It's been a while................

Life has been full and rather stressful over the past 6 months.  I keep coming up for air and then floundering again, but this time feels  different.  I think there is change on the horizon and I welcome it.
Coming from me that is unusual as I normally don't like change, but this time I'm am ready and look forward to new paths and horizons.  My dearest mom continues to suffer from dementia and I am having to learn each day is new and different.  There is always change and nothing is constant.
I am so glad there is a season for everything and in everything there is a season. Even through hard times over the last 6 months I am grateful for the people and places in my life.

Men do change, and change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass.

JOHN STEINBECK, Sweet Thursday

God reminds us to be thankful in all circumstances and that has been my goal. There are many things for us to be thankful for , but there are two that are the most important right now

I am so thankful for teatime with Mum when she still remembers us.  There are days when the confusion is so upsetting for her to deal with

 

 

I am thankful for walks in our local woods

 

 

Wishing you times of thankfulness

 

This moment.............

 

This moment.....

The promise of spring in my little garden.  I need this moment to give me strength to see illness and grey raining days through. They will come to an end because to everything there is a season.

 

This moment....

 

Linking with Soulemama and sharing cherished moments



A cold and gray day

No sign of blue in the sky

 Nothing for it but a walk in the forest

And of course a cuppa afterwards

 

 Wishing you a weekend of rest

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength"

~Corrie ten Boom~

I must go down to the sea.....

The coast is good for my soul. There is something about the wind and sounds that refresh me and move me on. The isle of Anglesey is a special place for us and we try to take breaks there throughout the year. For overseas friends and family:
The Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn in Welsh) is situated off the north-west coast of Wales near the beautiful Snowdonia mountain range. It is separated from the mainland by the Menai Strait. Anglesey was known as Mam Cymru ('Mother of Wales') during the middle ages because its fertile fields formed the breadbasket for the north of Wales. http://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/
Only daughter was due to run a coastal race in Anglesey, so what a good excuse for the family to take a weekend off and join her. Newborough forest is one of our favourite spots because pup loves to run off lead their. My favourite because on one side you have the forest and the other side you have the sea

We had fun walking, playing, painting, and discovering

On the way home we decided to drive via Snowdonia, definitely need to spend some more quality time there over the summer.

Snowdonia

Behold the sweeping valleys

Where the heathered slopes do lie,
With rugged peaks that reach
                                      Unto the ever-changing sky.... Andrew Blakemore 

This moment....

This Moment...........

Joining in with Soulemama -capturing a moment that I want to remember and share.

 

 



 

It's been a productive week

Well we started the week at break neck speed with a new academic week; been busy handing out reports, 1-2-1 sessions with students, schemes of work for the term and lesson plans. Fridays are the best as it's my day off and I started the day tackling an upholstery job I hadn't completed since the summer. My four dining chairs were completed, but I have a spare antic chair that I use when we have guests to dinner.  I thought it would be a good idea to match the upholstery with this chair as well as my sewing chair.
It was a spontaneous decision as I hadn't even changed out of my jammies ;) I love those kind of lazy and yet productive days, don't you.

Really pleased with the result and the colour fits in with my bedroom colours too.

 

This  morning another spontaneous decision; the family walked in the Lickey hills.  It was quite invigorating; clear blue skies, crisp air, sunshine and an enjoyable cuppa afterwards.......

and a delicious slice of carrot cake

I have been meaning to do some up cycling with two pairs of jeans and decided today was as good a day as any. The bootleg style doesn't work for me as so often I am walking in wellies and a slim leg is easier to tuck into them. So, with a little bit of measuring, snipping and sewing, voila...two pairs of jeans with a skinny leg.

Time for another cuppa and a read through of my Country Life magazine. Hope your weekend is relaxing and productive.

Moving forward ....

 " Happy New Year my friends. I pray this is a year full of challenges, strength and joy for each of you."

http://www.storybookwoods.typepad.com/

When first reading this post on a friends blog I wanted to run rather than acknowledge her words. 2013 was so challenging for me I felt like I dragged myself into 2014. Caring for a parent who is suffering from dementia is an emotional roller coaster.
Something in Clarice's simple message struck a cord for me and has forced me to face 2014. As I began writing this blog entry I was reminded of the song we used to sing at church years ago.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. 
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning
New every morning
Great is your faithfulness oh Lord 
Great is your faithfulness

This morning I was once again reminded of God's faithfulness and never ending mercies.
Don't you love the amazing shades of red, orange and yellow we see in sunsets and sunrises, they always surprise and inspire me. Today's sunrise was no exception, it was just a part of the daily cycle we live, and yet it was new and special for this morning as it is every morning.
You need to lift your eyes to see the full impact of a sunrise and today I feel ready. I have lifted my eyes and am looking to the one who protects, comforts, strengthens and challenges me.
I've been a bit slow I know,  we are already 5 days into the new year. I may not have felt ready to face the new challenges in 2014 but I know they will never be more than I can bear.
 So thank you dear Clarice for your blog that always inspires me to be creative and has helped me to focus on moving forward.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

 

So I echo Clarice's new year wishes and wish you all a year full of strength and joy as you face the challenges that come your way

 

 

A foggy day....

Boxing day is a relaxing, recharging day for us.  However,  we always start the day with a walk in the Lickey hills. This morning was a foggy day with the air crisp and fresh. 

Take a walk with me

 

        The Tearoom is in sight 



 

Ah, that welcome cuppa

 

Advent Calender ~ Day 24

It's been fun linking up with KC's Court and creating an advent window each day leading up to Christmas. Today has been busy for preparing bits and bobs to make for an easier cooking morning. This evening has been relaxed with our traditional Christmas DVD :

 

 

We're off to church now as DS is playing his cajon drum at the late service.  It'll be late to bed then, an early start for me in the morning and a long day with family around our table.

May you all share tomorrow with those you love, enjoy good food, laugh and be joyful

Merry Christmas

 



Advent Calender ~ Day 23

Advent Calender ~ Day 22

 

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

Born is the King of Israel



Advent Calender ~ Day 21

 

Santa is getting ready

 

 

A friend in Canada sent this Christmas card a couple of years ago.

 I haven't been able to part with it.



Christmas traditions

I'm linking up with Lucky Snapping everyone is sharing Christmas traditions.    My children now in their early twenties love to  keep the traditions alive. Traditions that we started when they were young

A Christmas tree is always chosen together: we like to go to our local Christmas tree farm to choose just the right one, which is generally too big for the space we have. 
I think we made a good choice this year.

We decorate the tree together and each year I buy a new decoration for each of them. They have quite a collection now.  What I like about this is one day when they have homes of their own I will go on a spending spree and stock up with new decorations. For now I am content to use the children's decorations and keep them at home for longer.

We buy a new Christmas book every year and it will be read on

 Christmas eve as we cuddle in the sitting room around the fire burning in the hearth. 

I have quite a collection now and although most of the stories are children's stories we love to browse through them over the Christmas season.
Only son always makes a wreath with the greenery he cuts from our neighbours garden. The neighbour is in agreement of course.  It is always a gamble each year as to whether we will get the wreath before Christmas eve.  Normally it just makes it in time for the last week leading up to Christmas, although I'm not so sure this week. He also makes delicious shortbread

Only daughter makes light and fluffy cup cakes

It is a wonderful season of year that we cherish, spending time together, singing carols going to church and rejoicing over the birth of Jesus



 

For unto us a child is born

And his name will be called Wonderful,

counsellor, Mighty God,

 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

 



http://luckysnappingin2013.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/nostalgia-christmas-festivities.html

Advent Calender ~ Day 20

 Presents wrapped and ready to be exchanged.

Turkey and duck waiting in the freezer

Mince pies baked and stored in my favourite Christmas tin

 

Time to put my feet up and relax...........

 

Advent Calender ~ Day 19

Our annual visit to the Christmas shop in Stratford upon Avon

 

Advent Calender ~ Day 17 & 18

Oh dear I missed yesterday's window:( I'm getting like my children who end up having to eat a couple of chocolates from their advent calendar. Does that happen in your household?;)

Only daughter and only dog were mountain biking yesterday in the forest at Cannock Chase. I drove up to fetch pup and go for a short walk. Such a pretty scene surrounded by trees

 

It's time to bake those mince pies. Last year I added extra dried cranberries to the fruit mince which went down very well.  I think I will do the same again this year.





Advent Calender ~ Day 16

 

All the shopping and preparing for Christmas calls for a little me time

Orange and cranberry muffin

Gingerbread Latte