look what I found...

Daffodils (tight buds yesterday, but the hot house that is our apartment is working a treat) and hyacinths...

Simply perfick!  x

blogging for a year...

So, I've been blogging for a year!  Like most newbies, I was very nervous at the beginning, so I still haven't told a soul about what I'm up to, apart from Mr W that is, who I suspect has a sneaky peek every now and then.  I know that sometimes I've been absent, and sometimes I've been a little stuck for words, but I'm still here, which I'm pretty pleased about.  This year, I'm going to try to make sure I have some beautiful photos available for all posts, and see whether I can perhaps entice regular readers to keep coming back - fingers crossed!

Happy weekend x

PS  The photo is the view from the Skyride on Sentosa

flying by...

This week seems to have been flying by.  On Monday, Pickle was feeling under the weather, so she stayed at home for the day.  This of course gave me the perfect opportunity to do some long overdue paperwork, which I very diligently did (the purchase of stationery several days ago helped)!

Then yesterday, I went walking with a friend at MacRitchie Reservoir.  Mr W has pointed out that this was an odd activity for me, given that a) I'm not terribly brave in the bug/snake/wild monkey department and b) I refused to go with him for exactly that reason!  Thankfully, I didn't see any of the above, although there were several movements in the undergrowth which made us speed up out of harm's way!  We followed the purple trail, which took us by the water's edge and through the trees.  Unfortunately, it wasn't especially well signposted, but the scenery was beautiful - really lush and green.  No photos though I'm afraid, as it was too wet to take a camera... I guess that means I'll have to take a deep breath and go again!

xx

it's another sleepover...

Both the girls have friends over tonight.  Betsy is watching a movie (in the dark of course) in her bedroom, Pickle is in the sitting watching another one, Mr W is out, so I am idly flicking through my favourite blogs, g & t in hand!

Hope you have a lovely relaxing weekend too x

PS I know the photograph has nothing to do with the post, but I'm practising with my new camera, and this is today's effort.  I love the jumble of colours, but think I need to read a little more of the manual so that I can practise achieving the depth of field I'm after.

a day out...

 

Yesterday, I went on a jolly jape with my friend Mrs F who, having lived here for more than 3 years, has a better idea of where to go and what to do than I do. She took me to Holland Village where I bought this cheongsam dress for Betsy.  I particularly like the combination of the pretty Englishness of the floral, and the traditional Chinese detail...

After that, we went to Serenity Cove where I had some foot reflexology.  I've only had this treatment once before, but I actually quite enjoyed it, and didn't think it was too expensive at $22 for half an hour, so I think I might treat myself again some time.  You can find the address and telephone number here.

I had intended to buy an embroidery foot for my sewing machine, having been inspired by this program, but unfortunately I ran out of time, so that little bit of creativity will have to wait for another time. This does however mean that I will be able to finish Baby Annabel's birthday present - Betsy announced that she was 3 on Tuesday (even though, as Pickle pointed out, she last celebrated sometime in August), so I'm knitting her a bag and maybe even some bunting for her bed in time for her party this weekend!! Oh what it is to have the imagination of a 7 year old!

xx

this weekend...

has been a busy one.  On Saturday, we went to Harry's @ 360, as Betsy is now old enough to waterski, and she did it!  It must be said, she looked very little before she set off, and I was definitely feeling apprehensive - I'm not sure if it was the thought of her falling off and having to swim back to shore or the sheer force/speed involved, but I was very relieved once she'd done it!

On Sunday, we cycled along the East Coast to play crazy golf.  In true Singaporean style, the holes were based on well known places in Singapore, and there were lots of mechanical elements, from ski lifts to trains...

But for Betsy, the highlight of the day was the slippers you borrow when you go to the loo!

Have a good week everyone x

jolly japes...

Mr W has the day off today, so we're going on a jolly jape, which I'm hoping will involve lunch here.  Every time we go, it rains, so the stone will be wet, but it's always enjoyable.

Wishing you a lovely weekend x

made by betsy...

Day 12 of my challenge, and I'm struggling to take a photograph every day, as I'm still playing catch up now the girls have gone back to school.  I took this one on day 8 - lets hope I find some more inspiration for tomorrow!

xx

something very english...

This book is one of my favourite Christmas presents, a gift from one of my girlfriends back home.  As the inscription says, 'a little bit of something terribly English for my first Christmas away'.  I listened to Deborah Devonshire being interviewed on Woman's Hour back in September and I can't wait to read it.  Just what I need to wile away rainy days in Singapore...

Happy Monday! xx

my dream house...

This is the house I was photographing earlier this week (photo 5 of my hopefully 365 project).  I bought it at a car boot sale for 10 pounds, including all fixtures and fittings!  At some point in my life, I would like to live in a beautiful Georgian house just like it!

Have a great weekend x

list number one...

Today I have:

1. realised that the box I threw away on Monday night would have been perfect for storing our ever expanding Christmas decorations.

2. discovered that my super comfortable flip flops, when used constantly for a year (and I really mean constantly - the only exception being nights out!), will break irrepairably.

3. run out of time to do anything creative with the girls, and have made a mental note to make up for it tomorrow, after we've been to the Science Centre, if only for the sake of our thank you notes!

4. just managed to take a picture of a beautiful house for my photographic project - I'll show and tell on Friday.

xx

projects...

Just a quick, and late post today, as the girls are still on holiday and I'm trying to tidy up after Christmas (still not brave enough to tackle Betsy's bedroom though... hopefully by then end of this week??)  Tomorrow we're off to meet Mr W for lunch, but I just wanted to make a formal declaration that I am going to try to take a photograph every day for the rest of this month.  I'm hoping that I will continue in this vein for the rest of the year....

See you on Wednesday x