Windows Seven

Well a lovely gent and his good lady have taken my pc and brought it back today with Windows Seven instead of Vista - and they ahve also sorted out the PC for the children so hopefully we should be a bit smoother running now with our pooters!!!

It is the start of half term this week and we have all sorts of things planned - getting ready for Christmas a little early in the danemi1 household. We have christmas shopping on the list - making family christmas cards - wrapping pressies - making christmas stockings - have also bought a couple of printed christmas canvases for the children to do. Baking and a trip to the park is on the list too - think we are gonna be busy - lets hope it is better than the trip to funfarm when they were last on holiday and my dd broke her foot - we don't want ANY more broken bones!!!

Hope all is well in blogland!

just found this - I am going to give it a go!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EICadoBCC1s

broken bones!

Update to previous post - fun farm didnt turn out as well as I had hoped = it resulted in 5 hours stuck in accident and emergency at the local hospital - a wheelchair and a walking frame and a potted foot and leg later

My little princess fell of the little climbing wall in the little childrens area - thick padding everywhere but she still managed to break the bones in the top of her foot - bless her.  We are going away very shortly for a few days - father in law is soont o be 60 and has just retired from his job as Managing Director of a large haulage firm in the North of England - to celebrate there are 30 of us going to Haven in the Lake District - guess who wont be going swimming now!!!! Poor little pumpkin!

By going flat out out cleaning and working all Friday and Saturday, I did actually manage to get some time this Sunday to work on my project - here's the before and the almost there point

Fun Farm

Off to the fun farm today - no I havent gone loopy loo - its a play place for the little ones - the kids can play and the Mums can have a cuppa and  chat - aah lovely - back soon


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Home sweet home bag and the joy of being a Mom!

I am tired - I went to bed at 3 am no I wasn't out partying I was sat at the sewing machine in the conservatory with the rhthymic rain pattering on the roof - and I was playing - I followed a tutorial loosely to make the bag and then from there well I just kinda went with it - I played like a kid - trying this and that and finally ending up with the other - and I really enjoyed it until I looked at the time and it was almost 3am - a quick tidy up of the scissors and pins - in case the kids got up before me - what am I saying in case - should have said WHEN - as they are always up early!  Didnt put all the fabrics away though..anyway this is what I came up with

I found this today - it sure is an interesting read
How many of us - look at magazines and covert the perfect body - moan about our tums or our hips and things - if only we could have better boobs - slimmer waists - y'know the thing - well read this and be proud of your womanly shape - especially the transformation it has undergone in the 9 months you were incubating that gorgeous little baby of yours

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The Shape of a Mother Blog
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Tilda Christmas Book - I made a gift bag!!! Yay!

My neighbour brought this book across for me to have a browse through and oh my word its beautiful

Here's a tutorial for some fabulous Christmas Gift bags - so adorable....

Here is the Christas Gift Bag Tutorial

A Close Up


and this is what I made - I didn't want to do Chistmas just yet

Ta-da.....I love it - learnt a lot whilst doing it - and hopefully it will turn out better next time but I am pleased with it - not sure the ribbon is the best for it - my friend who is coming over this evening knows how to do a round braid cord - may see if I can learn that - think it may be better with that...so much to learn!

Off to do some baking with the children now - Chocolate Orange Cake and maybe a Lemon Drizzle too!!!!

Cushioned in Comfort!!!!

I have fancied trying patchwork but for someone that couldnt sew a button on - well it was just out of the question...or was it - with the help of my friends Jackie and Vera..I managed to do the one with the red and white gingham border - then on my own - totally I have done the other one - not come out too bad  (as long as you dont look too closely!!!!!!)

Visit to Cath Kidston Shop and link to 1 Hour Bag Tutorial

Just back from a few days away with the family - Bracknell and then Worthing Near Brighton - we called at the CK shop at Bicester and then again at the shop in Windsor - even my little girl loves CK things and got the mug that you can see with her pocket money (start them young in the finer things of life - lol!!!) Don't really know what I am going to do with it all yet, but it was definitely a need rather than a want - lol!! Most of the fabrics were £12 a metre rather than the usual £15 = BARGAIN!!  The two at the very front... the red and the blue with labels on are tea towels but I understand you can make all sorts with a tea towel - pretty and gorgeous quality too.

Have come across a blog this morning by a lovely lady who shares her fab tutorial for making a really pretty bag - only takes an hour to make apparently - I think I may just give that a whirl

http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/2008/01/1-hour-bag-tutorial.html

Well we have washing coming out of our ears at the mo but at least the cases are unpacked and dh and the children are at Tescos at the mo. Going to a BBQ later today so had better get ship shape in a mo - maybe just a cuppa tea before I do!!!! Naughty girl!!

Sewing Update!

I am so unbelieveably excited and rather quite proud of my little curtain that covers the washing machine front - I am a girl that couldnt sew a button on three weeks ago - all of my sons badges for his beavers uniform were sewn on by my husband as I just couldnt do it - not any more

I made the above to go with these

It all started when I went into Laura Ashley a couple of weekends ago and saw my favourite red gingham on sale - half price - before I knew what was happening I had paid for a metre - didnt have a clue what I was going to make with it but just knew I had to have it and since then I have made the above and then I concocted this little bag for me to take my sarnies into work

and as for the red gingham...I made this

and I have been doing some more with it today - this is going to hopefully be a 15 inch patchwork cushion

The children saw me sewing and wanted to join in so my son did this - not finished yet but loving it - think he is doing a terrific job - he started a couple of hours after us as he was on a sleepover last night!!!
and my little girl has made these cute little brooches

Let's hope they never know the fear of the sewing machine!!!!! Rebel without a clue that's what I was but hopefully now thats behind me (just dont look too close as you will see plenty of errors but hey its a start).

art-moms site!

new site I've just discovered - its really sweet
http://www.art-moms.com/quotes.html#Teacher/Daycare_

is my machine threaded right???

Drawers Makeover!!!

I bought these drawers from a lady at work for a tenner last week you can just see the sander on the floor (didn't know that had sneaked in the photo - it was very sunny when I took the picture and couldn't quite see what exactly was in the viewfinder)


Here they are now.......


The children think that the window ledges in the conservatory are for dumping - pens and pencils - books and scraps of paper etc etc on - well I spent an hour or two on Friday - splitting things into groups and assigning each group a drawer - then hopefully they can find things and I get clean window ledges - what do you reckon to my chances - lol - gotta try though eh?

On another note - had a busy busy weekend - the family have had 3 parties this weekend - Emmie went to a pals party at a play place yesterday lunchtime then off we all went down to Henlow to see our dearest friends Howie and Avril - I have been friends with them and their whole family for just over 20 years - they are like family - family that has been handpicked - I love them all so it was fabulous to spend time with them - the weather was beautiful - the food fab and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Today was pay back time - the children were both ill last week with a bug and I had time off to look after them which meant I had to work at night rather than in the day so time was very very limited - oh my word - how the washing had built up in just a couple of days - I spent from 0900 to 1400 washing and ironing and then we had friends coming at 1630 for a bbq - so quickly threw a summer fruit crumble and a lemon drizzle together and also the pasta and aubergine bake (recipe below) Lee got the barbie on - we put the pool up today as well - oh and in between Daniel went to a school pals laser tag party - I am now sat down feeling rather pooped. keep thinking I should be making a start on another dining room chair but nope I think my bed is calling me and its call is louder!!!! Have a great week everyone xx

Oops before I go - something else to share - I made this recently with lots of help from my friend as I can't sew for toffee ( she has the patience of a Saint!!!)

Slimming World Recipe Auberge and Pasta Bake

Doesnt this sound fab - I have just found it on the Slimming World Page - me thinks I am going to have to try it soon - have just bought 3 Aubergines so what am I waiting for

This mighty meat-free delight is perfect for Green days. With lots of creamy mozzarella coating delicious pasta you’ll never know you’re slimming!
Serves: 4 Syns per serving: Free on Extra Easy, Free on Green*, 15 Syns on Original**Add 6 Syns if not using cheese as a Healthy Extra

ingredients
1 tsp Marmite 1 onion 2 garlic cloves 454g/1lb tomatoes 284ml/½ pint passata salt and freshly ground black pepper 340g/12oz penne pasta fresh basil leaves 170g/6oz mozzarella cheese 1 aubergine

method
1. Dissolve the Marmite in a pan with 284ml/½ pint boiling water. Chop the onion, garlic and tomatoes and add to the pan with the passata and seasoning to taste. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 12 minutes until slightly reduced.
2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, drain and refresh under cold water, then add to the sauce.
3. Place half the pasta in an oven-proof dish. Top with half the aubergine and scatter over some basil leaves. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Slice the mozzarella and place on the top. Season to taste, then bake for 20 minutes until the cheese has melted. Serve hot with a huge crispy salad or Free chips.


- well actually tonights tea is taken care of - have made a slow cooker sausage casserole - it has lots of spinach, courgettes, carrots, new potatoes, celery, stringless green beans, oodles of garlic and onion, handful of mushrooms - am hoping lots and lots of homemade goodness - no processed stuff in sight - hope it tastes good - I have to be a bit devious as son is starting to say dont like this and that - he doesnt like mushrooms so I blitz them along with the spinach and then I know he is still getting the goodness - he eats it and loves it - ignorance is bliss!!!!

caravan blog

Here is just the cutest blog I have found in quite a while - it is absolutely gorgeous - makes me want a caravan just to do up like the very proud owners have here - I am in Love!!!

http://happylovesrosie.blogspot.com/2009/08/vintage-caravan-done.html

Have a good look around this ladies blog it is amazing

Photo Mosaic

Oh my word - I have found a new toy


am so chuffed with the above - if you fancy making your own mosaic - try here

It is fabulous fun and it is free!!!! Am delighted with it!!!

and made a collage but think I need more practise with this

Shabby Chic Chairs

We had 4 of these

and now I have done this to one of them

with a close up here

1 down 3 more to go

I was quite pleased when I found this fabric as the colours go fab with the sofa

Hope I havent bored anyone - am just so excited as its the first time I have done anything like this - hubby bless him not sure if he is humouring or trying to stop me running out and buying new but he says they look like they are from Laura Ashley - except you would pay a lot more for them than the amount you have spent on paint and fabric - bless him!

learning to dance in the rain

I remembering receiving this and it wasnt until I was browsing through this blog today that I refound it and wanted to share it with you

The REAL Meaning of Words....

It's amazing how a photograph can express the meaning of a word.... feel free to share this ...

Respect

Sorrow

Rescue

Patience

Pain

Love

Divine

Innocence

Friendship

Departure

Compassion

Best Friends

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass...

it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

found this gorgeous website today

full of scrumptiousness
http://daisypinkcupcake.blogspot.com/

A day at Edinburgh Zoo

We had a few days away in Edinburgh and whilst there decided to go to the Zoo although as Emily kept reminding us - there were no elephants or snakes there a fact that Aunty Eloise had told her - think she was a bit disgruntled she wouldn't see either but what we did see more than made up for it - we saw zebras, lions and tigers monkeys, rhinos and penguins amongst lots lots more but for me one of the nicest parts of the day was witnessing the close relationship you have as brother and sister - sometimes!!!!

We saw you holding hands and walking along together chattering away

playing together

I love being part of this family - even when you are arguing and being little monkeys - you still give me this wobbly feeling in my tummy - being a Mom and a wife is just the best thing EVER!!!

relaxing in the beautiful sun cuddled up together - precious moments

and then - oh my goodness.........

both children had wanted to go up in the trees and before I knew what was happening I had said yes not realising it would be me going up with Emily as she was too short to go on her own - Lee usually does that sort of thing - but he asked and I couldn't say NO - what do you mean couldn't say No - had you forgotten Elaine - YOU DON'T LIKE HEIGHTS!!! Anyway up we went -

Daniel first....Then Emily...and then MoiI don't think I really knew what I was letting myself in for - when you got really high up - it was like a 50p piece only a lot lot bigger and around each outside piece there was a different rope or plank to walk across and then after that each part was split into segments and they all had different challenges - OH MY GOODNESS - I got across the first and then froze - I looked at Lee who was busy underneath snapping away with the camera (including pictures of my bottom as I discovered later - Needless to say those photos didn't make it onto here!!) I looked and mouthed I don't think I can do this - I then looked at our beautiful children - Daniel was having a blast and he was gaining speed and Emily was quite happily starting to catch him up - how could I let them down - if they could do it - I could do it for them - although I have to say the fight or flight sensation was almost eating me up but my love for them pulled me through it and Emily and I completed a full circle around it - every step for me was an almighty challenge - I have never been so pleased to get to the other side of something - Emily and I then came down - even helped a little girl en routebut our young man Daniel stayed on there for another 45 minutes - so, so proud of our children and my word did they teach me something up there - they silently gave me the courage to face a real fear head on!!!A fabulous day - totally exhilarating - one that will stay with me for many years to come - I just had to snap a shot of this huge sign that I saw - very, very beautiful and rather poignant!