Wednesday 10 February 2021

Things That Brightened My Day

 I am not bored, I have far too many projects on the go to ever become bored.  But, why is there always a BUT?  I am starting to feel a little restless, the days are starting to merge into each other and I do feel a little fed up.  I know how blessed I am and have a lot to be thankful for here comes that BUT again...But it would be nice to get out and about a little instead of been cooped up in our little cottage.  I have lost count how many times we have had to cancel breaks away and trips to meet up with family.  We don't bother making plans anymore.  It saddens me that the last years for my parents are been spent in isolation.  Our own retirement plans dampened by this deadly virus, life is not easy at the moment.  Alexa to the rescue playing all our favourite tunes...What a difference music and a boogie makes!  It has lifted our spirits and normality is resumed.

We have had a sprinkling of snow.  Nothing like the huge amount that we are seeing on the mainland but enough to bring the children out and make us smile.




As you can see the chickens have had to be moved.  There is avian flu in the UK so all poultry need to be locked up.  We made them a large run and covered it with wire so they have plenty of room for roaming.  Not free range but at least they are safe.

There was a lot of activity on the surrounding crofts as the sheep were scanned yesterday to see what they were carrying . Animals are not aware of social distancing...I am guessing there was some fun moments that will be recalled when the crofters get together.

Work continues on the dolls house, a little at a time.  I am also still working on little gifts for the church  doorstep blessings project.  Thank you for your suggestions.  This week I have made some shabby chic style mixing spoons.  I must admit I did enjoy doing these.





It was a fun make.  It took me back to when the girls were small and we decoupaged jewellery boxes, such a nice memory.

How are you all doing?  I am genuinely interested to know.  We all seem to be coping in different ways.  Hope all is well with you.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

44 comments:

  1. Lovely gift ideas. I think we can only cope in our own way. For some its lots of activity, baking, crafting etc. For me it is a bit of sewing now and then and wishing I could get out in the frozen garden to do some weeding!

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  2. Just pootling along, keeping to ourselves. Really would like to meet up with family or our walking buddy for weekly long walks again. Started doing resistance exercises!

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  3. Yes, we are all feeling restless being cooped up for so long. I am thankful that we are able to go out to buy essentials and take walks near our place. It would be wonderful if life can go back to normal which I think will take some time.

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  4. I follow Scenes from Scotland fb group. I was wondering, don't you normally have snow that sticks around? Living in WI I guess, I just assume all have snow that sticks around...aahah. I like the spoons!

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  5. What a lovely idea for those wooden spoons. I love them.

    Yep the days do seem to merge into each other. Little to differentiate them especially now I can't get outside to walk. Much too cold still.

    God bless.

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  6. Oh my gosh, I have two of those wooden spoons in my craft supplies and thought what in the heck I would do with them. Yours look great. Yes, I am sick of being cooped up here too. Like you I have many projects. Did you see that Australia has a possible inexpensive cure for the virus. They are still testing, but good news.

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  7. I could also do a lot, but I just have no energy ! Each day is the same the only interruption where it's cheerful is our Lockdown babble club. Otherwise I watch TV and think I loose a day of my life and there are not so many left ! I don't think I will make it to 100 ! My husband is rather depressed and makes life not easy. My family I only see on screen and as nothing happens there is nothing to tell too ! What a life in this life ! Only looking out of the window with this beautiful view makes me a little happy and I haven't regretted one day to have sold our house !!

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  8. I'm feeling exactly the same. I do enjoy my own company but it's getting a little much now. It's not that there's anywhere I particularly want to go but it would be nice to have the choice. Those wooden spoons are lovely, what a wonderful idea.

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  9. I know what you mean, I am never bored either but something is afoot and I can't quite put my finger on what it is. Good job we can make things that's all I can say mama! Jo x

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  10. I know exactly what you mean, I am fed up. I know I’m fortunate to have health, family and plenty to do but it things just don’t feel right. To counteract this I make plans for each day so that I have something to keep me occupied, but...
    I feel so sorry for the elderly whose last few years are blighted like this and for youngsters who are not able to experience everything that we have. It will end, we have to keep busy and we have to keep strong. X

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  11. like you I am itching to get back to my regular life but it's going to be a while!!!

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  12. Your mixing spoons as so sweet! I'm also finding it difficult to settle into my routine, the craziness has been going on for far too long.
    Amalia
    xo

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  13. Love those mixing spoons - they are so pretty and will be greatly appreciated by all those who receive one.

    We are still getting sorted here, but I have a pile of books to read and a selection of dozens and dozens of new walks to try when it is just a little warmer.

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  14. I'm fortunate that middle son and his family live downstairs and three other of our grown children live nearby and have been visiting us regularly
    (in the case of our daughter who works in the local hospital we are very careful to visit OUTSIDE and maintain distance). So it's not lonely but the fear of catching the virus hangs over our heads and creates a shadow that doesn't go away. Sure hope this is not our future reality.

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  15. Hello Lorraine! Those spoons are just beautiful and will be appreciated by the people who receive them. They will definitely brighten up some lonely homes.
    So now even chickens have to be isolated! My gracious! This world is going crazy.
    My days are spent doing the same things over and over. I don't exactly know how to describe it because I do enjoy my crafts and things that I do each day, but it feels that life is on hold. Moving into the RV hasn't helped, we're in a holding pattern in moving into retirement because we have to wait months to actually DO anything. We did find out that our homeowners insurance is FOUR times as much as it was here for a much smaller home. It's because of the tornadoes and hail storms in the midwestern US. Here, we don't really have any natural disasters like that. Just normal winters and summers. And wildfires.
    Oh well, it is what it is but that will be a huge chunk of our retirement budget.
    Listen to me whining about things. I'm sorry. We're healthy, we have food to eat and we're warm. The Lord Jesus is there for us anytime we call to Him. We have nothing to complain about do we?
    Take care my dear friend and things will get better soon.
    Blessings and love,
    Betsy

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  16. You are always so busy and productive! I love the spoons. And I do know how you feel about plans that have come to nought — for a whole year now. When you reach retirement age I think you feel that time is short to do all you want to do and you hate to “waste” whole days, let alone a whole year. Or, at least, that’s the way we feel, as if we have been cheated out of things we cannot get back.

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  17. I am always in awe of your talent, my dear friend.
    I wish I could spend a week or two learning from you! This is going on a year now here, and I am trying to keep busy. With three children, albeit older, still home, I have much to do. However, I miss church, and dinners out, and of course, seeing my mom. SOmetimes it seems like this is all a bad dream. Hugs from cold and snowy PA.

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  18. Your spoons look so charming. I'm sure the recipients will love them.
    I think we are all feeling cooped up! I honestly don't know what I'd do without our morning walks. Staying home is not a problem as I stay busy there. I so miss visiting with my grands and hugging them! Skype has been a lifesaver, but not the same! Traveling plans with them have been cancelled way too many times. I do pray that with the vaccine rollout things will get better if enough folks receive it!

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  19. Hello Lorraine,
    Yes, we are all becoming very weary of isolation and restrictions. I am fortunate to have all of our children living in town, so we get together for walks from time to time. Grandparents are permitted to care for grandchildren, so I've been able to have the 20-month old over for play dates with Nana! I feel so blessed. I've been doing a lot of reading and some sewing.

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  20. So many times I've said to my husband, I feel like I have wasted another day. All this cloudy rainy weather doesn't help any. Your spoons are just beautiful. Sometimes it is hard to make myself get interested in crafting and sewing. Maybe springtime will help us all.

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  22. LOVED seeing those sweet spoons...I have several wooden ones in my remaining stash...It was great to be able to clear out a lot of things from my craft room and now , at least, I now know what I actually have....Thanks for stopping by!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  23. I think we all have our "buts" but we're all doing the best we can to feel like we're living a fruitful life even during living in seclusion for a year now. I love your spoons! I once asked my husband to carve me a wooden spoon out of teak, which he did, then he broke it when trying to scare a kid into behaving by banging it on the kitchen counter. I still mourn the loss of that spoon. We're passing time with a lot of cable tv and movie watching. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  24. Oh.. I meant to say we're watching "Shetland" about murder mysteries and love it and think of you each time seeing the islands there. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  25. Life has changed for sure since last year. Our plan is to travel via Alaska airlines this year and hopefully it will happen as we have tickets already. It's sad that I don't get to see my grandkids for awhile. I like what you're crafting. I keep on looking for the things that bless me thru the day and give God praise when we see it. Have a good week!

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  26. It would be good to have a change of scene, wouldn't it. It all seems to be dragging on a bit now.

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  27. I agree that this isolation has gone on for far too long now. I never know what day it is and have to check the calender to find out. It's hard when there seems to be no purpose to the day either. At the moment our outings consist of hospital visits! Hopefully the warmer weather will be coming soon and we can all get back into our gardens. I love the spoons, Lorraine, they are so pretty 😊 Stay safe x

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  28. I hope markmonochrome.blogspot.com brightens your day even more!

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  29. I agree so much to what you say. I have lots of nice projects to do, we are well, and we can go out for walks in the nature. But there is this BUT.... Everything is so unpredictable, we miss being with family and friends. And right now it's a long cold spell that keeps our trips limited due to my husband's heart issues. And I can not help but worry about the whole society, what will the world be like after all this? It is important to find something to be thankful for each day. The spoons you are making are lovely! I am sure they will brighten the day for those who get them.

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  30. I'm with you on feeling a bit fed up. It feels as though this has gone on for ever. I think we will feel a bit better as the weather improves though. We can get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air a bit more

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  31. I think your spoons are great.

    I think most of us are getting very fed up with the Covid restrictions, but we do the best we can, what else can we do ...

    I had a nice local walk today and all the new shoots and buds seem to be doing well, even in this very, very cold weather.

    Roll-on Spring and hopefully some of our restrictions may be eased! We shall see.

    Take care.

    All the best Jan

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  32. Those spoons look so pretty! You did a beautiful job. These are challenging times, aren't they? I'm doing well...the garden is producing, and I'm enjoying long walks and yoga in the sun room.

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  34. Those spoons are so wonderful! I am a bit like you but am able to get out, still each day seems like the last, over and over again. Stay safe my friend, these times will pass.

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  35. Your doorstep gifts are so wonderful and will bring a lot of joy to many.
    I'm grateful to be safe and healthy but I'm growing weary with the monotony of this lockdown. I can't wait to be up on the fells again. X

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  36. These spoons are soooooo pretty!

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  37. Yes, we are keeping busy like yourself, Lorraine, and your frustration is understandable and shared by many. We too have had plans to visit with family dashed aside (for now). We also hoped to be more adventurous in retirement and are thankful for the past getaways. We have no plans for any trips that are not drivable for the foreseeable future and are staying within New England for any short trips. We are thankful to have received our 1st vaccine shot this weekend with the 2nd already set for mid-March. The spoons are a lovely give-away and sure to brighten the recipient's spirits. Hope the chickens and sheep will be OK and sounds like they are also in lockdown mode now.

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  38. Same here, Lorraine, and I'm used to being alone most of the time. But now I'm snowed in again. I went out Tuesday, then iced in until Saturday afternoon so I ran out for emergency supplies. The snow started Sunday morning and covers everything again. Cold, cold, cold until Friday. I've always heard that there is one good week in February and ours starts next Saturday with 40's and 50's for a week. We can go to restaurants, wearing masks until we're seated, so Mim and I are taking Bev to lunch for her birthday. Since last March, I've only been in restaurants five times. I had company for lunch only the two days someone was here power washing my gutters etc during the middle of two days.

    Do you ever take home "doggie bags" from restaurants? I make some cute little holders which hold one folded up plastic sandwich bag in case you want to take home your last roll, or part of your meat, etc but don't want to ask to have it wrapped. They're made of plastic mesh and yarn, and have a Scottie dog on the side. If you'd like, I'll send you a photo and the measurements. They're quick to make.

    I try to remember, "This too shall pass".

    Emailing you some music links.

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  39. On the surface fine ...deep down I feel as if I am waiting for that something to happen! I get up thinking what shall I do today yet I already know the different things I can do they just seem so mundane! There is a spark in our life that is just not shining bright for us at present! Walking helps to get me back on track. :-) I think your doorstep gifts are the best of ideas we cant socialise but in this way and also with the RAOCKs I drop off we can show we care . Stay safe Amanda x

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  40. Like you, this whole covid worry and isolation is frustrating for us. We are now going through the power outage frustration here in Texas. I keep wondering if we will ever get back to the "normal" that we used to know and love. Your spoons are so pretty!

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  41. Yes, the days do tend to run into each other. We have been grateful to be able to visit with our family infrequently. We have had a whole lot of snow recently and freezing rain today. Keep those chickens safe and stay safe yourselves.

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  42. The wooden spoons are wonderful ... great idea. You did wonderfully. I also have my head full of ideas and always have to sort things out because I can't do them all at once ... and now we're getting a high with warm spring weather - away from the snow - towards the spring flowers, today 9 degrees and next week 15 I think the Galanthus are coming. Have a good weekend Many warm greetings from me.
    Viola

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  43. Hello there, I feel much the same as you really I have nothing to complain about and a lot to keep me busy and yet there is that feeling that we are not allowed out. It is a tough one, my mum is 83 and as my brother still lives with her I am not able to see her. My mum in law passed a week ago and we have hardly seen her in the last year only from the garden a few times when my husband cut the grass and not at all since December when she went into hospital. Her husband is now seriously ill too. Stay safe, I hope it has eased your mind a little now that Gerard has had his vaccine. x

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  44. You're not alone with those thoughts Lorraine, I have lots of projects I enjoy, and we have had a few lovely days so I have started tidying the garden. But I feel restless too. Your spoons are gorgeous.

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