The Secret

Good morning my lovely followers, I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and profited from family, friends, love and peace over the last few days.

We have had a rather quiet and somewhat strange Christmas this year. Very different from our normal Christmas' usually spent with lots of family and friends, noise, bedlam, mess, food and wine!!! I am not sure how future Christmas' will pan out but I prefer the latter!

Anyway, under my tree this year "my lovely friend" gave me a book that is in the process of rescuing my mental state and hopefully my future. We have both been through a lot over the last few years and have shouldered each others burdens on the way yet know how difficult life can be, as many others I know, when your head takes over and the only thoughts you have are negative thoughts. You spiral into such a black hole with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel and you can see no way out. When you are in this place no one can help you, nothing anyone can say can get you out of there. Your trapped! Watching your life unfold before you and not enjoying a moment of it.

Well, "my lovely friend" was given this book too a couple of months ago and even after under going a complicated painful operation on her neck her mood has changed into such a calm, positive zen like state. She knows where she is going in life, what she is wants, she has made great plans and is already turning everything around. I am sure she will not mind me telling you that she had a very very negative mind set before and one terrible crisis happened in her life after another, it was never ending. So after seeing her reverting to her old self I was obviously delighted to find this book for my Christmas present from her this year.

I started it on Christmas day and have struggled putting it down. I'm only part of the way through it but already I am relating to the words I am reading. I have managed to start some positive thinking and MY GOD, its great. It explains how negative attracts negative and positive attracts positive. Thinking positive thoughts makes you instantly feel better, gives you hope, helps you get what you wish for. Helps you appriciate what you have NOW in life which is sometimes very difficult to see at times.
This book is in the process of turning around my life.

Although it is called "THE SECRET" I don't think it is a book that can be kept a secret. I know there are others out there like me who need a bit of help from time to time to find what they are looking for. Give it a go and hopefully it will help you too.

The Secret Rhonda Byrne

I can not say a BIG enough THANK YOU to  "my lovely friend" for giving it to me. Love you lots and lots and where ever we both end up in the future we will always be close at heart. xxxxxxx

OH Dear....no more yarn!

I don't know quite how it has happened but I have a very small amount of yarn left !!!!!! Nightmare!!!!!!

I can't believe my stocks have become so low, I am getting a bit twitchy! I want to dash out and restock! I must have got through more than anticipated this year! Somehow, although I only have a couple of cushions, a lap blanket, hot water bottle covers and some bunting to show for it??

I am going to restrain myself, as I'm going to the UK in just over a week, where yarn is considerably cheaper than here in France, I will stock up. I am going to productively use this time to think about my up and coming projects for the rest of winter. I want to tackle a crochet tea cosy for my, hopefully, new teapot thats on my Christmas list. As my 3 girlies have lovely crochet blankets at the foot of their beds I think its time for a lovely one for my bed! A HUGE one, every colour under the sun, I'm throwing caution to the wind and going totally random with my grannies, not easy as my mind doesn't do "Random" It likes order!

How wierd that crochet can totally take over your life and make you obsessive! None crafters would think you "Barking" if you had to explain it but it is a total addiction isn't it?
Phew!!! Hopefully I can get through the next week........fingers crossed.

Best wishes
A rather shakey, aggitated Nicky xxx

Eclectic????? Not sure!

My tastes are very very varied with regards to the style of my decoration in my home. I always seem to struggle as I enjoy so many styles I have always found it difficult to "melange" them together. I am the sort of person that can't cope with one decor arrangement as I will always have another style in the wings just waiting to take over.

I love the French Chic, I love Shabby Chic, I love Granny Chic, I love vintage, I love retro,  I adore Kidston but putting all these elements together I have found difficult. That was until I stumbled over "Country Rabbit"  A bit of everything seems to be going on there which has given me endless amounts of inspiration for my home. I am now mixing all my little bits and bobs together, not worrying that I have a French Chic print in the same room I am stuffing my shelves and units with other floral, Kidston, chinzty, whimsey type "stuff!!!!!"

Does that make sense? Mum calls me Eclectic? Not sure there is a word for it,,,,my partner thinks Im a hoarder (probably quite right too) and doesn't really "Get it!" All I know is that I am happy with my bits and bobs and my little treasures and who cares if they don't all go together but isn't that what a home is about?? Personality? Yes I think so.

Best wishes

Nicky x 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!!!!!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose,

And if you ever saw it,

You would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer

Used to laugh and call him names;

They never let poor Rudolph

Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,

Santa came to say,

Rudolph with your nose so bright,

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Then how the reindeer loved him

As they shouted out with glee,

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,

You'll go down in history.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

In the attempt to feel festive I have been scouring my snowy  photo collection and found these lovely snowy scenes. 

Beautiful pines in the Alpes........absolutely stunning glistening with snow. 

 We have not yet had any snow this year although it is forecast. How lovely it makes everywhere look.

My ancient oak tree.....the stories it must be able to tell.......

Best wishes Nicky xxxx

Name change........

Thank you Heather for the good tip.......finally after an hour or so of tapping, clicking and searching I think I have mastered it. My name change to read the same as my blog page: Life in Flowery Wellies.

So thank you, enjoy and I hope to have lots of lovely followers very soon.  Bob past when you like......I'm always here! LOL

Best wishes
Nicky x

How to find some Christmas spirit????

Well we are rapidly flying through December and I am starting to feel a little sad.....nothing feels Christmassy here....in Normandy that is.......

I'm struggling to generate a bit of the Christmas spirit I so long for.

I don't know if its an age thing?? If it's because I'm not in the UK where all you seem to need to do is go into the town and the shops are bustling,,,,the Christmas lights are brightly shining,,,,,,carols playing,,,,,and stressed people busily trying to find something special for loved ones.

I miss so much Midnight Mass, the Salvation Army band outside M&S gloriously singing their carols, the Nativity scenes in the church yard, mulled wine and mince pies, Christmas craft fairs.......Dear me ....my list in endless.......A tin of Quality Street.....stuffing...... For me its not just one day.....it's the whole month.....it's the run up.....the festive atmosphere.

As is, this year we will be doing Christmas without a turkey and chippolata sausages, NO mince pies, No crackers (unless I can stop feeling sorry for myself and set about making some)  No Quality Street, oh and French TV!!!!!!!!!!!

I am at a loss....I have all the decorations out, Michael Bublée is singing his heart out and we regularly watch a Christmassy movie but its just not happening. I have deliciously scented candles constantly burning.

I have been here 7 years now and all of a sudden I feel very home sick. :(

When you move to another country you not only need to learn the language but also their culture. I have done both and I have to say "Give me the UK anytime"

Merry Christmas.....I hope you are all having a happily, festive weekend.
Best wishes Nicky xxx

Two little piggies...........and the rest!

It occured to me at some stupid time this morning that I hadn't yet introduced to you my piggies...... Matilda and George.

They are my Kune Kune piggies and part of the family. Just like dogs they love a fuss, a belly rub, a treat and lounging in the sunshine.

My neighbours thought I was barking when I announced we would be taking delivery of 2 piglets, some 4 years ago now, and even more barking when I said they weren't for the freezer!!

I am sure I am now known as the "Nutty English girl with the pigs!!!!"

I remember how funny it was when they came round so I could introduce them and the look of horror on their faces when I climbed into their pen to give them a big fat belly rub!!! "NO NO NO don't do that,,,,pigs are vicious!!!" phhhh.......vicious???? Not my babies!!

George especially is rather fond of an apple or 6..... a lounge under the oak tree with a good old rub behind his ears then on his belly. He will happily stay flaked out for the duration. They are such comically, calming creatures and have been a welcomed addition to our family.

And just for the record..........No they are not destined for the freezer at any time in the future.

So oink oink Matilda and George! xxxxxxx

Which leads me onto some of the other characters we have welcomed into our home over the years.

Firstly was my beloved Cat Penny-Anne. Very very very sadly no longer with us. She was such a companion and came from the UK with us when we moved. She loved nothing more than soaking up the sun, waiting infront of mouse nests in the garden or sitting along side me whilst I was weeding the garden. I miss her very much.

We have Daisy-Mae our Cocker Spaniel, she's now an old lady and very grumpy. Happy to sleep all day and hoover up scraps of food my littlest girlie drops or gives her.

We have had rabbits, guinnea pigs, chickens, finches and goats.........

The goats being the most memorable and most difficult creatures to ever decide to have in the garden. Gruff, (original name I know but he came with the name) was the strangest, funniest creature I have ever come across.

He was an escape artist, took particular fondness to my Tete a Tete bulbs in the Spring,,,eating every single pretty head off them whilst I was out one morning. He could litteraly walk up walls. He got my female goat, Pippin, pregnant and we ended up with triplets!! Now they were lovely cute little things but sadly males so they had to go. The only way we managed to get rid of Gruff was to chuck him in free with Pippin and her babies. He was not at all missed.

I even remember when a homing pigeon came to stay for a little while. It was so wierd. Let me explain, we live in rural Normandy, all our neighbours a French, farmers at that, and one evening this pigeon appeared whilst we were in the garden, after a few days he was still there. We gave him some water but he wasn't going anywhere. In the end we caught him and checked his ring and was amazed to find he had come from Dorset and was enroute home. It was like he heard us in the garden and thought "English...yeah ....I will stop here a while, little holiday and all that!!!" After a week or so he continued on his journey and we never saw him again but we like to think he had a nice time in Normandy with us!!

Every time a new animal appears on the scene I swear it will be the last............."No More"........."When they are gone thats it"!!!!........ Yeah right! We are just a family of animal lovers so that will never happen.

Crafty projects...........

So I promised a catch up on what I have been up to on the craft and Christmas front so here we go!.........

Firstly on my list of "must do's" was the crocheted hot water bottle covers,,,,,,not my usual choice of colours but like I said I found a reduced basket of wool so thought I would go with these colours for a change,,,,you know what they say? A change is as good as a holiday.......Well not really but at least we will be cozy this Christmas.

Then onto the project of Christmas stockings. This is about as adventurous as my sewing gets. I can run up a pair of curtains, do a bit of crocheting and basic knitting or cross stitch but sewing "a thing"..........not that easy for me but I am really pleased with the end product.

 Made (lovingly) from scrap's out of my hoard, they go brilliantly with my decorations, tree and house decor. Each one slightly different and even one made for my lovely farmer in the tartan fabric. Im sooooo sooooo soooo chuffed with these. I must pat myself on the back as my girlies and my farmer just say "hmmm yeah nice mum!!" not the response I am looking for when I have been toiling over these things for what seems like an age! I can't wait for Father Christmas to fill them with goodies.

My "Christmas Bunting" was made inbetween making the Christmas stockings. It was so easy to make, very cheap and yet looks really lovely swagged up my banister rail. It was crying out for a garland of some sort and I wanted to stay away from the traditional pine and ribbon garland I would normally do if presented with a staircase to decorate. I think this works for a change and looks a lot more informal. Again....Well chuffed!!!

I have also been on with 2 cross stitch projects for my girlies for Christmas. They are Tatty Teddy Bear and I want to make them into cushions for their bedrooms. I started the first one in January and managed to get it done quite quickly over the winter but the second got a little tiresome. I got into a bit of a panic when I realised that I not only had to get it done I had to make the patchwork to frame it to make the cushion cover........which I still have to finish. But I can breath a sign as the hardest and time consuming part is finished now. I will tackle the cushion cover tomorrow (yeah right...it will be Christmas Eve done soooo quickly) when the girlies can't spy my creation.

Then onto my Christmas Tree hunt!!! What a job. In the end I have bought a beautiful, smaller, real tree in a pot so I don't have to watch it being dragged off to the tip in the New Year. I thought it was a lovely idea in the end.....as this is our first Christmas together as a new family I thought we could plant out the tree and it would continue to grow like our family and relationship and would always be there to remind us of our first Christmas. It looks sooooo pretty trimmed up Nordic Style (my favorite for Christmas). Woman on a mission!!!!!!!! Success!!!! Now I better go fill up the cupboards!!

I have to just show you this lovely Advent Calender too. My mum made this.......God knows how many years ago for my sister and I........must be a good 20-25years old........When I was moving house in the summer I found it amoungst my boxes so I have lovingly filled it full of treats for my girlies. It looks fabulous and brings back many memories. The work that my Mum put into this is evident I hope you can see from the photo, it doesn't do it justice really. It really brings a smile to my face.

So,,,thats about it.......My main list of jobs done. I still aim to bake some mince pies and make some peppermint creams......another one of my Mums traditions. I am really proud to say I am turning into her. She fab!!!!

Have a fabulous week and I hope you are all getting through your list of "Must do's" too.

Best wishes Nicky xxx

I have just had to add this photo of my girlies Barbies. They are all lined up waiting to find out who will be crowned "Queen for the night". (Maybe I do watch too many reality TV shows)! I love winter when they go back to being my "little girlies" instead of trying to be older than they really are and not play as little girls are supposed to. Bless them! xxxxxxxx

 

O Christmas Tree....OH Christmas Tree....Yes Please!!

Bonjour mes amies!!!

Well what a nightmaire I'm having just now.........Upon deciding to take my precious Christmas decorations but leaving  my lovely Christmas tree for my Ex,  Im now thinking it might not have been such a good idea!!

Question......How hard can it be to find a pretty artifical Christmas tree in Normandy??? Surely not that difficult I hear you say.
Well you would be sooooooo wrong as was I when my search first began.

Its ney on impossible I tell you. If you are happy with a tree that has so many gaps in the pine so you only need to hang a handfull of decorations on it you would be happy. As Im looking for at least 2 meters and as full as I can possibly find to enable me to cram it with seasonal joys well........it isn't happening!

I'm now starting to panic,,,,,,it's taken over my life just now,,,,,,we have nothing in the fridge,,,,the cupboards are empty as as soon as I leave the house to get supplies I end up making detours into garden centres and shops that come to mind that I know surely they will stock something pretty. 5 minutes later Im leaving feeling totally deflated at not only the lack of tree's but the lack of pretty tree's 

Why is this the case??? Am I the only person in France looking for a pretty artificial tree rather than something resembling a plastic monstroserty from the early 80's?? Is this the gap in the market I have been looking for?? No its just a pain in the butt!!

I know I am going to have to resort to buying a smaller but beautiful real tree, which I adore, but makes me feel so sad when they are dumped on the pile for the tip in the New Year.

So there you have it........my gripe over with......Thank you for listening.

Just to say Hello!

I have loads to say and many pictures to take and add but I just haven't had a minute to get around to it.

So its just a quick note now to say "Hello" and I will be back soon to fill you in on what I have been up too.

Keep warm and have a good week.
Best wishes Nicky xx

It smells like autumn!

You know what I mean,,,,,something changes in air,,,,,,its time to dig out the winter woolies, big coats, boots. The fire is already crackling away making the house much more cozy straight away. 

It makes me want to donn my flowery wellies and get out for a walk so that is what I will do later this afternoon I think. Just a little potter around the lanes, taking in a bit of the countryside air, smelling the burning wood coming from the chimneys of the little cottages of my neighbours.  This is the time I find my inspiration. The colours, the leaves, the berries its simply lovely you can't beat this time of year.

Then back for a hot chocolate and a snuggle with my girlies before the caos of feeding time at the zoo! 

Have a good day xxxxxx

Lost treasures and fairy cakes

I have spent a lovely afternoon,,,,,,and I feel a little guilty about saying this....but without my children......baking and rearranging my lost treasures.

I have made my first batch of fairy cakes, on my own, including butter icing and decorations!!!! And I didn't burn them or turn them into biscuits!!!!!!

 

Whilst my precious little cakes were baking away I was happily rearranging my cupboards with all the little lost treasures I found whilst rummaging through boxes last week.







 

Cute little tea cups and saucers, sherry glasses, coffee canisters and other pretty blue plates that I had stashed away and completely forgotten about. I have had such a lovely time just pottering away on my own without having to pull my hair out at the aggrivation of my, not always so delightful, 3 little girlies!

 I aim to fill these bright canisters with home made biscuits one day!!! Well we all need a dream!! LOL

 I love this little gravey boat and saucer. The problem is its likely to end up as one of the things I never use as I love it so much! Do you do that??!! Silly really but thats what Im like!

 Its all a bit of a jumble here but I can see potential!

Well at least I can offer them treats when they get home from the farm where they are busily working away.





I better just go and try one with a cup o tea and enjoy the last few minutes of calm time.

 

Not bad..........even if I do say so myself! ...............onto biscuits next me thinks!

Buttons or sweeties?

I am sure this applies to all the crafters I know it is so hard to stay focused on one project at a time. I've several on the go at a time depending on how much free time I have depends on what I work on. I am forever planing what I am going to do next and generally start it on top of everything else Im doing.

I have projects sitting waiting to be started, each time I bob into my local haberdasherie they have some new buttons, new ribbons, new wool,,,,,,,something to tempt me away from what I really know I should finish and need to finish.

Who would have thought in your 30s you would look at all the shiney bright buttons, ribbon and wool like they are jars of sweets all lined up ready for you to spend your once 20p a quater????!!!!

How things change........ I love being 30 something!!!!!!

Some new things I have waiting to do.........

I found these tiny hearts,,,,I couldn't resist them so in the "too do" box they go until I find the right projects to add them to.

I stumbled upon a reduce basket of wool which I had to have...you can never have enough you know..... I have already started making grannies to cover some new hot water bottles mum bought me and my girlies. 1 done 2 to do,,,, nice little project for the weekend.

 

Then its onto felt to make some little bunting for my christmas tree.....I love bunting incase you didn't know!

I have the Molly Makes Christmas book patiently sat waiting for me to choose some new projects from too and a Cath Kidston Patwork cushion to do.......

So much to do,,,,,so little time!! So I better dash and grab my tea and hook and get on with it. Have a good weekend everyone...Happy Crafting!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................

I wish............

What a day it has been and it isn't over yet.....

We have all the troops in today to silough the Maize on the farm. Its not been a good year in farming with the horrendous weather and autumn starting much sooner than normal......this has been the second attempt to get the Maize in as the first attempt failed with the machine having to be dug out of the field as it was just to wet and boggy.

I have not been in a tractor but in the kitchen all day,,,,,, serving food,,, washing up,,, sweeping up,,,, mopping up,,,,25 people in and out in muddy boots!!! With what little bit of time I have had now to take a cuppa and have a quick fix on the internet before it all starts again tonight when they come in for their evening meal!

I will be relieved as will they that the day is over and done with and we can all take a little breather and be comforted to know the cows will have plenty to keep them going this winter.

Have a Happy Halloween people!!!!

OHHHH.......What a year.........

I am sure we are all aware by now that christmas is fast approaching (I think that only applies to crafters wo are always thinking in advance of the next gifts to make).......just 2 months until the big happy man tries to squeeze down our chimney! Hopefully with a sackfull of goodies!

The realisation that the year is rapidlly passing has made me reflect on this years events. Its been one of the hardest years of my life but what a year and what progress I have made.

I have achieved lots in my personal life which those close to me and my girlies will be fully aware of but on top of that I have achieved the little goals I set myself.

My French language has finally come together and I think I can proudly say now I am fluent which I am so proud to be able to do. It hasn't been easy and its taken 7 years in the learning and its because I have had no choice but to learn it.........One has a choice,,,Sink or swim????? I am happy to say I am swimming away now.......Done!

I wished for a vintage caravan and I now have a lovely 1970's Star......My Vintage Suzie.......sat proudly in the garden..........Done!

I hoped to finally start up a blog of my rabblings, (which this is,,,hope you're not too board) crafting and life from my eyes on the farm as an English partner to a French farmer!!!!!!!! Not easy!!! (Hense why my language has progressed quickly this year!).................Done!

And last but not least to learn to bake!!! I can cook but ask me to make a cake and you will get a burnt biscuit. That was until my lovely friend......you know who you are......showed me some of her secret receipes. We are now all caked out!.......Done!!!!!

DONE, DONE, DONE, DONE!!!!!............AND 2 MONTHS SPARE!! BONUS!!!!!!!!!

 WHAT SHALL I DO NEXT? ..............................................Take some time to enjoy my new life and breath a huge sighhhh of relief I think before we head into 2013!

Vintage Suzie progress 3

 

Cup cakes,,,,, roses and stuff

Vintage Suzie progress 2

 

 

Starting to come together..........

 

Vintage Suzie progress 1

Its amazing what a bit of paint and some duvet covers can do...................
Roses, gingham, red and green.......

Before photos of Vintage Suzie

 

When I said orange and brown interior..........you can see what I mean.

 

 

 

and to my surprise there is a cute little sink and hob in this cupboard.....

just waiting for a whistling kettle!

 

My little vintage hide away......

After years of dreaming on announcements sites I finally found her...........My Suzie Star...........my 1975 vintage caravan.

Oh what joy!!!! One owner, completely original, orange and brown interior, hardly used and sat there just waiting for a new loving owner to breath new life into her.

Obviously I had to have her and quickly snapped her up.

After days of debating weather or not to leave it completely original or to go with my original plan of flowers, gingham, polka dots, bunting and of course roses...............

.........................my original plan was decided!

I set to work immidiately, making curtains, covering cushons, making bunting, crocheting blankets and painting the walls.

Day by day it all started to come together and even now she is still evolving into my perfect hide away where you will often find me with a book or a ball of wall and a cup of tea.

Hope you enjoy the journey with us even though we don't go further than the garden.

Addicted!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My crocheting addiction ..............

is gettng out of hand. I have several projects on the go.......all blankets,,,,,,with 3 daughters obviously they all must have a blanket each to hopefully treasure in the future.

I am self taught so at the moment all I can manage are granny squares in various colours. I found a lovely pattern for tiny hearts on one of my favorite blogs Attic24 but just can't get my head around doing them at the moment even though I have all the wool lined up.

Every minute of free time I have I just have to pick up my hook and at least get a part of a square started. Every time I see wool for sale I have to drag myself away from buying it as I simply have too much at the moment. These are two of the blankets I am currently on the go with. The pastel coloured for my babies room and the multi coloured is an attempt to use my odds and sods.

I love it but I wonder can a house have too many crocheted blankets and cushion covers??????

I'm sure you will agree...........No..........I don't think you can!!!!!!

Welcome Alfie

Alfie................

After 15 years we very sadly lost our lovely cat Penny. Adorable and a huge part of the family it was so upsetting when she passed away.

I vowed to never have another! Well that lasted 12 months until my number 1 daughter asked or should I say pestered us to have another cat! My lovely farmer took some convincing but in the end under his terms and conditions, "he will not look after, feed, nor clean out the litter tray" yes we could have a kitten.

Upon mentioning to my dearest friend we were in search of a kitten she introduced us to our now newly named ginger tom ALFIE!

Mischief written all over him he's now another adorable part of the family. My lovely farmer is even quiet impressed with him even though he won't admit it!

So "Welcome Alfie" hopefully we will share many years of fun together.

WOW!!! Love it!

Look at this fabulous table cloth I stumbled across in the supermarket.......

Its so bright and cheerful and of coures has "Flowery Welllies" ..........its right up my street...oh and wipeable with a house full of kids and animals perfect!!