Nice things among the mire

It has been a shitty week and perhaps I could even say a full two weeks of mire!!   However after reading Chrissie's blog on giving thanks here I'm trying to do the same. I'm taking a leaf out of Chrissie on Chrissie's crafts book and trying to be thankful by thinking about the good things that have also happened to me over that time.  
In fact there are more good things than I would have originally thought! It is strange how the negative thoughts seem to takeover and suffocate the good things and there are always some good things you know....you just have to sit down relax a little and search for them with a positive mind,so I tell myself anyhow!

One of my ESL in-company students went to the UK for a week to visit the Birmingham International Cake and sugar-craft show and he brought this book back for me

He has been extra considerate as he has remembered just how much I like history.
This book quite brings history to life and makes you realize just how historical facts can be twisted and puffed up to something quite different from what is the real truth.
It is a bit like Chinese whispers in comparison! Have you ever played Chinese whispers?
At present I am reading about the Carta Magda .... and what it really was!

My grand-daughter Cookie was 13 on the Friday 22nd November so we had a little family lunch,just the four of us and a giving out of our gifts to her. Cookie has become quite interested in baking so I bought her some baking goodies:fancy silicone moulds to make pretty cakes,some to make chocolates and pens with edible ink to write on icing. She also got a black pair of jeans which I think is a boring present but it is what she wanted!


My Red Cross A1-1 course finished last Thursday and my lovely students brought me this as a thank you gift!

Pure silk,very light and warm too.

Aren't they smashing ........so nice of them!

 Can you guess who's me ??????  LOL!


I also had some good news as Red Cross want me to continue with them in December teaching the English Module in the Lifeguards Course ....goodie ,goodie as December is usually a slack month for me and I don't have much work (yes!!! for those who don't know I am self-employed!).  I also like working there at Red Cross and I like my job!!!


I have managed to finish my niece's request which is this other Bear Beanie for another little great niece who is nine months old and lives in Torquay.
I feel particularly pleased at how this Beanie has turned out. I find using an empty olive jar for a stand keeps the hat steady and helps me line up the little ears much better. They are nearly straight this time. :-)   The pattern is from  Janet Carrillo "damn it Janet, let’s crochet!" found here
Really easy to follow and this was also a stash buster as I used up leftovers of Red Heart Baby super soft yarn in lilac and purple.

Once again...I've done it once again! I could kick myself ...I finally managed to get my swap parcel off to Louise my Christmas Cracker swap partner from Buttonsandbebes    and I have forgotten to take photos of the contents....tch!!!  ....double tch!!!

It is wonderful to see I have two new followers ....but I don't know who you are so please visit and comment when you have a moment. I would love to hear from you.

Have a relaxing Sunday

Amanda :-)