Happy New Year

Wishing all my readers, where ever you are, a very Happy New Year.

366/365+1 : Reflect

I am pleased that I have managed to finish this year long photography challenge - a huge thank you to Suzie for organizing it and the same to my fellow 365+1 participants. It has been great getting to know each other and seeing glimpses into each others lives.

Today's word is reflect and this recent photo at sunset on Nairn Beach is perfect for this prompt. I don't like looking back at what has been as to me there is no point as there is nothing you can do about it - all I will say is that 2012 just sped by didn't it - but I am looking forward to 2013 and all that it may bring.

Final Few Days of 365+1 Catch Up.

Day 360 : Something On Your Table. It had to be my Christmas dinner (sprouts and all) - no turkey for us as Andy cooked us a delicious piece of beef.

Day 361 : Delight. Andy using my Christmas pressie to chop the carrots for Christmas lunch - a dzen carrots perfectly sliced in 53 seconds. He is easily pleased!!

Day 362 : Special. As it was Christmas Day Callum was allowed a glass of bubbly with his lunch (no champagne though as I don't like it as it is too dry - a chilled glass of Prosecco instead.

Day 363 : Something You'd Change. We need a new mattress and here we are in a local bed shop testing some out. I did find one I really really like but it was £1500 - I would want it to make me breakfast in bed for that price!!!

Day 364 : Free Choice. The Christmas lights in Elgin - make the town look quite nice for a change!

Day 365 : End. This is the end of my current book The Greatcoat by Helen Dunmore.  This is book 99 of 2012 - I set myself a challenge to read 100 books this year - will I make it????

  
I will be back tomorrow with my final photo for 2012.

Skywatch Friday

A post Christmas walk along Nairn beach to burn off some of the calories I have consumed over the holidays.

See more skies from around the world here.

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish all my blog readers both near and far a very Merry Christmas ♥

And if you are still looking for some Christmas inspiration check this page on Pinterest.

359/365+1 : Mouthwatering

Suffice to say the Yule Log did not make it in tact till Christmas Day - but I want it known that I haven't had a bite - I'm sticking to my diet till tomorrow (insert halo!!!)

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'm still reading my way through a pile of festive books both old and new. I am currently on Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones. It isn't really about Christmas as such but is set in Canada in the middle of winter - so plenty of snow - and romance.

Imagine waking up in a snow globe...

That’s how travel journalist Krista feels when she arrives in magical Quebec to report on Canada's glittering Winter Carnival.

Over ten sub-zero days Krista's formerly frozen heart begins to melt as she discovers an enchanting world of ice palaces, husky dog-sledding and maple-syrup treats galore. And then she meets Jacques, a man as handsome and rugged as he is mysterious…

The two share a secret that could bond them forever, but can they find a way to break through the protective layers around their hearts to warm up this winter wonderland?

…let the snow-spangled adventure begin.

When I have finished this book I only have to read 3 more before the end of the month to reach my target of 100 in 2012.

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

365+1 Catch Up

Day 356 : Something Red.

Robin redbreast in my garden.

Day 357 : Something Green


A sparkly bauble on my tree - my tree is green white and glittery!

Day 358 : Festive

Callum has a festive cold - so had to head out to my local retail park to see the pharmacist in Boots. I made the wise decision to park in the local DIY store car park and walk to the retail park (laughing at the queues of cars trying to get into the car parks for the shops and Asda) as all my medicines were out of date  - obviously none of us have had any ailments in the last 12 months or so.

Skywatch Friday

The calm after the storm. My local beach was battered with high winds, massive waves and a high tide at the end of last week in what was described as a "perfect storm". We went down the following day for a walk along the beach - it was a lovely calm afternoon with no wind and blue skies. There was damage to the sea defences and the sand dunes had taken a battering.

Here are some photos I have borrowed from Facebook which show the ferocity of the weather. More bad weather is forecast but hopefully it won't be as bad this time.

See more skies from around the world here. 

355/365+1 : Something You Want

I spotted an advert in my new copy of Slimming World Magazine for a turkish delight flavoured Muller light yoghurt. Now I just lurve turkish delight in any form so I will be on the hunt for these babies after Christmas - syn free too :)

365+1 Catch Up

Day 351 : Wealth. I think the Beckoning Cat that Andy brought back from Hong Kong has featured before - but he is meant to bring wealth. Pure coincidence but I have recently won a prize draw - need to keep buying those lottery tickets!!

Day 352 : Grey. Grey no more - banished with this box of tricks!!

Day 353 : Slippers. I usually put slippers on my Santa list but no one ever buys me any as they are classed as a boring (but useful) gift. So last Christmas I found these beauties in the sale in Clarks - so I bought myself several pairs so I should be sorted for the next 12 months or so.

Day 354 : Drink. The contents of my drinks cupboard (no alcohol for me at the moment sue to the diet - 13 pounds and counting) Hot drinks are my drink of choice although the Ovaltine and Horlicks are both off limits at the moment.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

I am in full on Christmas story reading in an attempt to get myself into the mood for next week.

I was recommended to try Talli Roland who I think only has books available on the Kindle. This one was a mere 99 pence so nothing to loose.

As the daughter of Christmas-any-time party planners, Holly West has been surrounded by the holiday spirit since birth. Trouble is, she's not exactly filled with festive cheer. In fact, Holly can't wait to ditch the Santa suit for champagne and celebs, and become a party planner to the stars. 

When TV star Dean Layton hires her parents' company to throw his holiday bash in Manhattan, Holly jumps at the chance to help, confident she can handle a little Christmas in exchange for access to Dean's exclusive world. 

But New York and Dean's over-the-top demands are more than Holly bargained for. Can Holly deck the halls and make it a party to be proud of, or will this Christmas end her dreams for good?

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

350/365+1 : Blanket

One of my resolutions for 2013 will be to learn how to crochet and then maybe I will be able to make my own blanket.

In the meantime here is a display of Scottish tweed blankets in a local garden centre - I decided this morning that we needed to be a 2 tree family so we have been on the hunt for a small Christmas tree (that doesn't break the bank. Found one in the end in Homesbase reduced to £5.99 - love a bargain.

349/365+1 : Healthy

My tea tonight was super healthy without a syn in sight - ham, salad and baked potato. Might have a little not so healthy treat later though!

Skywatch Friday

A late afternoon shot of my local lighthouse.

See more skies from around the world on the Skywatch blog.

348/365+1 : Edible

In the last 3 weeks precious little chocolate has passed my lips (and I am 10 pounds lighter!) but I said that for Christmas I would buy just the one box of sweeties and I will have to make them last. So I bought the biggest box of chocolates that Thorntons had!!!!

Also on an edible theme I had to share this photo I spotted on Facebook this morning as it mad me smile - oh for a slice of white toast, with proper butter and a scraping of Marmite.

347/365+1 : Obligations

I think I am turning into a grumpy old woman but I really cannot be bothered with Christmas cards this year. I am cutting down my list of people I am sending to - with the price of stamps etc it just seems like a waste of money for something that will (hopefully) end up in the recycling box.

So I have bought the cards and bought the stamps but haven't quite got round to writing them yet.

346/365+1 : Look Up

This old chap stand above the cenotaph on The Plainstones in the middle of town - I have no idea who he is - maybe I should look a bit closer next time I am passing.

345/365+1 : Tree

I forgot to photograph my little tree in the garden in the daylight yesterday when I was off work. And I won't get another chance till Saturday as it's not quite light in the morning when I leave for work and completely dark by the time I get home.

I thought about the tree in the middle of town but when I looked at it I decided it wasn't worth the bother - minimal decorations and surrounded by ugly metal crash barriers.

So here are some super cute biscuit tins in my local Markies - not just any old biscuits you know!!

Family x 12 December Blog Hop

The only member of my family to stand still long enough last month was hubby - and lets face it when he was stood up there there was precious little he could do about it!!

We had a lovely long walk along one of our local beaches and I have plenty of photos of the boys when they were younger sitting up there - but never one of hubby.

I'm not sure who else is taking part this month - it looks as though I might be a bit early (that's a first!!)

I was early cos I didn't take into account the time zones!! Please pop by and say hello to my fellow blog hop participants:

Margie 

Ruth 

Patricia       

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10 Things : December

I am almost at the end of this years photography project 365+1 -  I have to say a big thank you to Suzie for organising it and and for my small fellow photographers who have seen it through with me - you know who you are.

This year I used the Instagram app on my ipad - just to make the photos look at bit different from my normal ones. Here are my 10 favourites from 2012 so far (only 21 more prompts to go!!)

Pop on over to Shimelles blog and see everyone elses 10 Things.