New beginnings ....

First of all I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2020.

That all your wishes may come true in this fresh new year!

Ours has set off with a wonderful start, 

because our little shop is featured in the first edition of 

the Dutch magazine 'Brocante Special' 

by the makers of Ariadne at Home 

(another well known magazine in the Netherlands)

I felt so very honoured and the response have been overwhelming 💗

When I share this post January is already over.
Makes you realise even more to enjoy every day to the max.

 Last year I was forced to take a step down due to the condition of my eyes.
After my last visit at the eye doctor this past month,
I had to make the decision to quit my part time
job at the hospital.
Although my sight has improved, the remaining side effects will
 keep me from an eight hours day filled with computer work.

But when one door closes another one opens ...
It will give me time to give our Webshop my full attention
and there are still plans to create a Holiday Let in our annexe.

Last year I had some second thoughts about the whole idea because of my sight,
but now feeling confident enough.
The renovation has therefore been delayed, but there is no rush.
Except for those lovely followers on here and Instagram
who asked if it was already finished because they already fancied a stay 😊

Apart of the stress of having to quit my job, January was a good month.
I did a bit of pottering in the garden, and now in love with my kitchen view ...

You can find the Wooden Trug here

Still have to clean my little Greenhouse to make it look like this again ...

We already made a good intention come true (making more time for friends)
 by having a dinner party ...

You can find the Bottle Light here

Not to mention the Big Garden Birdwatch 2020

You can find the Bird Silhouette Robin here

Although we still have some Winter left I'm already in a Spring mood ...

You can the Photo Frame Evi here 

You can find the Jane Hogben Jug here

You can find the Glass Vase Daisy here

You can find the Circular Woven Basket here and the Embroidered Tea Towel here

And already some new (Easter) stock in our shop ...

You can find the Hanger Rabbit here 

Which means items in our Sale like this Miniature Greenhouse ...



But also cosying up indoors with this handy portable light ...

You can find the Portable Wooden Led Book Lamp here

 

"While it's February, one can
taste the full joys of anticipation.
Spring stands at the gate with
her finger on the latch"

                         Patience Strong

You can find the Jane Hogben Espresso Mug Snowdrop here

Hope to 'speak' you soon again.
Happy new month, happy February!

Anita
~xo~

Winds of Spring ....

How did that happen, all of a sudden it feels like Spring.

I feel bad about neglecting this space for such a long time. 

It was a very long and busy Winter, with at the end exceptionally cold temperatures, several storms 

and even some snow.

It has been hard times for the birds in my garden. 

So the last days I've been very busy topping up feeders, 

putting out fresh water and providing shelter.

Luckily they still kept visiting my garden under these hard conditions.

While the blue tit is a regular visitor, this thrush certainly isn't. 

The cold weather must have made him expand his territory. 

And of course my little friend who never seems to fail my expectations of its presence.

I'm so very happy my Hellebore's survived the frost.
Still have to wait and see if my Wisteria and the buds of my Camellia also did,
though I covered them against the cold.

With the freezing temperatures we had, I'm so happy to have the possibility to light a fire. 

One of the features in this house that made me fall in love with it instantly.





Nothing so cosy as doing some stitching by the fire.
I've subscribed to The Stitchery, an initiative of the lovely Nicki.
Although I just started my January Kit, it's already so much fun.
Each month you will receive an exclusive embroidery pattern with full instructions,
the base linen on which to stitch and all of the threads required to complete the work.
There will be suggestions for beginner stitches, depending on your ability and personal taste. 

No lack of plans on this side because I also just registered for the free on line course
''how to grow my own flower cutting patch" given by the inspiring Emma of A bunch of Wild
I can't wait to get started in my little greenhouse again.
A rare photo of yours truly in front of my little sanctuary, which was taken as a product photo of the
 Linen Crossover Apron you can find on our website.

Also busy times updating the website with the following new (spring) items ....

Embroidered Tea Towel

Jane Hogben Mug Leaping Hare

Paper Rabbit

Doll Hare

Wooden Window Box

Porcelain Plate Ivy

Bird Silhouette Robin

Botanic Print Fern

With the sun out again and higher temperatures,
I felt like making something Spring to hang on my front door.
I used the Wooden Star, made from branches from the tree in my garden, as base.
With all other props, you can see in the next photo, I just had a go.

And this is the end result ....

I'm so very happy having a 'chat' with you here again, do hope you liked it too.

Have a lovely weekend all!

Anita
~ xo ~

Easter (spring) 'cake' ....

This year I was aiming for something different than the traditional branches to get into the Easter spirit.

If only because of the comments from the men household in which I live. Especially because to them it's more like an obstacle then an addition to the atmosphere (or in other words .... it mainly obstructs their view on the television) 

A while ago I saw this lovely flower (wedding) cake from The Flowerbird on Instagram and it instantly gave me inspiration for an Easter (spring) display ....

Is it only me that when I'm looking for something, it's just not available or ridiculous expensive.

So I decided to make a cheaper version, of what I had in mind as basics, myself.

Therefore I bought this simple candle holder and sink scale in order to glue them to another. 

Together with floral foam (soaked in water) shaped to the size of the scale and moss they form the basis of my spring arrangement. 

Before the real decorating could start I made a hole in the middle and added the Narcissus Bridal Crown which I really love for its fragrance ....

After that I started decorating with these gorgeous roses and spring branches (using a cocktail stick to make a little hole before adding them ) ....

And some Easter decorations with the necessary 'tools' to secure them ....

After gradually adding all of its 'ingredients' this is the end result ....

Though I'm rather pleased with the end result, I braced myself for the expected comment that the men in this house would have preferred an edible cake.

So to keep them happy I prepared something edible too .... 

The narcissus make their expectation more than true, because the living room is filled with a gorgeous springlike scent .... 

Wishing you a happy Easter!

Anita
~xo~

Almost Easter ....

As much as I like to drop a line here at least once a month, somehow I didn't fulfill this time.
March has been such a full month filled with Birthdays, therefore a lot of baking and of course happy celebrations. While at the same time coping with a nasty virus and not feeling well at all. Just recovered from the first one the next virus came along. But a consolation was not being the only one because it seemed like everybody around me (family, friends, colleagues and even on Instagram) has suffered some virus.

I just can't tell you how much I look forward to Spring and not long now .... Easter break!
To spend time with my family, maybe a bit of gardening and give the, so it seems, only produce of this past March a spot in my garden.
Something I wanted to do for a long time I've finally put into practise. This past month I started sowing seeds and I dare say, as it looks right now, with pretty good result.

Last week we picked up a small greenhouse for the garden and I would really like to move my "baby's" from the windowsill into the greenhouse.
So now I'm just wishing for lovely weather at Easter and picture our self in the garden, hubby building the greenhouse and some gardening for me.

Not forget to mention the thing what will make that picture complete is of course all our boys (and daughter in law) at home at the same time.
And as you know me by now, that's enough reason to start baking again.

One of the great pleasures of Pinterest is you never are in need for inspiration. So after a little browse on my Cake Board you can see here I decided how to decorate my Easter cake this year!

If you also might like to try you need the following ingredients:

-  185 gr. dairy butter
-  170 gr. white caster sugar
-  140 gr. self raising flour
-  100 gr. wheat flour
-    75 gr. cocoa
-    15 gr. baking powder
-      2 eggs (beaten)
-      1,25 dl milk
-       1 L whipped cream  
-       1 package Dr.Oetker gel food colour

   
Preparation:


Preheat the oven on 180 degrees. Grease a round tin of 24cm diameter with oil and cover the bottom with baking paper.
Whisk with a mixer the butter and sugar light and creamy. Add the beaten eggs in bits; whisk well after each bit.
Mix the sifted flours, cocoa and milk into the butter mixture.
Stir the butter smooth, spoon into the tin and smooth the top.
Bake the cake in about an hour.

It's such an easy recipe that never fails, at least not in my household ....

For the filling and topping I chose whipped cream, coloured yellow by Dr.Oetker gel food colour 
Before I sprinkled the middle with, I think the genuine dutch delicacy, Easter sprinkles I covered the cake with a thin layer whipped cream.To decorate the yellow cream on the edge I used Easter chocolate.
The bunting is made from paper napkins.


Hopefully I can show you my new greenhouse in my next post .... have a lovely Easter!

Anita
~xo~