Fun Monday # 47

Peter is the host today and he wants us to have some fun he says:

'I want you to tell us your favorite joke and/or show us
your favorite cartoon, don’t worry if there is some
duplication that just means more than one person
found it funny.
So come on and regale us with your best joke and/or
cartoon, remember its New Years Eve and we feel
like a good laugh, before 2008 comes along and does its thing on us'.


As many of you will know I usually post jokes on a Wednesday so you will have read many of mine. Today I have decided to leave you with some cartoon jokes that caught my eye while I was browsing
Revenge of the Mouse...
How They Decided to Punish Bill Gates...
Who You're Really Chatting With on the Internet...
If looks could kill!
New Photos from the First U.S. Trip to the Moon...

Remaking an old western!!
It's Never Too Late to Enjoy Yourself! Could this be me!!!!!
I am expecting a lot of laughs today!!

Archives:
December 31st 2006: Happy New Year

London Eye View

We travelled to London by coach as if was by far, the less expensive option, and it was an easy journey. We were lucky enough to be able to book into our hotel and leave our bags before heading into the city. Well first stop was a drink as you can see below.
Mollie wanted to head for the London Eye and when we arrived and saw the queues we were quite worried about the length of time we would be standing waiting. However, everything was well organised, the queues moved steadily and before we knew it we were in a pod slowly moving upwards. It is so gentle you are totally unaware of any movement. You may remember I am not keen on heights but somehow this did not feel as though you were so high. Unfortunately it was rather dull and although the sun broke through the cloud it was only for a short time so I am rather disappointed with my photos. Also although you can move around the pod everyone else is also trying to get the best views. I decided to put together a slide show, of the photos I took regardless of quality.
You will see the Houses of Parliament, if you look closely St Paul's is between the buildings, there are several bridges spanning the River Thames, and you get some idea of the density of the buildings and different styles of architecture. You can just see the top of County Hall which houses the London Aquarium (there's a great little video in the link). You will also see one of the street entertainers and lots of people out enjoying themselves.


After this we headed for Covent Garden where we had a meal
before heading for Regent Street and Hamleys the biggest toy shop in the world! We explored Liberty's just before arriving at The London Palladium to see The Sound of Music. It was an excellent show the children were delightful and the role of Maria was played by Aoife Mulholland (the understudy)and not Connie Fisher who was the winner of the TV show specifically designed to select the star of the show. Aoife was one of the girls knocked out before the final, however she was a strong contender until then and she did not disappoint the audience. I would certainly recommend it.
I will tell you about the rest of the trip later in the week.

Archives:
December 30th 2006: Hospital Treatment

Home from the Big Smoke

Just wanted to let you know the girls are back home. We had a good time, but I'm too tired to write much so I thought I would leave you with a glimpse of the London Eye as we drove along the Embankment.

P.S. My lovely grandson has just been helping me create a copyright for my photos. I may change it now I know how, (well that's if I can remember the instructions!) but I'm actually quite happy with this. I still have a few more things I need to learn before he goes home on Tuesday!

Archives:
December 29th 2006: Friday 29th

My Grandson made Dinner.

My fourteen year old grandson showed us his culinary skills last night by making dinner. We had plenty of turkey left over so he made a curry and very tasty it was too.


We are leaving the boys at home, to fend for themselves, and Beccy, Mollie and I are off to London today on an overnight stay to see a show. This is Mollie's Christmas present from last year and mine (from them) this year. What we are going to see?? If I were clever enough I could set a trapp that provides clues that nun of you guess!!!!!

Archives:
December 28th 2006: Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Playing Games

We decided to take a trip to the local Mall to see if there were any bargains.
Beccy did quite well but I won't tell you what she bought in case she decides to tell you. The Mall was heaving with people as one would expect now the sales have started. There were some genuinely good reductions on a lot of clothes and electrical goods. Since we arrived home we have been playing one of Ben's new games ~ (answering questions without saying 'yes or no'). They were all quite sure I was going to be hopeless at this but who actually won~ well I'm too modest to tell you!

Archives:
December 27th 2006: Meet Bionicle

Boxing Day

Today has been nice and leisurely, there was no rush to get up and by the time everyone had eaten breakfast and showered it was late morning. We have a tradition of going for a walk on Boxing Day in the Blaise Estate (this is a favourite walk of mine and anyone who reads me regularly will probably remember I have written about this area of Bristol before). Embee dropped us off and we walked through the estate stopping to play Pooh sticks at each of the bridges. The children decided to race to the top of the very steep section in the picture below. The pictures below is the River Trym that runs through the estate.


Just after this cute picture was taken Ben decided to come down the steep part on his bottom so the seat of his pants was a horrible muddy mess. That didn't deter him and he still had the energy to play in the adventure playground. Embee then collected us and we returned home for a late lunch. It was then time for a game of hide and seek, and they had great fun finding unusual places to hide. As I am writing this, Beccy is alongside me on the other computer booking coach tickets for a trip we are taking on Friday (you will hear more about this later in the week)!

Archives:
December 26th 2006: Boxing Day Traditions

Christmas Day

Just to show you that Beccy is alive and well and here in Bristol for a week. I have passed on all your Christmas messages and as you can see from the picture she wishes you all a very Happy Christmas.
I didn't take many photos today and the ones I did take are a bit blurred for some reason. The grandchildren were pleased with all their presents and so was my mother. Our Christmas Meal went to plan. We all over indulged and I personally couldn't eat another thing today... I might just manage a few more drinks!!

Sam and Fred I don't expect you will see this but if happen to be anywhere with internet access....we hope you are enjoying your day and we wished you'd been with us. Everyone sends their love xx

Archives:
December 25th 2006: Happy Christmas

Christmas Eve Police Spy

I don't suppose anyone will be blogging today but I just had to share this. As I walked to get the morning paper I was surprised to see FIVE police officers (yes I did say 5!) standing in the middle of the road. They were smiling and wished me a Merry Christmas so I asked what they were doing, I'm forever nosey, interested in what goes on being active in the Neighbourhood Watch (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it). I was told they were checking for drunk driving, last night's party revelers!! OK 9am are they joking I would have thought the revelers were long gone and certainly would not be about this early to be caught with alcohol still running through their veins! Now had they been out there at 4 or 5am (when I heard plenty of cars about) they would have caught them going home drunk. Maybe there's no crime being committed today and they needed to keep the staff busy! Now don't get me wrong I'm all for catching the drunk drivers, but somehow I feel they are concentrating on the wrong people today!! Anyone will tell you, in this country if you need the police they are too busy to respond quickly and now I know why!

So my Christmas Message is enjoy yourself but don't Drink 'n' Drive and if you drive past my house this morning you might just get stopped. So you can always call in for coffee because my friend, Kim, gave me an early Christmas present yesterday of this..... which I am prepared to share with my friends. Kim said whenever she goes to Tim Hortons she thinks about our (that's Tina and me) Canadian trip back in the summer (she did consider bringing Timbits but decided they wouldn't travel~ wise decision!)

Embee has just gone to the airport to collect Beccy and the gang and I'm having a quick coffee before they get here. That's when the fun begins....oops I still need to clean the bathroom better get my skates on.

Archives:
December 24th 2006: Christmas Eve and One day to go

Count Down Panic!!!!

I have had a really hectic day and it's almost 11pm and I am only now finding time to get on the computer, apart from about ten minutes reading a couple of posts while I ate my breakfast. I feel so tired I could easily fall asleep right here so this will be quick.
What made me so tired, well I made soup and baked a cake before breakfast, put a load of washing in the machine, and then thoroughly cleaned four of the bedrooms, made up 5 beds, washed floors, and front porch. In between my brother and sister-in-law called to bring my turkey so I stopped for coffee and a chat.
You may remember me telling you about my turkey in this post. I ended up with the bird below which weighed in at 18lbs. All I have to do tomorrow is prepare it for roasting which is not to big a task.
I made my cranberry sauce on Saturday.
I also made the first batch of mince pies.

My friend Kim who is home on holiday from Canada rang this morning and we decided this evening would probably be a good day for our get together. So after a bit of phoning I booked a table at local pub, and arranged for our other friend, Tina, to collect me on the way to pick up Kim. I needed to be ready by 5.45pm... at 5.20pm I was just going to get changed when Beccy phoned to make final arrangements about picking them up from the airport tomorrow. I expect you think I wasn't ready when Tina arrived but you'd be wrong, I had no time to dither and try on several things like I normally do before going out. I was actually hoping Tina was going to be late but for once she was on time so it was a good job that I was ready. After all the rushing we had a lovely relaxing evening catching up and looking at Kim's wedding photos (she got married in August just after Tina and I had visited her). I won't say anything about the meal itself as it nothing special but it was the company that was important. It's so nice to know that our friend is happy and settled. She wanted to know when we were going to visit again, so Embee when you read this you might need to keep working for a bit longer!
You can see why I'm now feeling pretty jaded so I'm off to bed as I need to get up early to finish a few more bits and pieces before the family arrive from Dublin!

Archives:
December 23th 2006: Two days and Counting

Winter Solstice

Today is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere so it's the shortest day and the longest night.
I hate the dark evenings so roll on the lighter nights but I know it will be a while before we notice any change.

Archives:
December 22nd 2006: Last Celebration Meal

Christmas Greetings

I finally managed to get my Christmas Tree decorated today and what happened just as I finished, one set of light promptly went out. I went around testing each one and decided to give up as it was taking too long. I then took a couple of photos and went shopping. It was dark when I got home and Embee was arriving home from work at the same time. I mentioned the lights so he went to look and damn it, the first one he touched made them work. Now why didn't that happen for me!!


I will probably post again before Christmas but this is my Christmas Card to all the friends I have made around the world in the past year. I thank you all for your warmth and friendship and the many lovely comments that I receive each day.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Peace and Prosperity for the coming Year.

Archives:
December 21st 2006: Winter Solstice

Hand Art

A friend of mine sent me these and I though they were very clever so I'm sharing them with you and it makes for an easy post! I still have a few holiday posts to finish but those will have to wait as no time at the moment. I feel I'm chasing my tail with so much to do and so little time left!
I wonder which will be your favourite picture! Although I like them all, I particularly like the Swan, Zebra and the head of the elephant.

Archives:
December 20th 2006: Menu for Hope 3

Witty Wednesday # 30

Christmas Funnies!

As it was getting near to Christmas a young boy was upstairs praying while his mother sat by him and his father and Grandmother were down stairs. He prayed thus, 'Lord please send me a train set and a remote control car and a BICYCLE'. You don't have to shout dear says his mother God is not deaf. I know that he replied but Grandma is!!
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A Sunday School teacher of pre-schoolers was concerned that his students might be a little confused about Jesus Christ because of the Christmas season emphasis on His birth. He wanted to make sure they understood that the birth of Jesus occurred a long time ago, that He grew up, etc. So he asked his class, "Where is Jesus today ?"

Johnny raised his hand and said, "He's in heaven." Mary was called on and answered, "He's in my heart." and Robert, waving his hand furiously, blurted out, "I know! I know! He's in our bathroom!!!"

The whole class got very quiet, looked at the teacher, and waited for a response.
The teacher was completely at a loss for a few very long seconds. He finally gathered his wits and asked Robert how he knew this. and Robert said, "Well.....every morning my father gets up, bangs on the bathroom door, and yells 'Jesus Christ, are you still in there?'!"
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Santa Claus makes his way down the chimney, and is met by a lovely young woman in a robe.

She says "Santa, how about giving me a special present. I know you'd like to come into my bedroom."

Santa responds "Ho! Ho! Ho! Gotta go. Gotta go. Gotta deliver all these toys to the children you know."

The lovely young thing peels off her robe, revealing a skimpy negligee. Santa looks up from his sack of gifts, and she says "I've got something special for you Santa. Can't you stay for just a little while? I know you want me. Let me make this Christmas eve unforgettable."

Santa responds "Ho! Ho! Ho! Gotta go. Gotta go. Gotta deliver all these toys to the children you know."

Not to be denied, she strips off the negligee, revealing her naughty bits, and they were quite nice naughty bits, I might add. And she says "Santa, this is your last chance. This body is your gift."

Santa responds "Hey! Hey! Hey! Gotta stay. Gotta Stay. Can't get up the chimney with my dick this way!"
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Why the Little Angel is at the top of the Christmas Tree ...

On Christmas Eve Santa Claus was getting ready for his annual trip. As he pulled his favorite pair of red pants on, they ripped. So, he had to take them off and put on another pair, which was a bit too tight. He then went to check on the rest of the preparations. The elves were on strike. The reindeer had shin-splints. At this point, Santa was BUMMED. He went into the kitchen to take a calming drink, and the bottle was EMPTY. Now he was really mad. All of sudden, there was a knock at the door. Santa, in his angry state, ignored it. There was another knock. Santa was in no mood for all of this. When the knock came again, Santa--filled with rage--threw open the door. Standing there was a little angel who said, "Hi Santa! What do you want me to do with this Christmas Tree?"
**************************************************
Santa's Lap

As a little girl climbed onto Santa's lap, Santa asked the usual, "And what
would you like for Christmas?"

The child stared at him open mouthed and horrified for a minute, then gasped,
"Didn't you get my E-mail?"

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One liners

What happened when the snowgirl fell out with the snowboy ?
She gave him the cold shoulder !

What do snowmen wear on their heads ?
Ice caps !

What do snowmen eat for lunch ?
Icebergers !

Where do snowmen go to dance ?
Snowballs !

How do snowmen travel around ?
By iceicle !

What sort of ball doesn't bounce ?
A snowball !

How do you know when there is a snowman in your bed ?
You wake up wet !

What do you get if cross a snowman and a shark ?
Frost bite !

How do you call an Eskimo cow ?
An Eskimoo !
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Reindeer Jokes

What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees?
”Horn”-aments!

How can Santa's sleigh possibly fly through the air?
You would too if you were pulled by flying reindeer!

What would a reindeer do if it lost its tail?
She’d go to a “re-tail”shop for a new one!

Why is Prancer always wet?
Because he’s a “rain”-deer!

Why does Scrooge love all of the reindeer?
Because every buck is dear to him!

Which of Santa's reindeer has bad manners?
”Rude”-olph!

What do you call a reindeer wearing ear muffs?
Anything you want because he can’t hear you!

What do reindeer always say before telling you a joke?
This one will “sleigh” you!

How does Rudolph know when Christmas is coming?
He looks at his calen-“deer”!

What do you give a reindeer with an upset tummy?
”Elk”-a-seltzer!

How do you get into Donner's house?
You ring the “deer”-bell!
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Christmas Eve Jokes

What did Adam say on the day before Christmas ?
It's Christmas, Eve !

What do you have in December that you don't have in any other month ?
The letter "D" !

What does Father Christmas suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney ?
Santa Claustrophobia !

What do you call a letter sent up the chimney on Christmas Eve ?
Black mail !

Who delievers cat's Christmas presents ?
Santa Paws !

Why does Father Christmas go down the chimney ?
Because it soots him !

How many chimney does Father Christmas go down ?
Stacks !

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Naughty: just a couple!!

How are a Christmas tree and a priest alike ?
They both have ornamental balls.

Why doesn't Santa have any children ?
Because he only comes once a year, and when he does, it's down the chimney.

I know a lot of old corny ones but I hope I made you smile~ now I'm off to do some cleaning which is so boring!

Archives:
December 19th 2006: I'm losing the plot

Proud Mother~ 2007 Food Blog Awards

I am fairly safe to share this with you as Sam is unlikely to have any time to read blogs before she jets off on holiday tomorrow. I know she won't like me boasting but isn't that what mums do!! Well this one does anyway, because I'm proud of all the family's achievements however small.
Get on with it I hear you say.... Well my daughter, Sam is one of the 2007 Food Blogger Award winners for the category Best Food Blog (City). In my opinion Sam combines her many talents by cooking and writing amusing, informative posts about food and restaurants in and around San Franciso. This, together with beautiful photography, makes for a very popular food blog, and obviously there are others who agree with me because they voted for her. You can find all the other winners listed here.

Congratulations to all the winners, and a big thank you to everyone who voted for Sam.

Menu for Hope 4th Year

My Fun Monday Post is below this but please read this first:


Menu for Hope is an annual Food Blogging charitable event started by Chez Pim back in 2004. It has been hugely successful in raising money for some very worthwhile projects. This year support is going to UN World Food Programme and specifically a School Lunch Programme in Lesotho, Africa. Although you are being asked to part with your money you are also getting the chance to win one of the many prizes on offer. If drop in to Chez Pim you will find out more.

My daughter Sam has persauded June Taylor to join her in shipping English Afternoon Tea to your door . This is a wonderful prize (code UW32), I know I'm biased but I would definitely recommend you take a look at this one, this is where some of my money will be going. Oh and if you live outside US mainland Sam had thought of that!

AND if she manages to get bids totalling over $2,500 dollars there is an extra prize on offer.

So please take a look at what Sam and others are offering and you can bid on one prize for only $10. I was lucky last year and won a prize and this is a great way to give a present to someone at Christmas by putting a bid in their name (this has worked for us).

Just think if all the Fun Monday people put in one bid we would have raised around $500 and I think that would be great for those children!

Thank you for taking the trouble to read all the information.

Chris

Fun Monday # 46

Kitten has given us and interesting assignment this week she wants.......

'to hear about the story behind your home and the road you live on. It doesn't have to be historical, maybe just something that stands out to you. It would be nice to have pictures to go with your little story. I also would like to know who has the oldest house. Whoever has the oldest house will get a little Christmas treat from little ole me'.


My House is Victorian and was built in 1851.
I have written about it before so I will not mind if you pass on by. I think in it's heyday it would have been quite a substantial home for a wealthy family. When it was built it would have been surrounded by fields and in a pleasant position. The house once had a huge garden and orchard and a stable on the back. My neighbour can remember the people who lived here before us actually keeping a horse in the orchard. The person we bought the house from had used it to run a 'bed and breakfast' guest house and it was in very poor condition. The stable had been converted into basic accommodation. They had, together with neighboring houses, also sold off all the land behind for building. The side of this house being used as the access road to the new housing development that was in the process of being built when we moved here in 1986.
Another interesting fact that we have been told about this house is that during the second world war the cellars (there are five rooms down there) were used for the A.R.P(Air Raid Precaution) Wardens. We did actually find some posters and photos in the cellar so we think it was probably true.

The top photo was taken from a neighbour's house possibly in the 60's or 70's. You can see that the house has a nice entrance from the road and abut's next door. Now compare it with the second photo taken by Embee this weekend from the same neighbour's garden. I know which I prefer!

This is the aeriel view so you can see just how long the original garden was if you follow the line of the houses down from us on the corner to the bottom garden.
This was originally the stables. The entrance to the back of the house is now in the side road and the original ornamental stones you see in the first photo have been used for the pillars supporting the gates.

In our cellar we still have the original hay basket as you can see from this last photo.

The house originally had its water supply from a well which is no longer accessible as it is under the oil tank.

If anyone is still reading I think I have bored you enough so I will stop here!

Archives:
December 17th 2006: Catching Up

Silent Sunday

Top picture is Battersea Power Station




We have just got back from London and to relieve the boredom of the journey I took a lot of photos. We drove along the Embankment just as the sun set and I was taking the photos through the window of a moving car so they are not very good but nevertheless I will share a few.

Archives:
December 16th 2006: No Archive