Vintage Country Companions Money Tin

Rumour has it that if something is 20 years plus, it can be considered vintage. I'd like to think that I own nothing of this age, especially after a mass clear out of toys at my mums house a few years ago and most things that I own or have hoarded, being done so in the last ten years since I left home for university. 

One morning recently, I was reflecting on an item that has always seemed to be on my shelf or my desk, being used as a pedestal for something or other. I wondered whether anyone else in my family would recall the same memory of this item as me.

The Week That I Was Inspired By Yoda

Welcome back to another nosy post where I'm going to give you a quick run down of the notable points of my week.

Firstly I have discovered a way to CREATE TIME!

Meet the Maker: Catch up with Claire of Rosey Posey Creations

A little bit of a catch up today with a past Meet the Maker interviewee. Please do welcome back Claire of Rosey Posey and have a read to find out what she has been up to! 

Photos by Nicki Feltham Photography

How to Make Mini Muffin Pizzas

Today I am sharing a little something that is easy peasy for your Mini Makers to get involved in. Baby B loves making these for his and Littlest B's tea. They are really cheap to make meaning they are great for saving a few pennies. We often make more than required for a quick and easy lunch or snack the following day. They are also a great lunchbox or picnic item.

The Week That Was: Just a Little Bit Odd

I've decided that this year, I will finally focus a bit more on my blog. My aim is to blog more but to include some 'nosy' posts, which I have never really done before. I call these posts 'nosy' because they are the ones I like to read on other peoples blogs when I want to be a bit nosy!! Come on, don't tell me you don't do this. We love it!

So this week…where do I start? Well, I am British so lets go with the weather. No, honestly I am going to write about the weather because it has been WEIRD. On Tuesday morning, outside was looking grey, gloomy and rainy. By early afternoon I was out in brilliant (and slightly warm!) sunshine, clearing out the garage. Once I was back inside, hail arrived. Then horrendous winds came whilst I was doing the school pick up. This was not enough and snow joined in the 'fun'. Baby B and I watched from his bedroom and lightning flashed with a big crash of thunder.

Maintaining a Wooden Chopping Board With Oil

It has become apparent to me in my quest to create an efficient home, that there are a lot of house keeping things I did not know. Like, a lot of things. Simple things that you all probably know.

Just in case this wasn't common knowledge, did you know that it's advisable to treat your new wooden chopping board with oil?! I mean, I don't know if this is true or if it makes a difference AT ALL but in the last few years, Hubby B and I have gone through numerous wooden chopping boards. We are keen in the kitchen and love cooking and heavy wooden blocks are our preference but they always seem to go black in areas and split, even if they are not inexpensive.

The tip I've (apparently) been missing is to treat the board with oil before the first use. This increases the wood's natural resistance to moisture meaning it is less likely to split and I guess, go black with gross stuff. (YUKYUKYUK)

Crafty Hands Love L'occitane Roses et Reines Hand and Nail Cream

Crafting can take its toll on your hands. Handling paper constantly (paper cuts, ouch), clay, glues and paints, needle work, washing your hands to keep your works from getting dirty or just washing yourself up after a messy session. It's very drying. For a second, forget crafts and think housework, cold weather and central heating. Eeek!

Baking is For Life, Not Just For Christmas

Just before Christmas, I mentioned to Hubby B, that as a keen baker, I'd like to invest in a new mixing vessel. Namely a deeper narrower ceramic jug with a handle. At the time, my main bowl was a huge pretty mixing bowl that held huge batches but I was becoming tired of the clean up after baking as it was so wide, the mix would whizz everywhere. We agreed that I could hunt for one after Christmas as I was after something very specific size and colour wise.

After doing all of my Christmas based baking, I was putting away my big mixing bowl and I accidentally dropped it on our ceramic floor. I was not pleased. It was a very useful size for other things (such as proving pizza dough) and I was massively disappointed that I no longer had it. Although, silver lining, at least I'd completed my baking first.

Handmade Chocolates with Social Enterprise Harry Specters

In March 2014, I organised the Cambourne Craft Fair. I contacted a company that I had spotted in an ad as they made handmade chocolates. They looked delicious! 

Unfortunately, this company could not make it along. In October, I was watching the news and I saw a report about said company and how they worked with people with Autism. I had no idea. I was super excited about the idea of a handmade business as social enterprise and felt that I would love to show my support by introducing you Crafty B's to Harry Specters. 

Here's a little bit about them from MD, Mona Shah

Getting 2015 Organised with a Gruffalo Family Planner

If I haven't mentioned before, I love a bit of organising! A place for everything and everything in its place. It means I can be efficient, I know where everything is when I need it and when it comes to organising myself, I know what I'm supposed to be doing and when. I am very easily distracted and so I have to keep a notes of all sorts so I don't forget anything. Nothing makes this all easier for me than my family planner.

Each year I meticulously pick out a family planner that is pretty and has enough columns to keep track of family activities, birthdays, Hubby B's commitments, meal plans, events, my tasks, appointments, school dates etc. This year has been no different, except that I had a little help from Baby B and he picked a gooden! He first spotted this Gruffalo planner when Christmas shopping.

The Queen(B)'s New Year Message 2015

Happy new year! I hope it has been a good one so far and that you have all had a lovely Christmas. I've been taking a little break away from my virtual space to enjoy the festive season with my lovely lot, hence the very late new years greetings.