happy father's day

Happy fathers Day to my lovely Dad.  I'm sorry I won't be with him today.  I am looking forward to Wednesday though when I'll be spending the day with him when he comes to visit with my Aunt Gill who is over here from Canada for a three week holiday.

I made a Fathers Day card for him using an old photo of him aged 20.  I'm not sure what he'll make of me posting it here for all to see - he's dressed in a shirt and tie whilst roller skating!  He looks so much like my son in this photo and yet I don't really see the similarity in them in person.

Happy Fathers Day to MrG too.  He received some nice Fathers Day pressies from his wee brood, he had poached eggs on toasted muffins for breakfast and little MissG took him to see the new snow leopard at the Wildlife Oasis.  She made this lovely card for him (picture to follow) and some cup cakes. Mmmmm yummy!

It was also my mother-in-laws birthday this week - Happy Birthday Antonietta!  MrG was hoping to visit (and take his Harley out for a ride) but he had a stressful week at work and ended up having to work on Saturday. 

happy father's day

Happy fathers Day to my lovely Dad.  I'm sorry I won't be with him today.  I am looking forward to Wednesday though when I'll be spending the day with him when he comes to visit with my Aunt Gill who is over here from Canada for a three week holiday.

I made a Fathers Day card for him using an old photo of him aged 20.  I'm not sure what he'll make of me posting it here for all to see - he's dressed in a shirt and tie whilst roller skating!  He looks so much like my son in this photo and yet I don't really see the similarity in them in person.

Happy Fathers Day to MrG too.  He received some nice Fathers Day pressies from his wee brood, he had poached eggs on toasted muffins for breakfast and little MissG took him to see the new snow leopard at the Wildlife Oasis.  She made this lovely card for him (picture to follow) and some cup cakes. Mmmmm yummy!

It was also my mother-in-laws birthday this week - Happy Birthday Antonietta!  MrG was hoping to visit (and take his Harley out for a ride) but he had a stressful week at work and ended up having to work on Saturday. 

busy, busy, busy

Well this week has been busy, busy, busy.  Started off with a blood test first thing on Monday morning because after going to the Doc with an unrelated swollen foot it was discovered that I have an over-active thyroid!  Not knowing what the thyroid is or what it does I went online and did some research and found that all the symptoms that I have are down to the thyroid and not down to me going mad!  The irritability, the over anxiousness, the unexpected mood swings, the increased heart rate and palpitations.  It's funny (or not so funny really) that the two symptoms that I don't have are the ones that are preferable to the ones above!  These include: an increase in energy (I wish) and a loss of weight despite an apparent increase of appetite (I wish.  Losing a couple of stone would be OK with me!)  So... I have to have regular blood tests and take lots of little pills until my thyroid calms down and does what it's supposed to do.

Now on a cheerier note look what I treated myself to on Tuesday...

I spent the day ferrying my children around so I though I deserved a treat.  (I know I've just told you that I need to lose 2 stone but....).  Little MissG is still in school full time but the boys are on exam leave and only have to go into school to sit their exams.  Son1 is at a school that is 8 miles in one direction and Son2 is at a school 8 miles in the opposite direction so  I spent most of the day in the car dropping off and picking up.  I'm sure you agree that I deserved that treat!

I have started decorating my living room this week so haven't had the time to do any crafty things.  I did buy some cardboard letters ready to decoupage and some lovely paper to make cards.  I'll let you see them when I finish them - hopefully soon as I'm really looking forward to having a go with cards as it's not something I've done before.

I have decoupaged lots of letters before - they make lovely presents.  Here's a photo of the ones I made for myself to put on my kitchen dresser.

I did manage to finish my rug last night.  I said that I was going to try to get it done at the weekend so I'm just a couple of days over!  I would like to sew some canvas to the back so help protect the loops of wool before I put it in my summerhouse.

I've taken some photos with my camera on my new phone but I am struggling to get them onto the computer.  My hubby did say I should get an iPhone so that it would be compatible with our computers both at home and work but I felt that I couldn't justify the expense as I really don't use my mobile much at all.  I chose a phone that has email so that I'll be able to send my photos to my computer but I'm unable to get the blinking thing to work!   That's another task to add to the list.  

What did I tell you - busy, busy, busy!

busy, busy, busy

Well this week has been busy, busy, busy.  Started off with a blood test first thing on Monday morning because after going to the Doc with an unrelated swollen foot it was discovered that I have an over-active thyroid!  Not knowing what the thyroid is or what it does I went online and did some research and found that all the symptoms that I have are down to the thyroid and not down to me going mad!  The irritability, the over anxiousness, the unexpected mood swings, the increased heart rate and palpitations.  It's funny (or not so funny really) that the two symptoms that I don't have are the ones that are preferable to the ones above!  These include: an increase in energy (I wish) and a loss of weight despite an apparent increase of appetite (I wish.  Losing a couple of stone would be OK with me!)  So... I have to have regular blood tests and take lots of little pills until my thyroid calms down and does what it's supposed to do.

Now on a cheerier note look what I treated myself to on Tuesday...

I spent the day ferrying my children around so I though I deserved a treat.  (I know I've just told you that I need to lose 2 stone but....).  Little MissG is still in school full time but the boys are on exam leave and only have to go into school to sit their exams.  Son1 is at a school that is 8 miles in one direction and Son2 is at a school 8 miles in the opposite direction so  I spent most of the day in the car dropping off and picking up.  I'm sure you agree that I deserved that treat!

I have started decorating my living room this week so haven't had the time to do any crafty things.  I did buy some cardboard letters ready to decoupage and some lovely paper to make cards.  I'll let you see them when I finish them - hopefully soon as I'm really looking forward to having a go with cards as it's not something I've done before.

I have decoupaged lots of letters before - they make lovely presents.  Here's a photo of the ones I made for myself to put on my kitchen dresser.

I did manage to finish my rug last night.  I said that I was going to try to get it done at the weekend so I'm just a couple of days over!  I would like to sew some canvas to the back so help protect the loops of wool before I put it in my summerhouse.

I've taken some photos with my camera on my new phone but I am struggling to get them onto the computer.  My hubby did say I should get an iPhone so that it would be compatible with our computers both at home and work but I felt that I couldn't justify the expense as I really don't use my mobile much at all.  I chose a phone that has email so that I'll be able to send my photos to my computer but I'm unable to get the blinking thing to work!   That's another task to add to the list.  

What did I tell you - busy, busy, busy!

farewell to my old mac

Hi folks.  Grab yourself a cuppa and I'll explain the reason for my long absence.  

I started this blog at the beginning of May with the intention of writing a blog each day or at least every other day but things have already gone awry!  Firstly I managed to lose my blog when selecting a new theme then my Mac took it's final breath - it left me quite distraught.  It hadn't been well for some time and it was hit and miss as to whether it was going to switch on - even encouraging it by calling it nice names and coaxing it into action didn't work.  Come on darling, I love you. No, it didn't want to play ball.  Anyway, I mentioned my distress (!?!) to my husband and said I miss the computer more than I would miss the TV and that I was going to be quite lost without it.  I must have put on quite a good show because a couple of days later a new (to me) Mac was delivered.  Oh joy, oh joy, oh joy!

Now I'll be able to update you with all my goings-on...

We have had such lovely weather lately so I have been drawn to our local garden centres.  MrG and I went shopping last weekend and bought trellis and lots of new plants for the garden.  It's a beautiful day today so I'm going to enjoy a lovely afternoon in the garden. 

I've also planted up lots of peppers and found a sunny spot for them on my windowsill.  Some are bell peppers and some are chilli peppers but I haven't labelled them so I'll just have to wait and see which are which!

I've not grown any fruit or veg from seed before as I'm hopeless with house plants as I forget to water them.  I'm hoping that because the peppers are on the windowsill in my craft room I will see them everyday and be aware of their needs!

I have also planted six tomato plants in a little green house (one of those cheap little plastic ones).  They are doing really well and already have lots of flowers on them.  We just need a little more sun please!

If my tomato plants are successful then I may invest in (or drop hints for) a small wooden lean-to greenhouse that I spotted in our local garden centre.  I don't think the plastic one will last very long as the wind has bashed it and the rain gathers in the top and weighs it down.  Hopefully it will last throughout this summer so that I get a lovely crop of little toms.

happy birthday sis

I would like to wish my little sister a * Very Happy Birthday *  I hope the sun is shining with you and you have a wonderful day.  I wish we were with you to share the buffet and birthday cake!

stay in sunday

Stay in... bed for as long as the guilt holds off!

We had a lovely leisurely morning and didn't get out of bed until the list of the days chores were forefront in our minds and we could relax no longer!  MrG's gone to the office for a few hours to plan the work schedule for next week and I am supposed to be ironing the school uniforms but as you can see I find other more interesting things to do first!

Stay in... doors as the weather is grim!

I don't know what it is like with you but we have woken to wet and windy weather and it looks as if it's here to stay for the day.  It looks very grim and grey.  We have plenty to keep us occupied indoors - Little MissG has a Spanish speaking test tomorrow so she has her head in her Spanish book.  The boys have exams this week too - Ben has A'level General Studies and Guy has GCSE World History - so they should be revising too, shouldn't they?  I have the usual house work to do and of course the ironing too!  I am going to clear my living room of all the pictures and ornaments and take down the curtains etc. ready for decorating - to encourage me to start this week.  I also have my rug to complete this weekend - I bought my final batch of wool yesterday so I now have no excuse not to get it finished!  Here's a couple of photos of said rug....

Isn't it lovely?  I think the colours are scrumptious!  I can't wait to get it finished and into my summerhouse.

Well, I better close now as the ironing pile is calling me!  I hope the weather is better with you and that you enjoy your Sunday whatever you are doing!

Stay in... touch!

Please drop me a line to let me know you've visited me here at Rubylu.  Please leave a comment.  Thanks x

stay in sunday

Stay in... bed for as long as the guilt holds off!

We had a lovely leisurely morning and didn't get out of bed until the list of the days chores were forefront in our minds and we could relax no longer!  MrG's gone to the office for a few hours to plan the work schedule for next week and I am supposed to be ironing the school uniforms but as you can see I find other more interesting things to do first!

Stay in... doors as the weather is grim!

I don't know what it is like with you but we have woken to wet and windy weather and it looks as if it's here to stay for the day.  It looks very grim and grey.  We have plenty to keep us occupied indoors - Little MissG has a Spanish speaking test tomorrow so she has her head in her Spanish book.  The boys have exams this week too - Ben has A'level General Studies and Guy has GCSE World History - so they should be revising too, shouldn't they?  I have the usual house work to do and of course the ironing too!  I am going to clear my living room of all the pictures and ornaments and take down the curtains etc. ready for decorating - to encourage me to start this week.  I also have my rug to complete this weekend - I bought my final batch of wool yesterday so I now have no excuse not to get it finished!  Here's a couple of photos of said rug....

Isn't it lovely?  I think the colours are scrumptious!  I can't wait to get it finished and into my summerhouse.

Well, I better close now as the ironing pile is calling me!  I hope the weather is better with you and that you enjoy your Sunday whatever you are doing!

Stay in... touch!

Please drop me a line to let me know you've visited me here at Rubylu.  Please leave a comment.  Thanks x

happy birthday sis

I would like to wish my little sister a * Very Happy Birthday *  I hope the sun is shining with you and you have a wonderful day.  I wish we were with you to share the buffet and birthday cake!

thoroughly enjoyable thursday

I had a really, really lovely day yesterday.  It was my day off so I arranged to spend the day with my mum and sister.  We met in Penrith, a lovely little market town just south of Carlisle.  The weather forecast wasn't good for the day so we went armed with our brollies but in fact we enjoyed a lovely sunny afternoon. 

It will be my sisters birthday on Sunday but as I won't see her on the day it gave me the chance to present her with her present!  Mum, very kindly treated us to a delicious lunch in the Bewick Coffee House. 

I was also on the hunt for a birthday present for MrG's mum and Fathers Day presents for both of our Dads.  I try to buy presents when I see something that I know the recipient will be pleased with and then put them away in my present box until needed.  That way I know they will be happy with their present and I avoid buying something on impulse thinking 'that will do'.

I returned home with some beautiful local produce from a traditional greengrocer - plums, cherries and local new potatoes.

I also bought some new things to start a new craft project.  We called into the Penrith Craft Shop to look for decopatch or patterned tissue paper to top up our craft supplies and although they didn't have any they did have lots of other things that inspired us to try.  My Mum bought some wool to make a spiderweb scarf and we bought some card making bits and pieces.  I'm not really into hand made cards (apart from the ones that my children make for me) and it's not something I've fancied doing myself but they had some die-cut samples that weren't the usual naff pieces that you often see.  Anyway we all bought some so we're all going to have a go.  I think I was a bit more (maybe over) ambitious as I also bought the cellophane sleeves to put the finished cards in!  Maybe I should have made a few cards first to see if they will be good enough to sell first!  What am I like!

I have just asked to book a stall at the next Craft Market in a local village hall after seeing an advert in the village newsletter.  The next one isn't until the beginning of October so I have plenty of time to get myself organised. I haven't done one for many years but I decided that if I put my name down for a stall now then it will focus me and I will complete my craft projects more readily. I do have a habit of starting projects with gusto then moving onto the next project before finishing them.

One project I'm so looking forward to finishing is my latch-hook rug that I am making for my summerhouse.  I'm sure I could get it finished this weekend if I put my mind to it.  I do have some photos to show you - I'll drop them in later.

Another reason why I had a Thoroughly enjoyable Thursday is because it was Book Club night!  It was such a good laugh - so much fun.  The Elegance of the Hedgehog received mixed reviews - which was as expected as I think it would be hard to find a book that all 12 of us love.  Although, the group had read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larrson before I joined and I think they all agree that it has been the best book so far.  I borrowed it about three months ago and I still haven't read it! 

Our next book is going to be....

molly makes magazine

Hoorah!  My new Mollie Makes magazine was delivered yesterday.  Did you get yours?  Even after just a quick flick though I was buzzing with inspiration!  I love the whole look and feel of the magazine too - it has been styled really well.  I love the feature on maps and I plan to make something for my Dad for Fathers Day - I have an old book of road maps that has seen better days so I've already pulled some pages out ready to do some decoupage.

My first project though is the freeby felt flower kit - I think I'll sit and make it tonight.

I'm still dipping into Issue 1 too and checking out some of the blogs and websites. Great for checking out new suppliers.

Don't you just love getting a freebie?  I do!  Although I don't think the felt mobile phone kit is really me!  I'm going to be creative and use the pattern and pieces of felt to make something else - maybe a little love heart with the bird on.  Have you made yours into a phone/ipod cover or have you been creative too?

jenny eclair

Another trip out with my friends from the book club.  This time to see Jenny Eclair at the Grand Theatre in Lancaster.  She is doing her 'Old Dog, New Tricks' tour this year so if she's going to be at a theatre near you then do go and see her if you can.

She was fantastique!  I have not laughed so much in years - my cheeks were aching when we got out of the theatre and I realised that I hadn't straightened my face in more than two hours.  She was very rude but very, very funny.  A really great girls night out!

We have no other jaunts planned as yet but we are meeting up this week so we'll probably discuss any gigs/shows that are coming in the next few months.

We are meeting up to discuss our most recent book which was chosen by Jan.  The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.  I can't say it was the most enjoyable read but I like to stick with a book and give it a chance and I'm glad I did because the last few chapters got interesting!  I can't say it's one I would recommend to a friend though.  I'll have to wait until Thursday night to find out what the others thought of it - maybe they loved it.

I think it's quite difficult to chose a book that appeals to everyone - that's certainly been the case so far.  A book one person loves another really dislikes or finds difficult to get into.  It's my turn to select a book for Thursday night and I've tried to be quite relaxed about my choice - I haven't read lots of reviews on Amazon or tried to chose a book that makes me look intellectual!  I did threaten to take a Mills and Boon!

I'll let you know how it goes.  Maybe I'll be banished from the Club!

half-term hols

It was half-term holidays for my little family last week and we were been blessed with beautiful weather.  My daughter little MissG and I had a few days away in a B&B near Richmond in Yorkshire and we had a lovely time.  One downside was that I didn't pack the right clothes!  The weather hadn't been too good in the days leading up to our little jaunt so I wrongly presumed that we would get much of the same - wet and windy.  Not to worry, we had a great time in the sun even though I was overdressed - my feet were crying out for my flip-flops! Ho-hum.  Another downside was that MrG was very busy at work so couldn't go with us this time, and the boys are now too old for a trip out with Mum unless it's a trip to GAME.  Little MissG is always up for a change of scene and is a great shopping companion!

We didn't really buy very much this time.  I bought a funky little foldaway shopping bag to keep in my handbag...

 

and some pretty note cards

and a birthday present for my Little Sis - no photo as I don't want to spoil the surprise!

Little MissG got two new tops (as she never has anything to wear!)

and she bought her friend Molly a birthday present 

My other recent purchases include...

a lovely new teapot from TK Maxx to display on my dresser.   I'm the only one in the house that enjoys a good cuppa so I will only use it when family or friends pop round.   I will get enjoyment out of it by displaying it on my dresser though.

Another TK Maxx purchase... a lovely make up bag...

I also bought these lovely mugs from Dunelm Mill - a bargain at 99p.  We certainly didn't need them as our mug cupboard is already overstocked!  I'm a sucker for a nice pattern though - aren't they pretty?

And an ebay purchase... a vintage glass cake stand (no photo yet).  I think a batch of home-made meringues or cream scones would look lovely on this and it will be used for birthday celebrations as I do think a birthday cake should take pride of place!  Talking of meringues, I took my daughter out for tea and cake after school on the last day of term and we had the most fantastic pink, chewy meringues at Emily's on the market square in Kirkby Lonsdale.

Note to self:  Add to my to-do list.  I would love to make my own meringues as it is something I have never attempted to make and yet I do love them!  I found a recipe for Ultimate Meringues on the BBC Good Food website so I just need to get the ingredients.

I'll let you know how they turn out!

Bye for now x