Sonic Youth and Coronation Street.
5. My other favourite band is First Aid Kit.
6. I am currently training to be a family therapist and as part of my job, I get paid to draw pictures, tell stories and bring families closer together.
7. If I wasn't doing this job, I wanted to be a primary school teacher.
8. I have an irrational love of all things yellow. It makes me happy.
9. Both of my children are named after Thomas Hardy novels.
10. David Bowie once trod on my foot at Glastonbury Festival.
11. Inspired by Little Birdie's goth disclosure, I went through a grunge phase as a teenager, dyed my hair pink, wore huge German Army boots, stripy tights and nightdresses to Uni. If I wasn't almost 40 I would do it all again!

Here are my answers to Jen's questions...

1. Bourbon Cream or Custard Cream? Close call but custard for me.
2. Camping or luxury hotel? Definitely camping, but as each year goes by, I acquire a few more camping accessories, so my van is evolving into a luxury hotel on wheels lol.
3. My favourite word is resilience. No matter what life throws at us, it's our ability to bounce back that counts.
4. What smell do you like the most? My little boys head when I've just washed his hair and he is snuggled on my lap.
5.What is the worst Christmas present you have ever received? We once received a rotating cat which played "all kinds of everything" by Dana. But I have to say, the kids adore it...
6. What is your favourite season? Summer definitely, sunshine, camping and music festivals with the kids... Happy days.
7. Lego or playmobil? I love a bit of Harry Potter or Star Wars Lego. playmobil looks great but it's a bit of a faff to build.
8. Who is your favourite actor? Most of my favourite characters are animated, so that's hard. But I am really enjoying watching Sherlock with Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch in it, so I will say them for now. Or Fred Astaire.
9. Bright colours or pastel colours? Now this is tricky, because what I really like is a bright colour next to a pale colour. So bright yellow next to grey. But if I had to choose, I would say bright. I have all the style of a 6 year old.
10. What would be your ideal day off? My ideal day off is going to an art gallery with my husband, eating a Vietnamese meal and then watching a film at a local cinema which is 100 years old.
11. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Porridge, as long as I could alternate the toppings and have it with bananas/ blueberries/ gingerbread/ raspberries/ home made jam/ seeds!

I would like to pass the Liebster award onto the following people, whose blogs I enjoy and admire very much...

Scraps of us
Rainbow Vintage Home
Little Buckles
A bushel and a peck
Karma and Cupcakes
I need curtains for the windows in my head
the happy caravan
mrs eliot books
modflowers
things that have caught my eye



Here are my questions for you..

1. What is your favourite object which is more than 20 years old and why?
2. What did you want to be when you were little?
3. What was the first song that you bought?
4. Which band would you like to see live?
5. Hairy chest or hairy toes, which is worse?
6. What is your favourite sweet?
7. Describe your favourite footwear.
8. What inspires you?
9. Cats or dogs?
10. What is the most romantic thing anyone has done for you?
11. If you were on a desert island discs, what would be your luxury item?

Looking back, looking forward

2012 has flown by in a bit of a whirlwind for me.

This year, my husband turned 40. We've been together for 20 years now. We had a wonderful celebration with family and friends and climbed to the top of a windy hill with our son and daughter. We ate an amazing star wars chocolate cake and taught our daughter and her friends how to DJ.



We danced in the fields outside a castle at Camp Bestival, stayed in an Airstream caravan and explored a magical wood full of fairy lights and toys at the End of the Road. We have made some great friends and our children have made great friends too. There has been lots of running around with glow sticks whilst we sat around in deck chairs drinking wine. We rode in a horse drawn carriage at Chatsworth House while a brass band played Christmas carols. I danced like a loon with my husband at an Orbital concert and had achy hips for a week afterwards lol.

We discovered Studio Ghibli films as a family and have had many happy hours watching them, cuddled up on the sofa.

I've never felt so tired in my life. I've been doing two jobs, studying, been a carer to my mother in law and a mother to my children. I've not really had the time or energy to be a good wife and I havent had any time to care for myself. So I know that needs to be my focus for next year. Think about how I can cut down my levels of work and stress and spend quiet, quality time with my family. My sons turns three next year, so I'm hoping that I might (fingers crossed) get a bit more sleep at night, which will help too.

We have some exciting plans for next year, going to a couple of new music festivals with the kids, going to see the Stone Roses in London with my husband, going to the Lake District in February. But I'm also hoping for a little bit more peace, quiet and ...time. How I'm going to make that happen I'm not sure yet, but I will try.

Wishing you a very happy night tonight and a peaceful new year xxx

52 weeks of happy

Hello, hope you all a lovely Christmas! Ours has been a mixed one, lots of fun on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but my other half has had the man-flu and it's been raining a lot. So we have spent a lot of time indoors, going a bit bananas!

I'm not quite sure which week I'm supposed to be on, I know I am a bit behind though...

Here are my four happy things this week, joining in with Little Birdie's project.

1. Big red bus

I picked up this wooden bus in a charity shop for £5 and it's been a massive hit with my son. He has been going on lots of little adventures with it and it is so sweet to hear him chatting to all the little men inside.

2. Little blue person

I saw this Fisher Price figure in the shop last week and it was like being transported in a time machine to when I was my daughter's age and used to play with my Fisher Price school house. I dont have it any more, so I had to pose her in my daughter's Sylvanian house instead.

3. New tea mug

I saw this mug in TK Maxx and bought it for myself as a wee gift. The message on the mug is a good one for me, it's something I struggle with sometimes.

If you look behind my mug, you will see my Snowman plate. Did you see the Snowman and the Snowdog? I thought it was great. And the documentary about "How the Snowman came to life" had me in tears.

4. Yellow scarf

This lovely yellow scarf is from Seasalt and is super snuggly. I'm hoping to have lots of outdoor adventures in my yellow scarf in 2013.

Daddy's Christmas beer

My husband and daughter have got really into watching the football together. They support Birmingham City, and the fans are affectionately known as Bluenoses. Or not so affectionately if you are an Aston Villa fan.

Anyway, they were going off to watch the footy yesterday, so we made him a bottle of "Bluenose Beer". I think that this idea is on pinterest with a red nose version, but I tweaked it a bit.

This will probably be my last post before Christmas as I expect I will be peeling sprouts this evening. So if you are reading, have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones xxx

Giant Christmas baubles

I have a lovely friend who is an artist and has helped us to set up a "ladies craft night". It sounds very prim and proper but is really an excuse to make something pretty, drink cocktails and then sing karaoke. I've met some great new friends through this, it's very therapeutic and it's fun to have a go at making things again. I do a bit of drawing with the kids at home and at work, but it takes a bit of courage to have a go at making something in front of adults!

Anyway this time it was my turn to host and we made giant Christmas baubles, out of vintage maps, old comic books (I found a great pile of old Beanos at the charity shop!), a 1970s star trek annual and wallpaper samples.

Here is a collection that was made by myself and my friends. Each one is about as big as large melon, so fairly big.

I had intended to hang them up from the ceiling, but I actually quite like them piled up, so they have stayed there.

Sunday cinema club: the Christmas Edition

So what are your favourite Christmas films?

For me, I have three. The first one has to be the Muppet Christmas Carol. Christmas doesn't really begin until I have watched this film, with my husband, with my children, with my friends. It's just one of those traditions that has to happen. I think that Michael Caine is just fantastic as Scrooge  and Kermit is a perfect choice for Bob Cratchitt.

This is my favourite song from the film and makes me cry each time I hear it. I just know that Christmas is around the corner.

My second film which I only watched last year with my friend and our daughters, was Elf. Just so funny and sweet.

And finally, Nativity. To be honest I thought that this film was going to be dreadfully cheesy and to be honest, it is. But in a good way. You would have to have a heart of ice not to chuckle at this film. I have heard that the new one isn't as good, so I'm planning to introduce the rest of my family to it this year.

And I've just remembered another one. The new Muppets Movie. Have you seen it? It's not a Christmas film, but it is so, so funny. The musical score is written by Brett from the Flight of the Conchords and the whole thing is like a long episode of this, but obviously suitable for kids. My daughter has been singing this song at the top of her voice and do you know what, the lyrics are just perfect. I've got everything that I need, right in front of me....

A beautiful song for Christmas

Phew...thank goodness. Ive finished work for Christmas. That means no reports or essays to write, no studying, no school runs, nothing at all for two whole weeks.

I've had a fantastic time this month, hosting a craft night and making some great Christmas decorations, going out with my husband to dance to our favourite band from when we first met and last weekend we went and stayed in an amazing old manor house in the Peak District. Which is why I haven't done any blogging for ages. Sorry.

I heard this song last night and it sent shivers down my spine. It feels just perfect for this time of year so I wanted to share it with you. It is a beautiful song by The Unthanks, called the King of Rome. Enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas xxxx

A visitor arrives...

Every year on the first of December, we have a little visitor from the North Pole.

His name is Elvis the Elf and he has been visiting our children for the past five years.

Inside there is a little note, praising them for good things they have done during the year and giving them one little task that Santa would like them to try hard at.

This is just one of the little Christmas traditions that we do with our kids. What do you do with your family?

Sunday cinema club- Alice in Wonderland

image: fanpop.com

This is a film that I have been meaning to watch for absolutely ages, but I was a bit worried that my daughter, who is 7, would be a bit scared. I shouldnt have worried though, she absolutely loved it and now has a bit of a crush on Johnny Depp. Which is better than One Direction I suppose.

Image: wired.com

I just love the colours and the craziness of it all. There's that definite Tim Burton feel to it which I just love and it's amazing how children just take this sort of thing in their stride without batting an eyelid. My kids love all sorts of really surreal stuff now. The weirder the better!

 Helena Bonham Carter is a fantastic queen of hearts, although I must admit that I find Anne Hathaway a bit...drippy. I still havent got over her destroying one of my favourite books, One Day by David Nicholls.

Image: quicksilversanity.blogspot.com

Since she watched the film, my daughter found a free copy of  Alice in Wonderland on my kindle and we have been reading it together in bed. Last night we were laughing about the Caucus Race, when you can start and finish whenever you feel like. I think I would be quite good at that one. I'm loving the chance to revisit my favourite books from childhood with her.

wanelo.com

52 weeks of happy- week 5

I feel as though I am lagging behind a bit with the happy series...but I'm not going to stress about it. If my 52 weeks takes a bit longer, that's ok with me.

My four things which are making me happy are

1. Boxes of clementines

For me, this is a sure sign that Christmas is not far away! I adore buying these lovely fresh clementines by the box and my family will munch their way through them in no time.

2. Pretty little squash (es?)

I saw these in the shop and am a bit scared of cooking with them, but thought I would bring them home as the colours are so pretty. A last little reminder of Autumn.

3. A gift from a friend

This was actually made my by friend and given to my daughter as a birthday present. But I love her too, so she hangs in our hallway. Isnt she lovely? Her legs and arms are made from painted twigs.

4. A real kiss!

My son who is two has just learned how to do "real kisses". before he would just grab me and slobber on my face, but now he grabs me and gives me a big smacker, then nestles his head into my neck for ages. It's the best feeling in the world.

Morroccan lamb tagine

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. Life is busy right now. I'm doing two jobs, a course and I have essay deadlines and report deadlines to meet. Ha ha I should be writing the essay now but am doing a cheeky bit of procrastinating instead. At least it will all slow down a bit in a couple of weeks time.

I made this for the first time and it was really easy and very lovely. As a novice, I decided to use a ready prepared spice pack from Spicentice. This is a new company which was set up by a student, after her Mum used to send her to Uni with pre-prepared packets of spices so she would cook properly! Isnt that sweet? I used to live on supernoodles, beans on toast, flapjacks and the occasional chinese takeaway when I was at uni. And lots of cider of course.

Anyway, it was so, so easy to prepare as all the recipe instructions are on the back of the card. Even the children loved it so I will definitely use this again and perhaps try some of the other packets in the range.

Perfect winter food with a nice bottle of red wine.

52 weeks of happy- 4

This is going to be a very quick post as I'm off to a wedding today and the kids will wake up any minute!

Here are my happy moments this week:

1. Random loveliness

 I am totally shattered at the moment. I'm doing 2 jobs and a course and deadlines are looming! So I was very happy when a lady in the hairdresser told me she thought I was 28 and I look too young to have a 7 year old. Hooray, I feel more like 50!

2. Gingerbread porridge

 I found this amazing gingerbread porridge in Home Bargains for £1.28. I love anything with ginger in it and I adore Dorset Cereals. If it's good I'm going back to the shop to stockpile for the winter...

Yummy!

3. Tiny converse hi-tops

I really struggled with how to dress my little man for today's wedding. I dont know why, but I'm not keen in toddlers dressed in suits. So he has a little tank top and shirt from Gap, some new jeans which dont have pictures of diggers on them and these little converse from ebay. He loves them and cried when it was time to take them off at bedtime. A boy after my own heart. I love my cons too. 

4. Cuddles

Sadly I went to the memorial service of my friend who passed away last week. She was an amazing nurse who touched the lives of so many people and left behind 2 fantastic children. She was too young to go but she made the most of every day. With this in mind, I have spent lots of time with the kids, watching films cuddled up on the sofa with a little one under each arm.

Have a great weekend x

Flander's Field

Here is a picture that my daughter drew of Flander's Field. She's at brownie parade now. Very proud Mummy.

Remembering

Yesterday was the first anniversary of my father in law's death. At times, this has been hard for our little family, especially for my daughter who was very close to her Grandad.

Grandad was a huge steam train fan, so in order to remember him and celebrate him, we all went for our first ride on a steam train. Including Granny who is 77!

We went to the Severn Valley Railway and we had an awesome day. The sun shone, the inside of the train was beautifully refurbished and the scenery was just stunning. I felt as though I was an extra in a Miss Marple murder mystery. The guards were lovely and my daughter was allowed to go into the ticket office, look at the old machines, lights and try on a guard's cap.

The most bizarre moment was when we drove through a local safari park and could spot elephants and rhinos from the train!

My son adored going to the engine house, eating a picnic next to the engines,  inspecting them thoroughly and discovering a train table with a Cranky on it. Toddler heaven.

52 weeks of happy- week 3

Well a whole week has flown by, so I am just trying to pick the best four little things which have made me happy this week.

1. Giant jumpers.

 I bought a vintage brown and purple stripy jumper at a festival this summer and I havent taken it off all week. It feels like the sort of jumper that you wear when you are poorly because it's so soft and comfy. A sartorial cuddle.

2. Great TV!

I am really enjoying watching George Clarke's amazing spaces at the moment. Owning a campervan with 2 small kids means that we have become fairly expert at living within a small space. I just loved the ingenious beach hut, the modular eco lodge and the flat made out of a shipping container! I was shaking my head sadly at the airstream conversion- too much of a dodgy nightclub/ keys in the fruitbowl scenario going on there for me...

Oh yes, I loved the bus too! Here are some images from their website, majesticbus.co.uk. I would love to stay in this bus for a weekend :)

3.More great TV!

Did you see Kirstie's vintage home this week, with the amazing 60s makeover? Loved it. Cant wait to see the next episode.

Images: kirstieallsop.co.uk

4. Watching live music.

This week I was a free ticket to see Jack White (previously of the White Stripes) play in Birmingham. As I edge ever closer to 40 I am much more content to watch my live music with a mojito in my hand, on a picnic blanket, whilst my kids run feral with glowsticks. However, there is something just amazing about watching talented musicians play, entertain you and make you dance like you're 19 again. Shame I had to wake up at 5am the next morning with a toddler. But even in my sleep deprived state, the cuddles are worth it.

Letting go

Over the past few weeks I have been avidly reading some thrifty blogs. Some of the bloggers out there are just incredible at spending absolutely no money! Thrifty Queen is the most hardcore blog I've seen and she is incredibly productive- quilting, baking, sewing,, upcycling whilst doing a full time job. Frugal Queen, I salute you! I've also really enjoyed reading the blogs by a thriftymrs and just a little less by Dolly Mixtures. In fact, I think it was her blog which opened my eyes to this way of being.

In the past, I've always been very careful with how I spend money and if I want nice things, I save up/ ebay other things first. I also buy most our furniture from ebay and prefer handmade stuff from the charity shop than big chainstores. I hate going shopping in "real" shops and would much rather go to a carboot sale or buy from Etsy or Folksy. I love reading the Money Saving Expert Grabbit boards and have bought some brilliant toys through there. So the thrifty blogs are not completely unfamiliar to me, but I realise that I could do more.

One of the things I've learned from the blogs is that being thrifty is not about being stingy or having a miserable life with no joy in it. It is about thinking hard before you spend your money, making things yourself and with love and sharing this love with the people around you. It is also about leading a "lighter" life- less stuff, less worry about acquiring more stuff, having a calmer home and a calmer mind.

I'm not going to stop buying nice things but I am going to have a good old think to make sure it's something I really want and need before I do so.

With this in mind, I have started to have a major declutter. I have gone through my drawers and thrown away clothes which dont fit me or that I dont like but felt guilty about giving them away. I have advertised my beloved pushchair in the local paper. I have deep cleaned my bathroom and given a load of toys to the charity shop. It feels really good.

I've also decided that it's time to let go of some mental clutter that was bothering me. I was feeling miffed that a job I had expected to get when my boss retired was cut, as part of the NHS cuts. I was fed up with trying to find babysitters when all my friends seemed to have lots of support.

And do you know what? This week, amazing things have happened.

I have been approached to do some work by three different people. I have had old friends get in touch. I was given free tickets to see Jack White and had a great time dancing. And I had an offer from a friend to babysit my kids next year so I can go and see my favourite band in London with my husband. How good is that.

Do you have areas of your home or life that could do with a good declutter? Honestly, I feel as though I am on a roll now. Dont just think about it, do it!

Bonfire night art

It was my turn to help at playgroup today, which meant I had the pleasure of creating 30 fireworks pictures with the toddlers! I quite enjoyed myself actually.

Here is my son's effort: (art critics go easy, he's only 2!)

This afternoon, in some uncharacteristic fit of domestic goddess-like behaviour, I cleaned the windows, scrubbed the stained glass window and scrubbed the tiles in the shower with a toothbrush until it shone. Then I made homemade pizza with the kids.

(wow, that's my first photo collage! Chuffed :))

Unfortunately, both kids said "yak" after they tasted it and I ended up making them sausage and spaghetti hoops. Not such a domestic goddess after all... looks like I'm having leftover pizza for lunch tomorrow.

52 weeks of happy- week 2

I'm joining in with Little Birdie's 52 weeks of happy. Weeks 2 and 3 were a bit rubbish, so I'm just going to forget about them and start again.

4 things that are making me happy this week:

1. Flying paper aeroplanes in pyjamas...

2.  My son's new favourite game. Rolling his metal truck down the slide with huge fits of laughter.

3. Enjoying the last flowers of the summer. I picked up some really reduced clematis viticella plants and planted them.  They need to be heavily pruned in the Spring but will then be as good as new. I heard someone on Gardener's World call it the "Valentine's day massacre!", so hopefully I wont forget to do it. I'm hoping that next year, our old pergola is going to be covered in flowers.

4. Wrist warmers- yay! How can gloves make you smile so much?