Angel Jem's City Cottage

A; The tickle monsters, that's who! My chidren love to see themselves on the computer. Hey, DP preens himself in a glass window as he's talking so to be a star of screen, however small is a big thrill for them. Today (you may not believe this) I finally figured out that if I pressed the little button marked 'use my pictures as slideshow' as my screen saver, then all my memories are flashed up constantly and ever-changingly as pictures of my beloved kids (and everyone else) float across the screen. I guess I should have saved those risque pictures DH took of me on holiday to disc, eh? Oh, well, as long as the vicar doesn't come around when they flash across the screen I might be OK. Convincing Sarah that that is not the way to dress for a night out might be a different matter. Ho hum.

La Redoute, the home of french fashion, have Cath Kidston licenced products for the bed. Duvets, sheet, pillowcases and blankets in her distinctive roses on blue or white are all available to order on their website, here .

Waterlilies; Claude Monet . I have spent the day at work... I'm a supply teacher, so somedays I don't know until 8.30 that I'm going to work, but today was pre-booked. I like that, it makes arranging pick-ups so much more easier. The only disadvantage with work is that it interfers with crafting, but it pays the bills. Today my work was in a small school where the maximum class size was 22. It's in a nice area, with nice staff and I had a really good time. This afternoon, especially, I was with the reception. These children are aged 4 and 5, and so full of beans, but really willing to learn. My brief was to look at the painting, talk about the colours and let the children play with some chalk. The teacher's final words were "It doesn't really matter what it looks like as long as the children have had a good time." And how! By the end of their session, each child was covered in chalk, mostly all over their hands & uniform. It's a good job it bru...

Crochet is in, this weekend. Dolliedaydream has taught herself over the weekend and looks set to be off with the crochet bug, while away in Devon, Posy has the most appealing picture in her post today... You must go and see! Wouldn't you just die for a fireplace like that? It's gorgeous, Posy and if I were Alison ,I'd give you the award for the most scrumptious blog of the week! My own contribution to this crochet frenzy is a small square... it will be the cover on my bed when I have a chance to finish it, but for now, my knees keep warm!

I had a lovely weekend... away with my lovely husband!! His team that he supports (not premier league, but really local; does that count as the football equivalent of organic?) were playing in Gateshead. Well, I say Gateshead, I mean the International Athletics Stadium. Well, I say the International Athletics Stadium, I really mean the teams played on the pitch and all 300 supporters sat together in one small area of this 19,000 seater stadium. Such are the pleasures of supporting your local team (who happen to be the BIGGEST club in Knowsley; the perils of being too close to Liverpool) and while he watched the match, he said the best place to leave me was the Metro centre... well, I couldn't say no, could I? So I have had a lovely weekend of shopping; Borders, Leeds on Friday night, Metro Centre on Saturday and York City Centre on Sunday. Spent money? You betcha!! But I had a really good time doing it, and I'm sworn off shops/shopping and portals of unlimited consumption until...

You know when you've been caught out? Well, over in America, Capello does! Go see her blog for a really good chuckle!

Well, we had our first ever Girls Night In last night. Only 4 of us could come so that meant reduced numbers, but we still downed an impressive two bottles of wine (between us, not each) and spent a good few hours talking about life, love and little children. We also planned next time's meeting for February 22nd, and decided to read and discuss a book, the Kite Runner , author... I can't remember. which is a problem as I'm supposed to get a few copies of it to hand out to the girls who couldn't come. Oh, pooh. The party bags went down well, everyone giggled at the idea of love hearts but then admitted that they were a sure-fire favourite that they hadn't had for years. I love them, I have at least one packet a week and it is my favourite not-too-bad-for-you food treat. Guess I'll have to think of something else for next time... handmade soap, or little hearts from felt like Charlott e? I'll work on it; I've got three weeks, anyway.