In praise of Rainbows...

I think I've already written about my love of green grass, soft mist and bright rainbows.. all the more reason to relish a chance to revel in my Irishness with St.Patrick's Day celebrations as I did yesterday. I invited two sets of friends over, 7 children in all, and organised some craft activities, cooking, treasure hunt and Irish dancing.

The children made green, white and gold flags and rainbow fairy cakes which came out great.

We feasted on poached salmon with a leek and potato gratin, all washed down with some restorative iron rich Guinness. Lovely.

"Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often"

Well, a month has flown. Since last writing and enjoying wellies and puddles I'm now enjoying sunshine and daffodils. My two best friends have in subsequent weeks given me closed daffs that have nicely blossomed on my windowsill. Joyous.

My gorgeous 9yr old daughter made me a fantastic Mother's Day present of what I guess you could call an inspirational sign: "LIVE WELL - Love Much, LAUGH OFTEN". We saw a metal one in a catalogue with some silly price tag and she produced and equally (actually probably more) delightful interpretation with coloured paper, pencils, yarn and her new laminator! Fab. I think it shall live on my living room door for a long time to come. A great reminder of some fundamental aspirations. The rest of Mother's Day was devoted to my own mother who I don't often spend money on (she'd rather that) but provided a delicious meal.. ahem, my lovely husband did! I enjoy treating her to things she'd find tiresome to cook but I know she likes - in this case Lasagne. I also enjoyed proving a meat-free one was equally actually lets say more yummy.

Puddle watching..

Our walk home from a friend's this morning provided ample opportunities for puddle watching. I liked the patterns in a kerbside one… there were some great concentric circles forming round the drops. I couldn't catch the moment though as cars were speeding by causing ripples… another time. I finally took a photo of the fresh fish sign blackboards that I always see and take for granted. Reminds me I must do more chalking.

We all got nicely damp and then home to the warm..

The view from my room beckons us out..

A lovely sunny morning and the view from my window shows the sky a bright blue and the sea a twinkling aqua. A crunch on the beach is calling… they're planning a roller blade (them not me ;-( ) down to the open air ice rink for a look in (prob be too packed/pricey to join)… then of to a friend's Pop-up Playspace in an empty carpet showroom. Inflatable hockey, igloos, snowball fights, Narnia room, dressing up and screen printing workshops.. how fantastic is that! Hope I get a go at creating an artwork!

I LOVE half term and today my desire to be in pyjamas for most of the morning has won out. Pecan cereal, latte, orange and mango juice.. some emails… some phone calls… a game of guess who… no cares about the dishes today we care about our wishes… those being time with each other, creating, singing, dancing, playing, throwing, catching, running, laughing…

Best get on with it then ….. x

(the view from my room also shows the embroidered organza layer from my wedding dress that is now acting as a pretty net curtain.)

A little bit of joy and a whole lotta love is around everyday..

My weekend was all it was cracked up to be which was marvellous! We had a lovely day at the Disco with lots of happy little dancers in their best sparkly clothes.

The alarm clock made my 4yr old shriek with laughter again and again which alone seemed to justify the £4 spent! We all got to bed late on Sunday and so I set it for 8am, fairly civilised, we'd all be more or less awake by then anyway… We sort of were, yet the lady saying 'I love you I love you I love you..' made Holly pull the duvet over her head shouting 'I know' (as if it was me going on) and Tom appeared from his room looking bleary saying 'who's doing all that loving?'… which made me shriek with laughter.

I'm delighted with my hearty treasures and smiling with gratitude every time I see them. I had to photograph each one so I could share them with YOU too. Whoever you are. Just shows you that for a total spend of £12 you can have all this joy around you every day, the champagne and chocolates would have long been and gone.

Tom's been a little bundle of fun today as always. Some classic lines include describing an episode of Spongebob by saying the character had a special thing to count the beats of the music called an electric gnome!! He asked me tonight if I was going to have April syrup on my pancakes tomorrow, and then offered me a head massage which involved him rubbing his head against mine! Not as relaxing as I expected, but very very funny. Night night all. xxx

In Celebration of Love and Friendship

Another late spot of night owl me time. VERY excited today as my favorite celebration, possibly of the year is so close I can taste it. I LOVE anything celebrating love so Valentine's is quite heavenly for me. I usually manage to steer clear of the red roses, chocolates, Hallmark cards thing. For as long as I can remember I've made cards and often presents too. I have to confess to buying myself the odd treat too! One year a sparkly purse, today some ramekins (£1.25 each from Burts Homewares in Hove)! Can't wait to try some raspberry creme brulee in those, my hubbie makes the best I've ever tasted, I swear the restaurant efforts pale in comparision. I hadn't realised it was served cold as his was always fresh and warm so anything else just doesn't seem right. I also got the BEST EVER alarm clock. I HATE alarm clocks, but this.. well I'll add a picture and just say it speaks... it says 'I Love You'.. what better way to wake up! - even if it is an American woman-machine voice. I got my son a love hearts and kisses rubik cube in the £1 shop, and my daughter heart rubber and hairbands.. for Sarah a heart candle (£1), for Nadia a woven phone case (75p), and Lilla a necklace (50p). Amazing bargains and gifts to be treasured. I'm showering one and all with little tokens of affection and it feels great.

Tomorrow I am hosting the Brighton Valentine's Special event of the National Phenomenon Baby Loves Disco. SO excited about that too. We've nearly sold out the 250 capacity venue of the Komedia in Gardner Street. Great team to work with, big up Nadia, Lilla, Sarah, Mark, Lisa, Claire, Gemma and all. Looking forward to moving and grooving to some top 80s disco faves. Gonna be so so fab. To quote Corrine Bailey Rae, 'go put your records on, sing me your favorite song, just go ahead let your hair down!' Big kisses everyone XXXXXXXXXXXX

Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head and keep helping me grow..

Another connection to this subject is the fact one of my earliest memories is of a bright yellow music box attached to my cot with a pull cord that played Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head.

This image rather neatly segued me from that raindrop theme onto one of my other favorite topical topics, Valentine's or Día del Amor y la Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship) as they say in Mexico.

I am in love with love and almost anything hearty so lots on this subject maybe following this week!