Sid & Sunshine

Good evening

Hope you all had a good weekend? There was a brass engagement on Saturday for 2 of my men - I didn't go - I stayed at home instead. Yesterday we went out as a family of 4 - for a meal at a local pub - very nice it was too - though I had to guard my chips from marauding teenagers forks!!

This morning whilst I was pottering around half heartedly doing housework, I happened to glance into the garden. There was a very snake shaped thing in the middle of the lawn. I quickly grabbed my camera and phone and crept outside. There was Sid - just lying there - I suspect he'd been trying to catch one of the occasional rays of sunshine instead he was face to face with me. I quickly snapped away and he happily played dead - just moving occasionally to get the flies off him. 

He's quite a decent size - about 2 or 3 feet long;

After I'd taken my photos I went indoors and watched him for ages as he made his way back across the garden to the safety of the hedgerow. He was very slow - perhaps due to the cooler weather but also possibly because he might have eaten today - oddly I've not seen a toad in the garden since he moved in!!

For my non-UK readers - Sid is a grass snake (one of only six native reptiles in the UK) - he is completely harmless and non-venomous. If really provoked he might omit a rather nasty smell but otherwise his first choice is to play dead and hope you just go away so he can slide off.  I am happy that he has decided to live in my garden and thrilled I finally managed to get a decent photo of him.

I've been lucky enough to be awarded a Sunshine blog award by Helen at Moonstruckcreations. Part of the award is for me to tell you 10 things about myself - all fairly straight forward;

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Here are the ten questions.

Favourite animal: Elephants – something about their faces that I love.

Favourite drink: coffee – strong and black – never milk or sugar

Favourite number: 7 – as I’m the eldest of 7 siblings.

Facebook or Twitter. Facebook for keeping in contact with friends and Twitter for news/current affairs.

My passion: Depends – current ones are reading & crochet – other times it might be gardening or baking.

Giving or getting: Both – I loved buying presents for family but of course I love getting them too. Can’t beat a parcel with your name on it.

Favourite pattern: Polka dots – so cheerful

Favourite day of the week: Friday evenings – work & school are over for a few days. Time to snuggle up on the sofa with a glass of something and a bar of chocolate.

Favourite flower: Daffodils

Favourite country: It’s got to be the UK – mainly as there are so many places I’ve yet to visit and many I want to visit again and again. From the flatness of Suffolk to the beaches of Cornwall via the Lakeland fells – I love it all.

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Now I need to pass this on but am aware that many don't do awards or may have already been given this so I've leave it open - if you'd like to take this and use it on your blog then please do so.

Having seen the forecast we might even seen some proper real sunshine here in Suffolk tomorrow - I hope so - there are summer clothes that I want to wear that haven't made it out of the cupboards yet!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Swaps, wins & awards :)

Good evening

Of course the first thing to tell you is, we had a great weekend in Brighton - weather wasn't great but we had a good time - more on that another day - lots of pics to sort out.  Thanks for all the messages on the last post - I'd never seen Friends until yesterday morning - put TV on in the hotel & it was on - can sort of see what you mean about the young MrVV!

I thought I'd best do a post to update on all the wonderful swaps etc that have happened in the past week.

Firstly there was the Pincushion Swap organised by Beki. My partner was Maria @ Me&Ma. You can see what I sent her on her blog. Here's what she kindly sent me;

Inside were;

I'd seen one of these pincushions that Maria had made Beki so was everso hopeful when we were paired up that I'd get one too - I did so am very happy :)

Also in the parcel were;

Some gorgeous fabric squares, polka dot FQ, lace, a great knitting book and some of Maria's pegs with hearts of them - all lovely - thank you Maria so very much.

The postie came again over the weekend - this time it was my Autumn magazine swap parcel from Joy. She was a naughty lady and included 2 magazines & a little notelet book in my parcel;

I look forward to having a good read of these over a coffee or 2 later today. I've never seen a copy of the US Country Living mag so I'm really looking to reading this. A quick flick through shows I won't be disappointed.

You know how it is - at any one time there are so many giveaways in blogland - you enter lots and keep your fingers crossed that it 'might be you'. Well it seems in the past few days it has been me - twice!! Looking forward to lying in wait for Mr Postie as I await pretty parcels from -  Ali and Lissylou :) 

I must organise myself as I have a couple of parcels to send off to my lovely giveaway winners this week too.

Last but by no means least - I've been given an award too - from Lissylou;

I think I need to pass this on as well so shall give that some thought today and do that when I next blog.

BTW is anyone else having trouble uploading pics into blogger? I tried last night but it just wouldn't play ball - instead I'm blogging and eating my branflakes this morning!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

 

A very mixed week - illness, awards, wins & buys

Good evening

Seems so long since I was last on blogger and I've so much to catch up with - both reading, commenting & replying.  The reason? Tuesday afternoon I was struck down with the worse migraine I have ever experienced :( I went to bed about 2pm and slept for 3 or 4 hours - normally that would do the trick & I'd feel ok - not this time :( At 9pm MrVV called the out of hours doctors as I was in such pain I thought my head would split open. They sent a doctor who arrived about 11pm and he prescribed some very strong painkillers which took the edge off it - enough for me to get some more sleep. I slept most of Wednesday too and a big part of today as well - however I now feel more 'normal' - hopefully tomorrow I shall be back to my usual self. I've got a doctors appointment for next month as I think its time I got some proper advice & help with these attacks.

Onto the good stuff;

An award from Sue @ Dollytub Cottage;

The postman brought me a parcel one day - I can't remember which. It was from Ellouise88 - I was the winner of her first giveaway;

A gorgeous soft snuggly scarf and some fab East Of India postcards - thank you :)

Tuesday morning before I started to feel ill was the first morning I'd spent by myself for what seemed like weeks. The boys had gone back to school and MrVV was working elsewhere.  After a while the silence was too much so I headed into town - the lure of the charity shops and the fabric shop was too much!!

another Ladybird book for my growing collection.

Strawberries & Stripes - no idea what I shall do with them yet - shall ponder a while more.

Don't forget this - Suffolk Bloggy Meetup. Looks like it shall be on Sunday 27th June in Southwold. Quite a few signed up and room for plenty more - even if you're not from Suffolk ;)

Last but not least for now - its this chaps special day tomorrow;

He's also the Patron Saint of Scouts and we've got a big parade in town on Sunday which the boys (along with 300+ other scouts, cubs & beavers) shall be taking part in - MrVV's band is leading this and I'm told there is a special surprise too ;)  My role? I'm in the refreshment tent!!

Until next time

xxxx Vicki xxxx

A marmite day and lots of flowers & planting

Saturday was definately a marmite day. We headed as a family to Bury St Edmunds for this event;

Oh yes 1,000 Morris, Molly & Clogg dancers in 55 troupes from all over the country - like I say Marmite- either love it or you hate it!! MrVV & I loved it, little son tolerated and big son kept his ipod turned on!!  As lots of the dancing was taking place in the main shopping area the boys did wander off to look in the shops and big son even bought himself a hoodie with his own money.

Like I said dancers from all over - some traditional;

and some less so - these pink & black ones were morris meets punk style

and these ones were quite gothic

Now you can't go to Bury without visiting the Abbey Gardens as these are always gorgeous and colourful;

Today has been another sunny one - this afternoon was spent in the garden. MrVV planting & pruning, big son cutting the grass and little son & I playing with the veggie patch and planting a few pots;

We also planted a new lavender hedge by the back gate - hoping when its grown it will attract lots of bees and also provide lavender for cutting & drying;

2 best bits about today;

Being able to have bare feet & wear sandals :)

and getting an award from Bad Penny @ HenHouse ;

Now I have had this award before but am grateful for getting it again. Just need to think of 7 things to tell you about me........

1.  If it wasn't for my 6 weekly hairdressers visits, I'd be almost grey.

2. I am scared most dogs :(

3. I swim as well as a stone.

4.

5.

6.

7.

My mind has gone blank so I'll leave those till another time! I also need to pass this award on - again I shall do that another day too. I need to get into the kitchen and prepare dinner.

See you soon

xxxx Vicki xxxx

So far - so good :)

March started well - sunshine, a giveaway win and then an award :)

This one - from Bellaboo @ Bellacountry ;

I've got to tell you 7 things about me -

1. I was born in Berlin as my Dad was stationed in Germany with the RAF - and despite all the teasing at school that makes me British.

2. I've not flown in an aeroplane since I was 2 1/2 when my parents moved back to the UK.

3. Apart from my large collection of siblings (6), I've got an enormous family on my Dad's side - remaining are - 1 Grandma, 9 Uncles, 8 Aunts, 20 1st cousins, 5 2nd cousins & 1 3rd cousin - plus loads of great aunts & uncles!

4. I've appeared on Saturday Superstore with my high school wind-band - I played the tamborine :)

5. I don't drive - tried learning hated it and tbh wasn't any good at it.

6. My worst ever hangover was the result of an evening with Country Girl, MrCG & MrVV.

7. Mr Country Girl was best man @ our wedding.

Now need to pass this award on some other people - no idea how many - think its supposed to be 5 - so I'll aim for that too.  This is the part I always find difficult - if I've not choosen you its not personal - just these 5 sprung to mind today;

http://tabiboo.blogspot.com/

http://andamentoblog.blogspot.com/

http://themadhouse-themadhouse.blogspot.com/

http://ournewlifeinthecountry.blogspot.com/

http://thecosycorner.blogspot.com/

I've also signed myself up for this;

@ http://josie-mary.blogspot.com/2010/02/whats-in-bag.html- have a look you might want to join in too.

Off now to leave messages for my award receipients and then I'm off out today shopping with one of my sisters - wonder what bargains we'll find?

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Knitting, crafting and an award :)

Good evening

The day is ending better than it started - think cold, Monday morning, 3 hormonal males and a Mum with PMT!  However calm has been restored - thank goodness for baking!  Ok confess who else likes cookie dough??

I did get into town today and bought more wool towards my squares blanket;

I've also started to sew together the first squares I knitted - I wasn't sure about including all of them as they are real beginners squares full of mistakes and wonky bits. However I have decided to include them as the blanket will show my progression from complete beginner to improver :)

9 squares are now sewn together - depending on the eventual size, it means only 112 left to knit/sew together. I guess I'll get quicker as I progress.

One afternoon as part of the 20 minutes crafting, I made this padded strawberry from the Sew Pretty books;

I've got loads of small pieces of red/pink fabric so it will be getting some friends soon.

I've been given an award by Catherine @ Kids & Capers;

The condition of accepting the award is to pass it on to 5 people and to list 5 things I like doing;

1. Baking - I find it a great way to relax with the added benefit that theres something scrummy to eat at the end of it!

2. Picnics at the beach;

3. Camping - either as a family or with friends.

4. Music especially live music.  Am a latecomer to music festivals. Past 3 summers I've been to Latitude which is held about 20 minutes up the road from me.  Am hoping I'll be there this summer too accompanied as usual by little son who shares my love of live music;

5. Spending time with my siblings.  I'm the eldest of 7 children - ranging from me nearly 40 to my brother who is nearly 23.  Its not often we all get together - infact I couldn't find a picture of the 7 of us only one of us 6 girls out for a meal to celebrate someones birthday (me in the top left hand corner);

I need to pass this award on to 5 people - never an easy choice - so I wrote the names of all of the blogs I follow on slips of paper and these ones were the first 5 out;

Country Girl @ http://myeastcoastlife.blogspot.com/

Bellaboo @ http://bellascountry.blogspot.com/

Bekimarie @ http://bekisbloggybits.blogspot.com/

Lissylou @ http://lissylouandthe2littleboys.blogspot.com/

and last but not least

Sarah @ http://sarah-redgingham.blogspot.com/

Here's hoping that calm returns for the rest of the week.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

The sun has got his hat on, Hip Hip Hip Hip Hooray :)

Oh yes we've had blue skies and a good hint of sunshine here in Suffolk today - still cold but not complaining.

I'll start with showing you my award from Catherine @ Kids & Capers;

I've not had one of these before but I think I need to past it on to others. Now this is the hardest part and tbh I could pass it on to all of you who read my blog and follow my blog and for all those that leave lovely comments. Or I could single out a few individuals - I started a list and when I got to 20 I gave up! Its too hard to single out just some of the blogs I read every day - I like different blogs for different reasons - some are crafty, some people have amazing homes, others have lives that are similar too mine and some blogs I follow coz its good to here from other mothers of all male families.

So for whatever reason I follow your blog, I'll pass on this award to you.

I said at the beginning we've had real sunshine here today, well it made me linger in the front garden for longer than normal when I returned home from town this morning.  I spent a little while having a look in the garden for signs of spring, I found;

A few daffodils poking their heads through the soil.

Blossom buds forming on my cherry tree :) - look at the colour of that sky!

I'd best be off - peace is about to be shattered as the boys will be in from school in a few minutes.

xxxx Vicki xxxx