A Friday Smile times three...

This week I have three Friday Smiles to share with you.
Pop over to Annie's blog to see more smiles.

The first is this, that I found in my picture file and remembered I'd downloaded (uploaded??!) a while ago to share with a cat loving friend.

(And never did - so this is for you Lucy!)

So funny, and so true!

The second is this - so exciting!

 My present for my up coming 'big' birthday from Mr B. We usually exchange modest gifts so I am a very lucky girl.

It is L*O*V*E big time on my part, I'd forgotten how much I enjoy cycling.

It's just a coincidence that this is the one I chose and that I'm a sucker for anything with a bird on!

Number three is a lucky find - a vintage picnic hamper that looks made for the back of my bicycle....so long as I don't actually move the bicycle it's perfect!!!

I must share with you some pictures of a fab vintage tea party I went to last weekend. Held by a friend Liz, to celebrate her 'new start'. Liz made the most delicious cakes and served tea and cakes using vintage china - it all looked and tasted gorgeous.

How has your week been?

Have a super weekend.

A Friday Smile and a Birthday

Just a quickie post today to join in with Annie's Friday Smiles and to wish Eldest Boy a Happy 19th Birthday. The two link very well because my 'smile' this week is that after 18 years and 364 days (ie yesterday!) my eldest has done his own laundry and pegged it on the line - what a shocking mother he has for letting him get away with it for soooo long!

This seemed the most appropriate card for a 19 year old lad (or mine, anyway!).

Happy Birthday - love you lots XX

 

Have a fab weekend everyone!

Delizioso

As a birthday gift my work colleague, Lucy made this biscotti for me.



I only recently tried biscotti for the first time and I have to say I think it's delicious, very moreish. The idea is to dunk it but I like it dry (it is a little hard on the teeth!). Lucy also introduced me to crema di limoncello. My custard glasses are just the right size for this drink as you only need (although not necessarily want!) a small amount.

I'd like to have a go at making both someday soon.

Have any of you lovely people tried making either, I'd welcome any advice if so.

 

Thanks for visiting.

xXx

 

 

So many candles, so little cake...

Yes, I've had a birthday!

It's not entirely true about the cake - I did have rather a lot of cake.

Youngest boy made me my cake of choice, this was a lemon buttercream sponge. Mr B and the boys gave me a birthday tea party at home. (Mother-in-law is visiting and not very steady on her feet so my birthday day out will be next week).
The boys did well and here is a picture of the table...

 

and styling by Youngest Boy...

 

There were clear themes to my presents...

 

Vintage

Gorgeous childs wooden shoe lasts given to me by Mr B (guided by moi!).

A beautiful tin that I love, love, love (and keep gazing at and opening!) and even better, it included lots of other bits including a drop from a vintage chandelier (thank you Mrs Snippet), a custard cup (I collect) found for me by Youngest Boy and two tiny scent bottles from Eldest Boy.

 

Books

For me a birthday or Christmas is not complete without new books, they are a big part of my day! Is that really sad?! In defence of the present giver who gave me the Hairy Dieters cookbook, I have to say it was at my suggestion, they were not rude enough to suggest I needed to lose a few pounds (OK, stones!), and I surely do!! Also, note the beautiful brooch handmade for me by Seaside Girl and the only perfume I ever wear.

 

Buttons and craft bits and bobs 

 

Button soap! Whether I'll be able to use this is debatable (too lovely) but it will look super displayed in a jar in the bathroom, a perfect find for me by Karen and her family. I love buttons so this and the three lots of buttons I received were a big hit. Lucky me, I received lots of crafty bits which I shall thoroughly enjoy using. I even got some Christmas papers, buttons and ribbons - you know me so well Debbie!!

 

Birds

 

Another love of mine is anything bird themed and I did well here with beautiful magnets, I am very fussy about what I put on my fridge (!) but these are perfect and I will enjoy looking at them everyday. I was also lucky enough to receive a bird garden ornament and book with a gorgeous bird design on (I am rather addicted to notebooks!).

Cath

A red spotty umbrella - red AND spots - perfect, keyring, brooch, vouchers, pin tin and hankie are all mine, mine,
mine.

 

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday week so special. I am so fortunate to know such lovely people who 'get' me and chose such perfect gifts.
 

 Thanks for visiting.
Have a lovely BH weekend if you are in the UK, and a lovely non BH weekend if you're not!
xXx