And the Winner is..........

Good evening, how are we all? I am feeling very Sunday -ish, you know that feeling, the one that tells you school is just around the corner and half term is well and truly over, it's back to packed lunches, homework and early mornings. All good things must come to an end I suppose.

Anyway on to the winner of my 1st birthday giveaway. In true bloggy style, here are the pictures

Vintage jug with all the names folded up on strips of paper.

In goes the big hand of fortune, ready to pick out one lucky winner. I had to do it all myself tonight as my little helpers are tucked up in bed and Mr P is watching Top Gear!

And the winner is ..... Amy from Blighty Boutique. Well done Amy, send me your address and I will post out the goodies ASAP. I am afraid I didn't get to finish off my hand made item but I am hoping you will still be pleased with your bits and bobs.

Thank you to all of you who left a comment on Daisy's guest post, she was very pleased with all your kind words. She was adamant that she was going to write a post, I think she has got the taste for blogging. Here she is with the ginger pudding earlier this week. Pepe has that oh, blimey not another photo look about her - don't you think?

Half term has whizzed by in a flash, it was ok, but the weather really spoiled the week if I'm honest. We had one really nice day out in the sunshine, but I think the rest of the week was wet, grey and cold.

I am really suffering this Winter from the effects of the weather - not depressed but just really really fed up with all the greyness of the season. I feel the need for sunshine on my face more than ever before.

We had a nice afternoon on Monday with our friends Julie, Eve and Fern. The kids enjoyed their belated Valentines tea whilst Julia and I enjoyed lots of cuppas , chatting and crochet. I really can't think of a better way to spend and afternoon.

I made some of these white chocolate chip cookies this week. They were delicious a real family favourite. The only trouble was that I didn't read in the recipe that they made 56 cookies! Now I like a cookie of three but not 56 of the things. I made about 18 and popped the rest of the dough in the freezer. I baked some more today using the defrosted dough and they tasted fab.

I also made a coffee and walnut cake, this was inspired by a post from Ruby's mamma made it. I followed her recipe to the letter and was very pleased with the results even if it did sink just a little in the middle (I'm blaming that on my oven).

Mr P loves a slice of coffee and walnut so he was a happy man. Shame the little ones couldn't have any due to their nut allergies!

I have been a bit of a naughty girl again. I saw this Jan Constantine tea cosy half price at our local garden centre. A bit of an impulse buy I know but I do love her stuff. It has a red gingham cosy underneath it, so two cosies in one. Its made of linen as opposed to her usual felt. My union jack tea pot is hiding underneath it all cosy and warm.

At last a photo of my finished big ripple blanket. I managed to crochet the final six rows and sew in all of those pesky ends during half term, so I suppose rubbish weather does have some advantages after all. I am very pleased with it, it is so colourful and cosy. The little ones have snuggled under it, and even Mr P the hater of all things crocheted had it draped over his feet yesterday afternoon.

I have been plagued by toothache this weekend. I had a niggly tooth earlier this week but didn't think too much about it, on Friday however it got worse, so an emergency trip to the dentist was in order. She gave me a course of antibiotics and took an xray. Thankfully the antibiotics have started to work today. The annoying thing is that I am due to go to the dentist a week on Tuesday anyway, why couldn't it just wait for another week! I did feel very silly though. I told her that it was a bottom back tooth that hurt, she had a poke about and asked me if it hurt, to which I said no. She checked my top teeth on that side too which I thought was a bit odd. Anyway on Saturday morning I awoke and realised that it was the top tooth that was aching, by this point I couldn't touch the tooth as it was so painful. Apparently you have a nerve that runs from the top teeth right around to those on the bottom. How odd though, I was so sure it was my bottom tooth hurting when in fact it was the one directly above it! How odd our bodies are at times.

Right I am off to make a brew, and an early night. Toothache does not make for a good nights sleep I can tell you.

Till next time.

Alison

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