October 2013…………...

I am struggling to get back into the blogging vibe………note to self must try harder.

Here is a snapshot of my twice daily walk around the village with my beautiful boy, there is a very autumnal feel.

Uncertainty.........

Hoping to get back to normal after a very stressful month. My youngest son has just gone off to University.  He did not make the grades for his first choice University so taking his insurance choice we did not think there would be a problem. Turn back the clock to the end of August when he informed me he did not get offered any of the accommodation he'd chosen. So after a week of waiting the University offered him a room, sharing a bunk bed and an hour walk from the University all for the pricey sum of £95 per week.  Needless to say we turned it down for obvious reasons.  Consequently, we have spent the last 3 weeks trying to get decent accommodation close to the University. After a week staying in a Hostel he found somewhere to live.  Finally last weekend he moved into a very nice private flat sharing with 3 others, 10 minutes walk from the University.  We moved him and  his belongings into a lovely, cosy homely flat.  I think he is going to be very happy, and I am so relieved.  Not the best of starts to University life.
Keeping me sane and occupied during this time has been Crochet. I find it relaxing sitting at night with my wool and hook. I have just finished a second round cushion and have fallen for popcorn stitch, I just love it....

 Smaller projects using popcorn stitch are also taking shape too, don't want to mention the C word........

but it is obvious... i hope.

A Whole Year.................

A whole year has gone by since I was last here, can't believe how quickly time passes.

It has been a year of loss, my lovely Mother passed away and I left my job through illness.

Thing are now looking better, my health is improving which is a good thing, and the pain of loosing someone close to me is easing.  I felt it inappropriate to blog whilst I was on sick leave but now I am completely finished with work and feeling stronger, what better time to blog again with the start of a new month and exactly a year since I was last here.

I have truly missed being part of the blogging community, I kept up to date with all my favourites, popping in now and again to see what you have all been up to.   Having more time at home I hope I will be able to spend it doing some of the things I love. 

See you soon.

Holidays.......

I am at the end of a 2 week break from work, the first week DH and I went back to Skiathos.

We were HERE a year ago.  I shall post more pictures of our fab holiday when I have spare moment.

Lazy mornings this week at home have been spent enjoying a really tasty breakfast,

Granola,Greek Yogurt, Raspberries and Honey.

Very moorish.

My little boy went to the groomers this week.  He has gone from a shaggy teddy bear to a very handsome chap. 

What a difference I cannot believe how different he looks.  This was him above just before his cut.

Love the new hair cut Mum...............

I have kept his hair as I am going to try and spin it,

I may be able to knit a small toy with the wool I produce.

I shall let you know how I get on.

Homegrown........

Tonight we are looking forward to a home grown supper.......

Harvesting our first potatoes of the season

Together with a selection of fresh lettuce and herbs from my new raised beds.

I think a nice quiche made with our hen's eggs to finish it off.

Must go, the boys are hungry.  

Chilling Out.....

I  picked up this book in the supermarket last week, I am curious  to see what all the fuss is about.

I thought I would take it on holiday with me in a couple of weeks time. 

In the meantime I am enjoying a day off work with my monthly

favorite magazines.

Hope you are making the most of this beautiful weather.

A Busy week........

Here we are at the end of another week, and it has been a busy one here in the patch.

Our eldest son graduated from Sheffield University this week.

5 Years of studies and gaining a first class

Masters in Mechanical Engineering.

Congratulations and well done,

we are such proud parents.

No Pressure now on youngest son when he goes off to University in 2013.

On the creative side I have been busy making a gift for my mum.

I did a workshop with the Embroiderers Guild a few weeks ago with the talented Mandy Pattullo 

 entitled "Precious Memories".  It is a collection of recycled fabrics and memorabilia from the 

past together with a photograph printed onto fabric.  It is complimented with hand and machine embroidery. 

I have called it "Mother and Daughter", the photograph is my grandmother as a baby sitting on my

great grandmother's knee.

As my mum is in nursing care now I thought it would be something nice to remind her of the past.

Summer Vibe..........

Has 

summer 

       finally arrived...... 

I have been picking flowers from the garden

To brighten the day.

Last weekend we picked Elderflowers, I have been spurred on by Lucy at attic24 to make
 Elderflower Cordial.  I have been meaning
to make it for years but I always seem to miss picking the blooms when they are flowering

 

Not this year.  The recipe is from here.......

It is so delicious, so much nicer than bought

cordial and loads cheaper.

DS2 has made me a few labels, I somehow don't think

it will last long.

Despite the awful weather this summer we are picking lots of 

yummy strawberries from our allotment.

Happy Days.

Happy Diamond Jubilee Day........

Enjoying the day in a very British way, a cup of tea, English strawberries..............

Cake and a good read............

Hope you are having a FUN day whatever you are doing............

Update

Hi, Dyaln here.  I thought I'd update you on my progress.  I have been in my new home for nearly a week now and I am settling in really well.  I think I must be as Mum and Dad keep saying "Good Boy, Good Boy" to me.

The weather has improved and I have had a very busy day today, mum is off work and she got a few toys out on the lawn.

Yum, Yum this tastes nice.

Peek -a-boo

Dad made this sock toy for me and I am rather attached to it.

All that activity has tired me out, I have found a new place to have a nap in Mum's Studio, I can also keep an eye on her while she is working.

I forgot to mention one of my favorite games is playing with shoes,especially the rubber ones.

.

I kept Mum and Dad on their toes this afternoon.

I thought I'd help Dad with a spot of gardening in the greenhouse.

I'm off to a Puppy Party at the Vets tonight so I think I'd better have another nap.

A boy has to look his best when meeting other puppies for the first time..........

Meet Dylan...........

He is an eight week Airedale Terrier, and we just love him to bits.  We picked him up at lunch time today.  He was ever so good in the car, he slept most of the way home.

Here he is meeting DS2, we are all happy bunnies here in the patch.

I think it has all been too much, I'll be back soon with more photos. 

Only two more sleeps.........

Until we hear the tiny patter of ....

We are all ready for our new arrival........

We are very excited.........

We pick him up on Saturday......

I have made a little goody bag to leave for his mum,

A Lavender Heart........

and a selection of meaty treats.

I will be back with photographs at the weekend.

Dashing in and out of the Showers.......

The weather here in the UK is awful, rain, rain and even more rain.

In between the showers DH has been beavering away in our allotment. I have been trying to lend a hand when I can.  It is back breaking work, but we need to clear the weeds before any planting can be done.  The first early and main crop potatoes have now been planted and a couple of rows of peas.

We still have so much more to do! 

Happy Easter......

Our Easter day started with the healthy and the not so healthy, fruit and chocolates.  It is Easter after all and we all deserve a treat now and again.

The weather is mixed in our patch, drizzly rain interspersed with the odd bit of sunshine.  We are trying to get the garden and allotment tidied, so some back breaking work ahead of us today.

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter whatever the weather.

Slowly,slowly...........

It feels like an age since I was last here.  I'm recovering , and have regained most of my life back.  I am so grateful. Just a few more steps to be fully compensated. This involves retraining my eyes and brain to keep me balanced, it is known as Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy .  I have lots of catching up to do, but I must still take things slowly.  Its very hard as I have always  been such a busy person.

 DH has just finished making me a new cupcake stand, I bought the acrylic last summer, it has four tiers and we recon it will hold about 45 cupcakes.  I am really pleased with it.

I baked a batch of Red Velvet cupcakes this morning just to try it out. 

I hope to be back soon.