My Life's Ingredients

We managed to have someone else to look after the girls, so my Mutti (girls’ Oma) and I went out into town to take in the Fringe and do some shopping. We started with a  look around the International Book Festival – first time for us both. The “Spiegel tent” is beautiful, think next year I’ll go in on one of my “Hobbits-free days”, enjoy a cuppa and a nice book! I bought some small guides for walking in Edinburgh & Stirling while Mutti was writing some postcards. Doesn’t Mutti look like she’s an author ready for book signing?   Next stop was Lakelands – I wanted to get some Doctor Who Cookie Cutters (and feel a return visit coming along to get the one with the Cyberman and also to get the chocolate mould …   Quick walk through St. Andrew’s Square (no East Lothian touritsty things out this time) to St. James’ Centre where we had a subway for lunch – yum. Onto a bus to get up the bridges, then we walked up and down the Royal Mile to take in the “Fringe Atmosphere...

We agreed with our friends Chris & Andy to visit them at their new flat  (LOVED IT, nice at the waterfront etc. Just hope the land developers don’t take away the great view!!) and the girls got even more presents (we have too many good friends who are spoiling the Hobbits!!). The girls loved the Minnie Mouse Tea Party set, the small picnic basket, Minnie Mouse Tops and their new dresses (inside outie ones, courtesy of “auntie” Chris!). There was lots of cups of teas to be drunk, lots of running around in the flat, and they just LOVED the balcony!! Plans are already made to visit “auntie” Chris on her day off (Thursday) to explore more, maybe walk along the shore etc. FUN. Thanks again for the cake, tea, presents and fabulous time, Chris & Andy!   (spying on the neighbours) The beautiful view over the Granton Harbour/Western Harbour. And hubby with Andy.

A trip into the city with the girls resulted in a couple more photos off the list for the Photo Scavenger Hunt 2013. Full report to follow (like from our trip to London!!! ), but just wanted to make sure I post the photos and don’t forget about them until September! #9 A photo with someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn’t belong This one is actually debatable…anyone who has ever visited Edinburgh (or Glasgow for that matter) might argue that a traffic cone on a statue (this one of Adam Smith ) is NOT something out of the ordinary or doesn't belong … walking through Edinburgh will show you that several statues sport his kind of “head gear”. #15 – A police car Nicely placed on the Royal Mile while the Fringe Festival has opened it’s “doors” today. Will still keep my eyes open for replacements for those photos.

Our longer weekend in London last week has given me some opportunity to update the Scavenger Hunt, including items I though might pose a problem (a plane, a dinosaur). Getting there, I’d say.   #20 – A dinosaur (we went to the Natural History Museum with the girls) #8 – A tower (Water Tower and Chimney at Kew Gardens (in form of an Italian Campanile)) #4 – Airplane (our plane to get to London – first flight with Virgin) #1 – Open Air Market (not a full market, but a stand selling bread etc at Kew Station) #7 – A sign that’s intentionally or unintentionally funny (Hubby and I found this sign on a tub of Maple Pecan ice cream funny – I mean… WHAT OTHER NUTS?!?!) #14 – A stained glass object or a mosaic (windows in the Natural History Museum) #10 – A bench that is outside (at Hobbits’ birthday at Grandparents block of flats) So I got there – missed out on the Windmill at Putney due to timings, but will manage to get a photo somehow … even if it’s “thinking outside the...

No, I still haven’t managed to do some sorting through my scrap stuff yet, so everything mostly stashed away. However, my question is now for scrapbookers/paper crafters out there. How do you decide which embellishments to buy? I’ve got TONS of Halloween & Christmas embellies in my stash, but nothing much on the “general embellishments” side of things. I’m watching Shimelle’s videos and she’s always using such nice embellishments – but how do you select which ones to buy if you don’t know what photos/themes you’re going to scrap? Or do you buy your embellishments AFTER you printed your photos and made a list what would suit best? And that question is more for those chipboard/sticker type of embellies – not washi tape, ribbons, brads or eyelets. So – how do you handle this issue? Fancy going embellies shopping soon…

Today started fairly well, I got the girls ready after hubby fed them their breakfast, all changed and clothed, teeth brushed and faces clean, loaded them into the car and drove to playgroup with only 15 mins delay from start time (well, it’s an “open” group, you can arrive whatever time you want) – just to walk the girls to the door and find it locked. That teaches me to stay away from playgroup for about 4 weeks again due to holiday and illnesses (incl. suspected Rubella for Miss Martian). Ah well, walked the girls back to the car and promised them a trip to the zoo if the weather stays ok. And after a few Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes and lunch we actually DID drive to the zoo. Parked in the parking areas on the greenways (which meant we had to be back to move the car for 4pm, otherwise I could expect a fine) close to the zoo and walked to the front door. Yes – we walked. No buggy involved – that’s our first time at the Edinburgh Zoo without a buggy – and just with me and the gi...