I entered a giveaway on Twitter just before Christmas to win 

a rope bracelet and charm from 

Chambers & Beau 

and won!

I have ordered from them before as I love their personalised jewellery pieces.

I am so pleased with it & can't wait to wear it.

Xxx

Another snow day for me yesterday, but unfortunately not for my children :(

So, what to do but to go on a nice long snow walk with my camera :)

I dropped the kids at school at 8.30am & went on my way. Along the canal first taking towpath & frozen water shots. Once I turned the next corner, my two friends caught up with me from behind, both I hadn't seen since before Christmas, so a lot of smiling & hugging. After a short walk, I left them (with a promise to catch up with me that afternoon for a cuppa).

I took to a main road & saw a path on the other side of the road which I though I'd explore.  I roughly knew where it went, so started to follow it, through the thick snow, under low branches and ended at the top of a very steep hill.  That hill wasn't one I was happy to go down so I retreated.  Before I did so, I spotted a smaller incline to the road I'd just come off (or so I thought) & thought I'd take a short cut.

Away went my camera & a new found determination washed over me 

(I am normally the biggest wuss!)

I clambered up the hill grabbing onto the small trees as I went.  I'd reached the top! Yay...only to find this was the wrong, and busiest, road in our town! Back down the hill I went, knocking branches as I went, & for me to reappear head to toe in snow!  I had to giggle to myself!

I followed the original path onto the original road until I saw a gate that led me to the lake which I thought I was being led to before.  This did lead me to the magical snowy lakeside.  I have lived in this town 37 years & have never been to this side of the lake.  I will definitely be venturing here again.

After an hour & a half walking, getting lost & taking photos, I, of course, had to have an obligatory 'Flat White' with my friend in a local coffee shop :)

All in all a pretty perfect 'snow day'

Xxx

I was praying for a 'Snow Day' last night.  The teacher of the class where I'm a Teaching Assistant was praying for one too.  We'd talked ourselves into expecting that 'snow day' phone call this morning where we'd be able to stay in bed, then leisurely get up, drink tea & watch TV all day!
The phone call wasn't to happen!

Myself & the kids eventually hauled ourselves out of bed at 7.10am & got ourselves ready for work/school.
An 8.30am start for me.  A literacy lesson & an assembly later (approx 10.30am), the Head Teacher made the decision to shut the school.  Cue 21 very excited 8, 9 & 10 year olds! Once all of the parents had picked their kids up, I made my way home.  En route, a message saying my kids school had closed for the day too. 50 minutes later, we were all home, in the warm, having lunch before the great snowball fight was to ensue.

Tears are par for the course as are cold feet & hands, but also plenty of giggles ;)

Xxx

I am a Blipfoto & Instagram addict.

I love my Canon 500 DSLR.

Today's chilly Blip is an icicle hanging from the kids playhouse xx

I am a huge Mollie Makes fan & recently bought a cute princess doll from a lovely lady on Folksy & made my own little doll quilts & a wool roving pea to go with it to make a 'Princess & the Pea' gift for my friends little girls 5th birthday. 

I bought a 'Princess & the Pea' book from good old Marks & Spencer.  I was later told about a version with 'Lauren Child' illustrations.  Such a shame I didn't know about it before as it would have made a lovely addition to the gift.  

Although my friends little girl didn't benefit from this book, my son & daughter have as I bought it online & we received it today.  It's so beautiful as you can imagine.

My friends little girls birthday is in a few days time, I'll let you know what she thought :)   xx

Who is Betty Lavender?

Betty Lavender. What a wonderful name. What a wonderful woman. 

She was my nan. Always had bright nail varnish on, always knitting, always had a kind (and sometimes a sharp) word ;)

So, a blog...what to do with it?!

My head is filled with stuff...

2 kids & a husband, a testing part-time job, a life juggler, a very amateur photographer, a creative wannabe, a newbie loner (that makes me sound sad, but I'm just getting to like my own company).

So, I'm thinking this may be a place to share my woes, my photography, my hopes & dreams, my wants (so shallow!) ;)