“If this world should turn out to be a 'Te moriturum saluto,' perhaps it will brighten the dark moments a little to think how you have meant to someone more than anything ever has or ever will. What you have striven for will not end in nothing, all that you have done and been will not be wasted, for it will be a part of me as long as I live, and I shall remember, always.“ -Vera Brittain Testament of Youth One of my favourite books and her words seem more poignant this year somehow. #lestweforget 
BOO 👻 
Gosh our allotment brings us so much joy. I’ve posted an update on the blog of where we’re up to with it. Still no chooks yet 🐓 think we might wait until spring now. As I’m learning with the allotment patience is the key - which is hard for me as I like everything done now! 
Can you feel it, the heaviness weighing us all down right now? The 1% losing their grip and trying to strip away the rights and freedoms of people around the world. The news hurts doesn’t it? The marginalised communities being met with violence every day, the wealth gap increasing, women’s rights being stripped away, children going hungry. Indigenous people being murdered, peaceful protesters killed by their own governments, people facing ruin because of government greed and the failures of a dying capitalist system. When did we lose our humanity and empathy? At what point do we remember what really matters in this world? If you’re not angry you’re either not paying attention or you’re blinded by privilege. Now is the time to channel your anger, rise up #resist 
JOY✨ We stripped off to enjoy the water on one of our walks. So much joy and laughter was had here. Me struggling to stay upright on the mossy rocks and help Bon Bon in whilst holding down my tee shirt so I didn’t flash my hoohah. The girls howls of laughter when I did accidentally flash my whole naked self whilst drying to a group of lady ramblers who probably did not want to see that on their afternoon hike 👀 Laughter and joy really are the magical remedy for me at the moment. I hope everyone out there is managing to find some happiness amidst the doom and gloom right now ♥️ Big shoutout to Will for taking this glorious giggling picture of me and the girls after me reminding myself (and everyone else) that I need more pictures of myself with the children - I’m usually always behind the camera and feel sad when I don’t have fun pictures). 
33 🎂 Slow birthday today - just the way I like it. My birthday has turned into a weird day for me emotionally. It’s also a big anniversary this year it marks 10 years since I got engaged to my best mate, 8 years since my daddy passed away. The last time I visited the Lakes was with my pops, so felt all kinds of emotions being here today with my girls reminiscing about the good times I shared with him here. Not much of to say other than I like my thirties. I no longer care about what others think of me and my life choices. I feel more comfortable in my own skin. I have boundaries and hold space for my feelings. I’m happy despite how crazy life can be. And that’s all that matters really isn’t it?!? 
NORMAL? 🌻 Anyone else struggling with this weird not-lockdown/lockdown period of time we’re currently navigating? I’m a hot sweaty mess in this photo. Bendy mask ear, wispy allotment messed hair, & I breathed my mask in when I took the picture at the flower shop because I’m super awkward at selfies. I only took it as I realised I had no pics of me in a mask & I’d probably want to remember this weird stage of life when I’m old. I cried today, I just want a nice world for my kids to grow up in. I cried today, but I also went for a walk in the sunshine, we bought sunflowers & the girls got a new doll each they have saved up for months for. I chatted to a lonely, frail old man after he commented on Ava’s blue hair & how much she liked to climb. He said we were the first people he had seen smile that day- “everyone is miserable nowadays” he said. We planted bulbs at the plot ready for flowers in spring (a small ray of hope for the future). We met our best friends. I foraged rosehips & unloaded my worries whilst the kids fired bulrush canons at each other. I had a cuppa with my mum knowing it will be the last time I go in her house for a while, I felt sad thinking of her possibly having to spend a winter tucked up indoors alone. I cried today, but I also found pockets of wonderful joy too. I guess this is my new normal. 
VICTORIA STITCH 🧚🏼♀️ I have often said that my goal as a mother is to give our children what I describe as an “Enid Blyton” childhood. A childhood filled with adventure, nature, exploring, imagination and most important of all a childhood filled with magic. We have been huge fans of @harrietmuncaster books since her very first Isadora Moon book when the girls were younger. Harriet always creates magical books that are really fun to read. As the girls get older I’m trying to sustain the magic for as long as I can - this book does just that. The girls adored it, the fairies born from diamonds and the incredible world Harriet creates in the book that made us want to live there and eat the food and live in the houses. It has sparked some fantastic imaginative play. What I loved as a parent was the way Harriet managed to create a darker more gothic tale than the Isadora series, with a great message about staying true to yourself. We already cannot wait for book 2! I really recommend you check @harrietmuncaster Instagram out she’s so lovely and creative 🧚🏻♂️ *We were gifted a proof copy of the book to review with no obligation to post. Shared because we adored it and we will be buying a copy so we can check out the illustrations* 
SEPTEMBER 🍄 Hello glorious Autumn days, my heart is so happy to see you 🧡