Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a very healthy and happy 2013.  I hope the year brings you all you are wishing for.

We are enjoying new year with friends, having taken over a YHA. Lots of fun and laughter.  Today we have enjoyed a walk along the beach.

I'm feeling very optimistic for 2013 and have lots of plans and goals to share in the next few weeks.

However until then I hope you enjoy new years day whatever you are doing.

Merry Christmas

December has been particulary stressful in these parts and I have really not felt like blogging.  At times I really thought the to do list would never come to an end.  However we are now here - its Christmas Eve - the sacks have been laid out, the Santa plate is laden with a glass of sherry, mince pie and carrot for Rudolf.  Santa has been tracked via the app and its too late to worry now about what hasn't been done. 

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, may it be filled with blessing and joy!

See you all in 2013, for more crafty fun!

Story Telling Sunday: Our Christmas Tree

Not quite Sunday but a story nevertheless!

We have lived in our house for just over 18 years and to celebrate our first Christmas here we bought ourselves an artificial tree from B&Q.   It was the year before we got married, so money was fairly tight but we decided to splash out - I think we paid nearly £100 - which back in 1994 seemed like a fortune.  However I'm happy to report it was money well spent as it is still the same Christmas tree we bring out each year and it looks as good now as it did back then.

Christmas 2005 - waiting patiently to open their presents

Obviously over the years, decorations have changed and the children have grown up, but one thing that is constant in the back of many photos is "Our Christmas Tree".

Getting ready for Santa 2007

Last year we did have some debate about getting a new, taller tree which comes pre-lit but somehow I don't think we will  be able to give up our old favourite.

Christmas 2011

If you havn't already done so please pop over to Sian's to read some more stories.

JYC 2012 - Getting Ready

I had almost decided to not even attempt JCY this year as looking at all that is currently going on in my life, I thought why add another thing to the list!  However when the odd post started to pop up here and there and then Shimelle announced the class had had a revamp, I began to think perhaps I would.

My track record of completing my album is not great - I joined the class in 2009 and managed 4 pages!  2010 saw no attempt made but 2011 saw an album created.  So what was the difference last year?  Well firstly I treated myself to Shimelle's Christmas in the box and only used those supplies and I pre-made all the base pages. Whilst I couldn't manage a page a day, it was fairly straightforward to catch up.

The problem to be solved was could I find a manageable way to do it this year?  Far too late to pre-make some base pages.  However I did dig out a 5-7 paperchase album I have been saving and I ordered some basic supplies.  These are all now gathered together in a box.

Hopefully using my new phone, I will manage some photos each day, maybe a tweet or a blog post, gather some thoughts along the way and eventually get them down on paper?  Who knows but I'm going to give it a try.

Let the Christmas countdown begin!

Rising water

This was taken earlier today on the River Thames at Bisham.  It is where the family business is located.  As you can see it has not reached the building and hopefully it won't.  However many people across the country have not been so fortunate.  Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

hello Monday

hello blog, I'm sorry I neglected you for so long.

hello blog friends, I'm hoping we can become reacquainted again.

hello twitter, just dipping my toe in but I think it's going to be fun.

hello journal your Christmas, a plan is beginning to formulate.

hello Mum and Dad, we are glad to have you back.

hello storytelling Sunday, what tales will be told?

What are you saying hello to this Monday?

Say hello.

You may recall last month I won some lovely Portobello Road goodies  - you can read about it here.

So here's a layout I created using the lovely goodies;

It tells the story of how on a day out in London last year, we discovered a line of pink telephone boxes.  The girls of course wanted photos and being of the mobile phone generation a little explanation was required as to why such things could be useful!

I still have loads left which will be great for the photos taken during this years jubilee celebrations!