A Sweet Message For Mums

Happy Mothers Day to all of you sweet Mums out there,

mums to be and grandmothers. 

Remembering those beautiful Mums who are no longer with us,
who we think of everyday,
who will live in their children's hearts forever.

xSam

Vintage Finds - Something Special

When I come across something special, something that just touches my heart, I never want to let it go, yet want to share it with the world..

My husband stumbled upon these treasures on the weekend at a garage sale on our street.

So enchanting, beautifullly illustrated, full of sweet thoughts and words..the kind of books I love to share with my kids, maybe on a rainy day or at the moment a cool, sunny autumn's day.

Mr R was immediately charmed by the gorgeous cover illustrations, then upon opening up the books, could not put them down, he just knew that they belonged with us. Can you see why I fell in love with this guy? 

They were written and illustrated by children's author Joan Walsh Anglund in the 1950's-60's.  Although the illustrations look a little familiar, I'm feeling a little ignorant on children's literature right about now, as though I should know of her and her beautiful vintage children's books.  Not to worry, I know of them now and I'm hooked!  I would love to have more of these books to pass onto my daughter, and for her to cherish in the future.

I also found some gorgeous prints taken from Anglund's books on etsy, which would look great framed up on my daughter's bedroom walls.

Are you familiar with the works of Joan Walsh Anglund?

Joining in with Sophie and friends at Her Library Adventures today, why not pop over there to see more cute vintage finds!

xSam

New Beginnings

This last week I made a BIG decision, and interestingly it's coincided with Easter, signifiying new beginnings for me.  I've been shopping for interview clothes, preparing my resume, job hunting and looking at study options also.  Yep, I've decided to go back to work, part time!  
Although it is a big decision, it wasn't really a hard one.  I've been a stay at home mum for six, nearly seven years, and although I've wanted to return to work for sometime, I just couldn't do it up until now with my little ones being so young.  Now that my oldest is in grade one and my little one settled into daycare two days a week, I feel that now is the right time.  I need to get back out there into the workplace, to be around other adults, before the gap on my resume becomes wider, and financially, it would relieve some stress on my family.

Being a full time mum has probably been one of the most rewarding and challenging roles I've ever had, and I'm so glad that I have had the opportunity to be at home for such a significant amount of time.  I've tried different things - helping out at school, joining mother's groups, taking up new hobbies, even this blog, all things I enjoy and still hope to continue with, just maybe to a lesser degree.

Luckly, I've managed to keep my skills up to date, so I'm hoping it won't be too hard to find work, although the challenge will be to find something part time and reasonably close to home.  I know things will get busier around here, once I'm working, I'll have to be super organised to juggle everything, but it has to happen sooner or later, and there's no time like the present, right?

Feeling so much more positive about everything, and excited about new beginnings.

So, apart from a belly full of chocolate, what has Easter meant for you this year?  Any new beginnings on your horizon?


xSam
*This post has been edited to remove photos of my children, for internet security purposes.

Thrifting Therapy

After a tricky week last week, this week has been all about de-cluttering and sticking to a strong routine.  Not without a little thrifting though. 

I picked these dishes up just last week, when I needed to get out of the house and clear my head, plus I just thought my kitchen could do with a little vintage Pyrex! 

It seems thrifting (much like baking) is rather therapeutic.  It gets my mind off things, takes me to a place of simpler, dependable times, of things that were made to last, of handmade things reflecting their era, era's I sometimes think I would have liked to be around for.

You might notice my images are a little retro looking?  Well, I've also been playing around with Picasa, which I downloaded for free. I was looking for a free program for photo collages and to enhance my images, maybe there are other programs like it or even better, I'd love to hear about them if you know of any.  I'm loving the 1960's effect, especially for thrifting posts like this one, but please bare with me as I get used to it.

So, back to thrifting, did I mention that I have a weakness for English bone china, especially teacups and cake plates? And I don't mind if they're not matching, although it is fun chasing down matching cups and saucers for the many odd ones starting to fill up my cabinet. 

Here are a couple of other things I've acquired over the last few months..

Royal Vale Trio set, matched up with Ironstone cake plate,

 perfect for a Sunday afternoon cuppa & cake

This Grindley cake plate was a Christmas gift from my Mum, she's chuffed that I love it,

but I haven't had the chance to use it yet

I'm pretty sure that I'm too young to be an actual nanna (I think), though I'm starting to wonder myself, looking at my little growing collection.  Hubby has yet to comment on the addition of Pyrex to my collection.  Lets just say cottage pie and lemon meringue could well be on the menu shortly!

Linking up for the first time with Sophie over at Her Library Adventures today.

xSam

The Opposite To Fragile

After my week last week

I was ordered to fortunate enough to have some time away over the weekend

I was able to stand back and look at things for what they are

I had some time with my Mum (I really miss her and wished we lived closer)

I read

I cleared my head and recharged

Re-prioritised 

Came home to the longest cuddles ever

Right now I'm feeling more like my old self

My bucket is filled up again

I have more to give now

I realise that I was not prioritising

Not sticking with my healthy lifestyle

Life does not go well for me without organisation

Feeling more

durable, sturdy, robust, courageous, strong

 - the opposite to fragile, atleast for now.

How was your weekend and how's your week looking so far?

xSam

A Little Lunchbox Love

It's funny, when I see shopfronts overflowing with chocolates, flowers & teddy bears around Valentines Day, I tend to cringe a little, but then I always do something, just can't let it slip by, I guess I'm a hopeless romantic at heart.   

 I prefer expressions of the non-commercial kind though, and couldn't wait for today, so yesterday I popped some loving goodness in my littlies lunchboxes, and I was inspired to write a little poem for my sweet man. 

This morning I was greeted with some lovely flowers handpicked from the garden, and that really made my day!

Happy Valentines Day to you all, hope you are feeling the love today!

xSam

Sneaky Snacks

Although I blog about cake decorating quite often, cupcakes, muffins etc are just an occasional treat in our household, really!   Hmm "treats", are we really treating our bodies when we eat these?  Food for thought (pardon the pun)..

Anyway, occasional "treats" aside, I've been thinking more and more about this sneaky sugar character, who also pops up in less obvious foods like bread, crackers and muesli bars to name a few.  More than ever, I'm determined to see less sugar in our lives, it's so addictive, is it not? So, I've decided to become a little sneaky myself, and try reducing or replacing more of  it in my baking without foregoing too much enjoyment, hmm is this really possible (afterall, food is to be enjoyed right?).  

With school now back, this muesli bar recipe was just the thing I was after, it's both healthy and yummy, with no sneaky refined sugar, just a little natural honey and dried fruit, it's perfect for the school box or afternoon pick-me-up.

The best part is that my kids love it, and I don't feel one bit guilty about giving them this treat more than occasionally! 

Do you have any healthy snacks ideas that are popular with your kids?

 xSam