Thank you

 Life is much better for me now that I am blocking all comments. The blog started as a diary, what I do, how I live my life, and my thoughts on different subjects. It was a surprise to me when people started reading it. I hate to let my genuinely nice readers down, because I know it must be frustrating not to have the opportunity of joining in with conversations. Take it from me, I do miss the comments, but blame it on the trolls, it's not my fault. 

Just one example of a recent nasty comment. 

I think you should give up your blog. It started off as a fun money saving resource, but now it's just tabloid trash.

I have a video uploading at the moment, it won't be ready till later today. I'll whack it on here as soon as it comes out of the oven. 

A big thank you to everyone who appreciates the time and effort I put into this. I appreciate that you are sticking around. Best wishes.   ilona

Self sufficiency

 Here is a news item that you might be interested in. Do you know where your next meal is coming from? We have always imported a lot of our food from Holland. That might not be possible in the future. There are plans to close up to 3000 farms in the Netherlands. The Government will buy them out because they want the land. If you are interested in the full story read it here in The Telegraph. 

If you can't be bothered to read it, watch Hugo Talks video, where he explains what it's all about. 

Why is this happening? Everything filters down from a plan that the elite have concocted. Large movements of people across the globe need new places for them to live. This is common sense. No one will be sent back to where they came from. When the existing available properties have been filled up, they will build more. This is common sense. The conventional way that food is produced will be greatly reduced, because the land has been covered in concrete. This is common sense. They have labs to invent new food which will be produced in massive factories. 

This is a world wide operation. The same thing is happening everywhere. If you can control the food you can control the people. Now is the time to become more self sufficient. Grow your own. Spend cash. Shop locally where you can. Support your community. Swap and barter goods and food. Learn how to make do and mend. Look after your own health and well being.  

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

On the fence

Where's Oscar? There he is. Surveying his Kingdom, Keeping a look out for any cats that dare to invade his territory. 

He sometimes stays indoors overnight, now that the weather is a bit colder and a bit wetter. He has a bed in the stock/spare room. This morning he was waiting for me to open the back door at 8am. I don't have a cat flap there. Cats can get into the passage if they need shelter and food, through the cat flap in the outside door. There are three litter boxes inside the house, but I don't think he knows what they are for. 

Mayze stays inside most of the time. She likes the warm. Mau Mau is sleeping in the Summer House. He comes in for meals, but won't venture into the house. A neighbours cat visits from time to time when he feels like it. 

Time for breakfast. Catch ya later.  ilona 

I spy a sunset through the trees

Here's another, fresh out of the oven. Coming thick and fast now. 😃😁😄🌞

Toodle pip.   ilona

Plodding around.

 I haven't been to London in quite a lot of years. If I was to go I would travel on the train. Although as an experienced driver, my reflexes are not as sharp as they used to be and I have turned into a steady plodder. I try to read the road signs, not wishing to make a mistake, although turning around in a car is a lot easier than backing an artic into a side road. 

I read that they have extended the emissions zones in London, so there are a lot more areas where a driver has to pay to drive through. How that works I do not know. This system is alien to me, living up here in the sticks. It must be so confusing for those who have to drive through and around London. I suppose there are signs everywhere warning that you are entering an area that requires a payment to be made. I don't know if it's possible to do a 'u' turn if you hit one of these signs. I imagine a screech of brakes when suddenly faced with a 'pay as you go' road. 

If you don't take note of these signs you could end up with a fistful of fines coming through the post, like this lady did. 

There seems to be a plan to get cars off the road. Make it so unaffordable to run a car that we all give up. Fuel costs increasing, maintenance costs increasing, insurance increasing, and now they are bringing in a scrappage plan. It looks like it is all being pushed towards getting rid of diesel and petrol, and pushing forward onto electric cars. I think I will have stopped driving by then. You will see me bombing around on one of those electric buggy's. I believe you can get plastic covers for them, like a little tent on wheels. 

Catch ya later. ilona 

My new adopted family

A video I made the other day. It's been sitting in the drafts folder. 

Another vid coming up as soon as I get it uploaded to yoootooob. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Surprise sunset at the park.

 It was a nice afternoon for a walk today. I went to the park. I didn't expect to see a white deer. 

There seems to be a lot more deer than usual. Mind you it's a big area so maybe they are hiding among the trees when I have been before. 

There is a new sculpture in the stables. 

There is a little bit of info about the artist here. 

I was walking in the woods when I spotted a beautiful sunset. Good job I had the camera at the ready. 

There is a drystone wall around the park. I held the camera close to the ground to get this one. 

That was a surprise sunset. I was lucky to be there at the right time. 

Toodle pip.   ilona 

It's Showtime again

I went back to Lincoln Showground yesterday for the Food and Gift Fair. At one time I would never pay to go in these events, but now I can afford to splash out on a few treats. £7 to get in. 

In the entrance there was a big display with literature from The Christmas Decorators. I didn't know there is a company that will decorate private homes, inside and out. Most people I would say do their own decorating. I have no idea how much it costs to pay someone to do that. Probably lots, and only affordable for the wealthy. Have a look at their web site. There is a video with a full description of what they do. Cherie might be interested to watch this for ideas, when she does her own house. 

An area was set aside for cooking demonstrations. I sat and watched this man cook up a slab of steak, only because I wanted somewhere to sit down and eat my own snack of a cheese and onion roll and an egg custard. People were queuing to dip their fingers in for a taste after he had finished. 

Strike up the band. There was a massive marquee with open sides which joined up the two exhibition halls, so it was completely under cover. Mobile food caterers lined up on each side and picnic tables were set up down the middle. Some of the food looked really nice, but I took my own. 

You've got to have a Santa. There were several actually. A real man dressed up in costume, sat on a sleigh. 

A Lincoln Imp put in an appearance, at this speciality beer stand.

Tons of Christmas decs everywhere. 

Jams, chutneys, honey, marmalade, and all kinds of preserves. 

And if you are looking for something really different, why not buy some edible bugs and insects. Try before you buy. No thanks. 

This is what I bought. I splashed out on some nice cheese. Dates well into next year. Two different stalls. One of them has a farm in Burton upon Trent, they make their own cheese. I had to buy some, didn't I. Here is a link if you want to buy some. It can be posted out. 

A sweet treat for me. Lime Tree Pantry Foods are at Ollerton near Newark. They do a delivery service. 

Yum, honey. I don't buy honey very often. After tasting it, I couldn't resist buying a jar. 

I found a calendar for next year to my liking in the format I prefer. It has pictures of cows and trees in it. Perfect. I did feel sorry for a young man who tried his hardest to sign me up for a Woodland Trust membership. I explained that I don't do direct debits or give my bank details to charities. I will happily give cash, but of course they are not allowed to take it. Most charities are going that way now. 

I am happy with my purchases and was home by 4pm. 

Once again, thank you for reading my blog. Don't worry about not being able to comment. I can assure you that I will continue to post. It's a relief to me to have the barriers up and block out the nasty people. Thanks for popping in. Have a nice Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Light up the town

I had a ride out to Brigg tonight to see the Christmas lights. I missed the switch on, I arrived too late for that. Got a few snaps then I left. It was a bit too busy for me. 

Most of the shops were open, and the main street was filled with market stalls. 

Christmas tree at the entrance to the church. 

There was a youth band playing the drums. 

Childrens rides at both ends of the town. 

I called in at a chippy on the way home. I fancied chips and peas. The portion was supposed to be small, but there is enough for lunch tomorrow. Finishing off the night with a glass of port. 

Enjoy your weekend. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Keeping you in the loop

 Good morning on this bright and sunny Friday morning. I've been outside and it's flippin cold. Thank goodness for my warm hoodies. It's been musical chairs in here. Gloria now sits in the easy chair in the corner of the room, and the new motley crew now fill the chair vacated by Gloria. When I came downstairs this morning, I found Mayze had re kindled her love for Gloria and was snuggled up beside her. 

The Art Show that I was hoping to have will not now take place. I cannot have the room I wanted, I was told it would be ok. It is not available at the times I requested. Never mind. I will have to think of something else. 

Here are some little bits of news I have picked up. Last night I was scrolling through the Tweeeteratta when I saw someone was praising Dr John Campbell for apologising to his followers on yoootooob for giving out information that has since been proved to being misleading. Basically he fell for the lies being churned out by main stream media. I saw some of his earlier videos and I got a funny feeling that he had been brainwashed, so I stopped watching. It seems I wasn't the only one who thought that. Anyway, as time has passed more details of the nasty bug, and how it came about, is being released because of the Freedom of Information Act. People are waking up and asking questions. Dr Campbell being one of them. Here he apologises for getting it wrong. Good man. 

I read that the Department of Transport is giving out up to £100 million boost to improve HGV roadside facilities. That sounds all well and good, but where is this money coming from? Easy, they print more money and shuffle it around. 

Police find a car loaded up with logs from a country park in Nottingham. If people cannot afford to pay for their gas and electricity, they will light a fire to keep warm. The article is here. A week ago I saw two men hacking at a fallen tree, chopping off large chunks of it. Their car was parked at the wood I pass by once or twice a week. They were loading it up. I decided it was too dangerous to approach them and carried on walking. I think this is going to happen more often as we go through the winter months. I don't think people actually regard it as stealing. 

You have probably noticed that I am turning off comments. I apologise to all those readers who have been visiting and commenting over the years. I appreciate your support and loyalty. However there are a small minority who are determined to make my life hell in the hope that I give up. Their bitter and twisted minds delight in coming back time and time again. There is a saying, you can't control how people speak and behave, but you can control how you deal with it. So, I regretfully have to say that I am not accepting any comments at all, from anyone. I know some of you will be disappointed, because we all like a bit of banter. It will make my life easier if I don't have to sort out the genuine comments from the rubbish that is spouted from disturbed minds. 

I can see how many people view each post. The blog will not close. I will be with my friends on here in spirit as I write. You can still follow my journey through life. The nasties haven't won, they never will. Love and truth will win. 

As always, thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona  

Abandoned cuddly toy rescue.

I've had a busy day today. Egg on toast for breakfast then off to the coffee morning. Came out of there just before 12.00 and called in to see Angela. We had a natter and a glass of sherry. Then I went home and had lunch. The sun was shining so I quickly got ready and went off for a walk. Half an hour after I set off the clouds started coming over, and the sun was going down. Didn't time that very well, I should have gone earlier. Not to worry I got a few pics. 

The new hair colour. Purple. I fancied a change. 

A heavy shower, then the sun came out, and a rainbow appeared. 

The sun is going down behind the Industrial Estate. 

Almost home now. Time to get the torch out. There was a lot of mud on the tracks. I walked along the edge of a turf field, my boots were squelching through the surface water. Luckily my feet and socks were still dry when I got home. 

About half way through the walk I found some large soft toys that had been dumped on grass verges in three different places. They were so cute, but too big to carry. Who could have done such a thing, I couldn't leave them there. They were a bit mucky and soaking wet with all the rain we have had. I decided to go back in my car and pick them up. 

I rang Angela to tell her what I had found. She offered to come in her car and pick them up. I waited for her to arrive and we went down the road to get them. She asked if I wanted a lift home. I said thanks very much but I will finish my walk. 

Tonight she has rung me and said they are all washed and clean. There were some smaller soft toys in a bag as well. Didn't she do well. I will go and pick them up tomorrow. They will be company for Gloria now that Mayze has abandoned her.  I am so glad I didn't just walk past and leave them there. 

I am having a break from comments. I have booked a room to show my art, so I need to get ready for that. Thanks for popping in. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Honey, I’m home!!! 😂😂😂

No words, just pure joy. 

I'm off to Coffee Morning. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Middle of the road.

 A quick thought before I go off and do things. I want to ban the words left and right. They keep cropping up in all kinds of places. Now the word far has been tagged on to them, so it's far left, and far right. What does this mean exactly? What happens when you find you are going in the wrong direction? Can you turn around and go back? Also, if you go too far to the left or the right, do you drop off the edge? 

I think the middle is a good place to be. Then you can turn your head around and watch both sides. Wait for all hell to break loose, then step back and let them get on with it. 

Must dash, sort yourselves out. Anyone who is undecided hang around in the middle. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Rainy day blues

It's been a wet day today. I haven't been anywhere. The snow scene picture is coming along. Lots of stitching on white cotton fabric. The picture is taken under an artificial light. Now I have to decide how to frame it. I am leaning towards stretching it over a board and giving it a dark fabric border. 

Mayze likes to sit with me on the table. 

I have started throwing food out for the birds again. They come down several times a day. 

I took this photo on Sunday, just before the rain gave me a good soaking. Trevor has been to fill the bird feeders and put fresh flowers in the vases. No time to sit down. I forgot my brolly so it was straight back home. 

Can't decide what to have for dinner tonight. There might be a chance for a village walk if only this chuffing rain stopped for an hour. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona