Sunny afternoon in the park

Lovely afternoon at.... Where else? Baggeridge of course!

Met up with some Friends from gp and Elmfield.

Ice creams, zip wires, burying in sand, cake, running, and a long walk to top it off! Lush day! Xx

Spring sunshine, cats and stingers

Spring has sprung again! We have a lovely addition to our family- Layla the cat- rescued from wandering around Cannock chase alone. She's settled in nicely over the lat week and has had her neutering operation now too. 

Funny photo of me and my baby face-timing Nik and kids!

She's so sweet- William calls her 'Way-waah' as he can't do 'L's' yet- cute! He dressed up as a cat on her first day to make her feel welcome.

We had the first real warm sunshine today and went to highgate common for a walk with the old dogs and Lucy dan and Luke.

William found a cool den and we climbed on a log pile and foraged for nettles to make a soup that night. 

The we went to the pub for dinner and sat in the sunshine- so lush- can't wait for summer now.

Here's wills walking old joe the dog but young Lucy the dog is hogging the shot!

Check out my nettle soup- it's actually quite nice- lots of onions and garlic probably helped!

The nettles were foraged from under some old braken- away from dogs. Lots of bright green baby shoots and once they're wet they don't sting Anymore so preparing them was not painful for did take a while to remove the braken bits that came along for the ride.

Thomas land

Thomas land with William and his special gang- deeds, Niamh and buster!!!

At the zoo in Drayton manor- we loved the reptile house especially- and not just because it was easier to contain all the escape artists!!!

Then we had a picnic while we listened to the monkeys hoo-hoo

first ride- Lady's carousel- me and will had to go in a different carriage as we couldn't fit in the popular one!

Bertie's crazy sky high bus ride- I wimped out- I don't like things that make my tummy go woop! Kids and Nik loved it x

Posing with Rosie- think Niamh was chuffed there was a girl one too!

Edward- or 'wee-ward' as William calls him- aww cute! Me and nik were talking today about their old baby words- Nik was sad when William didn't understand her saying look at the 'ow-ens' wills old word for owls- they grow so quickly! Niamh used to call horses 'whissy- docks' cute!

Helicopter rides! 

Check out our little pilot! Happy deeds x

Over the bridge to see sleepy James- (the engine- not daddy, butty-james))-although he was soooo tired that day after a long wedding yesterday and no sleep!

Then we went on the troublesome trucks- all of us together! So No action shots but before shots..

This was THE BEST ride ever! I screamed all the way round. The kids all loved it!

Finally the airplane ride- scary from the ground were I watched it from!!

Then Niamh and William met the fat controller!

Then we had a ride high up on some cars and saw the whole site-

we got off just in time-as all the power to the whole site cut out and people were cherry picked (literally) from the rides.

We went home- but felt we'd done it all and really enjoyed every minute.

Will defo go again xxx

Baggeridge with cousins

Goodbye christmas hello 2014!

It's the 28th December. Today I woke up and said goodbye to christmas.

It's been lovely, lots of family, lots and lots of homemade gifts and time with those we love. It was ace...but.. Last night I just felt I'd had my fill.

I looked at the crispy holly garland and the wilting tree and the piles of stuff needing a new home and felt it was time (Scrooge or not) to clear away the year and start preparing for the next.

By 9.35am the decs were down and spring clean (just the living room) was in full swing. 

Our house is titch so I really feel clutter and it was imperative to my mental health to start the process before I got back to work.

The boys seemed very pleased with the fresh start. 

We took a long walk around our fave place and caught a breathtaking sunset whilst munching tangerines.

Tuna fish pie for tea with tons of veggies- not posh nosh but hearty and comforting and healthy and most importantly not cheese and crackers! Everyone loved it!

Relaxing tonight and planning the big move for 2014- which WILL happen this year- I'm full of hope!!!!

All in all we had a lovely day and have a few more before the return to work.

Hoping to clear more clutter and start afresh the house needs a good blast of air, a smudging and a lick of paint over the William damage!

Eekk can't wait for this year- I'm embracing it already.

Vintage machine Norman!

Just look at Norman in all his glory!!!

This beautiful piece of machinery was given to me by James uncle norm, whilst operation de-clutter was happening at casa Tercshowetz.

It's the heaviest beast of a machine ever- I nearly put my back out heaving it into the coffee table to use.

As soon as I saw it I knew it was special- I think it's circa 60's ish- solid, chrome plating, wooden casing and metal body.

When the motor runs it purrs, it's so quiet  and smooth.

I have to admit it had me completely baffled though, couldn't find any info on how to thread it or take care of it on the web, so soon after it arrived it ended up back on its dusty old suitcase sulking in a corner.

I've got another machine- a cheapo modern Argos affair- it keeps packing up!

Last weekend I finally found a man who could look at it- a nice old man named Alan who lived nearby.

When I took the BUSH one he shook his head at me- 'that is a nasty machine young lady, you'll have nothing but trouble with it'. Great! And the bugger only started working again spontaneously, so he didn't even get to help me with it's problems! -arghh! Frustrating as I know there's something up with the tension!

Anyway- just so as not to waste the journey- I mentioned my old cresta.

His eyes lit up- he used to work with the machines in his youth! He almost fell over himself to see the thing and then swiftly sent me on my way telling me he'd call me when he's looked at it.

Later that day he called me back. He's serviced Norman- given him a new motor belt and oiled him until he sung!

Only charge me 25 quid ( think its because he'd clearly enjoyed the whole experience!)

He threaded him, showed me how to do it and said 'this beauty will be running when the other ones in its grave!' 

Loving Alan's enthusiasm and my fab new (old) machine Norman.

Good to know Alan's there for future help, although I think I've created a monster as he's called me twice since asking how I'm getting on and offering to personally visit me and Norman to see how I'm managing and show me the bobbin function that I still haven't grasped!

Ha ha- who knew sewing was so masculine- my Norman and his tech support guy Alan,  not forgetting uncle norm for giving me the beauty in the first place!

Thanks boys x