My Month in Numbers : January

I have followed Julie's blog for quite some time now but this is the first time I have played along with My Month in Numbers - new year - new challenge and all that!!

10 was the number of miles I cycled around Culbin Forest earlier in the month - and my rear end was sore for about 2 days afterwards!!

1 was the number of football tournaments I attended with Callum - it was also the number of goals our team scored during all 6 games - oops!

6 is the number of books I have read this months - and not a dud amongst them.

44 was Andy's age on his birthday this month - which we honoured with the above mentioned bike ride!!

31 photographs taken and shared for 365+1.

170 was the number of pounds Sam coughed up for an ipod touch - but he is chuffed to bits with it.

30 was the number of birds we counted in the garden for RSPB Garden Birdwatch last weekend - including this rather handsome chap:



2 million is the number of phone calls it feels like I have answered at work this month - and the rudest people of all are pensioners - when you get to 65 do you forget all your manners????

31/365+1 : Wheels

Didn't want to do the predictable and photograph my car (also known as "the Hearse" due to it being rather large and black!) Spotted this bike and shopping trolley combo whilst walking over to the library this afternoon.

30/365+1 : Collection

When I was a child I used to collect lots of things - rubbers, postcards, pencils to name a few. But now I don't really collect anything as such - unless you count stash and books!! I don't go for dust gatherers (ornaments) or china but I do have a weakness for picking up shells from the beach and bringing them home. In fact many of my walks along local beaches are spent with my head down searching for prime specimens. this little bowl of white shells lives in my sunroom on the coffee table.

Quite impressed with the photo seeing as how it was taken with the ipad - the camera isn't up to much on it.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

A change of pace for me this week with a thriller from Val McDermid. The Retribution is the latest installment in the Tony Hill series (I now cannot read these books without picturing the lovely Robson Green in my head!) I was disappointed with her last book and in fact I think I gave up on it about a quarter of the way through. Not sure where this one is going yet but love the characters of Tony Hill and Carol Jordan - we need then back on our TV screens.



There is one serial killer who has shaped and defined police profiler Tony Hill's life. One serial killer whose evil surpasses all others. One serial killer who has the power to chill him to the bone: Jacko Vance. And now Jacko is back in Tony's life. Even more twisted and cunning than ever before, he is focused on wreaking revenge on Tony - and DCI Carol Jordan - for the years he has spent in prison. Tony doesn't know when Jacko will strike, or where. All he knows is that Jacko will cause him to feel fear like he has never known before ? and devastate his life in ways he cannot imagine...

Pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Simple Recipes : January

This is a new scrapbooking challenge over on UKS - and I love a good challenge if inspires me to actually get my stash out and create something.

For the first month of the year it's time to clear out some of your older supplies so to kick off Simple Recipes the first recipe is all about using up your supplies. Use the colour combination and the 'added ingredient' ideas to put together your own kit to work from. What you make with your kit is up to you but there is a layout sketch along with a layout idea and card to take inspiration from if you need it.

This was the colour palette we were given:



And we were also given a sketch for even more inspiration - and this is what I came up with:














I was good and used up old stash in the form of an old Scrapagogo kit (Tokyo Garden from August 2010!!) - have just resubbed to the new kits and cannot wait for my first one to arrive!!! The photos are of Sam taken in Easter 2010 when we visited Nanny and Grandma down in Wales.

29/365+1 : Kitchen Utensil

Today's prompt was quite apt for me as I was planning on doing some baking. I had several new baking books from the boys for Christmas - so today I have made a cherry cake (slightly flat as my tin was too big!!) and a banana,date and cherry loaf.

I was chuffed to bits to picked as the first participant by Suzie for her spotlight feature on her blog - you can see it here.

Snap 2012 : Week 3

What does the colour red say to you? Anger? Love? Heat? What makes you see red? Show me some red in your world!

Red sky in the morning.................

28/365+1 : Fluffy

A quick one from me this morning.

Not much fluffy in a house full of boys - now they are older even cuddly toys have been banished to the back of cupboards! But here is my bear - called Fergus - who sits on my bed. I was a cruel mother one day when the boys were little - I took them into Build A bear and bought myself Fergus - and don't think I bought them one!!

Off to Dingwall in a bit for a football competition with Callum - on a bus with a load of 11 year old boys! (I have taken the precaution of consuming some paracetamol before I go!) - don't think there will be too much fluffy up there to take a photo of although I am hoping to see some snow!

Got To Dance : Prodijig

Callum and I have been watching the 3rd series of Go To Dance avidly (anything to see the oh so lovely Ashley Banjo!!) When I saw Prodijig for the first time they took my brath away - they are through to the live semi finals and I so hope they go all the way to win. Simply amazing dancing.

27/365+1 : Amazing

Today is Friday which in my new scheme of things means shopping day. I might be mad to choose this day of the week to wield a trolley around Asda or Tesco (depending on how the mood takes me) but hubby has every other Friday off work so my shopping expedition has become fortnightly - and he has to accompany me!!!

And my amazing was the display of Easter eggs at the end of one of the aisles - it is still January!!!! I wish I could tell you I was strong and managed to resist the temptation - but a box of 6 creme eggs came home with us!!!!

Skywatch Friday

the Moray Firth at Lossiemouth at sun down.



See more skies from around the world here.

26/365+1 : Free Choice

Today we have a free choice day! This will happen a few times throughout the year ... photography something that is important or significant for you RIGHT NOW (in other words ... I'm too lazy to think of a word today :D)


Having now word prompt is more difficult than having one!!

But one thing I love taking photos of is the sky - love all the different colours and cloud formations - and I always play along with Skywatch Friday every week.

The evening sky taken from our front garden - love the muted colours and the Instagram effect.

WOYWW 25th January

Shock horror - there is actually some scrapping going on on my desk!!

I signed up for a new sketch class before Christmas - and then promptly forgot all about it. I have missed some of the prompts so am playing catch up.

Here are the beginnings of my first page:



Pop over and see Julia to find out what everyone else is up to today.

Chick Lit Challenge 2012 #1

I was so pleased when Samantha announced she was going to run the Chick Lit Challenge again this year - you can find out more about it here. The rules are still the same - to read 12 chick lit titles in 2012 but 2 of them must be from debut authors. I picked up so many new books last year after reading peoples reviews which I know I wouldn't have given a second glance to previously.

So here is my first review:

Baby Be Mine by Paige Toon. Probably wouldn't have picked this title up mainly due to the daft name but after reading Rea's review on her blog I thought I would try it.



'He's not mine, is he?' That's the question I fear the most. You see, I have a secret. My son is not fathered by my boyfriend, but by one of the most famous rock stars that ever lived. And he doesn't even know it. One-time celebrity personal assistant to wild boy of rock Johnny Jefferson, Meg Stiles is now settled and living in the south of France with her doting boyfriend Christian and their son Barney. But they're living a lie - a lie that will turn their lives upside down and inside out - because as Barney reaches his first birthday, Meg can no longer deny that her son is growing to look more and more like his rock star father every day, and less and less like Christian, and sooner or later, the world is going to realise ...

From what I can gather Meg and Johnny have appeared in a previous book (which I am sure I will have to read) but I loved both of these main characters - so wanted them to get together properly and be a perfect little family with Barney. I didn't want to put it down and so pleased to find a new author.

25/364+1 : Motionless

Don't think these chaps are going anywhere fast!

This is the goat statue which stands outside Johnston's Woollen Mill in town. They are cashmere goats are were a gift to the factory from a very satisfied Chinese client to say thank you for the quality cashmere goods which are produced in the factory.

52 Walks In 2012 : 2

A late evening walk from our friends house (where we drank tea and wound her kids up to fever pitch - then left) round to Lossiemouth West beach. The sun was just starting to go down so the light was lovely.

A perfect if a little chilly spot to sit and enjoy the view.



Andy.



Mr Heron minding his own business.



Covesea lighthouse in the distance.



Just love watching the sea.

24/365+1 : Movement

Thank heaven for willing volunteers - and children you can bribe to use a photo fodder. My ghostly youngest son after school this afternoon!!

Aurora Borealis

Last night the Moray Firth skies were treated to the stunning spectacle that is the aurora borealis. We have been out to Spey Bay twice now but have only seen a faint green glow in the sky - but they say tomorrow night might be better.

This photo was taken at Spey Bay last night (and shared on Facebook) which is only a short drive from where we live - and you must check out his blog for more stunning photographs.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I have just finished (only this morning) my second Camilla Lackberg novel - The Stonecutter.. This is the third in the series and I am reading them out of order as I started with the fifth one!



The third psychological thriller from No 1 bestselling Swedish crime sensation Camilla Läckberg.

The remote resort of Fjällbacka has seen its share of tragedy, though perhaps none worse than that of the little girl found in a fisherman's net. But the post-mortem reveals that this is no case of accidental drowning…

Local detective Patrik Hedström has just become a father. It is his grim task to discover who could be behind the methodical murder of a child both he and his partner, Erica, knew well.

He knows the real question - and answer - lies with why. What he does not know is how this case will reach into the dark heart of Fjällbacka and the town's past, and tear aside its idyllic façade, perhaps forever.

This is definitely a darker story than The Hidden Child and all the time I was at work I was thinking about getting home so I could read a bit more. A sign of a good book I would say. And I will be reading the rest of the series as soon as I can find them in my local library.

23/365+1 : Hot

Predictable I know.

I could have had multiple opportunities to take a photo of a hot drink - it is the first thing I do when I wake up (before going back to bed for half an hour with my book!), at least 2 more cups before I head off to school and work. I never ever turn down a cuppa while I am at work and it is the first thing I do when I get hmoe again after picking Callum up from school. Today my drink of choice is a nice mug of frothy coffe - perfect for a chilly day - when you can see snow on them there hills!

Also used the toaster effect on Instagram which gave it a nice warm glow.

22/365+1 : Glow

When I saw today's prompt my first thought was bugger as yesterdays shot was one of a candle. So I am afraid it is candles again today - but three of them this time taken this evening.

21/365+1 : Fire

A bit predictable I know - but one of my many candles burning in one of my favourite holders.

Snap 2012 : Week 2

This week our theme is temptation.

the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise
a thing that attracts or tempts someone:

I went for the good old Adam and Eve theme for my photo.

20/365+1 : Sign

First signs of Spring in the very chilly North East of Scotland.

Skywatch Friday

The Moray Firth taken from Culbin Sands last weekend during our bike ride through the forest.

19/365+1 : Bad for you

Had to try hard to stay away from taking any more photos of food.

Todays photo to depict bad for you is Elgin Bus Station in all its glory. Now I have nothing against public transport in general just this bus station in particular. It seems to be populated mainly by people who chain smoke, smell of alcohol (including the father today who had just picked his child up from school!) and foul mouthed youths - mainly girls. I really dislike having to come down here with Callum after school - it is bad for my health and temper!!

I truly believe that if I was visiting the town for the first time and arriving by public transport and the first place I saw was the bus station - I would stay on the bus and go to Inverness!!

But needs must on the days I don't have the car and thankfully it is only a short journey.

18/365+1 : Pleasurable

Reading gives me a great deal of pleasure - nothing better than curling up with a good book.

(Amazed this photo turned out OK as those were the glasses I had been wearing so I took the photo blind!!)

17/365+1 : Naughty

But nice!

10 Things : January

Totally forgot all about this - oops.

I set myself a reading target for 2011 to read and I managed to surpass myself which I was chuffed about so for this month I thought I woulod share my top 10 books I read last year.

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Through Thick and Thin by Gok Wan

The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson

Don't Say Goodbye by Fiona Stanford

Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan

The Happy Home For Broken Hearts by Rowan Coleman

The Accidental Adventurer by Ben Fogle

The Hidden Child by Camilla Lackberg

The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond

The Earth Hums In B Flat by Mari Strachan.

A bit of an eclectic mix but each one a damn fine read.

16/365+1 : Snack

I could have told a fib and posted something wholesome and nutritious - in truth as there is still Christmas cake in the house this is my snack of choice with a cup of tea when I get home from work in the afternoon.

New To You

Erika is spring cleaning and has some lovely new to you goodies up for grabs - pop over here and leave a comment - you have to be in it to win it!!

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I think I remember saying I wasn't going to read James Patterson anymore (except for the Alex Cross and Micheal Bennett ones) as I felt that the quality of the books was going downhill fast - especially they ones the "co wrote" with other authors. But against my better judgement I picked up Now You See Her from the library - and I have to say tha so far it is a real page turner.



A successful lawyer and loving mother, Nina Bloom would do anything to protect the life she's built in New York - including lying to everyone, even her daughter, about her past. But when an innocent man is framed for murder, she knows that she can't let him pay for the real killer's crimes.


Nina's secret life began eighteen years ago. She had looks to die for, a handsome police-officer husband, and a carefree life in Key West. When she learned she was pregnant with their first child, her happiness was almost overwhelming. But Nina's world is shattered when she unearths a terrible secret that causes her to run for her life and change her identity.

Now, years later, Nina risks everything she's earned to return to Florida and confront the murderous evil she fled.

In a story of wrenching suspense, James Patterson gives us his most head-spinning, action-filled story yet - a Hitchcock-like blend of unquenchable drama and pleasure.

This is a stand alone thriller and you just have to keep reading to find out what happens next - all at JPs usual fast pace.

15/365+1 : Generous

Had a few ideas for today's prompt but settled for this shot in the end (even though it is stretching it slightly!!)- a generous amount of frost on this fir tree I spotted during our bike ride around Culbin forest today - by heck it was chilly!!

14/365+1: Guilty Pleasure

We all have them - those little things we know we shouldn't enjoy, but we just do! It might be watching X-Factor, or woofing up the leftover roast potatoes, or maybe just a long bubble bath when you know you should be doing a million other things!

I would probably agree with all of the above - but one of my biggest guilty pleasures is reading chick lit. The book snobs out there (and there are many - although I suspect those people who profess to read only more intellectual tomes probably have a Jilly Cooper of two packed away somewhere!!)

I love a good chick lit and after participating in the Chick Lit challenge last year (enjoyed it so much I am playing along this year too) I have read some pretty great books that I don't think I would have read otherwise.