Pieces of Eight

KraftyKoala tagged me with possibly the hardest meme I've ever done. I actually had to consider the topics and think about my answers. I think I took less time writing the exam essay that determined whether I would skip remedial English at University.

So here they are, my pieces of eight:

8 things I am looking forward to…..

1. My step-daughter having her son in August!!!
2. Ravelry Day UK!
3. Having a clean boat - the mess keeps me up at night.
4. Terminator Salvation. 'Nuff said.
5. Roxie learning to sit and stay.
6. Reading 50 books in one year.
   
7. More arts trails in Scotland.
8. Warm weather.

8 things I did yesterday…….

1. Got a bruise from having my blood drawn.
2. Took two naps.
   
3. Talked to my sister in California.
4. Soaked in the bath while reading "Knots and Crosses".
   
5. Bought £20 worth of treats. Nooooo, they're not spoiled...
   
6. Noticed that Roxie's "bits" are swollen. My puppy's first season.
   
7. Picked up my new toaster. I got the red one!
8. Made Milo stop humping Roxie's head... and the cat.

8 things I wish I could do…….

1. Sew! Like KraftyKoala, I have a machine, but lack the skills.
2. Play my cello well.
3. Have a Monica Geller-clean house. Oh, if only...
   
4. Keep chickens and bees.
5. Rid myself of my arachnophobia.
   
6. Take great photos. Minder has been a fabulous mentor.
7. Bake! I'd love to be able to make pie crust from scratch.
8. Still hit a High C. I was able to do it in my youth.

8 shows I watch……

1. The Big Bang Theory - I laugh so loudly that I frighten the dogs.
2. Grey's Anatomy - Especially worth it if you need a good cry.
3. Next Top Model - America's, Britain's, Canada's, whoever's!
4. Nothing to Declare - I'm hopelessly addicted to the stupidity.
5. Two and a Half Men - Best Ever? "Old Flame with a New Wick"
   
6. As Time Goes By - I know it's old, but I love it.
7. CSI - I only like the one in Vegas, the original and the best!
8. Ideal - Graham Duff is my hero.

I don't actually have eight bloggers to tag, so I tagged these six:
Pendle Stitches
Minder
Snake Surly
Brown Berry
MonkeyFeet
Meir Cats

And here are the rules in case you need them!

1. Mention the name of the person who tagged you.
2. Do the lists of 8.
3. Tag 8 bloggers of your choice.
4. Let them know that they have been tagged!

Play along if you like, even if you weren't tagged.

Have fun, kids!

Are You Spring-Flinging?!

This past weekend was a Bank Holiday weekend and Himmelbjerget "dragged" me to the Borders and Southwest coast of Scotland for two-days of visiting artists' studios and driving along the glorious, picturesque coast. And by "dragged" I mean she asked and I jumped at the chance!

Despite the rain, Saturday was lovely and I got to see the artist that was number one on my list - Amanda Simmons. She's a glass artist who lives and works in the small village of Corsock, near Castle Douglas. I bought one small vessel from her range of pieces that are cameo engraved on a diamond wheel lathe, but managed to resist one of her large platters that I really, really wanted. I was the very picture of restraint. I may not be so well-behaved if I get to go to Origin in London in October.

But the best day was Sunday.

On Sunday, we had beautiful weather and were rewarded with spectacular views on our drive along the coast. We ventured out to Port William to the studio of printmaker and painter Lisa Hooper. Oh my word! As well as getting to watch her demonstrate her newest technique of doing batik on paper (beautiful!) and viewing her wonderful prints and artwork (displayed along the walls of her gorgeous home), we had tea and homemade pastries in her kitchen served up by volunteers who'd made the cakes and the jam to spread on our freshly baked scones and gave us a tour of the garden and showed us the bee hives and chatted and entertained us before sending us, sated and happy, on our way back to England clutching our linocuts, notebooks and cards.

Were we Spring-Flinging? Yep.

Will we be next year? Yep.

Roxie Jessica Parker

My puppy is definitely a girly-girl.

She wears a pink diamante collar, she plays with a little pink rhino squeaky toy and right now she's laying on her belly on her little cushion watching Sex and the City.

Who knew that racy talk and Manolo Blahniks were her thing?!

That's my girl...