Everyone needs a little TLC every now and then, dont they? And, we certainly got it here this weekend. A few girlfriends and I spent the weekend at Champneys. And it turns out, so did a couple of other celebs!!

Emma and I are walking through to the treatment rooms (*All names are changed to protect the beautiful and innocent) when Jackie walks towards us. Emma, happy to see her says "Hi, I haven't seen you for ages and how lovely to bump into you here. How have you been?" to which Jackie replies with a warm smile "Lovely to see you" and kisses her before being whisked off to her treatment.

Turning to Emma and with eyes wide open with astonishment I said that was Jackie O and half expecting her to say yeah, we went to college together, or yeah, our husbands are chums. She didn't. She said, "Blimey, it was, wasn't it?" Gasping. "I thought she was a bloody patient of mine" (she's a GP). Cringing.

I had visions of Jackie laying there in her treatment thinking to herself, who the blooming heck was that girl.

We didn't see Jackie again. I imagine she was swept off out the back door in helicopters somewhere. Amazing.

Our weekend was so relaxing. Jam packed agenda filled by gym and spin classes and various treatments. It was amazing, and I'm totally relaxed and glowing.

Next year girls??

Not just a pretty face

Meet Delilah. She's not just a pretty face anymore. She's full a firm and she has beautiful cashmere hair, noch. Green eyes - purple hair. Needless to say, she's in need clothes and desperate for a hair cut.

Purple Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky. Remnants from a cardigan I made for my Mama (grandmother) a while back.

*She looks fab in that photo, taken 5 years ago now. She's unwell and is tucked up in hospital. I hope she recovers well and fast and comes home soon.*

Last week, I gave myself a holiday. I know, fancy that, a holiday. Truth be told, Hubby had a weeks holiday, so it kinda mucked up my routine. No school run - no gym - no light meals... that sort of a week. So, thats one week of not going to the gym and thats a weeks weight gain of 3lb. Sheez. What makes you eat what you are not supposed to? I've pin pointed mine right down. When I'm exhausted, tired beyond belief, I binge on the wrong foods to give me that sugar rush and that momentary energy burst. I know its all wrong, but dontcha just love being a bit naughty every now and then.

Back in the gym this week for a good hard workout. Everyday. Except Friday. Far too excited about Friday. I'll tell you all about it next week.



So, back to the doll. What do you think? Apart from having to dress her, I think she's almost done.

Sad eyes

Her eyes just didn't sit right. Her mouth was too thin... and too red. A nose penned on and far too feeble. A face not fit for a perfect doll. Yes, I'm talking about that first attempt of a rag doll I made a few weeks back. Overall, she's ok. I love her size (20") and fullness, but her face just didn't sit right. Ach, never mind.

So, various attempts at faces on a piece of scrap linen later, I've decided that embroidery is the face of the next doll. I love those sad green eyes. Eyes, they tell a story of a thousand words. She'll look great finished.

Veggie patch news: The strawberries are flowering.

Getting to know you

The questions..

Click button to link

1. Are you superstitious? Sort of. There are a few things I do and a few things that I dont. I'd walk under a ladder. I'd be dead upset if I cracked a mirror. I wont step over the kids if they're laying on the floor. I used to wear a red ribbon.


2. If you were an animal..what kind would you be? A bird. Free to fly around anywhere. Flying high above in the silence of the skies. Perched up on the fence watching the world pass by.


3. You would never catch me wearing.........? A boob tube. No Siree. My boobs need as much scaffolding as possible.


4. If someone posts a VLOG..do you watch it? What's that? No. I wont watch it.


5. Have you ever waxed your girlie/manly parts..or any other part of your body? Yes. I only wax.


6. Are you a spender or a saver? I'm so boring. Saver. Although when I spend, I spend.


7. If you were starring in a movie..who would you want to play your leading man/woman? Rob Lowe. Without a doubt.


8. Smoker..never smoked..social smoker..or smoked back in the day? Smoked far too much back in the day.

Have a good Tuesday.

When I pick a new book off the bookshelf Im almost always ready to sit down with a cup of coffee and a biscuit. Not this time. I sat down, read the first few lines then closed the book and sat for a while. I watched my youngest of 3 tapping away at the laptop on a childs website. His long eyelashes batting, his tongue occasionally moistening his lips and his legs curled under his seat. I closed my eyes and kissed him hard on the cheek.

Sometimes, when I'm hurrying him to put his shoes on and shouting to him to hurry up, or telling him off for not eating any of his dinner, bargaining with him that he has to go to bed, I need a reality check of how lucky I am to have him. So, I closed my eyes and kissed him hard on the cheek and the lines on my face softened as I said I love you my little chooch.

Then, I walked into the dinning room where the oldest was sat at the table doing his homework. I watched as half his body was on the seat and half was off. His books strewn across the whole table. His eyes wandering around the room. For an instant, I didn't shout to focus him on his studies, nor did I yell at him to sit properly at the table, I simply approached him and, again, kissed him hard on the cheek and told him I loved him so much more than he would ever know.

I say this because motherhood is one of the most precious gifts we will ever encounter and I know that I am eternally grateful to be a mother.

I then returned to the sofa and proceeded to read the Journey to the Son by Lauren Braddock Havey a true story of a husband and wife's journey through infertility to IVF to childhood. Its wit and light humour will keep you captured throughout. Read more about her story here.

Blighty Grounded

Not anymore!

Since the freeze in the skies, this blog's seemed to have had its own little break. Sorry. I've been taking the time to finish a book as I've a new one on the way. Yay!! I won Mud Mama's book giveaway!

Have you noticed how eerily peaceful the skies have looked? Motionless, cloudless and I guess pollution-less. I've had many friends stuck abroad, one thats safely back in Blighty today and another in the skies as I type. More due back over the coming days.

Poor JV, she was stuck abroad on her first girls holiday since her divorce and without her little 3yo boy. I feel sick for her as I remember Hubby and I taking our first holiday of 4 nights away from the Bubela when he was 3yo. I cried the 4th day, all day long. It was a miserable and rainy day in Venice. We had tea in the reception of the hotel watching the rain fall outside. Then waited in the boat taxi queue whilst the rain fell upon us. I was desperate to get to land and board a bus back to the airport. Somehow feeling safer and nearer my 3yo if I was sat in that airport. So, JV I too would have taken the first available flight to anywhere paying the hiked up prices and hitched a ride to Calais, paid treble for umpteen taxi's to be with your little one.

So, until airspace activities resume normal service, so will the postal services. I am holding all airmail back until normal postal service resumes. Thank you for your patience.

Veggie news: The strawberries are flowering!!! The tomatoes need re-potting.

Winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With the help of Random.org the winner is Jen from In One Ear.

Well done, Jen.

I'll be emailing you.

Thank you all to whom participated.

Have a great weekend.

Last Chance Giveaway

Comment on this post to give to enter the giveaway.

Results will be drawn on tomorrow, Friday 16th.

Look what is growing in my tomatoes

Are they heart shaped clovers?

Dolly visits the hairdressers

The sun is shinning, the tulips budding and I've dropped the youngest off at nursery.

The older one is upstairs working on a school project and I've a few hours to myself. I'd love to put my feet up with a cuppa, scoff a cake and watch Austraia's Biggest Loser, but Dolly neeeds attention... After giving her hair and a face I thought with the sun shinning gloriously out there we'd have a photoshoot. She is by no means finished, but thus far I'm quite pleased.

Love the new dress, much better than this one. I just need to buy lace and trimmings to add to the apron and bloomers.

Any suggestions for names yet?

In what would have been the prime of their life, enjoying retirement, watching their grandchildren grow, tending to a flowered garden, soaking the sun abroad...

Im sad that such a loving couple were unable to share the rest of thier years together. The mighty Lord had other plans.

What would have been their 38 wedding anniversary. Now, what would be the etiquette of marking an anniversary to the widow left behind?

Mummy, I love you. x

Letters home

Once upon a time there lived two young girls.

If they were bad at school, they were worse outside.

They giggled and connived together at Mrs Kavaghner in class and called out the window to the boys that met them from school in their cars. They had pyjama parties at each others houses and snacked on sweets as they watched old movies. They journeyed they're first bus ride together, then their first drive together after passing their tests. They holidayed in the sun together and shared stories of their first boyfriends. They laughed and cried, they fought and hugged. Their friendship spanned decades.

One day, one of the two girls decided to go travelling for a year. This was not an end to a friendship, but the beginning of a penpal correspondence.

Week after week, I would open letter after letter, laugh at clippings cut from the newspapers, pin photographs she sent on my walls, listen to her tape recordings. Week after week I would receive the sports pages to keep up to date with the football scores. Week after week I would send letters and share my experiences of life abroad with her. I wrote about the foreign army soldiers, the boyfriends and breakups, the tours and trips. I wrote about my calamity of a week in the army, the terrifying and memorable mountain climbs, the backbreaking work in the factory and the labour of picking mango's.

Oy vey, if I was sweating, she was sweating with me.

I shared her news of being a first time auntie and enjoyed the photos she sent. Her news of her engagement, the time in between and the break up. College, University and making new friends. Tennis coaches, holidaying on boats and a million parties I felt like I was at.

Those were the days when there was no Internet, no email, no mobile phones. I just had a pad of airmail paper, a good pen and an AT&T calling card. Being the sentimental type, I kept every single one of those letter, cards, tapes and newspaper cuttings. And, I'm delighted they have just resurfaced.

Memories. I've had a ball tonight. Thank you.

Put your high heels on and come join the party

5 minutes for mom is holding a blog carnival in the way of an ultimate blog party. Its my first party with 5 minutes for mom and I'm very excited to be here.

OK, so whatcha wearin? Im in my PJ's, but thats ok, right? In blogland anything goes, right? Help yourself to a cupcake and let me introduce myself.

I'm Estee. Im a mother to two wonderful boys, the real sunshine of my life. I'm busy to-ing and fro-ing all day long on school runs, grocery shops and gym work outs. I'm married to a lovely man, and fall in love more each day. We met in our teens, but didn't really fall in love until our twenties. We're very proud of the family we have built.

When I'm not filling my days running in the fast lane, I love to knit, crochet and sew. All of which are self taught, with a slight exception to sewing. A couple of years ago, I took a course at the London College of Fashion in Pattern Adaption. I absolutely loved it, even though I'm still intimidated by the invisible zip!

I've been blogging for 5 years now. Read my blogaversary story here.

******And, don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY******

Friday Footwear

*****Click here for the Blogoversary GIVEAWAY*****

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How do you store them? Shoes, that is.

One of my passions is purchasing shoes. Im more partial to a wedge than a flatty. All of my shoes are stored in their original boxes at the bottom of my wardrobe. However, they are starting to climb the walls, and its impossible for me to give them a spring clean and (dare I say it) chuck out. *gasp*

They have this recycler bag at the dry cleaners where you can donate your shoes to the third world. And, I've often chucked the kids and Hubby's shoes in there. I think its a fantastic idea, but would you chuck your Miu Miu heels in there. Would they need Miu Miu's in a mud hut in Rwanda?



Ive been looking at the Hunter boot recently. Its an all year wear, isn't it?

Last week, whilst shopping in Staines, I actually spoted someone wearing a conservative black Hunter book teamed with a denim hotpant.

I love these boots. They're on my wish list!!











The Fitflop. With all its rage to miraculously muscle tone and get you fit whilst you walk. The range are attractive and to suit all tastes from sparkles to shimmer to plain jane classics.

But, they are hardly the workout I crave from a spinning class.



Havaianas. Are they the best rubber shoe in the world?

I love 'em.








But the wedge will always be my winner.

Loving these Jessica Simpson's. Looks like they're hot on my wish list this year.

Have you started shoe shopping for spring this year yet?

*****Click here for the Blogoversary GIVEAWAY*****

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Guess who made it onto Cuteable?? ME!!! Take a lookie here.

Sowing the seeds

*****Click here for the Blogoversary GIVEAWAY*****

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Wasn't yesterday a glorious day? Where's that gone? I had a great day, both atmospherically and productively.

The Nosh and I sowed our carrots into the new vegetable patch. I'm a tad worried about those tiny weeny seeds as I didn't cover and protect them over with any netting. I'm worried the birds will peck at the seeds.

*note to self* Fix netting. As soon as!!

We also planted a couple of the tomatoe seedlings outside in pots. Again, I'm worried about those too. The wind was blowing those babies from left to right. One of the little seedlings is over hanging the pots edge - like he's run a marathon (or two). Now the wind has died, I'm hoping that that baby will be able to regain composure.

Oy, the worry veggies give you!

Lastly, we planted strawberry seedlings. We planted those straight into the ground alongside the fence. They were a spur of the moment purchase so I hope they turn out to be a good investment. Strawberries are a winner in this house. Just wondering whether to do blueberries too.

HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY - GIVEAWAY

Five years! Oh vey, such a journey.

If you dont want to read the shmultzy stuff and just get straight to the GIVEAWAY - scroll to the bottom of post!!!!!!!!!

Its started back in 2001. The doorbell rang and a big heavy box was delivered. No, noone jumped out of it, just my first laptop. It was the start of my connection to blogland. I found a huge community of talented people, of people that shared their passions and creations with the world. I found fantastic inspiration and a craving to learn to create and make.

A few years on, after a ball of acrylic and a Teach yourself to knit book, Sweetpeaknits was created.

My blog journey has seen me through many handmades, some good - some bad. Gifted - and frogged. Learning curves - and mis-perfections. My proudest moments - one being my contribution to Knitty with Bobblicious .

This love of knitting spurred a craving to learn more a craft. There was a period of home dyeing yarn, which proved too messy for my kitchen. There was my teach myself to crochet and the many crocheted blankets and granny squares that came out of it.

Then, receiving of my vintage Singer and learning to operate it - to creating my first garments. Not to mention the opening of my Etsy shop.

Sweetpeaknits, I've loved every moment of you.

This blog has grown up alongside me and my family. We've shared some wonderful holidays. We've laughed at treasurable moments. We've cried at the saddest of times. Best of all, I've made some wonderful friends in blogland and we share common passions. Bless you all.

To mark this occassion I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY.

A Sweetpea4kids T-shirt of your choice.

All you have to do is state your favourite t-shirt in the comments section and follow my blog. View the whole collection here at my Etsy store.

Seedling Cam

Here's a glimpse at just a few pots of seedlings. There are a few pots of peppers on the left and tomatoes on the right. We're growing! And, they are coming along lovely.

I'm particularly proud of my cucumber and corn. I love 'em! I'm hoping to plant a few more in pots this weekend. I'm hoping this weekend will be dry for at least a few hours for me to plant seeds into my raised beds. I'm slightly nervous about letting those seedlings out just yet as I fear it may be just too wet at present.

Hello Dolly

A girl can never have enough dolls. I have beautiful memories of me and my dolls. I loved all of them. So much so, I used to make sure they were ALL comfortable and tucked up well in bed (MY BED) for the night. And me, I would sort of find a place to squeeze in and get a nights sleep.

I love this little rag doll that I've made. She wasn't difficult to construct and I had the stuffing here from previous projects that I've made. In fact, the most difficult part is making a dress for her that suits. This dress is unfortunately too small and I'm not sure its the right fabric either. It looks more of a kimono than a pretty dress for a rag doll.

I hope to complete her shortly and show her off in all her glory.

Dreaming

Everybody has a dream. Be it a dream job, dream house, dream man. We all have dreams.

Ive had many dream jobs. Apart from the obvious get rich quick job, I've dabbled in the dream of a librarian where I could sit and read books all day. And the dream colomnist job, where I could write endlessly and have fans follow. The fashion designer. The dressmaker. And, there was even a matchmaker of recent times.





As you can see, my dreams dont stop at one.

The dream house. There is only one. Its sits on a hill and has a stream running out in the back garden. You can see sheeps from the back window and even a passing cow. There are chickens being raised in the coup outside and the vegetable patch next to the greenhouse. There isn't anther house for miles, but I'm not lonely, as hubby and I are just fine laughing and watching our old home movies of the kids growing up.


Dream man. I got him. See. Dreams do come true.

But seriously, I wish I would stop daydreaming and get on with all these WIPS. I've had a knitted cardigan here to knit up for months.

Home grown produce

Im told there is nothing like eating your home grown produce. I'll let you know when our crop is ready for consumption. At present there is a tiny, incy wincy sprout poking through the soil in a few of the cups on the window sill.

Oy, the excitement of a sprout!

I know. Me. Growing veg. Even with my years' kibbutz experience in the Mango fields. I appreciate slightly different both in climate and surroundings, but never the less those green fingers are back. So, let me tell you all about my seedlings.

We now have this little patch at the back of the garden encased in sleepers and a perfect site for growing veg. Sort of a raised bed, 'cept its not raised. Guess its not a raised bed after all. Anyway, you get the gist.

All lined up on the window sill are little pots of tomatoes, corn, cucumber and peppers. And the tomatoes have sprouted. YAY!!!

Do you home grow? Shall we share photos. OK. I'm going to take photos tomorrow and share.

Shhhhh

*Creeping back into blogland*

Hey All.

Just popped in to say hi and slowly resurrect my neglected blog.

Hope you are all well.

Drop me a line and let me know what y'all been up to. Id love to hear from you.

Much love, as always.
Estee