Emily's Birthday (Part 2)

Emily is doing a GCSE in Astronomy a couple of years early this year and she normally stays after school on a Wednesday for the classes. On Tuesday night she decided she would give it a miss this week as it was her birthday (and a friend was going to take notes for her) and that way we could go ahead and have a afternoon tea with family - as we normally do on birthdays. 

 So on Wednesday morning, after popping to the shops after dropping Claire at work, I did some baking. Emily had requested Brownies and I decided to give the Buttermilk Scones in Nigella's lastest book a try. My scones don't normally turn out very well but these ones rose beautifully and were so easy to make. I'll have to post the recipe up soon.

 Tyler was on hand to help Emily blow out all the candles - it took them a few turns, I guess that many candles takes a bit longer ;o)

 The chocolate cake went down well :o)

 Not sure why everyone looks so serious in this shot - we did have fun, promise! ;o)

 Mum and Jon's sister, Deb

 And Alyssa was in top form even though she had been tired when she arrived. She is just so sweet and it reminds us of all the fun we've got to look forward to when Claire's baby arrives :oD

.

We also go out for dinner when it's anyone's birthday. It used to be as many of the family who wanted to come but it's become so expensive, we now just go out as our little family.  This year Emily chose to go to The Wing Wah Chinese restaurant in town.  We all enjoy going there and it meant I could pop across the road to my Weight Watchers meeting to get weighed before going to dinner!

 Our birthday girl! 

 Claire and Craig

Jon and myself

.

Unfortunately Hugh had to work that night so he and Sarah weren't with us.

I think that about covers Emily's birthday for this year. In October we have my nephew Richard's and my SIL Liz's (both in Chicago), Craig's, my SIL Merle's (in SA) and Jon's birthdays. Busy month ahead!

xx

Emily's Birthday (Part 1)

Today was Emily's 14th birthday. In fact, as I write, she would just have been born (9.30pm). I can't believe my "baby" is 14 already - the years have certainly flown by. 

This morning she came downstairs to presents waiting to be opened.

And the obligatory helium balloon ;o)

 She had breakfast first but was then happy to get stuck in and start with the present opening.

 Her list had consisted of a number of books - Emily would be the first to tell you that she's a total bookworm! - and some DVDs.

 This was what she had really been hoping for and it had been ordered from America

 Her very own Harry Potter wand ;o)  Emily loves Harry Potter, has read the books numerous times and seen all the films.

 It even came with it's very own pouch 

 Manga books are another of Emily's favourites though this year she'd also asked for a number of the "My Story" historical novels (eg. Tudor Stories for Girls, My Royal Story : Victoria; War Stories for Girls, etc.).

By the time she'd finished opening her presents she had quite a pile to take upstairs with her.

Part 2 to follow
xx

Moses Basket Quilt

Today I finally got round to taking photos of the Moses Basket quilt. This was made using scraps of fabric in my stash because I wanted to see how this design turned out. Making the blocks was easy enough but when I came to sew them together I realised most of the fabrics were on the bias which didn't make it quite so easy. The quilt probably turned out a bit smaller than expected as a result because I had to trim off more to try and square the edges. I quilted across the whole quilt using a free hand method.

I had quite a lot of fairy fabric in the stash so that became the back of the quilt. You can also see some of the quilting in this photo.
I'm now back knitting again and will hopefully show a couple of the cardigans soon.
xx

Dad's Birthday Tea

Dad's 81st birthday was on Tuesday but because he was taking Mum to the hospital for a scan that day it was decided that he would have his birthday tea on Saturday. Some of the family were working but those who weren't were there to help celebrate another year.

Dad had some help from Tyler when it came to opening his present, which seemed only fitting as Tyler had chosen it specially for Great Grandpa.  

Tyler knows Dad likes his gardening and decided that he needed a train flower pot and even told his Mum that Grandpa would be able to put plants in it.

Tyler's Mum, Theresa and little sister, Alyssa (hasn't she grown!)  Can't believe she'll be one next month, do you remember those baby photos? Doesn't time fly!

 Tyler was also on hand to help with blowing out the candles - good job Tyler!

When everyone came up to get cake it was a good chance to take a photo of those present.
From Left: Dad, Theresa, Tyler, Alyssa, Iain, Emily, Claire, Jon, Max and Mum.  As I was taking the photo I wasn't in it and Craig arrived a bit later after football but probably didn't mind not being there for photos ;o).
A very enjoyable, relaxed afternoon with lots of chatting and enjoying the younger ones antics. Thanks Mum and Dad xx
xx