First Taste Of Snow

It's been Archie's first taste of snow, literally.

He loved playing in the garden, chasing snowballs then wondering where they'd disappeared to when they melted in his mouth.

He wasn't so keen on walkies in the snow though. He cried when his feet got cold and had to be carried home. What a soft puppy.

A Hairy Story

For the last few years I've used a Henry vacuum cleaner and have been very satisfied with it's performance. Since having Archie, I've noticed that Henry isn't picking up the dog hairs very well so he's gone in to retirement. In his place we've bought a Dyson Animal which is designed to pick up pet hair better than an ordinary vacuum cleaner.

I haven't tried it yet so I can't say if it's worth it's hefty price tag or not, but the reviews I've read sound promising.

Of course, it's very tiring being a puppy. This is Archie after his afternoon walk, eyes dropping and ready for sleep.

Pins and Needles

You would be forgiven for thinking that the sight of these pins meant that I'd been doing some sewing. If truth be told, I'm not very good at sewing, though I wish I were. It's definitely something I'd like to learn to do better. Determined that Eleanor won't be as useless as me, we bought her a sewing machine for Christmas a couple of years ago. She was thrilled with it and messes about on it making some lovely things. I've asked if I can borrow it so that I can try and improve my own skills, if only a little bit.

No, the reason that the pins were out was to pick the seeds out of my pomegranate. It's years since I've eaten a pomegranate. I remember my grandma would often buy me one and I'd sit for hours picking every last seed out of it with a pin. It was just as delicious as I remember from all those years ago.

Another Scarf

I've finished the scarf I was knitting for my mum for Christmas. The photo doesn't really do it justice, it's a gorgeous blue, not quite the colour that the photo shows.

I remember that my mum was looking for a blue scarf last year but never found one she liked, so I hope she's happy with this.

I've now cast on a pair of socks. I need them now the colder weather's arrived.

Yummy Treats

Yesterday, Mick and I decided to go have a wander round Wetherby. Wetherby is a small market town about ten miles from where we live. I love it as it has lots of lovely little shops, nothing like the huge streets filled with department stores which you find in Leeds. There was the added bonus that there was an antique and collectors fair and also a craft fair in the Town Hall on Saturday so we had a look round those too.

Daniel and Eleanor stayed at home looking after Archie, so I thought we should treat them and all have a something yummy from The Market Place deli.

Mick chose chocolate and orange torte.

Daniel is a big fan of brownies so I chose a Boston brownie for him.

Eleanor loves cupcakes so it was a chocolate one which I chose for her.

I couldn't resist the fresh fruit meringue.

They all went down a treat.

Which one would you have chosen?

Out For Lunch

As it was half term last week, we decided to have a treat and have a meal out. Daniel and Eleanor love going to Frankie and Benny's so it was decided that we would go there.

It can be quite expensive eating out when there's four of you and you're all eating adult portions so we decided to eat early and order off the lunch menu. This is served until 5pm and is a set price, £5.95 for one course, £7.95 for two courses or £8.95 for three courses.

We're never disappointed with Frankie and Benny's. Although it's not a posh restaurant, the food is always good, always plentiful, and the service is always excellent. Daniel and Eleanor enjoyed it and it gave me a night off cooking which is always good.