Goodness! Long time no post

How time rushes past and things happen .........
I have loads of news and photos to share but need to gather myself before I post on here.
Joe is now 10 months old and I am a year older lol
The garden is now barren and covered with snow and ICE lots of ICE. It hasn't been more than 2 degrees here for over 2 weeks and it doesn't show any signs of getting any warmer.
Now I have remembered what I'm doing I will be back asap

Pulled the beetroot and just laughed! I forgot I had planted the seeds in the little pods which are NOT intended for root veg so I ended up with golden baby beets and a few baby beet carrots lol

The heatwave is making my garden shine in places and showing up the rubbish in others. The flowers need cutting back and quite a few weeds to pull up. So much work and not enough energy.

Must get out there soon.

Garden Update

My garden although colourful is a mess. I haven't been able to go out there for a couple of weeks and it shows. My tomatoes are still small and green so I don't expect much there. It has been very windy with heavy rain this week with more forecast so it doesn't look like I'll get much done anytime soon. I have collected a few seeds for next year and I'm determined that the garden will be better. I am going to pull my beetroot tomorrow regardless of the weather as they need to be pickled in time for Christmas.


I hope to be planting my daffodils soon so that I have a good showing for the spring.

Bad Week or so but good ending ...............

I was rushed into hospital last week with a severe health problem and was all on my own in a side room. It was lovely to have the privacy and peace ........... I still have a lot of tests etc ahead although it looks like another permanent problem to add to my list. But I'm still smiling! 
When I was allowed home I found I had won a competition with My Craft Studio Club which gave me a lovely end to the week. I am allowed to choose my prize to a certain value but the choice is so great I'm struggling to make up my mind lol But I will!
My 2 eldest grandchildren stayed for 4 days over this week-end and although it was very tiring it was also lovely to have them take my mind off my worries. We went to our local park which I hadn't seen in many years and it was such a wonderful few hours of fun and laughter. The 'swings' have been replaced by a 'health' theme park all to encourage children to exercise. There is still a younger childs area as well as the small steam train (which unfortunately broke down that day) There was also a giant slide and trampoline - not free but I thought good value. The children loved it and that's what mattered.

Train rides

We took the children on a mini steam train ride last Thursday and it was great fun. We went to Rudyard lake and can highly recommend for a lovely day out. The children were having so much fun spotting animals and birds, having a lovely picnic and enjoying the ride. It's not a long ride, just enough for them not to be bored.
Next time we are going to Churnet Valley.

Birthdays

Today is my brothers birthday, my sisters birthday, my brother-in-laws birthday and DHs cousins birthday!
At least it gets 4 out of the way very quickly

flowers from my garden

My Little Cook playing Drums with Pots

My Little Helpers

How to lose Weight .........

Have grandchildren around regularly lol. I have lost at least 3 inches from my hips and waist since the older ones came back from Greece and Joe was born. A good by-product of the joys of having them around.
Georgia is almost 9 and really loves to craft - with or without me - she shuts herself off and 'plays' for hours. She is so sensible that I never worry about her using my stash. She always cleans stamps and puts them away (something I don't always do) and she never touches anything banned.
The first time she used my Cuttlebug she cried because of the little crack noise when it went through - she thought she had broken it. 
James isn't trustworthy at all but I will let him play a little when I am around. His attention span is minute - much like his dad was at that age.


Going out again tomorrow to see them all - family get together - so no crafting - again!!!!!!!!!!

Joe - born 14 April

Don't you just love peace, quiet and crafting

 It's been great this week as my husband has been out almost every day and quite a few nights :) so I've had loads of time to do just what I want, although I was poorly for a day or so but never mind, the rest of the time was well spent.

I have just received my new A4 LED or is it LCD light box and it is fantastic. Now I can work on black parchment without using carbon paper. I have so much work to upload to my blog etc.

Also spent a bit of time baking again. Really getting back into it now and made quite a nice carrot cake, pizza and fresh bread.

Also been knitting, sewing and painting.

My latest 'art' work :) is altering my chrome edged notice board with alcohol inks and maybe adding a few flowers - not quite sure yet. I'm using the colours of my bedroom because that's where it hangs. I need a daily reminder when I get up!

Setback

Had a really bad day yesterday. My old ticker was racing along like a bullet train and it felt like someone was sitting on my chest. Def not nice and so I didn't get to make any cake or much else for that matter
:(

Cooking!

After more than 20 years I finally found the courage and confidence to cook a meal again and it was lovely. A real traditional Moussaka. I impressed myself as well as my son who is a very fair chef!

Next is a coffee and walnut cake

New Year - Rubbish!

What a start! First the snow .......... love the stuff but being stuck indoors for almost a month was a bit much.
The 'children' (son and daughter) each doing their own thing in separate continents - the former in New York and the latter in South Africa. They each had a great time which was good. We had the grandchildren and that was good too.
Then my pond fish started dying one by one leaving me with just the one lonely little fish in a big pond.
Then the dash to hospital as I seem to have developed AF and gall stones ......... wonderful .. not. I can almost start my own pharmacy now :)
As for crafting ...... not a lot. Didn't get ANY craft stuff for Christmas and had to beg for some for my birthday. However, the heart thing did bring a sort of gift as darling hubby bought me some Tim Holtz stuff and other as well as promising me Sir Tims new book!
I made a couple of cards but that was all.

I'm amazed at the length of time between posts! I've been to Crete again looking after the children and enjoying the sun.
The local craft shop has closed except for 1 day a week for parchment classes. Not quite the same though. One day a month doesn't inspire me to do more so I've decided to get back to embroidery, patchwork, cross stitch, knitting, baking and gardening.
A LOT to keep me going that's for sure.
I've been working on an advent calender, Christmas stockings and a cross stitch sampler.
The garden needs the winter work now but as I have had flu I'm way behind.
Will upload wip soon

Me doing my Shirley Valentine thing on the coast of Crete Agios Georgios - in the middle of nowhere this little rickety chair by the sea and a taverna across the road. All that's missing is the glass of wine

Had my usual parchment class today and made a lovely 'snowmen' card. Going to a make and take for jewellery next week with DD. Logged into UKS properly for the first time in months and I'm joining in with the CyberCrop. I'm having fun making ATCs first. I'm not buying any kits as I need the money for my holiday album. Managed to get 70 free photos ( using 2 accounts :) ) We've been back 28 days and I'm just beginning to get myself together so hopefully will have some layouts to share. DH had his birthday yesterday and DD has her first anniversary on Sunday so I've been busy with cards etc thsi week and I've spent a few hours in my craft room this evening.
While I was in there I thought of changing rooms?! It's not a small room but it isn't very bright and the other spare room is a lot bigger and brighter. Should I change or not??? Hmmm It's soooo tempting lol