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.