Style change!

Tim Holtz has a lot to answer for! He has now enlightened me with his recent demonstration and I am wanting to change my outlook to some vintage designs. His inspiration on QVC this week has given me new ideas and I am hoping to begin with a photo of my dear old mum who is going to be 96 in May!

This is she at about age 29. I think she is absolutely beautiful.

I did already make a layout but that was years ago and I would like to use the more vintage papers that are around right now.

I got more inspiration from these photos from another scrapbook site.

I am now on the lookout for more vintage scrapbooking papers and embellishments. If you can direct me, I would appreciate it.

Here is a site for starters with some lovely designs - 3 new ones too. http://www.g45papers.com/

Have a wonderful weekend and happy scrapping.

Toots for now,

A Feast Fit For A Tiger!

The first of our 'Year Of The Tiger' celebrations began with a visit to 'Chopsticks' in Hersden near Canterbury.

The atmosphere was very nice and the food was FAB. First, we had the complimentary prawn crackers.

As it was an 'all you can eat' meal, we ordered several dishes between the 5 of us - 3 of us being Tigers!

Sticky ribs.

Cameron's favourite and being a Tiger....he tucked into them - licking his lips as he went.

As he is allergic to peanuts and other types of nuts and food, we were careful of what we ordered. Even touching his skin would give him an allergic reaction! As it happened, there must have been something cooked in peanut oil, as he felt an allergic reaction to something he ate. Piriton to the rescue and his Epipen at the ready if it got bad.
I love the prawn toast.

Each dish had a decorative swede carving on the plate.

My son in law - tucking into the butterfly prawns. Yum!
Another Tiger - my husband with an assortment of dishes.
The dish of sizzled beef was absolutely delicious and very tender.
Crispy duck pancakes was a must for my daughter.


Of course, a Chinese meal wouldn't be complete without a rice dish....
...and noodles.

Cameron and I used the chopsticks.
A really fun evening and great start to a 'New Year'.

Enjoy your celebrations whatever you plan to do. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.

Double Whammy!

There is much celebration today as it's both Valentine's Day and the start of the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Tiger. It's my year and I am going to make the most of it. Several of my friends are tigers, as well as one of my son in laws and a grandson.

It will also be a big birthday for me this year - and my friends and husband, so watch out for celebration posts.

I made this layout - the first in a while. It's of 2 of my grandchildren. Eden is kissing her brother and I can remember the face he pulled and noise he made - THERRRR! It makes me smile to see them.

Thanks so much for taking the time to view my blog peeps. Have fun.

Home Sweet Home!

I went to my sister's last week to meet up with her and another sister, so we could go view a nursing home for my mum. It was FAB. Newly built in 2005 and it has all the mod cons for care of dementia patients. They have an arts and crafts room and a sensory room just for starters.

I knew my mum couldn't wait to come out of hospital and after being in there for 4 weeks, she was able to go straight to the nursing home last Thursday. I am so happy for her. In my opinion, there couldn't have been a better place for her to spend her last few years. She is going to be 96 in May.

She is settling in well and the staff have already mentioned what a 'character' she is! LOL.

Just her flat to clear now! Eeek!

Thank you to those of you who have left lovely comments of support. I really appreciate them.
Toots for now,

Age concern!

Awww...I went to visit my mum in hospital and she amazing. After her fall a couple of weeks ago, she has been in hospital and has been moved from pillar to post - 7 times in all! She has been diagnosed with 'Vascular Dementia' and often can't remember things and gets confused. She had an amazing memory for dates and places and things.

Her face is still very bruised - although now turning yellow but she had 2 'panda' eyes which have now gradually improved.
She can still manage to smile despite her misfortune and who would know that she is going to be 96 in May?!

There are no flowers allowed in the ward - something that helps people cheer up but I do understand the reasons for the ban. It was so hard to see my dear old mum so helpless. She has always been such a strong character. Her mother died giving birth to her and you might say that she is a 'born survivor'! She won't be returning to her warden based flat. It is now for my 2 sisters and I to go view care homes once we get the ok from the Social Services! Whilst there, I set her hair and gave her a pedicure whilst my sister gave her a manicure. She certainly needed it and it made her feel so much better.

If you have space for one more name on your prayer list, please say one for my mum. I would really appreciate it.

Mama Mia!

The new year has not brought much needed relief of stress related incidents. From Monday after Christmas, I came down with a chest infection and am about recovering from sleepness nights coughing.

Then my dear old mum, who is going to be 96 in May, had a fall at home and the poor thing was laying on the floor of her bedroom when the carer arrived. Her head was bleeding and she was not in a good way. She was taken to hospital and has been checked over and is now the owner of 2 very black eyes - from hitting the side of her head, along with a fractured cheek bone.

Here we are, photo taken in December, when I went to visit her at home.
She is such an 'Iron Lady' - always pulling back to recover from falls she has had in the past year and I am very proud of her. She is now recovering in hospital and I am wondering if she will get to see her home again due to the decisions that may have to be made to give her a more secure future.

The snow has melted here and I am disappointed that I didn't get my share! I know, I know. There has been rather a lot this month and some of you are sick of it but for me, I'm not - yet.

In the meantime, I shall keep myself cozy warm and keep watching the programmes I have recorded and not managed to watch over Christmas.

Stay warm and toots for now.

Let It Snow!

Snow fell here just before Christmas and I managed to get some photos before it all melted away. One of my grandsons - Cameron having fun in the snow at church on Sunday after Christmas.


I even managed to make a small snowman in my garden but it was dark by the time I finished and this photo isn't a good one.

As he melted the following day, his skeletal image looked quite spooky.

I found this poem which I thought was cute. Enjoy.

I'm off to keep warm with a hot chocolate. Toots for now.