Playing Hooky

Callum and I did take half a day off on Tuesday and he decided he wanted to visit Tracy, my friend, his Godmother and the very lady who is getting married soon. On an earlier post I asked for ideas for her Wedding Hymns & Reading and whilst they are still making the Hymn choices the reading is to be Apache Wedding Prayer.

Tracy has just moved and is in the process of knocking down walls as well as organising her wedding, when we arrived she had just posted my wedding invitation which arrived yesterday and she has spent a lot of time on it.

It was sealed with wax!

She has then made each invitation

And inside included along with the invite details, all the RSVP info including e-mail, snail mail & phone numbers, a timeline of the day's events and just to top it all off in her very effective and organised way a full set of directions, where to stays(including prices) and best places to park.

If the day goes according to plan it is going to be fab!

On the way home we went to Barton Grange Garden Centre and we had an afternoon tea. As a child this was a favourite treat for both myself and my younger brother John.

I can remember the cakes, scones, cream and jam all being brought out on a cake stand and plates of sandwiches, bread and butter and crumpets and of course as much tea as we wanted.

As soon as I saw it on the menu I thought that was going to be my treat, I then found out to my parenting horror that Callum has not only not EVER had an afternoon tea but didn't even KNOW what one was!

Oh Shame on me I am not a good mother.

I of course insisted on him also having one. Out came 2 tiered cake stands with our goodies on and his eyes almost popped out of his head. We had a lovely time, we laughed quite a bit and indeed drew admiring glances from other diners(Callum said they were staring because we were laughing so loud) I choose to believe they were envious of the giggles.

Even with a dairy allergy we had a delicious afternoon tea and I have righted a wrong. Never let it be said my boy does not know what an afternoon tea is.

He now understands why I was so excited about the holiday we are due to go on soon. We are going on a cruise and they serve afternoon tea each day. We enjoy cruising and have been on a few but this is the first one that does a proper afternoon tea.

Before heading home we used the facilities and they were very impressive. If you live close to Barton Grange and haven't been pop in, the wash basins were lovely and the hand-dryers were fab. Callum was also impressed with the gents facilities as they had the most stunning urinals(I kid you not) I did not take my camera, but luckily he has one on his phone so went back in and took a photo, when I work it out I will get the pictures from his phone on to the PC and on the blog.

We had a lovely afternoon and something we will repeat again. All the things we could have done and he wanted to see his Godmother how cute is that?

Yesterday I managed some card making.

I made this card for my RSVP for Tracy and Mark

And its true we really can't wait I am soooooo looking forward to seeing her get married as well as catching up with some very special people that I haven't seen for far too long.

The next cards are for my nieces who all have birthdays coming up 2 on the same day!

Chloe's is first, followed by Charlotte and Coral

Let's hope the weather cheers up, have a lovely weekend Keely x

My Baby's almost a Man

It really doesn't feel 2 mins ago that my baby was just that a tiny(well 8lb 5oz) baby. After years of trying and a few miscarriages, both before and after, our son is almost into adulthood.

What's brought all this on I hear you ask( I know it's only in my head!) I went to see Mama Mia the movie at the weekend. I thought it was hilarious in parts particularly Pierce Brosnan's singing and Julie Walters version of Take a Chance on me should be seen to be appreciated.

The main reason that I felt the need to put pen to paper so to speak was one particular scene where Meryl Streep's character is helping her daughter prepare for her wedding and they sing slipping through my fingers or you can watch the download http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv8z-RRucso. Now if I were to say that this brought a tear to my eye I would be telling a big fat lie, I did in fact bawl my eyes out, there were streams, nay rivers coming forth. Why it should have provoked such a reaction I have no idea, I am even crying as I type so emotional am I.

I suppose it just brought home how quickly Callum has grown up and whilst he is still relatively young and unlikely to be leaving home for a number of years my role as "mother" seems somewhat redundant(I'm off again!)

One of the things it has made me do is re-assess the time we do spend together which is not really that much. So tomorrow I am taking half a day off as is he and we are playing Hooky yeah :-). The only rule is that we must do something fun and together and the best bit he chooses and drives! I will have no control and for me this is very strange. It has been commented on before that I am a little controlling the words control freak have also been levelled at me. Whilst I wouldn't disagree totally I do feel someone needs to be in control and in the absence of my dad I make a perfect candidate. Of course when dad's around he is without doubt the person in charge(when I let him).

So tomorrow should be a great day and I am really starting to look forward to whatever "it" may be.

I will leave you with some photos of Callum's first driving lesson which was on his birthday to say he was eager to drive really would be an understatement. By the way he is the taller one, I don't make many but I make them big and strong.

I'm a Snapdragon. What are you?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Have a go my husband thinks there is a certain irony to my flower but I really don't know what he is talking about.

Warning but don't be too ALARMED

Hi I just wanted to let you know about an experience that has recently unsettled us and thought I would share it with you all.

Craig had a call the other evening asking if we had an alarm fitted in our house. The guy calling explained that he was calling from an alarm company and they were looking for a house in our area to give a free alarm to.

Any way the guy then asked a number of questions including do we both work full time? Are we away from the House all day?

Craig agreed to an appointment for an advisor to call to the house and discuss the alarm and of course promptly gave him the house details.

To say that I was concerned would under play the conversation we had when I found out what had happened. I felt it was some sort of scam and could not believe the amount of detail my husband was prepared to go into with a complete stranger.

It came as no surprise to me that no one actually turned up to the house for the appointment.

I think that we were targeted by someone to establish if it was worth them visiting us whilst we were out, Craig disagrees and thinks they are just not a very good company and have lost the details(bless him sometimes his naivety is painful).

Either way in case it is a scam I thought I would share it with you so you can be vigilant. If it isn't then there is no problems for anyone and if it is you may just avoid a nasty visit.

Be safe out there!

Keely x

Home at Last

Hooray I am home for 2 whole weeks, I will still have to travel but I will be able to sleep in my very own non hotel bed every night for 14 nights.

How cool is that. Only one downside I have to get used to sharing again!

I was reading TillyBoo's blog and she was commenting on how Boo seems to have grown before her eyes so to speak and then I found this video about some of the naughty things our Kids can do!

Pretty Shabby has received her cards now so I can post some photos.

She is expecting a niece or nephew soon and asked for a card to welcome the new arrival so here's what I sent

Over the last week I have been in a hotel so have been knitting!

This is something I haven't done in an awful long time as I am not very good or well practiced at it.

I thought I would make some knitted brooches/corsages will decide when they are finished what to call them.

At the moment I just have strips of knitting which look like they couldn't be anything, so tomorrow I am off to the car boot to find some vintage buttons to add to the centre then I can make them up and show you.

Did I tell you I am home for 2 weeks I am so pleased.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend

Keely

Giveaway Cards complete

I have had a hard week, I feel sure I am not alone.

I work as a trainer and last week I delivered a new workshop, had an observation and had my monthly development meeting(at the end of the working day) so I feel shattered.

I normally get up about 6.30-7.00 every morning and may have a lie in on a Saturday until 8.00-8.30 but this morning I slept until 10.30!

I have since spent a very happy morning to early afternoon in my craft room and made my giveaway for Pretty Shabby.

I have had a lovely time and really hope that Pretty Shabby is happy with her package.

I have included some out takes to wet the taste buds so to speak.

So a whole half a weekend at home before setting off for work on Sunday(another new workshop) and another week away from home :-(

If anyone is going to be in around or near Preston tomorrow pop along to the Farmer's and Craft market which will be held in the outdoor(but covered) market place.

If you do go out keep your eyes peeled for Kath aka Juicy Fig she will be there selling some of her wonderful creations and if she has run out and you just want to chat I am sure she will be more than happy to say hello.

Have a great day Kath and let us know how you get on.

To all good bloggers everywhere have a wonderful weekend - I suppose I can extended that to all the bad bloggers as well.

This reminded me of how I felt at 7pm yesterday!

Keely x

The Results are in and the Winner is...........

So the deadline has gone and I prepared for my 1st ever giveaway.

Being the sort of person who is incredibly organised I collated the names and printed up labels to write them on.

I then retrieved the camcorder to record it on video and the battery was flat! So I have fallen back to old faithful and taken photos.

Firstly to show it's a fair draw all of the names prior to folding and putting in the hat.

Next they all went in the bowl must point out this is a huge washstand bowl(wasn't sure how many people would enter so thought I'd better be safe than sorry!

Then pick the one that "felt right"

And the winner is prettyshabby

Well done! All you have to do now is decide which of the cards below you would like along with deciding on your custom card.

Drop me a line and let me know.

I am away this week so may not be able to complete your custom card before I go so it could be next weekend before I get to it.

Thanks to the other ladies that joined in I do appreciate your comments and thank you for reading my ramblings.

Keely x

Giveaway(again!) and Craft Night

As you may know I am having a giveaway and it ends tomorrow at 18:00.

The winner will receive any card from here as well as a custom card.

To enter all you need to do is leave a comment with what hymn or non religious reading I should promote to my friend for her wedding(Don't ask. I offered to help!).

So far for the readings we have Apache Wedding Prayer, Shakespeare Sonnet 116 and The Prophet.

For the hymns we have Bread of Heaven, All things Bright and Beautiful, Bring me Joy and the Lord's my Shepherd.

Now all comments count even if it to second an exsisting suggestion but new ones would be great!

Thanks to the following for the above suggestions

JuicyFig
twiggypeasticks
JackBlackRoady
Suse

Cowboys & Custard

Now to the Craft Club.

The group I belong to is called Create and Craft and we meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month(not in July though) in a village called Chatburn.

We generally don't do an organised event we turn up and make/do what we won't I have been known to do nothing but talk!

This week however I did partake in a parchment craft workshop. I have always loved parchment work but avoided it as I am heavy handed and worry about spending hours creating something and then tearing the parchment.

When I arrived at the class these were the samples which helped me make my mind up and have a go.

The above were all made by our club organiser Sue who I think is very talented.

The following were made by Sarah who whilst still learning has been doing it for a little while now and the one she is holding was made in one evening approx 2 hours! WOW!

The one below is mine no where near the quality or difficulty of the ones above but all the same I am pleased with it.

Anyway all is well in our world, Craig has taken Callum on a driving lesson and should be home soon. Callum has his test next week so please send happy thought and crossed fingers etc through. I am away all next week with work and whilst I may be able to log onto a PC I am not sure so hopefully I will not be completely blogless.

I will be back tomorrow anyhoo as I will need to announce the winner of the giveaway. I may try and video the draw and post that but don't know if it will work.

Till tomorrow

Keely x

Would I make a good Husband?

I have just completed the 1930's Housewife test that is on a few blogs that I have read so decided to have a go. It turns out I would make a better Husband.

46 As a 1930s wife, I am Average Take the test!

72 As a 1930s husband, I am Superior Take the test!

Fathers Day

Well Fathers day was a revelation this year as Callum produced the whole meal!

He has in the past managed beans on toast without burning the house down although the smoke detector has objected.

The menu was Spaghetti Bolognese with Garlic Bread

Chocolate Profiteroles

Fruit Salad(for me)

I am not on a diet but couldn't have the profiteroles as I have a dairy intolerance:-(

Now I know this does not sound the most exciting of menu's but I have to point out(proud mother moment) he MADE it himself. When I say MADE it I mean he did not use a bottled sauce he MADE it. He did not buy a pizza base he MADE it, can you tell how proud I am?

The spaghetti went down well there was no time to take a photo before it was demolished and my dad seemed to enjoy it what do you think?

The garlic bread was tasty!

The profiteroles were fun to make!

And good to eat

You can see how we are a quiet, shy family!

I am afraid I didn't manage to get any photos of Craig at least none that came out any good.

We had a lovely surprise at the end of the meal just before little C cleared away and washed up(that boy will make a great wife!)

Please tell me that you can see a heart too.

What a wonderful day a meal prepared with love shared with people I love could it be any better?

Well I have a craft club date tonight and I am taking the camera so I may have more to tell you about.

I really need to go and make dinner please don't forget my Giveaway.

I don't want to boast but I worked out the link thingy! Yeah!

Take care till next time Keely x

Show & Tell and a Giveaway

As promised I am going to show and tell!

I have a few cards that are sad and lonely in the card box waiting for an appropriate time and person to be given too.

Firstly 2 cards that will be used tomorrow "who can they be for?" I hear you ask well the one on the left is for my dad the other for hubby.

So then Callum had to make his cards and here are the results

With these completed I could open the card box and see what's lurking.

First some baby cards which I love really fresh and pretty IMO just waiting for a baby now(not my own you understand Oh no that's all over with now!!)

The one on the bottom left has the little heart the wrong way round I noticed after taking the photo I am sure it is fixable.

So just a few more.

I hope you like the cards as I am thinking of doing a giveaway. As you know this is all new to me but I am throwing caution to the wind, I am the sort of girl you mums warn your boys about!

Let me explain my reason for the giveaway as you are all aware there is always a catch.

My friend is getting married in September and I offered to help(why I don't know it just sort of slipped out) as it turns out "everything's sorted" she said. Way to go I come out with nothing to do but still get brownie points for the offer.

Anyhow she calls back(did I hear someone laugh????) "could you look at finding a reading and 3 hymns" just like that. Also she would like a none religious reading(?) and hymns that do not require a full choir to make them sound great the sort of thing a normal/semi normal person could sing.

I am sure she feels this is a minor request but I could get this sooooo wrong, which is where the giveaway comes in. I would like your help with readings and hymns that you know of that might fit the bill. Everyone's name will go in the proverbial and the winner will receive 1 of the above cards of your choice and also drum roll.....................................one specifically made to your specifications(within reason I don't have some things. My husband does not believe me no matter how hard I cry!)

I was supposed to come back to her with ideas last weekend so with this timescale in mind feel another week won't harm anyone.

So any ideas you have let me know by 18:00(UK time) next Saturday 21/06 and I will then draw the name out for the giveaway. I will of course let you know what she chooses once I have discussed this with her.

Please, please let other people know if you can I am sure there is a magic blog way of announcing a giveaway but I don't know what it is so if you read this and mention it or better still if you have the power provide a link(still haven't worked it out!) that would be fab.

If there is any blogging etiquette I need to be aware of please could you let me know.

Keely x

Friday 13th!

Can't you tell I am new to this. I just had to put the details of my day down for prosperity.

Some background to my day out.

For the last 12 weeks the house has been in chaos as we had a flood in the cavity which ended up with the floor in the kitchen/diner, utility and hallway up along with walls taken back to bare plaster. Nice look I know, over the last 2 weeks we have had the builder's in fixing all the damage putting in new flooring and decorating.

This week both Craig and I took a week off work (booked ages ago to go on holiday) but as it coincided with the decorating etc ended up staying at home overseeing the work etc. Yesterday everything(almost) was finished Hooray!

So today we had a day out not quite a holiday but better than nothing.

First we went to Haworth, Craig wanted to go on a Steam Train but they weren't running he is still getting over the disappointment. So we then travelled over to Guiseley via this view.

We went through a village with a rather unusual habit

Every car on this stretch had traffic cone near the rear tyre, now I understand why but just found it very funny. Please let me know if you do too as Craig just stared at me as if I was some strange deranged woman.

The cones are to stop other cars getting to close and knocking the wing mirrors. At least that's what we worked it out as. I only managed to catch a picture of the last one but there was a row of about 7 cars each with a traffic cone in exactly the same position.

Anyway in Guiseley our destination was Harry Ramsden's

Craig was in a hurry can you tell?

Unfortunately the 2 for £9.99 offer was not on until after 2pm and Craig may well have cried if he had to suffer the disappointment of waiting as well as no train ride so over priced fish and chips was the order of the day.

If you look closely at the left side of the fish Craig couldn't even wait until I snapped the button on the camera before he started. Then because it flashed he wasn't happy about me using it again to take a photo of my full fish. The meal was lovely, we haven't been out for a while during the day just the 2 of us so we spent most of the time laughing at each other.

We then went to Esholt where the original Woolpack from Emmerdale was found and of course I took a picture as I am in blog mode (it will slow down I am sure but once I have decide on something tend to go at full pelt)

Before going home we decided to go to Skipton to have a walk round the market and a look in the charity shops. We saw some swans on the canal so took a snap of those just to end the day

We are now home in our freshly decorated house with no workmen, no bare floors or exposed bricks what more could a woman want? Gordon Ramsey, David Tennant or am I just asking too much now?
Maybe next time I will show some of the cards I have recently done, nothing too great I am not professional just enjoy the hobby.
Keely x

Virginal Blog

This is my very first Test Blog and I am sure it will be very short and very boring!!

I have been looking at lots of wonderful blogs throughout the site and to be quite honest I am really jealous, why oh why do other people have such interesting/active/inspiring lives(delete as appropriate)?

So enough about you it's time for Me.

My name is Keely and I live in the wonderful Ribble Valley in the North of England in a small village called Billington which is where you will also find Kath aka Juicy Fig(haven't worked out the old linky thingy yet) who doesn't know that she has started me on this slippy path.

I am married to the wonderful but ever so slightly, irritating, pedantic, pompous Craig. But generally he is just wonderful. After 20 years the shine starts to come off the armour unless he keeps buffing it, and to be honest he doesn't have the energy he used to have so buffs infrequently nowadays!

We have a 17 year old son Callum, who I am extremely proud to say uses full words and on occasion sentences and does not grunt responses at any time. I understand this to be quite unusual for a male teenager and will attribute it to the years of investment I have placed in him developing his verbal and listening skills. Craig used to say "shut up will you the child is going to get a headache" and I of course, being wiser and getting more sense from the 4 week old studiously ignored him and continued to blabber to our son.

I am aware I am now blabbering into blog space which may be one of the reasons why I have decided to blog in the first place. You guys can read or ignore and I still get to blabber regardless. I would of course prefer to know that my ramblings are being read and met with interest.

In future I will try to be a little more coherent(don't bet on it though)

For a test blog I think I have said way too much so will say good bye until later.

Keely x