Work in progress.

A large silver panelled board, is sitting upon my wall at home.

Patiently waiting for adornment.

I am painting here rather than the studio while it is the school holidays as time is limited.

It has my favourite flowers- violets sitting along the bottom, mixed with snow drops

and will have magnolia flowers on the branches at the top.

There is something about violets I find endearing,

their purple inked flora, so small, and full of scent.

If you are lucky you can occasionally buy tiny bunches of the bloom at Liberty's.

They only last a day or two.

So worth it though.

Someones happy

The little lady, feeling the love, dancing in the flowers.

I wish this was my garden.

I am not sure I would ever go indoors again.

Someone (errr herm) has a birthday this weekend.

We started raising glasses last weekend. 

I had no idea a big birthday could feel so good!

I feel spoilt, and so so grateful.

My breath has been taken away, and in it's place people leave treasure.

The dancing queen in the top photo has been enjoying burying her fingers in our nature box, 

and learning to draw with the projector. 

This fills my heart, 

and makes me realise I have so much in life,

more than I could ever hope for.

Happy weekend x

Bellinter House.

If there is ever a place that makes you want to shake the city and move to the country.

This is it.

It's the type of place that makes you want to act a little bit rock and roll and then snooze in the next day.

Everyday felt like a Sunday, but made you want to dress for a Saturday.

Topsy turvy with wonderful design, and great food and wine.

I loved this place and would love to go back to it in a heartbeat.

 Bellinter House in Co Meath, Ireland, you rocked my world.

Westport House, Ireland

When you live in countryside as beautiful as this, you begin to stop looking around you.

Take it as everyday.

When you live in the city and come to seek this, your eyes are drawn, 

locked holding the beauty.

This is Westport House, in Westport, Ireland.

Home, many years ago to Grace O'Malley, a real lady pirate. 

You won't believe this, but you get to peddle around the lake in these giant swans.

It looked easy.

Not so on the way back.

Now come on into the house....

I liked the grandeur of the chandelier,

 the sky ceiling,

and the dark hushed corridors, looking out onto the world outside.

a drawing room

followed by elaborate ceiling, in the hallway.

followed by a little boy, waiting patiently to see the dungeon.

A child's bedroom set up for play.

Master bedroom.

I'd be fine just here, looking at the ceiling.

I like the way everything has been left as if everyone is going to come back into the house, 

and carry on where they left off.

You can just imagine, the hustle and bustle that these walls have seen,
and they stand to tell the tale.

The Emerald Isle.

Holidays are always fun.

We went to Ireland. 

We climbed a mountain. 

(well, a third of one, but that was pretty good going for little legs)

We visited many friends.

Discovered Trim Castel, and learnt about life long ago.

Ran down beautiful roads.

Laughed a lot.

Climbed even more.

Visited ancient burial places.

oh yes, and a bit more climbing.

Stayed at the gorgeous Bellinter House.

More photos of this, another day.

Followed a trail to go fishing.

Got electrocuted by the fence.

Seriously. ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!

Eventually found the river to cast our lines.

Looked up to see we were surrounded by cows.

ahhhhhh!!!!

So we set Matilda on them.

She knew what to do.

When Dillon grows up he wants to be a farmer. 

Matilda still wants to be a fairy.

Fun.