A surprise trip out

Today I had a nice surprise, I was in town to try and do some Christmas shopping and also to try and bring a smile to some long shopping faces. I wore my jingly hat

old photo taken about two years ago.
Well I did succeed in bringing smiles and conversations too. I was in Carole's Crafts when Neil phoned me "We are going out the Bicester to the designer village would you like to come" well of course I refused lol jumped at the idea. Boy it was very crowded and the car parks were all full but they seemed to be used to that scenario and find other parking places and free coach ride to the centre.
I only bought one present there as the prices are beyond a joke but of course they are cheap compared with the original price of designer goods, (something I will never understand).
We had a meal in a lovely Italian restaurant The Villandry I had wild mushroom risotto very nice and the service I just couldn't fault.
Rufus was his usual charming self keeping me entertained. He is growing into a super child and should really blossom when he starts Pre school.
Guess who features in most of the photos I took



Rufus is eating the grated parmesan cheese that Gemma didn't want. He so enjoyed it but boy what a mess afterwards




My As Seen today is the little avenue of trees at the entrance/exit to the designer village all lit up with white lights (in fact it was white lights everywhere so sophisticated)


Today I am grateful for surprise expedition (the best kind)
for getting Andy's present before Neil phoned
for a lovely lovely grandson who is a delight to be with
for several little things that made the day special and I could acknowledge the Lord's hand in it

the Great Christmas cook out

Today is the start of my Christmas, today I made my Christmas puddings, that is always the first Christmas cooking I do. They have made the bungalow smell delicious and they have turned out beautifully. I had the scrapings to try yummy.
Of course being a scrapper I had to take photos and having taken them I wanted to scrap with them right away. This page was finished before the pudding were ready.
I used the sketch from Scrap 365


So I've not only started my Christmas cooking I've started this years Christmas album.
Next on the agenda will be mincemeat and I have found out (by asking) that Gemma does like mincepies so will get vegetable suet for that.

I didn't fancy cooking myself any tea tonight as by the time the puddings were cooked it was getting on towards 8 O'clock so I thought a takeaway was a good idea. When I got to the lane through the alley I was met by a waist high barricade of leaves, the children/youths had been having fun obviously, I had to kick my way through it, got my meal and came back for my camera. I was lucky that I decided to kick the leaves on the left hand side of the bollard because there was a child's bike across the right hand side which was only visible when the flash went off.






Just had to have this as my As Seen for today


I did another page yesterday for the Grandpop album



I have at least one more photo I would like to scrap for this and I may be able to find another. So hopefully two more pages and that could well be it.

Today I am grateful for feeling I have achieved something

Wednesday is Town Day

I try to go into town at least once a week. Most times it's just to get out of the house and do something elsewhere, most times I don't need anything but end up spending money just because I'm in town. Today I had a reason for going in, my friend needed something from Poundland. I also needed to get some more pants and thought it might be nice to have a pair of Fashion tight, like socks but in tight form. I had seen them in Marks but they were £9.50 which I thought was not worth it. So went into Primark and got a pair of tights for £3.00 and two packs of pants for £3.00 each, bargain.
I also needed some goggle eyes for the candy mice I want to make with Danny & Ben when I go up to see them at the end of the month. So that meant I had to go into my favourite haberdashery shop and of course I had to buy some Christmas ribbon, so many to choose from I chose 4 but will be back for more I know. These are really lovely vintage style.



My as seen for today just had to be my lovely Christmas Latte a mince pie and magazine in Costa



and the candy mouse



Today I am grateful for getting some idea of what Helen & Andy would like for Christmas
for not falling asleep this afternoon
and getting what I wanted from town

Oops where did Tuesday go

I forgot to blog yesterday I should have at least put my As Seen up. I had photographed signs of Autumn from my walk down the back lane. Such a riot of colours so I've done a little collage


and my favourite one is my As Seen

Monday Monday

Today I was determined to shake of the lethargy that has been bugging me for some while now. I managed to get the kitchen more or less tidy.

I made Parsnip soup for lunch. Tasting it to check the seasoning it was very sweet. So added more salt, still sweet, more salt, pepper and a bit of soy sauce now too salty, more milk finally got it palatable. In fact rather tasty, but I had stank the kitchen out with garlic and my next door neighbours could smell it even outside. I only used two small cloves too :D

Today I did the weekly challenge layout. The criteria was to use a colour scheme that I don't usually so I chose purple a colour I love but find very difficult to scrap with.
We also had to use scraps, finding purple scraps wasn't easy so I married the colour up with black and beige.
We also had to do something that was arty. so I spritzed the bkgd with glimmer mist through a netting fruit bag. then used a packaging tray with a textured bottom as a stamp
Here is the result


I've discovered that I can do more things on Robo I now not only meld bits together I can also do an offset that gives a shadow or matting effect so I made some borders


I've also made some flowers and in the process of spritzing them with glimmer mist I made such a mess of my fingers and fingernails

my As seen for today was going to be Rudi on my lap, but the background was a little distracting so have gone with my messy fingers.



today I am grateful that I have had more energy
that I have done some of the housework
and I have learnt something new on the computer/robo

Sunshine and an layout

Going up to church this morning the sun was shining brightly and I just had to get my camera out to take this tree that stands just inside the school playground now isn't this a wonderful sight



I also haven't shared the page I did from this sketch

I did it for the monthly colour combo challenge on UKscrappers of orange blue and cream



The photo is of my son aged 6 with Prince my Sister in Law's dog. We didn't often see them but a dog was always going to get first place in Neil's heart.

today I am thankful for the sunshine

10 on the 10th My little treasures

I nearly forgot it was the 10th so time for 10 things that make me happy
these are just 10 of the layouts I've done of my Little Treasures.
None of them are valuable money wise but all are valuable for their meaning
I won't share the Cyclist cross stitch that John did because I've shared it here

this first one I have had since a child it was given to me by one of my grandparents it's inlaid with ivory and mother of pearl.



this next one I haven't had all that long, it came into the sale at church and I just knew I had to have it, it is so sweet and lights up a dark corner



Blue Bird a glass ornament that is quite heavy, given to me by my parents



Bungly is so special, I came home one day not long after I had moved into my bungalow to find him sitting on my bed with a note attached "Hello my name is Bungly I've come to live with you



My daughter isn't a sentimental person so when I received this from here I cried.



This little mirror jewellery box bought for me by my son one Sunday when we were out mooching around the shop



Strange creatures, wooden carvings from a shop in Falmouth that John & I both fell for our souvenir of that holiday



this one makes me laugh, Gemma (my DDIL) give it too me she had found it at a car boot sale and knew I'd like it



this next one was given to me for a joke, my friend and I had cycled down to ASDA and when we came to go home my chain had completely jammed up and I just couldn't move it so we had to walk home pushing our bikes. next day this little ornament came into the sale so Ann gave it to me.



and my final page for today is this little bowl, a gift from Mombassa, brought over by Jeremiah (the person we support with the sale on a Thursday)



Why not pop over to Shimelle's place and see what others have posted for this day

Just a little Sketch

Hi Blog Friends, what a difference a day makes, I feel so much better and far more awake today than I did yesterday.
I did go into town and got my rail ticket to go up to see my Daughter and family at the end of this month. I did meet up with my son and we discussed a little about what we are doing for Christmas
I did manage to not spend any money I didn't need to (only my ticket and coffee). I avoided my favourite haberdashery shop and the craft shop in town because if I hadn't I would have spent money that I really want to save for Christmas presents etc.
I did go into a jewellers in Old Town and got them to look up information about this little locket



apparently it was assayed in Chester in 1903 9 crt gold and the chain I think he said was a belcher chain

I don't have a page to share today but I do have a sketch, I really enjoy making sketches and I have done this one for a page I want to do tomorrow and a local crop.



I'm hoping to use it for the monthly challenge on UKScrappers which is a colour combo challenge using Blue Orange and Cream. If you like it please feel free to copy it.

Today I am thankful for how loving and gracious my Father God is
for me being in a far better place than I have been these last few days.

When I say I am a Christian

I didn't get to blog yesterday, I was so tired and very down that everything was such an effort. I did do the sale, thought I came home before we had completely cleared up. I dozed on and off in my chair most of the afternoon and finally gave into to it and went to bed early, not a brilliant night but I do feel a little bit more refreshed today.

My Word for today was something of a comforter too "You are precious to me...' Isaiah 43:4


I wanted to put this poem on my blog it is one that my friend's grandson found and put on his Facebook page. I don't know who wrote it (not Ann's grandson that I do know) but it is oh so true

I AM A CHRISTIAN

When I say... " I am a Christian," I'm not saying "I'm clean living,"

I am whispering "I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... " I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... " I am a Christian," I am not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I am weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... " I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting that I've failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... " I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible, but, God believes I'm worth it.

When I say... " I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heart aches, so I call upon His Name.

When I say... " I am a Christian," 

I'm not holier than thou.

I'm just a simple sinner

Who received God's good grace somehow!

Having written this out and re-read it this morning it has helped me to get some perspective and begin to pick myself up or rather allow God to pick me up and dust me down and point me in the right direction.

God Bless all who read and accept this with understanding.

As Seen & Scrapping

I went into town today, I thought I might make it to Queens Park but I didn't but I did manage to get some photos of fallen leaves from a little green area behind Halfords

l

thought that might be my As Seen for today but I found something that amused me.

In The Range they have started displaying there Christmas stock they seem to have quite a range (I suppose that is good for The Range to have a range)Sorry couldn't resist.
where was I? Yes they have a good range of lights and this Little Penguin really caught my eye.



No I didn't succumb to buying it but I was tempted. they also had some snow fall scenes which were spraying snow down, these I think are outside lights



I was actually looking for a carbon monoxide detector but they were rather expensive so thought I'd try elsewhere.

This evening I've done a page of the photo of Mittens on the map which was my As Seen a few days ago.



Today I am grateful for God's love that just doesn't let me go even when I feel so far from Him.

Today is Tuesday

Today there was a thick frost first thing
Today the sun shone
Today I had my hair done
Today I went for a walk down the back lane to Asda
Today I noticed that the trees and shrubs are producing there buds for next year
Today I did a big (well big for me) shop as seemed to have run out of a lot of things
Today I nearly fell asleep in my chair while watching TV
Today I did the weekly challenge on UKScrappers
Today was just a ordinary Tuesday





Today I am thankful for an ordinary day for a cold crisp & bright morning

Final Fling

Well the CC has finished and I have just one more page to share. Leafy ride & Muddy paths


Today I have done very little, not had much inclination to be active and didn't even get to church this morning. Two reasons it was pelting it down and I felt like I wanted a snuggle inside day. We even had a few flakes of snow.
I do have some photos to share from the firework display yesterday.
I went with Neil Gemma & Rufus to the County Ground for the Swindon Round Tables annual do.



Chose this one as my As Seen for the day



and today's As Seen not sure which of the two girls it is though



Today I am grateful that I can have a lazy day without feeling too guilty

Story Telling Sunday

It's the first Sunday in the Month that means it is time to tell a story. It can be any story you like with or without photos but when it is done link it to Sian's blog so we can all enjoy it.

Sian has given a suggestion for the subject this time 'A dark and stormy night' but you don't have to follow that if you have other tales to tell.

So are you all sitting comfortable? Then I'll begin

It was a dark and stormy night. The wind was raging and thunder roared and the lightening lit the sky. I was about 7 or 8 and I loved storms, I love to stand at the front door and watch the sky, counting the seconds between the flash and the roar.
But not this night, Oh no, I was very upset, I was not enjoying it at all. No standing at the door for me that day. The lights in the house kept going off then a few seconds later come back on again, and I just felt that our plans were in tatters. You see we were supposed to be going away for the weekend and I was so worried that the storm would stop us going. I think Dad must have said that with all this rain the trains wouldn't be running, he was only kidding but I always believed everything he said. Mum reassured me and of course the next day dawned bright and sunny and we were ready to go.
I used to love the journey first we caught a double decker trolley bus to Leytonstone underground station, of course Alan & I made a scramble to go upstairs and grab the front seat. Next was the underground train, changing at The Bank onto another underground train and arriving at Morden Station, to catch another bus out to my parents' friend's place. Quite a journey to undertake with two children just for a weekend.
In later years Dad had a car so the journey was far more relaxed, and it did mean that we were not restricted by time tables. Alan and I used to fall asleep on the back seat coming home again.

Just had to google for a trolley bus these do bring back memories of having to wait ages for one then several coming along together

source photo

Why not climb up to Sian's place High in the sky and see who else has a story to tell.

CC Manic

I have been one a scrapping bonanza with the cybercrop on UKScrappers and subsequently haven't found time to update my blog but going to see what I can do tonight

Yesterday was Sale day at the church and Ann was not at all well so I persuaded her to go home, it seems amazing but when one is down the other invariably is up so this week it was my turn to have energy to spare.
Sale went well though it did rain so had a mad dash to get all the stalls and the books in before they got too wet.

Today I decided to cycle to my friend's place to deliver the cheque for the next retreat instead of posting it. the weather was quite bright so thought the exercise would do me good.
here is what I wrote on my team thread
Well that was an eventful outing. Still reasonably bright when I left home. Tried following a cycle map, crossed over a bridge high over the main road. got lost crossed back over the bridge eventually found my way. Got to my friend's place and she was out, no matter posted the cheque through the letterbox. It started to rain so after a while when it didn't seem like stopping I put on a waterproof jacket. Hood kept obscuring my vision so had to let my hair get wet. Thought as I had got lost coming I'd try a different way back, got even more lost. finally found my way but the path was very very very muddy so had to walk through it too dangerous to try and cycle so one very muddy messy Mary arrives home eventually. Need now to put muddy trousers and socks in the washing machine and leave muddy shoes (didn't think to wear my boots) somewhere to dry so I can remove the mud more easily.  Still it was worth it as I got some photos and have had some air and exercise
I forgot to take any photos for As Seen yesterday so today I've made up for it. Both these photos taken on my muddy bike ride






here is the puddle that was my real downfall, I thought at first the front wheel was going to stick completely but did manage to pull it out before it sunk too low.



I took the photo before I attempted to cross it, mainly because I rather liked the stick laid across it

Now to catch up on all the layouts and a minibook that I've done

For this one we had to use masks and spritz through them. I found that it was easier with the second bubbly mask to use it more like a stamp but it was rather messy. I also used another one like a stencil and drew round the shape


This evening I finished off the minibook I started a few days ago. I loved all the pockets and nooks and crannies but I did find it difficult to ensure that sizes were correct. I didn't use many double sided paper which meant that I had to cover the backs of some where they would show. I have filled it mainly with photos of John and Neil and this will be Rufus's Grandpop book









I still have journalling to add and something to put in the first folder but I am pleased with how this is looking already.

the final page I've done is a silly challenge to do everything backwards and I honestly couldn't see how to do this with paper so have done it digitally
starting with the title and working backwards to the bkgd and not going back on any layer once I had started the next.



that's it for now, Tomorrow is Story telling Sunday so see you then. (oops no it isn't tomorrow is Saturday)

today I am grateful for the walk/cycle exercise which must have done me good.
coming home to a hot drink and dry clothes too.