Home Sweet Home

...that I am becoming a kitchen goddess.

We went to the new Sainsbury's that was opened in Westhoughton this week. This is the amount of pre-packaged bakery goods that they have. It is good that it is a Betty Crocker so maybe she is starting to make a move into the UK market but really? One brownie, one cookie, one muffin and two cakes. Oh and in case you didn't see ONE type of frosting.

This is why I have been learning how to make everything from scratch. There just isn't a good variety to pick from.

I am very excited that the Olympics start tonight but because of the time difference I won't be able to watch the opening ceremony until tomorrow. I was very saddened to hear of the death of the luger Nodar Kumaritashvili from Georgia, what a sad start of events.

This was the scene when we got home from work at 4:30pm today. Look how light it still is outside... that means spring is on the way.

Today is also my Sister's birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANDRA!!! Love and miss you lots!

Merry Christmas everybody! No it didn't snow today but with the thick fog all around I just pretended like it was snow.

We had a lovely dinner over at Andy's parent's house and we finished it all off by playing some Wii with his dad. We then came home and I called my mom to wish her a Merry Christmas.

I hope everybody got exactly what they wanted and a fun time was had by all.

High: 37°
Low: 37°
Forecast: Mostly Cloudy, Late Sleet
Sunrise: 8:26 AM
Sunset: 3:55 PM

All day while I was at work it was sunny, then at around 6:30pm this thick fog rolled in and overtook everything. When I got off work at 8:00pm it was still really thick.

Doesn't it just look eerie?

High: 49°
Low: 30°
Forecast: Partly Sunny
Sunrise: 7:25 AM
Sunset: 4:22 PM

But the midnight hour is not close at hand! This photo was taken at 5:25pm when we got home from work.

I have always loved when it starts getting darker earlier in the day and I have a theory about it.

When you come home from work on a normal day it is light outside. You go inside cook dinner, etc.. and then it turns dark and you wonder where the time at home has gone and you start to think about going to bed. However... if it is already dark when you get home then you do the same routines but there is nothing to automatically make you think that your night has flown by and that it is already time to go to bed because it is dark outside in turn making it feel like time is crawling by.

That's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it. Regardless I love this time of year!

High: 57°
Low: 51°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers
Sunrise: 8:00 AM
Sunset: 5:47 PM

Excuse the horrid phone line pole (at least I think those are phone lines) but I wanted to show you what I woke up to this morning. I thought there was moisture on the window but it was in fact just fog outside.

This was at around 10:00am this morning but the sun started to come out a few hours later and it cleared away the fog.

I have absolutely nothing planned this weekend and I hope to keep it that way! It should be a nice relaxing weekend.

High: 51°
Low: 46°
Forecast: Times of Clouds and Sun
Sunrise: 7:28 AM
Sunset: 6:25 PM

For about a week or so there has been road works taking place down Church Street. Unfortunately we live on Church Street and there is not really another way to go to and get home from work.

This is what our drive home normally looks like now... and trust me it is not fast moving.

High: 58°
Low: 49°
Forecast: Afternoon Rain
Sunrise: 7:08 AM
Sunset: 6:51 PM

Apparently there is a new Lidl or Netto going into this space which is not too far from our house... not sure which yet but hopefully this will mean that the Co-Op will finally have a competitor in Westhoughton and that will drive some of their ridiculous prices down! Yay for that!

High: 62°
Low: 55°
Forecast: Clouds and Sun
Sunrise: 5:51 AM
Sunset: 8:36 PM

This bumper sticker says "Bolton Mountain Rescue Team Supporter".

What's that again? The Bolton 'Mountain' Rescue Team? What mountains?

I know that we live next to a rather large hill [Winter Hill] but it is no mountain. I do believe a more appropriate name would be the Bolton Hill Rescue Team. I can confirm that there are no mountains within the Bolton area... at least none that I have seen or know about anyway.

Had every intention of stopping by the post office today after work so that I could post off my Provisional License application and somehow we both forgot! *doh* Will have to remember to do it tomorrow as I can not book my theory test until I get it, but then again I really should not book it until I have at least studied... which I am finding very difficult at the moment.

And the answer to your question is yes... I always have my camera out. When Andy is driving I always have my camera at the ready so that I don't miss anything that I may see.

High: 67°
Low: 59°
Forecast: Periods of Rain
Sunrise: 5:31 AM
Sunset: 9:01 PM

I promise you that there will never be a day that I complain about it raining. Even though that everybody at work says that I will eventually get tired of it... I swear I will not.

I love the rain. I love the dark cloudy skies. Love, love, love it!

High: 58°
Low: 52°
Forecast: Rain
Sunrise: 5:03 AM
Sunset: 9:29 PM

This is what THIS looks like when it has not rained cats and dogs!

Andy and I had every intention of going to two movies today but it turned out to be a very lazy day instead. Had to run out to the shop to get some bread for lunch this week but other than that we just stayed in and relaxed.

I even went to bed early... which was much needed!

High: 62°
Low: 51°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers
Sunrise: 4:56 AM
Sunset: 9:35 PM

It poured down rain off and on all day today. On our way home from work we were met with horrible traffic... as seen above.

So to try to get home a bit quicker Andy drove down a back way that goes thru an industrial area. We have driven this way before so thought nothing of it... except...

We have never driven this way after it rained all day and this is what we came up against.


Unfortunately there is only room for one car and there were cars behind us so we had to go for it. I wish I had switched over to video so that you could see our car trying to make it thru the rather deep water. And yes it may look deep but it was much deeper than it looks! The water was up to the top of the hood of the car, I was truly scared we were not going to make it. I couldn't even take a picture while we were in the water because I was too scared and was holding on to the side of the door.

After we got out of the water and up on the other side the hood of the car was smoking, obviously because water got into the engine.

Note to self... do not drive this way home after a day of heavy rain.

High: 62°
Low: 52°
Forecast: Periods of Heavy Rain
Sunrise: 4:51 AM
Sunset: 9:39 PM

This house is just two doors down from mine. I just love her flowers!

I will have flowers next spring... I am making a vow right here and now that there will be beautiful flowers in my front garden next year.

Every time I go outside I look over in awe. Well really I look over in jealously.

High: 64°
Low: 52°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers and Thunderstorms
Sunrise: 4:50 AM
Sunset: 9:40 PM

Not quite sure if I fully captured this moment on camera but when Andy and I were going upstairs to bed I noticed this really weird dark cloud that was moving across the top of Winter Hill.

Not sure if it was the fact that the cloud was so dark or the fact that there still seemed to be a bit of light in the sky... at 11:30pm!

Whatever the reason for it looking the way it did, it was weird.

High: 56°
Low: 42°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers
Sunrise: 4:41 AM
Sunset: 9:39 PM

This is the street that Andy and I live on. Our house is just to the right but you can't see it in this picture as we are about to turn in. The church is right behind the trees in front. Now that everything is in full bloom again I am going to need to walk thru the cemetery to see what my tree is looking like these days...

Would it surprise you if I told you that I took this photo on my way home from work? Andy came back after me when I got off at 9:00pm. Yep, look out bright it is outside and this had to have been taken at around 9:15 or 9:20pm. Crazy.

High: 56°
Low: 47°
Forecast: Times of Clouds and Sun
Sunrise: 4:43 AM
Sunset: 9:37 PM

For well over a week the sun has been out, it has been warm and dry. But oh no... it couldn't stay that way, I mean why would it?

Normally the sight and smell of rain would be a good thing as I love, love, love the rain but when we are one day away from going to an Oasis gig that is outdoor and uncovered... the rain can stay away. But according to the weather it is here to stay. Great.

I guess instead of lounging around in the warm sun at Heaton Park tomorrow we will wrapped up tight and under umbrellas. I wonder if they will even allow people to have umbrellas since everybody will be trying to see the stage... hhhhmmmm... it could be a very interesting and long day tomorrow.

High: 50°
Low: 46°
Forecast: Rain
Sunrise: 4:44 AM
Sunset: 9:34 PM

Not many of these 'Mom and Pop Shops' are still around in the US. Ever since Wal-Mart took over the country they all started to close down because they could not compete with the corporate prices.

As nostalgic as it feels to shop in this kind of store I do have to say that I miss my one stop shopping at Wal-Mart. The Asda's over here are now owned by Wally World but they are not the same store, in fact no where near it.

Come on Wal-Mart... why haven't you tried to take over England with your Superstores?

High: 73°
Low: 49°
Forecast: Partly Sunny
Sunrise: 4:47 AM
Sunset: 9:30 PM

Bright sun shiny day.

After three wonderful days off from work... it was back to the old grindstone... but don't despair as it is only for three days because I have this Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday off! Woo to the Hoo!

Andy and I grilled out hamburgers tonight and they were yummy! I think since we got the grill back back Day 214 there has only been like six or seven days we have not used it. Good stuff.

High: 54°
Low: 44°
Forecast: Cooler, Periods of Rain
Sunrise: 4:54 AM
Sunset: 9:21 PM

There is a billboard across the street from where we live and it has become one of the first things I look out when I leave the house. They tend to update it about every two weeks and it is always a guessing game over what will be put up next. I was disappointed last month as they reused a Tesco Mobile one that had been used a few months ago. Boo!

I was surprised when we left to take Andy to work this morning to find House staring me down. I think my mom and sister would love to have this to look at everyday... they really like this show.

High: 54°
Low: 45°
Forecast: Periods of Rain
Sunrise: 5:03 AM
Sunset: 9:11 PM

Andy and I were in the living room watching TV and we both heard the sound of a beating drum off in the distance... We went to the window and saw traffic stopped outside. Then some police officers came walking down the road who were then followed closely by a marching band.

The only flag I could see was that of the Royal British Legion so I guess they were the ones marching. It was a short parade... I am just glad the rain had stopped so that they were not getting drenched.


High: 52°
Low: 42°
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, Occasional Rain Showers