Snapshots #30dayswild

Our walk ... 

Dry warm air making grass inflorescences undulate across the pasture

Too warm to care, despite the rough and ready shorn-short coat

A small Rowan bravely attempting to grow in a hollowed out wooden gate post

Welcome shade along a dusty track 

This way!

Wallowing in the secret field drain we know - perfect way to cool down

Dusty boots and the view we have just walked through 

Hot and happy dog - still slightly damp from her wallowing

Cinnamon coffee

Essential dog walking nibbles

Fields of cotton grass on Crow Hill

An avalanche of hawthorn blossom

Sweet sweet shade with a stream waiting at the bottom

Good to see that government health advice is being adhered to.....

Dear walk - you made my heart sing, you filled me with joy, you were perfect. 

Thank you.

#30DaysWild  #staywild

Five on Friday

To be able to walk out of my home, into the garden.
To be able to walk the dog through countryside from our home.
To be able to listen to the birdsong and watch fledglings learning to fly.
To be able to work in my greenhouse, growing vegetables and salad for the family.
To be able to hug my immediate family and see (at a safe distance) my parents, friends and neighbours.

These are things I am truly grateful for.

Thank you xxx

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Be a shepherd

Blogging and blog reading (and the internet in general for that matter), seem to have taken a back seat recently - oh don't get me wrong, I still dip in, I still post, I still read articles and search for recipes and crochet patterns,  however the lure of the garden, the invitation of a good book, the call of the crochet hook have been so much more enticing.

I have, despite the pandemic and all it's combined horrors, found reasons to be grateful and I know that others have done too - so, (with the gentle prompting of Purple Threads) I will be hosting a Five on Friday - Gratitude link up post.

If you have found small gems in your daily life which have made you smile or given you that boost that gets you through the day - a lovely email, a letter through the door, a wave through the window or shared a conversation over the hedge (at the prescribed government advised distance!) or seen a parent (or two) albeit in an airy and open space - these are things that can gladden your heart.

Do join in, it can be a simple list of joys or a longer waffle expressing your gratitude about something which has made you smile. I will be adding a link up below my list of 'smile-makers' - lets share that gentle happiness.

Sending hugs to those who need them and even those who don't!

Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. 

Help someone's soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.

~Rumi

April's Five on Friday - Gratitude

Five on Friday - gratitude

What am I grateful for?

Every night after I have read a bit then turned the lights out, I quietly settle down and run through what I am grateful for. This small ritual has made a huge difference to me.

My family - immediate and extended, human and furry

My home - the roof over my head, the food in the kitchen, the fire in the hearth

My garden - a space to gather, to breathe and to feel refreshed -  now all the more special

The walks we do - all local and even more important now

My very precious other half

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Friday Gratitude

Now, more than ever, we need to notice those small things that make our days that little bit better.

Now, that our world's have shrunk to the size of our homes and if we are lucky our gardens too, it is the small sparks of joy in our lives that help us through.

So, despite our 'new normal', those small gems that fill our hearts with love, make us smile or make us feel a little happier should be acknowledged and celebrated.

On Friday 17th April there will be 'Gratitude on Friday' post and link up - please do join in,  notice those small things that help you get through the day, share them and inspire us and spread the love.

And as a pre 'Gratitude on Friday', I shall share with you someone who fills my day with love, laughter and company - Moss

#staystrongfriday  #corvid19  #staystrongfriday

Things to be grateful for :)

Morning,

As I was sitting here typing, drinking coffee, doing correspondence, I was thinking on using today's post as a gentle reminder for this Friday's 'Five on Friday - Gratitude', when an email popped up asking if I was going to host it - so (yes dear Lovely Lady!) I shall get the proverbial skates on and invite you all to join in with a post on gratitude this Friday - 13th March.

If you are unsure what it is all about, we quietly share things that have make our days, our weeks - our lives that little better. It is a wonderful way to recognise and to be grateful for the small sparks in our day as an antidote to all the anger and ugliness we seem to be force-fed via the media, the news and the greater 'outersphere'.

In our own personal space there are things that make us smile - let us celebrate those :) so it could be a simple as that coffee with a friend, a walk alongside a stream and seeing that kingfisher, it could be a letter for a job, a pile of completed sewing/ironing/washing - it can be anything - so, fancy joining?

Good.

All you have to do is list your five things which have given you that added spark to your day, waffle a little on them if you wish and if you have a photo that is great, if not - it does not matter. This is all about being grateful and acknowledging that life is good especially when you start to notice those little things :) On Friday I will post a link up and you can add your URL - here is to a gently lovely week - enjoy x

Oh - you are not restricted to being bloggers, you can be facebookers, instagrammers and even twitterers - just add your link to your post on your chosen form of social media - it will be lovely to see you :)

#fiveonfriday-gratitude #gratitude #fiveonfriday

February's Five on Friday - gratitude

Morning all - my five this month are ...

friendship - I wrote yesterday on this - refinding friends and reforging friendships - precious.

Rediscovering a forgotten craft - I am needle-felting at the moment - a string of cartoon creatures and mini monsters - the rhythmic stabbing of a small waft of fleece until it turns into magical folk with their own characters really makes me happy.

A good book - just read one - a true story of survival through walking, just started another - the jury is out on this one, it may improve.

The scent of hyacinths - still filling the room with gentle ribbons of perfume although this present pot has almost reached the end of it's life, there is another waiting in the wings to fill the space.

The simple pleasure of conversation.

These - and other small gems - have made my day, my week, my life all that much better.... and you? What has made your day that little sweeter?

**

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Happy (Blue) Friday!

Another gorgeous blue sky day - we awoke to a frosty nip to the air. The wind has arrived, still gentle, still teasing and not showing (yet) it's full promised potential - long may this benign moment last :)

I just popped in to say thank you for your kind comments from yesterday and to wish you a lovely weekend. Also to add a gentle reminder that next Friday (14th February) is not only Valentine's day but I will be posting up a Five on Friday - Gratitude link up too.

If you are new to this or have decided you might like to join - think on five things that have made your day that little more nice. That perfect coffee, this beautiful sunshine we have been getting, that rain you desperately need. It could be a word from a friend or even a stranger that made you glow or it could be a book you have read, cover to cover and it has left you feeling different.

Then, next Friday, post about your 'Five on Friday - Gratitude' and come and leave your link so other folk can pop in and visit and share in your gratitudes.

It is a gentle way to realise that despite all that is going on, all that is hurtful, hateful and saddening, there are small spotlights of happiness and gratitude which make a real difference as you journey through your day.

Have yourselves a lovely weekend xxxxx

Five on Friday link up - January

Welcome to January's Five on Friday - Gratitude

You can join in by linking your post or by leaving a comment with 

your five tiny treasures that made your week :)

*

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January's 5 on Friday

Welcome to my Five on Friday - a lovely way to express gratitude for those little things that made me smile.

• having the exact right amount of change - something so simple yet so satisfying

• my morning coffee - I gave up coffee over a decade ago and replaced it with tea. I still miss coffee... so the one decaf coffee with cinnamon I have in the morning is pure bliss.

• sunny winter days- as rare as hen's teeth, so when they happen - they are so precious

• sleep - I am a sporadic sleeper - so when I do get an undisturbed night - it is certainly worth a shout out, even better when I get a run of them, which is what I am getting at the moment - yay.

• the instant gratification of a cellphone camera - the ability to capture a single unrepeatable moment - priceless

Just look at the concentration on that face! 

(photo courtesy of cameron.a.s)

Thursday is for painting

It is at this time of the year it feels as if 'nothing' is happening , that the wheel is turning very slowly and although the light is returning - it too, is taking it's time.  Yet I feel that I need to be.doing.something.... . It is the brain fog I have rolling around in my head!

Any hoo - thought I would drop in and say that I will be doing a Five on Friday - Gratitude tomorrow and if I can keep myself vaguely organised, it will run roughly half way through each month.

In case you are not sure what happens, all you need to do is list five things that have made you smile, gave you that mental hug you needed, those little things that you were grateful for and if you happen to have a photo or two to accompany your words all the better.

It is a lovely and gentle way to round up the week whilst reminding yourself that sometimes the small things that make your day better are worth acknowledging.

Excuse me, the kettle has called and I have a loaded paint brush waiting for me, I am still on a mission to improve the reflective light quality and even in it's half done undercoat status - it feels brighter already!

Have a lovely Thursday, see you tomorrow xxx

Five on Friday - Gratitude, the first for 2020

My Five on Friday - Gratitude 

A gentle way to round up the week with gratitude and positivity.

• My dad has been rather poorly. Thankfully this last day or two he has turned a corner and is on the mend. Well enough to joke and laugh with my boys - a relief as it was awful seeing him so unwell.

• Malty biscuit flavoured tea - what could be better? Smells divine - tastes a little unexpected -  coz I don't take sugar and it smells sweet like a malted tea biscuit until you take that first slurp then it tastes like tea with a gentle undertone of malt - strangely delicious.

• Crochet - a mindless/mindful activity that keeps my fingers busy and my mind calm and by the end of it .... a warm and snuggly blanket :) win win

• A clean bill of health for my car - 'Bob' passed his MoT without any trouble, grateful that he did not need any work doing what so ever - phew!

• A catchup with a dear friend - we nattered and drank lattes for what was ages but felt like moments. We caught up with all our news and family happenings - it was lovely.

Hope you all have had a week full of small treasures and moments that have made you smile. 

Happy Friday and here is to a gently kind weekend xxxxxx

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Five on Friday

Morning fellow 'Fivers', a cool and dark morning out there today - a good day to think on things that have made me smile this last week.

Cracker jokes - not something I would normally think of as being particularly amusing or satisfying. At most they are groan-makers. But this one ... this one made me smile and has continued to do so on and off all week. So much so, I have actually kept the slip of paper in my cellphone cover to remind me of a lovely evening with Himself's extended family last weekend.

Sharing a love of street art - Eldest and I spent a lovely few hours in Hebden Bridge this week, fettling in the bookshops, the charity (op) shops and hunting down the street art. We found new pieces of wall adorned work - both modern and previously unnoticed older creativity. I will do a post on them some time.

The reaction of a recipient to a hand made gift - positively priceless xx

Fudge - the sweet sinful moment when eating a small block of home made fudge - bliss.

Walking - I have mentioned before that walking is both pleasure and torment, my saviour and my nemesis. A delight as well as a chore - but I am truly grateful for the simple act of being able to walk regularly as well as the positive affect it has had on my life. Try it - it works xx

This is the last Five on Friday - Gratitude for 2019. If you have enjoyed reading them or joining in and want them to continue next year - just give a shout out :)

Have a lovely weekend and if you are posting your Five - just follow the link and add your post.
**

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Five on Friday - gratitude 13.12

Today I need to dwell deeply on my five gratitudes - it is wet and dark outside and life seems very topsy turvy at the moment.

To round up the end of the week my Five on Friday are...

The delicious pleasure of climbing into a pre-warmed bed. Himself always switches on my electric blanket for me and the delight of sliding cold feet into a warm bed is wonderful.

Cinnamon coffee - something I had 'discovered' some winters ago and return to it seasonally. A warming and bold way of zhushing your morning brew. Make your coffee (be it instant or ground) with milk first - this takes off the bitter seared edge, add hot water, stir, then sprinkle on the cinnamon. 
Smell that wonderful aroma, just absorb that gorgeous woody scent, then stir, stir well.
Cinnamon is an acquired taste in coffee, however, if you want to give it a try, start with just a few grains and build it up. It will be worth it - you can feel its magic as you drink it :)

The company of a dog - Moss, a constant companion, a foot warmer, a walk taker, a tail wagger, a pair of trusting brown eyes, a forgiving soul, a confidant, a muse and a constant source of amusement and photo opportunity....

Digital photography - I will be forever grateful that film (although different and still an amazing technology) has moved on to digital. My camera (and to an extent) the laptop are tools for my art - workhorses, logging my work, creating 'stories', capturing inspiration. I can't imagine my world without my camera.

Fold up umbrella - Himself bought us a pair to slot in to haversacks or be hand-held as we walk out. I think this year most of our walks have been 'with umbrella'. This last week my umbrella has seen action every day - hail, sleet, rain and even as a shield against a sharp and icy breeze.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Every night, as soon as I am comfortable and before I fall asleep, I quietly go through my day and list without fail three things that I am grateful for. Sometimes it is hard to find a new one - then I realise I am grateful for things that are considered normal and universally accepted as everyday - like being warm, like having food in the cupboard, like being able to switch a light on and not worry that it will go off. Then, I realise how very lucky I am.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Let us celebrate the small things that make our lives all that more easy - a gently way to enjoy our lives xxx

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Five on Friday - Gratitude

A gentle way to end the week - to be grateful for small pleasures over the past seven days which have made my life a happier place.

Fruit cake, cheese and coffee
A hug in a mouthful. If you've not tried it - why not? And how soon can you give it a go? Heartily recommended.

Stout walking boots
Been walking a lot this year - as part of my #walk1000miles and particularly now, as the deadline looms, I have to knuckle down to over 4 miles daily to make sure I complete. With the shorter daylight hours, commitments and general December busy-ness, we are doing a lot of dark walks. Knowing my boots will keep my feet warm and dry make it so much easier.

Crochet
The rhythmic action of hooking the yarn along the row - very calming and almost meditative. Allows me to think, satisfies that 'downtime stress syndrome' demon, keeps my fingers busy and my lap warm. It also seems to satisfy a certain small cat who deems it necessary to weigh down any crochet work as part of her daily routine....

Decent hand cream
My hands suffer this time of the year and lately have taken a real hammering. - I have recently inherited the family eczema (I am late to the party) and now the tips of the fingers of my left hand are cracking and splitting. As long as I slather on the cream and top up target places after every time my hands are wet - it seems to be working.

Cat Purr
There is nothing more comforting.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

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Wool-gathering

That fuzzy glow. 

That spark from the sun giving bright highlights. 

The kink in the ear from the short horn.

The margin of chin hair shining brightly through a few random long whiskers.

That supercilious look down a rather handsome nose.

Wonder what goes on in that woolly brain?

Thoughts like .... 

...'oh, it's ewe. With that camera thing again, sigh, 

will you stop clicking your tongue to get my attention,

oh bugger - I fell for it again ....'

or,

'Ah, baaaa-ling, sOo good of ewe to stop by, I was just thinking 

how good I was looking today...'

or even....

'I wish the sun would come out, I can't feel my ruddy feet'

how about...

'Today's improv, I shall be doing my best tea-cosy impression ... Ta-Baa!'

probably something more akin to this.....

Wool-like tumbleweed drifting slowly across the sheep plains inside that small brain,

rolling gently along

whilst being accompanied by banal lift music.

Morning. Welcome to my world......

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

On Friday I will be doing a link up for a 'Five on Friday - Gratitude' and if you are wondering what to do, just have five things that have happened this week that you are grateful for, no need to waffle huge amounts unless you feel you need to, you can just simply list them. If you have a photo to add, that is fine but if not - that is fine too. If you want a hint how I did my last 'Five on Friday - Gratitude' have a look HERE  

Until tomorrow xxxx

Five on Friday - Gratitude

Five on Friday

An idea I have seen around in tintersphere and it seems a gentle way to round up the week.

Five things I am grateful for...

The woodburner - it is quietly ticking over, keeping the house (and me) warm. The cats show their gratitude by curling up in the tightest of fuzzballs with their eyes squeezed shut while Moss stretches out in front. This weather we have had recently - not bitterly cold but damply cool - does nothing for the spirits, but the warmth of the woodburner definitely helps.

The unexpected kindness of others - having put TAM (art trail) to bed, so to speak, I had felt at a loss as to 'what next'. My fellow TAM co-conspirator and I got together this week to have a chinwag and commiserate and give each other a pep talk. No sooner than we'd done that, we were contacted by the chair of the community centre and invited to install our work on the walls of the lounge.  He was so kind about our work and our efforts. Talk about a boost to moral.

Bonfire toffee - Eldest keeps making it..... which is a terrible shame ... coz it needs eating (nom nom nom) and it is such a dark and warming treat which is perfect to pop in to your mouth as you wrap up before being dragged around the wet countryside by a dilly dog.

My studio - a sanctuary (albeit a chilly one at the moment) where I can immerse myself in to my drawings or paintings, have a flask of tea with music quietly filling the air. And talking of music...

Music on the internet - oh deep joy, oh wondrous bliss - to be able to listen to what I want without anyone cocking a sceptical eyebrow. The ability to choose anything weird and wonderful and listen to it on repeat if it deserves it. Aah - happy happy.

What are your Five on Friday that you are grateful for?

Listing them does make you realise what gentle goodness goes on in your day that you may not have noticed. Go on give it a try xxx

And a gentle plug - I am presently updating my art blog with some of the work I have done month by month (not all work has been added otherwise we'd be here all year...) if you have a brew and a couple of minutes to spare please pop over and have a look thanks - kjsutcliffe art blog

Now a shameless plug - I have entered a competition to get some of my work printed onto to cushions, but to win I need to have earn points which rely on folk looking at the post on facebook and ticking like and share - please follow the link -  HERE and beneath the cushions is the option to Like  and Share, if you can - I would be so appreciative xxxx thank you xxx