Nature in the Home - a series... (Week 16)

image by Claire from Just a little less

Hello!

Sorry I'm a little late (again) with today's post, but it was such a glorious day I felt I needed to be outside and  adventuring.  I will tell you all about it soon, it involved flowers and more flowers - perfect day!.

Last week's subject was 'favourite plant' and I really loved seeing roses, dandelions, grannies bonnets, and a spiky willy (yes you Annie, lowering the tone!).  My link up looks so pretty with all the different species that you dearly love.

I chose Claire's plant for my favourite of the week, because of the light and also because indoor plants don't necessary shine at this time of year as we are all focussing on our outside blooms.  Claire also tells us to try putting our indoor plants outside at this time of year.  Go see....

I am so looking forward to seeing how 'a gift' has been interpreted for this week - any birds eggs?  Feathers?  Gifts from Mother nature herself?

next week 'white'

One Thousand Post Celebration - The Ethicurean Cookbook Giveaway...

Hello!

Hope you had a wonderfully delicious weekend?  

Speaking of delicious, I am absolutely delighted to have a copy of the brand new Ethicurean Cookbook to giveaway as part of my 1000 posts celebration.  Let me tell you a little about them.  

Just a few miles from Bristol set amongst rolling fields with views of the Mendips lies The Ethicurean. Part of an old overgrown Georgian estate, built in 1901, the restaurant and kitchen have been lovingly restored in two of the original glasshouses within Barley Wood Walled Garden.  Nearby the old mansion house crumbles with it's labyrinth of gardens, roses, pergolas and statues.  Red bricked paths frame a patchwork of vegetable and flower beds, whilst fruit bushes are fanned out against the high perimeter wall.  Surrounding the garden are the orchards where the source of The Ethicureans apple juice is home grown.

The team behind The Ethicurean believe that eating seasonally fresh local produce is the key to great tasting food.  And it seems they are doing something right, it is no surprise that The Ethicurean is winning awards, the Best Ethical Restaurant at the Observer Food Monthly Awards.

Dan and I love it there.  It has a special place for us as either side of this hill we lived as children.  Dan in Congresbury and I in Backwell... local just 2 miles either way with the Ethicurean forming a mid point.  This book tells a story of a year living in Somerset, the frost in the valley, the drifting fog, The Wassail, the touch of Spring, drifts of Bluebells in the woodlands and on through the seasons.

Sumptuous recipes, that make your tummy rumble upon reading.  Beetroot, Apple & Cobnut Crumble with Roasted White Chocolate Spoon - oh my!  In the back there is a section on useful recipes, a little 'how to' guide in making stocks to pickling beetroot.

All beautifully written and photographed, this cookbook is simply gorgeous.  If you are in the area, The Ethicurean are having a Mid Summer Solstice feast on the 21st June.  I hope to be there.  For more information please visit their webpage.

If you would like a copy of The Ethicurean Cookbook, I have one copy to giveaway to a Littlegreenshed follower.  Offer is open to UK entrants only - due to heaviness of the book.  Please leave a comment with your contact details so I can let you know when you have won.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

..........................................................

Don't forget there is still time to enter the Butterscotch & Beestings Giveaway, a chance to win a Circus Triangle Cushion.

24/52...

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013 

Charlie: Has finally finished his SATS at school.  Although unaware he was being tested, the strain of strange class structure, going over papers, and stressed out teachers had taken it's toll.  He is tired and emotional.  So we spend our days having as much fun as possible, hanging out with friends and playing Lego - and so the life of a 7 year old should be!

Rufus: Received Star of the Week in assembly this Friday.  For great listening and always trying his best.  I couldn't ask for more.

To mark the end of SATS and great listening we bought them a small Lego kit each.  They were over the moon as you can imagine.  Ru kept telling me 'this is the best day ever!'

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

One Thousand Celebration - Butterscotch & Beestings Giveaway...

To kick off my thousandth post celebrations, I am delighted to have Camilla's work for my first giveaway!  Yes, my good friend Camilla Westergaard is the talented designer behind the amazing Butterscotch & Beesting.

Here is a little about the magical world of Butterscotch & Beesting:

Butterscotch + Beesting is a product of imagination. It’s the story of the most magnificent, most magical circus ever imagined, as told through prints, pattern and illustrations.

The person telling the tale is Camilla (that’s me!). Since I was a very small girl, I’ve been utterly in love with drawing, colour, patterns and most of all, storytelling. One day I whisked these together and . . . ta da! . . . the circus of Miss Betty Butterscotch and Mr Bumblewick Beesting appeared (as if by magic).

The adventures of the Butterscotch & Beesting Circus and those who perform under its triangular tents are told across a series of homewares, including cushions, lampshades, ceramics and a little bit of stationery too.

Each product comes with its own mini-story so you can disappear into the mysterious world of Mr Beesting (circus ringmaster and conjurer of worldwide renown), join the delightful Miss Butterscotch (a trapeze artist turned confectioner upon acquiring a quite unexpected fear of heights) as she gazes longingly into the heights of the big top, or marvel at the curious creatures created following encounters with a wand-wielding monkey.

How marvellous?!

Who wants to run away with the circus?  ME!

I am in LOVE with every item in Camilla's shop.  I also love that each product range has not only a title but a little story behind it too.

My favourite is the new 'Enter the Magician' range (the lampshade above)... here is it's story:

The big top is dark, the audience is seated, boys and girls hold tight to candyfloss sticks and fly-high balloons. All of a sudden, a cloud appears, its bright strobes reaching the very edges of the tent to reveal a top-hatted magician standing by the ring. Enter Mr Bumblewick Beesting, the most magical conjurer who ever lived (and rather dashing he is too).

Are you in love yet?

Camilla has kindly donated one of her hugely popular Coral Triangle Circus Cushion & pad to Littlegreenshed readers.  I know!

To enter please just follow the prompts below, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Penbryn Beach...

Penbryn Beach, owned by the National Trust, is just a few minutes walk from the Manorafon campsite.  Walking down through the country lanes covered in foxgloves, grasses and red campion, you can hear the occasional bleat of a sheep and the tantalising sound of the waves.  Every twist and turn takes you down the valley closer to the beach.

And what a beach.  Wide, sandy and shallow.  Backed by grassy sand dunes and tall cave pitted cliffs either end. Penbryn is wild.  The rush of the waves is deafening, my first experience of this cold Atlantic sea.... it's extreme.

The boys, wet suited, ran and played in the foam.  Whilst Dan and I read and brewed a cuppa.  We always take the Kelly Kettle out with us.  Dan and I are tea addicts, so we need to be prepared - always!  In just a few minutes the water is boiling and the magical smell of wood smoke mixes with the sea breeze.  Perfection.

Kelly Kettle & Enamel Mugs can be bought here.

We stayed at Manorafon Camp.

Nature in the Home - a Series... (Week 15)

Image by Bethan of Decorators Notebook

Hi There!

Apologies for my lateness this morning, was listening to Rufus' class read.  Gosh they are a bright bunch of kids.  Level 5 in reception - mind blowing.

Anyway, how are we all doing?  Last week's hedgerow challenge was super sweet and super hard for those outside the UK.  I hadn't realised this when I set the task.  Sorry guys!  But, you all did rise to the challenge and nailed it.

Loved:  Karen's honeysuckle and cow parsley arrangement (English countryside at its best), Claudia's Miami take on hedgerow (the colour of those leaves!!), Sarah's lichen covered branches, Bee's blue jug of buttercups & clover and Jill's bountiful displays in gorgeous vases.

Thank you all for joining in.  I'd like to mention that anyone at any time can join us.  You can dip in and out each week too, this series is open to all, from all corners of the globe.  You are most welcome.

So, this weeks challenge was 'your favourite plant' - I'm really looking forward to this.  Talking to Lottie in her garden last week, she has many roses and peonies, these are her favourites, I wonder what she'll choose?  Mine will probably be Merlin... I feel an update coming on!

Next weeks challenge:

a gift

(clue:  for a friend, for yourself, from mother nature - something unexpected)

good luck!

1000 posts...

Can you believe it?  I surely can't.  This is my 1000th post on Littlegreenshed.  

Sharing hundreds of snapshots of my world, my boys growing, our family adventures, life at home.  Over the years, my style has developed and grown, into the blog you see now.  I have loved every second of it... and hope I can continue for next 1000 posts.... 

To celebrate I would love to do a series of giveaways.  And maybe a little look back through Littlegreenshed archives at some of my favourite posts.  I can remember Rufus' 5th birthday in woods like it was yesterday!  

Thank you, for reading and enriching my life with your support and comments.  You guys rock!

Big love!

x

Fforest Camp...

During Half Term, we packed our bags, and drove west to the far coast of Wales for a mini adventure. For 2 nights we stayed at the quite stunning Manorafon Camp, part of Fforest.  Set in West Wales, close to the coastal town of Cardigan, Fforest is the most beautiful and unique camping experience I've ever stayed at.

On arriving at the camp site, we were greeted with a warm welcome and shown our very cool dome, our home for the next few days.  Furnished with Welsh blankets, a log burner, thick duvets and deer skin rugs, it smelt of adventure, and belonged in the pages of Oh Pioneer.  We couldn't have been more delighted!  

Our first night we ate with the other guests in the converted barn, lit by candle light and warmed from the stove in the corner.  Delicious home cooked bbq chicken, and salad followed by the most comforting berry crumble & ice cream.  Conversation between the fellow campers flowed whilst the children played.  That night, with full bellies, we climbed into our beds, with the log burner blazing, telling stories to each other.  Outside the rain began to fall and an owl hooted good night.  Cosy and blissfully we slept.

The next morning was full sunshine, the boys rushed down to play with the cats and to meet the other kids at breakfast.  Whilst Dan and I sat on the terrace drinking good coffee, looking out to sea.  Sian and her team have made such a wonderful place to stay, relax and dream.  The smallest detail has been thought of in making the perfect camping trip.  Warm beds, thick duvets and blankets.  The camp kitchen is fully equipped with beautiful enamel wear, pots, pans and teapots.  They have even taken the time to pack fresh coffee, and sugar ready for that important morning brew, just in case you have forgotten yours.

The Cardigan coastline is a place steeped in adventure, wild and free.  Dan and I have always wanted to visit, we have often talked of leaving the city behind and starting a new life there. A life of big skies, free  range children, and room to breathe (maybe one day...)  all I know is, as a family we came away feeling so relaxed, nourished and happy.  After just 2 days in this special place, we can't wait to go back.

The beach, to follow...

For more information on Manorafon please visit their website.

23/52...

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2013 

Charlie:  Seems to have grown a foot these past weeks.  His favourite thing to do at the moment is play with his super soaker and his new friend Sylvie from up the road.  On week days after school - take your life in your hands walking down our street.  No one is safe from being soaked - not even the cats.

Rufus: Here he is telling me all about how trees can breathe.  Apparently they swish their branches in and out and this is like the trees lungs.  We shouldn't have trees indoors as they are dangerous.

Both images were taken at a park in Bristol where there is a huge paddling pool.  Post water, squeals, soaking and snack.  A moment of calm.

Playing along with Jodi and the 52 portraits.

String Art Trellis...

images via Design Sponge

My sweet peas are currently trying to scramble up ugly bamboo canes. I hate them,  they are horrible to look at. I had every intention to get a couple of willow obelisks, but have you seen the price?  And where would I store them over winter (a big problem in a tiny courtyard, is lack of storage).

You know me, I need clever, cool and pretty in my life.  I spotted this cool DIY over on Design Sponge. How clever!  And so so pretty. (see it fits the brief!)

I think this is going to be my project for the weekend.  I'll have to ask Dan to help with the wood, but dying string and buying plants, is so my thing! :)

What do you think?  What do you use for your climbers?

Full DIY tutorial can be found over here.