Mixed Lollies...

Our time at the beach house seems like it was so long ago....

... the visit was extra special having shared it with close family friends.

The weather was still surprisingly cool (and windy!) for this time of year but that didn't stand in the

way of silly sand sculptures, beach-combing and of course ....

.... food ...

... glorious food ...

I made a little "Christmas branch" with some white paint, white ribbon and beads. Then I 

added a small rope of string lights - to surprise my Father-in-law when he returns this weekend.

(the beach house belongs to Hubby's dad & his partner but they are always happy to have

us there and we're welcome to use it all year round = something we are very grateful for!)

Something else I'm very grateful for...

I supervised a Science Exam yesterday and was rendered all goose-bumpy

with memories of my school years and the study that accompanied (or in the case of Maths - was avoided) all the nerves, sweat and stress. Having said that I actually love to study and learn. 

I enjoyed my university years immensely and probably could have remained an "academic" for the rest of my life (as long as I was left in the field of the Arts that is!) Alas my father had other ideas - "Get some skills and you'll at least be employable young lady!" In retrospect I'm not sure what the words "at least" were implying? Anyhoo... My dad (bless & rest his soul) had honourable intentions, I'm sure. 

What occurred to me as I watched these young people squirm and shuffle in their seats, scratch their heads, bite the end of their pencils, groan, yawn (you get the idea) was that I am no longer at the mercy of report cards, national averages and moderated grading. Yahoooooooo!

And yet? Why is it then, that I want to go back to university and keep studying? 

Perverse self afflicted torture? Hmmmm....

Nevertheless - good luck to all you study bots who are sitting exams.

Stay sane with my best ever study tip - coffee, coffee and more of the same.

If you're too young for caffeine then ... well... sorry - maybe triple strength cocoa?

Speaking of self afflicted. 

The madness of the week has left me well behind in the 

housework department.... 

most notably .... the ironing.

(red faced, shamed and head bowed in disillusionment)

Please don't look too closely and then discover that in fact my guest bed lies beneath this 

avalanche of fabric! To my friends who think of me as quite a neat freak - I present to you 

Exhibit M. Why M you say? 

Because M stands for MIGHTY MESS - that's why.

 In case you think I'm exaggerating, I assure you I am not.

The pooch tried napping on a pile of washing the other day - that's how comfy the mess has become. 

To add the cherry to my delicious cake of denial I have no desire whatsoever to get organised and every effort to fix things ends up with me, tea and chocolate. Bloody Nora - it's outta control peoples!

My craft table (which is usually my safe place, my sane spot ... my sanctuary) has erupted (as usual) leaving behind an imposing mountain of mayhem and (as usual) I have covered it with a tablecloth. 

Grrrrrr...

 (she grumbles as she puts the kettle on for the 3rd time this morning)

 I did manage to make this pretty card for friends who have recently welcomed their first born into the world.  I use wire and beads to make these stick figure people and then embellished it with glitter glue and hand stamped words. The minute I get creative though, all the housework takes a back seat again. So I'm going to have to show some restraint ... sigh.... and get cracking with the all that ironing, a dust cloth & a  hoover..... &  a polish cloth.... & a toilet brush.... Awww man!

*******

How are you all peoples? 

Methinks I'll procrastinate for just a few hours minutes more and catch up on all your lovely lives... 

after all who needs clean clothes and dishes hey?

Beautiful Packages....

I promised myself that I would post about the wonderful art

that I have recently purchased. It is a sheer delight to receive a package in the mail

and know that it is filled with something beautiful, something unique and (best of all)

something someone has created with love and care.

Firstly I received a set of cards that I ordered from

  Sheryl at her Madeit store. 

They were lovingly wrapped in this tissue paper

(which is also illustrated by her) and tied with colourful string.

I think there are a wide range of amazing artists selling their wares at these

fabulous online stores and I've made a decision to include a lot more of this sort of thing 

in my Christmas Shopping. 

After all who wouldn't love to receive a set of hand illustrated cards

that can be used or hung in the home. 

(I plan on keeping two and giving two)

Your work is just lovely Sheryl and your packaging is swoon worthy!

Thank you!

Next there's the photogram style art that I ordered from 

Chad through his Etsy store. 

I discovered Chad's work through his unique blog 

and I just had to have something from his collection.

(Again the package has arrived with a sweet note

and a cute paper doily... Chad you are a man after my on heart)

Can't tell you how the heart flutters when I receive

brown paper packages from all around the world...

And here it is ...

It's still in a plastic sleeve so the light reflected a little.

I will take better photos when I find a place for these darlings to live.

Thank YOU CHAD!

And lastly there's the very special package that arrived from 

Dear Friend in Nashville.

I discovered Rebekka's art & illustrations through

  her blog

and just fell in love with everything she does

(especially the idea of a house portrait!)

So I ordered the sweetest image of a 

Momma bear sleeping in the woods with her Baby Bear. 

To my utter "gobsmackedness" (new word) 

Rebekka contacted me and asked me if I'd mind 

that she send the original image

 (rather than just a print)

Mind? Wowsers trousers!

She took the greatest care in protecting the painting and once again....

a darling envelope arrives with an illustrated address label

(the little things really do count don't they)

Chuffed does not come close...sigh.

And here it is....

A Rebekka Seale ORIGINAL!

Thank you lovely lady!

I'm giddy with the prospect of having new art to place around my home. 

Some of the people I've shared these images with are also

inspired to check out online stores such as

  Madeit, Big Cartel and Etsy.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that, the range itself makes it better 

than any department store or gallery you could visit. 

The prices allow for modest budgets as well and if your packages arrive 

wrapped like these then really it's like making it your birthday any day of the year!

So make yourself a cuppa and go exploring peoples. Even if you don't buy

you're sure to be inspired and encouraged by all the talent and ideas.

Ok... I have to go now - got some packing to do...

I'm off for more early festive fun with our bestest buds The Clarke family.

Looking forward to the following

sleeping in

cheese and bread

foot spas

sea sand

reading

(aimless) chats

walking... no.... meandering

children laughing

giving gifts

drinking tea and eating toast with butter and marmalade

Have a lovely one peoples

XX

PS - I gave the lovely lady this package and guess what?

She is truly a kindred spirit and she loved it!

(Yay! Happy crazy pyjama slipper dance)

Looking Down at the Beach....

Whenever I'm at the beach I find myself looking down....

...and whilst there's clearly nothing amiss with the views when you look up...

... or around ....

... it is what's on the ground that grabs me...

... intrigues me ...

... and draws me in.

I'm always on the lookout for that elusive treasure...

... the pirates' loot that ...

... might just wash ashore & all the clues ...

... that tell me ...

I'm not alone on this beach

Hmmm ... whilst most treasures aren't quite the kind 

to have four legs and a tail...

... I'll keep looking down just in case

*******

How was your weekend peoples?

I returned home from Myalup to continue with a rather arduous task.... sigh... reminder to self:

"the end IS in sight"

Still it was a great weekend filled with good food, satisfying tasks and delicious beach combing.

Which makes it all the more irritating to return to the 'real world' to do work!

Nevertheless I have recently received a number of packages in the mail 

that are certainly blog worthy so... 

Watch this space :-)

Also a rather sheepish admission coming up:

We return to the beach house this coming weekend.

Ok -  no more complaining Missy!

Slow down, you move to fast...

You know those days when things just rush past you?

(or more accurately you rush past them)

Those days when you wish the earth had a pause button?

Well I was lucky enough to find my global remote control last week.

(It helped that Hubby had the afternoon off from work)

So what did we do?

We decided to take a nap. 

A deliciously hedonistic nap right smack bang in the middle of the day.

Let me tell you peoples - this really should be made law.

I do believe if napping were mandatory we'd all live longer and happier lives, yes sir.

Since that day (that extra special treat of a day) it's been go go go in the JAM household.

I haven't stopped even to scratch my botty I tell you.

I feel like a kid in the playground screaming to get off the roundabout.

So it's late in the evening here (oops no make that early in the morning - clock just ticked past midnight)

and I'm not going to bed without sharing something special...

I need to have more of these precious moments...

Moments with the love of my life, relaxing under

the plum tree in the back garden...

... a cheeky half to wet the whistle...

... A rug to snooze on...

... the softest grass you'll ever feel between your toes

(Hubby is most proud of his lawn - I think it's a boy thing??)

... the sweetest of chirps from baby Honey Eaters...

(couldn't get any closer... Mum will have a fit)

... a pooch who clearly has a case of OCBD...

(obsessive compulsive ball disorder)

.... the sun dappling through, not one, but three trees...

(how blessed I am to have an abundance of shade)

A moment to just be

Yes. 

I have placed this moment in my mental treasure chest.

A gem I can pull out and polish whenever I want.

All mine to hold up to the light and admire the sparkle.

Thankyou

******

PS - I thrifted this cutie top for $2!!

Love the detail!

Also  I forgot to add that my special day ended with this yummy meal

and...

a soak in the tub

Take my advice peoples...

Slow down, book in a day to just .... exist