Tomatoes.............

Sorry, I know that I haven't blogged for a while now (but I have still been reading all of your posts) and I need to do a catch up blog really soon.........
but in the meantime I  need your advice again dear friends!

We have home grown tomatoes coming out of our ears and it feels like the salad season has gone with the nicer weather! Hubby wants to make some relish or chutney with them!  A friend of ours made some last year for us, but she can't find the recipe now............so do you have any (not to difficult) yummy recipes for him to try please??!!

I promise I will be back real soon to update you all!
Take care and dont get blown away on Monday!!
-x-

No-reply blogger

I have had a few comments informing me that I am a no-reply blogger, and that it is annoying for those that want to send me messages!!  I'm afraid that i didn't really know what you were talking about............but after a little research and help from my 10 year old daughter!!!! I now have my email address attached to my profile!!! Hope this helps now!
Be back soon with a proper post!
-x-

Pink, Blue, Cream...........????

A couple of days ago I visited our local garden furniture warehouse, as a friend had advised they had a summer sale on.  

While in there I found a BBQ that was reduced from around £200 to £60 so we got one of those. Also they had a tea trolley which was down from around £180 to £40.  I don't actually want it as a tea trolley but as a.................

kitchen island!!

Here it is with some of my bits on........but it needs painting!  Now do I paint it cream, to match my units and dresser, or blue - the same as my shelves and plate rack or pink like my bits and pieces and gingham curtains??????  I am thinking that the pink may mean that the bits that are on it wont show up............but I need your help! What do you think?

Good news at last!

Just a quick blog to share my good news!  

My hubby went for two internal jobs that were advertised, got interviews for both and we have finally had confirmation that he has got the one he really wanted!! So he wont be made redundant at the end of this month now!  

I couldnt really believe it when he told me - because it has been going on for so long now!  It is just such a relief and we can start living again instead of putting our life on hold.  I feel so sorry for those that are still going through the process and those that will end up with nothing because cutbacks must be made!
 

A'hunting I will go

Hunting for bargains that is!

Today I went to the local shopping centre and yes I found some bargains!

We have a lovely BHS Home shop and I was lucky enough to be emailed a 25% off voucher from them.  So I went there looking for towels.......new bath sheets for us girls - I bought the boys new ones a couple of months ago but couldnt find "pretty" ones for us.  

I got these for my daughter, in her favourite colour

as they were a new range in they hadnt been reduced but I still got 25% off of the £15.  And these for me...........

These were reduced from £18 to £5.60 and then I got 25% off of that!!!! Bargain of the day!

And also some hand towels...........

Thought these would brighten up our downstairs toilet that is waiting to be decorated and even better as they were only £2.10 minus 25%.

This is for my bathroom and was a bit dearer at £5.60 to start with, but was also prettier

This little bag will be great for make-up bits in my bedroom and was down from £8 to £2.40

I got some reading material...............

a free Laura Ashley catalogue, via a postcard they sent to me

 
The latest Next catalogue for £2

And the much blogged about "Mollie makes" mag.  I have never bought it before, although I was tempted, as I could not justify paying the £4.99.  However, in the August free Asda magazine there is a voucher for £1 off of any magazine that is priced at £3 or over - so I treated myself!

 These tops were reduced to £3 in Peacocks and £2 in Matalan - ideal for lazing around in the sun

This was reduced from £18 to £7 from Matalan - my very first maxi dress - thought this would be nice with a little red cardi

And finally.............

I wanted 2 fold up camping type chairs to use when doing bootsales, when sitting on the stoney beach and for generally relaxing in the garden.  I found some on the B&Q website reduced to £5 but they only showed a plain dark colour. I reserved them and they phoned to ask what colours I wanted and of course, when flowers were mentioned I didn't even listen to the other options.  I was delighted when I actually saw them - very me..........sorry hubby!!! 

So after all that shopping I need to go to bed now...........goodnight!

Another good week

So, hubby was still off from work this week.  However, we lost a few days because he had the first of his interviews for 2 internal jobs he had applied for.  So that took up one day plus he lost two days preparing tests and presentations for the interview!! Still it will all be worth it if he gets one of the jobs, although it looks as though he may have to wait 2 weeks before finding out if he has been successful or not - this just drags on and on!

Anyway, one of the other days -son had some sickness bug so we had to stay in but finally on Thursday we managed to escape for a day out.  Unfortunately, I didnt take any photos! Sorry, a boring post without piccies I know!  But we did a trip to London and, after having lunch at Pizza Hut, went to the science museum.  We haven't been here for years and I don't know why but it just wasn't as good as we had remembered!  It was ok and we spent a couple of hours there but then decided to move on.  We chose the Imperial War museum, which we had never been to, but as daughter is doing World War 2 when she goes back to school -thought this would be a good idea.  It was brilliant!  We all enjoyed it for different reasons.........the boys for the weapons and tanks, daughter for her project and because she loves fashion and me for the interior houses and fashions! 


So yesterday, when I saw a 1940's weekend advertised locally in Ramsgate, we decided to go.  Thoroughly enjoyed this too and quite a few people were dressed up - infact son said he felt silly not being dressed up!  Plus, loved the music, set ups of shops, tanks and stalls - So now, I want to find some more of these to go to - so if anybody knows of any, please let me know!!


Ah I forgot, yesterday morning I went bootsaling and bought...

a lovely wicker hamper, for storing all sorts! at £1.50.  And from the same lovely couple

A South African musical xylophone type wooden instrument. My son bought himself some wooden bongo drums a few years ago and since then we have added to this and made a collection - so for £1 he was really chuffed with my purchase!

Also, whilst in Ramsgate I visited good ole Wilkinson and bought some t-towels....

And finally today, we had a stall at a bootsale and made £90 from our junk!  Phew, you can rest your eyes now!

Holidays

The day after the concert we drove to Somerset, where we stayed in a pretty converted barn.

From here we visited the local villages, Street and the Clarks Village, Bath

and The Cheddar Gorge

After 4 nights in the cottage, we went on to a Holiday Inn in Exeter for 2 nights and from here went to Torquay, Brixham

and lastly Paignton for some typically seaside activities like dodgems, mini golf and donkey rides!

Although the weather wasnt great, it mainly rained first thing in the morning and late afternoon, so usually when we were travelling to and from a destination.  It was great to get away from everything and have a family break together.  The only downside was that we got fed up of eating out everyday! Yes, that is possible!

I didn't buy many pretties, because of not knowing about hubbys job but Cargo Home store had a sale so I got....


A pink spotty wooden heart (which I forgot to photo) and these...

I thought this cream, enamel heart welcome sign will look good on the front door, once I finally get round to painting it a chalky blue

This flowery blue candle looks pretty on the mantle in our bedroom

A pink heart welcome sign to go in a flowerpot by the front door.


These purchases remind me that I must get on with some more painting!!!