Vanilla Press

Goodbye

2008-05-05T04:13:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone.
For personal reasons, I have decided to stop blogging.I wish you all the best for the future and thanks for all the comments!
Bye. :-)

Paris Part 2

2008-05-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

A street scene from Montemartre, with the Sacre-Couer in the background.Notice the artists on the streets and the bustling atmosphere!Beautiful.

Us drinking coffee and eating our picnic lunch in the Luxembourg gardens, what a gorgeous, hot day, loved that park and cannot wait to take the kids there!

Luxembourg Gardens, in the background - the French Senate.

On the Champs-Elysees - The Arc de Triomphe behind us. This was another hi-light of my trip, I loved the atmosphere here and the Arc was awe-inspiring.

One of the mansions in an area called Maison Layfitte where we went for dinner. Lovely leafy suburb of Paris.

I had to slip another little picture of Montmartre in the top there, what a lovely atmosphere. Its also high up, and so the views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from up there are amazing.
The next pic is of us having a delicious picnic in the Lux Gardens,( just INCASE...I am NOT the skinny, pretty blonde lying down!) The weather that day was glorious.
That night we went shopping on the Champs-Elysees, I loved it so much. Such a glamorous beautiful atmosphere and as for the Arc de Triomphe - breath-taking. This was one of the best parts of my trip!

The last day - Sunday - we went to the flea markets, I will post pics of that next!

Paris Part One

2008-05-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

Typical Parisian street scene - a Cafe on every corner, loved that!

The famous and beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral.

One of the many Carousels we came across - I was amazed at the detail and beauty of them.

Of course - The Eiffel Tower, I was blown away by the magnitude of it, and how much work must have gone into building it.Beautiful. I would like to go at night the next time!

The Sacre-Couer - one of the hi-lights of my trip. What a sight as you walk up the stairs! This is a view from the side in Montmartre.

"Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a row boat and taking the tartar sauce with you." - Zig Ziglar

What a great quote, don't you think!

Firstly, thank you to all for your well wishes before I left!

Wow, I don't know where to begin about my trip to Paris...it was all so beautiful.
I have to do it in 2 parts as blog spot won't allow me to download more than these photographs at one time.
Paris was a lot bigger than I had imagined it would be, getting around was quite a challenge - even with Jodie, who was fluent in French, (she had studied it in college, and had lived in Paris for 6 months - her enthusiasm and love for all things French helped spur on my excitement about the place!)

Our apartment was in an area called Gare de l'Est, which is pretty central. We caught the metro everywhere, which is quite an economical way of getting around.
The apartment was VERY Parisian and decked out very well, but also extremely small! Fine for 3 women trying to get dressed and put their make-up on (not!!!) No - it was really fine, such a nice personal space to go to at the end of a busy day.

Day one - we arrived late and so freshened up and went for a beautiful dinner at a restaurant in the Latin Quarter. Experienced the lively streets for the first time, I think I was in awe the whole time.
Day two - we went shopping, had an amazing lunch (crepes and wine, yummy) and went to the Eiffel Tower. That night we visited Montmartre, which houses the Sacre-Couer, an amazing church and piece of architecture. All around Montmartre there are artists doing portraits, the Salvador Dali museum and a rich assortment of cafes, bars and restaurants. It was bustling and the atmosphere was unreal.

Day Three - We woke up and got fresh pastries which we had in our apartment with coffee and Earl Grey tea (very la-di-da).
We walked around the streets of Paris, went to a couple of lovely vintage/thrift clothing stores and then to the Luxembourg Gardens, which were amazing...I will continue in my next post....x

Au Revoir!

2008-04-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hi there!I just thought I would say goodbye, I am leaving for Paris in the morning.I will tell you all about it when I get back. x

Our Kitchen

2008-04-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

"The great question is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with failure" - William Shakespeare

thank you for your comments on my previous post, I really am excited to be going on Thursday, but nervous to leave my babies, not because I think they will not be okay, but because I may not!
As I make their lunches everyday, bathe them and brush their hair, I have a method to everything and I guess I get scared that my husband is not going to do everything the way I do it...
Sound strange? I guess it is just from spending most of the time with the children and that is really my "job" - my world!It always feels strange to hand the reigns over, even if it is to my beloved hubby!!
But I shall hand the reigns over - and be CALM about it! :-)

Anyhow, I thought I would write a post about our kitchen, as I think it is my favourite room in our house. I love my stove and I like my white shelves, with all the colourful tins, plates and nik-naks.
However, I am ready for a change and a total de-clutter. Looking around my house, I really feel that there is far too much clutter...too many walls that have been left half-painted and pieces of furniture that I no longer want. I need to do a clean out...
What I would love to do, is change the kitchen cupboards to ALL glass doors, and paint the walls white.

I feel the need for simplicity, in line with the desire to simplify my thoughts and my life...I really do believe that your surroundings have a huge effect on your mind...so I want to do a lot more posts on this subject and take it room by room.

A lazy afternoon in Kinsale and...Paris here we come!

2008-04-17T04:20:00.000-07:00

Steph and I in Kinsale - the most beautiful view!

Kinsale harbour

The Bulman Bar and Restaurant in Kinsale. Its lovely there, we sat and had a glass of wine and enjoyed the view! If you ever visit Ireland, be sure to visit some restaurants in this beautiful town, it is the gourmet capital of Ireland...my favourite place to go on the weekends!

"The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else." - E.E. Cummings

Hello hello...I am so sorry for taking so long to write a post...
It really has been a mad two weeks. I feel like my head is spinning!
How have you all been? I miss blogland when I have been away for a while..
Anyway, the good news in my life is that my Passport arrived back from Dublin this morning with my Visa inside - and that means I will be able to go to Paris next week Thursday! Yahoo! (this is after delays with the embassy, postal strikes etc). So I am relieved.

I wrote a post on here a few months back saying how it has always been my dream to go to Paris, and we have been in Ireland 7 years and I thought it would be easier to take trips to Europe, as a lot of countries are a mere hours flight from Ireland.
Well, I guess life doesn't work out that way, with Kids and a house and finances, sometimes you need to wait a long..long..time for your dreams to become a reality!

I am going Thursday next week with two friends of mine (Steph in the photo above and her daughter Jody), we are staying in an apartment (which from the website looks very charming..very Parisian) and we are just going to see the sites..the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower etc..and people watch and eat lovely food and drink lovely wine!
But, I have to say, I am very apprehensive about leaving my kids, I am not very good at that at all and I am NOT a good flyer at all...in fact I hate flying! Do any of you feel this way, or get anxious when taking a trip away from your kids?

Lovely things and a clean spare room...

2008-04-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort, " - Herm Albright

Hello everyone, I was in Avoca in Dublin as I mentioned in my previous post, and I tried these beautiful shoes and dresses on, and fell in LOVE. If I had enough credit on my visa or cash in my account, I would soooo have bought one in every colour, the shoes also came in Brown, Red, Purple...and probably a few other colours I can't quite recall.
All I do know, is the clothes in this shop are EXACTLY what I would love to wear, everyday...I simply adore them.
They are pricey - I won't lie...but really quality and they fit so well. I am going to put a bit of money away here and there, and get on that bus again to do some shopping. How often do you come across a shop that has exactly what you were looking for all along, and with prices that are not TOTALLY totally out of your.........reach?!
oh dear, I definitely have a thing for shopping and lovely things.

Below, I wanted to show you how I spruced up my spare room (all in a day, I may add) - for my friend, Lisa's visit. Sorry, there are no "before" photos, but believe me, they are not pretty!

Dublin,purchases and the Clarion Ball - Updated

2008-04-07T03:00:00.001-07:00

Me and Lisa at the Clarion Ball 2008

I bought this tin from Avoca and this really cute Cath Kidston passport holder. They also had CK luggage tags etc, I could have gone a bit mad shopping!

Avoca in Dublin - one of the most beautiful shops!
A street scene in Dublin city - Grafton Street where all the lovely shops are including Habitat, Avoca, Brown Thomas, Laura Ashley - to name but a few.

" Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying for forgiveness, or else forgiving another" ~ Jean Paul Richter

Well, I am back in Cork, sorry I have been gone from blogging for nearly a week - I have been so busy, but having a good time as well!
Last week Tuesday, I traveled to Dublin to apply for my French Visa (which was a bit stressful I have to say). Anyway, I am hopeful that I will get it as I have now supplied all the documents they asked for.
The bus trip was three and a half hours, when we got there I went and had a peaceful cup of coffee at Starbucks and a lovely look around the shops, just soaked up the atmosphere in Grafton Street.
Then I took a taxi to the French Embassy and after that, I was exhausted - more Starbucks frappucinnos and paninis and a stroll around Habitat. Bliss in a world where kids and housework usually rule the day!
I will be posting about my planned trip to France later in this week!

On Wednesday evening, my good friend Lisa arrived from Manchester for a Ball we had been invited to on Saturday. It was great seeing her again, we have been friends since we were 17 and she is practically family. Here she is with my little boy Max.

We booked into the Clarion on Saturday afternoon and got ready. The Ball started at 7pm and we had a four course meal, which was beautiful.
Then, we went back to our room at about 3 am and woke up to a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. What a treat.
We spent the rest of the day at the Mall and had loads of coffee, saw 2 movies (I know, talk about indulgent) and then I took her to the airport (sob). I'll see her again in July.

Below: My good friends Stephanie and her husband Bruce.

Jody, my friend and the girl who hosted the Ball.

Trip to Dublin and Preparations for the Ball

2008-03-31T08:06:00.000-07:00

"When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people."
By : Abraham Joshua Heschel

Hello all you lovely bloggers. Well, I have a busy week ahead of me - but an interesting one, too.
I am on the early coach to Dublin tomorrow, to apply for my French Visa (I will tell you all about my trip in one of my next posts...) I love going to Dublin, its a 4 hour bus ride, and I just sit and listen to my Walkman, read, look out the window...pure bliss and peace for the day!
I will be sure to take some pics and do a post about that wonderful city upon my return...

In the meantime, my bestest friend arrives from Manchester on Wednesday evening and we are going to do some shopping on Thursday and Friday. Then we check into the Clarion Hotel on Saturday afternoon and the Ball is at 7 pm.
I will be sure to tell you all about it!

This is the dress I am wearing...It looks very nice on, quite flattering...although I was planning to lose a good few kg's before saturday, so am now on the hunt for Spanx. Apparently, Trinny and Susannah have come out with pants that suck everything in, may give those a try!

Country Living Magazine and the New Cath Kidston Catalog

2008-03-29T05:00:00.001-07:00

"He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away, " - Raymond Hull

Firstly, I must apologize for being away for so long, I wasn't anywhere exotic, sitting on a beach drinking cocktails (I wish...) - My husband was first really sick, and in bed for 3 days and then he was away in Dublin for 4 days on business, and I ran the fort for that time...needless to say, I am exhausted, I spent a fortune entertaining the kids and I am ready for a break.
Now it is saturday morning, my daughter is at a friend and my hubby has taken our son out for the morning, so now is my chance to catch up, yay!

Look at my lovely award to the left from Claire at Serendipity Loves New York...I am so happy about it, thank you so much Claire!Its my first one!
The above quote means a lot to me, because I try everyday to just be myself and not always feel that I have to fit in to be liked. Hard to break the habit though, but so important I think.

The latest Cath Kidston Spring 2008 Catalog arrived yesterday and it is really one of the most beautiful issues I have seen. I love the picnic pages, really stunning.

I love the latest issue of Country Living, there is a gorgeous house in there and I love the article on Heavenly Hideaways...beautiful!

The house below is amazing, I just love that shade of red. Gorgeous!

Glanworth Mills

2008-03-22T08:49:00.001-07:00

Glanworth Mills

Max waiting for his Panini The entrance to the boutique, the
Bistro is on the left
Below is the view from our table, so
peaceful and the sun was shining

"Any fool can count the seeds in an apple. Only God can count all the apples in one seed." - Robert H. Schuller

I love the above quote. I find it difficult to understand men (women...) who feel that they are above Who created them and everything around them...that they don't need to acknowledge a Creator and a greater being,and that they are so infinitely wise. Their abilities and wisdom were given to them by God, if it were not for Him, they would not exist.
Rambling a bit there - just my opinion on things...

Anyway, we were at Glanworth Mills yesterday, which is one of my favourite places in East Cork.It is an old mill that has been transformed into a Boutique come Bistro, and it is in such an idyllic setting. There is a river running through the most beautiful fields and there is a bridge going over...What I love is that after we have had coffee and cake the kids can go running around or as mine did yesterday, go up the ancient stairs to the top of one of the ruins and explore.
Yesterday they found a dead crow, yuck, which of course they both found very exciting!

They have a selection of gorgeous furniture and other things for the home. The Bistro is fantastic, with a selection of beautiful home made cakes, quiches and pies. Really nice atmosphere there. A great afternoon out!

Great days out and some new purchases..

2008-03-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we have had some beautiful weather here in Cork (I am not going to look out the window today...seems a bit dark...).I bought this bucket yesterday and have not quite decided what to use it for, perhaps a plant or dishtowels.

I bought these candle holders on sale at Marks and Spencer.They are more for outdoor use, but for now I think they look great on my kitchen table.

I bought this table cloth yesterday from a Farmstall in Cork, I think it looks very Cath Kidston, and it was so reasonable...I have been searching for an oil cloth table cloth for ages, and have not been able to place any orders with CK due to a lack of funds...:-(...oh dear
But, we have had some great days out since the holidays began, the picture on the right is of the Kids with their friend Conor in Donorail park, which I only discovered exists this week. What a fantastic place! Wide open spaces, lots of trees, a lake, a waterfall, an old Manor House, a playground and even some deer.What a fab day!

Quote for the day:
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars, " - Oscar Wilde 1854

My "Irish" Kids...and other ramblings of a crazy mum!

2008-03-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with Ireland again today...Beautiful buildings, rivers and the atmosphere can be so magical...when the sun shines a little.

"Children are our second chance to have a great parent-child relationship" - Laura Schlessinger

Ah, we had such fun today, we laughed so much.I decided to take my kids into the City...where we had lunch, clowned around, had delicious ice-creams and spent a great day at the park.It was so much fun.They both have such a great sense of humour, especially my ten year old, Payton. She is such a pretty girl,with so much heart and yet she is so "unaware" of herself. I love that about her.She is really a special, special child. xx

We saw this beautiful Manor house when we crossed the bridge at Fitzgerald's Park...It looks so much better in real life, you can't appreciate it in this picture.It overlooks the river...and the gardens are gorgeous...

This Bridge is amazing, it leads from the Park, over the river and to a set of stairs and onto the street. From the street, people can access their houses. It was such a fun walk. Can't wait to do it again over the summer.

Lovely Homes

2008-03-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

"Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves." - Helen Keller

House and Leisure magazine is a South African decor magazine, which I have to say I miss dearly. My dad came to visit me in Ireland in May last year and brought me this copy. I love it so much, I decided to post a few pics on here (there will be more to come) so that I can look at these beautiful homes whenever I feel like it!(and share them with you of course..)
I am usually one for bright colours, florals etc, but I really love the neutral decorating style in this home, it feels really "South African" actually, cool and natural.
The owner of this home in Cape Town describes her house as "Pale, bare and imperfect".Love it!

The above two pics are from an old Country Living Magazine. I love these two rooms, they are so bright and cheerful and really remind me of summer days. I need something to make me feel warm and bright today...Its so gray and cold here in Ireland.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, we are hoping to go to Kinsale and I will take some pictures, it is the most beautiful little town in .... well, I think in the whole of Ireland!
xx

Signs of Spring

2008-03-11T05:20:00.001-07:00

"The way I see it, if you want the Rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain" - Dolly Parton

I know, I am posting about my tulips again - I just need to see something bright, green and beautiful to remind me that spring is around the corner (although I am told it is officially here...) Like England - the weather in Ireland has been terrible, storms, rain and wind. It really makes it harder to get through the days, especially with an energetic 5 year old boy.
So - I am very proud of the bulbs that my daughter and I planted in September...its lovely to see things come to life, and there are a lot more the in garden that still have to come up and surprise us with their beautiful colours.

I have to say thank you so much for all your lovely comments about Bella...it really did make me feel so much better about the situation. Some days things can just all get too much, and I have been feeling really down this week about Bella, missing home and just the gray days. I would give anything to sit and have a cup of coffee with my mom and just chat, things I took for granted when I lived back home in South Africa. It really puts things in perspective and makes you appreciate what you did have.

Bye Sweet Bella

2008-03-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

"Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad." - Henry Wadsworth

Its been a tough week. We had to find Bella a new home, for a lot of reasons...
Let me start from the beginning..We had a Boxer named Spencer in South Africa and had to let him go 6 months later because we were moving to Ireland...
I vowed never to get another dog as it was too painful to say goodbye to him and I did not want to go through that again.

We had been in Ireland for over 5 years, when a friend called to say that her Boxer, Bella was pregnant and did we want any of the pups? I told her we would think about it...So she called me when they were born, there were 9 of them and they really needed to find good homes for some of the pups..
So, off we went one Saturday when they were 8 weeks old, and my daughter fell in love with the little quiet female of the pack, and we took little "Bella" home.
It was a challenge from the beginning, as our house was new and we had to deal with the mess,the training and just the adjustment of having a dog in the house...
George, our cat, who had been with us for a year already was not happy and from the beginning, he got his back up, literally. The hairs were up and his tail was out like a toilet brush, he never did get used to Bella.
We got a trainer in when Bell was about 3 months old, and hundreds of Euros later, we had a nice new diet for her and a few good tips...
But as Bella grew, she just became so obsessed with George, chased him at every opportunity and it became clear that she was going to need a lot more training than we could afford (and that my husband was prepared to pay for...)
I knew that it was going to be the best thing for her and for us, to find her another home, with a bigger garden and with people that could give her the attention she deserved.

She is now about a mile down the road, with the most amazing people (no children and they lost 3 of their boxers to disease)- they have an acre of land and have embraced Bella, I can see that they love her to bits.
The lovely part about it, is that I can take my daughter to see her whenever I want, and that is comforting for her.
It has been such a hard, sad, depressing week, we are all so so sad and miss Bella everyday, the house is so quiet...When 5 o'clock comes I want to get her food out and feed her, but then I remember that Bella is not here.
Have any of you been through something similar?

The Garden Pavillion

2008-03-04T14:35:00.001-08:00

It was a beautiful day in Cork today, look at that blue sky...
I went back to the garden center today and had a great time browsing around, it would have been more fun to meet a friend and have coffee there, too. But - next time. They have this Light at the entrance, its really beautiful.

This is a dresser, filled with Cath Kidston goodies, its so gorgeous.There is a teapot I would love to get on there!

My purchases...A little bunny for my boy, I gave it to him when I fetched him from school and he called him "Buttons"!How sweet.
Then I got those gorgeous Greengate serviettes and the dog tin, all at quite reasonable prices..I am going to use the tin for biscuits.
There was a wealth of Cath Kidston products, but I think I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't choose! Needless to say, I will be going back!

Snow & Tulips...

2008-03-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

"I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it" - Charles Schulz

I couldn't get my head around doing a post this weekend, my mind was really all over the place for a lot of reasons..
Look at my babies! My tulips are showing little buds, quite heartening in the middle of spring in Ireland where we are having snow and hail...
As I am sitting here, it is snowing, which is quite pretty...but I have to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH of the cold already.Please can we have another beautiful spring day again...its so wet and gray at the moment.Well..I'll have to just keep looking at the tulips for now.

This is my garden, I tried to take a picture of the snow, but I really need a nice new camera to capture that kind of thing...as you can see, though, its all wet and slushy. I miss sitting out on my deck in the sunshine, we had it installed last summer and it was glorious out there with a glass of wine and a magazine. Roll on July!My poor little flowers and plants are also taking beating from the frost and snow.

I changed my lounge around. This chair was upstairs and I missed it in the living room, so I created my little corner again.I love it, its so cozy.
Excuse the quality of the photographs, I am so hoping to get a nice digital camera soon and then I will be experimenting with all sorts of things...It will be nice to have for the summer to capture the colours, flowers and warmth of the season.Have a great Monday! x

The Blues...

2008-02-29T18:06:00.000-08:00

"Depression loses its power when fresh vision pierces the darkness" - Peter Sinclair

Another sleepless night for me...
Life is so precious and when I think back over how much of it I have spent feeling depressed...well, that gets me down even further!(does that make sense?!)
But how truthful this quote is - there is so much fresh vision out there, you just have to be prepared to see it, or WANT to see it.

One of the things that gets me down, is missing home and family - and worrying about family...almost waiting for the call at times that something has gone wrong.
My friend,who is South African and like me living in Ireland, called tonight to say that her husband's dad had passed away,suddenly, at the young age of 61, and the tragedy is immense.I feel so much for them...the sad part is that her husband has to make his way from Ireland to South Africa to be there for his mom, and its just so far...so disconnected...I hope they get through this and find the strength they need,my thoughts are with them.

Searching for a Dress...

2008-02-28T21:59:00.001-08:00

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." - Helen Keller

Well it is 6 am and I have been awake since 3:30am...this insomnia monster creeps up on me every now and then, more often than usual actually...which is worrying. My little boy climbs into my bed every morning between 2 and 4 and that wakes me up, tonight my hubby is sleeping in the spare room, Max in our bed, Payton in her bed and mom downstairs surfing the net for a "Ball" dress!?!? (the Ball is April 5th, so there is still time) Insanity - I do think so.

I have no idea what I am going to wear. I have spotted these lovely dresses, but am not too sure...Lets just say I have put on quite a few pounds in the last couple of years and I am not the size 12 I used to be. The above dresses are from Monsoon, and all look lovely and charming flat on the "page", but who knows what they will look like over a lumpy, bumpy body!I am not sure whether to go for something sleek and modern, or vintage and lacy...

Weight plus motherhood plus being in your thirties is a strange thing - I have friends who are battling with weight and self image at this stage in their lives and I can't decide whether or not it is a media thing, or whether we just look in the mirror some days and not like the body image we see before us.Whatever it is I find it very frustrating, but I also find myself a part of it. Worrying all the time that I am too fat, and getting bigger, that my hair looks flat and lifeless, that I have yet another wrinkle. Oh to be free of those worries would be bliss! Yawn.

Children...

2008-02-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

"Children have never been very good at listening to their elders,but they have never failed to imitate them." - James Baldwin

I was just thinking about how much responsibility it is to raise our children...sometimes its an overwhelming thought for me. How true it is that its not so much what you say...but what you DO that matters. Children are so observant, and mine remind me of this almost daily. "But you said that mom..." Uh oh. I have to say, it keeps me on my toes!
Here are some more quotes I found about children:

"Children really brighten up a household.They never turn the lights off." - Ralph Bus
"Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist" - Michael Levine

A Beautiful Shop/Garden Centre/Bistro

2008-02-26T13:19:00.000-08:00

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes in to us at midnight very clean.It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands.It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." - John Wayne

This is one of the most inspiring quotes I have seen in a long time.
The photos are of a garden centre/shop here in Cork that we visited on Sunday. It is so lovely!Needless to say there are no pics of the Garden side of it..I never got that far on this visit...Neither are there pics of the gorgeous bistro attached to it...I will take pics of these on my next visit there...
My dear ladies, I was far too enthralled at the collection of Cath Kidston fabrics, cups, teapots, bags...as well as Greengate and many other lovely lovely brands of goodies.
I walked out with NOTHING...which is a first. I want to go back one morning, take my time, wander around...and ponder over what to buy over a delicious cup of tea and perhaps a slice of cake..I can't wait to go back!

Tulips are doing well..

2008-02-25T06:41:00.001-08:00

"The past exists only in our memories, the future only in our plans. The present is our only reality." - Robert Pirsig

My lovely Tulips are coming along nicely, I have loads more in pots in the garden and I cannot wait for the first Tulip to show its pretty face!

Its a really cold, windy and rainy day in Ireland and seeing the pot on the windowsill gives some hope of spring...Saying that, yesterday was a beautiful day outside.

This is one of my kitchen cupboards,I pasted some Cath Kidston fabric to hide whats inside...until I can collect some lovely cups,teapots etc to put on display, I want to put lights inside the cupboard, too.

This is a box from Laura Ashley that sits on my fireplace.I love this piece of art, its of a Hydrangea, which is one of my flowers.

This is one of my mirrors, bought from a beautiful place here in Cork called Glanworth Mills, which I will be doing a post about soon.
Thank you for taking the time to look at my home. x

A Vintage Picture

2008-02-24T10:11:00.001-08:00

This is a picture I "made" yesterday - using Cath Kidston wrapping paper for the background and an old Vintage print that I found in a museum when we were on holiday in Dingle.I think it looks really pretty and quite unique.
A quote for the day will be in my next posting!

A few things to talk about

2008-02-21T04:07:00.001-08:00

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on." - Thomas Jefferson

This is my lovely little bowl that is by my door, I keep my jewelry in it.It is a piece of Nicholas pottery, which is very famously made here in Ireland.I would love to increase my collection!

http://www.nicholasmosse.com/store/index.php

Picture 3 is my chest of drawers that my hubby has just painted for me (Duck Egg Blue - Laura Ashley).I think it looks really nice.
The other pic is of a Monsoon dress, from the "Originals Collection" that I got about 2 years ago...and have never worn...Its beautiful, but I don't think I will get away with wearing it to the upcoming Ball...I was thinking something less dramatic...I'll be scouting around the internet in the next few weeks looking for something to suit a 32 year old prom queen!Joke...

Love my Cath Kidston goodies..

2008-02-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

"Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something
for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten
another's pain, life is not in vain." - Helen Keller

Its been more than a year since my last Cath Kidston purchase...and I can feel the pain.Especially when I go onto the website and look at all the delightful new stuff.Oh there is so much I want.
So little time.
So little money.
Sigh.
Anyway, i love this cushion and blanket.I move them around all the time so that I can appreciate them in different settings...sad...I know.
Thats why I have to start my dress-making course and get BUSY with something constructive!

Pin-up girls and Facebook...

2008-02-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

"We can choose to throw stones, to stumble on them, to climb over them or to build with them" - Wilham Arthur Ward
What an amazing quote, I think...Life is all about what we CHOOSE to do with it, how we decide it will turn out for ourselves...true - there are unforseen circumstances and tragedy, such as I have experienced in my own life, but we can choose to learn and grow, or to succumb to the pressure..

Do any of you belong to Facebook?I was a bit skeptical when a friend of mine first invited me to join, but I have been in touch with quite a few friends from my primary school days, and it really has brought back memories, most of which are fond or at the very least, nostalgic.
I probably wouldn't meet up with any of them, but its interesting to know what people from your past have been up to and that they are alive and doing well.Its comforting somehow.

As for the picture today, I love the pin-up girls of the 50's, the classy, feminine ones.I think women of those times were so beautiful and feminine.They had a look of their own.

As you may have noticed, I changed my header again.My hubby has been helping me to put together the header that I am comfortable with, and I think I am almost there!The photos are of my beloved Grandmother (Ouma) who is in South Africa and my Grandfather (Oupa), whom I never got to meet. X

My Home

2008-02-18T03:28:00.000-08:00

"A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow" - General George S. Patton
Excuse me for being so bold...but I love my home!
Its the first house we have ever owned, and the first house in Ireland that we have had...that has not been rented and full of other people's stuff!
We have been here for 18 months now, and I have to say that furnishing it and putting floors down etc has taken a real financial toll on us. So, while everyone is flying off on these lovey holidays, we are trying to pay back what it cost us to move in here! As they say, you can't have everything...
But, as my quote for today says, "a good plan"....well I was at the bank today and I am scheming ways to change our mortgage and perhaps benefit from owning a house that has earned a wee bit of equity and using some of that money to go away.Ah, just the thought of a holiday...I am so ready!
Don't get me wrong, I have been away, last year me and the kiddies went to my brother in Portugal for 10 days...but I want a proper family holiday, its just not the same when Brandon doesn't come with.
So...I truly hope that things work out financially...because we are still going to pay for my mum to come over in June/August (hopefully) and I am trying to get money together to pay for a sewing machine and a dress-making course...sigh...there is so much on my mind I need to write everything down and plan, that would be a good idea!
Enjoy your monday and speak again soon! x

Oh before I forget...

2008-02-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

"Carter Chambers: You measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you."
Above is a quote from the movie "The Bucket List", which starts Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. I saw it on Saturday, and it was wonderful!Needless to say, Jack Nicholson is my favourite actor.It truly was an inspiration, and I loved every minute of it, although some would say it was a repeat of more recent scripts...even so, the acting was flawless!I cried and laughed and if a movie can cause those reactions, I say it is worth seeing!Beautiful!

My treat to myself...

2008-02-17T12:01:00.000-08:00

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." - Anne Bradstreet

Yay, the latest issue of Country Living is out, and its got a lot of great kitchens in it this month...I love the article on page 126 - "A gift for Thrift".The lady who's home is featured in this article is very interesting, running a business from a Victorian desk in the guest room and shopping at flea markets and boot sales...sounds like the life to me!
Her home is filled with second-hand goods and also a few Greengate dishtowels and cups...it all blends together beautifully and has such character.
The Country Living magazine is my indulgence, I usually get a copy and sit at the local coffee shop,while the kids are at school and relax.Such bliss!

Tired of the cold...this picture warms me up!

2008-02-15T11:40:00.001-08:00

"A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much,
and an action which does not proceed from a thought is nothing
at all." - Georges Bernanos {1888-1948 French Novelist & Political Writer}

Its so cold in Ireland and I miss my family back "home" in South Africa sooo much.Its been so long since I've seen my mom and dad, that it actually hurts when I talk to them, sometimes I am numb...but other times, my heart aches.
Thank goodness for my wonderful husband and gorgeous children that keep me going, everyday.

I love this quote, it is very profound...actions certainly speak louder than words, they speak volumes.I am trying everyday to "do" and not just "think" what I should be doing...that makes all the difference!

The joy of Climbing into bed with a Book!

2008-02-14T15:01:00.001-08:00

As I was about to climb into bed last night, I realized how cozy and inviting it looked...and so I took a picture.
Thats the funny thing, since I have started blogging, my camera (phone) is never far out of reach and its lead me to another goal - to buy a really nice camera.
Oh so much to save for...so little time.
For now, its goodnight to you and hello to my pillow...Sweet dreams.ZZZZzzzzzzz...

Fab day skating!

2008-02-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

“As you begin to live in the present moment, you will experience a subtle but profound change. Worrying about the future will cease. A deep peace will enfold you, a peace that says, ‘All is well’. There is nothing to fear. Everything is unfolding according to plan and you are being guided each step along the way.” - Douglas Bloch

What a lot of fun!I went with a friend of mine to a new place called Supernova.They have a skating rink (not ice, wax) and a huge play area downstairs,with - very importantly - a couple of coffee spots for the tired moms!
It was really great.
Here is a picture of my little girl who was excellent at her first attempt to skate, and spent 2 hours up there having a ball.
As for my little Max,he was sliding and playing happily, while Susan and I sipped coffee and spoke, all in all a great afternoon...and now I have two sleepy souls in bed.Time for a cup of tea..hmmmm.

Children out in the sunshine - Bliss!

2008-02-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

Well, we were out in the playground for over 2 hours today, which is proof of our desparate need for sunshine...sunshine...aaaah, it was so lovely and warm there between 2 and 4 pm, after that the temperature dropped and I was freezing. But not the kiddies, they were far too busy running around and did not want to leave!
They have built a fantastic playground in our little village (about 6 months ago) and it has made the world of difference to the atmosphere. My daughter's lovely school is also in the process of being rebuilt, and is going to be ready for them at the start of the new school year in September.Right now the poor darlings are in pre-fab classrooms and they use the pitch as their playground.
So, my lovely daughter will thankfully spend her last 2 years of senior primary in a beautiful new school with a library and a hall...I cannot wait to see it finished!
All in all our little village is great and has come a really long way since we moved here 18 months ago!

A beautiful day in Ireland and an Inspirational Quote...

2008-02-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

"Happiness is not an accident.Nor is it something you wish for.Happiness is something you design." - Jim Rohn

Yay, the sun is shining, the kids are off school and we are off to the playground!Its definately all about the little things in life that make us happy...the fact that the sun is so glorious today (even though it is very cold) is such a blessing, and its wonderful to see the kids running about in the fresh air.
Even Bella the Boxer is sitting in the sun in the garden...my poor garden, it really needs attention...I snuck out there yesterday and chopped away at the dead leaves on my plants. I have really neglected it and want to be better prepared for the winter this year. I think I need to read some gardening books, urgently, or I'll be left with no plants or flowers! The frost and snow has certainly taken its toll on my greenery.

Well...I'm off and I'll take some pics of the kids and hopefully post them tonight!Cheers!
P.S - the photo is in my living room.

Quotes to inspire...

2008-02-12T06:25:00.001-08:00

"Finish each day and be done with it.You have done what you could.Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in,forget them as soon as you can.Tomorrow is a new day,begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have decided to include a quote everyday on my posts...I love quotes, they can be so inspiring and it sounds exaggerated, but I do believe one quote can change your pattern of thinking for the day!So ponder on them,I certainly will.

Just a bunch of thoughts...

2008-02-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

Ah this picture is beautiful...I would love it on my wall.My favorite art involves the human body,I really think it is amazingly beautiful.I would love to have more art on my walls.
I can't believe we bought this house 18 months ago, it really doesn't feel like it was that long ago - but at the same time it really does feel like "home", more than any other place we have stayed in.
But I am restless...I want to knock some walls down,shop for furniture,paint,create an entire new theme in a room...Its all in my head...but the proof is in the wallet! (and theres not much there)
I know I just have to be patient,our family really needs a holiday and I have a few things coming up over April and July that are going to cost me a pretty penny.

My friend Lisa and I were invited to a "Ball" at a really nice hotel here in Cork, in April and when we first heard about it - well, we were NOT going to go, just felt too "mature" and a bit silly going to something like that.I guess its also a bit unfamiliar to us "South Africans.."
But...she phoned me last night, and we are now discussing the fact that we may just go and the more we spoke about it the better it sounded.Now I am a bit excited!
I booked us into the hotel anyway, and if she books her plane ticket...I am going to start looking for a dress. Why not?I think we will have a lot of fun and even if it just turns out to be a good laugh, it will be worth it...and I get to see my best friend in the world in April and I don't have to wait for July! Yaay! I'll let you know how the plans progress.

My Laundry Room

2008-02-10T06:41:00.001-08:00

Hello on this lazy sunday afternoon...the kids were going crazy in the house, so my hubby has taken them to the local playground to burn off some energy, even though it is hardly warm and sunny outside...sigh...what can you do but make the most of the weather, at least its dry.
In the meantime, I am working on my poor neglected house...it really needs attention.
This is my lovely Laundry room...when we were looking at this house, it was one of the first things that attracted me to it,and it has been a life saver.Although, it needs alot of work still, we need to put up more shelving, finish the painting and it needs a very good clean.So I am about to go and do that,and I will take more pics once we have done more work in this little room!
The colour I pained it is called "Peony" by Laura Ashley and the curtain was made by a very good friend of mine, Steph, and it is in one of my favourite Cath Kidston fabrics.
Enjoy your afternoon!

Winter Blues

2008-02-07T06:39:00.002-08:00

Do any of you lovely bloggers out there suffer from depression or the occasional bout of it...?
I have been doing some research into SAD, which is Seasonal Affective Disorder, and found some interesting facts...
SAD is far more common in the Northern Hemisphere and occurs during the months of September to January,mainly...but I believe can be quite profound in February and March when the weather is still quite dull.
Symptoms of SAD include weight gain, excessive sleeping,craving carbohydrates,lethargy,feelings of misery,low self-esteem and apathy.
Causes of Seasonal Affective disorder include light deprivation,stress and some people do just have a vulnerability towards it.

One known treatment, is to get a lightbox, which are available from electric stores and some health shops will stock them.Have a look at the website link at the end of this post - you can buy them from here and there is some more advice about SAD.
I am definitely feeling the effects of the winter blues!We bought a heater the other day which gives off quite a strong light, and that helps.
I pray for another sunny day in Ireland, soon!

http://www.lighttherapyproducts.com/

Dreaming of Paris..

2008-02-05T01:04:00.001-08:00

Can you believe...we have not been to Paris yet? I was convinced that once we moved all the way over to Europe from South Africa, we were sure to see that city before too long...but life got the better of us,and especially since my son came along...its been crazy,financially and in other ways.
But, I am starting to see the light, he is already 5 and my daughter is 10 and I am thinking that perhaps, soon, I can take that trip I have always dreamed of.
I would love to go with the whole family, so have been scouring the internet in search of budget hotels, budget flights etc...
Its been educational to say the least...as everyone knows, Paris is very pricey.
I am determined,however, to make this my little project,even if it takes a while to organize...
You see my finances are dwindling at the moment - trying to get money together to buy a sewing machine,take a dress-making course and then I am taking the kids to see my best pal in Manchester in the summer (plus I plan on coming back with some lovely fabric etc to sew...)Does anyone else have these frequent budget dilemmas?
Oh, you can't have it all!
Being sick for the past week, I have had far too much time inside to THINK and I think that is driving me a bit loony.I need to get out, I need fresh air and I need my life to get back to some form of normality.
I've even felt too sick to blog...until now...so I'll just spend another day staring at the mounds of housework and dreaming of Paris!x

Bella's off to the woods

2008-02-02T02:39:00.001-08:00

Ah look at my sweet girl,she's been stuck inside much of the time with the weather and the flu in this household...
She has been sitting in her favourite spot by the window and looking out.
She loves watching the cats play out in front of the house..
Thank goodness its the weekend, my hubby is home and is now about to take her to the woods so that she can run off some of that boxer energy...xx

TV Programmes

2008-01-31T13:09:00.001-08:00

Hello again,I guess this is a good time to blog about my favourite TV shows, seeming that i have been inside for a week and have no idea what is happening in the outside world, in civilization as we know it...

Anyhow..does anyone out there watch Whose Line Is It Anyway? Oh I love that show,its brilliant.I love Ryan Stiles,Colin Mockery and Greg Proops...and Tony Slattery is...well...a honey!I think those guys are so talented to improvise like they do - my husband and I laugh so much each time we watch it.

Another show we don't miss is American Idol.What is it about that show - is it Simon Cowell that keeps you coming back for more?Is it watching people make fools of themselves...no actually I hate seeing those poor unsuspecting people getting slammed by the judges..
The best part of the show is when they get to Hollywood and you begin to see the real talent come out.
I also love watching some of the reality TV shows that are on such as the wedding programmes,interior design shows and the ones that advertise Sun Holidays!
Once I am over the flu, hopefully by next week - I had better get up off the sofa and do something more constructive with my time......Cheerio!

Feeling Sick

2008-01-30T11:05:00.001-08:00

Blah, I have the flu and I feel really low.One thing I have learned to do is to light a really good fire...Its freezing in Ireland and waiting the whole afternoon for my hubby to come home is really long.......does anyone else feel that way?
Its the highlight of my day when he walks through the door.
I guess thats a good sign?
These are some of my daughter's lovely dolls,the one in the middle was given to her by my friend Lisa, all the way from the U.K. She is gorgeous, very stylish!

January's nearly Over

2008-01-29T02:30:00.001-08:00

January is definitely a tough month to get through.At the moment my daughter is really sick and I feel the flu coming on as well.
Why does this feel like deja-vu? Every year seems to be the same story.
Anyway, we will get better...and life will go back to normal.
I was very excited last night to come across a dress-making course (correspondence) through an Irish college, it looks really good.
They send you the full kit you need including fabric, thread, patterns and you have 6 to 9 months to complete the course, and by the end you would have made a skirt and I think a blouse...now I am so keen to find my machine,probably going to look in Argos, and as soon as I have it I will hopefully sign up for the course.It will be a dream come true, as I have always wanted to know how to sew and I want to start making my own things.
The various crafty web-sites are so inspiring,and i can see them being a great help through my learning process!

I love Vintage Prints

2008-01-28T03:51:00.001-08:00

My comfy Spot..

2008-01-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

This is where I sit everyday and try and come up with ideas for articles,book reviews etc...and where my beloved hubby and I watch tv and read books at night...
The wall surrounding the fireplace was cream..then pink and now its striped,I can never leave anything alone and untouched for very long.Drives my husband mad because he generally has to do the DIY work!
As you can see, I attacked the coffee table a while back and it has now become naturally distressed from use,just how I like it!The green paint is by Cath Kidston.

Well...its been lovely and sunny in Ireland, much to my delight,although my little girl is sick with a cold at the moment and so we have had a quiet weekend.
I baked a lovely banana bread today and am finally sitting down on my comfy sofa.Sigh...

Oh the housework...

2008-01-26T03:42:00.001-08:00

This is my entrance way...I love my cupboard (which took me ages to save for and pay off at a little shop near to where I live...) - the color on the wall is Cord, which I just love.It goes with so many different decor styles.
Because I have only been blogging now for a few weeks, I find myself drawn to all the beautiful blogs...sitting for hours musing until my bottom is sore...and guess what?The housework does not happen...guilty, YES.In fact I have just sent my dear husband out to tesco to buy me a new Mop Head, because I am soooo sincere about wanting to mop the floors later today. Why isn't there time to blog
blog blog, shop, be a good mom, bake and have a pristine house? Oh, and try look half decent in the process. 24 hours is just not enough.Agree?

My Childrens Room

2008-01-25T03:15:00.000-08:00

Max and Payton decided they wanted to share a room, which has worked out beautifully!They enjoy each others company at night and really don't (by some miracle) get in each others' way!
The top picture is Max's side, which reflects his personality with his "Aliens" on his shelf and the bottom pic is Payton's side of the room, which reflects her love and adoration (thats all she talks about and reads about) for - HORSES!!
I love my children's room, but am thinking of a color to paint it, perhaps a nice green...or duck egg blue...I just don't want to make it too dark.

Life with Bella the Boxer...

2008-01-25T02:43:00.001-08:00

Oh my,where can I start with Bella...We got her as an 8 week old pup a year ago,she was one of 8 puppies, her mom is Bella and her dad, Benny.
My daughter picked her out of the entire litter...because she thought she was the quietest, most shy...ha ha ha.Not so I'm afraid...
But then, boxers are known for their boisterous nature and also for their loyal and loving personalities.
Oh how we love Bella, but the past year has not been easy.We have had a lot of difficult behaviors to deal with and a very energetic dog who requires a lot of exercise....So every morning after dropping the kids at school, Bella and I take to the woods (or some other long walk) and this really gets me out and about,helps with a healthy mind, thats for sure.
I would recommend a boxer as a family dog, however, be careful if you have small children as their loving nature can sometimes be over-bearing, and they can get really excited and enthusiastic and knock things (and little people) over! Please let me know if any of you out there have a Boxer or a boisterous dog and how you handle day to day living with your pooch.

And the sun shone...

2008-01-24T14:57:00.001-08:00

After a rainy wednesday, Mr Sun showed his face...so when I fetched my little boy from school, we headed straight for the playground.
It was a joy to watch him out in the fresh air, sliding and swinging.
I have to say, since moving from South Africa to Ireland, I have a new appreciation for warmth, the sun and dry days.Something I always took for granted is now a gift!

My Precious Family

2008-01-24T11:24:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of my Grandfather and my Grandmother on their wedding day in (I think) the late 1940's or early 1950's.
When I look at this,it paints a picture of my history...although I never met my grandfather,my dad was 16 when he died...my Grandmother played a pivotal roll in my childhood and influenced so much of my thinking and other elements of my life.And I love her with all my heart.
Unfortunately,my dear Grandma (Ouma) lives thousands of miles away in South Africa,and I miss her everyday and just wish I could sit with her and have a cup of tea and a scone.

How I love Greengate...

2008-01-24T07:29:00.000-08:00

Oh how I love Greengate....I have discovered all sorts of little shops around Cork that stock this lovely stuff, and just need a few more hundred euros to satisfy my craving for Jugs, spoon, cups, saucers, dish-towels...I love this little jug, my friend who was here over December bought the beautiful bowl like this..more Greengate pics coming up soon!

Jamie Oliver's new Book

2008-01-22T04:07:00.000-08:00

Hello again from a very very wet Ireland...The rain
has not stopped ...When I talk to my mom in Cape Town, South Africa, she complains about the heat...so it looks like we all have our gripes with the weather no matter where we live!

My friend Lisa bought me this present in December - Jamie At Home,and I have to say that it is such a beautiful book! And I am ashamed to say that I have not had a minute to sit down and really look through it properly, but I am going to to do that today. Some of the recipes look amazing...and the book has such a beautiful, aesthetic quality about it.
Some recipes which I would like to try soon are the Roasted White Fish and Leeks, Crispy chicken thighs with squashed new potatoes and tomatoes,Quick sausage meatballs with a tomato and basil sauce,spaghetti and sweet raw peas...............aaahh the list is endless................when I get round to cooking some of these dishes, I will let you know the outcome.
In the meantime, I am going back to turning the pages and dreaming about all this wonderful food...and also planning how to start growing some of my own veggies!I'm inspired!

Photo of Sheepy

2008-01-22T03:51:00.001-08:00

This is Sheepy!The picture was taken by my little boy,Max,who is 5 and has autism.He will often grab my camera and click away, leaving me to delete 20 photos of the floor!But he often takes some really good shots...The other pic is of my daughter,Payton all dressed up on a sunday. Isn't she lovely?

Shoes,shoes,shoes...

2008-01-21T08:46:00.001-08:00

With a pretty small budget for shoes,clothes....and all things nice, I really get excited when I get my paws on something out of my price range.Ah how I love these shoes (Monsoon).I feel like a million dollars when I wear them, they are truly an indulgent purchase which is not soon to be repeated.
I've never been one to wear stockings with open-toed shoes, but I think this works somehow.My friend,Lisa was here in December and we both decided that we want to get our wardrobes up to scratch with a few lovely pieces of clothing. Problem is my taste is usually very expensive. I long for flea-markets and thrift shops that you would find in England...I think I need to save some "pounds" and book a shopping weekend in London...

Scenes from my home..

2008-01-19T15:17:00.001-08:00

This is my dresser and my fridge door, both in the kitchen...i like everything in my home to have a good feeling about it and battle to leave anything plain and simple...thus the clutter...Which drives my husband mad,but I have tried not to collect...problem is the shops just keep on producing more and more beautiful things...and whats a girl to do?

Meet my Beautiful children!

2008-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

This is Payton and Max!
Payton is 10 and Max is 5, this photo was taken in the gardens at Bunratty Castle, Ennis, Cork.They had such great fun that day, there was a magic show, face painting and they found the castle facinating! It really was a great holiday.

Tips on Beating the Winter Blues

2008-01-18T02:16:00.000-08:00

I really know what winter is since moving to Ireland...I've been here through 6 or more...and each year I realize that there are things you can do to make those winter days not seem so long or gloomy.
These are a few of my ideas to brighten up your dreary winter days!

Take a walk!I have discovered so many beautiful woods since moving to the east of Ireland and I am sure there are many in your area to!I wrap the kids up in their jackets,hats and wellies and off we go.Our boxer,Bella comes along too, and she loves the freedom of being outdoors. The kids collect sticks and leaves and it is so lovely to see them out in the fresh air.
Light a fire! I love a big, gorgeous, roaring fire on cold winter days.It is so comforting to curl up on the sofa with a book and a blanket and sit by the fire.
Light candles! Candles create a wonderful atmosphere in a home.Buy yourself different candle holders, look for different textures - glass, wood,beads - they will create a wonderful feeling in the home.If you have small children, you can use the top of the fireplace or shelves that are out of reach.
Read! Lose yourself in a good novel.Sitting on the sofa or lying in bed with a cup of tea, reading a book is such a relaxing experience. I am reading "The Memory Keepers Daughter" by Kim Edwards at the moment and will be posting a book review on it when I am finished.See www.memorykeepersdaughter.com for more information on this book.
Cook wholesome Meals! Why not try making a lovely stew?I learned to make stew by trial and error, I make it differently every time,using an assortment of meat and vegetables.I will be posting a recipe here for one of my stews!
Head for the coast! May sound crazy, but a walk along the beach in the crispy cold weather is invigorating and the kids will love it!Why not book a weekend, or even a night away down the coast for a well earned break.
Change your Decor! I have been painting furniture and re-arranging my house over the winter.It is really therapeutic and can help you get through those long winter afternoons. Try whites, creams and duck-egg blues to brighten and lighten your home when the days are darker.

Easy to make Banana Bread

2008-01-17T12:41:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

2 Cups Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
A quarter Teaspoon Salt
Half a cup butter
3 Quarter cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs,beaten
2 and a third cups overripe Bananas,mashed

Method:

Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius.
Sieve flour, baking Soda and salt.
In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar.Stir in the eggs and banana.Then stir in the flour.Pour this into a loaf pan and bake for 60 - 65 minutes.

Delicious Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

2008-01-17T02:19:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

Half cup butter
2 thirds cup Granulated Sugar
3 Large eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract/essence
1 and a half cups Flour
1 and a half teaspoons Baking Powder
A quarter teaspoon Salt
A quarter cup milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 177 degrees Celsius
Cream the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy.Add eggs one at a time,beating well after each addition.Beat the Vanilla essence in.

In a separate bowl whisk the flour,baking powder and salt.Add this to the butter and egg mixture, along with the milk and beat.
Spoon the mixture into paper cups and bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown.
Enjoy!These are Yummy!

Frosting: (Optional)

Ingredients:

2 cups Sugar,sifted
Half a cup of butter
One teaspoon Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Cream

Blend the ingredients and mix until you have a smooth, consistent paste that looks like icing.You can add more or less butter or sugar according to preference.
Sprinkle with Chocolate flakes or grated white chocolate for added yumminess!!

Living Abroad

2008-01-16T02:14:00.000-08:00

Its hard to believe that we have been living in Ireland for over 6 years.
We moved to Cork from beautiful Cape Town in July of 2001.My daughter was just 3 and a half and it was hard for all of us to say goodbye to my parents and to our home.
Arriving here was strange.The place was totally unfamiliar,of course, and it was nothing like home.There were no similarities!
The saving grace was that it was summer when we arrived,so the streets of Cork were alive and the sun was shining.That truly helped a lot with the adjustment we had to make.
We moved into a small apartment in the city and my husband went to work a few days later.
then it hit me! I looked at my daughter and knew that I had to make this work, it was just her and I most of the time, and I had to be positive.

I enrolled her in a playschool in the city, which she loved, that enabled me to explore a bit and get to know the place, but also to have time to myself to decide what I wanted to do.
I grew to like Cork, especially the city.I loved the atmosphere and I would sit at the top of Marks and Spencer with my coffee and my books on "How to write a novel" and look down at the street, and I felt quite inspired!

A huge blow was September 11th,which happened just a month and a half after we arrived.It scared me so much and made me feel really alone.I think I called home hundreds of times during that period and I felt very insecure.
Then, in the October, just as the weather was getting cold and windy, I received news that my Gran had passed away.I was really upset,especially when I heard my mom's voice over the phone and I couldn't be there for her.

We moved to a lovely house in the suburbs soon after that, and Then i found out I was pregnant.I have to say I was thrilled! My daughter started school in the September and my precious boy was born in the January of 2003.It was a wonderful time, but also very lonely.

My daughter was thriving at school and had seemed to adjust to life in Ireland very well.
My parents came over from South Africa for the first time when my son was a year old and they spent a month.It was lovely to see them, and I loved the fact that they could travel for the first time ever!Very exciting!

When my son was about 3 and a half, he went for tests to see if he had Autism (after a friend suggested he had the traits)
He was diagnosed in December 2006 and of course I was devastated. My world began to unravel and I believe that because I had no family support it made it a hundred times harder.
But a year later - and here we are!
He is attending an excellent school in Cork and I am so pleased with his progress and so so proud of him.He has just turned 5.
As for my beautiful daughter, she turned 10 today and she makes me smile everyday. She is such a precious girl, so down to earth. She loves horse riding and animals in general.

I have a wonderful husband who has always supported me through the rough times.
Life is so full of ups and downs, joys and disappointments, you have to take the good with the bad.And all the time, try and keep your chin up!

Welcome

2008-01-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to my blog!
I enjoy talking about a number of different topics...motherhood,housekeeping, books, films,music....
I hope to meet many interesting people and get loads of opinions!

My daughter is 10 years old and my son is 5.He has autism.
I am living in Ireland, but am originally from South Africa. We have been here for 6.5 years now and there certainly have been good and bad times...the hardest being my sons diagnosis and living so far from my family.

However, we have en devoured to make a life here....and finally bought our own house a year ago.
I am interested in Home Decor issues, particularly shabby chic,vintage and french styles.
I am an avid reader of Country Living and Country Homes and Interiors magazines.
I love reading and watching movies and talking about general topics, be it global or local issues.

I truely hope we can share interesting stories and ideas and I hope to be around for a long time to come.