I visited Dublin Zoo this week and posted some photographs already, but here are the remainder of my favourite photographs. I loved this one of the hippo with the wee bird pecking his back. He was really enjoying the sunshine..

Flamingos always look so delicate to me, I imagine that their thin legs would break easily. I liked the reflection in the water though...

I am somewhat afraid of Ostriches but this guy was very well groomed compared to the others.. 

This appears to be a Rhino mum and baby... they are huge and have really thick rough looking skin..

This chimpanzee was pottering around with something in his hand which he was examining. Once I zoomed in, it appears to be a dead baby chick :( He didn't eat it when we were there though, perhaps he was just investigating...

King of the Jungle, he looked like the Patriarch 

And finally my favourite-the Elephant. In Dublin Zoo, they seem to have lots of space to roam around in so I didn't get to see much of them

So there you have it, just a few of the wonderful animals from Dublin Zoo.. If you haven't been it is really worth a day out... 

Just thought I'd share with you a few images of two of the birds I spotted out on the lake this evening. The first one is a Cormorant as far as I know (all you bird watcher out there can correct me if I am wrong). It is the same size as a a large goose. He spent a long time just standing around and then took off in flight. The second image is one of the resident Mute Swans which are so elegant. There are lots of them out on the lake all year round. They are very graceful and I love watching them.

Here are some swans I spotted out of the lake over the weekend, reminds me of the Irish Legend-The Children of Lir where Aoife used her magic to turn the children into swans.

Hope you all had a nice Easter and relaxing break. I enjoyed my time with family. The weather was lovely here in Ireland which was great as everyone was out and about. We went shopping and visited Lough Key Forest Park. I picked up a few country style items for my home- as you all know I like to keep it country! 

The china mug is from the Katie Alice Collection, it is really pretty "Have a cup of tea and fly away with me.." The Katie Alice Collection has some really nice vintage inspired china and homeware.

The image in the middle is my new mat for my hallway- how cute is it! I bought it in Vobe Interiors based in Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim, Ireland but the good news is they have an online shop too for any of you further afield. 

Hello everyone, it's the weekend again, the weeks just seem to be flying by. What horrible weather we have had this week, rain, sleet, snow and high winds. It has been a week for staying indoors. But alas I woke this morning to sunshine, yes sunshine! At last, Spring may be on its way. The bulbs I planted in my garden are popping their heads out. I may do some Spring cleaning today but first I thought I'd share with you some lovely items from Cath Kidston which I have my eye on. I am loving crochet these days and as always anything nature themed like this beautiful bird wallpaper. I love baby blues, pinks and pastel greens. Have you any nice plans for this weekend?

Here are a few items on my wish list this week, my wish list changes from week to week as I browse the internet and come across so many pretty items from furniture, to handbags, to perfumes, clothes, the list goes on.... This week I'm loving these hand made stools made from recycled wood with crochet covers from Wood & Wool. For some time I have been admiring handbags and just love this Garden Birds Everyday Bag from Cath Kidston. It looks really practical, easy to clean and also comfortable. I like a bag that I can put on my shoulder, not keen on clutch bags. Next item on my wish list is anything from Fragonard Parfumeur based in Grasse in South France (near Cannes & Nice). I visited their historic perfume factory over ten years ago and was delighted to see Marks and Spencer stock some of their products for Christmas. Finally for the current weather, I spotted this really pretty Joules country inspired umbrella. Joules has beautiful country inspired clothing, homewares and accessories. Have you any of the items below, if you have seen them, please do go check out the websites. What's on your wish list?

From top left, Wood & Wool Handmade Stool, Cath Kidston Bird Print Bag, Fragonard Perfume set from M&S and Joule Umbrella.

I have had a touch of writer's block lately and haven't posted very much on my wee blog. Above are a few new items around my home. The owl has taken residence in my sunroom while the bird house is on my kitchen dresser. It is that time of year when we are spending more and more time indoors, the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting much colder. I am looking forward to Christmas this year as it will be our first Christmas in our new home and our first Christmas married. I need to buy Christmas decorations too which I am looking forward too.

Yesterday I took the day off work and spent the day with my mother. We decided to take a look around the shops and above are some of my purchases, both from Monsoon and both half price :) One loves a bargain! :) Hope you are all having a nice weekend. Good news- I also took Monday off work too so I have an extra long weekend :)

{All images from Cox & Cox)

and have neighbours like these :-) They really warm my heart.

I already live in a very rural location on the outskirts of a small town with about 400 people in it, but my new home will be outside a very small village with just around 100 people in it. It is based on my boyfriend's farmland and although some of the above are already my neighbours, they all will be soon :-)

We are located almost two hours from the nearest city and there are no motorways in our county at all, so the pace of life is nice and slow and relaxing, just the way I like it!

How adorable are these wall papers, many of them would look wonderful wall in a bedroom, I love all the older wall paper patterns with animals and plants on them. Hope you enjoyed the few I shared above with you today.