Way of the Warrior

During half term we got the chance to take Maisie to Way of the Warrior, a exhibition of epic movie arms and armoury, being held at Tullie House Museum which we're lucky enough to have on our doorstep.

The props came from films such as Centurion, King Arthur, The Last Samurai and Gladiator.

This is Maisie unimpressed at the weight of the gauntlet, the exhibition is great as not only do they have the costumes on display, but most of them you can try on and get a real feel for how they would have felt wearing them. 

 Maisie styling in her helmet, having tried on these props I was surprised at how heavy they were, even ones made from new materials weighed down. I imagine it's not comfortable being an actor having to do a full day in this stuff, let alone what it would have been like in it's true era.

Just one of the full suits of amour on display.

 Ha ha. this was her favourite helmet she thought it made her look like a chicken, and a course we had to dress Daddy up too. The shield his holding was extremely heavy, I couldn't have imaged holding it for any length of time.

The display boards told you about the history of each era that the costume came from, and the comparisons to the film, they also have a competition to win a helmet which looked awesome.  

Well done Tullie for putting on another fine exhibition.

Amanda.x.

Little wall of love

So far I've found it quite difficult living in a rented house to make any of it feel really mine, as we're not planning on staying in this house too long I don't want to get furniture that fits around it or make any feature too permanent. I do however love this wall in our dining room, the radiator has a cover on it making a mantlepiece which I've decorated with treasure and the wall above is filled with stuff I love.

I was inspired by Lucy at Attic24 to make these lovely letters, hers was done using coloured paper but I wanted mine a little more textured so used fine fabric glued over a template. My daughter wants one of these for her room too, and I think I'll make some for my shop during Easter.

The lovely swallow picture was made by fellow blogger Apryl(Meridian Ariel) and was sent with a great array of other gifts which I will blog about soon as they were fab. I need to finish her return gift soon but more about that later.

When ever we go for walks Maisie as developed my habit with collecting things as we go, this was a little collection we glued into a box frame from walks in 2011, she likes it as it looks like the boxes you get in natural history museums.

This huge piece of drift wood washed up at the side of the River Eden, Stu and I found it when we fist started going out together 18years ago, I love the shape of it and it makes a great focal point.

Either side of the driftwood I have out collection of stones picked up from various outings around the country, this also has my huge candle my boss gave me as a birthday present, it smells of oranges.

More collection stones as well as my crocheted tea light holder, this was the first one I made, the other candle holder will get it's covering soon enough.

 Bit of a strange sign but it came from the farm I grew up on as a child, I have memories of the electric fences as a child and did get zapped a few times tying to jump them, thinking of the buzzing noise they made makes me feel all tingly.

 The canvas is one I got Stu made up for Christmas last year, it's a great picture he took of Bitts Park on  a frosty morning, I find it such a peaceful image to look at.

 The plate was a lovely gift from my other boss and fellow blogger Sally ( I do have lovely bosses) its called Mystic Daisy and is from Celia Birtwell. It's wonderful and I think I may have to collect some more.

 I found this vintage butterfly collection in our local market charity shop for £4, she had loads more but they were much bigger and I didn't have the pennies that day. I'd love some more, maybe with beetles or spiders.

 My Home Sweet Home plaques was bought from a bargain shop for 99p ages ago, it's there to remind me that your home is as sweet as you make it.

So there you go a peek in to my home, what's your favourite part or your house? If you blog it leave me a link in the comments.

Love Amanda.x.

Love you.

Happy Valentines day.
Love Amanda.x.

Maisie's Bread and Butter Pudding

Maisie and I have had a few conversations of late on food my Mum used to make me when I was growing up, Maisie thought Bread and Butter Pudding sounded really funny and not real pudding at all, I was shocked that it was something we'd never made together so set to put that right.

You'll need:

85g of butter

6-8(depending on dish size) slices of thick bread, we used wholemeal which gives a nutty flavour. 

55g of sultanas 

3 large eggs

300ml of milk

150ml of Double cream

55g of Caster Sugar

Some mixed spice

Handful of soft brown sugar.

 Pre heat oven to gas mark 4(about 180c) and get your helper to grease a oven proof dish. 

Cut away crusts from bread and cut into triangles, butter both sides, then lay out the bread in the dish while hiding fruit in-between each layer.

In whisking jug, add eggs, milk, cream, heaped spoonful of mixed spice and caster sugar. Whisk well, and pour over the bread in dish, leave mixture for about 20minutes so the bread can soak up the mixture. 

Poke down any sultanas not hidden well so they don't burn in the oven.

The joys of having a kitchen helper like Maisie is how proud they look when they've made something and know they'll to eat it themselves late on.

Sprinkle over handful of soft brown sugar, and and a little more mixed spice.

Place on a baking tray and into oven for about half an hour, or until golden brown on top.

 Opps, ours got a little overdone on sticky out parts but tasted delicious. Maisie was very impressed and asked what it would taste like if we put Nutella on the bread. 

People I have a genius living with me, why have I never thought of that? 

We'll keep you updated on the Nutella pudding. 

Please enjoy, and if you try our recipe and enjoy it please let me know.

Love Amanda.x.

Wordless Wednesday - Luna Moona

A New Addition

Welcome to our household Buffy, no not the slaying kind (well maybe to small creatures) the feline one.

 My friends Mum has been ill recently, and Buffy is her cat. We've adopted her for now, and she's settled so well into our household. 

Although does not like her picture taken, does she not realise she's in a blogging household? 

The kids love her, learning not to chase, how to stroke a cat nicely and how brush her correctly. 

It's a great part of growing up having pets to care for and be gentle with.

 Buffy however in usual Cat ways has made everything around her, her domain.  As above it would seem a  cuddly Lima felt the wrath of her paw. 

Amanda.x.

I'm a little obsessed with...

..Fungi.

I see growth everywhere, spring into light tucked away in corners, growing on logs, in tree, popping up from the dewy grass.

Life, nature, growth. 

Circles, rhythms, patterns.

Amanda.x.