Jeudi Journal - Cats?

So, today is the second of the new year - welcome to my blog, still going in 2025 - and Happy New Year to all of you out there in Blogland.

Today we are starting with a new theme at Art Journal Journey, set by the lovely Mia - simply "Dots".  The quote I have to work with is "If you want the best seat in the house you'll have to move the cat" as chosen by my friend Wendy who is my partner in blogging on a Thursday.  The constraints we have to work with, apart from fulfilling the theme at AJJ is that we have to use characters from Dyan's collection at "Dylusions" to fit the quote of the week.

So to begin we have an old page which I had done in the style of Teesha Moore (actually made under the guidance of Dyan at one of her workshops) but not completed.  As it had a figure sitting in the bottom corner I thought I would use this page for this quote and simply added some 'dots" using a stencil by my old friend Abs who heads up 'All & Create'.  So, as is usual on a Thursday I accompany my blog page with a story.  Here goes:

"Celine had been watching well 'binge watching' actually, all of her favourite films over Christmas and on New Year's Eve.  A great admirer of the old style romance she had seen 'Emma', 'Wuthering Heights', 'Jane Eyre', 'Pride and Prejudice'.  She was just waiting for a Mr  Darcy to sweep her off her feet when all of a sudden she noticed a young lady had come through the door.

"Excuse me" came a timid voice from the direction of the doorway.  There appeared to be a young lady dressed in a beautiful long dress of white with a blue overlay and the prettiest of poke bonnets on her head standing there.  "I seem to have wandered too far and am completely lost."

"Err, who are you looking for?" asked Celine, who the heck was this woman who had wandered into her home.  Obviously someone at a new years fancy dress party.  I mean, why else would she be dressed in such a way?

The woman looked pale and somewhat frail as she answered "I am looking for my father, Mr Bennet."

"Sorry" said Celine, "there is no Mr Bennet here, this is my house, I think you have got yourself lost."

"No, I know this is where I live, where we all live, my sisters and I, and my mother and father.  Perhaps if I could sit a moment."

"Well" said Celine, "if you want the best seat in the house you'll have to move the cat."

"We don't have a cat" came the timid reply,  "Father would not entertain cats, he had enough with my sisters and I" she added, "but I must sit and rest awhile."

"Of course" said Celine as she shoo'ed Spot from the most comfortable chair in the room.  "Can I get you something, a tea maybe?"

"That would be delightful" answered the young lady as she sank gracefully into the corner arm chair. 

A few minutes later Celine arrived bearing a tray with two cups and saucers on it and a pot of steaming tea.  "Do you take milk with your tea?" she asked, "sugar?"

"No" just as it is if that is not too much trouble" replied the young lady.

Celine sat opposite this strange young lady wondering what on earth she was going to do with her.  it was obvious she was muddled in her mind as to where she was, but why was she dressed like that?

"Do you know the address to where you live?" she asked.

"Yes, this is it silly, it is Longbourn in Meryton where I live with my sisters, Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia, mother and father.  Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering" replied Celine.  "Will you excuse me for a moment?" and off she went to get her copy of 'Pride and Prejudice' - "am I dreaming?" she asked herself.

Just then Spot, who had had enough of this not sitting in his favourite chair leapt from where he had landed when his mistress shoo'ed him away.  If he was not to be sleeping then neither should she - and he landed with a huge 'plonk' right on Celine's head as she lay there sleeping on the settee where she had been curled for the past hour or so.  He needed feeding, it had been ages since he had had lunch.

"Oh" she exclaimed, as she sat up with a jump, "what on earth are you doing Spot?  And where is our mysterious guest?"  It was then that she sat up and realised there was no-one in the best chair.  Had there ever been anyone there?  Or had she been dreaming?  She glanced at the clock, it was almost seven o'clock and she was due at a party to celebrate the New Year.  

So she quickly fed Spot, adjusted her make up and set off to bring in the New Year with friends.  What a shame it had been Elizabeth Bennet who had been in her dream and not Mr Darcy.  Maybe he would be at the party.  A more modern version of course."

WOYWW 813 - Happy New Year

 Welcome 2025 and A Happy New Year to All My Internet Friends out there.  

I turned to good old Google for a bit of help and here are one or two things it suggested, I am sure you can choose one of them that resonates with you, or at the very least, have a chuckle.

Cheers to another year where we can still make 'adulting' optional and 'fun' compulsory.

Embrace 2025 like we embrace brunch - with bottomless drinks and a complete lack of regrets.

Maybe this is the year we finally ditch the "I'll start on Monday" excuse

Here's to a year of not taking ourselves too seriously, unless we're talking about food.

Let's have the guts to chase our dreams unless they involve an early morning wake up call.

Cheers to a New Year filled with fun, laughter and steering clear of the gym like it's an old flame.

and now it's over to Sarah's Craft Shed

Jeudi Journal - Kitchen?

 "I only have a kitchen because it came with the house" is today's quote to marry with "Snow" which is Sharon's theme for the month at Art Journal Journey.  I hope Sharon does not mind my only having a window on my journal page which is showing a snow scene.

"Lisa has called at her sister, Jane's small house and Jane is as usual lounging about on the floor.  The house is in its usual untidy state whereas Jane herself is dressed in a chic playsuit with spotty tights and her hair has obviously been done by a professional.  It has some lovely pink streaks in it which match perfectly with her tights.

"Mum wants to know if you are going over on Christmas Day?" asked Lisa.  "and if you are, I want to know what you are going to take with you?  I've made a Christmas Log and some mince pies but we could do with something a bit savoury."

"I hope you don't think I am going to make anything.  I am having my nails done on Christmas Eve and don't intend ruining them.  Besides which you know I don't bake or cook." replied Jane.  "I only have a kitchen because it came with the house."

"You really are the limit" said Lisa feeling a bit cross.  Mum had worked hard bringing up the two girls and their brothers all those years whilst dad had been in the Merchant Navy and she appreciated just what mum had sacrificed for them.  Jane was the youngest of the four children and had been spoiled by the others answering to her every whim as a child.  How Lisa wished she could make Jane get up and take a bit of responsibility and help out so mum did not have to do it all.

The boys were both married and luckily they had both chosen good wives who were only too happy to pull their weight when it was needed.  They had got their heads together and decided on what they could make so that their mother in law didn't have to do too much.  The only fly in the ointment was the youngest daughter and at a family meeting they had decided that it was up to Lisa to get her to do something.

Lisa looked around, the stove was immaculate because it was rarely, if ever, used.  There was a stack of pancakes on the floor with a sticky bottle of Maple Syrup by it, a beaker and a jug were just left where she had obviously dropped them and, as usual, the washing basket was overflowing.  She averted her eyes, was this really her sister?  How on earth was she going to get Jane to make something to take to the Christmas Buffet?"

Our day today will be spent going out for a walk somewhere and just grazing on some things we bought specifically for today.  It's nice to have a day out and about and since we started putting tangerines in the fridge (picked up this tip the other week) I am looking forward to eating a couple of those whilst out walking,

My best wishes for the New Year.

WOYWW 812 Happy Christmas

 Well, the big jolly man dressed in red has been down a chimney or two - hope he managed to go down yours.  Also hope that you are having a lovely time as however you spend it.  

Normally close to Christmas I show you our tree but this year I am showing you lots of trees as we went to Bents Garden Centre to see their display.  I used to love going there to see the trees as each one was themed and there were some spectacular displays.  I always remember the Fred and Ginger tree - decorated with top hats, gloves and canes - doesn't sound exciting but believe me it was.  Anyway nothing like that this year but here is a selection of what they had on offer.

the box underneath the tree had lots of the baubles in that they had used for that particular tree.

With this one above a 6' tall Father Christmas stood guarding the display.  I cannot remember how much he cost to buy.  Below we have the Grinch tree.

As well as decorated Christmas trees they also had table and room settings.  Some had a wooden platform in front of them with footprints so you could stand in the best place to have your photo taken.

Just look at this dress

and I wanted this but decided to keep my money in my purse

Well I might try to make one for next year.

These last two are from our local Garden Centre

I hope you enjoyed seeing all of these Christmas photos.  Now all that remains is for me to Wish You All a Very Happy Christmas.  Take care, eat, drink and be merry (but not too much, remember it's harder to get the weight off than put it on.). Now to hop over to Sarah's to see who else is about.

Jeudi Journal - Mice?

 "People who hate cats were mice in a former life" is the quote we have to work with this week, coupling it up with Sharon's theme at Art Journal Journey which is "Snow".  I found this piece of paper which I carefully stuck in my journal because the design reminded me of snowflakes and snowballs.  Then I stamped some different images of snowflakes over the printed ones in Versafine Bali Blue.  After I had coloured (Promarkers) and cut out my figures I put some 'puffy snow' underneath them instead of shadows in order to ground them.  The two figures are by Dylusions but the cats are Laurel Burch images by Stampendous (just thought they were a change from the ones I usually use).

"Alf and his sister, Brenda, had gone out doing some Christmas shopping, it was a lovely crisp, bright winter's day and Brenda insisted on wearing her sunglasses.

"Why on earth are you wearing those?" asked Peter, who felt a bit embarrassed at his sister's choice of what to wear that day.

"Do you mean my sunglasses?" asked Brenda, "if so it is because the glare from the snow gets to my eyes and I don't want to have a headache" she replied.  "Or are you referring to my hat and the fact I have brought my little furry bunny along with me?  You know how I feel about my toys."

Peter just grunted and decided to let it go.  Yes, he had meant the sunglasses but the hat was a bit over the top and he just hoped he didn't meet any of his friends whilst out shopping.  You see, it hadn't been his idea to go shopping with Brenda, it was his mum who had insisted.

Brenda was obsessed with all furry animals.  She wanted a dog but mum said 'no' and she just made do with a cat.  The trouble was the cat would not let her dress it up but a dog would have, wouldn't he?  At least that was Brenda's logic.  Saying that she loved her cat, loved all cats and often had the neighbour's cat in the house as well as their own.

"People who hate cats were mice in a former life" she said to Peter.

"What on earth are you talking about?" asked her brother.

"People who hate cats were mice in a former life" she repeated.  "I've just been thinking, nobody on this earth can hate cats, but as cats chase mice and eat them I bet mice hate cats.  Therefore Mr Brown down the road who shoo's cats away and puts that stuff down in his garden to keep them away must have been a mouse in a former life."

"If you say so" said Peter, agreeing to anything she said that morning.  He didn't want a tantrum in the street with her and he knew if he said anything to upset her she would throw one and then what would mum say.  "Come on slow coach, if we are to buy presents for mum and dad we had better get a move on."

And with that the two of them hurried through the snow to the store that would be nice and warm and have lots of lovely things for them to choose from.  They had an hour to get a present for mum and dad and Peter was hoping to find something for the girl down the road he had a bit of a crush on."

WOWW 811

 Nearly there, almost time for that jolly little old man dressed in red to come down your chimney.  Have you been good?  Or have you been bad?

Well at ours the tree is up, the cards are on display (thanks to anyone reading this who sent us a card) and all are looking mighty fine, what wonderful designs people choose, whether commercial or hand made, the mince pies are bought (yes, didn't make any this year) and the cake is just waiting for the marzipan to dry out a bit and then I can ice it.  Mind you there is so much to eat I doubt we will cut into it (last year we had it for my birthday in March).  Most of the shopping is done, just the two of us for Christmas so we don't need much but I bet we have overspent as always.

We did have an early joint Christmas present, courtesy of Black Friday, at long last we have an air fryer and I cannot get my hands on it.  He won't let me near, but I am not bothered as he is enjoying cooking and I am enjoying eating the meals he prepares.  When the novelty wears off I will have a go at baking in it, looking forward to making some bread and some kind of sweet (cakey) loaf.  Also I spotted a great buy of a vacuum cleaner in "Martin's Money" so we treated ourselves to that and we love it, it is so light and I can use it with ease, not like the one we had before.  

Well, with Christmas prep out of the way I decided I needed some down (Non Christmas) time in my craft room and so I began colouring some old coasters.  I'd done the one with the hare on months ago so now I have started an owl and a humming bird.  All Lavinia of course.  Here is my desk:

Think it is pretty self explanatory as to what is on the desk, bottom right is my Nocturne ink pad upside down with my dirty baby wipe that I cleaned the stamps with.  I'll show you the coasters when they are done.  That just leaves me to say Happy Christmas to you all, we will be closed for maintenance next Wednesday ie mince pies and wine after the big bacon muffin we have made a custom for at our house on Christmas Day.  Call in if you want one but ring with your order first.  See you at Sarah's shortly.

Jeudi Journal - Thin?

 "I'm usually thin and gorgeous but it's my day off" is the quote we had to work with today and marry it up with Art Journal Journey 's "Snow" theme.

"It was a snowy day when Sandra and Bettina decided to meet up and do something, afterall it was a lovely crisp day with just a little snowfall on the ground and it had not turned into that slushy stuff that happens just when you have a brand new pair of red boots that you want to show off.  So, making the most of the light snowfall Sandra set off in her new big shiny red boots.

"Fancy going ice skating in the park?" asked Bettina.

"Not today" answered Sandra.  "I've only come out to please you" she went on to say.

"Oh, sorry, there was I thinking you had come out to show off your new shiny red boots" quipped Bettina, "I had noticed them, in fact you can hardly miss them, they are huge."

"These old things" replied Sandra, fingers crossed behind her back because she hated telling lies but it was ok if you did that with your fingers, wasn't it?

"Well, what did you have in mind then?" asked Bettina.

"Err I don't want to do anything where there are crowds, I'm not feeling up to it today."

"What do you mean?  You've come out wearing that big red coat and those fab new boots but you don't want to go where people are?  I don't understand you." 

"You know me, I'm usually thin and gorgeous, but it's my day off."

What do you mean it's your day off? queried Bettina.

"I don't honestly know.  I was so excited to wear my new red boots but then when I set off did not feel like it, not wanting to go out at all.  But I had promised to meet you and so I didn't like ringing and calling it off."

"You silly old thing" said Bettina, "You know we have been friends for such a long time, you could have rung and told me how you felt.  I'd have come over to yours and we could have stayed in nice and warm.  We didn't have to come out."

Bettina went and put her arm around Sandra giving her a big hug and the two of them decided the best thing to do was to go back to Sandra's and sample some of her mum's mince pies.  Who likes trudging around in snow anyway!"

Hopefully I am back now, still got a few spots that are itching but at least the pain of the shingles has gone.  How I wish I had known about the vaccination in time to have one.