Christmas....How was it for you?

Wilma, a few minutes ago!

I think it would be a understatement to say we had a great Christmas Day, all the family together. I had taken time to do most of the preparations, everything was set and would you believe I was one minute late! I had planned to load the heated trolley before the Queen's speach at 3pm but wasn't quite ready and did not want to leave anyunattended food in the kitchen, following last years incident with the beef joint! This was my action plan! Melon Cocktail White desert dishes Chipolatas On large rectangular dish serve on plate Yorkshire puddings Gravy Roast Parsnips Hostess dish Roast potatoes Hostess dish Vegetable Bake (Potatoes, Cauliflower cheese, cabbage, onion, carrot, green beans, cream, cheese.) Large rectangular dish British King Edward Creamy Mash White covered tureen Button Sprouts Hostess dish Stuffing Balls Hostess dish Beef Lamb Turkey Pork Pheasant Cook meats over night – take out at 1.30 to rest Am Defrost Vegetable bake Sprouts Stuffing Chipolatas Put crackling in Put gravy in fridge to separate Defrost vegetable bake. Place in bottom oven then move to hostess trolley @ 3pm Defrost stuffing balls & place in dish, in hostess trolley @ 2.55pm Cook & mash potatoes Then place in white turrines @ 3pm Hostess Trolley Cook frozen sprouts & place in dish, move to hostess trolley @ 2.55pm Cook roast parsnips and potatoes. Place in dishes, in trolley @ 3pm. Heat Yorkshire puddings with defrosted chipolatas place in large bowl ready to assemble on plates. Put gravy in pan. Sit down to watch Queen’s speech. Get gravy…then enjoy! A few days ago I had the idea to make our own crackers. I located a "bang" supplier, 144 for £5! and I set to work on the cracker making. I made our oen individual hats out of newspapers and magazines and printed off jokes for each of our family! here are a few snippets... Mavis, Jon's mum who is hooked on solitaire! LOL! A Scoutmaster was teaching his boy scouts about survival in the desert. "What are the three most important things you should bring with you in case you get lost in the desert?" he asked. Several hands went up, and many important things were suggested such as food, matches, etc. Then one little boy in the back eagerly raised his hand. "Yes, Timmy, what are the three most important things you would bring with you?" asked the Scoutmaster. Timmy replied: "A compass, a canteen of water, and al laptop with solitaire." "Why's that Timmy?" "Well," answered Timmy, "the compass is to find the right direction, the water is to prevent dehydration..." "And what about the laptop with solitaire?" asked the Scoutmaster impatiently. "Well, Sir, as soon as you start playing Solitaire, someone is bound to come up behind you and say, 'Put that red nine on top of that black ten!'" Andrew (Musician, shortly to study music at university. In the 22nd century, how many guitar players will you need to replace a light source? Five. One to actually do it, and four to reminisce about how much better the old tubes were. What do you get when you drop a piano down a mine shaft? A flat minor. What do you get when you drop a piano on an army camp? A flat major. What do you say to an army officer just as you are about to run him or her over with a steam roller? Be flat, major. Jon(His mum lives in Guisborough!) A man stops by the local Garage to have his car fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and an anvil. He stopped by the feed store/livestock dealer and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem: how to carry his purchases home. While he is scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, "Can you tell me how to get to Guisborough ?" The man said, "Well, as a matter of fact, I live there,. I would walk you home but I can't carry this lot." The old lady suggested, "Why don't you put the anvil in the bucket, carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm and carry the goose in the other hand?" "Why thank you very much," he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way he says, "Let's take my shortcut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time" The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, "I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, and ravish me?" The man said, "Good Heavens lady! I am carrying a bucket, an anvil, two chickens and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?" The lady replied, "Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the anvil on top of the bucket and I'll hold the chickens." Ben ( Shortly to join the navy) Three guys, one Navy, one Army and one Royal Marine are taking the test to join the SAS. They have all passed the mental and physical sections and are down to the final interview. Guy from the Navy walks in to be confronted by the SAS Head Shed who gives him a gun and says, "There are 6 bullets in that, your wife is upstairs, go up and kill her". The guy disappears but comes back 2 minutes later to say, "Sorry I really want to be in the SAS but she's my wife and I love her" "Sorry" says Head Shed,” But if you can't take orders, we don't want you" Guy from Army walks in and the same thing happens, he gets the gun and is told to go upstairs and kill his wife, but also can't do it, so is told to thin out. The Marine walks in and is given the gun. Off he goes and suddenly 6 shots ring out from upstairs, followed by an almighty commotion, and 10 minutes later he walks back into the room drenched in sweat. He looks at the Head Shed and chucks the gun at him saying, "You swine, they were blanks, I had to strangle the woman!!!" Steve (Maureen's Canadian Partner!) A French guest who was staying in a hotel in Edmonton phoned room service for some pepper. "Black pepper or white pepper?" asked the concierge. "Toilette pepper!" A Canadian bloke is walking down the street with a case of beer under his arm. His friend Randy stops him and asks, "Hey Dave! Whatcha got that case of beer for?" "Well, I got it for my wife, you see?" answers Dave. "Wow," exclaims Randy, "Great trade." Maureen HOW TO IMPRESS A WOMAN Wine her, Dine her, Call her, Hug her, Hold her, Surprise her, Compliment her, Smile at her, Laugh with her, Cry with her, Cuddle with her, Shop with her, Give her jewellery, Buy her flowers, Hold her hand, Write love letters to her, Go to the end of the earth and back again for her. HOW TO IMPRESS A MAN Show up naked, Bring beer. Richard Knock Knock Whose there? Adolph Adolph who? Adolph ball hit me in de mowf. Knock Knock Whose there? Keith Keith who? Keith me, thweet heart! Knock Knock Who's there? Aardvark! Aardvark who? Aardvark a hundred miles for one of your smiles! Knock Knock Who's there? Acid! Acid who? Acid down and be quiet! Knock Knock Who's there? Ada! Ada who? Ada burger for lunch! Knock Knock Who's there? Adair! Adair who? Adair once but I'm bald now! Knock Knock Who's there? Adelia! Adelia who? Adelia the cards and we'll play snap! Denise What do you call a farmer who used to like farm machinery? An ex-tractor fan. What do you call the cat who ate a duck? A duck-filled-fatty-puss. What do you call a hippy's wife? Mississippi. What do you call a snake who is employed by the government? A civil serpent. What do you get if you cross a snake with a set of building blocks? A boa constructor. What do you get if you cross Dracula with Sir Lancelot? A bite in shining armour. What do you get if you cross a thief with an orchestra? Robbery with violins. What do you call a man who walks through the autumn leaves? Russell. What do you get if you cross an alligator with a flower? I don't know, but I'm not going to smell it. What do you get when you cross poison ivy with 4 leaf clovers? A rash of good luck! What do you get when a dinosaur has a car accident? Tyrannosarus wrecks What do you call a barber who cuts hair in a library? A barbarian!! What do you call a rock group with Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Handel, and Chopin? The Decomposers. Q: What do you call a cow that's just had a baby? A: Decalfinated What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long? Polaroids. What do you get if you cross an artist with a policeman? A brush with the law. What do you call a man with sports equipment on his head? Jim What do you call a woman with a cat on her head? Kitty What do you call a woman with a nut tree on her head? Hazel What do you get if you cross a baby with a ufo? An unidentified crying object. Q: What do you call a psychic dwarf that just escaped from prison? A: A small Medium at large. What do Jack the Ripper and Winnie the Pooh have in common? The same middle name.

We had an absolute riot! Above you can see the hat I made for Jon! Well, we are still partying. Tonight we are going to Jon's mums with the nephews for more drinkypoops and eats. We are enjoying the holidays and I hope evrybody has had a wonderful time. Watch this space!

Weather here today, Thursday!

Whilst I knew the village would look magical today I did not venture from the house, so these photographs come to you from the comfort of the kitchen and the porch!

Heavy snow expected tonight, so I wont be driving tomorrow. The road is being re-surfaced at the moment so we have to use the back lanes which do not get gritted. This morning Jon went to work in the 4x4. Apparantly the cars were sliding everywhere and he had to turn round and get to the workshop via the untarmaced road, the type of situation he would describe as fun! LOL! Birk Brow, at the base of the Moor Road was closed by the police at 8.30am so our village was quite issolated. I settled down with a good old fashioned detective story by our very own Nicholas Rhea, the author behind the Heartbeat Series. I had to finish the book....a great way to spend a cold, wet day! What's the weather like where you are?

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Wilma, this morning!

We were expecting snow and when we awoke the village was covered in snow. We had heard the gritter wagon earlier this morning and then it was on the News. The A171 Moor Road and the A174 coast road were both mentioned. These are the major roads which we travel on to get to our village. I wasn't going anywhere so this suited me. I took Wilma up the lane and it was very cold, it started to snow again so we came home. We had some really good feedback from one of the butchers, absolutely over the moon with the pie mould Jon made, we now have 3 happy butchers as new customers. Jon is at work today, we are out at friends tonight and are looking forward to it. Nothing exciting happening, just catching up on household chores. The sooner I get the jobs finished, the sooner I can settle down with a book, or potter about in my study. I do have Christmas Cards to think about! Have a good weekend...what are you up to?

I Spy with my little eye somethings beginning with B!

It's the weekend...........starting tonight! We have some Biker pals coming round, I would like to think we would be enjoying a BBQ but the weather being as it is we will have to settle for a Buffet, with a few Bottles! Tomorrow.......Boots, not the chemist, the new ones, ordered last week...my new jacket MAY be in, but I am not holding my breath! (That happens when I try to get the jacket on!) LOL! Sunday..............Bike Racing over at Oliver's Mount! Sounds a good entry list!

TT winners and stars of road racing are all bound for the North Yorkshire resort of Scarborough for the Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup Road Races on Saturday and Sunday 20th & 21st September 2008. As usual, the organising Auto 66 Club have secured the finest exponents of road racing for the 58th Gold Cup event, which brings the curtain down on the ‘racing between the hedges’ season, headed by 14-time TT winner, John McGuinness, who will have the Padgett Honda’s at his disposal. Guy Martin, the current Gold Cup champion will also be at Oliver’s Mount, with the Hydrex Honda's, eager to retain the crown he has held for the past five years, equalling Geoff Duke’s achievement back in 1950; 53; 54; 55 & 56 and David Jefferies who took victories in 1992; 94; 97; 2000 and 2001. Two other riders with TT victories to their name; ‘Mount’ specialists and close rivals on the track, who will be aiming to collect the spoils, are one-hundred times plus race winner, Ian Lougher and past British Champion, Chris Palmer, winners of the Lightweight and Ultra-Lightweight TT Races this year. Another Scarborough regular, who is back on top form and enjoying a very successful season on the roads, Ryan Farquhar with his Kawasaki’s has secured well over thirty victors to date in 2008. The Dunlop brothers, Michael and William are also showing their rivals the way to the chequered flag and as previous winners at the ‘Mount’ this year are a force to be reckoned with. A revitalised Adrian Archibald will also be present at Oliver’s Mount renewing his acquaintance with the 2.43-mile hillside course and hoping his form during the current season continues. Another TT star, Ian Hutchinson and past winner of the cock o’the North trophy will also be amongst the front runners for what is to be a mouth-watering two days of pure road racing action, sponsored by Road Racing Ireland magazine. There are 10 races each day from 1.00pm on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday, with practice both days commencing at 9.00am. Sounds a good time will be had by all! Watch this space!

The canvas...some hours later!

We had a great time on the beach....Wilma has written about it here! So nice to do something spontaneous!

The Poem of Adventure Deep inside the mountain the adventures hide themselves. They are of all forms and shapes. They all have an excellent ending, because those that live their lives in adventure see the world in an extra ordinary special way. To attract the adventures into the patterns of habit you only need to close your eyes and ask them to embrace you. You can also imagine that you are transparent and feel the wind stream through you instead of going against you. Or imagine there are tiny little wings on your back and every time you take a new step you bounce a bit. Maybe life it self is one big adventure if only you have the correct shades on. Unknown

A New Day!

Blank Canvas!

A new day, a new story to write in our rich tapestry of life, another picture to paint in the life of the Nesbitt household. I have some jobs to do and some baking, but ultimately I am going to go out for a walk with Wilma and appreciate the day! This song, which I sung at primary school seemed so appropriate.

Glad that I live am I; That they sky is Blue; Glad for the country lanes, And the fall of dew. After the sun the rain, After the rain, the sun, This is the way of life, Till the work be done. All that we need to do, Be we low or high, Is to see that we grow Nearer the sky. Lizette Woodworth Reese

Have a Good Day! For more favourite things visit Blue!

Double Take for Tuesday!

Jo, outside the kitchen patio doors. Sunday

Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am, Stuck in the middle with you.

Just a quickie for Jonna's Two for Tuesday. Thank you so much for the lovely comments about Jo. To answer some of your questions.... Jo is male, a gander. He is a goose, about 15 years old. He is not viscious, but he is a good guard. He honks when he hears the motorbike, he can distinguish the sound of ours, possibly because it is a Honda and he knows his japanese bikes. He also knows the sound of our cars and always greets us with a honk! The picture you see in my profile is not Jo, but one of his former loves, Peggy. This was an oil painting I did one day when peggy decided to pose for me outside the kitchen window. I had never used oils before and was finding it difficult. When she stood there I knew it was something I could paint as I knew the subject so well, unlike the flowers in the text book I was following. No sooner had I finished, Peggy walked away. I did not add anything more to the picture, I felt I had captured her just right...the big blue eyes always staring through the window and the long orange beak. Jo was named after Jon's grandad. Peggy, after Jon's grandma and Dolly after my nana. Sadly Peggy and Dolly are no longer with us and Jo is a widower. He leads a very content life, his eyesight isn't too good as he has cateracts so he is familiar with the garden and paddock. He dislikes the church bells and honks away when they are rung on a Sunday. Anything I have missed out, please shout up and myself or Jo will answer any further questions.

The Story of the Aga....Aga Saga!

Odd Shot! Ironing the Aga Way!

History Of Aga cookers The aga cooker, a great invention that appeals to many people, for it's great abilities of cooking big meals easily. Not only that, but it is viewed by many as a stylish addition to the family that has many uses, from warming up the house to helping with the laundry. Have you ever wondered where the aga cooker came from and who had this fantastic idea? The Man Behind The Aga cooker Dr. Gustaf Dalen, a Swedish man, and also a Nobel Prize Winner, was the great mind behind the aga. He was an unfortunate man, and it was this unfortunate incident that begins the story of the aga. It was an earlier invention, and a rather large explosion that left him blind that encouraged him to go about the invention of the aga cooker. Being blind, he was rarely out of his house, leaving his wife to take care of everything. It was during this period that he realised his wife was seriously stressed and very tired from cooking, heating the house, cleaning and everything else that comes with a home. Dalen wanted to design something that could help his wife out with all of these things, to leave her in a better mood, and give them more time together. It was this design that lead to the aga, and also the foundation of the AGA company. AGA actually stands for Aktiebolaget Gas Accumulator, the name of the company. It was the year 1922 when the design was complete, and it was the aga cooker. A kitchen appliance that could handle every culinary technique, heat the house with it's constant heat and also aid with the washing, drying and pressing of clothes. The hotplate and the rails on the front of the aga enabled the quick drying of clothes, and it could also allow for the clothes to pressed. It was on constantly, heating the house during the cold months and could also be used to heat water for washing, not just dishes and laundry, but for personal washing as well. The Introduction of the Aga cooker to England Aga was introduced to England seven years later, in 1929, and to date, there are three main models of the original aga. There are two, three and four oven types and it can run on a wide variety of fuels. Kerosene, diesel, propane gas and natural gas amongst others. The newer models also have the ability to burn solid fuels, and has been proven to be much more economical than conventional ovens. It uses less fuel, which means that not only was it very economical in 1922 in the first years of it's history, but it is also cheaper to run than most gas and electric ovens to date. Due to the way it retains heat, the more you use it, the more economical is it. The aga cooker was loved back then, and it still loved today, and it is because of it's stored heat, it means that less fat is needed for cooking. (Saving money again!) The food keeps it moisture, flavour and texture and also doesn't lose any vital nutrients and it's appearance is not affected. This means that not only is the aga useful, economical and stylish, but it is also better for your health and makes food taste and look much better. The Aga cooker design The design, shape and build of the aga cooker has changed very little since it's invention. The only real things that have changed is the design to make it burn fuel that is more convenient for today's lifestyles and also to make it burn cleaner. It's simplicity has made this an appliance that has needed very little modification and the phrase, "If it's not broken, don't fix it" comes to mind. It is this simplicity that has ensured that the aga has lasted this long, and I'm sure will make sure it stays around for many years to come! Our Aga When we moved to our house, nearly 18 years ago, it was heated by solid fuel, in the form of a fire with a back boiler, housed in the main sitting room. The kitchen was very small and we decided to knock the ajoining wall down and make the area into one large kitchen. The fire which was hopelessly in-efficient would have to go but the question was, what do we replace it with? After much research we decided on an Aga. We felt it would look as though it had always been there and the kitchen would indeed look like a kitchen and not a DIY experiment that had gone wrong. At the time, as is still the case there was no mains gas in the village so it would have to run on solid fuel. We found ours, second hand and at the time it had an agamatic boiler which would heat the main central heating of the house. A farmer over in Catterick had a second hand aga business and so we purchased ours for £500. There were some faults with it, a major one being a crack in the main barrell, but Jon fixed this. When we bought the Aga it did not come ready assembled. The pile of components, pipes and doors was like a complicated 3D jigsaw to me, but fortunately, Jon with his precision engineering background, and with the aid of a basic diagram assembled the Aga. The preparations were quite specific as it could not go on any old surface. It had to be housed on a concrete plinth and on a surface which would not burn, should hot coal fall onto it. Again, this was something Jon did, but we couldn't do anything yet as the whole assembly and plumbing had to be signed off by a corgi-registered plumber. Once this was done the Aga boiler and cooker were lit and it was in action! A few years later we decided to go for a more efficient source of energy for our central heating. The trouble with the Aga boiler was that it had to be on constantly, so for the best part of the day it was using unecessary fuel. We had an oil tank fitted and the Aga boiler was no longer needed. We already had an electric cooker for the months we did not use the Aga so we kept the Aga cooker. Aga Accidents Now we have had some fun! At the front of the Aga is the temperature gauge.

Basically the ideal temperature should lie midway between the middle are. If it is in the red, it is too hot and if it is in the black it is too cold. Due to the flu pipe going straight into the chimney the wind is a major factor in the heating capacity of the cooker. So, if it is very windy imagine the effect the available oxygen will have on the burning coals. Correct! The temperature rises at an alarming pace. I remember on one occasion the mercury inside the guage was at the very end of the red section, so hot it was bubbling! To a man who likes his fires I can still see the look of merriment on Jon's face! LOL! Dramatic as it was it was an indication of the unecessary waste of fuel, so Jon had a think and came up with the idea of a damper. This cuts down the intake of air thus saving fuel. We now have a range of dampers according to the wind levels. Again, due to the flu pipe going into the chimney there are no smells, not only of cooking but of burning! LOL! There have been occasions when I have been baking and have left an unsuspecting tray at the back of the oven, only to discover a tray of coal like black masses a few days later. Cooking with the Aga Is wonderful, my kind of style. Slow, low cooking! Everything is slow roasted in the bottom oven, the cooler of the two ovens. Yes, I finish things off and do the typical baking in the top oven but the slow method is what we prefer. At Christmas the meat and turkey are put into the bottom oven on Christmas Eve, all with the necessary seasoning and trimmings, simply covered in the casseroles. Left until about an hour before the dinner, away from the sniffing noses of the german shepherds in residence! Yes, they have had their fair shares of my cooking! LOL! The two chrome lids are covers for the hotplates. Again two different temperatures. The one on the right is the hottest, being closest to the main heating barrell. I tend to use the ovens more than the hotplates, conserving the fuel. We run ours on anthrocite, currently £12 a bag which lasts a week, due to Jon's wonderful manning of the Aga. It is he who brings in the coal, deals with the ashes and twiddles various devices to keep the Aga happy. We are experimenting with some cheaper types of coke over the coming months which I will keep you informed of. It is a multi-fuel cooker, so we can use wood, but from experience we know the desired cooking temperature is difficult to maintain. We have some plans/ideas to mix the coke, anthrocite and wood. The type of experiments Jon loves as it will involve machines and fire! New Agas are really expensive, (6,000) and come in a range of colours including purple and yellow! but for me the cream second hand ones have more legends attached to them Ours came from a nursing home and was built around 1956! A damn good year for big warm boilers! LOL! I hope this little insight has given you a taste of life with our Aga, we call it the Aga Can! Because it can! Agas are associated with lavish country kitchens and indeed the new ones are a bit of a status symbol but ours like everything else born around 1956, including our house, may be not in its prime but is loved by those that matter! Incidentally, whilst sitting here on my backside blogging away I have also done some ironing and cooked some yorkshire puddings and baked! Now, any ideas where I could fit a broom? Hmmmmmmmmm on second thoughts, skip the latter! For more Oddshots, visit Katney

Hibernation, Procrastination , Appreciation and Adoration!

Our Aga!

May God grant you always..

A sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering angel so nothing can harm you.

Laughter to cheer you, Faithful friends near you,

And whatever you pray, Heaven to hear you.

Irish Blessing

It's that time of the year again!
Time to light the Aga.
We have put it off for a while because we know it will be the official closure of the summer and autumn, closely followed by winter will be fast approaching.
There are other signs too, the definate nip in the air, Ella our puss, not wanting to venture outside and the nights are getting darker and colder sooner.

It is a time for hibernation and comfort living, home comforts.
The kitchen will be the warmest room in the house and the focal point of our daily activities.

I sit beside the fire and think of all that I have seen,
Of meadow-flowers and butterflies in summers that have been.
Of yellow leaves and gossamer in autumns that there were,
With morning mist and silver sun and wind upon my hair.
I sit beside the fire and think of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring that I shall ever see.
For still there are so many things that I have never seen,
in every wood, in every spring there is a different green.
I sit beside the fire and think of people long ago,
And people who will see a world that I shall never know.
But all the while I sit and think of the times there were before,
I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

composed by Bilbo Baggins

Yesterday I spent the afternoon baking comfort food for Jon's work breaks over the weekend.
He is working both today and tomorrow.... so no biking adventures planned for the moment!

I will be busy sifting through my clothes, finding something suitable, practical and warm for the weeks ahead.

Having said that, I do want to make the most of the daylight and season changes so I will be out and about with my camera. The rain has stopped momentarily so I think a bike ride up the lane is called for!

One member of the Nesbitt household has been enjoying the garden, especially whilst it has been raining. Jo loves to peer through the patio doors of the lounge......here he is!

Enjoy!

For more Camera Critters visit Misty Dawn.

Ticket's Please!

Today's Flower Poppy, growing on our grass verge by the roadside. I planted the seeds only a few months ago. To visit the new meme see here

A Photo a Day Japanese Tourisys Yesterday North York Moors Railway

Considering how awful the weather has been of late the weekend was quite a good one for us! On Saturday we went up to Newcastle on the motorbike. The weather was good and we had a good look round the bike shops. Our leathers are now 8 years old and need replacing. However it is a very uncomfortable process. Trying leathers on is a very hot and uncomfortable experience, especially if it is warm. The manufacturers of bike leathers seem to have catered more so for the men than the women, so it is going to be a while before we get suitable replacements, anyway, Saturday was a good day, Jon found some he liked but I didn't.....but will persevere!

On Sunday the weather changed and was very overcast, yet so changeable. One minute the sun would be shining, the next minute drizzle. Now this is all very uncomfortable when on the bike......so we headed out, up over the moors in the van!

Turning off the A171 we headed for the Esk Valley.

Over Begger's Bridge we parked up and had a picnic!

We then headed towards Grosmont, one of the main stations of the North York Moors Railway.

A while ago Jon had done some engineering work for the Railway and we had some passes to use.

So, we boarded the steam train to Pickering and took in all the wonderful views.

The picture below just parallel to the Pickering Road we ride on the bike. The heather is not quite at its best just yet, but will be soon!

Goathland Station is the setting for Heartbeat, but known as Aidensfield not Goathland.

A great day out! For more Monday odd shots visit Katney

Another of my Favourites!

A Photo a Day!

This was the parcel I delivered to Joanne and Simon on Tuesday night.......

Inside was the wedding guest book I had made for them as a wedding gift. Joanne was in tears, she hugged me and said how beautiful it was. I had tears in my eyes too. From a very early age I was in my element when creating something special. I strive for perfection and love to see the responses from not only my clients but my friends and family too. I create great masterpieces even with the packaging.... Guess what was in this parcel?

50 of these.... The Order of Service, yes it is the wedding tomorrow.

Each of the 50 HAD to be perfect in every way. I always work closely with the brides, we travel on a journey I guess. Joanne's preparations will come to an end tomorrow and the day will be here for her to enjoy, her very own day. I will be at the church ceremony and Jon and I are going to the Evening Reception. I will have my camera! Just as one journey is drawing to a close, so others are just beginning. I have two more brides as clients now. On Tuesday I had 2 appointments with new clients who want me to design their wedding stationery for next year....so the process begins all over again, and I will be in my element! For more wonderful favourites, visit Blue!

Lavender's Blue!

A Photo a Day Jon, yesterday @ Yorkshire Lavender

Yesterday we thought long and hard about going out on the motorbike. In the end we decided we would be safer in Belinda as the weather forecast was dreadful. We headed over through Pickering, the A64 and turned off via Castle Howard and made our way to Yorkshire Heather. When Jon stood by this huge gate it reminded me of Gulliver's Travels. He did look like a little person, he is however 6' tall!

The whole place filled me with inspiration, so when we arrived home I spent some time in my study!

The visit filled me with ideas! ‘ A Lovely Lavender Day Purple, everything purple, purple the colour I love, everything packaged in purple – tile cleaner in a purple container for lavender sweetness Also power-cleaning cream for lavender- fresh effects, the bottle appealing in a soft purple hue, fabric conditioner in purple too, accompanied by lavender promises And my purple hot water bottle – I bought Nici a purple fleece; a purple coverlet on my bed, my favourite chocolate in a purple wrapper Purple is spiritual in the division of seven chakra colours – red is earthed in primitive desire, followed by orange, yellow, green – the colour of love – and Blue – the colour of communication, then purple for third-eye enlightenment - purple adds lustre and the sweetness of vague mistiness to everything on which it appears; Wishing you a lovely lavender day in all hues of purple and blue! Margaret Alice For more odd shots visit Katney