Oooh we are living the good life….the weather has just cooled down a tad, it’s still very warm but there is the faintest sniff of Autumn in the air…
So here’s my Good Life Wednesday post…this is a headland walk that I have been taking about once a week…having driven past it many many times a week for years it’s only recently I discovered just how breathtaking the view is.
I love walking, I always have done and it doesn’t matter where you live, I think it’s good for the soul.
When I first lived with Mr BC, we rented a house in this grey little town on the outskirts of London, there wasn’t a whole lot going for this place, apart from the fact that, as most towns in England, it was dripping in history…beautiful old houses lurked if you looked beyond some of the hideous construction from the seventies and some of the old schools and hospital buildings were fabulous.
We used to walk out at night around the grotty little town, often wrapped up to the eyeballs because of the cold and peer in shop windows and gaze at old buildings and discover new things…like little alleys running through the middle that we’d never seen before, old war bunkers and a tiny river on it’s way down to the coast. Somtimes we’d stop into one of the many pubs for a drink. I miss those walks…now we walk in the evening around here…most people are in bed, people seem to tuck-up early here…we never see a soul and I am ususally in my pj’s and wellies (so I can walk in the gutters and grass without fear of reptiles)…and there are no pubs.
Anyway what I am trying to say is that walking is part of my stop and smell the roses things…whether you have the most beautiful blue ocean to get drunk on or you live in a grotty old town…walking around opens your eyes…well it has done mine…take a camera in your pocket and you may be a while.
That’s it from me, if you are here to join the linky party thanks for coming! If you wanna play, it’s too easy, there are no rules, life’s too short for linky party police huh…you just have to add what you’ve blogged…and be really nice and add a link back to my site, oh and of course, visit a couple of other people
You can grab my button here too (just copy the html code and paste)
Have been enjoying your posts from warmer climes, as we creep slowly into spring in the pacific northwest. Your headland photo looks so much like some of the shorelines where I live!
I just love fisherman’s beach, it would have to be one of my favorite places. My husband, little son and I often ride down there on our bikes in the afternoon to soak up the ocean air. I love that it has so much history & mystery.
I am afraid I have nothing particularly wonderful to share at the link party this week, but I wanted to stop by and say “hello”! I just love those photos of the ocean. I’m sure the water must be very cold, but,boy, it looks tempting to just dive right in. I find the ocean to be so peaceful and calming. Thanks for sharing these lovely images!
I actually had to google “wellies” to find out what they were… LOL…, but now that I know I think you should have a pair in putty with white polka dots and a cute little white ruffle around the top…
Hi Sarah,
your linkin Wednesday is working much better than mine.Unfortunately it didn’t have many people to join in on mine. Well, therefore is yours lovely, I’ll grab your button as soon as I have time, so that you will have maybe a couple of readers from this end of the world.
Have a lovely evening,
all the best from Germany
Silke
Hi Sarah,
Gorgeous *faux I think* leather ruffley handbag was bought from a Nine West store here in the lovely Claremont. But with 25 stores in Sydney you may just be close enough to one of them to pop into see if you can perhaps stroke and drool over one yourself. Had trouble finding the same latte ruffley bag online though, but it was just bought before Valentines day, so maybe still in stock in store.
Cheers,
Erin.
I totally agree with you, there is nothing like walking to calm down and enjoy the moment. And acctually, I must say that fall is my favorite time of the year to go walking, because you see all those lights in the windows and when you get home you can just snuggle up in the sofa. I like that…
Oh yes, I agree walking is good for the soul. Especiallly if you have views like yours outside your window. I live in a beautiful little part of the world too, but halas it usually takes a short car ride to get to the beauty. Somehow we never do that often enough. Maybe another belated good intention for 2011, go out walking more.
Thanks for the reminder and the breath of seawind!
I always love your photographs. I’ve joined in for the first time, although I’ve linked back to my happy Monday post as it really felt like the good life that day – hope that’s ok and the linky party police won’t come get me x
Hi Sarah, what a coincidence! Today, I also wrote about the benefits of walking and seeing the world from that perspective. Must be the change of seasons: from summer to autumn in Australia and from winter to spring in Europe. Hence, I am linking my walking and watching the world post to today’s Good Life Wednesday. Happy picture snapping while walking!
Thanks Sarah for providing such wonderful photos for us to enjoy this morning. If I can’t live by the water, I can at least dream about it and feel a bit closer when I see your photos of the ocean.
What a beautiful story! I love that you have lived in the two extremes, it makes life so much more interesting! I love the city like crazy, so much to do and see and you could just walk for miles. But I also lived near the ocean in Santa Barbara, and those were some of the most meaningful walks I ever had. I miss them so much! Thank you for the lovely reminder of how wonderful walking is. Now I need to go run and get my shoes on and head out that door for one!!!
Hi Sarah! I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I really love your site, images, deco ideas. Fortunately in 2 weeks I’ll be in Australia, Could you please recommend me the best places/stores to visit?? I’ll visit Sydney, Melbourne, Airlie Beach and Byron Bay.
Thank you in advance, Tini
Ahh. With wellies we can be invincible! Add in rubber gloves and there’s no limit to what we can do!
I think you are very wise to walk with your wellies on.
This is a lovely reflective post. I too love walking. A chance to act spontaneously, photograph, smell, feel, and discover new places. And I am also so glad for the cooler feeling in the air now that Autumn is here. Hooray!
Sarah I am most DEFINITELY a walker!! LOVE it! Pretty much the only time that I don’t walk is if it is cold AND rainy. If it’s rainy and warm I’ll still go, or cold and dry. I did even get a treadmill for the really bad weather days just to get some exercise, but there is nothing that compares to getting outdoors and walking.
I just found out recently that my hubby and I were my daughter’s inspiration to get into art. Him because he got her started painting, and me because she said when we would go out for our walks I was always stopping and looking at every flower, every cloud shape, and every view, and taught her to look for beauty. She is getting ready to do her senior art show at college, and she had to write a bio for herself that will be framed and appear with her art. I was so blessed. I cried.
You are indeed living the good life. There’s nothing better than a lovely walk in the fresh air. New to your linky party but I love it already. Thanks for sharing a bit of your beautiful world.
Best to you,
Lynn
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 …]
Beach Cottage ladies, we have some vintage linen and some wood/twig washed up on the beach today here in Beach Cottage Land….don’t say I don’t keep you entertained now will you . Come on in. So, yep I have posted about colanders on this blog, about things sourced from the side of the road, about [...]
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
Excellent idea!
m ^..^
I miss those beachy walks (sigh). Beautiful photos, as always.
x Marnie
Enjoyed your beautiful photos, Sarah.:))
Thanks so much for hosting.
xoxo
dreamy images!
xo
elyse
Ohhh Long Reef,,, I am getting married at Long Reef in May
Wow! Love the intense blue beach photos Sarah! Classic.
Have been enjoying your posts from warmer climes, as we creep slowly into spring in the pacific northwest. Your headland photo looks so much like some of the shorelines where I live!
Great blog party, thanks for hosting.
How nice to have a beach to walk on! But your old walks sound pretty cool too!
I just love fisherman’s beach, it would have to be one of my favorite places. My husband, little son and I often ride down there on our bikes in the afternoon to soak up the ocean air. I love that it has so much history & mystery.
I am afraid I have nothing particularly wonderful to share at the link party this week, but I wanted to stop by and say “hello”! I just love those photos of the ocean. I’m sure the water must be very cold, but,boy, it looks tempting to just dive right in. I find the ocean to be so peaceful and calming. Thanks for sharing these lovely images!
Youre so lucky to live in such a beautiful spot!
Beautiful pics…thaks so much for hosting!
Blessings,
Linda
I actually had to google “wellies” to find out what they were… LOL…, but now that I know I think you should have a pair in putty with white polka dots and a cute little white ruffle around the top…
OK, I’m in a goofy mood
I walked with a friend this morning on our beach in California. It was almost as pretty as yours.
Mary Ann
Well, I can’t say that I’ve ever walked on a beach {except once when I was five…} but it sure looks like it would be great!
I’m with you on walking—it is so enjoyable and you notice lots of things you wouldn’t otherwise.
It always amazes me how beautiful it is outside and how few people are out there taking it all in……….
The view are amazing along with your pics. Thanks for sharing them and for hosting!
Kim:)
Your photos are always stunning Sarah! You really have an eye for capturing nature at its best. Thanks for hosting!
Hi Sarah,
your linkin Wednesday is working much better than mine.Unfortunately it didn’t have many people to join in on mine. Well, therefore is yours lovely, I’ll grab your button as soon as I have time, so that you will have maybe a couple of readers from this end of the world.
Have a lovely evening,
all the best from Germany
Silke
Hi Sarah,
Gorgeous *faux I think* leather ruffley handbag was bought from a Nine West store here in the lovely Claremont. But with 25 stores in Sydney you may just be close enough to one of them to pop into see if you can perhaps stroke and drool over one yourself. Had trouble finding the same latte ruffley bag online though, but it was just bought before Valentines day, so maybe still in stock in store.
Cheers,
Erin.
thanks I will check out..there is one at the mall nearby
) though perhaps I should stay away!!
I totally agree with you, there is nothing like walking to calm down and enjoy the moment. And acctually, I must say that fall is my favorite time of the year to go walking, because you see all those lights in the windows and when you get home you can just snuggle up in the sofa. I like that…
Hi, I just found your blog and wanted to let you know that I am a new follower!
love your blog!Erin
http://www.purplebookbloggingmommy.blogspot.com
Oh yes, I agree walking is good for the soul. Especiallly if you have views like yours outside your window. I live in a beautiful little part of the world too, but halas it usually takes a short car ride to get to the beauty. Somehow we never do that often enough. Maybe another belated good intention for 2011, go out walking more.
Thanks for the reminder and the breath of seawind!
I always love your photographs. I’ve joined in for the first time, although I’ve linked back to my happy Monday post as it really felt like the good life that day – hope that’s ok and the linky party police won’t come get me
x
As usual stunning words and photography x
Hi Sarah, what a coincidence! Today, I also wrote about the benefits of walking and seeing the world from that perspective. Must be the change of seasons: from summer to autumn in Australia and from winter to spring in Europe. Hence, I am linking my walking and watching the world post to today’s Good Life Wednesday. Happy picture snapping while walking!
Thanks Sarah for providing such wonderful photos for us to enjoy this morning. If I can’t live by the water, I can at least dream about it and feel a bit closer when I see your photos of the ocean.
My best- Diane
Thanks a bunch for hosting!!!
What a beautiful story! I love that you have lived in the two extremes, it makes life so much more interesting! I love the city like crazy, so much to do and see and you could just walk for miles. But I also lived near the ocean in Santa Barbara, and those were some of the most meaningful walks I ever had. I miss them so much! Thank you for the lovely reminder of how wonderful walking is. Now I need to go run and get my shoes on and head out that door for one!!!
Hi Sarah! I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I really love your site, images, deco ideas. Fortunately in 2 weeks I’ll be in Australia, Could you please recommend me the best places/stores to visit?? I’ll visit Sydney, Melbourne, Airlie Beach and Byron Bay.
Thank you in advance, Tini
Your photo’s make me long for the ocean. I hope I can somehow take a vacation this year.
Sarah~ your pictures are fab! I wish I could grab my wellies as well and join you!
Thanks for hosting!
Smiles~
Cricket
Nothing like a good walk to clear the mind and open the eyes at the same time. Beautiful shots! Thanks for hosting.
Thanks for hosting! I linked up my fun Farmhouse Whitewashed Concrete Eggs.
Well said Sarah,
so very true, we are often surrounded by beautiful things to admire and appreciate but need to take the time to appreciate
Thanks for taking us on your walk gal
Just linked up!
Ahh. With wellies we can be invincible! Add in rubber gloves and there’s no limit to what we can do!
I think you are very wise to walk with your wellies on.
It’s comforting to know that you sense Autumn in the air because we’re eager for a little Spring weather here on the East Coast (USA).
This is a lovely reflective post. I too love walking. A chance to act spontaneously, photograph, smell, feel, and discover new places. And I am also so glad for the cooler feeling in the air now that Autumn is here. Hooray!
Sarah I am most DEFINITELY a walker!! LOVE it! Pretty much the only time that I don’t walk is if it is cold AND rainy. If it’s rainy and warm I’ll still go, or cold and dry. I did even get a treadmill for the really bad weather days just to get some exercise, but there is nothing that compares to getting outdoors and walking.
I just found out recently that my hubby and I were my daughter’s inspiration to get into art. Him because he got her started painting, and me because she said when we would go out for our walks I was always stopping and looking at every flower, every cloud shape, and every view, and taught her to look for beauty. She is getting ready to do her senior art show at college, and she had to write a bio for herself that will be framed and appear with her art. I was so blessed. I cried.
You are indeed living the good life. There’s nothing better than a lovely walk in the fresh air. New to your linky party but I love it already. Thanks for sharing a bit of your beautiful world.
Best to you,
Lynn
Oh gosh I want your beach! It’s so gorgeous
i’m moving …that is all there is to it.
Sarah,
I love the beach so much, you have snapped those pictures so beautifully
Best wishes,
~J