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29 Dec 2009
23 Dec 2009
20 Dec 2009
Cross Stitch Coaster Birthday Gift
This is a very easy nighter cross stitch work. I got the idea from the magzine. Since it's a kind of personal special gift and practical, I really like it. I ordered the coaster online. There are some cross stitch and craft webstites selling it. It costs nearly nothing, but you have to remeber the postage. So I bought some useful small tools with it together. The first coaster arrived with a crack. Luckly, I got the second one for free. When I saw the mug on the coaster, it is more than I expected.Try it, you will like it!
13 Dec 2009
3 Dec 2009
Recommend A Romantic Historical Novel: Bonded Heart by Jane Jackson
by Jane JacksonI was really touched by the book and spent two nights reading it till 1am. It is a compelling romance set in nineteenth-century Cornwall. I like the happy ending. If you like 'Pride and Prejudice', I bet you would love this one. And it is much easier to read and understand.
Roz Trevaskis was boin into a respectable family but was abandoned by her un-married mother. Her grandparents gave her good education, even though it was useless for her to work at the Three Mackerel Inn as a waitress. Due to her alcoholic mother, she got to know the justice and fell in love with him.
Excerpt
She could feel herself trembling and didn’t dare look up. Could he hear the drumbeat of her heart? What did he want? What did she want?
With gentle hands he cupped her face and tilted it up.
She looked into his face. It was all hard planes and shadows. She saw the furrow between his dark brows and longed to smooth it away. No good could come of this. And yet – And yet –
Was she mad? Had living with her mother taught her nothing? Was she not witness every day to the disastrous repercussions of intemperate behaviour and emotional indulgence? Branoc Casvellan was different. He was a man. Men could behave as they wished.
Lowering his head he brushed her cheek with his lips. Her breath hitched on a sound that was half gasp, half sigh. Her eyes closed and heat surged through her body. It meant nothing: a token of thanks, a gesture of gratitude in exceptional circumstances.
Now he would move away. He must, for she could not. But he remained, his breath quickening, standing so close she could feel warmth radiating from him as she inhaled his scent.
Uttering a sound from deep in his throat, he rested his forehead against hers. Unable to stop herself, her eyes still closed, she raised her chin a fraction. She heard his in-drawn breath then his mouth sought hers, covered it. His lips were warm, the kiss tender. But beneath it she sensed more powerful emotions held in check by an iron control. She swayed, and to steady herself rested her hands on the front of his shoulders, feeling the heat of his skin through the fine fabric and the play of muscle as he moved.
Cradling her head, he circled her waist with his other arm, drawing her against him. As her body fit to his, his tongue gently parted her lips, igniting a yearing so profound, so hopeless, that tears slid between her lashes and down her temples. His mouth moved from hers to press kisses to her cheek, her eyelids. He lifted his head. “No,” he murmured hoarsely. “Please…don’t cry. I didn’t mean – I would not have you fear… Dear God.”
His breath hissed as he dropped his hands to her shoulders, his fingers strong, hurting as he deliberately moved her back, away from him. Suddenly she felt cold, so cold.
“I am not my father,” he said through gritted teeth.
Her head jerked up and she looked directly into his eyes. “No one who knows you would ever think that.” Her voice was a ragged whisper as she dashed the tears away with the fingers of one hand and the heel of the other. It would be easier, more comfortable, to let him take full responsibility for what had occurred. But it would not be honest.
“Do not reproach yourself.” She felt suddenly shy, but her sense of fairness demanded the truth. “I don’t. Nor can I regret.”
He laid one strong hand gently along her cheek, wiping it dry with his thumb. “While under my roof you’ll come to no harm.”
Her gaze never left his as he drew the shawl around her.
She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and, tasting him, felt a deep liquid pull at her core. “Had I thought otherwise I would not have stayed.” She saw surprise in the quick lift of his brows.
“I offered you a lot of money.”
“You did,” she acknowledged. “It would have grieved me to turn it down. Though as I didn’t, that claim is meaningless.”
“Why did you stay?” he asked quietly. ”You were kind to Tom. And though my mother does not deserve your forebearance, you have shown it just the same.”
“Are those your only reasons?” She could say yes. That was what she should say. He would accept it at face value, and the last few minutes could be disregarded as if they had never happened.
“No.” She hugged the shawl closer.
“Then why?”
Surely it was obvious? “You needed me.”
29 Nov 2009
Scotland in Autumn
I had a holiday at the beginning of Nov in Scotland highland. It's splendid with the colours. If you plan to have a holiday in Scotland, remote north highland is strongly recommended. The only shortcoming is the short daytime. It got dark at about 4pm.
Castle Ruin
Water Images
Eggs for sale - help yourself
The view at Wildlife Park
What a life in that house!
A bridge next to road
I was so happy to see these trees.
The wildcat in the cage
19 Nov 2009
18 Nov 2009
16 Nov 2009
Nice Cross Stitches at B&B
I had a holiday in Scotland a week ago and stayed one night at nice Carneil Farm B&B. The lady has done very nice cross stitches and made fabulous decoration of the house.
Ducks in the living room
Landing
At the stairs. The picture is not clear, sorry.
'Four Seasons' in the bathroom.
30 Oct 2009
22 Oct 2009
Windsor Castle - British Queen's Weekend Home
After 8 years lived in the UK, I finally went to the Queen's favourite weekend home Windsor Castle, thanks to my parents' visit to Britain. Windsor is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of The Queen with nearly 1000 years history. Winsor Castle is not in centre London. So many visitors missed the chance to see it. Buckingham Palace might be an easier way to get to know a bit about the royal life. In 1992, Windsor Castle suffered severe damage. So Buckingham Palace opened to the public to pay the great repairing cost for Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle is full of living atmosphere as it is currently occupied. Instead, most other castles are just the memory of the history. But don't expect to see the Queen's bedroom. If you go to the castle, don't forget to pick up the audio commentary. It is in many foreign languages and free of charge.
Have a look at the flag above. It is the national flag which means the Queen is not at home. When she is there, it would be a different flag.
St George's Chapel
The chapel has been the site of many royal funerals, and is presumed to be the place selected for the burial of Queen Elizabeth II upon her death. This is her mother's burial place too. She died in 2002 at the age of 101. So every Easter and some other days, the Queen always has some private time at the chaple.
You will get ideas about the most noble order of the Garter at St George's Chapel as well. it is the pinnacle of the honours system in the United Kingdom. Membership in the order is limited no more than twenty-four members.
Designer Street Light
The most safest cat. Like the squirrel in the White House garden.
One thing I feel pity for the Queen. Her home is not very far from Heathrow Airport. The planes pass by too often. :)
The 'Royal' Books
Henry VIII Gate. Castle tour ends here.
17 Oct 2009
Cross Stitch Cat Alphabet Chart
This is a really cute cat alphabet. It would be a nice gift for cat lovers. Also, it is a lovely birthday gift or Christmas gift tag with only single letter for initials. And it is not bad for fridge magnets.
10 Oct 2009
Cross Stitch Height Chart
Here we are! Finally, I finished my height chart for my daughter. I bought the kit when I was pregnant and started to work on it when my daughter was 2 months old. I thought I would have a lot of free time during the maternity leave. Actually, I was absolutely wrong. Being a new mum, I had too much to learn and also needed the naps to catch up sleep. So it took me 17 months to finish the chart. Now, my daughter is 19 months and 85cm(2.8feet/33.5inch).
The most difficult work was the backstitch. Too many backstitches to do and it was hard to do it in the evening, too dark.
Work in Progress. The small duck is missing now, must be 'hidden' by the little one somewhere in the house.
Some details
I will mark some heights every certain period, let's say every 6 months.
People are still working on height chart, come on!
3 Oct 2009
Cambridge Day Trip
It was a beautiful sunny day last Monday. We decided to go to Cambridge. After two hours driving, we were there. My parents like it immediately from the monent they saw the River Cam. Along the river, there are many rowing clubs and all the way long we saw people rowing. They look so beautiful and strong whatever they are men or women. One or some of them might take part in the Oxford & Cambridge race, even 2012 Olympics. Who knows?
Here are some pictures of Cambridge. Let's start with the symbol of Cambridge: King's College.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton
I saw this apple tree 6 years ago when I firstly came to Cambridge. I feel it did not change at all. Only people changed. Six years ago I was there with my friends. All of us were still the university students. Now, I came here with my daughter and my parents. I can not imagine how it will be when my daughter comes here by herself. Will she still see the apple tree? I think so and hope so.
Here are some pictures of Cambridge. Let's start with the symbol of Cambridge: King's College.
This is year is Cambridge University 800 years anniversary. How old is the apple tree below? What did it experience in the history? Is Newton's apple tree? Of course not.A descendant of the original tree can be seen growing outside the main gate of Trinity College, Cambridge, below the room Newton lived in when he studied there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton
I saw this apple tree 6 years ago when I firstly came to Cambridge. I feel it did not change at all. Only people changed. Six years ago I was there with my friends. All of us were still the university students. Now, I came here with my daughter and my parents. I can not imagine how it will be when my daughter comes here by herself. Will she still see the apple tree? I think so and hope so.
Punting along the River Cam is wonderful experience. I did this last time. You can see 8 colleges and 9 bridges with the tour. This time we missed the Bridge Of Sighs at St. John's college as we can not see it from the street.
Below is Mathematical Bridge at Queens' College. The earlier version of bridge had iron pins or screws at the joints, driven in from the outer elevation. It is said that the bridge was originally built without nails.
The finest avenue of trees in Cambridge at Jesus Green:
Here is the house at Bridge Street. Stratford-upon-Avon is famous for this style of buildings.
There are some famous churches in Cambridge. Here is one of them - round church (Holy Sepulcher).
There are some special shops in Cambridge where you find nice things, like this
And I like this postcard.
Six years past, I only reconized one thing has changed - Grasshopper Clock. It was officially unveiled to the public last September.
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