First of all a big, big thank you to everyone for the advice for Jim - please do keep it coming! He's very excited about it all and just a little nervous about the fact that now that it's out in the open he's actually going to have to do it!
Also a big thank you for the comments about the comments! I would still like to reply to as many comments as I can and just want to reiterate that if you left me a comment (particularly for the first time) and you didn't get a response, it is absolutely not because I didn't appreciate it. It's because my darn daughter just insists on taking all my attention! (where possible, always blame the kid!). Seriously though, if you saw how pathetic I am when I don't get comments, you'd first of all laugh and then you'd leave a comment out of pure pity!
I would also like to quickly say hello to two very important people (to me) that are now reading my blog. Hi guys!
And now on to the main feature...
I don't think I generally blow my own trumpet, but I just have to today, so please bear with me for a moment.
I love this topsy turvy doll that I'm working on so damn much! She's really turning out to be a cutie, inside and out (hah!). I can't wait to show you her finished. But in the meantime here's another little peak.
When I was at the car boot sale the other day I found this gravy boat (?).
And I immediately thought of Kristy . Is this the same as the ones you collect Kristy? If so, who makes them?
Love the shape and colour and want to find more.
I'm still working my way through the Apples For Jam book and today I made my version of their chicken and noodle soup for Bella.
I used to make a lot of homemade soups but I've never made chicken soup before. I think the idea of boiling a whole chicken always scared me slightly! But this recipe was really easy so I thought what the hell, lets boil a bird. And it turned out very nice indeed.
I also baked the Pear Butter Cake from the book, but unfortunately it's now too dark to take a photo and Jim reliably informs me that there won't be any left by tomorrow morning, so you'll just have to take my word for the fact that it looks and tastes bloody lovely.
Jim had a day off yesterday and we all packed up the car and went on a road trip a la LLA (try saying that after a glass or two of vino!). We went back to Filey and this time Bella actually went in the sea! 
That's us on the right. And that's as close as you get to seeing me in a bikini (and as close as you'd want to).
Can you believe that this is the North of England?? (which is usually bleak, bleak, bleak). Wonderful.
What?
