Birthday Weekend

Wow, what a wonderful weekend we have just had.  A weekend full of adventure and love.  Our 3 daughters and lovely families came to visit all at the same time to celebrate their dear Dads birthday, we couldn't have been happier.  It was a tight squeeze at bedtime but we managed.

 

This is my little family all together, minus me of course I took the photograph.  This was the first of many adventures, a trip to Fantasy Island.

 

 

A huge market and fairground, fun for all the family.  You can choose to pay for each ride or buy a wristband which enables you to ride as many times as you wish.  We opted for the latter and we certainly got our moneys worth, the amount of rides the children went on.

 

 

 

 

We all had so much fun running from one ride to another, exciting times...

 

 

The girls just couldn't resist a bit of a competition, so it was onto the Donkey Derby.

 

 

Soft play is always on the agenda when they visit Granny and Grandads, the perfect place to tire themselves out and let off steam.

 

Saturday night saw us all in our finery out for a meal at an American diner, Rednecks.  The menus were a real delight with so much choice it was difficult to decide.  The portion sizes were enormous, but judge for yourself...

 

 

That was the entrée minus the two sides which were included in the price along with an all you can eat salad bar and popcorn.  A feast in so many ways and lots of special moments to treasure.  The children were a delight and although a little excited at times were so well behaved.

 

 

Of course they had to clamber all over Grandad to give him a birthday kiss, it was his birthday.  A truly wonderful and memorable occasion.  We have had one of the best weekends ever and I am sure the warmth and love will stay with us forever.  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

Five on Friday

It has been a busy week, but this morning I have made time for reflection over the  last seven days so my five on Friday are things that have made me smile and uplifted my spirit.  Five things that I am thankful for and have made me happy.

Number one is my Dad, we had to call an ambulance out on Sunday, followed by a call  out from the Doctor Monday and a visit from the Nurse Tuesday.  Steroids and antibiotics have worked a miracle and we were able to visit the Garden Centre with him yesterday, albeit in a wheelchair.  We have him to love and cherish and learn from a little longer and for that I am truly thankful.

Number two is family, the Grandchildren have been counting down the sleeps until they see me, my heart swells with the love I have for them.

Number three is my adorable husband who supports me with his strength and love, he his always there in my hour of need.

Number four is the birdsong waking me each morning with their gentle hum.  Our lives are so busy, its the simple things that we often overlook.

Number  five is the garden, I am always thankful for the bounty and the beauty.  I shared the bounty with you yesterday so today here are in my opinion some beautiful flowers.

 

What has made you smile this week?  What are you thankful for?  Once again joining in with Amy over at Love Made My Home.

 

See you soon.

Garden Update

It was our eldest daughters Victoria birthday yesterday, she was 31 years old, where has the time gone?  It seems such a short time since we were blessed with her arrival, she certainly has brought us so much joy.  Saturday brings my husbands birthday, he his 21 yet again although sometimes feels like an old man when he has a flare up with rheumatoid arthritis.  All the girls and their families are coming home to celebrate, we are all so excited we don't all get together very often.  I have some serious baking to get done, making sure I have everyone's favourite.  We have been pottering around in the garden on and off all week trying to get on top of the weeds.  The lawns have now been cut and the fruits of our labour are beginning to flourish.

 

The spring cabbage have now been planted out in one of the raised beds, we had great success with this variety last year.

 

 

Two varieties of lettuce have been planted out, lolla rossa and little gem.  I am dreaming of those summer salads straight from the garden.

 

 

The broad beans are going from strength to strength and are a firm favourite.

 

 

This is a trough of spring onions that actually look as if they could do with a good water, the seeds we used were free from the gardening magazine we have a subscription for, the gift that keeps on giving.

 

 

Tumbling tomatoes have been planted in hanging baskets off the shed, they are a delicious variety that we have had success with time and time again. 

 

 

The strawberries are starting to blossom, the flowers are always a wonder to behold secure in the knowledge that the beautiful fruit will follow.  We added another 3 plants to another wooden planter this year in the hope of getting some fruit before the dogs and of course my husband eat them. 

 

Progress in the garden so far is slow but steady, we have already reaped the benefits of the rhubarb with a couple of nice pies and crumbles.  What have you got growing in your garden?  The herb garden is starting to flourish, we use herbs all year round and I intend to dry some out for the winter this year.   The flowers are a real delight at the moment I will share them with you in another post, when I have more time.  Onwards and upwards, beds need to be made up and a couple of joints of meat need to be taken out of the freezer to defrost.  In fact I have a whole to do list...

 

See you soon.

Yarn Along

I have been so busy of late, with hospital and doctors appointments for various members of the family and sorting out extra help for my parents that I have found it really relaxing to have a crochet project with me.  A simple project that I can dip in and out of as and when it is convenient.  I found a lovely lacy shawl that I fell in love with in issue 29 of Simply Crochet.  A pattern designed by Elisabeth Davis de Herraiz, which is a simple to follow pattern that will make a stunning accessory.

 

It crochets up very easily and I am thrilled with the progress made so far.

 

I have just started to read Heaven is for Real, which apparently has been made into a movie a friend gave it to me whilst on holiday in Florida some months ago but life events take over and I have only just got round to reading it.

 

 

I am joining in with Ginny over at Small Things why not pop over and see what everyone is knitting/crocheting and reading.

 

See you soon.

Car Boot Treasure and Scrapbooking

Thank you for all your lovely comments and enquiries about my daughter.  She actually had a minor heart  attack and consequently has undergone tests to see if she has a heart problem or other underlying health issues.  She is still having heart palpitations intermittently so is waiting for a 24 hour ECG and scan.  She is at home and feeling a whole lot better.  Once again thank you so much for your concern.

We have Bertie for the weekend so we took him for a stroll around the local car boot to see if we could find some new games for the children when they visit.  For the total sum of £1 we have managed to top them off quite nicely.

 

Snakes and ladders 20p. 

 

 

Build a beetle 20p.  Both the boxes were a little battered but all the pieces were there, so a real bargain.

 

 

Although not a game, a great activity to do, a snip at 20p.

 

 

 

A wonderful box full of card making things, a fun activity for the children, yet again 20p.

 

 

Finally playing cards, yes you guessed it 20p.

 

 

Bertie's treasure was a car for £1, he was thrilled with it.  Just shows, you  don't have to spend a fortune to entertain children.  We had a great couple of hours playing with our car boot treasure.

 

 

I also managed to get some scrapbook pages done whilst Bertie and his Grandad had a nap.  I love looking through the pages, remembering the moment the picture was captured and the fun I had creating the page.  Such a relaxing way to document special moments that I want to record.

 

 

 

 

I finally got around to recording some wonderful memories of a family get together in January to celebrate Lily and Daisy's Birthdays.

 

 

A visit from Wilbur and caught red handed playing with the spinning wheel - precious moments

 

 

Bertie, loving the board games and colouring.

 

 

Finally up to date recording the crafting with Granny.  Another busy day planned so will catch up with you all later.  Wishing you all a great day and some special moments.  How do you record special events in your life?

 

See you soon.

 

 

Five on Friday

It has been a busy week in one way or another and I seem to have a lot of projects on the go.  Consequently for my five on Friday I have chosen to share with you five unfinished projects, five work in progress projects.  Hopefully by sharing them it might encourage me to get on top once again.

My first project is the treasure chest, that has been stripped and painted.  All it needs is the lettering stencilling on.

 

Wilbur's treasure, a wonderful addition to his pirate playhouse.

 

Project 2 is the cushion to top the treasure box.  The cover has been crocheted, the buttons neatly sewn on.  All it needs to finish the project is a large anchor stitched on to enhance the theme.

 

 

Project number 3 is the quilt that has been a long time in the making, events just seem to take over.  Progress has been slow but steady, a final push is needed.

 

 

Project number 4 I am ashamed to say is my dear husbands shirts.  All they need is a few buttons stitching back on.  This is my priority, I will definitely get them done, SOON...

 

 

Finally project number 5 is a chair that I have started, the wood needs stripping and painting.  I have already covered the seat pad which I am really pleased with.

 

 

That is my five on Friday.  I am once again linking up with Amy at love made my home.

 

See you soon.