My friend Helen..

Can't Wait..

All lovey dovey again! This could be my New Years Resolution!! LOL!

I went to Chapel yesterday morning in the car. Too damp and cold

for the scooter. There were only seven of us but we had quite a laugh

over coffee after.

It was also my dear old friend Marion's birthday. I can't remember if

she's 88 or 89 and didn't like to ask her.

I paid a quick visit with a little pressie and she still has the most beautiful smile.

Oh, Happy Day..

The little girl on the left looks just like my niece Tracey when she was

this age.

But the babe on the right really cracked me up. She looks like

a tiny Danny de Vito.

Hope this makes you go round all day singing..
Oh, Happy Day......Oh, Happy Day....

I'm just nipping over to Paris for a bit of fashion shopping!

A Yellow Rose..

Something to brighten up yet another very dull day.

The absence of sunshine and brightness at this time of year

can make so many feel low and depressed so I hope

it will cheer you a bit.

Friends are those rare people who ask how we are---and then

wait to listen to the answer.

A good friend is one who neither looks down on you..

nor keeps up with you

* * * * *

Just be Thankful for what we have.....

Love..

The clock is ticking, ever forward, towards that New Year, 2011.

It's such a gloomy, foggy morning here so I wish you all Sunshine,

Rainbows and Love today. xx

Collage Obsession Challenge..

Collage Obsession have given us the photo of the couple to alter. I took just the head and shoulders and made this collage. A sort of Paris Fashion thing.
Collage Obsession are asking for help to keep their challenges going. I wish I was 10 years younger
That's the trouble with me, I was born too soon! LOL!

Me and My Dog..

A lovely blend of pinks and browns.

The little dog looks a bit sad though!

Three Muses Challenge..Books..

Her Favourite Place...

How I love books! I didn't have the chance of any further

education when I was young, almost 60 years ago, so almost everything

I've learned comes from Life and reading books!

What would we do without them?

A lovely Challenge this week from Three Muses.

Late Monday..

A good time was had by all!

My dear cousin and his partner came over today and took Freddie

and  I out to lunch.

We took a few photos and they really had to hold me up

 as I can't stand for long.

You can also see how my Freddie is looking now.

We had quite a laugh as when we sat down cousin Freddie found

the outside leg seam of his trousers was opened! He must have

caught it as he got out of his car.

It's a good job he was wearing a jacket otherwise he would have

had to borrow my fur coat! LOL!

Thank you Freddie and Martin for a happy time.

xxx

Gentle..

After all the hustle and bustle of festivities I thought

we'd have something a little gentler.

Such a beautiful child photo you can't go wrong.

Take a Word Challenge..Music..

My mind went completely blank (and not for the first time!)

when I tried to think of what to do for this challenge.

All I could see was piles of sheet music flapping around!

Do you remember the old adverts 'Play the piano in 'so many'

weeks?' Well it certainly took me more than a few weeks to learn to

play!

A New Day..

A New Day... a new Prayer...

I hope you all had a good day yesterday, hopefully with family and friends.

Our celebrations got a bit noisy when the children arrived, excited

and with a few more presents to open.

I had a wonderful meal, cooked by dear daughter Sally. Everything

was perfect, from the dressed table to the fabulous dinner

to all my gorgeous presents.

I love to have my family all around me, laughing and happy.

Blessings to you all,

Hugs

June xx

Christmas day..

A Little Bird told me..

There's that bird again! He told me this is the day before

the day!

Yes, it's Christmas Eve at last.

I shall leave out a glass of sherry and a mince pie for the man in red,

just like I always have done since my children were small.

 Once we saw his sooty footprint on the hearth when my children got

up early to see if he'd been. The glass was empty and there were a few crumbs

on the plate. Now I don't have a fireplace so I shall leave the back door

unlocked to make it easier for him to get in.

And he may leave me a little gift or two if I'm lucky.

Sleep well everybody.

Hugs to you

from June xx

The Chalice of Love..

I'm having a change from Christmas today and soft old

Romantic that I am it seems I'm in a lovey-dovey mood!

Above is a fairytale Chalice of Love.

Couldn't you weave a story about that...

And this one is a few years later as she's getting around

to saying 'I do'.....

The snow has gone for the moment but we have such a wind chill, it is

bitterly cold. The pictures above take you to a warmer, kinder time, I hope.

Warm Hugs to everyone, wherever you are

and whatever you celebrate.

Hugs June xxx

Sisters..

Couldn't resist the pretty little vintage pic of the sisters.

I love the aubergine tints to the background and bird.

All the elements come from a new kit I bought..

'The Journey is the Reward' from Digidesign resort.

Three Muses Challenge..

Tidings of Comfort and Joy.

It's been such a joy taking part in all the Challenges set by the Three Muses team all the year.

I thank them (Marie, Ann and Bev) for all their hard work and want to let them know how much we appreciate them.

Sending good tidings of comfort and joy to all my friends this

Christmastide.

Thank you all for visitting and your lovely comments.

Big Hugs

June xxx

One memory of Christmas was when my sister-in-law came home from S. Africa. She had to leave in a hurry and was lucky to bring her two little girls with her.

I had a long string of brass cow bells and we secretly  removed them and my husband went outside and started ringing them. We all sat hushed, listening, and I told those two little girls that Santa was flying over us and they were his reindeers bells tinkling.

So many years ago but those beautiful girls now grown up still remember it.

 

Turn the Page..

Turn the page....

There's a bright new star waiting tomorrow.....

It is cold........so cold. The frost has the earth in its grasp. Trees and hedges stand stiff with their toppings of snow. We shiver.....and think, will Winter never end?

Take heart, for the earth is sleeping and renewing its strength. Soon it will awaken and green shoots will start to appear.

The snow will go and the sun will gain strength and warmth. Just like life, in fact.

From time to time we all need a period of rest, to think and restore our jaded spirits.

A peaceful interlude to reflect, to plan and to give ourselves strength for the days ahead.

Keep that thought in mind, and todays cold and frost will surely be full of hope for the future

                                                                  Francis Gay

Here it is still 10 below but there's a blue sky coming. I shall soon dress myself like an eskimo and venture out on my scooter. The car is still covered with snow and hasn't been moved!

 I have to go to the Surgery for repeat precriptions and down to the Post Office.

But I know I am so lucky to be able to come back to a lovely warm home and a warming drink. I should hate to be sleeping in a cardboard box in this weather......

Keep warm and well.

Hugs June xx

Take a Word Challenge..Celebrate..

The Take a Word Challenge from Three Muses is CELEBRATE.

There are so many ways of celebrating but I found this little 'rubber man?'

or whatever he is on Google, and he looked so ecstatic jumping for joy

I just had to use him. This picture makes me smile and I think

we can all appreciate the sentiment.

Thank you for looking. xx

Sunday..

Two pictures for you today, both made a little while ago. I thought the New Beginnings one was appropriate with the upcoming New Year. We don't know what lies ahead of us but we choose to walk through that open door with faith in the future.

And the one below I think is a calming Meditation to Peace, with the  beautiful images of the Buddha.

         Today is my dear cousin Frederick's birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetheart! xx

                                                                       

                                                                     * * * * * * *

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son;  and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1:23

The Star of Bethlehem rose high

As shephers' homage drew them nigh

To see the babe in lowly stall,

And hear the angels' voices call

A benediction for the birth

Of little Jesus, King on earth.

Echoes in Blue..

I played with two or three pictures to get this background,

blending and layering etc.

Hope you like it.

* * * * *

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the Seven Wonders of the World. And they chose, in this order, Egypt's Great Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building and the Great Wall of China.

Then the teacher noticed one quiet pupil hadn't handed in her thoughts.

'I couldn't make up my mind because there are so many' she said. 'But I think the Seven Wonders of the World are these--

to touch, to taste, to see, to hear, to feel,

to laugh and to love.'

We tend to take these things for granted and perhaps we need a reminder now and again.

Seven fine and deserving wonders, don't you agree?

* * * * *

And if you think your memory is failing, try this test...

Try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.......

It is minus 10 outside today! Be safe and have a peaceful weekend.

Love and Hugs

June xx

Past Glories..

I've found a few of these fabulous Russian princess type pictures lately and I love them, with their beautiful high headdresses, rich sleeves and loads of pearls. You tend to forget revolutions and real history and think of fairytale princesses, living in huge domed palaces with marbled floors and servants scurrying  to their every whim. Thoughts of Past Glories through the whispers of time.
But I wonder what they did with themselves all day?

Listening..

Just had a little play with this yesterday.

I thought it was pretty for a cold day.

Those were the days..

Don't you just love those old vintage school photos? I've got one

just like it with my husband's mother on but I couldn't find it!

We've had another little snowfall last evening but no more in the

night. My sister is coming over to lunch today and to exchange presents

but I should think the main roads are clear.

Drive safely everyone!

Over the Rainbow..

I've had quite a nice day in spite of the weather, rain this morning

and sleety showers this afternoon. I hurt all over as I had a fall

last evening in the bathroom. My head was stuck against the

door and the little dog  was the other side scratching and squeaking trying

to get to me. It took a while to eventually open the door and crawl to my

chair but no real harm done, just a shake-up!

I went to Chapel in the car and we had quite a full house, followed

by coffee and yummy warm mince pies, everyone seemed in a bit

of a festive mood.

This afternoon dear daughter came to clean through the bungalow, changing

the bed and hanging clean curtains in the kitchen.

Then I had a phone call from a rather long lost friend, could she come over.

You know what they say about friends, they're with you for a reason, a season

or forever. I began to think I would not see this old friend again, it has been so long.

I was so pleased to see her and we caught up with all of each other's news

as if it was just yesterday we last met.

So I am thnkful for old friends today.

PS I hope you like the picture.

I rather liked this collage of the beautiful face above the

church window. I thought there was a certain mystery about it.

Digital Whisper Blog Challenge..

This is the picture Kimmie gave us to make into a picture or alter

or whatever for her challenge this week on DW Blogsite.

I turned my Christmas wreath into a hat for the Angel.

I'm sure it was not too prickly for her!

Once upon a time...

Having a browse through some old family photos this morning I

found these. So I sat here a little while thinking, remembering, as

you sometimes do. It was so long ago and I don't dwell too much

on the past but you never forget........

And sometimes you think of what might have been..........

So I show you my dad and I..

It's a bit of a change from yesterday's Odd Couple

but I had to make it....

Three Muses Challenge..An Odd Couple..

'I am definitely not amused Albert,

You should have removed your hat.'

* * * * *

I hope I'm not locked in the Tower for being so irreverent!

Her Faithful Knight..

I wouldn't mind a faithful knight following me around

if he looked like him!

Just playing with layers and things.....

The All Seeing Eye.

Just another playing around with brushes.

Scherherazade..

I've had this picture for ages and couldn't think of what to do with it.

So this afternoon I had a play, doubled and reversed it, put it into

the lovely golden arch frame and I quite like it.

Time..

At this time of year we all have so much to do

and it goes so quickly!

Take a Word Challenge..CHILDHOOD..

I've got in early for tomorrow's Challenge for Take a Word.

CHILDHOOD.

I've made two collages, the first is 'Ghosts in the Attic', and then

'Blowing Bubbles.'

Thank you for looking.

Happy Pictures..

These are some pictures taken last night of SIL John's Birthday Surprise Party.

Such a happy occasion, I think John smiled almost all evening.

I managed a picture with Ashton but Skyela was toddling about

and I couldn't catch her. No doubt she is on someone else's camera.

Granddaughter Rebecca made herself useful fetching and carrying

and I missed her too!

Freddie sat beside me and for the first time he'd been out

he really enjoyed it. 

Once I was seated, of course I didn't move so I was lucky they

came to me for a pic!

A Frosty Kiss..

 This is a picture I made this time last year I came across in my files.

I had only just got Photoshop when I made this but I still love

the sweet angels statue.

I've done a couple more pics with these lovely Chinese ceramics.

I'd love to have these in my collection!

Saturday morning and all's well! The sun is shining, lovely blue sky and no snow! It's still very cold but we expect that. I think I can mention it now.....tonight we are going to a Surprise party for my dear SIL's birthday, all arranged by my daughter Sally. It's in a local hotel and he thinks they are just going for a bar meal with their daughter. I'm looking forward to seeing his face when he walks in and sees all the family smiling at him. I'm taking my camera so maybe (!) I can get some piccies.

I know he won't have time to read this today (if he ever does LOL!) so I can post it.

I'm also looking forward to dressing up for a change and I don't care if I freeze!

How vain is that? LOL!

DW Blog Challenge..

This is the picture Kimmie gave for her

Digital Whisper Blog Challenge this week.

And this is my picture.

Happy Snow Day to you.

Music feeds my soul..

Following on from the the old song collage yesterday, I made this.

I told Annette I must have been born singing.

All my family were musical; mother, father, grandparents, uncles, aunts,

and cousins. My cousin Frederick has a piano just like the one above and

transports me to another world when he plays.

Both my children learned piano when young and Sally still

plays very well.

Yesterday I gave my beloved organ to a local charity

but I bought a baby grand a while ago which lives with my daughter

so I can always have a tinkle on that when I feel like it.

I love Oriental beauty. I've mentioned before I have a large collection of

Buddhas and also  a Famille Rose collection.

Yesterday while browsing I found these Chinese Shiwan ceramics.

Such delicate moulding and the colours are so pretty.

So I made this. Hope you like it.