Ballycurrin Lighthouse

On the shores of Lough Corrib in Co. Mayo there is a lighthouse.

It was built over 200 years ago to shine a light on the waters

and guide a little boat back from the pub
on the other side of the lake.

It is not a big lighthouse

but I often think of the wife who organised the building of it

so that her husband would be safe on a dark night.

I wish that I could build a lighthouse

to bring my son safely home

from Australia.

MasterM packs for Australia

Rugby Boots
the BEST ever

Mouthguard
sine qua non

FlipFlops
because he must be COMFORTABLE

Boardies
for SHARK wrangling

Currency
because there is BEER to be bought

Shoe Review

MissM would like to comment on her new shoes as follows:

• They are very SENSIBLE
  because the Cuban heels do not sink into the grass during photos.


• They are very TASTEFUL
  because they have just the right amount of toe cleavage.


• They are very PRACTICAL
  because she could dance all night in them.


• They are very ECONOMICAL
  because although they are *slightly more than she would normally spend they are a classic design and will be useful on many other occassions.
  *trans. very expensive, bought by very generous granny

Two for Joy...

A wonderful wedding should have at least some of the following...

beautiful flowers

a choice of transport

stylish guests

a professional singer brother-in-law

cute nieces

the best usher in the business

a fabulous sister

two more fabulous sisters

and love,

so much love

that it spreads and touches everyone

who is lucky enough to be there.

Off Gallivanting...

The car is loaded up with cupcakes.

The dress and the suit are carefully packed.

My hat is balanced on top.

Poppy is very anxious about her future

because the pile of suitcases
do not include
leads, Bonios, dog duvets.

We are off to the wedding...hoping for sunshine.

Back on Sunday.

The Truth about Cupcakes

One cupcake is enchanting.

Two cupcakes are charming.

Seven cupcakes are amusing.

One hundred and fifty cupcakes are a labour of love.

Do you mind if we don't talk about cupcakes for a while?

if you are considering this idea

I would recommend putting the love hearts on at the last moment

because they absorb moisture from the icing.

I think that jelly sweets are more successful e.g. hearts from Haribo Starmix.

The Dress

This is The Dress.

It is the Dress that had to be searched for.

It fits like a dream and makes the wearer look fabulous.

It is MissM's Dress.

And these are The Shoes.

At least my children have something to wear to the wedding.

There is much to be done...

Today

the mother of the Lovely MissE

is coming to supper.

The only thing between me

and the delightful, welcoming house

that she will enter this evening

is

hours of hard work.

I would rather be lying on the sofa
eating cherries
and checking out my favourite blogs.

Honeyflake

writes of a wonderful life

beachcombing and flying kites

with her little girl,Margaret.

It sounds idyllic.

Third Times A Charm

is much closer to my own experience

because she has boys that need patching up

and she cooks chicken nuggets occasionally.

She makes me laugh.

Confessions of a Pioneer Woman

fascinates me.

This is a world where 8 year old girls drive Ford pickups

and working with Daddy means steer wrangling.

Uncommon Grace

writes movingly of her struggle with depression

but takes pictures of her children

that make your heart sing.

Toddler Planet

reminds me of how precious every moment is

as she battles heroically against breast cancer.

I am astonished by her courage.

Please visit her website

to learn about inflammatory breast cancer.

DottyCookie

has two little girls just starting ballet classes.

If only I could wind the clock back

to the day when MissM chose her best dress

and put on her little red shoes...

Send me calming vibes...

Update....

MasterM is so anxious to impress

that he is scurrying around like a house-elf.

Note to self: Must have Mother of MissE to supper more often

Watching the Flowers Grow.

This is the window box that catches the morning light.

I see it as I stand in the kitchen and drink my first cup of tea.

I have too many things in my life at the moment
to be a good gardener.
That time will come.
I hope.

But I pull out all the stops for my window boxes.

I love them because
they are small landscapes
which can be planted on a whim.

You feel in control.
You can experiment with colour and shape.

And then you can throw them away and start all over again.
I like that too.

The Battle with the Ironing Basket

It is not good news from the front.

The enemy has made advances in all areas

and severe shortages have resulted.

There has been a small but successful counterattack

on the left (sock) flank.

This is enough black socks for a regiment

and they are ready for action.

Whoever thought of coloured toes

should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

MasterM has 15 pairs

with labels sewn in by my own fair hands

Now for an unsavoury visit

to the odd sock mountain.

MrM said "If they were washed more often
we wouldn't need so many"

Now that's war talk.