Chickens In The Snow!

Here is 'The Lovely Lavender' wading her way through the snow.  The Chickens do not think much of this weather, now neither do I.  I have to keep making sure their water has not frozen over and 'cooping' them up to stop them from freezing.  Their little feet go all pink and they sit in the snow all puffed up together.  Silly Billies!  I find them something nice to eat and preferably warm to lure them to their coop and shut them in.  They have a little grumble as I stop them from escaping and shut the door.

Chickens do not like the snow, but mine have not read that page.  They are quite happy to come out and sit in it.  Freedom obviously means more to them than getting cold.  They are fiercely protecting their food and scraps from the garden birds, chasing off magpies, pigeons and blackbirds.  This morning they ate left over 'Sticky Toffee Pudding' complete with Caramel Sauce.  My sons are very strange and are both not big on sweets.  I am but I thought it would be better to feed it to the chooks.  I have a figure to maintain don't ya know.

These photographs were taken a couple of days ago.  Last night it snowed again all night and for most of the morning.  My car is stuck on the drive as the roads are not clear, the footpaths are worse.  It is making the school run a nuisance.  Euan's school has a flexible start and finish time in place for this week and Lacey is getting walked during the school runs, which she thinks is great although she does not much like being tied up to the fence and barks like a guard dog until I am back!  I wish I had a dog that would sit quietly.  She will do though she is a good girl.  Lacey is the only one for whom the novelty of the snow has not worn off.  She loves it and gets very silly outside jumping and playing.
       Hey guess what?  I had my first 'Tea Swap Parcel' arrive today.  It really cheered me up.  How exciting is that?   It will give me something to 'Blog' about tomorrow when I share it with you.  It had Tea and more... I have crochet lovliness to share.  Thank you all so much for your lovely, honest, funny, supportive comments regarding my last couple of posts.  I can't pretend anything is Hunky Dory.  However I will get there and adjust.  I still have not managed any crafting, I really must shift my butt into gear as crafting always makes me feel better.  I am just having trouble sitting in one place and concentrating for too long.  I am like a wanderer!  If I started to run I may end up like Forrest Gump and never stop!
Lova All Yall!  XXX

According To Matt

I know many of you already visit and follow this Blog:

According To Matt

Just in case you don't follow the link and take a look.  Prepare to be amazed!  I really want Matt to compile the best 'Coffee Table Book' in the world.  Amazing talent in terms of colour design, crochet and blogging.  Take some time to browse through some of the older posts too.  It will be time well spent!  

The Grand Tea Swap - Update

(Image is from Graphics Fairy a great Blog for beautiful Vintage Graphics)

Sign ups for 'The Grand Tea Swap' are going rather well there are enough participants to make it fun.  The more the merrier though of course.  If you would like to join in please get in touch and leave me a comment.  I think it is going to be quite a 'Cyber Tea Party'.  I can see the scones and jam, cup cakes, and cake now.  

How about a 'Grand Tea Swap' ?

Happy New Year!  I am a bit late but the year is still 'new'.  I have been basking in the afterglow of all the festive hoohaa.  I am rather glad the Glinsel and titter has been packed away for another year.  It is lovely but there is a certain ahhhhh to be had when it is packed away again.  I have been very quiet 'for me' on the blogging front and I must get back into the swing of it!  I am sitting like a startled rabbit in the headlights at the prospect of returning to work next week.  Work. . . it rather spoils my fun!   So the challenge is to make work fun!
            Now I have just read a blog Happy Angel it is singing the virtues of a simple cup of tea.  Oooooh yes for I am a 'tea belly'.  I love me a nice cuppa char!   My Dad used to make me a cup of tea in my bottle and I can actually remember that far back, swigging my tea out of a bottle.  Regardless of 'Health Visitors' advice both of my boys loved tea in their bottles too and they still drink a lot of tea.  Happy Angel's blog post and my love of tea got me thinking. . . oh good grief we know what happens when I get thinking. . . but I wondered if anyone would be up for a 'Grand Tea Swap'?  I am not really sure how this will work but I am thinking that if you let me know if you are interested leave me a comment and a way to contact you via email.  I will collate a list of addresses and and pass on a list of addresses to each person taking part.   Everyone taking part will have everyone else's address.  Then we could randomly start swapping a couple of Teabags of the fanciest kind.   There are no time limits for sending out tea, so we could be swapping and receiving surprise teas for quite a while.  I don't think you can have too much tea.  What do you think?  Is any body in?  I am off to make meself a cuppa right now.

Rules For The Grand Tea Swap
1) Must like tea.
2) Leave a comment and a way for me to contact you via e-mail by the 11.1.13
3) When you receive the list of fellow Tea Swappers just send what you can to whoever you choose when you can.
4) Remember to blog about 'The Grand Tea Swap' and any tea you receive.



        

2012 Collage

I found this Collage a challenge.  What to include and what to leave out?  I think it is a good representative of the 'Crafty' chaos that surrounds me for much of the year.  This year has been a busy one.  Just as I like em. We have had family adventures and I have learned new skills.  I did not know how to make a 'Space Banana' in 2011. . . then in 2012 I go and take 'a prize' for my handspun Space Banana along with the rest of the 'Solar System'.
           I also tried my hand at basket weaving.  It was a little hazardous and hard work.   It may be a while before I try that again!  I have learned how to use and Inkle Loom and a Peg Loom.  I just have not learned how to make more time!  I could really do with 30 hour days!
          It was a big year for the UK with the Olympics and The Jubilee, next year of course we will have the Royal Baby.  In July I will also hand over the the 'makes' for the 'Rainbows Preemie Project'.  This has already exceeded my expectations and is still going strong.
           I also increased my 'flock'.  I am now the Proud 'Mama' to four Chickens and seriously with all this rain my lawn will never be the same again.  Hello chickens, goodbye green lawn!  The Lovely Lavender came into our lives and I promptly became a 'top shot' with a high velocity 'Water Blaster'.  We love her eggs even if they are the size of an underfed pigeon's egg!
            Both of my boys are growing and changing faster than I can keep up with.  I try to keep it all in perspective by surrounding myself and submerging myself within my own crafty pursuits.  I feel I would have gone totally bonkers by now if it was not for 'Woolly Stuff'.  I really would not have things any other way.  It is my chaos and I rather like it!
            I am sure 2013 will be a 'good one'.  I will try to find time for more 'adventures'.  Hey we all survived the Apocalypse and deserve a pat on the back for that!  I live in hope of winning the Lottery then I could introduce even more chaos into my life. . . there would be goats, pigs, sheep and alpaca, oh and of course more chickens, possibly a few ducks and if I felt really crazy some geese, oh and quail are cute.  If any one knows how I can 'order' this from the Cosmos, please let me know!
XXX  

Had to Share 'this' from 'Colour Me There'

This is available as a 'Free' Printable from Colour Me There.  I do not have a printer (yet) but I do have use of one.  I am thinking of getting some nice glossy paper and printing this to frame and put up in my hallway.  I love it!  Some of the messages may sink in subliminally if I look at them enough.  XXX