LUCKY ME !!!!!

I'm joining the lovely Hamish today, who has taken over this radiator, in knowing that Spring is coming but it's still cold and quite dark today. Although we had a very good weekend and managed the farmers market and car boot in warm sunshine on Saturday and spent several hours tidying up the garden and planning for this year on Sunday.There are little green shoots everywhere which cheers me no end.

I have been so lucky as I have won not one but two bloggers giveaways!! Hows that? One from Sandi at Holding Patterns and the other from Annie at A Sauceful of Secrets. I never win anything so imagine me when I checked my emails late on Sunday evening and discovered both.I am delighted and will post pics when they arrive. I am approaching my 50th post so I will have to find something as a giveaway for that.

Mike came up last week to visit and he and I spent a couple of hours going through his bedroom. he hasnt lived here for 6 years now and its time to put away the boy scout pictures, model airplanes ets. His old vintage IKEA wardrobe was falling apart so he took a hammer to it and sorted out loads of stuff. we have been left with about 4 boxes of assorted stuff including a lego pirate ship for us to store in the loft!!Just some painting now and then the new curtains can go up and we wll be ready for the new bed when it arrives. The garage is next in line for a massive spring clean and as husband has a couple of days off this week I hope we can get some of that done. I'll maybe do a carboot myself and try and raise some funds as Spohie is off to Africa again this year to help in a school in Uganda. On that note I have started an African themed quilt which Soph is going to raffle to get money for books,pencils etc to take with them for the children. She bought back some material last year and we have acquired some more and my friend in OZ Jenny( Patches and Batches) is sending some bits for it. The centre is done so here's a look at it.

It will be very bright I think!!

Sandi at Holding Patterns has challenged me by asking "Why is it good to be you"?

1. I have a very long suffering husband(32 years) who still comes home every night!!

2.The support of the family who keep in touch and provided me with no end of laughing over Christmas.

3. The extended family and friends, including my new blogging friends, who I might not see for a while but who are always there when I need them.

Well the coffe is calling and so is the Alan Titmarsh show on TV I have become addicted!!There may be gardening tips today! Happy Tuesday to all.

Is hibernation complete?

January is the worse time to induce me to what amounts to hibernation. I musn't use the hate word but it is the time of the year that is my least favourite!! I have been such as bad blogger of late. The spirit is willing but the mind is faltering. I have however had to raise myself to the occaision to get to the Laura Ashley great sale, further 20% of all sale items until next Sunday, and for Soph's 27th birthday yesterday. So HB again Soph and heres a reminder of the cake. Not home made but 3 mini ones bought from Daphne's Cheesecake place on Smithdown Road, which is apparently quite famous locally.

Yes I did purchase in the LA sale and got some curtains and new bedding for the bedroom that needs a little TLC. we have ordered a new bed for here so now its wallpaper stripping and rubbish clearing out time which hopefully will give me a bit of get up and go!! Could everyone please pray for some proper daylight soon When it hasnt rained its just so grey and miserable. The very first signs of spring are slowly appearing. A few green shoots of early bulbs and when I was up early the other day I heard some birds singing!! So heres to spring may it arrive soon and get us all happy and productive.

Happy Christmas One and All

Well it's almost here! The tree is done at last. My favourite decorations some old silver baubles we have had for many years,a wooden angel given to me by my mother about 25 years ago and a newer cat one given to me by Sarah about 5 years ago. His name is Hamish as he reminds me of him so much.

Our dinner guests are about to arrive so I have to go. May we all wish you a happy and peaceful holiday so that we can celebrate the birth of Christ and look forwards to a better future in 2008.

Getting ready for Christmas

Well long time since I have gotten round to blogging. Where does time go? How I ever managed to get to work amazes me now! We have started to decorate for the coming season. Started in the dining room with some bits and pieces but always have a real tree which we havent been to get yet. So a few bits around the mirror. And a bit of tinsel in the kitchen.

The damson gin decanted and ready. ( had to be sampled for quality control first!)

A fibre optic tree for dining room.

A festive dresser with some of the smaller Christmas bunting made by Sarah.

Some lovely felt hearts bought by Sarah from a fellow blogger that are very cute.

Some musical Christmas crackers! We have played this with some friends and they are great fun. Each cracker has a whistle which plays a different note. The idea is that someone calls the numbers out and 8 people can play a tune. Better after a few glasses of wine!

The main bunting again made by Sarah.

So the real preparations start this weekend. Lots of house cleaning, tree buying and decorating and present wrapping.Its very cold and frosty here. I'm hoping we get some snow as that would be fantastic. I plan to read all my favourite blogs this weekend and leave some comments. Hope everyone is keeping well and looking forward to the big day. I havent finished the major sewing project yet but making good progress so should be ready for Santa to deliver!

HIBERNATING WITH THE CATS!

Winter is here and I feel like I'm hibernating. It has been so cold and most days grey and miserable. The cats have to be encouraged to leave their fav spots to get some fresh air and so do I. Hamish would rather be here.



Or curled up as close to any human he can find and watch "Strictly Come Dancing" a family favorite.

Dougal prefers a good box or even a bag to curl up in!!

I have finally finished one of my sewing projects! I decided to make a little lap quilt ( or knowing those 2 cats a kitty quilt) for when it really is chilly.The red material is one that I got in France for 1 Euro in the summer.

Yes the table etc arrived on Friday in bright sunlight. Since then we have managed to put up the mirrors and some pics but I have still not sorted out all the china and glasses. Am taking the opportunity to wash some rarely used things before they all find a new spot. But here are the just arrived pics!!

They look fab and mix well with the older darker cupboards that we have had for a long time. I will post pics of the finally finished room soon.

Well there is only one month to go before Christmas now and I still have to finish my major sewing project, although I have made some headway this last week. Sarah and I are also making Christmas bunting!! She is coming here after work tomorrow and we will work hard on this. I am also sorting out the kitchen cupboards in preparation for Christmas supplies as we have a few visitors this year. They needed a bit of a sort and clean. I'm so untidy!! Our friends and neighbours have just had a short winter break in Cyprus and have bought me some saffron back. Just in time to make the paella for Christmas Eve dinner. We always have a fish option on Christmas Eve. It used to be fish pie when the children were small we have got a little more sophisticated the last couple of years and Simon and I love mussels!!

Well it is almost bedtime and as always I am yawning away. I'll leave with a picture Sarah took at the weekend of one of the pair of blackbirds that visit us regularly.

I'm making a list and checking twice!

Winter is upon us and its cold!!! Finally we have our new central heating boiler fitted along with new radiators. We are warm inside as Dougal and Hamish demonstrate.

I'm trying to get ready for all the Christmas stuff that needs to be done. I have done some shopping and am off to IKEA and M&S this evening to do some more. Craft classes are continuing and I have been making Christmas wrapping paper.

Sarah has given me a new Christmas bauble to replace a glass one that she broke last year. Its cute isn't it. Well lots to do so must be off. New table due to arrive Friday so I'll be back with photos then.

A Walk in the Country

This weekend we had two days in Shropshire. It's so lovely to get away and see green fields. Saturday was a horrible grey day. You know the sort of day when it hardly gets light. Hate that sort of weather. However Sunday was so beautiful bright and sunny.After the car boot sale we had a little stroll. Sheep in the field opposite the supermarket where they have the car boot.

Then a look at the river with all the shedding trees.

The differing colours of the trees in the sunlight looked amazing.

Made a friend of this little fellow!!

Then Masters Bulls' friends in the lower part of the field.

Bright red berries.

Lots of berries.

Car boot finds included a set of six old glass fruit dishes that I'm going to use for candles, a little basket and some old lace. All at very cheap prices.

Today I have been getting some of the hundreds of leaves up from the garden. Where we are there are many mature trees and now most of the leaves are on our drive and in the garden. But its a cold damp day so there is a pot of stew on the cooker simmering away for dinner tonight. Sophie is coming to see us after work and this is her fav winter food. Lots of dried veggies and pulses in it.

Well I must be away as I still have sewing projects on the go and have to finish in time for Christmas!! I never did say which Christmas!!