That Lovin' Feelin'

You got That Lovin' Feelin'?
Or do you see it as a huge marketing thing?
Those of us with a partner spend a fortune and those of us without save a fortune!

Typically, Valentines Day here in the UK tends to be very much for those wishing to declare undying love, secretly or for already existing couples and the marrieds.
Quite exclusively, it has to be said.
Very different from the USA, I think.
No buying Valentines for friends or children buying them for classmates.
Nope. Just the boyfriends/girlfriends/partners/husbands/wives.
Traditional cupid stuff.
But...
As you know, I am a bit of a rule breaker and love any excuse to get friends together!
This year I am planning, with the groovy girlie chicks, a yummy Valentines meal for our friends and husbands.
There should be 10 of us if everyone comes.
We asked more but some have other dates, it seems!
I am really looking forward to it - and excited to use all my new plates and bowls I now have.
I collected the rest of them today!
I had some money for Christmas to get some more of my chosen tableware I have been collecting these last few months. Sophie Conran in the Portmeirion range.
I love it!
I had some for my birthday after I ditched my old Denby at China Search and I went shopping the other weekend with my friend Tanya to get some more with my Christmas spending money.
I made my lovely purchases and opted to get it from customer collections later in the day after we had done more shopping.
A great idea, we thought... except that we were so busy gabbing and shopping elsewhere that we simply forgot the time.
When we realised the time and battled the car park and traffic to get round to customer collections... yes you have guessed it... they were closed.
Too late.
They had all my shopping.
I came home empty handed.
(Well, almost!)
This...

became my new challenge!
I managed to arrange for them to deliver it.
It arrived...yesterday - when I was at work!
A little frustrating as they said it would be either Friday or Monday. In a way, I had hoped for Monday as I am off work next week.
So I picked it up from the local parcel depot this morning!
It will be great to use it tomorrow, though!

Of course, Tudur was on hand to help with the unpacking!
He was just as excited as I was and jumped right in to help!

Once it was all unpacked and washed and put away, I got everything ready for the slow cooker - Beef Burgundy.
I used a recipe from this Fix it and Forget it.

A fabulous slow cooker book.
I also borrowed one of the girly chicks slow cookers as we need 2.
Friends will bring things to go with it - either savoury or a yummy sweet.
We will accept any food or flowers, wine or chocolates, most gratefully.
Will take photos and post them soon.
Happy Valentines Day, tomorrow!
x

Remember to be thankful for friends and neighbours

Today I went to see my friend Fiona. We drank tea and laughed and talked and talked about our lives, memories, lists, things that break frustratingly(she has quite a list and my washing machine is now broken),men, art, family, church, God. She generously shared her chocolate cake with me too. She is an amazingly creative and talented artist, amongst other things. I have known her and her family for ages, as we grew up in the same town, we both moved away and now we live close by again. One of the things to be thankful for less hours work in my week at the mo is time to be with friends. I am really enjoying re-connecting with Fiona now we live close by again.
If you are in the UK, Fiona is showing some of her work as part of an exhibition 21st November - 24th from 10am-4pm at Styal Lodge.
You can see Fiona's work here
Then my lovely new neighbour, Mel, called round to cut my hair! (Don't worry, she is a hairdresser!) She is also a diamond, because she is very funny and friendly. She called me last week, when my house alarm was going off... Tudur!!!!
It really was very noisy! I heard it halfway down the road. The kitten was very subdued when he appeared from behind the door. He slowly wandered off for a while, no doubt with his ears ringing!
When he returned, he was very purry and pleased! At least I now know my house alarm works! I guess that makes Tudur a cat burglar!
Earlier today.... Tudur brought in his first mouse. I was sitting having my "quiet" time, waking up and he ran in very excited. Then I realised what he had brought in!
The mouse, Tudur and I all ran around for a while!
Later, I un-packed the new china that arrived yesterday, with the money I got for selling my old Denby to china search. I was very excited! one plate is smashed, so I called the store (John Lewis)and they are sending a new plate out to me :-) Tudur, like any youngster, was far more interested in the box!
Thanks, Fiona and Mel and thanks Tudur for your well meant gift!

Remember to be thankful for shopping days!

I went shopping with Ruth today! I work part time, currently, so after I finished work I met up with Ruth and we went on the train to the shops!
I was treated to lunch and my train ticket, as she said I was blessing her with a place to stay this week!
I bought a very girlie and pretty new handbag!
Guess which colour it is?
We had coffee too.
I had the cheque from china search arrive last week for my old dinner set, so I bought some new plates and the all important butter dish with a lid.
Tudur loves butter and gets it whenever he can, so a butter dish with a lid is an absolute must in this household!
I got the plates from john Lewis and they are delivering it to me in a few days time as we both thought that carrying new plates on a train might be too much of a smashing time for our shopping day.
We slept on the train journey home.
A wonderful day.I love shopping! Job interview tomorrow... Here is what I bought...
Did you guess right?

Out with the old, in with the new!

Have you ever had something you didn't really like but kept hold of it because it is both useful and you haven't seen anything you really like, or the money it would cost to replace it?
I have.
I have had some Denby that was a gift for over 18 years that, to be honest, I never really liked or would have chosen. Each time I have moved, I have often considered replacing it, but have wondered about giving it away, or selling it and not known where or how to pass it on, or find a set I like or can justifiably afford.Over the summer, my best friend Caty and I went looking for new china sets that I liked and I found a couple of designs that I liked: Emma Bridgewater and Sophie Conran for Portmeirion. Maybe, if I found a way of getting rid of the Denby, I could actually get something I actually like to use when entertaining my friends? My best friend, Caty, then sent me details of a company, china search, who buy and sell china! Denby is quite collectible and the design of my particular set is now discontinued, so the great news for me is that they are going to but my old Denby set and sell it on! Yippee for me! check out their website: www.chinasearch.co.uk as they have some really cute cake stands too! With my birthday money, I have started to buy some plates and serving bowls and once the money arrives from china search, I will buy some more. I really like the Sophie Conran as it has a funky shape and is white and some of the design are available in pretty pastel shades too. I may well buy a few things to mix and match in Emma Bridgewater too!There are several companies around that offer similar deals, or charity shops that always welcome items, or freecycle or craigs list as online alternatives, for you to try your own out with the old and in with the new.
Today, my 2 big boxes of Denby are being collected.!!!

What a great feeling, to have a good clear out!
Thank you Caty, for helping me find China Search - and find some new China I like! Why don't you try it?