Little green shoots

Good evening

Little green shoots represent something new;

Uncovered in the garden this weekend - lots of signs that the bulbs are growing again.

Oh yes, MrVV & I did some gardening - together! I was even allowed to use sharp things AND I still have all my fingers attached! 2 trailer loads of stuff later and you could (a) see where we'd been and (b) could see lots of signs of new growth.

I love looking for these signs - anything to hurry through the dark, damp days of January & February. At least we've plenty of birthdays in the coming weeks to look forward too - just 6 this month! Thank goodness I've only got to bake 2 cakes!

I've been playing with my new camera and trying to get the hang of it - lots of options to play around with - doesn't help that the light hasn't been ideal for photo taking. We headed to Southwold yesterday afternoon and I'd hoped to make a start on the Scavenger Hunt list but the sea mist put paid to that - instead we ended up having a hot chocolate in the cafe on the Pier and then heading into the silly photo booth - were we even ended up reincarnated as teenage Emo's!! (I'll show you that pic next time - by the time I remembered the daylight had faded). Oh we did have a lovely long walk to despite the cold.

Anyhow my new toy - a Samsung WB101 which I'd been to choose a while ago - I wanted something that wasn't too heavy but also felt right - this ticked all the boxes - well there was another a loved by the price tag was just too much!!

As I tidied the front room and dusted today I though perhaps one pic of me & it was in order!!

One new thing for me for 2013 is to try to read more - not magazines or craft books but actual proper books - not even in e-book form. Real paper books - mainly bought from the charity shops, borrowed from the library or given as pressies.

Here's my first 3 for this year;

 The Sue Townsend one I started just before Christmas and managed to finish in the bit in the middle - I love her writing. I've been meaning to read the Help for ages - have been told by so many that it was a good read - when a copy appeared in the shop I thought I'd give it a go - I really enjoyed this and it gave me a better understanding of the whole civil rights situation - I now need to borrow the film.

This is my current read - a pressie from my Mum - I've seen this on other blogs and Instagram feeds. Again I am liking this - not too complicated and I'd love to go teacup shopping with the 3 main characters :)

One last thing for tonight - the first swap of 2013 - hosted by Lisa over at Bobo Bun;

See you soon 

xxx Vicki xxx

Faith, Hope and Festive Charity Shopping Swap

Good evening

Almost in the home straight for next Tuesday - I've a long list divided into daily tasks - if I stick to it, we will have pressies to unwrap, a scrummy dinner to eat and a tidy house to cover in wrapping paper!!

I do love it when you know that a swap parcel has arrived and been well received - an email last week told me that my swap parcel to Marina at Evelyn-May Vintage had arrived safely and I was happy to reply to her the next day saying mine had too.

Now it was dark when I got home to find my parcel had arrived but I so wanted to open it. So not in the best of light here are all my parcels and the gorgeous stocking that some of them were in;

The stocking has joined the rest of my collection and is hanging from the banister and making the hallway look very festive. The chocolate coins had a very limited life!

Inside the parcels were;

 A vintage tea-plate - just big enough to hold my elevenses!!

 A pretty cushion cover, some 70's napkins (that pattern is very familiar - we must have had that on something in my childhood) and a knitted angel.

There was also this gorgeous table cloth covered in the most amazing cross stitch - so, so pretty.

Here's what I sent;

A vintage Christmas book as I knew Marina collected children's books, some thrifted chinese lanterns, some CK smellies, chocolates, a Christmas tealight and handmade reindeer and toadstool house decs.

Thanks as ever for Lakota for organising this swap and to Marina for being a great swap partner :)

We spent part of yesterday turning the VV household into a colourful, slightly kitsch, Christmas explosion decorated house - the tree is up, things are hanging on shelves, windows and pictures (not ceilings - I live with 3 giants). No subtle, tasteful, colour co-ordinated stuff here - its so dark this time of year and we need colour/light to brighten things up.  Anyhow I tried to take pictures today but my big camera struggled and my little camera had a flat battery. I shall try again tomorrow and bore you all senseless with the pictures sometime soon ;)

xxx Vicki xxx

The Christmas Cracker Swap

Good afternoon

I do love it when the postman brings a parcel for me - often just bits I've bought online but sometimes something special and today was one of those days.

I was partnered with Kerry @ Blueberry Heart in the Christmas Cracker Swap. Quite simple - take one kitchen roll tube - wrap it in festive fabric and fill it with lovely pressies for your swap partner.

Here's what I received;

 One cracker wrapped in fabric printed with stripey streamers.

 Inside 8 parcels including a chocolate Santa (he tasted great!!)

 A christmassy scented tea-light, a little pouch of festive pot pourri, 2 christmassy pegs and the most gorgeous little clay decoration with my name on it.

Also some festive stick-ons which will look lovely on some gift tags when I get round to making some and a felt snowman making kits - though this might get used slightly differently as I have a project in mind!

Here's what I sent to Kerry;

A little felt toadstool house decoration, some embroidery scissors, a christmassy tea-light, festive ribbon on a dolly peg, spotty buttons, some CK shower gel and of course chocolate in the shape of coins and christmas puddings. I forgot to take a picture of it all wrapped up in its red & white fabric with spotty ribbon.

Thank you Kerry for being a lovely swap parcel and Tracey for organising this swap. This has been such a lovely one to take part in - a simple idea and I had fun finding things that would fit inside my tube. I have to confess a couple of things wouldn't so an extra little package was attached!

Have a lovely weekend all - more carol playing for my brass players and I need to plan a little trip out of Suffolk for myself next week!!

xxx Vicki xxx

Chain me up and cover me in Dream Topping!!!!

Good afternoon

No I've not been reading that book! Its just the easiest way to describe 2 of my CS finds this week!

Firstly kinky, bondage dachshunds to match my reindeers! As the Mother is no longer chained on I got these for just 50p - I wonder if the shop will have anymore animals in soon?

The boys mentioned the other weekend the lack of trifle in their diet in recent months! This could be easily sorted if only I could find my glass trifle dish - I've no idea where its gone - perhaps we took it somewhere with food in for a party and forgot it - anyhow I decided to track something down hoping the CS's in town would come up trumps - they did - just £2 later and a bit of mixing, those boys of mine got their wish - trifle for pudding one night this week;

Now long term readers of this blog will know all about my little accident last year and the long slow return to normal walking. One thing I didn't think I'd ever manage again was heels but a pair were in our shop today and something made me try them on and have a walk about - 2 miracles - they fitted and I could walk in them - they've hardly been worn (no marks on the soles or heels) and the colour was cheerful too. I just need to remember when I do wear them out - no socks or leggings but perhaps some grown up tights instead! I've been prancing around the house in them since I got home from work - sadly even if I click my heels together nothing happens - least I've not fallen over yet!!!!

One last CS piece to show you - this little 'vase'. I've got a small but growing collection of this stuff - the first bits were some spoons from a Russian friend - I've no idea what the proper name for it is?

I've just realised that Week 5 of the Autumn Views Challenge is almost over and I've forgotten to share the pictures - these were taken on a rainy Sunday so all were taken from the house so the angles might be a tad different;

I think when I take Week 6's pictures this weekend things will have changed again - the weather here has turned windy and chilly - the forecast mentions snow but I don't think it will quite reach us. However the drop in temperature means I must hunt out my gloves and hats later.

One last thing for today - I've found another interesting (and inexpensive) Christmas swap - over here at Tracey's blog - a really original idea;

Right I'd best be off - I ought to spend my last quiet hour before half term begins doing domestic stuff. We're really quite ready for the holidays here - these past few morning have been a struggle to get out of bed. 

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

A dragon in the garden and Autumn Views Week 3

Good afternoon

Yes I know, I should be racing around the house with the hoover but my desk is next to where the hoover lives and the temptation to write a blog post now rather than when I'm sleepy later was too much!

How was your weekend? We were lucky here in Suffolk - 2 days of blue skies :)

The perfect weather for getting out and about and taking photos;

The wild hops in the back hedge are still covered in berries - despite the best efforts of the local bird population. 

Here's my dragon - a common darter I think - I've tried all summer for pictures but they are usually to quick for me - today I got lucky.  Years ago when big son was very small, probably about 3 I commented to MrVV about seeing a dragonfly in the garden - big son misheard and thought I'd said dragon! He rushed outside in his wellies and armed with a wooden sword to defend us - he was rather disappointed to find something similar to that rather than a fire-breathing dragon!!

Here are week 3's Autumn Views - when I put all the photos together in a slide show I can now see the difference from week 1 - I'll try next week and do a mosaic so you can see the changes too;

 View 1 - Would seem its safer for the birds at the moment if they just eat berries - 2 reasons - a sparrowhawk has been visiting and I've seen it leave twice now with a blackbird in its claws and secondly a blooming cat has taken a shine to our garden - not a mutual feeling - I've an old pair of gardening sandals that I keep handy near the door now - my aim is poor but its getting the message. Sadly it managed to kill one of the goldfinches the other day :(

 View 2 - the leaves are changing colour quite quickly now and making a pretty blanket on the lawn - must persuade a teenager to rake them up!!

 View 3 - a slightly different angle to avoid the sun glade - the middle tree always gets its leaves first and is the first to lose them too.

View 4 - as you can see the leaves on the climber have rapidly changed colour this week.

Just two more things - firstly another great Faith, Hope & Charity Shopping Swap - this time a Christmas One - nice and simple and minimal expense.

and lastly today from me to all my followers and commenters a big;

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

FH&CS Jubilee Swap

Good afternoon

I meant to do this post last night but somehow managed to get side-tracked elsewhere in cyberland.

A fair few weeks ago I signed up for Lakota's Jubilee Swap - I was paired with the lovely Miss_b from Retro Lovely and we happily stalked each others blogs and exchanged emails. We decided due to other commitments that we were in no real rush to exchange but as and when we were both ready.

Anyhow last week parcels were posted to each other and a minor miracle both arrived safely within days of each other. 

Mine turned up on one of those horrid grey & damp days we've had rather too many of recently - it certainly helped cheer me up;

Homemade cookies, a gorgeous pink rose china triplet set, a fan (handy when it actually gets warm) and a CD full of some rock-n-roll - I had this playing yesterday whilst I was in the kitchen tidying and cooking - shame there is no film of me jiggling about ;)

 This gorgeous card is for Bertie - I shall be fixing that to his wall :)

and this lovely cross-stitch card was for me. Cross stitch is something I've never tried - probably because you seem to have to be neat & tidy - not things that come automatically to me!

Here's what I sent;

Crocheted bunting

A UJ cushion

A UJ hook & notebook, a red rose ring and of course a swap isn't a swap without something edible ;)

Thanks to Lakota for undertaking the task of organising this swap and Miss_b for being my swap partner.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Sorting out the nursery & other weekend stuff!

Good evening

Oh blimey is it Monday again? Where did the weekend go?

Saturday was spent sorting out the nursery & the garden - no not that sort of nursery, those days are long gone. The nursery aka the conservatory - home during the non-winter months to plants & seedlings. Less seed planting than other years - we've come to the conclusion that as much as having a veggie patch is lovely - the time spent looking after it properly isn't always there and the current space isn't right - soil to clay like and not enough light. Ideally raised beds in a different part of the garden would be better but not this year. Instead just things in pots - so far just tomatoes, chillis, basil and for some colour - sweet peas.

Little son helped me during the wetter bits of Saturday to give the space a big spring clean - he was on body removal - amazing how many insects have chosen there to end their days!! When the rain stopped we all decamped to the garden. Operation garden tidy commenced - oops our poor garden - it got rather neglected at the end of last summer (can't think why!!) - the weeds were winning but after many hours we are starting to fight back. Certainly the birds were grateful and there were many happily following us around as we uncovered soil and worms - just a shame they are all so camera shy!

When it was sunny on Saturday it was lovely. Blue skies and fluffy clouds - its just the rain laden ones that tried to scupper things!

More blossom - this time against the blue sky - so pretty.

No carbooting on Sunday - MrVV & the boys went off to work together. Oh those boys of mine worked hard - today they've struggled to lift their arms - must be something to do with the 100's of boxes they moved yesterday - not heavy just repetitive!

Today has been the last day of the Easter hols - once all the bags were packed and kit for the coming week sorted, I left the boys to their own devices - some online time and headed into town. Monday's are good days for charity shopping - lots of weekend donations. I visited a few of the shops and found a couple of things. 

I love old style maps - this one is of Essex and is destined for the walls of the summerhouse once that has had its spring clean - just need a dry & spare hour or two hopefully this week though having seen the forecast our little drought ridden county might be getting rather wet!! 

I also found something for one of my sisters - No3 aka Minibreakfast @ Car Boot Vinyl Diaries - I can't show you yet though as I want to give it to her first - let just say it is vinyl and something that reminded me of my teenage years ;) (Dawn if you guess don't say).

Talking of charity shops, I've signed up for Lakota's latest Faith,Hope & Charity Shopping Swap - this time a jubilee one. I hummed and harred to long on LaaLaa's one and missed that so signed up pretty quickly when this one came along;

Right, I think that's all - if I've handed over the record then I'll share that with you next time.

I think we're already for back-to-school tomorrow - just the dreaded alarm bit which we all hate.

One final thought - big son tomorrow enters his last term of compulsory education - he can leave school on June 30th - his last exam is just 10 weeks away - the first is next Wednesday!! Doesn't seem that long since he started school and was bringing home his first reading books - I feel old!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Vintage Easter Swap - The Results

Good evening

Thought it about time I shared with you the lovely parcel that was waiting for me when I got back from Cambridge last weekend. It was my Vintage Easter Swap parcel - this was organised by LissyLou back at the beginning of the year. I was partnered with the lovely Twinkles, Tutorials and Twirls.

After exchanging emails and stalking each others blogs the time came to post parcels.

Here's what I received;

 Lots of pretty parcels in birdy paper

Inside were;

 2 Easter decorations which are now hanging on my dresser and the most gorgeous bird house with its one bird - I love this - it is so very me :)

 A vintage style tin with chocolate bunnies inside, mini eggs, a bunny egg cozy and an easter bunny of my own.

 And there more - some spring bunting and a pretty posy containing new sewing needles :)

 Last but not least - a lovely easter book and a pretty card too.

Thank you Twinkle very much for my parcel, I love it all and will think about you each easter when the items come out. My dresser is looking very seasonal at the moment, thanks to you :)

Here's what I sent;

 A Tilda easter bunny - just wish I'd had time to make more of these - I know my little nieces would have loved one each too - perhaps next year.

A jar with a crocheted cover containing mini eggs, a vintage Laura Ashley spring fabric heart, vintage spring themed napkins, spring buttons & brooch and a very Jemima Puddleduck egg cup.

I think that's me all swapped & PIF'd up-to-date :) I've even finished the birthday pressies I need for S&B group. I think the next items that come off my sewing machine will be for me - I've 2 lots of fabric waiting to be turned into dresses for me plus a great CS find frock which needs altering so its less Granny-chic and more veryVicki ;)

Right I'd best be off - my workers have just called to say they are on their way home from a busy day in the warehouse!!

xxx Vicki xxx