Posties Been!!!

I am such a lucky girl, the postie lady came yesterday with not one but two parcels for me, one was some lovely Prima Flower bottles for me to pretty up and a birthday pressie (which I have been very good and not opened yet, although I want to) from Jo and the other was my shabby Chic Forum swap from the lovely Mary Poppins. She has spoilt me, look at all my pretties.

I got, Four candles (or Fork handles *giggle*), a gorgeous Emma Bridgewater scented candle in a miniture mug.

Lots of Choccys and some candy canes for the kids, a mulled wine spice kit.

And a lovely Christmas Plaque, which is in pride of place hanging in my shelf unit, so thank you again Mary hun, I love it all.

Well, on Friday night me and the kids went to The Lowry in Salford Quays to see The Wizard of Oz, it was our Brownies Christmas trip, so I had 6 kids to lok after in all and they all behaved beautifully and were totally enthralled (as was I) by it. The effects were amazing and the Wicked Witch of the West was played by Lorna Luft, Judy Garlands daughter. My two enjoyed it thoroughly but were very tired when we got home just after 11pm!!! the latest they have ever been to bed.

I started to get all our Christmas decorations up yesterday, the kitchen is done as are the kids bedrooms, the dining room and living room are virtually finished, just a couple of tweaks, I will try and get some pics later.

Trish xxx

Gorgeous Shabby Chic Swap

The theme for the October swap on the Shabby Chic forum was 'PINK' and the lovely Viv sent me a fabby gorgeous parcel of goodies, sorry about the photo quality but had to take it indoors and couldn't seem to get the light right.

I got a lovely pink apron, love pinnies, I have 3 full ones and 2 half ones now, a beautifully smelly candle and a notebook and funky pink pencil too, I think Grace might pinch the pencil mind!!! Thank you again Viv xxx

I am using the notebook to write down all my grocery expenditure (blimey thats a big old word for me this week) for each month starting with this month. We are doing a monthly grocery challenge over on Shabby Chic, I have given myself a target of £350 this month and am writing each total down as I come back from shopping and breaking it down into weeks too, so far the total is just over £30, I am hoping that this will make me realise how much I actually spend on crap each month and be able to keep within a decent budget because, to be totally honest I have no idea how much I spend on food, I just spend it!!! shocking really!!!

I have started a new job this week too, I have at least 3 months work at a local school as a relief midday supervisor, am enjoying it so far, the girls I work with are as mad as hatters (I am fitting in quite well) and good fun, I am just finding it hard to fit everything in I want/need to do. My evenings are filled with knitting dishcloths, making jewellery and Christmas decorations ready for 2 craft fairs I have coming up soon, the time seesm to have crept up on me, but it is relaxing.

Thanks for stopping by

Trish xxx

Blackberry Picking

The kids and I have been out, up the lane to pick blackberries this morning and look at the haul we got, just over 3lbs of lovely juicy fruit. I am going to make blackberry and apple jam with this little lot.

The postie has been today too with my August swap from Rachelle at Ted and Agnes it is the most gorgeous reversable tote bag in green, I need to go and buy myself some yummy green clothes now lol

July Shabby Chic Swap

I have been so spoilt with the july swap on the shabby chic forum, the lovely Nicole has sent me a HUGE parcel from Germany, I got loads.

A gorgeous handmade tote bag, muffin tin, american cup measures, cake cases, cupcake picks, sprinkles, biscuits, loads of sweeties for the kids (they are very happy) 2 cake mixes, icing and 5 american magazines too, what a lot of lovely goodies for me to play with :)

I have been busy making my swap bits for the August swap and I am sending to Nicole so I am really working hard to make sure she has lots of lovely goodies herself.

Shabby Chic June Swap

I have been so busy this week, working at nursery every day and getting the AVON out as well.Anyway, here is what I received in the Shabby Chic Forum June swap, isn't it fab, the theme was strawberries and cream, the wonderful Bliss of Country Bliss was sending to me, I have a gorgeous jug cover, I used to have one years ago all lace and beads but it seems to have disappeared, so am so happy to have another one, a beautiful smelling strawberry sachet, it smells just like strawberries :) yummy!!!!! The next item has been commandeered by Gracie, she loves it, its a lovely japanese crocheted strawberry toy, its sooooooo sweet also a lovely handmade card too, so thank you Bliss hunny, I love it all xxx

I really wanted to get out in the garden and get some pictures of my climbing rose bush today, but its tipping down with rain, so hopefully it will stop later. We were also going to go to the Glossop Carnival later, but I think 2 miles is too far to walk in this weather, especially for the kids, and the traffic will be horrendous so I am not driving. Its on tomorrow too, but Martin is back at work and I really wanted us to go as a family this year, oh well never mind.

Trish xxx