I've not really vanished!

Good morning

As the title I've not really vanished completely - however life is rather busy and my pc which is my main blogging space is rather creaky and temperamental. Sometime soon it will get sorted - a newer tower is sitting here waiting to be swapped with my current old tired one - its just a matter of copying all the important stuff across - and it takes time and there's not been much spare!

I just looked and its 3 months since my last post - so much has happened and so many photos taken of places visited, days out, days at home and family life in general. Here's 3 mosaic pictures which condense it rather a lot;

 August - a long weekend in Wales - mainly to take the boys to the Doctor Who Experience - very much loved by us all, 2 wonderful festivals - Folk East and Shrewsbury Folk Festival - dancing at one and just paying punters at the other.

 September - so much foraging and jam making happened - enough to last us through to next year. Little Son started 6th form having passed his GCSE's with flying colours. Big Son also passed his A levels and we said a tearful goodbye mid September as he started his new undergraduate life at Uni.

October - Little Son passed his CBT test and bought his first moped - meaning he can get to work easier and not rely on lifts and public transport. As the days shorten its been time for fairy lights and candles and also the dreaded raking of the leaves in the garden. S & I had a short holiday in Dorset - we spent one day on the steam trains which run down to Swanage. Hard to believe that on Halloween, we sat on the beach in t-shirts, eating icecream and watching little witches paddling in the sea!!

We had a busy start to November - last weekend we made the trip north to visit Big Son - oh what a happy Mummy I was - first cuddle from my giant boy in 6 weeks :) and the best bit - its only 4 weeks till we head up there again to collect him for Christmas!!

Where has 2014 gone?

I can't make any promises about regular blogging - I do miss it and the reading of everyone elses - but I will try to by a less slack blogger!!

xxx Vicki xxx

Whizz, bang, ooooh & aaahhh

Morning

Oh yes love it or hate it, yesterday was Guy Fawkes / Bonfire night here in the UK - though the displays have been going since last weekend and probably won't be over till next!!

 

 

The boys & I decided to head across town and go to a big organised display at a local sports club. We were joined by Big Sons girlfriend - nice for me to have some female company ;)

 

The pair of them braved a scary looking fairground ride - I did get a video clip but can't work out how to share that on here - but its on my IG account;

 

 

As well as a few fair rides there were stalls selling Bonfire Night food - so glad now I've no gallbladder I can enjoy this stuff as a treat. There were also plenty of glowing things for sale too. Love this 'evil' pic of Little Son with his glow stick;

The fireworks were fab - loud and colourful :) I tried taking pics on my camera - using the fireworks setting for the first time - I think I need practise in hitting the button at the right moment!!

Right time to hound teenagers to school and get myself sorted for the day.

Back soon - I've got a book I'm reading to review and share with you.

xxx Vicki xxx

Happy Stuff for November (so far)

Good morning

Well I was doing the 52 weeks of happy posts but I got side-tracked sometime in early summer - mostly connected with being ill and the house move - its not that I've not been happy, its just the whole photo taking/blog writing thing just stopped happening. I must blame Instagram too - instant blogging and so easy to do from my phone or Ipad - never worked out how to blog directly from there. So whilst I can't remember what week it is, I can share some happy pictures - here's some from the first few days of November;

 My sisters little puppy is growing up too fast - he is now big enough to walk across town to visit me and he made his first visit at the weekend. He's utterly adorable and so well behaved. He loved investigating somewhere new and after a run around in the garden with Little Son, he was tired out and snuggled up on my new rug for a long doze;

Yesterday (Monday) was gorgeous here - blue skies and sunshine. I decided to ignore the Doctors advice and take a gentle cycle ride over to the next village to visit a friend. On the journey home I stopped and loaded up a tub with sloes - so many this year;

 

All washed along with some elderberries - these got frozen and then when I buy gin later they will popped into a big jar with sugar, stirred occasionally and then strained just before Christmas. After all I can't go to the Christmas Eve carols without a hip flask full of the stuff ;)

 One last thing for today - an early Christmas pressie for me from me - new boots. I've loved these biker style ones for ages but never could wear them when (1) my ankle was still not flexible and (2) my calves were too 'wide' - well due to dancing etc etc both these barriers have gone so I treated myself to a pair in the most gorgeous green !!

Right its no good - I must go and get dressed and brave the outside world - there's gin to buy and a Grandma to visit. Plus later there's soup to make and firework displays to go and watch - all happy ;)

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

A fab day out

Good morning

Excuse my absence again from blogland but real life is all rather busy at the moment. I am working more as my boss is off work ill and then with the house, family and a rather fab newly discovered social life, blogging is rather losing out!!

Yesterday the boys & I were up rather early for a Saturday - we needed to leave the house at 7.30 as we were heading out of Suffolk to visit my little brother in Cambridge. We nearly had a problem when the train from Ipswich to Cambridge broke down in the station but another was found and we were soon on our way running just 10 minutes late. We were met by my little brother at the station and we headed into the city centre;

 I love the old college buildings.

 3 of my favourite menfolk - the boys & my brother :)

We walked around the shops, the market and of course past many of the old college buildings. We stopped for a lovely lunch and afternoon coffee too. The boys were happy to shop - their pocket money and wages were soon being spent. Big son bought the most amazing pair of Converse - I must remember to get a photo sometime - they are almost a work of art!

I wasn't planning on buying any shoes for me but when we were in the shop I spotted a pair that I fell in love with - not buying them straight away but thinking about it for a few hours and then returning and hoping they had them in my size - they did, they fitted and I love them;

Obviously not normally to be worn with flowery pj bottoms !!

Whilst the boys wandered around the market buying dvds - I spent just 5 minutes in the Cath Kidston shop - I must confess the current stuff is rather lovely but I really don't need anymore mugs, tins or teatowels! I did treat myself to a couple of little things;

A brooch and bracelet for me and a keyring to stop us from losing the back door key!!

We are already planning on going back to Cambridge next spring and hopefully finding somewhere inexpensive so we can stay the whole weekend as its rather a tiring journey to do in one day - as this photo shows;

See you soon - can't promise when as there's more work this week and next weekend is looking rather fab - can't tell you what yet but I promise there will be photos!!

xxx Vicki xxx

PS - just realised I missed this blogs 4th birthday last week!! and today is the Autumn Equinox - where is the year going!!

PPS - Spell check not working !!

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall - 2012 the best bits

Good morning

Slowly returning to normal here - MrVV has gone back to work today and I'm off back to the CS this afternoon for a shift. However those boys of mine are still dead to the world for another half an hour then I shall be evil Mum and go and wake them!

Time for another coffee and a blogging session.

One last look at 2012 - pictures that you've probably seen before but represent the past 12 months rather well for me and my family;

 

Winter

January saw me finally being able to cycle again after that minor incident on the dance floor!

Birthday season started for my menfolk.

Heavy snow in February meant family fun

The first flowers appeared in the garden promising warmer days very soon.

Spring

March brought my favourite flowers and a birthday trip to Cambridge.

April saw the influx of chocolate eggs and fluffy chicks.

May brought the arrival of Bertie and a trip to a gorgeous river side pub to celebrate May Day.

Summer

June the Jubilee celebrations and an evening with Mumford and Sons

July - Big Son's Prom and the Olympic Flame coming through nearby towns and villages.

August - a trip to Yorkshire in Bertie and the most amazing sunsets and then a wonderfully wet but fun day at a folk festival with Bellowhead as the finale.

Autumn

September - Sir Bradley Wiggins and his friends cycled through our little town one sunny Sunday morning.

October - time to hunt fairy houses.

November - those men of mine were marching and remembering.

The last picture is also November - one final look back over my shoulder.

No December pics as they are all rather too recent.

Time now to look forward to 2013 - I forgot one major important event happening this year when I posted the other day!

In March sometime before my birthday, I'm going to be an Auntie again. My baby sister is expecting her first child - I am guessing I'll know when the big event starts to happen even before I'm told - when my other 2 sisters had their babies I came out with sympathy pains even though I'd no idea they were in hospital!

I must get cracking on with my crochet - there's a blanket partially made for this baby and another that's needed for a special birthday later in the Spring!!

Oh good news - a quick blog surf yesterday found news of a new Photo Scavenger Hunt for 2013 - I've really missed the ones Kathy used to host. This new one is hosted by Greenthumb @ Made with Love - should keep my eyes open at all times this year!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Changing of the seasons - the end of the Autumn

Good afternoon

I didn't intend for a bloggy break it just happened - what with family stuff and illness this past week has rather hurried by. Oh yes not only has my stupid gallbladder been playing up, MrVV took another of his wedding vows too seriously and shared his stinking cold with me!! Anyhow cold is improving and gallbladder under control thanks to a extremely low fat diet.

We did get out last Saturday to visit the new huge John Lewis Home store thats opened in Ipswich - oh what a place - full of lovely stuff and friendly staff. Its just a stones throw too from MrVV's office so he'll never have an excuse to miss my birthday/christmas again!! Even the carrier bags are lovely;

This week for me sees the end of Autumn - I always feel that once our family birthdays finish and those brass players of mine start their christmas engagements then winter has arrived. The first engagement is this Saturday - the christmas lights are being switched on in nearby Aldeburgh and the town have been on and on about the big event thats planned - they've got Lenny Henry switching the lights on - am tempted to heckle with some Tiswas style OOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!

I took the last lot of Autumn Views Challenge pictures on Sunday - what a difference a week made to one tree - the cherry lost all its leaves overnight;

 All the berries have been eaten from the back hedge - the only green remaining is the Leylandi and some ivy weaving its way through.

 An almost bear silver birch now.

Nothing left on these 3 either - even the oaks in the background are losing their leaves rather quickly now.

An almost bare cherry tree - you can now though see the buds for next season already.

One last thing for today - signs of new life - like last year, I found an abandoned hyacinth in the conservatory with tiny green shoots poking through - its in the house now and hopefully it might flower for christmas;

One advantage of being stuck indoors, I've made great progress on my two swaps and a pressie or two for family / friends too.

Time to go - I best go make myself some lunch and then I think a blog catching up session would be a good idea.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Autumn mornings and lovely parcels

Good evening

What a gorgeous day - it started with a proper autumn morning - misty but with sunshine. As I cycled down the lane this morning I wished I'd brought my sunglasses the low sun was shining into my eyes. Everywhere looked pretty and as I was actually a few minutes early for work, I hopped off my bike to take a few photos;

The tree in the last photos I've nicknamed Squirrel tree - when the weather is warmer there are always squirrels there - I think there's a drey high up in the branches. You can spot the older ones - they leap from tree to tree with no fear. The youngsters are more cautious and I'm amazed in the 10 years we've lived here that one hasn't landed on my head or in the bike basket!

A busy morning at work - Christmas stuff was flying off the shelves as fast as we could find it, price it and put it out! Still looking for items for the CS swap I'm taking part in - something will appear soon - either in our shop or one of the others. I've high hopes the little church shop will have the perfect thing soon. The only downside is my swap partner has very similar tastes to me - I might find something I can't bear to part with!!

When I got home from work there were parcels on the doorstep for me :) A new toy for the kitchen that I shall be testing tomorrow - a slow cooker - I've wanted one of these for ages and we finally decided that we would get plenty of use out of one.

There was also a parcel from a company for a product review - I need to do that tomorrow as there's more time after school and I need those boys of mine to help.

Lastly 2 pretty parcels for me. One a giveaway win from a maker on Facebook - Fairy Shack makes lots of cute things and I was lucky enough to win this Toadstool house in a recent giveaway;

Also in the parcel was this little fairy kiss - so sweet;

The other parcel was a little present from me for me - a purchase from the rather talented Fi @ Chipper Nelly - I've loved her blocks for a long time and decided that I needed one of her Christmas ones - the little gingerbread houses are just so cute;

Is anyone else watching the new Kirsty series on C4? I'm not sure so far about it - was hoping it might be less twee? The 60's styling last time wasn't me sort of thing - I'm hoping the 50's stuff tonight will be more colourful.

Thank you for your good wishes on the last post - I am feeling better but I'm awaiting an appointment to have an ultersound scan - it would seem my gall-bladder isn't happy and might need removing!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

One weekend in the VV household

Good evening

No Downton Abbey this weekend and I'm lost!

Time for a quick blog about our weekend.

Of course it included this;

Thank you to everyone who bought poppies - I was able to add £28 to the Poppy Collection :)

 Christmas Cake prep - just love the smell

 The fruit soon soaked up all the fruit juice & brandy.

 Watching rugby whilst crocheting and drinking cranberry juice - I've not been well this weekend - I think a trip to the Docs is in order tomorrow :(

 The devastation in the kitchen once the cake had been mixed - whilst there was a mess I thought I'd strain the Hedgerow Gin too - almost a litre of the stuff - I've hidden it till Christmas Eve.

Part of the band on the march back from Church this morning. The veterans were pleased that the youngest cornet players played the last post. They are always pleased to see the young members of our band on parade.

As it was sunny today, it was perfect for the 8th week of Autumn Views photos;

 The blackbird enjoyed a quick splash just after I'd taken this picture.

 The leaves on the birch that remain are all a lovely golden colour.

 These 3 trees have almost lost all their leaves now.

 The cherry leaves have all changed colour now too and are falling off rather too quickly.

I hope whatever you did this weekend you had a good one? I've had a quick scan of blogland and seen many pictures from parades today.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Gingerbread Men, Raindrops & Autumn Views

Good morning

What a difference 24 hours makes - yesterday it was dark, damp and raining for most of the day - this morning the sky is clear and the garden bathed in autumny sunshine. I am being brave and planning on hanging washing outside!

The weekend started well with a Friday afternoon baking session;

I found a fab and simple recipe on the BBC website - we shall definitely be having these again - they've proved very popular over the weekend.

Saturday wasn't a great day - plans for a family day out in Norwich or Cambridge were scuppered when Little Son woke with a migraine :( Rather that all of us stay at home, Big Son & I caught the train to Ipswich and left MrVV to nursemaid duties. Big Son wanted to start his Christmas shopping as well as buy a present for a friends forthcoming birthday. We had a lovely time together wandering round the shops and having lunch. I might have started my Christmas shopping too!

As I said I woke Sunday morning to the sound of rain on the bedroom window - one peak outside made me decide it was an indoors sort of day. Chores were done in the morning and part of the afternoon was spent watching the Grand Prix and crocheting. My Giant Granny blanket is coming on rather well - just 2 more colours and then I think its finished;

It was rather lovely sitting under that yesterday whilst adding a couple more rounds.

As its sunny this morning, I thought I'd go into the garden and take this weeks Autumn Views Challenge pictures;

 The back hedge is slowly being stripped of its berries - at least we are left with a wall of green over the winter.

 The birch is losing leaves quickly now - MrVV spent ages Saturday raking them up so he could give the grass a final cut for this year.

 The trees in the front garden at almost bare now - again MrVV got the task of raking on Saturday!

I love the cherry tree at this time of year - the leaves are the most gorgeous fiery colours.

One thing I did notice when I took the first picture - the rose on the summer house is still producing new buds and flowers;

Lastly for today - one picture that sums up Sunday nights in the VV household rather well;

Waiting for Downton Abbey (such a shame it was the last episode last night) - armed with glass of wine, wearing fluffy socks and covered by a blanket - utterly blissful.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx