Day out

Lovely view of Spinnaker Tower, people were drop jumping from the tower, we sat and watched them whilst having lunch. I assailed down this tower back in 2014, but I would not drop jump.

 There are loads of huge boats here

 Isle of Wight ferry with one of many sailing club on the other side. 

The huge ferry's going to Europe also come through this channel, 

The Pride of Normandy sailed by whilst we ate lunch. 

Total purchases on day out with daughter, smells wonderful

 Another book finished, not a crime/thriller this time, I enjoyed it.

 Old and new, the hall in the new pale green, dining room in the old magnolia. 

Hubby has just the gloss skirting boards and door frames to do in the hall, he will remove each door and paint it in the garage allowing it to dry before rehanging, just 3 to do, but it's on hold until next week, he has a few busy days driving. 
We had a great day shopping, most of the shops at Gunwharf Quays are top named brand outlet stores, so plenty of bargains to be found, and we went into most shops, daughter purchased a few things, I passed on everything, even in M&S, where I could have picked up loads.  We then walked to the city center and had a look around. We used the park and ride, allowing us to use a choice of bus stops to get back to the car, it's just 15 minutes from our home to the park and ride. 
Wednesday in contrast, I had a day at home, ironing and loads of housework, I can't believe how dusty everywhere gets when you are decorating, and our wooden floors were terrible. The spare room is still full of items to go back out, but they can wait until next week, there is so much in there, the items I can put back are right at the back. 
Today I plan to speak to my sister and then cut out more bags, she says she wants loads, I plan to have a sewing day on Sunday. 

Staying green.

Our wish for our house and garden to be as green as possible goes on, our waste is on every level is much lower and we are both feeling good.
Our food waste is almost nothing, all vegetable waste, peeling, egg shells go to my wormery, which already is giving us fertilizer, and soon lovely fine compost.  Plus it's a magnet for any children coming into the garden. We are very good an do not waste meat, fish or dairy.
My ground coffee is scatted on my garden, the filters are dried and then used as pot liners, the used teabags I am popping into pots as I plant them up, nothing is thrown away.

Every time I go shopping I take a few of my home made bags, our local fruit and veg stall now hands out paper bags, which I always keep in my shed drawer. They now have gone back to using proper plastic bowls for their pre-weighed items, which they use time and time again, they switched very quickly. Plastic still comes into our home, but much less than before, and if we are able to avoid it we often do. If I go to the plant stand at the market on a Wednesday, I always carry a couple of previous used thin plastic carrier bags, and reuse them, I'm sure I can make them last the rest of this year.

My dish covers are always in use in the kitchen, we still on occasions use stretch and seal, but the roll we have again will last much longer, and our hope is by the time it's all gone, we will have minimized the need for it. Because we are not wanted to waste so much food, we are better at our portion sizes and do not have leftover food very often, before we freeze anything we ensure the portion sizes are right for us, which often means we get extra portions from our purchases.

Is this a fail, I love to see a full fruit dish, but the limes which look good hardly ever get used, we do use lemons alot. So I purchased two plastic limes, they do look very real, and now I will only purchase limes if we need them, so in a strange way it's not a fail, but a win.

 We are even saving our lolly sticks, these make great plant labels, and they are short enough to be put in seed trays with the covers on.

Another small win, we are using citronella candles in the garden, far more than ever before, I got these at Asda, 3 small pots costing a pound each, they are pretty and the pots can be reused for my succulent seeds when they grow, on the down side they came packed in plastic.   

I have not purchased any clothes or shoes since February, and I have no plans to buy anything this year. Garden toys for Will are all second hand from charity shops or off local facebook selling pages, and once finished with they will be passed on. My garden spend has been high and where I have purchased plastic items, they are not one use items, and will last me for years.
I recycled some of my plastic plant pots, I had spare plants which I potted up and took to our local Save the Children shop, so profit for them and pots moved along.
I responded to a post on our local facebook page and I have been given two books to read, I have been promised more once the lady sorts them, once I have read them I will pass them along. I gave some fabric to our local primary school for costumes, using the same page.
So half way through this year, I feel we are making progress, just small things, but we both feel better making the changes, we can't change our past habits, but looking forward we will be greener.

It's Christmas time...

These have been part of our Christmas for years

 Putting some of my Santa's together

 My huge Christmas tree

                                   New this year                                      

Pagan displays

I managed to get all the decorations up, it took much longer than normal, but I enjoyed sorting what I have and placing things differently this year. It is nice to have the time, I found a couple of Christmas albums and sang along merrily. I have two new tree decorations hubby chose from Spain, and the white pot above, in which I put one of my artificial candles which lights the whole pot.

Each year I forget just how wide the tree is, but we do not use this entrance to the garden in the cooler months, so it sits well in this spot.
I am very pagan with my decorations, I love to see holly, Ivy, Berries and loads of Christmas flowers around the room, all are silk, which again I have owned for ages, plus loads of candles. This year I have put silk holly around my three big picture frames in the sitting room. I just have to find somewhere for my home made bunting.
I will leave you with our favorite display, he comes out each year, can't wait for Will to see him.

Happy birthday Nanna

Yesterday was my birthday

I love cards with Nana on from our special little boys.

 Fliss had already given me the knitting book, but she also gave me the sewing stand with the pin cushion on top. 

Josh and Sam gave me the Christmas fabric.

 Su knows how much I love these candles, and a new scent for me Blackberry and Bay, 

I also love the letter M not sure how I am going to use it yet.

 Cat my friend, was totally naughty and lovely in the same measure, and got me this trug,
 I have been looking for one for ages, but each one I saw hubby would point out a flaw to stop me purchasing it, this was got at a summer county show.

 I have done a bit more stitching, not too much and none last night.

 I passed this kit on to Cat to stitch, she is off work and has loads of time in the day, she has finished and passed the design back to me, if anyone want to have the pattern, just let me know I will send it to you, there are no threads or linen, just the pattern.

Kev got me a fine gold ankle chain, I have been looking for one for ages, I am also having 2013 book published this week, as part of my present.
Sam and Josh popped in at six, with cards and presents, Sam was happy when my 1st birthday cake was brought in, he helped me to blow out the candles, and the boys took the rest of the cake home.
Last night Kev cooked a family meal, Fliss is away, so Su, David, Cat and myself had a perfect meal, I had loads of things I really love, hubby is such a great cook, but I did have to pass on the 2nd  birthday cake at the end of the meal. The table was set, loads of candles, he did check which ones he could light, I have a few I don't use.
These days all I want is family life, it is sad Logan, mummy and daddy live so far away, but we do get to see them often. I love being at home, hubby loves to cook delicious meals.
We have a lazy weekend, I want to plant my few bulbs today, we do have to pop to Wilko's for some cleaning stuff, another night in, hubby loves X Factor, as does Fliss, I will just stitch and listen, I really can't be bothered with much TV.
I have a few new followers, I really can't under stand why anyone would want to read this, but thank you, having said that, ladies, I love to read your news and enjoy all your subjects, so everyone enjoy the weekend, wet or dry we always have loads of fun.

New Years Eve

It's new years eve, we are getting ready for a few friends over for dinner, just six of us, a nice meal and fireworks at 12, plus a glass of bubbly. We have agreed to dress posh (photo's next time), should be different and fun.
As a couple and a family 2013 has been fun, with both my daughters finding happiness, our Grand sons give us so many moments of pure joy.
We had many weekends away in England and our final trip to Berlin.
The work hubby has done to the house has improved our lives.

My first post of 2013 was "Shades of Grey", looking at things around me and making wishes to myself for the year ahead, of the 7 items on my list, 6 has been improved and I am pleased.
The 7th was
Me, Lose more weight, get fit by using my bike and walking more. Find my positive side again, it's there just lost. - Well I have not lost weight or walked or cycled, but I do have my positive head back, so my only wish for 2014 is to lose the weight, starting next week.

So I am looking forward to 2014, I have loads of stitching projects to finish, loads planned to stitch. But as important we have loads of family plans.

Enjoy the last day of this year

I hope you spend tonight with someone you love. 

Light our way

I have finished this design, and I love it. 

Sits well in the bottom corner of my work.

 I am looking to do some textured stitches in the 3 squares below, I only want to use silks, and not add any beads or buttons. But I can't find any thing I like. I did some beautiful stitching on another of my designs, but I can't remember how I did them and I can't work it out from my very fine stitching. So most of my time I am on the net searching for sites.

 I love this photo of the bottom of our tree, I have been playing with my camera, I also have a good selection of large glass decorations. I have also 12 real red candles on our tree, they are just for show, but I love them.

 I purchased another fake candle last weekend, hubby was a bit stunned at the cost of it, but they work well on my dining room unit where it is not safe to burn real candles.

 My table decoration is almost the same as last year, I am using battery operated white lights, with mistletoe on top, the dull light is very different.

 In the office I have put lights in my plant, just for a laugh, this window is at the front of the house, so it does look a bit like Christmas.

We are having storms in the North and North East, we have had a windy day here, but no real problem, loads of homes are on flood alert, loads of bridges are shut. I do hope every one is safe and well. It has got very cold here, so we need to wrap up warm before going out. I love scarfs and gloves.
I am in the swing for Christmas, once a week our boss allows us to have a two hour lunch break to go shopping, my day was yesterday and I got loads done. I must finish my cards, I have just to put them together, and then get them in the post. I have presents to wrap and my cake to ice.
I have just a couple of presents to purchase, hope to get them done over the weekend.
Sunday we have afternoon tea planned here for 8 people, just a chance to catch up with each other and share our Christmas cheer.

Every thing is heading towards a good Christmas.

Seasons Greetings

Christmas has arrived early

 I have been feeling festive since our visit to Berlin, 

and so on the last day of November

 (early for this house hold) 

I have put up or decorations. 

Very pagan, loads of holly, ivy and berries.

 Above is new this year, golden and bling, but lights a dark corner, 

Below these figures from Spain have a place in our room each year. 

 Our hall way shelves, just a bit of fun, 

 One note, I do not use tea lights in my ceramics, I use the battery operated light sets, about 10 small bulbs, the smaller ones are not big enough to hide the battery case, but much safer than candles.

 The down side, our spare bedroom is now full on for storage, and looks a mess.

Not much stitching done, had a very lazy week in which each night after work, we just relaxed together. Yesterday was lost to decorating, so many things, loads to pack away to make room for Christmas.

Today Sammy and Josh are going to visit, we will have to watch Sammy, his excitement levels are going to be high. I have a couple of items to get for presents, but most of it is done now. So we are looking forward to a family afternoon here.

Lovely gifts

I received some lovely items for my birthday this week, the miniature rose will go out into my garden, the Amaryllis I will start growing for Christmas. Teddy from hubby, Jo Malone candle from daughter Su.

 I love the pale colours and will have to make plans to use them. 

We have chosen my shed for the garden, just have to order it, I have never had a shed of my own, got loads of plans to make it mine, just for gardening stuff.

 Some thing else I am waiting to arrive this food dehydrator, I have wanted one for ages, saw this a half price, oh how I love a bargain. I already have parsley, peppers and chillies ready to dry and I want to dry slices of oranges for my Christmas cake.

I have been lazy this week with my stitching, I have done loads but did not want to follow a pattern, so I started this free stitch design, at this point I am not sure what it is going to be, or even how big I will make it, it's a stitch and see project, but I am loving the variegated threads. 

 Today for the second day we had birthday cake in work, yesterday was mine, today our bosses, so I am a bit caked out, Lucky we had birthday cake and fireworks with Josh and Sam last Sunday.
Not many plans this weekend, I did think we were in Somerset tonight, but that's next week, so a nice stay at home couple of days. Tomorrow I want to finish my pots from the garden, I asked hubby to put them all in the garage today, so they are drying out ready for planting. Sunday I want to get out my sewing machine. Also tomorrow I have a friend coming with her stitching for afternoon and evening.
I also plan to cook my Christmas cake, I am a bit late, but it won't be a problem, I have jars to fill with cookie mixture, a soup mix and spices, which I hope to complete to give as presents.

So all in all Christmas is on it's way.
PPS this is post number 500

Shades of Grey

 I have been using loads of candles to shine a bright light in our home, England is such a grey place at this time, no sunshine just cloud and rain.......

I love the way a candle can brighten even the dullest of corners, and I keep them grouped on my glass cabinet in the dinning room, little flames of sun shine. I often have as many as 10/12 burning at the same time.

We had the best of times in Spain, imagine 6 warm sunny days, with the knowledge the sun will shine the next day, I loved being back in my sandals and not having to wear a coat. It was not hot, just warm and that was enough, with loads of coffee stops, late nights, late mornings, and laughter, boy did we need the break.
It's still Christmas in Spain until Jan 6th when the three kings come, so our friends children were still in full excitement mode, and unlike the UK, it felt fun and family and not all retail and expensive.
New years eve was so very different, we had a meal in a restaurant full of families babies to grand parents, with groups of youngsters and parties of all ages, in typical Spanish way it was very noisy, and after the meal, tables were removed and we had a disco. True family celebration, we each had 12 grapes to each at the bongs of midnight, and everybody wore a piece of red underwear, all very normal for Spain.

I have done no craft, but I did bring back some fantastic crochet cottons, so very cheap, most of these are the same size so I can use them together, just the natural ball is slightly thicker, at 2 euros each 100 grams, a bargain. Now I have no excuse not to get going with crochet.

Last December I was so very down, so many things happening around me, of which I had so little control.  Doing extra work for 6 weeks, with out much help, wore me down, my last week at work was so hard, I really did feel like leaving on a couple of days, but if I went it would have impacted on other people in a negative way, so I managed to get through it. But it left me drained and withdrawn and impacting on my family life.

So today in another new year, I am making plans to enhance this year.

Work, I am looking for a new job, I can not change the people around me, so change my job.
Children, they have problems, I can be there for them, but I can not take on their worries, they have to make their choices and I will support them.
Grandchildren, love them, they are my sunshine, will see much more of them all.
Home life, I am very happily married, but we need to inject fun back into our lives, I have a few plans to get us out and doing things, even on wet days (and we have enough of them here in UK)
Me, Lose more weight, get fit by using my bike and walking more. Find my positive side again, it's there just lost.
Stitching, plan projects, finish Winter Watergarden, Tree of Life and Sleeping Cats, but use stitching for pleasure and not hide behind it when things are tough.
Somerset House, plan to work more to finish this great house, I am so close but I ignore it.

If you are still here, thanks, let 2013 roll on.

It's got legs

I have done loads to my tiger, and as my title says he now has legs, I have just the pale sides and infilling to do. I wanted this to be finished by Monday, it's just a bit smaller than the first one I stitched, but will look good in it's setting.

I have added two butterflies to my Lizzie*Kate ABC, in my family sampler, I think they look good, I have now packed this away for a while, I really need a small Thomas the Tank Engine pattern, I am going to search the net, can't let Josh down.

I have been adding to my stash, not my stitching stash, but another passion, candles, for years I burnt any candle I could buy, now I am a committed Joe Malone fan, her website is here But I have gone away from my favourite, Lime, Basil and Mandarin, and have purchased Wild Fig and Cassis, English pear and Freesia, also an Aveda candle, another nice scent.
It's fore caste another warm and sunny day, the sun is here, bit early for warmth. I have to stay in this morning waiting for parcel's. I am going to make pizza, I have a friend coming for lunch. I also have a couple of plants to put into the garden, I have been swapping plants with friends,