Lashings and lashings of loveliness

I won a giveaway! Don't you love this blogging caper? And the little community it creates? And the new friends you make? And finding things in ope shopes for these friends? And winning giveaways?!

The very clever Zara at Zaranne Handmade gived-awayed me these bits of loveliness. 'The Children of Cherry Tree Farm' was one of my favourite books when I was 9. Ziggy is almost 9 - I'm looking forward to reading it with him.

And I'm looking forward to baking some delectable desserts.

Zara made this cushion cover from a vintage tea towel. Clever, isn't she?! I lurve it.

She has quite the eye. Have a look at her gorgeous milk glass collection.

Thank you so much, clever Zara.

A jolly hobby

A friend is someone who drinks in the dark lives in your heart.

I purchased this Holly Hobbie thermos for the nine-year-old me who quietly coveted those of her lucky friends so much it hurt.

However, I have no use for it at the moment, so I have generously suggested to husbandido that he may take it to work. Filled with soup. Or vodka. Up to him.

Such happiness for only $2.

image via

Playing along with Sophie and ApronThriftGirl.

He just wants to daahnce

It was husbandido's birthday last weekend. He is now the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. Not that he wasn't already my answer to these questions...

We made cupcakes.

Above (in the photo, the book in the photo) is one of his presents. My jokey ope shope present hit a bit of a nerve (one of many - presents, not nerves, nor jokes, although...). I must have known on some level that he aspired to daahnce when he was little, but had forgotten when I purchased this with an evil cackle.

The book wasn't being sold with an accompanying evil cackle - I cackled as I... I'm in a rather qualifying mood today (what with all of these parenthetical asides).

Maybe his appreciation of my sense of humour will  mature with age.  

And speaking of ope shopes, here's what was on offer recently. They were asking $36 for the Tudor House and $40 for the hospital.

Is that too much? It was for me.

We also caught up with lovely friends from Sydney last weekend and visited the Railway Museum.

I remember catching these, or very similar, trains. Love the detail.

Have you seen this show? Hilarious. Hospital drama spoof that started as a web series. Web series are the latest thing.

*Warning* Make sure no children or co-workers are watching over your shoulder.

Playing along with Sophie. 

No title

Beautiful children being little angels.

Toddler misbehaviour. (Although I condone the sentiment.)

Any stomping, door-slamming, 'whatevahs' and general badnessess warrant an asterisk. He is still 8!

I may have posted this before. I love Harry Enfield, even though it's difficult for a lady from this era to say so.

Coppa tay?

A wee sport of ope shopein' rarecently yellded a titchy selva-plarted tayport, sum sorevehnaire tearspuhns and how long can I keep this up?

The teapot is for Saskia. The teaspoons are just for the craic.

Three little Irish Wade Pottery eggcups. Are they eggcups? 

I think I've found my latest desirin's for a collection.

We had an ashtray like this when I was little but I don't think I'd noticed just how sweet it was, as it always full of cigarette butts. Ah, the '70s...

My step-father was Irish. He was from Donegal, but I think the accent I write in is northern... A bit more Father Ted. (Not that I like that show...)

I've been searching for peg puzzles for a couple of months now and finally found a couple for $1.50 each!! I'm thinking of modpodging the rag doll puzzle, but Ziggy is dead set against it.

I modpodged this little puzzle which is now hanging above Sassykah's cot. 'Bee!'

Playing along with Sophie.

Na na na na naaah

Come ON! You love it!

My favourite is the singing elephant. Those Europeans...