HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year :)

(I took this overexposed shot of Xmas bows and thought it looked a bit like fireworks :)

See ya all next year, sober and ready to go :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Classic Victoria Sponge Cake.

This is absolutely our Family's favourite cake. It is very traditional. It is quintessentially English; along with cucumber sandwiches, scones and cups of tea.

If there is one thing I know about college kids they do not get many home baked goodies while at school, so this was the first thing I made for them when they came home. :)

I use the same recipe from my Delia Smith cookbook I have used for 20+ years. Delia is a mainstay in all that is good in British cooking (yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron but we do have some great classic recipes and this is one of those) I also found her online, so if you are interested in making this here is a link to the recipe for a Classic Victoria Sponge.

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Merry Christmas.

I wanted to wish everyone a safe, joyous, fun and love filled

Merry Christmas :)

Here are a few images from our Christmas Tree :)

(I was experimenting with night time light and no flash, I think these shots turned out pretty well :)

This is the first Xmas ornament I ever owned, it was given to me by the little girls I was a nanny for in Vancouver B.C. 30+ years ago. 3 little girls, 2, 4 and 5 all lined up outside my door to bring me a Dakin ornament each, one this Snowman, a Santa and an Angel, it was so cute, they helped me choose a place on my little Xmas tree to put them, the most wonderful part of this is the family I worked for was Jewish and had gone out of their way to make sure Christmas was celebrated in their house (well my room) for me. That was so thoughtful and sweet, it was my first Xmas away from home and in a different country.

Of course there are a number of trains on our Christmas Tree. :)

This sparkling Dress (on a hanger too) is the latest ornament added to my collection this year :)

In my Dreams, that is me on the Harley, not Barbie :)

I am toying with the idea of having Peyton Manning at the top of the Tree :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Rain, Rain and more, yep, Rain.

I am trying to be positive :) But we have had a lot of rain. I took this photo yesterday from the end of our street when there was a small break in the clouds. There is a river down there somewhere, no I couldn't see it either. We are pretty much stuck in the clouds and the rain makes me a little cranky :) Although, once I am out in it walking around with my umbrella I feel completely ok with it, must be my Britishness coming out. :)

Xmas shopping done, Xmas prezzies wrapped, Baking (needs to be done) Children, one home, one in the air, one packing :)

Have a Wonderful Day!

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

College boys are coming home!

I am walking around with a permanent grin on my face. I am soooo excited. I am off to the airport today to pick up my youngest who is flying home for the Holidays :) He is done with the first semester of college and loved it but is as excited as I to be coming home.

On Monday I go back to the airport to pick up my other son who is flying back from college in England :)


Then on Tuesday my daughter flies home. :)



I have been cleaning and I planned the menus weeks ago, I am going to do nothing but enjoy the company of my wonderful children over the Holidays (oh and the Hubby, of course :) and be grateful every moment that they are happy to come home :)

Have a wonderful Weekend!

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

Tacky Christmas Wreath.

I have a heart shaped wreath hanging on my front door for most of the year. Then as it gets closer to Christmas I think about replacing it with a holiday festive wreath. I have made various ones in the past but this one is so tacky I have surprised myself that it is hanging on my front door for the world to see. I guess I was bored with the big fake poinsettia flowers sprinkled with glitter (that sounds tacky too :) and thought I would chance things up this year by using materials from art supply boxes. I hoard used Xmas paper, ribbons, tinsel, cards, even candy wrappers with the hope of someday incorporating these items into a masterpiece, well a piece of art anyway :) So, you know how it happens, you are sitting there thinking maybe it might be a fun thing to do and before you know it you have ripped the lids off all the storage boxes and have rummaged thru the storage drawers to find what might work.

I found some copper wire, really sturdy old xmas wrapping paper, tinsel from old xmas crackers, bows and ribbon from last years parcels and voila, pretty much the tackiest wreath I have seen and because of that I kinda have a very soft spot for it. :)

Have a wonderful Weekend!

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.

My Little Christmas Men.

All 32 of them :) I have been collecting Christmas "Men" for a few years now. (Oh, there are a couple of Snowmen, an Angel, a Xmas Teddy Bear and a Penguin who also wondered in :)


Yes, I did cheat a bit, I purchased 2 a year, naughty I know but Santa is still coming to our house :)

I didn't buy one yet this year :(

I love the ones on springs that wobble, very jolly :)

I always have trouble decided who is going to stand next to each other (egos ya know) but I think this works :)

This guy just loves sitting atop of the Blue Ellie :)

I love the blue and white on his jacket and his silver shoes :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.