What a change...

this time last week the weather was beautiful. It was so lovely to see all the children playing out on the field not far from my house. It reminded me of how childhood was for those of my tender age!

We had a weekend away with friends in our caravans. We only travelled about 50 miles away but it always seems like a different world and so relaxing. Unfortuately Mick and Noreen were unable to join us after all as their Grandson was taken into hospital to have his appendix removed. Poor little soul he is only 4 years old. They wizzed down to Plymouth to look after his sister and of course check for themselves that all was well. He is recovering well. So there were only 4 of us this time. What a difference to the early years when we all got together and often had more than 15 Adults and children to amuse and feed!!

Still we spent a very pleasant time wandering around Marlow taking a boat trip on the Thames and buying christmas gifts from the french Market! On Sunday the men went off to play golf so Rose and I spent a few hours feling like Gulliver in Lilliput otherwise known as Beckonscott Model village. Monday found us walking in the gardens of Cliveden House.

So what have I been up to craftwise? Another small cushion for Beverly to use up the fabric, a few cards (photos's next post) , an exploding box and a fabric tote which isn't quite finished as I went off the idea, the instructions were pants. Food craft wise (Yummy yummy )strawberry, lemon, chocolate and summer fruits ice cream.

Dad has had a stair lift installed, whilst he manages very well the stairs were beginning to be a bit of a problem and as watching him come down them nearly gave me a heart attack it's one less thing to worry about. Michaels parents have returned safely from their South African trip and appear to have had a good time.

Without going into details, isn't it good when you discover that 'Mum (and Nana) really does know best'?

Useless

I am useless at this blogging thing. Photo's never end up where I think I have put them and I can't get the writing to go down the side of the photo's . I think I need a tutorial!!

long time again...

since I updated.


My hospital appointment confirmed that the problem I have with my fingers and ankle and knee is arthritis. The consultant gave me the option of having my index finger joint fused and seeing how other things go. I've decide to wait a while as I can live with it at the moment. I'm hoping the problem doesn't get worse too quickly but I'll deal with that if and when it happens.



I bought myself a new potato peeler, the old fashioned type, sort of semi-circle with a blade at the bottom.,. It works really well and is so much easier on my fingers. NOT so easy on my thumb though. I took a chunk out of my left thumb on Friday and couldn't believe how much it bled. For 4 hours every time I took pressure of it drippedand 5 wrappings and a (clean) tea towel were soaked. It stopped at last but I have it well wrapped up as it is so sore.



I have been busy sewing and here are a few photo's of my latest projects, a cushion for Beverlys spare room, a pencil case. Actually I made another which now has Etans ' rock collection in it! The last one is supposed to be a 'mug bag' to hold a mug when travelling to crops etc. but of course it cna have many other uses.

At last..

It's finished!

Here are the photo's from my Mothers day treat.

Sorry Claire....

still no photo' of Ethans quilt but I'm nearly done. Just one side of the binding to finish.





Rachael and I had a trip to the Hobbycrafts show last week. We enjoyed our day out but were a little dissapointed by the smaller than usual amount of stallholders. My favourite stand was Craftwork cards where I bought a couple of stencils and here is a card I made using one of them.



The following Sunday Beverly, Rachael and I went up to London to the Country Living exhibition. Such pretty stands, they made me want to completely redesign the house. Dream on!!

Rachael and I both won a prize on the Higgardy Pies stand . Rachael will be receiving a box of pies and I have an apron and a bag to come.



Mothers day arrived a day early for me as I was invited by my three girls to dinner at Rachaels. The table was beautifully laid with hand stamped table mats and place cards. there was a basket of hyachints, some smellies, three lovely cards and a voucher for a facial. Pride of place was given to a cake specially made by Rachael. Of course all of this was lovely ,as was the meal but the best gift was the time and effort that had gone into the whole evening. I certainly have the best three daughters in the world. I love you girls.

It seems that blogger won't let me load any more photo's at the moment so I'll be back soon.

little things mean alot...

Things like an unexpected visits and hugs from daughters and best of cuddles and Paddington sandwiches with the bestest Grandson in the world.

Feeling a bit better today x

Grumpy Old Woman.

Just one of those days when you feel fed up just because you do. I'm going to have a moan so sorry to my 2 readers, bear with me I'm sure I'll be my normal cheerful self tomorrow.

At what age do people stop looking aghast when I say I don't go out to (paid) work ? When we had our girls it was our decision that the home and family would be my job. We have never claimed any money for our family other than the Child benefit. I have never regretted that decision and have loved and still love every moment spent with the girls and as a family. I have so many precious memories especially of things I would have missed had I left them in anothers care for a large amount of time,I have until 18 months ago worked part time for the last 15 or so years.Anyway in conversation over the weekend I got 'the' reaction. You know the one... WHATEVER DO YOU DO ALL DAY ?

Well I happen to be a fairly interesting person. I have hobbies and a home to keep. A garden to look after. Dogs to walk.. I sort out all the little things that life throws up . I run a craft club and attend others ( sometimes as the teacher) which often involves a good few hours of work in preperation. I cook meals from scratch most days . I keep an eye on our accounts and arrange our social life. If we entertain it's me that does all the extra work. If someone wants an errand run, who do they ask? I keep an eye on my elderly Dad ( not sure if he would like that term) and help out with his housework. When the girls were small, who helped at school? Who collected children because Mums and Dads we caught at work? Who was needed when other kids were poorly or in the holiday when they were stuck without child care?

Just because work isn't paid in money at the end of the month doesn't make it less important. If I did all these things and got paid for them the tax man would love me! It also means my husband has only to worry about his job and can relax when he comes home.

O K I'll stop now, you must be getting bored. Just having a day feeling unappreciated after a few days of not feeling too good .

Back soon in a happier mood. x

another month...

Yes, it has been another month since I updated! We have been having trouble with the computer and are waiting for a new one so have to put up with this tempremental one until it arrives.



We have had our new front door fitted and it looks very smart ( will post a photo' soon). Now we have to paint the garage door to match but that will have to wait until the weather improves.



I have enjoyed the snow, it looks so pretty but now it has been around for a few days I'm getting a bit tired of it and hope it soon melts away. Still here are a couple of photo's taken on Thursday.






Yes Michael did have part of the day off work.
He couldn't get the car off the drive so Ethan was thrilled that Grandad could join in the fun!












I have been busy with some crafting this week. We made some of these items at our craft club and Ethans' quilt is progressing well. Just have to quilt it and sew on the binding.This is the weekend of the UKS Cyber crop and I have managed to have a go at a few of the classes two of which are pictured here.











The colours don't look very good here, they are better in real life. I hope to have a go at a few more classes and challenges tomorrow.












It is also Michaels' birthday tomorrow. Rachael , Gary and Ethan came to dinner this evening. Rachael had made a super Golf Bag cake which I'm sure there will be a photo' of on her blog and Ethan had made one that was decorated as a gift. Tomorrow Beverly andLindsay will be here.


Back soon. x

Two months!

I can't belive it is two months since I last wrote! The run up to Chrismas was of course busy. I managed to make a few cards ( forgot to take photos') also made some new decorations and one or two gifts. Actually my friend Rose and I managed to make 6 Princess and the pea beds with covers and rather large peas!

The dolls were bought and we added a copy of the book. They have been well recieved by all the little girls they were sent to.

Christmas itself was spent with family, 25th at Rachaels , 13 of us and Boxing day here at home ,15 of us. We had a good time and the TV was hardly in evidence at all. The men watched for about an hour or so and the rest of the time we played various games and chatted.

We had a great evening on Saturday at my brothers 60th birthday party. I can't belive I have a brother of that age but of course I am a fair bit younger than him! Here he is as he arrived. Yes, it was a suprise party and he certainly was.

It's is quite nice though to get back into some sort of routine and make plans for the year. First job is to get the new front door installed. It is ordered so shouldn't be too long. We need new inside doors throughout the house so hopefully will get those changed this year. The garage door needs painting and the garage MUST be sorted properly.

Yesterday we booked a holiday to ' New England in the Fall '. A 10 day tour which will take us to Boston, Plymouth, Cape Cod and the White mountains. Looking forward to this so much.

Happy New Year to you all. Let's hop we all keep smiling.