A Break in Brecon

Last Wednesday we headed West, handed our children safely over to my parents and then headed North. Off to a campsite in Brecon that we last visited before they were born and the last place we slept under the stars.

Priory Mill Farm is a special spot on the edge of the river a couple of miles outside of Brecon. As you drive down the single track, you are greeted by the most picturesque cobbled courtyard, complete with Watermill, chickens, Moss the dog and a very warm welcome from Noel and Susie who own it. It's a lovely low key site, with all the essentials you need when you're camping (hot showers!) but in a non fussy, natural style. I can thoroughly recommend looking it up if you're after a camping spot in the area.

We arrived in the sunshine and wandered across the meadow to choose our generously sized spot, you're not squeezed in next to your canvas neighbours here.

We were pleased to rediscover our 'tent assembling' skills and quickly got things ship shape. Our fondest memories from our first stay were of sitting around a fire pit (leant for your stay) so we were pleased that there was one left for us to use that night.

Once we were set up we had the pleasure of driving over to the beautiful home of The Green Gables, were we spent a delightful few hours drinking tea and eating cake with Gabrielle and her husband. It was so lovely to meet a friendly face in person having swapped business emails and chatted over Instagram.

With rain forecast we didn't plan anything for Thursday so were pleasantly surprised to find a dry morning, perfect for a lazy start and bacon sandwiches. Isn't that what child free days are all about?!

We spent the afternoon in Brecon trying out a few of the local eateries. Getting through a couple of pots of tea at Cariad Cupcakes, with the BIGGEST slices of cake around, followed by countless rounds of Uno and laughs at a local pub.

We're always reminded how much fun we have together when we get away from the (happy) chaos of normal life. Of course we missed the children and loved the text updates we got but it was so nice to not be needed for anything, not to have to keep an eye on the time and just see how the day panned out.

During the day, when I got some signal, I loved taking a peek at your breaktime moments too. Tea quite often makes an appearance in the gallery, I'm not surprised, and last week these lovely shots caught my eye.

@brickdustandglitter  @camillaelms
@We.made.this.home  @harryandfrank

They all epitomise what a perfect breaktime looks like for me. Peace and quiet with a cuppa. Having said that, I'm not quite sure how peaceful the breaktime with Tamour the new puppy was. Isn't she sweet!

This gorgeously fresh shot by @Cotton_clara really made me smile too.

I could dive straight in and nibble at all that fruit. Clara makes and sells the most amazing needlepoint kits, they're like nothing else I've seen. I'd love to have a go at some of the fruit needlepoint brooches she sells. Do pop over to her Folksy shop (here) and take a look.

In her comment Clara tells how they spent the afternoon "scrumping" the fruit from an abandoned student garden next door. I have to admit I had to google the word as I've not come across it. Definition understood, I can safely say I see nothing wrong with pinching perfectly good fruit that's going to waste, especially when it looks that good!

In fact, I rather wish someone had scrumped their way round our fruit cage at the allotment while we were away. I visited today and was sad to see some of it had already gone over. Fear not though, I picked bowl fulls to make up for it and you're sure to find a Jam making post making an appearance here soon.

On the culinary note, I'll be back tomorrow with a few tasty recipes that I've been trying out with some tea sent to me by the lovely folk at Teapigs, Here's a little teaser, YES its made with tea and soooo good.

Don't forget that you can win yourself a bag full of Teapigs goodies by posting your own #mythursdaybreaktime photo on Instagram and tagging in me @littlemaldod and @teapigs. I'll be announcing the winner (my favourite shot for the month) over the bank holiday weekend.

My breaktime this week might not be as relaxed as last week, it probably won't involve any games of Uno (must teach that to Wilf ASAP) but it'll still be lots of fun. I look forward to sharing it with you tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!
X 

My Afternoon in London and a Wobblegate Wedding

Last Thursday, whilst we staying down in Sussex with Sam's parents ahead of a wedding, I took a little trip. A trip to London, on my own.

I realise that might not sound like a big deal to some of you but with two small children (almost constantly within a few feet of me), a solo trip to Morrisons is quite an achievement! So imagine my excitement at the prospect of an afternoon in London, with no plans before an evening workshop I'd booked with Quill London.

After some consideration of how to spend my few hours before the workshop, when someone suggested a trip to Liberty (via Instagram), I couldn't believe it hadn't already been at the top of my to-do list.

In my usual over ambitious belief in having 'loads of time' I thought I might manage a trip there AND a quick gallery visit, but who was I kidding? No, I managed to wander around every floor for over 2 hours, finishing off with an overdue make up lesson at the Bobbi Brown counter. Every moment was absolute bliss.

Each, creaky floor was a delight and I could have strolled around stroking the fabrics in the haberdashery all day long.

 And that floral display? Only at Liberty!

The Brush Lettering workshop that I went to afterwards didn't disappoint either. It was everything I'd hoped it would be and more. I loved learning a skill I've been wanting to try for ages. The workshop was run by Teri from The Lovely Drawer and Emma Block. They are both absolutely lovely and so talented, I felt quite in awe!
I was too busy practicing and chatting to some lovely people on my table to take many pictures. I did manage to take this though to celebrate a perfect Thursday breaktime.

On Friday, the theme of the day was floral once again. A best friend of mine had asked me to put together the bridesmaid boquets for her wedding, which of course I was delighted about. It was such a treat to be presented with bunches of beautiful roses and foliage and told to do whatever I thought. Thankfully the bride-to-be was happy with the final result.

The weather on Saturday, the wedding day, was perfect and we all breathed a sigh of relief when we saw the sun in the morning. This stunning view of the South Downs was taken from the marquee. You could barely see to the end of the field through the rain when we finished the flowers 24 hours before!

The wedding took place on a farm in Sussex at the home of Wobblegate Apple juice (Tom, the groom bosses the juice). It was the perfect setting for the most relaxed and lovely day. Sitting on hay bails, warmed by the sunshine and nestled in a row of apple trees, we watched Kate and Tom give their vows to each other, becoming Mr and Mrs amid stumbled lines and lots of laughter.

My sister was a bridesmaid and I could have burst with love for the bride when I listened to the bridesmaids' speech about her. It's a special day indeed when someone so dear gets wed!

The evening sun shone down as guests sat on hay bales and benches, chatting and enjoying the cider while dancing kicked off under canvas.

The fact that I got to hang out with these two, my Mum and sister and my two favourite ladies in the whole world, was the icing on the cake.

Dinosaurs, Dressing Up and a Moment With Monet.

Where do the weeks go? I realised at teatime tonight that it was Wednesday evening already and I'd still not written up a round up of last week's My Thursday Breaktime. So better late than never...

All of our week last week was a breaktime as we were on 'holiday at home' and enjoying (half) day trips out and lots of lazing about in front of Wimbledon in the afternoons. It was good to slow the pace down a bit, spend some quality time together and go to local places that we never normally have the time for.

On Thursday we headed into Cardiff and took the kids to the Welsh Museum, somewhere I'd been looking forward to taking them to for ages. We enjoyed the dinosaurs, dressing up as Scientists and looking at bugs. Then managed a quick walk through the Impressionist gallery before they became a bit wild and in need of lunch and fresh air.

 One of my favourite photos in the #mythursdaybreaktime gallery last week was of this gorgeous pair, taken while I was wandering close by, lost in a world of Monet.

I'm absolutely bias and I love that my husband appreciates Instagram and joins in with this weekly challenge. Of course I've told him he's not allowed to be considered for the monthly prize (as much as I'd love flowers delivered to the door for 3 months!)

@lindiespatch  @aptapothecary
@lyndaybuchanan_  @buildarocketbickers

Family photos aside, this beautiful and bright bunch of photos caught my eye. I love the vibrant pops of colour that burst out, perfectly summery in every way.

It's this serene capture by @sarahhemsley that I keep coming back to when I scroll through the gallery though. I love the light palette of colours, they're such a change from the vibrant blooms I'm cutting from the garden at the moment. Sarah is a woman after my own heart, there's nothing I enjoy more than pottering with flowers when I get a break in my day.

In fact when I arranged this month's giveaway with Bloom & Wild, they told me that their customers often comment that arranging flowers after they've been delivered is a lovely break. Flowers and a bit of 'down' time, what could be better than that?!

A cup of tea I hear you say? Well you'll just have to wait for next month's giveaway....

Back to July though. If you fancy the chance of winning THREE month's worth of flowers, simply post your breaktime moments on Instagram at any point on Thursday and tag in @littlemaldod and @bloomandwild. I'll pick my favourite shot of the month on the 31st July and the flowers are yours!

Tomorrow afternoon I'll be hanging out with my 'nursery graduate' little boy (sob) who has his final day at his Welsh nursery in the morning. There's a huge amount of Sweetpeas to be picked and plenty of dead heading to do so I'll be enlisting his gardening skills while his sister naps.

I look forward in to checking in to seeing what you're all up to too.

See you then! 
Lowri x

Sisterhood and 'being' Beyoncè

This weekend I've been in London staying with my sister. Yesterday, along with our Mum and some of our best friends (and their Mum's) we celebrated a wonderful friend who is getting married in a few weeks. A MAD hen as it's become known, that's Mother's and Daughters MAD, not getting arrested MAD.

We spent the day lunching, laughing and dancing (or trying to) along to Beyoncé at Pineapple dance Sudios. Never have I enjoyed a dance class so much (secretly wishing I'd mastered dance as a girl). We had such a laugh trying to get to grips with the moves to 'Single Ladies'. I'm sure we'll be doing a repeat performance at the wedding in a few weeks time, if I can just nail 'that' walk and ring-finger-pointing handshake.... I realised this morning after watching the actual video on you tube that we were quite a way off from the real thing, can you believe I was actually a bit surprised?!

This weekend has been another one of those weekends that leaves you smiling and feeling loved. Time spent with strong, independent...hang on I can hear a certain song coming on.... strong, encouraging, fun and kind, loving women usually does that.

Weekends away are amazing and such a tonic but an even greater sense of sisterhood comes from supporting each other in the everyday. Supporting and encouraging each other through life's adventures, the everyday moments and, as I've come to notice recently, in business.

That 'business' means different things to different people, we're all 'doing' different things and have so many roles, but finding a way to encourage and empower each other in all of it can have powerful consequences. I've been on the recieving end of the kind words of other women recently who've simply said 'well done' or 'you can do it, I know you can' and I can't begin to tell you how encouraging it's been. It's not hard is it, to pass on a bit of encouragement?

I've been inspired too by seeing other women building life affirming, strong relationships with other women and supporting each other in business. Through the world of Instagram I have 'met' so many who are walking the sisterly walk and even some who've made it their 'business' to encourage and build up others.

Inspiring words by Lola Hoad Design

One business that I've come across recently is a print Magazine (launching in the Autumn) called the ' The Fourth Trimester'. Set up by a first time Mum called Amy, it's sole purpose is to support life after birth (you know that 'shock to the system' kind of life) and is written by Mums, for Mums. Recently Amy held an online auction (via Instagram) to raise funds for the first publication and I was blown away by how many other women put forward items from their own indepedent businesses. A true example of women supporting women, supporting women.

I've had the privilege of working with a group of lovely and kind hearted women recently through my work with little maldod. I'm delighted to be stocking work which has been handmade or hand designed by some of them and it's been such a pleasure. It's a great feeling to know that we're there to support and encourage and not compete and pitch against one another.

I saw this quote recently by a brilliant business called 'Words etc.' and it's so true. 'Success' means different things to each of us but I firmly believe that there is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't go after what we dream of and what we're called to do and to be successful in it. And if we have a tribe of women cheering us on then what's stopping us?

Let's stick with each other ladies, remember (as hard as it is in life's chaos sometimes) to send that text with a word of encouragement and to check in with one another to see how we're doing.

I so appreciate every one of you, you're incredibly valued and amazing, not because of what you 'do', but just for being you. Be encouraged my friends, I got your back.

Right, signing off here before I start spouting Beyonce....

Wonder in the Woods

You may remember I posted recently about a special Spring Watch we had at my parent's house. I wrote (here) about our adventures checking bird boxes that they have in their garden. Well, I thought I would give you a little update.

Last Monday I drove down to collect the children from a weekend stay at my parent's house. When I arrived Wilf was excited to tell me that fairies had visited the woods and couldn't wait to take me out to show me where they were hiding.

Wellies on we strolled up past the stream and towards the Bluebells and were quickly greeted by our first winged little friend. Hidden at the base of a tree was a peach adorned little fairy (let's call her Peach) nestled into the grass and keeping an eye on the pond. Having no idea where Peach's friends were hiding, I asked Wilf to show me where the next fairy was hiding.

As we carried on up through the freshly mown path through the Bluebells he pointed and excitedly cried out "there's one!" This time she was sat in the shade, at the bottom of a curly, perfect-for-climbing, tree.

We walked a bit further and after a few minutes of looking (I had no idea where they were) we decided to head back to tell Babdi and Dadcu all about it. As we walked, Wilf told me about the little nuts and coins that the fairies had left for him the day before. I wonder what he'll find next time he pays them a visit.

Later that day I asked my Dad if it was time to check the bird boxes and was delighted when he said they were due to be done.
This time it was Babdi (my Mum), Wilf and I who headed off with our stepladder, paper spreadsheet and code book tucked under our arms.

We had a treat waiting for us at the first box. Last time it had half a dozen speckled eggs in and this time we found some fluffy feathers and could make out a couple of tiny beaks. It was hard to tell how many chicks were squashed into the tiny nest but happily wrote down that there were at least two.

Our excitement continued with the next few boxes and Wilf was able to look inside and see the tiny new chicks, waiting for the parents to return with food.
It was amazing to see how, after a few short weeks since we last checked them, that each box had developed onto the next stage in a nest's cycle. Where before there had been a fully lined nest, there were now nesting birds (boldly refusing to budge this time) and where before there were eggs, there were now chicks.

All of the chicks were at different stages and I was lucky enough to be able to photograph them so we could look at them properly when we got home. There was one box of Blue Tit chicks which had at least 7 tiny, totally balled, newly hatched chicks in it. Wilf made me laugh when I showed him the photo and he said "they're naked? They don't have any clothes on?" He then later told Dadcu that they didn't have clothes on because they were going to go swimming! How a little mind works!

I'm writing this as dawn breaks on a sunny bank holiday Monday. We're staying with friends at a beautiful house in Sussex which has an amazing garden and woodland. I couldn't resist climbing up to have a nose inside a box that sits in a tree near where we've been sat over the weekend.

Unfortunately, without a lid to open up I couldn't see inside properly but there was definitely evidence of a nest having been built at some point.

I can hear the chorus of birds chirping outside the window. I can't help but wonder how many nests and chicks are hidden away in the trees and woods outside.

Isn't it wonderful how nature just quietly gets on with 'life', often quite hidden from view. Much like the fairies tucked away in the woods, waiting to be discovered. I'm so pleased to be able to share a little of this wonder that we've found and hope I can report back again soon with an update on the nests... and maybe the rest of the fairies.

Twenty Speckled Eggs

We enjoyed our own little Spring Watch this weekend on a visit back to my parent's house, tucked away in the Pembrokeshire countryside.

After a busy week with lots of family gathering together for my Gran's Memorial Service it was lovely to all (12 of us in total) get away and spend time together. We laughed, cried, enjoyed good food, wine and reminisced. It was very special.

My parent's live in an old Welsh Farmhouse and are blessed with a magical garden. With woods, meadow, river and a lake it is a haven for wildlife and flowers. Last year they were asked by a friend who works for the RSPB if they would like to have some bird boxes to record the activity of nesting birds each Spring. They didn't need to think twice and 13 boxes were put up in various spots around the garden.

Yesterday, Wilfred and I accompanied my Dad to check the boxes. Once upon a time I was a Business Analyst, so when my Dad gave me a handdrawn spreadsheet and a guide to the various codes to write down I was sadly overly enthused and excited!

We headed out to the first box which is closest to the house and next to the stream. My Dad, along with his step ladder, climbed up, tapped the box to gently warn any nesting Mum and opened the lid. On the previous check it was coded as having a fully built nest so we were delighted to find 6 tiny speckled eggs sat there. Dad asked me to put my hand into the nest as we needed to check to see if the eggs were warm. I gently popped my hand into the perfectly formed nest and carefully felt the delicate eggs with my finger tips. Wilf was allowed to take a LOOK too and was fascinated. He did ask, "can I eat them?" though so not sure if he fully grasped that they were bird's and not chocolate mini eggs!

The next box had a nest ready and waiting and was duly recorded with NL (did I mention I like spreadsheets?) Number 3 was unfortunately empty but box number 4 had another treat for us. This time, when my Dad opened the box he whispered that there was a Blue Tit sat in it. He climbed down from the ladder and invited me to take a look. Well! I nearly fell off the ladder in fright when the Tit shot out of the little hole at about 100 miles an hour! Dad told me to quickly count how many eggs she was sat on, 8 in total, and we swifly shut it back up to the sound of her chirping (protectively) on a nearby branch.

This careful, precise and wonderful pattern continued around the field, into the woods and back to the house. Wilf wasn't satisified with the response "there's no nest in that one so there's nothing to see", of COURSE he wanted to look inside every single box regardless.

We counted 20 eggs in total and found a more confident Great Tit nesting in box number 11 so who knows how many more eggs were there too.

In the haste of trying to do things quickly I didn't get a chance to photograph any eggs but this wonderful picture (taken by my Mum) of a Song Thush's nest recently is just beautiful!

Sadly, this nest was built too low to the ground (not in a box) and was knocked down, probably buy a badger, and the eggs were lost. When my Dad text us a few weeks ago to tell us about his discovery we were all very sad. Such is the way of nature though I suppose. All my parents can do, and us when we go to visit, is to quietly observe, record (did I mention I like spreadsheets?!) and enjoy the absolute wonder of it all.

We're going back down again in a few weeks and I really hope I get to join in again, hopefully we'll be able to record the activity of some little chicks by then.

Here's to Spring and new life!

Lowri x