Photo 365+1

We've had an interesting series of prompts this week from Suzie and Photo 365+1. They've been based around time and routine and every one has created a story fit for a scrapbook page. I love having a few ideas lined up!

Here are my favourites:

AN EVERYDAY SIGHT - I seem to see more signs like this every time I go out

BEDTIME - I found this on my pillow on Saturday night. Apparently I'm not the only one in the house who gathers up little bits of paper and keeps them as souvenirs

9.00pm - An early night after a busy day. If I can find an excuse I'll happily read for at least an hour before going to sleep. This is one of the Wallander books, bought after we enjoyed the TV series



MORNING ROUTINE - This mug? A friend gave it to me for my 22nd birthday. As The Accountant is five days older than I am, and we were getting married in a week's time, she gave him one too. Every morning since then I have made coffee in our big, morning mugs. They won't need to last too much longer until we silver-plate them! Though my friend has promised us some new ones instead..

Definitely a story or two there, yes? Which is my cue to remind you that it's Storytelling Sunday this weekend. Thank you to everyone who has already said they are in this time round. Don't forget - short or tall, we love them all! I have tentatively started a Pinterest Board for related layouts and contributions and I'm adding to it as I find, love or remember a post. Don't worry, I would never add any personal photos - layouts and projects only, what do you think?

And finally, one other Sky High note. Yesterday I was playing around with some Slice cutting and some Kraft. I posted a quick picture of the results on From High's Facebook Page - and I'm glad I did, because I spotted something along the same lines on another (very inspirational) blog this morning. You saw it here first. Or, at least you did if you Facebook From High..

Happy Thursday

Today I'm Sending..

If you managed to get hold of a copy of Scrap365 this month you might have seen my October Afternoon mini album. I found the scraps the other day and I decided to make some cards

The scaled down patterns in the 8x8 paper pads are full of shapes I want to cut out and stick down.

I pulled out a little "Today" stamp so that I could create a set of all- occasion cards. "Today" on the outside and I can follow that with any message I need on the inside

I think I'll nominate these as my Monthly Make for March. Have you been keeping up? It's definitely not too late to join Annie the Felt Fairy and her band of Merry Makers..

..and so today I'm sending you a reminder. Don't forget - Storytelling Sunday this coming weekend. The First of April! -  don't be a fool, have your story ready!

International Virtual Pot Luck Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the International Virtual Pot Luck Blog Hop, organised by Deb in Arizona. Today it is me..

..The (Not So) Small One instead of my Mum, Sian. Although she does most of the cooking every day, it is not one of her favourite things to do. But I LOVE to cook; so I have taken over for a little while! I am very excited to be part of this and I hope you all like my recipe.

I have a main dish to show you today

I got this recipe from my Home Economics class in school. We were learning all about a teenager's dietary requirements and this was a suggested healthy dish. We had to cook it as part of our Christmas exam and I had a lot of fun practising it at home. It is the perfect dish to cook if you have guests as it is quick to make, easy to enlarge and it tastes great!

Wedge Topped Mediterranean Pie Serves two

Ingredients

225g lean mince beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 red pepper, seeded and cut into chunks

200g chopped canned tomatoes

1 tablespoon tomato puree

50g cheddar cheese, cut into cubes

big pinch of mixed herbs

salt and pepper to taste

175g frozen potato wedges

25g mozzarella cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C or Gas Mark 6

2. Dry the mince , onion and garlic until browned. Add the pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes

3. Add remaining ingredients except the potato wedges and the mozzarella cheese and cook for 2-3 minutes. Place in a large ovenproof dish

4.Top with the potato wedges and sprinkle with the cheese. Cook in the oven for approx 20 minutes.

You'll love this! But if you'd like to try another main dish, then it's time for you to hop on over to Jacky at Scrappy Jacky. I'm sure she has something good for you. Happy Hopping! Don't forget if you get lost along the way you can start back with Deb right at the beginning and enjoy the rest of the party

Question Time

Last time Little E came to visit he hopped up on the sofa beside me and leaned forward expectantly.

"I think he wants you to answer his questions," his Mum said. "He seems to be carrying out some kind of survey. It was Granny's turn yesterday."

And so, in the interests of scientific research and understanding, I answered Little E's questions

New Cosmo Cricket from Gotta Craft and some scraps of Echo Park's Charming

- Do you like spiders?

- Do you like frogs?

- Do you like laptops?

and my personal favourite

- Do you like biscuits as much as I do?

I did ask him if he would like to offer me a free gift as a thank you for taking part. His Mum said I needed to give him a chance to collate the results first.

My page today has been entirely inspired by a wonderful Roree Rumph for Pink Paislee layout I pinned onto my Sweet Scrapbooking Pinterest Board.

Photo 365+1

When you've been feeling pretty poorly and you start to get better, the world seems like a different place. You notice things:

- that the carpet under the beds hasn't been vacuumed

FLOOR - 7th March

- that Little E's swing needs a really good clean

GARDEN - 12th March

and you find more energy for things:

- pulling out the Dance Competition banner and sprucing it up for this year

HIDDEN - that blogger thing. A picture of part of it, keeping some details for ourselves



and you enjoy more things:

BLISS - a new dress at 75% off in the sale

BATHTIME 8th March

HOBBY - a bit of sewing 18th March

So, thanks again to Suzie and her wonderful prompts for Photo 365+1 (it's definitely not too late to join in!). Photos of the little things. That's what I'm enjoying at the moment and her suggestions are perfect.

Happy Tuesday.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Little quiet on the blogging front here. I've been catching up on things I didn't get done at the end of February and clearing my head for projects I have planned. BUT I couldn't let today pass without wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We'll be eating a celebratory feast of homemade potato bread ("It's my favourite food group" said The (Not So Small One)). If you fancy making some yourself, my recipe is here

Have a good one!

Ra Ra Rugby

When The (Not So) Small One announced she had spent lunchtime at "Chanting Practice", we were intrigued. She has never struck us as much of a zen goddess. Too much going on.

"It was for the match," she said, with as much wither as she could muster. "The Rugby."

More Echo Park Charming and some Dear Lizzy thickers from Gotta Craft

Aah. Every year the schools round here compete for a cup. The Grand Final is in March and the rivalry is mighty. Most often it's two of the big city schools up against each other by the end. They take it very seriously and the supporters do too.

"Will there be pompoms?" asked Uncle Dave, "and ra-ra skirts?"

We have reached the Final. It's scheduled for next week. I'll watch and it will take me right back. When I was in my last year at school our little country team reached the Final too. It's a special memory because no other team from my school has ever equalled that feat. It was big, big, big news in town The boys had their profiles in the paper and the uniform shop sold out of school scarves.

They tell me it was a blast. I wasn't there. I had to fly out of the country for a college interview. I was reduced to standing in a call box at the airport while my Grandma gave me a running commentary from the televised coverage. I knew she'd be watching. She liked boys in shorts as much as we did. The following night I was still in my hotel room, miles from home. I didn't want to be there. I wanted to be at the celebration commiseration party. Watching a boy in a band.

I'm sure nothing has changed. This year, too, there will be a party and a band and a lack of school scarves. The kids are still talking about college and the shorts are still on show. It's all over so quickly. But they'll remember it forever.

The Storytelling Sunday Page

Last week I told the story of the Teddy who wasn't there. I had a lot of fun reading the comments; and I was especially intrigued by the thought behind the one asking - when did your parents own up? I made this page in reply.



My parents were probably slightly older and slightly stricter than most of the others I knew, but they did recognise the value of a furry frined. When I threw a toy out of y pram, they walked for miles looking for it. When I started Nursery School, my Mum made sure I had a tiny pink Teddy in my pocket for company. And when I was taken into hospital, she made a special trip home not just for Ted Fred, but for my favourite doll too.

I am absolutely sure Fred's escape had nothing to do with my Mum or Dad.

Happy Sunday!

This Charming Man

Little E. Gary the Magnificent. It's a love/hate thing.

They got on just fine until the day Little E offered Gary his finger. Hamsters quite like fingers; especially ones tasting of magically delicious toddler snack. So now, Little E likes to drop in on Gary and see if he's awake; then he'll leave again, sharpish. When we ask him if he wouldn't rather stay and play he is firm in his answer.

"No," he says, "I have finished Garying."

I made this page with some of the new Echo Park This&That Charming collection, just in at Gotta Craft and I cut the letters, the silhouette and the angel wings (though they look like little devil horns, don't they?) with my Slice.

Photo 365+1

Photo 365+1 rolls on. Yes, I fell off the photography wagon when I wasn't feeling too good. And, yes, I am still working on plugging the gaps in my collection. For that reason, I don't have my usual grids of photos for you today - but I do still have a few favourites I'd like to share. And, judging by our leader Suzie's recent picture of migraine prevention medication, she'll understand perfectly!

So, I have:







Fashion. My batwing sleeved, cowl necked navy top. I know what they say - if you were round the first time for a trend, you don't need to be wearing it when it comes back. But I like it. My family are getting used to seeing me come through a door and disappear again. The sleeves catch on the door handles. Photo taken in bathroom mirror.



Portrait of a loved one. I was looking around for one when I caught sight of this little collection on his bedside table. It describes him perfectly.

Light. My special craft light, bought on the recommendation of my Mother in Law. Probably her second best bit of advice ever. The first was eat canned peaches when you have Morning Sickness. That one worked too.

Grey. Why, yes they are. Time to try them in the washing machine I think. Just to bring back their natural greyness

Chairs. Zebrano wood in our kitchen

Arranged. A display of birthday cards

You can see that I have changed the look for March. Those last few are Buckhurst H1 lens and Ina's 1969 film for Hipstamatic.

With  thanks to Suzie for continuing to supply a new word every day and to everyone who continues to let me have a glimpse into their world.

And thank you to everyone who told a story on Sunday. It was another bumper gathering - over fifty stories (so if you haven't clicked through from your Reader, you really should!). Don't forget the linky stays open all week, so there is still plenty of time to join in if you have been thinking about it. Newcomers are always welcome!

Storytelling Sunday 2: The Words The Pictures

It's Storytelling Sunday! And after last month's record breaking 52 entries I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got for us this time round. Words? Pictures? A bit of both? Let's hear it!

 By last Wednesday I had decided on my story for today. I had even promised a couple of you a story about a car. But,when I thought really hard, I realised that there was another story which needed to come first. And here it is:

Fred, Ned and an Aunt Called Ed

Once upon a time I had an Auntie Ed. We all loved Auntie Ed, though she lived far away and we didn't see her very often. To visit Auntie Ed you had to go on an aeroplane; and the first time we did this I was five years old.

I packed carefully. I knew the score. I'd studied the sunshine-filled brochures snaffled from the Travel Agents. Though everyone had been keen to impress upon me the fact that there weren't a lot of wild koalas in the greater Keynsham area. Shame, I'd liked the look of them in the poster. I watched my Mum load up the suitcase with my new t shirts and shorts and then I placed my trusty Teddy Bear gently on the top. Auntie Ed herself had brought me Ted Fred when I was only a baby and I never went anywhere without him.



Here I am with my Mum, my bear (in his cardigan) and my big hair bows



We had a good flight; and at the other end Auntie Ed's Spare Room looked like the kind of place I might be persuaded to stay, so I thought I'd settle in. I opened my case. I stared. I screamed. You know what I'm going to say, don't you? Ted Fred. Wasn't. There.

I was distraught. I was overcome. This was outrageous. This was epic-ally, Titanic-ally bad. I couldn't go to bed without Fred! It was impossible! My parents eyed each other nervously. They'd never had to deal with a no-Fred situation before. They weren't sure they knew what to do.

Ed knew. Because Ed had a dog. A Pekinese with a fierce bark and a red bow on the top of her head. I hadn't been impressed the first time I'd met Bonnie. She was too loud. But I did admire her red bow. I had a bit of a thing for hair bows myself. I was a hair bow aficionado. Anyway, more importantly, Bonnie was the owner of a  Teddy Bear. When Ed had bought my bear, she had bought one for Bonnie too.

Ed in her triumph was a wonderful sight. She produced the second bear with a flourish and I eyed him from the bed, where I had arranged myself as a small, tragic heroine.

"This is - aah, um, Ned," she said. "That's right - Ted Ned. Ted Fred's twin."

"I think he might be his brother," I sniffed. "Not actually his twin." Because it was clear to me that he hadn't been showered with love, affection and cardigans as a bear should. But the deal was done when my poor Mum offered to sit up into the night, knitting the cardigan Ned so obviously needed.

And Ned kept me company all week. I'd got to know him so well by the end it was agreed that he really needed to be reunited with his brother and so he flew home with us. Fred was waiting, though he seemed unable to explain his last minute bail out. Maybe he didn't like Bonnie either. The boys got along famously and they still enjoy each other's company today: they are living out their long and happy retirement in my t-shirt drawer. If you look very closely, you might find a couple of faded hair ribbons tucked away safely in there too..

And that is my story for today. If you'd like to join Storytelling Sunday, create your post with an introduction (so your readers know what's going on - simply "linking to" isn't going to cut it!) and a link back here and come on over! A short story, a longer story, just words, mainly pictures - we love them all. One photo and a few words is all you need to get started...

The small print - which I'm not making small because I would like you to read it. I firmly believe we are telling stories in the round here. One person starts and then turns to the next. You can't do it in isolation.So I'm asking everyone who adds a link to say hello to at least a couple of the other storytellers. To make this even easier, how about turning off word verification just for today? Please think about it! Now, let's read..

My Month in Numbers - February

It's time to count along with Julie and her excellent Month in Numbers. A strange kind of month, February was here; but the good thing about counting is that it helps you rediscover the bits you actually liked. A box of Violet Creams and a dozen red roses? Now there was a highlight. And this summer's holiday booked. Norway - we're coming back!

I used a couple of MME papers I've had for a while to make a soft, Valentine page for February. That script could be a love letter, maybe.

There are two words in the English Language I find impossible to spell and February is one of them. The other is soluble - I always think it needs a "a" in it. Soluable. Mmm, don't think it'll catch on..

At least March is easier! and I hope yours makes a good start today. Storytelling Sunday this Sunday - are you ready? What about a story about some mad March weather? or St. David's Day? or St. Patrick's? Or anything else you fancy! Long, short, we'll read them all. See you Sunday.