Wi lambin' (we hope you like lambin' too...)

Wi lambin' Wi lambin', Wi lambin',  Wi lambin'...

OK, sorry, it's too early for my Bob Marley-ness but I really do love lambing. It's the time of year that fills me with joy. Possibly because I was pregnant with the Princess in the spring of 2003 and I remember how I felt, it all felt new, there was new life, I felt sick as a dog (not so good). But I couldn't go lambing when pregnant. No siree.

Last weekend we found a sweet farm on the South Downs and spent Saturday afternoon....well. cuddling lambs really.

Just don't think of mint sauce

Looking a bit sheepish there (sorry...)

"baa-ger off and leave me in peace"

Wool you come here for a snuggle please (sorry again)

Ewe can lean on me ( oh dear)

 I keep bleating, just keep bleating love (I'll get me coat)

Tractor ride to see the tiny newborn lambs

Now on the cherry tree front, I realise I have forgotten to introduce you to Theresa. She was a sad and sorry character we spotted on the shelf of the Link Romania shop when we first moved here. She was £1 and she was naked. We noticed her, but we didn't buy her.

My dad thinks she looks like Rebekah Brooks...he has a point

Every time we went back into the cherry tree shop, she was still there. Looking desperate.

I was urged to buy her. Someone in my family wanted her very much indeed. So I caved in (sucker) and handed over a pound coin for some naked saggy doll who looks like a cross between a Cabbage Patch Kid and a Troll.

But she quickly became part of our family. She now wears this most of the time and is much happier in our cosy home.

And guess who wanted her more than anything? Yes he loves his trains and his diggers and his Lego, but he WANTED Theresa and he named her.

Please smile for the camera with Theresa...

I will give you an Easter egg if you do...

 He now sleeps with her every night. Theresa, the Prince and Noo Noo.

We had a gorgeous Sunday spent at home. We are digging out space for a vegetable patch and the husband and I felt like Tom and Barbara  from The Good Life. Which is kind of ironic as the whole world tells me I look like Margo.

Early evening arrived and the husband bathed the kids while I went on a 45 minute walk. I simply had to see the sea and the sun set. It is so peaceful being on the beach at that time, hearing nothing but the gentle lapping of waves.

And yesterday morning after the school run, I walked again to see the pier. Everything sparkles on days like this and I feel blessed to be part of it.

But not today. Today is bloody awful. There seems very little to do today which is driving me and the Prince mad. Normally on  a Tuesday we go to Jo Jingles, down by the sea, but there is no parking and I decided not to faff around getting wet. So we are stuck indoors. The Prince is watching Ratatouille on DVD and building Lego houses and I am blogging and doing some work and trying to ignore all the chores that need doing.

I HATE rainy days with a passion. But there is something rather nice about cosying up indoors, however let me tell you I am DREADING the school run this afternoon.........we have no rain cover for the pushchair and the husband will have the car for work today. And it's a 20 minute walk (with a possible long wait at the level crossing).Gulp!

To be beside the sea

When I need a breather from the trials of life, I take to the sea. The air fills my soul with clarity and energy. It works wonders for my perpetually blocked sinuses and blows away the cobwebs. I feel at one with the sea. The waves mesmorise me, calm me, heal me. I watch it bring in the new and spit out the old. The sound, the feel, the motion....so soothing.

So we were expecting cool, windswept weather for mid October when we hit the beach yesterday, but alas, it went a little something like this. Yippee!

Oh I do like to be....

So quiet for a hot day

Tempting huh...no?

Still not interested?!! Hmmm?

A chip fit for a Prince

A total beach babe

A bit of sauce at the seaside, naturally

I took this for my bro - the ultimate Beano fan

Who could those three lovely people be?

Ah! My greatest achievements!
(Look at the sea, like diamonds dancing on the waves)

Solid as some rock...

Mad sea hair and 100 per cent cherry tree outfit on me.
(The husband has no hair, thanks to the photo skills of the Princess)!

How can this be October?!

But now it's definitely getting chilly. I'm feeling it within my bones. I LOVE the sun so was thrilled to get one last blast of it this weekend and can now accept that autumn is well and truly here.

PS. Going off on a total tangent, as only I do best, look how proud the Prince is with his 95p Vacuum cleaner I picked up in Help the Aged. Just wish it really worked!

Produce from the orchard of cherry trees

I've just finished the articles I needed to write today so I thought it was a good time to update the good old blog.

I've had horrid sinus infections twice recently which have worn me out. But facial steaming is the key and so I enter that little steamy nirvana twice a day. Other than that, I'm tickety boo and have visited loads of charity shops!

I am thrilled to have finally got a place on the Breastfeeding Network course. I start in January and then once I am qualified, I will work as a volunteer on the maternity wards and help all the new mums. I am so passionate about this and am seriously excited. There is a creche so my Prince can come with me (he rarely leaves my side anyway) so it's all good news.

The past week or so has been jam packed. We've had a family picnic in the blazing heat by a creek in the countryside which was amazing.

Anna, the Prince and myself. Basking in the sun and scoffing

The husband and I

I love this pic so much! It was scorching and the kids refused to wear a hat

We also went to a lovely wedding evening do, just the husband and I. We danced our pants off all night. The venue was the stately home where we had our wedding breakfast nine years ago, right next door to our little family church where my parents married, we married, we were all christened as babies and now where my grandparents are buried. It evoked wonderful memories and as we strolled around the grounds, we wondered where the past few years have gone. And where we will be in the next nine. I had a slight wobble thinking of my grandparents lying near by, but the husband helped me through the tough times and we ended up having a ball. He is a marvel and I often take his kindness and gentleness for granted, which I must try not to do.

Last Sunday I became godmother to Cuckoo's baby boy and we scoffed cream teas afterwards in a stunning location with the sun beating down on our backs (cake and sun are in my top five fave things). Since then, we have had friends round for an informal dinner, Evil Tuesday turned out to be rather pleasant, the Princess went to several houses for tea which freed me up no end and I am totally on top of all my chores. I feel light. This is rare.

So, what have I bought since I last blogged?

I am loving this Union Jack place mats and coasters. £2.99 from Lidl. Absolute bargain.

I bought this gorgeous jug from Barnardo's on Wednesday (£2.49 originally Sainsbury's). I remember seeing it in Sainsbury's and deciding not to splurge my cash. Now I am thrilled to pick it up cheaply.

My dear friend French Sophie (I call her this to differentiate between her and another Sophie I know) bought me a dozen roses for my birthday and they have lasted well - I am down to the last four!

I bought the Princess this purple dress for £3.99 from Oxfam. I truly love it, as does she. It was only from George originally but it is tres cute and great quality. Remind me of a Quality Street (or is it Roses...)

 I also bought this Boden blouse, to sling on with jeans for the school run. A fiver from Oxfam. Not bad, not bad (said in Spikey's voice from Notting Hill.)

And last night we had friends for dinner.

Nothing fancy, just good wholesome grub

I used the sparkling tealight holder that my parents bought us as a housewarming gift. I'd wanted it for so long but as a thrifty kind of gal, it was too expensive.

So all in all it's been pretty hectic and busy but lovely. Tomorrow the husband has the day off and so we are going to indulge in some precious family time. Last weekend we were rushing around like mad things. I love the calmer, peaceful times so I reckon it will involved good walks, perhaps a cream tea and an evening snuggle in front of a DVD once the kids are in bed.

Oh and a lie in for me tomorrow as he will be up early to watch the rugby! Bliss. I am so looking forward to a long doze.