Thank you all for your lovely comments on my last post. Well, life is chaos as usual in the Pink Green household. I have decided I thrive on chaos (which is just as well really!) and that I would be bored if life was smooth and ordered. We had a huge party for my parents at their house at the weekend to celebrate their semi-retirement, birthdays and wedding anniversary. Actually, it was just a good excuse for a party and we had about 40 or so people there. It was lovely, and my parents really enjoyed themselves. Unfortunately I was too busy catering and mingling to take any photos, but take it from me it all went well! My Aunt and Uncle have just arrived from Alice Springs, Australia, for a 6 month sabbatical and they were there, which was really great. They bought a canal boat 2 days after stepping off the plane and are off to explore Britain's waterways for the next few months so we should be seeing more of them shortly.
As if one party a week wasn't enough, it is Ruth's birthday party tomorrow. Her birthday is actually next Wednesday, but as it is the holidays we thought we would have a party when people were still around to attend! So, I have had a week off this week and have finally managed to be creative. I have made 10 strings of bunting for the party-goers to decorate with crayons (a la Dottycookie - thanks for the tip!), 10 party bags with initials on the front, and 10 sets of these...
I am trying to be a little greener this year and have tried to steer clear of the plastic tat which usually goes in party bags only to be thrown away or eaten by the dog within minutes. As there are 6 weeks of potential boredom looming I thought something creative was in order, and I am pleased with the outcome. I have a chocolate cake in the oven as we speak and am aiming for a fairy toadstool house. Wish me luck!
Other exciting news just in is that I have just booked a holiday! Starting on Saturday! And I have 4 loads of washing to get through, a party to organise, presents to wrap and a pub-fest to celebrate the last day of term (for me, not the girls), before then! Again, wish me luck. We are off to Pembrokeshire to the most beautiful looking cottage in the grounds of a manor house with sea views and sheep (so Bodie may not be coming home with us). Yesterday we were planning to go camping for next week, but the weather isn't meant to be great and the thought of sitting in a tent with 2 crabby children and a smelly labrador didn't really appeal, so we thought we deserved a good break as we have all worked very hard recently (girls included) and we are in need of some r & r.
I am also a very lucky girl for other reasons too. The postie knocked on my door yesterday and presented me with these lovely, lovely treasures from Jess at The White Verandah. I won her give-away, and I think the loot must have been packed with just me in mind! There was a beautiful flowery teacup and saucer, a rose-embellished lidded pot, fabric, lace, an embroidered tray cloth (which is perfectly adorning my pink stripey chair), a crocheted doily, a spool of pink ribbon, a birthday card which I am going to give Ruth next week, and the most amazing Apple Dumpling flavoured sweets. I was very touched by the generosity of Jess. She has a lovely blog, and a great website (that I have purchased from before - check it out as it is fab). Thank you again, Jess.
That's not all, folks. I have also been given these 2 awards. The "Brilliant Weblog" award is from Knitty, Vintage and Rosy, who has a really inspiring blog and home that I only discovered fairly recently. The pictures of her garden make me want to sit in it with a book and a Pimms for hours! It's a shame she's so far away.
Steph at Curlew Country also gave me a "You Make My Day" award, which in turn has made my day. She also has a fabulous blog that I know most of you visit, and is an all round good egg! So, thank you both very much.
I would like to pass on both awards to the following (and I'm sorry if you've had them before), and these are just some of the people who, in my opinion, have a Brilliant Weblog and who also Make My Day.
Jess at The White Verandah (and not just because she sends me lovely things). She has a lovely blog and makes me smile (not just by sending me lovely things!).
Val at Dottycookie for joining the allotment club and for giving me inspiration. And for replying to every single comment I have ever sent her.
Jeska at Lobster and Swan for being one of the first people to leave a comment when I started blogging, and for having such gorgeous ideas and photos. She is a real source of inspiration.
Annie at All Things Lovely. Sorry Annie, I know you've just received both of these, but you do have a Brilliant Weblog and you do make my day. I love your blog and allotment stories and can't wait to meet up to talk about them in person!
Mia at Mias Landliv for having such a lovely blog and giving me inspiration. Also for taking such great photos of Norway to make me look forward to next year even more (we are hoping to go to Sweden via Norway next Summer).
Lisa at Primrose Hill for giving me food for thought and daydreams (I want her life!).
And last but not least,
Patricia at Shabby Roses Cottage for using such bright and cheerful colours and for making such beautiful things. She is also a great source of inspiration.
I know it's a cop out posting both awards to the same people, but I have got a party to plan and a holiday to pack for! And I did add a couple of extras for good measure.
Hope you have a good week or two. I will look forward to hearing whether or not you are surviving the holidays when I get back from sunny (fingers crossed) Pembrokeshire.
Cathy XX