I have mixed feelings about Tags and Blog Awards.
Helen Suzanne posted about this a couple of days ago and I share many of her feelings. Of course, part of me is delighted to receive awards and happy to think anyone enjoys reading my rambling enough to pass one on. Equally I enjoy reading Tags like weird and random facts - it's always fascinating to read these snippets of information and again I'm flattered that anyone would want to know more about me. But at the same time they leave me feeling slightly uncomfortable and I'm never very happy about passing them on - I worry I might leave someone out who I should have thought of, worry that the recipient might not want it and yet at the same time I worry that I'm "breaking the chain" if I don't pass it on. That off my chest... I have been tagged recently by
Indigo Blue (I didn't mind... honestly) to give seven random facts about myself. As this is the third time I've received this recently - possibly from
Jennyflower and
Marmaladekiss too but I can't remember, I thought I would play along... partially
First of all the seven random facts:
1. I have a blue belt in Judo! This is me aged about 15 about two years before I gave it up.
2. I was born in the East End of London so I am a true
Cockney.
3. I have run the London Marathon - twice. This is the first time in 1988 with Ben at the finish. It took me over five hours that time.
And the second time was in 1998 and I ran it over an hour faster! It rained a lot that time and my arm was in plaster with a broken wrist (I fell over roller skating five weeks before!)
4.I have not eaten meat for about fifteen years, although I do occasionally eat fish if it does't have its head and bones!
5. I am terribly untidy especially when I am working as this picture of my desk shows... but I have a tidy person inside me who would like to come out.
6. I've got a maths degree and used be a Maths teacher before I had children... but I've forgotten it all!
7. I still like numbers though and try to do the Killer SuDoko in The Times every day if I can. I can't do crosswords though and don't even begin to understand cryptic clues.
So that's my seven random facts... but I'm not going to play properly because I'm not going to pass it on... but if you want to play too... then please do!
And while I was browsing through the pages of the cook book I decided I would make some truffles too! Very fiddly and messy but they taste good!
And a tree decoration which was inspired by several seen yesterday at the Burwash Manor Christmas shop... where I just happened to meet Silver Pebble and Dotty Cookie plus a little Pebble and Cookie, for lunch and a bit of seasonal shopping! Can you tell I'm starting to feel festive!
2. I was born in the East End of London so I am a true Cockney.
And the second time was in 1998 and I ran it over an hour faster! It rained a lot that time and my arm was in plaster with a broken wrist (I fell over roller skating five weeks before!)
4.I have not eaten meat for about fifteen years, although I do occasionally eat fish if it does't have its head and bones!
6. I've got a maths degree and used be a Maths teacher before I had children... but I've forgotten it all!
And while we're talking spot the difference... I know I'm not the first to spot this but it is uncanny... Jo Brand...
It's uncanny... they even sound similar!
and to Lucy for this super little mini quilt, again beautifully stitched. (I think I'm going to have to start my own quilt wall.)
Lucy also gave me this fabulous zipped pouch ( PIF gift I think?) which I'm going to use for my drawing pens... do you think that is me walking Barley?... maybe not.
And Trashy painted this lovely ornament which will hang on my Christmas tree this year! Thank you all so much!
Back in the Fan my Flame household there has been a frenzy of activity for the past couple of days as I try to remedy the lack of stock... I've a Christmas Open Studio and sale tomorrow which it seeemed like a good idea when I arranged it in June... now I'm not so sure! Amongst many other things there has been brooch production ... just need to find where I've hidden the brooch pins!
And the mass production of Christmas cards!
Angela too, has been hard at work and has finished an experimental sample showing manipulation featuring the following three gorgeous samples...
Carol's
Jean's (another Jean!)
and last but not least, Liz's
Today I met with Trashy (just as crazy as I'd been warned!), Wonderwoman, Lucy Locket, Moogsmum and Lucy's sister Alison (who kindly took the photo). Gifts were exchanged, there was much laughter, talk of donkeys and chickens, lunch, wine tasting and of course the odd purchase or two. I left them all still shopping because 
Thank you too for this little added present for me - some fabrics and lace, including some of Julie's shibori dyed fabric, which was very much appreciated . I love the stripey looking one!
The instructions can be found here. All in the interest of research of course, for my next Young Embroiderer's meeting.
But this afternoon I really must get back to my assignment because tomorrow I'm out all day for a very exciting blogging meet-up! 
As if a parcel from Maria wasn't exciting enough, an eagerly awaited parcel also arrived today from Charlie and Mr P... my prize in Charlie's giveaway... my very own pigeon! Here he is coming out of his box after his long journey.
A very handsome fellow!
Complete with his own very special passport and knitting pattern for a tank top. And a name label... but he hasn't got a name yet. I'm thinking of calling him Wilson (as in Wilson 
Charlie said he was looking forward to having cake when he came to our house so I thought I'd better get baking this afternoon and made a batch of cranberry flapjacks. Wilson got very excited and started to flap his wings...
But very much appreciated as it means I've been able to get on with my degree work. Better go as my prawn and pea risotto is almost ready!
But more obvious dirt can be seen on this little plaque on a cupboard door - meant for day three. This is the original photo complete with clumps of dust on her hair... because I don't do housework...
