So you pride yourself on being a domestic goddess, do you?
Perhaps you have a whole collection of tea towels – all neatly piled up in a special linen cupboard?

Let’s see whether you know any of the following interesting titbits about your best kitchen dish towels:

It needed a good old ‘spring’ clean and tidy up – so today was the day.

I’m not usually one of ‘those’ messy artists who have to live in chaos and splosh paint around to get the creative juices flowing. No, not me.

I get enough chaos when my family arrive home, thankyou !

Yes, I like my work area to be quiet, clean, ordered and calm. Radio 4 playing in the background. A light breeze wafting in . The smell of freshly brewed tea. Dogs sleeping peacefully. Lovely.

What do you need to work at your optimum level? How do you achieve ‘flow’?

For me, there’s nothing quite like a well organised work area!

A place for everything and everything in it’s place.

- he whisked me away for a romantic break to Ludlow “food centre of the universe” in Shropshire.

Days filled with … eating, shopping for the very best food and then more eating.

Award winning farm shops, restaurants, a fab boutique 5 * B&B, lots of reading, laughing and more eating!  Perfect.

A lovely secret.  All mine.  If I tell you all, there might be a stampede then where would we be?!

This is a very special place. 

If I tell you girls that the most devine smell of aromatherapy goodies welcomes you as you open the door to the delighful barn room, you can rest assured that this is no ordinary place.

‘Wow’ will escape your mouth as you instantly begin to forget the stresses at home – you won’t be able to help yourself. It’s like being in a glorious bubble. A peaceful, restful bubble.

Now I truely know what it is like to sleep in the clouds – soft, white, fluffy, fresh, clean, smelling of lavender, Ylang, Ylang and geranium.  Lovely, lovely, lovely.

The decor is so relaxing, tasteful and ‘country’ . Like living in a Country Living Magazine spread.

We were both appreciative of the attention to detail in the room.

Underfloor heating, lovely smellies, soft fluffy towels, spa-like robes, freshly baked cake (oh yes) , a fridge stocked with complimentary water, wine and milk. Chocolates. Biscuits. Even a teddy (not for eating though, that one) and a cosy hot water bottle (nor that one).

We slept like two happy babies – with smiles on our faces.

• five stars,
• has won numerous awards,
• is featued in hotel expert, Alastair Sawday’s guide,
• listed in the Daily Mail as ‘the best boutique B&B in the UK’
• featured in Good Housekeeping magazine
• raved about in Woman & Home magazine

With only 4 rooms, they get booked up very quickly and will soon be operating a waiting list!

Well, it’s rapidly approaching that special time of year – Mother’s Day.

A day of peace, rest and lots of smiles for all mummies everywhere.

On Mother’s Day on 14th March, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to show your mum / mummy/ mother / mother-in-law / granny, just how much they mean to you.

If you need some inspiration for gift ideas for Mother’s Day, we’re here to help. Here are a few of our most popular gifts that are perfect for Mother’s Day.

Our lovely tea towels make fab little presents that are always a big hit with house-proud mums and grannys.

Our lovely big canvas bags are perfect for mummy’s trip to the farmer’s market, book group, W.I. meeting or even a trip to the beach.

To see more wonderful designs and details on how to buy our super gifts, click here to visit our easy-to-use website now.

Don’t miss out ! Jolly good.

I thought this novel was simply enchanting!

A classic that haunts you once you’ve finished reading it.

It has everything in it – love, war, politics, corruption, family, relationships, loss, aging, business, wealth, society and even a circus.

I’d highly recommend it if you are looking for a super read for your next book group meeting.

An acknowledged masterpiece, this is the story of seven generations of the Buendia;a family and of Macondo, the town they have built.

Though little more than a settlement surrounded by mountains, Macondo has its wars and disasters, even its wonders and miracles.

A microcosm of Columbian life, its secrets lie hidden, encoded in a book and only Aureliano Buendia can fathom its mysteries and reveal its shrouded destiny.

Blending political reality with magic realism, fantasy with comic invention, One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of the most daringly original works of the twentieth century.

The Phillips family are getting all excited about an up-and-coming lovely little jaunt to Cornwall in March.

We can’t wait.

The weeks are being counted down. The tourist info is being reviewed. The excitement is building. The weather is hotting up.

As a ‘Thankyou’ to my wonderful husband, Richard for being our rock during the difficult past few months I gave him the gift of spending a few days at Rick Stein’s Seafood Cookery School in Padstow, Cornwall.

Oh how his little face lit up when he realised what was in store for him. It certainly put a ‘Cheshire cat’ smile on his face at the thought of cooking, drinking wine and chatting with fellow foodies and Rick himself. Bliss.

If you fancy trying your hand at seafood cooking a la Rick Stein, then take a look at his website here. Welcome to Padstein! (This is not Richard below!)

Here are some reviews of the courses at Rick ‘s school. The setting looks wonderful.

The Independent {Extra} named Padstow Seafood School in their feature ‘The ten best cookery courses’.

Padstow Seafood School has been placed in the number 1 slot in ‘The ten best cookery courses’ from The Independent feature on Wednesday 14th May 2008:

‘Stein’s Padstow school teaches a relaxed approach to preparing seafood. The chef’s aim was to create a course that “revolves around lunch”. Here, cooks enjoy the fruits of their labours beside the seaside.’

The Daily Telegraph

‘Padstow Seafood School – Gordon Ramsay says it’s the only cookery course he can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone.’

Chef Peter Gordon writing in The Caterer

I learned plenty, I had fun, I ate heaps. The teachers were great and the view brilliant.’

(Images and Reviews copyright Rick Stein)

What does your dream home look like? Perhaps you are already living in it?
Oh, which one to choose…

Gardens are so important to me. Need to have a lovely view to inspire me every day.

Yes, think it must be this one below. I’ll call the removel men, Richard.

With this one as a bolt hole in France.

I’ll leave you with this quote that made me smile:

“You can’t afford the house of your dreams.
That is why it is the house of your dreams.
If you had everything you ever wanted,
you wouldn’t have a reason to get up in the morning.
Be satisfied with dissatisfaction. ” Paul Arden

Recently my neighbour, Hilary took me out for a lovely lunch and a girlie catch up.

We went to the most amazing place in … Bury. Who knew it was there? Not me.

Though perhaps that’s a good thing in retrospect considering how many calories are densely packed into the square footage.

Ahh… Slattery’s. Top notch Patissier and Chocolatier! Heaven in a cake shop.

To be fair, Slattery’s are so much more than simply a cake shop – they do chocolate courses, lectures, stunning wedding cakes and a fab restaurant.

Slattery’s are based in a beautiful building and you do feel rather special sitting in their lovely dining room sipping tea.

If you fancy treating someone or even yourself, then find out how to get to Slattery’s here . Highly recommended!

Hope you have a great w’end!

Karen
x

(all images copyright Slattery’s)