A Sad E-State Of Affairs

This is the sign which greeted Archie and I on our walk on Monday.

It seems that another field is being turned in to yet another housing estate. There won't be any green spaces left soon. The works machinery has moved in already and work has commenced.

Apparently, sixty eight houses are being shoehorned in to this one field, I don't like their chances of being given a big garden.

This is the field from the top view.

You may remember the above photo from my Come For A Walk With Archie post from June last year. When Archie goes for this particular walk now, he has to turn around and go home the way he came, not quite as exciting.

Orange 'Jaffa' Brownies

Back in December, I bookmarked a recipe which Shaheen from Allotment 2 Kitchen posted on her blog for Orange 'Jaffa' Brownies.  Daniel especially is quite partial to a Brownie, so I thought this was an ideal recipe for me to try.

Yesterday, Eleanor decided that she wanted to do some baking. She got out the cookery books and had a look through before I remembered this recipe. It takes such few ingredients to make that I had everything already in, so Eleanor decided to give it a go.

It turned out so well, and everyone thought it was scruptious. So much so that there's only a few pieces left.

I don't think they'll last the day.

Sale Shopping

Boots has lowered all it's half price sale items today from 50% off to 75% off. I'm not one of those people who hunts the shops for bargains after Christmas, but I always try to get to the Boots 75% off sale as you can pick up so many bargains.

I've managed to get quite a few things to put away for birthdays. I got some lovely things for Eleanor's friends, reduced from £10.00 down to £2.50, what a saving. There were a few Christmas decorations too. I got the NOEL letters, reduced from £10.00 to £2.50. I can't show everything I bought as some things will be gifts for family members who read my blog.

Last week, I got an email advising me that Laughing Yaffle were having a sale. Mick bought me two skeins of Laughing Yaffle yarn for Christmas, and I've also got another skein in my stash, but the colour of this Winter Sunrise yarn just called out to me and I couldn't resist.

I think more socks are in the pipeline.

Mama's Got A Brand New Peppa Pigbag

Isn't this bag cute. It's a bag for life from Asda featuring Peppa Pig with a new Olympic theme for 2012.

All the proceeds from the sale of the bags are going to Tommy's, a charity which funds research in to pregnancy problems and provides information to parents.

The bag is only about 12 inch by 10 inch, but good for when you only have a few bits to carry with you, and Eleanor has one to take her lunch in to school.

Come Rain Or Shine

One of the things I've learnt since getting Archie is that no matter what the weather's doing, you have to get out there in it as a dog needs his walks. Having a dog gives me the push I need to get myself out in the fresh air every day, something I neglected to do before getting Archie.

It's not all fun though, and not for Archie either. He's not particularly fond of the rain.

When he comes home filthy, he has to have a bath. That's something else he's not fond of, though I have to say that he's quite good and stands still. Notice how clean the water is when he's just got in.

This is the colour of the water after he's been washed.

We've got gales again here today. Oh well, I'd better get my coat on as Archie's waiting for walkies!

Knitting And Crochet Christmas Presents

I know it's a while after the festive season now, but I really wanted to show you the lovely knitting and crochet presents which I got for Christmas.

I got some gorgeous Laughing Yaffle yarn in Fantasia and Orchard shades. I'm looking forward to pampering my feet in socks made from these.

I've been wanting some sock blockers so that the socks I knit are well shaped. It'll be interesting to see what a difference these make.

I've never used any needles other than metal ones so it will be interesting to try out these bamboo ones. I'm a little nervous of using them actually in case I snap one.

This Symfonie wood crochet hook set is wonderful. There's five different sized hooks and they're so smooth. I can't wait to try them out.

I've been wanting this book, 200 Croochet Blocks For Blankets, Throws And Afghans by Jan Eaton. It was recommended to me quite a while ago and has been on my wishlist ever since. I hope I can manage to master some.

The crochet hook set was bought for me by my mum and dad, all the other presents were bought by Mick. I have such a thoughtful family.

Knitting For Christmas

I'm not a very fast knitter, so it took quite a chunk of last year knitting some gifts which I wanted to give people for Christmas. All the gifts were socks, with the exception of one scarf.

This was given to Eleanor and she loved it. The pattern is Leaf by Susan B Anderson and is knitted in Rowan Big Wool.

You may remember that I started these socks for my mum back in November. The photo is quite dark as it was taken at about 9pm on Christmas Eve when I had just finished them. Talk about leaving it till the last minute. The yarn used was Regia Design Line and I used a simple sock pattern by Sue Morgan which is given free with the purchase of a ball of sock yarn from Get Knitted.

I knit two pairs of these long socks, one for Daniel and one for Eleanor. They're ideal as welly socks to go inside wellington boots, but Eleanor wears her's around the house, they're lovely and warm and soft too. They're great if you don't like using double pointed needles as they're knit on two needles and sewn up the back of the leg. They a Sirdar pattern 9135, and are knit in Sirdar Crofter DK.

Another two pairs were knit using the simple sock pattern by Sue Morgan, one pair for my dad and one pair for Daniel. My dad's were knit in Regia World Circus Color and Daniel's in Regia Sudsee Color 4 ply.

This year, I want to have a go at some other things as well as socks. I do enjoy knitting socks, I think once you get going on them they're quite addictive, and there's some gorgeous yarn about to knit them in too. There's nothing quite like having pampered feet.

I got some knitting and crochet gifts for Christmas but I'll show you those another time.

2012 Challenges

I've never made new year resolutions, I always think that you're setting yourself up for a fall making a promise on the first of January that will be too hard to keep. This year I've decided to set myself some challenges, nothing major, just little things which I think will add something to my life. What's the difference between a new year challenge and a new year resolution? I don't suppose there is a difference really, but I prefer the word challenge to resolution as I always think of giving something up when I think of resolution, giving up food to diet, giving up cigarettes, giving up alcohol, giving up chocolate etc. My challenges are things which I'm going to enjoy.

My first challenge is to have more fresh flowers in the house. I don't like to cut flowers from the garden to bring indoors, I prefer to see them outside, so for the past two years I've had a go at growing a cutting patch at the allotment, though it hasn't really worked. This year I'm going to give it another go, though I'll still buy flowers too. They don't have to cost a fortune. This little seasonal bunch cost me £3 from Tesco's, I love the colours. I bought a similar bunch just before Christmas and they're still going strong too, so I don't think £3 is too much to pay for something which is going to brighten the house up and make me smile each time I look at them, for over a week. I shall post a picture of what's gracing my vases from time to time.

When I was young I was never seen without my head in a book reading. I sadly got out of the habit of reading when I had the kids, there just wasn't enough time. Instead I read magazines which are much easier to dip in to when you've got a spare minute or two and just as easy to put down again. I'd like to read books more again, so my next challenge is to read at least one book each month. I'm going to start with The Illustrated Lark Rise To Candleford by Flora Thompson for January. If you remember, I found this in a charity shop for the princely sum of £1.99 a few months ago, and it's beautifully illustrated, I'm really going to enjoy reading this.

It's only recently that I've started knitting again, and only last year that I learnt how to crochet. I spent a lot of time last year knitting socks as Christmas presents, and crocheting squares for a granny square blanket. I've recently bought some knitting and crochet books with lots of project suggestions in, so this year, as well as finishing off the crochet granny square blanket and a pair of socks that I've still got on the go, I'd like to have a go at some other projects and aim to have at least one finished item each month.

It will be two years in March since I stopped smoking and since then my weight has gradually been increasing. I know this isn't good for me so at some point I'm going to start eating healthily. I've never dieted in my life, but I know from other people that once you stop a diet the weight goes back on. I think it will have to be more of a lifestyle change, eating smaller portions and eating things which are good for you. Treats will be allowed, but in moderation. I'm not starting this challenge right away as our fridge and cupboards are still bulging with food which we've bought for Christmas, and I've still got boxes of chocolates to eat which have been bought for me for Christmas, so I'll wait until everything has been consumed. I think this will be the hardest of my challenges and the one which I like the least.

Although I take Archie for a walk every day, we sometimes don't go very far. This year I want to increase the distance that I walk. Ideally I'd like to be able to measure the distance I'm walking but I don't really know how I would do that. As far as I can tell, a pedometer only measures how many steps you take. This challenge will fit in with the healthy eating and will hopefully help me to lose some weight. Mick bought me this Collins Short Walks In The Yorkshire Dales book for Christmas. I can't wait to do some of the walks mentioned in here.

Let's see if I can keep up with these challenges, they don't seem too hard and most of them will be fun.

We've taken our decorations down today, I hate to have them still up when Mick goes back to work and Daniel and Eleanor go back to school. Archie tried to help but ended up getting wound up in the tinsel. OK, I admit it, I put the tinsel round his neck so that I could take a cute photo for my blog.

Happy New Year, everyone.

A Flash New Camera

I've been eager to go for some walks over Christmas so that I could try out one of my Christmas presents from Mick, a new camera. I really don't understand photography so I'm going to invest in a book and try and learn a few things. We've had some miserable weather for walking, but Tuesday was a beautiful day, warm with blue skies, so we took advantage and headed off to Roundhay Park.

Many other people had the same idea, and we had a game of spot the Christmas present. There were children on bikes and scooters, many hats and scarves which looked brand new, and along with me, quite a few people had cameras in their hands.

This squirrel was a little shy, he didn't want his photo taking so he ran up a tree, but I still managed to snap him.

There were lots of ducks, swans and Canada geese on the lake.

This young swan was fishing for his dinner. Bottoms up!

You can walk right the way round the lake, but Archie has to be on his lead near water otherwise he jumps straight in, so we headed off in the other direction.

We managed to find some seasonal holly.

The water fountain was in action in the small lake.

It wasn't long before Archie had tired himself out and wanted a sit down.

The ice-cream man was doing a roaring trade. Eleanor added to his coffers.

I'd like to thank everyone who left Christmas wishes on my last post, they were very much appreciated. I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas. Our's has been quite low key this year, but we've spent lots of family time together, which is what I love the most.

I'd like to thank everyone who has visited my blog this year, and especially those who have left comments for me, I always appreciate them. I hope you'll continue to visit throughout the new year. May I wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year, and all the very best for 2012.

Merry Christmas

Christmas is here at last. All the shopping is done and presents are wrapped. I'm going up to the crematorium to take some flowers for my sister this afternoon and then it's time to really get in to the Christmas spirit.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.

Another Busy Week

I feel as though I've been at the last minute with all my Christmas preparations this year, I'm usually so organised. I think it has alot to do with having to be here, there and everywhere with Eleanor as she's had so much on with her drama and singing.

Last Saturday, she was singing at Leeds City Museum. As well as watching Eleanor and her drama group perform, we had a quick look around the museum itself. It's housed in the impressive Leeds Institute building which was completed in 1862 by Cuthbert Brodrick who also built Leeds Town Hall and the Corn Exchange. The museum is spread over four floors, we didn't get to see much of it as we were short on time, but I'm definitely going to return to explore further. From what I could see though, it looks to be a very hands on museum with lots of things for little hands to explore.

On Tuesday evening, Eleanor was performing with some of her GCSE Music class at school in a Christmas concert. Her group had been working on an alternative version of We Three Kings, a reggae version, so they performed that as well as Step In To Christmas. Eleanor and another girl sang while the rest of the group supplied the music. There are lots of different musical groups at the school including a clarinet trio, various choirs, a brass ensemble and other exam classes. There are some really talented kids at the school and we enjoyed watching them.

We eventually managed to get the house trimmed up last week. We were contemplating buying a new tree this year, but after seeing the price of them we decided not to bother. I'm glad we didn't now as our tree looks quite acceptable after being decorated.

I've been very late buying presents this year and I've still got a couple to get but they're only small things so I shouldn't have any problem getting them this week.

School has broken up now and Mick should finish at lunch time on Friday but he's taken annual leave so he finishes on Thursday instead. I want to have everything done so that we can sit back and relax when everyone's at home. I'm starting to get in the Christmas spirit now.

Giveaway Winner

A winner for my giveaway has been drawn today, and I'd like to announce that the box of goodies will be winging it's way to Caro at Urban Veg Patch. I'll get the prize posted out just as soon as you let me have your address, Caro.

Thank you to everyone who took part. It's a shame that I can't give everyone a prize, as much as I'd like to, but the budget just won't allow.

Liebster Award

I was thrilled to bits last week when Ruth from Dian's Timpanalley awarded me the Liebster Blog award. Thank you so much, Ruth, it made my day. I was also given the award on The Good Life blog by Mum from Mum's Simply Living Blog who said the award would extend to this blog too, so thank you too, Mum.

The Liebster award is awarded to blogs with less than one hundred followers, and comes with a couple of rules.

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

2. Thank the giver(s) and link back to them.

3. Choose five blogs which you would like to pass the award on to and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

There are so many wonderful blogs out there to choose from. On this occasion I'd like to pass the award on to the following five blogs.

Jumble and Jelly

Stand and Stare

Never Too Old To Learn From Your Mistakes

Bears Footprints

Poppycock & Other Creative Nonsense

I hope you'll pop over and take a peek at the blogs I've awarded. I know that many people don't accept awards, and I don't want to put anyone under any pressure, especially at this time of year when it's so busy, but I think it's nice to be able to recognise blogs which I enjoy reading.

Thank you, Ruth and Mum, once again for the award.

If you haven't already entered my giveaway, don't forget to do so. You have until 14th of December to leave a comment on my giveaway post.

In The Recording Studio

You may remember, back in July we booked Eleanor a session in a recording studio for her birthday. It took ages for her to decide what she wanted to sing, she changed her mind on a daily basis, but she eventually made a decision so we got it booked.

Saturday was the day it all happened, and Someone Like You by Adele was the song she decided on.

She had a brilliant time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, though she tells me that she still prefers to perform live. Recording a song is so different to singing it in front of an audience.

A CD was made of the recording, and Eleanor thinks she sounds so different on it. I think she sounds exactly as she always does. I think we all think we sound different to what we actually do, well, except for my singing voice, I'm under no illusions there. I don't know where Eleanor gets it from but it certainly isn't me.

If you haven't already entered my giveaway, don't forget to do so. You have until 14th of December to leave a comment on my giveaway post.

Giveaway

I celebrated the first anniversary of this blog back in September, and I promised that I would have a giveaway. I know we're three months down the line but I've finally got myself sorted out, so without further ado, here are the prizes.

Make! by Cath Kidston. There are 48 projects in this book which use 16 of Cath Kidston's signature motifs. This book contains step by step instructions.

The Pocket Enquire Within. A guide to the niceties and necessities of Victorian domestic life. Enquire Within was first published in 1856 and was the essential guide to Victorian domestic life. The book has words of wisdom and advice on everything from entertaining and etiquette to household management. It gives a fascinating insight into the day to day life of Victorian Britain, and also contains wisdom which can be used today.

A small tin of vanilla fudge. I treated myself to one of these too and can vouch that the fudge is delicious. The pretty little tin is useful too, I'm using mine to store my pins in at the moment.

A selection of flower seeds.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning this little lot is leave a comment on this post. The giveaway will run until 14th of December after which time a winner will be chosen at random. I'm happy to post worldwide.

I also have a book giveaway running on The Good Life blog, so if you're interested in allotment life, head over there to be in with a chance of winning.

All that remains is for me to wish you all luck.