WOYWW 199 - Mixed bag today - trying to get ahead

I cannot believe it is Wednesday and WOYWW day yet again (actually, it is Tuesday afternoon, but this desk won't change till Wednesday afternoon, if then).  I have not caught up from last week.  Where has this year gone and it is still winter.  We have got to have a good summer to get over this lot.

Today's post is a little photo heavy, so apologies to those of you who are short of time - just skim quickly down to the bottom and then carry on with your journey round Blogland, courtesy of Julia at Stamping Ground.  For those of you with more time, You can see my keyboard in place.  I have been typing this post as well as making inserts for three family cards (I will post them on Thursday, all being well).  My ice cream box is getting fuller and messier and needs a good sort out - it is supposed to hold only those tools and pens that I use most days.  To the left is my box of Derwent Watercolour pencils, which have been heavily used just lately and needed again this week.  Almost burying them, is my new small Splodge Mat and one or two new Clarity stamps.  Fluffy Dog is there due to a quick visit by our young granddaughters yesterday.  They were due on Saturday, but, guess what, it snowed.  We did have fun yesterday to make up.

Here you can see my baby Splodgy, ready to go on holiday with us, if the weather ever improves.  There are also two new sets of stamps, retired sets from Chocolate Baroque (thanks for the temptation, Shaz (Silverwolf) - you knew I would not resist, didn't you.

I think the Scottie on the shelf is sulking because he did not come out to play yesterday with Fluffy Dog.  Still, he does have an important job, to look after my WOYWW badge.

I will finish today with a couple of shots from my window of the sky.  I reckon we are due for more white stuff tonight by the look of it.  I have given up listening to the weather forecasts, they change every couple of minutes.

It has been amusing watching the news lately.  Instead of complaining about people driving 4x4's, everyone has been grateful to all those who have used them to ferry nurses and their patients around.  Living at the top of a steep hill, I would not feel comfortable in the winter without our 4x4.  We also need it to tow our caravan, and I know that is a rude word to some people.  However, that caravan means we can go to some beautiful parts of the country and spend our cash in the local economy.  We always look for farm shops, local butchers etc, although we do try to take enough bread with us for the time we are away.

Since the horse meat scandal etc, we have been even more careful where we spend our money.  Even our bread flour is now sourced from the nearest flour mill, using heritage wheat.  Our meat comes from a very good, reputable local butcher and our veg from the nearest farm shop. The problem is that the supermarkets have put out of business all the local shops that we used to have, so to get good food we trust without patronising the supermarkets, we have to travel several miles.  To buy wool or material, we have to get in the car and travel several miles.  The shops that used to sell those things have vanished under the concrete of the supermarkets.  Buying craft stuff means getting in the car and driving several miles or buying online - at least one of our local craft shops has vanished due to KFC.  I think I had better get off my strop box and let you all go and visit more desks.  Sorry about going on a bit, but I am sure I am not the only one who feels this way.

Anyway, have a great week, and enjoy whatever you are doing.  Thank you Julia,for your conitinued hospitality each week.  We would really miss you.