Morning Beach Cottage Ladies and welcome to Saturday Club, the time in the week where you de-compress, the time in the week where you spend some fun time for you!
This week we are doing three simple things, ♥ coffee, ♥ chocolate and ♥ goals.
Now, I know we have a few first timers here this week for Saturday Club, welcome, you don’t have to do anything special to be in this club apart from commit to taking some time out, before you blink and life is over.
I was recently interviewed by Caz Makepeace of YTravel Blog & Mojito Mother for a podcast…all about moving Down Under, this old cottage, blogging…it was a very interesting conversation for me and got me thinking about a lot of things, in particular going after your dream and goals…it seems that going after our dreams, has led me to a much improved life…some people say ‘living the dream’ …I don’t know about that, I think whatever you are doing in life, there are challenges, but gotta say us going after our goals and chasing the dream to live by the sea has led us to a very different lifestyle and one we are very happy with…
fabulous! …. living by the sea is a dream and to me a privilege … You are brave though crossing the world to achieve it – do you think you would ever return? Jules x
Hi Sarah, I’ve just listened to your podcast and found it so refreshing. I live in south east London and can relate to the way you wanted to escape the “rat race”. It’s something I dream about so often. I don’t think my husband and I would ever move as far as you did, but we do dream of a life away from London. I loved hearing about your walking.. I totally agree that it clears the mind and I need to walk more often! Keep on blogging – you’re fab! Have a great weekend x
thanks Rebecca, oh how I miss South East London though sometimes…especially the people and their sense of humour, that’s missing here…can’t have everything though…
I hope you get your dream…the only person who can do it is you! x
Happy Saturday morning Still friday night here – watching a DVD with husband and kids by a roaring fire. Do you have a fireplace in the beach cottage? If so I am sure it is full of white candles, or bleached drift wood, or shells…….
I’m so dong this today. The year just got started so quickly that I’ve not had time – MADE time – to write my goals down. They’re spinning around in my head and I need to get them down! And listen to your podcast x
off to lewes – east sussex uk to eat chocolate and think- mainly about the vintage caravan i have just bid on e-bay for!!! Fingers crossed it will be mine
Sounds like a plan I shall have to follow. Some of my goals are starting to happen so it is exciting to think that the act of goal setting and planning can actually make such a difference.Fiona
Hi Sarah, I’m a first timer here and I’ve decidedy your blog is my calming blog – I really need some time out right now. I had already arranged to have a coffee this afternoon with friends so I’ll get there a bit earlier for some me time … as long as the people serving the coffee don’t annoy me I should be fine … I’ll just have to breathe deeply… and relax
It’s 2:15pm now and this morning I had 8 little girls for a garden tea party to celebrate my baby’s 5th birthday.
I am heading for a lie down with a tall glass of ice cold water- I will contemplate my goals for the year while I snooze!
Permission slip to eat chocolate on a Saturday morning! Yes please! Loved the podcast too. So nice hearing you chat about your life and the blog, Sarah.
Well, you asked what we did for ourselves this week. I had to buy another car. The one i had as my Daddy said….was like the old rooster just laid down and died. I got a smaller car and a straight drive. Hopefully she will be better on gas since here in the states it is almost to $4. My other car I named lil’ red, but I need a name for my new car. You see Sarah I like to have names for my special things too! he! he! This car is red too it’s a Ford Focus 4 door sedan 5 speed. Maybe you can help me come up with a name. Oh and i will be eating chocolate today and drinking probably a Starbucks tea as I will be out and about in my new ride. Boy my post is getting long. Sarah, I do have a favor to ask my niece Ashley started having seizures when she was 5 years old. She is now 27, This past week after a routine dr. visit they found a spot on her liver. We are waiting now for further tests to be taken.Please pray for healing Sarah and anyone else who reads my post here. Sorry if I got off track . I really need that down time today. Thanks as always Sarah! Have a great weekend!
Sarah, there is no link on my newsletter for me to listen to the podcast. Any suggestions as to how I can watch it please?
Badly needing some time out for *me.*
Had one on one time with my 9 year old daughter at the shops yesterday, which was lovely, but with four children under the age of 9 and all the tiredness from them starting back to school and arguing, one sick child, I am ready to run away and take a deep breath or two!!
Well after a big day decluttering the damn kitchen I definately needed some me-time yesterday! So after my other half left to go stay with his friends for the night, I bought a girl movie from Box Office (What’s Your Number?) and curled up on the couch with some macaroni cheese!
Goal for the year – this is a big one – figure out what I want to do with my career. Still ruminating.
Finally found the link for the podcast (Doh!) and loved it!
Thanks for sharing Sarah and I got the answer to my question about how often you walk.
I can relate to doing it for your brain/headspace, as much as for the exercise!!
Loved the podcast. My Saturday list is lacking in “me” things – that will be remedied next Saturday. For the first time ever, and I mean ever!, I have made goals this year. They will mostly take us two years to achieve but achieve them we will …. happy day Sarah x
Hi Sarah, I absolutely respect your journey and I’m about embark on a journey of my own. We’ve sold everything we own, purchased an older motorhome, which we’re now renovating, and our plan is to travel full time and visit every coastal town in the U.S., which will easily take three to five years! We don’t just plan to pop in, have a mocha and pop out. We’ll probably stay a month or so in each area before moving on. We really want to soak up the flavor of where we are.
I’ve just written my first blog post about this journey and why we decided to do it. I love that you’re living out your dream too!
Loved the podcast Sarah! I downloaded it and listened on my way home tonight on the tube and train in (for a change) sunny London. Interesting to hear you talk in a different, non-visual medium – well done : )
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 …]
Helloooo lovely Beach Cottage ladies, some blog tips for real girls from this old cottage broadcasting from deep Down Under this morning. Now, I love blogging, I think that is pretty much obvious now for sure, for me it has opened up a world of opportunities that simply were not available in any shape [...]
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
fabulous! …. living by the sea is a dream and to me a privilege … You are brave though crossing the world to achieve it – do you think you would ever return? Jules x
not to the UK no, Australia will always be home now for me x
I will be stuck in a car for many hours Saturday, so I will:
Get a mocha (chocolate+coffee = multitasking!)
Plug into my ipod (a bit of jazz perhaps?) so as not to hear the children bickering in the back seat.
Bring along my favorite journal and contemplate the year, my goals, and make a plan.
Thanks girlfriend.
I will think of you with your journal Jay…enjoy x
Hi Sarah, I’ve just listened to your podcast and found it so refreshing. I live in south east London and can relate to the way you wanted to escape the “rat race”. It’s something I dream about so often. I don’t think my husband and I would ever move as far as you did, but we do dream of a life away from London. I loved hearing about your walking.. I totally agree that it clears the mind and I need to walk more often! Keep on blogging – you’re fab! Have a great weekend x
thanks Rebecca, oh how I miss South East London though sometimes…especially the people and their sense of humour, that’s missing here…can’t have everything though…
I hope you get your dream…the only person who can do it is you! x
Happy Saturday morning
Still friday night here – watching a DVD with husband and kids by a roaring fire. Do you have a fireplace in the beach cottage? If so I am sure it is full of white candles, or bleached drift wood, or shells……. 
no we don’t, the winter is only about 10 weeks, but I am really hoping to install a wood burner this year!
x
Have a fab Saturday! We’re still Friday here but it’s a long weekend! Off to get chocolate :0)
enjoy your chocolate! x
I’m so dong this today. The year just got started so quickly that I’ve not had time – MADE time – to write my goals down. They’re spinning around in my head and I need to get them down! And listen to your podcast x
enjoy a piece of chocolate with your goals for me Nikki…yep you have had one busy start to a great year! x
off to lewes – east sussex uk to eat chocolate and think- mainly about the vintage caravan i have just bid on e-bay for!!! Fingers crossed it will be mine
oooh izzie, love Lewes! and would love me a vintage caravan…there’s just one small problem….convincing Mr BC ! x
Sounds like a plan I shall have to follow. Some of my goals are starting to happen so it is exciting to think that the act of goal setting and planning can actually make such a difference.Fiona
Hi Sarah, I’m a first timer here and I’ve decidedy your blog is my calming blog – I really need some time out right now. I had already arranged to have a coffee this afternoon with friends so I’ll get there a bit earlier for some me time … as long as the people serving the coffee don’t annoy me I should be fine … I’ll just have to breathe deeply… and relax
well done Marcie and welcome!
enjoy your time and breathe x
It’s 2:15pm now and this morning I had 8 little girls for a garden tea party to celebrate my baby’s 5th birthday.
I am heading for a lie down with a tall glass of ice cold water- I will contemplate my goals for the year while I snooze!
Permission slip to eat chocolate on a Saturday morning! Yes please! Loved the podcast too. So nice hearing you chat about your life and the blog, Sarah.
Well, you asked what we did for ourselves this week. I had to buy another car. The one i had as my Daddy said….was like the old rooster just laid down and died. I got a smaller car and a straight drive. Hopefully she will be better on gas since here in the states it is almost to $4. My other car I named lil’ red, but I need a name for my new car. You see Sarah I like to have names for my special things too! he! he! This car is red too it’s a Ford Focus 4 door sedan 5 speed. Maybe you can help me come up with a name. Oh and i will be eating chocolate today and drinking probably a Starbucks tea as I will be out and about in my new ride. Boy my post is getting long. Sarah, I do have a favor to ask my niece Ashley started having seizures when she was 5 years old. She is now 27, This past week after a routine dr. visit they found a spot on her liver. We are waiting now for further tests to be taken.Please pray for healing Sarah and anyone else who reads my post here. Sorry if I got off track . I really need that down time today. Thanks as always Sarah! Have a great weekend!
Sarah, there is no link on my newsletter for me to listen to the podcast. Any suggestions as to how I can watch it please?
Badly needing some time out for *me.*
Had one on one time with my 9 year old daughter at the shops yesterday, which was lovely, but with four children under the age of 9 and all the tiredness from them starting back to school and arguing, one sick child, I am ready to run away and take a deep breath or two!!
Well after a big day decluttering the damn kitchen I definately needed some me-time yesterday! So after my other half left to go stay with his friends for the night, I bought a girl movie from Box Office (What’s Your Number?) and curled up on the couch with some macaroni cheese!
Goal for the year – this is a big one – figure out what I want to do with my career. Still ruminating.
Finally found the link for the podcast (Doh!) and loved it!
Thanks for sharing Sarah and I got the answer to my question about how often you walk.
I can relate to doing it for your brain/headspace, as much as for the exercise!!
Loved the podcast. My Saturday list is lacking in “me” things – that will be remedied next Saturday. For the first time ever, and I mean ever!, I have made goals this year. They will mostly take us two years to achieve but achieve them we will …. happy day Sarah x
yeah for Saturday Club Glennie, enjoy! x
Hi Sarah, I absolutely respect your journey and I’m about embark on a journey of my own. We’ve sold everything we own, purchased an older motorhome, which we’re now renovating, and our plan is to travel full time and visit every coastal town in the U.S., which will easily take three to five years! We don’t just plan to pop in, have a mocha and pop out. We’ll probably stay a month or so in each area before moving on. We really want to soak up the flavor of where we are.
I’ve just written my first blog post about this journey and why we decided to do it. I love that you’re living out your dream too!
Smiles,
Lesli @ BeautifullyCoastal.com
Loved the podcast Sarah! I downloaded it and listened on my way home tonight on the tube and train in (for a change) sunny London. Interesting to hear you talk in a different, non-visual medium – well done : )