Happy St Andrew`s Day + Tuesday Through the Winter Window

Because I`m Scottish and because it`s St Andrew`s Day :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZrdo1PuUvQ&feature=related

TUESDAY THROUGH THE WINTER WINDOW - Hosted By Julie at Swedish House

I have joined Julie and Co for Tuesday Through the Winter Window. Now, you`re probably wondering what the heck this pic is?! Well, in keeping with the Scottish Theme today, this is the Forth Rail Bridge...taken from a fast moving vehicle!It honestly is....! We were coming back across the Forth Road Bridge one dark night last year and the Rail Bridge looked so pretty all lit up that I took the opportunity of trying to capture it on film. When I got home and uploaded the photo, this is what I got! Different, innit?!You can just about make out the red of the Bridge....if you look really carefully!

Here`s the link for joining in - http://www.myblogswedishouse.blogspot.com/ - enjoy!

I`m Not a Snowlebrity....get me outta here!....

...ok, it`s only my birdhouse embedded in the snow but quite honestly, I`m expecting to get up tomorrow morning and find I can`t see out of my bedroom window! It hasn`t stopped snowing all day!  I did venture down to the local shop for provisions ...

....but since there was no bread left, I decided to make my own - still waiting for dough to `prove` so might post pics later - along with a huge pot of lentil soup - nothing like it for keeping chills at bay.

Remember that pic of my lovely Acer Japonica which I had on here a couple of weeks ago?Well, this is what it looked like this morning.....

poor wee thing!

One thing about being snowbound is you can get things done without any interruptions....no-one else can get out either! So I`ve been busy with the crochet hook this weekend (should`ve been the sander and varnish for my kitchen floor but just couldn`t work up the enthusiasm!) making some Xmas stuff, which is much more fun!...

...a couple of hats (I`ve since adapted the brown one with a wider brim and flower attached).

.... a pair of wristwarmers.....

and a couple of these lovely snowflakes which I gave to my Mother for her tree.
Back to work tomorrow - since I don`t drive a tractor, my boss is coming to collect me - not so sure how I`ll get home!
A tiny bit of good news whilst watching the snow falling all day....I won another fabulous Giveaway!

....this beautiful cowl from Nicky over at http://alifelikevera.blogspot.com/ - isn`t it so pretty and her blog is great too. Pop over and have a look. Can`t wait to wear it - providing the Postman is able to get through! Thanks Nicky for letting me take part in your Giveaway. You certainly brightened my day :)

Keep Warm and Safe Everyone xxx

To get your Xmas Mojo working.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlsJD8RlhbI


....and for any of us who may be in complete denial!

Have a great,warm,cosy and safe weekend, y`all! x

`Tis the Season....

It`s obviously too early for Santa but the Postman brought some early Xmas Cheer today in the shape of my Handmade Xmas Decoration Swap (organised by Betty over at Mrs Yappy Dog) parcel from my lovely Swap Partner, Amanda....and here for your delight and delectation is what she sent me......

Firstly, let me start by saying that I was just admiring Amanda`s beautiful Patchwork Xmas Stockings on her blog and wishing my talents extended to such lovely needlework then I opened my first parcel and this is what I found.....

My very own Patchwork Xmas Stocking to keep forever and ever!......isn`t it just adorable? I totally love it - the attractive colours, the little pom-poms,the zig-zagging and especially the pretty felt birdies, sorry for gushing but I love it so much! and can you see the little golden parcel peeking from the top? Well actually, there was two of them tucked inside the stocking....

.....and yet more surprises...

...how adorable is this cutie? A gorgeous felt snowman looking very smart with his buttons and bow!I love him too...and there`s more.....

.....I`ve also always admired Amanda`s gorgeous hoops and Abracadabra! here`s one she made earlier, just for little old me! Don`t you just love the colour and Robin Red Breast is very attractive too! Woo,hoo!..and everything was accompanied by this cute little Advent Card which is sitting very happily on my mantlepiece right now.

All in all, a most delicious collection which I will treasure forever and ever. I can`t thank you enough, Amanda, you`ve certainly done me proud. x A huge `Thank You` must also go to Betty for organising the Swap, well done you. I hope everyone is as pleased with their goodies from their respective swappers as I am with mine and I hope Amanda will be pleased with hers too.

p.s. Sorry Amanda, forgot to mention the yummy chocolate Santa which you also included in the parcel -  Babycakes will enjoy sharing it with me! x

All in a Day`s Work.....

My morning doggy-walk and the view from the hill...a panoramic view of the brussels sprouts fields!

....then we say `neigh` to the horses waiting for their apples and carrots to munch!

....the same apples which make the most fantastic Apple and Mint Jelly, or my new recipe for Xmas, Apple and Cinnamon Jelly...award winning, I`m telling ya!The W.I. would be so proud of me!

....then we say `Baaaah` to the sheep, which you can just about see underneath the telegraph pole!

....and we might have a little sit down just to take in the view.....

...before we go and collect the morning`s eggs......

........then after all that it`s nose back to the grindstone!

Not a bad old job, really (sometimes!). Hope you all have a good week. xxx

Postcards from the Edge (not really but it sounds good!)

A little montage of my favourite spots in my locale......

Scotland`s National Gallery, The Mound, Edinburgh. I love it in there - have been known to spend a whole glorious,escapist day inside!

Edinburgh Castle at dusk.....

The Royal Yacht Britannia on a baltically freezing day!

Princes Street, Edinburgh on one of the coldest nights of last year!

My friend was born and brought up in this pretty little village which somehow reminds me of  Brigadoon whenever I visit!This is the High Street!

.....and on the way to that pretty little village, we pass this derelict little cottage - I always feel sorry for it up there all on its own and abandoned to the elements but ......

...these are its nearest neighbours so perhaps it would be just the tiniest bit spooky at night listening to that `whooshing` sound while you`re trying to sleep!

****to be continued.......***

In The Name of the `Father`?

Just a short post to touch base. I hope everyone in Blogland is keeping warm and cosy.

Something on the news really got to me today and I can`t stop thinking about it. At one end of the media spectrum, we have the Fairytale engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton. At the other end, in the real world, news of yet another senseless and inhuman murder of a young child at the merciless hands of the animal who dared to call himself a `father`. I got so incensed by the news report that I switched the tv off before I could hear anymore details about her brutal death but suffice to say how the little soul must have suffered. It wasn`t just the one incident, it happened over a period of time. If anything about the case could be worse, it would be that  her mother `turned a blind eye` to what was happening to her child who was blonde and beautiful, just like my Grandaughter. What I would like to ask is this? How can this be allowed to happen? Were there no other family members,friends,neighbours, social workers who could have intervened to safe this child? It`s all beyond my comprehension but tonight I will be praying for the little angel`s soul. Rest in Peace Bonnie Lass.

Respect