Apple Blossom Barn

A dream come true.....

2012-02-29T13:56:00.001Z

How happy is this work of art?
By Isabelle age 6.

It is our family, Mummy Daddy Jack and Issy.

Now it is not our house, as you know we live in a Thatched Cottage
but my little girl has her dream of living in a 2 story pink house
and why not!

I have had a dream since I was a little girl to have an Aga range as the heart of my home,my granny had a lovely warm range in her country kitchen and my dream has come true, now it is not plumbed in yet
but I can not wait for my first day of baking with my Aga!

My butchers block with spring flowers

So hope you all have a lovely day!

2012-02-29T12:37:00.000Z

All is busy at Apple Blossom Barn

2012-02-27T12:57:00.000Z

Hello! I am back again!
I am having laptop problems, that I thought had been resolved but it looks like a new laptop is needed.

All has been busy here at Apple Blossom Barn, with the kids off last week on their mid term break, the pigs have moved into a new area of the garden, I have had lots of family to stay and have been on a spring clean and sprucing things up with a spot paint.

Almost all my daffodils are in bloom, and they are a really soft lemon colour so when I come down the lane it is a lovely welcome!

I have been changing things in my kitchen, so here are some of the inspiring kitchens that I have been drooling over!

My window seat is finished thanks to Kevin

One of the cushions that I made with Cath Kidston fabric

I have been busy making cushions these ones are for my Mum for Mothers Day!

Spring Time.......

2012-02-06T12:26:00.000Z

The first day of Spring is often debated is it February 1st or March 1st
one of the first signs of spring is bird song and I have the window open and I can hear them singing away, also one of the first signs of spring is
frog spawn, now apparently that also has been spotted, I will take their word for it, I have no plans to look for frog spawn.

Anyway it is a really mild bright morning here in the west of Ireland, the little red tractor is
belting up and down my lane as lambing season is on its way.

No sign of any egg laying from my chickens I must have a word with them.
Spring must seem a long time away across the water in the UK with all the snow that has fallen, so wrap up well and stay indoors safely!

My new Cath Kidston Teacosy it has put a smile on everyones face when I pour them a cuppa

Beautiful Bunting........

2012-01-31T11:44:00.003Z

Bunting that I made to brighten up my kitchen.

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I have 2 little ill people under duvets on the sofa watching scooby doo and enjoying the services of having their very own waitress, how things have changed when we were kids there was no day time TV, things like a new Judy or Bunty comic provided all the entertainment in those days, now I do not mention this to my 2 as they already think that I am a dinosaur.

So to occupy myself in the kitchen I have made some bunting with gingham and Cath kidston floral fabric.I just love bunting I would hang it everywhere if I could, but that would look like we were celebrating something everyday, oh well! In the summer I hang bunting in the trees above my wrought iron garden furniture, and I put it on the rose arches, I even tied it to our little caravan, on our first trip with her, the bunting flapped in the wind as we travelled the county roads to our holiday destination, drawing a few amused nods and cheery waves from bystanders!

This is bunting I made for Scarlett a friends new baby.

So Have a lovely day and if you love bunting please let me know!

Whiter than White...............

2012-01-25T10:16:00.001Z

Today it is pouring rain, everything is grey outside, so I will be taking some bright and happy
looking fabric, and sitting at my sewing machine. I am going to make some cushion covers for
my little caravan, simple envelope cushions, I decided a while ago that life is too short for
driving myself mad with fiddly zips!

So on such a dreary grey day I am adding some bright fresh white

Bring me sunshine.......

2012-01-23T09:25:00.008Z

We have a little caravan, we have had her for a year, and just stepping in her little door
makes me feel happy, I have painted all her woodwork inside and scrubbed her from head to toe,
made little floral and spotty curtains and reupholstered all the seating.
We had a few weekends way last year in her and the kids loved it, so I am really looking
forward to spring cleaning her for this years little adventures and as we are new to camping
there are alot of disasters and a lot of laughs too.

This is inside my little caravan

As you can see the colour scheme is red ,blue and hints of green, no would not be fair to Kevin

and Jack to have it all flowery and pink!

If you can tell me any camping tips that would be great, and if any one knows what paint

I can use on the caravans exterior, so I can paint a stripe of duck egg blue on her!

Making Whoopie..........................PIES!

2012-01-21T12:36:00.015Z

Saturday morning, you will find me in the kitchen drooling over recipe books, today it is whoopie pies

Chocolate ones, My Kids call them giant Oreo cookies, so good with a glass of milk

How come my ones do not look as perfect as the pictures in the recipe books

This is the recipe I made

http://www.marthastewart.com/271862/whoopie-pie

So enjoy your Saturday

If you have a recipe that is

amazing please let

me know I am always

excited with trying new and delicious goodies!

TO HELL WITH THE DIET again!

Cath Kidston = Love

2012-01-16T22:32:00.027Z

My Cath Kidston Dab radio cost a fortune, and I cant get Dab here on the west coast

but it looks pretty!

This is a book bag I made for Issy last week it has a bunny on it.

My Dresser

My kitchen cupboard with Cath Kidston cups

My Kitchen window with a chickens rear end adding interest while I do the dishes..

Cath Kidstons designs are

a ray of sunshine

Doing the dishes

in this kitchen

would be no chore

Off to bed early

under a spotty eiderdown

and a good book

A special treat on a grey day

We are all going on a summer holiday.........

A cup of tea in a bright and cheery

CK tea cup with a cream bun...

Cath Kidston = LOVE LOVE LOVE

Do you love all these things too?

I would love to hear from you!

Best Wishes

Denise

Some Images Pinterest

French Lessons

2012-01-10T13:30:00.011Z

Upstairs in the Barn http://www.appleblossombarn.com/ bedlinen TKmaxx

via pinterest
Kate Forman
pinterest
Kate Forman
pinterest

I am sorting out my house, making plans, there is so much to do, I am finding myself drawn to all things french and when it comes to making a home beautiful, the French are leagues ahead so we could take French lessons.
Its funny how I like different styles in different rooms.
I love nostalgia and vintage in the Kitchen with Cath Kidston prints, open shelves with bright coloured floral enamel storage tins, but in the sitting room I love a more elegant french look, toile, soft grey, linen, all beautiful! Not a nintendo wii or a flat screen TV in sight, there would be a riot!

Flowers from my heart......

2012-01-09T17:23:00.017Z

In the arms of the Angels
Oisin Clancy

Tickled Pink.........

2012-01-05T20:23:00.016Z

My little one Isabelle

No other bicycle will do

In honour of my pink nose, my head cold is back again, I am celebrating everything pink!
The kids are back in school on Monday, so have to do something nice with them this weekend.
I am looking forward to having some time to myself and getting the house sorted, I can see the spring bulbs emerging in the garden, I can not wait for some colour in the garden again!

I love eiderdowns.......

2012-01-03T15:11:00.014Z

My lovely Cath Kidston Eiderdown in the Barn Bedroom
http://www.appleblossombarn.com/

Last night was so stormy, now we rarely hear the wind as the walls of are cottage are a metre thick and the thatched roof keeps us snug, but I added a couple of extra eiderdowns and french quilts to the beds, as the wind blew so strongly.

In the morning the ducks were out of their house as the door was blown open and my little vintage caravans door was wide open too, thank god the chickens house door was not blown open too as they are so naughty they would have settled quite nicely into the little caravan.

Have a lovely day, and thank you to those lovely ladies for all their wonderful comments, it is really encouraging and a great way to discover beautiful blogs, so I can spend hours drooling rather than doing housework!

Take Care

Denise

Happy New Year.....

2012-01-01T18:27:00.007Z

Make new friends

Light up your life

A fresh beginning

Smell the roses, they will always come
Wishing a wonderful New Year to all
Best wishes

Denise

feeling blue......?

2011-12-30T17:36:00.011Z

Its is those inbetween days, weather is rotten, lots of television has been watched, I have seen so many period dramas which I love, Emma, Great Expectations, Mansfield House, Downton Abbey, starting to speak poshly, ahem!
Kevin and the kids have gone to the pictures to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, I would need ear muffs with all that squeaking!
So it is lots of lazy days, busy doing nothing, but I am loving it! But I have a craving for the colour blue, its softness, airiness , its floatiness, in this season of indulgence, Blue is what I need.

Just hanging about the house?

Enjoy your day and take care,

Denise

Merry Christmas to all........

2011-12-24T16:52:00.009Z

Wishing everyone a truly magical Christmas
Forget all the stresses and enjoy the company
of those close to you
Watch the twinkling of fairy lights in the eyes
of little ones as the enchantment begins
Drink a glass or two of cheer and look forward
to a New Year.

Happy Holidays....

2011-12-23T21:02:00.009Z

Happy Christmas from Apple Blossom Barn, some of my festive decorations.

My big Ben in the Christmas mood
Rosie is very excited for Santa coming soon

Lots of nasty head colds and rotten tummy bugs have been visiting our home the last week but I am on the mend and the turkey shall be cooked, Jack and Isabelle are so excited for Santa, tomorrow Christmas Eve will be magical for them and for anyone who sees it all through a childs eyes. So I will be baking tomorrow and wrapping and a little visiting to friends.So have a lovely Christmas eve and do not forget to leave out a treat fot Santa!

Our fairytale......

2011-12-14T09:34:00.010Z

This is one of the readings from my wedding ceremony

Oh dear there are lots of things I do not seem to be getting right

maybe I should pin list above onto fridge door!

All images via Pinterest

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary, so 8 years ago I was getting ready in Kinnitty
Castle for my big day, we got married in a tiny country chapel in a village in the countryside, my great uncle was the priest, it was all very Irish!

My son Jack was only 11 weeks old, he was in a tiny pinstriped black velvet suit,
my flowers were the duskiest pink roses so gorgeous.
It is lovely to look back and celebrate but sad to as my Dad has passed since then and I have really clear memories of him on that day.
Kevin and I went to Paris for the first time on honeymoon and it was fabulous, you nearly have to pinch yourself, to see everything you have only ever seen in the movies. We then took a train all the way to Verona Italy, the most magical journey through the snowy Alps
it was breathtaking. Then we stayed in a castle in Verona the home of Romeo and Juliette, how perfect!
Kevin surprised me with flowers this morning earning himself lots of brownie points,clever boy!

O Christmas tree o Christmas tree.......la la lala...

2011-12-10T12:20:00.009Z

Today we are off to get our Christmas tree, I am really getting into all things festive now, once

the tree is up it will be all systems go. Now I am slightly nervous too, I have Christmas tree history, when Kevin and I moved into our first house, our first Christmas together, he bought the most ugliest tree ever grown, no matter which way I turned it was so wonky, all you could do was laugh.

Then one Christmas at our cottage, Kevin went to visit a neighbour who is a great friend and a bad influence, he came home with the biggest tree ever about 30feet and shockingly merry on whiskey, they had cut the poor tree down in the woods, lucky they did not saw off a few fingers!

So simple Chocolate Brownies......yummy

2011-12-06T09:53:00.011Z

my brownies

pinterest
pinterest
These are the easiest Chocolate brownies ever, you really could have them ready all warm and gooey within half an hour,Magic!They are cheap to make as well as you are not using lots of expensive bars of posh chocolate!

The ingredients are

225g Butter melted
400g caster sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
225g plain flour
80g Cocoa powder
2 tablespoons of milk
4 eggs

Mix the butter and sugar, then mix in the flour, baking powder, salt, vanilla, eggs,cocoa powder,
Basically you can put all the ingredients in a bowl, use your whisk to blend all, just make sure the melted butter is not hot, you do not want to scamble the eggs.
It is up to you if you want to add chopped nuts or chocolate chips.

Put in lined baking tin(23 x 33in) and bake for 20 mins at 180 degrees celsius

So gorgeous served with freshly whipped cream and a handful of raspberries or my kids
like it cut into mini brownies so they can dip them in a chilled glass of milk!
So if anyone bakes these let me know how you get on or if you have a great easy recipe for anything let me know, I would love to hear from you!

I am off to the worlds biggest Blog Party tonight go to www.splenderosa.blogspot.com for an invitation

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.........

2011-12-01T10:38:00.015Z

It is December 1st, the countdown begins today, Jack and Isabelle are so excited, every year they mark each day with mini stocking for each day and it contains a little treat each. I am going to have my first mince pie today oh yum, this year I have decided to take pleasure in the simple
things, christmas shopping is being done on line, who wants to be in long queues
when you could be at home in front of the fire sipping on an Irish Coffee!

Its the family traditions that make Christmas not just what is beneath the Christmas tree although a few goodies from http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/ would be great!

Take Care

DENISE

Monday Morning Inspiration

2011-11-27T21:53:00.018Z

Monday mornings can be tricky, kids do not want to get up early and head out to school and grown ups too feel that 2 days is not enough for a weekend wouldnt it be lovely to have a 3 day
weekend. Monday is a day when you really need to motivate yourself, so put on something that cheers you up and that you know you look good in, now I would love pretty pink shoes and a fabulous lace dress but I am sure in the depths of winter the local farmers would think I had totally lost the plot!

Look out for a friend today.

Pretty up your table, it always cheers me up.

Autumn is on her way out....

2011-11-23T22:53:00.009Z

Autumn is definitely on her way out,it is a rainy stormy day the last of my favourite
roses are getting a battering, so it is really time to embrace all things
wintry, woolly socks, hot chocolate, big bowls of soup, mulled wine, nights in watching movies
in front of the fire with the kids, hot water bottles, porridge and golden syrup, treacle pudding, I have just read that back no wonder I put on a few pounds every winter!

Soon December arrives it is time to sprinkle a little festive magic about

All images via Pinterest

Snow fall in Autumn, how beautiful!

Apple Blossom Barn Guest Review

2011-11-22T10:27:00.016Z

"Just wanted to chip in and say that we (a family of 4 including a currently hard to please 2 year old twins ), stayed at the picture perfect Apple Blossom Barn in early November and in a nutshell it was gorgeous! Thats it! It really was the perfect place for a family break, other words spring to mind ........ homely, cosy, friendly, tasty,( see baking reference on this blog) and even sunny! "

"Big thanks to Denise and Kevin "

The Jarman Family

Kate Forman just gorgeous.......

2011-11-21T20:34:00.009Z

http://www.kateforman.co.uk/ is a dream website, Kate Forman designs the most beautiful 18th century french linens, I have made cushions with her fabrics and the quality of her linens are divine, she lives in a real english country home these are pictures of her home and fabric line

I just love how romantic and gentle her style is, there is an elegance about it but it is also homely

and comfortable. My newly made window seat in my cottage will have a few of her cushions on it

and I think a couple of Christmas stockings would be perfect I will post those photos once I have them made, now that puts the pressure on better get that sewing machine out!

Bedroom Bliss

2011-11-18T11:46:00.004Z

There are so many really beautiful images on the internet of dream bedrooms these are some of my favourite found on pinterest

This little cabin bedroom tucked away in the eaves is just magical, now this is the kind of bedroom you would have to wake up wearing a floaty nightie, not yesterdays smudged makeup ahem!

This is the mezzinine bed in our barn it looks onto an orchard then the rolling hills. This on the bed is my new Cath Kidston Eiderdown which I won on Ebay it is so plump and perfect, just love it, our postman thinks I need councilling for Ebay addiction, not at all.

Come on in.......

2011-11-16T10:38:00.007Z

This is our Thatched Cottage built in 1711, we have lived here for 9 years, we are down a
little lane (a bohereen is what us Irish call a little lane) .

I love peonies these were from my garden in June. It is something I look forward to every year.

The living room in Apple blossom Barn.

My little Isabelle in the snug.

The thatched cottage windows have changed colour again from french grey to Pantry blue

am I a bit fickle?

This is a little bit of my home, there is always something to do, and I always seem to have a to do list as long as my arm. But you know those days when the sun is streaming in through the windows and a smell of baking is in the air or in the evening when the kids are tucked away in bed the wood burning stove is chugging along, all the tea lights are glowing, glass of cold prosecco is waiting yum yum ,thats when I love my home not when I have just walked on another tiny bit of Lego Ouch or a tiny dog has amnesia and piddled, though house trained, but those are the things that make a home as well.

A new cookie recipe

2011-11-14T22:04:00.009Z

I am always on the look out for an improvement on my Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, I want to find a recipe as close to Marks and Spencers Bakery cookie so this is a good one, the jar is

nearly empty, lots of cookie monsters about. I bake every week for our Apple Blossom Barn guests and we had a lovely family stay this week and they received their own jar of cookies which went down very well with 2 year old twins so sweet.

The recipe is from The Australian Womans Weekly, The Cake Stall, it has really yummy things in it and is triple tested.

Chunky Chewy Choc Chip Cookies

220g light brown sugar

110g caster sugar

225g self raising flour

75g plain flour

185g melted butter

1 egg lightly beaten

1 egg yolk lightly beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

100g dark eating chocolate

100g milk eating chocolate chopped coarse

Preheat oven to 180 degrees/ 350 F

Mix sugars, sifted flours in a large bowl

Add combined butter,egg, egg yolk, and vanilla; mix to a soft dough, stir in chocolate

Roll in to balls place 2 " apart on a lined baking tray

Bake for 10 to 12 mins

Makes 20

Lovely with a cold glass of milk or a dipped in a good cup of coffee

Monday morning inspiration

2011-11-14T09:07:00.008Z

Yes monday morning inspiration is badly needed it is a dull grey day and when you live in an old cottage with tiny windows it is quite dark so I need some bright and breezy pictures to keep me going
.

A busy little cottage

2011-11-09T22:39:00.012Z

I have been a busy bee, baking, painting and knocking out a part of a 300 year old wall(ok not me personally on that one, Kevin weilded the lump hammer), so getting lots done. My bedroom has a fresh coat of paint, the sewing machine has been out, I have made lampshade covers, cushions covers, updated curtains so feeling very smug and productive however kitchen is a disaster and there is a gigantic mountain of laundry to do, oh well I never claimed to be a domestic goddess.

Long winter nights by the range

2011-11-09T22:11:00.009Z

I dream of having a lovely big Aga range in my kitchen it would complete my country living fantasy of cooking yummy winter warming stews and pies and toasting crumpets on a wet
and stormy night. Well maybe I will send Santa claus a pleading letter!

Halloween Holidays are here!

2011-10-30T20:02:00.004Z

Happy Halloween from all at Apple blossom Barn. I have been busy baking treats for all today, as its lovely to sit by the fire with a cup of tea and something yummy.
The kids are off school and so excited, they are going Trick or Treating tomorrow night.

Isabelle with Willow, Pixie & Rosie

2011-10-26T12:06:00.007+01:00

Happy little piggies

2011-10-26T11:38:00.001+01:00

We have two new friends here at Apple Blossom Barn, they are Willow and Pixie.
We have them now for about 3 weeks they have settled in really well, apart from the first day they escaped their pen and I had a meltdown.

I had to follow through fields neighbouring farms, the woods they are so fast and impossible to catch, who would have thought a city girl trailing after tiny pigs.
My husband had to come home from work and the naughty escapees were caught.

Now they wander in vegetable garden mouching about they run around with the dogs it is hilarious to watch.

Patchwork Heaven

2011-10-24T12:32:00.013+01:00

Well I am learning how to make Patch work quilts and love it.
My teacher Mogs McDonnell is fantasic. She teaches her class in her Barn conversion which is just behind her Hansel and Gretel little thatched cottage. She is like a mother hen
guiding us all and she keeps us so well fed, lovely homemade soups and stews, freshly
made cake and bread and with her wood burning stove, it is Patchwork heaven.

Welcome to Apple Blossom Barn

2011-10-17T11:46:00.000+01:00

Hello name is Denise and I live here on the west coast of Ireland. I have finally sat down to start my own blog, which I have talked about for such a long time.

I am addicted to other peoples blogs, I am not sure why people do blog but my reasoning for myself is to put some order on my life and keep my head above water when it comes to housework(you can not take photos of a mess).

I love my home and everything in it, my husband, my kids, my animals, my garden.