My Craft Journey Continues

I have been working for some time on seven wreaths, one for each of the Church windows.  I have finally finished them, filling each one with love and prayer.

I had so much fun making them, each one different from the next.  I painted each a label and then choose a verse from the bible which gave it so much meaning.  Writing the verse on the back  so that everyone is aware of the thought process of it in the making.  There are lots of local elements included in the making, such as wool which I hand dyed and Harris Tweed.  Made with love.

I have also spend some time making soap, which is something that I enjoy.  I love adding the scents and getting just the right smell.  This batch was a simple lavender that I added some dried lavender too.  It added to the visual look of the soap as well as the smell.

I will close for now and thank you for your visit, your uplifting comments and your love.  We did wonder about our decision to remain here on this amazing Island but we are surrounded by so much beauty it would be impossible to leave.  I continue to do well, although tire very easily.  I have to allow double the time to do something these days but I am thankful.  Take care.

See you soon.

You Are All A Blessing

 My goodness, how time flies!   I hadn't realised how long it had been since my last post.  I can with joy report I am still doing well and living a very comfortable life, surrounded by love.  I have had 4 rounds of chemo, whilst it is not a cure for me but it is helping to slow the growth.  I have an oncologist appointment next week to discuss a further 2 rounds of chemo, we shall see.  I now take slow release morphine which helps with the pain, so all in all I am living life to the full the best way that I can.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your wonderful messages, cards and gifts.  You are all a great blessing to me.  I am so glad that I started on this blogging journey and was able to connect in so many ways to some amazing people from all over the world.  It is humbling to know that so many people are praying for me and gives me strength.

I am still working on journaling my bible, it is a great comfort.  Along with some pictures, cards and bookmarks for friends, helping to fill my day.

The church pew has finally been finished and is now in place in our little cottage.  It brings me such joy to look at it and think about the many stories that it could tell.  We do have to move the cushions about when we have company but it is worth it.

I am not going to make promises that I can't keep but I do want you to know that you are in my thoughts often.

See you soon.

Weekend Break

 I have had some very special visitors, who have been a real tonic.  Our youngest daughter and her little family have been to stay for a few days.  The weather was glorious for which I was truly thankful.  Whilst we were unable to get out and about due to extreme side effects of the chemo.  The garden became a safe haven and a great place to gather for gymnastics, games, picnics and general chit chat.  The girls certainly loved the chickens and loved to collect and indeed use the eggs collected daily.

The Queens Jubilee highlights were watched on the TV and we donned our fancy hats for a very nice afternoon tea.  The girls had a whale of a time making scones and cakes for the event.

We did manage a little crafting too, some button sorting and the inevitable button picture.

They were dab hands at weighing out the ingredients.  They were a real joy to spend time with making many memories to treasure.  The sound of laughter filling our little cottage is a joy to behold and will be greatly missed now that they have left.

Back to reality, as I am still on antibiotics I am unable to have the next round of chemo due today.  Hopefully I will be well enough to have it next Tuesday, time will tell.  Hope all is well with you.  I am afraid I have been a little remiss visiting your blogs but hopefully will catch up with you all soon.

See you soon.

Every Day Matters

 Missing in action, once again!  This time...hospital.  I was admitted late Thursday evening with some form of infection and a raging temperature.  Antibiotic IV drips, along with several other medications did help.  The white blood cell count dropped dramatically.   Then, as they rose to some normality with the help of injections there was an issue with the platelets.  A blood transfusion seems to have corrected that.  I now have a picc line fitted as taking blood was becoming an issue.  Thankfully I am now at home with the Hospital at Home Service.  This means that I am still under the care of the hospital who will provide and supervise any treatment I need.  I am so thankful.  I was looked after by some amazing people with compassion and respect but nothing beats your own home and the love that is in it.

My journey both experimenting with mixed media and my prayer book continues.  

The fun I am having, just sketching the various flowers fills me with joy.  Such simple things.

I have changed the order, mixed things up a little.  Decoupage first then sketching the outline, watercolour, ink and finally a letter stamp.  The focus of course is on the word, rejoicing and receiving Gods love.  

I am so thankful and feel blessed that we were able to fulfil our dreams of living on this beautiful Island.  The views and the beauty that I am surrounded by is spectacular, a gift from God.  As I arrived home from hospital yesterday I was given a special welcome home a incredible rainbow.

I will close for now and wish you all a bright and beautiful day.  Make every moment matter and fulfil your dreams.

See you soon.

Blessed With Hobbies

 My original thoughts on this cancer journey that I am on was to ignore it!!!  It certainly seemed like a good idea at the time.  With hindsight, always a wonderful thing I have had time to reconsider and think that it is a major journey.   Whilst I don't want it to consume my every thought, which it could quite easily.  I do think that there are so many positives that it should be part of my story.

Treatment has started.  I was given the penthouse suite (a side ward) so that Gerard could sit with me.  A answer to prayer as I was so nervous about going.  7 bags of fluid via a drip later and all was well.  I was waited on hand and foot with tea and a choice of lunch.  There was lots of chatter as staff kept coming in to check on me, laughter and lots of information.  Thankfully no side effects, early days I suppose.

Day 2/3/4 more chemotherapy drugs this time in tablet form, along with steroids, anti sickness and umpteen others.  Injections now for the next 9 days.  They are throwing the chemistry lab at me and I am thankful.  So far, so good.  I remain positive and thankful.  A little brain fog but no real side effects...God is good.

Work on my prayer book continues, along with mixed media pictures.  I am so enjoying the process of mixing different mediums.  This time watercolour, ink and once again stitching the verse.  The end results are not always good but the process is so enjoyable, I don't think it matters.

With God all things are possible Matthew 19:26 I am clinging to that hope.  That he will guide me and sustain me as he walks me along the path that he has chosen for me.

I have finally tried my hand at felting and once again really enjoyed the process.  I did stab my finger a few times and made myself bleed but no real harm done thankfully.  It did take a lot longer than I thought it would but well worth the time spent on it.  It was quite the experience stabbing the fibres into features.  I had made a couple of cashmere cushions from cashmere fabric that I bought from Elgin whilst away.  It was offcuts, that were affordable and yet were such a luxury fabric.  Once the cushions were made I made the felted buttons/pins.

I have a feeling that more animals will be added to the menagerie.  

Day 5 not a good day.  The chemistry lab appears to be reacting.  Dizziness, nausea...sleep appears to be the answer.

I will close for now with thanks for your visit and catch up with you later.

See you soon.

Photo Update The Ritz

 Sadly I am still unable to upload the photos from The Ritz .  On a more positive note I received a beautiful record of the occasion from my daughter.  A beautiful album of precious photos in one place, treasured memories.  So that I could share with you I have taken some photos of the photos.  

It was certainly an event that will evoke some lovely memories for a long time to come, cherished memories of a gift given with love.

The pots at the front of the cottage have been refreshed, giving the stone walls a little hug.  A patch of colour added to the white painted wall with solar lights added here and there.  A cottage that gives us so much protection from the elements and is so loved in return.

The herbs are starting there journey, poking through the soil and re-emerging after a stormy few months of dormant sleep.  We have started some extra ones off from seed that are almost ready to be planted into the herb garden tyres.  I love to grow, cut and dry these versatile plants for Winter soups and casseroles.  The vegetable garden is looking a little sorry at the moment but I am hoping Gerard will be able to potter a little more now that a treatment plan is in place for me.  I will start palliative chemotherapy treatment next Tuesday.  This should help to keep me comfortable, it is not a cure.  I am thankful and certainly hopeful that it may give me some extra time with my beautiful family.

As always I feel blessed by your visit and your uplifting comments.

See you soon.