Scenes From My Week

A busy week but a week of contemplation, giving us chance to reflect over the past year since our move and rejoice in all that we have achieved and celebrate in future plans.  We finally took the plunge and bought a railway diorama.  Gerard thinks all his birthdays have come at once and has great plans to build it up for the Grandchildren.  It has certainly given him a renewed determination to get the outbuilding organised so that he can have the landing.  At the moment it has been temporarily set up in the bedroom used for the children when they visit.  Realistically we know the children will never sleep if left there they will be playing with it all night long.

We have already had so much fun discussing plans with the children using Skype.  We have also sent pictures via email.  The wonders of technology, enabling us to continue the wonderful friendships we have with our loved ones.  We would all be lost without it.

The weather seems to be one of the main topics of the week, with such beautiful blue skies and the emerging of signs of Spring all around.  It has been a real blessing enabling so many little jobs to get done and a renewed vigour for some of the larger jobs to be started.  It has also been a joy to see so many visitors to the croft.

Despite standing at the window for several minutes they were determined not to show their faces, they must have known I was watching them.

A determined effort has been made on Hectors quilt as it is only 4 weeks until we leave our Island paradise and once again head South to visit our beloved family and then onto Florida to celebrate my 60th Birthday.

As you can see still a long way to go, particularly as it all hand stitched but I am hopeful.  If only I could stay away from the windows...

There is an Arctic blast anticipated the media have named the Beast from the East, so I hope you are able to keep warm and dry.  I have just made scotch broth and have a mixed seed loaf just out of the oven if you want to stay and chat for awhile. 

See you soon.

Sewing Box and Space

Teresa at teresakasner.blogspot.co.uk/ asked about our sewing boxes on her post today.  I have a beautiful Cath Kidston sewing box which my daughter bought for me one Christmas which I love.  Many things have been added over the years needle case, button tins, threads, pin cushion the list is endless.  But in the spirit of the challenge here it is.

It lives on the landing of our little cottage along with some of my craft equipment and collections.  All ready to be transferred to the outbuilding once it has been renovated and made into my dream craft space.

I have to admit to it been a little cluttered but it will all be worth it in the end.  We are waiting for our builder as I type this, he has priced everything that we need for what we will call The Bothy.  Our plan is to split the building, a workshop for Gerard and a craft room for me. 

Why not pop over to teresakasner.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in the fun.

Mickey has to put his head around the door to say hello.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

See you soon.

Saturdays Soiree

The weekend was so uplifting, signs of Spring all around.   The ground bursting with new life as you can see the tips of green starting to poke through the soil.  Pregnant ewes all around and a glimpse of the sun, albeit for such a short time.  Ferries back to some normality and running to timetable such a joy after the southerly/south westerly winds caused havoc with the delay or cancellation of ferries which also included freight.  Mother Nature teasing us with hope and a little look at what is to come and then pulling back, darkening the sky and filling the clouds with rain.  Once again wakening to drizzle and an overcast morning.

Saturday we did have a trip out to do a top of shop, fruit and vegetables a priority.  We always have a stroll prior to going to the supermarket and notice something different each time we walk.  Saturday was no exception we stumbled across some more carvings.  This time seals across the road from the bus station.  We did check out the bus's as I am only a couple of months away from being eligible for a bus pass.

Outside An Lanntair there is a great replica of a Lewis Chessman also known as a Uig Chessman as that is where they were believed to have been found in the 12th century.

The Old Town Hall and its clock is always a joy.

The shopping done, we didn't call in for a fish supper we had a slow drive back and stopped off a couple of times to admire the views.  Upper Barvas is a great place to stop and admire the beach, the perfect location to drive down enabling Gerard to stay in the car. 

We weren't there long but it was amazing how quickly the view changed due to the dramatic changes of the skies.  The clouds darkening over us and the breeze building and beginning to blow  forcing the sea to crash along the rocks forming a foam along the edges.

Our final stop before warming soup and bread fresh from the oven was at Dell Mill.  Such a beautiful old building sadly falling into decay.  Its once majestic wheel now rusty.  I bet that old stone building would have a few stories to tell if only walls could talk.

Hope you enjoyed our little adventure.  I can put the kettle on and I have banana bread and a ginger cake in the oven if you'd like to stay awhile and chat.

See you soon.

Scenes From My Week

Not a lot happening at our little cottage this week as Gerard has been recovering from a flare up, your comments and well wishes were so very well received and brightened his day.  We spent many happy hours together in silent companionship, reading and catching up with several programmes that we had recorded and not watched.  We have also been spending time pondering over crosswords and doing a jigsaw puzzle.   We also now have an outline plan of our hopes for the garden, such as it is.  Realistically it will be a work in progress for some time but a start has been made.  There are so many old tyres in one of the stores and laying around so we intend to put them to good use.

It is our intention to paint them and use them as planters, a herb garden to start and see how far they go.  A good way to recycle and some great protection for the plants, the winds here can be quite damaging.

Signs of spring can be seen all around with little shoots starting to poke their way though the toughened ground.  I am hoping they are not to eager as once again the temperatures are forecast to drop next week and more snow predicted.

The planter I bought are for the moment in the lobby, making me smile as I pass them but are destined for the front doorstep eventually.

Spring is in the air and with that comes the scanning of the sheep, they do tend to lamb a little later than the mainland due to the harsh conditions.  There is a lot of excitement and jubilation from neighbours who have very few empty.  They are now been fed extra in preparation for motherhood.

Flowers have also played a big part of my week, given with love but never lovingly, a rough diamond but indeed a rare gem.

I am deeply saddened by the shooting in Florida and for once lost for words.  How many more...something has got to change?

See you soon.