Joy Pockets

Some of this weeks little pockets of joy included laughing at J excitedly running up to a giant plastic ice cream and licking it..ewww 

finding these lovelies whilst charity shopping....

coincidentally and rather strangely...I'd seen a similar oil burner on the blog falling on a bruise the day before and commented on how lovely it was..then the next day I grab one in the local charity shop for a quid...yey!

realising that nothing at all was planned for saturday...freedom!

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reading Chocolat by Joanne Harris (and daydreaming about Johnny Depp!)

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the smell of sweetpeas in the garden

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 watching the most beautiful purple and pink sunset with a giant crescent moon alongside

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catching up with friends (Welcome home Carly!!)

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have a fun weekend! x

Desiderata

So much for pictures and no words (oops) ... Demie over at her lovely and inspiring blog  paraphernalia reminded me of this and I wanted to share it with you, it was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann. Probably best to print out and read! I first came across it years ago and had quite forgotton about it but its such sound advice!

  Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
 
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
 
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
 
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
 
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
 
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
 
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world..
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Fiery Sky

My neighbours kids were out practicing their fire staff and devil stick tricks last night. It looked amazing against the blackness. They are such cool guys, just 9 and 13 years old but already very talented dancers and performers!

and following a Joy Pocket I did a week ago...here is a link to the recipe I used to make the chocolate  banana cake. I just used chopped up cooking chocolate instead of raisins and we made them as cupcakes...cos we are impatient and didnt want to wait an hour!! Enjoy! x

August Break

It's been a little hectic around here since my man and kids broke up for summer hols (and yep, teacher's holidays rock!!) We've had family folk staying and we are off visiting people and places and somehow having two of us around to look after the kids doesnt seem to make it alot easier, they are more hyped up, crazy and needy as ever!!

So anyway, point being I'm going to partake in the August Break as organised by photographer Susannah Conway over at her blog. The idea, as I understand it, is just to just post a pic (or more) a day make the blog easier to digest so we can all have a little less time spent staring googley eyed at the ol' computer and enjoy some of the fleeting summer sun (or starry nights!!). I'll be posting more pics and less of the blab (well thats the idea anyway!).  So bear with me...

We spent sunny/ cloudy/ slightly drizzling afternoon at the lovely little beach at Talland Bay, Cornwall.  There were rockpools, sandcastles, sea and nearly some sun! Its all good, and J discovered the hard way that sticking your face into a big pile of sand is not always the best idea.. yummy gritty sand!

Hope you're all enjoying your Summer! x

ps...any of you cornish birds know any lovely beaches worth visiting???