Little Things :: An early birthday pressie...

It's my birthday in a couple of weeks. I wasn't going to shout about it coz it's a *BIG ONE* and, to be honest, I'd rather not think about where all those years have gone!!

Anyway I received a rather lovely early present in the post yesterday - issue 10 of gorgeous thrifty vintage inspired lifestyle magazine Pretty Nostalgic. Not just Issue 10 mind you but a whole year's subscription gifted to me by my fab mother-in-law!

Pretty Nostalgic even included a hand written birthday card to me so I would know who it was from.

How lovely is that?

Pretty Nostalgic is a magazine I have wanted to read after seeing it Wonder Wool Wales back in April. Their strap line - Creative and sustainable living inspired by the past - immediately grabbed my attention as did the beautiful imagery and the square shape of the magazine (it reduces waste at the printers - read more about it here )

With articles as diverse as 'The Rise and Fall of Music Hall' and the origins of popular English idioms to tips on collecting kitchenalia, a tour of Vintage Southsea and the best of British made lingerie, there is plenty in Pretty Nostalgic to keep me interested. Plus a few makes and bakes thrown in for good measure.

I can't wait to get stuck into this (even if it is *technically* the Christmas issue) and the even better news is issue 11 is being sent out to subscribers this week too so I should receive it in the post this weekend.

If anyone wants me I'll be curled up with a cosy blanket, a cup of tea, some left over Christmas biscuits and two copies of my new favourite read...

It's the Little Things #3 Sunshine on a Rainy Day

After yet another dull, grey rainy day the sun finally makes a brief appearance . . .

 

Five minutes later it was grey again.

 But, you know, sometimes five minutes is all you need. . .

Taking a Little Time...

It has been good to take some time out this week. Time away from the computer and social networks. Time to enjoy the little things, reflect, heal and BE.

We have spent most of the time enjoying the sunshine, (well you gotta make the most of it, it may not last!), tidying up the garden and playing in the garden. We had family round for a BBQ. We did some baking. We painted pictures. We even painted a wall with water - the cheapest, funnest (yes that IS a word. Honest) easiest way to keep a four year old occupied for more than 30secs on a hot sunny day! I made a few pretties for my SIL's birthday and we went for a walk in the woods. We watched the sun go down and the moon rise. We fed fish, climbed gates and lay back on the grass, watching the clouds. . .

It's been a week for counting blessings.

I have many, for which I am very grateful.

Normal bloggy service shall resume shortly . . .    xx

It's the Little Things #2

This week's Little Thing is actually quite a big thing.  Little Man attended his nursery 'Graduation Prom' on Friday night. It's not nearly as grand as it sounds - it actually consisted of a local village hall full of pre-schoolers (and their siblings), lots of crisps, cakes, sausage rolls, squash, balloons and a predominately CBeebies soundtrack. Little Man went all shy and decided he would prefer to spend most of the time with mummy and daddy as sadly his best friends from nursery weren't there, although his face lit up everytime balloons headed in his general direction.

The staff at the nursery had created little leaving packs for all the 'graduates' - a bag containing the childs progress report, some art work, a drinks bottle, a disk with photographs they had taken of him throughout his time there (we had to sign a consent form that none of this picture would be shared on Social Network sites due to their privacy policy, which is a shame coz there are some crackers!!) a ticket to the local cinema (timely - he has been nagging to go and see Ice Age 4 for weeks) and an achievement certificate.

Little Man's certificate said he was the class genius. "Quick to learn and retain information. Can intelligently talk about things he is interested in"


I cannot tell you how much this made me smile :-) not to mention the picture I took of him with his playleader, beaming from ear to ear proudly showing off his certificate (no, I'm not allowed to share that one either...)

Obviously this marks the end of an era. My Little Man is growing up. In ten weeks time he will no longer be a pre-schooler but enter the realms of formal education (all be it at Reception level which, if the school's 'Reception Entries Parents Evening' the other week was anything to go by, seems to be a whole lot more fun than staying at home!)

It hardly seems like yesterday that we first said hello!

1 day old and FULL of attitude!

What little things made you smile this week?

It's the Little Things...

A couple of weeks back someone left an anonymous comment on this blog. For some reason they felt the need to point out that my blog was filled with little things. Anonymous went on to say that I am (obviously) seeking to fill some unamed void in my life with 'stuff'; that there is something BIG missing from my life and so I am seeking to convince the world and myself that I am happy by wittering on about unimportant little things...