Friday and the weekend arrived

Sitting here having a cuppa and updating the blog, yes a cup of tea in 34 degrees, the girls think I am mad.  They drink either iced tea (peach of course) or frapees.  Each to their own.
Yesterday was very hectic but wonderful as well.  We spent the day in Larnaca, visited a craft shop and got a few bits, yes I know I was naughy and it was great to see Sarah again.  Then it was off to Christianas to see her dresses for the weddings she has coming up.  They are stunning.

Lunch, a few shops and Paul and I went to collect Sophia from work.  Yes Sophia is working and its her last day today,  She has worked at a hotel bar this Summer, trying to scrape together some ££'s for her next year at uni.

Off to see my Cypriot Mother in Law for coffee, where all the girls came too, we laughed and after a quick shower and change, it was to my sister in laws for dinner.  She cooked Tava.  Tava is a Cypriot dish that is lots of different veg, pork and herbs cooked for a long time in the oven and its one of Pauls favourites.  I made it back in the UK a few months ago and Sandra popped over, loved the smell of it and I told her that I would tell her how to make it.  I never did but when I get back, as I shall be working mornings only, I shall make it again and write out the receipe.  Paul and I had a great night with my neice, all my daughters, mum and dad in law, sister and bro in law and then neices friends came, then bro in laws mum came, then....well you get the picture.  It was a late night home and a lazy day today.

Tonight we have daughters and boyfriends coming at some stage so we shall cook and if they are here in time to eat with us, they can and if not, they will have to heat it up.

Tomorrow is a really exciting day because we get the Stampin' Up! retired list published and, there is a new autumn/winter catalogue.  I hope to be up really early to put everything on my blog and then I shall be putting an order in as soon as it reaches the minimum amount so, if there is anything that you want, just let me know.
Anyone who places an order will be in with chance of getting the hostess benefits too.

My email address at the moment is tracey.rossostemp@hotmail.com

Before I leave you to go and get dinner on, here is a photo of one the Wedding cards that was made earlier in the week.  Now that have some sparkly stuff and some shiny stuff I shall finish it off tomorrow.

Thank you so much for having a read, please do leave a comment if you have time so that I can come and visit you blog too.  Have a lovely evening

Good morning to you and thanks for having a visit today.

I cant believe it's Thursday already, the days are flying by.  Well for a change, it's hot, just 34 degrees so far, phew and we are off for a day in Larnaca.
Yesterday we went to a little outdoor market that we have visited over the last few years and we had a wander round, in 34 degrees (only mad dogs and Englishman etc).  We managed to get some dvds but not a lot else.  There are not as many stallsas there were in previous years and we were most surprised by the price of things, its so expensive.Having said all that though, we shall go back again next week for a wander round.

Paul at the entrance of the little outdoor market

We then had a drive around a few villages as Paul loves to see traditional places, we got lost twice because I was doing the navigating but sshhh, no one realised.  This was followed by a treat for Christiana. She has a few wedding coming up so we went to a couple of shops and got her some shoes, a bag and a shawl.  She will look lovely in them


I made another few wedding cards, clean, classy and not very difficult.

Well thats all the sunny news for now. Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful day, whatever you are up to xx

Good morning from another hot and sunny day in Cyprus.  The forecast today is a little cooler, just 31 degrees with some clouds, suits me down to the ground.

Paul doing his Del Boy impersonation in the hire car

Yesterday we managed to go to a small "bazar type shop" (Poplife for those that know it) and get an adaptor for my kindle so that we can charge it up.  Paul got me the kindle for our holidays as I always end up with about 10 books in the bags and purchase more when we get here.  Anyway I was assured the charger was in our suitecase so when I went to charge it up, not here.  I asked Paul and he pulled out a charger and said here it is, rolling his eyes cause he thought I had missed it during my hunt.  Little did he know that this "wire" was for an old mobile, sometimes.  Anyway, I am a happy bunny cause I have my kindle back and can sit reading once more.

Another day was spent by the pool yesterday, relaxing and last night Sophia, Katerina and Mariann came to visit for dinner.  Paul cooked a wonderful dish (with a bit of help from me).  Today I am afraid to say it is another lazy day around the pool, quite looking forward to it.

As promised, here are a couple of cards that I managed to make, they just need qlitter and glossy accents which I shall have a look for on our next trip to Larnaca.

Its bingo tonight, so wish me luck.  Thanks for reading, hope that all is well in your world and have a wonderful day.

Manic Monday

I had forgotten about the dustbin men in Cyprus starting work in the middle of the night.  Can you believe that at 4.00a.m. they were here, with reverse noise of their lorry, laughing and joking and making as much noise as they could.....ggrrrr I cant blame them though as it does get rather hot later in the day.

Yesterday I thought I had a problem with Hotmail, tooday I KNOW I HAVE A PROBLEM with hotmail.  Someone tried to get into my account so this has been blocked now, until microsoft can sort it out, should only take 5 -7 days AAAARRRGGGGHHHH no, I am expecting emails.  Okay, so I am not going to panic.  I have just set up another temporary email which is

tracey.rossostemp@hotmail.com

If Jane Brandon, Debbie Fletcher, Sally Johnson or Paula Johnson are reading this, could you please send me an email.

Its okay me setting up this new email account but, where are all my contacts and who takes details of their email contacts on holiday with them?? Now there is organised and there is organised.

The weekend has been great and sooo chilled and relaxed..  Yesterday there was only Paul and myself at the villa so we swam, we ate, we snoozed, Paul got to read his paper in peace and me, well, I got to making a few cards.  Christiana and Pani came back late at night so we have them with us today.  I think it will be another pool day.

This is a photo of a traditional sweet that you used to get after EVERY meal in a restaurant in Cyprus.  Unfortunately you only get this is the old places



It is orange that has been left in a syrup for a long time, very sweet. In fact it is too sweet for me but Paul enjoyed it.
Paul has become a smoothie king.  Oh yes, he is buying all kinds of fruit and each afternoon he makes his drinks, here is the pineapple, melon, vanilla ice cream and ice.  Of course you have to have a piece of chocolate cake (Doukissa) to go with it.



Thanks for having a read, I will get the camera out and take some pictures of the wedding cards I made. Have a great day

Hot and Sunny in Cyprus

For Stamperettes Series 8, today is 23rd of the month.  It would be fantastic if you could get in touch by 28th for the usual.  You can email me or find me on facebook.  If you want me to give you a ring, I can do that too.

For those that would like to join Stamperettes Series 9, there really are just a few places left. This will start on 28th September, more about that in a couple of weeks.

Well we didnt do any crafting last night, as usual, in Cyprus plans change. We went out for a bite to eat as there was only 4 of us and then we went for a stroll.  When we got back to our car we had got a parking ticket!!!! We have parked in the same place for over 12 years and this is progression grrrrrr.  I had forgotten that we usually have a hire car, with red number plates.  Last night we used Christianas car.  Which means today we have to go to the police station.

Here is Paul cleaning out the pool so that we can go and have a swim, just look at that sky, it really is that blue.
Thanks for having a read and have a great day.

midweek mussings

It has been a busy few days but soooo enjoyable.

Friday we travelled to Cyprus on a great flight with Monach. First time we have flown with them and it was very enjoyable.  We were allowed 23 kilos each and I can tell you, we had 45 kilos between us so only just made it, that wasnt including the additional 10 kilos of hand lugage, each.  I had to get so much for the girls that I didnt have room, nor weight for a handbag for me, my purfume, 2 outfits put a lot of other bits that I thought I could do without.

We landed in Larnaca to 30 degrees phew, it was hot and that was at 10p.m..  Eventually got to the the place we have rented, got the ac on and just had a drink and went to bed. Saturday we did a shop, got our bearings and had a dip in the pool and then, it was time for bed again??? where did the day go.

Sunday, now I know I said I wasnt cooking a sunday lunch in these temperatures but I relented.  I cooked a Sunday Lunch.

Yushpuds just starting to rise

Paul and Christiana dishing up

pavlos pudding

Monday it was off to the telephone company to get some internet sorted, a bit more shopping and cooking and again, the day was gone. Tuesday saw us go to Ikea for hours and hours, just what we had missed. We got more things for Sophias apartment (she is leaving home in a couple of weeks) and then we had a few hours of cleaning out her apartment, now that was hot.

Today I chilled and I deserved it.  I have been in the pool, had a girly day with lots of girls and have just laughed and laughed.

The 2012 girly day at villa

 Tonight its going to be a quick meal, a drink and a little crafting, oh yes, I snuck about 5 kilos worth of crafting items with me, well, I can manage without the handbag and the outfits but without crafting, not sure.  Tomorrow I am going in search of the sea.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a great evening

Happy Birthday Diane.

This is the second of the 3 birthday cards that I made, as mentioned in a previous post

The weekend is here early for me

Wishing Buffy a very Happy Birthday.  I have 3 birthdays coming up so I wrote out all the cards, took photos of them so that I could share them with you, then put them in the envelopes. mmmm, now I cant really remember who got what but, never mind, this is one of the cards I made lol.

Last night after everything was all done, dusted, packed away......we were overweight, yikes.  So it was a frantic repack (I did this last time we went to Cyprus) and took quite a few bits out of the cases.  Phew.  Then we realised, we hadnt put the cheese in, oh no, so we had to do it all over again.  Now I know I have my swimming costume and I know I have a couple of pairs of shoes, an outfit or two and thats it.  I really do not know what else I have to wear and am I bothered, not at all.  The girls can rest assured that they have their ducks that they asked me to get them, lots of new underwear, a quilt for Sophia and not forgetting the quilt, cushion covers and pillow cases oh, and did I mention the presents from Holland.  I got my priorities right.

You can still get in touch with me on facebook or email and if you are brave enough, try skype or face time. 

Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful day

Drawstring Bags

For those that know me, I am a novice at using my sewing machine.  Well when we go on our holidays we take lots and lots of wires/plugs... the kindle, the telephone, the camera charger, the laptop charger etc. etc. and they always end up in a plastic bag, muddled up and it takes ages to untangle.  Then when we come home, I always dread that we have left one behind so, I have been making drawstring bags to put all the individual charges/plugs into and here are the photos.  It is material that I have had from making the pillows.  I am hoping that the grandchildren will want a bag or two as Christmas presents.





Not long now till we are with all the girls and their friends and their boyfriends and it will be party, party, party.  I am just about packed, just a couple of bits to put in so tonight it will be cleaning and putting everything away....now I wonder if I have a little room to pop in just one A4 box with some crafting bits?  I will let you know.

Thanks for having a read and have a lovely day.

Tuesdays Twitter

Happy Birthday to Uncle Dave.  Dave is a keen golfer so this is the card that I made for him

I do hope he likes it but there is no reason why he shouldnt.

Today is the day of visitors, friends and family, I do love Tuesdays.  Yesterday I had a manicure and a pedicure, sometimes its nice to be spoilt.  Off to get sophias quilt cover set today, something else to put in the case.

I have an SU order going in tomorrow so, if there is anything that you would like, just let me know.

Well thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely day, whatever you are up to.

3 more get ups (for Christiana that means only 3 more work days left).

Its a Happy Birthday to Sandra for yesterday.  Here is the card that I made for her and I hope she had a lovely day.

Well the start of another week and the weather is certainly being kind to us, which is nice.  Tomorrow is Tracey Tuesday which means that you are most welcome to pop in at anytime after 7p.m. for a coffee and a natter and collect anything that you may have.  It lovely having an evening set aside just for coffee and cake (which I am baking tonight, hopefully).

I hope you have a lovely afternoon and evening and thanks for having a read today 

Sunday's Scene

Last weekend I spent a wonderful day with  Rebecca.  This was waiting for me when I  arrived and it certainly was very nice.  I needed it in the afternoon.

And this is what I created, not the best of photographs but I think that you get the picture, ha ha

It took a few hours to make and I am hoping to get another couple done this week and sneak them out to the girls, if they would like one that is?  I loved making it and I have lots of ideas to make more so thank you for your time and patience Rebecca.

I had a rare evening on the settee with hubby last night and we watched the olympics, a couple of hours watching the diving and OMG.  It was amazing and nail biting.  We saw Mo get the gold and Tom get the bronze and how nice it was.

Today it is a day at home.  Sunday lunch and hopefully catching up with the family both at home and on the internet. The sun is supposed to be out so I may even be able to do a bit of deadheading (for Christiana, this means getting rid of dead flowers).  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a lovely day.

Saturday and another Reason to Smile

 I have more time at home lately and seem to get less done, oh well that is life.  I have another few days of afternoons off and then it will be holiday time.  If there is anything that you would like to collect from me, Tuesday evening would be fantastic.

During the month of August, Stampin' Up! are promoting this wonderful stamp set "a reason to smile" and this is the second card I have made using it.  A friend has just had an operation and I used this set and lots of pinks to make the card.


Here in the inside of it which I guess, is another card as well.  I really enjoyed doing this and I dont think this will be the last one.
  
Have you been watching the Olympics?  Havent they been great?  I have been watching/listening whilst being busy in the craft room, not producing much but always busy.

Off to Melton today, another couple of scrapbook pages, lots of catching up with friends and a chilling day in the heat.

Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful day.

White Rabbit and a Reason to Smile

1st of August, if you didnt already know and it is wet, dark and miserable outside, I hope the sun comes back soon. The temperatures are due to be nice in the 20's but not a lot of sunshine.
Nevermind,I shall be home preparing tea cause its Wednesday (mother in law comes round on a Wednesday for tea) and tonight the grandchildren are visiting.

How about this

You can get your hands on this wonderful stamp set FOR FREE with all orders of £60.00. It really is a wonderful stamp set and so versatile.

I saw a card very similar to this on my travels around blog land and it really inspired me to make these but I cant find the original card.......so thank you if this idea was yours.  I have made my thank you cards using this set this month and that is just one stamp out of the set of 7 I used.

I made lots of different yellows

and made lots of peaches  and oranges too

Here is a bit of a close up of one that I cut out, can you see all that dazzling diamond?

Lots already made and a lot more to sparkle up and add bling

If you would just like to purchase the stamp set rather than placing a £60 order then that is possible too,  the wooden one is £18.95 and the cling one is £14.95. Just give me a call on 01332 721877 and I will order this for you.

Thanks for having a read today and I hope you manage to stay dry.