That's it for another Year!

I can't believe that it was such a long time ago that I posted, but like an old friend I also feel that we can pick up where we left off. This isn't a picture of an old friend, just my old sister!

This year has been a journey of highs and lows as is the case with so many people I'm sure. We didn't have a great start to the year with No1 and her husband splitting up. It's always sad when this happens especially when a little one is involved. I'm not much for public details so I'll not say too much other than I am so very proud of No 1. She has shown amazing strength and is an incredible Mum to my beautiful granddaughter. She ends 2017 in a much greater place than she started it, and hopefully with as much chocolate as this one wears.

Once again football has played a major part in our lives. No 4 had the Deaflympics in Samsun and then the Futsal qualifiers in Norway.

 

 

In July a month after we decided to take up beekeeping I discovered that I have an allergy to stings! I am now the owner of my very own EpiPen and enjoyed two nights all inclusive stay in the local hospital with cellulitis. A fab time was had by all.

In a moment of bravery I took my first flight for almost 25 years in July. I also took my second otherwise I'd still be swimming back from Tenerife!

We also had a lovely time in Wales in a holiday cottage. It was another girlie holiday spanning the  four generations of our family. We all had a wonderful time, little did we know that it would be the last time that we would ever be together as a family as my Mum died in November. I'm struggling with life to be honest and am making some decisions as to where my future lies. It also coincides with a milestone birthday at the beginning of December.  Let's just call it my 21st and move on.

 

My grief has seen me baking and cooking lots of comfort food. This of course means that I have to eat it too. I've found that the tumble dryer has now shrunk my clothes as a result of this. Who knew!

On a less indulgent note Number 2 has enjoyed her power lifting and she goes from strength to strength! She is so strong!

 

No 3 has taken up the hobby of caving. I'm not sure that it is a hobby that I would enjoy but he loves it!

 

 

 Despite having no snow where we live unlike some parts of the UK, we had a good Christmas with family and friends. I has a complete change of tree this year using lots of my vintage baubles. I'll be sad to take it down when the time comes.

 

So a thought for 2018...

Whichever row you choose, enjoy! Peace and good health be with you.

Almost Derby

I had intended to do another blog post showing our weekend in Derby. We had only intended to stay one night but we extended to two. It's back home to reality now, catching up with the weekend chores and now I'm afraid I'm off to bed. Derby can wait. Good night!

Derby

Mr Cymraeg has treated us to a weekend in Derby, right in the centre as a matter of fact. I've not been to Derby before, Derbyshire yes, but not the city itself. I love it! After a hearty breakfast we explored the city.

Patterns

Simplicity are having a half price sale at the moment! It would be rude not to!

Doris

Storm Doris has upset Penny Pig today. I love to have my daily chat with her but today she was not happy! It's funny how you get accustomed to the sounds she makes and so can gauge her mood. She grunted her displeasure at me as soon as I arrived this evening. Her home probably wouldn't have been quite as damaged if a thirty stone pig hadn't tap danced inside! I've put her ark the right way round and fixed it the best I can for tonight. So for now Penny is a little happier.

Planning for warmer weather

We had a beautiful day today, reminding us that Spring is just around the corner. Sadly tomorrow is not looking so good.  I've decided to get back into clothes making this year. Mr Cymraeg is taking No 4 to a football weekend very soon so I shall have the house to myself. Ideal for getting my sewing machine out methinks. I already have the fabric and pattern, just a simple one to ease myself back into it.

That's that then

Tonight has been spent mainly on paperwork for school. Every night I spend some time doing school stuff after cooking dinner, whether it be planning, resource making,  uploading assessments or other exciting stuff. It's not a complaint it is what it is and what I choose to do. As Mr Cymraeg is not back to work until Thursday (he has a chest infection) he cooked dinner this evening which was amazing - roast lamb. It was also a real treat not to even think about what we were going to have. It should hopefully mean that I can have an evening off and go to a car auction on Thursday night! I know how to live! Now I'm off to bed. Hopefully I  will have something far more interesting to talk about tomorrow but it's highly unlikely!!! 😂 Good night!

More Hexies!

I've managed to buy some fabric which I think is sympathetic to the age of the hexie quilt. It took much pondering and the owner of the shop brought out an array of fabrics, which, just didn't do it for me. I've learned over the years that if  I am not totally happy with an element of a project then it sits forever unfinished and unloved.

The quilt top has sat unfinished for long enough and now that I own it I am determined to complete it. I have removed most of the paper from the quilt, many of them were falling out anyway.  Only the edge papers remain. It means that I can re-use them, which is nice.

I have decided on an edge that is true to the hexie, well, I did have help to chose this finish by No 4 who told me the hexie edge is cool! So that's that then. The look that I'd like to achieve is here,  not the quickest finish but one that I like . Thank you Jenny for the heads up on this one!

This evening I have made a start on my hexie making, I need 312 in total. I've made 14 so far this evening , although now I've done some preparation I should be able to rattle through a few more tomorrow evening  a bit quicker. I'm also hoping that blogging about my progress will mean that I really must finish this project! Watch this space!

And that's the week gone!

I'm back to school tomorrow, I can't believe our week off has gone by so quickly. I've spent half of it feeling poorly, with a temperature, which does tend to happen most school holidays. I 'm not as bad as Mr Cymraeg who has been proper poorly - not just man flu!  Anyway I need to get a grip for tomorrow.

I did manage to do a few bits although not as much as I would have liked. The hall didn't get finished but I have made a good start with the painting.  I've also read the book 'The Girl on the Train.'  I must say that it was a good read with an ending that was a twist but not a total surprise. 

I also met up with a friend to spend the day antiquing.  We exchanged our Christmas gifts, this late exchange has now become a tradition and is something to look forward to in the depths of Winter. We are slightly later this year as we didn't have a day that suited us both. I had some lovely gifts and my friend tells me she did too!

I also watched a film. I'm not a great TV watcher normally but the mood took me. The film was 'The Meddlar' with Susan Sarandon.

No 4 and I also met up with No 1, No 2 and also Granddaughter. We travelled through the streets by horse and cart which was very exciting! I do miss No 3 who is busy at Uni and won't be home until Easter unless of course he has a better offer!

A trip to a wildlife park

I was lucky enough to be invited to an animal park recently. There was a torrential downpour the day before so we weren't all that sure that we would go if the weather was still bad. Luckily for us the weather was cold but dry. I do love being out in the fresh air, it clears the mind! One of my favourite animals there is the capybara. I think he thought I wanted to share his cabbage. Tempting!

The Sir Joseph Banks conservatory is coming along nicely since it's relocation from The Lawns.

It was busy at the park and Poppy enjoyed the attention. She was a real show off!

Send a Little Love Swap

I joined up with the Send a Little Love Swap which I blogged about here. I was partnered with the very lovely Anne of  Nana GoGo, I have been partnered with Anne before so it was like meeting up with a friend.
After a few emails back and forth swapping details and such like it was time to get on with the actual business of swapping. My gifts arrived this week and I have been thoroughly spoilt. Look at all the loveliness that arrived in my parcel! Thank you so much Anne!

Back tomorrow

I've done well at posting everyday so far this year, I'm not going to spoil that with a blip. I have got words and photos to share but they're just not flowing tonight. Normal service will resume tomorrow!

Team GB

My daughter plays football for Team GB Deaf Women's Football team. The team is trying to raise funds to play in the 2017 Deaflympics. They are completely self funding and rely on the generosity of people and companies to donate money or sponsor them. We are living in tough times but if you could donate the cost of a coffee to her BT donate page she would be extremely grateful. As would I. The link is here.  Thank you.

Being Thankful

When I went to the fields this morning our neighbour had called and brought the broken pallets that can't be re- used. We were running low on wood so they were much needed. We were much better organised last year but this year not at all.

Once I'd fed and watered the animals I decided to get the axe to chop some kindling. I could only find the big axe so undeterred I threw that about instead. I'm paying the price for it now as my shoulders and upper arms are beginning to stiffen! The sun came out and as I paused I looked round to realise how lucky we are. Sometimes in the midst of throwing a large axe it's good to take stock and be grateful for what we have. 

I think I just broke blogger.  My post has just disappeared, I was trying to write something witty, interesting or intellectual. Nothing. I think blogger died in disgust.

A Jumble sale delight!

Yesterday I hinted at my most favourite purchase! It is the best piece of kitchenalia that I have bought in a long time, possibly ever.  An elderly lady gave it to the jumble as her eyesight is failing and she can no longer see the item to use it properly. It's a pyrex rolling pin which dates back to the 50s/60s. Until recently it has still been in use. That sounds like a lot of pastry!

Five Minutes Peace.

I've helped at the jumble sale today. I've bought a few bits but they are mainly games and books for school. Books have a little bit of a hard time in my class so I'm always looking out for replacements.  I'll do a show and tell of the item that I am particularly pleased with tomorrow.
On the way home I took a detour,  I selfishly wanted (and definitely needed) five minutes peace. I called at the cafe of a garden centre and hoped that their log burner was lit, I was not disappointed. I sat at the table nearest to the fire reading a book that I had bought at a concession on the way through.
The book was called A world of Quilts by Cassandra Ellis. It was in the bargain bucket and at the cost of a pound was way less than buying a magazine . It was such a cosy read in front of the log burner. Then I was ready to go home.

Whoops!

We almost had fish on Friday as we usually do. Although I had bought the fish for our meal this evening, when I called in Asda there were many items reduced with a whoops sticker and I was in the mood for a bargain!  I bought thirteen reduced items for £5.40 which at full price would have cost £27.93. A saving of just over 80%! I feel that I have done well. No prizes for guessing what No 4 chose - the cake! Well it is Friday.

No photo

As the title suggests there are no photos in this post. Since coming home this evening I have made vegetable soup and put the bread maker on timer so that I awaken to the smell of fresh bread. I have my antacids at the ready as warm bread with lashings of Welsh butter will have me reaching for them very quickly! I'm looking forward to it already. Last day at work tomorrow before the half term break! Just in time for the cold spell. Do you wanna build a snowman?

Happy Post!

I've had an interesting day at work (that's code by the way) and am relieved that it is over. I came home to an empty and cold house but was very much cheered by a package with my name on. 

I joined a giveaway over on Jenny's blog here

Thank you Jenny for my thoughtful and kind gifts, I hope to make good use of them in the upcoming half term break. Now, about that coffee...