Progressing !!

I'm...

 getting there!!

Having crocheted the last 2 blankets for my Mother
I decided
to make one for myself!
I took a long time getting the colours 'just right'!
Hubbie says that 
it looks like strawberries and cream...!

I am so grateful to Attic 24

for yet another great pattern....

I have just 2 more rows and the finishing off and edging to do and it will be 'done'...

so 

Why haven't I finished it??

Well.....

I came across this pattern in my folder

and loved the colours 

and wavy effect

so I downed crochet hook,.....

.....ordered the wool..... and started on it....

However....

I knitted the front and started on the sleeves

but I just couldn't 'see' the pattern

and so 

the increases on the sleeves became a nightmare!

I've knitted plenty of Aran

and fairisle in my time

but I could not get this pattern into my brain...

so....

I took it all out and 

started on the plain version of it

I love the colour 

(the wool is Sirdar Escape)

but am so disappointed

that I haven't managed the fancier pattern!!

I can't say that I am as keen to knit it

as I would have been...

so....

.....when I came across this pattern for a shawl...

Wingspan (byMaylin Tricoterie Designs)

I knew my Mother would love it!!

.....I downed knitting needles.....

..bought some

Manos Del Uruguay wool....

.....picked up a circular needle ...

and started on it!!

The picture at the very top is when it was blocked.

I went to see my mother last weekend

and

she loved it!!

My brother is taking her on a surprise holiday

to.........

I can't tell you or 

he'd have to cut my tongue out!!

I'll tell you on my next post..!

I should be OK then!!

But she intends to pack it as she's so delighted!

So .... 

I've finished the shawl

I suppose I shall have to go back to finishing off

the blanket

and the blue jumper

except....

I've just seen a pattern for a lovely shawl

to crochet for myself....

What do you think??

Should I do the finishing off.....

or start the shawl??

???

Today's our 47th Wedding Anniversary

This was us celebrating 2 years ago.

Tonight we are

taking our son and daughter...who live locally..

...and grandchildren of course..

out for a meal 

at one of the local child-friendly restaurants!

!!!

A couple of weeks ago

I realised that I had passed my first blog birthday!

I can't believe that it's over a year

since I started last March!!

So....

in my next post (hopefully at the weekend!)

I am going to have a small give away

as a big thank you to all you blog friends.....

who have supported me so lovingly 

over this last year!

!!!

I saw this quote in a book recently....

"Know yourself.  Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful."

(Ann Landers)

Not much more to be said...

is there??!

coming to terms.....?!

I've been wandering 

around my garden these last few sunny days

and

wanted to share some of my discoveries

with you!

My garden was my pride and joy!

I planted 

every tree and flower

and enjoyed watching them grow and mature

Unfortunately

I have been able to do so little 

over these last few years

and shrubs etc

have become very overgrown

I find that pottering in the garden

and watching the plants grow is just so satisfying

and healing!!

Doesn't this Magnolia Stellata

look so beautiful against the blue of the sky?

I find that, somehow,

It touches something deep within and brings

such pleasure and joy

my spirit feels released......

I used to feel this years ago when

I walked down the fields to the little brook

and heard the chuckle of the water 

as it swirled around and over

the little stones in its path!

It brought such peace as I took time to sit on a stone

and listen to the sounds of

the stream and the birds.....

I remember when Hubbie and I 

decided to get some of the boulders from the stream

to put in the garden....

I remember the laughter and joy....

the fun as he said "Oh dear" 

as he 'accidently'

dropped the stone he was carrying...

just beside me

so that the water splashed over and soaked me.....

Of course I had to retaliate....!!

The years have flown...

the children have grown up and 

have their own families

and sometimes

life can feel all work and no fun...

especially on the farm

with the chores and forms that seem to be

continually arriving

from the government....

and especially with ill health 

and the narrowing

of the areas that I am able to cover!

I have found

in this small area of garden 

that I am now able

to plant and maintain.....

such joy ...

as I buy and plant ....

and watch them grow.....

enjoy sitting in the sun ....and listening to the birds!

I suppose that

what I am trying, in a very muddled way, to say

is that

I have come (am coming) to terms 

with the fact that my area of responsibility

has grown so much smaller..

both through our retirement from the farm...

even though we still live on it

and are involved in some of the things happening

(as well as the government forms)!

....also through my physical problems.

Memories of the things we did together

during our farming days

are sweet

and some are hard and painful

I find it good to look back and remember

so many days 

of fun...and also tears...

BUT NOW.....!!

As my life has changed...

so has the garden..

some areas I can free from the weeds and bushes

that have overgrown and threatened to

choke the good things..

I love this Magnolia

but

there was another white one beside it

that was choked by it

and a rambling rose and brambles

just over powered it

So we moved the white one

and cut back the briars

and there...can you see her??

Hiding behind the flowers....??

I think that what I'm trying to say is..

that, in trying to come to terms

with the reduction

in my areas

of responsibility and ability

I have needed to change things...perhaps

get rid of them

some of these are good things...

some of them may be bad...

In all that has happened over these last years

I have felt very confused 

about who I am now and what I can do...

I suppose, in a way,

I have lost my identity.....?!!

I am beginning to discover the me

that has been overwhelmed..

and become hidden

from all

except those who can see beyond the briars

and are brave enough

to come closer....!

Cattitude!!!

I was shopping

with my daughter and youngest grandson...

when I came across

this little cat.

I decided I had to buy her

and

yes, I am convinced it is a she cat!

I said to my daughter

"She seems to be a cat with attitude!"

and my daughter said,

"You mean.......

Cattitude!"

It would seem

that she also has a short attention span

or...

is something coming??

Yes...a badger in our front garden......

at 4 o'clock in the afternoon!

We just couldn't believe it!!

In our garden...and..in the middle of the day!

He and another badger..(his mate?) visited 

regularly over the next few days

We have a lot of wildlife here already

See an earlier post

A Pheasant Visits

How High Can a Rabbit Jump?

We also have many foxes....

and lots of beautiful birds

I really love all the wildflowers and noticed some pretty

primroses

and celandines in the hedgerows.

What have I been up to recently?

Well I've been sorting out and wanted to share my inspiration with you.

Perhaps you already do this but it's 

a new idea for me...

I have a load of scarves

of different hues and materials.....

but....

they are all jumbled up on a shelf 

in the cupboard..

so I 'borrowed'

a couple of my husbands trouser hangers

and

Voila!!

It also leaves the shelf free for the other rubbish 

 precious things that I need handy.

I proudly showed the finished article to a friend 

who said...

......"I wonder how long it will stay like that?"

What do you think!!?

Oh no....

look at her...she's bored with all of this

and..

has turned her back on me!!

I told you

that cat has attitude!!

Walk to Little Haven

It was a biting cold day

but my cousin suggested taking her dog for a walk on the beach at Broad Haven

What a beautiful day....

a day made for wrapping up well and enjoying the blue skies and bright sunshine!

.....and others obviously thought so too!!

The lovely coastline

and pony and trap made a feast for the eyes

Just what I needed to blow away the cobwebs!

We realised that the tide was right out

and decided to walk on the sand

over to Little Haven

Looking back at Broad Haven

We set our eyes towards Little Haven

It has been quite a few years since

I walked this

and with two crutches

and frequent sits on the rocks

to enjoy the surroundings.....well that was my story!!

we reached Little Haven......

What an acheivement!!!

It is one of the things on my 'To Do' list for this year!!

I found that....

taking it slower and stopping to sit for a while

I sooooo enjoyed myself!!

I noticed, and enjoyed, things that

I would never have seen had I been power walking!

Here we are...

back at Broad Haven.

I feel so full of excitement that I have 'done it'

The great sense that I am moving on

but, also,

just being out in the fresh air on this glorious, 

but freezing day!

The sights I have seen and enjoyed...

the sense of peace....of being

at one with myself and my needs....

of meeting this need to have 'time out', to just

'let go and let God'....

somehow my soul and spirit

felt replete

...and Mitsy

seen here waiting for us to catch her up...

well, I suspect...

she just wanted to get back to the cafe and have her cup of tea!!

and..yes...she's a dog who loves her cup of tea!!