Christmas Swapping Fun!

My sister Lisa set up a lovely thing where we get to swap Christmas presents with a surprise person, totally random but fun. The game is basically to send a Christmas card, a baked thing, a bought thing and a Christmas decoration.

I got a lovely person for a swapping partner, Rebecca, and I received her parcel today, and it was wonderful!

Below is a photo of all the shiny things that Rebecca sent me :) Here is a little list!

• star-shaped peppermint creams (so cute!)
• some 'fridged' rocky road (this amused me!)
• a lovely gold bauble (this helped towards charity for children with cerebral palsy & brain injuries!)
• a beautiful handmade purple heart-shaped decoration (I love it, so pretty!)
• a shiny glittery deer (I fell in love with! I heart Bambi!)
• a pretty Christmas card!

A bundle of prettiness!

The decorations on my tree =D

All the lovely touches really made me smile, finishing touches in purple, the star shapes and the little hand-sewn heart.....I felt Rebecca excelled herself in her gifts, and it all means a lot to me.

Thank you Rebecca!

It's christmas time....

...and I haven't showed you my christmas tree yet :)

Well here it is....

Snow Photo Project - Day 10

Day 10: Sun melting away the snow

Snow Photo Project - Day 8

Day 8: Icicles! A result of no snowing

Snow Photo Project - Day 7

Day 7 - Sunset in my street

Snow Photo Project - Day 6

Day 6: Theres a driveway...Where??

Snow Photo Project - Day 5

Day 5 : In the back garden

Snow Photo Project

I started this on facebook, and then I realised that my blog is a perfect way to do it! although I have already done 5 days so far.

What I am doing is taking a photo of the snow each day that it is around, a different photo each day...its pretty nice to see how creative you can be!

I will upload the previous 4 days, then I shall blog you a new photo each day :)

Day 4: A fond tree of mine

Day 3: My neighbours back garden

Day 2: Trees in the park behind our house

Day 1: When it first started snowing in our street

I know I did it back to front....although keep posted if you like my photos :)

Time Is Moving Fast

This year has really flown in...I cant believe I am in Week 9 of my semester at uni, I can't believe its only 33days until Christmas, and 8 days until I put my wee Christmas tree up (Yes I put mine up on the 1st). Although I feel like I am coping with university coursework pretty good, although not received many marks yet, so I don't know where I am on the scheme of things. I have wrapped all my Christmas presents so far that I have (this doesn't involve my Christmas swap though :-P). Yeah I can say my routine has improved a bit for sure...

Now all I gotta do is wait for snow!!

Here is a photograph of all the presents I have wrapped, excuse the bad quality as I took it with my phone camera :)

All The Things That Sparkle

Andy and I went into Motherwell yesterday to do some Christmas shopping, since this is our first house together, we didn't have a Christmas tree. Shopping in Wilkinsons, I see all the pretty decorations in their array of colours. I have my heart set on purple and gold, I don't know why these colours appeal to me....maybe because my favourite colour is purple, not sure. I pick out all the things I want from coordinated tinsel and beads and picked out a 6ft green tree...even after saying "No no, we will have a small tree".

Since my money budget is really tight, Andy was a gem and bought us our first ever Christmas things. I really can't wait for December to arrive so that we can put up our decorations, although I may follow the 12days before Christmas rule as that is what Andy is used to...We shall see!

I do worry how I shall buy everyone a gift, it may only be a small thoughtful things this year....

....its the thought that counts.

Bonfire Night: Remembering Mum

It has been 7 years today since my Mum died, although I still long for her and I still feel sad....I am getting better with time.I think tonight has been the first time properly since Mum died, that I have went out my way to watch fireworks.

And I enjoyed it

I just want my sister Lisa to know that I love her very much, and that I am greatful she is there for me when I need her as she is the only one who really understands how I feel about Mum being gone *hugs for Lisa*

Lots of....

.....things going on.

Back at University and I am 5weeks into my Honours year already, I can feel the stress levels building up with each task I have to do. Juggling classes, coursework, housework and my 'me' time has certainly been a difficult thing to do.

Not long got an essay on HIV & AIDS submitted and I am able to battle my ironing pile that has somehow climbed to the height of my hip *groans*, I have managed to do some, but left it for now....My literature review is somewhat pecking at my conscience,

I think I gotta make a plan, mmmmm....where can I put 'me' time in there, without feeling guilty for having it?

Christmas Decoration

My first attempt at a tree-shaped Christmas decoration, messy but very cute!

Making My Own Pretty Things

Talking to my sister this morning has certainly got me into a creative mood, went out window shopping today and ended up buying a few small crafty things I am going to make Christmas things with! All I hope for is that I have the knack for it :)

Keep your eyes posted

Whenever this time of year approaches, and your wrapping yourself up in your thick woolly scarf and gloves, it just gets me all tingly excited for the prettiness of Christmas time approaching!

Although this year I won't be able to go daft on the Christmas spending since the pennies are a bit tighter now that I have my own wee flat with my fiancé, I just cant wait for our first Christmas together...I know very soppy!

I know I know, its only October but I can't help but be excited!

Quickie Garlic Chicken and Spicy Couscous

Ingredients:-

250g mini chicken fillets

1 garlic clove

2 tsp olive oil

1 knorr chicken stock cube

1 pack of Ainsley Harriot Spice Sensation Couscous

(serves 2)

1. Crumble the stock cube into a small container followed by either 1-2tsp of olive oil and mix into a paste.

2. Prepare the garlic clove into a smooth paste with a mixture of crushing and dicing with a knife add a little bit of salt to make the garlic paste smoother, when finished add the garlic paste to the chicken stock paste and mix it thoroughly.

3. Now prepare the chicken fillets by dicing them to size of your liking, then put the diced chicken into a container and as well as adding the garlic chicken stock into the container.

4. Using your fingers, clean fingers preferably, turn the chicken and paste around in the container until all the chicken is covered the paste, it is now ready to be cooked in a low temperature in the frying pan until golden brown.

5. While the chicken is cooking, follow the instructions accordingly on the pack of couscous.

6. Then serve.

Voilà!! Quickie Garlic Chicken and Spicy Couscous!

Attempt at new Hairdressers....

....didn't go so nicely....

I don't understand why, as I always ask directly for what I want, although I think its the woman's actual cutting ability that isn't so good...well not on my hair in any case.

So my being adventurous cost me £15, and its at the length I wanted it, but it is no where near the shape and style I want it to be.

I like it simple....trim off a few inches, long layers around the bottom(to stop it from being chunky and bulky), feathered layers at the front, straighten the front layers up...and put thinning scissors through it........direct and simple, I ask this every time with few minor changes or alterations.

She doesn't seem to know how to layer properly, and uses thinning scissors far too much, and as you can tell by the bottom of my hair where its supposed to be straightish...its not :(

I is in a whining mood....

Thankfully I am going to pay another £9 to my old hairdressers who I know, will fix it...but I thought I could get a decent haircut without having to drag myself down to my old town which is 2hours away :(

Rooibos Tea...

......is very distinctive.

I went for a wander in Holland & Barretts to their tea section, looking for something that is healthy but not fruity...as fruity tea to me always tasted like diluting juice that was heated up. I looked through all of them, and noticed one with a noticeable design on the box, Tick Tock.

I pondered for a little while over it, reading that it was high in antioxidants and you could take it with sugar and milk. I put the box back up, and thought to myself that I was being daft.

Continuing my wander through the town, and followed on to the Supermarket to buy odds and ends, and I found myself at the tea section again, and there it was. The tea was only £1.18 and I got 40 tea bags, I thought I would just give it a try.

As I write this blog, I am sipping on the tea with its distinctive taste....wikipedia says it has a nutty and sweet flavour to it, if that is what they call it...then I can agree.

Its not a bad tasting tea, but I think I will have to take a while before I really get myself acquired to the taste.

It certainly feels healthy

Addicted To Paranormal?

I want these books and naturally I can't get them all at the one time, but noticed that I always seem to swing towards paranormal books....these are the ones I want to get so I can read next...

Books I want

Charlaine Harris (Author of True Blood)

- Dead in the Family

- Grave Surprise

Keri Arthur

- Moon Sworn

Laurell K. Hamilton

- Cerulean Sins

- Incubus Dreams

- Micah

MaryJanice Davidson

- Undead and Unfinished

Healthy Food....

.....I should eat more of, why?

I would feel happier if I feel healthier.

• BERRIES
• BROCCOLI
• TOMATOES
• RED GRAPES
• GARLIC
• TEA
• CARROTS
• WHOLE GRAINS

Aim of the future, include these in foodstuffs I eat :)

Stuff To Do

Now that I am back from holiday, I have a lot of things on my plate.....like studying for my exams that in the beginning of August, which I should start studying now as I have to do it around housework.

A week after my exams are done, I will be going to hospital for an operation the fun...busy busy me!

The Little Holiday

I have been back from the little holiday to Berwick-Upon-Tweed for a few days now, which was lots of fun and I was glad to see most of my friends. We were lucky to have nearly nice sunny weather every day too, and I took a lot of photographs as well.

My friend Claire Watson

My friend Kenny Hearton

My fiancé Andy, and my friends Kenny, Robert and Claire

One of my best friends and I

All of my friends and I

The reason I came to Berwick-Upon-Tweed

That's all the photos I will upload on this blog, my favourite photos of my friends and my favourite photo of the beach. The beach is where we spent most of our time, it was very fun as we dug holes in the sand like big children :)

Is Now Away....

.....on holiday!

So I won't be blogging for a little bit, unless I find some funky way to blog through my phone...which would be uber cool!

So while I am away to the other side of the country, I hope you all take care!!!

Some Photographs of....

....my new wee flat

Livingroom photo No1

Livingroom photo No2

Livingroom photo No3

Kitchen

Bathroom photo No1

Bathroom photo No2

There are no photos of the bedroom yet as that is where I am packing all my things for the little holiday this week, but once its tidied I shall upload photos then...

For the warm weather....

...I want to wear this, but I don't know if I am a bit old for it...

After 2 sleeps....

.....it's time for caravan holiday in Berwick-Upon-Tweed!

Last year I went, and I got lots of amazing photos....though I didn't know how to use my camera properly back then. So now this time when I go back with my new camera knowledge, I am just craving to take some beautiful shots!!

Has Lovely Neighbours

I was just packing the suitcase for the holiday, when I heard a knock on the front door...I was welcomed with my downstairs neighbour's sister bringing Andy and I some home-made cakes, I was really pleased with this. I am so glad we have lovely neighbours and that they took the time to welcome us this way :)

Though I have already had one, he he :)

Newness and Things

Cosiness, its been nearly 3 weeks and I am feeling pretty settled in, like I am starting to form a bond with this small place now that I am in some sort of 'routine'. I spend most of my days grocery shopping, cleaning and cooking dinner......who'd have thought me as a lil' housewife, well err housefiancée.

I will be honest as much as I enjoy spending my day ensuring that the flat is tidy and clean, I will be looking forward to my university days again, something to fill up my time. Although within the next couple of weeks I will begin to study for my first exam resit in August, which I am doing as first attempt for being ill during the exam period, sucks I know as I'd rather have my degree right now but heh I am doing not too bad.

Apart from that, Andy, my friends and I are going on a little caravan holiday to Berwick-Upon-Tweed next Monday which I am looking forward to, as the walks are amazing around that place....oh yeah you can tell I'm a country girl at heart. I can't wait to get my camera out and taking my photos...

More recently I took my sister, Lisa, and my brother-in-law, Dave, to see a Gaslight Anthem gig last night, which I would say was pretty awesome...even though I have heard very little music from them, the atmosphere and the energy from being in the crowd watching them was amazing. I am so glad I was able to give Lisa and Dave this treat, as I know how much music means to them.

Gaslight Anthem, o2 Academy, Glasgow

Moving Out

As of next week I will be a big girl ha ha, me and my fiancé are getting the keys to a small one-bedroom flat, its just cosy for me and him.

As both of us have never lived on our own, we are taking it for 6 months to see if we can do it, then if all goes well...then we will be grown-ups from there on :)

I shall post photos when we are all comfy and settled

Photographs of London

Recently I visited London with my fiancé and his family, and it turned out to be a wonderful weekend, I caught so many lovely photographs!I will show some here...

The first photograph is a view that I caught as I was going a walk through St James Park with Andy, it was beautiful!

This is a shot I got of the Buckingham Palace with flowers, I know lots of people have seen this and its a big tourist attraction, but the flowers make this photograph so colourful

We were lucky to have seen the changing of the guards when we were walking down to Buckingham Palace :)

This is the front of the theatre we went to, we seen the show, We Will Rock You, it was a very creative show and very entertaining...I love Queen music :) I though this statue was amazing..

I have loads more photographs, as it was a wonderful trip

Too busy being a student

Hey,

Seems I am over my cooking phase, I don't seem to have the cooking skills like my sister Lisa , maybe its because I am used to a normal oven and I have stupid fan assisted one, I am not so sure...

Mind you I don't really have the time anyway, for anything....I seem to have got addicted to doing my coursework, who knew that would happen ha ha, although I have gotten good responses in return for my hard effort....mostly A's and one or two B's, so I am fairly pleased.

Although one thing I have stuck to through thick and thin, is my photography....so I am thinking I might just focus on that on here :)

This be a photo of what I have been doing in the laboratory, don't worry I took the photo after I cleaned up....don't want contamination right? :)

Though I will be visiting London this weekend, shall have some good photos for you when I get back :)