Friday smile

 Look what was calling to its mate from my neighbour's roof!

A very large Canada goose.

It made me smile and I wondered how it managed to balance up there with its webbed feet.

xx Jo

Friday smile

Gardening horror!

Sitting at the computer

Movement caught my eye

Glancing down - I screamed

A blood curdling cry.

Slithering down my jumper

Surely no mistake

A six inch mini creature 

The image of a snake.

Jumping to my feet

The creature I had seen

Tumbled to my feet

The trimmed edge from a runner bean!!!

Panic over - heartbeat returned to normal.

Serves me right for not being more careful as I prepared beans for the freezer this morning.

I thought it might raise a smile on a Friday for Annie's Friday Smile.

Have a great weekend but keep a sharp look out for snakes!

x Jo

Friday smile - Bobble and Squeak

Just a little snap of Ben in his new bobble hat.
My friend in Yorkshire knits them and she wanted a photo or two for her facebook page - Bobble and Squeak. So this was Ben wearing his "Squeak". It's a really soft, cosy, little hat which really suits him.
Check out Bobble and Squeak if you want to know more.

Look at those squidgy little fingers - I wonder what he is thinking?

Have a great weekend.
Join in with Annie's Friday smiles.

Thanks for calling - I will try and get round to visiting but seem to be slowed down by all the sifting sorting and packing!!

x Jo

Friday smile

Just a little Gerbera in a pot in my kitchen....

It is a brilliant shade of red and this is the second flowering since I bought it. (Last pot on the shelf in Sainsburys). It certainly makes a cheery sight on my window sill.

If you need a few smiles to cheer you this morning then pop over to Annie's "A stitch in time blog".

Have a great weekend.
Thanks for calling by.

x Jo

Friday smile

Note to self...

Don't press the red "Remove dust collector" button instead of the red "Off" button on your Dyson before attempting to carry it down the stairs!!.........

Hence, it bounced down the stairs and crashed, bursting open and depositing its entire contents across my hall floor. There might have been uttered a word or two - you know... oh dear or blimey!!

On the bright side and a credit to dear old Dyson - nothing was broken and it was soon sorted.

Below are the blueberry and lemon cheesecake topped buns that I made yesterday. I used a gluten free sponge mix for the first time and they are really quite good. Now that did put a smile on my face!
Help yourself to one - they are perfect with a cup of tea or your morning coffee.

The sun is shining, I am nipping round to see Annie's new sewing room later so plenty of smiles here.
Have a great weekend.

Join in with Annie's Friday smiles here.

x Jo

Friday smile

Just a little splash of colour in my garden.....

The gorgeous peachy rose came from Annie's old garden but was originally in my godmother's garden so is always known as Aunty Lily's rose. I don't know its proper name but it is a really beautiful old rose with a delicate perfume. It always makes me smile to think of the special family members who have tended it over the years. Thanks Annie!


For more smiles - just pop over to Annie's "A stitch in time" blog and see what's making her smile today!
Have a great weekend.
x  Jo

Friday smile - It is me isn't it!!

It is me isn't it!!

Do you remember the view of a badger (on a plinth, on the building site) that I posted here?
Well today this caught my eye and straight away I thought "penguin"!

Bonkers, I know, but that's the way my mind works.

Now every time I see this bit of black plastic membrane poking out of the footings that's all I can think of.
It would certainly be a happy penguin today. It is pouring down and the concrete floor looks like a pond. AND  no men in shorts today!


For more smiles - just pop over to Annie's "A stitch in time" blog and see what's making her smile today!
Have a great weekend.
x Jo

Friday smile

 
The Value of a Smile

It costs nothing, but creates much;

It enriches those who receive without

impoverishing those who give;

It happens in a flash, and the memory of it

sometimes lasts forever;

None are so rich they can get along without it,

and none so poor but are richer

for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters good

will in a business, and is the countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the

discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and

nature’s best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or

stolen, for it is of no earthly good to

anybody until it is given away.

Nobody needs a smile so much as those who

have none left to give.

If you feel in need of a smile - just pop over to Annie's "A stitch in time" blog and see what's making her smile today! Her new poppy blog header makes me smile every time I see it.

Have a great weekend.
x Jo

Friday smile - my mad half hour

 Good morning all!
I was just pegging out my washing (yes, I am an old fashioned girl who likes to peg out and doesn't own a tumble drier)
Its a lovely warm breezy day so why not!

So - my pegs were in a plastic bag and I decided it was high time I made a new peg bag for them.

I nipped up to my sewing room pulled out a remnant of my grey pound shop bargain ( H & M Home curtains - pure cotton, grey check and used for all sorts of little crafty projects over the years). I added a scrap left over from my kitchen blind.
Half an hour later and voila - my new peg bag!
It almost looks too nice for a peg bag.
BUT - its strong and practial AND matches my kitchen - perfect!

I was chuckling to myself as I made it.
Our Grandma (who lived to be 100) was a wonderful seamstress and we inherit her genes I guess.
This week Annie posted pictures of little Lexi sewing her dolly.
Yesterday Maxine was busy making a gorgeous little book for Ben.

How Grandma would have loved to see the talent still running through her family.
She loved to see what we youngsters were up to. I even made several dresses for her when she was in her nineties and I was a textile craft student.
Lovely memories of a wonderful lady.

Have a great weekend all and if you want a few more smiles hop over to Annie's "A stitch in time" blog.

x Jo

Friday smile

The ducks around here are quackers!

Have a good weekend.

Join Annie for more smiles and a giggle or two over on her "A stitch in time" blog.

Friday smile

 

I just found this picture of one of the little scrapbox dollies that I made ages ago.

Her happy little face made me smile.

I hope it does the same for you.

Have a great weekend.

xJo

Friday smile

I was feeling a bit under the weather until I came to my kitchen sink this morning!!
This really is what greeted me - weird but certainly put a smile on my face.

Happy Friday everyone!
x Jo

For more smiles pop over to Annie's "A stitch in time" blog

Friday Smile

Of course I am posting this Friday smile with my hair in order and my powder and lipstick on!!!!!

Join in with Annie's Friday smile over on her blog "A stitch in time".

Happy Friday!
x Jo

PS - If you saw my desk on WOYWW - here is the finished collage.