August Bank Holl

Last weekend, we were luckily enough to have a long weekend, not lucky enough to have good weather, but that didn’t stop us exploring me more of this beautiful country!!




On Sunday we drove to the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre to take in a tiny portion of the biggest lake in Ireland. Dyl had a great time playing with the Arcemedis Screw. Thenwe headed on to the Holiday Inn, Ballymena Road, Antrim where we checked in to the biggest family room I’ve ever stayed in right by the Junction One Outlet Centre. So of course I forced myself to do some shopping, picking up some cupcake liners and a few small Christmas gifts- Get me for the super-organisation!!!! John and Dylan had a round of pirate mini-golf and afterwards we tried to eat all we could at The Red Panda~ Delicious but very rich sauces, so you can’t eat too much~ Sneaky!!!!



Monday morning, fuelled up with our hot chockies and full-Irish breakfasts we headed to Bushmills to the Giants Causeway. Words cannot do it justice so here are some snaps to show off such a dramatic landscape!!

After our Irish style picnic (eating in the car!) we drove to the Carrick-a-Rede ropebridge and I’m glad to say we all made it over and back! It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done!

I think when you have kids, fears get exaggerated, and you worry more, however irrationally, especially when crossing over rocks with a baby in her sling dancing and laughing as I practically wet myself!!!



Still twas a fabboo weekend, a nice break from the norm!!

Some French Inspiration....

The only good thing about coming back from holidays is rediscovering the treasures you bought to take home. Today I unwrapped the fabboo flamingo picks in a wee dish for eating shellfish etc... Had almost forgotten about those lovely ladies!!! I'm finally getting somewhere with the unpacking, kids clothes away, washing on, knight outfits, princess costumes and toys all tidied away and residing in their new home. Just toiletries and souveneirs to unwrap... I'm going to open one a day to save post-holiday depression!!

Flicking through holiday snaps, I've found a few for inspiration. If I get two seconds to myself over the Summer (Dylan finished school today, and Arabella has learnt to crawl and explore the house!)will definitely try my hand at the following;

A gorgeous linen laundry/swim bag with knitted fish, spotted in Carcassone.

And in the same window:

How adorable are these jam jar covers complete with crocheted/knitted fruit, crocheted trims, embroidery and lace!! Must get picking the fruit to make the jam too!!

We all adored waking up to fesh baguettes, pain au chocolat and croissants, and heading to the markets for macaroons and nougat. Anyone with recipes for either, please send my way. Just look at the faboo colours;

Finally for now, how cool is this lasagne, spied in Marseillan?! I would have brought some back if it would have survived being squashed with all my other buys in a very cramped case. I even had to leave some togs and SHOES in France!!!!

Oh also my peppers are growing well, they didnt miss me much, the spring onions are peeking their legs out and the broad beens and peas are thriving, despite all the rain while I was on the Sunny French Med!!

More on that another day, Baby is having a moan.....