Hello friends

Hope everyone is well.

The weather in my little corner of the world has be lovely again this week with lots of warm sunshine however the evenings have been quite a bit cooler. We've not lit the fire yet neither have we changed to the winter duvets. I feel that they will be coming out soon though. Anyone else not changed to their winter duvets yet?

Yesterday we went to the local college open day and took L's friend, S, with us. It's so very different from when I went there mm many years ago.

L and S have just gone into year 10 and although they don't need to make any decisions about higher education yet we all thought it would be a good idea to have a look around and see the different things that were on offer. It was decided that we didn't want to look around the construction or engineering departments so first stop was the catering. The girls had a go at cooking a stir fry with egg fried rice and then we got to taste it. Very nice even L liked it.  The students in this class were all adults who had decided to retrain for new careers. Next class was cake decorating and the girls got to decorate a cup cake each and eat it. Next up was the bread making where they got to play with dead dough and mould it into different shapes similar to what was on display.

We had a glance at  hair and beauty but neither of the girls were interested and then we had a quick look at health and social. Neither fancied that one either.

We then decided to drive up to another part of the college in a different part of town  which houses the Arts and Design and also the University department that's linked to Lancaster uni. Here L found it more interesting as we went to the photography department and had a good look round and I asked lots of questions. Photography is L's chosen career path. S said that she fancied doing languages so we made enquiries and it turns out that the college doesn't do them but we did find out that the local sixth form does - need to find out when their open day is.

We feel it was a very successful day and will probably do it all again next year when decisions have to be made.

Anyone else been tempted to return to college/education? anyone looking a higher education with their children/grandchildren?

Carolx

Hello Friends

Hope you are all ok. I have beginnings of a cold and hope it stays there.

Life is a bit crazy hear at the moment. We came back from our holidays on a Thursday and L went back to school on Friday, I got a phone call on Tuesday, from the school where I invigilate, asking if I was available to do some casual work in the kitchens - 2 1/2 hours a day. I worked 2 years temporary prior to invigilating. Having previously discussed the hours with the head cook (also friend who had put on a good word)  and dad regarding the care needs of mum I agreed to start the following day and since then I've not been able to get into a daily routine. It will come in time.

Today I wanted show you something I made for me for our holiday.

I've been making these crochet squares for a while to make a blanket for L's bed and then I though I would like to make a bag. It's similar to a messenger bag in style. I lined it it too.

When I went to pick the material for the lining some of the stitched pieces and we got out several bolts of colours and small patterns and slowly eliminated different one until the pink and white dots was decided upon.

Next I though the flap needed to be weighted down as I've not added any fastenings. These are some of the beads that I'm adding to the twiddle muffs and because they are rainbow I thought the would go with the colours of the bag.  It got lots looks whilst on holiday and a few comments too. It;s now put away until next summer.

This khaki canvas bag I've had for years and I felt it needed an update and feminising. (Sorry no before picture). Dad had a long net curtain with lace on the bottom. The project he was doing he didn't require the lace to took it off and gave it to me and that is what I used to update my bag.

My bag has a pocket in the flap so I cut the lace lengthways along the pattern which created a lovely scalloped edge and conceals the zip. I've hand stitched the lace on as close to the edge as I could. I use this bag a lot on days out because it has a really long adjustable strap and hold lots of stuff.

I need to get the breakfast post washed and get myself organised for lunch time.

See you soon

Carolx

More Holiday Snaps

Hello friends

More holiday pictures

Our room

Dinning on the beach

Party on the beach just before it started raining

My favourite view

View of the resort from the sea

And next door

A hermit crab

View of the pool bar from behind the waterfall

L horse riding

M horse ridung

Some entertainment

The beautiful beach

The happy couple

The wedding cake before a little man started to stick his fingers in it

I don't want to go home

I want some more rum runners (cocktails) 

We need to sort out which pictures we want printing over the next few days

Carolx

An Amazing Trip

Hello friends

How are you all?

It's all back to normal for us from today. L went back to school on Friday but it was only half a day so that doesn't really count does it. Anyway, Thursday night we arrived home from our holidays proper tired. It took us 18 hours to get home. It took 18 hour to get there too. I bet you are wondering where we went that took so long. We went to Jamaica and had an amazing time but before I show you some of the photos (we took 100s) I will tell you how we were able to go on such an expensive holiday.

Funny enough it started about 12 years ago (when L was about 2) M and I said we would like to take L to Disney in Florida when she was a bit older and was able to remember it. So we started saving and after a couple of years we were half way there and then M's taxi started playing up and needed some major repair work and the only way to pay for it was to use the Florida funds. So, we started saving again and this time we were three quarters there with the funds and again, M's taxi died and we had to use the Florida money for a deposit for a replacement car. And we started to save again and then last year my SIL to be said "You know how you're saving for Florida, have you set a date yet?" "No, not yet, as we've not quite got enough yet" I replied. "How do you fancy coming, with us, to Jamaica next year? We're getting married in August" ooooh the excitement was almost too much.

Wow! First I had to find out the cost of the holiday and then 1 passport renewal, insurance, travel, spending money, and clothes. Next I had to calculate how much we had and how much we still needed to save. Next a family conference and a vote was taken, Florida or Jamaica for a wedding?

JAMAICA

So Jamaica it was. We didn't need to buy many new clothes but what we did came from a mixture of high street and charity shops and L was bridesmaid so SIL and brother bought her dress.

The 18hrs travel was the 6hrs drive from our house to Gatwick airport, 9hrs flight and 2hrs drive from airport to the resort and all the hanging around between times and then the same for coming home.

Pictures now

The lovely man-made beach of nearly white sand being lapped by the warm turquoise sea.

View of the resort from the sea. The resort was quite busy when we got there but gradually as people left it got quieter and quieter because it was now out of season. November it will start picking up again.

This little black bird visited every morning for breakfast and took scraps from left plates and fed her two fledglings and would visit other parts of the resort at different times throughout the day. She knew where to find the good stuff.

The food was incredible. These pictures are from breakfast. Top left was the pastries and cakes (the banana bread was delicious). above middle was smoked fish and meats plus a selection of cheeses, top right was the fruit and the bottom left was the hot food. There was also pancakes/waffles/french toast with lots of different toppings, a variety of breads/cereals/porridge and smoothies of your choice. Lunch and evening meal were just as spectacular.

We climbed up the Dunn's falls which was incredible. We all had to hold hands as we climbed, with a guide. the water was quite

forceful and a little cold but the guides lead us through the easy ways. We went to swim with Dolphins, I couldn't do it. I got in the sea and started to swim but panicked because the water was getting too deep and I got scared. Luckily the trainers were nearby and pulled me out so I watched M and L do there swim.
SIL and brother paid for L to go on a horse ride with them and M went too. I didn't fancy it. M went with my nephew D to do a bob sleigh and zipwire and saw some incredible countryside. We swam in the pools (3), sat on the beach, went on a couple of boat trips around the resort and sat in the very hot sun under the shade of a parasol. And attended a wedding.

A beautiful family photo.





 Best man was my nephew D (my oldest brother's son who's currently living with my youngest brother, the groom) and bridesmaid L.

We really did have an incredible time. The staff were very friendly and had time to chat and nothing was too much trouble. It was more than we could ever would have dreamed of and we met some lovely people too. We have created some wonderful memories and L says it was the best holiday ever and would love to go back (I suggested for her honeymoon).

We have some money left over so that will start us off for next years camping/caravan holiday (back down to earth we go).

Will we ever make it to Florida? Who knows. Next year we hope to go to Devon or Cornwall and the year after we are hoping to do Disney in Paris when L has finished her GCSEs.

Would anyone like to see more pictures?

Carolx

Fun Times

Hello friends

Only two weeks left of the summer holidays before L goes back to school. I love the school holidays and spending precious time with L and M. In a few short years L will be an adult doing her own exciting things so I try to make the most of her company now.

I felt that we hadn't done much over the holidays but the more I think about it we have done quite a bit.
We've been shopping - for school and holidays (next week)

Walked on the beach and painting pebbles

Walked around the local ecological centre that was once the local tip (more than 50 years ago)

There have been sleepovers at ours and friends over. There have been lazy days snuggled on the settee watching films all afternoon.


We had a trip to Manchester to the children's hospital regarding L's back (going ahead with the operation to straighten it) and met a lovely nurse who answered our questions and gave us a useful leaflet and told us about the pre-op procedures. Whilst we were in Manchester we visited a history museum. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to see everything so we will go again another time as there will be many more trips to the hospital.

L and I made up a new game. I bought a pack of small wooden blocks and we painted them five different colours and when dry we used black paint to write on the letters of the alphabet. There were two blank side so we painted stars to represent wild cards. The aim of the game is that you shake up the cubes and toss them onto the table and then make up a word using the letters/wild card showing and write it down and pass them onto the next plater. If you can't make a word then miss a turn and pass on the cubes. Other rules can be you all write what words you can make up or write down as many as you can from one throw. You can have as many players a you want. Make up your own rules. We had loads of blocks left over so they've been finished in the same way and will be passed on to the guides for a fun night.

I've decorated fifteen more twiddle muffs and they went to Morecombe this week. That makes a grand total of 45. I have another bag of fifteen ready but will make arrangement for those in September (60) and I have a further sixteen to decorated. we are fast heading to our target of a hundred (A big THANK YOU goes to the ladies and gent who have knitted them)

We've been to a wedding (there's another a week on Monday on the beach. Special blog post about that one) and a 60th birthday party and a bouncy castle party.

And what will we do this bank holiday weekend - packing for our holiday, plaiting/braiding and beading all of L's hair (so much easier to look after especially when in and out of a swimming pool and sea) and we must find time to have a day out and have some fun. Afterwards I have a hospital appointment to see if the last lot of eye injections have worked (I don't feel they have) and that's it for now.
I'm now off to do the ironing that will get all creased again in a suitcase.

Carolx

Winnings... Air... Bertha....

Hello friends

Yesterday was our annual flower and craft show and  being the treasurer I gave my own busy duties to attend to on the day.  But for the past two weeks L and I have been getting her exhibits ready and she has been sewing, sticking and gluing, gathering and planting, She won a few prizes again this year and came home with two trophies again.

The one thing that she is the proudest of is a handkerchief she embroidered for her friend's birthday. The name in the middle is, Liam, which is her friends favourite band  member of One Direction.

I won first prize for this blanket I made last year. That was my only entry this year. I just didn't have time to do any more.

Today we went to the Blackpool Air Show. We sat in the warm sunshine, after a short shower, on the promenade steps and watched the old and the new planes, the helicopters and the Red Arrows all showing off the wonderful things they can do. (Sorry no photos of the planes as they didn't turn out too clear).

There was a slight breeze and the sea was calm and yet other parts of the country were being battered by Bertha (hope they're ok). As I'm typing this I hear the wind getting up and see my plants starting to get a little shaken.
I'm glad we went to the air show this afternoon as it may get cancelled tomorrow if this wind gets up any more.
I've got some treasury work to do tomorrow so won't be going anywhere.

Also this week-end saw a Punk festival and there were some amazing sights. Some of you may remember Punks the first time around, I know I do, (but was a bit young to be part of that scene, not that I wanted to) with their safety pins, tartan trousers, spiky coloured hair etc.
I felt a little threatened by the punks back then because, to me, they looked quite aggressive but these two don't and were happy to pose for photos. I love the colour of their hair. I wonder how long it took them to get ready this morning and if the were jostling for mirror space.
I'm now going to close the curtains, snuggle up on the settee and watch some TV.
See you soon.
Carolx

The Winner Is...............

Hello friends

Hope you are all having a great weekend. We had some rain last night so it's a bit cooler here and much more comfortable.

The names of all who entered my 100 post give away were placed in a hat and with the help of my assistant, L, the names were shuffled.

Do you like the bracelet? L made it this morning with her loom bands (latest craze) and it's called A Ladder.

Anyway I guess you want to know whose name she pulled out. Are you ready.

Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

It's

Are you ready

I can feel the anticipation

Alison from Heavenly Handmade!

Alison please will you email me your full postal address so that I can put your parcel in the post.

Carolx