I thought you might like to see the fruits of my labour in the garden for Good Life Wednesday today?
The days here are cool and we have been battered by the elements the last couple of weeks, but yesterday there was just that hint of Spring in the air…it was a fleeting moment when all of a sudden you could smell it…do you know what I mean? I love Spring I think the most of all the seasons…
All the rain we have had has done wonders for my garden and I am just about to plant more out there…I went to the gardening shop yesterday and purchased seed potatoes, asparagus and white onions….I hope that I am not getting too out of my depth with these…as you know my motto so far has been simple and easy and low-key…but now with the salad well established, indeed thriving, the bulbs doing well and the garlic sprouting I thought it might be time to spread my Australian gardening wings a bit
I brought these in yesterday and dotted them around, they even gave me the incentive to give the family room a much needed tidy up…note to self : don’t leave it so long next time…
I put this ‘new’ oar on the wall…the old whitewashed ones have been living in my bedroom for a while now…
So that’s my Good Life Wednesday….a tidy Family Room, good job I photographed it ‘cos I know one thing for sure…it won’t last!!
Welcome to Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesday…there aren’t too many rules here, just share what you love…to take part please link back to abeachcottage.com
Sarah,
Love your living room! It’s so calm and serene! Especially love the oar over the sofa and the trunk under the table! I have a collection of oars and love them. Thanks for hosting such a fun party!
Rebecca
Could I please rent a room of solitude, peace and heaven – I mean your living room.
I think you have done the most remarkable job of it all. Your photography is so enticing to the eye – well done.
Your flowers are beautiful – I am needing a new bouquet this week and will pop out and get some today.
I have always loved yellow flowers – I say they are the “happiest” flowers I know.
I really love the oar too – it has so many tales to tell rather than a standard picture that most of us use above a couch.
Your living room is giving me hope. I have cleaned plaster dust up five time today and have the contents of three rooms in my living room right now. This too shall pass-right?
G’day. Love your blog. I did Bondi Beach a few years ago and loved it. You are a long way from Texas but I would love to invite you to Shabby Friends. I can tell you have a vintage soul.
lol, I know what you mean about it not lasting long! As I am tidying up my little ones are behind me undoing all the work… This cold turns my mood into such a foul thing that I don’t feel like doing anything especially house work. Everything seems twice as hard during the cold snap of winter… Yes I am thinking that spring will hit us early this year too. Perhaps by mid next month, though I am not a fan of spring (only because I get severe hay fever) I am so looking foward to the warmth and shedding the several layers of clothing I have to carry around (that don’t seem to keep me warm!).
I love your living space very fresh and welcoming, I love all the light comming in. I’ll be installing either a light tube or sky light in mine as it is too dark. No problems on sunny days but on wet days it’s like night time in here!
Hi Sarah,
Your room looks so “quiet”. Can I move in please?
I get what you’re saying about the feel of Spring coming, I feel it today (thanks for sending the sunshine my way after all)
I was in Target the other day and they were putting out all the Spring Fashion…still way too cold for it here, but it got me excited!!!
Thanks for hosting again today, so many good blogs to check out.
x Marnie
Hi Sarah,
Your family room looks magazine shoot worthy! I’m wondering how you like your light colour leather sofa? I currently have a brown one that is super easy to look after but is a little tired and dated. I would love a cream/off white sofa but am scared of one on fabric and have noticed that you have a leather one. It’s looks so nice in your room.
x
beth, i have both fabric and leather sofas in this cottage
If I could turn back the clock I would not buy white leather again…not because it has gotten marked quickly, more that I don’t feel like it is cosy and ‘sinkinable’ if you know what I mean…
however, one of the reasons I bought these two leather sofas was for their coolness for most of the year here it is warm…this has proven to be a good decision…
this is the kiddos room and being able to spray and wipe the sofa has been good…though with my sofa in the sitting room it is just so darn easy to whip the covers off, soak in Napisan and wash on a hot wash
bottom line : I wish I had bought a big poofy sectional in fabric….in fact I am trying to cook that up now…and give these leather ones a new home
x
Thanks for taking the time to reply Sarah, I do know what you mean about ‘sinkinable’ – the cosy squishy leather ones can look a bit ’70s! Maybe I should re-think my fear of the washable covers ones. x
Yes, yesterday was magical weather too on the other side of the BIG bridge on the southern fringes of our city. I spent some time sipping tea in the sun in my front yard listening to the radio and sweeping up the leaves and gum nuts blown in by our crazy weather lately.
I spied a healthy looking dandelion in our front garden. I love those fluffy seed balls of the dandelion. I have lots of happy childhood memories blowing off the fluffy seed pods and counting how many blows it took. Instead of pulling out the dandelion weed in my garden I decided to pot it yesterday to watch the whole life cycle from the convenience of my balcony. Well, one thing led to another and before I knew it I had weeded all my backyard gardens-the ones I look at, sigh and feel guilty about-and the garden near my letterbox. Wow…how did that happen? I had a ball and got a great sense of satisfaction. Sarah, I think it’s the weather that inspires me.
Mr Alison brought me back to reality with a thud when he asked me “Why have you potted a dandelion??!!” I explained my lovely childhood memories. He said, “Well don’t blow all the seeds off cause they will grow into weeds that I have to dig them up.” It was a magical kind of day up to that point.
He won’t know if I blow the seed pods off when he’s not here. Maybe I’ll blow them into the garbage bin. Mmmm, somehow not quite as magical.
I love your flowers Sarah. They lift the spirits of everyone.
I love looking at your house. I found your blog after seeing some of your pictures and saving them in my inspiration file for my one-day beach side cottage. While my style is very different to yours, I still swoon at yours. You really do have a beautiful home!
Since you are spending time in your garden, maybe you could take some more pictures there:-) maybe do a table setting , that would be awesome! Love your pictures as always!
I have been reading your blog for a few days now, wow it is great! we left sydney a few years ago to move back to England – I do miss it and your blog is a glimpse back to that world. I am linking up today too so thankyou!
Beautiful as always….I’ll be right over to help with the gardening, which means I’ll definately have to stay for awhile in your lovely cottage! he! he!
I have that same coffee table in my living room. Except mine is black on the bottom rather than white. Its amazing the completely different personalities that come out with the color differences. Your pale room looks so cool and inviting. I could never get away with it, lol! I’m at least as messy as the kids and pets sometimes.
Hi Sarah, love your site, my day always includes looking up B.C
Could you please tell me where you got your oilcloth – latte colour with white dot – would love to use some, as am doing my study up with yours as a guide. Have looked as much as I can in Fremantle. w.a. without any luck. A friend is travelling to the Gold Coast, do you know if she can get the oilcloth somewhere there. Thanks, C
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
Sarah,
Love your living room! It’s so calm and serene! Especially love the oar over the sofa and the trunk under the table! I have a collection of oars and love them. Thanks for hosting such a fun party!
Rebecca
Hello Sarah
I was wondering if you take bookings?
Bookings for renting that couch out for a day?
Could I please rent a room of solitude, peace and heaven – I mean your living room.
I think you have done the most remarkable job of it all. Your photography is so enticing to the eye – well done.
Your flowers are beautiful – I am needing a new bouquet this week and will pop out and get some today.
I have always loved yellow flowers – I say they are the “happiest” flowers I know.
I really love the oar too – it has so many tales to tell rather than a standard picture that most of us use above a couch.
till next post – you make me *sigh again!
thank you
x
Loulou
Stunning photos as always! Love the elegance here! The family room is very calm and serene:)
Hope to see you on my blog:)
xoxo
Sanghamitra.
Love this room with the hint of blue and the soft pink flowers.
Beautiful photos as always. Thanks for hosting!
Your living room is giving me hope. I have cleaned plaster dust up five time today and have the contents of three rooms in my living room right now. This too shall pass-right?
Hi Sarah, Thank you so much for hosting! Your home is gorgeous! I absolutely love it.
G’day. Love your blog. I did Bondi Beach a few years ago and loved it. You are a long way from Texas but I would love to invite you to Shabby Friends. I can tell you have a vintage soul.
You have a darling living room..love the flowers and the olden oar..Looks great.
lol, I know what you mean about it not lasting long! As I am tidying up my little ones are behind me undoing all the work… This cold turns my mood into such a foul thing that I don’t feel like doing anything especially house work. Everything seems twice as hard during the cold snap of winter… Yes I am thinking that spring will hit us early this year too. Perhaps by mid next month, though I am not a fan of spring (only because I get severe hay fever) I am so looking foward to the warmth and shedding the several layers of clothing I have to carry around (that don’t seem to keep me warm!).
I love your living space very fresh and welcoming, I love all the light comming in. I’ll be installing either a light tube or sky light in mine as it is too dark. No problems on sunny days but on wet days it’s like night time in here!
Gorgeous home like always Sarah!
Hi Sarah,
Your room looks so “quiet”. Can I move in please?
I get what you’re saying about the feel of Spring coming, I feel it today (thanks for sending the sunshine my way after all)
I was in Target the other day and they were putting out all the Spring Fashion…still way too cold for it here, but it got me excited!!!
Thanks for hosting again today, so many good blogs to check out.
x Marnie
What a beautiful room! Looks very relaxing and friendly
Hi Sarah! These are lovely photos of your room. I love those soft pink flowers too!
Hi Sarah,
Your family room looks magazine shoot worthy! I’m wondering how you like your light colour leather sofa? I currently have a brown one that is super easy to look after but is a little tired and dated. I would love a cream/off white sofa but am scared of one on fabric and have noticed that you have a leather one. It’s looks so nice in your room.
x
beth, i have both fabric and leather sofas in this cottage
If I could turn back the clock I would not buy white leather again…not because it has gotten marked quickly, more that I don’t feel like it is cosy and ‘sinkinable’ if you know what I mean…
however, one of the reasons I bought these two leather sofas was for their coolness for most of the year here it is warm…this has proven to be a good decision…
this is the kiddos room and being able to spray and wipe the sofa has been good…though with my sofa in the sitting room it is just so darn easy to whip the covers off, soak in Napisan and wash on a hot wash
bottom line : I wish I had bought a big poofy sectional in fabric….in fact I am trying to cook that up now…and give these leather ones a new home
x
x
Thanks for taking the time to reply Sarah, I do know what you mean about ‘sinkinable’ – the cosy squishy leather ones can look a bit ’70s! Maybe I should re-think my fear of the washable covers ones. x
Hi Sarah
Yes, yesterday was magical weather too on the other side of the BIG bridge on the southern fringes of our city. I spent some time sipping tea in the sun in my front yard listening to the radio and sweeping up the leaves and gum nuts blown in by our crazy weather lately.
I spied a healthy looking dandelion in our front garden. I love those fluffy seed balls of the dandelion. I have lots of happy childhood memories blowing off the fluffy seed pods and counting how many blows it took. Instead of pulling out the dandelion weed in my garden I decided to pot it yesterday to watch the whole life cycle from the convenience of my balcony. Well, one thing led to another and before I knew it I had weeded all my backyard gardens-the ones I look at, sigh and feel guilty about-and the garden near my letterbox. Wow…how did that happen? I had a ball and got a great sense of satisfaction. Sarah, I think it’s the weather that inspires me.
Mr Alison brought me back to reality with a thud when he asked me “Why have you potted a dandelion??!!” I explained my lovely childhood memories. He said, “Well don’t blow all the seeds off cause they will grow into weeds that I have to dig them up.” It was a magical kind of day up to that point.
He won’t know if I blow the seed pods off when he’s not here. Maybe I’ll blow them into the garbage bin. Mmmm, somehow not quite as magical.
I love your flowers Sarah. They lift the spirits of everyone.
Alison
Sarah~
Ahh..the talent of yours I wish I had!!!
That room is the coziest!!
Love it!
Smiles~
I noticed the new oar – and thought, surely she hasn’t painted the white one a colour OTHER than white?!!
All looking gorgeous as ever.
Would you believe I have not yet had opportunity for French Onion Soup in France, and I am running out of time!
I love looking at your house. I found your blog after seeing some of your pictures and saving them in my inspiration file for my one-day beach side cottage. While my style is very different to yours, I still swoon at yours. You really do have a beautiful home!
Thank you for the linky party!
Since you are spending time in your garden, maybe you could take some more pictures there:-) maybe do a table setting , that would be awesome! Love your pictures as always!
I want you to come decorate my home, please.
I have been reading your blog for a few days now, wow it is great! we left sydney a few years ago to move back to England – I do miss it and your blog is a glimpse back to that world. I am linking up today too so thankyou!
Beautiful as always….I’ll be right over to help with the gardening, which means I’ll definately have to stay for awhile in your lovely cottage! he! he!
Definitely! I corrected my spelling.
I have that same coffee table in my living room. Except mine is black on the bottom rather than white. Its amazing the completely different personalities that come out with the color differences. Your pale room looks so cool and inviting. I could never get away with it, lol! I’m at least as messy as the kids and pets sometimes.
I love growing my own flowers and then being able to place them around my home. And I especially love photographing them. Another great post!
Hi Sarah, love your site, my day always includes looking up B.C
Could you please tell me where you got your oilcloth – latte colour with white dot – would love to use some, as am doing my study up with yours as a guide. Have looked as much as I can in Fremantle. w.a. without any luck. A friend is travelling to the Gold Coast, do you know if she can get the oilcloth somewhere there. Thanks, C
The daffys are so pretty!
Jeanni
I love your coffee table. I’m trying to find one second hand to paint it white, but wasn’t lucky until now in finding one with a nice shape.
My kiddos sooooo love exploring the garden to fill our vases! These are gorgeous!
Thank you for hosting!
Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com
I love your living room! It makes me want to take all the bright colors out of my living room, and switch to a much paler palette.
Your photography is exquisite.
Thanks for the partay, Miz Sarah! I’ve been enjoying your blog so much lately! as always
You are a blogess!!! xo ~ osc