tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79546751833993117612024-02-21T23:46:16.412+00:00GingercatA little glimpse into my crafting, cat loving world!Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-83366267051103947502014-01-09T22:23:00.001+00:002014-01-09T22:23:11.389+00:00January<p> <font color="#fe00ff"><strong>Hello, I have managed to download a blogger app to my IPad which should make writing posts an awful lot easier. So this is a test post to try out the new app. </strong></font></p>
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<p><font color="#fe00ff"><strong>Little Pumpkin!</strong></font></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><font color="#fe00ff">Splatty boy!</font></div>
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<p> <font color="#fe00ff">Here is our new little girl called Pumpkin, she is a real sweetie. We got her in October and she has fitted in so well. She really loves Splatty boy and curls up with him. He in return brings mice in for her to play with! She is just waiting to have her big girl operation and in the Spring she will be able to start going outside. </font></p>
<p><font color="#fe00ff">This new year I decided to try and stick to dry January, no alcohol for the whole month! It's been going well but tomorrow it's my works Christmas party. The dilemma is whether to break it for one night or stay on the wagon! I'm still undecided, it seems a bit rude to miss out on a totally free bar! </font></p>
<p><font color="#fe00ff">It's my favourite day of the week tomorrow - Friday yay! It's craft and coffee in the morning and then a free afternoon. I'm trying to crack on with my rooster yarn granny stripe blanket at the moment. Here it is, what do you think? </font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkPtf4FgHm47B62ue4P7qJBu6dQQuqaBU09sEjEd4cmQGb8CwfAHDIlx4JcUeDoeLY4MS6Qxpt8U4Mwp2RZpyLu9bUMjZAb4NQ-5xbM7JjZ94SxZ5Jn3X_hmt984E-10kqlOIenaflds/s2048/Photo%2525209%252520Jan%2525202014%25252021%25253A47.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkPtf4FgHm47B62ue4P7qJBu6dQQuqaBU09sEjEd4cmQGb8CwfAHDIlx4JcUeDoeLY4MS6Qxpt8U4Mwp2RZpyLu9bUMjZAb4NQ-5xbM7JjZ94SxZ5Jn3X_hmt984E-10kqlOIenaflds/s500/Photo%2525209%252520Jan%2525202014%25252021%25253A47.jpg" id="blogsy-1389306191631.7888" class="alignnone" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><font color="#fe00ff">The weather has been so very wet here this week, the river Thames has flooded locally, with Cookham, Bourne End and Marlow flooded in places. There are so many gorgeous river front houses just down the hill from us, but I really wouldn't want to be in their shoes right now. I suppose it's the price we have to pay for such a dry Summer. I really hope that the freezing weather across the pond doesn't wing it's way over here. I don't really fancy waking up to an Artic Vortex thank you very much!</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><font color="#fe00ff">I have been trying to organise our digital photos over the past week. The fact that they are spread over four old laptops, had been bothering me. I decided to sort them out and save them all to a memory stick. In the good old days, you sent off your film, got the photos back and then put them into albums. The digital age in my opinion has killed off that simple process. Last weekend, I retrieved the old photos, loaded them all onto a memory stick and then decided to make a memory book for both Daisy and Alex. Luckily Snapfish had 50% off on all of the photo books. The books arrived this week and I am so pleased with them. I think it's a lovely keep sake for the children, and a lovely reminder for us! </font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><font color="#fe00ff">I have also dug out my SLR camera, charged the battery and found the SD card, so I have no excuses now for not taking photographs. I would hate the children to look back at their childhood and find large chunks of it missing just because the camera was sat in the cupboard with a flat battery and missing SD card!</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><font color="#fe00ff">Well that's it from me for tonight, time for bed!</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><font color="#fe00ff">Till next time</font></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><font color="#fe00ff">Alison x x</font></div>
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<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-35054592274351067842014-01-01T19:55:00.000+00:002014-01-01T19:55:53.541+00:00HAPPY NEW YEAR<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Happy new year to all (I doubt anyone still reads my blog)!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I can't believe a year has passed by with me only making one blog post, but it has. Time just got the better of me in 2013, it was the year of adjusting to going out to work once again, albeit for only three part time days per week, but it definitely took some getting used to. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Poor old Pepe, Gingercat, was diagnosed with diabetes at the tail end of 2012 and spent nine months battling this miserable illness. Sadly in August the vet discovered a tumour in her tummy so we made the sad but kind decision to say goodbye to her. I still miss her funny ways. In October we acquired a new pussy cat to keep Splatty boy company, a little black and white kitten called Pumpkin. She adores Splat and has done from the minute she came home. He likes her too, and lovingly brings in mice for her to chase around the kitchen!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I have still managed to find time to craft in 2013, crochet still being my favourite. I have just finished off a baby blanket, and plan to knit my first ever pair of socks this year! </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I would really like to contribute to my blog this year on a regular basis, I love reading blogs still but have found that I haven't had the time or inclination to write which is a real shame, sometimes it's just that technology gets the better of me. I want to add some photos today but I'm not sure how to do so from the IPad!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">My main resolution for 2014 is to worry less and to continue to try and improve my fitness and weight loss. Last year I managed to loose two stone, through a combination of diet and lots and lots of walking. It has felt like a big achievement but I would like to loose some more weight and get fitter? It all starts tomorrow, no excuses to eat chocolate or drink alcohol now Xmas is over. I just hope the weather picks up, it's been very miserable here today. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I shall endeavour to add some photos but I'm not promising it will work!, </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Till next time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Alison xx</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-91403572296947244222013-01-02T16:40:00.001+00:002013-01-02T21:40:07.059+00:00Happy New Year<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Happy New Year, let's hope 2013 is a good year despite it's unlucky name. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>One of my resolutions is to start blogging regularly again. A post every five months isn't really good enough is it! </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Here are a few highlights in pictures from 2012.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>A picture from our fabulous holiday to Florida back in August. I wasn't really looking forward to going that much as we have done Florida a few times before and I knew the weather was going to be rediculously hot. We had such a great time though, lots of relaxing in the pool as well as doing the theme park. The kids loved Harry Potter world, it was very well done.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Daisy started Secondary school in September. She has grown up so much since leaving her primary school in July. She seems to have settled in really well and is working hard and making excellent progress.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Daisy turned 12 in September and enjoyed an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party. The weather was really warm that day so the girls spent the whole party out in the garden, playing all the games they had devised themselves.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>Alex and I went to the Paralympics at the beginning of September. This was another gorgeous day and very inspiring. I was so impressed with the stadium, the fantastic athletes and the games makers, who were all so friendly. My naughty son and his mate acquired the foam pointy fingers that the volunteers were using to guide the crowds!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>I have been crocheting more blankets and am currently working on a diagonal blanket (photos to follow). I completed my first knitting </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>project in December, a pair of lacey wrist warmers. I bought these as a little kit from the stitching and knitting show at Alexandra Palace. I always go with my good friend Julia and we always enjoy the show and the day so much. I bought some gorgeous yarn for my next blanket, I just need to decide on a pattern and finish the diagonal blanket first.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); color: purple; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><b>Julia and I decided to start a Friday morning craft and coffee at our local coffee shop. We had some posters designed by my lovely sister in law and waited eagerly for the day to arrive. We weren't really sure if anyone would actually turn up but they did! We have a nice group of ladies who come along on a Friday morning for a couple of hours. I am back working two days a week now so my Friday mornings are a real treat.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><b>Christmas was good apart from Mr P having the Flu, it sort of passed him by as he spent three days in bed. So here we are the start of a new year once more. Resolutions have been made and I'm sure they will be broken just as quickly!</b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><b>Till next time x x</b></span></span>
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Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-14079403426852683992012-07-07T20:01:00.001+01:002012-07-07T20:01:46.827+01:00It's raining again!<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">What a wet week we have had, I don't think our lawn has ever looked this green during the first week of July. I have got to say, I am ever so slightly sick of getting wet. On Friday I popped to have a quick coffee with a couple of friends straight after dropping off the children at school. Only a ten minute walk to the coffee shop from school. By the time I had walked back home (which is a mere five minutes from my house) my jeans were water logged, the water had risen half way up the back of my calves! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">It is our local Summer fayre tomorrow which no doubt will be badly affected by the weather. I think it may be a bit drier tomorrow but showers are still predicted. Thank goodness Centre Court at Wimbledon has a cover now!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">It has been a manic week, work is hectic, school is hectic the chores never go away, they just seem to pile up. I am so looking forward to our Summer holiday (only just over a month away). We are off to Florida for a couple of weeks of sunny weather (fingers crossed) and some fun. We have been a few times before so know exactly what to expect and the children are really looking forward to going to Harry Potter at Universal Studios. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">At the beginning of June we did the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio tour (near Watford) which was excellent. Daisy in particular is a massive HP fan, she read all of the books back to back a couple of years ago and loves to watch the films. We had such a good day out. It is exceptionally well done and even if you only have a vague interest in the films or books the whole insight into the world of film making is fascinating. The work that goes into each film is amazing.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">We have had a very musical week this week, it was our school's music concert on Thursday evening and today we went to our local music centres garden party. Daisy is the musical one in our family, she plays the flute and saxophone and music really is her thing. Alex is our sporty one, any sport will do but his first love is football.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Daisy heard this week that she had passed her grade 3 flute exam and she performed perfectly in the school concert doing both a solo piece on her flute and also performing in a trio. It was a real proud parent moment, lots of parents came up to me to say how well and elegantly she plays the flute. Daisy is not at all sporty so its great that she has found "her thing" to be good at. She is desperate to learn to play the piano also. I think she is hoping that her nanny and grandad might take pity on her and "sponsor" her lessons as we really can't afford to fund three music lessons a week. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">It's Daisy school prom on Friday night which she is so excited about. She had a hair practise this week as she is desperate to have curly hair on the night. Why is it that people with straight hair desperately want curls? My hairdresser managed to work wonders with a curling wand so curls she will have. It's amazing how much easier curly hair is to work with. I put her hair into a pony tail after she had had it curled and it stayed in perfectly all day! Daisy's hair is fine, thick and poker straight so doing anything with it other than having it straight is a nightmare.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Right its time for me to sign off, I have a mountain of ironing I could be doing, a house I could tidy, a million and one craft projects that I could be finishing but I think I might just go and have an early night instead! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Till next time.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Alison</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">x</span></strong>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-52444027343968010532012-06-28T20:11:00.000+01:002012-06-28T20:11:48.050+01:00This and That<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Just thought I would pop by, say hello and give you a little update on the gingercat household. Life is as busy as ever, the weeks fly by in a whirl and I never seem to catch up with myself. Is is just me or does time seem to go faster the older you get?</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I have had a very busy week work wise and I must admit today I felt very tired indeed. I could have stayed in bed this morning if I'm honest, as it was a struggle just to open my eyes. I have been burning the candle at both ends, staying up far too late reading. I am ashamed to admit I have been reading 50 shades of Grey and am half way through the second book - it's easy to read and the characters have a crafty way of getting under your skin, I just want to find out what happens to them! Yes there is lots of sex and the number of orgasms is almost laughable, its not terribly well written either but there is just something about it, which makes it very readable.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I have definitely been trying to make the most of the sunshine over the last couple of weeks. The Summer has been so patchy that I feel I have to be outside making the most of any rays of sunshine we have. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I love it when I drop the children at school, come back home have a quick tidy round and then take a nice cup of tea or coffee outside. I enjoy the peace and quiet and love to sit and just take in the garden. The garden is looking fabulous at the moment, it really is the best its been for years. I have got back into the gardening grove which helps, I have really enjoyed tending to my garden and seeing all the plants thrive (well most of them).</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Mr P had a mini garden revamp after the chickens moved down the road. He soon sorted out the muddy mess at the end of the garden. Turf was laid and the swing moved down behind our office. The bench has also been moved down the end, so that's another of my favourite spots for an alfresco lunch or a mid morning cuppa.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I have almost finished a little lap blanket which I have been crocheting for months and months. I bought the wool last October at the stitching and knitting show. It was just enough to do a lap throw. I choose my favourite ripple pattern. I just love the ease of crocheting the ripple, so rythmic. I just need to sew in the ends and then we are all done.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">The pictures aren't great as I only used the little digital camera, and it was as very sunny morning. The colours are all very muted tones, very earthy colours. I just have the big granny square blanket to finish off for Daisy's bed, although I still have a very long way to go. I would like to finish it off by her birthday ideally so I definitely need to pull my finger out and get on with it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Here was my mid morning snack on Monday, a nice cup of coffee and a slice of lemon drizzle cake. Naughty but oh so nice. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Here are a couple of garden pictures I took that same morning(again not great photos). Our lupins have looked lovely this year, some have finished now and some are still in full bloom.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">The fox gloves have looked magnificent this year also. My delphiniums have been spectacular too, often they just get obliterated by slugs and snails but I have been on their case this year and managed to kill them before they did too much damage. I do love cottage garden plants. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">For some odd reason I have downloaded a picture of bacon and pancakes! I think Daisy must have photographed her breakfast last weekend. We always try to have a family breakfast at the weekend. In</span></strong><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"> the week we tend to eat breakfast at different times and never all sit down to eat in the morning. I like to make a bit more effort at the weekend and cook something a bit different to our normal weekday fayre. Pancakes are often on the menu, ocassionaly we have bacon and eggs. Our favoutie at the moment is bacon, pancakes and maple syrup. I love the whole sweet and salty thing you get with it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Last weekend I made a batch of elderflower cordial. I left it a bit late really, as the elderflowers were coming to an end. I find it incredibly difficult to get the citric acid. A lot of chemists just don't sell it anymore. I hate the smell of elderflowers when you make it, it smells like cats pee! I love the finished result though, so refreshing.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I will leave you with a rather poor photo of the newly revamped end of garden. It's hard to imagine this was were the chickens lived. Do you like our cheesy frog band. Me and Mr P bought then from a sunday magazine about 15 years ago. I keep threatening to get rid of them but Mr P refuses to throw them out! My sunflowers in the trough have grown an awful lot since I took this picture. I can see the green leaves of the plant when I am sat at my desk looking out of that window.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">We are off to a 40th birthday party on Saturday night which should be fun. I managed to find a new dress to wear to it today in the sales which is great., I do love a bargain! It seems strange the shops selling off their Summer stuff, I don't even feel like we have had a Summer yet. It will be Christmas at this rate - yikes!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Till next time, enjoy the weekend.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Alison</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">x</span></strong></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-65762032344063367302012-06-10T23:56:00.000+01:002012-06-11T12:55:17.372+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Hello, once again it's been a while! Time just seems to run away with me at the moment. I always have good intentions to blog but just never seem to get around to it. Anyhow, I'm at my keyboard and ready to update you on life in the Gingercat household.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Its been a busy Spring, we decided at Easter to put our house on the market and to see what happens. It has been very quiet to say the least. We have had a few viewing but not many. I don't really think it's because our house is massively overpriced, I just feel the market is absolutely dead right now. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">We have looked at a handful of houses and all with the exception of one or two they have been truly awful. We are seriously thinking about staying put for now and maybe looking to build up into the loft. I just don't feel that now is the going to be our time to move. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Daisy has been on her residential year 6 trip with school to the Isle of Wight and had an absolute ball. She hated the residential trip last year and really didn't want to go this time around. I am so pleased she had a really positive experience on this year's trip. I still remember my last year at primary school and our trip to Swanage in Dorset. It was the first time I had ever stayed away from home and I loved it! I still remember so many things about the week away and that was 32 years ago now! </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Daisy only has six weeks left at her Primary school, off to her new big school in September. She seems OK about it at the moment, I'm the one having a few nervous wobbles over her starting. Here is a picture of her taken last weekend, trying on her outfit for the leavers prom. She is in the in between stage at the moment clothes wise. Too big for some children's departments and too small for adults. We finally found this cream lace dress in Zara in an extra small. It's a bit big in places but she loves it and it looks lovely on. There is definitely a gap in the market for party/prom dresses for girls aged between 11 and 14 years old. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">On the home front, I have finally got around to doing some furniture painting. I bought the paint for Alex's chest of drawers well over a year ago now! This was a pretty tatty looking pine and cream painted chest. The week Daisy was away, which also happened to be the week the weather turned out beautiful got me in the mood for a spot of DIY. A couple of coats of Annie Sloan's old white and Louis blue chalky paint, a couple of coats of clear wax, a set of new ceramic knobs and hey presto a greatly improved piece of furniture. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I have since managed to buy a horrible sun tan orange pine bed side cabinet for the bargain price of £10 in a charity shop and have given that a mini makeover too. Alex's room is looking so much better for his new improved furniture. I am considering giving his room a lick of paint before the Summer holidays. We wallpapered it 18 months ago and it has never looked great. The paper was a Laura Ashley pale blue star print but we had real trouble with it sticking in places. It is also very matt and marks really easily. I figure a bit of sticking down of paper and a lick of paint will make his room look much fresher (I think I will decorate regardless of whether we move or not, even if we do move it's definitely not going to happen overnight).</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">We enjoyed the Jubilee weekend last week very much. We decorated the office and front of our house with bunting and spent the weekend celebrating with family over a jubilee lunch and enjoyed a lovely BBQ with friends on bank holiday Monday. We watched the Thames flotilla celebration and the Jubilee concert on TV. The Queen is one amazing lady, I don't think I could have endured such a full on four days at the ripe old age of 86!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I entered Laa Laa's Jubilee swap and teamed up with the lovely Pen. She sent me a whole box full of gorgeous goodies which I did try to photograph, only to find the battery flat on my camera and the SD card had gone AWOL! I got a lovely hand made pin cushion and needle case, a mini cross stitch kit, cadbury's chocolate, a jubilee coaster, badge, a lovely postcard, a knitted red, white and blue egg cosy and some jubilee pencils (I hope I haven't forgotten anything!). I was very spoilt. I tried to send Pen some lovelies too, here is my jubilee patchwork cushion I made for her. I not sure it will go in any of her rooms but I reckon it would look great on a garden bench, perfect for leaning on when crafting outdoors or for when you enjoy a cuppa in the garden.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">An update on our pets, Pepe is fine, still a big fat greedy pudding, Splatty boy is growing up fast, he is a very sweet little cat. He is now a proper outdoor cat, he comes and goes as he pleases and he loves the freedom. He is definitely a fair weather cat, if it rains he does not want to be outside at all! </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">On Saturday we re homed our chickens. I have loved having them but had started to worry over the space they had. They were fenced off it the top half of our garden and had eaten all of the grass and vegetation by the start of the Winter. They had a good size area of wood chip to scratch in but were desperate to get into the rest of the garden or better still fly over to next doors garden. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I let them into the main part of our garden each day during the Winter and they destroyed it! The grass was bold in places and they ate lots of the plants. During the Spring we started to restock the main part of the garden and grass seeded the lawn so there was no way the chickens were having a free rein after that. My friend four houses down had kept chickens in her Dad's garden (who happens to live next door to her). He has a massive garden with an old orchard fenced off specifically for the chickens. She was keen for some new hens (after she lost her girls last year to Mr Fox). I felt it was only fair to give the girls the space they need and the vegetation they love. I hope Mr Fox doesn't pay them a visit and that they have lots of happy years scratching and pecking. They seemed very happy when we took them round on Saturday, instantly they were scratching and eating the grass. We all agreed it was for the best. Daisy had lost interest in them but was still a bit sad to see them go. We can go and visit them anytime we like which is a bonus. I was walking back from the local shop this afternoon and I could hear either Nellie or Henny Penny singing their egg laying song so I will take that as I sign that they have settled well!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I will leave you with a picture of my handsome boy!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Till next time.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Alison</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">xx</span></strong></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-34274733836794216062012-02-23T22:03:00.000+00:002012-02-23T22:03:04.845+00:00Pictures as promised<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">No posts in five months then two in 24 hours! A few pictures as promised. I have had a stay at home day today as poor old Daisy came home from school sick. Alex was sick on Sunday evening and now Daisy. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope Mr P and I don't go down with the lurgie.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW8mnclwuJeF4i7uPwGe6cXkx2GO9hTBmLdKfuHYxwvRiUEfpMiQ59OjmZC-LwhQIht9nvADioQbknul9SI__wk4aG7pc4DkQJpzpb0kYHr12JMVLUWkL9wn30q3p2PseJNUB-B5vp8g/s1600/EBAY+AND+STUFF+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW8mnclwuJeF4i7uPwGe6cXkx2GO9hTBmLdKfuHYxwvRiUEfpMiQ59OjmZC-LwhQIht9nvADioQbknul9SI__wk4aG7pc4DkQJpzpb0kYHr12JMVLUWkL9wn30q3p2PseJNUB-B5vp8g/s320/EBAY+AND+STUFF+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Here is a picture of Splat taken this afternoon. He loves a bit of ripple blanket to snuggle up with.</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Guess who likes sleeping on the ironing board? Turn my back for a moment and up she hops.</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiM1uK5L6S0vwg_qL_Abk683fJGNc71ZTQyToO0GjgXjBW95jo0Ke3cJ6KpG0XUyLf-G1wI1cjKAwxBz5RWoOAmvHeGGmylf9zGgjgUb4gxeubeeq7WtkHl4ynjvShQu__lR8a_5Fq1Y/s1600/EBAY+AND+STUFF+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiM1uK5L6S0vwg_qL_Abk683fJGNc71ZTQyToO0GjgXjBW95jo0Ke3cJ6KpG0XUyLf-G1wI1cjKAwxBz5RWoOAmvHeGGmylf9zGgjgUb4gxeubeeq7WtkHl4ynjvShQu__lR8a_5Fq1Y/s320/EBAY+AND+STUFF+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Here is my shoffice (I think that's what people call them). Guess who has been left to paint the doors? That would be me then!</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM6LAOJF4lbhyCfc3fp4pgaufGkoxpgbaXgoSl3-h9hBAEjz_jNsr8mDYomC5tLHijRd8PrDoSHUccWSdrTWryagKcQKFSNU8mTSP-7KNhFB6_q_-Cg-dYTzK2Dh_1xLTQGqDRzZEQTA/s1600/EBAY+AND+STUFF+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM6LAOJF4lbhyCfc3fp4pgaufGkoxpgbaXgoSl3-h9hBAEjz_jNsr8mDYomC5tLHijRd8PrDoSHUccWSdrTWryagKcQKFSNU8mTSP-7KNhFB6_q_-Cg-dYTzK2Dh_1xLTQGqDRzZEQTA/s320/EBAY+AND+STUFF+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Inside of the shoffice - check out the crochet blanket on my chair!</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_bRWWWSQOLiNplyVKfNyhhVJyIziBDM0FFNtI8aCL_1a1tl75l73fZS4MeNUhxuihpDcFmV4U90wigcqubFdQDNw6MLtvyNomV0Aa2PX600jVZF5tILZKNLGZiodBKS-yCcGT5duqXI/s1600/EBAY+AND+STUFF+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_bRWWWSQOLiNplyVKfNyhhVJyIziBDM0FFNtI8aCL_1a1tl75l73fZS4MeNUhxuihpDcFmV4U90wigcqubFdQDNw6MLtvyNomV0Aa2PX600jVZF5tILZKNLGZiodBKS-yCcGT5duqXI/s320/EBAY+AND+STUFF+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">There is always room for a cushion or two!</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Check out poor old Nellies boldy old chest (if you enlarge the picture you can see it better), she also has her eyes closed in this picture.</span></strong></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I have just listed 25 items of children's clothing on Ebay so am absolutely shattered and nearly lost the will to live. Bed time for me I think. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Have a lovely weekend, and lets hope this glorious warm weather continues.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Till next time.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Alison</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">x</span></strong>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-66346259692061341452012-02-22T22:56:00.000+00:002012-02-22T22:56:33.684+00:00<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Hello, gosh it has certainly been a long time since my last post! I still browse blogland almost daily but the urge to write a post has just not been there. My blogging mojo has left the building that's for sure.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Things in the Gingercat house have been pretty good on the whole, no dramas to report. Christmas passed in a blur and thankfully Spring is just around the corner. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Just before Christmas we decided to get a kitten. Mr P was an adamant no at first but slowly we managed to break him down and persuade him that we needed another puss around the house. He is a little black kitten called Splat or Splatty as we all call him. He is so funny and so very cute. Poor old Pepe had her world turned upside down, and she is still not feeling the love for Splat. She is much better than she was but still growls and mutters under her breath when he goes near her. They will eat side by side now and I am sure in time they will tick along together just fine. Here is is when we first brought him home, he has more than doubled in size now.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">The chickens are all doing ok, they seemed to have survived their first Winter. Nellie and Henny Penney have been moulting. Poor old Nellie has been badly affected. First her head and neck were completely bald, then the freaky pin feathers all start to poke through (she really did look like something from Hell Raiser) and now she is sporting a rather flouncy new hair do. The front of her neck and chest is now bald so I think it will be a few more weeks before she is looking her best. Egg production has stopped whilst they have been moulting, Henny Penney has just started to lay again last week. I'm not sure what has happened to Doris, she went broody back at the end of September/beginning of October and hasn't laid an egg since! Daisy has sadly lost interest in the chickens (they were after all part of her birthday present) so I seem to have taken on the role of chief hen carer! I do enjoy seeing them everyday and talking to them, not so keen on cleaning up their poo everyday but hey ho a small price to pay for lovely fresh eggs.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">We had our garden office delivered in September and it has made such a difference. We no longer have all of Mr P's work files in our wardrobe or have his paperwork lying around. I am still doing my admin work for preschool and I love shutting myself away down the end of the garden, working whilst the chickens peck on the door. I can wait for the Summer that will be a treat working out in the garden. I will take some pictures of the office as I think it looks really cosy and is such a nice place to sit and work.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Daisy and Alex are both doing well, Daisy will be moving schools in September so a really big year for her. Alex is growing up fast and has decided to grow his hair into a longer more trendy "do". He celebrated his 8th birthday back in January. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">We have booked a holiday to Florida in the Summer so have lots to look forward to. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">I am still enjoying my crafting, a granny blanket is my latest crochet project and I am working again on my kiss cushion cross stitch - still go a long way to go on both.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">My bed is calling me, so until next time.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Alison</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">x</span></strong>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-21634177053033174112011-09-07T21:22:00.000+01:002011-09-07T21:22:55.797+01:00Happy Birthday Daisy xx<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a quick post to wish Daisy a very happy 11th birthday. It doesn't seem possible that eleven years have whizzed by in a flash - where has my baby gone to? </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;">She has enjoyed her birthday even though it was her first day back at school. We went out for a meal to celebrate this evening and then home for a slice of birthday cake. She is having a trip to Wagammas and a sleepover on Saturday with a few friends to celebrate and then a family party on Sunday.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;">I am really looking forward to tomorrow as I have the day all to myself. I need to catch up with a few jobs but then the rest of the day is all mine. I really need to make a patchwork cushion for a friend of Daisy's who's birthday is on Monday or start the new roman blind for the landing window. I really hope I wake up in a crafty mood!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;">All three of our hens are now laying eggs which is really exciting. The joy of collecting warm eggs each morning is a real treat. The hens have well and truly trashed the top end of our garden, they are like a trio of vandals, digging and scratching and generally trashing the joint!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;">We are having a log cabin (read as posh shed) delivered on Monday which we are going to use as an office. We looked at moving house earlier in the year but decided to hold fire for a while longer as realistically we cant afford the type of house we want. The new office should free up some space in the house and we will have a nice quiet space for working and homework. Daisy will need this space especially when she goes to senior school next year. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;">Hasn't the weather turned Autumnal? There was a real chill in the air today. I love Autumn but I wouldn't mind some sunny warm weather for a few more weeks.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;">Well I'm off for an early night, it took me ages to drop off last night, anyone would think it was me going back to school today and not the children!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;">I will leave you with some pictures of the birthday girl. Till next time.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial;">Alison</span></strong></div>
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Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-39941588097684903012011-08-29T23:15:00.006+01:002011-08-30T00:05:53.035+01:00A Summer Catchup<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGd1MBVO7s0rIpjY7w5NVaXu8ZBeK4fDWg0UGwDu8SyBNf9lJJnORQDPAvF-Y3nZ_IjiSF1xDz8hnYvMFdjjztMhEk69OCgPmFQvChCPMGhDiux305fXwZhASMdhsGKM3LY50c0HdX7Ow/s1600/brighton+080.JPG"></a>
<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Hello, I have finally found a spare half hour to sit down and type a long overdue update for my blog. The Summer has whizzed by in a flash, holidays have been and gone and on the whole we have had a lovely time. So what have we been up to I hear you say? Well we have spent bank holiday Monday in Brighton, it was a spur of the moment decision and a lovely day was had by all. We pulled silly faces for the camera.</span></strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowOnkNrl1voEH2ku3j-o5biT8B4TNbhLn0ZgLq44B1o0aC0w5eU36L5x0MOYS4WXS9gy6NP0uFg74Nt-3dgh_yNqBqkUCWFOngHcOVD8gAz8PENPZl5DpSr2Zud5wxJT7TJsqc33fXEE/s1600/brighton+072.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646408131324070674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowOnkNrl1voEH2ku3j-o5biT8B4TNbhLn0ZgLq44B1o0aC0w5eU36L5x0MOYS4WXS9gy6NP0uFg74Nt-3dgh_yNqBqkUCWFOngHcOVD8gAz8PENPZl5DpSr2Zud5wxJT7TJsqc33fXEE/s400/brighton+072.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Rode the horses three times!</span></strong></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONiI6p3VCvc8VZkUxOz9xzzwlpFWd95MYcIxAmL4UYWrxyGG8i-xRX3ryNhaXfJmgSz9WaBa0cShvLqj1KTphkmje6C8gIO12nyCZ5s-wVd6lLeYIqQxAYBRcB1KJa3-KmKQfKPUlLgA/s1600/brighton+063.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646408125760832850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONiI6p3VCvc8VZkUxOz9xzzwlpFWd95MYcIxAmL4UYWrxyGG8i-xRX3ryNhaXfJmgSz9WaBa0cShvLqj1KTphkmje6C8gIO12nyCZ5s-wVd6lLeYIqQxAYBRcB1KJa3-KmKQfKPUlLgA/s400/brighton+063.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Enjoyed being hamsters in silly air filled balls on a giant padding pool!</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ABYg0Y_grFhKTruth3fZmONnTWl6W2vHmhoCSvTbX0IRj-b3QxNAy6QwUkGsV1_JnPKLPpPhXppUWHkKElniiLsrkdUCUdyGPxVY7OpG2UuI1UK147hyjmQhHmBo1haUPhgZDdfw6II/s1600/holiday+pics+034.JPG"></a></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Spotted lots of lovely sugar mice in a shop window.</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We had a lovely week away with our in-laws in Cornwall. The weather was pretty good for once and we even managed two whole days on the beach!! We also visited my all time favourite zoo in Newquay. It is such a lovely place to take the children, it's not too big or small and is very hands on. We fed meal worms to merecats and threw stinky fish to penguins, peted farm animals and generally had a lovely day.</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We visit Trebah gardens which were beautiful and led down to a lovely little beach, the perfect place for a paddle and an ice cream.</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ABYg0Y_grFhKTruth3fZmONnTWl6W2vHmhoCSvTbX0IRj-b3QxNAy6QwUkGsV1_JnPKLPpPhXppUWHkKElniiLsrkdUCUdyGPxVY7OpG2UuI1UK147hyjmQhHmBo1haUPhgZDdfw6II/s1600/holiday+pics+034.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646406678486217826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ABYg0Y_grFhKTruth3fZmONnTWl6W2vHmhoCSvTbX0IRj-b3QxNAy6QwUkGsV1_JnPKLPpPhXppUWHkKElniiLsrkdUCUdyGPxVY7OpG2UuI1UK147hyjmQhHmBo1haUPhgZDdfw6II/s400/holiday+pics+034.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mr P practised his digging skills on the beach, why do children love to be buried?</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMADTO5QAaHlpetSyKw2ZkWGer0FTvxb_f9nLE6C1NxKn8nEAAwc9tmhe4o8WfWvm0RLDtWIHQS8nnM0vVWCdTF3sdSrNWYR8X9VOzS6qMsFpVK0-itAH9bgB9HteEFvDqqAkf5KVS3KI/s1600/holiday+pics+026.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646406674341789074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMADTO5QAaHlpetSyKw2ZkWGer0FTvxb_f9nLE6C1NxKn8nEAAwc9tmhe4o8WfWvm0RLDtWIHQS8nnM0vVWCdTF3sdSrNWYR8X9VOzS6qMsFpVK0-itAH9bgB9HteEFvDqqAkf5KVS3KI/s400/holiday+pics+026.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">And really big news on the chicken front, we have a layer, Henny Penny has laid us 6 lovely eggs in the last week. They are a bit on the small side (which apparently is normal) but today's egg was much bigger than the other 5. Just need the other two to start laying.</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UrZkWecFkHh-KTioi_spzJTffj1dRqSxjXDKKO4fOs7GVTjUxEpM35-Dj3iZb82n5knCr7AgB4mpxuPVr7Qr2BtpxA6gLJr8CycEU6no-7rX8cLt39HO_YAXJHZe6Vy20553jkYayq4/s1600/holiday+pics+007.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646406670508158898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UrZkWecFkHh-KTioi_spzJTffj1dRqSxjXDKKO4fOs7GVTjUxEpM35-Dj3iZb82n5knCr7AgB4mpxuPVr7Qr2BtpxA6gLJr8CycEU6no-7rX8cLt39HO_YAXJHZe6Vy20553jkYayq4/s400/holiday+pics+007.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We have also been swimming and visited the cinema, had lovely evenings and days out with friends. Only a week left now until school starts again. I am nearly ready for a bit of routine, if I'm honest. I am not at my best when left to my own devices, routine suits me better. </span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I have managed a bit of hookie and am working on a granny square blanket, this time I am crocheting the squares in one colour per square, so not as many ends to sew.</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Daisy is going to be 11 in just over a weeks time. I find it hard to believe that 11 years have flown by so quickly. She is growing up and simply wants a meal out, a bit of a shop and a small sleepover for her birthday. </span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Daisy was a very proud winner last weekend. We entered the local horticultural show, decorated cupcakes for Alex and Daisy and a chocolate Victoria sponge for me. Daisy won first prize and a cup, Alex came second and I won first for my sponge! I couldn't believe our luck, Daisy spent ages making sugar paste flowers and learning to pipe butter icing so was really a well deserved winner. Alex went for a patriotic red white and blue sprinkles on his cupcakes. We might try and enter some veg into the show next year.</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Well time for bed, I really hope this post doesn't have massive gaps between text and pictures. I find using blogger such a chore. If anyone has any tips on how to improve the layout please post a comment.</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong></div>
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<br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong></div>
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<br />Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-89252465833298961222011-07-29T09:14:00.009+01:002011-07-30T09:03:48.258+01:00<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Hello, well we have survived the first week of the Summer holidays and I think we have settled nicely into our holiday routine. It has been so lovely not having to do any work of any sort, it feels rather strange. </span></strong>
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<br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>We have been on a few trips out this week, we went to see Cars 2 movie at the cinema on Tuesday which was actioned packed, good fun and really well done. On Thursday we had an exhausting day at Legoland. I always have to </strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>gear</strong> </span><strong>myself up to go there but as always I really enjoyed the day. I must admit my legs and shoulders feel rather achy today. We walked around for 9 hours and I had the job of carrying our picnic in a rucksack (hence the achy shoulders today).</strong></span></ <div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">
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<br />We had a lovely afternoon yesterday when we met our friends at the local National Trust property Cliveden. We parked ourselves on a bench in the watergarden where we spent a good few hours, drinking tea, chatting and crocheting whilst the kids made a den and had the freedom to explore and play. </span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Last Saturday we went out to celebrate my mother-in-laws 65th birthday. We had decided to have afternoon tea at Danesfield House in Marlow. Danesfield is a rather grand hotel set in an old manor house and surrounded by lovely grounds overlooking the River Thames. The setting is beautiful which is more than I can say for the afternoon tea. We had such a lousy experience there. The amount of food was minimal, the sandwiches were served on dry white bread and the service was shockingly poor. We didn't complain at the time as it would have totally ruined what was supposed to be a lovely afternoon. I did however sent a rather shirty email when we got home. I got an initial response on Monday, but am awaiting a further reply after they have investigated the situation. The worst part was that it cost £200 for 5 adults! Here is Danesfield in all of it's glory, such a shame the it didn't live up to our expectations.</span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqQ9nHIfLWOyZlUAH9FmHtCfDtyePJkROaHBWoHMNfQVHbQB-tP_3NaxHPtFbM8KFx-wS2Ox3-qvtE95S_CpvQfuP-CREmmExMCI8ZSVBW80A8fnqiVSptLnDnItcJnqhdet1pdAap8w/s1600/5771.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 358px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635048755135286290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqQ9nHIfLWOyZlUAH9FmHtCfDtyePJkROaHBWoHMNfQVHbQB-tP_3NaxHPtFbM8KFx-wS2Ox3-qvtE95S_CpvQfuP-CREmmExMCI8ZSVBW80A8fnqiVSptLnDnItcJnqhdet1pdAap8w/s400/5771.jpg" /></a></span></strong>
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<br /><p><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Next Saturday we are off on our holidays to Cornwall. We are staying in St Ives. I am really looking forward to going away but have that horrible feeling the weather is going to be rubbish again. I so desperately want the children to experience Cornwall at its best, when you can spend leisurely days on the beach. We have also booked to go for a long weekend to Centre Parcs in October. I have been really naughty and booked to go in school time. The difference in price between the weekend before half term and either of the weekends during half term is huge. It would have cost us another £300! </span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">The Centre Parcs weekend is very well timed as we are going the day after Daisy finishes taking her 2nd 11+ paper. The dreaded 11+ seems to be hanging over our heads and I think everyone is feeling the pressure. At least by October it will be all over and what ever will be will be.</span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">On the crafting front, I have finally finished my cotton granny square blanket which I am rather pleased with. I have also finished the second baby blanket, which was really well received. I have just bought a load of yarn for a blanket for Daisy. I think I might make a granny square blanket for Daisy but do each square in one colour. I hated having to sew in all those ends when you change colour each round. I think I will use a cream yarn to join the squares together. </span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I have decided that I would like to run a stall at the school's Christmas fair this year. I have asked my friend Julia (@ Peacock Blue) to go halves with me, which will make the job a bit easier. I'm not sure exactly what we will make but at least by deciding to do it now, we have plenty of time to get making. I don't expect for one moment that it will make a fortune but it would be a good way to show people what we can make. I thought I could make some Christmas Stockings similar to the ones I made last year.</span></strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qhm8R5cH3TOubmLRifNEgaJRq4C0p9y_zKwR49JjGzQIUzMoCjccWBky48OKkduQ0OdBwAI0jcCqj6bv_t1IjOM2R_Vt-3niNqbRTmCtWMH9uQO4aDPU03NPyFQjET84GC2u4jIGs-Y/s1600/christmas+stocking+001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635047006095200082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qhm8R5cH3TOubmLRifNEgaJRq4C0p9y_zKwR49JjGzQIUzMoCjccWBky48OKkduQ0OdBwAI0jcCqj6bv_t1IjOM2R_Vt-3niNqbRTmCtWMH9uQO4aDPU03NPyFQjET84GC2u4jIGs-Y/s400/christmas+stocking+001.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><p><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We have a fairly quiet weekend ahead with very little planned at all. It looks as though today is going to be a nice day, well the sun is shining at least. Mr P has to work today so it's just me and the kids at home. Daisy has some grand plan to make a collage and Alex wants to go and buy some embroidery thread and Aida (is that what the white fabric with all the holes in is called?) and make some book marks. I think he has set his mind on selling them at the Christmas Fair!! </span></strong>
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<br /><p></p><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Right it's time for me to get up, I have a stack of washing to do and lots of boring old housework jobs that need doing.</span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Have a lovely weekend what ever you get up to.</span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison x</span></strong>
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<br /><p><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">PS Still no eggs yet!</span></strong></p>
<br />Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-27454876770181870882011-07-05T09:35:00.006+01:002011-07-05T17:39:30.550+01:00Tuesday Update<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Hello, how are you all doing on this rather wet Tuesday afternoon? It was absolutely glorious up until 3.15pm and since then it's done nothing but rain. It's hard to believe looking at the weather outside that I enjoyed a rather lovely lunch with my friend Julia sat outside in blazing sunshine. That's the good old British weather for you.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We are all pretty good in the Gingercat household, although I think it's fair to say we are all feeling a bit tired and jaded and really in need of the Summer holidays. Not long now only a few more weeks to go.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mr P and I had a fabulous night last night, we went to the Take That concert at Wembley. It was so good, those boys don't half know how to put on a show. Robbie really was the star of it all, he was exceptional. God I love that man, he has such talent and certainly knows how to entertain.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We have had a bit of a wobble on the chicken front. It started on Sunday morning when Daisy went to let them out. I was still in bed and I heard what I thought was a crowing noise. Low and behold, Mrs Featherbottom was crowing. I don't profess to be a chicken expert but even I know that hens don't crow. I went to investigate and the more I looked at her the more it dawned on me that Mrs Featherbottom is in fact most definitely Mr Featherbottom! </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Sadly it's not possible to keep a cockerel in our garden, if they weren't so noisy then it wouldn't be a problem. Mr P took him back to the breeder and swapped him for a hen. Daisy was upset and there were tears and sadness as we said goodbye. Mr P came back with this funny little thing, which we have called Nellie.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3j5d-T3a86pGdM3lvKpWH6mUtFG7N6OgkJiWSxRR0gb23GtjLWTBM7AUILWWQYc5eikLRGZUDIOun8ZcE-z37CB1wAqkEYMdkn_Pzbpe02RV1TL05DYCoomT6dBGH5dxsW4886ywwXY/s1600/hens+and+stuff+013.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625902427787257314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3j5d-T3a86pGdM3lvKpWH6mUtFG7N6OgkJiWSxRR0gb23GtjLWTBM7AUILWWQYc5eikLRGZUDIOun8ZcE-z37CB1wAqkEYMdkn_Pzbpe02RV1TL05DYCoomT6dBGH5dxsW4886ywwXY/s400/hens+and+stuff+013.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">She is a grey colour with a funny little small head. Doris and HP were not keen on her one bit when she arrived. There was lots of annoyed clucking going on and a bit of pecking too. They seemed to have settled down now and even allowed her on their perch. Here they are the inseparable two.</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy3U0NmZx2IVZzAy-j-IXaAtkvXAg8pJMVJuGWcBpEInp84Tsf61gssU3cBzKaDjys-5i93WL0fpEpWHSXJQZm-0oofvb6hP4tk8BEnnpgMD09p1MFAdmqRxfoCMTSTCJZC_MZtD4P2A/s1600/hens+and+stuff+019.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625785248191266818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy3U0NmZx2IVZzAy-j-IXaAtkvXAg8pJMVJuGWcBpEInp84Tsf61gssU3cBzKaDjys-5i93WL0fpEpWHSXJQZm-0oofvb6hP4tk8BEnnpgMD09p1MFAdmqRxfoCMTSTCJZC_MZtD4P2A/s400/hens+and+stuff+019.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I haven't posted a pic of Pepe lately, here she is asleep on the sofa this morning. She hasn't really budged all day, the lazy thing.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DIGZ7GYAdMakQ4Yw5f-HhT1E34u_YArdkw6c7tlec4QTEB2JWf_tdh5cgECClZh2ZeKL5zgSouH9Mqb5yoZvdEhGYGnbbQAj2rQY2qY9Obb0lzziOLDVDflmWYPiBzlAs8Cgfg5KaJs/s1600/hens+and+stuff+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625785243024634306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DIGZ7GYAdMakQ4Yw5f-HhT1E34u_YArdkw6c7tlec4QTEB2JWf_tdh5cgECClZh2ZeKL5zgSouH9Mqb5yoZvdEhGYGnbbQAj2rQY2qY9Obb0lzziOLDVDflmWYPiBzlAs8Cgfg5KaJs/s400/hens+and+stuff+009.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs-Im4Lkb4kzZepeojDT3X5Kl5mbl9ahq0YdIwwJ-ocGswlIWq-53-ALFOWuDJGALshyercTnEJkwkHPT-lIASVK1hNwQjwQ3EAGbgUz0yJPvR-ysl-5m6nqFGJ6dHerzIT6NQ2xTEPA/s1600/hens+and+stuff+008.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3D3KBlj8WWkRuW_rjemssqQmeuiJlnO3djbP29CLnHS6GgmrqmcW9To89CilxqVNhtrScRPzA5fuY3G_h_UUshPXpR3K3xorJYUyH_TY6crspaOHOiHMHtAKmnk2IqgxQeO9HZageVw/s1600/hens+and+stuff+006.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt7pduGlREaGyTX6Vld1kVwmvkZezeuiXB4ns3_jEHnR-jXL4EZKoWsn_2n9Ygv6yA_ctKUZSuNl75oC87NYFYtIUq6IZHxctkEYfeBJqv7xc9bcq14vgR3YCyUuKxSZ9uLDgEXIcayA/s1600/hens+and+stuff+007.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I finally managed to take some photo's of my finished blankets. This granny square blanket was started last Summer. I have joined up 16 squares and am now crocheting around in treble clusters (as I got fed up with granny square making). The treble clusters don't really lie flat and the boarder is a bit flouncy if I'm honest. However, the colours are very summery and it will be perfect for throwing over laps or legs when it starts to get a bit chilly.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs-Im4Lkb4kzZepeojDT3X5Kl5mbl9ahq0YdIwwJ-ocGswlIWq-53-ALFOWuDJGALshyercTnEJkwkHPT-lIASVK1hNwQjwQ3EAGbgUz0yJPvR-ysl-5m6nqFGJ6dHerzIT6NQ2xTEPA/s1600/hens+and+stuff+008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625785241567773874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs-Im4Lkb4kzZepeojDT3X5Kl5mbl9ahq0YdIwwJ-ocGswlIWq-53-ALFOWuDJGALshyercTnEJkwkHPT-lIASVK1hNwQjwQ3EAGbgUz0yJPvR-ysl-5m6nqFGJ6dHerzIT6NQ2xTEPA/s400/hens+and+stuff+008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3D3KBlj8WWkRuW_rjemssqQmeuiJlnO3djbP29CLnHS6GgmrqmcW9To89CilxqVNhtrScRPzA5fuY3G_h_UUshPXpR3K3xorJYUyH_TY6crspaOHOiHMHtAKmnk2IqgxQeO9HZageVw/s1600/hens+and+stuff+006.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt7pduGlREaGyTX6Vld1kVwmvkZezeuiXB4ns3_jEHnR-jXL4EZKoWsn_2n9Ygv6yA_ctKUZSuNl75oC87NYFYtIUq6IZHxctkEYfeBJqv7xc9bcq14vgR3YCyUuKxSZ9uLDgEXIcayA/s1600/hens+and+stuff+007.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3D3KBlj8WWkRuW_rjemssqQmeuiJlnO3djbP29CLnHS6GgmrqmcW9To89CilxqVNhtrScRPzA5fuY3G_h_UUshPXpR3K3xorJYUyH_TY6crspaOHOiHMHtAKmnk2IqgxQeO9HZageVw/s1600/hens+and+stuff+006.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">This is the first baby blanket that I have crocheted. I choose some very lovely Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino in gorgeous baby shades and used a vintage granny stripe pattern. It is so soft and snuggly, I am just waiting for the baby to arrive now. </span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt7pduGlREaGyTX6Vld1kVwmvkZezeuiXB4ns3_jEHnR-jXL4EZKoWsn_2n9Ygv6yA_ctKUZSuNl75oC87NYFYtIUq6IZHxctkEYfeBJqv7xc9bcq14vgR3YCyUuKxSZ9uLDgEXIcayA/s1600/hens+and+stuff+007.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625785226922677266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt7pduGlREaGyTX6Vld1kVwmvkZezeuiXB4ns3_jEHnR-jXL4EZKoWsn_2n9Ygv6yA_ctKUZSuNl75oC87NYFYtIUq6IZHxctkEYfeBJqv7xc9bcq14vgR3YCyUuKxSZ9uLDgEXIcayA/s400/hens+and+stuff+007.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3D3KBlj8WWkRuW_rjemssqQmeuiJlnO3djbP29CLnHS6GgmrqmcW9To89CilxqVNhtrScRPzA5fuY3G_h_UUshPXpR3K3xorJYUyH_TY6crspaOHOiHMHtAKmnk2IqgxQeO9HZageVw/s1600/hens+and+stuff+006.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Here is a close up of the colours, I thought if would be fine for either sex.</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3D3KBlj8WWkRuW_rjemssqQmeuiJlnO3djbP29CLnHS6GgmrqmcW9To89CilxqVNhtrScRPzA5fuY3G_h_UUshPXpR3K3xorJYUyH_TY6crspaOHOiHMHtAKmnk2IqgxQeO9HZageVw/s1600/hens+and+stuff+006.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625785231987147234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3D3KBlj8WWkRuW_rjemssqQmeuiJlnO3djbP29CLnHS6GgmrqmcW9To89CilxqVNhtrScRPzA5fuY3G_h_UUshPXpR3K3xorJYUyH_TY6crspaOHOiHMHtAKmnk2IqgxQeO9HZageVw/s400/hens+and+stuff+006.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I am also crocheting another baby blanket, this one is white and lemon. The baby arrived a week ago now, so I really do need to get on with it. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">It's my book club this evening which I always look forward to. This month our book to read was Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes, it was gripping to say the least. Rather disturbing too but definitely a page turner. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Right I am off to make the tea.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong><br />XAlijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-74743162882968080812011-06-23T21:04:00.008+01:002011-06-23T22:25:29.495+01:00At last - A post!!<div align="left"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Hello, well it's certainly been a few weeks since I last posted. I felt the need for a little bloggy break, life has been fairly hectic and the wonderful land of blog has taken somewhat of a back seat. But, I'm back and hopefully regular posting will be resumed.</span></strong></strong></span>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">My last proper update was way back in April, the day before the Royal Wedding. What a fabulous wedding day we had, definitely one to be remembered. We sat all morning and watched the wedding on the box and then enjoyed a fantastic street party with our friends. The weather held out and a fab time was had by all. I think we staggered home around 10pm. It was a day that made you feel proud to be British, we certainly know how to do pomp and ceremony with style. Didn't the bride look fabulous, I loved her dress, she is one stylish lady.</span></strong>
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<br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">At the end of May, I had my usual outing to RHS Chelsea with my in-laws. Mr P always opts to stay at home with the little ones, he doesn't like the crowds at Chelsea. Once again, we had a fabulous day out. We spent the morning looking around the small gardens, had a nice lunch, and then we did the show gardens and the main marquee in the afternoon. We always manage to do lots and lots of shopping. Good job my in-laws are organised and always bring those little pull along trolleys with them. </span></strong>
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<br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">This year, I made a big purchase of our chicken coop (as posted by Daisy) at the show. It was such a good price that I just had to have it. Mr P had to drive up and collect it at the end of the show (good job he didn't mind - he is pretty good like that!)</span></strong>
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<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Here it is in all its chicken coop glory. We have fenced off the bottom part of the garden by our shed and playhouse, Mr P spent one Sunday making a fence and a little gate to keep the chickens in. They are kept in the coop over night but have free range in their part of the garden all day. I didn't realise just how much chickens scratch - boy do they love to scratch. Every morning I sweep all the wood chip back onto the chipped area, but by lunch time it looks as though I hadn't bothered.</span></strong>
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<br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3hLmsTYNPYOJUopEbKLSGv7Jc9Plzx2ZCrCoTQz-iNy1of8w8slr7xAELw7SbkYhBkwmDYbb3M4gBgcJUQdNCV8A19Gn4aNvOfkVfOS81UZSw7mPzS77gzR20e9juzKfEFV5wqHJ2eY/s1600/EBAY+SUMMER+11+094.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621511051867206978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3hLmsTYNPYOJUopEbKLSGv7Jc9Plzx2ZCrCoTQz-iNy1of8w8slr7xAELw7SbkYhBkwmDYbb3M4gBgcJUQdNCV8A19Gn4aNvOfkVfOS81UZSw7mPzS77gzR20e9juzKfEFV5wqHJ2eY/s400/EBAY+SUMMER+11+094.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Let me introduce you to them, here is Henny Penny, she's a white Orpington.</span></strong>
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<br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95GSJS0aaOYngIq-vW3pqBG6jmYmlxOuG7Crqh4_XL1-Z0M0tEBYIE_gmUakCzHSrPb0HXU-qABXiBwX3HH7fzaOWcFIhVtHwA90t81q_ToLACw_JARktQ6csJHprC7-YaUMcJO7iZIw/s1600/EBAY+SUMMER+11+099.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621511067635951426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95GSJS0aaOYngIq-vW3pqBG6jmYmlxOuG7Crqh4_XL1-Z0M0tEBYIE_gmUakCzHSrPb0HXU-qABXiBwX3HH7fzaOWcFIhVtHwA90t81q_ToLACw_JARktQ6csJHprC7-YaUMcJO7iZIw/s400/EBAY+SUMMER+11+099.JPG" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv7BcLYWXN-yJ7f7wnfwHg8ACMmGlP96fSe_nsm-W5N8URNPWbRXe4m8IjM5QueRwODVNgTLikMHnudxeqhiPXYRsSQfOLnOJO26u-gSFdtf9u5RAXV-o3KBBZkEiHDFqquOWRbCV738/s1600/EBAY+SUMMER+11+097.JPG"></a>
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<br /><div align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Here they all are on their perch, Henny Penny (on the left), Doris (she's a black birchen Orpington) and then top chicken, Mrs Featherbottom (she a partridge coloured Orpinton).</span></strong></div>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">They are very funny to watch, I didn't realise just how close chickens are. They really don't do free thinking, they quite literally live as one. If one stretches a leg, then they all stretch their legs. The same with the perch, if one hops up then they all hop up. The chickens were an early birthday present for Daisy, so she has the fun job of cleaning out the poo and letting them out every morning. </span></strong>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We haven't had any eggs yet as they won't start laying until around 24 weeks. They are 20 weeks now, so not too long to wait.</span></strong></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Daisy had her very first residential trip away with school at the start of the month. She was very anxious about going but I think she enjoyed it. She really is a home bird, so I think she was very glad to come home at the end of the five days away.</span></strong>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">On the crafting front thinks have been a little slow. Although I have managed to complete one very lovely baby blanket (picture to follow soon), I am halfway through a second baby blanket (the baby is due today!) and have got almost to the end of a granny square blanket that I started last Summer. </span></strong></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">My patchwork quilt is coming along very slowly. As my class is on a Monday, it has suffered from far too many bank holidays plus the children have each had a Monday at home due to being poorly and then last Monday was sports day! I reckon I will be about 70 before it's finished.</span></strong></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">My new job for the preschool is going very well. It keeps me busy but I am really enjoying it. It's so much better than cleaning!</span></strong></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Well time to sign off I think, this weekend we are camping overnight at school and then it's the football awards ceremony for Alex. Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather on Saturday please.</span></strong></p>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I will leave you with a picture from Chelsea - a gorgeous display of spring flowers, I love delphiniums, they are one of my favourites. Also a fabulour Alium growing in my garden. It was a whooper.</span></strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKUG75eUo3eZVXyPQqTFgiu9hwoo4w7op_nrFdkl5p588Ch9Pw9TI5tZYH6w_23bnBx6sktfJ2t_TILFWT38yo9-xC70W4l4M9WK2Y8-VXX76Fz6NHfjvch4QAoeW3TR9L3rQZodhREY/s1600/street+party+063.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621511076764857234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKUG75eUo3eZVXyPQqTFgiu9hwoo4w7op_nrFdkl5p588Ch9Pw9TI5tZYH6w_23bnBx6sktfJ2t_TILFWT38yo9-xC70W4l4M9WK2Y8-VXX76Fz6NHfjvch4QAoeW3TR9L3rQZodhREY/s400/street+party+063.JPG" /></a>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfa23hxifYFFTed2PZVxOVTJP9FevOM66F7ilYouLbo4Og9GQPH1jGIM0jaThDk1Nry1RTS2-fdyQO9G5f__-kgHQILuXvTbLyXWITRSsJfDyFCMymB6DoRVkV2SU8tU2xY-LHA-Kdzs/s1600/EBAY+SUMMER+11+089.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621521461370087634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfa23hxifYFFTed2PZVxOVTJP9FevOM66F7ilYouLbo4Og9GQPH1jGIM0jaThDk1Nry1RTS2-fdyQO9G5f__-kgHQILuXvTbLyXWITRSsJfDyFCMymB6DoRVkV2SU8tU2xY-LHA-Kdzs/s400/EBAY+SUMMER+11+089.JPG" /></a>
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<br />Till next time.</span></strong>
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<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison x</span></strong></p>
<br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">PS does anyone know how to get rid of these massive gaps and spaces on my post. They are driving me mad!</span></strong></p>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-39080003341799770212011-05-28T22:07:00.012+01:002011-05-29T09:34:14.137+01:00Just a bit chicken mad<span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Hi it's me Daisy, </strong></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>On Saturday mum went to Chelsea flower show with nanny, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">grampy</span> and my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">aunty</span>. while she was there she saw a chicken coop that was affordable, the right size and perfect for our needs so we bought it! While she was there she also bought a few more chicken things including a chicken bowl, a chicken mug, a chicken <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tea towel</span> and chicken oven gloves!</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDXNfViiw8PDJFTy1JuSdZvl1U00BUhd-PVqhKICjtzd_ilnyDEHz4L7AX63pqkBIKSk59v5cZoZltpg-7TlDiK68IgVzS1syoapMLL-fUd9WRRZ0n0gsRw7ZzSvIeY9UsAcO1hjhyphenhyphen8w/s1600/street+party+079.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 261px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611878997028657890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDXNfViiw8PDJFTy1JuSdZvl1U00BUhd-PVqhKICjtzd_ilnyDEHz4L7AX63pqkBIKSk59v5cZoZltpg-7TlDiK68IgVzS1syoapMLL-fUd9WRRZ0n0gsRw7ZzSvIeY9UsAcO1hjhyphenhyphen8w/s400/street+party+079.JPG" /></a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Peps has taken a liking to the chicken bowl. which she decided to sit in as soon as it was on the table! cute eh.</strong></span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-lqL1hOPZymx6f5_a2ekqTu1WGgyIOUNDRIUc_Zh4UOyYdZ-yMkh3A07uB1pc2wpt-RLEQTVmfiUyOT02i36cDyVLj2NfOROHRAN3F7z-OrCu-YtYRWSwiK_NrPC6LAilK8FKXDtu2U/s1600/street+party+073.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 262px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611880104464412210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-lqL1hOPZymx6f5_a2ekqTu1WGgyIOUNDRIUc_Zh4UOyYdZ-yMkh3A07uB1pc2wpt-RLEQTVmfiUyOT02i36cDyVLj2NfOROHRAN3F7z-OrCu-YtYRWSwiK_NrPC6LAilK8FKXDtu2U/s400/street+party+073.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Have you spotted the chicken table cloth. it's not from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Chelsea</span> flower show though.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Got to go to bed now.</span></strong></p><br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">bye bye.</span></strong></p><br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">love</span></strong></p><br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Daisy</span></strong></p><br /><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">X</span></strong></p>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-79533010713181436322011-05-22T22:36:00.002+01:002011-05-22T22:38:48.951+01:00Hello<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Hello, I am still alive and kicking just been very busy what with one thing and another, the new job is going great but has taken up lots of time getting to grips with it all.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I will write a proper post this week with picture and all.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till then.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">x</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">PS even though I haven't posted, I still love catching up on all your fab blogs.</span></strong>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-56806642176757662502011-04-28T10:47:00.004+01:002011-04-28T11:28:22.378+01:00Feeling Icky<div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Good Morning, I'm not feeling very well today, so I have decided to spend the morning sat in bed resting and watching a bit of trashy day time television and browsing the Internet and my favourite blogs.</span></strong> </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I seem to have picked up a tummy bug that started yesterday, I am still feeling very nauseous and have a pounding headache. It's typical, yesterday was the first day that I have had to myself in over two weeks and I get ill!</span></strong><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I am hoping to get up later an will hopefully start to feel a bit perkier. I have managed a cup of tea which is a start!</span></strong><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Are you looking forward to the royal wedding tomorrow? We are going to a street party in the afternoon, so I definitely need to get my act together and start feeling better soon. I have cakes to bake and salads to make to take with us. I am planning on watching the wedding in the morning, I am by no means a royalist but I do love a good wedding!</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPg5pzmUVQmCIv-yucp3NlqMBoWd5ZOsAyO2LGUMG4h2Lah0CexpkKriBA_tsfbP3TOADoZ-RaimSvb4hTye7Kr9BJq27vhO_xjtSwXBcXx-gTgTStAepDPcBFUiVOABAoUewku5nET4/s1600/wedding-street-party1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 279px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600577904020212770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPg5pzmUVQmCIv-yucp3NlqMBoWd5ZOsAyO2LGUMG4h2Lah0CexpkKriBA_tsfbP3TOADoZ-RaimSvb4hTye7Kr9BJq27vhO_xjtSwXBcXx-gTgTStAepDPcBFUiVOABAoUewku5nET4/s400/wedding-street-party1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I think a bit of a celebration will do the country good, it all seems such doom and gloom at the moment so a bit of a knees up can't do us any harm. Lets hope the sun shines and the predicted showers keep away.</span></strong><br /><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We have been toying with the idea of getting some chickens. I have fancied keeping some for a long while but Mr P was very reluctant. He thinks that they will destroy all of the plants and wreck the garden. We have however got rid of our trampoline which frees up an area that would be perfect for chicken keeping. It is already wood chipped and would comfortably fit a coop and decent sized run. We could let them have free range of the garden when we are out there with them, mainly to keep an eye on them and stop them destroying all of the plants. Daisy is very keen and has asked for chickens as a birthday present.</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7rJS4uvJdaYxq5Ni1iMUPG4WKiVtVPB8C1SQxxcMYiExfm-eRKqupconOOPZDuD1gbfEe-iV2YiKuFVGsrbOgOMnywsdqbOd3yBjLVo1HKYNXSkenNfxLG0i7rnnMDW5wStNS1fsHMA/s1600/BuffOrpingtonBantam.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 344px; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600576887714135074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7rJS4uvJdaYxq5Ni1iMUPG4WKiVtVPB8C1SQxxcMYiExfm-eRKqupconOOPZDuD1gbfEe-iV2YiKuFVGsrbOgOMnywsdqbOd3yBjLVo1HKYNXSkenNfxLG0i7rnnMDW5wStNS1fsHMA/s400/BuffOrpingtonBantam.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I have ordered a book from Amazon on choosing and keeping chickens, I want to know all of the facts before we make a definite decision. If any of you are chicken keepers then please leave a comment on the pros and cons.</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">x</span></strong></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-45146839249002819252011-04-24T18:57:00.006+01:002011-04-24T21:05:36.728+01:00Happy Easter<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Hello and Happy Easter. Yet again it's been a while, lots going on in the Gingercat house and not much time to spare I'm afraid.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">All is good here, we have been enjoying the glorious weather and spending lots of time outside. I collected my bike last Wednesday, here she is. It has been lovely having a bike again, it's been a while and I was a bit wobbly at first! I have been out for a few rides, just to the shops and out for little rides with the children. </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth1iABYKFgTb-DklOlFGOCnh4mGvLoYjM4quYx7n12BQJs1KgBf5LhZc4s1BDCBsCz6jXcyie4VACJrmSnFXzH-xR10h5WNGACWj00HmBCx0xTRNESMCofF1BQ6ID2LgiFiErap2hgog/s1600/SPRINT+2011+261.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599216698594678914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth1iABYKFgTb-DklOlFGOCnh4mGvLoYjM4quYx7n12BQJs1KgBf5LhZc4s1BDCBsCz6jXcyie4VACJrmSnFXzH-xR10h5WNGACWj00HmBCx0xTRNESMCofF1BQ6ID2LgiFiErap2hgog/s400/SPRINT+2011+261.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I have finally finished my sister's birthday blanket, I finished off the edging just this afternoon. My sister is coming for tea tomorrow so I will give it to her then. Do you like the edging? It's a row of trebles, then two rows of double crochet and then a little purple edging row. </span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Here it is in all of its glory. I have to say I am very pleased with it and I am a bit sorry to see it go.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunpwNRtJMrFOWWi56H3Z3hWc7V-WwPAJJyFqG-0W9kIH7YwKYLcZd0ipbZQS52njoOGzxW67QzKD6Lr6GUuWSr5YIvfYUc_ZTyLoOdpw5D6z3ptsU3wKs6be1AH164YdvkWASng68DqQ/s1600/SPRINT+2011+259.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599216689455302274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunpwNRtJMrFOWWi56H3Z3hWc7V-WwPAJJyFqG-0W9kIH7YwKYLcZd0ipbZQS52njoOGzxW67QzKD6Lr6GUuWSr5YIvfYUc_ZTyLoOdpw5D6z3ptsU3wKs6be1AH164YdvkWASng68DqQ/s400/SPRINT+2011+259.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Finally a picture of my patchwork cushion. I think I'm fairly pleased with it for a first attempt. The patches all line up and the appliqued hearts look reasonably good. I haven't had a chance to get on with my quilt what with the school holidays and all, so I am looking forward to going back to college in a couple of weeks and finally being able to spend some time on it. </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0e0kC6erJ_BHrEsr-PWYVAFg6_DHF5fw9EwC8QFIWITz_Zc4z04pPTw0zT_c2DVHL1YNuGTgtp-afJmCLw3r_86rV24ELJ0k24jmrlW2QHpnSEKe0DVugjWQgYaeHLQUNVrgOIZ0RmM/s1600/SPRINT+2011+200.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599216678390755874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0e0kC6erJ_BHrEsr-PWYVAFg6_DHF5fw9EwC8QFIWITz_Zc4z04pPTw0zT_c2DVHL1YNuGTgtp-afJmCLw3r_86rV24ELJ0k24jmrlW2QHpnSEKe0DVugjWQgYaeHLQUNVrgOIZ0RmM/s400/SPRINT+2011+200.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Easter preparations in the Gingercat house were a little delayed this year (well compared to last year). Our Easter tree only went up this morning and was hastily decorated by my two over excited little helpers. The Easter bunny called at our house and Daisy and Alex had great fun hunting in the garden for chocolate chicks and bunnies. Vast quantities of chocolate have already been consumed. It is also Mr P's birthday today, so on top of all the chocolate we have also been out for a yummy pub lunch with family and then back for tea and birthday cake sat in the garden in the sunshine.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnf6-fyhizoS3slu1X471JqJK1ciJkCZVOQ22H8Lv6EuL1Tmpiv0dcRWrnySxwz0YV6ri6jdlcYvTqQ6DrncbxzFigSDx7ZJmZXnFPoXQdC1Lee2ly3A13H89dnJkXVuJ3gBbx5k2zFs/s1600/SPRINT+2011+199.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599216671841516274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnf6-fyhizoS3slu1X471JqJK1ciJkCZVOQ22H8Lv6EuL1Tmpiv0dcRWrnySxwz0YV6ri6jdlcYvTqQ6DrncbxzFigSDx7ZJmZXnFPoXQdC1Lee2ly3A13H89dnJkXVuJ3gBbx5k2zFs/s400/SPRINT+2011+199.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Easter cupcake were hastily baked this morning and topped with little sugar icing eggs.</span></strong><br /></p><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Y6GM3_ZSGAVckhvfIUNbBzHUQfqLP-S-WR2zSWvv4FNEBNfhmmJZ5giStpILbUblukS6ZbvQjki4UTitPxy-MBFjj1HoO0FoGJg49a8YX14psbPs_cLj7st3Zhw3Ak3p5de_2-n6Hac/s1600/SPRINT+2011+202.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599215001534259730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Y6GM3_ZSGAVckhvfIUNbBzHUQfqLP-S-WR2zSWvv4FNEBNfhmmJZ5giStpILbUblukS6ZbvQjki4UTitPxy-MBFjj1HoO0FoGJg49a8YX14psbPs_cLj7st3Zhw3Ak3p5de_2-n6Hac/s400/SPRINT+2011+202.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We have spent lots of time sorting the garden out over the past few weeks and it's looking good, so good in fact we are now undecided about whether we want to move just yet. We love living in our little cottage and especially love the garden but we do need more living space. Our hearts are still very firmly attached to our little house and that's the problem. We need to move but we don't really want to. I think we will put our house on the market at some point this year but maybe just not yet. It's very depressing when you look around and see what we can actually afford, an extra £100,000 buys you very little in the South East. It is such a huge amount of money for such little gain in my opinion. </span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Moving on from depressing house plans, we had a lovely picnic at Cliveden on Friday afternoon. Cliveden is a National Trust property about four miles from our house, it's the house famed with the Profumo affair during the 1960's and the Astor family. The house is owned by the National Trust but leased and run as a very lovely luxury hotel, with the gardens open to the public. They have wonderful gardens and have just recreated a yew maze that existed in the 1800's. The maze was an experience to say the least. We all made it to the middle fairly easily but getting out was another matter! Daisy and I were stuck in the maze for ages, we even phoned Mr P on his mobile to come and rescue us. Mr P and Alex had gone on in front and managed to loose us on the way out, they however seemed to find the exit easily. The National Trust had laid on an Easter egg hunt and crafts for the children, so we all enjoyed a really lovely afternoon. Here is Daisy tucking into a hot cross bun!</span></strong><br /><br /></div></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_ObzeaOZ18CjBFrbTGZk_rjhifp1NEa3vQw8sWCAKtldF0tdoq4yXgDoRWZf3WUR42DsPiGGzHfUmh1Rhl5Hs8E4_z7bumDTxhXDNmSH3_8tuw9Uk5ZJ7Y0vnX4oIDBh57Jm4Jldkrk/s1600/SPRINT+2011+186.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599214984288078994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_ObzeaOZ18CjBFrbTGZk_rjhifp1NEa3vQw8sWCAKtldF0tdoq4yXgDoRWZf3WUR42DsPiGGzHfUmh1Rhl5Hs8E4_z7bumDTxhXDNmSH3_8tuw9Uk5ZJ7Y0vnX4oIDBh57Jm4Jldkrk/s400/SPRINT+2011+186.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alex and Mr P enjoying the sunshine.</span></strong></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxERC_sm8xkmmeSzyAsBAiHoVyiQDdhUb6DHN16wNTpJinY6HsKCQMR-yvkG-CB-8T1znkASJyyvZExBCP92diD8XqPy_YPKV_RSy_-5VuC_kh9E2K107QjSPzB6EV4-O4MctSGsF4a-E/s1600/SPRINT+2011+185.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599212831217657954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxERC_sm8xkmmeSzyAsBAiHoVyiQDdhUb6DHN16wNTpJinY6HsKCQMR-yvkG-CB-8T1znkASJyyvZExBCP92diD8XqPy_YPKV_RSy_-5VuC_kh9E2K107QjSPzB6EV4-O4MctSGsF4a-E/s400/SPRINT+2011+185.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Homemade hot cross buns made on Friday morning and enjoyed on our picnic. They were lovely, so much nicer than shop bought ones. </span></strong><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapZAu3OdSTpa2QKfe9sQsPD5cdzPHN-PoSEsC8sJxITpgTfeR6gP5ReLMw9-Wlt-lh6k7kpzDa8Nj0Y_WbpE1TInkO_44Y14D5mp-L4xIyE2rCH5dYp4nd3UYZl1c99rNKpNub4sAN5A/s1600/SPRINT+2011+182.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599212822645236178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapZAu3OdSTpa2QKfe9sQsPD5cdzPHN-PoSEsC8sJxITpgTfeR6gP5ReLMw9-Wlt-lh6k7kpzDa8Nj0Y_WbpE1TInkO_44Y14D5mp-L4xIyE2rCH5dYp4nd3UYZl1c99rNKpNub4sAN5A/s400/SPRINT+2011+182.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Here is Daisy's finished bedroom furniture, do you remember I had plans to have her furniture shabby chic'd. It's finally been finished and I am really pleased with it. It feels as though she has new furniture even though it's the same old pieces just with a paint job face lift.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziyHKR-5vGAdZ5VcBQ80e03Ab2TkHyFjLM2N0przdDAEExYGMRV_OeeWFeQJpxmDg1K-RWv5qrv-8MvHlIbTjqt1Aa2QSUtjldY-ooj36nu64La9Ga4ka2XuExUD2YagU3_BOTVDwOKA/s1600/SPRINT+2011+177.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599212815868780338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziyHKR-5vGAdZ5VcBQ80e03Ab2TkHyFjLM2N0przdDAEExYGMRV_OeeWFeQJpxmDg1K-RWv5qrv-8MvHlIbTjqt1Aa2QSUtjldY-ooj36nu64La9Ga4ka2XuExUD2YagU3_BOTVDwOKA/s400/SPRINT+2011+177.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Daisy asked me to show you her collage she made for her school's art gallery. Each year they host an arts and crafts fair which includes a children's art gallery. This year's theme was Great Britain. Daisy decided on the great British seaside. She used various fabrics and I think she did a really good job. She even got a head teachers award for her effort.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-OeXBqijya8GPyy_7HhFd2d9TScLQw72wah3jngxchY_IvIVPLL6xc4EuITkLK7NV08y6nLAOGGPGky55aZ2wTXHeftPDulsqb8K6dpnTLO4n6BZzVxj80-1bMGrWyM7U10z9KH28m0/s1600/SPRINT+2011+001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599212807934613202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-OeXBqijya8GPyy_7HhFd2d9TScLQw72wah3jngxchY_IvIVPLL6xc4EuITkLK7NV08y6nLAOGGPGky55aZ2wTXHeftPDulsqb8K6dpnTLO4n6BZzVxj80-1bMGrWyM7U10z9KH28m0/s400/SPRINT+2011+001.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Do you remember that a few weeks back I went for an interview, well I got offered the job and start it the week after next! It's for 30 - 40 hours per month working mainly from home as an administrator for a local preschool. I am really looking forward to starting and it means that I have been able to give up one of the two cleaning jobs that I do and loathe. I am still able to work at the after school art club and have decided for the time being to keep the other cleaning job. I should still have some time for crafting and blogging if all goes to plan.</span></strong><br /></div></div><br /><div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Well its time to get the smalls into bed, and then to plan my next crochet project. I have loads of crocheted squares that I started last Summer but never finished so I need to come up with a cunning plan for using them and turning them into something colourful and lovely.</span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong><br /><br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">x</span></strong></div></div></div></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-15187728755213903972011-04-03T21:17:00.005+01:002011-04-03T22:27:15.700+01:00Happy Mothers Day<div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Hello, Happy Mothers Day to all you mums. I hope you have been made to feel special today. I have had a very lazy Mothers day. I enjoyed breakfast in bed and then had a pile of lovely present to open. I had some lovely smellies, some vintage style bits and pieces including a ration book note book and all hidden inside a lovely union jack storage chest. Daisy and Mr P made a trip to the garden centre last week, where Daisy spent an age choosing bits and pieces that she knew I would like. I was thoroughly spoiled. I also received two very lovely handmade cards.</span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">After this lovely start to the morning, it was time to get up and make a quiche, as the in-laws had been invited over for a spot of Mothers day lunch. They arrived at midday and my lovely MIL had bought me a bunch of lovely spring flowers just because it was mothers day. Lunch was eaten, followed by a trip to the park and then back home in time for Daisy to go horse riding. </span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">I didn't go out to the park as yesterday I took a nasty fall whilst out for a walk with Daisy. We had the afternoon to ourselves as the boys had gone to watch football. We were left without the car so we planned a walk down the hill to the next village and then we planned to catch the train into Marlow for a mooch around the shops. I fell over in spectacular fashion whilst walking down the hill. I was walking one minute and flat on my face the next. The path was in a very poor state and my ankle had gone over on a very uneven patch of path. I fell heavily on my knee and managed to cut it. Luckily no-one saw me fall, that would have been so embarrassing! I had to lean against a fence for a while as I felt really sick afterwards. I think I last fell over when I was 17, so it was probably the shock of it that made me feel sick. </span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">We managed carry on into the village, me hobbling very slowly and went to the chemist to get some plasters for my knee. Eventually we made it to the train station to catch the train into Marlow. My knee was very sore and stiff and it was a bit of an effort hobbling around the shops. </span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">This morning my knee felt much better and I smugly thought I had got away without too much damage. However, as the morning went on I started to ache all over, I literally ache from head to toe. My arms in particular are very tender. So I spent most of the day just sitting around feeling a tad sorry for myself. My sister offered to take Daisy to horse riding as she enjoys watching her, so I even managed a sneaky doze in the chair this afternoon whilst they were out and Mr P was upstairs doing his paperwork. He guessed I had fallen asleep as he shouted down "I hope you are not asleep down there" he knows me so well! </span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">I have an interview tomorrow morning, so wish me luck as this is the first job that I have applied for that I would really like to get. Its only for 40 hours per month as a pre-school administrator, working from home. It sounds interesting, I have all the skills that they are looking for and it would fit in around family life. Alex has already told me he doesn't think I will get the job! Kids - don't you just love them! </span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">I have ordered a bike. I have been thinking about getting one for a while as I am finding the cost of petrol just ridiculous for the amount of miles I actually do. I do mostly local trips, just here and there, popping to the shops. Probably half of those could be cycled to. So that's the plan, cycle instead of drive if at all possible. The kids also like to go out for a cycle ride, so it will save me trying to keep up with them. I have ordered a traditional style bike with a basket, unfortunately not a Pashley, shame I don't have a spare £650, the one I have ordered is a much cheaper make and model. I should have it by next weekend all being well. </span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">No photos tonight, I will do a daytime post this week and include lots of photographs. I seem to have lost my blogging urge at the moment. It's not that I have lost interest in blogging just lost the will to actually write! </span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">An interview, quilting and parents evening to look forward to tomorrow, along with all the usual Monday jobs. I am feeling tired out just thinking about it all! </span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Till next time. Alison x </span></strong></span></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-54088799842332685002011-03-22T20:34:00.004+00:002011-03-22T21:36:20.548+00:00A quick hello.<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Evening all, sorry for the lack of posts, this is my first for March! Not sure were the weeks have gone to, they just seem to roll on by. I have been keeping up with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">blogland</span> but just haven't felt the urge or had the inclination to post. I think blogging can be a bit like that, sometimes you have lots to say and other times you just want to listen to other people.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Life is good in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">gingercat</span> house, well, apart from the dishwasher finally packing up, breaking the liquidiser glass jug and the toaster stopping all in the space of three days! The dishwasher and the liquidiser both had to be replaced but luckily the toaster has been sent off to be repaired. I had to chuckle to myself, I took the toaster back to John Lewis and was told the repair would take anything up to four weeks and as Mr P only ever eats toast for breakfast during the week I knew I would have to invest in a cheapo toaster just to tide us over. Well can you believe I found a toaster in John Lewis for £5.65 and it comes with a year guarantee! </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">My quilting course is going well, I have finished the patchwork cushion and have bought some gorgeous fabric for the quilt that I have chosen to make next. I am at the cutting out stage at the moment and need to cut out 396 3 inch squares. I think I have managed about 40 so far. I am still a little nervous about using the measuring mat and rotary wheel but I guess by the time I have cut out all 396 squares I will feel a bit more at home with it all.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I have also made fairly good progress on my sisters birthday blanket. I have chosen a granny stripe as I find this fairly quick and not too greedy on the yarn. I have chosen some style craft yarn in six gorgeous dusky tones, its 80% acrylic and 20% wool. I think the colours are working really well together. Her birthday is a week on Monday, so I really do need to get a move on with it.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I am away on a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">girly</span> weekend in Brighton this weekend with a group of mums from school. I am really looking forward to it. It will be lovely to see the sea, do a spot of shopping and generally have a weekend off from all mum duties. I am really looking forward to a meal that I haven't had to cook and several large glasses of wine! I am sure Mr P will cope fine, he can be very hands on when he chooses to be. I think the little ones are planning a day at London Zoo on Saturday if the weather is good and then swimming on Sunday. They won't even notice I'm not there they will be that busy!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">No photographs tonight I'm afraid, the light is rubbish and I am very tired. I will post some pictures of my cushion and my gorgeous quilt fabric very soon and hopefully a taa daa picture of my sisters birthday blanket.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I'm off for a quick mooch around some of my favourite blogs and then an early night, I need all the sleep I can get between now and the weekend as I fear there will be lots of very late nights involved!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">x</span></strong>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-22926041723368060682011-02-27T20:16:00.006+00:002011-02-27T21:16:31.792+00:00And the Winner is..........<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong><br /><p><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Anyway on to the winner of my 1st birthday giveaway. In true bloggy style, here are the pictures </span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Vintage jug with all the names folded up on strips of paper.</span></strong></p><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PZn68M3QFQzwoBAecImE0vympKcIdmxwPcBgRllGi36vYujCpWWVa0K_UINQCjKB2BRcdYkKDi6yE-Bq8ZkZVKIVeWGMu9sjQCxlicc1PeLBoz3H5ANeMJVx51QksLOTwPLPTJVz3m0/s1600/and+the+winner+is+001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578470195703413090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PZn68M3QFQzwoBAecImE0vympKcIdmxwPcBgRllGi36vYujCpWWVa0K_UINQCjKB2BRcdYkKDi6yE-Bq8ZkZVKIVeWGMu9sjQCxlicc1PeLBoz3H5ANeMJVx51QksLOTwPLPTJVz3m0/s400/and+the+winner+is+001.JPG" /></a> </div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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!</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjSTXifpdgcFrm8wPjHKrgcjORYWyMEPnaNmStk96HoMvKNBLVv5RNEqL-vgUa2FSx-FFbC_CEsbwvIgTqcqEkiX_oYEPiQpkVz85TM9cJJadE9uoSvu4mGGx74Ha5CyDQW2LtlFCZd4/s1600/and+the+winner+is+002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578470201375227570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjSTXifpdgcFrm8wPjHKrgcjORYWyMEPnaNmStk96HoMvKNBLVv5RNEqL-vgUa2FSx-FFbC_CEsbwvIgTqcqEkiX_oYEPiQpkVz85TM9cJJadE9uoSvu4mGGx74Ha5CyDQW2LtlFCZd4/s400/and+the+winner+is+002.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy8mqG-JBkXcIUrno4fHlaRDSE2lEy8Nb-uNtbgNG7YLb3gis1e7OoYYB7SVIdl-gbOqu6k6h83chJw15_lpIFGQJDqrWTPCddk3-KMOnsPxv0TAA0Z2TOk4JcGETDOG4nJWV5W7D7C8/s1600/and+the+winner+is+003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578470208197578306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoy8mqG-JBkXcIUrno4fHlaRDSE2lEy8Nb-uNtbgNG7YLb3gis1e7OoYYB7SVIdl-gbOqu6k6h83chJw15_lpIFGQJDqrWTPCddk3-KMOnsPxv0TAA0Z2TOk4JcGETDOG4nJWV5W7D7C8/s400/and+the+winner+is+003.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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?</span></strong> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSDwq5akhGWV2gVyugQfhWLAxW5mojMkZNCEhF2S3fjt3fyMMJaR8JUg1rtAFOX5BCbDEJjdTjlMw-7dcEvU0PyIq04GQqcsFP0sCLQAWOeagEEOJp8Gbx-ufoRiJC4qKcyBeLPaKwCM/s1600/EBAY+T+SHIRTS+008.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578467066715056594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSDwq5akhGWV2gVyugQfhWLAxW5mojMkZNCEhF2S3fjt3fyMMJaR8JUg1rtAFOX5BCbDEJjdTjlMw-7dcEvU0PyIq04GQqcsFP0sCLQAWOeagEEOJp8Gbx-ufoRiJC4qKcyBeLPaKwCM/s400/EBAY+T+SHIRTS+008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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. </span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSmBk9YnGgXFQD31eFlFhXU_CtFNoBDfyI-eSalsXVC4xMvHhnHbRvRCO4W3ON2pw_RvvWAStNmSqc_So184SyPOsUF5htJD9ZOn8fM8a2yjKm_uTLZTHVo5aN4OycCXifpmlT718rek/s1600/EBAY+T+SHIRTS+003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578467056425894274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSmBk9YnGgXFQD31eFlFhXU_CtFNoBDfyI-eSalsXVC4xMvHhnHbRvRCO4W3ON2pw_RvvWAStNmSqc_So184SyPOsUF5htJD9ZOn8fM8a2yjKm_uTLZTHVo5aN4OycCXifpmlT718rek/s400/EBAY+T+SHIRTS+003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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).</span></strong><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxJtPqjPmLrtiArJN0fegbD8QFy5AuKVa7u5235aKJqQEu_QnFKCaqlulQxceK14qkPnyNDEkKuRch1D1PTrYcdVhVgjEb-hz1F1QNfR4671qKWa-M92HNAxEhi5i4ds0xcd-BhkHo38/s1600/EBAY+T+SHIRTS+001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578467048587368594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxJtPqjPmLrtiArJN0fegbD8QFy5AuKVa7u5235aKJqQEu_QnFKCaqlulQxceK14qkPnyNDEkKuRch1D1PTrYcdVhVgjEb-hz1F1QNfR4671qKWa-M92HNAxEhi5i4ds0xcd-BhkHo38/s400/EBAY+T+SHIRTS+001.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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!</span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong> <div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1G-ZI0bisFbZvORFFZI1CLo9bSPeL-x1wj7vKynJwEocNPvlKLY_klNy2eP-OTMk2jvIkfbfgc-ZKC1DiXSHB2aJFk2J7ho6h8pVUStCWhGWJDyU9ybGKXqz3OnqIiCoW9CiTBfPZ7Y/s1600/and+the+winner+is+004.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578470213238977298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1G-ZI0bisFbZvORFFZI1CLo9bSPeL-x1wj7vKynJwEocNPvlKLY_klNy2eP-OTMk2jvIkfbfgc-ZKC1DiXSHB2aJFk2J7ho6h8pVUStCWhGWJDyU9ybGKXqz3OnqIiCoW9CiTBfPZ7Y/s400/and+the+winner+is+004.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mZdCRkWgq20FOVH41Fjf8cW5Vc2YgWxq-vRoxEyf0xM-Sb-hTUN1sqPAUIoR9RLSwPqB6Q60hJqE29gbnDzChkynE9ZTKL_NlAGMhlO1yGOVPQCHYTnuA_7jqBOf3GpQuMyUo3hPr7Q/s1600/RIPPLE+001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578467042501519826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mZdCRkWgq20FOVH41Fjf8cW5Vc2YgWxq-vRoxEyf0xM-Sb-hTUN1sqPAUIoR9RLSwPqB6Q60hJqE29gbnDzChkynE9ZTKL_NlAGMhlO1yGOVPQCHYTnuA_7jqBOf3GpQuMyUo3hPr7Q/s400/RIPPLE+001.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">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.</span></strong></div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">x</span></strong></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-87546825327137869782011-02-25T18:53:00.011+00:002011-02-25T20:56:08.708+00:0010 things about me - By Daisy<div align="center"><span style="color:#33cc00;">Hello I'm Daisy and I am Alison's daughter. Mum said I could write a post on her Blog. So I'm go <span style="font-size:130%;">to tell you 10 things about me. </span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;"></span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">1) I love horses and ride every weekend.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">2) I am allergic to nuts, peanuts and horses. I also get bad hay fever.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">3) I can crochet and have made a cushion cover.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">4) I collect wade whimsies.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">5) My favourite movie is Harry Potter and the goblet of fire.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">6) Sausages with mash, yorkshires and gravy is my favourite tea.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">7) I like sewing and I have a mini sewing machine which is mint green.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">8) I'm very like my mum , we both like the same sorts of things. My mum says I look exactly like she did when she was a little girl.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">9) I like collecting vintage buttons.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">10) My favourite book is called The elephant in the garden by Michael Morpurgo. I love to read.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Whats your favourite book?</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Bye bye </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Love from</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">Daisy</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">x</span></p>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-11022133808833012452011-02-20T20:55:00.008+00:002011-02-20T22:51:34.378+00:001st Bloggy Birthday & Giveaway<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Evening all, so sorry it's been a while, I have been planning an update for over a week but I just haven't found the time to sit down and write it.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">The past two weeks have flown by in a whirl of sorting, decorating and general everyday life things. I managed to make my roman blind for the bathroom, cleaned the bathroom tiles from floor to ceiling and Mr P painted the ceiling and replaced the rather yellowing down lighters for some nice new brushed chrome ones. The bathroom is now ticked of the to do list. Do you think the blind looks OK? It's a CK boat print, I think it looks nice and fresh and just adds a bit of colour to a rather bland creamy/beige tiled room. I found some wooden boat bunting and some little wooden boats on holiday in Cornwall last Summer to adorn the window sill.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgo3MevcByhuBs-Xk0GBUKd8MLtUfiS404H-H5I_bmiCMEOQjF3Akf96FvpYECGRKWtocvP8aCOzCvkRAX5MYSXguBP5IzDK436qPTiFg9wLpXSv8LwrF7zN4z7tTtyCcRXvK1hInhWsg/s1600/pics+013.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575895707266557138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgo3MevcByhuBs-Xk0GBUKd8MLtUfiS404H-H5I_bmiCMEOQjF3Akf96FvpYECGRKWtocvP8aCOzCvkRAX5MYSXguBP5IzDK436qPTiFg9wLpXSv8LwrF7zN4z7tTtyCcRXvK1hInhWsg/s400/pics+013.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">The closed look followed by the open look!</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVynbFX_UpGLSdR6h54RhJu-wege7kL8UW3NKwrUi8b7vpzWR6gz0CjtcsvH9Ujo4YWV72UbHlq3DfeEN_RJqj-ic4GElwiFjj1nxskaGN6EwtTO1SguPIchcoC-FF1sNYrr3zSFqeBg/s1600/pics+014.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575895712117405106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVynbFX_UpGLSdR6h54RhJu-wege7kL8UW3NKwrUi8b7vpzWR6gz0CjtcsvH9Ujo4YWV72UbHlq3DfeEN_RJqj-ic4GElwiFjj1nxskaGN6EwtTO1SguPIchcoC-FF1sNYrr3zSFqeBg/s400/pics+014.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I also shelved my bottom of the stairs cupboard as promised (well Mr P did) and I have finally got a dedicated space for my craft stuff and fabric. A trip to Ikea did the job, their storage solutions are fab and so reasonably priced. I now have some lidded storage boxes for all of my fabric. I have also dug out my sewing machine and placed that on the craft shelves. Its fab as everything is now so accessible. No more trying to sew things on Daisy's little mini sewing machine, I can use my own from now on!</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Our front porch has also been repainted along with the lounge which is now a nice chalky cream colour as opposed to the very yellow cream it was previously. I was very silly a few months ago and left a teacup candle burning overnight in the lounge. I am normally very careful with candles, I am not really sure how or why I left it burning. Anyway, Mr P got up to find the flame on the candle burning at around four inches high. We were very lucky it never caused a fire. It did however turn the paintwork in the lounge very sooty in places. All the pictures had a very fetching black soot mark around them and there was a very odd shaped mark above the radiator that looked like a pair of breasts or a set of bum cheeks! Last weekend was spent redecorating and thankfully it's all looking nice and clean and bright once again.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We have decided that we are definitely putting our house up for sale in the Spring, so the plan is to get it ready over the next month or so. We have a lot of tidying up in the garden to do, Winter is never a good time for gardens is it? Ours look such a mess at the moment, I have however started to notice the signs that Spring is very much on its way. Lots of greenery poking through the ground with the promise of things to come. This is what I saw when I looked out of Alex's bedroom window the other afternoon! What a naughty girl, she really is a menace at times.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeEzR7rgKZmH2TTsoAJgTLxLtgSHdYtwI83pwN2ms_PmPRCnYxKr4Wdj-j8d2hhO8T4Q5_hqD4KBfEv4e4JpFsPTTkH-NHUZD2gvhKlSqcbZNwanm9OTJMooWuUdxNH5jx9xoBN_qgow/s1600/pics+011.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575895701171021618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeEzR7rgKZmH2TTsoAJgTLxLtgSHdYtwI83pwN2ms_PmPRCnYxKr4Wdj-j8d2hhO8T4Q5_hqD4KBfEv4e4JpFsPTTkH-NHUZD2gvhKlSqcbZNwanm9OTJMooWuUdxNH5jx9xoBN_qgow/s400/pics+011.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Tomorrow is my first blog anniversary and as promised I will be hosting a little giveaway to celebrate the end of the first year. I have gathered together a few bits and bobs, a few of my favourite sort of things to send to the winner. There may be a hand made item but it rather depends on whether I have time to finish it or not. If not then don't despair there are still lots of lovely bits and pieces for you to enjoy. Please leave a comment if you want to be included and I will draw the winner next Sunday evening. I have really enjoyed blogging this past year, it is such a lovely way to make a record of my every day life. I love reading the comments that you leave and its is so lovely to be part of the blogging community. Long may it continue.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">This coming week is half term and I am really looking forward to a week of no school, lie ins and chilling out - well that's the plan anyway. We are hosting a belated Valentines tea tomorrow for my friend Julia and her girls, which should be fun. I need to make some heart shaped biscuits and some fairy cakes in the morning. Mr P came up trumps on Valentines Day and gave me this lovely tea cup and saucer. I bought Mr P some Hotel Chocolate hearts and some bubbly which we shared, the chocs were delicious.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo1pcXIDHaZU86bWX4NKIYzzofUjDu7e2LIz2WVCaFjZ7M02fqyEv4UjmB9O-zYE1jwuniVNclWo0nVOVYvueEI-fNJecef_tgeca5ew0hlVQ3mJSnXw7DJFfRj7k64tsuPgboHdhKKo/s1600/pics+017.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575895720420936354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo1pcXIDHaZU86bWX4NKIYzzofUjDu7e2LIz2WVCaFjZ7M02fqyEv4UjmB9O-zYE1jwuniVNclWo0nVOVYvueEI-fNJecef_tgeca5ew0hlVQ3mJSnXw7DJFfRj7k64tsuPgboHdhKKo/s400/pics+017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I received this lovely bouquet on Friday from my neighbour. I always pass on Daisy and Alex's outgrown toys and books to her two little ones, so it was her way of saying thanks. Very unexpected but very much appreciated. Don't they look lovely, spring blooms of anemones, tulips, pale pink roses and blue hyacinths.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47L6JzDQB_PyDwOgYgMRJ2btWRebrgEd9dWKgPR65t65_x3F44PyddKb9DnvRyU-vuHT93awGwyIcbMVK5NVunmumjCGB9jRmw_9GrLKzNM1Rrr7qPI8FGt7baqKxJEVBvmVmRjiWLfU/s1600/pics+015.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575895716183791714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47L6JzDQB_PyDwOgYgMRJ2btWRebrgEd9dWKgPR65t65_x3F44PyddKb9DnvRyU-vuHT93awGwyIcbMVK5NVunmumjCGB9jRmw_9GrLKzNM1Rrr7qPI8FGt7baqKxJEVBvmVmRjiWLfU/s400/pics+015.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">My quilted cushion cover is going well, I am now at the quilting stage and only have one quarter left to quilt. I will do a taa daa post once it's all finished. I have been rather neglectful of my crocheting at the moment. The decorating has taken up lots of time, so this week I want to concentrate on getting the big ripple finished off. I have decided to crochet three more double rows ending the blanket with the same three colours that I started with. I still have the joy of sewing in all of those end to look forward to.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I have managed to find another couple of Carltonware pieces to add to my collection. Two little pin dishes, one from Ebay and the other from a local magpies nest sale. I think they are very sweet and have a horrible feeling a small collection my be the end result. I can't wait to move to a bigger house where I can have a dresser to display all of my treasures!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_kwzCVdIEAEGVdHWj7EOGJdNISqkRi8mKHr1UHbvQety9GwX9JV5Mc-vkkGtIJ9r9sHJht_I7SsNtPJCVDWDNrQYxdlrG110KiN-N0y6puDwYzXICTSfsOg-g-b7CGScw7PxvCe3F_w/s1600/pics+016.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575899413795602626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_kwzCVdIEAEGVdHWj7EOGJdNISqkRi8mKHr1UHbvQety9GwX9JV5Mc-vkkGtIJ9r9sHJht_I7SsNtPJCVDWDNrQYxdlrG110KiN-N0y6puDwYzXICTSfsOg-g-b7CGScw7PxvCe3F_w/s400/pics+016.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Well I shall love you and leave you, please don't forget to leave a comment in order to be included in the giveaway.</span></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison X</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">PS did anyone watch the Brits last week? I was blown away by Adele's performance, the way she sang actually made me cry which has never happened before. One talented lady.</span></strong></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-37286748370168134652011-02-04T17:27:00.006+00:002011-02-04T18:26:51.557+00:00Friday Catch Up<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Hello, how is life treating you this windy Friday? Good I hope. Life is fine and dandy here in the gingercat house. I can't believe it's Friday again, the weeks just fly by at an alarming rate.</span></strong> <div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I haven't really been up to much this week, the first part of the week was spent trying to recover from the throaty thing that turned into a very hoarse throat and annoying cough. I was so tired with it too, which annoyed me the most. I hate having lots to do when I feel exhausted.</span></strong></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I did summons up the energy to go quilting on Monday, I have learnt how to applique and have sewn one of the two hearts onto my cushion. I need to sew the other heart on and join up the four squares before Monday's lesson. </span></strong><br /></div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I was very naughty on Monday evening, I popped to our local John Lewis to pick up a new saucepan handle that had been ordered but funnily enough I left JL's without the pan handle but with a very nice Cath Kitson craft bag, to take to quilting, a new cushion for the lounge and some cushion pads for our kitchen chairs. Well that's the last of my tax return earnings well and truly spent!</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong> </div><div> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I have felt the need for a bit of a spruce up in general. Everything around the house seems a bit tired and in need of an uplift. My first mini project is to put a couple of really cheap shelves up in our boiler room cupboard, so that I can store my craft stuff and material stash in an orderly fashion. It is currently stuffed into carrier bags and boxes in all sorts of nooks and crannies around the house. Most of it is stuffed down beside the chair in the lounge, which I don't mind but it does look very messy. It's funny how most of the time you don't notice scruffy corners in your house but sometimes it's as though you look at things with fresh eyes and notice all the messy bits. That's been me this week - Mrs fresh eyes! </span></strong></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nzq0SK6rffNRIYEGfRMh7Z4kjto12dkGZ82zNkoN8uQX6fzjhhOOc81ZY-teunaYmHQ4M-78cmed3wL3ms-aS_KlAOvbv3kvP7eFc9H0G1LBhGCDFiFFqiqWM_v6p68e5oTj9igtaFI/s1600/bag+and+cushion+001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569896701105372562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nzq0SK6rffNRIYEGfRMh7Z4kjto12dkGZ82zNkoN8uQX6fzjhhOOc81ZY-teunaYmHQ4M-78cmed3wL3ms-aS_KlAOvbv3kvP7eFc9H0G1LBhGCDFiFFqiqWM_v6p68e5oTj9igtaFI/s400/bag+and+cushion+001.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6ehlvjS3t3OuV1yEV4Upc-m7CgAVJUyV_GhOCwBjzapEfWPW1hcpLnQkoHzQlRkEzmRo0-C2Fm5pGAClSQowkquY3Ashc5qZnRlw0MBEcJzULdpP6KtzbSPgqz7xfP5Vbe4rQVom47A/s1600/bag+and+cushion+002.JPG"></a></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Do you like my new cushion. It has a little mustard coloured pom pom fringe.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6ehlvjS3t3OuV1yEV4Upc-m7CgAVJUyV_GhOCwBjzapEfWPW1hcpLnQkoHzQlRkEzmRo0-C2Fm5pGAClSQowkquY3Ashc5qZnRlw0MBEcJzULdpP6KtzbSPgqz7xfP5Vbe4rQVom47A/s1600/bag+and+cushion+002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569896705571112898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6ehlvjS3t3OuV1yEV4Upc-m7CgAVJUyV_GhOCwBjzapEfWPW1hcpLnQkoHzQlRkEzmRo0-C2Fm5pGAClSQowkquY3Ashc5qZnRlw0MBEcJzULdpP6KtzbSPgqz7xfP5Vbe4rQVom47A/s400/bag+and+cushion+002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">My new craft bag, perfect size for taking all my stuff to quilting.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I also notice how grubby the bathroom looks, the blind is minging and the ceiling is in definite need of a lick of paint. So project two is to make a roman blind, give the bathroom tiles a massive clean and to paint the ceiling. I am also on the look out for a bathroom cabinet, I fancy something a bit shabby chic I think. We currently have an open shelving unit, which is great as it stores all sorts but blimey it gathers dust something chronic. I ordered a blind making kit today from Ebay and have bought some sailing boat fabric from CK, so that's the plan a bathroom spruce up. </span></strong></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Project 3 is to have three pieces of Daisy's bedroom furniture shabby chic'd. I have found a local guy who will do it all for £200, which I don't think is a bad price. The blanket box is being collected on Monday and is in most desperate need of tarting up. I was going to paint it white but last year I painted Daisy's bedside cabinet and it took an absolute age and didn't look that great when it was finished. The paint work is already badly knocked. I think a shabby chic paint job will freshen up the furniture and give it a new lease of life.</span></strong></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">So there you go, three mini projects to get stuck into. I also am on a mission to sort out cupboards as I am so sick of them all being full up and totally disorganised. I am going to be a very busy girl by the sounds of it. All this freshening up and sorting out will hopefully be worth it as we still plan on selling at some point over the next year. Our house is nice but could do with a serious sort out of clutter and a quick freshen up.</span></strong></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I am off to a 40th birthday meal tonight, whilst poor old Mr P has to go and work. He probably won't get in until around 3am, so I guess that will mean tomorrow will be a non event sort of a day. My sister is babysitting tonight and staying over so maybe we will go out tomorrow with her whilst Mr P catches up on his ZZZ's. The downside of Mr P late night work is that I will have to stand on the cold football pitch tomorrow morning worst luck!.</span></strong></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">One of the fish has died. We took a water sample down the to pet shop after school today and were told that we were over feeding them and that the ammonia levels and nitrates were too high. So, a 50% water change and no feeding for 4 days will hopefully get us back on track. I must admit I did have that slight smug "I told you so" face on with Mr P. So no more fish this week, that's for sure. </span></strong><br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Have a great weekend whatever you get up to.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time. </span></strong></div><div><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison.</span></strong></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">x</span></strong></div>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-51214903750269798532011-01-29T18:00:00.009+00:002011-01-29T22:19:15.093+00:00It's a fishy business<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Hello, I hope you are all having a great weekend. We are having a quiet one after last weeks birthday madness. I was absolutely exhausted on Monday and Tuesday, the weekend finally caught up with me and lets just say I wasn't the best company for the first part of last week (way too shouty and short tempered!).</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I am currently trying to fight off a throaty/cold bug that seems to be trying to come out, I think the brewing germs may have contributed to my tiredness and grumpiness last week. I have been sipping lemsip to pep myself up a bit and so far they seem to be doing the trick.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We had a little ride over to Wallingford this morning to pick up a couple of fat quarters from Village Fabrics as Daisy is now adamant she wants to make a patchwork cushion for herself. We had a lovely brunch at the Old Post Office and then a mooch around the charity shops, farmers market and the antique centre. Of course we simply couldn't walk past the old fashioned sweet shop without popping in for a few pick and mix and jelly beans. On the way back to the car I popped into one last CS and found a lovely Carlton Ware dish. It is in perfect condition so I had to have it and I think £8.50 wasn't too bad. Do you like it? The photograph is terrible (I blame the light rather than my lack of skill), but it is a lovely mint green colour in real life.</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HI6qbTAA94w7lpfneHvu4VegPla3xR9PSbmSFgDu-r9cd0UHX9fhx5dkOFd4Fbw0fQSnzqF4IZaIBeWlgfxVUU8MXxnOQpGLiNW9aN8DC9K4f0kSAzj9EfFtMQqigc8DMmdk4tvYk2o/s1600/FISH+002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567698560470684610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HI6qbTAA94w7lpfneHvu4VegPla3xR9PSbmSFgDu-r9cd0UHX9fhx5dkOFd4Fbw0fQSnzqF4IZaIBeWlgfxVUU8MXxnOQpGLiNW9aN8DC9K4f0kSAzj9EfFtMQqigc8DMmdk4tvYk2o/s400/FISH+002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Quilting went well on Monday even though I was so tired, I managed to complete two of my nine patch squares. I have decided for this project that I will hand sew it all. I ordered from Ebay a 1/4 inch seam foot for my sewing machine, so that I will be able to machine stitch my next project. I am really enjoying hand stitching, which has surprised me. I am normally a get it done as quickly as possible sort of person but there is definitely something therapeutic about hand stitching. I am loving the fact that the course allows me two hours of pure crafting and I can pack up at the end of it and leave it until the next week. I do not feel the need to rush which is my normal downfall. Next week we are learning to applique hearts onto the other two patch squares. After the cushion it's my aim to make a quilt for our double bed. I really need to start to think about colours and design. If I am totally honest I really don't have a clue how to design a quilt or how to pick out fabrics. Best not run before I can walk though!</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I have had a leisurely hour of crocheting this afternoon, I am determined to get the big ripple finished off and get cracking on my sisters birthday blanket - April 4th is my deadline.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We have a horse riding lesson (Daisy) and homework to contend with tomorrow (both) and I also plan to do a bit of baking. My new recipe of the fortnights is pea and ham soup ala Heston at Waitrose. It sounds divine, I am just hoping it's more successful than my pork strogonoff disaster. I plan on making it for lunch tomorrow and I also fancy baking some chocolate chip cookies, they always go down a treat. Of course there is also the Sunday roast to cook in the evening. I love to cook on Sundays, making dinner every evening often annoys me during the week, but somehow at weekends it's different. I think it is all down to the perception that you have more time at the weekend. I am still on a mission to find more tasty midweek meal ideas that will satisfy two very fussy eaters (AKA Alex and Mr P). </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Now onto the fish, (I almost forgot!) Alex decided to buy an aquarium to go in his bedroom with his birthday money. We said no at first to his request but after some thought we decided that fish are pretty harmless and shouldn't be too hard to look after. Mr P used to keep fish in his younger days, so he is fairly knowledgeable about them. We bought our first lot on Friday and so far they seem ok. Mr P decided to buy a few more today, even though you are supposed to wait at least a week before you introduce any more (and I thought I was impatient!). We currently have some platys and guppys and a couple of tank cleaning catfish. I am a definite play it by the book sort of person, so I was rather miffed that Mr P has decided to add more fish before the end of the first week. I have warned him that they will all be dead in a few days because he didn't stick to the rules. He just shakes his head and states that they are "bloody fish for goodness sake they will be just fine". We shall see, I am adamant that we stick to the 10% water changes every few days to help with the build up of harmful ammonia and nitrates. Having researched tropical fish keeping on the Internet there is a lot more to it than I had ever realised. I didn't realise that your filter and the gravel eventually produce bacteria that helps to neutralise the toxins caused by fish poo and wee. Blimey, I am turning into a fish anorak. Here is a rather bad photograph of the tank, see if you can spot any fish - I think they are camera shy!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4AhunKbMHV2q1L25kG5FURW1scxomWxAM7kdyrNdkTclc5TmT4ggB9-wYNoKIjsNj-o5ml3hK97KfHs3sdOFrwzyU4mWTrcbZBuwxCDu1FXRXCF5SxFFiC0sFKzWzJ2hL09Nk0pUBFg/s1600/FISH+001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567698556837703330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4AhunKbMHV2q1L25kG5FURW1scxomWxAM7kdyrNdkTclc5TmT4ggB9-wYNoKIjsNj-o5ml3hK97KfHs3sdOFrwzyU4mWTrcbZBuwxCDu1FXRXCF5SxFFiC0sFKzWzJ2hL09Nk0pUBFg/s400/FISH+001.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Just before I go, I must tell you about Pepe and her catnip mouse. We bought her a couple yesterday from the pet shop. She has never had them before so we weren't sure if they would work their magic on her. Both our other cats were totally immune to catnip, it never did a thing for them. Poor old Peps went totally crazy with a capital C! She was like a cat on drugs, rolling all over the floor with her mouse, throwing it up in the air. After the effects had warn off, she had to take herself off to bed for an hour to recover. It was very funny to watch though. Here she is mid crazy mouse killing.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDGjs3T9nd66HIkJ3rPDfjAb19rUNFl8N21DX2uBJouo2Zez_DAllWtOoxnI9u05kv68lt5ImCQSzZCixVYWhu-G0hJ7_7pPW9vV76Xg54hfb7QIm97FltNipWHYySd_Gvf7dO8svCYE/s1600/FISH+004.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567698566301454690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDGjs3T9nd66HIkJ3rPDfjAb19rUNFl8N21DX2uBJouo2Zez_DAllWtOoxnI9u05kv68lt5ImCQSzZCixVYWhu-G0hJ7_7pPW9vV76Xg54hfb7QIm97FltNipWHYySd_Gvf7dO8svCYE/s400/FISH+004.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">It is my blog anniversary coming up in a few weeks so I think a little give away will be in order - watch this space!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Have a great weekend.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">x</span></strong>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7954675183399311761.post-55306093982359191802011-01-23T22:11:00.006+00:002011-01-23T23:26:40.667+00:00Busy Whizzy Weekends<strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Good Evening, another weekend bites the dust and what a busy busy weekend it's been. </span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alex had his birthday party yesterday which he shared with his school friend. Today we hosted a family tea party in the birthday boys honour. Combine the parties with an impromptu sleepover for Daisy and her friend last night and I think it is fairly safe to say that I am well and truly knackered and could really do with a weekend to recover from this weekend. Here is the birthday boy on his actual birthday with cake number 1 (from M&S and rather disappointingly dry).</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8H2QWJJlWdOQuifAg3746CSZeTJr5MfMJ1P5AWRL-E7r7VTHVYFKUj0h7V0UWqeoHWMfKz9oPhRzx3KeIr04kQ11V85U7h1NF2BbfB_Dl1-we2dY_hFXGw1RtGbgCQ6kVPm7gvQ4FC4/s1600/birthday+party+002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565514587610426738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8H2QWJJlWdOQuifAg3746CSZeTJr5MfMJ1P5AWRL-E7r7VTHVYFKUj0h7V0UWqeoHWMfKz9oPhRzx3KeIr04kQ11V85U7h1NF2BbfB_Dl1-we2dY_hFXGw1RtGbgCQ6kVPm7gvQ4FC4/s400/birthday+party+002.JPG" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">The main party on Saturday went well. My nephew coached 21 six and seven year old boys at football and then it was off to Pizza Express for tea. The pizza part was very chaotic, have you ever tried to keep the noise level of 21 hyped up boys to an acceptable level? Luckily we had an upstairs room in the restaurant to ourselves. I think the boys had a great time, although I was well and truly ready for a large glass of wine by the end of the it all. Here is cake number 2 (made by the lovely Jill AKA the cake lady, her cakes are never dry!) The boys requested a cake with two Barcelona players on the top. They were very pleased with the cake and managed to scoff the players rather swiftly.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn9ONY3QoujBSgJXyPfsyvVu9crgHVxvBRJJsEjCbiRc8OCzU4QpB_gwMNVg0dmDpScnHvYW8ftgBL8DcbnqnmCzRKPfGlS50aimC9woYG6xKAdRAop19yTyjomPIm_8PtRrBkqYglX0/s1600/birthday+party+034.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565514589941582866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn9ONY3QoujBSgJXyPfsyvVu9crgHVxvBRJJsEjCbiRc8OCzU4QpB_gwMNVg0dmDpScnHvYW8ftgBL8DcbnqnmCzRKPfGlS50aimC9woYG6xKAdRAop19yTyjomPIm_8PtRrBkqYglX0/s400/birthday+party+034.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Today my morning started at 7.2o am when three sleep deprived youngsters thought it would be a great idea to get up and play on the Wii. The little buggers didn't go to sleep until nearly midnight and unbeknown to me Alex had set his alarm clock to go off at 7am this morning. Daisy and her friend had sneakily moved all their bedding from her room into Alex's room and camped out on his bedroom floor. His room is at the very back of the house and is fairly sound proof. As I couldn't hear them at all after 11pm I naively thought that they had fallen asleep - little did I know it was midnight gone before they went to sleep! I knew there was a very good reason why I HATE sleepovers. Grumpy tired children and me just don't mix.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">It was lucky they did wake up early as I had loads of baking to do this morning. I made a tiramisu, a Nigella old fashioned chocolate cake and some meringues all before 9 am. Mr P took Alex off to his football match, whilst I took Daisy for her horse riding lesson. Back home for tidying and tea preparation before my family descending upon us at 4pm. I can safely say that I am really looking forward to a birthday free week this week.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I am off to quilting tomorrow armed with my new fabric stash that I managed to buy on Tuesday. My friend Julia and I headed off to Wallingford in Oxfordshire to a brilliant fabric shop that specialises in quilting fabrics. The shop was so organised and was packed full of the most loveliest of fabrics to choose from. Good job Julia has an eye for colour. She helped me pick out my four fabrics - two prints and two plains, in varying shades that will hopefully be turned into a lovely patchwork cushion cover. I also invested in a cutting board, rotary cutter and ruler, so that I can practise at home all the techniques that I will learn on my course. Here's my fabric stash, do you like my colours. It was the greyest of days when I bought them, so I really felt the need to pick cheery colours that lift my spirits when I look at them.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Sm9uXm6HrczaDOHvyNdjSS97OTCEEDKe0GUph_oj-83Nw29cPxI8CJkaeKNzwdpryBZcxzhql_LPNTgL7tQ4vtq-Q8iBp57XhQFNr6XZN9WAvJVrGXNBJOpcHGzZTuDw5VMhU1PO4N4/s1600/fabrics+001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565514575639917202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Sm9uXm6HrczaDOHvyNdjSS97OTCEEDKe0GUph_oj-83Nw29cPxI8CJkaeKNzwdpryBZcxzhql_LPNTgL7tQ4vtq-Q8iBp57XhQFNr6XZN9WAvJVrGXNBJOpcHGzZTuDw5VMhU1PO4N4/s400/fabrics+001.JPG" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I managed to complete all three of the tax returns that I have to file last week so I feel free once again, what a lovely feeling. I can enjoy what's left of January now without the worry of horrible tax returns hanging over my head. They always feel like such a burden.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">On Saturday afternoon I managed a very sneaky trip over to Great Missenden (before all the party madness kicked off) to visit the little gallery that stock the work of Katie Almond the ceramic/paper artist. I am a very naughty girl! I blew some of my tax return earnings on another one of her jugs. Can you imagine my delight when the owner of the gallery informed me that she will have some more of her work in over the next couple of weeks and in particular some very gorgeous little coffee cups and saucers. So watch this space. Do you like my new jug? It's much taller than the one I got for Christmas. It has an iced lolly on the inside and a Colemans mustard jar on the front along with a walnut cake - very random indeed! I love them both. They are sat on my kitchen window sill for me to admire. I wish I was a clever artist who could produce things that people raved over and admired.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_ZY7-5XywzEGKh2Ql1mIUHxKzEIBB7xDiBkrk-3bhH8Fj4t84TVw4MHHDmlIxGCEvBBbyMIx4EKVe4bainqZZhQRjXj8RZEYXhc1ZNl9IQ2fh9-aO3mHB3ioVCX9Mxgm0qhwf16hfrs/s1600/fabrics+002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565514580890126546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_ZY7-5XywzEGKh2Ql1mIUHxKzEIBB7xDiBkrk-3bhH8Fj4t84TVw4MHHDmlIxGCEvBBbyMIx4EKVe4bainqZZhQRjXj8RZEYXhc1ZNl9IQ2fh9-aO3mHB3ioVCX9Mxgm0qhwf16hfrs/s400/fabrics+002.JPG" /></a></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Right it's off to bed for me. I might try and squeeze in a few pages of my book before I hit the land of nod. It the next one in the Lynda La Plante series that I am working my way through. Not my normal sort of read but good none the less.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Till next time.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Alison</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">x</span></strong>Alijanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17008796538235530458noreply@blogger.com3