Tag Archive | gardening

The Holly & The Ivy

Dec24
Postbox in snow

Postbox in snow

I write this from the settee with a large box of chocs; I’m on my own in the house this afternoon whilst my two boys are with their mates & hubby Guy still at work before breaking up for Christmas.  I’ve just had a rather surreal experience at this morning’s aquafit as we burnt off our calories to the worst ever technopop cover version of Christmas songs then dived into a box of Celebrations brought along by our trainer, Kerry.

I have been having great deliberations about whether to send Simon a Christmas card.  We are after all acquaintances through the Upper Welford Greenhouse & Garden Society so hopefully his wife won’t suspect any ulterior motives, hopefully just thinks I’m being neighbourly.  So with heart pounding , I strode up Simon’s garden path, not even stopping to admire the Viburnum Tinus in his border, posted my festive greetings through his door & scuttled back though the gate.

Shirley edits ep2

Shirley edits ep2

This last few weeks I have been very excited by the introduction of my Celiatime49 YouTube channel thanks to Kris at The Legend of Skippy.  In the coming weeks we hope to upload all sorts of snippets, outtakes, uploads & new episodes as we film & edit the series of Celia films.  Listenupnorth has just had a big edit session with Shirley & we hope to bring you episode 2 soon.  Here’s a GUEST REVIEW by ElementaryVWatson of how 2012 has gone for listenupnorth.

Anyway, Guy’s presents are still to wrap so I suppose I’d better get round to it before he comes through the door in need of a large gin & tonic.  So I’ll wish you a fantastic Christmas – whatever that may mean to you.

Beautiful Bloggers

Dec12

mumsnetI am absolutely thrilled this week that celiatime.com has been included on the mumsnet.com bloggers’ network list.  With mumsnet I never feel that I am just a housewife; not only is mumsnet the UK’s busiest social network for parents (7m visitors per month) but it is also a great supporter of women’s issues.

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And the winners of Celia's Beautiful Blogger Awards goes to...

And the winners of Celia’s Beautiful Blogger Awards goes to…

On returning from holiday (Postcard 4: Au Revoir) I was chuffed to find that I had been awarded a ‘Beautiful Blogger Award’  thanks to Susan at Women Making Strides blog.

It is part of the condition of acceptance that in turn I give the award to 7 other blogs which I think worthy of the award and whose blogs are definitely worth a follow.  Not surprisingly, with my romantic scribblings for magazines such as Afternoon Tea Companion & Celia – The Film, writers’ & filmmakers’ blogs have strongly influenced my choice.  But I am also paying tribute to other talented individuals whose ideas  have helped me along the way to claim the title of ‘Upper Welford’s Domestic Goddess’

After much deliberation, here goes in no particular order (rustle of golden envelope): 

Life Twice Tasted – wonderful words from a wonderful writer

Design Inspiration Planet Stencil Library – sooo creative & sooo talented

Avril Joy – novelist extraordinaire

Zebbakes – truly scrumptious

Elementary Watson – writers’ champion

Love Textiles – you’ll love Donna’s work

Jan Cawood – the rich tapestry of Jan’s amazing documentaries

Purple Prose Performance

Dec5
Recording the winning entries of our romantic short story competition

Recording the winning entries of our romantic short story competition

‘Their eyes met as he gazed over the bloody entrails of the operating table‘

‘Having just completed my latest romantic short story to Twinset & Tweeds magazine, (a tale of  suppressed passion under surgical gowns), one might say that such excitement had precipitated a hot flush but I put it down to the central heating which was going full tilt thanks to the subzero temp outside.

I had just pressed the send button, whetting my appetite for a little more afternoon purple prose, when listenupnorth arrived to record the winning entries of my recent ‘wildly romantic’ short story competition; these had been announced in my last blog post From Petals to Poundstretcher.

Whilst listenupnorth got on with arranging the microphone, I had a little practice to get my voice warmed up.  All that recording wizardry is beyond me but Guy would have been most impressed with her range of equipment.

It was great fun reading the stories out – tales of a princess & a bit of rough (The Morning Read by David Graham Ward), a holiday romance where one member of the hotel staff is not all that he seems (Fulfillment by Irene Styles) & unrequited love between a boss & the office temp (The Dreamer by Agnes Frain)

We recorded all 3 stories as audio files which will soon be available to listen online or download at listenupnorth.com , but in the meantime here’s a little taster from Fulfillment: 

From Petals to Poundstretcher!

Nov9

We all need a bit of retail therapy on occasions.  Preparing for episode 3, I needed a makeover to reflect my new found confidence (to find out why you’ll have to wait & watch ep3 when it’s released!).  Therefore I needed no further excuse to head for the shops.

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I am also very pleased to announce

The winners of the Celia Romantic Story Writing Competition:

First: The Morning Read by David Graham Ward

Second: Fulfillment by Irene Styles

Third:  The Dreamer by Agnes Frain

The winning entries will shortly be available to listen online or download from listenupnorth.com

And the Runners Up:

A Holy Passion by Amabel Craig

Making Things Happen and  A Woman’s Dilemma by Margaret Nesbitt

Well Done everyone!