A handmade cottage

Friday, 10 January 2014

Mason Cash bowls (in the forest)

I'm a sucker for ceramics ... mugs, jugs and bowls especially. When is comes to bowls you simply can't go wrong with Mason Cash. Established in 1800, this iconic brown bowl has held our cake mix for decades. I was always on the lookout for a classic brown Mason Cash bowl in the charity shops but I had no luck. Annoyingly my best friend did and she clearly took pleasure in telling me so!

Photograph from Mason Cash

Monday, 6 January 2014

Becoming a natural beauty

Laugh lines or wrinkles, call them what you like, we don't like them. Like most people I had tried all manner of things to prevent age showing on my face. I'd like to tell you I eat vast amounts of organic veg and drink kale juice but that would be a lie. I don't drink much water (unless there's milk and a teabag in it) and I eat cake. So like most women I try to make up for it with what goes on my face instead. When I gave up smoking (I was a young musician) I also gave up chemical products at the same time and became a natural beauty. As a result my outlook and way of life completely changed, as did my skin.

My wedding morning ... I even used natural products on my big day.
Photo by Binky Nixon

Friday, 3 January 2014

Change and the adventure it brings.

Change.

Some people are afraid of change. As a people we seem to thrive on routine and often associate change with something bad. I'm also a creature of habit, I like my little rituals but I like change too. I embrace it ... If I didn't I wouldn't be writing this blog. Now and again I feel there's something in the air ... like in Mary Poppins when Bert says in his extremely convincing cockney accent ...

' Winds in the east, there's a mist coming in ... like something is brewing, about to begin '

Then Mary pops by and does fabulous magical things. I admit to a small crush on Bert (Hubby's disgusted at my taste in men ...?)

One man band Bert sensing Mary's arrival.

Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Beat the Jan blues and have a HAPPY new year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I have just returned from the bosom of my family. We stayed in a lovely secluded cottage in the welsh countryside for Christmas and it was just lovely. I'm now home, a bit fat (as we all are - just don't look down, or in a long mirror until February) and though I'm getting the itch to take down the deccies and spring clean I shall refrain and make the most of the festivities while they last ... cue Mary Poppins, feet up!

It's tempting to do some housework ... but I won't.

Friday, 20 December 2013

Cheesecake mince pies at Poppyloves.com

This week I've been lucky enough to guest post London lifestyle blog Poppyloves.com!

Poppy (AND her blog) are just lovely, so I decided to share my very special recipe for ...

* CHEESECAKE MINCE PIES *

The recipe was handed down from my ninja-chef of a mother in law and they are simply the best I've ever eaten. So if you'd like to sample these melt-in-the-mouth bad boys (and see me licking the bowl) pop on over to Poppyloves by

clicking here

Enjoy and have a wonderful Xmas,

JM & Ralphy the dog

My favourite fings - Switching off

Nowadays almost all of our daily activity involves technology of some sort. Now I don't want to sound like ole Miggins over the road, "we didn't have all these fancy moblies in my day", but I have to admit that occasionally I find it HUGELY satisfying to switch it all off.

Some of you might love the thought of turning off all phones and putting laptops out of sight, whereas others will have started to sweat at the prospect of not having 24 access to facebook.

Switched off, on a cottage holiday.

Well yes at first it is quite strange. You'll keep going to check your phone or when faced with a question to which you don't know the answer you'll panic when you realise you can't ask google. But after a day or two it's just SO lovely. I feel refreshed, free, and more relaxed than I ever thought was possible. We are utterly consumed by technology. So I find from time to time that it's a good idea to give your brain a break and your loved ones 100% of your attention.

So even if it's just for a day, perhaps give it a try ...
you might love it so much you won't want to switch back on!

JM
x

"I'm not answering that phone ... I'm on 'oliday!"

Friday, 13 December 2013

Snow globes and old christmas ornaments.

Snow globes. I'm simply a sucker for them. But not any old plastic-made type of snow globe. It has to possess a charm, giving you the feeling it's been on a journey and looked out onto many Christmas scenes in houses over the years. I'd rather have only a small handful of well-loved sentimental ornaments that come out of a dusty old cupboard year after year, than new freshly bought bits and bobs. Like antiques, our old things seem to have a soul of their own and it's a lovely feeling when we come across them ... almost like remembering old friends.

Thursday, 12 December 2013

Rustic DIY christmas decorations

I am never happier than when I'm decorating the house for Christmas. It's such a lovely time. I make a huge mess, eat loads of mince pies and gradually transform the house into a magical rustic wonderland. I've experimented with various ways of decorating over the years and have found the following creations really bring the house to life, yet they are really easy to make. They would also be perfect for a winter wedding. When it comes to style there is no right way. We just need to create a lovely warm space that reflects us, and the way in which we want to celebrate. I love rustic traditional decoration but hopefully these tips will inspire you whatever your sense of style.

Decorating with nature

When it comes to Christmas decorating (or even interior design) I find it's easier to transform one little area at a time. We can use all sorts to make a feature - decanted Sherry or Port and pretty glasses on a tray are a lovely feature, as are nuts in a rustic bowl. Perhaps pick some Ivy / evergreens / berries from the garden and scatter them. Ivy looks lovely wrapped around picture frames. It lasts a long time and dries green, not brown. I've literally covered my house in it.

Fireplace decoration

I like sparkle as much as the next girl but the traditional log cabin vibe just says Christmas to me. I bought some really cheap long plain garlands (they're not real) and I simply laid along the mantle, added pine cones and berries. You can add real greenery or sparkle / baubles to it as well. Pine in the house smells wonderful ...

Monday, 9 December 2013

Good gift ideas for hard-to-buy-for types

Oh my, I've had such a lovely week my little festive readers. I made some delightful Orange and cinnamon stick decorations and I picked up my tree yesterday! While decorating it I ate almost all of my mince pies and watched repeats of Vicar of Dibley (pronounced 'Dimblebee' if you're my dad).

Now when it comes to present buying every year I always get stuck for what to buy my big brother. Like many men, he has everything he wants and he has expensive taste so not the easiest person to buy for. However this week a friend told me about Good gifts www.goodgifts.org. The Good Gifts Catalogue was born 11 years ago and is a refreshing alternative to conventional unwanted presents.

Charitable christmas gifts for hard to buy types

Friday, 6 December 2013

Orange and cinnamon stick decorations

We're putting our deccies up on sunday!! Eeeeee I am so excited. It's killing me just walking past the boxes. I have been wearing my santa hat around the house though, and just because I don't have a tree (yet) doesn't mean I can't prepare my deccies for it! I make these every year. They're SO easy, quick and very rustic.

You will need:

Oranges

Two contrasting ribbons or brown string

Cinnamon sticks

Cinnamon powder (optional)

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Friday, 10 January 2014

Mason Cash bowls (in the forest)

Monday, 6 January 2014

Becoming a natural beauty

Friday, 3 January 2014

Change and the adventure it brings.

Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Beat the Jan blues and have a HAPPY new year

Friday, 20 December 2013

Cheesecake mince pies at Poppyloves.com

* CHEESECAKE MINCE PIES *

My favourite fings - Switching off

Friday, 13 December 2013

Snow globes and old christmas ornaments.

Thursday, 12 December 2013

Rustic DIY christmas decorations

Decorating with nature

Fireplace decoration

Monday, 9 December 2013

Good gift ideas for hard-to-buy-for types

Friday, 6 December 2013

Orange and cinnamon stick decorations

You will need:

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