Snowy Stuff

Good afternoon

Yes, I know another blogger with snow pics - am sure you've seen plenty but trust me I've limited myself to just 9 in a mosaic - there are rather a lot more I could share ;)

School was closed again today - hardly a surprise it snowed so much yesterday afternoon, evening and overnight. When I woke to the radio telling me the bus depot nearby wasn't sending any buses out I knew it would mean no school. The boys had second guessed this and the deal was only to wake them if school was on - so I left them snuggled under their duvets for as long as they wanted.

Little son appeared just half an hour later than normal - he's growing again and his tummy was rumbling.

Once we'd packed MrVV off to work - it took him a while to find his car under a thick blanket of snow - we got sorted and started another snowy day.

These pictures start on Friday - the boys & I played outside - towing each other on the sledge, throwing snowballs and of course making snow angels and a snowman.

The ruler shows the depth of snow on our picnic bench this morning - 4 inches not the 6 inches a certain man told me ;)

The front garden under its blanket of white fluff and a garden bench which won't be sat on today!!

The last 2 pictures are the view either way down the lane - both looking tempting and like a winter wonderland.

Today Little Son & I walked into town together - jobs needed doing and we collected my Mother-in-Law en route - we'd offered to do her shopping but she decided the fresh air and company would be lovely.

We shopped for more veggies for more soup and the first creme eggs of the season!! I also found a gorgeous vintage print single duvet cover in the charity shop which has now been converted into a draft excluder in front of our draughty patio doors - its seems to be doing the trick already.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

The world is sparkling today

Good afternoon

Just sitting down to a late lunch whilst a batch of bread rolls cooks in the oven.

Its been very much a home day today whilst I wait in for a parcel to be delivered - a vague sometime after 11 was the only time I was given!

No sooner had I posted yesterday, then the skies darken and snow began to fall. Not enough for snowmen or snowball fighting but enough to make the world sparkle.

This was the view this morning from our conservatory;

 Probably one of my favourite photos I've taken this year.

The Green Woodpecker has been a regular visitor to the garden for years - however he is very shy and I've struggled to get a decent picture of him. This morning I braved big sons room and sat at the open window and snapped away with my new toy.

Love the way Mr Woodpecker clears a patch of grass in his search for bugs in the ground.

I nipped into town first thing to do a post run and on the way back, I spotted the perfect picture. I quickly took my bike home and grabbed my camera.

 The view over the frozen fields.

 A frozen snow capped giant hogweed.

Then this picture - this is the one I had in mind :)

I also managed to tick many pictures from this months Scavenger Hunt list too but more on those at the end of the month - there's still quite a few that need hunting down.

I'd best be off - the rolls are nearly done and there's birthday presents that need wrapping for a certain persons 15th birthday tomorrow!

See you soon (probably with cake pictures!!)

xxx Vicki xxx

Marooned!

Good morning

Have been marooned indoors now since Sunday - the snow started to melt and then refroze - its done this 3 times now and as a consequence the drive and lane are like a skating rink and far too slippery for me to venture out. I watched one neighbour slide sideways down the road this morning in her little car and that made my mind up - another day indoors for me!

The conservatory roof keeps starting to clear and then it freezes again - leaving slabs of snow hanging waiting for someone to stand under there and get covered comedy style. There's also been some lovely icicles hanging from there too;

At least it means I've caught up with domestic stuff and have had a chance to catch up on some making too. Firstly upcycling a skirt I made years ago into a dress with the addition of some fabric I bought many moons ago as I just liked the feel of it. Both parts are a brushed cotton and oh so soft. The skirt part was made from a vintage Laura Ashley dress I bought a sister when she was pregnant 10 years ago. The deal was she got to wear it and when she'd finished I'd get it back as I loved the material. It was made into a skirt for me and other bits of the fabric have appeared in quilts and makes since. The skirt hasn't been worn for a while so I decided to make it into something I would wear - I cut the top part off and made the top of the dress yesterday afternoon. This morning to the 2 parts got put together and the moment of truth dawned - would it fit and would I like it? Yes and yes;

 Now getting a picture of me wearing it was tricky - there's no-one here to take a photo and the light is bad and obviously if you are taking a pic in the mirror you can't use a flash - so here's the best of many attempts;

I've also finished 3 cushions towards next weekends stall;

My sewing space was tidy when I started working - however it doesn't take long to get messed up and won't get another tidy until I've finished making stuff;

I've been rather lucky this last week - I've acquired not one but two new cameras! The first one was a reward sent to MrVV for being the top seller on an auction site he uses. He had no use for it as he's got a rather nice digi-SLR he treated himself to last year - so he gave it to me. Its a Nikon Coolpix S610 and is a better spec than the Pentax Optio I have been using for the past 18 months. So I gave the old camera to little son as he wanted a small point and shoot camera that he can take out and about. In turn it seemed that he had MrVV's old camera and wasn't planning to use that anymore so he gave that one to me - and I am rather taken with it. I'd forgotten how simple it is to use and its been my camera of choice this week;

 One new toy

and another one!!

It meant when the Green Woodpecker visited the garden the other day to trash the snow in search of a good meal, I was able to capture him with no problems at all;

Had to laugh at him throwing snow out of the way so he could find a patch of grass - he spent ages there so I assume he found what he was looking for!!

Right I'd best be off - want to make a cuppa before I have a wander around blogland to see what you've all been up too.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

The one with snow in it - part 2

Good evening

I know 2 posts in one day! Well I've time to kill whilst my dinner is being cooked!

The teens got dressed pretty quickly for a weekend and after we'd found boots to fit little son (pesky growing boys!), we all headed outside. The snow was deeper that it first looked;

However my feet stayed dry - good job, I can't get my wellies on at the moment - my stupid foot can't get round the bend in the welly.

The menfolk decided that snow rugby was a good idea;

With snowball throwing added in for extra fun.

One of those rare photos of me - with big son;

Of course it wouldn't be a snow post without a snow angel pic;

We did head off for a walk but the unevenness of the snow was making my ankle ache so I headed home.

Once everyone was in, it was time to put the kettle on;

This afternoon has been spent like yesterdays - watching the rugby, drinking tea and finishing off a crochet make or two.

The snow shows no sign of melting so far - the boys are hoping that school is cancelled tomorrow - I think that unlikely but you never know.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

The one with snow in it - part 1

Good morning

Thought I'd get in first with the snowy post!!

We had a little yesterday and then a bigger load overnight;

BBQ anyone?

 Someone has been about looking for food - good job the feeders are full and MrVV has just gone to defrost the birdbath.

Untouched snow - even the tatty trailer looks better with its white blanket.

One car not going far today.

 The summerhouse - wont be sitting out there today.

Instead after the obligatory walk in the snow (yes I'll be careful), I think I'll spend this afternoon the same as I did yesterday - crochet, a mug of tea and a rugby match to cheer at :)

Once the teens are dressed we're off out to play - expect photos of snow angels and snowballs sometime soon.

Have a good day.

xxx Vicki xxx

What a difference a day makes

Good evening

Just a quick post tonight.  When I started writing my blog I decided that I'd try hard to keep it as a diary of family life and events that happen during our year. Sometimes it means that almost every blogger is writing very similar posts - basically what I'm saying is - 'here's more snow pics!!'

This was our rather scruffy patio yesterday morning - much improved by a layer of snow - sort of reminded me of a gorgeous natural patchwork. Of course with snow comes icicles - I love these and get very excited when I find any formed on the house!!

The boys enjoyed their day off school - many snowballs were thrown and our drive & lane were so frozen there was some very kamikaze sledging going on - good job there was no cars about!!

Last night MrVV & I went off to a christmas party - a meal out with an Abba tribute act as the evening entertainment. Just wish I'd taken my camera. It was a wonderful evening - the highlight of for me was the sight of our very sensible training band-master up on stage singing along with the 2 girls and another poor male dragged from the audience!  A great evening and very very late night.

When we woke this morning and peeked out of the hotel room window we were shocked to discover that sometime after our 2am snowball fight a thaw had occurred!!

Today has been rather quiet - I've not really done much. However I have made good progress on some wrist warmers for myself, having finally had the patience to get the ribbing for the cuffs right!!

Right off now - time for SCD. I wonder what delights Ann & Anton have in store for us tonight? Will they stay or will they go??

See you tomorrow

xxx Vicki xxx

My babies were up to their waists in snow!!!

Evening

Oh yes that white stuff has been falling here today - not enough to close the boys schools - though their little cousins in the primary school did get a snow day today.

Since lunchtime its been coming down more & more and now we've about 3 inches of the stuff and the sky is laden with more for later.

The school websites are being checked and they are hopeful for a day off tomorrow.

Anyhow - my snowy babies;

I won these little lads & lasses on Tuesday night in a draw!! Very tasty they are too - the big question - heads or feet first????

I braved the back garden this afternoon - mainly to feed my feathered friends and to rescue my radio from the now abandoned till springtime summer house!!

I hid in the summerhouse for a while hoping to get some pics of all the feathered visitors - they seemed to sense I was about and after a cold ten minutes I gave up and came indoors again.

Almost as soon as I was indoors a flock of seagulls (no not the 80's band) came and devoured the bread crusts I'd put out. Then the robin came and raided the feeders - just wish I could get a photo of him - he'd make a lovely christmas card picture.

Just before the boys arrived home it started snowing heavily so of course I had to take a picture;

Please keep your fingers crossed that they get the day off tomorrow - as even at almost 15 & 13 they are no too old for snowball fights, making snow angels and building a snowman or 2 ;)

Keep warm and snuggle under lots of blankets & quilts.

Till next time

xxx Vicki xxx

Their snow dance worked - school is cancelled tomorrow - hurrah :)



Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Good evening

Guess what? Its been another cold day here. We've had snow on & off all day - enough to cause panic buying in the local Co-op and for the boys to enjoy snowball fights with their friends at school today.

This was the view that greeted me this morning when I unburied myself from the duvet & blankets;

I still managed to cycle into town today - carefully & even more slowly than normal but I did it. I needed to do a post run and also collect some vital supplies from the supermarket - can't have snow without hot chocolate and marshmallows ;)

Just as I was leaving the postie handed me large, flat parcel - I knew what it was - my handmade Christmas decoration swap parcel from Pene. 

Lucky me - look what she made & sent;

Its gorgeous - when she said in an email about the shape of the parcel I kind of hoped that it might be a wreath of some sort and it was and I love it. Thank you Pene very much and also to Betty @ MrsYappy Dog for organising this swap. My parcel to Pene went on its way on Friday so hopefully her postie will soon be knocking at the door.

Whilst browsing my ever growing list of blogs this afternoon, I spotted a lovely giveaway over @ Hapi-ness - lots of crafty things as prizes :)

I wonder what the weather will be like for us tomorrow - the boys are hoping for a day off school.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Tracks in the snow - who's are these footprints & where do they go?

Borrowing a line from the Gruffalo's Child for today's blog post title ;) 

Actually they are my footprints - have been trudging through the snow again.  This time to visit my parents and collect some birthday cards & pressies which are needed for various members of this household this week.  Sensibly my parents were staying indoors in the warm!

Just wish my footprints could lead me here;

Instead of snow - could it be sand and instead of wellies could it be my favourite flowery birkenstocks? We can but hope its all over in a few days and life can return to normal!

I've spent alot of time in the past few days like this;

Armed with my knitting (nearly done), a mug of tea, a magazine or book and covered by a granny blanket - guess this snow isn't so bad after all!!

Have been busy in the kitchen this afternoon with the boys - MrVV has a birthday tomorrow and we've been baking ;)

See you tomorrow.

xxxxx Vicki xxxxx

Another snowy day

Schools are closed, supermarket was packed, MrVV has taken a few hours away from his desk and we've been having family fun outside;

(^^ is my favourite picture)

The washing line ghost!! Can you see what I mean?

We buried little son but did let him out!!

The next two pics were taken by MrVV;

Our mad postie - still wearing shorts!

A neighbour & his quad bike

I think we're in for a weekend of snow & cold. The boys were both meant to be a big scout camp in Essex but the decision has been made for the troup not to go - is a 160 mile round trip and deemed too dangerous. Boys both a bit disappointed but I'm sure they'll have fun here AND they'll get to sleep in beds and not in sleeping bags!

Have a good weekend.

xxxxx Vicki xxxxx