Saturday 29 December 2012

Sunday 23 December 2012

Merry Christmas

Baking with my little boy
Stollen mince pies
Eaten by the tree, covered in brandy & plum cream
Perfect

The very best of the richest blessings to you and yours
Peace and Love ( cheesy but true )



Friday 21 December 2012

Thursday 20 December 2012

Aglow

Fairy lights
Hearts
Fires
Homes





Wednesday 19 December 2012

Gentle Days

Knitting for a lovely friend's babe, due in the new year.
Thinking of the wonder and magic with every stitch.



Tuesday 18 December 2012

Angels flying

Trying to find a little peace in these days



Monday 17 December 2012

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Sun, Sea and Snow

A weeks winter break, full of seasonal magic.



Friday 7 December 2012

Eddie - Behind the Scenes

I'd love to say our adventures with Eddie came into being months ago, knitting done, gifts planned and sorted but as is the way for most of us, this was not the case.
I had seen lots of wonderful photos of Elf on a Shelf on instagram, I was very taken with the idea, although not with the price or the thought of him being a spy for Father Christmas.
I wanted an advent friend for O, a gift giver, fun maker, story teller and snuggle buddy.
So, two days before the 1st, Ravelry thankfully provided me with a pattern
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/initial-imps
Stash, oh wonderful, sweet stash provided me with the yarn.
Time, turned up from somewhere and Eddie came to life with mere moments to spare.
Gifts have come mostly from EBay and Esty, all very inexpensive.
This week has been gift heavy, as Daddy has been away with work in Kuwait.It's been so much fun, hiding him round the house and watching O hunt for him. They have become firm friends and hearing O, unprompted say "thank you Eddie" is so endearing.
Next week, will be different and a whole new adventure.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

In his new vest

We couldn't find Eddie this morning.
The hunt for him was fun though and the reward of finding him, sat by the tv with his gift, a copy of The Fox and the Child was wonderful.
Watching it with O, was so special, he was transfixed and wearing a new mama-made knit, Another plain vest, which made my heart melt, just a little more.

Monday 3 December 2012

Bake and Make

Breakfast with Eddie and a tray full of treats.
Cakes to bake and cards to make.
He is certainly keeping us busy.
Days full of fun.

Sunday 2 December 2012

A little door appears

And the basket is full of winter books, Eddie is fast becoming a family favourite.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Welcoming Advent (and Eddie)

He appeared this morning, magically, alongside an advent calendar.
A new chum for O, a pal to bring sparkle and new adventures to this holiday season.
Eddie the Elf only came into my thoughts 3 days ago, he flew off the needles, the sewing up was a different matter !
He will bring gifts and notes each morning, sharing the idea of a new activity, a book to read, a place to visit.
He has a wobbly head, uneven ears and upside down thumbs but I'm hoping O loves him anyway.
Happy 1st, my friends

Friday 30 November 2012

This, Frosty Morning

Calls for
Wood stoves lit early and a dog warming herself,beside it
Hot chocolate and German spiced biscuits, for breakfast, no less
Layers of woollens, knitted by Mama
Quick bursts of cold air, just to feel the tingle
Stories and knitting
Castles and train tracks, filling the floor
Beeswax candles, scenting the air
Home

Monday 26 November 2012

My kingdom for some fresh ginger !

Just what my carrot and apple juice needed, for real zing this morning.
Trying to brighten a dull day,full of drizzle, dampness and heavy grey skies.

Wednesday 21 November 2012

Dinner fit for Seals

We, have been immersed in books about seals, fact and fiction, O's favourite is Selkie by far, I guess I've read it maybe 20 times since Sunday !
A wonderful story of the magic of seals, turning into beautiful girls and an oyster catcher and his lazy wife, who wish to catch one.
Pages of seals have been drawn, swimming, sleeping and lots and lots of, pups being born.
Our talks have included seals enemies, seals friends and their homes.
O has lead and I have followed, reading the books, answering questions, finding places on map.
We, have plans to make seal shaped biscuits and more books to read.
O wanted a seal-like meal ! We talked about what seals eat and came up with fish curry, I think they would have been impressed.

Sunday 18 November 2012

Seal Sunday

Our annual trip to see the seals come in, to pup.
Such, a stunning sight, all taking place on an RAF bombing range, falling silent in respect of this amazing temporary birthing centre.
Cold, crisp, clear day, bright blue skies.
With friends, bumping into more friends, smiles, laughter.
Children running and jumping in the sands.
A perfect Sunday afternoon.


Saturday 17 November 2012

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine

Friday 16 November 2012

Yum

Great pick-me-up this morning, after a 3am bedtime, midnight showing of Breaking Dawn 2, I was there.

Thursday 15 November 2012

In the Woods

We play
We sing
We listen

In the Woods
We race
We yell
We creep

In the Woods
We explore
We discover
We grow

Wednesday 14 November 2012

At the building site

Our home education days are still very simple, easy, every day living.
I'd be fibbing, if I said, that worries do not sometimes set in, thoughts of reassessing, readjusting, rejiggling our days and with K still so poorly, school does seem an easier option.
But, my belief still lies in family life learning in the early years, gentle times of play, creativity and nurturing.
This morning has been full of building site planning, design, demolition and rebuilding, many vehicles have been drafted in from diggers and cranes to tanks and fighter jets !
A brief break to help load the machine with its bread making ingredients, counting and measuring as we go then straight back on site.
He is immersed, using different voices for different vehicles, people, he is constantly changing, rearranging, planning.
I watch and listen, make comment when he asks, how tall is a crane ? Does this bridge look strong ? Will my jet shoot this digger ?
I catch snippets of pasted conversations being played out, Time Team digs occurring and Tree Fu Tom swooping in to save the day.
And on he plays, uninterrupted, content and happy.
Learning, of that I am sure.

Sunday 11 November 2012

Dirty Dishes

In Sunday sunlight

Saturday 10 November 2012

Saturday Night Viewing

In bed with knitting.
Perfect.

Thursday 8 November 2012

This Week, from my kitchen

Leftover lunch - in a wrap, blackbean chilli & cucumber
Bubbling pot of dahl
Spag Bol
Leftover lunch - dahl on toast
Tahini noodles
On toast, eggs, cheese & toms

It's been a good food week



 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 7 November 2012

My thoughts

In cross stitch

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Evening Time

Relax, unwind
Search out the light, the warmth
Feel thankful
A home
Food in my belly
Family
The love of a very good man

Monday 5 November 2012

Sun Seeker

It's not as if, I hadn't been warned.
Frosty photos on instagram, wrapping up for the school run posts on Facebook, chickens huddled in a pile and the dog hot stepping it round the garden and then retreating to her bed.

And, yet, when I stepped out, armed optimistically with my laundry, the fresh air rushing into my lungs was a shock,the chilly tingles a surprise.

Winter is coming, is here ?

Washing hung, I searched the garden, yearning for my dose of vitamin D, some warmth on my face, bright light to fill my being.

Weakened, low in the sky but not defeated, still shining, I stepped into my puddle of sunshine.

Thank you November sun.

Sunday 4 November 2012

Saturday 3 November 2012

Saturday Morning

Rain
The smell of good coffee
Dr Seuss in bed, nonsense reigns
Bath of bubbles
6 music, accompanying the little ones cough
Apple and plum sauce bubbling, ready to top my muesli
Shopping list, recipe book
Address labels
Pots of play food

Happy Weekend


Thursday 1 November 2012

Happy November

I am embracing November, it's darkness, the cold weather it brings, short days, long nights, I embrace it all.
This month, for myself, my family, my home, will be centred around peace and mindfulness.
I will not get caught up in the festive rush but celebrate the art of making, creating.
We will enjoy noticing the changing of the season on our walks and give thanks for what has been and welcome in the new.
We will feast on good food, foods that nourish and give health.
We will be mindful, not wasteful of the food and drink we have, we are the lucky ones.
I will honour myself, my friends and family, letting them know the special place they have in my heart.
I will rest, relax and restore my soul, my spirit, my self.
I will learn to find my own light in the winter darkness, my own warmth when temperatures drop, I will learn to listen to myself.
I will celebrate this wild and precious life.
Join me ?

Wednesday 31 October 2012

I remember

As, the veil thins
All those family, friends, loved ones, who have gone before
All those that have lived rich, full lives and those taken far, too soon
My daughter Emma Joan and my sweet friends daughter Kelly
I remember you all

Saturday 27 October 2012