Cheers

Cheers To You All

One of the best things I have done this year was start this blog - I have 'met' so many lovely bloggers over the the last few months. It has been wonderful getting to know you all. Blogland is such a friendly and welcoming place.  

It also let me discover something that I get so much pleasure from (apart from conversing with all you lovely people) and that is photography. How can I have reached the age of 50 and not discover that before. It has opened up a whole new world for me.

Anyway here is hoping that 2012 is a wonderful year for everybody.  

I will raise my glass to you all at midnight and wish you all the best.

Have a good one.

A Little Bit Of Tweaking

Now I know you will probably recognise these pictures from yesterday's post. I decided last night that they just needed something extra. So I went into Photoshop and brightened them up a wee tiny bit. 

 I think they look a bit better.

This is my favourite one.   The smaller images are the before and the larger are after.

I'm definitely no expert, by any means, in photoshop but it is amazing what you can do and I'm just footering (messing about) with them.  I must have been bored or something lol. 

I'm finished work and now off for 4 days - yay!!! Now I'm sitting chilling with Danny and listenting to Bob Marley - doesn't get much better than that.

Christmas Flowers

You must all know by now how much I LOVE flowers!!!  I bought these for Christmas -  to make the place look pretty but also so I could take pictures.

 I love the white and red together.

 Can you believe there are only 2 days left of December and then we are into a brand new year.  I can't help but wonder what next year will bring.

Sharing today with

 Deb

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Deb has got a great blog and definately worth a visit.

A Couple of Pictures

I managed to catch a picture of my three girl together - no easy task let me tell you. I've never known girls to not like getting their picture taken - apart from perhaps me!!!! lol.

Laura, Karen and Emma - my beautiful girls!

And here is a token one of me and Danny.

Do you remember the post with the picture of the threads and needle?  Well here is what Karen was making with it.

She wanted to know what our favourite animal was and made these. 

The elephant is mine, the penguin is Laura's and the panda is for Emma. 

 Super cute I think you would agree!!!!

Cakes Galore

 Our Karen has been very busy this Christmas making cakes for all and sundry. I thought I would show you how clever she is! (she must take after her mum lol)

This first one was for her boyfriend.

The cake with the tree was for my sister

 

 This one for was for my mum and dad

 And this was ours.

I can't pick a favourite because I think they are all wonderful.  And you know what they tasted as good as they looked. She wants to have a cake shop as a business - I think she should too.

Fancy A Chocolate Anyone?

 Hi everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  

Christmas Eve was a busy one between tidying up the house, wrapping presents, delivering presents - phew quite exhausting!!  Fell into bed around midnight I think and promptly fell asleep.  Bliss!!!!

 Emma woke us all up about 8.30am and the present opening ceremony began.  We were all very lucky and received beautiful gifts.  

 Laura received this huge box of chocolates - seems to go on forever don't you think?  They are rather tasty as well - I am a sucker for chocolates  - yummy!!!!

My mum and dad were coming around for dinner - no pressure on me there then lol.  I don't know about you but I start out fine and by the time to dish up I am flustered and feeling the heat somewhat. It all seems to come together in the end though. And, even if I do say so myself - it was very tasty (pats self on head, he he). Everybody said they enjoyed it so that was fine.

 After dinner we all sat around blethering for a while - nice and relaxed - while my girls tidied up the kitchen which was no mean feat - believe me! They did a wonderful job and it was spotless when they were finished. I think I may keep them lol.

In the evening we watched Ice Age and Independance Day on the telly while having a wee Bailey's Cream drink mmmmm.

 What a perfect way to end the day.

How was your Christmas day? 

Sharing today with
Lisa
at 
Macro monday 

Happy Christmas!!!!!

Linking today with 

Deb

at

I want to wish all my lovely blogging friends a wonderfully Happy and Peaceful Christmas and here's to an Exciting New Year.

 It has been lovely meeting you all.

Decorations

A couple of pictures of ornaments on my Christmas tree. 

I'm sorry I'm falling behind in visiting your blogs.  Where is the time going - too much to do and too little time to do it in.  It's getting to the point where I don't know who I have visited and who I haven't  aaargh!!!!!

 Emma plays violin in the school orchestra and last night was the school Christmas concert.  There were singers, choirs, musicians and drummers - it is amazing what talent there is in the youngsters these days. This is her last year of doing these as she leaves school in June.  She also had her last Christmas dance with the school. So she is feeling a little bit sad I think.  She enjoys school - the first (and youngest) of my girls to enjoy it.  

Anyway if I don't (and haven't) get round to visiting your blog please know that I am wishing you a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Shiny Stones

We had a real break in the weather over the weekend, blue skys and calm weather. Great stuff!!!! I had fully intended to go out and replenish my camera with pictures. However, it was not to be I'm afraid. I had too much to do around the house. You know it's nearly Christmas and I am so behind in things I have to do. Cleaning, housework, card writing, parcel wrapping. Phew, I think I need a week off work now to recover ha ha.

As a result I'm afraid I didn't get out all weekend, hmmmph. 

However, last night I was cleaning a crystal bowl that I have filled with shiny stones that I keep in the living room. I was drying the stones on the kitchen worktop and I noticed how sparkly they were. My camera mind kicked in and I thought - 'that might make a nice picture' - so I shot it (several times lol).  

 I think it looks a bit Christmassy with all the shine and sparkle. I even love all the reflections you can see in them.

 What do you think?

 Sharing today with 

 Lisa

at 

 The Creative Design

and

 Lisa

at

 Macro Monday

There will be lots of  images at both of these lovely these blogs - you should go and see. :)

Thank You

I've drained my camera dry of any new pictures I'm afraid so I'm posting another oldie. To be honest I have probably posted this one before but it is one of my favourite shots. 

We visited Pitlochry a couple of years ago for our wedding anniversary. Such a beautiful spot, its called The Queens View. We had to drive up a very steep hill to get to the top but this was the reward. Truly beautiful!!!

Anyway, I've recovered fully from my headache from yesterday - thank goodness. I woke up in a fantastic mood - my goodness what is wrong with me lol.

I think it had a lot to do with my wonderful daughter Emma and my good blogging friends. Firstly for Emma for putting up yesterday's blog, I was really touched and it really did bring a tear to my eye. Isn't she wonderful? She is right about one thing though, my eyes really do disappear when I smile - cringe!!!! And secondly to my wonderful blogging friends for all the lovely comments you made. I really do appreciate them all.

 My only problem today is that I have got a massive spot on my chin. Nobody told me when I hit 50 that I would have to go through puberty again!  I mentioned it in passing to one of the doctors in the surgery where I work and she said 'my goodness', and gave me some cream for it. Jings it must be bad!!!  It is a biggie though, I've not had one like that for many a year. 

I was going to post a picture of it but I didn't want to frighten anyone away. :))

Hopefully my magic cream will make it disappear as quickly as it came lol.

Have a great weekend everyone. :))

Special guest

welcome! Emma's here. you may or may not remember my mum talking about me. but i am secretly her favourite child... SHHHHH.... :P

While I sit here and sip on my juice box of apple juice, it got me thinking...

MY MUM IS PHENOMNOMNOMENAL.

Here is why...

• my mum is adorable
• my mum is always there for me when I need her (or her money :P)
• my mum helps me when I am down
• she provided this apple juicebox for me!
• I loooooove apple juice!
• She doesnt pressure me like most mums do for their children
• she lets me get on with what I want to do, and she completely stands behind every step I make.
• She loves me lots like jelly tots (I know some of the awesome Americans that read some of my mummy's blogs will not know what jelly tots are, but they are the most amazing kind of sweety ever invented)
• you know my mummy is phenomenal since her lovely daughter, Emma, is writing this up about her
• when my mummy smiles, her eyes disappear
• she is suffering a terrible headache right now, and she is still smiling.
• She is such a softy, its amazing. She cries at mostly everything. (TV commericals and songs)
• she drinks out of the happy birthday mug I gave her. She loves it.
• She is so very brilliant
• her laugh is brilliant.
• Although it annoys me, she always say words I hate which is funny but seriously mum, please quit using the words “butt” ok? Thanks
• my mum helped me into this world (thankyou for giving me life)
• this sounds very gay, but its very true.

I love you mum! And no matter what, I always will! So when I move to USA when im older, you can come move with me. :)

LAAAAV YOU MAMABEAR.

and i wish y'all a fantastical, merry perfect christmas and a happy new year. :)

From A Stream Of Water

 It wasn't a day for going out yesterday - unless you had to - so  I was doing my usual and was looking for something to photograph. 
 

 I decided I was going to take pictures of water. Now, here in Scotland we call playing with water 'skiddling'. So I suppose I was skiddling at the kitchen sink lol. 
How many mums let their children do this when they were wee? I did and my kids loved it. Em, I had fun today as well, this photography thing seems to bring out the inner child in me, he he.


I was taking pictures of water coming out of the tap. After an hour or so (phew was it really so long) of trying to get a 'better' shot I decided enough was enough. But, I was so excited to see my results - I think my family think I have turned a wee bit nuts lol.  

Anyway I'm so pleased with the results, hope you like them too.

From a steady flow of water.

Turning the pressure down a wee bit

 Loving the reflections

The water droplet landing.

Water pressure back up

 Sharing today with 

Deb

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Deb has a great blog you should go and pay her a visit. 

Hold On To Your Hats!!!

 Yikes, this weather is scary.  It is soooo windy, I think it may be worse than it was last week. 

I know these are pretty awful pictures but it kind of shows how rough the sea is today, and I took them from inside the car as it was just a wee bit breezy lol.

 I was dropping Emma off at her maths tutor and thought I would go and have a look at the sea. There may be something wrong with me, but I love to look at the sea when it is stormy.  Something quite exhilarating about it - it must be the daredevil it me he he.

 

Here's hoping for calmer weather tomorrow but reports aren't good for Thursday. Goodness knows what is happening with the weather these days.

Eye of the Needle

Well I had no new pictures for today so yesterday I was wandering around the house camera in hand. I was looking for something, anything, to take a picture of. 

 Karen is sewing some soft toys for Christmas presents - I can't show you the finished articles as certain people may or may not be reading my blog.  So I decided to take some pictures of the thread.  

You know I took 50 shots until I got one I was happy with lol.

  

Anyway this is them.

 I've linked up today with 

 Lisa

at 

 The Creative Exchange

and  

Lisa

at 

 Macro Monday

You really should go and visit - always lots of lovely pictures to be seen.

Memories of Summer

Today has been yet another miserable day. Karen and I went out this afternoon in the hope that we could get some piccies. But while we were out the heavens opened and it absolutely poured with rain. We decided that it just was not worth getting out of the car. So we came straight back home.

Now I was left with a dilemma - no new pictures to post - oh no!!!! 

So I started looking through my archives (can you believe I have archives). 

We visited these gardens in Norfolk last summer. It was really beautiful - so full of colour and trees (I love trees lol). So I had a look to see which I thought was my favourite picture. And this one is it. So peaceful looking - even though the water is full of algae and is green. 

I really like it, I hope you do too. 

 Oh, by the way the car has had its tyre fixed and so far so good. 

Now just to sort this damn weather out, lol.

  

One of Those Days

Well, the wind eventually eased off during the night - today it is alternating between heavy rain, sleet, snow and hailstones - lovely eh!!! 

On top of all that I picked up the car from the garage yesteday - they couldn't find anything wrong with the clutch but I had to have 2 new tyres put on. 

Well, this morning I went to take Karen to the train station and one of the new tyres was totally flat.  Aaaaargh. 

So I had to TRY and change it, I must have looked as if I was struggling because my neighbour across the road came over and helped me - well actually he did it for me lol. Thank goodness for lovely neighbours.

 

So now I have to go back to the garage to get it fixed but, not before waiting for a delivery which is supposed to be here before noon - what are the chances of that happening?  Then I have to get to work for 2pm.  

 I tell you it's just as well I've got a good sense of humour - honest I have, he he.

Oh my goodness, what a moany post - I apologise!! So I thought I'd post a couple of colourful pictures - just to brighten my, and anybody else who needs it, day. 

Have a good one everyone lol.

Wow It's Windy Out There!!!

Well after our 'ok' weather day on Tuesday it has really taken a downturn. 

Severe weather warnings for today for gale force winds (90mph) and rain.  It certainly is extremely windy at the moment and is due to get worse this afternoon. 

The kids all have a day off as the schools have been shut and may be shut tomorrow as well. It's definately a day for being indoors me thinks!!! 

It's a pity I've got to go to work. I keep thinking (and hoping) the surgery will phone and say they are having to shut but I don't think that will happen. Keep your fingers crossed I don't get blown away, he he.

Anyway, the picture above I took on my walk home from town on Tuesday, the sun was behind the tree and I thought it looked quite striking. Hope you like it too!!

 Sharing today with

Deb 

at

You should go and visit Deb's great blog, there will be lots of great pictures there.

Snow Capped Mountain

I had to drop my car into the garage yesterday to have a service done and to get the clutch checked (ouch, I think that may cost some money). I left the garage and took a walk home, I brought my camera with me as it was an ok day for a change. The walk home only usually takes about half an hour, but it ended up taking me an hour- I blame the camera lol.

I walked back via the beach and the snow capped mountains of Arran was looking stunning so I had to take a picture to show you. 

The  profile of the island is also referred to as the 'Sleeping Warrior' due to its resemblance to a resting human figure. I had never noticed that before until we were coming back from a holiday a couple of years ago. We were coming back over in the ferry and the profile really did look like a sleeping warrior.

The highest point in Arran is a mountain called Goatfell which is a popular place for people to visit - we didn't climb it though. It reaches up to 2,866 feet. The name Goatfell  is believed to mean either 'Mountain of Wind' (from the Gaelic gaoth) or 'Goat Mountain' (from the Norse geita).

So there you a few interesting facts on Arran. 

Mmmm Tasty

Yesterday morning I decided I wanted to make some mincmeat pies. I decided this at 11am and I have to be at work for 2pm so a bit of a challenge. But you know that way when you get a bee in your bonnet and you just have to go for it, well that was how it was. 

 I'm not usually very good at making pastry - they say that you are either good at pastry or sponges. Something to do with the temperature of your hands. Apparently you need cold hands to make good pastry, well my hands are of the hot variety.

 So I gathered all my ingredients - flour, butter, sugar, egg yolk, cold water and mincemeat

 Sifted flour into bowl

Added cut up butter to the flour and mixed into breadcrumbs -I cheated using my mixer. ;)

Then I added an egg yolk mixed with 2 teaspoons of cold water. Made it into a dough, wrapped it in clingfilm and put in fridge for 30 minutes.

Got mincemeat ready. Roll pastry out and using a pastry cutter cut pastry into rounds. Put these rounds into a bun tray and add the mincemeat. Make sure to cut enough pastry rounds for the tops of the pies.  I tried something different and made stars and reindeers for the tops.  Brush the top with egg wash. Pop them in the oven for 25 minutes.

And there you have it. How do you like my reindeers (Karen had a reindeer cutter which did the job brilliantly)

And there you have it and you know what - they were delicious if I do say so myself and the pastry was perfect. I may just make more of these at the weekend.

Oh, and I managed to finish making them and tidied the kitchen up in plenty of time for work.  
Success!!!!  :))