Farm

not mine, Wimpole’s, although the idea of having a goat, chickens, geese and a couple of rabbits doesn’t entirely scare me. I would love to try a peaceful, partly self sustainable way of living. With lots of fresh air, lots of green, greens and lots of happy laughter. And I would definitely like a dog. Or maybe two dogs. Somewhere in South of France… or Italy… Ahh Back to the Wimpole farm then.

This place had been visited, by our family, quite a bit in the past, but then we once had a car accident on the way back from the farm. Two years later not much has changed at Wimpole:

a big softie

a typical ‘the grass is greener on the other side’

and this

a ‘blissful’ motherhood. 11 little ones and one poor mom. Respect. For what we saw… nature can be harsh. But then so can we.

Moving on - I’m officially a sole trader (yeahhhhh!!!). With not much of a trade…yet Summer proves to be the hardest time for me to complete a craft project. But I’m getting somewhere.

To be finished

and this is going to be finished too. I promise. I can manage multitasking no problem…

I can not show them today, but I also have a couple of teddies done. Nearly. Hm hm. And a few more new things already started too… So I see my etsy shop reopening in September. Before that - I’m making the best of my summer evenings.

Sitting on the terrace, watching the sky changes

enjoying the view

and enjoying some REALLY good films.

What are you up to on your evenings?

Life is beautiful

and I’m glad I’m still very much in it :). A little bit older since I wrote my last post

a bit more happier and all the same. That cake (made by my very dearest) was one fantastic chocolate present which was unfortunately not very appreciated by (chocaholic) me. Sigh. See next picture.

What would such amount of chocolate in one family’s home tell you?

Good things, I hope. I’ve received it by post, from a sweet, sweet friend (thank you Giedre!!!) for my birthday, as supposedly one chocolate bar for each year I’ve managed so far (+ one as a bonus)… with no instructions how to manage such an amount wisely… I’ve eaten some of it, but you would be proud of me how good I’ve been so far. Sharing is the key

Back to that lovely not very appreciated cake above. Don’t want you to start to think lots of bad things about me, so I’ll explain myself. One day we’ve gone to the estate agent without too much of thinking beforehand (that followed shortly after). We wanted to talk about selling our flat and ended up seeing big lovely flat for rent 3 days later. After some seriously stressful mind testing week we finally decided not to go for it but instead sell our flat and leave UK… We said ‘No’ to the big lovely flat, and an hour later we changed it in to a ‘yes’ and ended up packing for the next 6 days. So this cake was supposed to be enjoyed the evening before we have moved houses. The only thing I honestly enjoyed then was more boxes being sealed off… Although it needs to be said, the first part of the day was dedicated to me and I could not have cared more about what was waiting later … but then reality hit hard. I can reassure you - having a birthday a day before relocating is not something I would necessarily like to repeat. But at the same time, a new home is one of the best presents that you can ask for (apparently…)

So new home! Wohoo - lots of space (at last) and lots to do… June must have had wings on as we all felt like we have been swept from May to July. Or to almost mid of it. Summer - wait for us!!! Please…

I’ve not done much of sowing, or almost none at all, to be precise, but if you want to know - I’ve learned how to paint walls (Yasmina you’re my star!!!), how to make rockets and live without the internet for almost 3 weeks. And I started knitting again. And reading, again.

Recycled water bottle rockets

and some paper cup rockets filled with sweets

all for my son’s School’s summer fair. 11 bottles and 38 paper cup rockets was only some lovely 6 hours of labour, but it was well worth it.

Thanks a bunch for your comments and all of you who keep on peeping in here. It’s been a quiet month here, but I guess we can handle it once in a while

Have a good week!

One two three

I read somewhere, that around one month priory to your birthday you’re supposed to take it all easy, as apparently it’s quite a serious time, where no big decisions, plans, acts are recommended… It’s all about preserving, thinking, charging up and leaving the lot for latter. And all of the above was crossed over in my life last week. Will report later if that turned to be a good thing. Phew. Any volunteers to keep fingers crossed for me?

Here are a couple of things I’m allowed to talk about:

I’ve managed to bake 53 cookie medals (had to modify the recipe to use far less sugar and add some lovely spices) for kids from my son’s school for a fun sporty afternoon in a park that me and my darling have pooled together (I’m too proud to not to mention it - sorry!!! ).

the same day I’ve also made bagels (for the very first time). Bread machine guys! I’m not gonna go on how delicious they were… very very… very…

And yes, at last, I’ve made toys and they are not bears!

What do you think? Opinions needed I think I’m going to explore more outside the teddy theme That doesn’t mean I’m saying ‘no more’ to my grizzly bears

OK. That will have to be it for now. Will be back next week. Enjoy yours! x

No toys part 2

Today I’m making something new. Or more like - I’m trying…Woohoo!!! But we gonna talk about it once I have what to show…

This is the Peak District in UK. And our big and small footprints left somewhere there…

Chatsworth

So yeah. It was nice. I’m still not really back…

No toys

May is an official start to our family’s birthday season. My dearest is the first in line and I love that. I also love our little tradition of marking that special day. We try to spend it outdoors, to recharge the batteries. The ‘newborn’ chooses the location. And Birling Gap became quite popular among us two.

And what birthday without a birthday cake and a birthday wish? Not ours

It’s Russian honey cake. A bit modified and one of our favourites now.

Warm weather this week keeps us outside

and makes me very tired by the end of the day. So you totally really understand why I have nothing hand made (well a cake…) to show. Instead - have a look at what other natives of mine make.

We’re off to Sheffield, to attend The Digital Art Festival, to see my lovely’s work on the big screen in about 7 hours… That says ‘go to bed woman’… So I’m going. You have a nice weekend and I’ll be back.

Color it

I generally really like rain. Especially in spring/summer. The sound of drops hitting found surface… the smell… the purpose of it is beautiful. And then those skies… April skies. Amazing.

So much drama, so much life in it

As if we’re told stories from up there…

Lots of rain that does not want to go away makes you wanna color your days in. So I’we tried.

We also got a very colorful parcel from very dear people with this card that made me smile and smile

it’s drawn by my older brother. From a heart. Love it (and him!) so much.

This morning I see blue sky and one very shining face. We have a birthday man in the house. So colors of life are pouring in.

Have a beautiful weekend!

I can’t get enough

Nature is good, but what is really good - it’s me in it.

I grew up in a town, far away from UK (having said that, most of my summers were spent in a very green and very beautiful big village and I honestly loved it). In my teens I moved to even bigger town. After that there was life in a relatively small capital. The next step was London. I guess from here it will go backwards… Or that’s what I hope for. I love love London, also because we have a lot of parks and quite a few of them are truly amazing, but my soul is longing for a quieter, greener and more relaxed life. And I wish my kids grow up with far more freedom and in touch with dear nature.

I love trees

All of them

I want to plant some.

Nature aside, my toys are finally in the shop.

my first ever book I wrote…

Have a lovely week!

Positive

This can be a spring thing: the warmth, the colors, scents and spurting life all around - it tickles your soul and body, makes you fall in love again, makes you smile effortlessly, feel beautiful, and feel good. I feel good. Very good. And in love…

All I want to do is be outdoors, in the green, run around with my family, play and then lie in the grass and watch the clouds in the sky… Have a picnic… And hold on to this happy feeling.

My plan to exclude ‘dairy’ from my menu is a good plan, but hasn’t been put into practice yet. Today I had some fantastic ice cream… I sort off pretended I forgot about the unimportant fact it’s made from cows milk. Worked well. And yesterday I had a very yummy pastry that ended up in my tummy even though I said ‘no’ to it. I’ve been told I’m a strong - willed person. I am.

My shop update a bit delayed, but is going to happen very soon. Promise.

Something to share - shelece, nataJane.

Hope you are enjoying your week. It’s almost weekend! Can not await - apparently we gonna have a very warm one here. I love spring.

So much

Don’t get used to it just yet - I’m not intending to start posting daily… but Tuesday was a great day and I want to share it here.

I’ve recently neglected my kitchen appliances, but it’s meant to change. Starting with simple things. I’m officially excluding meat and dairy from my menu (again). Completely. So scones for breakfast were my ‘good bye’ (to cows milk) treat.

Another ‘good bye’ (yes, too many in one day!) to falafel burgers from Giraffe

It’s time to move on. I tend to stick to the same dishes for quite some time and then no wonder - I get tiered of them. So next time I’m in Giraffe - I’m gonna try something new.

Word ‘new’ has to be used more often. Like new toys… new designs… new ideas…

So here: today I finally managed to take a couple of photos of my new necklace I’ve mentioned some time ago.

This is my first trial, based entirely on Maria’s kjo style (which I very much admire!) . I’m not intending to sell my necklace - it’s for personal use, so I sort of borrowed her idea and made something for myself (for a change). This year I’m too optimistic I’m gonna treat myself to more than just this. Thinking big: some clothes, bags…

And finally, before I switch off - today we met Ben Wilson. Picture a man on his fours on the street doing something on the pavement with a fine paintbrush. Would you expect to see him painting on a discarded gum?

There was something very nice about Ben and his idea. Some of his miniatures have stories - it’s like chewing gum reincarnates into something much more important… and stops people like us. We look at these little pieces and give them a big happy smile. Why not?

Only hope that does not encourage people to give Ben more of that work material…

Ok. The new day has began. Hope it’s a nice one.

April

The last couple of weeks were all about my two little people in the house. This time school holidays meant lots of parks, playgrounds, lots of sandwiches and very little time for me and things like sowing… The later will come and I already miss having my both boys with me all day long.

Kew last week

Hampstead

Scotney Castle in Kent with huge green space around for long relaxing walks

Eh. I even had my own mini breaks over those two weeks where I was left on my own… a good film, a good 100gr of fine chocolate and some production…

I know others manage, I’m still working on that - my wish/to do list only grows and never shrinks. Good I guess…

Shop update is very close. No promises, but I’m thinking Thursday.

Until then.