Sunday 19 August 2012

Here's to friends.

Sometimes it easy to forget just what friends mean to us.  All too often we take people for granted and vastly under estimate just what those people in our lives give us when they bestow their friendships up on us.  Friendship is a very precious gift that is not given easily and should be received as if you were being given a basket of the finest jewels and precious metals.  Friends are there to enrich our lives, give us advice (even if its not always what we want to hear), laugh with us, cry with us and always support us through the hard times.  It is therefore, our responsibility to return such amazing gifts in the same vein.

I adore my friends.  I'm a very typical Capricorn and as such I have few true friends and many acquaintances.  This suits me fine as when I forge a friendship I create a bond that would cause me to move mountains to support my friends.  I have friends that have been in my life for a great many years, we may not chat for years but when we do it's like we've never been apart.  I also have friends that have been in my life for a short time but in that short time have made a real impact on me.  I consider myself very lucky indeed.

Very sadly the world lost a very special man.  He went home to spirit last week after a short illness.  It is very rare that we, as earth bound spirits, get to experience the love and light of an angel but this man truly was an angel that walked amongst us.  He was a wonderful person.  I was fortunate to work with him for a short time.  He would volunteer on my ward once a week.  Now the ward I used to manage was a rehab unit for people who had suffered a stroke.  Life changing and very scary.  Our dear friend would rumble up the ward with his tea trolley spreading love, light and laughter in his wake.  Now doing a tea round on a ward where many people are unable to drink is no mean feat.  Our angel knew this and instead shared his time.  Talking, laughing, listening, running small errands, reading letters and cards if they were unable to do so for themselves and just being with them.  Truly a selfless person and I will never be able to express to him just how big a difference he made.  He will be missed so profoundly but I know that I will be lucky enough to see him again and hopefully taste his tea.  Thank you for all that you gave us, we are all so grateful and we all hope that we we're able to give you something back in any small way that we could.

On a lighter note I had a wonderful telephone call today from a friend from my home church.  Saying how missed we are and that they are looking forward to seeing us again.  How wonderful it is to know that out of sight isn't out of mind.  In a week where we have lost someone so special it feels so comforting that we still have each other.

We also had a visit from some wonderful friends from home.  Red wine became Mars Bar Vodka which randomly became a cup of tea!!!  Clearly something went very wrong there.  Mad cap gin fuelled japes that always caused us to pack away anything valuable and hide the fine china became a nice cuppa and a reclining deck chair gazing up at the stars.  Bliss.  Candles in there little jars flickering away on the lawn as we were fortunate enough to view shooting stars.  It became clear to me that we were simply enjoying each others company.  To sit in the peace with wonderful people and enjoy natures gifts is honestly so satisfying I can't tell you.

I know that today post seems very stayed and grown up but sometimes its just the way it must be.  I promise to make you laugh next time.

Welcome to my growing band of followers in the good 'ole US of A.  Howdy!  Hello to to those of you in Japan, Russia and Germany.  I will have some more creations to show you all in my next post. :-)





In memory of Pete Kelly.  
Sweet dreams.

Thursday 9 August 2012

Our day in pictures.

The general consensus of opinion today was that we saddle up the horse power and venture into town. The sun was shining, shorts on, kids slipped, slapped and slopped and off we went.

Winchester looks unbelievably beautiful in the sunshine.  The city erupts into life, the buildings glow and music of various genres drift up and down the high street.  To day was market day too so the bustle, the colour and the vibrance were all elevated.




Winchester was on the Olympic Torch route and is still resplendent in the glory.  The whole of the city centre is still embracing the spirit of the Olympics.  Our wanders took us into the Cathedral grounds only to find two large screens showing the Olympic events of the day.  Well, when the offer of sitting in the sunshine watching Team GB is presented then who are we to argue.  Almost an hour passed as we watched those brave souls swimming in the Serpentine.



Whilst the family soaked up the atmosphere I snuck off for a bit of time just my camera and I.  I've been promising myself some time in the Cathedral grounds since we moved at today was the day.  So wonderful.  I barely scratched the surface today and will most certainly return!









With tummy's rumbling we decided to return home to an impromptu BBQ.  Always the best I feel.  Time however for a spot of play time.  Kite and bubbles at the ready.......



Such a busy but equally fantastic day.  Such colour, vitality and peace all in one day.  Time for a brew.......


Night all.  Need my sleep.  The family are off to the beach tomorrow!!!!

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Well I've been away so long I'd forgive you for thinking it must be Christmas!

I'm sorry for the protracted and rather gapping hole in the updates from my bonkers life.  I've actually had requests to update so I must be keeping you all entertained.  I actually didn't realise that it had been so long and I can only apologise.  Fear not people, I'm back and I shall maintain discipline!

In the time that I've been away I've watched the corn field behind our house turn the most lustrous, glorious golden colour.  I never fail to be filled with awe at the beauty that nature bestows upon us.  I think I feel it more acutely since our move here.  We spot birds now!  The whole family are now totally hooked twitching.  To see the mini men commando crawling up the lawn (badly) with the full intention of stalking starlings is a sight that both amuses and fulfils.  Occasionally we have visitors of Blue Tits and Green Finches.  I even spotted Green Woodpeckers yesterday.  I was so excited that I even had to contact the hubby for confirmation.  Good job I did too as I thought they were Parakeets!  More work needed I think.



I have found a stunning area of meadow in the shadow of an old barrack block.  I really must get back down to it with my camera.  I took the mini men and the Moo for a walk and stumbled across them but the smallest of mini men had me preoccupied with kissing snails!



With my all embracing love of nature currently in full swing I have attempted to turn my hand to corn dolly production.  I can't say I'm any good but I'm enthusiastic and I always think that goes along way.  My main strategy was to not make a complete hash of the corn work then cover it with crochet and metal work!  Genius.

A very valiant first attempt I think.

We're now into the 3rd week of the school holidays and I think that I must thank the power of Gin for the fact that we have all survived thus long!  As many of you that follow me through my Facebook page will know that I made the brave decision to reduce the quality of the brand in order to increase the sheer quantity of the stuff.  It was a difficult choice to make but both of the kids, the dog, the husband and the pigs have all thanked me for the outcome.  I must say that I'm not entirely dependent on gin but I enjoy the knowledge that I have a good friend nestled in the cupboard just incase I need nocturnal fortification.  He he he he he. :-)

I have found, as I do from time to time, that I build up a stash of half finished projects.  Now this frustrates me beyond belief.  They congregate in my kitchen window sill and they do not make me happy.  To find some time to dedicate to their completion in normal life is almost impossible.  This week however my lovely hubby has started his leave and took the boys out to the garage to do some tinkering with the other woman in my husbands life, his beloved motorbike.  The very deepest joy swept over me as I start chopping, sanding, filing, sewing, hooking and planning.  Number 48 became a veritable hive of activity this morning and I've seen such fantastic results.  Getting a blow torch out in the presence of the miniest of men is not something to be taken lightly but with him safely tucked away I could fire metal until my hearts content.  And it was.  I fired the copper date tag and completed my new necklace.  I decided a little while ago that I wanted a new one but I couldn't find anything to my liking.  Then I had an epiphany, make my own.  Very please I am too.


Now then, ho ho ho indeed.  I've been overcome with festive cheer this week.  A friend of mine saw the light and got in very early with her Christmas order.  I've struggled to find the inspiration if I'm honest (especially after the mini men spotted the "combine harnester").  I've spent hours on the internet searching for images to fast forward the brain somewhat.  I'm glad to say that my trawling paid off and I've created such a lovely garland that the family tree is likely to find itself adorned with one this year.




I think thats enough for the time being.  I promise to maintain my blogging.  I must say it's been nice to know that you've missed me.