The "Yellow Duckmarine" which I've not yet been on...next time. It's always next time!

I'm a big fan of the Tate Gallery and I'm happy we have our very own branch of it here in Liverpool. This is part of the exterior wall. You can see in the reflection part of the chains that stop people tumbling into the Albert Dock.

This is the entrance to the Echo Arena.

It's been a funny few days. We had our nice time in Liverpool on Good Friday and Saturday was taken up with grocery shopping, Phil and Kate going to watch Everton, and me taking Sian riding. Sunday I had a wedding shoot. It didn't go well.

The service and reception was at Peckforton Castle. It's a wonderful location and an imposing building but inside it was a lighting nightmare, at least for me. It has dark red sandstone walls and very high ceilings - the walls seem to suck in all ambient light and the ceilings are too high to bounce flash off. Direct flash was bleaching everything out. I was upping and lowering my ISO, fiddling with exposure compensation, sweating and trembling...ugh! Eventually I remembered i had a diffuser for the flash and stuck that on which helped matters but a lot of my shots were over or underexposed. Outside we had brilliant sun one minute, then gloom! I have been replaying the events in my sleep, for heaven's sake!!

I'm feeling a bit discouraged but trying to look on it as a learning experience. Although I'm not sure what i did learn......except to AVOID castles in future!

Some people have asked if I will post some wedding pics. I do actually have a few nice ones, even from this last wedding, but as I'm not the official photographer I do not feel I should post any pictures I take either here or on my website that can be identified easily as coming from a particular wedding. I have a couple of detail shots I'll post soon. I have considered asking my "boss" if i can use any of the pics I take but I don't want to put him in the awkward position of having to say "I'd rather you didn't use them" as then I'd feel embarrassed and he'd feel he'd been put in a difficult position.

Will be learning to use the D80 soon as Phil's new camera is on its way! A whole new learning experience to come for both of us...!

More from our trip to Liverpool...

My dad use to be a captain in the Brocklebank Line. The ships he sailed in were bigger than this little boat though!
This is part of the Echo Arena down at the Waterfront. This wasn't even built last time I was there!

The building work for "Capital of Culture" is nearly finished yet! I liked how the red cranes stood out against the dark clouds here.

The famous Liver Building. That's a Liver Bird perched on the top!

Happy Easter everyone!I was at a wedding shoot all day yesterday and got back to late to post this in time for Easter Sunday!

We went to Liverpool yesterday to see some of the changes in the city. It still seems a bit like a work in progress! I was thinking of Anna when I took these pictures. Please check out her "Project Red" - she is the most AMAZING photographer. Anyway, Anna, these are for you!

I usually post pictures of Basil for catblogging Friday; here is one of Shea that Phil took. He has a rather cute green smudge on his nose. Shea is such a loving little cat; he will spend hours tucked onto my shoulder, purring.

Here's a story I found on the BBC website...good news and worth sharing I think!

Cat owners appear to have a much lower risk of dying from a heart attack than their feline-spurning counterparts, a study suggests.

Researchers looked at nearly 4,500 adults and found that cat ownership was related to a 40% lower risk of suffering a fatal heart attack.

The team speculated that having a cat may reduce stress and anxiety, and so protect against cardiovascular disease.

The findings of the study were unveiled at the International Stroke Conference.

The study, led by Professor Adnan Qureshi at the University of Minnesota, suggested that even those who no longer owned a cat benefited from these protective effects.

But specifically, some 3.4% of those who owned a cat during the duration of the study died from a heart attack, compared with 5.8% of those who did not.

The benefits held true even after the researchers adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol.

However the authors warned against impulsive cat purchases.

They said while cats may indeed have a calming effect, it was unclear whether the kind of people who opted for a cat in the first place may have a lower risk of heart attack.

This study did not examine the advantages of having a dog, although previous research has suggested this too may have health benefits above and beyond taking them for walks.

The Pet Health Council notes "there is an increasing amount of research proving that contact with animals can bring real physiological and psychological benefits including reducing stress, helping to prevent illness and allergies, lowering blood pressure, aiding recovery and boosting fitness levels.

"Research has also shown that pet owners make fewer annual visits to the doctors than non pet owners proving the saying, 'a pet all day keeps the doctor away'."

Mr Angry...

I didn't have a great start to my day. For various reasons I ended up driving to our monthly meeting knowing I was 30 minutes late. When I got to the car park there were no spaces and I had to circle round for 10 minutes. I eventually found a space, parked and got out. As I was walking away I heard an angry voice yell "Oi you, you stupid cow!" I looked back and the guy in the big black 4x4 next to my car had wound down his windows and was glaring at me. I went over and said "Is there something wrong? " Yes, you stupid cow; you just slammed your car door into my car!" he yelled, red in the face and sweating. "Did I?" I said blankly, and checked his door for damage...none. "I'm sorry," I said, "if I did that it was an accident and I apologise - there's no damage". "You stupid BLOODY cow", he yelled again, shaking his head from side to side. "I've apologised and there's no damage" I answered; "what more do you want?" And then I walked away.

I was pretty shaken. He was SOOOO angry. The strange thing was, he hadn't got out of the car to check for damage. I thought a polite apology would defuse his anger but it seemed to make it worse. It was scary...

It's annoying when some careless person scratches your car, I accept that. But he wasn't concerned enough to get out and check for damage - it was like he just wanted to scream at me and call me names. What sort of person keeps yelling abuse after the other person has apologised?

My knees stopped shaking about half an hour later!

If by any chance he reads this and recognises himself...I suggest anger management classes.

Tulips & tomato soup....my Wednesday.

I haven't taken any photos for a few days so it was nice to grab the camera and take a few snaps. Phil gave me these lovely tulips on Monday evening. I do love tulips; even if they do have a short life as a cut flower! I am also really into my soup making. Last night I made a new soup with miso paste, noodles, chicken, spinach, carrot, courgette and spring onions...today it's one of my very favourites, tomato. The great thing about soup is you can chuck in lots of veggies. This soup has parsnip, courgette, carrot, leek, onion and celery lurking in the depths.

Kate has been off school this week with "Kate flu", like man flu only MUCH MUCH worse, of course! She also had two baby teeth pulled at the dentist yesterday, poor girl is not having a good week.

It's been a nice day...I walked with dear Jane this morning; what a tonic she is and how blessed I am in her friendship. Then soup making and a bit of gardening..well, I cut the grass! Only one more day at work then I'm off for Easter.

I'm really thrilled we have found a nice cottage in the Cotswolds for our summer holiday. The girls and I are going with Phil's parents as he hasn't any leave left until October - he's using it all for the commission. It will be good to get away for a week.

Am feeling more positive...I'm thinking "Middle Girl". Dianne, you'll know what I mean!!

So much for feeling happy and confident and positive. Everything feels as if it has collapsed around me over night. And then something apparently minor occurred this morning which left me feeling very low and insecure. God, I'm useless...

All I can do is hope this passes. Sorry for being such a wuss today.

On a lighter note I got this from Everything & Nothing. Funny how it turned out, as Spiderman is my favourite superhero!

Which superhero are you? Apparently I am Spiderman..

You are intelligent, witty,
a bit geeky and have great
power and responsibility.


Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...

An image from the last wedding..seemed appropriate for a Sunday post.

Phil is thinking of investing in a D300 which means I'll "inherit" the D80, really exciting thought! I'll keep my much loved D40 as a second body. We are looking at lenses however, as the kit lens that came with the D40 is useless and I've been using Phil's 18-135 for the weddings. Phil would be happy for me to have that but he's looking for a decent, useful lens to be his walkabout lens on the D300.We are both earning some money now from our work so it makes sense to invest some of it in better kit.

Work was busy and productive yesterday and today we're doing not very much at all. I have been having a bit of a de-clutter session which always cheers me up; sad git that I am!

My blogfriend Jo-ann is very worried about her beloved dog who is sick. I really feel for Jo-ann; my pets are are part of our family and we all love them so much. Please say a prayer for Jo-ann and her lovely dog or send them positive thoughts...I hope you don't think it's wrong to pray for an animal? I know I don't...

It's catblogging Friday and here is Basil. I found him sitting in the (empty) birdbath yesterday. He was looking very innocent, I thought.

Basil has a morning routine. After breakfast he comes upstairs and sits on my dressing table to birdwatch. He loves the view. The window is covered with little smudges from his nose being pressed against the glass. He is not very impressed with my statue of the laughing Buddha which he often knocks over!

After a hard couple of hours birdwatching Basil retires to a bed (not his own!), a sofa or a chair to sleep off his efforts until suppertime.


Great, busy day at work today. The hours flew by. I'm also very excited because my next wedding is on Easter Sunday and it's at Peckforton Castle - we will be using the studio lighting too, another great learning experience for me, hurray!! I am counting the days...

For the past few months I've been trying to get my life on a better footing, to stop being so negative and pessimistic. I work away, reading my self-help books, my affirmations,trying to live my life in the moment, looking at my laughing Buddhas when I feel myself slipping back into gloom...I feel so much better in myself but didn't think anyone else noticed anything. But today my lovely deputy told me I was a changed person lately...so much more upbeat and positive....it's encouraging.

Being the person I am, I felt a pang of sadness and regret that I've "wasted" 46 years being a negative pessimist who felt depression was her natural state. But the sadness didn't linger. I will instead try to live the rest of my life (however long or short) being happy and content. I can't change the past; all I have is now.

This was my view back along the Promenade at West Kirby during my lunchtime walk on Tuesday. Normally there are lots of people about! The wet pavements make it obvious that waves have been crashing over the railings and there was a lot of debris too as you can see.

The gales were bad last night and I didn't sleep well but apart from a broken latch on the gate there seems to be no damage to our home.

Claudia of "Everyday kindness" was kind enough to give me this lovely award! I would like to pass it on to all my kind blogfriends who encourage and support me in everything I do. So please, display this on your sidebar if you'd like it, with my love!

Today's picture is another cactus shot from Ness Gardens.

I'm waiting for the next phase of the storm to hit. Yesterday it was the southern part of the uk who got the worst of it; tonight it's apparently our turn. I'm dreading going to bed in the attic, without Phil, so I may set up the airbed in Sian's room instead.

It was very windy on the front at West Kirby today. Not many people braved the high winds and the spray. Still, it's always better to get out into the fresh air at lunch time then stay inside, I think.

We have a warm house and hot water again; BLISS! Honestly, until you have no hot water you don't appreciate what a miracle it is to have this "on tap".

Who's the lady with the hat? ...We call her the hat lady.

I'm feeling a bit more cheerful today; two hours of physical exercise helped quite a bit! But we didn't sleep well because of the gales. Thamk goodness there has been no damage so far. The house is freezing as the boiler isn't working. Thank heavens for gas fires in the two main rooms downstairs. Boiling kettles to wash dishes is not fun at all...

My title today comes from an old TV show I was quite addicted to once...Twin Peaks. My favourite ever lines were:
"Who's the lady with the log?"
"We call her the log lady".
It still makes me laugh...why, I have no idea!

I entered this photo in a competition on TPC on the subject of "Structures". It didn't make it into the top ten, worse luck! I like it nevertheless, it is in Millenium Park, Chicago.

It's been a quietish day; I've done a bit of spring cleaning/sorting and hope to do more after aerobics tomorrow. I'm in that sort of mood...

I'm also a bit upset about something that has been dear to my heart for quite sometime. I'm debating as to whether I should continue to be involved with it. I'm not entirely comfortable with the direction it seems to be heading in...I also feel that if I express my feelings it's unlikely to make any difference...the only option I have is to withdraw. I'm going to think on that for a while. Not make any hasty decisions!

I have been given the chance to maybe do some admin work on a local level for Red Bubble which has come at a good time for me.I need to think about that too...

I'm racked with doubts over my ability to do a good enough job on these weddings. However, it's a huge (massive even!) boost to my confidence that my mentor thinks I'm good enough. I have several more weddings coming up to practice on...and I love it so much. I won't let my fears stop me.

I guess I'm a little down tonight.

This is one of my favourite pictures from World Book Day at the library. This is Little Red Riding Hood. Is it me, or are teachers getting younger all the time???
Due to the ongoing debate about the ethics of photographing children, I did not take pics of the kids, which was a shame as there were some wonderful outfits. But I'm happy with the pictures I got of the teachers, who really entered into the spirit of the day with their outfits. No-one took a picture of me as Mog, sadly (or maybe that's a blessing?) Anyway...it was a great day.
Today in my capacity as assistant wedding photographer, I went to visit clients with my "boss". They are a lovely couple and I am very excited about doing the photos as the locations are wonderful. The civil ceremony is in a venue called the Glass House which apparently has glorious gardens and a fruit maze. The reception is in a marquee next to the groom's family home, which has a beutiful garden, full of interesting features, steps, there is even a couple of ponds!! Now we just need decent weather.
Off for a curry with friends tonight...

I like Wednesdays...

For a start, I don't work on Wednesdays. I had a little lie in this morning, until nine, then did my usual tidying up of all the stuff lying around the house.

I watered some planters in the garden as we're still not getting very much rain. I took a few photos too...and was delighted to see the frogs have been busy and we have frogspawn in the pond. I have some dwarf tulips in bloom, as you can see by the photo.



I made a veggie shepherds pie for dinner; then spent an hour or so going through my wedding photos and editing them.

Then it was time for RDA. We had a full afternoon as all the rides turned up. It's always so enjoyable being at the stables.

This evening was a bit different; Parents Evening for Sian. Apart from being TOO CHATTY she's doing well so we are well chuffed :)

The only downside to today is the boiler isn't very well...we are warm enough as we have a gas fire in the sitting room but there is no hot water or radiators :(

Tomorrow should be interesting...it's World Book Day and I'm going to be dressed as a cat for the day - we have lots of classes coming in!

Happy Mothers Day to all mothers (and mothers in law and step-mothers!)everywhere.

I am blessed to be the mother of my wonderful daughters, as well as the daughter in law of June - my friend, my "other mother", always kind, always fun, always there for me. I love you all so much!

I miss my mum.

This Mother's Day without you strains belief
In life and love and what it means to be,
But there is beauty in my lonely grief.

Your death is like a wound without relief,
Pain on pain as far as I can see,
And so this day without you strains belief.

What's the point of living when a thief
Can break into your heart so easily?
But there is beauty in my lonely grief.

You fell away from me, a withered leaf
Twisting down to darkness, leaving me
This day without you, chilling my belief.

And yet there's beauty in this burning brief
Bright burst of light that ends in agony,
Beauty in the cause of lonely grief,

The love I have for you, a jewel-like reef
In silent prayer beneath my empty sea.
This Mother's Day without you strains belief,
But there is beauty in my lonely grief.

bu Nicholas Gordon

I am a tired but happy Julie tonight after another enjoyable and educational wedding shoot. It's been a busy week for me as I was on a course Thursday and Friday.

I was struggling in the early part of the day as my speedlight wasn't functioning well. It's only the second time I've used it and I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to technology so it took SOME TIME for me to twig that perhaps the batteries needed changing??? Then I had to find my "boss" as i couldn't work out where the battery compartment was. He was kind and didn't laught too much at me...! Once that was sorted i felt better.

This was my first marquee wedding and was certainly different. The chuch was the loveliest I've ever seen. Sadly it was so windy it was impossible to take many photos at the church.

Today's pic is a key I noticed while I was at the rear of the church during the address from the vicar. It's impossible to be at wedding (at least for me!) without passionately wishing the newly weds a long and happy marriage. I wish all couples could somehow be handed a "magic key" to happiness on their wedding day. Perhaps this one is that magic key? I certainly hope so...

Today I put some work up for sale on Red Bubble (see links in sidebar). I actually joined back in October but never got around to uploading large enough images for them to actually be sold. I don't have any great expectations of selling anything but it's worth a try...!

Today has flown by. I rushed around like a mad thing this morning tidying the house then did some photo editing/uploading before going off to RDA. This evening was spent cooking, washing up and ironing - yuck. Phil is away over night.

We had an earthquake here in the UK last night...I slept through it! The last time we had one, Phil was away and I awoke to find the wardrobe shaking. In my groggy, barely-awake state, I assumed it was a poltergeist. I lay there very still and afraid until sleep over took me again. I felt very foolish in the morning and decided not to mention my nocturnal visitor. On the way to school I met up with some friends. "Did you feel the earthquake?" they asked. "Oh was it an earthquake?" I replied. "Thank God for that, I thought it was a poltergeist. They all seemed to find that VERY amusing!!

On a course for the next two days so I'm off for an early-ish night :)

These photos of Sonoma County Fair were taken back in summer 2007. I had another photo for today but it was a bit depressing, and I've had such a happy day.....Nothing very special happened but work was so satisfying today. It was one of those days when we all felt like a real team...not just work colleagues but people who really care about and support one another.

Both these photos transport me back to a really glorious day. I took dozens of photos of the colourful fairground; everywhere I looked there was something that caught my eye.

The weekend was good too. Sad, as we were saying goodbye to Phil's sister who is emigrating to New Zealand with her family and we won't see them for a very long time. Happy because we had a family party for them which was a lot of fun!

Yesterday the Wildcat and her husband took me to the FOCUS photographic show in Birmingham. We had a great day out. We met up with some other friends from the Corner. In the afternoon we had front row seats for a talk from photographer Joe Cornish..Phil knows him from workshops and Joe was kind enough to go to Phil's exhibition. He is a wonderfully inspiring man with a very spiritual attitude to life and his art.

I also got to see CH but only briefly...we need to "do lunch" sometime soon!!

On a less exalted note, I bought myself a lens...the Nikon 50mm f1.8. It's supposed to be a great portrait lens. My first prime lens and the first I've ever bought for myself :)

I'm getting excited as I'm helping Andy photograph another wedding on Saturday!!

Catblogging Friday...and here's Basil in his shameless pose!

I got this from Susan, the Blissful Artist. Give it a try if you feel like it; one word answers only though!


One Word
1. Where is your cell phone? kitchen
2. Your significant other? talented
3. Your hair? clean
4. Your mother? deceased
5. Your father? deceased
6. Your favorite thing? home
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? photography
10. The room you’re in? study
11. Your ex? which?
12. Your fear? bereavement
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you’re not? thin
16. Muffins? fresh
17. One of your wish list items? lens
18. Where you grew up? England
19. The last thing you did? dinner
20. What are you wearing? boots
21. Your TV? on
22. Your pet? cats
23. Your computer? lifeline
24. Your life? wonderful :)
25. Your mood? happy
26. Missing someone? parents
27 Your car? practical
28. Something you’re not wearing? makeup
29. Favorite Store? Tiffany's
30. Your summer? Californian
31. Like someone? ANISA
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? yesterday

I took this photo in Delamere on Sunday. Such a beautiful day....! There have been so many lately, to say nothing of glorious sunrises and sunsets.

Somebody told me recently I have a wonderful life (you wise friend, AS!) She's right but I haven't realised it as often as I should have in recent years. It's a very ordinary life, it's a small life, not remarkable in any obvious way, but yes, it is wonderful. I am appreciating the many wonderful things in my life more and more every day.

I had some news of a friend which was shocking and worrying. It made me really think about what's important in life and how much I take for granted and am not ever grateful for. I spend so much time fretting over the bad stuff I scarcely take time to notice all the good...It made me think of how I would view my life if I was in my friend's shoes right now (and I could be, who knows, one day.)

Some great things happened to me today. My hairdresser told me that every single time my daughter Sian is in the salon getting a haircut, another client will comment on how lovely/sweet/friendly she is! Every single time...I was so proud and happy. I also got my hair washed by Tracy, best hairwasher in the business...she makes you feel great all over with her magic fingers! My cat Shea came for a long cuddle while I was drinking my coffee and reading in bed this morning. At the stables, my favourite horse Bruno blew on me, steamed up my glasses, then rested his nose on my shoulder and closed his eyes :) I made a batch of flapjacks and for once didn't forget they were in the oven and burn them. A new charm I'd ordered for my Italian charm bracelet arrived (it's a laughing buddha) and it's beautiful.

That's MY day...hope yours is full of good things too!

I work in West Kirby and during my lunch breaks I like to walk around the Marine Lake. This can be hazardous at times as sometimes the waves come over the walkway. the walk takes me around 45minutes which is just right for my lunch time. I love the fresh sea air and the scenery. You often see sailors and windsurfers enjoying the lake too.

Click HERE for a webcam of the Marine Lake; between 1.30 and 2.30 you might see me!!

Daniel Craig went to school in West Kirby!

Well, I think I finally "made it" ...here I am on the cover of TIME magazine. Thanks to Akelamalu who made it all possible!

This first photo is of moss in an alpine garden in Ness. The one below is yet another cactus!!



Kind Fives - I've been taged by Claudia at Everyday Kindness

1. List five kind things you for yourself. List five kind things you for your closest friend, partner or child. List five kind things you have done for a stranger.

2. Tag five people.

Easy, right?

Five kind things things I do for myself:

1. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes every day.

2. Forgive myself when I make a mistake.

3. Try to live in the moment.

4. I don't dwell on negative thoughts.

5. I allow myself to be creative - blogging, taking photos, gardening, whatever.

Five kind things I do for my closest friend, partner, or child:

1. I make my family's dinner every day. And we all sit around the table to eat.

2. I always say "I love you" to Phil and the girls several times a day.

3. I pay sincere compliments.

4. I tell Phil I miss him whenever we are apart.

5. I try to get Phil to believe in himself more.

Five kind things I have done for strangers:

1. I volunteer one afternoon a week (although this is such fun it should be in the first section)

2. I pick up litter in our neighbourhood.

3. I'm a considerate driver.

4. I do my best to encourage other photographers on the Corner.

5. I try not to gossip (a work in progress, this one!)

I tag: anyone who fancies doing it!
This was quite an eye-opener for me. It really struck home that I'm probably nicer to strangers than I am to my own husband and yet I love him dearly. Here are 5 things he does for me and that I'm VERY grateful for!

1. He makes me coffee every single morning.
2. He always cleans out the cats' litter box.
3. He washes dishes every night.
4. He takes care of all the bills.
5. He washes my car.
   

To Phil, on Valentine's Day.
The Book of Love

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing
But I
I love it when you read to me
And you
You can read me anything
The book of love has music in it
In fact that's where music comes from
Some of it is just transcendental
Some of it is just really dumb
But I
I love it when you sing to me
And you
You can sing me anything
The book of love is long and boring
And written very long ago
It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we're all too young to know
But I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
You ought to give me wedding rings

sung by Peter Gabriel

The girls and I met up with Phil today for lunch at our favourite pub (see above and below) It's not exactly close to home nor is the food cheap so we don't go often, but it is very close to the Eaton Estate so a good place to meet when Phil is there working. We had a lovely meal and it was good to have the family all together again even if only for a short time.

The weather continues to be brilliantly sunny and I'm awestruck at the beauty of the surrounding countryside. We are having a great half-term holiday.

I have just finished a brilliant book, "Notes on an exhibition" by Patrick Gale. I started it yesterday before we went out shopping and at intervals during the day it kept enticing me back! Finished it in bed this morning :)

More from the cacti house at Ness...this succulent had such delicate flowers...

I've been tagged by Dianne for the "Six Quirks" meme. You really should visit Dianne; she is a very talented writer and fellow cat lover. The meme is simple - just list six quirky things about yourself. I'm not tagging anyone in particular but folks, please feel free to post your own list as I'd love to know six quirky things about you all!
My 6 Quirks - and it was quite hard to limit it to only six...!

1 - I always say "Hello Mister Magpie" whenever I see a solitary magpie....
2 - The milk must go in after the tea or I'm positive it tastes wrong.
3 - I am incapable of draining a cup of tea or coffee...I always leave about an inch and I have no idea why I have to do this.
4 - I can't eat cherry tomatoes whole; they need to be cut in half before they go in my mouth. There is something about the way they go "pop" if you eat them whole that makes me think of eyeballs. I'm a bit like that with grapes too....
5 - I read the end of books I'm really enjoying in case I die before I reach the end and never find out what happened.
6 - I can't wrap gifts to save my life...when I do, it always looks like a 3 year old was let loose with gift wrap and sellotape!

Another cactus pic! I loved the regular, uniform placing of the spikes on this one.

I'm off to Chester shopping with the girls...

What a wonderful day
...we had yesterday! The dinner turned out well, my guests were most appreciative and as the weather was so nice we went to Ness Gardens again in the afternoon and took loads of photos. The first one is part of a monkey puzzle tree. I liked the way it seemed to be reaching towards the light!



We also spent ages in the cactus house. Griff called this the "tartan cactus" as it doesn't have any spines but instead has a subtle tartan pattern on its surface.



I happened to look up as we were walking past some buildings and saw all the lumps of moss on this roof. Such a vivid green, and so regular it was as if they'd been arranged there.

Phil is at Eaton this week but will be popping home occasionally. And it's half term, hurray, the girls are off school and I'm (mostly!) off work. Today Sian and I went to aerobics and swimming.It's the most beautiful spring day here...

I had a lovely surprise this morning - a parcel from America! When I opened it up I found a beautiful fabric postcard from my incredibly talented friend Susan over at the BLISSFUL ARTIST. I just stared at it, hardly able to believe it was mine! It's absolutely gorgeous. The colours, the textures, the layers...wow! Thank you so much, Susan!

And the back (photo above!) is just as beautiful. I have decided this perfect object will have a permanent place on my living room mantlepiece - the colours go so well in that room and it will be there in full view for all our friends and family to admire and enjoy.


Can you see the little heart charm on the lace border above? I wish my photos were better but I was in a big hurry to get them on my blog and show off my present as quickly as possible!

Phil and Kate have gone off to the football and I've been busy baking as we have guests for Sunday dinner tomorrow. I've made sticky toffee pudding and cranberry & lemon crunch squares so far. Soon I'll be taking Sian riding and then we are all meeting up at my in-laws for supper. just a lovely Saturday, in fact...and it's SUNNY!

For C, two years ago today - remembered with love.

I love my home...I love being at home!

Wednesday mornings are just about the only times I have time to myself in my home. I work Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, the weekends other people are around, Monday I go to the gym and aerobics and the supermarket, Wednesday afternoons is Riding for the Disabled time. But I relish time alone in my house and garden. I love being here.

I haven't done anything very exciting this morning. I have been scrubbing mould off the shower cubicle in our bathroom with an old toothbrush. then a bit of wedding in the garden, sorting laundry, Hoovering, dusting, cleaning the girls bathroom. Then a bowl of homemade soup and off to RDA. Phil missed out on the pancakes yesterday so I'll mix up some extra batter for him tonight!

I managed to read this month's reading group choice(Frankie & Stankie by Barbara Trapido...you MUST read it!!) in spare minutes today. It was good, but thank goodness I'm a fast reader - I always leave the "set book" to the last minute!

Emerging...

Happy Shrove Tuesday to everyone! hope you all enjoyed your pancakes! the girls and I managed to put away a fair number without any help from Phil, who was in London.

Lent starts here; I always try to give up something just to prove I have some willpower and it's usually chocolate. I failed miserably last year at about day 3 so here's hoping I'll do better this time! I'm also going to give up BISCUITS...I don't really even LIKE biscuits but I eat them because they are there.

So, I'm giving up chocolate and biscuits. I've told you all so now I've got to stick to it!! Time for a quick walk after all those pancakes I think...

It's great to have Phil home. The house feels "right" again. We had a great Sunday dinner last night; full of conversation and laughter.

I took this photo in the cactus house at Ness Gardens. I'm very fond of cacti.

My Helsby friends and I have just signed up for this year's Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK. Time to start training...

I have joined the Everyday Kindness Blog roll (see sidebar!) The idea is to try to do one small act of kindness every day. It can be as simple as letting someone take your place in a queue, smiling at someone in the street...

There is no sign here of the snow that has fallen in much of the UK today so here's a photo of some snowdrops instead! Not in my garden, sadly, I just planted three clumps earlier this week and they've not had a chance to spread yet!!

It was so windy last night and with all the creaks and moans about my attic bedroom I didn't sleep very well. It's supposed to get chilly tonight so another hotwater bottle will be accompanying me to bed. It was very gusty down on the shore at West Kirby this lunchtime; I feel like my face was sandblasted by all the windbourne sand blowing off the shore.

I just finished reading "Plain Truth"by Jodi Picoult and enjoyed it, especially all the details about the Amish way of life.

Well, I'm off to get a load of laundry on, wash the dishes and tidy up then hopefully I can be sat down watching a DVD before 8 pm!