Calke Abbey in June

Today we made an impromptu visit to Calke Abbey. The sun was shining so it seemed fit to take full advantage!

As usual, Mr Bee wanted to play on the park, and only on the park.

swinging! strong boy

this was a puppy dog...

cooking dinner, mama?

 It seems that we weren't the only ones who decided to head to Calke, I haven't seen it so busy!

 After Mr Bee actually decided to explore the gardens, we found a nice little table and chairs to have a sit down. Louie ate his shortbread whilst I relaxed in the sun, showing off my beautiful new shoes.

Another beautiful day at one of my favourite places to visit.

Fathers Day 2012

We started Fathers Day with breakfast in bed for Papa, made by Mr Bee and I. What a feast, egg (although it seems to be missing from the picture) and soldiers, bacon sandwiches, proper tea and orange juice, Papa was very surprised!

Our celebrations started early, as we weren't sure if Papa would be at home for Fathers Day, so on Friday he was treated to a very special breakfast, bowling and a late lunch in one of our new favourite restaurants.

Luckily, Papa was around all day, so Mr Bee suggested we went for a walk in the woods. It was lovely to see grass at Swithland, I don't think I have ever seen anything other than mud and leaves before, but we don't usually walk here in summer.

Happy Fathers Day to a great Papa :)

Lazy Saturday

 Fathers Day Baking

 Playdough Playing

Potato Printing

Card Making

De Montfort University Art and Design Degree Show

Last night, Becka and I got all dressed up ready for the opening night of the DMU Art and Design Degree Show. As you will probably know, Becka is studying Footwear Design in her second year so she invited me along for an evening out to look at some fabulous works of art.

Footwear Design

Fine Art

 Assorted Other Courses

I so enjoyed seeing the wonderful talent across the board, and I know that Becka gained a lot of ideas ready for when she will be doing her degree show next year! 

All work photographed is copyright De Montfort University

Holiday Sketchbook

Just a few pages from my sketch book, as promised :) 

This Little Boy

Never ceases to amaze me. He is getting so grown up and so clever. Every day he teaches me something new.

Everyone always comments on what a good boy he is, even though they think he is younger because he is a little shortie like his Mama.

Even since he was a tiny newborn he has been so intelligent, his Grandad says 'he has been here before' and I believe it is true. 

His speech is developing into sentences, he knows all of his colours and can count items up to six. He can run, hop, skip and jump. Has a fascination for horses, motorbikes and loves to bake cakes. There are no foods that he doesn't like or eat, he likes to use his potty but not all the time. Kisses and cuddles come freely, and if anyone is leaving, they get a kiss and a cuddle, and if you are special, an I Love You. 

My tiny little boy has turned into an independent toddler who knows just what he likes and just what he doesn't. 

I see so much of myself in him, which is just a wonder every day, though he is very like his father - determined and strong.

I have learned so much from being his Mama, tolerance, limitless love and so much more. I wouldn't change any of the time with my beautiful boy and I am so blessed to have him.

For Hannah - My Daily Regime

Hannah over at tea.three.sugars posted about what is inside her makeup bag, and in her nosiness, encouraged me to join in even though mine is really not very exciting, but I am sure there are others just as nosy.

So here we go!
I start off with my lovely Liz Earle cleanse and polish, toner, soothing eye lotion and skin repair light moisturiser (for my combination skin). This is an every morning without fail routine that I have stuck to since last December and now would not be without. Highly recommended!

After a good wash goes on my make up. As you can see, my make up bag is rather spare. I don't wear make up every day, sometimes I wear just a little and on others I make a proper effort (well to my standards anyway).

1. Body Shop Vitamin E Illuminating Cream - I tend to dab a small amount on my cheeks to give me a little bit of an alive look most mornings.
2. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions - As some of you will know from my previous post, I tend to get a lot of spots (hormonal) and I have found this foundation is wonderful. It is really gentle on the skin and luckily it is pale enough (just about) for my whiter than white skin.
3. Liz Earle Spot On - I wouldn't be without this spot stick, it is marvelous. At the first sign of one coming I dab this on (repeatedly if I remember) and it really reduces the spot down and makes it less of a scary mess.
4. Natural Collection Concealer - this has been a staple in my makeup bag since I first started wearing make up. It is just a basic concealer but it is pale enough for my skin so it fits the bill.
5. Ecotools makeup brush - I prefer using a brush so naturally it is an eco friendly one.
6. Body Shop Illuminating Concealer - This has been a godsend since all the sleepless nights. It does a pretty good job of hiding the bags under my eyes!
7. Virgin Vie Time Proof Eye Creme - This was a gift at Christmas and it is an eye shadow that fits all occasions and is simple, quick and easy.
8. Body Shop Lengthening Mascara - Does what it says on the tin!

 And last but not least, my modest (and random) selection of nail colours. I always seem to have my nails painted these days, and the Topshop one on the left (Barefoot) is my absolute favourite, closely followed by the grey one!

Well there is my very modest, very boring beauty regime, I hope it has fulfilled your nosy for the day!

Mr B's Famously Fresh Ice Cream

When we went on holiday to Hayle, Cornwall, it is safe to say that Papa and I were very excited to be able to visit Mr B's once again. We discovered the amazing ice cream parlour on our last visit in September. We went to Mr B's every day for the remainder of our holiday! 

This year, we visited again (of course) 4 times during the holiday including a visit to the shop further down the road, where we had yummy waffles and a pot of tea too.

On the days we visited, they didn't have my favourite ice cream from last time (they have so many flavours in rotation now!) so I enquired if it would be making an appearance before we left. The lady kindly suggested that if I wanted to order a tub, that Mr B would make some specially - of course I leapt at the chance and ordered a litre tub of the finest Jaffa Cake ice cream!

 After a 9 hour journey from Hayle to Leicester, it was a little squishy but we got it in the freezer and I must say, it is just perfect. I wonder how long it will last...!

Louie and a tub of Squishy

Home Again!

 Well after a 9 hour journey up the country on Saturday, we are finally home! Mr Bee didn't have a great car journey, he was very hungry all the way home, despite eating everything in the car. He did quite enjoy the I-Spy book that Papa and I kept busy with on the long journey. We couldn't believe the amount of rare cars we saw on our way home, racking up points spotting a Mini Marcos and 3 Talbots on the motorway!

Once home, we were greeted with some goodies from the garden. Juicy strawbs ready to eat and a few spring onions ready for salads.

 Another thing that survived the 9 hour journey was a litre tub of Mr B's ice cream. After four visits whilst on holiday, I decided that I needed a bigger fix of Jaffa Cake ice cream, so I requested a tub just for me. Worth every penny I say!

 I picked up a bunch of my favourite flowers from the shop next to the parlour, a nice way to brighten up our bedroom now we are home.

Unfortunately, Mr Bee seems to be a little bit poorly. He has his final back teeth coming through and he isn't eating and sleeping lots, the poor poppet. Hopefully he will be back to his bouncing self soon :)

What Will You Discover? National Trust South West

We discovered;

A beautiful castle and a familiar looking icing thingy (that we have in our kitchen!) at Castle Drogo.

 We discovered secluded pools and lots of rocks to climb at Godrevy.

 We discovered wild flower meadows, a secluded beach and a big maze at Glendurgan Gardens.

We discovered an impressive victorian mansion and beautiful views from the upper garden. Not to mention cracking hills to roll down at Lanhydrock.

And finally, we briefly discovered a wonderful duck pond at Saltram. We stopped off on our journey home and enjoyed the delights of the tea room and will certainly be making a stop off on our next journey to the south west!

What will you discover at the National Trust this summer?