Going out with a bang, well a quiz, a walk and a wish!

Well, Blogger is playing up and wont upload my photos, so the walk will have to be at a later date, but I can tell you it was a very long walk, it involved Elsie and Bess and there was a funny incident with some sheep! In th meantime.... have a go at the quiz below! LOL! I am off now to get ready for our guests, turkey curry is on the menu for tonight's new Year's Eve get together! Yes I have my camera poised! Do have a very good night, and all the best for 2007! Oh and it looks as though we will hit 9000 visitors. A wondeful act on New Year's Eve! Dx Your results: You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 80% Superman 80% Iron Man 75% Green Lantern 75% Supergirl 70% Batman 70% Hulk 65% Robin 60% Wonder Woman 50% Catwoman 50% The Flash 50%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...

A photo a day! and a great idea from Dawn!

If you look on the right of my blog you will see a group of us have got together and decided to post a photo each day.
You will recognise quite a few of the names as they post regularly here.
The idea originated over on Allotment lady's blog and sounds really exciting.
Some days we get those moments where we can't think of what to write, or we may be too busy to write a blog entry....know what it is like I am sure! Well on such a day it would be easier to post a photo.
If anybody wants to join in just shout up!

I will post my photos here

My camera goes everywhere with me, as you well know.
It wasn't expensive it is a Canon Powershot A85, pictured above.
I dropped it a few months ago and part of the casing was damaged.
I took it to the shop but they reckoned it I should just carry on using it.
I have to be careful when I go to the beach as sand could get into the gap created by the drop.
If it does develop into something more serious I will replace it immediately as to be without it would be dreadful!

By the way.....have you seen my visitors?
Wonder if I will have a 9000th visitor by midnight?
Remember if it is you who is visiting the nearest to 9000 just shout up!
There is always a prize!
This time the prize is one of my high resolution photographs!

Oooooooooooooooooooooh exciting stuff!

I am just about to upload my camera hardware onto this computer...I have been for a very long walk this morning with Elsie and Besss and I have some photos to share, before that however, Dawn had a great idea over on her blog!
Look back over the year by writing the first line from each month of your blog......
Here is mine....

June
Another Blog! Yes!

July
Back to Normal!

August
1st August!

September
Fancy coming for a walk on the beach?

October
October?

November
Guess who is 4 tomorrow?

December
A lovely way to start a Friday!

Gosh, only had this blog for 6 months!
I feel I have been here forever!

Dx

2006!

January!

Looking at my pictures, like so many of you I have a wonderful collection of memories from the year. I have reorganised my photographs but each one still shows the date it was actually taken.
There are so many to choose from I have tried to have a selection from the various things which make up our everyday life.....
so the new bike, January 2006.
Very important to us, as you know only too well the fact we use the bike as much as possible. When we go out on the bike we always have adventures, which I try to share through the photographs I take. We have fun and it is an important part of our marriage, we always try to keep Sunday free, so we spend the day together.
In this photograph you can see Jon visibly trying to smile for the camera, even though it was a very cold day. We had just got the bike and were determined to go out for a maiden ride.
This photograph was taken at Scarborough.
Shortly afterwards a seagull dropped a message on my helmet! LOL!





February..
The highlight of the month for me was our lovely meal out to celebrate Valentine's Day!
We don't really go out a great deal as being so remote, taxi fares are expensive and in any case I do enjoy cooking. However Valentine's Night and our Wedding Anniversary are always the exception.

The photograph above was chosen because it is a really good one of Jon and I, it shows the good relationship we have and how happy we are. Jon doesn't like having his photograph taken but in this one he is relaxed and it is a good one for that very reason.
This photograph was taken in 2005, on the ferry home from our holiday in France.





March had to be Stephanie's Wedding!
I have known Steph since 1999, when I taught her son.
She is a great woman, full of fun and always laughing, we got on very well.
Everybody was really shocked when her husband left.

I bumped into Steph last year and she was so happy! She had met a chap she had gone to school with and after a while together he had asked her to marry him! Dave absolutely idolised Steph and it was so lovely to see them together.
Whilst we were on holiday in France, 2005 Steph phoned me and asked me if I would design the wedding Stationery.
I chose "Love in the Mist"
Steph and Dave were blessed in our village church.
Because it was during lent there was no flowers in the church. Steph asked me to buy some for the day. I decorated the church by making satin bow arrangements for the end of the pews.
The organ was broken so Steph asked me to play my guitar....I haven't played it for a while so I had to practise. We sang "All things bright and beautiful!
I also found a wedding dress for Steph as she wanted a casual black evening style.....it was from Monsoon. When she went to collect it there was an error with the price tag and she got it for under £50! It should have been nerarer £200! Denise, the allround wedding planner LOL!









I mentioned direction earlier.
One service I offer is a Living Memorial, which can be in many art forms.
I received a commission a few years ago from a lady who wanted to celebrate the life of her late husband. I painted a watercolour of his favourite spot on the Moors. I also incorporated various features which symbolised aspects of his life.
It is a part of my business which I want to market in 2007.
In April I was approached by the Arbury Trust asking if I could do some calligraphy on a piece of wood. It is for a natural burial ground. Strict regulations are in place for the materials used. The wood has to be fully degradeable with no varnish or synthetic varnishes.
I approached one of our farmer neighbours who has a woodland.
He provided me with a piece of beautiful oak which he prepared for us.
I designed the text and we used Jon's machine to inscribe the wood.
This is the sample we sent off.





May...
Well it had to be our holiday to Ireland.
We had such a good time.
If you check out the Bike Adventures link you can read all about it there.
The photograph above was taken from the ferry!





June, what a month!
My 50th birthday, Jon's birthday and our 18th wedding anniversary.
For a surprise I bought some air tickets and we flew to Heathrow and spent the weekend in London.
Again if you check the link you will be able to read about it.
The photograph above was taken from the aerplane as we headed off to London.





July, Harry passed away.
We gave him a bike send off.
The ribbons on the mirrors are black and white, the colours of Newcastle United, Harry's favourite team!







August.....our House Martins.
We witnessed the nest building last year, so we were thrilled when they returned.
Again check the link Our House Martins to read about it all.




September!
My very first home grown tomatoes!
I have never grown them before and was absolutely thrilled.
A great achievement.

Jon and I spent some time on the digging out of the plot but we didn't plant anything.
We made some progress but do need to sort this one out next year.
I got a greenhouse for my birthday and is is going to be built when the stable is replaced with a more substantial building. Once the greenhouse is up it will stir my enthusiasm for growing my own again.
I do find I need to plan it all so very carefully, round my business and homelife.






October, I took Wilma to the beach, on my own.
Wilma was rescued as you well know.
Jon has to take her out on the lead because she is so strong.
However, on the beach she is a different dog.
Very well behaved!
Check out Walkies! link!






November, nights drawing in but we still try to get out on the motorbike.
This photograph was taken on the Moors.....it sums it all up!






And finally, December, when it was time for Max to go to bed.
As I have looked back over my photographs it is great to witness the fantastic life Max had with us. When you look at the photographs you will see that it was only in the latter months that he started looking old...he had 14 full and active years and he brought us much joy! Yes, he ate a couple of car doors etc but all in his role of protecting me!
We do have Elsie now, as fate brought her to our door only a day or so after Max left us.
The past two weeks have seen her settle in, although she does tend to stir Wilma up and there have been a couple of scraps, but this is to be expected.
Elsie gets on very well with Bess and loves her walks, but as she han't been spayed yet, and is in season I can not take her to the places I want to, but in March she is having her operation and then i will be able to show her the lovely places we will be exploring together!

It will be interesting to see how she is towards me, she is a bitch and they do tend to respond to Jon....in that sense Max will never be replaced as he was my boy!


So, that was our 2006!
I wonder what 2007 has in store?
Whatever, I will be sharing it here, with my blogger friends.

Many of my friends, clients, and family read this blog and between 100 - 200 people view it each day.
I thank you for taking the time and if any of you are ever having a rough time, I do hope it brings a little sunshine into your day.

I wish you all the very best for 2007, may your wishes come true and your dreams become relaity! and here's hoping the sun shines on all your tomorrows until the deserts freeze and the camels come skating home!

D

Directions

Yesterday I spent quite a lot of time thinking about a design for a valentine card...
because Valentine's Day is the next big date for any card designer.
However as I sat at my desk, surrounded by fabrics, sequins, vellum, the inspiration would not manifest itself to a state where I could create!
I know what I wanted to see in the end result and that would involve text....
I experimented on my computer with various graphics but nothing was right.....

then I realised a fundamental issue!

Why try and have a machine as a tool for text when I had have my own skill of calligraphy!
When I searched through my photographs I found the one above which was taken for by our Evening Gazette photographer in February 2004!

I realised I have not done any calligraphy for over 2 years and I was shocked.
With any skills it is important to practise and develop any techniques, otherwise the skill will be lost. See an example of my name plaques here

So, out come my paints and inks and my calligraphy has got to be back on the front burner.

As I looked through my photographs I couldn't help but reflect on 2006.
We all will be doing so I guess, so I am going to prepare my own review of 2006 - restricted to 12 photographs, 1 for each month.

Does anybody else fancy doing the same?
If so, do link here!

In 2007 we will all be trying out new skills and crafts, going down different, new paths.
I know Allotment lady was talking about this on her blog. As a result some of us are going to take one photograph each day! Watch this space and do join in!

Off to reflect!
Back later!
Dx

Cold, Wet and Windy...........................time for some creative stuff!

Horrible, cold, wet and windy here today!
So, the central heating is on, my study is having a tidy up and I am going to settle down and do something creative!
May do something new with a heart.....after all Valentine's Day is just round the corner!

Watch this space.....will be back later!

Dx

The heart illustration was from here
What an inspiring visit!

OK! Here it is.............The Adventure!

Enid was driving, so as we pulled out of our road, onto the A171, it wasn't long before we saw the North Sea, and Whitby ahead of us.




The silouette of Enid's car!





Then, we turned off, heading towards Thirsk on the A170!









Pickering Moors!






As we drove along the road ahead was so picturesque!




The white smoke is from the North York Moors Railway!




The Early Warning Station!




More moors!




This time, on our way home!








Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!














The Lion Inn, Blakey!




This must be the most remote house on the Moors!





Home!

Didn't get any pics of the shops, as we didn't have enough time, but I do hope you enjoyed the ride!

Wont be long before we are out on another day trip!

Enid bought us a lovely book for Christmas, Photographs from North Yorkshire, with poems linked to the views!

Must try to link some here soon!

Dxx

It's a dogs ;ife eh?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm!

Well the festive season is over for some and Jon is back to work today!

You will be pleased to know you need your walking shoes as I am taking you on another excursion!
I haven't taken you here before, but Enid and I are going for a little drive to blow away the cobwebs. We are going over the moors to Pickering and Old Malton.
There are lots of lovely little shops which I will take photographs of and share them here, later!

It will be a break from the kitchen.....
Phew!

Catch you all later!
Have the kettle on and get your feet up ready!

First things first though.....
Get your Coat we are off!

A bit of fun! Can you reach level 5??

Some Awesome Scripts and Codes For Your Blog

Cube Buster Game At Free Blog Games

More Turkey anyone?

Merry Christmas!
Yes, that is me!

Let me introduce my family......

Nephew 1




Nephew 2 (also my Godson!)






Nephew 3!






Sister in Law!







The other Mrs Nesbitt!





Uncle Arthur, Mollie, Holly and MIL!






Sitting down for Christmas Dinner, after the Queen's speech!





LOL!




Sitting around as you do!



If like me you hate wasting food, check out some interesting ideas here
I have spent all morning re-using all the left overs and feel as though we have sufficient supplies to last until February!

I hope you all had lovely days.
I am just off to read up on what everybody got up to!

Merry Christmas!
Dx

Christmas Greetings!

Christmas Myspace Graphics My Christmas Wish For You My Christmas wish for you, my friend Is not a simple one For I wish you hope and joy and peace Days filled with warmth and sun I wish you love and friendship too Throughout the coming year Lots of laughter and happiness To fill your world with cheer May you count your blessings, one by one And when totaled by the lot May you find all you've been given To be more than what you sought May your journeys be short, your burdens light May your spirit never grow old May all your clouds have silver linings And your rainbows pots of gold I wish this all and so much more May all your dreams come true May you have a Merry Christmas friend And a happy New Year, too .. (Not my words, just some I found!) Merry Christmas!

My all time Christmas favourite!

Click here

We're walking in the air.
We're floating in the moonlit sky
The people far below are sleeping as we fly

I'm holding very tight
I'm riding in the midnight blue
I'm finding I can fly so high above with you

Far across the world
The villages go by like dreams
The rivers and the hills, the forests and the streams

Children gaze open mouthed
Taken by surprise
Nobody down below believes their eyes

We're surfing in the air
We're swimming in the frozen sky
We're drifting over icy mountains floating by

Suddenly swooping low
On an ocean deep
Rousing up a mighty monster from his sleep

And walking in the air
We're dancing in the midnight sky
And everyone who sees us greets us as we fly

We're walking in the air
We're walking in the air


When i was teaching in Nottingham our school was invited to take part in the regional Springboard Drama Festival.

I produced my own version of this classic story.
My class performed in Nottingham Playhouse.
It was an absolutely wonderful experience and one of the highlights of my teaching career.

Our school, Huntingdon Juniors was the only state school to be involved. The other schools taking part where independent, private schools.

Huntingdon Junior School won the day!
Fantastic!

The children will now be in their 30's.

I will be singing along with this as no doubt it will be on the TV over the Christmas period.

My Daisy Lupin Christmas Memory!

Daisy Lupin
has set up a Christmas memory site....
here is mine!






As a child, along with all of my friends the Christmas Nativity Play was always a special event.
For many years we awaited the teacher's decision.....who would play the roles of Mary and Joseph?
I was always the Angel Gabriel...Was it because of my angelic looks? (don't laugh!) was it my long blonde hair?
No, I discovered years later it was because my Dad would get a wonderful set of wings made by his apprentices. He was a training officer at ICI, he trained instrument artificers! Something to do with some complicated electrical engineering I think!
He would set the apprentices on the project...to design and make a pair of wings for Gabriel.
Each year the wings became more and more elaborate, wires, feathers, plastic, paper, you name it, it would be somewhere in the grand plan! The final year I was to be Gabriel arrived...I was 11. This was to be last appearance as I was moving to a senior school!
I was a small child, and my mum dressed me in a beautiful white dress, edged with tinsel.
In my hair I wore a tinsel hairband and carried a wand! (never seen an angel with a wand myself!)
The wings were delivered and as they were strapped to me with various ties and wires the weight of them was quite a burden.
I stepped foreward to make my entrance only to have the weight of the wings pull me backwards and fall into the crib!
Baby Jesus went hurtling across the floor and as it hit the wall, the head flew off the doll and rolled into the path of the shepherds.Joseph (John Cooper) started to laugh!
needless to say everybody else joined in!

I still remember it well!

Phew! Drum roll...................You know what this means!!!!

OK! Worked hard yesterday, so take a seat in our lounge!

My favourite ornament!
Looking a bit worse for wear due to an incident last year involving decorative candles on the mantelpiece!



The tree!
We would like a real one, but with 3 german shepherds, all with active tails it is not a good idea!





Looking towards the end of the lounge.
This window looks out onto the front garden!



The shelving unit houses some of my favourite ornaments, bought by friends and family!




A goose,







hens!


Says plenty about what people know of me!





All of the 4 wall lights have a christmas ornament hanging on them.





All bowls have a little decoration too!





The owl and the pussycat! LOL!






Nipper!






The collection of Country Living Magazines....
Can never bear to throw any out!





The other end of the lounge!
The patio doors look out onto the back garden!
The two armchairs were mum and dad's.
I often "chat" to them, especially if I am worried about anything, or generallytell them I am happy!






This ornament is a very good likeness os our first German Shepherd, Inca.







The fireplace!






The table extends to seat 8, as it will be doing on Christmas Day!





Some of my artwork!





Wilma was sitting still!
LOL




So, room sorted!
All of my shopping is done, so now I am on with the final preps.
The beef is in the fridge, chilling out having been covered in a lovely grain mustard.
Lamb chilling too, stuffed with rosemary!
Turkey, just chilling at this stage.

Veg prep tomorrow!
Today, a bit more housework then tonight I am having a dummy run with a piece of pork!

May have a walk later, so now you have had a sit down go and put your walking shoes by the door!
I will give you a call later!

Dx