How do you like to be judged?

Each week I buy a magazine that has a regular spot which shows 4 photo's of ordinary women, and asks them about what they  are wearing. Lastly they are asked what they consider to be their best  attribute e.g. hair, legs, waist and so on. Last week on the letters page a woman wrote refering to the article. She  had asked her husband what he considered her best asset.  He replied "Your personality".  This lady was pretty miffed  with that answer, obviously wanting him to complement some part of her body..

Now, maybe I am in the minory here but if my husband had given the same reply I would have been thrilled..  In todays world where people are so often judged on what they look like, how big they are ,what  job they have or how much money they earn, this would seem to me to be the best compliment. After all it is surely more important to be beautiful on the inside and means that he loves her just because she is herself. What more can one ask ?

New resident

 Mrs Blackbird.  is nesting in a bush on the back wall of our house.  I was so pleased to get this photo' today.

Down and dirty...

Yep, that's me,  I've been busy in the garden . Done lots of tidying, cutting and planting and  I  have also started a little 'allotment' at the side of the house.  Potatoes are already coming up as is the first sowing of radish. As you can see it doesn't look much at the moment but I have high hopes of a good crop of vegetables. There are also tomatoes in the back garden and a little corner has been found to grow some runner beans.

The really dirty part was cleaning the patio with a Kercher machine. Very efficient but one really needs old clothes and shoes on!

This weekend was the cyber crop on UKS  and I joined in by doing a  few classes and challenges.

It's been lovely having the good weather for the last week or so although today was not so great.  Hopefully it will turn again for the bank holiday as we are off on this years first caravan trip.. Our old faithful  'van is now 22 years old but still in good condition on the whole so we need to make the most of it. We have had some great holidays in it over the years.Travelling down to the south of France and into Spain with 3 young children never seemed a problem and they just love the freedom of caravan holidays, in fact, they still do.

Off to have a bath now and then see if I can make a Panda Mum and baby out of fondant icing ready for craft club on Wednesday.

So instead I...

made all of these.

I started this wallhanging at a Poppy Patch workshop last November but have only just finished. It now hangs in our bedroom.

This screen and the shadow box were done at LB craft worshops last month.

Birdies for easter. Little fabric folders to hold manicure or sewing sets.

Cards with a folded daliah and some easel cards.

Three scarves, these two and a black/white/grey one that has already been adopted.

Turn off that TV and do something useful instead.

once upon a time..

there was a little wooden box with a screen in the corner of the lounge. One would press a button to turn it on and then press another to view one of three channels. Now... one has to find the control and press a tiny button, making sure it is pointing at just the right angle, wait, press another button, ditto the angle. Change to another control, press a button , ditto the angle. Scroll through a zillion choices of channels and still there is hardly a damned thing worth watching!!

Back to normal..

So, the decorations are all down and the house is less cluttered but now I can see what needs doing. A quick lick of paint in the kitchen is first on the list and then the lounge, hall stairs and landing. We need new interior doors all round and all this to be done by May. I refuse to be indoors decorating once the weather is warmer. Debate : clean or cover the suite or decide on a new one?

Well, Chrismas passed in a haze of visits, visitors, food, gifts and I didn't take a single 'photo!
I have plenty to keep my' scrapping' going though and a couple of priojects which will take me through the year.

Lindsay and the dogs have moved into their own little house so it seems very quiet here , helping to move her in was our job over the New Year. There is lots of cupboard space going spare now so I can have a good clear out and tidy up.

I'm off to the eye clinic tomorrow for a check up and the results of blood tests and x-rays. The iritis came back again so they are trying to find out what is causing it.

Lots to look forward to in the next year and my resolutions ?

1. No drinking of alcohol.
2. No smoking.
3. Be more organised in many areas of life.

Think I'll do pretty well with two out of the three!!!


Happy New Year to you all x