HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year to all my friends old and new and those I am yet to meet! Good Luck, health and happiness for 2010.

Mrs C x

SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL!

Seasons Greetings to all in Blogland.
Mrs C X

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

It has snowed practically every day since last Thursday, and has been extremely cold. It was really bad on Saturday, so me and Mr C set about getting the house decorated for the holiday season, a little late I know but hey we both work full time.

We started with the tree and progressed to the fire surround. We always get a little carried away!

I then moved onto decorating the window, where I suspended two blown glass baubles and three stars from the curtain pole using mother of pearl effect Christmas cord, and place my candle bridge in the middle of the window sill.

Next..............the hall

We had the radiator cabinet made to measure last week and I bought the letters in Florida during our last holiday. Well worth carrying them home as they cost only pennies.

Then right on cue just like a scene from a film, the postie knocked on the door and handed over a parcel which turned out to be my Christmas Stocking Swap. How exciting.

Off came the paper to reveal my stocking made especially for me by Mel, in her favourite CK fabric.

Thanks Mel its lovely!

The stocking was full of gifts.

A huge bar of chocolate, a floral decorated miniature mirror, three decorative heart shaped pegs, a coffee fragrance sachet,(my favourite smell) a lovely Russian Santa Claus doll Santa containing a fragrant candle (a gorgeous Christmassy smell) and a festive coaster.

And a magnet with a picture of a chicken on, which has pride of place on the fridge freezer.

Thanks again Mel, all my gifts are lovely

Merry Christmas!

Sunday Evening at the O2 Academy

We got back from Lichfield mid afternoon, just time for forty winks then into the shower and changed to head into town to the O2 Academy to see our son and his friends in their band who were supporting Tradgedy a "Metal Tribute to The Bee Gees".



To say we felt old would be an understatement. Our son's band opened the evening and we were so proud! We wish them all well.




The main band were fantastic. We have never seen anything like them and would recommend their show to everyone. Quite bizarre listening to Bee Gees songs being sung in the style of Heavy Metal. - Fantastic. The band were dressed in Lycra and were covered in glitter. If you get the chance - Check them out!
We slept really well that evening - "The oldest rockers in town"!

A visit to Lichfield

This weekend me and Mr C travelled to Lichfield to stay the weekend with our daughter and her boyfriend.

She wont be coming home to us for Christmas as her boyfriends Mum and partner will be staying with her over the holidays. (only fair, but I will really miss her).

We arrived Friday evening after a very slow drive due to road works. She made us a wonderful supper of stuffed mushrooms to start (Mushrooms stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in prosciutto , then baked in the oven - yummy) for main course we had Hunter's Chicken served with Mashed Potato, Green Beans and Carrots (again fantastic) our pud was Apple Strudel served with cream. I was really impressed, I taught her well! I forgot to mention the bottle of wine which was also very well received.

On Saturday after breakfast, we walked into Lichfield and took in some of the sites. Its a lovely place with some really picturesque buildings., like the Cathedral with three spires.

We stopped off at a tea shop and had pots of tea and toasted tea cakes - wonderful!

Saturday evening I booked a restaurant where we had traditional Christmas fare to make up for the fact we will be apart on Christmas Day. The food wasn't too great but the company made up for it.

Sunday morning came around all too soon, so we had to pack up our bags and say our goodbye's, wiping away the tears we headed off home.

My week in the Derbyshire Peak District

This week my work took me to the Derbyshire Peak District. Whilst driving there on Monday I encountered some really heavy rain that was running like rivers down the sides of the roads and the windscreen wipers couldn't clear the drops off my windscreen fast enough! Very scary indeed.

The roads are very steep but the scenery is beautiful, even through the rain. The rest of the week was cold but the sun came out to reveal the most wonderful architecture and scenery. I cant believe I walked up and down those streets three days in a row!

I stayed in a really nice hotel called "The Red House" (photo taken from their website, as I arrived after dark!)

My bedroom was warm and cozy, and was decorated in cream. It had its original fire place, but it was there for decoration only unfortunately.

The owner and staff of the hotel were very welcoming and I would recommend anyone to stay there if they get the opportunity! I am off to John Lewis next week to try and buy a similar bedspread. I met some lovely people during the course of the week, one of whom makes knitted tea cosy's that she sells from her home in one of the villages. She has sparked my interest in knitting again and I have made a couple for her to add to her collection. Unfortunately I forgot to take picture before I handed them over. I will take pictures of my next creations as soon as I finish them. Thanks for stopping by.

Mrs C

A wet and windy Sunday in Northumberland

At 9 a.m. the sun was shining brightly although the wind was quite strong. If you look closely you can see the swan on the lake!So we decided to take a walk up into the village, to the bus station where there was a Continental Market due to open and 10 a.m.

We put our coats and boots on and headed to the door when the heavens opened again, so instead of walking we did things the lazy way and got into the car! When we got there it was dark and pouring - the poor stall holders looked freezing. A quick whiz around and then off to the newsagents for our papers.

On our way back to the car with only the Sunday papers purchased the sun came out! So we just had to go back an buy some scrummy olives.

Have a good evening all.

Mrs C x

Fishy Find

We went out for a walk yesterday in between down pours and Mr C got his eyes on this in the local RSPCA charity shop. I think it is really quite awful but he loves it so I had to indulge him. We think it is a soup tureen, which is why I put the ladle into it! Doesn't he look miserable?

I dont believe they got through again!

John and Edward are through again. They cant sing, and they cant dance either. Surely they cant win..............
Can they?

First in the queue

Today Marks & Spencer held a Christmas penny bazzar which opened at 9:00am.

I met up with my bezzy mate BH at 8:15 and we headed off to the store to join the queue.

Imagine our surprise and excitement to find out we were actually first in the queue.

Just before the doors opened Santa and his helper came out and handed out chocolates and discount vouchers to be used against full price purchases in store.






We were then given a flyer showing what goods were on offer to us and we were told we could choose five. Ooh the excitement!














We both had a photo taken with Santa but don't feel brave enough to share the pictorial evidence - sorry!






Then................



The doors opened an we were invited in. I was met by a sales assistant holding a red and white carrier bag. "What 5 items would you like madame" then I made my choices.







I got a mug,















A money box complete with lock!




















A tea towel.













A note book.






and











A key ring which has a trolley token on it!







There were no charges for the goods but everyone was asked to make a donation to the Breast Cancer Research charity, which I always like to support anyway.


Happy with our gifts we then headed off to Mc Donald's for breakfast. (not the healthiest we agreed, but none the less very acceptable!)




A very fulfilling Friday 13th!

Then off to work. Not so exciting but still it pays for the shopping trips and scones on Monday!

Have a good evening all. Mrs C x

Remembrance Sunday 2009

At 11am today we will be participating in 2 minutes silence in remembrance of our service men and women who have fallen. I will also be thinking of those who have been injured and those who are still serving, as well as their families.

Thank you to all of you service men and women past and present.

Poppies are sold every year by the Royal British Legion to help fund their charity work. I will wear my poppy with pride!

T T M x

THE DECLUTTER HAS BEGUN

I decided not to go shopping this afternoon, and I am really glad I stayed at home. The weather took a turn for the worst and it is pouring with rain and really cold.

I logged on to my laptop to check my e-mails and started checking out other blogs. Whilst checking out Country Heart and Home, I came across a reference to Flylady.

The site is inspirational, with motivational videos. One suggestion is that to start de-cluttering we get a black bag and select 27 items to throw out. It didn't take me long at all. Look out Anthea you have competition!

I have now been through most of my magazines (why I hang on to them I really don't know) but the majority of them are now in the recycling box ready for Thursday. I will move upstairs tomorrow hopefully and by Monday the charity shops in the area will have some new stock.

I have kept my Weight Watchers mags and I am just now waiting for my slimming mojo to return. I went to fat class this morning and managed to stay the same weight as last week, which is quite an achievement as I have been taking cough medicine like it is going out of fashion.

Have a good evening and check out Country Heart and Home and FlyLady!

T T M x

Pumpkin Soup Mmmnnnnn

As it is Halloween tomorrow coupled with the drop in temperature today, I decided to buy a pumpkin and make some delicious warming soup.

I used the flesh of the pumpkin which I softened in some oil along with 2 carrots, a large onion, half a leek and 2 veggie stock cubes. I added enough water to half fill my pan and left it to cook for about 45minutes. Next step I added a handful of fresh coriander then blitzed it down with a stick blender. Eh voila, a delicious pan of soup.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE

Well I couldn't just throw the pumpkin away, so I decided to check out Google images for a template and get creative. I then set about marking the picture onto the pumpkin by pricking it with a skewer. The next part was the hardest, I had to cut through the pumpkin around my guidelines, then the worst thing ever happened my cutting tool snapped and I had to finish my effort with a small knife.

Well about an hour later the lantern is finished and ready to light the candle.

Not bad for a first go,, don't you think!

Oh and the soup was delicious.

Have a good weekend everyone

T T M X

Christmas is coming!

Me and my other half Mr C, went shopping for a new kitchen at the weekend, not really the thing to do this near Christmas but hey ho! Well after we spent a kings ransom we drove over to the local outlet shopping centre for a walk about and we saw these lovely decorations in the entrance. On the way out we noticed there were illuminated reindeer on the hillside too, but as I was driving I didn't get the chance to take a photo, sorry!

We couldn't resist this plate with the glittery snowflakes on the border

Then we saw another so had to have that too!

And then we spotted some cute little decorations for holding Christmas Cards, then a wooden snowman for the tree, and a little silver star with some stones set into it, a snowman plaque,to mention but a few.




I can't wait for December!
TTM X

MY VERY FIRST CRAFT FAIR

This afternoon on my return home from Liverpool, I met up with my very good friend BH and her mum at the Xmas Craft Fair at Newcastle Arena. I had an absolute ball visiting all of the stalls. Thanks to both of them for inviting me. X


We all signed up to a Ribbon Workshop which was excellent (My thanks to the guy who showed us what to do he was great, and he supplied us all with some fudge to eat whilst we eagerly created out wreaths!)


I came home very excited with my new crafty creation, and Mr C just could not contain his laughter. He said he could not determine whether it was for Halloween or Christmas and he then went on to say "has some one created a Saint Spare Ribbons Day?" Philistine ! Well I was pleased with my efforts!
Mind you on reflection when you see it in a photo it does look like an explosion in a ribbon factory!!!!!!!!!!
Night all X

A week in Liverpool

I have spent this week working in Liverpool and I stayed in the Crowne Plaza which is located across the road from the Liver Building. I took this photo this morning before breakfast whilst loading the car.
Is quite an impressive building and very bizarre that on Monday evening there was a documentary on TV all about the Liver Birds on top!

Over the course of this week I am afraid I have taken a few picture in an attempt to get the perfect one!

I went for a walk each evening into the town centre (for a spot of exercise honest) and came across the Cath Kidston store tucked away in a lane just of the main Liverpool 1 shopping area. The staff were lovely and didn't mind me taking these pictures.

This morning on the drive home I stopped at a traffic light outside a sandwich shop called Ate days a week, and at that very moment what came on the radio, but Eight Days a Week by the Beatles - Spooky or what!!!!!

T T M X

More shopping in Orlando

Back in Orlando we hit the shops but not before calling in at the Cracker Barrel for brunch. I always like to pay a visit as the goodies they sell in the shop are amazing. They have a large selection of Halloween items.............

They also have a good selection of Christmas themed ornaments and tree decorations. Like I say it is always well worth a visit.

I also noticed their thanksgiving displays and I couldn't resist this Harvest Angel. She is gorgeous isn't she?

I saw something unbelievable in Florida Mall. A Surf simulator in a store. My goodness what will they think of next?

Then on Friday Mr C took me to the Mall at Millenia to the Tiffany Store to buy me a birthday gift. He bought me a charm bracelet and a selection of charms. (How lucky am I?) Photo's to follow, as my prized possession is at home and I am sitting in a hotel in Liverpool writing this blog trying hard to catch up and stay awake! Nearly there.