This weeks carboot loot...

I must admit to being somewhat of a carboot/charity shop/table top sale addict...I simply CANNOT drive past one without a little nosey about. I happened across a carboot sale today and found these treasures..

 Gorgeous vintage kids books from the 70/80's and my gavourite magazines...for 50p woohoo!

I also bought this dinky little box...which my daughter has (yet again) claimed. It is now her 'Cabinet of Curiousities' and is home to an eclectic selection of objects..and a new collection of dead bees! Yes...she is most definately taking after her mother!

I bought this 1950's bird cage last week and it will shortly be transformed into something magical and unexpected! I can't wait to start work on it! 

 but..yet again..it has been claimed by my daughter..I wil have to steal it back when she gets bored of it!

Well...got to run..we are attempting to have a bonfire and bbq although the wind has picked up quite a bit so I'm hoping I wont burn down the Orchard! Ive got marshmallows at the ready..

Take care and I hope you've had a fun Summer too.... Love from Lisa...the DoTtY BiRd xxxxx

Hip Hip Happy Hippy

Hello there my lovelies!

I just wanted to say a quick but VERY BIG THANK YOU!!! 

Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings!

Thank you for every kind word of encouragement...and even those who don't leave words...thank you for looking x

and Thank you for buying my hand made Dotty wares! 

and I can't go without mentioning one of the best things I've ever made....my little terror child Mr J who is 4 today! Happy Birthday crazy boy xxxxx 

and some portraits taken today by little Miss M (6yrs)

 Lots of Love to you all

Lisa

the Dotty one 

xxx

May Tree Fair and other Summer Fun!

The little village of St Germans, where I used to live, have revived an old and most lovely festival. I'm still trying to find out what it was actually all about, but it was pretty pagan and lots of fun! There was lots of greenery worn by all and music, dancing, and a goddess looking lass riding a beautiful horse!

 The procession went through the village from the primary school to the pub via the stunning norman church.

the decorated May Tree

Tree entering the church

a big hippy wannabe!

my lovely daughter

 Also, on a most random note (excuse the pun!)...

 this is what happens when your 5 year old is very quiet for a good 5minutes...why she felt the need the write her name on all my post it notes and stick them to the window...why..? I do not know, but I did find it quite funny!

and this amazing portrait of the Queen! I thought it was crazy Simpsons hair but it was intended as the crown! The Queen also seems to be sporting a pair of fabulous green running shoes! Well she looks pretty happy and she certainly cheered me up! Loving the massive blue eyes too.

xxx  Anyways folks, hope you are all well and happy xxx

Do you have any random interesting festivities in your homelands?? Or do you know anything about the May Tree thing??

Love from the Dotty Bird x

family

a family portrait I made for my Bro for Xmas..I'm the pink one!!

I've been away from blogland for some time again..I'm amazed I ever found the time to write posts several times a week! Life seems to have upped the pace and Ive spent  a lot of time in the hospital with my fabulous 89yr old nan. My Mothers day involved finding my nan collapsed on the floor of her bungalow in a very sorry state. I am so thankful that I happened to be going to see her that day, as I usually only visit once a week with my little terror boy on a Tuesday. Also, my folks were on holiday and had been away a week and still had another week to go. You never can tell where the twists and turns of lfe will lead you..I really hadn't imagined my Mothers day spent in Casualty until 1 in the morning! But thankfully, nan is doing really well and is due to return home tomorrow.

Although it's been a stressful and tiring couple of weeks, I have spent hours and hours chatting with my nan and I now know a whole lot more about my heritage...so many stories of my family and of life in the wartime. I've really enjoyed that part of it, sometimes it takes a big shake up of things to show you how important family are.

There have also been babies born, the lovely Chloe had her babe at home (I'll leave her to tell the details!!). it seems quite profound that I should see a baby, just a few minutes old on Saturday and then my dear old Nan at deaths door on Sunday. Ah well, the wheel keeps turning...I enjoy the ride but I'm pretty tired right now...and on that note I say farewell for now! 

Hope all you fellow bloggers are well and happy...hooray for family and hooray for friends!...life just wouldn't be the same without you crazy bunch 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Giant Birthday Doughnut!

Happy Birthday to Mr dOtty Man!  THe best Papa bird in the land!

We celebrated with a cake which ended up looking like a massive doughnut...as pointed out by little Miss M, so she sang Happy Doughnut to you....

Also, this is what happend when you ask a 3 year old to tidy up the kitchen floor...

We quite often find an intersting array of objects in our shoes, cheers little J, you are such a help!

Hope you are all well and happy xx

I was reminded of a brilliant quote earlier today after a good ol' rant about the state of the word with a fabulous friend..

..."You must be the change you wish to see in the world" 

Gandhi

Sunshine on a rainy day

Its been a crazy sunny/rainy/sunny kind of day, which meant we got to see quite a few fabulous rainbows. I love how they brighten up a looming grey sky. I'm such a kid when it comes to rainbows, I still get excited and no matter how much I try and understand the how and why of them...they are just magic to me!

view from our kitchen window

We managed a trip to the beach yesterday amidst the showers and my man managed to take a few nice snaps along the way. Thats me and the kids clamering along the rocks. As you can see, the beaches on this side of the coast are pretty grey because of the slate and granite whereas the north coast beaches are just stunning white gold sand..got to take a trip up there soon.

All finished off with a trip to the cafe and a big hot chocolate and ice creams for the kids who don't seem to mind the fact that its freezing outside!

Wishing you warmth and sunshine in your week xx

Hafla fun

Last weekend me and my Ma and little Miss M went to a Halfla (bellydancing party). It was the first time I've taken M to anything like that and she loved it. I also plucked up the courage to dance my first dance in front of the group.

The Hafla is basically a big get together of all the bellydancing groups around our little part of Cornwall and Devon. Each group does a dance or two in front of the other groups, and its beautiful to watch as there are so  many variations of dancing. One of my favourites (apart from our little group of course!) is the tribal dancers.The music is hypnotic and their moves are slow and graceful and very strong. They also wear the most gorgeous outfits, many layered skirts and tribal tattoos!

Gorgeous Tribal bellydancers

 My first dance! (I'm hiding at the back on the right, wearing a purple top)

Its a bit daft but I jumped up to dance (a last minute decision) and then got really nervous and was shaking like crazy, apparantly you couldn't tell!

 And here M and her friend watching the show

and M, who was so shy at the beginning decided to do her own show in front of everyone, they were all clapping and cheering her on. She had some pretty good moves, I was most impressed!

Bling bling ka ching! 

Wishing you all some blinginess, wiggles and sunshine in your day 

xxx

Certain kind of CrAzY

I've been in a reminiscing kid of mood this evening (and procrastinating to the extreme...aaagghh) but thought I'd share some tunes that are really resonating with me atthis present moment. For some reason, both these tunes, particularly the chorus on the Empire of the Sun track and the music about 5 minutes in to the Connan Mockasin track. Its a wonderful and arty video, love it!

Empire of the Sun - We are the People

Connan Mockasin - Forever Dolphin LOve

You really have to be a certain type of crazy to love that track, I love it ;)

A lot of the mixed up emotional feelings are coming out because I've just watched the documentary made about my  brother again, even though I've seen it alot and its my folks and all, it just moves me every time I see it. I love my little brother more than I can express...hope you know it bro xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

big love to you all x

and thanks again to all you fellow bloggers for your kind words x

(oh, and I only came upstairs to order some felt on the computer...its been two hours now...whoops!)

Diggin deep in the pocket o' joy!

I'm linking up with Monica at Holistic Mum for this weeks Joy Pockets! Join in and go and check out all the joys xxx

Its been a crazy rollercoaster of a week (...its that Moon vibe again!) but it all seems to have settled again now. Little J has had Chicken Pox and been having some pretty spectaular tantrums too but he seems back to his usual self now..phew. Anyways, there were plenty of joyous moments betwixt the crazy including...

J learning to fly with Cedric the Dragon

 Getting back into making and doing!

Blue skies (albeit very briefly)

But the biggest joy this week has been the gift of HOPE! Being told that my brother will walk again, with a frame to begin with (within 6 months or so), but the new physio seems determined that he will walk. This really is so beautifully joyous to hear after 4 1/2 years of negative and jaded physios and OT's care of the NHS. My little bro really is the most inspiring and amazing guy, as are my parents who have supported and done everything possible for hoime these past few years. Their happiness and my brother's motivation and energy give me such deep joy that it makes me want to cry.

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The kindness of friends, who are healing me (giving me Bowen therapy for my hip) and feeding me (thanks for looking after my boy and for the yum lunch lovely Lara!!)

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Finishing work on a Friday night and driving down the country lanes with the moon shining above. (Then cracking open a bottle of rum...yum!)

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My little bro is a musician and has started a blog of his own over at Spinz&Needles. Drop by and check out his work, there is a link to a little documentary they made about him in the earliest post and his strong anti-drug message. He could do with a warm welcome to blog land!

super slack

Sorry I've not been around the blogasphere for a while now! , life feels likes its marching on at a most ridiculous pace and I'm more than just a little overwhelmed with it all at the moment. Its was little Miss M's party today and my head it still buzzing from it all.

Anyway, on a random note it really did make me realise how fortunate we are in my little part of the world, all the kids are happy, well fed and loved cared for (and have more toys than they could ever EVER possibly need...or appreciate!).

oh, and I made a pretty cool 'Hello Kitty' cake...as requested by M, was quite glad she changed her mind about the Superted cake idea...that would have been somewhat more taxing...and sketchy!!

just ignore the kitchen roll, face paints, phone and other debris around it...oops!

A friend just showed me a link to this beautiful home...I want to live there!!! It looks like the most homely and inviting house and just to top it off they built it themselves for only £3000 in stunning woodland. It's given me something to daydeam about!

 take care my lovelies xxxxxxxxxx

joy joy joy

Having scratched around in my memory (not so good these days!), I've dug out a few little moments of joy! Its been a good week, pretty hectic , but good. Ive been given a lot of goodies from folk this week!

photo by Miss M (4 yrs)

A brand new (hand me down) dress given to me , along with a whole load of other gorgeous things, from a super fab friend who is moving abroad for a while!! thanks bird x

Another hand me down gift but equally awesome...a popcorn maker, I wasn't convinced at first sight and thought it would be another unused kitchen gadget thingmajig...but its amazing, no oil and it never burns and it fab for ravenous Miss M when she gets in from school...yey again for generous friends!

 Miss M is getting her first taste of photography, shes started using my camera..Ive been laughing at some of the shots she takes and just how excited she is taking photos.

Watching Little Mr J get seriously into the Chilli Peppers and rocking out on his little ukelele

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 Taking Mr J and his little buddy L to the beach and watching their joy at throwing stones into the sea

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Lots of cuddles and kind words from little Miss M

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Sitting in the garden late at night moon gazing, with only the sound of the bats and owls

I'm joining up with Monica at her other blog Holistic Mum for joy pockets, take a peek and join in if you fancing sgharing some of the joyful moments of your week. Hope you have all had a good week too!

Wishing you all love, light & laughter x

those first days

Day 1 of school went quite well, little Miss M eagerly walking into school with her new uniform and prized lunch bag, she was pretty shattered when I went to collect her but seemed happy enough.

I did actually write a whole post about the mega stress of leaving M this morning as she went into complete meltdown but having seen her after school telling me all the things she did and people she played with and no mention whatsoever of the morning episode...I read what I'd posted and deleted it. I think I had lost perpective about the whole thing, however we shall see what tomorrow brings! 
Peace to you all x
on a lighter note, i just found this website happy place, the photos are so funny...its cheered me right up! check it out.

unfortunate sticker placement! happyplace.com