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!

This is one of my favourite photos of recent times. It was taken from quite a few feet away at F5.6 which threw the BG quite out of focus. I don't know what the plant is...bet Ruth knows! It has been suggested that I clone out that stray leaf in the extreme bottom left; I tried but I'm so bad at cloning so you could tell something had been there.

My IBS has been bad the last few days; I know it's probably a combination of nerves/excitement about doing more wedding photography. I'm so far out of my comfort zone it's not true BUT I can't turn my back on this opportunity. I just need to find a way of living with the fear and not letting it take over my life.

Since the New Year I've been making real efforts to improve my attitude to life - I've been passive for so long, allowing myself to be a victim of both my own moods and those of people around me. I'm trying to be more positive and that's quite a turnaround for someone who's always been convinced the glass was not only half-empty but probably about to fall off the table and shatter on the floor!

I can't begin to describe how even tiny changes in my mental attitude have altered my life for the better. There are still the ever present anxieties and insecurities, the sadness and the hurt..they haven't gone away...but MAYBE I am learning to get them more in proportion.

Maybe...!

For A.S with love...Pink berries...
...and I think something has been snacking on these! Another photo from Saturday's trip to Ness Gardens.

I can't believe it's only Tuesday; this week is dragging with Phil gone. I had an early night last night but woke up feeling exhausted; I'd had loads of those really vivid dreams which are very unsettling without quite being nightmares. In the last one I was photographing a wedding and was unable to focus my camera; I was frantically searching the menu and settings but could not get a sharp image! I woke up sweating and trembling...!

The next wedding shoot is March 1st. My wedding photographer guru has also told me he's going to offer some free engagement portraits to some of his clients so I can practice my staging and portrait taking. I'm so lucky to have these opportunities. He's also given me a ton of books on portrait and wedding photography to develop my eye for composition. My homework!!

It's raining and dark and I'm trying to force myself out the door for a walk...ugh!

I heard today from a special friend I thought I'd lost for ever; it was so good to see an email from her again; she was never far from my thoughts.

There is a bit of a bend in the road ahead for me. Life has taken a few unexpected turns and twists in the last few months! It certainly seems as if there are some challenges ahead....I must not be afraid!

It was a good weekend. Phil was home albeit briefly and on the Saturday we went to Ness Gardens taking photos. He is now off in Spain again for the Duchess.

I was in a lot of pain this weekend; Thursday night my right elbow started hurting. It got steadily worse until I was contemplating chopping it off just below the shoulder. Ordinary pain relief did not touch it so I went out Saturday and bought Nurofen Plus and Deep Heat Rub, which
have gradually eased it. i can't think what caused it; I'm just thankful it's going away!!

So here's Basil on Catblogging Friday. I planted an old pair of Phil's walking boots with ivy and put them on the bench. Basil at once cosied up to them.

I have great news; the doctors think Karen will be able to go home tomorrow. Thank you ALL for your prayers and positive thoughts. Once again she has pulled through a life-threatening crisis.i'm in awe of her courage a determination.

Phil's coming home tonight :) I have to make the most of him as he's away again at Sunday lunchtime.

I have been out in the garden this morning! It wasn't raining, was very mild and the birds were singing their heads off. I took quite a few photos but I'm saving most for my gardening blog post later this week. I tried something I'd wanted to do for years but lacked the necessary props! I also planted some primulas in the container hanging on the fence opposite the back door. Nice and bright and cheerful!

I have had some very exciting news about my wedding photography. I think i'm going to be extremely challenged in the next few months but I'm very lucky to have such wonderful opportunities come my way. I truly can hardly believe it is happening to me...

I had to take a photo of my new washing machine! After being without a properly functioning machine since just before christmas, it's BLISS to have one again. It's the most sophisticated one we've ever had and is far more intelligent than me - it speaks English, French and German!!

My friend Quiet Rage has just started a new cookery blog.
She is one of the best cooks I have ever encountered. Check out her blog for great advice and RECIPES!!

I woke up today feeling a bit "low"....

When I switched on the TV news it was to hear that scientists have worked out that today is the most depressing day of the year!

Dr. Cliff Arnall of Cardiff University created a formula with which he worked out when this black dog of a day would fall. Here it is: [W+(D-d)]xTQ MxNA - where W = weather, D = debt, T = time since Christmas, Q = time since a failed habit-kicking attempt, M = motivation and NA = the need to take action and control over something that will lead to a positive outcome for you. Apparently many people will also receive credit card bills for Christmas spending today as well! I think I was feeling a bit "blue" because Phil has gone away for the week. And the weather is so gloomy still.

Going to the gym and aerobics helped! As did finishing a huge pile of ironing!

Two more photos from my archives. Again both of these were taken in Safeway in Petaluma. There are things available to eat there that we don't have in our supermarkets - like the cactus ears below which i must admit I don't really fancy eating! But the little tomatillos (above) look very tasty.

I was given this lovely award from Lori
It means a lot to me as Lori herself is a very special person and she "makes my day" pretty much every time I read her blog. The award says "The award rules say: Give the award to people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on.
I am going to pass this award on to four special blog friends (I could have put given this award to everyone who's blog I visit frequently as they are all brilliant but I made myself narrow it down to four) :

• Kaycee

• Akelamalu

• The Blissful Artist

• Jo-Ann

If you get the chance; check out their blogs and let them make YOUR day too!

I know sometimes getting an award can be stressful if you feel you HAVE to pass it on. So I'm just going to say - if you don't want to pass it on, don't. I just wanted to let you know I appreciate you.

Dyed in the wool...

I was on the computer very little yesterday but have had no more news of Karen - I know her sister in law would have been in touch if there was any change though so I'm praying she's continuing to improve.

My own sister in law H is emigrating to New Zealand at the end of February. We will all miss her and her family very much. H is a very keen knitter and she has given me a bag of wool she has spun and dyed herself. I expect once she's settled in NZ she'll probably start keeping her own sheep! The wool is lovely and the colours very beautiful and I can't wait to start knitting something with it (see photo above). The top photo is my blanket made out of knitted squares - I'm busy finishing off the last strip of edging and then it will be finished! I'm a very "basic" knitter but I find the act of knitting very relaxing.

Well, back to work for me for now...hope everyone is having a good Friday.

I am feeling more relaxed now I have had more encouraging news about Karen :) Today I was on a "Visual Impairment Awareness" training course. It was really interesting. Amongst other things we learned how to guide people with sight problems. We split into couples and took it in turns to be blindfolded; then the seeing half of the couple would guide them. It really was quite scary not to be able to see when you are in a busy public place. We also tried on various simulation spectacles that gave us an idea of the different types of vision loss or impairment. Again this was quite an experience and affected us all deeply.

This afternoon I was at RDA as usual but more than usual I was appreciating the sights all around me. The expressions on faces; light rippling over the glossy coats of the horses, the sun on the trees, the clouds. It even struck me what an incredibly vivid green was the moss on the rooftops and how lucky I was to be able to see it.

I am trying to live much more "in the moment" and not to drive myself nuts with overthinking. I tried not to let myself go down my usual route of worrying what will I do if I lose my sight...how will I cope etc? If it happens I'll try to deal with it then and for now I'll try not to take being able to see so much for granted!

I never posted any pictures of our completed driveway - I took these on Monday. We are really delighted with how it looks and I'm really pleased with my two new planters by the front door! I also planted up a little hanging basket. In the second picture you can see Basil in a cameo appearance as himself!

Thank you all FROM MY HEART for your prayers. Karen once again has pulled back from the brink and is now more comfortable. I have told her before how people she has never met pray for her in times of need and she is always so touched, so grateful and humble about it. Thank you all.

Love
Julie xx

Karen
Please pray for Karen. The next 8 hours are critical. Please.

Cereal bars from Nigella

My new year resolution to eat breakfast hasn't gone very well. I am always so rushed in the morning. I love porridge but don't have time to wait for it to cool enough to eat it. I like my high-fibre cereal but it gets boring if eaten every day. Toast, crumpets, bagels...all yummy but not very nutritious. I'm not going to start cooking eggs, pancakes it bacon on work days either!

Browsing through my latest cookbook ("Nigella Express") I came across these cereal bars. They contain oats, shredded coconut, mixed seeds (I used pumpkin, sunflower, sesame and linseeds) dried cranberries and blueberries. I made up a batch and they taste really good. So now I can eat something for breakfast in the car if I need to!

I just finished "How to talk to a widower" by Jonathan Tropper. This was an interesting book. I enjoyed it but to me it read like a screen play. I wasn't surprised to discover this is going to be a movie. Some books just have "future movie" written all through them. It's the way they are constructed somehow. But still, this book makes a thought-provoking read.

Life is sweet...

This photo is from my archives; taken in the Petaluma CA Safeway store, when I was grocery shopping with my friend A. From what I can remember, she'd sent me to choose some bread and I'd become distracted by some of the unusual (to me) goods on offer. These are Mexican cookies and I wish I'd bought some....I do love supermarkets in other countries...they feel so much more exciting and unusual. Or am I just very sad...?

Well, we have had a very happy weekend. Nothing very exciting and we have had to bite the bullet and pay out for a new washing machine. Our cowboy repairman appears to have taken the money and ridden off into the sunset....I guess he has no conscience! It is just so good to have Phil home and for us all to be together. Last night Phil's parents came round and we had a lovely visit.... lousy weather tho'...wet and windy!

I've finished another book by Richard Carlson and I'm trying to take on board some of his key precepts. I know it won't be easy but I'm determined to make major changes in how I live my life this year.

I'm now going to force myself to go out into the dark, the wind and the rain for a 30 minute walk before settling down for the evening.

Thanks to everyone for the comments and HUGS you sent me after my last post. You have all contributed to my happy weekend and I hope yours has been equally blessed.

Happiness

Little things that make me happy -

• The smell of coffee brewing every morning
• My cats coming for cuddles
• Getting into a freshly changed bed
• Hot showers
• My scent - Shalimar
• The sound of a text message arriving
• Hugs
  
• A new book by a favourite author
• Singing along to the car stereo
• Clean plates all round when I've cooked dinner
• Getting a comment on my blog
• A brand new diary
• A long walk in the fresh air
• Freshly painted toenails
• Trying out a new recipe
• Frosty mornings
• Soup!
• Making lists
  
• The first day of a holiday
• Burts Bees Lip Balm
• Baking bread
• Using my Cross Ion pen
• The smell of a tack room - horses plus leather
• Finishing the ironing
• Thick comfy socks
• Being called a numpty by the Wildcat
  
• The moment when the film starts at the cinema
• Waking up ready for work - then realising it's a day off
• Having my hair washed by Tracy; best hairdresser in the world!
  

I have two new books to add to my list:
The thirteenth tale by Diane Setterfield - a wonderfully atmospheric and mysterious read and Don't sweat the small stuff by Richard Carlson - which is really helping me make some changes in my life!

I was really distressed to discover that Dr Carlson died December 2006 - he was born the same year as me.

For light and composition, this is one of my favourite photos EVER, for me it just had that elusive "something". However, when I looked at it on the computer screen I was bitterly disappointed. It was very blurred. I couldn't bear to just throw it away so fiddled around with some filters in photoshop - not something I usually do. I'm quite pleased with the result.

Today's photo is a church doorway which caught my eye on a country walk.

Well, Phil has left for a week in Scotland taking photos for the Duchess; I'm already missing him! But we've had a pleasant weekend. Yesterday morning we went looking at new cars, as Phil's lease car is due to be changed very soon. We'll miss the Megane but Phil is after something with a bigger boot so we don't have to put miles on my car whenever we go on holiday. In the afternoon we watched Sian ride - she rode Sian the pony and had a wonderful lesson. We also took down the Christmas decorations which was sort of sad...And had a Skype chat with A from California.

I found this story on the BBC website today. It makes very sad reading. Especially the part about 7,800 dogs being put down in the UK in 2007 because homes could not be found for them. And that 270 dogs were taken to Battersea Dogs Home over the Christmas period. So much for us being a nation of animal lovers! As a family, we are very committed to animal rescue and all of our pets have been abandoned/unwanted. I'd urge anyone considering paying hundreds of pounds for a pedigree puppy to rethink and visit their local rescue centre. If you have your heart set on a particular breed, most breeds have their own rehoming societies.

The same applies to cats too.

Rant over.

I've just read "What was lost" by Catherine O'Flynn. I became completely absorbed in this story, which starts by focusing on the character of 10 year old Kate, who along with her toy monkey, runs a detective agency. The story is centred around a huge shopping mall. Really original, really gripping, funny in parts and very well told, I'm so glad I read this book.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments on my last post. You have all helped me so much and I'm determined to get through my sadness as quickly as I can - I've already wasted far too much time on this situation. Bless you all for your kindness {{HUGS}}

As it's nearly time to take down the decorations I thought I'd post this picture of what apparently is a very trendy new style in Christmas trees..the UPSIDE DOWN tree. It doesn't actually hang from the ceiling but is mounted on a block. The photo didn't do it justice but it actually looked quite effective...if a bit weird.

I found the article below in the Daily Mail. I've bookmarked it to re-read when I'm in danger of feeling sorry for myself!

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

It may sound glib, but we in the affluent West really should be more grateful for what we often take for granted.

One of today's great ironies is that we are healthier, wealthier and longerlived than any generation in history, yet we don't seem any happier.

In most surveys, far fewer people now describe themselves as being "happy" than did, say, 50 years ago (the grim, war-battered and austere 1950s may have been, oddly, the "happiest" period in recent British history).

Perhaps we can learn something from around the world: happiness surveys throw up some surprising results.

Most Africans report being happier than most Americans, for example, and one survey, by psychologist Robert Biswas-Diener, found that the prostitutes of backstreet Calcutta, which he had assumed would be among the unhappiest people on the planet, were actually rather content with their lives.

The reason? At least, they told him, they weren't as badly off as the thousands of cripples they met on the streets every day. Life was hard, but not that hard.

"Count your blessings" is certainly the advice of Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvard University psychologist, who has written the latest self-help book detailing some simple ways to make your life happier.

He advises readers to focus on the positive: take a couple of minutes a day to think about all the things we should be grateful for, starting with our health and that of our family and friends.

If you would like the read the whole article click here.

Shadows on a dance floor...

It's only the second day of the new year but already I've learned a bitter truth; I am indeed a gullible fool where those I love are concerned. An event this morning has left me feeling like a complete idiot BUT it has taught me a valuable if very painful lesson.

It seems I only learn the hard way.

• 

Happy New Year!

This is one of my sister in law's Cavaliers, it's either Heidi or Gemma...sorry, girls, I can't remember which (and Phil took this photo!)

Last night we had a lovely evening with Jane and her two wonderful boys. We played Buzz and Pictionary and chatted lots. There were lots of fireworks to enjoy in Helsby at midnight and then off we went to bed.

Today we visited Phil's family in West Kirby and this evening watched the first part of the new dramatisation of "Sense and Sensibility".

Something new for my blog in 2008 is that I'm going to attempt list all the books I've enjoyed reading during the year. I would love it if any of my blog readers recommend books to me. I've very varied tastes and I'll try anything pretty much! Or if you read and enjoy any of the book I list please let me know. The first book of the year is "The man who ate the 747" by Ben Sherwood, which our reading group is discussing on Thursday night. This book really surprised me - I enjoyed it a lot and I hadn't expected to. I started it at just past midnight last night and finished it this morning :)

New Year's Resolutions...hmmm....

• To get fitter and (hopefully) lose some weight.
• To eat breakfast.
• To use my tripod more.
• To fight my IBS, my depression and my joint problems with a good diet, plenty of fresh air and a positive attitude.
• To let go of the things in the past I can't change.