Monday 12 October 2015

Monday's Meme of the Week

Jessica, from a Shimmering Star shared this meme to my Facebook page this week and it's just so me:



It also explains why I'm such a frustrating writing partner!

Sunday 11 October 2015

A Song for Sunday: Billy Idol - Rebel Yell

Because it's been far too long since we've taken a dirty little trip to the Mind Restroom with Billy, this week's Song for Sunday brings you ''Rebel Yell'':



Oh, yeah... that gets the juices going. ;)

Thursday 8 October 2015

Throwback Thursday

Prepare yourself.

Here is this week's Throwback Thursday photo:


One of my senior photos.

I know, right? IF we could pretend I wasn't wearing socks with sandals it's still unacceptable.

Wednesday 7 October 2015

WednesDIY: Dotty Trees

Another idea I found on Pinterest:


These painting were done on mini canvases and are too freaking adorable for words.

The one on the left is my Autumn Dotty Tree and the one on the right is my Dotty Apple Tree. (The leaves and apples were made using Q-Tips.)

This project doesn't take much time and looks really cute. Give it a try! Tip: if you're doing this with younger kids, you might want to get the background and tree base ready beforehand. 

Tuesday 6 October 2015

An Apple Picking Date

One of the things that I've been wanting to do for a very long time is go apple picking - somewhere besides my parents' backyard!

We went to a local orchard called Berry Hill Farm, where they gave us a bag for our apples and let us loose among the trees.





It was a long walk, and we needed to stop several times for Jay to have a rest (he just started physio - more on that later), which suited me just fine because I couldn't get enough of the peace and quiet.




The apple orchard at Berry Hill is the kind of place that soothes your soul and reminds you that life isn't just obligations and bills. It was so great to get away from everything for a couple of hours, surround ourselves with nature, and soak up some sun.





Jay had a great time too, even though it did hurt his back more than he expected. He found a handy branch to use as a walking stick - until he also tried to use it as a tree basher and it smashed into several small twigs.



We had a funny moment, trying to get at a couple of particularly juicy looking apples at the top of one tree. After trying to knock them down with a branch and failing, and when jumping up at them didn't work, Jay had the idea to grab the tree and give it a good hard shake.

But those trees fight back!

An apple flew down and hit me square in the stomach. Doubled over in laughter (and a little pain), I heard Jay's ''Ow! Ow! Ow!'' and laughed even harder. Several apples hit him right on the head - but not one of them was one of the ones we wanted.

Our carrier bag got too heavy to carry before we ran out of yummy looking apples. When we finally made our way back to the gift shop, the attendants laughed and said that we'd been gone so long that they'd forgotten about us.



Jay and I had a great time and we both agreed that it needs to be a yearly outing for us.

Now... if only I had a stove so that I could do some serious baking with all these lovely apples!


Monday 5 October 2015

Monday's Meme of the Week

With England getting themselves a good ole walloping at the Rugby World Cup this year - in their backyard - it's only appropriate that this week's Meme of the Week reflects this fact: 




Which, of course, came a week after this priceless meme:



As an honorary Welshie, I have to add a HA HA here. ;)

Sunday 4 October 2015

A Song for Sunday: U2 - Sweetest Thing

I love the story behind this song.


When I asked what the deal with all the ''I'm sorry''s was, Jay explained that Bono missed his wife's birthday because he was on tour.

So... I missed your birthday - how about a Number 1 instead?

Leaves a lot to live up to!

Saturday 3 October 2015

Autumn in Wales

To celebrate Mabon this year, I took myself (and my camera) off for a solitary walk around the village and through the woods.



The leaves are changing beautifully this year.


Because the weather tends to be so mild, we don't get many of the vibrant colours you see in some places, come fall. A golden haze is just about all we can normally hope for - but not this year. This year, we've had the hot days and cool nights that make for truly stunning autumn colours.


The usual autumn rains have set in already, so sights like these are not uncommon.


My walk left me feeling both peaceful and energized - which probably only makes sense if you're me. I can't wait to see what changes the next month brings!

Autumn 2015 Bucket List - UPDATED

I had this amazing bucket list planned for this autumn - then my STOVE DIED. Boo.

Now I need to update my bucket list, taking out everything that involves cooking.

I'm a sad Wondra. :/

Can you think of any replacements for the cooking items on my bucket list?

1. Pick my own apples. There's a pick-your-own farm not far away and I've been dying to try it.
2. Make apple cider. I miss being able to pick this up anywhere but it's relatively easy to make, at least in small doses.
3. Bake a pie. I've never baked a pie before. Ever. It's about time I did!
4. Make caramel apples. Mmm.... caramel apples. I'm thinking of the sliced, on sucker sticks kind.
5. Have apple butter. Except I need someone to SEND me some, of course!
6. Enjoy some apple sauce. I'd normally make it myself but, since I have no stove, I'm going to have to see if I can buy some.
7. Visit a pumpkin patch. Or at least a farm selling pumpkins.
8. Carve pumpkins. I keep threatening to make my husband buy me 31 pumpkins so I can carve one every day of October. He thinks I'm joking... Lol.
9. Nom on some pumpkin seeds. Normally I'd bake them myself but I guess I'll have to buy some this year...
10. Eat candy corn until I feel sick. This will require someone sending me some, of course!
11. Make home made soup. I've never done this before, either, but autumn seems like the perfect time for it!
12. Enjoy a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Or two. Or twelve. Wondra's Special Hot Chocolate is the best.
13. Have a coffee date with a friend. I can't remember the last time I did this. It's a perfect time for catching up!
14. Watch my favourite fall movies. And maybe find a few more.
15. Bake cookies. What's better on a chilly day than a melt-in-your-mouth cookie, straight from the oven?
16. Hand out Halloween candy. Even if it's just at school. (We don't get trick-or-treaters.)
17. Do something witchy. This time of the year always makes me feel witchier.
18. Send a letter to an old friend. Snail mail. I lose touch too often, and too easily. I need to start setting this right.
19. Take a long walk. Enjoy the changing leaves, the crisp wind, and the golden glow that come with autumn.
20. Take a scenic drive - with no destination. With petrol prices so high these days we never just go out to go out. It would be lovely to drive around and see how the changing season has affected the rest of the country - if we get the chance.
21. Spend a night watching scary movies. Time to cuddle up under a warm blanket and scare the crap out of ourselves!
22. Watch a football game. American football, of course.
23. Play in the rain. Autumn in Britain is definitely the rainy season. Inside of staying dry, I'll head out and act like a big kid again.
24. Stay warm in flannel. Flannel is so snuggly and warm and it just screams cold weather.
25. Play in the leaves. I love the crunch of fallen leaves and I can't help kicking them up as I walk.
26. Leaf art. Instead of just sticking them in a big old book, it's time to get creative...
27. Photograph the leaves. Although we don't get the vibrant reds and oranges that I'm used to, Wales in autumn is still beautiful.
28. Write poetry. I always get a little more poetic this time of the year.
29. Knit. I'm not a particularly skilled at knitting but now is the time to practice. Scarves for everyone!
30. Crochet. I wish I had about a million crocheted blankets for me and the doggies to snuggle under. I should work on that.
31. Visit a craft fayre/farmer's market. Support local artists, crafters and farmers this autumn!
32. Dress up. I always plan to dress up for Halloween but it doesn't always happen. This year, it will - even if I'm not going anywhere!
33. Make a scarecrow. In time for Mabon. I haven't made one in a couple of years.
34. Upcycle clothes. Especially sweaters.
35. Make doggy sweaters. It's nippy 'round here this time of year.
36. Stock up on fingerless gloves/wristwarmers. I'm thinking that I need to make a whole bunch of wristwarmers and buy a bunch of cheap gloves to cut the tips off of.

Friday 2 October 2015

A Scarecrow for Mabon

It's been a while since I've built a scarecrow for Mabon but I got to do it this year.


I used some old clothes that were destined for a charity shop and a couple of branches I found on my Mabon walk through the forest - as well as a pumpkin from my Samhain box. 

There are ribbons hanging off the arms and I'm going to continue to hang ribbons and bells, etc. from the arms through the next month for a flowy, noisy scarecrow. 

Although I'm happy with my scarecrow, I'm thinking that it would be cool to make another one - maybe one sitting down in a lawn chair?

Thinking of making a scarecrow of your own? Check out my Scaredy Pants board on Pinterest.

Thursday 1 October 2015

On My To-Watch List

I don't even have words for how badly I want to see Deadpool.


And this one's got me looking forward to Christmas:


This one looks like it's very similar but it has The Shat so it's worth a look.