CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!! 🎈🎈🎉🎊

I don't normally share faces of my family here but as I have been given special permission - I want to share how full my heart is for these two😃❤️ Youngest and his lovely girl.

We were invited to their graduation ceremonies and what a brilliant (and long) day it was - so very proud of these two!

And if you think you are going to see a sensible photo - think again! Life is too short to be boring.

Here is to the next step in your lives - may it be as good as today❤️

FuZzY BeE-BuMs🐝🐝🐝

 Thank you everyone for your comments on my last post - glad I made you smile!

❤️💙💛💚🧡🤍

Hopefully this will do too - fuzzy bee-bums - yes they are a 'thing' and today at work I managed to get a couple of photos of just that very thing .....

Just look at those little fuzzy leggies hanging out backwards while the bumble is buried deep in the nasturtium.🌞

The world needs more fuzzy bee-bums🐝🌞❤️

you can thank me later xxxxx

🌞

Simply gently wonderful

 We looked at each other over the empty breakfast bowls and half drunk mugs of tea and almost simultaneously said ... shall we go out in the van?  In what felt like record time, we'd packed and were trundling off towards our nearest coastal patch where Moss has a favourite dog loop (well lets face it she has lots of favourite dog loops but this one must top them all!)

Are we nearly there yet?

We arrived by lunch and within moments of stopping we threw the doors open and had the kettle on. On the horizon the clouds tumbled and turned black and looked incredible. We sat drinking mugs of tea and savoured our lunch as we watched a fantastic storm out at sea. There were a few splots near us but we must have just been on the fringe of the storm so we could smell the rain and feel the warm and blustery wind - it was elating!

Lunch as we wait for the rain to arrive

After lunch we set off with Moss leading the way - she knew where she wanted to go and we let her take us. She dragged us down at double quick time into the village of Glasson via the docks then over the swing bridge down to the Lune estuary edge. Once there we let her off the lead and we wandered in brilliant sunshine - it was so warm and the scent from the dog roses was intoxicating. There were so many butterflies about and we stopped several times to try and take photos but they flittered from flower to flower so joyously that we could not keep up. We watched the common terns hunt for fish, first hovering then plunging into the riverine edges then flying off to their nests with beaks filled with silvery snacks. As she sunbathed, Moss grinned from her tail to her chops.

Aw com'on peeps less bird watchin' and more dog walkin' says Moss

Our path continued along the disused railway line where we turned off and worked our way along the lanes to Condor Mill and then onto the canal tow path. Moss inspected every possible entry point so she could slip into the tepid water for a swim. 

Momma swan proudly watching over her brood

The swan family we'd noticed nesting a couple of months ago now have a family of cygnets on the water and I managed to snap a photo quickly before the adults became cross. At the marina basin Moss swam for a little while until we had to call her out and head back to the van - we could see the clouds building up again and we wanted to make sure we were not caught out in any rain.

The hugest cloud in the sky dwarfing Sunderland Point as it hurled rain down on the sea

Back at the van, dog towelled dry, fed, dozing and drying in the warm sunlight, we had a brew and watched another summer storm roll by along the horizon. As the sun dropped we were treated to an amazingly colourful sky. Moss slept through it all - she is a funny ol' thing - as soon as we return to the van from a jolly out she wants to sit in the cab on her bed and have a post-walk-nap!

Moss dozing in the sun on her mattress, warm and full of food - happy dog!

After we'd eaten we went back out for an evening dog loop (Moss was besides herself with wuffety happiness) returning to the van to sit and watch the sky darken as the sun slipped under the sea as we sipped tea. We sat there and felt absolutely at peace and gently happy.

Simple pleasures, simply gently wonderful. We all need more days like these.

edgelands

A couple of weeks ago, we packed the van and headed north. Our plan was to see what the weather was doing and follow the sunshine. We spent nearly a week wandering the quiet lanes and finding the solitary views. Walking on beaches where we were the only ones watching the waves crash and draw as the tide turned.

We stopped for a few hours at Wigtown Harbour which is a rather grand title for a tidal river with disused quays.  However it is a delightful spot. The oystercatchers nest on the grassy docks between lichen splattered concrete bollards. A secret whorled nest cradling four speckled brown and cream eggs. I watch the female oystercatcher watch me as I take photos.

Across from the harbour beef cows graze in knee deep breeze blown grass undulating and mimicking water. Skylarks and curlews fill the air with their song - one melodic, the other forlorn. Both beautiful. 

Once we'd rested up, we returned to the road promising to return to the harbour - a edgeland space, simple, wild and obviously loved by the locals.

I will share a few precious moments from our holiday over the next few posts - promise I wont swamp you will photos and stories (of which there are many!) until next time 💙💚💙 xxxx

Blogtober day 10 - the birthday boy special

 Himself. 

The best thing that could have ever happened to me.

Happy birthday - you are more precious and loved than you know❤️

A lovely memory

Walking to Waternish (pronounced Vatta nish) on the Isle of Skye. Where the sea and the sky merge into a single blue. The air is clear and fresh and you feel like you could hug the sky.

Where minky whales slowly crest and dive along the coast as you walk - making your heart sing and your eyes eat the view, pulling in every drop of the vista to keep it safe and keep it for ever in your head and in your heart.

Where the earthy scent of sweaty bracken swirl and twist with the crusty smell of the salty air. Mouthwatering.

A memory which is part of me, threaded through my very bones - one so special that my heart aches when I think on it. 

I miss this. I miss being able to go back to places I love and find places yet to love. I will return, one day, I will return xxxx

Mottaini

I've not picked up a paintbrush or drawn anything seriously since October last year.

That's quite a while ago.


Leading up to the art fair in 2019, my artist-in-crime friend and I drove ourselves hard to be both organisers and participators of the event and right up to the last minute we pushed on, until the Friday of the setup when we, through gritted teeth, agreed 'no more'.

So we closed the event, after three years, we were burnt out.

I still have that inner urge to craft, however I yearned for something different, so I have started sewing. I am more of a 'craft-sewing' than a 'make your clothes' type person. It is not something I do regularly...  Until now....

I am not good at following patterns, it is not that I don't understand them, it's more that I.don't.read.them.and.just.wing.it......... I rely on them to inspire me rather than instruct me - which leads to a singularly bespoke item (interpret this as you will but the gist is - each thing I make can not be replicated - coz I just would not be able to do it!) 

I have even laid down my crochet hook (the last item I made was a hexi-lapghan and even that took longer than it should) in preference to the simple rhythmic dip, pull, slide of sewing simple circular boro inspired stitches purely for the enjoyment of the act and the pleasure of the finished piece.

 

 Originally done as a form of repair, as fabric was expensive and only the rich could afford to replace worn clothing, Japanese boro stitching was part of the recycling of fabric to allow every last scrap to be used and to be useful.

This philosophy centres around the Japanese belief of 'Mottaini' of wasting nothing of the intrinsic value of an object.

I love the simplicity of the circular motion and I love when I overlap the pattern and the stitches cross over and into each other. That to me is where the magic is.

The motion of my hand, the simple repetition of plying the needle and thread, are all good mindful 'clear the head' actions.

Have a good weekend, filled with gentle crafting to feed your soul xxx

February's photos and stories

February - soggy soggy February,  you have lingered long enough - time to look for brighter skies, less mud and warmer days!

However, until then .... February's words and photos for your perusal :)

Hearts

Folk who've followed my blog for some time will know that every February I used to feature a heart themed post every day for the entire month - and as a result, all year round I would 'have to collect' images of hearts in preparation for the next February. I eventually stopped as I found it it harder to find new and different hearts and stories to go with them. Then, today, while I was searching through my archives I rediscovered a few photos I have never used before - and this one was perfect ' Meet Bob ❤️ Mabel!!

Repair

A hole in a favourite jumper - a repair not to be invisible but to be decorative! I used 'Lancashire's smallest Loom' to fill this hole and two others - one on a sleeve and one near the hem.

Tail

Not my photo - one from Eldest's collection from a university trip to Spain. The students had stopped for a lunch break from an all day flora survey when a cat turned up and was rather hopeful to share in the picnic. I love the way his tail is slinking around that lad's back :)

Key

One summer holiday, we stayed in a cottage, Kyloe Woods, Northumberland and the decor was themed in an American homestead style with lots of painted cast iron features, including this key rack in the kitchen.

Knot

On Thursday I was walking with a friend and we stopped off at a pretty little waterfall. Along the path, growing out of the cliff edge was a mature tree that, over the years, had its roots exposed and undercut by the river. I tried to trace one or two however they were so tangled and knotted together - it seemed impossible.

My own choice

So .... No heavy petting, no bombing and no parking ......

okaaa--aay ....... steps back quietly and leaves before the locals notice I have been there ....

Love grows here

Thank you every one for your lovely comments and positive feedback for my little books and I am rather happy to say I have since been invited to take part of a small fayre, with them, at the end of next month - I better get making and introduce them to the world!

On a different note - thought I would share some photos from last week at the walled garden (a favourite holistic place of mine) - I am lucky to volunteer with some other wonderful ladies who feel the same way as I do.

Even in the rain, the garden glows in jewel colours and exudes a wonderful calmness. 

This final photo I can not take credit for - it is from the National Trust facebook page.

..."Our walled garden is awash with colour and alive with pollinator activity.
See if you can spot any colourful, bee friendly areas when you’re out and about this weekend! "...

National Trust Yorkshire Dales

Just a short bit of waffle today - have a good week and hope you get to spend time somewhere you love.

Life can be filled with sunshine

Thank you for your comments on my rather 'pinball type' day - not one of my finest but one that mirrors my life in general .... sigh. I am hoping this week will be a shade more organised. (But don't hold your breath..!)

I had a story to share, but in the time I had it tumbling around inside my head and me downloading images from over the last couple of days ... the story tumbled down in to a crevice so deep - I've lost it. So, I thought I might waffle gently in case it decides to reappear...

The last few days have been sultry and warm - a slow deep penetrating warmth that my bones have relished. The air has been thick and close with calescent humid top notes - I absolutely love it.

Listening to the bumble bees swim through the slow air and rattle their wings in the garden flowers while the swifts enjoy screaming parties over head has made me smile. A slow satisfied smile. 

I have spent most of my gardening bare foot - relishing in the cool damp grass between my toes. Sitting on an old mat weeding between the flowers, delighting at finding new buds opening, I am close to the soil - so good for my soul.

Today - Sunday - we ate breakfast in the garden, while the air was still cool and damp from the rain we'd had late Friday evening. The welcome wild water filled the barrels and fattened my plants. They are looking very content, shimmering and rattling with the insects visiting and feasting.

This evening, after a full and productive day doing jobs that had waited longer than they should, we walked up to recreation ground. Moss was so keen and pulled ahead. Up on the hill top there was a lovely breeze, warm and amiable it tickled the cow parsley heads making them nod and sway.

 We walked back through the lanes stopping at the river to allow a warm and huffing dog to wallow and splash.

So, despite not having much to say - I seem to have waffled on a bit. Hope your week is good and that the sun shines for you xxx

Sunday Sunday - so good to me

Sunday - you were great to spend time with.

You wore a lingering scent of spring.

The streams were full and burbling 

sounding like laughter

You were wearing your loveliest smile,

sharing your happiness with us. 

 Sunday, I really loved spending time with you :)

Sunday - you showed me that

 I must always find time for things 

that make me feel happy to be alive

thank you x

Valentine's day our way x

We don't do soppy

but he does do

roses x

This is how I know that I've a good man -

since 1985 he has not missed one year.

I, on the other hand, have been ...

 sporadic 

(oops)

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Happy WEDNESDAY to you all❤❤❤❤❤❤❤