So thanks for the advice on the Powder Room, I can’t believe how many of you took the time to actually email me with ideas, thank you. I will hopefully do a little post on them all, show you what I think and show you how it’s coming along. One thing for sure, there won’t be much colour in there, and I know some of you suggested some but I am a neutral pallette girl, even if that neutral is black. I was thinking about that and wondering maybe if I’m a bit odd in terms of my (non) colour choices, but then I think sometimes fashion plays a part and at the moment fashion in trendy interiors seems to be all for the brights…so not me.
Anyway ahoy to making traditions and such like. Marie emailed me about herblog partyasking would I like to participate. Which got me to thinking about traditions and what routines we have here in Australia. And funny the beach came up, ‘cos that’s what we do day-to-day now. But so did the beaches we perused in England. And not because we didn’t go to the beach in England. More because we did.
Back in the early days of our marriage and the first few weeks with our honeymoon baby Mr Beach Cottage and I drove to our nearest beach, which we repeatedly convinced ourselves was a 37 minute door to door journey but really it was nearer 47.
That drive took us down the motorway and then down winding English country lanes, through a beautiful, beautiful old coastal town, with wooden fishing huts, shops selling oysters and cobbled streets.
Through the town and then onto the slopes of one of the best beaches in Southern England. Pebbles, beach huts and long long bleached old breakers to lean up against. One of our first outings with Mr Teenage BC was to this beach, my weren’t we brave? Goodness I think I packed a change bag for about 25 babies – a million nappies, so many changes of clothes, all manner of creams and lotions. Looking back, at 24 I suppose I was still a youngster but I can remember sitting there just by the beach huts, a tiny baby, the sun out and watching the world go by. Like some strange vortex time that is, with a new baby.
Over the years, and as more babes came along we would head down to that beach often – we even made it there one Christmas for a bracing Winter’s walk with hot chocolate and the like. But mostly it was summertime when we’d plan to spend our Sunday on the coast – we’d pack up a picnic, our wind breaker, bbq and chairs, a stack of the Sunday newspapers, head off early in the morning and spend the whole day hanging out. For lunch we’d grill sardines and as the sun set and the tide went out, we’d walk far out where the sea had just been and often just before we’d head home, we’d pop into the pub for a quick pint.
I miss that beach.
When anyone asks us what do we miss about England, my first thought is the beach, which is funny really as that’s one of the reasons we came here. But there’s nothing better than that beach, in England, when the sun’s out. Though for sure if you’re from there you’ll know that this fantasy is sometimes all too rare and often the sun isn’t out and so the whole thing was a bit hit and miss.
So tradition for us is those sort of outings, normally to a beach, sometimes a park, always with a picnic and usually a few beers…and I think we’ll always do that, even as the kids grow up and the numbers go down…
A favourite spot for a mini-vacation, any vacation for that matter!
What a lovely account of your history with beaches! We have just finished a week near the Med, with a few evening beach trips (we’re too fair-skinned for days at the beach), and will be on the Atlantic coast in Brittany soon…
Oh how I miss being by the sea! Not long now and my daughter and I will be spending a bit of time on the Normandy coast with my momma. Neither of us can wait!!
I live about 20mins from Whitstable – it’s just as you describe! We have had some lovely evenings on the beach there this summer and photographed some wonderful sunsets – I will be blogging another over the weekend so you can visit it in spirit!
Sarah what a wonderful post, I know I’ve mentioned before to you my Aussie/English friends – oh yes how they loved the beach back there in England – and for that very reason when they came over here to Australia they choose to live down here with us on The Mornington Peninsula- sort of like a different alternative
Loved reading your post. It’s neat to read about someone’s traditions, and the memories that those moments in life have created. We store those sweet mental photos and videos away in our minds and hearts to pull back up and replay when we reminisce with ourselves, and with other family members who shared them. Traditions are awesome. Every family should have at least one. My kids remember our beach outings the best…when they were younger. Miss them.
Thanks for sharing.
Sarah, this is a wonderful nostalgic post, I loved reading it, your write very well. I had images of your car packed up for baby, the crochet blanket in one of your photos is very pretty, I am in the middle of making one at the moment and your one caught my eye.sorry I missed the powder room post, hope work is going well. Hugs, Margie.
I live in landlocked Mexico, MO, but am sure I SHOULD be living on a beach. I love the ocean and the beach.
I am with you about living with color. I enjoy visiting homes with lots of color, but at the end of the day I want to come home to my mostly white, with hints of soft green. Even my flower gardens are mostly whites.
Today’s post was a lovely read, thanks for it. I understand your love for the beach, I miss it so much, I was born and raised near the beach in the USA, then we moved to Canada a long ways away from the coast. I will never forget the roar of the waves and the way they grew smaller and rippled as they covered our feet and made us sink down into the sand just a little. Hugs ~cindy s~
for years i collected among other stuff, milk glass dishes,small bowls, and a fancy candy dish. i hung them on the walls of the bathroom when we redid it. the candy dish holds the soap. i put some colorful plates from portugal too but it looks really sharp and not busy or overpowering.
Such a lovely story. Your words and pictures are always so beautiful, I just cannot get enough! Thanks for sharing so much of your life with your readers.
I’m with you about all the bright colors that are the trend now. I love your white, pale, palette.
Have you seen the oatmeal colored dish set at IKEA for only $20? comes in dark grey too? We just bought a set. I think it would look good in your Beach Cottage.
lovely [post…. what a beautiful picture set… love the first one with the shells…
i have my nephew visiting and we have been spending a lot of time in the ocean, and I tease him, and say, how do you like our backyard? while we are in the salty water…
It is funny how the beach is always our destination. I mean we live 5 minutes from the beach but if we want to go anywhere it always ends up at a beach somewhere with the usual picnic lunch or dinner. My last post shows just that.
Last christmas day we had breakfast at the beach and will do the same again this year
Alison
Loved your post today on traditions and the beach.
Both are so very important to me. We just got home from Hawaii where we spent two wonderful weeks in a Beach House that was just steps away from the water. My daughter and her family came over from Australia to join us and needless to say we all had tears in our eyes when it was time to say “Aloha”. Have a happy weekend Sarah.
Vicki
What beautiful family traditions you have. It seems all of us have those special family times that always creep back into our minds like it was yesterday. What beautiful memories your family will have at the beach. Thank you for sharing.
You really have embraced the Australian lifestyle so well! I am about 30 mins from the nearest aussie beach, Cronulla, and I love it! The lifestyle always makes me feel more relaxed and has such a wonderful holiday feel… not to mention the lovely beachside cafes and shops Bring on summer!
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
Ooooh a day on the beach under an umbrella with a good summer book sounds divine!!!
I so enjoy coming to your blog… your writing is so fun and enjoyable and your shots… wonderful just wonderful.
Have the best weekend.
TTFN~~ Claudia
I just wonder which beach it was as I live on the south coast of England, just 2 minutes from the beach. Love your blog, every day!
sounds like Whitstable to me
thanks girls!
too kind
{ S }
What a lovely account of your history with beaches! We have just finished a week near the Med, with a few evening beach trips (we’re too fair-skinned for days at the beach), and will be on the Atlantic coast in Brittany soon…
Oh how I miss being by the sea! Not long now and my daughter and I will be spending a bit of time on the Normandy coast with my momma. Neither of us can wait!!
I live about 20mins from Whitstable – it’s just as you describe! We have had some lovely evenings on the beach there this summer and photographed some wonderful sunsets – I will be blogging another over the weekend so you can visit it in spirit!
Pomona x
oh!! how funny! so that’s what it takes to get your English gals outta the woodwork…hmmm
now I didn’t say it was Whitstable did I – not quite like that now is it though, sad…????
maybe it was a beach just a touch more south…
{ S }
Sarah what a wonderful post, I know I’ve mentioned before to you my Aussie/English friends – oh yes how they loved the beach back there in England – and for that very reason when they came over here to Australia they choose to live down here with us on The Mornington Peninsula- sort of like a different alternative
Once again a wonderful post
thanks Sarah – have a a good weekend
xo
Loved reading your post. It’s neat to read about someone’s traditions, and the memories that those moments in life have created. We store those sweet mental photos and videos away in our minds and hearts to pull back up and replay when we reminisce with ourselves, and with other family members who shared them. Traditions are awesome. Every family should have at least one. My kids remember our beach outings the best…when they were younger. Miss them.
Thanks for sharing.
Ahhh….memories!
It is neat that your fascination with beaches has continued and that you are able to continue enjoying them.
Becky K.
Hospitality Lane
Sarah, this is a wonderful nostalgic post, I loved reading it, your write very well. I had images of your car packed up for baby, the crochet blanket in one of your photos is very pretty, I am in the middle of making one at the moment and your one caught my eye.sorry I missed the powder room post, hope work is going well. Hugs, Margie.
What a wonderful story. So many visuals for me. Just lovely.
Beautiful post! Makes me want to go to the beach now. Maybe next week. It has acually been to hot here in Florida.
Our summer memories are beach memories. Only one week a year, if even that, keep us going.
Morning, Sarah! Lovely shots of the beach and such fun to read about your traditions. A pleasure, as always.
I live in landlocked Mexico, MO, but am sure I SHOULD be living on a beach. I love the ocean and the beach.
I am with you about living with color. I enjoy visiting homes with lots of color, but at the end of the day I want to come home to my mostly white, with hints of soft green. Even my flower gardens are mostly whites.
HOw’s the bathroom ?
I posted my tiny bathroom makeover.
Come take a look.
I do envy you your walks on the beach, Sarah.
Brenda
Loved reading your post! I love so much your decoration home! ES TODO TAN HERMOSO!
XOXO
Today’s post was a lovely read, thanks for it. I understand your love for the beach, I miss it so much, I was born and raised near the beach in the USA, then we moved to Canada a long ways away from the coast. I will never forget the roar of the waves and the way they grew smaller and rippled as they covered our feet and made us sink down into the sand just a little. Hugs ~cindy s~
for years i collected among other stuff, milk glass dishes,small bowls, and a fancy candy dish. i hung them on the walls of the bathroom when we redid it. the candy dish holds the soap. i put some colorful plates from portugal too but it looks really sharp and not busy or overpowering.
Such a lovely story. Your words and pictures are always so beautiful, I just cannot get enough! Thanks for sharing so much of your life with your readers.
Hello sweet Sarah – what a great family tradition you have. I too love the beach. Your photos are beautiful. What a pretty patchwork blanket!
Thank you for joining the party!
Blessings,
Marie
love the beach!
congrats to your winner
xo
I’m with you about all the bright colors that are the trend now. I love your white, pale, palette.
Have you seen the oatmeal colored dish set at IKEA for only $20? comes in dark grey too? We just bought a set. I think it would look good in your Beach Cottage.
lovely [post…. what a beautiful picture set… love the first one with the shells…
i have my nephew visiting and we have been spending a lot of time in the ocean, and I tease him, and say, how do you like our backyard? while we are in the salty water…
Nice and a lovely post.
Happy weekend.
Regina
It is funny how the beach is always our destination. I mean we live 5 minutes from the beach but if we want to go anywhere it always ends up at a beach somewhere with the usual picnic lunch or dinner. My last post shows just that.
Last christmas day we had breakfast at the beach and will do the same again this year
Alison
I enjoy reading your posts so much! I too love the beach but unfortunately we live no where close to one so I enjoy reading about your trips
Sharon
Loved your post today on traditions and the beach.
Both are so very important to me. We just got home from Hawaii where we spent two wonderful weeks in a Beach House that was just steps away from the water. My daughter and her family came over from Australia to join us and needless to say we all had tears in our eyes when it was time to say “Aloha”. Have a happy weekend Sarah.
Vicki
Hi, just me again. I’m lovin’ your blog!
Lynnette
Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground
I can feel the sand in my toes and smell the ocean seeing these photos.
It’s such a sad moment when you have to walk away and know you won’t be back for a whole year. You are so fortunate to live your dream. Yay!
What beautiful family traditions you have. It seems all of us have those special family times that always creep back into our minds like it was yesterday. What beautiful memories your family will have at the beach. Thank you for sharing.
You really have embraced the Australian lifestyle so well! I am about 30 mins from the nearest aussie beach, Cronulla, and I love it! The lifestyle always makes me feel more relaxed and has such a wonderful holiday feel… not to mention the lovely beachside cafes and shops
Bring on summer!
Great writing as usual. Love the space and beauty and sounds and sun of the beach -
The little family – timeless-content.