Home alone - and having fun!

I've had a rare day by myself. Hubby was away working and daughter no.4 went to Oxford to see a friend and the opera Madame Butterfuly (amazing what these 20 yr olds get up to!!) then on to her new experimental pattern cutting course in London. Before she left she put her order in for a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting so that was one thing I managed to do today

It was a near miss though as I had it in the oven without the grated carrot at one point!! I must have got completely distracted and having set aside the carrot, I was gaily mixing all the other ingredients and I remember thinking that this mixture didn't look very much when it was in the tin but it's a while since I made one so I just brushed it off. Then I put it in the oven, shut the door and looked on the counter top and saw the carrot so out it came and after a bit of a mess, went back in. Anyway it tasted very good and daughter no.4 said how glad she was to be home!

So what else have I been doing all day? Well, putting a border on the quilt I am making and cutting the batting and backing pieces.

This is all new for me from here on as I have only ever done handpiecing patchwork before.

I did have a go at another little something which is for a dear friend who lives in New Jersey whose birthday is coming up. It leaves a lot to be desire in the finishing stakes but it smells gorgeous as it is filled with homegrown and harvested lavender!

A Little Bear comes to live at my house!

The parcel arrived from the wonderful Nicky at http://www.thevintagemagpie.co.uk/
And dear little Agatha emerged, feeling very shy in such a new and strange place!
And was very camera shy! So it was time for some cossetting and cosiness to make her feel very welcome and loved.

All wrapped up in a favourite crocheted blanket, she felt very much more at home and even tucked down for a little nap....
and now she is feeling very much happier and is sitting just beside my printer on my desk... ....
It will soon be time to introduce her to some other little friends around here but I shall take it gently. It's been a big day for a little bear.

Thank you Nicky - she is gorgeous!

Little box of love

Today I went to visit a very special lady who is a friend of mine. We share so much in common although there is 20 years plus difference in our ages. She loves all things heart shaped and as it was valentine's day I decided to decorate a little box I bought at Hobbycraft for just a few pence. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out but I dabbed and stippled some ink from an ink pad and stamped some flowers and found a sticker that I thought was appropriate. Then inside I popped a special little prayer card from a wonderful place which I will blog about another time. My friend was absolutely thrilled with her little gift and it made my day to see her so delighted!

I am just about to go off for two nights to my trustees meeting but have been busy baking pink cupcakes with white hearts on top and making a card for my wonderful hubby. Hope you are having a fun Valentine's day.

More photos of the Gower!

What a wonderful time we had! The sun was shining every day and we walked and talked while we surveyed such beautiful scenery. Pennard, Caswell bay, Rhossili and The Mumbles were all delightful places to walk and breathe in the fresh air. It certainly blew the January cobwebs away.

But in the words of Nellia Furtado "All good things come to an end....." and we are back home now and I have my two hour commute tomorrow, albeit just for one day this week. Then I am home for one day and away again for a trustees meeting in the South West!! but back again on Saturday afternoon so there may be time for another post before next week begins all over again.

On the Gower!

So here we are today on the Gower peninsular and the weather has been absolutely stunning - even less cloud than in this photo (which was taken last year!). We are staying with friends in The Mumbles and are having a very relaxing time which is just fabulous after some busy weeks. Today we went off to Penard and Caswell Bay. We walked on top of the cliffs and then came right down onto the sand and out towards the sea. The sun was incredibily warm and I almost forgot it was still early February. Little folk were paddling in the sea and one family were having a birthday party on the beach complete with birthday cake!! This area has become one of my favourites together with Hengisbury Head in Dorset - oh how I would love to move nearer the sea and away from London! Maybe one day...... soon.......? Hope you are having a great weekend and the sun is shining where you are.

February

"China tea, the scent of hyacinths, wood fires and bowls of violets - that is my mental picture of an agreeable February afternoon" - Constance Spry

"February arrives cold, wet and grey, her gifts disguised for only the most discerning spirits to see. Gentle is our path. Gratitude is the thread we weave into the fabric of our daily lives this month, giving thanks for our simply abundant lives and asking for the gift of one thing more; grateful hearts" Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

These quotes from this book! What a delightful image of tea, bowls of violets and the scent of woodfires and hyacinths! I love it! If you haven't come across this book then you must treat yourself! I have had it for a long time and this isn't the newest cover (which I think is pink) but it is a terrific book set out in days along the themes of gratitude, simplicity, order, harmony, beauty and joy. I think Sarah was really inspired when she wrote this, and in my opinion, this is definitely the best of what she has written so far. There are numerous interesting quotes from all sorts of people, really practical ideas and deep thoughts in amongst the journey that Sarah herself has taken and chooses to share with the reader. I highly recommend it for a cold and grey February and indeed for each day of the year. You will be encouraged, energised and inspired.