Notes Of Hearth and Home
The sun is back! Yes after a long absence it has decided to grace English shores once more. We are in for nearly a week of clear sunny skies and very warm temperatures.
Yesterday we went down the river for a picnic and a swim. Why is it that wild swimming is so much better than swimming in a pool? It is good for the soul to be so close to nature 🙂 I was blessed out of my socks when we got home after our wild swim, my daughter said to me, “We’ve had an amazing childhood you know mum. It’s been just like the Famous Five’s childhood but without the going away on our own for weeks. We’ve had a childhood lived outdoors, picnicking, exploring and playing. We’ve visited amazing places and done so many wonderful things – thanks mum.”
Now hearing that just makes my heart swell with immense joy!
So keeping with all things hearth and home today I thought I would show you a few things. Firstly, I wanted to show you the up-cycled coffee table that I worked on a few weeks ago…
I used the same Annie Sloane chalk paint that I used for the chest of drawers in my room. I loved how it turned out.
I hung this adorable little tin bird that a friend gave me on the drawer knobs…
and I put together this little decorative centerpiece.
I spotted this ‘burner hack’ on a blog a little while ago and thought that it was brilliant!
Line you burner with foil and pop your melt into that. That way you can remove it easily once it’s run it’s course or when you want a change in aroma’s.
Nifty hey?
With all this sunshine around I felt the urge to celebrate summer (even if only for this rain-free week) by hanging up some bunting on the garden shed. I just love how festive and fun it looks.
It makes me smile to catch a glimpse of those cheery little triangular flags while washing the dishes.
Well my lovelies, I hope that your week is off to a wonderful start – see you back here very soon 🙂
Linking up with Strangers & Pilgrims On Earth…
10 Comments
Sarah
Oh wow, what a beautiful place to swim!
mamasmercantile
How wonderful that your daughter remembers so much fun growing up, the greatest of compliments. Love the coffee table, it looks amazing. Great tip for the melt, I will remember that one. I am so enjoying the weather, long may it last.
Penny
It's all so beautiful. Every single bit of it. Enjoy 🙂
karen
love your newish coffee table!! I need to spruce up mine since it's well loved 🙂
Amy at love made my home
What a lovely thing for your daughter to have said! You are a great Mum! Love the coffee table makeover!
Summer
So wonderful! I would love to know where the river swimming hole is. We are moving to England temporarily (for 6 months) in August on assignment for my husband's job. I am beyond thrilled! While we are there I hope to not only see famous sites, but also find lovely, little-known, local hidden spots like the river and picnic area you mentioned!
Shirley-Ann
How exciting Summer! I'm sure that you will love your time here. This river is the River Erme in south Devon. You can access it from our town – Ivybridge, which is about 10 miles outside of Plymouth. The walk up from the little town into the woodlands is well signposted from the town. This past week has been really hot (for us – 26 degrees C 😉 ) and the river has been filled with kids from the town cooling off – it's very popular.
Denise
What a wonderful thing for your daughter to say to you, Shirley Ann! You've most definitely done something right!! 🙂 I'm glad you've finally got sunshine where you are and are able to enjoy your summer. It's been very hot here in the southern U.S., but I love the beautiful blue skies.
Your bunting is charming; I'd love to have some for our home. Hope you have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
Summer
Thank you! I hope we can make it over there to explore!
JES
I always love visiting the warmth of your English home! And you new blog banner is beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth this week! 🙂
P.S. What your daughter said is just beautiful and would make me cry! That is one of the the goals of a homeschooling mother!