Jeant-Jinnag

So little time - -

2012-02-10T15:37:00.000Z

- - for play recently - life is throwing curveballs our way so I haven't been around much in blogland. I have managed a little creativity - as i am signed up to a tag swap with my local craft group - and I hope to use something like this to store them in. Many thanks to the delightful Laura Denison of Following the Paper Trail for her online classes.

And so it begins - -

2011-12-01T09:55:00.000Z

- - Journalling Christmas - - The first prompt came this morning - - along with my tickets for my Christmas Markets trip to Munich!! How apt and appropriate was that? And to REALLY get me into the Christmas Spirit - C and I have just put up our decorations in the Library - se we are doing Christmas here big style!! FOUR trees we have - a large 6ft one, (which we decorated - all the others are decorated by the children) - a table size one at 4ft, a small "Breast Cancer" 2ft tree and a teeny tiny desk tree. As the library is such a large space it works out just perfectly.
As well as Shimelle's brilliant class - the wonderful Tim Holtz has posted the first of this Years 12 Tags - I do really want to have a play with the tags -but somehow time runs away with me - and another wonderful teacher out there who is also doing 12 Christmas Projects is the delightful Laura Denison of Following the Paper Trail - - so we really have no excuse NOT to be inspired!

Of course there is always the scent of pine to make me feel Christmassy ( not that I need much help!!) as the real trees are also due to be delivered today as well - so all in all I think I have lots of scope for a first page in my Journal! I just wish I was at home and could play instead of being in work! It does so get in the way of fun!
I will have to try to post my pages later - along with a recipe.

Thanks for stopping by.

Bannaghtyn J x

Home made Mincemeat - - -

2011-11-30T10:00:00.001Z

- - - for your mince tarts.

Of course - nowadays there is no meat in the mixture - but traditionally A mince pie, also known as minced pie, is a small British sweet pie traditionally served during the Christmas season. Its ingredients are traceable to the 13th century, when returning European crusaders brought with them Middle Eastern recipes containing meats, fruits and spices. I only ever eat them at Christmas - and I always make a wish when I eat my first one of the Christmas season. I used to make my own mimcemeat when my eldest daughter was small - but haven't done so in recent years - working does put a bit of a stop to one's gallop in the kitchen I find. I do enjoy it though - so thought I would share my recipe with you dear readers.

This is my method - -however should you be teetotal - the alcohol can be replaced with good quality fruit juice.

Homemade Mincemeat

Ingredients

8oz Bramley Apples (or any other cooking apples)

4oz shredded suet

4oz each of raisins , sultanas, currants, mixed candied peel

6oz soft dark brown sugar

Grated zest and juice of one orange and one lemon

1oz chopped mixed nuts

2 level teaspoons mixed ground spices – (cloves, nutmeg, allspice)

¼ level teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 small glass of sherry or 3 tablespoons brandy

Method

Wash, Core & chop apples into small pieces (no need to peel them)

Chop candied peel and mixed nuts finely if necessary

Add all ingredients except brandy to a large bowl and stir til thoroughly mixed together

Cover with clean cloth and leave to stand overnight in a cool place to allow the flavours to develop.

After that pre-heat the oven to gas mark ¼, 225°F (120°C).

Cover the bowl loosely with foil and place it in the oven for 3 hours, then remove the bowl from the oven. Don't worry about the appearance of the mincemeat, which will look positively swimming in fat. This is how it should look. As it cools, stir it from time to time; the fat will coagulate and, instead of it being in tiny shreds, it will encase all the other ingredients.

When the mincemeat is quite cold, stir well again, adding the brandy. Pack in jars that have been sterilised (see below). When filled, cover with waxed discs and seal. The mincemeat will keep for ages in a cool, dark cupboard but I usually find it has all gone by Christmas!! I leave it for about a week before I use it - but it can be used immediately.

NOTE: To sterilise jars, wash the jars and lids in warm soapy water, rinse well, then dry thoroughly with a clean tea cloth, place them on a baking tray and pop into a medium oven, gas mark 4, 350F, 180C, for 5 minutes.

I am hoping to include Recipes in my Christmas Journal this year - so if you are happy to share links, dear readers - please do. I am doing my very best to catch up with my blog reading - and am almost up to date - when I intend to try to comment again - I will be glad to have some heating soon! Thanks for stopping by.

Bannaghtyn - J xx

Stormy weather - -

2011-11-29T11:47:00.000Z

- - has battered my island - so much so that the ferries have not sailed since yesterday lunch time!! Dark and dismal doesn't even come close to the way it looks outside! The rising wind is wuthering over my head above the skylight as I type - and the rain is horizontal! Needless to say it is raining in - the bucket is catching the drip - which is intensly annoying to my colleague and I!
It is a Craft Club day for our specila children today - but with the very high winds we have hunted out a whole batch of previous years Christmas projects - paper snowflakes, Snowman decoration, paper Angels - all of which we are going to encourage all the other children to do at lunch time. We also have a Poster Competition - for a fund raiser for them to enter - with a small prize on offer - so hopefully they won't be too manic - the wind really does seem to upset their equilibrium. Well - I don't care for it myself I must admit - not as wild as this anyway!
Thanks for stopping by -

Bannaghtyn - J x

Making Progress - -

2011-11-22T10:57:00.002Z

- - well I sure hope I am! Life does seem to be settling back to a more placid and even keel - only the boiler now needs to be resolved - and even that is "in progress" as they say, as the Rayburn is on its way to the island now! Hopefully the heating guys can get it installed and running for us before Christmas - - and as you know - I do so love this most magical season of the year! LOL
I did so enjoy the crafting day - it did indeed prove to be the boost I needed - espacially as it was my birthday (a bit iof a special one this year) weekend as well - so we had double reasons for celebrations & yummy cakes!
The Remember December album was a bit of a hit with our members - (always a relief - as any of you dear readers who prepare anything for others will know).Foolishly I forgot my camera this year - so don't have a "groupshot" of a completed project - but as always it was so exciting to see every individual take on the basic instructions we started with!!

Here a couple of the inner pages - it's quite likely that this album might get used for this year's Journal Your Christmas - with Shimelle - however as I am also going to the Christmas Markets in Bavaria again this December - I might save it for that. The papers are primarily Graphic 45 "Christmas Past" - though there are also a few oddments that just went with the colour scheme. I am really happy with the way it has turned out as I have lots of places for small photos, journalling etc - and plenty of pockets for memorabilia.
Thanks for stopping by.

Bannaghtyn J xx

Long Time - - - No Blog - - -

2011-11-08T12:42:00.000Z

- - - as life has really thrown me some curve balls this year, and finding time for ANYTHING other tha daily living has proved well nigh impossible for me. I signed up for two classes with Shimelle - and never got to even go to the forum - for one off them I haven't even found time to read the emails! As I am a longtime fan of Shimelle's classes and find them totally inspirational I feel very down about it. However - I do know that every class is still available to me to go back to so hope that is what I will be able to do.Onwards & Upwards!!
It seems it is my time to have a myriad number of problems - which alone are easy to cope with - but when they come all at once seem insurmountable - - none of them unusual - the kind of thing we all face at different times - elderly parents, health issues for children and partners, boilers breaking down , unexpected flash floods - - just all at once and all costly in financial terms - - LOL - but I am getting there - That's life I guess.

I am going to an all day Craft event on Sunday - so that is my glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. The thought is keeping me going and having had stuff to prepare for it has been the saviour of my sanity. Anyway - here is a photo of what we hope to achieve. Thanks for stopping by.

I do hope life has been kinder to you -
Bannaghtyn

J xc

Crowd Control - - - -

2011-09-13T12:31:00.000+01:00

- - seems to have been my lot this morning in the school hall. Today the annual "photo shoot" took place - with the official schoo photographer in for the morning. It was slightly manic to say the least, as for school staff to link up the photo with the student's records they need to be in a certain order!!! So today I have learned that a large percentage of our new intake do not understand the concept of alphabetical order!! And I used to think that Lower school were easier to deal with!!
However it is over for another year - and it is a distinct possibility that it will be my last crowd control session - at least I hope it is as Its very hard on my voice and my feet!! I seem to have to walk miles - and its only in the hall!

Long time - no post

2011-09-04T13:54:00.001+01:00

- - as "real life" has got in the way somewhat. But heyho - that's the way the cookie crumbles. I haven't been able to particpate in online classes I signed up for and even create much sadly - but hopefully I might make it to Shimelles's "Learn Something New Everyday" even though I am a little behind. Keep you fingers crossed for me!
Til later

Bannaghtyn J x

Words of Wisdom - -

2011-06-10T08:05:00.041+01:00

The lovely Shimelle is once again encouraging us. As you probably know dear readers - I am an alumni of many of Shimelle's classes - and my most recently completed class - Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers has been an enormous boost to my confidence and I hope improved some of my blog content - (and I really would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't taken the class) so today - thanks to Shimelle who has so kindly invited us to participate in her latest sortie into blogland - it's 10 on the Tenth.
Oh cool thinks I - so exciting - I can share my holiday snaps - er no! - still taking some of them!!
I can scan 10 pages from my last album - er no! not at home - remember???
I can list the books by my bed - er no! on that one too - can't remember ten titles!!
so all these ideas are not too practical for this month - so being on holiday - today I share with you - -

Wise words - - - that I would like my children to remember. I have been collecting words all my life and those of you who have visited me more than once will probably know of this passion of mine. Sadly I am not sure I have passed it on to my children but I have included these quotes (along with lots of others) here and there through the albums recording their lives that we call scrapbooks - in the hopes that they may just take the occasional note of them, enjoy the scraps of poetry or just the music of the words themselves. I hope you enjoy some of them - feel free to make use of them in your own albums if they appeal to you.

A Bag of Tools -

Isn't it strange that princes and kings
And clowns that caper in sawdust rings
And common folk like you and me
Are the builders of eternity.
To each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass and a book of rules;
And each must make, ere time is flown,
A stumbling-block or a stepping-stone.. RL Sharpe

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.. Albert Camus
Reach for the moon, for if you fall you will land amongst the stars.

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.. Anon
Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.. Henry Van Dyke
Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.. Jesse Jackson
Sing as if no one is listening, Dance as if no one is watching, Laugh til you ache with mirth, Love like there's no tomorrow and live as if heaven's on earth.

You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart.. Author Unknown
Music is what feelings sound like.. Authur Unknown
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.. Maya Angelou

I am sure there will be many more interesting posts on this today in blogland - find them here. As always, its lovely to have you stop by.
'til later
Bannaghtyn J x

Tea Party at the shop -- Storytelling Sunday

2011-06-05T07:25:00.013+01:00

The shop was busy - it often was on a Saturday morning - and the small girl trotted purposefully after her granny as she went from the kitchen to the shop to serve her customers. She watched shyly from the doorway, wide eyed - as granny weighed potatoes, sliced bacon, weighed sugar or added home made cakes to paper bags for the women coming in for their weekly shop.
A steady stream of customers meant that cheerful banter was tossed back and forth over the counter - the housewives wanting groceries, men buying cigarettes and tobacco, children with halfpennies and pennies for weekend treats - Black Jacks, Fruit Salad (8 for a penny), Spanish and Kali (2oz for tuppence), Cadbury's Chocolate, Frys Five Boys, Shoelaces or 2oz of peardrops, sarsaparilla tablets, Uncle Joe's mintballs or caramels. To the little girl watching from the doorway between the kitchen and the shop it seemed like whole world came to granny's shop on a Saturday morning.
Soon it would be time to close - when she knew she would be able to have friends come to play with her in the backyard of the shop. It was a very large backyard - a rarity amongst these narrow streets surrounding the land which had once housed the mill - now blitzed - and the little girls of the neighbourhood loved to play there, even though they were all older than J-------. They were accustomed to skipping on the cobbles, or making swings on the arms of a lamp post, however the yard was flagged - smooth and level - where they could play "house" and have tea parties, in what felt like luxury! There was a very large gate - it kept the boys out so they couldn't tease or get in the way with footballs!!
The shop bell tinkled and the door opened again to reveal two children, a fair child about 8 years old and a younger dark child with black curls and deep brown eyes, perhaps about 5, followed by a smiling woman, her hair in a turban made from a scarf - "Here they are Janey." she said pushing the children forward slightly. "Oh hello Nellie" said granny - "come on in then" she beamed at the children as they scampered round the counter to the back of the shop and through to the kitchen. J------- squealed with delight to see them and hurriedly gathered together her dolls, crayons and a miniature tea set - thrusting them into the older children's hands as all three scampered outside - to find a small table and chairs already waiting for them.
The table was soon set - and much fun was had on that Saturday afternoon over fifty five years ago, as the three little girls, 8, 5 & 3 played with dolls, teddies, colouring books and crayons and had a tea party - totally enjoying the sunny afternoon, the sanctuary of the yard - (the boys with their football could be heard at the other side of the gate) whilst the gap between their ages just disappeared. . . . .

I was that 3 year old - and I can no longer remember any further details of that afternoon captured in this photo - I only remember that Aunty Nellie lived across the street from my granny's shop and that she was Elaine's mummy and that Kathleen lived next door to them and her parents were - I think - Irish. My granny's shop is no more - - nor is the mill land - not even the streets remain - yet I was aware of such a strong sense of community there. I remember Maydays, the May Queen, a Maypole, costumes made from crepe paper, Whit Walks, Bonfire Nights - all community activities that all the street seemed to be involved in - yet I moved away from this area when I was 5 years old.
What a street party there would have been for that Royal Wedding in April this year!

Thanks for stopping by - this post is brought to you courtesy of Sian's Storytelling Sunday
and this months stories can all be found here.

'til later

Bannaghtyn J x

He wore - -

2011-05-31T07:50:00.003+01:00

- - blue velvet --da-da-da - - -played on the radio this morning as I was coming in to work - listening to the words triggered a memory. - - - the Artisan was wearing a blue velvet jacket the very first time I saw him. It made me smile so much - blue really is his colour - it matched his eyes! Actually I think his eyes sre getting bluer as the years go by - if that is possible of course.

The young man in the blue velvet jacket stood in the entrance hall - such a vast space - how was he supposed to find the meeting room of this club he had been told about? The stairs alone were grand enough for a stately home - and the doors and corridors off the hallway were just massive - and therefore intimidating. He looked round again then set off down the corridor past the stairs - hoping for a sign on a door which might help - nothing. Turning round again he returned to the main foyer - and set off in the opposite direction this time, just as the outside door opened with a flurry of cold air as several young men and girls entered chattering and laughing together, followed closely by a middle aged man and his wife, and a couple of tall and rather handsome young men. Richard and Nick saw him as they came in and headed straight towards him - slapping him in the back as they caught him up to him - "Hey good to see you, come on up with us" said Richard and turning him round the three of them joined the other young people heading up the stairs. Richard & Nick chatted away introducing him to everyone in the group.
A slight girl with long blonde hair had also noticed him as she arrived - and that first glimpse had been enouigh - she felt as if someone had just prodded her in the back - yet she was the last person though the door - whilst the voice in her head kept on repeating -"Well - what are you waiting for? That is who you are meant to be with, Well - what are you waiting for - go ON!" It made no sense - another feeling of being prodded in her back jolted her into movement - she turned round - no one there! "How odd" she thought. She shook herself slightly, shrugged her shoulders and tried to put the feeling of knowing a total stranger out of her head.and headed up the stairs behind the rest of her friends - -

Moments in between - -

2011-05-29T10:34:00.001+01:00

- - a couple of weekends ago on Amy's blog she posted a challenge to scrap the day - ON the day - I was going to have a shot at it - but life kind of got in the way so I didn't actually scrap any photos. However the challenge did set me off thinking about those kind of everyday moments - the moments in between the activity that fills our days in our busy lives - those big happenings in life, Births, Weddings are all such big milestones - and we remember them so very well, but Amy's challenge was to scrap the other stuff - - so I found myself thinking of the mundane, the ordinary, daily life type of occurrences. Those that might be so ordinary that there are no photos to go with any of my thinkings and from there it led me to a few very precious - moments ? not sure how to describe it best - feelings that keep me warm inside - I think - is the nearest I can get to putting it into words. Thinking about them made me realise just how important these thoughts are to me - and how frequently they pop into my head to make me smile inside- and I hope that I never ever forget them - so I am "scrapping" them here on my blog - just in case I do!

the smile in his eyes as they meet mine across a room

the feel of my daughter's hands in mine and my son's small arms round my neck

the strength in my dad's hugs when I was small

my grandad's whistle - (non existant really as he had lost all his teeth as a young man - so he kind of whistled through his gums!) and my granny's laughter

shared hugs with my mum, dad and sister known in our family as "piggy-mustards" (Don't ask me why my baby sister called a huge family hug by this title - but it stuck - and has passed into the family folklore to my own children)

None of them especially exciting - nothing I could actually take a photo of really - but stuff I think I do need to record for me - so thank you Amy for the prompt - even though it led me down a slightly different path.

thanks for stopping by.

'til later
Bannaghtyn Jx

Remembering Rhymes -

2011-05-24T12:37:00.005+01:00

- - do snippets of nursery rhymes ever float into your head when you least expect them to? They do mine and today I found myself thinking back again to times in our campervan. If you have ever had one you will know that the VW Camper really rather "plodded" along rather than zipped by - so getting to most destinations always took some considerable time. With children in the back I am sure you guess that keeping them entertained was a rather important part of our travel! One of the games we played was - see how many nursery rhymes you could remember. We all had to take turns and no one could repeat one that we had already sung! Oh how funny it was - the Artisan was hopeless - well his children thought he was - because he always got the words wrong (deliberately? you ask - No he genuinely didn't know the words!) - and as for me - they would never let me finish mine! They always said I knew too many :(
I don't actually know how many such rhymes there are - but we did once get to a 100 before the game palled and we moved on to I love my Love with an A - - - but that's another story.

How do you entertain yourselves whilst travelling? And how many nursery rhymes can you remember?

Thanks for stopping by
'til later

Bannaghtyn, J x

The hands of time - -

2011-05-21T16:55:00.015+01:00

- - - moved steadily round the clock face, eating yet more of her precious minutes, she knocked once more on the shop door - still no answer - other premises were beginning to show signs of life as it crept up to 7.45am - the newsagent was positively busy - and the green grocer was putting out his stands - whilst across the street - a light went on in the one shop that might be able to help her. " Please, please be willing to open" she thought waiting for a gap in the traffic to dart across the road. She could see a figure moving inside as she hurried to knock on the door - the young blonde women opened the door looking slightly bewildered -
"Can I help you?" she asked
"Oh I do hope so, I had an appointment over the road - but she hasn't turned up - I know it's a bit cheeky - but I don't suppose you could do my hair could you? Please? Please?"
"You mean now? Right now? I'm not open yet!" said the shopowner
" Please - - If you could - - I don't know what else to do -- please - - - I had an appointment with the hairdresser across the road - but I think she has forgotten me - she hasn't turned up - I know it is an imposition - - I don't have much time - - Please ?Please? - It is rather a special day for me you see - I would so appreciate it - and there is still no sign of life over there" The young woman realised she was babbling stupidly even as she pointed across the road and looking at her watch - - "You see - - I am getting married at 11am."
"Oh my - what time? of course I will, come on in - what do you want me to do? Do you have a veil? Or a hat. My name is Karen by the way" bubbled the younger girl - - -

That's how I met the young woman who did my hair for the fourteen years I lived in that area. She decorated my hair with flowers on that day and I felt like a queen - and it rained - - as I arrived to marry the man I have shared the last 25 years with -my beloved, my friend, my rock, my partner, my mate, the father of my children, he is my everything and I love him now as I did then and yes I would do it all again - - and it didn't matter a jot what the weather did as he has always brought me sunshine!. Today is our Silver Wedding anniversary - - and it is raining! Do I care? No, not in the slightest. - - - only I just would really like to know where all that time has gone - because the hands of time never stop moving do they?

Thanks for stopping by,
the first part of this story can be read here

'til later
Bannaghtyn

A day for - -

2011-05-21T08:10:00.001+01:00

- - making memories. It had to be didn't it? Because today was the kind of day which doesn't happen very often in anyone's life. They woke to pale gray skies and the threat of rain - but that didn't really matter - what did was getting all that needed to be done fitted into the limited time they had, getting the house ready for anyone who might wish to come back, getting herself off to her appointment, the little one up, bathed and dressed in all her finery, getting ready themselves - - -
Rushing about madly she shifted furniture around to make space in the small front room, spread a clean cloth on the extended table and get out cutlery before heading out the door to her appointment."I'm off now " she called up the stairs - a muffled answer floated down - she had to dash or she would be late. They were opening especially early for her so she had to be there!
Running along the road she felt a few spots of dampness on her cheeks - "Rain, rain go away, Come again another day - - - - - " danced through her head in time to her steps as she hurried along the road. There was a brighter sky comimg in- - so hopefully - - - - The bus arrived at this moment so she got on and paid her fare, just a 15 minute ride and she would be there. She checked her watch - time was really tight actually.
Reaching her destination she left the bus and crossed the road to the shop, pushed the door handle to go in - only to find it resist her with a vengeance. It was locked - she knocked briskly, and waited fully expecting Trscey to open the door to her but got no response. ~Oh NO, the voice in her head almost screamed, she's forgotton me -- she knocked again this time with real desperation - still no response - what was she to do? how long could she afford to wait to see if anyone arrived? She felt a little foolish now - standing outside THIS shop at 7.15am on a Wednesday morning - even the one across the street was all closed up, I'll wait 15 minutes she thought as she wandered disconsolately towards the bus stop, wondering what she was going to be able to do herself if no one turned up to open for her? - - - -

To be continued - -
Til later

Bannaghtyn J x

Today I am liking -

2011-05-20T08:15:00.022+01:00

- that the swallows and swifts are back in such numbers

- the scent of Mayblossom in the air - it smells like summer did when I was a little girl

- sunshine and blue skies after days of fairly heavy rain (all our weather has come from the west this week!)

- it's Friday, the streets are full of birdsong and I have a weekend to look forward to

- Wall & hedgerow festooned with flowers

'til later

Bannaghtyn J x

Quotable Women - Five favourites

2011-05-18T09:29:00.000+01:00

My fondness for words - so very obvious here as I am sure you will agree dear reader - means I find myself collecting those I like, squirrelling them away for future reference, trying to remember them, to live by their wisdom, to be inspired and to just enjoy the sentiments.

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others." - Audrey Hepburn

"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." - Harriet Beecher Stowe

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - Maya Angelou

I would be delighted if you have a favourite quote you could share with me.

til later

Bannaghtyn J x

A Prom to remember

2011-05-11T12:20:00.002+01:00

It has been a very busy week for me this week. Last Thursday was the official start of Study Leave for our year 11 students - - they have the Record of Achievement Ceremony and in the evening it is their “Prom” Ball. As is usual for me, I go along to take some snaps for the school plasma display – and though I can’t show you any other than this of these photos, but I am very pleased with how they have turned out. So are many of the young people in the shots – as I seem to have spent my week printing out copies for them to take home to various relatives. They all look so very elegant , handsome, pretty, beautiful, stunning and excited – and so very grown up!
The highlight of the event for me was seeing two of our Special Unit children arriving in all their finery – A -------- who spend his life in a wheelchair was looking particularly handsome in his “James Bond” outfit , he also struggles with language – but he made sure we understood who he was dressed like and his excitement brought tears to my eyes. C------- of course looked just like a Princess in a beautiful royal blue gown, silver shoes and bag and a diamante tiara in her hair. A------- had brought a beautiful bracelet as a small gift for C------- and she couldn’t wait to wear it.
They both had the most wonderful evening - - - the rest of their year group made sure they could get to the dance floor and included them both in the entire party atmosphere. Mum’s collected them at 11.45pm – and when asked if she had enjoyed the Prom, C-------- said “Yes – I keep thinking about it in my head, and when I do, it makes me happy”.
When her mum told us yesterday it brought tears to my eyes. She told us when she came to Crafty Corner – and it made my day.

I have a lovely photo of the two of them - so a page is calling out to me. Just wish I wasn't at work today!!

The Prom
Our last year now has flashed right past, schooldays are over now at last.
One more thing before we go. The Prom – a night for us to show,
How we can do you adults proud. Though we may get a little loud!
We’ll do our best to keep it fun, for staff and students, so each one
Will smile when this they look back on. We just wish the sun had shone.
We look so fine and scrub up well. In Tux and ball gown – Can you tell?
Just who we are? As we arrive in coach and carriage down the drive!
We laugh and giggle and admire, each and everyone’s attire.
The hair, the nails the polished shoes. Excitement , Cheers - and then we choose
The friends with whom we’ll go inside, for here we can no longer hide.
From Paperazzi mum and dad, whose pride in makes us so glad,
We made this effort to come here, to celebrate our final year!
J.M.H

'til later

Bannaghtyn Jx

An Island in Bloom - - -

2011-05-10T17:11:00.000+01:00

Such a beautiful, blossomy time of year - I do so love flowers - If you have any flower photos to share please link them in here - I would love to see them,

'til later
Bannaghtyn Jx

A Mini Album - -

2011-05-05T12:33:00.000+01:00

- - which now belongs to my elder daughter.

The theme is home and family - and the photos inside are a random selection of family photos.

A bit of detail.

There are lots of pockets with tags - with photos and journalling scattered through the album.

And this lady was the inspiration - she shared it on You Tube quite a long time ago now.

I was pleased with the way it all came together. - the papers are all 7 Gypsies - but I can't remember the collection - sorry!

'til later

Bannaghtyn Jx

I seem to have spent - -

2011-05-04T07:25:00.002+01:00

- a considerable amount of time in the small square of earth outside the cottage door this last weekend - this small woodland clearing has felt like my own secret garden since we moved here. It is tucked away - enclosed on three sides - and is a flight of ten steps below road level, warm and sheltered, full of bluebells, aquilegia, california poppies and lavender - it is my own small sanctuary of tranquility and always full of birdsong. All the little birds were in and out of the hedges - but robin was flitting and bustling about so busily, feeding nestlings I suspect, cocking a bright beady eye at me to make sure I was behaving quietly - that I found myself thinking of this -

- - - " and there, lo and behold, was the robin swaying on a long branch of ivy. He had followed her and he greeted her with a chirp. As Mary had skipped toward him she felt something heavy in her pocket strike against her at each jump, and when she saw the robin she laughed again.
"You showed me where the key was yesterday," she said. "You ought to show me the door today; but I don't believe you know!"
The robin flew from his swinging spray of ivy on to the top of the wall and he opened his beak and sang a loud, lovely trill, merely to show off. Nothing in the world is quite as adorably lovely as a robin when he shows off--and they are nearly always doing it.
Mary Lennox had heard a great deal about Magic in her Ayah's stories, and she always said that what happened almost at that moment was Magic.
One of the nice little gusts of wind rushed down the walk, and it was a stronger one than the rest. It was strong enough to wave the branches of the trees, and it was more than strong enough to sway the trailing sprays of untrimmed ivy hanging from the wall. Mary had stepped close to the robin, and suddenly the gust of wind swung aside some loose ivy trails, and more suddenly still she jumped toward it and caught it in her hand. This she did because she had seen something under it--a round knob which had been covered by the leaves hanging over it. It was the knob of a door.
She put her hands under the leaves and began to pull and push them aside. Thick as the ivy hung, it nearly all was a loose and swinging curtain, though some had crept over wood and iron. Mary's heart began to thump and her hands to shake a little in her delight and excitement. The robin kept singing and twittering away and tilting his head on one side, as if he were as excited as she was. What was this under her hands which was square and made of iron and which her fingers found a hole in?
It was the lock of the door which had been closed ten years and she put her hand in her pocket, drew out the key and found it fitted the keyhole. She put the key in and turned it. It took two hands to do it, but it did turn.
And then she took a long breath and looked behind her up the long walk to see if anyone was coming. No one was coming. No one ever did come, it seemed, and she took another long breath, because she could not help it, and she held back the swinging curtain of ivy and pushed back the door which opened slowly--slowly.
Then she slipped through it, and shut it behind her, and stood with her back against it, looking about her and breathing quite fast with excitement, and wonder, and delight.
She was standing inside the secret garden."

This extract for The Secret Garden - by Frances Hodgeson Burnett ~~was~~ still is a favourite book of mine - it is still in print but if you might like to read a bit more it can be found online here

Do you have a favourite book from your childhood which you still class as a fovourite? Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Thanks for stopping by.
'til later

Bannaghtyn J x

Simple Pleasures

2011-05-02T22:54:00.002+01:00

Such a beautiful day - treated myself to a few bluebells fmom the garden. The cottage now smells wonderful!

'til later

Bannaghtyn Jx

Twenty years ago today

2011-05-01T14:12:00.001+01:00

She really didn't feel like herself at all - fretful, worried, tearful - not what she should be feeling like anyway. Why, oh why she asked herself, before finding tears welling yet again - no reason she could think of - she should be filled with happiness - she knew that, - it wasn't as if this was the first time she had been in this situation. So why did she feel so low?? Perhaps because the 4 year old was so obviously wanting mummy - and he couldn't have cuddles here, perhaps it was because the older one had been so ill just recently? She only knew she didn't feel right being here - she needed to be at home.
The woman with the trolley was suddenly at her side - "Are you OK J-----?" she asked gently. Her wise eyes took in the younger woman's face - the brightness of the unshed tears, and the tension in her body, and she nodded to herself before smiling kindly at the woeful figure "Milk in your tea?" she said pouring a cup and placing it on the table in front of the girl, adding two biscuits to the saucer. "Drink your tea and have your elevenses" she said "I'll be back shortly".
The younger woman stared at the tea cup - maybe it would make her feel a little better - she picked up the cup and moved over to the window. Trees filled with blossom and blue skies - it looked like it was going to be a beautiful Bank Holiday tomorrow - and here she was, stuck in this room! She sipped her tea - "I want to go home" she thought again and once more tears welled in her eyes "I want to go home". A murmer of voices caught her attention - - looking up she saw two figures walking towards her - the woman from earlier, with a man. Oh dear - I wonder what he wants this time, she thought - she made a effort to smile - really he was very kind - "Good morning J-----" he said , "How are you today?" J----- answered in as cheerful a manner as she could - "Doing quite well I think". The man picked up a clipboard and began to study it carefully - he looked again at the older woman with him - "Are you sure it would be the best thing to do?" he asked her. "Absolutely certain" she answered briskly.
The man put the clipboard down - "Well - since it is such a lovely day - and as Sister assures me that this is the best thing to do for you - I think you should call your husband and get him to come along to collect you and your new daughter - and take you both home" he smiled at the young woman sitting on the bed, holding the new baby in her arms. "But make sure you get plenty of rest now" he said as he turned away.

Sister looked at the young woman and smiled - "I think this just might prevent the Baby Blues" she said shrewdly - "Let's get baby dressed now shall we?"

She was quite right - it did prevent the baby blues - which I hadn't suffered from before with my other children - and I am eternally grateful to Sister M---- not only for recognising its start - but for persuading Mr C-------- that I really should be sent home. Because you see - the older one was just recovering from, and the 4 year old was just starting with - the chicken pox. And much as they both loved daddy - they both wanted mummy as they hadn't been allowed into the maternity hospital to see her.

Today is the twentieth anniversary of that day - when we brought our new baby daughter home - the day before the May Day holiday. This post is also part of Storytelling Sunday - hosted by Sian at From High in the Sky.
Full details can be found here
Thanks for stopping by
'til later

Bannaghtyn J x

A Royal Wedding Day - -

2011-04-29T19:00:00.002+01:00

- - I had no plans to watch, we had no street party or celebration planned - as I had got completely fed up with all the hype that seemed to be surrounding it - and I always feel that weddings are family occasions, I wasn't going to bother - - however I did watch, from just about the time Catherine Middleton arrived at the Abbey - and she looked so serenely beautiful - - aglow with happiness - - that I watched in spite of myself. When she arrived at his side - and he told her she was beautiful (I can lip read) tears welled in my eyes. I really didn't expect that I can tell you - since I have never been tearful at previous weddings ever! However I do wish both of them much joy & happiness. I also hope that any of you who had parties had a wonderful day.
I really like Carol Ann Duffy's poem written in honour of the occasion - she has to of course - being the Poet Laureate - you know of my passion for poetry. She visited our local Art Festival in 2009 and it was wonderful to hear her read her poems and put the emphasis where it mattered. I heard her voice when I read this in the paper today.

Thanks for stopping by.
'til later.

Bannaghtyn J x

Thursday Thoughts - -

2011-04-28T19:00:00.002+01:00

As I took part in the communal - My Day in Photos in my Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers class yesterday - Wednesdays Words had to go on the back burner - so this week - just for a change - we will have Thursday Thoughts instead.

If you have visited here before you will know already of my fondness for poetry -and just occasionally I scribble a few rhymes of my own. I'm not especially good and I rarely - in fact never, share them - but after the post yesterday showcasing my island home I thought of this which I did for National Poetry Day this year - the pupils had to guess which staff member had written it and we displayed it in the Library along with other information to be discovered in a small competition - with a prize of course. It's not Shakespeare - but the children particularly like the rhythm of rhymes - and it does express my own thoughts of what makes up Home - so I hope you also quite like it also.

HOME
Home is where the heart is,
Isn’t that what they say?
It doesn’t have to be a house,
If you think another way.

New baked bread’s aroma,
The taste of apple pie,
The sound of a gurgling baby,
In daddy’s arms so high.

For home can be an empty beach,
Standing looking out to sea,
Watching for that lonely boat.
Bringing you back here to me.

Or a crowded shopping centre
On a Saturday afternoon,
Spending time with special friends,
Stirring tea with a silver spoon.

It's flickering flames of firelight
On a winters day,
Or family hugs and laughter,
When silly games you play.

And barbecues and picnics,
On a sunny weekend walk.
It’s Christmas, birthdays, happy dreams
And candle light - and talk.

Home is never just a place,
Whatever you may say.
Home is where the heart is
Near - - or far away!
J.M Hall

'til later
Bannaghtyn J x

A Day in Photos

2011-04-27T07:23:00.000+01:00

See more photos here.

Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T18:20:00.004+01:00

a beautiful Easter Day greeted me when I woke - - blue skies & sunshine - warm air and birdsong - not the kind of day for staying indoors. The Artisan struggles to entertain himself indoors at any time - but there is no way he would want to be indoors on such a lovely day. Usually this would mean he would be off climbing but today we took a picnic to Ni-ar-byl for lunch. He did have an ulterior motive - because the first basking shark of the season was seen at Ni-ar-byl only a few days ago - but of course he doesn't think I'm aware of that!

We took the coast path

The drop to the shore is incredibly steep in places - and the path very narrow but the views are breathtaking

The sun is warm on our backs, the gorse scents the air with that spicy, almost vanilla aroma, whilst under the hedges - shy purple violets, delicate lemony primroses and sea pinks peep out through the grasses - as we climb the path to the headland the first swallow I have seen this year skims the path just in front of us, almost touching the small lavender stars of squill. The path turns sharply and below us is the beach. Steps lead down through the field of grass, which I think they use for thatch, to the hush of waves on the empty shore. It is quite some time since we came here, and a commemorative bench has appeared in between times - so we take advantage of its perfect position to eat our lunch, listen to the sound of the sea and watch - hopefully - for basking shark.

Sadly we watched in vain - but nevertheless Troie Vane is a perfect picnic spot - only a short way from Ni-ar-byl - and from here it is very easy to see how Ni-ar-byl got its name - translated it means Road of the Tail of the Rocks - they really do look like a dragon or lizards tail in the water - favourite place for us to come even in winter - though we never come to this beach in winter as I don't find the path easy even at this time of year. A lovely way to spend Easter Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by.

'til later,

Banaghtyn J x

Good Friday in the garden - -

2011-04-22T15:47:00.001+01:00

- - beautiful sunshine greeted me today - - dragging me outside to breakfast in the garden. I love the small woodland clearing at the head of the glen that constitutes our little hamlet. This small cluster of dwellings has been here at least 200 years and show as buildings on the oldest map in the local museum - from the early 19th century. I feel they were all built as crofter's/fishermen's cottages with the exception of the tiny one-up, one-down which adjoins our cottage - as we believe that it was once the stabling that our property had according the deeds.
The small outside space which calls itself my garden is encircled by trees, high hedges, is well below road level and is always filled with birdsong and the soft whirring of small wings as sparrows, robins, chaffinches, blackbirds and thrush all go about the business of keeping the occupants of the many nests in the high hedges well fed. When I sit alone in the garden - as I did today - they soon ignore my presence and flit amazingly close to me in their hunt for food for their chicks. I feel priveleged indeed for this trust they show me.

Sheltered as it is we rarely know know if it is windy - and is probably the only place on my windswept island where you can peg washing out on a dry day before going to work - and it will still be damp when you get home at teatime!! It is still a bit of a mystery to me even after 10 years here! Only in the height of summer can I be sure it will be dry. Here is a small enclosed sanctuary for those little birds - we rarely see anything larger than the pair of ring-necked doves who nest in the glen, but who often sit together on my gate, and it is filled with a deep tranquility and peace.

A quiet hour in my garden refreshes my spirit after hectic working days and for that I am truly thankful.
Hope your Easter weekend is all you wish for. Thanks for stopping by.

'til later.
Bannaghtyn - especially on this day. J x

Shimmering Spring - -

2011-04-20T09:08:00.000+01:00

- - it made it, the island is frothy with blossom - today it's shimmering pink & white and misty green - only days ago it seems it was golden, trumpeting daffodils and delicate primroses - and on the headland it still is - as the natural world bedecks herself in beauty after a long winter. Long shadows and hazy sunlight, soft white blossom on the blackthorn hedges, newly unfurling leaves on the hawthorne, lambs gambol in the fields - and freshly ploughed furrows are a rich brown as the morning sun stretches long silvery fingers to stroke them with warmth.
Every garden I pass - abundant, lacy, pink petals on the flowering cherries, cushions of purple aubretia and waving scarlet heads of tulips whilst beneath the trees in the Glen - a haze of blue - wild hyacinths - - bluebells - - whose perfume later will make me heady with the joys of spring. It's days like this which remind me why I wanted to live here, and why I am so grateful that I do.

The Bluebell - Anne Bronte

A fine and subtle spirit dwells
In every little flower,
Each one its own sweet feeling breathes
With more or less of power.
There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell
That fills my softened heart with bliss
That words could never tell.

This is the only the first few lines lines from Anne's poem - and since really trying to focus on what the theme of my blog is I am very concious that I write awfully long posts! As I am not sure, dear reader , if you get bored half way through and move onto somewhere snappier I have only included the opening stanzas - if you would like to read the reast of the poem you can find it here

Hope your day is a beautiful as my flowery, bowery island.

Thanks for stopping by.
'til later

Bannaghtyn Jx

A new class - -

2011-04-19T06:17:00.000+01:00

- - well a continuation class really - Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers run of course by the lovely and inspiring Shimelle - who always gives me confidence to do more so much than I ever thought I could. I have read the first prompt several times through-out yesterday, and pondered over what the theme of this blog is. I have found it quite hard to come up with a simple answer - as I think my intention when I created it was purely as a place to share the crafty items I made - mainly papercraft. However I have come to realise that for me, words have at least equal - if not more - importance in my world, and so it seems to me to be "neither fish nor fowl" without a real focus or direction. I am thinking hard about what the theme is - - -
One of my favourite things about blogland is the fact that I can link right around the world with a blog, that I can stretch out a hand - and greet - a new friend in Australia, America, Scotland, Scandinavia, Africa or China - - and the reason we connect is a shared experience - of womanhood or motherhood or scrapbooking or baking or whatever - - So here I am - again asking myself - what is the theme of my blog ?? Is it Words?? Crafting and a place to share my makes?? Is it purely to communicate with others who share my hobbies in some way??
I really want to use this class to improve my blog - to give it a real focus, be more professional yet still be pretty to look at - (I do SO want to keep my poppies), to still have a place to share my "makes" and my passion for words, so would appreciate a little help from anyone who drops by. Perhaps dear reader you might have a moment to check out the poll? Thank you - or Gura mie ayd.

Thanks for stopping by.
Bannaghtyn J x

A Few Thank You's - -

2011-04-18T16:11:00.007+01:00

- - specially to Mel for organising the blog hop yesterday, and also to everyone who created a post for the hop - I had so much fun "hopping" round to visit you all - though now have one very tired right foot!! It was a new experience for me to be part of a blog hop - and I have to admit to being ever so slightly scared sending Mel that email. I am so glad I did though, as I have now a whole scutch of new blogs to visit more often. Thank you also to those ladies who took part - you touched me, made me laugh out loud, taught me, shared facts I had never heard of, made me weep, cheer you on, inspired me and made me feel like a most welcome friend. Thank you all!

It is back to work for me today so this post will have to be scheduled - but I thought I might share a little album I made yesterday as a 60th Birthday gift for a colleague - it has no photos in yet - because I can't share those as they are not my photos.

Thanks for stopping by.

'til later
Bannaghtyn Jx

Alphanumeric Blog Hop - This makes me tick

2011-04-17T14:00:00.194+01:00

Welcome - especially if this is your very first time to visit my blog - it's lovely to see you! I do have to tell you that this post came to life purely from Mel's post about the blog hop - as the image was a letter short of the full alphabet. I had to try out her idea of writing with just 25 letters to play with!!

Those of you who have visited my blog before may be aware that I share the day of my birth with Armistice Day - so that, that time of year is particularly special for me - The Poppy Appeal is a charity I support wholeheartedly. You perhaps also might have picked up my love for words - and as words are made from letters - I like those too! All the way from A to Z! I love the shape of them, what you hear if you speak them, how they feel if you say them, plus the pleasure of them put together to create those words. Merged together they make music - lyrics come to my head, poems shout their joy, whilst prose colours those pictures I see with my soul. My favourite poets, writers or lyricists are those whose words excite me or make music for me, whether that be because of the rhythm of the verses - quick or slow - or the pretty pictures their words create for the make believe world of my head. Do words do that for you too?

Letters put together by others set me off searching for ways to improve my way of "putting letters together" to make my words beautiful too. I have tried - so hope that just sometimes I have succeeded. Shimelle's classes are a great help . This writer particularly lit up those pictures in my head, she makes pictures with words - she has descriptions that stay with me always, giving me the desire to also create pictures with words. So sometimes I hope my efforts have paid off.
I adore my family - they are my rock - the treasure that makes my life so special, with them I am rich as they give me such a wealth of joy.
Of course I also love "pretties" - paper, trims, photographs - so I scrapbook - flowers, beads, pottery - so I make stuff - to cook gives me pleasure - pastries, pies, bread, cakes - so I bake - home is special to me - fabric, firelight, comfort - so I keep house for my family to make a happy home. All these small pleasures make me smile - so I feel happy. I hope they make you happy as well - today I wish you lots of little joys that make you smile.
There are lots more of us to "hop with" today, all at play with this idea - the full list is below - but first you might wish to visit JimJams- so here you go! Have a lovely day.

'til next time.

PS - as a slight twist over what's said by those Sesame Street characters - this post NOT brought to you today by the letter N!
You can find everyone through this list - so enjoy!

I Speak Melsh: [ http://ispeakmelsh.blogspot.com/ ]http://ispeakmelsh.blogspot.com/
BE Glorious: [ http://beglorious.blogspot.com/ ]http://beglorious.blogspot.com/
Captured On Film: [ http://mrsbeee.blogspot.com/ ]http://mrsbeee.blogspot.com/
Chatty Crafty Arty Pig: [ http://chattycraftyartypig.blogspot.com/ ]http://chattycraftyartypig.blogspot.com/
Creating Room: [ http://creatingroom.blogspot.com/ ]http://creatingroom.blogspot.com/
Curiouser and Curiouser: [ http://journalofcuriousthings.blogspot.com/ ]http://journalofcuriousthings.blogspot.com/
Daily Life - Bits and Pieces: [ http://www.melissagross.blogspot.com/ ]http://www.melissagross.blogspot.com/
Deb's World: [ http://debs14.blogspot.com/ ]http://debs14.blogspot.com/
Den's Crafty Diary: [ http://deecie.blogspot.com/ ]http://deecie.blogspot.com/
From High In The Sky: [ http://fromhighinthesky.blogspot.com/ ]http://fromhighinthesky.blogspot.com/
Gallo Organico: [ http://gallorganico.blogspot.com/ ]http://gallorganico.blogspot.com/
Ginger's Life Of Spice: [ http://gingerslifeofspice.blogspot.com/ ]http://gingerslifeofspice.blogspot.com/
Handmade By Kirsty: [ http://handmadebykirsty.blogspot.com/ ]http://handmadebykirsty.blogspot.com/
Havoc and Mayhem: [ http://www.havocandmayhem.com/ ]http://www.havocandmayhem.com/
Heather's Scraps: [ http://heathers-scraps.blogspot.com/ ]http://heathers-scraps.blogspot.com/
Helena's Creative Maven: [ http://helenascreativemaven.blogspot.com/ ]http://helenascreativemaven.blogspot.com/
Holaday's Happy Hearts: [ http://holadayshappyhearts.blogspot.com/ ]http://holadayshappyhearts.blogspot.com/
Jeant-Jinnag: [ http://jeant-jinnag.blogspot.com/ ]http://jeant-jinnag.blogspot.com/
Just Jimjams: [ http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/ ]http://just-jimjams.blogspot.com/
K's Crafty Corner: [ http://kscraftycorner.blogspot.com/ ]http://kscraftycorner.blogspot.com/
Life...As I See It: [ http://jillconyers.typepad.com/ ]http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
{Life Behind The Purple Door}: [ http://www.lifebehindthepurpledoor.com/ ]http://www.lifebehindthepurpledoor.com/
Lisa E Design Blog: [ http://lisae-design.blogspot.com/ ]http://lisae-design.blogspot.com/
Living Life One Blessing At A Time: [ http://livinglifeoneblessingatatime.blogspot.com/ ]http://livinglifeoneblessingatatime.blogspot.com/
Mary's Musings: [ http://craftycreation.blogspot.com/ ]http://craftycreation.blogspot.com/
Michelle Loves...: [ http://michellelovesallsorts.blogspot.com/ ]http://michellelovesallsorts.blogspot.com/
Obstinate Pursuit: [ http://obstinatepursuit.blogspot.com/ ]http://obstinatepursuit.blogspot.com/
Over At Our Place: [ http://overatourplace.blogspot.com/ ]http://overatourplace.blogspot.com/
Paper Turtle: [ http://paperturtle.blogspot.com/ ]http://paperturtle.blogspot.com/
Peonies and Pennies: [ http://peoniesandpennies.blogspot.com/ ]http://peoniesandpennies.blogspot.com/
Random Reflections: [ http://www.kbwalker.blogs.com/ ]http://www.kbwalker.blogs.com/
Rosalind Revival: [ http://rosalindrevival.blogspot.com/ ]http://rosalindrevival.blogspot.com/
Scrap Dreams: [ http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/ ]http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/
Scrappyjacky: [ http://scrappyjackylive.blogspot.com/ ]http://scrappyjackylive.blogspot.com/
Scrapworthy Lives: [ http://www.scrapworthylives.com/ ]http://www.scrapworthylives.com/
Staring At The Sea: [ http://fiona-staringatthesea.blogspot.com/ ]http://fiona-staringatthesea.blogspot.com/
Surefiredaisy Says: [ http://surefiredaisysays.blogspot.com/ ]http://surefiredaisysays.blogspot.com/
This Kalil Life: [ http://www.kimberlykalil.com/ ]http://www.kimberlykalil.com/
This Little Life Of Mine: [ http://tracyscraftycorner.blogspot.com/ ]http://tracyscraftycorner.blogspot.com/
Xnomads' Blog: [ http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/ ]http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/

Note: If any of the posts aren't up yet, please bear with us - the different time zones and the peculiarity of blogging platforms when it comes to autoposts may mean that one or two posts don't appear on time! If that's the case, come back to this list to pick up from the next blog, but do please pop back and try the other link later, when the post should be there for your enjoyment

Gura mie Ayd!
Bannaghtyn
J x

I'm so excited -

2011-04-13T06:05:00.003+01:00

- today I am going to see my girls. It does involve quite a lot of travel - first by sea and then by train - and a little bit of me - just a smidgeon - feels slightly apprehensive, as it is quite a long time since I travelled alone. However I also feel quite excited by the prospect - I love sailing, it is years since I last went on the ferry and I do like travelling by train - it makes me think of the railways heyday - when steam was king. Nostalgia kicks in (not that I am old enough to have travelled on the railways in their heyday I hasten to add) - random thoughts fill my head, scraps of poems like this one float to the surface of my mind - I hear the rhythm of the wheels on the tracks and feel such a sense of anticipation which far outweighs my slight apprehension! I have laughed at myself though - because last Wednesday I was also talking about railways. But you see - I'm so excited! And I am going to see my girls!

From a Railway Carriage

FASTER than fairies, faster than witches,

Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;

And charging along like troops in a battle,

All through the meadows the horses and cattle:

All of the sights of the hill and the plain

Fly as thick as driving rain;

And ever again, in the wink of an eye,

Painted stations whistle by.

Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,

All by himself and gathering brambles;

Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;

And there is the green for stringing the daisies!

Here is a cart run away in the road

Lumping along with man and load;

And here is a mill and there is a river:

Each a glimpse and gone for ever!

Until next time.

Bannaghtyn J x

Books with Betsy - -

2011-04-12T09:05:00.000+01:00

- - Betsy was the name we picked for our much loved VW Campervan which was our only vehicle when our children were small. She took us all over the UK - from Lands End to John o' Groats - our holidays were spent in her, we shared countless Bank Holiday weekends with her - - and many, many ordinary weekends in some of the beautiful countryside Northern Britain has to offer a couple of hours drive from the Manchester area. We had so much fun in the van - - whatever the weather, glorious days allowed our children to play outside - - but as you may know - in the UK there is no guarantee that it will be dry - let alone warm!! So in anticipation of those inevitable occasions - - I had a stash of chidren's books tucked into one of her many little cupboards. And I read aloud - by candlelight - all the stories I could find which would appeal to an 8 year old and a 30 year old - the baby didn't count until he was 2 - by which time the others were hooked and a tradition was established! At the end of every day after our meal - everything was cleared as quickly as possible, the beds set up for the night - then - treats were liberated, juice for the children and wine for us - and either chocolate, sweets or crisps - whichever was that evenings preference - the candles lit and "the book" fished out of the cupboard for the nights chapters.
I read - sometimes until I was hoarse - all the Chronicles of Narnia, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, Elidor, The Owl Service, The Prydain Chronicles, The Dark is Rising Sequence, The Hobbit and many, many more. I tried to read a book which linked into the area we were visiting - so when we were in Wales I read the of Taran from the Prydain Chronicles, on Alderley Edge I read of Susan and her "Weirdstone", in Cornwall I read of Will and the Rising Dark and read The Snow Goose in Norfolk and so on. I think I managed to find a childrens book to read in the van which always linked to the area we were visiting.
Looking back on the few titles which I have listed - I have just realised that along the way my husband and children were indoctrinated with all the Celtic Folklore - which so fascinated me - of the British Isles. I do hope they forgive me for imposing my own favourites on them as I did. I know these stories, read aloud by the light of a flickering candle - were my husband's first experience of the wonderful world of legend and fantasy that was part of my childhood and early teens, and that the characters in some of those books still live in our family memories. Some of those characters gave us family "catch phrases" we use to this day - and I look back on those evenings in the van with nothing but pleasure. I hope my children do too. Maybe along the way I also preserved some of our islands wonderful legendary characters Herne the Hunter or the Morrigan - I do hope so. I wish I had taken photos of the 5 of us snuggled together - but I didn't so those pictures will have to live on only in my head - I need to find a photo of Betsy though. Long live stories!

Until next time.

Bannaghtyn Jx

Hopping around blogworld

2011-04-10T08:33:00.000+01:00

You might have seen this little logo appearing here and there around blogworld just recently. It's all thanks to this lovely lady - and I am just a little part of it. I have to admit to feeling slightly scared - but also really looking forward to reading all the posts. So keep an eye out - we would love for you to drop in to say "hi".

Until next time.

Bannaghtyn J x

Garden treasures - -

2011-04-09T21:22:00.005+01:00

found today in my garden - the remains of one small blue robin's egg. Softly speckled with tiny brown spots - it was so fragile, delicate and so completely uplifting. I haven't stopped smiling all day, though try as we might my son and I couldn't find any sign of the nest, yet we knew there had to be one there - I suspect it might be hiding behind the greenhouse somewhere.

Until next time.

Bannaghtyn J x

A Freebie for you - -

2011-04-08T15:25:00.000+01:00

For those of you who are stampers out there - you might like this

Enjoy.

Bannaghtyn J x

Wednesday Words - -

2011-04-06T15:50:00.000+01:00

- - which please me. I love words and poetry - and whilst internet searching today this came up. I remember loving this - and am old enough to remember the film - though it was an old film when I watched it as a child!

NIGHT MAIL
This is the night mail crossing the Border,
Bringing the cheque and the postal order,

Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,
The shop at the corner, the girl next door.

Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:
The gradient's against her, but she's on time.

Past cotton-grass and moorland boulder
Shovelling white steam over her shoulder,

Snorting noisily as she passes
Silent miles of wind-bent grasses.

Birds turn their heads as she approaches,
Stare from bushes at her blank-faced coaches.

Sheep-dogs cannot turn her course;
They slumber on with paws across.

In the farm she passes no one wakes,
But a jug in a bedroom gently shakes.

II
Dawn freshens, Her climb is done.
Down towards Glasgow she descends,
Towards the steam tugs yelping down a glade of cranes
Towards the fields of apparatus, the furnaces
Set on the dark plain like gigantic chessmen.
All Scotland waits for her:
In dark glens, beside pale-green lochs
Men long for news.

III
Letters of thanks, letters from banks,
Letters of joy from girl and boy,
Receipted bills and invitations
To inspect new stock or to visit relations,
And applications for situations,
And timid lovers' declarations,
And gossip, gossip from all the nations,
News circumstantial, news financial,
Letters with holiday snaps to enlarge in,
Letters with faces scrawled on the margin,
Letters from uncles, cousins, and aunts,
Letters to Scotland from the South of France,
Letters of condolence to Highlands and Lowlands
Written on paper of every hue,
The pink, the violet, the white and the blue,
The chatty, the catty, the boring, the adoring,
The cold and official and the heart's outpouring,
Clever, stupid, short and long,
The typed and the printed and the spelt all wrong.

IV
Thousands are still asleep,
Dreaming of terrifying monsters
Or of friendly tea beside the band in Cranston's or Crawford's:

Asleep in working Glasgow, asleep in well-set Edinburgh,
Asleep in granite Aberdeen,
They continue their dreams,
But shall wake soon and hope for letters,
And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart,
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

WH Auden
Thanks for stopping by

Bannaghtyn J x

After a glorious - - -

2011-04-04T07:53:00.014+01:00

- - Mothering Sunday - indeed all weekend - - - the rain has set in! The skies are grey and it is pattering on the skylight above my head - it feels wintery once more and I just want to be home - curled up in front of my chollagh with a good book!
However reality bites and here I am at work - at least I didn't get too wet coming in. And it has gone SO cold, the drafts round my ankles make me wish that I had my boots on! How on earth I am I to get through today without shivering I don't know - I shall have to get the winter wear back on!
Something brighter to look at though -

I made this as a demo piece.

Hope it is lots warmer where you are!

Thanks for stopping by.

Bannaghtyn Jx

Mothering Sunday

2011-04-03T18:27:00.001+01:00

Today is Mothering Sunday in the UK - and it has been a lovely day for me - a day filled with sunshine.
I have come to the conclusion that it really is the simple things which give me most pleasure -
early morning tea in bed
a walk beside the sea
coffee in the garden
flowers from my children
speaking to my mum
phone calls from my girls
my son cooking dinner for us
clean bedding, fresh and sweet smelling from being dried in the sunshine
And something nice to look forward to - -
a bottle of wine shared at the end of the day as we watch TV - YAY I get to choose tonight's viewing in honour of the day!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Bannaghtyn. J x

The Lenten Lily

2011-03-30T14:59:00.004+01:00

The old name for this most springlike of flowers, the one that never fails to lift my heart and make me smile.
Daffy-down-dillies do remind me so much of Mothering Sunday, when I was a little girl, and with it coming up this weekend I found my thoughts wandering back down the years. The were less expensive than most other flowers – so I could buy them with my own money, which made me feel very "grown up". Old stories tell me that when many girls & boys were “in service” before the First World War they were entitled to only one half day a month off – usually a Sunday afternoon – this time of year it often fell in the middle of Lent – when spring flowers were in bloom. As these youthful working people walked home to their parents cottages, they passed hedgerows full of golden daffodils in bloom – and tempted to pick them wouldn’t you have wanted to take some home to your mum?? Also as I have a fondness for old English nursery rhymes, it seems appropriate to include this rhyme – -

Daffy-Down-Dilly
Daffy-down-dilly has come up to town
In a fine petticoat and a green gown.
Dressed in her finest yellow array,
Laughing & dancing all through the day.

There is also this version
Daffy-down-dilly
Has come to town
With a yellow petticoat
And a pretty green gown.

Bannaghtyn J x

Springing forward - -

2011-03-29T11:35:00.000+01:00

- - by which I mean the start of British Summer Time - that weekend when we move those clocks forward 1 hour for "daylight saving". Such an absurd expression when you really think about it - where do you put that daylight you just "saved"? And when can you withdraw it from the "savings" account to re use it? Will it generate interest so that I might expect MORE daylight when I withdraw it? Can I keep in my "daylight savings" account indefinitely?? Or must it be used on the very day we "saved" that daylight?? The thought still tickles me - and makes me giggle to myself! Don't you just love the English language!!
Don't get me wrong - - I truly love the lighter evenings! So this week I should use my "daylight saving" to go for a walk or potter in my garden or just watch the sea, shouldn't I? Except that tweaking with the clock means I am more tired when I get home!! I did use the natural light to take a few photos though.This is a mini album I started at our crop's last all day craft day and I am pleased with the way it has turned out.

What do you do with your daylight savings???

thanks for stopping by.
Bannaghtyn J x

Painting - -

2011-03-26T09:53:00.016Z

- - pottery. Last I went out with friends to a local craft studio for a pottery painting session. We don't go very often - well I don't - I do enjoy a pot painting session though, it's surprisingly therapeutic. I find myself completely absorbed in what I am painting and all cares and worries just float away - so that for a couple of hours at least the world just goes away!
What make the world go away for you??

This is what I painted.

Thanks for stopping by.

Bannaghtyb J x

That Friday Feeling - -

2011-03-25T11:32:00.037Z

- - doesn't come round often enough - yet that's as good as it gets when you have to work fulltime as I do. It is the best day though - as I can finish early, spend a couple of hours with friends in our favourite venue to unwind, disect the week and relax, before heading home.
Finished this last night - part of our last all day class with our craft group. There is an album to go inside also but that isn't yet finished.

Have a great weekend.

Thanks for stopping by.

Bannaghtyn, J x

Lyrics - -

2011-03-24T21:30:00.001Z

- - which stirred my curiousity - - Have you ever listened to a song on the radio with lyrics that piqued your curiosity? Happened to me recently - -
I rarely listen to the radio unless I am in the car on one of our periodic drives – usually it’s the local radio station – but now and again we catch BBC radio 2 – Graham Norton on a Saturday morning. He has a slot called Song with a Story – or something similar – a listener suggests a song title, they chat on the phone then Graham plays the record. Anyhow – a couple of Saturdays ago the chosen record was The Downeaster Alexa – by Billy Joel. Now this is not a new song – but getting on for about twenty years old I believe – yet I had never heard it before. I loved it – it, for me, was full of the sound of the sea – and I could see the boat rising and falling on the waves and hear the scream of the gulls – whilst the lyrics almost broke my heart.
As I listened – I found myself wondering – What is a downeaster? Where is Montauk? Nantucket? Which island was he singing of? What is a bayman? What are the giants he refers to? What are stripers? Why the mention of Atlantis? It made me so curious that when I got home after our drive – I logged me on to “ye trusty ol’ t’internet!” – first I tracked down the song , downloaded it to iTunes to put on my iPod and then set off in search of some answers. I found some - and learned so much along the way - geography, history, a lesson based entirely the around the lyrics - - and for a scrapbooker the most wonderful of all - stories - real stories in this book.
My curiosity had led me to a story I knew little about - yet as a coastal dweller – who has seen the same decline on my own island's fishing industry - so far away from the setting of the song I felt an instant affinity. I discovered that a "downeaster" was not unlike our queenie boats - probably a very practical design for fishing boats.

these same boats made up a fishing fleet that packed the harbour so tightly that it was possible to walk right across from one side to the other without getting off a boat - I think the fleet today might number half a dozen boats. And that makes me sad - for it is the loss of a way of life. The song and story also reminded me of a book read many years ago - also set in a fishing community but a historical novel -
and ultimately to track it down, buy it, and re read - the book I mentioned in yesterday’s post.
But that's another story!

Thanks for stopping by.
'til later
Bannaghtyn Jx

Food for Thought - -

2011-03-23T10:09:00.002Z

- - I was just bloghopping around a few classmates blog this morning before work and happened upon Amye's post here. It really gave me food for thought - as I realised thatI don't actually know what makes me choose a book. I am a browser in bookshops & libraries picking up titles that catch my attention - I usually read the first 2/3 pages and if I then want to turn over to read the next page I buy/borrow the book. I dip in and out of reading these days - I don't seem to be able fit everything in - so reading is easiest to put on the back burner.
When I was a girl and younger woman I read voraciously and would stay up 'til all hours to finish a book - but 3 children put a stop to that particular gallup, and I find I no longer read a great deal unless I am on holiday. I do go back to favourite authors from my younger days now to re read books I know I really enjoyed, and I also am planning on re reading some classics - DH Lawrence and Laurie Lee are waiting on my bedside table, and I am currently re reading a book by Anya Seton, which I first read as a 15 year old.
For this - there is a back story - so perhaps it is outside influences that set my reading patterns? Mmmmm - one for me to think on. - - as for the back story - that will have to be left for later.
In Shimelle's class the prompt today is about lists or favourites - so right now

1 - Book - I am reading The Hearth & Eagle by Anya Seton
2 - Music - Currently listening to soundtrack from Les Miserables
3 - Making - Mini album in a decorated wooden cigar box
4 - Colour - Lush rich fuchsia pinks are my favourites at the moment
5 - Planning - a trip to see my daughters

Thanks for stopping by
Bannaghtyn Jx

And then the - -

2011-03-22T20:27:00.000Z

- - sun came out, and the grey disappeared and suddenly it was spring!The daffy down dillys danced in the sunlight and the sea shimmered and sparkled and I had no choice but set off down the glen and up to the headland - the golden afternoon light dragged me outside before I had even taken my coat off from coming in from work. It is only a short walk, 20 to 25 minutes at the most - but oh I am so glad I made the effort. The glen was full of birdsong - - I wish I could recognise the birds by their song - I can't - but I did SEE a robin, a chaffinch and a blackbird - and a moorhen in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall.
Shimelle's class is proving to be just as thought provoking as last time I participated - and though I am not scrapping a page this evening - I rushed out without taking my camera! DOH! I have been a busy little bee - making some crispy cakes for our fundraising cake sale tomorrow. We hope to raise enough to purchase at least one Shelter Box to replace those sent to Japan as a result of the earthquake/tsunami. Last time we raised enough for 2 and a half boxes, hope we can do it again! Wish us luck.

Thanks for stopping by.

Bannaghtyn J x

Blogging for Scrapbookers

2011-03-21T12:28:00.001Z

- - I took this class in 2009 - and did love it as I managed to blog a little and scrap a little more regularly - but I have sadly fallen by the wayside - and my blog has been sadly neglected of late! and as for scrapbooking - just don't ask! I don't want that to remain the case - so here I am - and as mum says - if at first you don't succeed try, try, try again!

I have done some crafting - made mini albums, cards, ATCs - even run classes - and joined in with classes - but don't seem to get many photos in albums or journalling done. That I am hoping to change - realistically!! so I don't overface myself and then give up, and maybe somewhere along the way I can find the old mojo!

Anyway here I am - ready to try again - and attempt to blog at least a couple of times a week - and try to make my posts a little more interesting.

Thanks for stopping by.

Gura mie Ayd J x

February

2011-02-14T19:11:00.014Z

I have been a very poor blogger of late - I am so sorry - I seem to have lost my "get up and go" since having such a severe dose of bronchitis at the beginning of the year. And of course it has been so wet, and cold, and generally depressing - we seem to have had so few bright winter days - and I think I need them to keep my spirits up.
Anyway - on to a slightly brighter outlook I hope - On the crafty side of my life I have been quite productive - just never got around to uploading any pictures - so thought I would add a few now in the hope that I can get back into the swing of blogging more regularly - well thats the theory anyway!!

The papers and stickers are by 7Gypsies, the bird punch is Stampin' Up.

Please feel free to comment if you stop by.

Gura mie Ayd J x

Getting ready for making

2010-11-22T22:58:00.002Z

this years Christmas Journal along with Shimelle & Ali Edwards. It will be a combination of Ali's December Daily - with lots of preparation and Shimelle's prompts to inspire me as I go along. I love this time of the year!!
I have made a Christmas Album of some kind since 2005 including those titled A Christmas Alphabet, Meandering in Munich, A Journal For Christmas, A Christmas Journal, A trip to Bruges and December Daily - --
I plan a further one for this year - another album documenting my December - because although it is rather a frantic time for me - 2 of my 3 children are December babies - one on the 17th and one on 23rd- - I do truly love this season. I am a sucker for the glitz and sparkle of the decorations in the shops, I love the aromas -the spices cinnamon nutmeg & ginger, the baking, the sounds of the season and just the general hustle & bustle!

Gura mie ayd
J x

October Afternoon

2010-10-09T17:35:00.002+01:00

pale grey skies this morning, drifting quietly past - and it had rained in the night but the forecast was for better - fortunately - as today we celbrated with a birthday tea. An incredibly mild day - the still cloudy skies holding the warmth in. In the stillness we found ourselves driving into a golden day as we headed to our destination for Afternoon Tea. Misty; damp; hazy and quiet empty roads, and pale drifting sunlight as we wended our way across the island to Milntown - the sun brightening all the way so that we arrived in the most glorious sunshine. And though it is most definitely autumn - it was beautiful! The gardens of Milntown are a joy to see - so much still in bloom - yet that unmistakable scent of autumn in air - earthy, damp leaves, woodsmoke - whilst insects danced and flitted in the shafts of golden light from the suns rays.

There are fruits and blooms everywhere -colour abounds, russets, greens, golds, purples pinks anf blues whilst espaliered apples line the paths and windfalls scatter the orchard, - and in the potting shed the aroma of the harvested apples was so appetizing!! The garden produce is used in the cafe and restaurant kitchens and since it is all grown organically no wonder the food tastes so good!

We had the most delicious afternoon tea to celebrate S's burthday with a real traditional feel to it - delightfully dainty sandwiches, luscious cakes - lemon drizzle, chocolatey slices, home made strawberry jam, cream filled scones! All served on a 3 tier cake stand with pretty china and pots of tea or coffee - lovely!! Delightful company of course made it a perfect afternoon! What more can one wish for at this time of the year.
Gura mie Ayd. J x

Crafty Corner

2010-10-08T11:09:00.003+01:00

- - in the library - and what a busy lunchtime it was!! We had two tables of busy bees today making card holders - - and to our great delight we had a couple of our lovely 6th form girls come along to help with the Year 7 pupils! It was a delight to have them there! We were so busy we had to turn a couple of little ones away as we had no more space round the table - and I do hate to turn anyone away :(
Hopefully it won't happen again as the Sixth formers are happy to take a table each.

Another Lesson - - -

2010-10-01T11:23:00.006+01:00

- - -learned - dark mornings make it so hard to get up! I have decided as a mammal I am meant to hibernate through the winter months. As the days shorten I find it more and more difficult to get myself out of the cottage to go to work. I do it of course - - but oh how I wish I didn't have to!!

Wet Wednesday

2010-09-29T11:04:00.004+01:00

Oh dear - what a dreadful morning - so grey and gloomy that it really doesn't feel light at all - in spite of the fact that it is nearly 11am.It began raining last night and hasn't stopped since! Nice weather for ducks!!

Hope it brightens a bit later - I don't feel as if I see enough daylight as the days draw in - though I can't say I dislike the changing seasons - as that would be a lie - just wish I didn't work full time so I could see a few more hours of daylight.
I do have an evening out to look forward to - though I am sure I will feel too tired when I get in - LOL - I always do!! Making myself make the effort is good for me though!! Villa Marina here I come!!

We don't always know - -

2010-09-24T19:07:00.001+01:00

- - when we come across "a Good Samaritan" - - - - - - I learned there are still some really kind &amd decent people in the world. My youngest daughter lost her passport - though she didn't realise it at the time. On my way home from work I received a text message which said -" Hi. I wanna let u know that I've found Rhiannon passport on the street this morning."
I texted my daughter as she is back now at University - found I was informing her that she had lost her passport! I was able to reassure her that it had been found, and passed on the phone details of her unknown "angel in disguise" - she then had a rather stressful night awaiting contact - however she made arrangements to meet her good Samaritan and she and her passport were re-united - - result - one very, very relieved and grateful young lady. And also a mum who didn't have to find the money to replace it!!

A little more - -

2010-09-07T00:30:00.001+01:00

-- progress today - - a few tags, which are actually my pages for my album. I have made them all from scratch - and though they are a variety of sizes they do all co ordinate as I have used a fairly restricted colour palette on them. I am working with just one collection of papers - Wisteria from Basic Gray - and very few flattish embellishments as all the tags must slide easily into my pockets - and indeed today's lesson - Limiting my supplies this way makes for much more efficient scrapping! might well be the lesson for today.
It's been particularly hectic at work today - teaching staff are back in after their summer break - and students will join them on Wednesday - so I might find that all my intentions of trying to make a page each day for this album might going flying out the window! I will keep on doing my best though.

Please feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by,

Gura mie ayd - J x

A slightly different - -

2010-09-03T16:09:00.003+01:00

- - kind of "album" for this my September daily class. I have participated in Shimelle's Class - Learn Something New Every Day since 2006 - I have 2 completed albums to show for it, and 2 half full. This year I hope to have another completed one - though I am hopeless at uploading my work - Life just seems to eat away at my time so!! Anyway here is this years' - an exploding box - made from envelopes - inspired by Laura Denison. She does some amazing stuff with envelopes! And here are a few pictures of mine. It's based on the exploding box mini album - but of course you get so much more scope to create in a larger version. This one is full of tags- which I intend to use for my daily lesson learned during the month.

I have used 3 envelopes for each side and between them they contain 8 tags to each side- in various sizes - so there is one for each day of the month plus a beginning tag and end tag. I still have some embellishment I want to do and some tabs to add to my tags - but essentially the basic album is now finished.
I have my "lessons" for the last couple of days ready to add to my first two tags - but as we are going out tonight I won't get them done til tomorrow.

Please feel free to comment if you stop by.

Thanks for looking
Gura mie ayd - J x

September 1st - -

2010-09-01T15:58:00.003+01:00

- - and that heralds the start of my Learn Something New Every Day class with the fabulous Shimelle. I think this will be my 4th or 5th year of participation - though I haven't always managed to reach the end of the month with a finished article! I do enjoy trying though - so I guess that is what counts. I hope to post pictures more regularly than in previous years - but I know that it will very much depend on how life pans out! It has a very irritating habit of getting in the way of my urge to create!

So Long - - -

2010-08-23T14:25:00.000+01:00

- - since I posted anything at all - life has just happened - and blogging went on the back-burner. In fact I think I might have to re-learn everything I thought I knew about blogging 'cos I can't remember what to do anymore!! I seem to have lost my backgrounds and everything - still it doesn't help when you can't remember your login!!
However just recently I have been able to get back to a bit of creating - hurrah!!and have a couple of items to share - not much I know - but hey ho - that's the way it is. I have made a start on a holiday album from our trip to Sorrento earlier in the year and made a couple of mini albums. Hope to upload a couple of pictures later.

Gura mia ayd J x

The first day of spring

2010-03-28T13:01:00.001+01:00

official that is - at least here in this hemisphere anyway. And I have lost my mojo somewhere - if you find it please send it back!!
I have been a very poor blogger of late - lost my mojo and done nothing creative except shuffle papers from one place to another without actually making anything at all - so what was the need to keep this blog up to date as I started it as a place to upload my "makings"????
I have signed up for Shimelle's new class in the hope it would give me the kick start I am so desperately in need of - and as usual it is a brilliant class - with some awesome participants, whose work is fabulous as always - but me - did I make any pages? start an album? make a hole in some of my stash? A resounding NO!! And I do feel as if I am letting myself down - as I so WANT to make something - but am not!! Not sure I actually know what to do about it - since I have already tried the suggestions my classmates have made for others in a similar situation - - I haven't even made one post on the class forum for this class - which is unlike me. So - what now?? Any ideas gratefully received - please feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by. :)

Gura mie ayd Jx

Why I Scrapbook

2010-01-15T12:16:00.001Z

I DO - I promise! I just never seem to find time to keep this up to date or upload my creations!
However - my resolution this year was to try to do better.
Shimelle has a super little video on her blog saying why she scrapbooks - and asking us the same question. So why do I scrapbook? Surely Shimelle's reasons are mine - she has put it into words for me - well yes - but - - -
It made me think - - and I realised - mainly I scrapbook for pleasure. To make something - to be creative - to relax - its my therapy - to escape, to play - to de-stress, to just BE ME - not wife, mum, sister, aunt, daughter, its fun, it gives me a social activity I can enjoy and share with others, both in the real world and online -
and the resulting records of our lives are a bonus, all be it a very "pretty"collection of pictures & words.
Take a peek at her video for yourself - here
And whilst I am thinking of Shimelle -
She made me really smile on her video when she took a moment to explain her name - it is totally unique since it is, as she says "made up" - It will therefore never appear in the Baby Names books - which give meanings to names - you know - the ones we buy when we discover we are expecting a first baby - but when I think of Shimelle, or participate in her online classes - INSPIRATION lights up in my head like a beacon - so forever for me Shimelle will mean just that. Thank you Shimelle - I envy your real life students - whether they be those teenagers who studied GCSE English with you when you were tied to a school timetable - or those very lucky ladies who manage to attend any craft workshop you are running. I am so glad you run online classes!!

Gura mie ayd J x

On the 3rd day - -

2009-12-03T14:36:00.000Z

- - of December - - I am getting so excited - only 2 days to go before I visit the beautiful City of Bruges. I am going on a day trip to the Christmas Markets there - on a direct flight from the island - along with a group of friends from work!
You have no idea how excited we are - - we are worse than the teenagers in school!! It is our main topic of conversation each time we have break or lunch - - goodness knows what we will be like next week when it is all over! It doesn't even matter that we have to be at the airport at some ungodly hour on Saturday morning!
I have printed out maps from Google, been on Trip Advisor to find any reviews and on Flickr looking at photos!! Last year one of the highlights of my Christmas was our short break in Munich with my friends from work to go to the Christmas Markets. We can't afford to do it every year {sadly :(} - and now we are saving up for a trip to Sorrento - - but have managed to scrape enough together for this one day excursion, and I think we are all really looking forward to it!

Thanks for stopping by

Gura mie ayd J x

"Oh the Weather outside -- --

2009-12-03T12:38:00.003Z

- - is frightful" - seriously - not snow {I wish, I wish - - well JUST for Christmas day really} but wild weather is battering my island home! We are experiencing real "Sou'westers" - gusting, blustery winds, - - the sky grey, heavy & menacing, looming over the hillside crushing the light, emptying its load in sheets of rain onto the sodden fields below - - can our tiny island really soak up any more water? - already the farms are waterlogged from earlier downpours! - - whilst the sea races in - - crashing over the seawall, on to the road to catch the unwary motorist, - - heading home through the storm, blown spume skipping across the windscreen then dancing madly in the headlights like mischievous little imps!

Coming in from this, buffeted down the steps, hair tangled, damp and not a little breathless - my home feels so welcoming, - - - once indoors the cottage settles into the hillside - drawing its thick stone walls closer, wrapping us in safety and protecting us from the worst of the weather - I do so love my home!

It made me think about the weather - and actually had me pondering what would be the perfect weather for Christmas Day - and I have come to the conclusion that I am very much a traditionalist at heart, hopelessly romantic and completely taken in by the "cosy Victorian Christmas" illustrated in "A Christmas Carol" - I blame Charles Dickens myself!!! So ideally I want snow - just enough to turn my world white and sparkly - just for one day - - cold , bright & sunny - - the kind of day that makes you want to go for a walk after Christmas lunch!
It doesn't seem to happen much anymore - and I can't remember many when it did - snow was almost always before or after Christmas when I was growing up - -and these days I live by the sea - so very rarely see any snow at all. We do get some lovely sunny Christmas Days though! -Perhaps not this year - will have to wait and see.

Please feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd, J x

"I Declare - - -

2009-12-01T15:23:00.000Z

- - that I am going to make a Christmas Journal - to capture my December 2009 for eternity - to look back on and remember and to reclaim the magic that this season of the year is to me. I will GIVE myself a few minutes each day to make an entry in my Journal without stressing and purely for the delight and pleasure it brings me, so that at the end of the month I will have a record of this Christmas. Along the way I will post entries here, try to share my creations with other Christmas lovers around the world and make a little time to admire and be inspired by THEIR creations too - - but most of all I declare my intention to re-claim my enjoyment of the season."

Today is the start od Shimelle's JYC class for 2009 - I am an alumni of a few years now being on. I think, on my 4th or 5th journal so - really I think I ought to know what I should be doing. The class is such fun to be a part of - - even if I fall by the wayside as the month gets busier! I do have all my stuff collected together and all my blank pages cut ready to go - so if I print out my manifesto - - as above - - I'm good to go!!

I have managed to make a couple of ATCS for Craft Club swap tonight as well - so I good start so far - long may it last!
Do feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by,
Gura mie ayd! J x

Life

2009-11-23T14:46:00.003Z

has got in the way a little this last couple of weeks. Not only have we had auditors in at work - but my home has been flooded with the sheer volume of surface water so the drains in my village couldn't cope!
I now need plasterers and floor fitters to get everything sorted - but getting estimates from them is proving to be rather a nighmare.
Will be back when I can!

Birthday Celebrations

2009-11-13T10:19:00.000Z

Its Friday - - Yay - - its as good as it gets as we say where I work at present.
As you know it was my birthday on Remembrance Day - - however its not a very practical day to celebrate with friends - so this evening we went (as usual on Fridays, to our local hostelry) as my friend Heather's husband David was 65 on Remembrance Day and this year we were having a get together in honour of his retirement. We have had a lovely evening - - - though we came away to go home before many would be going out. We had lovely grub - - AND a really great chance to chat!

Remembrance Day - -

2009-11-10T16:28:00.029Z

Soft puffs of silver grey clouds - pearly and shimmering - - the rising sun paints them peach and rose - stretching his fingers of light wide so that suddenly the sky - - so grey a few moments ago is turned into mother of pearl. A quiet sky but so , so beautiful - - perfect for remembering

FOR THE FALLEN
"They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. "

Laurence Binyon

- - -when I was a very small girl - - -the 2 minutes silence was faithfully observed in my infant school - - and in my innocence I thought that when all the class stood up with respect and quietness - - it was just for me - - - Because you see - - today is my birthday.

I am incredibly passionate about this Charity - - I have a Poppy for everyone of my coats - I have one on my 'puter ar work and one on my cardigan as I type. These days I sometimes think that many people buy a Poppy to remember the 2 World Wars and that they forget that the Poppy is the symbol chosen to celebrate PEACE for Armistice Day 1918 - - and to encourage us to take a few minutes to remember ALL those who serve their country, THEN and NOW.
The Royal British Legion continues to support our Service Men and Women and their families and offer support for them in difficult & tragic circumstances - - we do still have boys serving in Afghanistan
- - soldiers are still paying with life & limb - -
- - and though they no longer look as youthful as my Grandfather did when he volunteered in 1915
- - many are still boys
Please think of them all at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.
Thank you

Please feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd, Jx

Glion Dhoon - - -

2009-11-08T22:44:00.000Z

- - this tree was blown over in the last big storms we had on the island a few years ago - - mother nature never gives up does she??

- - on through the glen

- - in autumn

- - the rain held off just long enough - -

for this
Please leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd, J x

Wednesday Words - - - Wind

2009-11-04T22:29:00.003Z

If you haven’t already noticed I do love words – I write way too much – and maybe you think I do witter on – so if so – my apologies! I also find writers who can paint pictures with their words truly inspirational – and at the moment am finding myself remembering snippets of lines and words (and even whole poems ) more than I ever used to - - - perhaps its a sign of old age!!
The change to the more seasonal autumn weather has caused all sorts of words to come floating to the surface of my brain – things I thought I had forgotten from childhood - (this post was the first of them)
Today the sky has been stormy all day , heavy, menacing clouds pinned to the sky like a dark grey curtain, draped & looped back with tiebacks of unexpected silver light– and tonight the wind has risen - so tonight - I can’t get this out of my head - - -
Sometimes the wind has a voice like the sea,
I hear it when I’m in my bed,
Softly it sings as it scurries around,
In the chimney pots high overhead.

Sometimes it shouts like a boisterous giant,
With a blustery, flustery roar,
Then whistles and sighs as it spins on the roof,
And rattles the latch on the door.

But here inside, we are safe and secure,
By the fire all cosy and warm,
So softly it sighs, as it taps on the pane,
Won’t you please let me in from the storm?
I can no longer remember who wrote this, or even if I have actually remembered it correctly as it doesn’t feel quite right – it was in a book of “Bedtime Stories” I think – no idea who might have published it - -but am not sure. I only remember how a picture appeared in my head as mummy read it aloud to me – and I can still see the page in the book in my minds eye - - so clearly - - with the illustration of the wind , a face with huge cheeks blowing swirls onto the page. Mainly black & white with occasional blocks of colour - - - -
I must be in my second childhood - - something from so long ago still surfacing when I hear the wind outside - - but maybe not - - especially as I now have a real fire again. I don’t know who wrote this poem – but it still it paints pictures in my mind – so the writer is inspirational for me – and I am truly grateful to whoever they may be - - if my memory is at fault and you know the correct words – please let me know!!
Please feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by.
Gura mie ayd, J x

The start of a new class - -

2009-11-02T21:01:00.000Z

- - Blogging for Scrapbookers officially started today – already I learned about Google reader – what a great bit of kit!! Many thanks to classmate Heather who has put together an easy way for us to keep in touch with each others blogs. Heather if you read this – YOU ROCK!

It has also been totally crazy today at work – we have had a new phone system – and it has been completely chaotic!

I felt

stressed!!
like the proverbial headless chicken!
or even the Old Woman who lived in a Shoe

still I did get through the day! Too tired to do much more than get my bag ready for craft club!.

Gura mie ayd, J x

November - -

2009-11-01T11:06:00.003Z

No sun--no moon!
No morn--no noon!
No dawn--no dusk--no proper time of day--
No sky--no earthly view--
No distance looking blue--
No road--no street--no "t'other side this way"--
No end to any Row--
No indications where the Crescents go--
No top to any steeple--
No recognitions of familiar people--
No courtesies for showing 'em--
No knowing 'em!
No traveling at all--no locomotion--
No inkling of the way--no notion--
"No go" by land or ocean--
No mail--no post--
No news from any foreign coast--
No Park, no Ring, no afternoon gentility--
No company--no nobility--
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member--
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds--
November! - - Thomas Hood
- - here it is already – I am never quite sure where the year goes to and again it seems to have disappeared before I had time to capture it. I found this poem surfacing in my head again as I often do when November comes around - - I love its evocative description - - I remember many foggy November days that this captures so perfectly - - I grew up in an area surrounded by cotton & woollen mills – huge chimneys belching black smoke into the atmosphere, turning the sky a dirty grey, lit by the lurid yellow street lamps as darkness fell, hoarding the smoke before returning to earth the gift - - Fog - - creeping in – silent and insidious, dampening the pavements, slithering down from the yellowy skies throughout the day, so that by the end of school, as the day began to draw in, and darkness began to fall the buses were no longer running, and mummy’s were standing by the gates with scarves to muffle up to try to keep that dirty yellow mist out of their children’s lungs. We little ones who lived further away were bundled up in our coats by the teachers, hatted and gloved, scarves round our mouths, marshalled together and “crocced” up the hill by Mrs Taylor - to be met by assorted mummy's waiting at the end of side roads to collect their own little ones, so that by the time we reached Springfield Lane there were just 2 of clinging tight to Mrs Taylor's hands. We would be handed over to either my mummy or Kenneth's mummy to be taken home to our respective homes (we lived next door to each other), there to be fussed over and fed on an old fashioned high tea - perhaps of hash, boiled eggs and buttery 'soldiers'.
Its not foggy here today - - its raining very hard and very steadily - - but visibility isn't good - which is why I think the poem came into my head!

Thanks for stopping by

Gura mie ayd. J x

30th October - -

2009-10-30T23:15:00.004Z

-- and the month creeps towards its end – but its highlight gets nearer with Halloween almost upon us – except here it isn’t Halloween – but Hop tu Naa – and we don’t carve pumpkins but what the Manx call turnips – (but are most likely more familiar to you all as swedes.) to make Jack-o-Lanterns. They are smaller than pumpkins of course – but make super lanterns – small enough to carry with a tea light inside, which is what the children do as they parade through the village singing the Hop Tu Naa song and I know there will be special events taking place at Cregneash on Saturday making them. I wish I still had children young enough to take along to join in the fun. It is likely to be very popular so it would be unfair of me to take up places that children should have but it would have been nice to be involved at least once, for such a longstanding Manx tradition. Its linked to the deep Gaelic roots that are still surprisingly close to the surface amongst the Manx born – and even Comeovers like me feel their pull.

Hop-tu-Naa in Manx/English

Shoh shenn oie Houiney; Hop-tu-naa
This is old Hollantide night; Hop-tu-naa
T'an eayst soilshean; Trol-la-laa.
The moon shines bright; Trol-la-laa.
Kellagh ny kiarkyn; Hop-tu-naa.
Cock of the hens; Hop-tu-naa
Shibber ny gauin; Trol-la-laa.
Supper of the heifer; Trol-la-laa.
'Cre'n gauin marr mayd ? Hop-tu-naa.
Which heifer shall we kill? Hop-tu-naa
Yn gauin veg vreac. Trol-la-laa.
The little speckled heifer. Trol-la-laa.
Yn chione kerroo, Hop-tu-naa.
The fore-quarter, Hop-tu-naa
Ver mayd 'sy phot diu; Trol-la-laa.
We'll put in the pot for you. Trol-la-laa.
Yn kerroo veg cooyl, Hop-tu-naa.
The little hind quarter, Hop-tu-naa
Cur dooin, cur dooin. Trol-la-laa.
Give to us, give to us. Trol-la-laa.
Hayst mee yn anvroie, Hop-tu-naa.
I tasted the broth, Hop-tu-naa
Scoald mee my hengey, Trol-la-laa.
I scalded my tongue, Trol-la-laa.
Ro'e mee gys y chibber, Hop-tu-naa.
I ran to the well, Hop-tu-naa
As diu mee my haie, Trol-la-laa.
And drank my fill; Trol-la-laa.
Er my raad thie, Hop-tu-naa.
On my way back, Hop-tu-naa
Veeit mee kayt-vuitsh; Trol-la-laa.
I met a witch cat; Trol-la-laa.
Va yn chayt-scryssey, Hop-tu-naa.
The cat began to grin, Hop-tu-naa
As ren mee roie ersooyl. Trol-la-laa.
And I ran away. Trol-la-laa.
Cre'n raad ren oo roie Hop-tu-naa.
Where did you run to? Hop-tu-naa
Roie mee gys Albin. Trol-la-laa.
I ran to Scotland. Trol-la-laa.
Cred v'ad jannoo ayns shen ? Hop-til-naa
What were they doing there? Hop-til-naa
Fuinney bonnagyn as rostey sthalgyn. Trol-la-laa.
Baking bannocks and roasting collops. Trol-la-laa.
Hop-tu-naa, Trol-la-laa.
Hop-tu-naa, Trol-la-laa
(Loayrt)

My ta shiu goll dy chur red erbee dooin, cur dooin tappee eh,

Ny vees mayd ersooyl liorish soilshey yn cayst

Hop-tu-naa, Trol-la-laa.

(Spoken)

If you are going to give us anything, give it us soon,

Or we'll be away by the light of the moon.

Hop-tu-naa, Trol-la-laa.

For anyone interested – Hop-tu-naa is older than Halloween – see here
please feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by.
Gura mie ayd, J x

October

2009-10-29T17:18:00.000Z

A golden day today - -October is creeping to an end and today has given me one of those beautiful autumn days full of "sunshine after the rain" - it tempted me outside with my camera so off I went down the glen - my favourite walk of course - so much so that is known as "mum's walk" in our house!

I can make it last as long as I want it to - from a quick 20 minutes when I am short of time, to a whole afternoon walking along the coast path. I am so fortunate to have the paths on my doorstep as it were - not only is the scenery totally uplifting (whatever the weather) but I get to see so much wildlife from the tiniest of creatures to the one of the largest. I do so love my island home!!

Please feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by :)

Gura mie ayd J X

A wet start - -

2009-10-27T16:08:00.001Z

- - to my day today and the quiet day of yesterday has been replaced with wind & rain - a very autumnal day in fact since all the colours of the season are intensified by the dampness. It is a wee bit brighter outside than earlier so I might just get out for a breath of fresh air if I am lucky - I'm keeping my eye on the window anyway!

I have had a productive morning craftwise as I have finished my little box I started covering yesterday and cut all the papers to size for our Allday Crop in November.
It's my turn to run the classes for this one and I am hoping our ladies like what we have chosen for the projects. I can't take credit for the designs as I know I have seen several similar projects out there already on the net - but the instructions are mine - in step by step "Yellow Brick Roads" (you know - one brick at a time - Follow the Yellow Brick Road - from The Wizard of Oz! ). I can't share the mini album yet - but this is one I made in the summer when I was creating my instructions.
It's really brightened up - so I am off for a brief walk along the beach before the rain returns from the west - thanks for dropping in :)
Please feel free to leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd, J x

First lessons - -

2009-10-26T15:36:00.019Z

- - the Blogging Blueprint landed in my inbox today from Shimelle's class - and true to form the clarity of her words and tips makes everything so easy to understand. She is a gifted teacher in my opinion - and as one of her regular online students I think I am a lucky lady to have her inspire me the way she does. Already I learned something I hadn't managed to find out for myself - so hope to improve both my blogs as a result of the class.

Its half term here - so I actually have a few days off - Hurrah! It does mean I can do a bit of crafting I hope - the trouble is time just seems to slip through my fingers like water!!
I guess I can live in hope though.
Thanks for stopping by.
Gura mie ayd, J x

Blogging for Scrapbookers

2009-10-25T11:57:00.003Z

is a new class I just signed up for with Shimelle! Hopefully it will help me get nack on track blogging again!
I can live in hope I guess -

Tuesday - and some thoughts on celebrity

2009-09-15T21:51:00.006+01:00

I have never thought of myself as being a massive “celebrity fan” – so was surprised today by how saddened I was to hear of the death of Patrick Swayze. I have “fallen for” many handsome TV & Film stars, Pop stars etc over the course of my life – and still feel a fondness for many who are still with us, and have always been saddened to hear they were no longer on this earth – but today’s news is the first time I have found myself with tears in my eyes.
I am struggling to find a reason to be truthful – I was not a teenager or even very young when he first became a star in Dirty Dancing – in fact I never saw it in its heyday. As a mum of an 8 yr old and a 1 year old I didn’t go to the cinema, so much of the fuss went over my head and I thought that I was past those teenage type crushes (I was in my mid 30s!!). However – when I eventually saw the film at home on video I fell hook, line & sinker for the pure romance of the story – however cheesy it might seem today. I remember sitting watching it with my beloved Doug and the children and loving every minute – especially when he was dancing - Oh to have been the girl in his arms! and from then on I was hooked. I got Ghost on video just because Patrick was in it– I don’t know what it was - but he had it by the bucket load – and my heart goes out to his widow and his family. Also I would liked to have thanked him, as he got me & Doug to dance classes – We learned that "dirty Dance" along with lots of other dances - and it is still a very pleasurable shared hobby.
Thank you Patrick, not only did your dancing give me great pleasure to watch, but it also inspired us to dance too – so for me - you will be sadly missed.
So today I learned - Tears need not always be shed for those you know well - sometimes they can be for those you don't really know at all.

Today - -

2009-09-07T20:17:00.006+01:00

- it was back to work - in pretty dismal weather I might add, and it was really hard getting myself there - I was so tired after travelling off island for the wedding.When we got back last night the cottage looked so welcoming! There really is no place like home.Specially this one - not many people are lucky enough to live in their dream home I know - so I do feel blessed. I always feel as if I am being wrapped up in warm comforting arms when I walk through the door of my cottage - even if it has been empty for a couple of days - so its good to be home!!
It was the first of two days in school with only staff in - no children until Wednesday, and there was so much to do to get the school anything like ready! All hands to the pump time - except that was a bit difficult with the building work & re-furbishment still un-finished!!!
Our new Deputy Head took some of the Welcome Back Meeting, and I think she is going to be a real asset to the school. I like the cut of her jib as they say in nautical circles. Already there is a different feel to the place - much happier atmosphere - which we are much in need of as we have had to work through a rather traumatic couple of years - with many of us feeling "in Limbo" and slightly abandoned by "the powers that be". A pity our new Head couldn't be there as well - but technically he is not appointed until November 1st.
So what did I learn today?
# it was good to see my colleagues after their break
# I'm more tired after travelling off island for the weekend than I used to be - oh the joys of getting older!
# It is SO good to be home!
Here is my page for the day anyway.

Please leave a little comment if you stop by.
Gura mie ayd. J x

Sunday Learning

2009-09-07T18:26:00.014+01:00

Today was rather a quiet day after the excitement of the wedding yesterday. Doug went out climbing with his mates and I spent the day with mum & dad. Mum has treated herself to an Overlocker - though I don't think she has used it since the thread broke and she has not been able to re-thread it as she couldn't read the instructions, remember them, then go back to her machine to thread it. She has kept on forgetting to ask me to do it with her when I have visited so it has been months I think!!
Anyway - today's lesson for the journal was this - I learned how to thread mum's overlocker!

Here is the page about it, please leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd. J x

A trip off the island - -

2009-09-06T11:46:00.012+01:00

- - the first of two this month - a visit to mum & dad and a wedding. We only planned the trip as we were invited to celebrate with Melody & David on the occasion of their wedding. Mel was my chief bridesmaid & witness at our wedding 23 years ago, and she is re marrying after a goodly number of years as a lone parent.
It was a really lovely wedding - a union of two counties - a joining of the white rose and the red! He is from Yorkshire, she from Lancashire and if you are from that part of the world I am sure you are aware of the friendly rivalry & banter which always goes on when Lancashire & Yorkshire folk meet up! - she was alight with happiness and the groom was positively bursting with pride and love for his "red rose".Red & white Roses graced his buttonhole, Mel wore a beautiful creamy "old gold" gown and they were both supported by their respective sons. No bridesmaids at this wedding - just groomsmen & bridesmen! Mel was escorted up the aisle by both her boys - who both "gave her away" in a beautiful service.
To my absolute delight - many of my former work colleagues were wedding guests - and we had indeed come from far & wide to share their special day - Aberdeen, Wales, South Africa and Isle of Man to name just a few. It was fabulous to see Mandy, Fran, Viv, Sarah, Rose & Brian, Berny & Wayne, Michelle & Justine! Specially now as contact is usually just Christmas card & letter & the occasional letter in between!
The fun we had though was as if we had only been out together last week! It was great to catch up with them all and hear of their families and see pictures of the great young men & women our children have turned into. I can't believe it is over 9 years since we last worked together - as chatting and laughing with them felt as if we still seeing each other on an almost daily basis! So today's lesson?? Real friendship survives over any period, distance and limited contact - like good wine - friendship only matures - and we really should meet up more often.

Please leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd. J x

I HATE - -

2009-09-04T14:59:00.009+01:00

- - the amount of dust that is just flying around my working environment - the winds we have been experiencing have been especially wild - and with the school looking and feeling like a building site there is every imaginable type of dust in the atmosphere from plaster to sawdust - my 3rd day of this since I returned to work from leave - and what has it set off - my hayfever - I feel like crying - I have been allergy free since we moved here nine years ago - but what did I have do this morning within an hour of getting in - go to the chemist for Clarityn!!

This is the lesson for today then - the curse that is allergic rhinitis - which is what the Doc always calls it - has reared its ugly head again - my eyes are itching,as are my ears and the back of my throat and my nose is streaming!! I could scream - I am going to a wedding tomorrow - and I will look like I have a drink problem!!!

I shall be glad to see the back of this week I can tell you, as it has not been pleasant in work. I feel so ratty and grumpy!! If it wasn't for this class Learn Something New - where I can use scrapping these feelings as therapy - I am not sure what I would do!
The sea calls again I foresee. LOL Best foot forward then!!
Here is my page anyway.Similar elements to my previous pages - and the blog post is to be printed on a tag tucked into the back of the page to tell the full story.

Please leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd. Jx

A little Stress relief -

2009-09-03T19:51:00.006+01:00

- -is a very good thing. As you might have been able to work out - these last couple of days are proving to be designed to send my blood pressure soaring! On Tuesday I was lucky enough to bump into Kenny - and what he told me was enough to make my day. Today I needed to find another way of dealing with the chaos that is my work place at the moment - before I went home and snapped at my family!( Who are pretty stressed themselves as Doug is suffering with back pain & sciatica and Rhiannon is off to Uni for the first time.)
I can't really claim that today's lesson is a new one for me - but it is one I have a real tendency to forget unless I make a concious effort to head for the coast path or beach. Since life seems so fraught this week I felt it was appropriate to include it in this journal - and it is such a beautiful view.
Another very simple page - Shimelle's printouts, computer generated text, flowers & my butterfly stamp.
Please leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mia ayd. J x

- - and it was

2009-09-02T16:40:00.017+01:00

- back to work for me today - and I found myself facing a feeling of total panic - the teaching staff return to school on Monday - and the school looks like a building site!! There is scaffolding in the corridor preventing me getting into the computer suites, classrooms without ceilings, stockrooms with a collapsed ceiling, new toilet pans still in the corridors - and I have taken a delivery of over 80 desktop PCs and monitors that need to be in the computer suites by next Wednesday - when the children return - along with 80 new staff laptops that I need to build ready for swap out with their old ones – aaaaagh!!
I headed home feeling really stressed - on my way I popped into the supermarket and on the checkout was an ex student – a young man who had come to our island from the Philippines knowing no English – being 15 at that time he was allocated to Year group 10 – and had extra support with English lessons. He would often come to us in the library or the IT Dept for a bit of additional help & explanation with stuff he didn’t always understand, so I got to know him quite well during those 2 years he was with us - however he left in year 11 with rather poor GCSE results (understandably)
He went on to the College to re-sit the whole 2 years – and today he told me he had been accepted back to our school - as a Sixth Form Student - to do his A Levels. He was so, so delighted to have a place! He couldn’t even wait until it was my turn to be served to share his excitement at his success. Well done Kenny - You made my day - it just had to be today's entry - So today I learnt – working in Education can be the most rewarding job in a the world.
Another simple page - computer generated text, Shimelles's print outs, my butterfly stamp & a few paper flowers with brads.
Please leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd. J x

- - and today I have learned

2009-09-01T17:48:00.006+01:00

- - that setting up,running & acting as host for the Craft Clubs first Circle Journal was really VERY rewarding. It was a worry at times - and I was no different than anyone else at doing my entries at the last minute (LOL) - but it has been a very special experience to have been part of and sometimes very challenging yet -

We have learned a little more about each other

Have a piece of each others creativity to cherish

We think we might do it again after a short break - indeed at least one lady has a theme in mind LOL!
It was good being able to actually exchange albums each month at meetings
I think it has deepened our friendship and made us closer as a group

So I felt that should be my first entry in this journal -
Very simple as I am working at 6x6 - I have decided to use Shimelle's printable for the date. and I have printed it on vellum & circled the date with silver ink - used my butterfly stamp, scallop punch (Stampin up), paper flower& brad, an old Friendship sticker I found in my stash, and computer generated text.
Please leave a little comment if you stop by

Gura mie ayd. Jx

- - and class begins

2009-09-01T08:34:00.009+01:00

Hooray - class has properly started now - the prompt from Shimelle was in my mailbox this morning :). Learn Something New Every Day 2009 - a class about learning from life - and recording just a little aspect of it in an album. Do feel free to come along and join us - clicking in the link in the sidebar will take you to lots more information about it.
At the end of the month I hope to have a completed album recording the month of September 2009 to go with 2006 & 2007 - I didn't complete 2008 - life got in the way! This year it will be a different year for me - in the middle of the month my youngest daughter goes off to Sheffield Hallam University and there is no doubt in my heart {or head for that matter} that I will miss her.
She is the only one of my three children who completed Further Education - and her daddy & I are intensely proud of her and her achievement - but I will miss her presence in the cottage - I know I will. She is excited and apprehensive in equal measure {as am I!! LOL} - but that's life really - a series of ups and downs, laughter & tears, joy and sorrow - and the mundane - all thrown into the melting pot that makes up the every day.
May be today's lesson should be a small reminder to myself of something I do already know - that REAL life is always made up like that - those ups & downs are called living - and whatever comes my way I will do my best to enjoy the experience - or Learn from it!
Hope to be back later with my creativity for today.
Please leave a little comment if you stop by :)

Gura mie ayd. Jx

A Very Wet Bank Holiday -

2009-08-31T16:01:00.011+01:00

So - I made the most of the atrocious weather by making the covers for my September Journal. It really has been a very poor day as far as the weather is concerned but I have to admit to having fun! I can "faff" for England so it really doesn't matter what the weather does. I was going to use the kit I got from Shimelle for this class - but as I was looking for the kit I found a whole stack of 7 Gypsies papers - so I changed my mind!!
I haven't yet made my mind up about binding it - so don't know if I will go with book rings or bind-it-all. I cut all my pages as well & have put all my intended stash together in a zip loc baggie. I feel very virtuous now I might tell you.
The butterfly is a Stampin' Up stamp which I stamped all over the cover in rosy pink ink. I then stamped the butterfly in the same ink, and chocolate brown ink, on scraps of paper before cutting them out and mounting them with 3D foam tape. I covered a small tag with paper before adding the chipboard letters for the "new" which I coloured with the rosy pink ink. The small text is computer generated, printed on patterned paper and the font is Odalisque.
I am pleased with the result and am now looking forward to the class starting.
Please leave a little comment if you stop by.

Gura mie ayd. Jx

Learn Something New Every Day

2009-08-30T19:33:00.004+01:00

The amazing Shimelle has once again invited me to participate with her September Class Learn Something New Every Day. It's great fun - and if you fancy joining in do go to Shimelle's Learn Something New Every Day Class. Must admit that I usually do manage to be creative when I take note of Shimelle's prompts - just not very good at sharing my pages as time runs away with me and though I make - I don't upload. Joining in on the forum does help me though - so maybe this year I will do better.
I am off now to design my covers for this year. Will post pictures later.

Gura mie ayd. Jx

Keird - - Craft - -

2009-08-30T15:57:00.010+01:00

And a new blog for me - -
- - and I wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew. I don't seem to be able to find time to keep this one up to date but here I go again creating another! (DOH as Homer Simpson might say!)
But perhaps here I will manage to just upload pictures of my crafty makes. I will PROMISE to try my hardest.
This is a page I made in a Circle Journal where the theme was Black & White.

Gura mie ayd. J x