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

Paper Bunting....

Will the digital age bring about the demise of the printed word?

I hope not

Yet a visit to any thrift store will tell you that books are being given up by the boot-loads.

Not just any books either.

New, old, rare, torn, frayed (my favourite), foreign, written in, fictional, referential....

Literally thousands of books that can be purchased at bargain prices.

For me this represents sheer hedonistic delight

and...

... the opportunity to "bunt" 

Not so sure this is the correct terminology used 

when referring to the act of "making bunting" (??)

Anyhoo... moving along.

My favourite - children's story books.

So here's how I make bunting by recycling old books

First I remove all the pages 

(as seen above)

Then I trim the pages so the type and the illustrations are centred

(for accuracy I use a line trimmer - you can purchase these from any good craft store)

I like to keep the pages in order so that when the bunting is complete it still 

makes sense to follow the written word and the art work

Then I take each page and fold in the outer edges...

 (equally & one side only)

.... in order for the paper to form an equidistant triangular point

(I like this shape for paper bunting more so than that of an isosceles triangle)

By bringing the edges of one side in and meeting them in the middle

you help to eliminate unequal sides and you have a straight line to cut on.

Once all the pages are trimmed to this shape 

I turn them upside down 

so that I can apply double sided tape to the wider end.

(I used quarter inch d/s/tape but it would depend on your page size)

Use string (or twine/wool) and allow for an extra metre on each end so that 

it can be easily fastened to a post or hook etc 

Note - do NOT pre-cut your string just lay it down as you go.

(Nothing worse than running out before you're done) Alternatively though, 

you could measure the width of each page and multiply that by the total pages.

This would give you a rough guide as to how much string you'd need.

Remove the back of the double sided tape

 (one page at a time)

and lay the string down on the edge of the glue line (as above)

This gives you the "fold line" for the edge.

Allow a small gap between each page - it hangs better this way.

Voila! I made this lot for Christmas so the littlies have something sweet to look at when they visit.

You can even make "advent bunting" and attach a lolly (or stickers) to each page.

I also plan on making some bunting for my deck area and I'm thinking

I'll laminate the paper for longevity

 What I love most about doing this is knowing that I've recylcled

a beautiful item and given it a new life simply by changing it's function.

Why on earth should these priceless treasures collect dust in a thrift bin when 

all they need is to be "read" a little differently.

*******

PS

Bloomin busy weekend so far - and ahead!

(not even enough time to sit and read all my favourite blogs....

no cup o tea in bed... no cake ... sigh)

I have things to make and people to entertain.

Since we are away from family for Christmas this year 

we are hosting a (very) early festive celebration tomorrow.

'Twas my suggestion so I cannot exactly complain about lack of time 

(or organisation) instead I shall knuckle down and make haste.

Hope your weekend is swimming along blissfully peoples?

Methinks me needs new cushions....

Well who wouldn't want new cushions...

.... when ....

.... they ...

.... look ...

.... like this ?

Please to be visiting Maria & Marie over at my new favourite store, 

aptly named...

Lush Designs

Ladies I find your work simply superb!

****

PS - all images via HERE

PS...

Also...

Only 39 more sleeps 'til we leave for Africa!

&

48 more sleeps 'til Christmas!

(Silly happy Nana gown and slipper dance...)

P.P.S - I just bought the Ballad of Lucy Jordan from I-Tunes

(forgot just how much I love this song - if you don't know it have a listen)

Doing the Dishes...

We have never owned a dishwasher

I cannot say it's been a conscious decision not to have one, 

Nor can I say that I'm particularly against them in any way

We've just never had the space, the money or the burning need

We have a rule in our house that if you've cooked you don't have to the dishes

(We don't always adhere to it though)

For us it's usually the time we discuss Young Prince and his school work, 

catch up on the days events,

or review the success of the dinner party

If I'm on my own I usually light a candle and 

try to remain ever grateful...

...for the family who used this crockery, for the home 

that shelters them...

... & for the running water that I don't have to walk to find

When I was young I used to hide when it came time to do the dishes

(I was always the dryer)

Now I really don't mind it at all

In fact, I've decided that if I never own a dishwasher...

... then that will be just fine

Wowsers!!

The lovely (and EXTREMELY articulate) Annette from 

Chasing Lightning Bugs

has nominated me for a Liebster Award...

The Liebster blog award is given to up-and-coming bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers. 

Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, loveliest, cutest . 

Wowsers Trousers and a Walla Walla Bing Bang!!

These were the initial words that came to mind and then once I had calmed my 

rather jolly happy heart I thought....

Moi??

Let me just clarify that this is by no means a false modesty.

This lady expresses herself in a fashion I can only dream of emulating.

It is truly cool to have her acknowledgement & encouragement.

Annette... Thank YOU.

Now the rules of the Liebster Award are as such:


1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you (check)
2. Reveal your five personal nominations and 
let them know by leaving a comment on their blog(check)
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog (check)
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love too!
(check check)


So here are the blogs that I HIGHLY 
recommend you visit - if you haven't already.


The lovely Demie at Paraphernalia
(Her kindness and spirit shines through every post)


The spirited Nadya at Wolves at the Door
(An artist I admire profusely)


The brave Fay at Dreaming of an Aga
(Her move to the country has inspired me so)


The talented Anna at Mr Sparrow
(Her shop is every bit as special as she is)


The fabulous Eleni at Eleni Drinks Tea
(She always makes me smile... and giggle)


And can I sneak in a cheeky sixth?
Of course I can....we're spreading blog love here peoples, Yes?


The poetic Lisa from In My Wild Eden
(Her words are always uplifting) 

I think these blog awards are such a lovely way of showing our support to fellow bloggers as well as a great way of finding out who our favourite bloggers admire.

Again thank you so much Annette.
I hope you all enjoy visiting my recommended friends.

Have a lovely Monday peoples - I will be blogging about my weekend soon.
I decided to use my usual Sunday blogging session to absorb (and enjoy) this wonderful compliment
and to respond in kind

************

Mixed Lollies...

I've decided this is what I'll call a post if it's all over the place and 

contains a whole bunch of ...well... um... everything.

Firstly - those who know me (even remotely I'm sure) know that I love, love,

 LOVE the film The Last of The Mohicans.

Now I can waffle on about this film for at least seven years but I shall refrain.

Just do yourself a favour and watch it.

Image via here

Anyhoo... I was teaching yesterday and I stumbled upon an illustrated

copy of this famous story.

Originally written as part of a series of novels by James Fenimore Cooper, 

the tale provides a very interesting historical perspective of America's Seven Years war.

I loved the illustrations so I thought I'd share a few

(Although I have my reservations about the way that Hawkeye

was depicted... what's with the skin moles??)

The funny thing is the book does not give credit to an Illustrator.

How odd?

So Mr/Mrs Illustrator -  if you are out there (still) then know this - 

I love your interpretation of this epic story, your fearless depiction of savage warfare

mixed with just a soupcon of melancholic romance.

You did very well to capture me...

 .... except for Hawkeye, 

I still think you could have made him look like Jim Caviezel or Edward Norton... sigh.

****

Moving along...

I wanted to show you the way that I decorate my light switches.

They tend to be completely overlooked and under appreciated so I think it's 

great to... 

... give them a little love...

What do you think?

I think paying attention to the details makes all the difference.

I've even taken to prettying up the loo...

Now every time you flush ... you smile.

And last but certainly NOT least...

It's been raining today...

...and when I step outside from the studio...

... everything is muted and dingy... 

... almost anemic...

Just the way I like it.

(One last hurrah before the stickiness of summer)

My weekend:

Dinner dating, chicken feeding, bunting making, 

clothes washing, body grooming (hmmm), music appreciating, Spooks watching, 

 novel reading and most certainly some wining & cheesing

Yours peoples?