Sunshine on a rainy day

Recently I was nominated for a Sunshine award.

It is given to Blogs ''who positively and creatively inspire others'' It is so nice to know that my little blog of Everyday Life inspires people in some way.

I know there are a few bloggers that don't like receiving awards and that is their choice but I think every now and again it is nice to maybe answer some questions to reveal just a little bit more about yourself, to maybe touch upon something you might never post about and I also think it is just a bit of fun and does no harm so Thank you to Down by the Dougie and I will pass it on in just a little bit but first I have to answer a few questions.

What is your favourite colour?
I have to say probably green as it is the colour I seem to go for when decorating.

What is your favourite animal?
It has to be cats really...but dogs, sheep, donkeys and goats come a close second!

What is your favourite non-alcoholic drink?
Earl Grey tea with milk

Do you prefer Twitter or Facebook?
Well I don't have a twitter account so it must be Facebook but I am not 'on' it as much as some people.

What is your passion?
My passion is to create either in paint, fabric or photography.


What is your favourite pattern?
Tabby Cat Stripes

Do you prefer giving or receiving presents?
I love thinking about the person when I am either buying or making presents, I put a lot of thought into it...sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't!

What is your favourite number?
7

What is your favourite day of the week?
It has to be Saturday. We usually read the newspapers with a coffee in bed and then the whole day is ours. I don't like Sunday's much as I spend most of the day thinking about work!

What is your favourite flower?
I use to say Daffodils but I think a small pale pink rose called New Dawn is my favourite flower...at the moment!

That wasn't too painful!
I have chosen some blogs to pass the award onto. These are blogs that are new to me, that I think need a little encouragement so here are the nominations-
Paula at Homemade Life
KezziAG
Ellen's 52
Serendipity Child
Down By the Sea
Tales from a Happy House
Dian's Tinpanally
Fabric Affairs and more
The Frozen Truth
Within the Walled Garden

The rules do not say how many you should link the award to and I could go on and on.....
Please pop over to take a look at the blogs above and say Hi.

There are some pretty random photos in this post. Just photos from the last couple of weeks.

I counted 10 ladybirds on the philadelphus the other day.

The garden is looking very neglected but some of the more hardy plants are trying to push through the weeds.

We are in the last few weeks of school and it has been so busy this term so  my blog and garden and most things that require my time have been neglected to be honest.

We did manage to get some potatoes in the ground in the spring and my beans have started to climb up their canes.

But I also blame the weather. It is very unsettled and you can not get more than an hours work done in the garden before another heavy rain shower drives you indoors or into the greenhouse.

Last week at school the Reception Class released a butterfly in the garden.

It came to school as an egg and they have watched it grow through the stages until it emerged as a beautiful Painted Lady Butterfly.

We also had Sports Day at school...we were lucky with the weather that day!

So a bit of sunshine for a rainy day.

 Hope you all have a good week and I promise to pop over to see you soon.

awards and gifts

AGES ago the lovely Andrea from Apples and Pears gave me an award. She is also doing a birthday Giveaway so pop over before Wednesday and leave a comment, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA!


Snowdrops in my Father-in-laws garden

Andrea gave me the stylish blogger award and I was suppose to tell you 7 things you may not know about me. Now I did something similar on this post here, and I think you might know most things about me so I am going to tell you my 7 favourite films instead, why they are my favourites and I will also try and do a linky thing to them! So here goes- No 7.Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
A beautiful love story based on the book by Louis de Bernieres (the book is a great read too) set in the most gorgeous setting of Kephalonia (saving up to go on our holidays there next year!!!)
No 6. Chocolat.
A film containing two of my favourite things-Chocolate and Johnny Depp!

No 5. Sense and sensibility.
The 1995 version, I love a good period drama and I love Alan Rickman in this film.
No 4. The Railway Children. (1970)
This is a film from my childhood and always makes me cry-in a good way! I dare you to watch the link and not well up!!!!

No 3. French Kiss.
A Meg Ryan film released in 1995, Meg at her best in my opinion. Very funny, gentle film set mainly in Paris. Not many people have heard of it but Kevin Kline is so funny in it, worth looking out for.
No 2. A Room with a View. (1985)
I watched this at The Cornerhouse in Manchester as a student. I have O Mio Babbino Caro as the Text message alert on my mobile. I played it over and over again when we went to Florence.

and it will come as no surprise to people that have read my blog for a while that I vote this next film as my No.1 all time favourite.

No.1 Yanks.

released in 1979. I remember watching it (and crying) and from that moment on I dreamed of living in the 1940's. The clip is the only one I could find and it has subtitles, it is hard to find decent stills even on the net, but I did find these two. It was also filmed around where we live now and I often bore you all with information about places we have come across that are associated with the film.

and at the end this song is played with the credits.

I won a great giveaway from the generous Louise and my gifts came in the post last week.

Lots of lovely things.

I need to bake some of those cupcakes in the book, there are loads to choose from and don't you just love the pink heart measuring spoons? Thank you Louise, I love everything, the jelly beans didn't last long though!

365 photos for this week.



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We spent all day in the garden doing some much needed clearing. I want to share a day out we had last weekend but think this post is already way too long so it is a THANKYOU from me to Andrea and Louise and if anyone wants to pick up the Stylish Blogger award from my side bar and tell us your 7 favourite films I would love to read about your choice.

7 things and other things

Ages ago Tracey gave me an award, or rather my blog an award.

Thank you Tracey

So Thank you Tracey and now I will tell you 7 things you don't know about me. Now I think you probably know most things about me but I will give it a go-

climb aboard

1. I once had lunch on a Multi-millionaires yacht on the Bosphorus.

2. I am very interested in Family History and have researched my maiden name back to the 1700's
3. My parents owned a pet and tropical fish shop when I was growing up.
4. I use to go horse riding every Saturday when I was a child.

Me with Paddington 1978

5. I am 5 foot 1 inch tall (I am sure I use to be an inch taller!)
6. The first record I ever bought was Puppy Love by Donny Osmond.
7. I once saw New Order at the Hacienda in Manchester.

Now I have to pass it on to some bloggy friends. I also know some people don't like to get them, if you are one of those people I am sorry. I am sure most already have it but I would like to pass it on to-
Memoirs of a Vintage Magpie
Lilac and Cats  (because she is in need of some bloggy hugs)
Little Miss Crafty
The Inconsequential Blogger

Some other things that have been happening.
I know you were all impressed by Hubby's Grandma's needlework in my previous post so I went rummaging and found these-

Grandma as a young girl

Grandma's wedding day

She made her own wedding dress then adapted it for Hubby's mum to wear for her wedding day then it was made into a christening gown for Hubby and his brother! they knew how to-make -do-and-mend in those days!

some of her work

In amongst all the photographs and certificates I found a framed embroidery, and a brown envelope. The envelope contained a transfer she had sent off for from a magazine and the silks to work it. I wonder what happened to it?

Raining?

Yesterday it was grey and dull and rained on and off for most of it.
We didn't let it get us down. A friend and her two boys picked me up and we headed off to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park (if you read Diane's Heart Shaped Blog then you may recognise it.)

We even sat in the rain and ate our picnic, only the British would do this I think!

The main exhibition was by David Nash

Bretton Hall

but there was lots of other things to see

The geese were doing a flying display

Inside the camellia house

We didn't let the rain dampen our spirits.

weekend goodies

We have had a lovely weekend so far. Friday night we went to a restaurant called the Old Bore at Rishworth. Its a place I pass twice a day but we have never been in. I took this photo on the way home from work on Friday...

...then when we arrived at 7.30pm I took a few more photos-bit blurred but I think you can tell it's decorated like an old Scottish Hunting Lodge.

The menu is excellent and the service is also very good. We had a really lovely evening.

Now this meal was our Valentine meal. We always try to go out for a meal around valentines day, usually not on the day itself.

Saturday I went to my friends to bake chocolate chip cookies with her and her two daughters aged 7 and 10.

We did have a fun day, lots of licking of fingers and excited waiting for the cookies to bake. The girls all chocolated up, then went to play upstairs while we had a glass of wine and a good chat.

Today started sunny and I plan to do a bit in the garden and tonight we are going to see Sherlock Holmes at the cinema. Hubby bought me a card and a lovely felted purse with a heart on it from the Royal Exchange Craft shop in Manchester, am I not a Lucky Lady? I know Valentines day is not for everyone and I wish all my readers a happy day what ever they are doing today.

It is apt today the sun is shinning because I have received this lovely Sunshine Blog award from Bad Penny over at The Hen House. It makes me smile. I would like to pass this on to a few people new to me. They may want to pass it on to someone else or they may not, either way please pop over to see their lovely blogs by clicking on their name.

Donna
Felted House
Middle Cottage Diary
A Homely Heroine
Thimble Fingers

Snoopy Dog Knits
Ashfall

Frogs Dogs and ferns