Name this tree!

I know I'm being rather silly but I'm feeling rather melancholic today. Not because of the weather, although that's extremely changeable; it's literally pouring down one minute and feeling quite cool, then the sun comes and it's hot and this has been the pattern so far today!! The real reason I'm feeling low is because Beccy and the family will be out of touch for the next three weeks. Don't get me wrong I'm absolutely delighted that they are having a three week holiday in France with Joules' family. Dillon, Mollie and Ben will have a brilliant time with their little cousins, aunts and uncles and their other grandparents; Ben rang me last night to tell me all about it and say goodbye- he's such a sweetie. I suppose I've got used to daily contact through the blogs and more recently skype and this is what I will, selfishly, miss. However Beccy and Ben are coming to spend a few days with us in July while Dillon and Mollie are away at camp so I have that to look forward to.
Now what have I been doing
Yesterday (Weds) on my walk with Angel I decided to concentrate on trees. Growing up in the country I was far more interested in climbing them than learning their names. Of course we all knew where to get our conkers and had marvelous fights to see who had the champion conker. I think this has now been banned in schools because of H&S issues, yes, there is an element of risk but what's a few bruises compared to learning good eye to hand co-ordination and having fun that cost nothing!! On the other hand were we just lucky and what would have happened if someone had been seriously injured, probably not a lot when I was a child; nowadays someone would be sued!! So I guess it has to be better safe than sorry- what do you think?
The Horse Chestnut which gives us conkers.
We suddenly came across a tree that had been unrooted, I couldn't decide if this was part of the estate management or whether it had been blown over in a storm.
I couldn't get a full photo of it as it was a really huge tree. In fact it was so big it spanned the river and I couldn't get it all in camera view, about half of it is in this picture.
It seemed strange to suddenly see this little conifer on the edge of the wood, alongside its tall friends!
Now this is the tree I cannot name and I'm relying on someone being able to tell me- I wonder if it is a rhododendron!! (The flowers were almost over).
We also stumbled across lots of molehills and Angel was more than a little interested and tried to dig into a couple of them.
We were out for a couple of hours and another hour yesterday evening - needless to say we both slept very well!!
Today (Thurs) I have been having internet connection problems and have only been able to stay on line for the last couple of hours which is why I am late posting this. I wanted to go swimming this morning which meant I was up and out with Angel by 7am. We only did a short walk 1.6 miles and she did not look impressed when I later went off without her. It was also the monthly Market this afternoon and I took my mother, luckily we just about got back between the storms. I was able to get a lovely lot of fresh fruit and veg grown about 30 miles away. I'm particularly looking forward to trying the early raspberries, strawberries and the asparagus and embee had to have a pastie for his lunch tomorrow!

Witty Wednesday # 7 The Dentist and Frank!

The Dentist
A guy and a girl meet at a bar. They get along so well that they. Decide to go to the girl's place. A few drinks later, the guy takes off his shirt and then washes his hands. He then takes off his trousers and washes his hands again. The girl has been watching him and says, "You must be a dentist." The guy, surprised, says "Yes... How did you figure that out?" "Easy," she replied, "you keep washing your hands." One thing led to another and they make love. After they're done, the girl says, "You must be a good dentist." The guy, now with a boosted ego says, "Sure, I'm a good dentist, how did you figure that out?" "I Didn't feel a thing!"

Beccy has reminded me that she has already published his second joke so apologies and I have added another.

To Be Frank
A man walks into the street and the rain, and immediately manages to hail a cruising taxi just about to pass by. He tells the driver his destination, gets into the taxi and the cabbie says “Perfect timing, just like Frank”.

The man says “Who?”

Cabbie : “Frank Feldman. He’s a guy that did everything right – all the time. Like I was passing, just as you came out of that building there. Things like that always happened to Frank Feldman”

Passenger : “Well there must be some clouds in everyone’s life, surely?”

Cabbie : “Not with Frank Feldman! He was a great athlete too. Could have won a tennis Grand Slam, played golf with the pros, anything. He sang like Sinatra, danced like a Broadway star, and you should have heard him play the piano. Sensational! What a guy, eh?”

Passenger : “Sounds like he was someone really special, then”

Cabbie : “There’s more. He had a memory like a computer. He’d remember everyone’s birthday or anniversary. He knew all about dining out, which wines to order, which cutlery to use, all that stuff. And he could fix
anything, he was an expert electrician, carpenter, plumber and so on. Me, I change a fuse and it knocks out all the lighting in the street. Not Frank Feldman, he got everything right”.

Passenger : “Wow, some guy then!”

Cabbie : “And he always knew the quickest way to get from A to B, avoiding traffic jams, not like me. I always seem to get stuck in them”.

Passenger : “Mmmm. There aren’t many like him around”.

Cabbie : “And he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good. He would never answer her back, even when she was wrong. He was always immaculately dressed, too. Shoes always polished, clothes always exactly right for the occasion – he was just the perfect gentleman. Never made a mistake. Nobody could ever measure up to Frank Feldman”.

Passenger : “An amazing fellow! How did you meet him?”

Cabbie : “Well, I never actually met Frank”

Passenger : “Well, how do you know so much about him, then?”

Cabbie : “Because I married his widow, that’s how”.

Hope this started your day with a bit of a giggle- me I'm off doggy walking in the rain!!

This is the post script joke

The Frog

A guy is 71 years old and loves to fish. He was sitting in his boat the other day when he heard a voice say, "Pick me up."
He looked around and couldn't see any one. He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say again, "Pick me up." He looked in the water and there floating on the top, was a frog. The man said, "Are you talking to me?"

The frog said, "Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up. Then, kiss me and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous because you will have me as your bride."

The man looked at the frog for a short time, reached over, picked it up carefully, and placed it in his front breast pocket.

Then the frog said, "What, are you nuts? Didn't you hear what I said? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful bride."

He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said, "Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog."

I got this one from Embee!!

Anyone for walkies!

Thank goodness yesterday was dry and sunny although cold. I retraced my footsteps from the previous day, armed with my camera for a walk through the Blaise Castle Estate. I have posted about these walks before and you will notice from the photos that it looks very different from the last time I took Angel there for a walk. After all the recent rain and now that it's well into Spring, everywhere is green and fresh looking. The trees have burst into leaf, some of the wild flowers are in bloom and birds are singing (sorry I can't provide that).

 

We had a great time exploring lots of the little pathways alonside the river, luckily it wasn't too deep for me to cross although it was nearly to the top of my wellies in a couple of places. We saw only one solitary duck which promptly left the pond to sit on the stone bridge and watch Angel from a safe distance. If you enlarge the photos you will notice a couple of caves have been fashioned in the rocks (the stones forming the roof of the one cave is quite interesting). You will also notice a picture of Angel looking out of my dining room window she likes to watch one of the neighbour's cats who sits on a wall opposite as if taunting her! I also suspect she is on the lookout for her family but she seems happy enough most of the time.

My visitor

This is my visitor, Angel, the dalmation belonging to my niece. My brother, sister-in-law, their two daughters and their families have gone to Portugal and I'm giving Angel her holiday for the next 10 days. You can see she is settling down for her first night and she does like her pillow!
Yesterday it rained all day and I got soaking wet twice taking her out for walks. Not sure it's so pleasant in the rain but I'm sure the excercise is doing me good!.

My Secret Swap Surprise Arrived

Just in case you have no idea what I am talking about you can read how Frannie introduced us to her original idea for this swap here. I'm not sure how many bloggers finally entered but we all had great fun packing and sending off parcels and then sitting back to wait for a surprise to arrive. Well yesterday when my doorbell rang I guessed it was a delivery and I was not to be disappointed. My parcel had come all the way from BS in Virginia The First of Six.
I am now the very proud owner of a special coffee mug and I am just going to 'love' drinking my coffee from it as I settle down to blog. I really like honey (I wonder how she knew) but I overcame my temptation to try it straight away and I will savour it probably when I'm alone (so I don't need to share it-is this mean). The gourmet peanuts I will share with Embee as he is rather partial to them so a BIG thank you Beth you really made my day. Also a thank you to Frannie for all the organisation.

Inside the room of your Soul

I have a very busy day today as I have a visitor coming to stay for a week. No I won't tell you who it is but for those who have a good memory I have mentioned it before.... I wonder if anyone remembers!!!! If you're curious then pop back over the next few days and all will be revealed!

I have again borrowed this from Peter

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are very passionate and quite temperamental. While you can be moody, you always crave comfort. You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but you're head is in the clouds. You believe that people see you as larger than life and important. While this is true, they also think you're a bit full of yourself. Your near future is calm, relaxing, and pretty much what you want. And it's something you've been anticipating for a while now. For you, love is all about caring and comfort. You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

Well there you are then- ME am I moody and and tempermental and crave comfort I don't think sooo but the family might disagree so is there a little bit of truth in this rubbish!!! Give it a go and see for yourselves.

Let's celebrate 'Friendship Friday'

As I was eating my breakfast and reading all the posts about the surprise packages that have safely arrived, I was listening to BBC radio 2's 'Thought for the Day'. (A different person from many of the worlds religions shares their thoughts each day). Today's speaker, a Buddhist monk from Scotland, told us it is 'Friendship Friday today' which I didn't know. It is apparently being celebrated in schools which I think is lovely as you hear so much about bullying and bad behaviour. At the moment we have so much knife and gun crime in parts of the UK it is quite worrying. It would be wonderful if the trend could be reversed to create harmony among all children and their teachers. I cannot remember everything that was said but I do remember him saying friendship was about learning to be a friend to yourself, your neighbours and the world. I though this was very apt because are we not creating (albeit) virtual friendships through our blogging and the secret swap packages are a part of this so Frannie had the right idea.

I was helping my mother sort out some of her paperwork a few weeks ago and I found this reading which I love. She thinks it came from a magazine called ' People's Friend". I asked her to write it out for me and I now keep it displayed and I feel the words perfectly fit this special day and I hope you agree:


So many Gods
So many creeds
So many paths that wind and wind
While just the art of being kind
Is all the sad world needs.

If you have someone you have been meaning to contact or you know someone who is lonely or sad give them a call.

Quick and tasty

About ten days ago I saw this over at I'm Mad and I Eat. Anyone who follows Cookiecrumb will know that she and Cranky are very good at concoting something from nothing. So the other evening when I was desperately looking for a quick meal with little preparation (because I'd spent too much time blogging and had not left enough time to cook the planned meal) I remembered her post 'Visible Pantry Line' and decided to do my own variation as I had some bacon and mushrooms to use up and I always have onions and walnuts. I used tagliatelle as that's what I happened to have and I decided to omit the cheese (I can't remember now if embee added any). It made a very tasty, if calorific, meal and is very easy to adapt.
I started frying the onions then bacon, mushrooms and finally when almost cooked added the walnuts. Voila the end result.... I hear you saying 'that's not a very healthy meal' and I would agree but occasionally a little bit of what you fancy does you good!!!!!! and you can serve it with a healthy salad.


Thank you Cookiecrumb you are an inspiration for a lot of my meals.

Witty Wednesday # 7 Skinny Dipping

Skinny Dipping

An elderly man in Florida had owned a large farm for years. He had a large pond in the back, fixed up nice; picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some orange and peach trees. The pond was ideal for swimming, although he rarely did that anymore.
 
One evening he decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a five gallon bucket with which to bring back some fruit.
 
As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee. As he came closer he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond. He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end.
 
One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!"
  
The old man frowned, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or to make you get out of the pond naked." Holding the bucket up he said, "I'm here to feed the alligator."
 
Moral: Old men can still think fast.

I got this from Embee now I know the way his mind works!! oops I made a boob this one was from Johng SORRY John I'm getting a bit senile-don't you dare agree!!!


A few words came my way the other day and I thought I'd pass them on ...................

A little Sisterhood goes a long way

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT... its seems your sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you... or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still.

My friend asked me to pass this on to all the women who help make my life meaningful. So my friends this is for all of you.

My job for today

Why is that workmen keep putting you off and then arrive to do the job when you'd rather they didn't!! Remember I helped unload a few fence panels a couple of weeks ago. We have been waiting to have the fence at the front of the house replaced as over the last couple of years, every time there is a strong wind or storm the fence sways and looks as though it is about to take off. The guy who was doing the work told me he was planning to come on Friday but as he had given me dates twice before and then had a reason not to come I didn't really think he would arrive. However on the said day I got a phone call at 8:30 am saying he would be arriving in half an hour-that's fine I said while cursing under my breath because I had an appointment at 9:15. True to his word he arrived just before 9 am (with his son-in-law as a helper- I can't help getting all the gen it's my social work/inspection background). As I was getting ready to leave, he immediately started ripping out the old fence and by the time I returned an hour later the old fence was on the lawn and two of the new panels had been fitted. I suddenly realised that he might not be sinking the concrete base board (not sure what its called) deep enough (we had previously agreed it would be sunk 6 inches to try and prevent the bindweed and ivy from next door encroaching on our garden).
Conversation went:
me- that doesn't look as though you have sunk the concete
him- no but if I do that I have to dig down
me -if you recall that's what we agreed when you quoted for the job
him- well the fence won't be nice and level like before, it will have to be stepped
me -that's ok I prefer that to getting all the weeds coming underneath
him- ok if that's what you want
me-thank you
I think he then got quite worried as I rushed to get the camera
him- why are you taking pictures?
me- I'm not an idiot I keep records Oh it's just for my web diary, my daughters and friends like to see what I'm doing
I went back inside to make tea and my mother said 'the phone's not working' Oh no me thinks they have cut through the wire which I know is underground where they have been digging and I did warn them. Out I go to check- they assured me they had moved the cable and reburied it. Next step I telephoned the cable company (we have a separate phone line to my mother and this is not affected) after half an hour of pressing buttons and finally talking to an operator who made me unplug the phone then plug it into one of my sockets to make sure the handset worked she then decided that it needed to be checked by an engineer but this couldn't be done until the following week. So she booked an appointment for the Monday between 12-4pm. When I told my mother she wailed 'I feel bereft without the phone, no one will be able to get me how will I manage'- you can use our phone -no I don't want to do that I want my own phone (I can't cope with this I'm thinking). They were almost finished when I took out a second cup of tea, but by then it has started to rain, and I was a bit concerned about the setting concrete. However they finished quickly and did a reasonable job of clearing up, although we do have bits of cement on the path that I can't seem to get off- why does one job always create another!! This is the end result and all I have to do now is put on some fence paint for extra preservation.
They left before 1pm having completed the whole job in under 4 hours which was pretty quick. What really interested me was the way the concrete was mixed by throwing in a bag of mix and pouring water on top; embee assures me this is how its done these days- well even I could that!!!

Postscript on Phone- we didn't have to wait until the Monday- engineer came on Sunday and surprise surprise the phone line had broken (probably as a result of the movement when the fence was being replaced)- there was no charge to us so that was OK -the engineer said it happens all the time. While he was here I also asked him about my wireless connection and he said link your computers ; he got a cable from his van plugged it in and hey presto immediate connection- and so far no other problems- as for the wireless connection well it might be useful for visiting laptops!!

Fun Monday # 18 Ode to Computers

Nikki is hosting this week.

Anyone who read my post written earlier today will know that I wasn't going to enter this week. I've been struggling with my idea but now I've given in and decided to publish this......

Ode to Computers

There was an old woman whose blogging
Caused hubby to blame her for hogging
Instead of a fight
To help put things right
She bought a second computer to login!!!!!!

and here is the proof!!!!


I'd rather be sick than miss out because I've read some really good poems today!!!!

These feet are made for stamping!!!

A week ago I went to an promotional day at one of the local Leisure Centres. The idea was to encourage people to take more excercise, eat more healthily and generally look after your body, in particular your 'feet'. Oh and Crocs were being promoted as healthy shoes. I was hoping to get a sample foot massage but I was in for a big disappointment as it turned out they were just looking for a perfect set of pins. I was instantly dismissed as 'not passing', personally I would have thought they would have been better served by encouraging us 'no hopers' to take regular foot care; maybe they didn't want extra business. My feet are probably beyond redemption well that's how they made me feel anyway!! What I did see were some very active children who were quite keen to have their feet photographed. The end result could be a very pleasant way to excercise the feet- but I'll take mine from a bottle what about you ??

Fun Monday # 18

I am not participating this week but you will find out who is creative over at Nikki's. The theme for this week is poetry and although I really wanted to join in the fun I cannot come up with the goods. I have a couple of feeble attempts that I could not get to scan so have given up- mind if I get any brainwaves later I will add a late entry but don't hold your breathe. Being a looser sucks!!

Race for Life

Yesterday dawned wet and windy but quite warm and as the morning progressed the sun came out in between the showers. Why was I so interested in the weather - well those who read this post will know that I was taking part in the race for life to raise money for cancer research UK. This has been an annual event for several years and although I've always supported friends, I've never actually taken part before. I entered the event a while back after reading lots of moving stories on the blogs I regularly follow, not knowing at the time that this evil disease was going to hit a lot closer to home.
By early afternoon the rain had stopped and although it remained windy the sun was out and we were raring to go (my friend Tina was also walking the course- you didn't think I would be running did you!!). Embee drove us as close to the start as possible and agreed to pick us up later when I phoned him. The setting for this event is the Downs and is very popular place for walks, kite flying, football, bird watching (peregrine falcon).
All the runners were taking part in a rather strenuous warm up and I felt tired just watching them so I decided a few calf stretching excercises would have to do for me. There were over 7,000 women and children taking part yesterday and likely to be the same number again today; so this is a cause close to many people's hearts.

Eventually were were edging our way to wards the start, runners set off first and the walkers followed. Although tinged with sadness when you read the labels and saw who everyone was racing for, there was nevertheless a tremendously happy atmosphere and everyone was determinded to finish the circuit.
My friend's son rode his bike up to give us some support and we stopped for a photo shoot as we overlooked the Avon Gorge and you can see the famous Bristol Suspension Bridge in the background.
The whole circuit was only 5K so it was not really very far, but it still felt good when the finish came into view.

Every participant gets a medal, along with a much needed bottle of water and a small goodie bag containing, samples of washing powder, deodorant, shower gel, moisturizer. Hmm do you think they're trying to tell us something!!! Oh dear this looks rather like a convict's photo!!
I think this will now become an annual event for us. When cancer strikes someone close to you, you feel so helpless and useless but by supporting cancer research through this event I hope that there will be more effective treatment discovered and a brighter future for the many people who are fighting this disease.

Surprise Parcel

My surprise parcel was posted yesterday afternoon so hopefully it reaches it's destination safely. I wonder where it will end up!!!!

What Type of Writer Are You

I borrowed this from Peter portraitofpeter who found it via Lynne at my house is your house

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Load of rubbish really but give it a go anyway!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOLLIE 11 today

It was lovely to be able to see my grandaughter, Mollie, as I wished her a Happy Birthday and I took this photo via skype.

I am sharing just a few photos of her taken over the years.
She loves the beach.
Mollie enjoys performing as you can see from these two photos.
Purple is one of her favourite colours. Dressing up for Paddy's Day.
Rather cute as a toddler but then I'm bias.

Have a really lovely day Mollie Lots of love from Bristol xx

A day for quiet reflection

I am not posting a Witty Wednesday joke because this is a day for serious reflection and prayers as it's Livestrong Day. Barbara has been hosting a "Taste of Yellow' 144 bloggers participated in this event and she had done a brilliant round up so pop over and have a look. Barbara has shared her personal story as have many of the other bloggers, who have family and friends battling this awful cancer disease.

You might like to visit Terri at my4kids where you can read about a brave little girl called Kennedy who is being treated for Lukaemia.

Also I would like you to say a prayer for Sheena, a friend of my daughter Sam, who is just starting the battle and is in hospital at the moment. In the picture Sheena is in the pink top (4th along). This photo was taken at my house when Sam was on a visit about three years ago. The five have been friends through school and into their adult life so everyone is feeling very sad at the moment. Sam and Sheena were particularly close as teenagers when they were in their 'hippy' stage, and they did a lot together including taking off in Sam's old Morris car to go camping in Devon.

My prayers and thoughts are with all of you today and I will be wearing something yellow.

I'm also participating in the race for life on Saturday, (no not running I'll be walking it with my friend Tina), so wish me luck.

Look what came in the post today

I think I have complained before that I only ever get bills and junk mail delivered through the door. Well today I got a lovely surprised and what I thought was a letter from Beccy, was in fact some beautiful cards from Emma sent via Beccy. Emma has a wonderful talent for making beautiful cards and three of them are now sitting on top of my TV where I can admire them. The words are so true for example "It takes a long time to grow an old friend' and 'How beautiful a day can be when friendship touches it'. Not sure I will be able to part with them but on the other hand they are so lovely I need to share the sentiments. So BIG THANK YOU EMMA.

Bargain Price!!!!!!!

I know you are all wanting to know what I paid for this bowl. I have tried to do some research on the maker and from the little I could find out I think this was made prior to 1911. I am currently waiting for a reply to an email I sent to the Staffordshire pottery to try and find out exactly when it was made and a bit more about the design.

So will not keep you in suspense any longer it was a massive £5!! and still I tried to haggle but I do think it is worth it at that price. It's quite large and I'm trying to decide if it will be on display or kept hidden in cupboard. Half the fun of this for me was seeing how much you thought I paid for it. I do like a bargain as the girls will tell you!! For example, I got a £1 off a nice travel towel this week as the packaging was a bit broken- well it if you don't ask you don't get- that's my motto.

So who got the 'price right' Frannie wrote "I would pay no nore than $10 for it- but I am horribly cheap. If it is really china, probably a little more". So Frannie you are a lot like me and were practically spot on. Well done and I know I wasn't going to give a prize but if you email me your address I will send you a little something from Bristol.

Fun Monday # 17 Will you join me for coffee!!

Willowtree is our fun monday host this week he likes to be in the know and this is the quest he's sent us on:

"Again this is one of those stickybeak posts. You could also get a bit creative photographically speaking if you wanted to. So here it is, I would like to see your favourite Coffee Mug. But wait there's more, I'd also like to see your favourite glasses for a) non alcoholic drinks and b) alcoholic drinks. If you want extra credit you could also post your favourite plate. Note I said favourite, not best".

I don't have a favourite mug I have many and I use them all so here are a few and I love them all because they were given to me by my nearest and dearest (so how can I possibly choose just one)!!
Now I wonder who gave me 'bossy boots' hmmm, the grandma mug came after Dillon was born, the Freesia (my favourite flowers) mug was bought on holiday in Cornwall. The heart mug was a mother's day gift and I always start the day with a cup of boiled water in this one and there are two other 'mum' ones given to me by my daughters. The tennis mug came one Christmas, for anyone who doesn't know me well I was a keen tennis player until three years ago and I still love to follow it on TV. The 'Boss' mug was given to me by work colleagues back in the 80's (I was the manager and they would probably have liked to add a 'y')!! The little bear was from Embee one Valentine's day a few years back. I decided to stop here as the other two favourites were in the dishwasher when I took the photo. I know I've broken the rules but I reckon it's OK as it's only one photo!!

This plate was a present from my three grandchildren in 2005 so there is no need to tell you why I absolutely love it and always find a reason to use it when I'm entertaining.
These two plates were decorated by Mollie and Dillon back in 1999 and they sit proudly on my dresser where I can see them and everyone else can admire them.
This is the wine glass I use most of the time. It was one of three bought by Embee second hand (junk or charity shop not sure he will no doubt put me right when he reads this). What I do remember (or what I was told at the time) is he paid £1 (approx $2) each and I love the shape of the glass and the pattern. Sadly we are now down to two as someone broke one recently and this time it wasn't Embee but I'm sure it was his fault!!
This is the tumbler (snowflake) I use for grabbing a quick drink I bought 6 of them just after Christmas in a sale for about 50 pence each. I've had them for years and we're now down to the last two.

So you now know my drinking habits and I'm off to visit the rest of you (32 at my last count) for coffee or maybe raise a glass depending on the time of day!!