Autumn colours

Growing up in Natal, South Africa, we didn't see much evidence of the different seasons. I didn't actually own a coat until we moved to the UK. Even in the middle of winter (where we lived), it used to be chilly in the morning and we'd have a jersey/sweatshirt on but most days, by lunch time, we would be in tshirts or tops. It would start cooling down again around 3 - 4pm and the jersey/sweatshirt would go back on again. Evenings could be quite chilly as we didn't have central heating (didn't really need it) and at most we would put on a little bar heater. So, moving to the UK was a big change! We arrived in April 1991 with a 2,5 year old and a one year old. I had no clue how to dress them for the colder weather and it's possible that the children were cold that first year until I got the hang of what clothes to put on them ;o) My sister, Norma and her family came to the UK in 1992 (I think that's right) and she lived about 40 minutes drive from us. I can remember driving out to see her in Autumn and the colour of the trees in the country lanes is something I remember most. I know Norma also loved this time of year and watching the trees change colour. So, this post is for Norma. I went for a walk this afternoon with my friend, MyungSan with the sole intention of taking autumn photos. The trees are starting to turn but are also losing their leaves quite quickly so I wanted to get some shots before it was too late. I think this is possibly my favourite season. Sitting in our lounge, I have watched this tree opposite the entrance to our road change colour. Note the church steeple in the background. Turning left out of our road and walking up towards Forest Way These photos are from our neighbourhood, all within easy walking distance. I hope you enjoy them.

All for tonight xx

DYL Week 2 Sketch 1

I started working on this layout yesterday. It began as a white background with black behind the photos and the patterned paper the reverse of the one shown here (ie. black flowers with white background) but it didn't stand out. So, I swopped it around and ended up with this layout and I like it!!

A little detail shot.

xx

Baking and Scrapbooking

This morning I decided to do some baking. We had some bananas which were too ripe for any of us to eat and I either had to use them or put them in the compost bin. Having thought about it, I realised I had the bananas, carrots and walnuts so I could make a carrot cake. I remembered the cute halloween cupcake cases I'd bought this week and decided to try something different and make carrot cake cupcakes instead. They turned out really well! Once they'd cooled I just needed to ice them. Instead of doing my usual spreading it over the top, I thought I'd try out the piping bag and nozzles that I bought years ago (literally) and haven't used. The icing was probably a little bit softer than I would have liked but here's what they turned out like. Cute, don't you think! Alan and Zaira, our neighbours who have moved to Cambridge, had come down to cut the grass next door and popped in for a coffee and got a cupcake too. Alan's decided this is how he should eat carrots in future ;o). Also popped a couple round to Mum and Dad so they could have them with their afternoon tea/coffee (hope you liked them). Later this afternoon I started on some scrapbooking. I had been going to do the first sketch from week 2 but then the Real World Colour sketch for this week came through and I ended up doing it instead. This week we had to use the colours brown, pink and orange. Here's my take on it. I'm really enjoying Cathy's class and look forward to each weeks downloads.

Right hand page

Left hand page

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else has done with this sketch. Perhaps I'll get the sketch I'd intended to do today done tomorrow!

xx

Checking in

It's been a day of catching up around the house today. Emily was feeling well enough to go to school this morning and is coping with just the Neurofen. She had a good day (apart from all the stairs she has to climb) and brought home the stir fry she had made in Food Tech.

I started my morning making Tomato Soup to try and use up some of the home grown tomatoes we have. Dad gave us two plants in about May and we have had bowls full of tomatoes from them. We've used some and given some away. There is still another bowl to use and a smaller bowl still ripening. I made Jon a curry for tonight - and put more tomatoes in that too! ;o)

After lunch I got stuck into the pile of washing I had waiting to be ironed. I find if I can do the ironing 2 or 3 times a week I can keep on top of it. The baskets are empty at the moment but I know I'll have at least a couple of loads of washing to do again tomorrow. It never ends!!

The rest of the day has been quiet and I'm looking forward to getting started on my next layout tomorrow. I couldn't decide who I was going to do it about or what photos to use but I think I've finally got it sorted. I may end up having to make a couple more of this type of layout once I've finished the one for class.

And, because a post doesn't feel complete without a photo, here's one of my cat Charlie. He sits on the wall at the back gate watching the world go by and I love the way his tail hangs down behind him :o)

xx