I'm having a jolly kind of a day

Morning folks...the crafty list is bang up to date apart from one major project which I will be getting my teeth stuck into next week....no not literally although it does involve yummy Candi and it just goes to prove that the promise of 2 days off meeting up with my lovely crafty buddy Carol has been a great incentive for me to knuckle down and get stuff finished in super fast time rather than my usual...got all the time in the world...faffing around mode.

But before I tell you what's on the itinerary for today..I'm going to bore you with a bit of local history.  Carol and her hubby arrived yesterday and I had a lovely catch up dinner with them last night in their fairy tale castle hotel set in 30 acres of stunning scenery on the banks of the River Dee...built in the 19th century inspired by Balmoral Castle 40 miles upstream this imposing mansion was the home of the Ogston family..local soap merchants before becoming a hotel and because Carol and Brian won't be staying there tonight...I can now tell you that it is believed to be haunted by a white lady who lingers around a painting of Katherine Ogston the wife of Alexander Milne Ogston...aka "Soapy Ogston"...the story goes that the ghost is either Mrs Ogston or the daughter of a former owner who was raped and became pregnant...later killing herself and the child....I've stayed there many times after family weddings but thankfully the lady in question didn't make an appearance...believe me I would have been hot footing it out of there as fast as my little legs could carry me. But enough of the spooky local history.

Carol's hubby has decided to play golf today leaving the crafty girls the whole day to do what we do best...CHAT...probably a wise decision so I'm donning my chauffeur/tour guide hat and we're hitting the road...perhaps a visit to Rustiques at Milton of Crathes...popping in by to say hello to Moira and the first coffee stop of the day...

and we could head across country to Alford...the car knows the way so no Sat Nav required and by the time we arrive after all that setting the world to rights we'll be ready for a yummy lunch at The Bistro and we couldn't possibly not pay a visit to Simply Create for a big welcome hug from my lovely buddy Anne....more coffee...lots of chat and of course a little crafty spend before we head back to the cubbyhole to meet The Furry Boy....Carol's special request....oh dearie me...does she know that the bundle of golden deliciousness loves visitors and does welcome in a big way.

But before I take off to spend the day with my lovely buddy Carol...just time to share more cards from Craftwork Cards gorgeous Sweet Meadow Collection...

and after feasting your eyes on all those gorgeous colours....
time for something a bit different...a monochrome sneaky peek...

Catch up with you all tomorrow for another challenge over at Penny Black Saturday and woohoo the girls on the team will be announcing the winners of our birthday blog hop.

Hugs Kath xxx