Hands up whose got a wardrobe full of clothes that don't fit

As part of my 'Big Declutter"  I decided to have a go at the wardrobe today.  For probably the last 12 months I have been cramming things in there, then they come out crushed and crumpled.  So out they came and I have to admit an awful lot of them don't even fit me anyone.  They have been hanging in there in the hope that one day I will return to that skinny little thing I was a few years ago.  Well, lets be honest......it ain't going to happen.


 I didn't just stop at the clothes, there are shoes in there that I haven't worn for years.  I find a pair that are comfortable and wear them all the time, and I mean all the time.  I keep old boots for beach and muddy walks, I have umpteen pairs of flip flops (well it is Cornwall) but as for the rest, usually bought for a specific 'do' that are rarely worn again, they had to go!  Handbags not used for years......gone.  I have three bin bags of things that someone else might as well make use of, and a charity to make some money from.

....and I didn't stop there, the bed was moved, things dragged out from underneath (I wondered where the hot water bottle had gone) and layers of dust vacuumed.  All this on my 'so called' day off!!

Thank you all for your lovely comments about my photos from Godrevy.  I am very lucky to live in such a wonderful place and be able to take photos of the wonderful wildlife, but you really don't have to go far to find natures beautiful sights.  As I sat at my kitchen table looking out the window I was lucky enough to get some photos of visitors to my garden.  They are through a very dirty window and the light isn't great but aren't birds just so beautiful?

 I am really looking forward to the spring flowers filling the garden with colour.  The snowdrops are brightening up the garden already,

This plant was given to me by my dad, he loved their scent.  I think it is called Daphne?

The Xmas tree seems to be happy with its new home in the garden.  I am really pleased that it didn't just go for recycling.

As for my cold, I'm taking lots of Vit C and Zinc as instructed by a friend. and also putting Vicks on my feet under socks in bed which I saw on another blog, and steering clear of dairy to help with the blocked nose.  Any other suggestions?

So,  whose going to admit to having a wardrobe full of clothes that don't fit anymore?



Welcome to new follower Tamsyn on Bloglovin,

Chickpea xx

Getting Back to Nature

After feeling like my head has been stuck in a pillow all week, I just had to get out.  It was a fabulous day, sunny and warm for February.  Oh boy it was certainly worth it.  My trusty little camera served me well.  I will share with you a few shots from my coastal walk at Godrevy,  I was wondering if Leanne from Today's Stuff was also there as I know it is one of her favourite places.

I walked along the beach and noticed a couple of guys with huge cameras on tripods pointing out to sea, then saw a head bobbing around in the sea, then two, then three.  Seals are very curious creatures and came very close to the beach causing much exciting among the children watching.

I walked around to the cove where they usually congregate, it is surrounded by very steep cliffs so they are left in peace as most people wouldn't try to climb down to them.  We do have to keep the noise down so we don't disturb them when they are with their pups.

You could easily walk past thinking they were rocks on the beach.

I might not have a huge lens, but I'm pretty pleased with my zoom.

They couldn't have chosen a more beautiful spot

The lighthouse is such an iconic sight, it always reminds me of my childhood when we stayed at our chalet at Gwithian.  I would spend the summers wondering across the beaches and dunes barefoot and  wild.

I then walked back along the towans with rabbits scattering everywhere as I approached.  I sat quietly for a while, and soon they came out to feed and chase each other around.  My cousin has a farm at Godrevy, I'm sure he's not so happy to see them!

......and of course I can't leave out the seagulls.  My Australian cousins couldn't get over how big they are when they visited a couple of years ago,  it must be all that pasty snatching.

It was a beautiful day on a beautiful beach, so good I forgot about this stinking cold for a while :)

I hope you enjoyed my little trip out, I sure needed it, you know how I get if I can't get to the coast.


Welcome to penelope on Bloglovin,

Chickpea xx

Cooking the Books - Honestly Healthy

The cold that has been going around for weeks has caught up with me.  I felt really rough yesterday at work and went to bed at 8 o'clock last night.  I'm feeling a bit better today but not much like cooking, so the meal I had planned to make from this book will have to wait until another day.  So this is not technically cooking the books as there is no cooking involved.   I wanted something really simple and healthy so I chose to make this nut and berry layered breakfast.  I think it would be nice anytime of day, I'm going to have mine for lunch to give me a boost at work.  I made it with Greek yoghurt, but if you are a vegan you can make it with raw vanilla cashew cream.  I also just used blueberries.  I eat a lot of nuts and seeds so had the ingredients in my store cupboard.  You could adapt it to your own tastes.

Here's the recipe:

Serves 2 - 4

100g (3 1/2 oz/1 cup) raw walnuts
100g (3 1/2 oz/scant 2/3 cups) raw almonds
50g (2 oz/scant 1/3 cup) raw pumpkin seeds
50g (2 oz//scant 1/3 cup) raw sunflower seeds
50g ((2oz/1/3 cup) raw flax seeds
1 large punnet of blueberries
1 large punnet of raspberries
1 quantity of raw vanilla cashew cream


Soak all the nuts and seeds for 30 minutes to 1 hour and drain.  Then tip them into a food processor and pulse briefly - just enough to coarsely chop, but still retain their wonderful crunchy texture.

To serve, place a layer of berries in the bottom of a glass, place a layer of nut mix on top, and spoon over a layer of the cashew cream (or yoghurt).  Repeat the layers and decorate with the berries.



Raw Vanilla Cashew Cream

100g (3 1/2 oz/2/3 cup) raw cashews, soaked for 1 hour and drained
60 - 125 ml (2 1/2 - 4fl oz/1/4 1/2 cup) purified or filtered water
1 tsp vanilla extract.


Add 60ml of the water and blend, adding more water as necessary to make a smooth cream, then add the vanilla extract and blend for a few more seconds.

I think it looks lovely in the jars, I would even serve them like this as a dessert for a supper for friends.  It would be a little different everyone opening their jars.

The book is Honestly Healthy - Eat with your body in mind, the alkaline way.  It is written by Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson, and is full of 'my sort of food' lots of gluten free, veggie/vegan healthy recipes.

Hopefully I will be back to in the kitchen cooking 'proper' meals again soon.

Chickpea xx

Right Place Right Time

We don't get snow very often in Cornwall, it is because we have a 'maritime' climate, if I can remember my geography lessons correctly.  We do sometimes have snow on the high ground like Bodmin Moor.  Today I was at my basket making course which just happened to be on higher ground and it snowed! Of course I got all excited, then thought I had better get home in case I got stuck.  Thankfully I stopped to take some photos because by the time I had driven a mile there was no sign of snow at all.  As I drove though town with my snow covered car I felt like an explorer returning from some far land.  People were stopping to look at me, you could imagine them thinking 'where the heck has she come from'.  I have loved looking at all your photos of the snow, and I am thrilled to have some of my own.  O.K. it isn't a lot but it may well be all we get.  Sadly it doesn't look like I will be snowed in tomorrow and forced to have a duvet day.

We have had a busy weekend looking after the grandchildren.  On Saturday we took them to see Paddington which was enjoyed by both children and adults.  It is funny how young children, who don't yet know the etiquette of cinema going, talk excitedly about what is happening on the screen....very loudly.

Today I started a new basket, this time an oval which is a little more complicated to start.  I really enjoy the rhythm of basket making, and lose myself in the process.

The first daffodil has come into flower in my garden, I always love seeing the beautiful yellow splashes of colour with their promise of spring.

Welcome to new followers Kay, Irene, Penny and Leisha :)

Chickpea xx