365+1...DAY 29...KITCHEN UTENSIL...

DAY 29...KITCHEN UTENSIL...

These are my new kitchen scales that I bought in Marks and Spencer at Christmas time with the money I got from taking a Christmas present back...it was a lovely cardigan from my sis-in-law but unfortunately it was too big and they didn't have any others so I swapped for a nice new set of red weighing scales as my old ones were weighing wrong...I love these ones and since I have been doing so much baking these last few months they have come in really handy...They also have a much bigger weighing bowl than the last ones...

I changed the photo to black and white then rubbed the red back in...xx

365+1...DAY 28...FLUFFY...

DAY 28...FLUFFY...

A bag of marshmallows that Morgan, Ellie and I used to make Rocky Road this morning...we didn't read the instructions to the letter and should have let the chocolate mixture cool for 10 minutes with the result that the marshmallows melted a bit and the chocolate melted off the Maltesers...still tastes good though:0))

365+1...DAY 27...AMAZING...

DAY 27...AMAZING...

These are my four amazing kids...even though we are going through a really tough time at the moment they never cease to amaze me and I still can't believe I have four of them...xx

AND NOW FOR SOME CRAFTY STUFF...

Well some sneak peeks of some craft stuff...lol..I have exciting things going on here in the background at Tcup towers....lots of new things to come...can't wait!!

365+1...DAY 26...FREE CHOICE...

DAY 26...FREE CHOICE...

Today's prompt over at 365+1 is 'free choice' so I chose to photograph the cakes I made today for my visitors this morning...a nice girly chat with tea and cake...what more could you ask for on a chilly Thursday morning!!!

365+1...DAY 25...MOTIONLESS

DAY 25...MOTIONLESS

This is my lovely big red clock in the kitchen which is 'motionless' due to the battery having run out!!!...x

365+1...DAY 24...MOVEMENT...

DAY 24...MOVEMENT...
Today's prompt over at 365+1 is movement and I know technically these are about a month old but I think they show movement quite well...This was at Pittodrie Stadium, home of Aberdeen FC...Morgan was playing at half time during a 1st team match...they were also taken with my old point and shoot camera as I couldn't be bothered dragging the big one with me...It was absolutely freezing as well and was snowing at one point!!!

365+1...DAY 23...HOT...

DAY 23...HOT...
Just the thing for a freezing cold evening when the kids are in and out all evening with Brownies, Rainbows and dancing...some lovely hot homemade chicken soup!!!

365+1...DAY 22...GLOWING...

DAY 22...GLOWING...

This is a little glass birdie that Ellie brought me home from her P6 ski trip last year...I have a set of fairy lights strung across my kitchen shelf and this just sits on the end...It's really rather sweet!!

365+1...DAY 21...FIRE...

DAY 21...FIRE...

OK...I know this isn't very original but it's the best I could come up with for this one...I do love candles and there are usually some to be found burning most days in our house but the kids have this really bad habit of blowing them out when I put them on...lol...Have a fun Sunday...Snow here in Inverurie...not a lot though but I am sure there will be more on the way:o(...am now of to ponder the next prompt and will hopefully post later today...x

365+1...DAY 20...SIGN...

DAY 20...SIGN...

Oops this is a sure fire sign that the dishwasher needs emptied!!! Morgan get up...it's your turn!! Naughty I know but sometimes you just can't be bothered...last night after tea I suddenly felt so sleepy and went upstairs, got into bed and was out like a light in no time and I slept til 9 this morning...must have needed it!!!

365+1...DAY 19...BAD FOR YOU...

DAY 19...BAD FOR YOU...

And predictably I have gone for the 'bad for you' food option but only because my neighbour Clare popped through with these as we were leaving for school..yumm! I have resisted so far and will be 'good' and save them for the kids when they get back...I have been good today and walked a little bit further than normal and I am of to meet a friend for a cuppa at 2pm in the town centre so I am going to walk (provided the snow doesn't come on again like this mornings furious flurry which stopped as suddenly as it started at leaving time so we were able to walk after all!!)...xx

365+1...DAY 18...PLEASURABLE...

DAY 18...PLEASURABLE...

Yesterday I decided that I was going to do some indoor exercise when I got back from the school run in the morning...I have been teasing the girls that when they are at school I get out the Wii Just Dance and have a boogie...they think this is hilarious so that's exactly what I did and it was fab..managed 38 minutes which was about 7 or 8 dances and boy can I feel it in my arms today(just need to work on getting my legs moving at the same time...been too busy this morning and heading out again soon but roll on tomorrow when I can have another go...much fun!!!

365+1...DAY 17..NAUGHTY

DAY 17..NAUGHTY

Well here we are Day 19 and I am just posting Day 17...will stop apologising now for not posting everyday and just do it when I can...real life really does get in the way sometimes...lol...

This is Niamh (again!), this time in naughty mode...she is not very happy with herself as she is supposed to have done a 3d model in the Christmas hols but we didn't do it and I had looked out stuff so we could make a pyramid which she seemed happy enough about until we started doing it and then she kicked of that she didn't want to....she wanted to make a robot but we didn't have the necessary recycling to make one so she went in a right strop and after much persuasion she still wasn't having it so I said we just wouldn't make anything then...not a very happy child but they have to learn...xxx

365+1...DAY 16...SNACK...

DAY 16...SNACK...

Today's prompt over at 365+1 is SNACK....I am not very sure why I decided to have this as my mid morning snack today..wishing I hadn't now...I de-iced the car and went down to Home Bargains for some juice, sweetcorn, nail clippers and eggs...but I ended up buying more than that...it's the sort of shop you go into and come out of with things you never even knew you needed till you saw them..lol..so these were on special offer and when I got back I was in need of a cuppa to warm me up and I ended up eating one of them..

This is the Old Newsprint feature on Paint Shop Pro.

Why not pop over and have a look at what everyone else is snacking on today....

365+1...DAY 15...GENEROUS...

DAY 15...GENEROUS

A couple of weeks ago Sonja and I received what we thought were our 1st monthly Mixed Media Kits from Scarlet Lime which when I opened thought weren't very mixed media...ish. It wasn't until Sonja came over and we did a little online research that we realised we had been sent the wrong kits...I emailed Christy and explained and she quickly sorted it out and the proper ones along with this month's are now winging there way to us right now...when I asked about what to do with the ones that had been sent she replied 'just go ahead and keep those!', which we thought was very generous of her...

I used the time machine feature from Paint Shop Pro on this photo...I love the way it makes my wooden floor look...xxx

365+1...DAY 14...GUILTY PLEASURE

DAY 14...GUILTY PLEASURE

Saturday's prompt was quite easy but I was having a bit of a bad day yesterday so didn't get around to it....

I have this bottle of Sloe Gin that I keep in my freezer(for emergencies only you understand and as you can see from this nearly empty bottle there has been quite a few of those lately..heehee)...I don't drink a great deal but I do like a nice sloe gin with fiery ginger beer, ice and lime...I am also quite partial to Pimms with lots of strawberries but do tend to keep that for the warm summer months....

If you have just started following me lately you can find lots more inspiring photographs over at Suzie 365...

365+1...DAYS 11-13

I am a little behind what with one thing and another...namely running after the kids and sorting their schedules out now that all the after school activities have begun again with a vengeance...

365+1...Day 11...Clothing

This is my lovely sparkly grey beret...I love it but can't wear it everyday as sometimes I just can't get it to sit right so of it comes and another hat has to go on...I have to admit to a big love of hats..I used to wear them ALL the time now it's just in the winter...

365+1...Day 12...Translucent

This is some packaging that I received some crafty stuff in a while back...it's so cute...I kept it for that reason...now I wonder what I could do with it!!!

365+1...Day 13...Inside Your Fridge

Well these aren't inside my fridge anymore...they are baking in the oven in the shape of a Lemon Drizzle Cake and it smells delicious...this is a really quick and easy recipe...can't wait for a slice with my tea before I pick the kids up from school later...yummm!!!

So that's my lot for today...hopefully I will manage to keep up a bit better over the next few days abut real life does rather get in the way of fun...keep smiling:0)...x

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365+1... Day 10...Metal

So this is my photo for today...I had to perch on my table and lean my head against the wall to get this shot...it probably is nowhere near perfect photography but I quite like it...It is all the Jamie Oliver storage jars sitting in their rack...I use mine for buttons and I have 12 of them with different coloured lids...they are so pretty...

Today I feel like I have been chasing my tale since picking the kids up from school...dropped 2 of at dancing, been to the airport to drop Allan of which of course had to be at rush hour which took twice as long as it normally does, got back and made tea...dropped the next one of at dancing and now waiting for tea to cook...can't wait...it smells yummy...we are having Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken...I found the recipe on Pinterest and if you haven't been over there....WHY NOT??? It's THE best site ever....xxx

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365+1...Day 9...WaterSorry folks am a day behind...first day back at school yesterday and it was a bit manic...catching up with chores and then a meeting with my lovely marketing guru for some exciting things coming soon....ssshhh..don't tell anyone...

Anyway this is my photo for the day...it is my aim to drink more of it and with a frozen slice of lime it certainly makes it easier to drink...

Will be back later(hopefully!) with today's photo....xx

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365+1...Day 8...Cosy

Today the word on the street is 'COSY'....my interpretation is the cosiness in the conservatory once the sun has gone down, the blinds are closed and the lamps have been turned on...9pm...Hawaii 5-O here I come..lol..

Speaking about the sun going down, this was the amazing sunset we were treated to here in Inverurie tonight...beautiful...looks like the sky is on fire!!!

Excuse the mess in my garden...not tidied up yet from the builders...my friend was round the other day and her little girl Eleanor said to me 'Do you know you washing thing has fallen down??'...lol..we had to move it to make way for the building...don't think it's going to fit in the space that's left over there and I don't want it where it is so I think it may become redundant...I am thinking I will get the lines that you can whizz in and out and a couple of poles...I miss my drying green of old(4 posts, 4 lines and a couple of poles..washing dried so much better):0(...

Well that's me for now apart from to say watch this space for some exciting news(clue... I have registered a domain name...eeek!!!)....xxx

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365+1...Day 7...Drink

Okay, today threw me a little since I had used a drink for yesterday's prompt...I didn't want to just do another one...My first pic was of the bird bath in the garden but it looked a little grey and dull given the weather and I was all set to use it til I picked up my camera and spotted my little vintage tea-set...I love the delicate little flowers and the gold edging..sadly there is not a full set, 5 tea-cups, 5 saucers, milk jug and sugar bowl but I still love it...the whole lot cost me the princely sum of just £5 from the charity shop..

Today I have been trying to make Lemon Meringue cupcakes...the cupcakes have turned out fine but I have not yet mastered the meringue...The second lot is away to be rinsed down the sink...I just cannot get them to peak!!! Oh well butter cream icing it will have to be...at least I can make that....x

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365+1...Day 6...FROST

Well my interpretation of frost today is the ice-cubes in the sloe gin and ginger beer I had with the coconut chicken curry we had for tea...delicious on both counts....

It's been quite hectic around here today...Sonja came over in the morning with Aaron for a visit and then it was lunchtime and then Camilla came over and cut the kids hair in the afternoon...far better than taking them all to the hairdresser and having to sit waiting for them...at least at home they get to do their own thing before their turn...

Just away to sit down and watch Coronation Street now with maybe another cheeky drink and one or two of my chocs that I have managed to keep hidden from the kids...

Looking forward to tomorrow's prompt!!

Kirsti xxx

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365+1...Day 5...EXCITEMENT

This is the haul we bought yesterday to paint my new craft room...we had planning permission granted 5 years ago, one year after we completed the last extension but the quotes we got at the time were astronomical in comparison to what had previously been done so we felt we couldn't justify it...but after a lot of humming and haaing this last year we decided to get some quotes and were pleasantly surprised so we decided to go ahead...

I thinking building started the week the planning ran out:0)...so it's all but finished apart from the radiators, electrics and the dreaded painting...I have decided to wait until the plumber puts in the radiators though because it's baltic in there...lol..can't wait to move in and have lots more space for everything...It will be so good to have all the tools, ie Cricut, sewing machine, paper cutter, all arranged so that I don't have to put them away to have something else out...

So that's me for today...I'm glad I'm actually (so far) being able to keep up!!

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365+1...Day 4...PRETTY

So today I have been experimenting with my camera using a homemade Bokeh, it's annoying me now and it's probably cos I don't understand enough about my camera, so I have resorted to taking a photo of one of my 'pretty' daughters, Niamh who is 6 which is probably a bit predictable...

Today we have been shopping for paint and lights, etc for my new craft room which I am really, really not looking forward to painting since it is bare plasterboard and will probably need more coats than normal and since the radiators haven't been fitted yet it will be freezing...why oh why didn't we build this in the summer...Can't wait to move in tho and have lots more space....

That's me for today...
Kirsti xx

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365+1...Days 1-3... I am behind but only because I joined late....

And the first word is, rather predictably, CELEBRATE...

A lovely gift wrapped treat for me and Allan from Jen...our favourite bottles of wine and a box of mints...

The second word is NEW...
Now technically this isn't new but it is to me...I acquired it from the freecycle site Freegle from a lovely lady in Keig and it was totally free...i am so in love with it...I was going to give it a distressed paint effect after the new year but it's kinda grown on me so I may just sand it down and re-wax it...

The third word is UGLY...

This is the scene that greeted us this morning, torrential rain mixed with snow and gale force winds and we did have plans to go to Haddo House today:0(...not a very pretty sight and I do believe it is set to carry on and get worse for a few days...

So that's me caught up now and hopefully I will be able to stay caught up!!!

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...

This year I also want to start scrapbooking again...I have really let it go this last year to 18 months and the kids are all growing up and I want to capture them before it's too late!! So with this in mind I have also decided to join in with the 'and now for something completely different' challenge over on UKS....

Hopefully this will kickstart the scrapping again....

Kirsti xxx

365+1...

So I have also decided to join in with the 365+1 Challenge hosted by Suzie...

Day one and two have been posted...with the prompts 'celebrate' and 'new'...since I am only starting today I didn't get day one and we have already taken down the tree, etc...will have a look around tomorrow in daylight...the photos I am taking are not great at this time of day so I will be playing catch up tomorrow(hopefully!)....

I would also like to take a photography course this year but they are quite pricey, even the ones at the college and I have been told that ILA are not redeemable against the photography courses:0((

So why not pop over and kick start your year of pictures with some friendly photographers...xx

HAPPY NEW YEAR.....

There seems to be an on-going trend to start your blog with a quotation this year so I thought I would join in with this one...

Though no-one can go back and make a brand new START...

anyone can start from now and make a brand new ENDING!!!

Carl Bard

This one sits at the bottom of my blog and I have to keep reminding myself of it now and then...it's been a tough year with more lows than highs it seems but I think we as a family are looking forward to that 'brand new ending' this year....

• I am looking forward to spending more quality time with my family,
• building up my craft sales,
• seeing more of my friends,
• trying some new crafting techniques,
• getting to know my new camera so I can have awesome photos,
• spending less money(if that's possible in this climate where everything seems to be getting more expensive by the day),
• getting fitter(I started running at the beginning of November but when my brother died I just stopped)
• and keeping my house more organised and tidier...

So that's my aims for this year...what about you? I just want to wish all my followers and fellow bloggers a very Happy New Year....xxx