Perfect Pumpkins

Not long now before Halloween will be here, so as a special treat for all those Halloween fans who are planning to carve a pumpkin this year -check out these amazing examples for inspiration. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2009/oct/29/pumpkin-carving-ideas-halloween#/?picture=354786364&index=3

So do you want to find out anything and everything there is to know about pumpkins, well this is the place - yep there is a website dedicated to pumpkins!....

http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/ 

and if you don't, why not visit the other Pumpkin Patch website that sells lovely children's clothes

http://www.pumpkinpatch.co.uk/Default.aspx?source=google&gclid=CIb84fmhyaQCFcH42Aod6Sg_Dg

they have a sale on at the moment with up to 50% off selected products, so might be worth a look!

If you want some ideas of what to do with all that lovely pumpkin then this is the site for you

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook.htm#recipe

I would love to see your own pumpkin creations and would love to blog about them - so please feel free to send photos to info@squeakypigshop.co.uk

Family Favourites - Stourhead

As a family we regularly make the short drive and take a walk around Stourhead.

 

This tradition started in October 2005, when we decided to join the National Trust a few months after our son was born.  This allowed us to wonder around the gardens each weekend enjoying the views (admittedly in a daze after all the sleepless nights) and ensuring we both got some fresh air and exercise, with my son fast asleep in the pushchair.

As we visit the gardens on a regular basis we are able to appreciate how it changes throughout the seasons, and the National Trust regularly have events running at the weekends, so there is always something new to see.

It never ceases to amaze me that despite the car park being full to the brim, it is still possible to enjoy the gardens with only seeing a handful of people, which makes it so much more enjoyable.

  

We plan to continue this tradition as our children grow up, and it is, and always will be, a very special place for us as a family.

So if you ever find yourself in this part of the country, make sure you take the time to enjoy a walk around this beautiful place.

BOO!!

Halloween is creeping up on us, so for those of you who are organising parties, I thought I would help you out and list a few sites that might assist with your spooky plans.

Try these links for ideas for games, activities and recipes:-

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/halloween_party_games_for_kids.htm

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/category/topics/halloween

http://www.halloween.co.uk/

http://www.netmums.com/things/Halloween_Ideas__Crafts__Food__Costumes___More_.1586/

http://www.askamum.co.uk/Family/Search-Results/Days-out/Halloween-Games-for-Kids/

http://www.101halloweenideas.com/halloween_ideas_01.html

http://www.celebrations.com/halloween-party-ideas

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/halloweenfun.htm

http://www.halloweenpartyideas.org/

You should find something on those sites for both the young and the young at heart!

For those of you looking for costumes for your little ones, don't forget to check out our Halloween fancy dress range on Squeaky Pig.

Pig Gifts

Had a nosey the other day at my Google Analytics account and noticed that some of the visits to my site were from 'Pig Gifts' keyword searches. 

Now I am presuming these are people looking for gifts with a pig theme, rather than gifts for pigs, (hmm.. not sure what you would buy a pig as a gift) so thought I would list the piggy products on my website that might of be interest just incase they happen to visit this blog.

 

 

So there you go pig fans, just a few pig gifts for you to chose from.

New Arrival - Squeak Piggy Squeak

The new member of the Squeaky Pig team arrived this morning!  Travelled by first class too, obviously wanted the extra leg room!

I am pleased to introduce SQUIGGLY the Squeaky Pig...

Yep thats right he really does Squeak!!

Once settled in Squiggly got straight to work...

You will be seeing alot more of Squiggly, so watch this space to find out what he gets up to!!

Big thank you  to Treachers Creatures for agreeing to make and send me Squiggly!  Dawn you are a star!

Failing Miserably

Ok I admit it I am totally failing at this blogging malarkey - come on girl get it together!  It really isn't complicated, so why am I finding it so difficult?  Lack of time would be my excuse if I was pushed to give one, but I know it's a bit feeble!

However, you'll be pleased to hear that I will soon have someone to help me with my work load and assist with all things Squeaky Pig.  So excited about my new helper ... will let you know when they start and of course will introduce you.

I love having the kids at home during the summer holidays and not having to dash about here and there, but on the other hand I will be glad get back into a regular school time routine.  I have so many things to do on the website, I just need a bit of 'me' time do them. 

How nice is it to receive positive feedback from customers?  Today I received the following feedback from one of my lovely customers - "Brilliant seller, super quick delivery and great products!! Highly recommended!!" Hearing things like that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, nice to know that all my hard work, makes my customers happy!

On that warm and fuzzy note I bid you farewell....for now (yeah ok I probably won't be back for a few weeks, but then again may just surprise you!!)

Stolen: Two Weeks!

Ok own up whoever it was that took the last 2 weeks!  Please please give them back, I have so much to do and just no time to do it and could really use those 14 days! 

Hurrah, it's the summer holidays and, as a mum of two children, I absolutely love the time I get to spend with them (even more so when they aren't at each others throats) and it is so nice just pootling around, and not having to be out of the door by 8.30 am to ensure they get to school and nursery on time.  However, as a work at home mum I am finding it impossible to find time to do any work.  Don't get me wrong, I am doing the necessary to ensure that the business runs smoothly, but all those extra jobs that need doing (including this blog) has just been shelved.

The upside to all this is that this week I have spent a day at the beach, been to the cinema, spent the day at Wookey Hole, been shopping and spent time with my lovely family, but not done a lot else!

Unfortunately this has also had an effect on my Doodle Schmoodling and I haven't had time to put pen to paper this week.  However, in true Blue Peter style I do have three 'I did earlier' to share with you all, which I never got around to uploading last week.

I did remember to purchase some new pens whilst out shopping, so will hopefully get my doodle schmoodling back on track and have a doodle marathon to ensure I catch up!

Feeling a bit under the weather at the moment, so shall head off to bed now in the hope that my headache and sore throat will be gone by the morning! Hmm, not sure thats going to happen some how! Stupid cold!

Snout Out About Blogs

Well here is my first Snout Out and it is going to feature some jolly good blogs.

When time allows I really enjoy perusing other blogs, they are entertaining, informative and a jolly good read.  It's like reading somebody elses diary, but with their permission!

There are blogs out there about anything and everything and you really could just spend every hour of the day reading them all, but I have listed below just a small selection for you to have a look at when you get a few moments.

Below are just a selection of blogs that have been created by a few of the lovely bloggers I've connected with on twitter.  Please note they are in no particular order, as they are all brilliant!!  So grab yourself a cuppa and enjoy...

Toybuzz - one mum, two boys and too many toys

Betty's Place - Vintage and retro inpsired beads and charms

Snapdragon's Garden - What's going on in our garden

White Lily Green - pondering thoughts

TopCat's Corner - Handmade goodies for kiddies and the young at heart

 

Gail Sharman Illustration

Forest Flower - Tales from Mount Pleasant

Baby Signing Mummy - Baby Signing Information 

Kelly Brett - Ramblings of a married, mother of two

Frog in the Field - The Party Bag Company

Haver Children's Embassy

Fired 4 U - Pottery Painting in Preston, Lancs

Kiddiebase - Babies and Childrens' Online Shopping Experience

and these blogs are currently having giveaways

(not that you need another reason to visit their blogs)

Confessions of a Crafty Mummy

Square Kitties

Oh and before I forget here is yesterdays Doodle Schmoodle....

Hobby Horse

Day Three of the Doodle Schmoodle Challenge and it's all about hobbies.  

When time allows, in between looking after the family and running the business, you will find me pootling around the local area on a horse.  So that had to be the main focus of my doodle today.  Typical, I would have a hobby that requires me to draw a horse, not an easy task, hence this....

Yes, ok I know it looks like it has been drawn by a child, but I can honestly say that this pathetic attempt of a picture was drawn by me.  I will happily put my hand up and say that art is not my strong point!

So what can be classed as a hobby?  Well according to Wikipedia.....

A hobby is an activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, typically done during one's leisure time.

Hmm...in that case perhaps I should have included drinking wine and eating chocolate on my doodle schmoodle!

So what are the most popular hobbies to have?  Well after searching the web and finding a very useful site about hobbies, it appears that these are the top five:-

          1.  Reading

          2.  Watching TV

          3.  Family Time

          4.  Going to Movies

          5.  Fishing

Why not head over to the website and see if your hobby features on the list of the Top 50 Most Popular Hobbies.

Want to find a new hobby?  Check out this website for links to pages and pages of ideas for hobbies. 

Or you could always book yourself on one of Squeaky Pig's Gift Experiences if you fancy trying a new sport or hobby, that way you can get to try it out first before having to commit to purchasing all the gear you may require.  With over 400 experiences to choose from you are bound to find something you'd like to try and perhaps take up as a new hobby!

Ahoy Me Hearties

Arrr land lubbers, it's Day Two of the Doodle Schmoodle Challenge and it's a life at sea for me, as today's doodle was entitled 'My Pirate Self'.

Well all this pirate talk got me searching for pirate themed websites, yes there are pirate websites out there!  So the first one I came across lets you find your pirate name.  So of course, as I was trying become a pirate for my doodle I had to find out my name, so I am 'Anne the Cutthroat' - Arrr!!

Shiver Me Timbers! Did you know that it is 'International Talk Like a Pirate Day' on 19th September - yep that's right for all you closet pirates, this your chance to put on your best pirate accent and Arrr as much as you like! 

And for all those little pirates out there, why not take a look at this website.  Lots of pirate activities to keep them occupied over the summer holidays.

Looking forward to the next doodle!!

Oodles and Oodles of Doodle Schmoodles

Not sure if you know but this little piggy tweets as well as oinks, yep you can also find me over on twitter.  Well anyway, whilst tweeting this morning I came across a post from Hotdogandme which took me to a blog post about Doodle Schmoodles. 

Brilliant I thought, I shall take part in this doodling challenge, and I will post all of my Doodle Schmoodles on this blog.  Yes that's right I want to share my lack of artistic skills with all of you - aren't you the luck ones!!

So please do marvel at today's offering, its all about Me, Me, Me....

See aren't you all glad I decided to get doodling, well there is more to follow over the next month, oh sorry did I forget to mention I will be doing this every day for 30 days - ha ha - enjoy!!!

This Little Piggy Says....

Welcome to the brand spanking new Squeaky Pig Blog 'This Little Piggy Says...'

This is a brand new venture for me, well when I say new, I admit I have made one half heartedly attempt at this before, but from now on in I am going to go make an effort and actually post on this blog... promise!

To ensure that I stick to this I have made myself a 'Blog Plan' (yes thats how committed I am to this) and have set myself some goals and rules to follow.  Now I won't go into the boring detail of this plan, but I have created a list of categories I will blog about..

• Curly Tales - this is where I just generally have a natter and update you on what I have been doing
• Random Rants - think the title explains this one.  Every so often I may need a rant about one thing or another, so bear with me on that, shall try not to do it too often.
• Snout Out - this is where I'll tell you about any products, blogs, websites, books, films and generally give it a shout out, sorry I mean snout out.
• Pigaways - Squeaky Pig Giveaways, sometimes I when feeling generous I will give stuff away - I'm good like that!
• Pigtures - I shall add lots and lots of images and photos, throughout my blog.  So for those of you who can't be bothered to read what I blog about, there will be some lovely pigtures for you to look at.
• Globe Trotters - if there is anything from overseas to mention, it shall be known as a Globe Trotter post.

This list is not written in stone, (it's in ink on my notepad), so am sure I shall also post about other things that don't sit neatly into one of these categories, but you hopefully get an idea of where I am going with this blog.

So there you go, my introduction to this blog is now over...so am blogging off (but only temporarily as have another post to do)!  Yep I know, another one so soon, but it has been a busy day here in the sty and I have stuff to tell you about!