Home is Where my Cat is!

I had a weekend at home. I was so excited to see my beautiful cat. I wish he could live at Uni with me!

Red Berries

I just love this Christmas red berries. This is somewhere in the Oxfordshire countryside and taken whilst on my CU weekend away. So beautiful.

It's been a while

I haven't posted on here since the summer months, and it's now most definitely winter, with cold grey skies. And I have certainly had a new beginning. At the end of September I moved to Leicester to start my degree.

I was homesick at first but now I love it! I've made some wonderful friends and most of what I'm learning is interesting.I've also learnt that God never leaves and seen my prayers answered.

Hopefully I'll keep updating.

Back in Two Weeks

This summer is a busy one for me. Today I go away again, first for a week doing children's work at a christian convention and then doing christian outreach on beach. I'd appreciate your prayers for good and easy journeys as well as energy.

Sisters

Swimming under the stars with my sister. Bliss. Especially consider the weather in England, now I'm home.

Home...for now

I'm back from Crete for now, as I go away again on Saturday. But some pictures from Crete for now.

Whirlwind of Activity

Today has been busy. Full of little jobs and last minute tidying. For early in the morning a taxi will arrive to take us to the airport. Because tomorrow we're going to Crete. And I can't wait. A week of sunshine and beauty awaits. See you all in a week!

Seven Months is a Beautiful Age

I stayed at my Dad's this weekend. Today we went to visit my Grandad and on the way drove through some beautiful countryside. But even better we saw lovely little rabbits eating by the side of the road. Talking of lovely and little, Sophie is growing fast.
She'll soon catch up with Anna and I.
Does your t-shirt say "I love cuddles and kisses"? Who could resit that?
Not me, that's for sure!

See You Tomorrow

I'm at my Dad's tonight, back tomorrow.

Alphabet (soup) Fabric

I got this fabulous fabric given to me by my Grandma's neighbour who was giving it to charity. My mum took a particular shine to this Laura Ashley alphabet fabric, so I made her this lovely little bag.
I'm tempted to make one for me as well!
I did make myself this top though. Doesn't it look fabulous hung over my Audrey Hepburn photo?
The fabric was another freebie from my Grandma's neighbour and I designed the pattern myself.
The lovely ribbon came from a wonderful Aladdin's cave and was 50p for about four metres. I just love it!

Wild Foxgloves

Photo fun!

I got a new camera yesterday.
So I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

And my sister got a new haircut.

It's a Fuji FinePix F40fd. The camera not the haircut.

London

The reason for my visit to London was a planning meeting. But it was also a meeting of potential friends. In three weeks time I'm going to Keswick Convention as part of the children's team. The meeting was fun (but it could it have been anywhere except for having to get up at 6.20am!). It was nice to meet the other people on the team and get a clearer idea of what I'm going to be doing. And now I can't wait to go!

Ceanothus

Something about London on Monday. But for tonight the beautiful ceanothus bush which resides in our back garden.

Tigger

One word: Adorable.
And he's got me wrapped around his little paw!

New Hobby

Ohh look a wonderful ball of baby pink and lemon wool. Ohh and exams are finished what shall I do??
Learn to crochet? That sounds like a good idea!
Isn't it so pretty??
And okay so I can only do chains and doubles so far but its a start! I had to start somewhere.

My Mum

This a page from the scrapbook my Mum gave me as part of my 18th gift earlier this year. I'm really going to miss her next year when I'm at Uni.

London

This is a wonderful peacock that was made completely out of live plant material in Convent Garden, when I visited London for my birthday. The photo doesn't do it justice, the colour and size were truly beautiful. The reason I mention it, is I'm going to London for the day on Saturday.* By myself*.

Endings

This evening I went back to my old High School to see my sister's artwork on display (which was beautiful, even if I am biased). But being back there was weird, it reminded me of the end of something that seems a long time ago when it was only two years ago. Just as High School was ending I'm now coming to the end of my a-levels and my time at Greenhead. Another era will be closed on Thursday and it struck me how fast my life is moving.

"The grass withers and the flowers fade but the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)

Prettiness

I have had a wonderful day. This afternoon I painted a mug with three butterflies

and a ladybird on. I had great fun and it took me almost two hours. But I think the final result is definitely worth it! It now needs microwaving! As according to the instructions this seals it.
I also wrapped my dad's father's day present in tinfoil and green ribbon to wonderful effect!
I only used the tin-foil as I baked him some chocolate brownie and I didn't want it drying up. But with the green ribbon I bought yesterday it looks fab!

A Trip

to Ikea!

And look what I bought, two little vases for university, some brown paper and some brightly coloured ribbon to spice up the brown! I also browsed the cutlery and crockery in anticipation of living on my own in September. Not only is Ikea cheap its also cheerful. I can't wait to do my shopping for uni!

Tempting the Senses

I *love* salmon! So today I cooked up some salmon for tea and here's the recipe. It'll probably feed about two but is easily increased.

1. Heat a frying pan with oil. Finely chop a medium sized red onion, three garlic lives and an about a square inch of fresh ginger. Add all this to the pan.
2. Let the onion and garlic fry for a few minutes then add the two salmon pieces on top. Cook for about 15 to twenty minutes.
3. Remove the salmon from the pan, but first check it's cooked through. Cover so as to keep warm.
4. Add to the onions half a red pepper chopped finely, a handful of cherry tomatoes, a handful of mangetout cut in half then add about five tablespoons of soya sauce, two and a half tablespoons of lime juice and a teaspoon of sugar.
5. Simmer for about five minutes and then spoon over the top of the salmon. Delish!

I served this with some asparagus, new potatoes and sweetcorn. And not only does it taste fantastic it smells brilliant and looks beautiful! What more could you want?

Promises

"For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

Simple Pleasures

In a day driven by revision I found great pleasure in the simple.

• An after revision snack of olives and peppermint tea.
• Cooking a simple tea for the family.
• Doing the food shopping.
• Browsing my Grandma's old Burda magazines from the 70s.
• Tidying my room before bed (yet to be done but anticipated).

Beauty out of Doors

An out of doors lunch under blue skies.
A plesant break from revision. Hanging out the washing. (Look how beautiful the pink is next to the blue of the sky.)
An evening walk. And if anyone can tell me what tree this almost cotton-wool-like branch is from I'd be intrigued to know!

Sleep is needed in preparation for another full day of revision.

Busy Day

This morning I met with my Dad, his wife and Sophia for Coffee. After I met Lois and we hunted down prizes for the Alice in Wonderland themed tea party we've organised at our church.

This evening I baked a Bluberry cheesecake.

A dozen Bluberry and White Chocolate Muffins.

Then I had an enormous pile of washing up to do.

Which was done quickly with the beautiful roses to look at on the windowsill.

And now the house smell gloriously of baking.