My date weekend

Last Friday I came home to a very happy pooch because he knew it was our date weekend!!


After some serious snuggles Saturday morning, we got ourselves prepped and ready for an adventure. Sun was shining but a definite chill in the air. We picked walk #32 from '50 walks in the Cotswold' - it sounded fun, weaving through Stroud Valley. All excited as I parked up the car and ready for our 6 miles walk only to realise the sexy Irish Satnav man took us to the wrong starting point! Patch ears dropped as I ushered him back in the car, luckily the right spot was only 3 minutes drive away phew!


Huge mansions watched on as we marched along disused canal with fallen leaves and a playlist of bird songs.


We met some rather lovely locals...


…who failed to warn us of the steep hill climb ahead of us =/ the gorgeous views did make up for it but it took every bit out of us. I don't know how Patch's little legs managed to cope, bless him!


It didn't take us long to agree that this indeed would be a lovely spot for lunch. We climbed over a stile into a field, made no effort to walk any more than we had to & slumped on the grass gasping for air after that ridiculously steep walk. A Walker's Sensation Thai Sweet Chilli crisps roll later (which I vote the best flavour in a bread roll), there was no time for a quick nap in the field. Dark clouds rolling in and we were only about 2/3 of our way!


We went through a woodland covered in brown leaves which even though was lovely I was too scared to stop for pictures because it was eerie and I felt our lives could be in danger if we stopped. Not long after that we find ourselves with another hill climb. No time to waste I told Patch, rain is coming! After this point, the rain came pouring; we had to hide behind a bush spying - I thought there was a drunk crazy man following us but luckily he had a dog with him, and turned out he was on the phone having an argument hence it seemed like he was shouting to himself =/ oh the joy in our hearts when we saw the black beauty (my car) waiting on the side of the road for our return!!!

The little one settled in and went for a snug and I on the other hand thought ooh must be someone famous stopping the traffic moving!!! (Rihanna maybe, seeing as she was filming in fields recently)


Oh noes, just some cows getting lost. One was feeding off a neighbour's tree, which is illegal in this country of course.

Despite aching muscles for next few days, it was indeed an adventure with my little love, getting lost and only relying on some words written on a piece of paper. This weekend, I have scheduled another date weekend with Patch but this time, perhaps less or no uphill? I worry for his little legs.


What did you do over the weekend and do you have a favourite walk you always do? Have you been to Stroud Valley? I'd love to hear your stories! xx

This week

1. How ridiculously adorable is this? Every time I see it it makes me laugh (I secretly want one for my dog lol)it’s the next step from having this:






2. On the subject of man's best friend … with my cousin's gorgeous Doberman Kito. He is huge - when he jumps up he is almost as tall as I am, easily pushes me over and hurts when he steps on my toes! They have a female Doberman called Starr as well which is smaller than Kito but her tail is like a whip! Dobermans usually are associated with being scary & aggressive but Kito & Starr could not be any more obedient, loyal and mellow! They let the kids ride them, very protective of them as well including a 9 months old baby and would make brilliant babysitters lol! It does take a lot of training though. Ah they are so cute.

3. Someone asked me how I got my blog name 'Happy Tin Soldier' - well it came from Father of the Bride 2 when they did the baby workout, watch it here! Do the baby workout, make the baby feel good!!! So where did you get yours??

4. I've always been quite a huge Hello Kitty fan and found out this week Forever 21 will be launching Hello Kitty range on November 18th!!! So cute! I hope they'll stock it in UK branches too. I really like the cardigan, subtle and cute! Love the jumper too, nerdy kitty = kawaii!
 



5. Hasn't this week just been absolutely gorgeous with the weather? Hope it lasts for a little while longer … *clings on to summer like a sloth on a tree I'll share with you all next week some beautiful sunset / sunrise pictures I took.

What will you be doing this weekend to enjoy the last of summer sun? I'll be in London for a hen do, pictures next week! Have a lovely weekend! x

New puppy??

After hearing that 2011 has the most abandoned/stray/unwanted dogs in 11 years on the radio, I was on various rescue center websites seeing if there's anything that would tickle our fancy and I FELL IN LOVE instantly when i saw this little guy:



He's only 1, a little terrier called Paddy! along with Patch, I thought they would make a cute pair! We took Patch in when he was 9 months old & unwanted, and he's turned out to be the cutest little thing ever. That was 7 years ago! We'd love him to have a little friend to be with so today we went to the rescue center to see Paddy...I was SO excited!

Paddy was naturally an excitable dog, Patch had to snap at him a couple times to tell him to behave! The lady said at the end she can tell Paddy would benefit from being with Patch as Patch would tell him to behave & teach him all he needs to know to be a good boy! I would have reserved him straight away, but I still have to get through my mum & dad .... *fingers crossed!

If you're looking to have a new pet, have you thought of rescuing one? They are often misunderstood as being wild and naughty, but that really isn't the case! They are just nervous, and takes some time to settle in! Try looking at rescue centers, you might be surprised at what you will find! You'll also be helping these poor animals have a better home!

Have a lovely weekend x

Oh, hi

I don't get up for less than at least 5 figures darling ...



What is one picture that brought a smile to you today?
p/s Hello to you reading this right now :) Comment & say hi!

xx

Brr...

The weather has suddenly gone cold (although there has been some signs of the sun lately). This time last year was a lot warmer & no need for tights just yet! Anyone else hates waking up in the dark & cold? I've had to bring out my cosy Laura Ashley bedspread to keep warm!



I know its a clash of florals I usually use this on plain beddings but its been so cold lately and it's just so snuggly and warm (ah I love sleep!) ... I have to literally peeeeel myself off in the morning!! As you can see mr. patch loves a bit of warmth & schnuggles too!

I've recently moved back home so been trying to unpack things and find a place for them (fitting a whole house into a bedroom is just impossible!) so I'll do a bedroom post soon! With a lot on my mind recently I've been lazy with outfits & make up & hair :(

Is there something you want/need to do but finding it difficult ie lack of motivation? I find that with myself almost DAILY! need more time / less hours at work?? Also show me your bed / bedroom & comment!! Would love to have a nose ;)

Oops!

Sorry for lack of posts :( Had a busy week but I'm back!! Have quite a few fun posts to write, one is about an adventure on Friday and one is kinda about the past, which I think some of you might relate to!! Stay tuned ♥

In the mean time ....



Where's me cuppa tea & me Sunday papers love???

Patchicle

Oh goodness, can't believe I haven't blogged about my dog Patch yet!!!Here he is - a lovely little Jack Russell Terrier ...

...in his cute blanket from Japan

He's about 6 or 7 now making him a little grumpy pooch! He also answers to little nugget, triangle, peach, pooch, piglet and fattie.

In his winter jacket

Yep I'm one of those who dress him up heheh but he loves it!! He has heaps of outfits, including a bumblebee raincoat from Japan (I'll get a photo next time), a pink scarf with hearts all over it and a superdog superman outfit! He gets loads of attention when he goes out dressed up.


cutie


Sleepy head at 6am curled up in my bed

He loves being warm & cosy and loves blankets...everytime I pack to go away on holiday, I'd find him sat on top of all my clothes in the luggage having a snooze lol :p



Went home the other day to find this little monkey running down the stairs with a pink ribbon tied round his neck ... cute or what!

Okay I'll stop now before all of you starts yawning! More next time!
Do you have a dog? If so blog about them!

Have a great weekend, I have a date with a vampire and a werewolf because IM going to the advanced screening of ECLIPSE IM SO EXCITED WAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANT WAIT.

Jay xxx