Mother's Day Weekend Catch Up

 

Apologies for the delay in getting online, here is  little summary of our weekend.
Saturday started with a cosy cuppa in bed and glorious sunshine beating through the opened curtains.

 

 

Once everyone was up, we decided to make the most of the sunshine and take a trip to the Dockyard, in the hopes of finding some gifts to take to Australia.

All the dads have a naval heritage so it seemed like the ideal place to go, but we were rather disappointed and didn't see anything we felt was up to the mark.

Park and Ride is the easiest way to go and riding up on the top deck always gives such an interesting view.

 

 

Whilst the gift shop was a disappointment, the coffee shop with its home bakes goodies wasn't!

We mooched around a few shops, but didn't buy anything...makes a change!

Back home it was an afternoon of pottering, ahead of going out to a church meeting in the evening.

It was about an hour's drive from home, so by the time we got home and changed the clocks, bedtime was far later than usual!

 

 

 

 

Sunday morning I was presented with this lovely display of spring flowers,

which Teen One suggested to dad would be a good idea.

He bought them from our local florist and the quality of the flowers compared to supermarket ones was quite noticeable.

He bought this on Friday ( and hid it from me amazingly!) and the red tulips only started to open up once in the warmth of the house.

 

 

 

Teen One made me this cut card, Teen Two also made me a card.

 

 

 

 

I was also given a bottle of hazelnut syrup, which is something I love in my Costa coffees.

 

 

 

 

 

The rest of the day has been the usual Sunday, Church, roast dinner, a quick games fest in the afternoon as Hubby was out preaching in the afternoon.

He gave a Mother's Day message, we had tea with everyone, which included quite a few homeless eastern Europeans, then it was back to our own evening service.

A bit of a hectic day, but its been a good one.

 

 

 

A Heart For Others

 

Today Teen One's Uni lift wasn't going in, so I took her in instead, which works out quite well, it means I can mooch around some shops we don't have locally, get my weekend shopping done, and if there is enough time left, sit in the car, listen to Radio 4 and do some knitting/crocheting.

I still need to make a few more bunnies, so am using up some stash, and decided to crochet squares instead of knitting them, they are a bit quicker to make.

I finished off a cream square I started last night...

 

 

 

...completed a lilac one...

 

 

...and went back to a sock I had started a few months ago, and had forgotten all about!

 

 

 

When I was in Tesco the other day, I saw in the reduced section they had packs of two toothbrushes for 16p and tubes of toothpaste also 16p.

I have several friends who pack up toiletry bags for missionary boxes, so called one of them and asked if they could use any toothbrushes etc...needless to say, she was delighted to have some, so I picked up 60 of each.

I also bought a handful of toothbrushes for home, always useful and great if visitors forget that little essential item!

 

 

Our story at Friday Club tonight was the feeding of the 5,000, so  we took along a loaf of bread and some jam ( didn't think fish would go down too well!) and let them make jam sandwiches.

Who would think such simple and cheap items would go down so well!

They were thrilled with their task and munched into them straight away.

Some made three!

I did confess to the mums when they collected them but no one seemed to mind thankfully!

 

 

 

As it's Mother's Day on Sunday here in the UK, we also ran a craft table for that as well, just in case any of them hadn't managed to buy/make anything for their mums/Grandmas.

These pretty cards to colour in were free to download from

Hobbycraft's website.

 

We have just been watching some of Comic Relief, and a little girl died from malari during part of the filming.

Teen Two was very moved by this and asked to donate some money to save another child's life...

so we have accepted his money and sent the text YES to 70220 on his behalf....

however, we will sneak the money back in his piggy bank later.

It's lovely to know he has a heart for others and is prepared to share what he has.

 

 

 

 

Knitted Square To Easter Bunny

 

Today has been a cold and windy one, not at all like last week!

For Parent and Toddler's I made some Mother's Day cards with the tots....

 

 

 

I bought a pack of blank cards and envelopes from Poundland

took along a book of paper designs I have had stashed away for a few years, which the tots chose from and glued to the card.

The coloured doilies were £1 from The Works some time last year and the chocolate neopolitans were from Poundland in a box of nine, so all in all each card cost just a few pence each.

 

 

 

Back home I cracked on with some housework, laundry sorting etc, sorted dinner ( lemon chicken and rice) all the usual sort of stuff, but despite buzzing around the house, was absolutely freezing!

So, by early afternoon I broke with tradition and lit a fire.

The wind is blowing a hooley out there and rattling all the doors, it really is very unpleasant...the only benefit was it dried a line of washing I bravely hung out!

 

 

After my usual mini work out, I finished off the bunny making, it really is a very easy procedure for a change!

It's amazing what you can make from a simple knitted square isn't it!

Teen One asked if I was going to sew on faces and I think the answer will be no, faces can make or break hand made toys and I have never been completely happy with any faces I have done in the past, no matter how simple they look to do, they are trickier than they look!

Nine bunnies is all I was able to make with this particular yarn (given to me  a while ago and knits up like terry towelling) so I will have to make up a few more with wool from my stash to ensure I have enough.

Hopefully they will be enjoyed by the tots...I know a Teen who has his eye on one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally!

 

Today started off really well, but sadly has not continued so well.

Starting with the good news....

the bathroom scales finally showed I had lost a stone!

Yayy!

 Its been a long hard slog (not helped by "unexpected treats...today being no exception!)

 

 

 

 

 

After the usual chores, I called into town to get some Australia dollars,

I know its daft, but it was a surprise to see the Queen on the notes!

Hubby will be thrilled to see them, and no doubt any unspent money will be added to his collection.

 

 

This afternoon Teen One and I decided to watch Disney's Beauty and The Beast,

we haven't watched a video for ages...how grainy it was!

We had some red popcorn from Christmas, but were slightly disappointed that it loses its colour when popped...well in actual fact it was pure white, which is not like regular popcorn.

 

 

The popcorn maker comes with some recipes, today I tried the peanut butter one...

replacing cream with yogurt.

I only had a tincy taste but it was scrumptious and Teen One  agreed.

 

 

 

 

Whilst watching the film, I started to turn some squares of knitting I had made last year, into bunnies,

an idea I found on this blog.

I made the squares when on holiday in the US, with this Easter in mind, for Parent and Toddler gifts, I don't think I have ever been so organised...although typical me leaving it to a couple of weeks before I need them to finish them off!

I just need to get some pom poms to glue on for tails.

 

 

 

Yeo Valley make the most delicious yogurts, this lemon curd one being a particular favourite.

Each lid comes with a code to collect tokens Yeokens, and theses tokens can be exchanged for various things....

including a  two for one cream tea!

 

 

 

Today a friend and I went to treat ourselves to our cream tea at this lovely

hotel...

 

 

...our soft chairs and table were right by the wood burner, which was perfect on this chilly spring day.

Everything was home made on the premises and to the highest of standards.

I thoroughly enjoyed it as I had forgone my lunch  (and of course no dinner tonight) for this!

Our waiter was very attentive and it really was a  peaceful hour, quietly chatting and enjoying the ambience, without anyone else to worry about.

 

 

Sadly,  on the journey home,when almost back to where we had met up, she had to brake sharply....phew, we managed to not go into the car in front ( which of course had also braked sharply) phew, we thought...then BANG

a transit van went into the back of us!

What a shock!

I instantly got my camera out to record the damage, but amazingly there was nothing to be seen!

The other driver thankfully pulled over and said he just didn't have time to react, he gave us all his info and suggested I took photos of his number plate and company logo on the side ( which I was on my way to do anyway!)

Hopefully there is no underlying damage, but it did rather spoil our lovely peaceful afternoon.

 

However, it was nothing compared to how some innocent folk in London's day has ended up.

When I arrived home I put the TV on for The Chase and was of course met with the sad news of the terrorist incident in London.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected.

Needless to say we have walked over Westminster Bridge many a time without incident but will always think of the poor people today whose lives have been changed forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone For Tea?

 

This morning was a lovely start to the day, with the dawn chorus filling the morning air.

How lovely are these light bright spring mornings!

 

 

I was able to get a line of washing out and the usual household chores done before 9.30am,

perfect time for picking up Grandma at 10am

 

 

We were heading out to Southampton to visit Hubby's cousin, whose husband has a brain tumour.

He was much brighter and stronger today which was lovely to see.

Their 15mth old granddaughter was there, which was a treat for me!

 

 

Along with a cuppa, was a slice of this delectable blueberry cake, which is on the front cover of this month's Sainsbury's magazine....mmm it was good....even though I only had a wee slice, it was worth breaking the diet for!

 

 

 

There is a large M&S nearby, so Grandma and I popped in for a brief look as they had a 60% sale on.

We didn't see anything in the sale, but both came out with small purchases.

 

 

Back home for a late lunch, Teen Two arrived home exactly the same time as me,

just as I was poaching some eggs for lunch the door bell went....

...my late neighbour's son, to share the news he had finally found a house and bought it!

That's two successful house buys in a week for our nearest and dearest!

So on went the kettle for a cuppa!

I tired to persuade him to have some lunch, but he would only have a cuppa...just as well as the eggs were well done by the time I had listened to his house story!

 

 

 

Just as we were having our cuppa the door went again....my friend on her very late lunch break...so on went the kettle again!
It seems to have been a day of non stop tea drinking!

When the visitors finally went there was just enough time for the mini work out, before getting dinner on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tying Up Loose Ends!

 

 

Last night I seemed to spend the whole night dreaming we had visitors coming this week which I had completely forgotten about.

I spent the night trying to see what food was in the freezer for meals, trying to plan meals, trying to get to the supermarket to buy food...it was a complete nightmare!

In the middle of it I had a pain in my side, which I think must have been part of the dream as I woke pain free!

It was not a restful night at all and most of today has felt like I need to prepare for visitors!

I hope that's not how our families in Australia are feeling about our impending visit!

 

 

The morning was my usual Monday, a visit to my Monday Recycled Teenager, sadly she is not too well and has to go to hospital on Wednesday.

She had the all clear from her womb cancer last week  (with 9mth checks up) but now has some unpleasant abdominal issues, so we hope this isn't connected.

 

 

In Morrisons today I saw these new Cadbury's bars, which I thought would be fun to take out to Australia....I just hope they don't have them already!

 

 

This afternoon Teen Two had a lesson in pastry making....

 

 

...which produced a chicken pie for tonight's dinner...

 

 

 

 

...along with some cheesy parcel made with the left over scraps.

 

 

 

I saw these trellises in Lidl and thought they would be perfect for our clematis, which we hacked down to the ground practically, when putting up the new fence.

Having put them up, they seem much smaller than when they were in my trolley!

They seemed about 6' high but are only just above the main trunk.

Oh well....it will be a start, the shoots are starting to come already, so I will encourage them along and see how things go.

As you can see, the bunnies were eager to investigate the change to the area!

 

 

 

When my late neighbour's house was being emptied, their son asked if I would like an almost new wheelchair.

Well whilst I, thankfully, didn't have a need for one, its the sort of thing that comes in useful!

It was destined for the tip, so I decided to keep it "just in case."

Thankfully we still don't have a use for it, but over dinner yesterday Grandma said her daughter's father in law is now so weak he needs a wheelchair and the one they had been loaned was too heavy for his wife to use, let alone collapse and get into the car.

I wasted no time in emailing them and asking if they were interested in a new lightweight one...and yayy....they were delighted!

So tonight Hubby will take it in from work and I am thrilled it was worth keeping it after all. 

 They have emailed again  this afternoon to say how excited they are to receive it!

Nice to tie up "loose ends" so to speak, isn't it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hat's Off to BT!

 

This morning was of course church first thing, followed by the usual roast dinner...

 

 

 

..and some pretty good Yorkshires!

 

 

The afternoon was the usual games fest, we haven't tired of Rummikub yet and Teen Two is still better at it than the rest of us!

 

 

Like everyone, we get our fair share of nuisance calls and its fair to say they are on the increase.

The most annoying ones I find are the automated ones where you cant vent your frustration to a human being, or, as I sometimes do, engage in conversation with the scamming ones and ask if they cant find themselves an honest job!

It's possible though, that these constant interruptions to our day may be coming to an end, or at least diminishing.

We had an email from BT over the weekend saying we had been upgraded to a new FREE service!

When we received a nuisance call, all we have to do is dial 1572 and then press 1 to have that number permanently sent through to a junk voicemail.

There are several other features, but for the time being I can see me daily going through to

1572 to stop these calls coming through.

Hat's off to BT I say!