Did the Earth move for you last week?

Well did it? No I'm not being rude but referring to the earthquke we experienced here last week.Did it wake me yes it did. As our substantial cast iron bed shook and the wardrobes doors rattled I thought a bomb had gone off at first and then realised it was an earthquake. Only lasted a very short time but still frightening. It must be so awful to be in the middle of a proper one. Of course my ever loving husband only woke after a sharp jab in the ribs from me and said" its only a gust of wind " and proceeded to start to snore!!

The weather has been very mixed of late with very high winds at times, a short show of some snow and frosts and then some beautiful sunshine. Spring is making an appearance in the garden but its still cold so I havent done much out there yet. Lovely indoor bulbs though.

And belated Happy Mothers day to all of you mothers out there.I had forgooton about it almost as both Simons and my mothers are no longer with us.We all had a great time here when the children cooked Italian style for us. Thought Id post a pic of my mother and father on their wedding day.And Mothers day goodies of course New Crocs from husband and a handbag from the children. I'm into lime green in a big way.Not quite matching but good enough for me. A big thank you for all my gifts which included Cranford DVD !!!!!!

Its been an eventful week. I had to go back to the Orthopaedic surgeon regarding the ongoing saga of my shoulder. I have been having physiotherapy for some time and although improved still not good. So I am to have an arthroscopy and freeing of the joint on 20th March. I have been prodded and poked this week, have had an armful of blood taken and my first ECG to ensure that I am fit enough for the general anaesthetic!!! It was all done in one visit to the hospital but we were there for 4 hours!! Sarah came with me and had taken her knitting Good job really! I an dreading the whole thing but it will be lovely to move it properly and to get rid of the constant pain. Typing is mostly reduced to one hand now with frequent rests.

So this was Tuesday and Wednesday was Sarahs birthday. We won't go into how old she is but its how old I feel knowing I was still in my 20s when she was born!! So happy birthday Sarah. I am sure she will be blogging about it.

Wednesday was also the day that son Mike had an interview for a promotion at work. He rang afterwards to say it would probably be Friday before he knew but has phoned me about an hour ago to tell me that he has got it. Great news son and many congratulations from us all. Its quite a big change in salary so hopefully this means that he will be able to get a mortgage soon as he wants to buy his first house.Talking of him reminds me that I never did post a pic of the quilt that I made for Debs and him for Christmas. It was down to the wire as they say but I just managed to finish it in time. He isn't a floral person so I used other patterns in it.

Well folks I guess this is it for today.Hope everyone is keeping well and if I havent visited you for a while I will be back.

A Quickie!

I am so forgetful lately!! I was in a rush yesterday when I did my post I forgot to upload the other pressie from Annie. Sorry Annie they did arrive in one piece or actually two pieces a lovely cup and saucer. So everyone knows I have senior moments now!!!

Now then the excitement continued with the arrival of the postie with another intriguing package. Great stamps...

Yes its my giveaway from Sandi at "Holding Patterns" all the way from USA. Now I see it in person I see exactly what you mean by garden flag.

Thank you so much Sandi. When it is in the garden I will send a pic showing you what it looks like. Sophie, who has been to Canada, says these are very popular there as well as in USA. It will be unique around these parts though.

Well i must away as I am doing the pancake thing for everyone tonight even though Soph thought she had a better offer! I got a late evening text from her last night saying that offer had fallen though. Had a row??? So its pancakes for 4 tonight! Once again many thanks to Sandi and Annie for their gifts .

A working weekend.

My giveaway presents arrived on Saturday from Annie at a Sauceful of Secrets.They are so lovely. Many thanks Annie and here they are. Forgive me for not being the best photographer in the world. First there is the cat picture, lace and ribbon.

Then lovely old buttons.

Then the majestic cat that is now guarding my mantlepiece.

For my 50th post I thought I will do a giveaway with a cat theme as everyone knows I am a cat person. Ours are still hibernating unless you go out into the garden with them when they follow you around!! Its been very cold here of late. It tried again and again to snow Thursday/Friday but never stuck and I was so looking forward to building a snowman! Not much gardening has been done but I have started planning and even bought some seeds. Much junk has now been thrown out or recycled. The wallpaper in said bedroom is now almost off and husband is doing all the jobs I hate you know sanding and filling etc before we decorate.

I spent some time at weekend going to a friend's 50th birthday party and seeing lots of old workmates. I also made some marmalade for the very first time. It's quite bitter as I did not put the full amount of sugar in from recipe but used jam sugar so it has set OK. It will bite back on your toast!

Well that's it for today as I have loads to do. Whoever said retirement was quiet and easy!!

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!