Tea For Two - No Thank You!

Here is my own little piece of 'dottie angel' the 'master' of 'Vintage Granny Chic'.  I absolutely love this crazy little tray.  I say little but it is just big enough.

Perfect for a cupcake and a cup of tea.  I got home from work today and the Chicken Girlies were happily rampaging around the garden at will.  It would seem the 'Big Bad Man' is not so bad after all.  He must have had a change of heart!  Aaaah!  I did hear him talking to the 'Chickie Wickies' too.  I think my silent sulky protest on their behalf has paid off.  Not only have they had their 'freedom' reinstated but I also had a cupcake provided.  :)   I will forgive anybody anything for chocolate or one of these:

What a cute little Gingerbread fella!  This cupcake made me very happy.  Look at him!  The cutest little gingerbread man, sitting in cream cheese and orange frosting, on top of a carrot, ginger and orange cupcake.  Absolutely scrummy.  I had to get the tray out and my bestest favourite cup and saucer.

The cup of tea got stolen by my seven year old, I think he would make an excellent Village Vicar, show him a cup and saucer and hot tea, he is smitten!  I made myself replacement mug of tea!
I love the back of my tray so much:

 It says:
 "and they found happiness on the shelves of despair"
I can relate to Mr and Mrs Monkey!  xxx

Incarcerated!

Incarcerated, behind bars, harshly judged and an unfair trial!  Poor Chicken babies!  The Big Bad Man has had another meltdown about the 'fun' these ladies have!  I do not mind the Brassica Massacre.  I don't mind them rearranging the garden borders, I don't mind them camping out on the back step, but The Big Bad Man does!   As the garden gets seasonally wetter and muddier there has been a showdown, an 'In The Sky Style O.K Corral'.  It concluded with The Big Bad Man threatening to erect a large fence!  I agreed, a truly spiffing idea!  I will concede a little and agree, I wish the children would look where they were putting their feet!  So the result is a temporary loss of freedom to my girlies, but we all know 'When the cat is away, mice will play!'
      Today the girls were most appreciative of my titivating in their coop.  They came and admired the fresh covering of wood pellets and sawdust as I was putting it in situ.  They quietly cooed and clucked at the thick layer of warm straw I placed in their nest boxes and then as everyone else was out walking, they came out on the rampage again!  He he he!!!  They ran around at their leisure scratching, pecking, marauding and pooping wherever they pleased!
      I have a cookathon on Sundays, making lunch, then a homemade soup and usually Monday's  Main Meal too.  I wanted some Parsnips from the garden for the soup and tomorrow's 'Lamb Casserole'.  I dig for the parsnips with my bare hands, which is not at all good for the manicure but is the most effective way I have found of extricating the parsnips from the soil.  I use raised beds for gardening.  The chickens treat the raised beds as an Adventure Playground with tasty benefits.  Today I really struggled to get my parsnips, I tugged, and burrowed, wiggled and pulled for about five minutes.  I had two chicken helpers, Poppy and Daisy, in front of me, scratching the soil as I burrowed.  I pulled and puffed and puffed and pulled as they watched on in bewilderment and fascination!  Then I felt a little pair of feet on my back, Rosie had jumped on my back to peer over my shoulder and get a better look.  Obviously I could not take a photograph but I really wish somebody could have.  She sat on my back encouraging me in my parsnip digging plight.  I thought of the story of 'The Enormous Turnip'.  I really appreciated the help and support of my chicken buddies.

When the first parsnip came up they were fascinated but when the second Monster parsnip was wiggled free, I could tell I had earned their admiration and respect they cooed and clucked  in awe and wonder!   When push comes to shove... I would choose my 'Loyal Feathered Buddies' over many of the Human Beans in my life.  We have a bond and I love them!  Mess and all!  I have three lovely eggs a day as a reward for my earache!
      Therefore 'What God has put together, let no man separate.'   

'Tis the Season To crochet'

I had to whizz into the town centre today.  I never hang about.  I don't enjoy it.  We are lucky to have a large indoor shopping precinct though but the shops are so unoriginal.  Not to grumble too much though, I popped into a 'Bargain' Bookshop called 'The Works'.  There are lots of these in the UK.  I found this very cute book for an absolutely bargainous price.  Cheaper than your average magazine.  I flick through pattern books like these like they are going out of fashion!   I prefer a good pattern book to a Novel!  This really is worth a looksy.

It is choc full of ornaments:

Gift Ideas:

Greetings card ideas:

Decorative favourites:

Garments and accessories:

I want a pair!

Aren't these cute?

He has to be my favourite.  There are loads more patterns and ideas in this book.
Another seasonal cutesie I have spotted today in Blogland that I wanted to share is this sweet little Angel tree topper.

I think she is adorable.  Complete with her little crochet halo.   You can find her at  'The Smiling Robot'  She was designed by Grace.  I think she is very clever.  The pattern is available for free on Ravelry Here.
Have you found any Christmas Crochet Goodies?  

'That Crafty Fish  has reviewed a beautiful new craft book Here.

There is also a chance to win a copy, which I think you will agree it looks like it would make a wonderful addition to any crafters bookshelf.

Becks is also having a yarn Give Away on her blog Knit Sew Hooked pop over and take a look.  As my Dad would say 'You've got to be in to win!'

Very Random but so cool!

Just as the post title says, very Random but so cool.  This video is very popular in my house at the moment.  The seven year old is in awe and wanted to get his BMX out immediately!   I encouraged Henry once to be brave and cycle down a huge hill and up a scrambling ramp in the woods one day!  I am the sort of Mother that can be pretty irresponsible at times, it had a nasty ending!  Not seriously hurt, but let's just say he didn't land gracefully.  Well I didn't know you need a special type of bike for this stuff!  Ya learn by your mistakes don't ya?  Rule number 1)  Mother is not always right!

Last Nights 'Ripple' Progress

All this Crochet Rippling has made me rediscover these!  Mmmm delicious.  I ate mine like this:

Ok not quite like that, it was a bit chilly in the Garden last night and on the verge of a frost,  but it was an indulgent moment!

Back to the crafty stuff!