Oh it's raining again...

Oh well it's been raining in Preston again today is the summer over I wonder?? Jamie and I decided to have a wonder up the canal this morning just for a bimble and so I took a couple of photos to show the different ideas people along here have for their gardens..

Jamie ready to set off - I do hope he grows out of the hoody hip hop phase he seems to be enjoying soon...

Our garden is one of the smallest on the canal and as you can see from the picture on my last post we have built a decking area leading to the water. Because neither of our neighbours on either side of us have done anything with their land at the bottom it feels really private and secluded when your sat down there. I love it and am often found down there daydreaming in my own little world. We have plans to put tubs of flowers on the decking next summer and perhaps having some fairy lights along the fence which I think will look magical in the evenings.

These gardens are sloping quite steeply down to the water and many people are lucky enough to own boats (we're don't). Can you see the pirate flag flying on one of the gardens. Quite a few of the gardens along the canal have gone for a beach or pirate theme and this one....

has gone the whole hog and done their garden as a beach bar. Each to their own but not my taste really but then if we were all the same it would be a strange world wouldn't it.

And then a bit further along another garden, this one has been left to it's own devices and looks a bit like a flower fairy forrest - it never seems to matter what time of year it is there always seems to be some bluebells happily growing amongst the trees - really pretty.

So that's it for today a quick bimble up part of the canal.

Hopefully the weather will be a bit more cheerful tomorrow, in the meantime I'm on the search for a good local Chimney sweep as we are looking at getting a real fire or a multi fuel burner put into our lounge talk about excited - if all goes to plan I'll be counting down the days till we can sit by a cosy fire...

Ah well that's all for now.

take care

Jx

Oh my word its been such a long long time....

oh dear, apologies first - I'm so sorry for deserting blogworld for a few months, I don't really know why it was for so long. I felt I had nothing to say for a couple of weeks and then I seemed to lose my crafting and blog mojo which turned into months and before you know we're into summer and a late summer at that. Sorry for bailing out - I have been lurking in the background of many of you but just couldn't think of anything worth saying, so please forgive me. Anyway, after a lovely holiday in Northumbria I've now heaved myself out of the chair at the bottom of our little garden and want to say hello again.

so HELLLLLLOOOOOO....

We've had a blur of a few months blurred because the weeks have just sort of merged into each other at a whizzy speed but at the same time not doing very much really. We have had a couple of camping trips - Eskdale in the Lakes in June - very very pretty and very very hot!! Callow top in Derbyshire with friends - very very pretty and very very giddy - basically down to me regressing back to childhood with my school friend. Abbey Farm near Parbold also in July - very pretty but very very stressed due to new camper being used for first time, along with towing for first ever time and getting lost on way - despite site only being 20 miles from home!! Then away in Cornwall for a family wedding - very very pretty but very very wet - complete mud bath by the time we packed up. But last week was easily the best we had a gorgeous gorgeous week in Northumberland camping near Bamburgh where the beach looked like this....

We've never been up north so far before and boy what a surprise. I had heard it was a lovely part of the country but I never expected it to be so beautiful. The countryside, the villages and the beaches all gorgeous. These beaches were spotless, the sand powdery white and the sea so clear absolutely fab. On top of this some of the best castles I've ever been too, although my favourite by miles was this one ..

Alnwick Castle - amazing castle and gardens, so much to see. We bought a combined 2 day ticket meaning we could take our time looking around. Obviously the fantastic weather helped but even so I'm sure it would be brilliant there even in the rain ......

One day last week we went to Lindesfarne, they say that if you visit that island you never come away the same as when you arrived there. I loved the modern celtic style art there that has been inspired by the Lindesfarne illuminated gospels, and for the first time in ages couldn't wait to get back to pick up my pens and paper, wool and crochet hook - yippee I'm back. Boy can you tell I've been smitten by the whole Northumbrian experience.

By the way I've also been reading the Dawn French book dear Fatty while we were away - (first book I've read in months too - what's been wrong with me I wonder), anyway what a fab book makes you laugh out loud!!

Anyway time to go and this time I promise to be back soon.

Janette

xx

Easter holidays...

Hello,

Well it's the start of the school holidays and me and Jamie are having a fab time - so far. We love the holidays, it's a chance to chill out and just enjoy being out of the normal routine. Today has been spent scootering to the shops, wondering back along the canal, lots of fresh air finished off with a good dose of Preston rain meaning a mug of hot chocolate once we got home. Oh for the memories of yesterday when the sky looked like this....

This is our forsythia in full bloom, I love the way it looks against the blue sky. Really lovely don't you think.

Last weekend we went to Bakewell for the day - what a pretty little town full of streets just like this one. We loved it there although we did get ripped off in the sweetie shop when we asked for 2 lots of 100g of boiled sweets to be given 2, 1lb's worth. It was all very chaotic in the shop and even when I handed over the money and thinking that was very expensive (it's the most I've ever spent in a sweet shop lets just leave it at that shall we!!) I didn't say anything (don't know why) . It was only afterwards when it dawned on me what had happened that I couldn't help but wonder if the lady in the shop had knowingly weighed out more than she should to see whether we would say anything or not. I'm not normally suspicous but there was just something about her attitude that's made me wonder. Never mind though, there'll be enough boiled sweets in our house to last quite a while anyway.

Saw this cushion in a shop window while we were there which I loved. When I saw the £200+ price tag I thought it was for the chest of drawers, it was only later when I realised it was for the cushion. I loved it but not that much. Anyway I took the photo as inspiration to make a similar one for our bedroom as it doesn't look that difficult does it.

Above is my latest Work in Progress photo. I've made these hexagons following Lucy's attic 24 instructions. I'm very pleased with them. I've decided to turn it into a cushion cover. The photo below doesn't do the colours of the cotton I've used justice though because of the bad light this morning. In reality the colours in the photo above are much nearer the truth. Very cheerful and just right for our green lounge. It's definately a marmite (love or hate) room and with the addition of things from my new obsession of crochet it's definately not going to get any less bright in the near future.

Next up I think I'll tackle the ripple blanket - should keep me busy for a while.

I hope you are all having some fun too.

Take care

Janette

xx

Throwing a sickie???

No, I've not really blagged a day off work I am actually sat on the sofa acing from the ends of the hair on my head to the tips of my toenails. Jamie as very graciously shared his germs from the last few days and with me and whereas he was up and happily bounding into school this morning I have struggled to crawl all the way from the bed to the sofa full of the cold that just does not seem to want to get lost for good.

Anyway, today I've decided to focus on things to be thankful for....

I'm thankful that the view from the back of my house looks like this.....

Especially when the view from the front of my house is this......

I'm thankful that in Preston there are views like this ......

I'm thankful I have a family who don't moan and groan continuously when the view inside our house looks like this....

especially if I've spent farrr to much time (and money) with this....

I'm thankful we have booked a holiday to go here.....

And I'm especally thankful that we are staying in one of these ....

so that's that for today I'm off now for a hot lemon and to be honest I'm enjoying the peace before the boys come back from work and school.

Hope you all keep well, take care

Janette

xx

Springtime fun and flowers

Hello,

Aren't the pink roses above gorgeous. They were a present from work to me and Neil for our vows service but I've just managed to upload the photo this morning.

Anyway

I've been very spoiled this weekend. I woke up to this lovely breakfast from Jamie ( I suspect Neil may have helped a little) - Bacon sandwich, boiled egg and soldiers - yummy.

In the background playing was the new Take That CD -yeeee at last I have that CD - I must admit to perhaps hinting rather heavily over the last few weeks that I was a tad partial to Take That ( ok ok so it's possibly not the most sophisticated of music choices but who cares I love them).

I was given this huge bouquet of white tulips - how beautiful are they.

Jamie decorated this happy troup of gingerbread men and I spent most of the afternoon engrossed in this stripey blanket. Two thirds of the way through now and I'm still enjoying making it. Hopefully Jamie will love it when it's on his new bed. (he better had!!!)

And finally a gorgeous pot of flowers which I treated myself to the other day (Asda £5 - Bargain!!) Don't they look beautiful and full of the joys of spring.

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend too.

take care

Janette

xxx

HAPPYNESS IS.....

hi,

Just updating a little bit following the wonderful weekend we had renewing out vows and then the few days away from Preston. I had hoped to be able to post some of the 'semi' official photos but our friend who took the photos for us is away this weekend so we've not met up yet so I'm sorry but you will have to put up with the snaps taken by Jamie and me for now. sorry.

This photo was taken just before the service by Jamie, I do love it when an 8 year old takes photos of me - the angles are just perfect for showing off my double chin at its best - thanks Jamie xx

This is a beautiful card made by my lovely Sister-in-law Carol. She's very talented don't you think. Also she made us the fantastic mirror below as a present which will be just perfect in our lounge. I feel really spoilt having such a unique and lovely gift. (Carols just started her own blog up (i'll put the link on the side bar) I hope she keeps it up as I get loads of fun from doing this one and it'll give people the chance to see the gorgeous things she can make).



Anyway, we had an amazing service, so many of our friends and closest family came and celebrated with us. It was very bizarre really as we were both so much more nervous than the first time we got married. Neil cried when he said his vows which started everyone off and I tried not to look him in the eye otherwise I'd start as well. I got the feeling that Jamie thinks we're all bit strange afterall it's a different world when you are eight isn't it. I'll definately post more about the day but really want to wait to see what other photos there are first.



As Jamie was on a school holiday all week (we are going to collect him from school in the next hour and can't wait) it really did feel like a 'proper' honeymoon as we had a few days to ourselves. First stop was Arnside on a very very wet Tuesday. The last time we went we could see for miles, including snow capped mountains of the lakes. As you can see we did not have such a fantastically clear view this time but still beautiful nonetheless. There is a fantastic bakery in Arnside serving great food, so we treated ourselves to soup, homemade bread and then some very cute jam tarts with heart shaped pastry lids - which I stupidely forgot to photograph - Duh!!



Next stop was Harrogate, we stayed here overnight and had a great couple of days. This was a lovely coffee shop (we seem to have done a lot of coffeeing this week)

We also went to Betty's tea shop for a bit of sophistication - or it would have been had I not poured my tea straight into the cup without using the tea strainer and then had to surrepticiously pour it back into it's nice shiny tea pot and then try again properly - oh how it showed that I'm not used to this tea leaf malarky!!!

Walking around the streets of Harrogate is a joy, so many pretty buildings, houses and flower shops its just lovely. I loved this florist its such a shame I couldn't buy any to take home as they would have wilted in the car so I had to take a photo to enjoy instead.

Next stop yesterday was Skipton and to the wild oats cafe which has been recommended to us by friends. Its well worth the trip over from Preston as the food is fantastic. While we were there we saw this very interesting notice - just in case there are any budding crocheters out there. I have listed Attic 24 as one of my favourite blogs it's a lovely colourful place to visit in blogland and if you've never wanted to crochet before you will definately want to be out hook and yarn hunting after seeing her photos. Well guess who is taking the classes none other by our very own soule mama Lucy. I am definately going to be talking to my boss to arrange a day off if the classes carry on through the year. I'm so lucky to live close enough to make the journey.

Just had to finish for today with a photo of my lovely Neil wearing his all time favourite cardigan ever. If he could live in it he would. Anyway the very very pretty waitress in the Wild Oats cafe commented that it was a lovely cardigan so he was over the moon about it (was it the fact that she loved the cardi or was it the fact she was pretty - who knows lol) anyway bet I never have a problem getting him to take me back to the cafe again...

Anyway enough for now as we are going to collect Jamie.

Have a great weekend

Janette

xxx

Plans in action!!

hello,

Thank you all so much for the really lovely comments on my last post. I am feeling so lucky at the moment and very very excited. The last few days have all been a bit overwhelming really. Suddenly loads of our friends who I don't see very often have been in touch all of whom have known for months about the reaffirming of our vows and each day brings news of someone else who is coming for the day. It's so nice.

The day is going to be low key despite the fact that lots of people will be there. The plan is to have our vows included in the usual sunday service at our church. Neil's chosen hymns that mean a lot to both of us and are the ones we enjoy the most. A couple of our friends are singing and playing during the service. After the service we are having a jacobs join buffet where basically everybody who comes contributes something to eat. Neil apparently has planned to cook 24 hour pork courtesy of Nigella which we have had a few times before - it's ridiculously easy to do and tastes wonderful. After the buffet we are going to the local pub which is on the bank of the river ribble and overlooks a lovely park for a few drinks and then thats that really. We've then got a week off work while Jamie goes on a school holiday so we've got a couple of days booked in Harrogate (courtesy of travellodge doing an offer of rooms being £9.00 a night) and hopefully I'll finally make that trip to skipton I yearned for a few weeks ago.

Basically because we have no money at the moment I've spent the last few days thinking how I could 'pretty' up the church hall. Neil has been so romantic in organising and planning this whole day and somehow I'd like to do something to reflect that and help make it look romantic on the day. So, I've been through my pretty paper stack - I have hoards of paper like most people on here have fabric and have been busy punching it into heart shaped confetti to scatter on the tables. I would have like to make some bunting but just don't think I'll have time to do it so then I remembered Lucy's (attic 24) hearts hanging from the ceiling on valentines and think I might be able to recreate that - what do you think??

As for something to wear - Our church is pretty modern and I regularly turn up in Jeans but as this is a special day I am absolutely over the moon as I have bought a dress!! I never wear dresses as I can never seem to find one to fit my very top heavy body shape. But I scoured the internet and saw a dress that caught my eye and was an absolute bargain(£13.50 and its brand new)!! It's black and white swishy and swirly and when it arrived this morning I was so pleased that it looked as I imagined it would. It's paired with a three quarter sleeve knot fronted top and this big corsage. I love the corsage but might change it for something in a brighter colour but haven't found one yet so we'll see. If I'm honest I would have loved a dress in shades of pinks, lilacs, summery colours but the reality is I am not your average off the peg dress shape so the fact I actually found a dress in the first place is definately a novelty. And as I said before we are pretty much broke having spent the last year rewiring, replastering etc etc our house (it was about to be condemmed for unsafe wiring so was a pretty scary time which wiped us out of the little savings we had).

Please let me know if you come up with any ideas for making a room look pretty that costs next to nothing - all ideas welcome, and thanks again for the lovely comments I've really appreciated every single one of them.

Hope you are having a good week.

Take care

Janette

xxx