Project 365 - day 303

Today is Wear It Pink Day




Elgin High School took part in the day and Sam came home sporting a new pink hairdo. Please note the collar on his nice white shirt - answers on a postcard please as to how I will ever get that clean!!

And I'm not showing you the photos of me in a pink wig!!

Project 365 - day 302

Today I finished my book challenge for 2009 - and it wouldn't have been possible without my trusty library card! I set myself the challenge to read a book every week for the year - so 52 books for 2009.

I really didn't think I would be able to complete this challenge - as much as I enjoy reading sometimes real life just gets in the way. To be honest I have found taking a photo every day to be more of a challenge.

Looking at the long list of books I have read this year (you can see them there over on the right) there weren't many duff books in there. I think the Maeve Binchy one I'm reading at the moment is about the worst - can't wait to finish it and get onto something more interesting.

HSMSHS - Tin

I was a bit stuck for inspiration for today's prompt - wanted something different from a tin of soup, beans etc out of my kitchen cupboard.

So I thought I would look through my Project 365 photos to see if there was anything there. I have really enjoyed doing this project - made some good cyber friends along the way (we would all love to meet up once this year long journey is over and are already planning what to do next year)

Many of my photos are mundane and I certainly wouldn't waste paper and ink printing most of them off but they are good to look back on.

So I found my collection the tin of paint from the day we painted Sams room orange, a line of soup tins after finding I had over half a dozen of the same sort in my cupboard after moving, and my favourite sort of tin - a cake tin!!!!

Skywatch Friday

In the middle of the week the rain clouds disappeared and the sun returned and we have been treated to some beautiful early morning skies. This is taken from my back garden - whilst standing on the picnic bench shortly before 7am on Wednesday morning!!

This mornings skies are similarly stunning. But you know what they say: "Red sky at night, shepherds delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherds are warning."




See more Skywatch Friday photos here.

HSMSHS - Tied

One black belt - very securely tied!

We are so proud of Sam for being awarded his black belt in karate last month. He has worked so hard for it and put in hours and hours of training. An achievement that no one can take away from him.

Project 365 - day 301

This is a sight I haven't seen for nearly a fortnight - washing out on the line. The past couple of weeks have been very wet so have been unable to hang washing out to dry. We no longer have a tumble drier (I took it to the tip when we moved - I think the thing had ceased up due to lack of use! And apart from towels I really don't like the way the clothes feel and smell after they have come out of a drier.) Luckily I have a utility room with enough room for a couple of airers and on which I can shut the door so I don't have to see them.

So today two loads of washing were nice and dry by the time I got home from work. How sad is that - being so pleased about such a mundane task??

SLYMI - week 43

SCRAP WITH FLOWERS!
Think you can manage it??!!

You can use tons and tons of flowers or just a few...use paper flowers or paper with flowers or photos of flowers or doodles of flowers...whatever flowers you fancy!
I have had these October Afternoon papers since I went to the first GoGo Getaway in June 2008 so I thought I had better use them.

I cut 3 of the flowers out of a sheet of paper and then attached them to the page with brads.

The photo is of Callum just before we started off on a bike ride around Culbin Forest last summer.

HSMSHS - Slice

An often wedge-shaped piece cut from a larger, usually circular object: ordered a slice of pie; shared a slice of pizza.

Callums breakfast of choice this morning - a juicy slice of melon.

Project 365 - day 300

Day 300!!!! And still going strong - although some days I struggle for inspiration.

Couldn't believe what I saw out of my window this morning. It's been raining just a bit up here for about the past week (actually it's been torrential rain with flooding in Aberdeenshire) but the builders on our development are out working in all weathers.

But this builder is obviously a bit of a wimp and needed one of those cheap (Disney style) plastic ponchos to keep him dry. Had to laugh!!

And please not I am not in the habit of taking photos of builders from my bedroom window!!!

HSMSHS - Cheap

HSMSHS fell by the wayside last week for some reason.

My take on today's prompt is this pack of jaffa cakes I picked up in Tesco this afternoon. Nothing wrong with some of their Value range and at 38 pence they are almost a pound cheaper than the McVities ones. You wouldn't tell the difference between the two brands and if the truth be told they are all probably made in the same factory anyway - just put in different boxes!!!

Project 365 - day 299

Today I sent my first Postcrossing postcard - not too far for the first one as its only going as far as the Netherlands. It will be interesting to see what I get back.

I have always fancied the idea of having a pen pal but I'm not much of a letter writer so think it would become a chore after a while. A postcard is quick and easy to do.

After reading the recipients profile I sent her a card of a local landscape - Lossiemouth Beach. It so happens that over the weekend an 8 foot Basking Shark managed to beach itself directly in front of the bridge you can see on the card. Despite efforts to help the beast, and getting it back into the water on more than one occasion the local vet had to be called to put it to sleep. Such a shame.

Project 365 - day 298

What a wet and miserable day its been today - furthest I have been is to Tesco!

Spent the day pottering around and of course farming!!

I'm afraid the latest addction is FarmVille on Facebook. The basic idea is that you grow your own farm complete with crops, trees, animals etc (along with elephants, gravestones, pink cows and purple hay bales - and I have yet to find the elusive turtles!)

Sometimes being in la la land is better than reality.

Here is my farm - level 26 and counting.

What a sad muppet I am - but it beats doing the housework.

Wisdom for the weekend.

Sue chose the inspiration this weekend:-



Whitney Houston had the most fabulous voice, I guess in fairness it is still very impressive today, but her performance last week on XFactor clearly showed how years of substance abuse has taken it's toll.
Got me thinking about some of the songs she has released. I first heard my choice this week when it was recorded by George Benson and loved it, at that time the lyrics "Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all", really hit home. And I share that because despite what we show the world, I think you will all understand that.
Then I heard Whitneys version and it blew me away. It has to be one of my all time favourite inspirational songs. I get goosebumps every time I hear it.

I'd like to offer two quotes this week. Your choice to either do one, or both, I chose to do this because not everyone likes self portraits and not everyone can readily get their hands on some children !!!! I have two going free if you like ;-D

Quote 1:
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

Quote 2:
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well
And let them lead the way

The video is here along with the all lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KjpyHX7X-o

Hope this inspires you too.



A photo of the both the boys taken earlier in the year duing a walk along the River Lossie.

Project 365 - day 297

A spot of weeding.

Not the nicest job in the garden - but it has too be done. So while I watched from the kitchen window (whilst doing the ironing) Andy and Call pulled up all the little weeds that seem to have sprung up overnight. They managed to get the majority of it done before the heavens opened again.





No builders bums in evidence - thank goodness!!

Project 365 - day 296

Seeing as today was the best day of the week weather wise we decided to go out for a walk after I finished work.

The sun was almost out when we left Elgin but by the time we reached Winding Walks it was very grey - but by the time it started raining we were under the cover of the trees so it didn't really bother us.

It's the first time we have been up there since the floods of the 4th September. The Forestry Commission are repairing the damage by clearing out the stream and rebuilding the paths. I hope they don't do too much reconstruction otherwise they run the risk of ruining a beautiful place with too many gravel paths. Saw plenty of trees that lost their grip on the hillside during the downpours and had fallen down.

Tried to take some photos of Callum - but he was in the mood for fooling around and pulling silly faces!

Back in time for tea and wouldn't you know it, it hadn't rained in Elgin! But it was good to get out in the fresh air - before cabin fever set in.

Skywatch Friday

Another Friday means another grey sky in Moray - this must be about the 4th one in row that has been like this - beginning to think we are cursed.

This is one that was taken last Sunday during our walk along Roseisle beach. Beautiful blue skies and a perfect autumn day - complete with a glider from the local flying school.




See more Skywatch Friday photos here.

Project 365 - day 295

We have started Callum on a course of Omega 3 fish oil medicine as if the claims are to be believed it helps brain function and concentration. It needs to be taken for a couple of months before results (if any) are seen.

He doesn't mind taking it so we have nothing to lose.

2009 Poppy Appeal.

Dame Vera Lynn and soprano Hayley Westenra launched the Royal British Legion's 2009 Poppy Appeal and this year the appeal focuses on supporting troops wounded in Afghanistan and the families of those killed there.

A Nottinghamshire widow is featuring on new posters to promote this year's Poppy Appeal.
Hester Wright, 22, of Mansfield, and her six-year-old son, Josh, have taken part in the advertising campaign.
She lost her husband, Drummer Damian Wright of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, in an explosion in Afghanistan in 2007, and has received help from the Legion.

We are so very glad one of our closest friends arrived home safe and sound on Monday after a 4 month tour of Afghanistan and will be wearing our poppies with pride.

Mercedes on the move.

The UK's only polar bear has been given a public unveiling at her new home in the Highlands.
Mercedes was relocated from Edinburgh Zoo to the Highland Wildlife Park, near Kingussie, on Monday.
Her new enclosure extends over four acres of land regarded as more typical of the natural habitat of polar bears.
A public appeal helped to raise £75,000 needed to fund her transfer and the Army assisted in building the bear's home and a nearby visitors' car park.
Staff at Edinburgh Zoo spent several months training Mercedes to walk in and out of a crate that was used to transport her north. On Monday, the crate was lifted onto a trailer for the road trip. The bear arrived at the park about three hours later.
The animal collections at both parks will continue to evolve and visitors can expect to see new species introduced in the coming months."
Mercedes was rescued from her native Canada and brought to Scotland after she was scheduled to be shot because she had begun roaming into a nearby town in search of food.
A crate used for moving rhino was modified to transport the bear by road and was allowed time to settle into her new surroundings before the public unveiling.
Her arrival is expected to further boost visitor numbers at the park.
The public unveiling of three rare Amur tiger cubs in June was followed by record-breaking entries with 80,000 visits within weeks.
In 2008, numbers of visitors for the year reached 65,000.
Sappers helped to prepare the wildlife park for the bear's arrival.
The soldiers from 51 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers built a road and car park for the enclosure.
They also constructed a viewing platform and bridge at the park's tiger enclosure.
Dubbed Caledonian Thor, the exercise trained the sappers in military aid and civil community tasks.
Previously, Territorial Army soldiers of 75 Engineer Regiment worked on the polar bear enclosure.
We saw Mercedes when we visited Edinburgh Zoo back in May and she was fast asleep
when we went to see her in her grim looking enclosure. In the summer we also went to the Highland Wildlife Park and saw her new enclosure which was nearing completion. We can only hope that the last remaining polar bear in captivity in this country can see out her final years in slightly more comfortable surroundings.



You can read more about her here.

Project 365 - day 294

A miserable day here - just as well I was at work this morning to be honest as we couldn't have gone out anywhere. So after choosing new taps for the kitchen (why do I always pick the expensive ones???) I decided to do a spot of baking.

Not much in the way of ingredients for anything too exciting - but managed to knock up 3 dozen little fairy cakes (some cherry and some sultana). Not bad fir half an hours work.

No shortage of taste testers in this house so don't suppose there will be many left by this time tomorrow.

SLYMI - week 42

SCRAP YOUR RIGHT NOW!

Every year just after my birthday I make a 'Right Now' page. The requirements are simple:
1. A recent photo of yourself.
2. Scrapped with supplies you really like right now.
3. Including a list of things you love right now or words that describe you right now.

This is a scraplift of the LO which graces the cover of this months Scrapbook Trends mag .

It was only when I had finished my LO I realised I had missed out the last element which was to include a list of things you love. Will have to go back and add those on afterwards - teach me not to read things properly.

As I am 9 times out of 10 behind the camera there aren't many photos in circulation of me - but I did relinquish my hold on my camera for a short while the other day while walking along Roseisle beach. I have used October Afternoon Weathervane papers, while not a recent release I still love them and they are gorgeous autumn colours.

And now I am up to date with Shimelles challenges.

Project 365 - day 293

My birthday pressie arrived from my Mum today - a subscription to Gardeners' World magazine. I will read and inwardly digest and hopefully learn something month by month and turn this wasteland that is our back garden into something a lot more interesting to look at.
And there was an article just for Andy - all about moles!!!!

Project 365 - day 292

Not something you see everyday!! Callum with the hoover - trying to earn some extra pocket money.

SLYMI - week 41

Scrap a birthday.

This photo is of Callum opening his birthday cards last month. I lifted the LO from this months edition of Scrapbook Trends (Happiness is by Leigh Penner on page 75) I used some of my favourite October Afternoon papers. I love the puffy Thickers - trying to make them last as I only bought one pack.





I am half way through this weeks challenge and then I will be totally up to date again.

Project 365 - day 291

Today Andy put all Sams karate certificates up on his bedroom wall - all 13 of them! Right from red belt through to his black belt last month. A whole wall full of achievement.

We do like to be beside the seaside! Day 290

Yet another walk in the sunshine - so it was back to Roseisle yesterday for the second time in a week.





















You wouldn't guess from the photos that 3 boys accompanied us on our walk - but they got as far as the first pillbox and that was it. They were having too much fun so Andy and I walked further up the beach.

Andy had more fun than the kids did with the bat and ball - playing keepy uppy. Forget what is high score was!!



We both had fun messing around with the camera and taking some photos from some odd angles.





Was pleased to actually find the tank traps and the anti tank wall that I mentioned in last Sundays post.




Proof that at least one child was with us - the other two were camera shy.

Wisdom for the weekend.

This week Val chose a song by Garth Brooks called If Tomorrow Never Comes(which Ronan Keating also did a version of):

Sometimes late at night
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She's lost in peaceful dreams
So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark
And the thought crosses my mind
If I never wake up in the morning
Would she ever doubt the way I feel
About her in my heart

If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes

'Cause I've lost loved ones in my life
Who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret
That my true feelings for them never were revealed
So I made a promise to myself
To say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance
Where there's no second chance to tell her how I feel

If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes

So tell that someone that you love
Just what you're thinking of
If tomorrow never comes

Here is a link to Ronans version.


I have used the last three lines for my photo of the boys sitting together down at Findhorn Beach.

Get your feet tapping.

I defy anyone not to get their feet moving to this track - its just brilliant. Its Paolo Nutini and The Vipers with Pencil Full of Lead. Just the best song around at the moment.

Skywatch Friday

The skies above Lossiemouth Beach this afternoon looked far more stormy than they actually were. And luckily for us the wind was blowing them away from us and off down the coast.

As you can see from my previous post we were left with beautiful blue skies.






















You can see more Skywatch Friday photos here

Taking in the sea air - and day 289

A much better today weather wise with the sun putting in an appearance.

After lunch Cal and I set out for Lossiemouth Beach. We were surprised about how quiet it was especially as its the school holidays. A couple of ladies (I would put them around late 40s early 50s) followed us over the bridge - and I overheard some of their conversation. They were saying that they had sea and they had sun and what more could they need. I had to add that perhaps it being a few degrees warmer would be good - to which they agreed - as they were just off for a swim. The look of amazement on my face must have said it all as they burst out laughing! Not sure if they had wetsuits with them or not as they walked way up the beach before I saw them run in - but it is the North Sea - so it must have been perishing. A huge amount of respect for those ladies - whoever they were.























Cal raced up and down the sand dunes like a mad thing - till he filled his shoes full of sand!



It was a gorgeous afternoon - the clouds soon disappeared in the direction of Spey Bay and we were left with beautiful blue skies.


























And it was all rounded off with a visit to the ice cream shop. Although I stuck to my flask of hot chocolate - but kids can eat ice cream what ever the weather!!