Whats On Your Coffee Table?...join me in tea and cake decorating

As I have been surfing around blogland recently I came upon many ladies displaying their coffee tables for all to see! Cindy over at My Romantic Home began the idea and she has some wonderful things on her coffee table...... Its been a good while since I last posted and thought I would take part...........

When I moved into my new home, one of the main things I wanted was a coffee table.......the main reason for this was a gift given to me by my grandma. A Yankee Candle tea light holder and Tart Burner. I work as cake decorator and love any items with a food, tea, cookie theme! I adore this gift and thought it would look lovely on a coffee table. I have only just added this to the table for Christmas as it did not suit the fall displays.


Each little cake is a tea light holder, they remove from the black stand. Strawberry scented tea-lights came with the pack, they were so sweet and juicy smelling! Yankee candles are very true to life! They have now gone and I am currently using a Christmas Cookie Tart Melt in the burner............. Pure cookie goodness!

This little tea cup is really something special. This china cup was given to me from an elderly gentleman I know, he knew I was moving house and gave it to my grandma to give to me as a gift. Fred knew I like tea themes, and told me this cup has been in his house a long time, it used to belong his wife who died ten year ago. It has the beautiful Christmas rose decorating it, which is extra special as I just love christmas........ I find the set very beautiful, I have been waiting for a time to share it with you..........


Also gracing my coffee table are magazines.............. I have a habit of collecting any I can! I keep them all over the house and I am known to keep a huge stack of cake decorating magazines next to my sofa, bed side table, and coffee table! At the moment I am having a ball as all the food stores are giving away their free Christmas monthly 'store magazine' I have to say some of the free magazines sometimes have better content than bought ones........ The one in the photo is from good house keeping I decided to treat myself, its quite good, some nice recipes and decorating ideas.




The magazine in this photo is 'Cake Decoration and Sugarcraft', I have been collecting them since 2001. I try to get the Holiday editions and usually get the monthly also. I love browsing through this magazine, lots of ideas, recipes, competitions.
Christmas Cake!



I have been asked to decorate a Christmas cake for my local church Christmas fayre 'Guess the weight of the cake'. I am looking forward to getting creative for a good cause, I also belong to the church amateur dramatic society and its through them I was asked to do the cake.


I will be browsing through many more magazines and will take photos of the cake as I am making the decorations and decorating it, at the moment I am collecting ideas. I am liking the idea of Santa's washing line, stockings, Santa hat, and his red jacket, a Christmas ribbon around the cake and tiny icing snowflakes dotted on the cake............ The fayre is on the 1st December so I will be here very soon with how to decorate.......

Have a wonderful week, see you again soon

Priscilla x

Bonfire Night...and Goodies In The Post!

' Remember Remember The Fifth Of November
Gun-powder, Treason and Plot'

Halloween is all over and all the excitement that surrounds it had died away.....However it is never long to the fifth of November when once again the streets are filled with the sounds of bangs and whistles and the night sky is filled with brilliant colours.......

'Bonfire Night' or 'Guy Fawkes Night'

Usually on this night my family and myself get wrapped up against the cold, dad takes our fireworks to the bottom of the garden, whilst mum and myself watch in the kitchen door way as dad lights the tapers to the fireworks. We all watch in awe as the rockets, spinners, and other bright packages shoot off into the the sky! We enjoy pie and mushy peas,home made parkin (ginger cake), marshmallows, chestnuts........Although this bonfire night we had made no plans, no fireworks and dad was working late. Mum and myself went to do our normal weekly food shop and bought a toffee apple, and some chestnuts that we planned to roast over a fire at the weekend.......

Then at about 8.00 pm we looked out the kitchen window to see a neighbours house behind ours letting of amazing fireworks! It was a freezing cold night so we watched the distant display from the warmth of the kitchen....... Mum told me a story of how she had once tried to roast chestnuts in the oven but had forgot to pierce them! As she opened the oven door they bust out and shell went everywhere, including on my mum........ Usually we roast them outside in an old drum......where my dad always takes position as the chestnut chef! ha,ha
So we decided we would have another go.... they turned out perfect, even better than in the fire, but we wont tell dad. Ha,ha Mum made sure she pierced the shells this year, and we added sausage rolls to the night.

It was a really wonderful evening and none of it planned......sometimes it just happens that way.

Halloween Goodies In the Post!

I wanted to share with you some goodies I received through the post before Halloween from my good friend Linda over at Somewhere In Time . I was visiting this wonderful blog when I noticed Linda had some photos of Candy Corn, as we began talking Linda offered to send me some as I have always wanted to try it, and can not get it here in the uk. I was totally thrilled as I opened the package to find other sweet goodies in there also! Sugar babies are very yum, sweet and chewy. The boxed candy was licorice, a very similar candy to one in the uk called Licorice torpedoes, I enjoyed them all very much! It was lovely to try candy I had never seen let alone tasted, I wanted to keep the candy corn around a while just to look at it! ha,ha..............but alas this little candy is quite addictive! My family enjoyed it with me too,

Linda also sent these cute Halloween socks! and this sweet little Halloween card as I love vintage Halloween items. I cannot express how overjoyed I was with this surprise parcel.......... thank you again Linda. I am pleased through our blogs we have the chance to meet many wonderful people, to share our interests and our friendship ......

I was hoping to update you on the play Arsenic and old Lace that I appeared in, Although I have only one photo of me in the the play! so I am going to see if I can get my hands on some more photos before I post. Hopefully I can post them very soon.......

I hope you all have a wonderful week,
Bye for now
Priscilla x

Happy Halloween......come on in! Join the Party

A house with a Pumpkin counjures such a scare!..........Do you really wish to know who lives inside there?

Come on In, mind the cat, the nights stll young, so take of your hat.............

Hello my Pretties, i'll be your guide, dont be afraid, step right on inside.

A candle I carry to light the way

Have a good time........ I do hope you stay!

The house has been 'waiting' as I expect you know.........To celebrate Halloween and bask in its glow.

Make yourselves comfy, take a look around, don't be scared by the sights and sounds!

Trick or treat I hear you say,now let me see what I have hidden away......

A piece of cake or a pumpkin Patch?

No, No you stay seated i'll be back in a dash

Please won't you stay seated the night is not yet through,

I have many a spooky tale I wish to share with you...........

W IS FOR WITCH
I met a wizened woman As I walked on the heath, She had an old black bonnet Her small eyes peeped beneath, Her garments were so shabby She couldn't have been rich, She hobbled with a crutchstick, And I knew she was a Witch.

She peered at me so slyly It made my heart feel queer, She mumbled as she passed me, But what couldn't hear. I smiled at her for answer And wished her a good day She nodded and she chuckled And she hobbled on her way.

And so I got home safely. I didn't drop the eggs, My nose had grown no longer, My legs were still my legs, I didn't lose my penny 0rtumble in a ditch - So mind you smile and say 'Good Day' When you meet a witch.

ELEANOR FARJEON

This halloween party is almost over, the candles are growing dim,

All the ghouls are leaving,

But oh, there's just one more thing.............

I wish you all a very safe and Happy Halloween............

'Best Witches'

Priscilla xxx

A Bloglandia Halloween Party!

Only 2 Days to Halloween!



I am taking part in Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun! A creepy Blolandia event...........

I'll be back here tomorrow with some photos and in full swing for the 31st and you are all invited!
If you would like to take part also, visit Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun! A Creepy Bloglandia Event

The party may be small
The 'scares' may be huge
So just make sure your wearing your
Halloween'y shoes!

Priscilla x

I recieved an Award! and Arsenic and Old Lace...

Thank you so much to my friend Linda from Somewhere In Time. for presenting me with this 'You Make Me Smile' Award. Since starting my blog I have found so many great sites, I can not get over how just reading from an uplifting or inspiring blog lifts my whole day! No matter where we are from, we all find something interesting in each others blogs, many many people have made me smile and I return there often, I am so pleased that my blog adds something to blogland too and that it makes someone smile! Thank you again Linda x

I am not sure how many I now give this award too, so I am going to give it to some of the blogs that I visit most often, and truly make me smile................I am sorry if I send to anyone who has already received an award, I have tried to give it to those that haven't got one yet, although there can never be too much happiness flying around......
I happily send the following Blogs the 'You Make Me Smile' Award:

My Cozy Home.
There Is No Place Like Home.
Storybook Woods.
Folded Gingham.
Ohio Farm Girl.
Photos-City-Mine.

The Show Must Go On...............

What a week! I don't think I have mentioned before that I am a part of a local Amateur Dramatic Society? Well, This October our group is putting on my favourite Play and Movie 'Arsenic and Old Lace'. I had not been cast in this play, instead I have been helping backstage with the various props and lighting etc, (shopping trips to buy props was an extra bonus)!

The poster above is for the play and as you can see the first night is this Wednesday. The play has had some trouble getting of the ground with cast missing, braking legs and flu. I have been filling in for some of the missing shoes, with various parts, on Tuesday the director asked me ........

'If I would take on the role as the 'Police man'? as he has left due to stress! I am now currently learning my lines as fast as I can and I am pleased to say I almost know all of them! Just shows what you can do if you have too!

I am still wearing the mans 'Cop' jacket that the costume lady has 'nipped' in for me, a hat, but I will wear a skirt and tights and not pants ........with it been set in the 1930s. I get to carry a batton! if anyone knows this this play it is a true gem, it is a funny and charming story. I never guessed I would be in the play especially as a 5'2 in height Cop! I have a full dress rehearsal tomorrow night then again on Thursday, what a week...............one minute I am arranging my Halloween decor and planning my autumn reading the next Its all systems go.......

I love the old black and white movie of this play and thought id share some pictures with you, our cast is of course a bit different, I will post some photos of our play when its all over...........

See you soon,

Priscilla x

Books and Halloween

' Light all the pumpkins

and let their weird gleam

Call Witches and Goblins to keep Halloween'

It feels a while ago since I was last here, I have been waiting to have something interesting to talk about. The weeks have been rather uneventful, sometimes everything happens all at once keeping you busy and occupied, rolling along at a really quick pace making you wonder where your time is going, then everything slows up, almost stops and it makes you wonder why things don't happen in moderation? The phrase 'all or nothing' comes to mind

Since this seems to be the case at the moment I am even more pleased to be a part of callapidder days 'Fall into reading', I have had more time to indulge in books. Which as its turned out has become good for my health! Ok let me explain............my local library is 30 mins walk from where I live, I always said I wished to walk there on a regular basis, to get more exercise and the pleasure of the library. I say 'always wanted to do' but never did! Until now, I have used the reading challenge as motivation, and walked to the library twice a week for the last two week!

I have added even more books to the reading list, and completed two books that were on my original list. My grandma lives close by and seems to have caught my reading bug as she is now asking me to pick out 'Large Print' books for her to enjoy, its another 20 min walk to grandmas house so that's exercise for an extra day, so all in all I have to say reading has become good for my health! I dont need to loose a lot of weight but thought it would be good for my inner health....

I have lost 4 Pound in weight in two weeks, so feeling very positive!

I always did have an affection for books although usually new books, I was never keen on the dusty damaged versions the library stocked, but oh how a few pound changes everything! ha,ha

Reading reminded me of the books I used to love as a child and the books I used to read as a teen, when I was about 14 I used to read a series called 'point horror' I didn't like anything scary and these were just ok, a good mystery and story.......However........There were two books at that age I couldn't read as I was scared by them! One was called 'Trick Or Treat' and the other 'April Fools' these two must have been a bit more eerie so I never finished them. I had forgotten all about them till I was at the library looking for a Halloween read and I came across 'Trick Or Treat'!

I had to smile to myself and I couldn't leave without it, it may be a teen book but the story would be good! and I was sure I could handle it now! ha,ha I spend the whole of today reading it and have finally finished the book............ A good read it was too, yes 14 years is a while to have closure, but now I want to read 'April FoolsHalloween is fast approaching , more decorations have been added to the house and I am contemplating baking cookies...............It was my mum and dads 35 th wedding anniversary a few week ago and I made a cake! I will be back soon with photos and Halloween decor, I hope you enjoy your Halloween/Fall reading......

Until Next time

Priscilla x

Reading Challenge! Fall into reading....

Around this time of year I always want to read more, it must have something to do with the weather and wanting to keep warm! I had planned a trip this week to my local library to order a few books that I have had on my reading list for a long time. Most on the list are fiction books with a fall/Halloween theme, I cannot resist a good cozy murder at this time of the year! In the past, either amazon uk could not get them for me, or my library would take too long, however I thought it would be worth another go to find the books I want to read.........

As I was browsing the Blogsphere I stumbled across
Callapidder Days. Fall into reading 2007

I have never given myself any set reading goals before and that is exactly what this is .........'A Reading Challenge' .......To make yourself a reading list that takes you through September to December. I am pleased to have found 'Fall into reading' just at the right time, I must admit I am quite excited at the prospect of actually getting through some of the books that are so familiar to me yet I have never read!
If you would also love to read more, take the challenge or just see what everyone is reading......... here is a bit about the challenge........

' Fall Into Reading 2007 is a casual, low-pressure challenge. The point is simply to provide motivation to read, and to provide an opportunity for all of us to set goals when it comes to our personal (or family) reading. As a participant, all you'll have to do is make a list of books you'd like to read (or books you'd like to finish!) this fall. We'll share our goals with each other, and then share our experience and results when the challenge is over.'

To read more and sign up visit......
Callapidder Days - Lets Go!

Here are the books on my list, The main two I wish I could lay my hands on Are Death Of A Trickster and Trick Or Treat Murder! A visit to my library today told me I couldn't have them for months so its up to amazon........ I hope to get through most of them! I did find two new books to add to the list. I found them in the library... Cherry Cheesecake Murder and Seeing Stars

Halloween/Fall Reading ...

Death of A Trickster

Trick Or Treat Murder

Halloween: Customs, Recipes and Spells - Non Fiction

The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow

Library Finds

Cherry Cheesecake Murder

Seeing Stars

Christmas read

Skipping Christmas

I think it we be a joy reading the books from my list and seeing what others are reading, I want to thank Callapidder Days for the motivation to set ourselves goals and an enjoyable way to keep them! and for giving us this challenge.........

Happy reading everyone, Ill be back soon with how I am getting on!

Priscilla x