LET'S HAVE A SWAP.....

.....said the ingenious SIAN over at FROM HIGH IN THE SKY! I don't know whether it's the fact she does her best crafting and thinking from her perch in the clouds, but she certainly comes up with great ideas. 

She made a list (and very probably checked it twice!) then let the 'swappers' know where their packages were to be sent. She requested that they all be sent by the end of this month...and here I have to confess to just going to make the deadline (HONEST- it will be posted on Monday, Cheri!)

LADKYIS on the other hand, wasn't so tardy and yesterday I picked a package up from the Post Office......and when I got it home and ripped carefully tore it open, this wonderful selection of goodies were enclosed! 

Lots of lovely chipboard, flowers,stars, hearts and frames...and also those gorgeous little rosettes which Ladkyis had made herself from map pages!

"Lucky you" I hear you say....BUT , look what else was enclosed:

......a copy of one of the WORLD BOOK NIGHT books (and one that I haven't read either!). I had hoped to start it last night, but didn't quite get around to it.

Thank you so much, Ladkyis for such a lovely package...and thank you Sian for having such a brilliant idea!

Hoping the sun shines for the UK Bank Holiday weekend.....and wishing everyone a fun weekend, wherever in the world you are!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx 

AND THE BOOK GOES TO......

As promised, I got around to picking a name out of the hat bowl, and 'HOW I LIVE NOW' is about to continue its journey.....this time to my homeland, as LIZ from  LIFE AT THE GABLES is the recipient! Congratulations Liz...will you email your mailing details to me at alison290atlivedotcodotuk and I'll get it on it's way.

I have just had a lovely week with my friend Elaine, who came over for some R&R after some surgery. We didn't do much...just caught up with each others lives and enjoyed the sunshine. She left yesterday, returning to Scotland and it has only occurred to me this morning, that if I had been more organised she could have taken the book back to post, and Liz wouldn't have had to wait for the Spanish postal service to 'get into gear'! 

Mum and dad arrive tonight...I haven't seen them since January, so am looking forward to them arriving. As regular readers know though, much as I love to see them, because of the distance for travelling they stay for about five weeks, which when you are used to living on your own most of the time is a bit stressfull. That sounds really mean and selfish, especially as dad suffers from Parkinson's Disease and Emphysema and the sun and heat are so  good for him, but I suppose that because I DO live so far away, I don't see the deterioration in him and suddenly I have to live with it 24/7 for five weeks. It's very difficult to see our parents growing old, with all the implications that brings. Am hoping and praying that both he and mum's health benefit from their visit , and that I can cope with whatever issues the visit throws at us.

Anyway,hope you've all had a great weekend...especially those in the UK who are enjoying some much-awaited sunshine!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx

PASSING THE BOOK

A week or so ago, I received a copy of the WORLD BOOK NIGHT copy of HOW I LIVE NOW by Meg Rosoff, from JO over at SUGAR AND SCRAP.

I started reading it last night....and have just finished it this morning- if I had been able to stay awake longer last night I would have finished it then! It's one of those compelling books that draws you in and has you needing to know what happens next. 

The book was actually written for the 'YOUNG ADULT' genre, but like HARRY POTTER, TWILIGHT and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME is a perfect adult 'crossover' book.

The story is set in the not-too-distant future, and revolves around a 15year-old American girl who comes to stay with her Aunt and her family, somewhere in rural England. Starting off as an idyllic, almost ENID BLYTON-ish (with a bit more 'bite') story, it soon changes, as un-named occupiers invade Great Britain and the nation is thrown into a state of war. There are some interesting insights into what life during an Occupation can/would be like, and there is of course a  Love Story running throughout.

I'm saying no more, except that it was another great read, and that I'm ready to pass the book on  to one of you lovely blog readers!

If you fancy a read at it...and promise to pass it on!.....just leave a comment on this post before midnight (GMT) on Wednesday 23May.

Hope you're having a great weekend...I have just seen on the Weather Forecast that the UK is due some sun and heat this week!!

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx