Long time no post 2!

I have tried to make alterations to my previous post but it seems that Blogger won't let me for some reason! It meant that I didn't finish my post or sign off. So I am hoping that this post will be published and get me back blogging again, as I have missed it. Welcome to December and the month of preparations for Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate. It is my very favourite time of the year - as well as stressful but I think that I have most of it in hand up to now. I am off to bake a Christmas cake. Have a super Sabbath yourself. Toots for now, ~Glen~

Long time no post!

Hello peeps....it has been rather a long time since I last posted. It has been a rather challenging year for me, what with the passing of my mum, my family members having surgery and tests for health issues! *Sigh*. I know it's life and I can usually get over it but this year has just taken it's toll.

However, it hasn't all been rough. I was blessed to be able to do a scrapbook demo in Hobbycraft which has led to me doing workshops. I am back in the groove, so to speak.

Here are some layouts that I did...

The heat is on!

I am so happy. Ü The sun is shining and summer has arrived. Doesn't it make a difference? The schools will be breaking up for the summer holidays next week and the beaches will be packed!  More BBQs will be lit, time spent in the garden and shops will be packed! I am now beginning to think that summer is not quite the perfect season that I expected.

My sister and I went to the Hampton Court Palace flower show recently and spent a sweltering day walking around inside marquees and out, viewing the beautiful created gardens and flowers.

Here are just some of my favourites...

White Dahlia

 Alliums...

 Pink Dahlia...

My favourite garden was the blue and white one...

Very much a seaside colour scheme and cooling atmosphere.

I'm off to sit in my garden - not quite the arrangement of above but it's evolving - I have blue shed!! Ü

Toots for now,

I'm Just An Old Fashioned Girl!

There are just some things that don't change over time - like putting my washing out on the line in the garden. Ahhh....I just LOVE to get into my warm bed with clean sheets and duvet cover with that freshness. It takes me back many years when my mum used to do it. Ü

I like to hand wash some of my more delicate items - such as dark coloured tops and fluffy cardigans. It is sad that it isn't something that we all do now that we have modern technology - like washing machines and tumble dryers. Oh don't get me wrong, I love my tumble dryer - especially for drying my towels. That is something else that I won't change. Fluffy towels are a luxury. No dry, scratchy ones for me. I know some that do like them as they say that they absorb more water. Nahhh! Ü

Can you tell I am feeling rather nostalgic? At this time of year, there isn't much on the television and I do like to get some fresh air in the garden. Today, I have been cementing inbetween the cracks of the patio paving slabs to prevent the weeds from coming up! My poor back aches and I think I may have 'nursemaid's knee'!

Still, a nice warm bath before I jump into my clean bed is a welcome thought..... and one of these...

Have a good night yourself.

In Loving Memory!

***HAPPY 99TH BIRTHDAY*** Mum. It would have been my mum's birthday today but it wasn't to be. She is celebrating with her own mother and I am so happy that they have been reunited at last. Ü

I am so thankful for the opportunity that I had to be with her for so many years. A popular quote that I have seen recently...

'Do not regret growing older, it is a privilege denied to many.'

Enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend.

Stick It In The Family Album!

***Happy Birthday*** Yasmin - 22 today. Ü

Another month has flown by this year and I don't want to sound ungrateful for the few sunny days that we have had but come onnn....it IS supposed to be spring! In fact we are over halfway through spring and there is still a chill in the air. I am allergic to the cold. I HATE cold! Bring me sunshine - any day.

So my eldest granddaughter came for a visit and she stayed for one week. Now if my almost 22 year old grandchild takes a week out of her holiday leave and wants to come spend time with her ol' nan and grandad, then I shall drop everything and do whatever she pleases - and that is exactly what we did. Ü

We spent Bank Holiday Monday on the beach - the 1 very warm day that we had so far this year. We had a scrapbooking day, a visit to the ice cream parlour. She went on a bike ride with grandad and she and I had a baking day and a photo shoot. We packed a lot in. Ü

Here are some photos... quite the model eh?

Swinging in my 'parrot' chair...

...and here is a little fun editing that I did ...

So as another Bank Holiday Monday approaches, let's hope that we get some warm sunshine like the last one...PLEEEASE. Ü

Toots for now,

Spring has sprung!

Phew! I am feeling HOT, HOT, HOT and no, I am not on holiday somewhere in a warm country - but here on the sunny coast of England where the temperature registered at 22c today! Spring has finally sprung - hopefully! Well, at least for now. It may give the plants a chance to bloom and allow the little birds to give their young flying lessons without shivering in the snow!

Then there is the lawn to mow!

I have just returned from staying with my youngest daughter and family. I don't like 'goodbyes'. It leaves me feeling sad, as they live too far away for me to visit often. However, I had the busiest of times - trying to fit everything into my days. It was a great time to go, as they were on their Easter break from school.

We celebrated Ethan's birthday the day after I arrived. It is a family tradition to open cards and presents first thing in the morning and to eat Mr Kipling's French Fancies for breakfast. Poor Ethan. He wasn't well enough to enjoy his day out with Ashley and his mum and dad. They went to the cinema and out for lunch but they had to come home early as he was feeling rather sick! He didn't get to eat cakes or lunch as he slept for most of the afternoon/evening on the sofa.

Eden and I took the train to Newcastle. I hadn't been before and we enjoyed a day out together. It was nice to see what kind of things Eden likes. We bought a dress and shoes for her and we had lunch out in TGI Friday. She is older than her years and it was hard for me to imagine she is just 13. She is way taller than myself and is mature for her age. She had her phone attached to her hip! It's an accessory of the 21st century alright. LOL.

The following day, Keeley and I went out for lunch - again! Yes, it is not a time to be watching my calorie intake! LOL. Whenever I visit, we go to the local Legion's club for steak pie on Thursdays. However, being that it was Easter, there was no steak pie! I was disappointed as it is the bestest steak pie in the whole wide world! Ü

Then on Friday, I took Ashley to a craft/paint shop where they have a wide choice of 'ceramic' items to paint and decorate before glazing and putting into a kiln. She chose a princess castle - well that was predictable! Ü When she has collected it and sent me a photo, I will post a pic of it. We had lunch at McDonald's!

Ethan and I went to a music store on Saturday. He plays the drums at school and he went to have a drumming session and to view some drum kits! Help us all! I hope they get soundproofed walls before he brings it home!

At aged 12, he had the priesthood conferred on him today. It is a special time for our family. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he will then pass the sacrament to the congregation. I was sad not to have been there, as it was postponed for a week due to the general conference being broadcasted. That means I have to go back again soon, so as I can be priveleged to receive the sacrament from my grandson. Ü

The rest of the week, we baked, made 'Weetos' necklaces, painted and created, had photo shoots and enjoyed some relaxing time. We had manicures and pedicures and facials and we all felt refreshed and ready for a new season....if only the sun would come out!

Thank you for stopping by to visit my blog. I appreciate the time you take in doing so.
I hope you all had a Super Sabbath.

***HAPPY EASTER***

Wishing all of my followers, friends and visitors a peaceful and restful Easter weekend.

Easter is a time of re-birth and gives hope for a new beginning. The weather hasn't quite been what we all expected to see at this time of the year but life goes on and we will see the sun and we will have warmer days ahead.

Just like Christmas, there is a reason for the season.

Have a blessed one. I am off to make some Hot Cross Buns - Paul Hollywood style. Ü

God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again - Mum!

Monday was the day we said goodbye to my mum and she had the most wonderful send off in her long awaited coach and horses funeral.

Despite my faith and beliefs - LDS , it is still hard to believe that my mum has finally gone. At almost 99, I thought she was going to live forever! I do know that one day, we shall be reunited again and I shall be longing for that day.

En route to the funeral, I had a call from a friend to say that she had some sad news! She told me that my daughter's best friend from childhood had died! She died of MRSA and double pneumonia!  It was a terrible shock. The young woman was just 38 and had 4 children!

It has been a sad week for our family but one of many happy memories too. It has brought home to me that we never know when our time is up and we need to make the most of it while we are here.

Hug your loved ones and be kind, for we all have our burdens to bear and need to be shown love.

Have a good weekend yourselves and stay warm,

Rest in peace mum!

My dear old mum passed away peacefully this morning. She had a heart attack on Tuesday night and I thought she would come through it but not this time! She has suffered so much since being in her 90s - 2 broken hips and a broken arm and numerous falls hitting her head on most occasions.

She would have been 99 in May, which is so hard to believe. It was selfishness on my part - willing her to live to be 100!  It feels to me like I have been 'severed' from my mum for the 2nd time in my life!


I am thankful that I went to see her yesterday in the hospital for the last time & she is now reunited with her own mum who died giving birth to her. A remarkable lady of determination and strength. My mum the Iron Lady.

She will have her 'dying wish' - a coach and horses for her funeral. My mum is going out in style. Ü Bless her...She has waited 98 years for this.

Being that she - and myself and 2 other siblings were born in Fulham and are Fulham football supporters, we shall be having a black and white themed funeral. It's gonna be a ball!

Warm as toast!

I have been hiberating during the colder days/weeks and only going out if I have to! It's January and all I hear from people is how cold it is - some have said "miserable" - others - "dismal"! It IS January and it IS winter! LOL.

I must say, yes, it is cold and for that reason, I use these times to catch up on jobs that need doing around the house that won't take up precious time in the sun during spring and summer. Our central heating system is VERY old. Come 11th February, we will have been in our house 25 years and it was installed years before that. I guess it has seen it's day and will be another financial burden to replace later this year ready for next winter!

Keeping warm has been expensive this year - what with the increase in fuel costs. However, we do have a backup Calor gas heater which is in the lounge, so I have done many a job in there - like write out my Christmas cards for this year!! LOL. Yes, another job that I won't have to do come beginning of December. I also bought all of my stamps - 2nd class, while the post office still had Christmas ones. That way, I won't have that added expense either and if the cost of stamps go up, I will still be able to use them.  Forward planning is my aim this year - not a resolution but one thing that I am hoping to achieve.

 Last week I met up with Amanda and we had a craft morning together - knitting. Amanda showed me how to knit double moss stitch, which is something that I have wanted to learn. Time flew by - like it does when you are having fun.

I think she will be pleased with me as I have completed a pair of hand warmers which I have yet to take a photo of and post but I will do that for next time.

Also last week, at our ladies evening at church, we had a 'Great British Bakeoff' challenge. The choice of recipes were Paul Hollywood's 8 strand plaited loaf (which I chose to make), 12 mini Victoria sponges or a pie with top and bottom crust. It was a fun evening, sampling everyone's bakes.


I came joint 1st with my loaf! I was really surprised - especially as there was an Italian lady who bakes bread regularly and didn't win with hers (which was rather more raised than mine - maybe it was the taste and texture they judged). I know she added honey which isn't in the recipe!

I can tell you, even with PH's recipe instructions in front of me and his masterclass on the tv - step by step I stopped & started, I struggled with the plaiting.

Next time, we shall probably make pasta from scratch, so I used my loaf!! and bought some 00 flour in readiness. I think I shall make some black pasta! Well....Nigella did and she used squid ink! Anyone know where I can find some? *Ü*

Enjoy your weekend and stay as warm as toast. *Ü*

Sweets for my sweets!

I have had requests for me to post my Christmas foodies which I made throughout the festive season...and consequently has helped to add inches to my waist without my permission! LOL. Ohh I just LOVE the build up to Christmas and the time when I raid my books and magazines for recipes and favourite traditional bakes. It seemed like I never turned the oven off at times and I still managed to make enough for an army even though there were just a few of us on occasions!

So here are some of my homemade makes and bakes. Enjoy! Steak and kidney pudding. - not for Christmas but our wedding anniversary meal that I cooked.

A German cake that my mother-in-law used to make when she was alive.

A ham a la The Hairy Bikers....it was most delicious.

Christmas Eve - prawn cocktail

 Tiramisu

I have made a few cakes since Christmas but I haven't taken photos - they disappeared too quick!
That's it! No more baking for a while now and I am counting down to begin a healthier eating plan starting 1st February. That is a more realistic date than 1st January - on my calendar.

Good luck with those of you who are trying to do the right thing and well done to you if you have accomplished the resistance to temptation and lost a few pounds.

Toots for now and keep warm,

Life in the fast lane!

It seems that each year flies by faster than the previous one and here we are in 2013! I am not one to make new year resolutions these days as I am not good with dealing with stress! I can do without it and pressures of keeping resolutions only fill me with guilt and a sense of failure if I don't keep them!

So this year, I will just be myself - again and hope that by me doing my best to please - everyone, it will be enough!

This Christmas past, I managed to cook/bake - and eat more than ever from the array of recipes in magazines, cookery books and tv programmes that I have seen. I have come to learn that it is my favourite thing of all to do - cooking and baking that is. It is an art in itself. The product of which disappears fast - which I find is the only disadvantage. However, I can always view it at a future date - on my hips! LOL.

I have lost count of all of the recipes that I used but here are a few - from various cooks/chefs - such as Jamie Oliver, The Hairy Bikers, Nigella, Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry - and Pinterest. Baked ham, a German cake that my mother in law used to make, chocolate and pistachio fudge, marshmallow fudge, tiramisu, strawberry eton mess, cinnamon swirls/buns, tropical fruit salad, ready salted ridge crisps, half dipped in melted chocolate. Yum...and a ton of other goodies!

My family know me well and for Christmas, I received 2 more cookery books - Jamie Oliver's 15 Minute Meals and The Great British Bakeoff book of 2012...and I bought The Hairy Bikers Christmas book that was in the WHSmith sale for £5! Bargain.

Now...all I have to do is find a recipe for Broccoli and Stilton soup to use up the block I still have sitting in my fridge! Anyone for soup?!