Well hello! I found another free bench that I liked and just couldn't leave all forlorn… I had vague plans in the back of my mind to paint it white but to be honest did little but plonk it in the shadiest plot in the garden thinking how nice it would be in the heat of the summer to sit on under the shade of the huge fig tree that we really are very lucky to have at the Beach Cottage. I had other ideas too that this part of the garden would be all perfect, full of old David Austin roses, ivy and, oh, you get the picture. That side of it certainly hasn't happened (and if you look closely you can see the ugliest breeze block bbq in the world behind) but I'm pleased with this old bench, it's rickety and wonky and kinda tatty. It feels like it's got some memories and is certainly worse for the wear, something you just don't find when you buy something new from a shop…
The Beach Cottage kiddos are still on holiday so life is ticking along nicely and today after a truly gloriously hot day, sprinkled with sparkly sunshine and filled with surf lessons, beach coffee meet-ups and gymnastics runs I thought I might like to go out there for some afternoon tea, with a pile of mags, my new bag, some old linen and while away an hour before real life begins again anytime soon.
There was a certain teenage question. "Mum, why are you sitting with a tablecloth?" "Beacause it's old, soft and I love the hand emroidery".
Shake of teenage head, raise of teenage eyebrows. "Errr, right, here's your tea."
I have a friend (weird one) who eats real road kill if it is not too badly damaged! So in the end when this bench rots you can at least chuck it on the bbq as fire wood. Oh no that would be in England as it rains and is damp most of the time – you will be fine. You can even leave all your things out knowing they will be dry overnight – you LUCKY BUGGER!
Glad you are having a nice holiday with the kids. You deserve it – you work very hard when they are at school.
I just love your photos. But I have to admit my neighbors would think I’d gone loopy if I began decorating junker furniture and photographing it. Of course, playing “horsie” in the yard with my four children has already set the precedent. Lol.
Sarah, what a great find in the wicker sofa. I have an old one myself that I will never part with. It’s just stored in the garage waiting for the day when I’ll get a screened porch to house it. Love that wicker! You will really enjoy it.
The youngsters in the world are too busy hurrying up to grow up to adulthood that they can’t see that once they get there, life will be so busy, they won’t have time to sit and ponder as you just were! They will wonder why on earth they were hurrying up (as I later did also) just to become an adult and have chores and responsibilities. Perhaps they will look back at asking that question and know the answer! That life goes fast and you must stop and take time to smell the roses, or look at the embroidery!
Brenda
Your lovely pictures today make me feel totally relaxed just looking at them. We are knee-deep in snow and my gardening heart cannot wait for a day such as your photos show, relaxing benches, interesting books, shady straw hats, and lavender-scented linens. Thanks for giving me a breath of your fresh air!!
It’s beautiful! I have a dark wicker settee on my patio. I love the way the white linens look on it which is why I’ve kept mine dark!
I have to tell you, every morning when I’m getting ready for work a commercial comes on tv. It’s so good! It’s from the Australian Tourism. Here is a link to it on Youtube:
Nice bench, amazing what some people throw out! I’m impressed your teenager brought you a cup of tea, even if it did come with questions
Glad you liked my 24 hours post, it was kind of fun to do actually Once I get the samples I’ll be doing a post about what I got from where and if it was any good so keep an eye out, I’ll let you know if I remember but my memory is rubbish!
So jealous! that is exactly the same as I remember my parent’s bench being like (when I was very small)….. wish I could find one driving around my neighbourhood! obviously living in the wrong spot, must tell hubby it’s time to move
Always so fun to visit here. Sofa reminds me of what I picked up this summer for $15. Amazing what peeps get rid of. Did you see my new makeover (complete), thought you’d enjoy. happy day sarah!
Reminds me of a chair I found, only mine is more ratty, which now sits on my front porch. I love it. Oh, and how jealous I am of your summer. It’s cold here in California. No porch sitting for now.
Nice wicker sofa! I recently found a coffee table by the side of the road. My husband turned around and went back so I could pick it up, but he refused to help!
G'day! I'm Sarah, I live in a tatty old cottage, near the sea in Australia with a battered old deck & a big old fig tree out the back...stripped wooden floors, old sash windows & a jumble of vintage furniture. [Read More …]
G’day ladies, oooh have I got a good Beach Cottage recipe for you or have I got a good recipe for you. Well it’s actually not Beach Cottage, I cannot claim that… So, a couple of months ago I met up with a couple of blogging friends, AllConsuming and Mrs W for a lil [...]
G'day ladies, let's have a Too Easy Beach Cottage recipe yeah? The original place for Too Easy Recipes on the web ;-)
So, after my last salad went down a storm in my inbox, that's here if you missed it, I had to do this one seeing as I make it most weeks.
There is a problem with this salad and kiddos though...it looks, well, it looks, kinda yucky...but once they try it, they'll ask if and when they are next having it....at least that's what happens in this ratty old cottage...but I must interject here that my kiddos are 'good eaters'? ...they didn't get a choice in that ;-)
Now, stop, don't start running and hitting that next on your blog reading list, pulses are your best friend in the Too Easy Dump & Go kitchen for the busy mum, or busy anyone for that matter...that reminds me I must blog the garlic canneloni Go To for when you forgot to do dinner, feel like a bath but have three ravenous young Beach Cottage Kiddos on your hands...another day.
I am almost embarrassed to tell you how easy this is, we have it so much that I always have a couple, make that six, cans of lentils around and a jar of goat's cheese in the fridge...the great thing about this is that it's all too easy to get ready in just a few minutes, but it looks, tastes and seems like you did oh so very much more than that.
You can obviously too change it up a bit depending on what you have to hand in your kitchen, and I must say that is how I settled on this version...because one day when I made it I didn't have enough Parsley in the garden and so I chucked in some basil too, and liked the Summer feel it added.
I think of this as being a rather posh salad, not sure why, because it couldn't really be further from the truth...the great thing is that it works so well for an average run of the mill day, (when I did this for this blog post, it was a hot Sydney Sunday and I did it just simply to go with Rosemary & Garlic stuffed pork, you can see that pork here),
...but just as easily it works on a regular old Wednesday night when you have lost all enthusiasm for rustling up yet another meal, or indeed on Saturday night, when your friends are on their way over for dinner and you my friend, are in your new vintage inspired clawfoot bathtub (that's me in a few weeks time, k?) without any clothes on, a tipple and no idea what to cook for dinner...
I have a complicated and ever-changing relationship with goat's cheese...it never fails me in its performance and it never fails to impress me (you can find out a bit more on what I like in food here if you like) and I kinda collect it...because it's very easy to collect and has a fairly long fridge-life, I love trying out different ones and there's not many things I love more than goat's cheese on sourdough...but I think the best thing about it is not thinking about it exclusively in the toast/salad department...I've stuffed it in chicken and all sorts of things as a last minute and it's been fab.
But let's get down to the nitty gritty of this super salad that makes you look like an angel who has been on her knees all day scrubbing the front step when really you are in the digital world and spent most of ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, howdy, howdy howdy today for a Beach Cottage Too Easy recipe.
If you like cake, cream, sugar and chocolate, make this.
This is, rather than a recipe, a putting it together...as you know I am no dessert maker, but, I do make quite a few sweet things, because, somehow I have ended up with kiddos, who in their roles as offspring, believe that part of the deal, is that not only do I feed them a home-cooked meal with a few homegrown ingredients in there, yes, they also believe that dessert and not the kind that comes out of a packet is included too in this All-Inclusive Deal they call Parenthood.
So, this, for sure, is no culinary masterpiece, but if you are looking for something that is so very easy, dump-able, uses everyday ingredients and at the same time makes you look like you spent hours pulling things together plus tastes good....well, then this is for you.
Best though, you don't make this for yourself, if you have spent the most part of your week sitting on your derriere reading blogs...this my friend ain't low in the calories department...if, however, you are treating yourself to a delight in a mason jar, this is so for you.
I first had a version of this when at dinner back in Old Blighty with a girl, I once, in another life, caught the train up from our village to London with...she was a funny thing really...I am not quite sure how we got on...she was kinda prissy and a bit bothered by too much...I would run to the train flustered, having got up late, and she would have a spreadsheet on the train times, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few years later when we both had bambinos, I bumped into her again and we met up for playdates and dinner sometimes....this particular night, after a lovely meal she served up little bowls of creamy, cakey fruity stuff topped off with chocolate flake...it was delicious!
She didn't serve hers in little jars like this, hers were in a champagne glass and not quite so layered as these ones, plus she used tinned fruit not fresh or frozen.
Years later when said offspring kept requesting dessert, one day I wangled together somehow these from what was around in the fridge and they've been with us ever since.
Most likely, if you ever come here for dinner, and shock horror, you dont' bring the dessert with you, this, if you are lucky, will be what you will get.
Throw it all together, sprinkle a lil bit of chocolate on the top and the blog reading past-time you so rudely left in order to make this, is my friend, your oyster.
Beach Cottage Too Easy Layered Raspberry, Cream & Sponge Dessert
1 small maderia or butter cake or a pack of cupcakes (or of course make your own)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
8 tbsp fruit
1 x chocolate Flake or chocolate bar for grating
1. beat the cream cheese until it is soft
2. whip the cream until soft peaks form
3. combine & add the sugar through
4. cut your cake into portions
& layer into the bottom of your jar
5. add a tablespoon of fruit
6. layer on top the cream combo
7. repeat
8. grate chocolate or Flake on top
*Beach Cottage Recipe Notes : this is just a guide really, you can use any cream that you have on hand...I have made this with clotted cream (don't even go there unless you want to seriously get these babies on your thighs), with double cream and I have even, in desperate times squirted in that, ...
G'day Beach Cottage ladies, well I thought it was time for some blogging tips here today, alongside a few nice flowers and shells ;-)
I was recently part of a blogger discussion group over at Kidspot and a couple of hours later had a few questions from girls who couldn't make it to the live chat, one was on my Facebook page and one via email, the Facebook one I will deal with in another Real Girl Blogging Tips post...the email one asked me what essentials do I think every blog needs?
Well I have been around here for a while now doing the blogging thing, so I should know this, yeah and I mused this on my walk by the sea this morning I thought well what do you only need?
...I think it is really very easy when blogging, whether or not you are blogging up there in the lofty heights of the Super Bloggers or you are just dipping your toe in the water, to get side-tracked by 101 million different things that are 'essential' to your blog and if you are someone like me who actually gets a thrill from reading blogging tips then you are in an even worse place because you will find yourself literally buzzing with these essential things to add/do/implement on your blog.
However, walking along, gulping down that brisk sea air today (no sunshine & clouds) I thought you actually don't need any of that professional blogging stuff to be successful...but there are a few things that are pretty much crucial ...and once I started to think about it I got it down to about 5 - these are the only things that you need to concentrate on...once you have read through take a look at some of the big girl's blogs...you'll see that actually they don't have bundles of stuff on their blogs...but they do have all of these...
So here are my top things that your blog must have
1. About Page
There are all sorts of About Pages out there, and if you search on it there are many different tips and ideas for what to have on yours
Whatever blogging platform you use, adding an About Me Page is easy, quick and simple and will do everything to grow your blog.
I like a long-ish About Page, I am inherently nosy and I like to know a bit more about the person but at the least you should have on it your name and where you are located. I also think a photo is good too...over the last year or so I think this has become more important in blogging - if you are hesitant about that as I was, you can try using sunglasses or a behind shot until you get comfortable.
There is nothing worse than stumbling upon a new blog and going to find out more to only be faced with a piddly little one liner About Me Page...well there is something worse, not having one at all!
2. Contact Page
The chances are someone, somewhere will want to contact you and you will be surprised what lands in your inbox once you put yourself out there on the world wide web with a blog.
Many bloggers also use this page to include details for PR's/brands that may want to contact them and some bloggers put their stats on there too.
A short, to the point and simple Contact Page works really well...whenever I have wanted to contact another blogger I am often very busy and have limited time so I don't want to hang around sifting through information looking for an email address, so concise and clear ...
G'day lovely Beach Cottage lovelies.
So, yeah, so on a roll people, so on a roll.
I feel kinda home accessory wired right now.
I am always telling people, if anyone ever listens, that blogging is all about passion, not that sort of passion, but about passion that makes one tick.
Things like this make me tick tick boom.
I love finding things that suit my budget and let me treat my home but look amazing too.
So without further adieu I introduce you, ladies of the beach, to the blue vintage glasses that I have been stroking for about a week or two now...
These glasses are from a little boutique I sometimes happen upon, this boutique sells also pet accessories, carpet cleaner, bras and compost...it's quite unique though.
And, thanks to my friend Marnie (she blogs over here, go take a look at her praying position, interesting), who just so happens to be one day having me over for a lil' Greek dinner, has let me in on the fact that we call Kmart....The KMart...with an accent ....as in 'I love The KMart'...just like her MIL does. Oh yeah. Love that.
So I have had my eye on reproduction vintage glass blue wine glasses and being trying to find real true vintage blue glasses for like ever.
Oh yes I have spied them in Frenchy boutiques, I have lusted after them in stores that I shouldn't even enter and I have put them back pretty quickly in those shops with the hand-written price tags. C'mon, you know the ones.
And, though all of the above have tempted me, muchly, really, even with my wardrobe stashing skills I just thought that, actually, I'd rather be saving that casherooni for our next trip overseas..
Hello The KMart.
Tick Tick Boom
Vintage style blue wine glasses.
Do not come to my old place and think you might pick up one of these and smile with pleasure at their handblown quality, their weight, and be secretly jealous that my wine glasses cost more than your car...friend, that would not happen...these do not feel like that...indeed these in a funny way reminded me of my baby girl, she was a tiny little thing, with stick legs, the tinsssssssiest ankles and wrists you ever did see, she slept sideways in her cot wedged in between rolled up blankets and would only settle attached to Mr Beach Cottage or I or a (dirty) pj top of mine scrunched up under her nose...the first few times I picked her up to cuddle, being used to Honeymoon Baby who weighed in at 9lbs at birth and has never really stopped growing, I nearly threw her little bird-cum-rat down covered body over my shoulder.
These glasses are like that...be careful or you might lose your wine down the front of your shirt.
But oh baby, we are not talking picking up here, we are not talking quality, we are not talking house accessory snobbery.
Beach Cottage ladies, we are talking aesthetics.
And this is what I need in my cottage.
Blue vintage style glass, paired with coastal / nautical / beach stuff on my deck.
It's The KMart.
Tune in tomorrow, tomorrow, I have more budget foofing for your home, or maybe it will be the dress that wraps me up in supermarket-chic and makes me feel like me again.
Good Day to you my friends, wanna come hang out on my deck, talk house accessories, The KMart and drink some wine from blue glasses?
Sarah
Love the road kill. Always great to find a wicker seat like this one. You display it lovely with the books and cath kidston item.
Sandy x
Hi
I have a friend (weird one) who eats real road kill if it is not too badly damaged! So in the end when this bench rots you can at least chuck it on the bbq as fire wood. Oh no that would be in England as it rains and is damp most of the time – you will be fine. You can even leave all your things out knowing they will be dry overnight – you LUCKY BUGGER!
Glad you are having a nice holiday with the kids. You deserve it – you work very hard when they are at school.
Love Emma xxxxxx
Such a lovely blog!
Thanks for sharing your tips for painting furniture!
Debbie Moss
(England)
I just love your photos. But I have to admit my neighbors would think I’d gone loopy if I began decorating junker furniture and photographing it. Of course, playing “horsie” in the yard with my four children has already set the precedent. Lol.
Sarah, what a great find in the wicker sofa. I have an old one myself that I will never part with. It’s just stored in the garage waiting for the day when I’ll get a screened porch to house it. Love that wicker! You will really enjoy it.
What a great find! I would have definitely “picked” that bench also. I really like it in the brown. Looks good in the garden.
The youngsters in the world are too busy hurrying up to grow up to adulthood that they can’t see that once they get there, life will be so busy, they won’t have time to sit and ponder as you just were! They will wonder why on earth they were hurrying up (as I later did also) just to become an adult and have chores and responsibilities. Perhaps they will look back at asking that question and know the answer! That life goes fast and you must stop and take time to smell the roses, or look at the embroidery!
Brenda
Your lovely pictures today make me feel totally relaxed just looking at them. We are knee-deep in snow and my gardening heart cannot wait for a day such as your photos show, relaxing benches, interesting books, shady straw hats, and lavender-scented linens. Thanks for giving me a breath of your fresh air!!
I cannot believe that wonderful bench was going to the trash! Lucky you. It looks so inviting. laurie
Your bench is charming….your photo makes me wish it wasn’t 27 degrees where I live. Enjoy your tea at your new sofa bench!!!
LuLu
Wow! What a find! It looks lovely in the garden…very comfy and cozy! Have a great day…Debbie
It’s beautiful! I have a dark wicker settee on my patio. I love the way the white linens look on it which is why I’ve kept mine dark!
I have to tell you, every morning when I’m getting ready for work a commercial comes on tv. It’s so good! It’s from the Australian Tourism. Here is a link to it on Youtube:
Nice bench, amazing what some people throw out! I’m impressed your teenager brought you a cup of tea, even if it did come with questions
Glad you liked my 24 hours post, it was kind of fun to do actually
Once I get the samples I’ll be doing a post about what I got from where and if it was any good so keep an eye out, I’ll let you know if I remember but my memory is rubbish!
Mel xxx
So jealous! that is exactly the same as I remember my parent’s bench being like (when I was very small)….. wish I could find one driving around my neighbourhood! obviously living in the wrong spot, must tell hubby it’s time to move
Always so fun to visit here. Sofa reminds me of what I picked up this summer for $15. Amazing what peeps get rid of. Did you see my new makeover (complete), thought you’d enjoy. happy day sarah!
I must be traveling the wrong roads! THat is a great find – good for you – it’s beautiful!
Simply lovely.
Fantastic finds for a drive by. Isn’t it sad teenagers are so caught up in why are you doing that instead of enjoying life more often.
Cups of tea in the shade makes the world a better place.
Reminds me of a chair I found, only mine is more ratty, which now sits on my front porch. I love it. Oh, and how jealous I am of your summer. It’s cold here in California. No porch sitting for now.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your bench! It’s so perfectly shabby! I also adorable your new bag!
Can I come for tea?
Jeepers! People must have some wonderful furnishing if they’re throwing away lovely items such as this… Great find.
Lovely blog, I have found my way to here from a Cosy Life…..I’ll be back
I love your photography, so clear and always a scene I wish I could sink into. The Cath bag is splendid too!
Thanks! foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com
Wonderful blog, I am inspired by your decorating style. I am hoping to have a beach cottage one day soon too! ~Susan~
seasonalwhimsies.blogspot.com
Nice wicker sofa! I recently found a coffee table by the side of the road. My husband turned around and went back so I could pick it up, but he refused to help!