Meandering

Happy New Year and the best for 2009!

My daughter, Jayne, a friend Judy and I spent the last day of 2008 meandering through our midlands, gentle valleys and rolling hills with beautiful places and shops to see and delightful spots to replenish the body.

Above is a photo of Culamoya Chimes, a magical place to fill the mind and soul with its beauty and sounds.

If you would like to enjoy with us some of the lovely places we visited here is the link to our meandering.

Thirty Two years back...............

Yesterday my daughter and I went off to our marine world, USharka Land, at the beach front.

It was a beautiful day full of memories. We were both very emotional at the Dolphin show as Gambit , a 36 year old dolphin was the first to entertain us. This very same dolphin, together with his late partner, Purdey, took my daughter around the pool in a boat as a treat for her 4th birthday, 32 years ago. It was just so emotional to see this beautiful creature as we had both not been to the show again since that day. To add to this wonderful day, one could have a photo taken with the dolphins and I asked, after telling the organizers our story if we could have Gambit out but they were apologetic and said it would be the younger dolphins. Anyhow my daughter went along to be photographed and low and behold it was Gambit who came out. My daughter just burst into tears. Gambit is now a proud grandfather and father of five.

Dreams Do Come True

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

Walt Disney

"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning."

Gloria Steinem

"Nothing happens unless first a dream."

Carl Sandburg

I am always dreaming of things - things to do, things to create, things to acquire, things to say.

My mind is a constant buzz of ideas, I know many of the things I dream of will never come true, but many do and so I dream on.

Here is a little sampler I created a while back and would like to share with you. Done in basic stitches, add a star charm, its easy to make up, frame and give to a friend as a gift.

Berry Smoothie -Christmas Morn

This is how we started our Christmas morning, with a berry smoothie served in tall long glasses.

I love smoothies and make them up nearly every day.

I never follow recipes, normally made up of whatever fruit I have at hand, but thought I would share how I made this one.

In the blender jug throw in

a handful of fresh or frozen blackberries

a handful of strawberries

half a papaya,

two bananas

a cup of clear apple juice

six or so ice cubes and little cold water.

blend until well mixed and pour into tall glasses. .... mmmm .... delicious.

Here is our Christmas menu:

Hot smoked salmon with lemon dressing served with rocket and shredded beets

Roast honey and mustard gammon

Roast cranberry/port glazed chicken with cranberry stuffing

Mixed platter of roasted veggies - sweet potatoes, butternut, red, yellow and red sweet peppers, mushrooms, baby marrows, french beans and julienne carrots in fresh rosemary and olive oil.

Hot Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce

Lemon swirl cheesecake

All served with a good wine.

Merry Christmas everyone and the winner ..............

of my Great Christmas Give-Away is ..............Heather from WillowLakeScents. Heather I need your postal address.

Thank you everyone for entering my give-away, I loved reading your comments.

I will have many more give-aways in 2009 so come back for a visit again.

Snowing in the heat.

Thanks to Lea from Farmhouse Blessings for the link to add snow to one's blog.

It has been soooo hot here that just looking at the snow falling makes me feel so much cooler.

After days of rain and so much moisture around, when the sun is out it is so humid. Today promises to be cooler and thank goodness for that as I know we are going to be busy with customers for their last minute shopping.

I am thankful for so many things,

for the health and happiness of my family and friends,

for the wonderful friendships of many years,

for waking up every morning to a new day,

for the continous support of my customers in these difficult times.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas.

Only six days to .................

Christmas for my Great Christmas give-away and wow 52 folks have left a comment, I'm thrilled!! If you would like to enter my Great Christmas give-Away, you still have six days left so just click on the link and read all about it.

New Clothes for Santa's Helpers

Every year I hang up a line of new clothes for Santa's helpers, just incase they get theirs dirty coming down the chimney.

Tiny little knitted jumpers and suits, smoking jackets and shoes, sometimes even a carpet-bag or two - these little outfits are added every year to my Christmas fireside decor.

Its open ... do come in!

That's the title of my first post on my new blog, Granny's Cottage Shoppe - a blog which will feature items for sale in my shoppe. As well as items for sale there will be pieces just for you to enjoy, so do take a look at my newest blog, Granny's Cottage Shoppe.