Happy Easter

I'm a bit behind with reading and commenting on blogs right now.  The year seems to have notched up a gear and I can hardly believe that it is Easter already!  I've hardly had time to think!  Some good weather has enabled me to spend some time in the garden tidying up and making plans - but I don't have time to put plans into action!

This year I really want to have a half oak barrel with water lilies as a water feature and screen off an area at the back of the garden.  I have many more plans but these ones are do-able (I just need to make them happen!)

Today is overcast and cold.  A time for staying indoors and eating hot cross buns and especially a time for reflection too.

Happy Easter!

Welcoming Easter

I put my new hare stamp to use straight away printing a tea towel for my kitchen which has red accessories.  I think it is rather jolly - do you?

Although I am on a non- sugar health kick I didn't want to deprive any one else at home of a sweet treat and have put a few chocolates out to brighten the house for Easter.  On a 'bad news' day it is good to be uplifted by nice images.  As I said (in other words) to a blogging friend the other day  'if we focus on all the good things the 'bad stuff' won't get a look in.'  Here's to cramming our lives with good things; food, friends, thoughts and images.

The Lighter Side of Life

Some characterful salt and pepper pots sit on my kitchen shelf. They really do help to lighten my mood.  I know some people would think they are tat but they are jolly tat and they make me smile!  There is a Mimi Kirchner fabric postcard in the background that I bought quite a few years ago. It is still in its cellophane wrap!

Edited 16/4/2014 To remove my negative ponderings!

Now from kitchen paraphernalia to food. As an alternative to chocolate rice krispy cakes I have been making these very tasty peanut butter chewy squares.  They would be great to make with children over the Easter holidays or just make them for yourself as I have!  All you need is 3 or four ingredients:

Peanut butter
Nutella (not essential)
Marshmallows
Rice Krispies

Melt half a jar of peanut butter in a pan with a a couple of tablespoons of Nutella.  Add a bag of marshmallows and keep stirring.  The mixture will get very sticky.  When the marshmallows have melted, remove pan from heat and add enough rice krispies so that the mixture binds together.  It starts to set fairly quickly so pour the mixture into a rectangular dish (pyrex is good) and press down with the back of a wet spoon.  Mark into squares, decorate as you wish and leave to set for about half an hour.

Another Key Ring

 I think this is my favourite key ring so far.

 I love the vibrant orange beads.

I like to make things with symbolism.

Hare charm  - representing fertility.
Triquetra charm  - representing the earth, sea and sky.
Pentacle charm - symbol of protection.

The beautiful vibrant orange ceramic bead depicts images of the sun and the foiled orange glass bead glows like the major star of our solar system.

A wonderful key ring for sun worshippers and nature lovers alike.

Easter

Happy Easter, happy Spring, happy Friday, happy whatever-you-want-it-to-be-day!  I have an Easter display of sorts with my kitsch bunny night light and foil covered chocolate bunnies sharing shelf space with my woodwose and green man.  My woodwose man is hand carved from a fallen plum tree from the makers childhood garden.  He is the focal point above the fireplace and I have grown very attached to him.

I have been trying to think if I have a 'style' this week.  Eclectic comes to mind at the moment!  I do like high quality products, unusual, nature themed and occasionally a touch of 'kitsch' or even 'kawaii' creeps in.  I put it down to my sixties childhood!

Thinking back to those times, I sometimes yearn for happy hippy days.  I close my eyes and think of 'Seasons in the Sun' playing while I run barefoot across the grass, daisy chains in my flowing hair and my cheesecloth shirt billowing in the breeze, and tiered skirt flapping at my ankles. In reality I never did this but it is an image that has remained with me.

Wishing you a weekend of niceties and happy hippy thoughts. x