Tuesday 13 December 2011

Times, they are so busy.

There has been some crafting,
golden stars to brighten our windows.


Visits to garden centres, packed with shoppers
and twinkling lights,


and glorious reindeer dancing down from the skies,



An evening with Kate Rusby, singing beautiful songs of Yule Time.

A lovely trip to Norfolk, such a treat, to spend time with special friends
and breakfast with Thomas.

Rides in trucks at Christmas Markets, going round and round while Daddy watches
and Mama sneaks off to buy some surprises.

And some knitting, always some knitting.


Monday 5 December 2011

Thinking

I always plan to spend more time here, writing posts in my head, only to get caught up in the flow of the day, forgetting what I felt the need to say later when time allows or not having my camera with me to take the perfect shot, oh but I do love this space and the connections it brings, the time to share and ponder, learn and grow.
The first snowflakes have just fallen here, followed by sleety rain and now some very weak sunshine.
No plans for the day ahead, as most of us, myself included have coughs and colds, so an early fire and stories with soup for lunch.
Festive shopping is being completed mainly on-line (does anyone brave the shops now ? ) or coming off the needles, although I feel my far too long list of knits has already beaten me ( note to self - start in July next year ) Visits to a couple more craft fayres and Christmas markets will I hope, leave everyones name on my list with a tick beside it.


we have been adorning our windows with O's creations.


I cried (of course) as our shoe boxes and those generously filled by friends, joined the van full of LOVE,
to begin the journey to boys and girls around the World.




With one thing and another, times have been a little dark here recently, full on family life and all its joys, worries, stresses and strains taking their toll, so I have been mentally taking myself back to a magical night on the Isle of Lewis, watching our lantern as it climbed higher and higher into the night sky, a warm, orange glow in the dark, carrying with it our hopes, wishes and dreams.
Finding comfort in the light within the dark.

Blessings to all.

Wednesday 30 November 2011

Celebrating Advent

With the teenagers in our home, showing a real apathy to the Yule time spirit, matched with a little 4 year old with mounting excitement,I am drawn to this time of advent, hoping a gentle daily mix of stories, crafts, activities and occasional treats, will help lead little O into the holidays with a real sense of time and that little by little some festive magic will soften those cynical teenage hearts.



Mincemeat has been made ( and tasted, hence the huge grin  )
Recipe from Family, Festivals and Food.
Not a drop of brandy was to be found in the house, so Cointreau stepped in to save the day.


And a real treat, first ever visit to the cinema, complete with ice cream ( pink of course )



Then home, to a warm fire, glow of candles, jacket potatoes for tea followed by stories.
.........................................

I am using http://naturalfamily.50megs.com/custom2_1.html as a wonderful resource for our celebrating.

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Awakening


Pots of beauty,
ready after a summers slumber
to bloom again.

Monday 28 November 2011

At the Advent Fayre - Candle Dipping





ONE LITTLE CANDLE


(George Mysels / J. Maloy Roach)

It's better to light just one little candle

Than to stumble in the dark

Better far that you light just one little candle

All you need's a tiny spark



If we'd all say a prayer that the world would be free

The wonderful dawn on the new day we'll see

And if everyone lit just one little candle

What a bright world this would be



(Let's all light one little candle

Why stumble on in the dark)



When the day is dark and dreary

And your way is hard to find

Don't let your heart be weary

Just keep this thought in mind



(It is better to light just one little candle

Than to stumble in the dark

Better far to light just one little candle

All you need's a tiny spark)



If we'd all say a prayer that the world would be free

The wonderful dawn of the new day we'll see

And if everyone lit just one little candle

What a bright world this would be



Tuesday 22 November 2011

Off the needles and into the shoeboxes







Our home, full of friends.
Teapots, jugs of milk and pots of coffee.
Cake stands stacked high.
China cups and saucers, pretty tablecloths.

Children running in and out,
trees climbed, rabbit stroked,
friendships rediscovered,
cakes devoured.

A pile of shoe boxes, bursting with gifts.
Colourful wrappings,
Bright smiles
LOVE aplenty.

Thank you x

Sunday 20 November 2011

Saying Hello to the Seals


Always a treat, a family tradition.
A Sunday afternoon in the Autumn with the seals.
Why these Mamas choose to birth on an RAF firing range ( RAF Doona Nook )
is a mystery,
but birth they do, in their hundreds.

Such a sight, a beach full of Mamas, Papas and their babes.
We stand and stare, delight in their beauty.
Admire their size, speed and grandeur.

A picnic in the car ( well it is November )
flasks of coffee, sandwiches and slices of cake.
A fluffy friend to take home and love.
And plenty of smiles.

Saturday 12 November 2011

Seven Days


This boy of mine, loves sausage rolls, so I thought it about time, he learnt to make them.


Another win !
We are loving our sock monkey ( please ignore my dirty windows ! ) here for some adventuring.
A blog giveaway from http://bwonderyears.blogspot.com/  thank you.


My wonderful view.


Sparkler fun.


Gathering round the fire with friends.


Autumn bouncing.


Lunch time goodness.

Joining Jacqui, with her wonderful Seven Days, sharing our week, days of family, fun and friends.
http://www.thebarefootcrofter.com/  she has a lovely giveaway happening now too.

Friday 11 November 2011

This Moment - LOVE

Inspired by Soulemama.
A moment in time to cherish, an ordinary moment, a moment to be remembered.

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Yarn Along - 5

Joining in with Ginny and all those wonderful bloggers who take part in
Yarn Along, sharing a book on the bedside table and a project on the needles,
a perfect combination.


In my attempt to tidy, sort and declutter in preparation for the festive season,
I am trying to work my way through Mount Magazine,
great for flicking through with a cuppa and inspiration gathering,
just SO many of them !


On the needles, another Pilot Cap from Little Turtle Knits,
using yarn from my stash and making it as bright as possible,
to bring a smile its new owner.
This hat is for a very special head, a friend in another country,
which one we're not sure, who's head is unknown too.

This hat will be added along with mittens, soap, flannel, toothbrush and paste
and lots more to our shoe boxes for
Operation Christmas Child.
Our seventh year of sending our boxes of love to new friends,
in memory of our girl Emma Joan.


On Sunday, we have invited friends and family to exchange a filled box,
for a slice or two of cake and a cup of tea.
We will gather together and celebrate a little life and all that she has achieved.

Saturday 5 November 2011

Seven Days ( or maybe five this week )







Celebrating the past week, ordinary days full of rich blessings.
Life and how we live it.
  • Halloween fun, alittle rushed this year, as just back from our glorious holiday.
  • Catching up with toys.
  • Winning first prize in a raffle, a hamper of local goodness.
  • Loving our tree and her new gown of autumn colours, carpeting the lawn.
  • Racing round and round, the excitement of friendships.
Join in with your own Seven Days over with Jacqui

Friday 4 November 2011

Loving Lewis - Monday at the Sheep Dip

A community, come together,
to bring down from the hills and the crofts,
to sort and check,
count and time,
pens of sheep
for dipping.

Amid the laughter, sharing of sweets and tales,
the sounds of hoofs, whistles and gates,
a job gets done.

And if you thought you'd escaped the bath,
evading the sheep dogs round up,
a journey on the back of a quad bike is in order,
to make sure everyone gets their dipping.

Wonderful post by Jacqui about this day here

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Loving Lewis - Traveling Companion



Our guide,
as we headed home from the beach.
Checking how we're enjoying Lewis ?
And telling of the sights we must see.
Walking awhile with us,
then stepping into the hills,
blending with the landscape once again.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Loving Lewis - on Dalmore Beach


Wrapped up in coats and hats, wellies amust we headed to the beach.
Buckets, spades and wheel barrows.
Seals enjoying the waves.
Digging, collecting, discovering.
Thinking, dreaming, listening.
Time, peace, space.
Sunday on the Isle.