It's been a busy week, lots of field related stuff going on! On Monday we went along to the Fresh Start Pig Academy. The organisers received a huge response and selected the most suitable candidates. Luckily we were amongst the successful. We now begin the official course with a 'walk through the food chain' in two weeks time. I've also signed up for a beekeeping course. I finally plucked up the courage to stop a man in the street. It wasn't any old man - it was the 'bee man!' Well as luck happens he is running a beginners bee keeping course. Yesterday we went somewhere to find out about making a compost toilet. How exciting and Husband is convinced too! Whilst we were there we also made friends with a peacock... Composting toilets were not all we discussed, we looked at hedge laying, the best trees to plant for a small wood and how to make a pond. We have so much to learn...

No 4 went to visit her friend Charlotte and came away with some new earrings. Charlotte's Mum has got the 'making bug', and has made these gorgeous earrings...

I love them!

No 2 has no lessons on a Thursday afternoon, so today I collected her from school at lunchtime. We drove into Lincoln and went to Stokes' for lunch... It's a lovely old building that is both rickety and charming inside and out!

Then we went and had our feet tickled by some very hungry fish! It's the strangest feeling! It's almost like very mild pins and needles and not very relaxing at the time. Once you take your feet out and have them massaged they feel wonderful!

This month's monthly make are greetings cards. Now, I'm not a natural card maker but as I joined up to the birthday card swap I wanted to make my own cards to send out. I've taken ages to faff and fiddle about but I have managed to make enough cards to last for a while!

Book giveaway!

A friend at work gave me a lovely book this week...
I have read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have done lots of studying in recent years, so it's great to be able to just read a book where I don't need to think (or make notes!). A book that isn't too far away from real life, and one that I don't want to put down until it has been read from cover to cover. Well, I have read it now and I would now like to pass it on. If you are interested in reading this book then please leave a message. All I ask is that when you are done, please pass it on so that someone else may enjoy it too! Maybe even bake the cookies from the recipes! In the event of there being more than one person interested, then I will draw the names from a mixing bowl (just to continue with the baking theme!) on the 1st February.

I had arranged to meet my friend this morning. As I was haring along the back roads I received a text 'stuck in a massive traffic jam.' Well, that was fine, give me chance to get there in a more leisurely pace! I had plenty of time... 1 hour and twenty five minutes of time to be precise! I had thought that maybe she'd had a better offer! So, whilst I wondered around like Billy No Mates, my friend had other ideas...she decided to write a poem...

I'm stuck in a traffic jam and I'm meeting a friend,

I look out of my window and can't see the end.

It winds and it twists for what seems like miles,

If I sit here much longer I'll end up with piles!

This traffic ain't moving and I'm getting irate,

There's shopping to be done and it's getting late!

I'm getting so hungry and could do with a tea,

At this very moment it's shit being me!

She also ate some raw mushrooms because that's all she had! Well, what would you do in a traffic jam?

This morning the postman brought a parcel...Although I knew it was coming, I didn't know what was in it. The gingham wrapping looked lovely and I couldn't wait to rip it open (I had actually opened the back but my impatience was cleverly disguised in the photo ;0) )

A gorgeous lavender heart, which smells and looks divine!
This cute little hanging which I instantly fell in love with!Of course, Harry was really not impressed at all! But personally, January seems to be looking up! My cousin and I often send each other gifts. Thank you Andy! So then, now it's my turn again...

I really struggle with life in January so always look for something to lift my spirits. Kylie singing her head off in my car is really beginning to get on my nerves so I jumped at the chance to listen to something a bit different. When I was in TK Max this morning I spotted this... Disney Jungle Favourites Sing-Along. Well , it's got to be worth 70p of any one's money. I immediately put it on and sang all the way home! Unfortunately, when I collected the children from school they didn't quite share my enthusiasm. Oh, I just can't wait to be King!

I helped at the first jumble sale of the year - it was a busy one! Before the doors opened I managed to bag myself some bargains...
A hornsea coffee pot.I love this little Christmas Angel. Doesn't she just have the cutest face? I think this one appeals to my inner child!
And a wooden sewing box. Didn't I do well for £2.50?

It's a sad day for us today - after dog sitting Daisy for the last month she goes home this afternoon. Life has been hard for her, here though - she has had to make some tough decisions...Who do I go to next for a fuss?Which end of the settee do I sleep on next?

We really are going to miss her, she is lovely natured and such a happy dog.

I've agreed to a new make every month! I shall break the news to Husband very gently! Click on the picture above to pop over to The Felt Fairy to join in too.

A lovely start to the New Year - my Secret Santa swap gifts arrived. How exciting... A box full of beautifully wrapped surprises...A Christmas smelling candle and holder, a Christmas book, a lovely soap and some beautiful sari patchwork pieces. Now where did I put that chocolate ;0) And last but not least a beautiful paper wreath!Thank you for my lovely gifts - I am thrilled!
Now as one door closes another one opens - in the form of another swap! Click the heart below to transport to Jackie's

HAPPY NEW YEAR!