Thank the lord for lovely friends!

I am eating a sausage while writing this blog post and really regretting the fact I have tuned into Embarrassing Bodies. A dodgy willy shown in all its (non existant) glory, is not looking unlike my bit of saucisse that I was hoping to enjoy and I am feeling rather...pigged off, quite frankly.

Ah well, I won't starve. Not after the amount I've consumed today.

I have had such a lovely day today. I invited three bloggy friends over for lunch as we all live in the same neck of the woods. In the past I have been a little hesitant about meeting up, in case bubbles burst and it's not the same in "real life".

Oh how wrong I was. HOW wrong.

Left to right: Sarah, Ashley, Sarah and me!

I had met up with Sarah at Annaboo's House a couple of weeks ago and we had a laugh. So I invited her over to mine for lunch today, along with the extremely wonderful Sarah at Shabby Chic Sarah and the ever so divine Ashley at Country Rose.

Yes the gorgeous shabby chic one and her country bumpkin friend turned up about a zillion hours later than planned due to traffic trouble but we made up for lost time.

These situations are always met with a little trepidation. What if we don't gel like we do in Blogland? What if they had higher expectations than I could live up to? Well, I needn't have worried. The girls arrived, there were "gert" (I am from Somerset, this means  "massive") hugs all round and then we scoffed our way through lunch.

The Prince fell for Rose. Tonight he told me "I love that boy Rose".....I had to correct him, but I knew what he meant. She is adorable. And rather cheeky!

Up to no good. Again!

Sarah (of the shabby chic variety) had brought me these cheery daffs with a lovely hand-made brooch.

She also requested I made my Trifle Crawford desserts which I did.

I was worried we wouldn't have room, but let me tell you, we are HARD CORE at the dining table. Don't invite us four anywhere if you were hoping to keep some left overs for the next day...

I'd made a lemon drizzle cake too but we ran out of time (ho hum, I'll have to eat that tomorrow) as I had to scoot off for the school run and parents' evening.

Sarah (Annaboo) brought me some lovely tulips and these two Ladybird books. Praise the Lord for my lovely new friends. It was like we'd all known each other for years.

Apparently only 30p each! Bargainous.

Look at this sweet drawing found at the back!

Do not invite us to an All You Can Eat. Because we will EAT IT ALL...

And now I shall look once more at that sausage, get the horrid Embarrassing Bodies willy image out of my mind, and continue with my meal at 10.35pm. That programme really is TMI at any time of day.

The Kids are Alright

My poor little Princess. She needs to stop playing like a Prince. I am trying to teach her to be demure. Gentle.   And to slow down. 

I don't want any dramas this week. We also had a level crossing moment a few days ago. We have to cross one every day to get to school. The Prince loves choo choos so is happy as Larry (who WAS Larry by the way?) but the Princess gets scared when the bell rings to warn everyone. And last week we'd just started walking across and the alarm went off, which is quite a scary noise if you are a kid (or me).

As we'd only just set one foot on there, I stepped backwards as decided it was the safer option with a loaded up pushchair. She on the other hand had sprinted across like Linford Christie on Red Bull so I then had to get over with the pushchair. ALMOST heart failure but still here to tell the tale...we have a rule now. She does NOT let go of my hand.

Been cherry tree shopping again. This time I got this fab Monsoon skirt for £4.99 from YMCA (on this occasion I would say it really IS fun to stay at the YMCA as I saw loads of stuff but the Prince was having none of it, sadly).

On Saturday we went to Arundel for the afternoon. We arrived and found out we'd not only left the pushchair at home, but also the Prince's shoes. Please don't ask. I swear we aren't usually this crap.

So we drove all the way home and started again. Arriving in Arundel later than planned, with gritted teeth and a few sharp words with each other (I still say it's the Husband's fault).


 Anyway, this historical town is gorgeous.

 There are some gorgeous shops.

Then I went to the antique and craft centre and guess what I came across:

Yay, it's my very lovely bloggy friend Sarah from Annaboo's House. Look at her work, she has been a busy bee.

Then I saw a very silly model in a shop window. Tut tut. I blame the parents.

And yes they are cherry tree boots 

 I then came across this fab "itty bitty" junk shop. Couldn't call it junk though, total treasure darlings, total treasure.

Had to keep someone sweet during the day when he got a little tired.

I think he looks a bit like George Michael
with the icecream tash and goatee

 Went for a lovely walk the other day with a new friend. She showed me some pretty gardens and we took our boys. It was lovely and the Prince loved looking around for the Gruffalo.

Oh my dear little children never fail to make me laugh. They love entertaining me. Yesterday they did a performance of One Direction's Beautiful, which was beautiful. And hilarious. They dressed up for the occasion too. Oh my, how I love my little creations. Most of the time...

Complete with chocolate mousse round the Prince's mouth

Nigel Kennedy? Whatever.

Very Dexey's Midnight Runners

Oh and spring has sprung good and proper here in West Sussex. Bring on a little more sunshine please.

PS. Thanks for all your comments re one of my favourite books The Wonderful Weekend Book by the amazing Elspeth Thompson. I was shocked when Heather at Pink Milk told me Elspeth died two years ago. I had no idea. Her death makes for sad reflection. How someone with a lovely husband and young daughter, a fabulous home and successful career as a writer can end their life so suddenly is beyond me. I often read her book when I need a pick me up and inspiration. How tragic that her book wasn't enough to lift her own soul. I am thrilled that so many of you are buying\have read the book.

Random: Wee, pipes, cake, gifts and friends

Before I begin, can I just point you all towards Thrifty, one of my fave bloggers, for her day today. I thought mine was bad from the afternoon onwards but this chick has the slick attitude required when needed:

http://www.athriftymrs.com/2012/02/man-who-called-me-fat.html

I salute you, love. Well and truly.

What a day. What a week. Where do I begin? Do I begin by telling you about the shite afternoon I've had? Where the car failed its MOT and needed over £400 spent on it just to get through....or shall I tell you  about our outside pipe which was gushing water into the drive, road and neighbour's driveway? Neighbour knocked to inform me as I wrestled to get two naked children out of the bath. The Prince decided to use this opportunity to do a horse-style wee all over the carpet in his room. You know, the lengthy ones. So much scrubbing was required while the kids whined for their Cheerios (what am I, a fricking restaurant? I've had demands all day for food.) Or shall I tell you about how my day started at 5am (having crawled into bed at midnight) when the Prince marched in and announced: "Mum, mine hot wickabick please. My hungry".

No I won't tell you about any of those frustrating moments (oh....)

I shall tell you about my hot date with the lovely Sarah at Annaboo's House instead. We met at my lovely neighbour's house (those who didn't read my last few blog posts may not know that my neighbour just happens to be best friends with Sarah...small world).

We all had a great time, mopping up spilt tea (me again, it really has been a disastrous day AND I stabbed my eye with my mascara wand minutes before meeting Sarah) and talking about many things, including the wonderful world of blogging.

Here we are, sort of Friends Reunited. And we're going to get together again. Hoorah! She's lovely (aren't you, dear?!)

Talking of bloggy friends, I've had two surprises this week. One from Helen at sweetpeaandsailor.blogspot.com and one from Julie at atalefromtoadstoolhouse.blogspot.com and I was thrilled and very grateful.

Helen sent me the below earrings, after reading my blog about a cherry tree bracelet I'd found a while back, as she had the earrings to match and didn't wear them.

 I now have a full set of seagull/seaside jewels!

We are family

She also sent me two gorgeous cards and a mini sewing kit, what a love. I was delighted.

And my bloggy friend Julie sent me  a lovely handmade card and these gorgeous house warming gifts. I am in love with them! They go so well in our home, and yes it's only a rented home, but while we live here, it's our home and I love it.

How cute is this card?!

This lives in the dining room now. Gorgeous!

And this chose to pose in the kitchen

Julie also sent me the Blanket of Glory just before Christmas
(check out those teething cheeks)

Onto cherry tree shop items. I bought these two coats for the Princess this week. £3 each. The polka dot spring jacket (sorry, I've washed it but I don't do ironing, life is too short) is so cute although it looks wide in the photo. The Princess is chuffed with both.

Cute flowers and butterflies design

Whilst it looks wide enough to fit Pat Butcher,
it fits my slender Princess beautifully

 Will blog again over the weekend if time, as I've waffled on way too long here. I need to go to sleep if that pesky kid wants hot Weetabix again at 5am...