The paint job

I've sneaked off painting duties for 5 minutes to say a quick hello....
Hello!!
We're day four into our paintaton and we're suckin' diesel (Northern Irish speak for The painting is going really well) So far we've finished the spare room, started the living room and today we've moved onto our bedroom.....There is light at the end of the tunnel! It's hard graft but cups of tea and Lidl lemon cake are making it easier.
Wanted to share my outfit with you... Accessorised with paint from head to toe! Vest sums it up rather nicely!

I have aged somewhat these last few days! Looking forward to a good scrub, a manicure and wearing some nice clothes!
Better shoot, my 5 minutes is up and the big lad will be cracking the whip!

Hope you're all having a good week x

This week I've been mostly thrifting.....

CHICKENS!!
Hello!
Hope you're having a lovely Sunday, I'm up to my eyeballs in paint but there's always 5 minutes for a quick thrifting post! Thrifting has taken on a new dimension since the arrival of the girls and I seem to be finding chicken stuff everywhere now! (The big lad's not as enthusiastic!)

I love the colours in this little chicken jug, she was only £1.95, actually is it a hen or a cockerel? I haven't a clue!

A chicken dish, £2, it's a bit on the small side, it only holds 4 eggs, but cute none the less. I'm on the look out for a larger version of this (mum and dad beware)

A dinky little shot glass with a cockerel (?) on it. 25p

Not chicken related, I guess the pattern looks a bit like eggs, two very pretty glass bowls for 75p each.

The chickens are being VERY vocal today, I'm hoping the neighbours love the sound of the country in the city!
 I'm linking up with Sophie over at Her Library Adventures , looking forward to seeing what all you thrifty friends have found over the week.
Have a great Sunday everyone x

Find a safe place

Our house is upside down, stuff everywhere! and Mary who doesn't do disruption has taken to her bed (I'm finding dealing with the mess difficult too, maybe I'll join her, except not in the hot press) The thing about starting to paint is that once you've started painting the walls, then the floors look really grubby, and it turns into a massive job! I'm trying to stay calm, but my problem is I rush things! The big lad keeps me right though, he's the ying to my yang, "put your feet up" "finish it tomorrow" Frankly I'll be glad when it's all done and so will Mary!

Speaking of rushing things, our new washing machine arrived on Friday. Eager to get started on the mountain of laundry that's been building up, so says the big lad "better read the instructions" Me "NA, sure how hard can it be" WRONG!!!! MUST LEARN NOT TO RUSH THINGS!! Whacked on a wash, seemed to be working well, UNTIL . . . The spin cycle! What only can be described as demonic, the machine thrashing and actually jumping out of it's cove! Screaming ensued " AH! DO SOMETHING!! TURN IT OFF" Turns out, (I'd know this if I'd read the instructions) there are four large screws that need to be removed before use! DOH! Another lesson learned, and luckily not the hard way, the machine is not broken, (phew! or it would have coming out of Mary's pocket money)

Hope your weekend is filled with fun! 
And remember not to rush things xx

Friday Flowers

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

I'm spending the day clearing, cleaning and choosing paint for our decorating spree next week (whilst waiting around for our new washing machine to arrive, turns out we couldn't survive without it!). I can't wait to get the painting started!!
XX

Half a year

Hello folks!
 I'M ON MY HOLIDAYS!!!!  Ten glorious days off work! Splendid!
Back at the start of the year it was my resolution to paint more...So far in half a year, I've painted four paintings, better than none, I guess!  I thought I try my hand at painting some flowers. You can see paintings one, two and three here
I give you painting Number four, Bonny Jean

We're Planning painting of a different sort next week, the decorating kind, our living room is getting a makeover. What a fantastic way to spend a week off work! (There's Heaton Park to look forward to as our reward). I'll take some before and after pictures. Next painting painting will be a portrait of the chickens, I'm looking forward to getting started on that one. Hope you're all having a good week xx

Kitty Apron

Today I'm modelling my amazing Kitty print apron, a handmade birthday present from my sister Pauline. I love it! I love the retro style, the colour and the cute pattern, pink with white kitties, so cute!! Pauline was given the sewing machine last Christmas and is fast becoming a wiz on it, she made my other sister a beautiful makeup bag. I say it's well worth investing and learning how to use a machine, the possibilities of stuff to make is endless. 

I love this fabric!

Thanks sister Perlie xx I love my kitty apron xx

Reasons to be cheerful

Hello!
It's another drizzly day here in Northern Ireland, I don't mind though...I have a new rain mac, in pink and purple leopard print,  that rolls up and fits into one of it's pockets! I'm sorted, it can go in my handbag, ready for use at the first rumblings of a downpour. It claims to be "shower resistant" emmm? Not waterproof then? doh!! We'll see....
On days like this maybe it's just better not to leave the house....Instead....The perfect day to make cookies! These cookies are YUM (I hit the keys harder when typing that to show how YUM they are) If making these doesn't make you cheerful then eating them surely will.
COOKIES!!! Nom Nom Nom Nom

 This recipe makes 20
You will need
125g (4 1/2 oz) butter softened
225g (8 oz) soft brown sugar
1 egg (Thanks Beryl!) lightly beaten
225g (8 oz) plain flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp of baking powder
pinch of salt
200g (7 oz) choc chunks (M&Ms would be good too)
Preheat oven 180 oc, line a baking tray with parchment paper.......

1. Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until the mix is pale and creamy.
2. Add the beaten egg and vanilla extract and stir to combine.

3. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt in a separate bowl.
4. Stir the flour mix into the butter mix.

5. Fold in the chocolate chunks.
6. Make little balls or heaped tablespoons of the mixture onto the baking tray, leave space between them!

 7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Allow to cool on the tray for 5 minutes then transfer to onto a wire rack (or straight into your mouth! Well quality control is essential when baking!)

AND ENJOY! 
Hope you're all having a cheerful weekend xx