Sunny Sunday

Lucy found a box. She likes sitting in boxes. I have lots of photos of her in various boxes throughout the years.

This morning I did my Big Bird Watch.

Then as it was sunny today Hubby, Mother-in-law and I decided to go for a walk to Charlestown. We could see Stoodley Pike on the hill over the valley.

Up the old Pack Horse track.

Past the remains of Mount Olivet Chapel on Winter Lane.

Then down to Cow Bridge and the remains of the old late 18th century mill there.

This is the Water Keepers House, or what remains of it.

Next to the stile was this dog gate with a heart cut out of it. (it slides up for the dog to go underneath)

The sky was so blue!

Please do not forget to join my giveaway. Pop down to the post below to enter.

School days and Giveaways

When was the last time you spent time in school?

Come to school with me for the day.....

The sunrise was lovely on the way to work today. Still a little snow lingering.

First lesson phonics and my year four spelling group.

Sort out some reading books.

This is the library where I take all my groups in the mornings.

It's a very old school and the date stone, which use to be over an outside door is now inside as bits were added to the building.

Time for play

The sun was out and we had some great shadows in the playground.

After play I had my year 2 numeracy group.

Time for a quick bite to eat before I prepare for my afternoon class.

Today it's year four for art. We were looking at colour mixing and the colour wheel, painting 'cold' pictures

and making rainbow collages.

Then as the children leave for home it's time for me to put up a display in the hall. My year fives had a term of 'Make do and mend'

Then as the sun sets it's time for me to go home.

The sunset was wonderful as I drove over the 'tops'

and the moon looked like a huge silver penny rising.

Home again.

Now what about a giveaway?

On February 1st I will have been blogging for a whole year! I have had a lovely time sharing my everyday life with you all. I have 'met' some lovely people, some in the 'flesh', read some of your great blogs and have over 80 followers and many more who read and comment on my posts. As a thank you I want to do a give away.

I don't have a picture of what you will win but it will include two crafty books and some of my hand made things from me. Also the winner can email me a picture of a pet and I will do a portrait!

So what do you need to do to win this little giveaway?

Leave me a comment about a memory of your early school days, funny, good, favourite teacher, class pet, playground games, anything.

Let other people know about the giveaway and I will make a draw on 1st February at 9pm West Yorkshire time!

Good luck!

playing catch up!

Sketchbook painting

My weeks are so busy but I am trying to keep up with reading some of your blogs and comment where I can. I have noticed a few NEW Friends following both this blog and my other art blog but can not seem to get a link through to their own blogs. I would visit if I could to thank you for following me. If you are new to my blogs please leave a comment so I can return the compliment.

The painting above of the bowl of Spring flowers is by Winifred Nicholson. Hubby bought me this book for Christmas and I have finished reading it. It is a lovely book full of excellent photographs of her beautiful paintings.

I am now reading an old secondhand copy of Hovel in the hills by Elizabeth West and also dipping into A Countrywoman's notes which is a gem of a book.

I'm back...

....Did you miss me?

Lucy this morning in the winter sunshine.

I went to stay with family for a few nights, so no computer.

I stayed in a lovely bedroom that had one of Hubby's bird drawings on the wall. There is also a very fine ginger cat living there.

But also we have had not one but TWO nights at the theatre this week. On Tuesday, Hubby and I went to the Lowry theatre to see The Woman in Black. A play based on the fantastic book by Susan Hill.

Then last night we went to The Royal Exchange in Manchester to see Blithe Spirit.

A very funny Noel Coward play and really very well acted we thought.

So you see, don't feel sorry for me I have had two lovely meals out and had my tea cooked for me on other nights so NO cooking for me AT ALL this week-Hubby did have to fend for himself a couple of nights but I left him plenty of tins of beans!

Sunrise this morning.

Today I plan to potter. I do love to potter about. I want to tidy in the garden a bit and bring in my much neglected hyacinths from the green house before they flower and I miss them. I might get some crafting done too.

It's been a busy week and the weekend has also seen me rushing around. I have not had much time to either read all your lovely posts or indeed do one myself.

In the week I managed to make this.

He is made from felt and I embroidered it too.

I got the idea from this book. I do like him and want to try some other colours and with different decorations.

I also went a little crazy and made some more button hearts. They are so fun to make. A little fiddly but very worthwhile.

The snow has all but gone now. I must say it is nice to see the green fields again. The brown slush at the side of the road is a little less appealing. There is still plenty of 6 foot snowdrifts over the 'tops' and I hear there is more to come on Wednesday!

I've stocked up on bird food this weekend too. They are eating us out of house and home.

We went for a walk today over in Saddleworth.

Hull Mill Pond was frozen and the ducks and geese were no where to be found.

The thaw has meant the river was running fast and high. That water looked so cold.

I found a patch or two of snow to show how long my shadow is in this weak winter sun.

Unfortunately I will be unable to read any blogs or post anything at all this week. Due to some family commitments I will be away from a computer. So have a good week everybody and see you all next weekend.

What's a girl to do?

......when faced with the motorway junction closed due to snowdrifts and the only other road over the 'tops' also closed......

....a girl stays at home and bakes a lemon cake!

Yes I had another 'snow day' today. It is melting down here in the valley but on the high ground the wind had blown the snow into drifts onto the only roads I could usually use to get to work. I could of got a train and two buses but the head decided it was not worth me trying to get into school.

So armed with the above I headed to the spare room which at the moment looks like a bombs hit it as I have all my crafting stuff piled up all over the place.

I sat down to play with some buttons.

and some other buttons...

...and I made some hearts.

Oh I did have fun. A whole day just playing.

A girl could get use to that!

My mum told me a tale about this swan that will warm the cockles of your heart on this cold winter evening.

She noticed it as it crash landed onto the playing field behind her house.

It attracted quite a crowd and some adults kept guard to make sure no one scared it and no dogs got too close.

It seemed to be uninjured but just lying there in the snow.

My mum phoned the RSPB and they said they would get an inspector out to it as soon as possible.

Still my mum and a young woman stood guard.

A small boy asked my mum if she thought he should get a coat for it. She said "no someone was coming to help it."

The swan was making strange calling noises.

The boy decided he was trying to tell his swan friends where he was.

Still my mum and the woman stood guard.

The inspector finally came and spoke to my mum and the young woman.

"They are dropping like flies" he informed them " Flying around looking for water till they are exhausted"

Then the rather large inspector did two laps of the field trying to catch the swan.

At this point my mum wishes she still had her camera!

Eventually the swan was caught, put in a special bag and carted off in a very undignified manner.