I have had a review published in this magazine.

I subscribe to newbooksmag which is a magazine for readers and reading groups.I have reviewed books for them before but havn't had the chance to do one for a while.They e mail to say what is coming up but I seem to get pipped to the post as I only tend to read e mails in the evening and by that time others have got in before me!!However, this time I hit lucky.The book I reviewed is The Ruby Slippers by Keir Alexander.It is to be published at the end of March.I get an uncorrected proof copy.You are asked to be totally honest and if you don't like it say so.Luckily I really enjoyed this book.It is set in New York and includes a number of fascinating characters- bag lady Rosa originally from Latvia who owns the ruby slippers which were worn by Judy Garland for the Wizard of Oz,Mr Markinkus of the Sunrise Deli,a bitter old billionaire and lots of others.I do recommend it.
It is quite a buzz to get your copy of the magazine and see you name in print.I really enjoy the magazine.It contains interviews with authors,reviews and every time there are free books on offer.You just pay the postage.I have had some really good reads recommended in the mag.

Scary weather

Scary weather here in North Wales.Gale force winds are battering against the back of the house.I could hear something banging outside ,went out to investigate and two fence panels are out.We drove back earlier from our daughter's in Cheshire and what a hairy drive it was.Fallen trees,branches and debris in the road and as well as the wind ,torrential rain.It seems to be easing a little now but who knows what we will find in the garden tomorrow.Living in the flooded areas of Britain must be an absolute nightmare and no sign of it getting better.We should be driving to our son's in Cambridge on Friday(three and a half hours away) but the forecast is terrible and the river cam is rising!!!Roll on Spring.

Show and tell.

 While I have been "projectless" I have been making some of these for a hospice in Manchester.You send them in and they put a creme egg inside and sell them.I have made about 20 so far.

 Another thing I have made is a lap blanket from bits of wool left over from other projects.this will go to an old people's home.

 In one of our spare bedrooms we have two single beds with these duvets on them.Whenever our two local granddaughters come to stay,especially in the winter,I wish I had matching blankets.So you know I have an addiction to making blankets,out comes my Stylecraft Special DK colour chart.I bought this chart from Afan Crafts for £1.99 and it has been invaluable.Yarn colours on the internet can't be trusted.I have been disappointed so may times.This Stylecraft yarn comes in 55 colours,yes 55!So I chose my colours to match the duvet covers.

In this photo the colours look darker than they really are.They are a pretty good match.A new colour palette for me as well.On the other side of the covers there are stripes for when our grandsons come to stay..So I am happy .I can indulge my obsession with two more blankets.So snuggly to do in the winter watching TV.

A week in Tenerife

We have just come back from a week in Tenerife.It is the first time we have done a Winter Sun holiday.How bizarre and almost surreal.At 7pm on Sunday evening we were in Tenerife and the temperature was in the 70's /25c.Four hours later we landed at Manchester Airport and it was 3 deg and the gritters were out!!We were very lucky in that we had great weather,a great room and a great hotel but would we do it again.I am not sure.C started with a really bad cold on Friday(his first for 5 years) which freaked him out a bit as he has no spleen and has to be very careful not to get infections.If he hadn't started there with a cold then he would have caught something coming back on the plane.Everyone was sneezing and coughing.You get people from all over Europe all bringing different bugs so perhaps we shouldn't risk it but I did enjoy a week of sun with no cooking,cleaning ,shopping etc.We did all inclusive for the first time which was wonderful until i got on the scales  this morning.far too much eating and drinking!!!The diet has started.

 This is the view from our terrace out to sea.The beach was below our room and all you could hear sitting on the terrace was the sea crashing onto the rocks and the birds singing.

 This is looking the other way towards the mountains.

                                         Hibiscus(I think)

2014

A Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone around the world.Hope it is a great crafting year for you all.I need a new project.Must get my thinking cap on.Perhaps some charity knitting to use up my stash.Any suggestions welcome.

It's our 47th wedding anniversary today!!!

 It is our 47th wedding anniversary today.Where has the time gone?It a tradition that if the weather is OK we drive through Snowdonia .It is less than an hour from home and today we woke to blue skies albeit frosty.
Imagine living here with this view in your back garden.There was snow on the mountains,not a lot, but enough to give us a wintry view.

 This is near Cwm Idwal.You can see the lake below the mountain.Really dramatic scenery.

 After we had driven through the mountains we came down to the coast and went on to the Isle of Anglesey for lunch in Beaumaris.This is Beaumaris Castle.We didn't go in today.Far too cold.

The above is the view across the Menai Straits to the mainland.We were back home by 4pm and go out to a local hostelry for a meal tonight.

To go back to the wedding anniversary,I can't believe we have been married for 47 years.We have produced two children who are married and have five grandchildren.We started as two and now we are 11.We are just as active and busy as we have been for years.I suppose it is just a number but also a rather amazing achievement.Long may it last.

What a brilliant Christmas..

 Our two gorgeous granddaughters having "pretend" Bucks Fizz just before going out for Xmas dinner.We went over to Sarah's on Christmas Eve and so could join in all the excitement of  putting out sacks,carrots for the reindeer,mince pie and wine for Santa etc.Magical!On Christmas Day we didn't have too early a start.7.45am.Pretty good.There was great excitement opening presents.We then went out to the local pub for Xmas dinner which was great.Lovely atmosphere,superb food and no washing up.Back home to open more presents and play some games.In the three days we were there we only watched TV for an hour.The girls played really well together ,totally sharing all their presents.It was lovely and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it .

Mike,Sarah,Emily and Ruby in the pub just before lunch.