Devoted Love

I saw this article this morning and it moved me to tears. I defy anyone not to be touched by his story.

True Love is such a beautiful endless thing. I'm sure his wife sits on a cloud with a full heart, waiting for her moment to hug him once more.

Image; Andy Collett

Wordless

Words cannot express just how much I love this Little chap

He rocks my world

xxx

One Happy New Year Bride

Getting a Thank you email is one of the highlights of my job. I love to know my Brides, or as in this case the Groom, has had an amazing day.

Getting married on New Years Eve must be so exciting, and when Chad bought Aubrey for his Bride to be, he was pretty excited by the whole thing! But hey with this stunning bride, who can blame him!

 Their smiles say everything to me.

What a beautifully happy couple.

Chad ordered his Brides bouquet through my Etsy shop. He lives in America, and received his bouquet in 7 days! 

I have another bouquet which is being whisked off in a Brides hand luggage to New York, to get married in Central Park!! Wow, can you imagine how gorgeous that is going to be...I am waiting with baited breath for those photos!

America seems to be the hot spot for Weddings right now!

A Great Grandma's Love

My Fabulous Grandma knitted this amazing cardigan for Pip.

The workmanship in it is just divine.

To say I was touched by her gift is an understatement.

It is utterly beautiful... only wish Pip will always fit in it...however I know that wont happen!

84 years of experience, 13 Grandchildren & 4 Great Grandchildren {Pip being number 5!}...she says a knitting pattern is as good as a crossword to keep her mind challenged.

The Love shines through this little cardie.

It will always make me happy every time is see it...even in 30 years!

Here come the Girls

When we went to Holland, we often spend the days visiting family & seeing friends. It is always a busy time, this year especially as we hadn't had a chance to go over at all this year until Sinterklaas.

I find myself strangely missing my trips to see The Wonderful One when he lived in Holland. I miss strolling around Amsterdam, visiting museums, sitting in Cafes watching the world cycle past, & taking a million photos of the stunning Dutch canal houses.

One of the highlights of the airport is the tiny Rijksmuseum, We went last year, newly married and saw these beauties. This time we had a extra little Pip to show around!

As I walked toward the museum I looked up and saw these wonderful ladies...I was like a child at Christmas...the excitement as I walked up the stairs made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I am a huge fan of portraits, and to be in a room filled with the most beautifully painted ladies...well, I was in heaven!

She was my favorite...a navel captains wife, his safe port. She was dripping in pearls, and had the most intricate dress on. I wanted to hold out my hand and touch the lace in between my fingers.

She has the most sparkling ring on her pinky finger...I could have stood in front of her all day... One day I will own my own beauty like her, I shall greet her every morning like an old friend.

Even the frames on these girls are a work of art...I could almost smell the roses in this one, hear her silk crinkling as she posed for her painting...

I can imagine her thinking...'will he paint a good likeness, will be make my nose smaller, my cheeks rosier?'

The details are breathtaking... I wish I had a fraction of their talent.

Pip also loved these girls...s/he was bouncing around merrily. 

Maybe Pip will paint me my own beauty, who I will greet every day

Only time will tell.

xxx 

The One...

Since living in Hungerford I have admired the stunning houses, beautiful cottages, and glorious country farms. One of our Martin & the Magpies customers has the most stunning home. While sitting in her kitchen going through a Christmas order I was left fantasizing about what it would be like to own a house like that. It is a rambling country house...Horses in the stables and divine grounds.

It is lived in, with coffee cups in the sink, newspapers left half read on the table, a cat sat on the dining room chair....dogs snoring away in their beds, and children who have eaten all the 'good' biscuits!

Then when I came back into Hungerford with country home daydreams in my head...I walked past my favorite house.... I do not know if anyone lives here...it looks empty and unloved. 

I look at it and can see a family home, a sweeping staircase and a wide hallway are all I can see from the door when I sercretly peer in...!

The courtyard doors holds a secret....behind it is the church hall, they have tea and coffee mornings. The vintage residents walk the cobbles for a 50p cup of tea and a gossip!

I wonder if the church owns the house? I wonder if I could bear to paint those chippy blue doors?

I wonder if, one day, I will breath life into it?

The daydreams of a rambling country pad have left, a tatty town house has taken over....I could have a pack of hounds, a horde of babies, a big kitchen with an Aga, and the shop on my doorstep.

It is good to Dream. To Believe.

Do you have a fantasy house, one you walk past and imagine opening the front door?

Does yours have a Christmas tree above the door?

Tales of Pip The Pickle

Our little Pip is proving his/her self to be a right pickle!

Pop over to Pip & the Magpie's to hear the tale & a scary scan photo!!

xxx

Remember, Remember

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

I am just like a small child when there are fireworks about...I love them so much.

I remember the joy of bonfire night, the hot dogs, the smell of fired onions and gunpowder in the air, gloved hands while writing your name with a sparkler, the heat of the bonfire, the amazement of the fireworks, the ground shaking booms, the whizzes, cries, Ohhh's & Ahh's.

Although I am growing a babe in my belly, have a ring on my finger, & a handsome man by my side, time flashes back....as I stand in that school field, I revert back to being 10..... the joy etched across my face.... Pip jiggling in my tummy.....Life is wonderous right now.

Well Hello!

We have news!! 

The Wonderful Dutchman and I are expecting a baby :)

We are thrilled, delighted and very excited. I am 14 weeks today and our bundle is due in March...a spring baby, what could be more perfect?

Our little Pip has his/her own blog over here.

A Vaudeville Wedding

One Proud Magpie, 

One amazing wedding,

 And the most colourful and beautiful couple in the land.

Birthday Boy

Yesterday was the Wonderful Dutchman's Birthday.... We headed for the sea!! 

I think we both miss the sea air of Brighton, and it was glorious to have our toes in the sand, and a strong sea breeze....

We headed to Studland, to Shell Bay to stare out at Old Harry and Durdle Door....this coast line of Dorset is breathtaking.....

It was hot....the Bob was happy he had just had his long hair cut off at the groomers!!

We enjoy this peaceful place so much...it holds happy memories, and we vowed that when we have kids we will take a holiday here every year.....toes in the sand, the smell of sun cream, gulls soaring, laughter heard all over the beach.....it is my happy place, and I think it is quickly becoming the Dutchman's too!

 Hot Dog Day!!

The Birthday boy!!

 The seaweed was such pretty colours, the water was COLD!!

My two favorite men.... aren't they handsome??!!

 Waiting for the ferry, the sun slowly fading....our skin tingling with sun, our feet sandy, but our hearts are full....

Another stunning day at the beach....another beautiful memory

Even the evening rain didn't dampen our spirits!!

Happy Birthday Darling, I hope you liked your present!!

xxx