A Week Of Reflection

Last weekend saw the first anniversary of my nephews death, he chose to take his own life.  As a family we have had a week of what ifs?  In the end, the final decision was his and we can only respect that.  I can only hope and pray that he is at last at peace, the stress and anxiety he had in life gone forever.  It has certainly been a week of reflection with so many other happenings around the world.   He will be forever in our hearts, gone but never forgotten.

On a lighter note there has certainly been an Autumnal note to the weather here, the temperatures are dropping earlier each day.  The stove has now had the flue cleaned and is good to go so we have had a fire the last couple of evenings.   The stove gives a cosy warmth and a rosy glow.  Add the beautiful sunsets and it is an idyllic place to be.

Idyllic...sadly the midges were rife yesterday so difficult to be out and about.  We had a trip into Stornoway to pick up some supplies and they were unbearable.  Who knew something so small could be so irritating?  I have already been using some skin-so-soft that was recommended by the locals so hopefully I will remain bite free.

Whilst out and about I did call into the Charity shops and picked up a couple of patterns to add to my ever growing collection for 5p each...

..and a Winter quilt magazine for 30p.  I had a lovely hour last night browsing and dreaming.  There are some beautiful creations, if only I had the skill.  I am realistic about my limitations but at 30p it was lovely to look through.

I had some soap compound left over from a previous project, so put it to good use this week, making a soap each for the Grandchildren.  The centre of each holding a small dinosaur, they will have fun with them.  

I also made a couple adding some dried lavender, they smell wonderful.  I have added a cotton crochet facecloth into an organza bag.  All ready for gifts.

Both Wilbur and Daisy started school this week, Daisy is loving it.  Long may that last.  Wilbur told his Mummy he has better things to do with his life.  Thankfully he is still going in without tears or a tantrum.  He needed a project bag so one was dutifully made, filled with love and posted.

Finally Mickey has been constantly in the garden this week, standing and guarding us for hours on end...

...keeping a wary eye on the Canadian geese, they are prolific at the moment.  Although for obvious reasons I am unable to get a decent photo of them.

It has taken a little adjusting to life on this beautiful Island not least the lack of shopping facilities.  To see so much amazing wildlife in their natural surroundings, the stunning skies and beautiful landscapes more than makes up for it.  We have found our forever home...

Christmas has come early to our household and a start has been made, early due to the fact that we will be visiting family  November.  Visiting and bearing gifts but I will save that for my next post.  At the moment our thoughts are on all those affected by the devastation caused by the fires and hurricane Irma, we have been in touch with friends in Florida to let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers.  All we can do now is watch and wait.

Take care and see you soon.

Weekend

I have had a lovely few days catching up with family, it has been a joy.  We met up with Amie and Honey at the Springfield's shopping outlet at Spalding on Friday.  There were a lot of sales, a lot of bargains to be had with as much as 90% off in some stores although 70% seemed to be the norm in most shops.  I impressed myself with the lack of purchases despite the bargain prices.  I don't need anything so my pennies were kept firmly inside my purse.  My one bargain buy was from Marks and Spencer's I bought some handwash for £1.  Despite my distinct lack of purchases we did have a lovely time catching up, chatting with Amie and playing with Honey.

We went into the garden centre for lunch and had a lovely ham baguette along with the novelty of chips served in a terracotta plant pot, perfect for the setting.  It was a joy to watch Honey eating her lunch, she is certainly growing up fast. 

 

We really enjoyed watching Honey in the little soft play area available in the garden centre.  She can certainly get about despite not walking as yet, she cruises around the furniture and soft pools.

 

 

Victoria Mike and the boys arrived Friday night and stayed for the weekend, it was lovely to catch up with them and have so much fun with Wilbur.  Rhyming words is a game that we enjoyed playing and so much fun to hear the laughter.  Hector cut another tooth whilst he was here, he is suffering a little, bless him and seems to have a constant dripping nose at the moment.  He is cruising around the furniture and is almost walking, rather than crawling he shuffles around on his bottom.

 

 

I feel blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with all my daughters and their little families.  We will be catching up with Lucy as we are planning to stay with them for a few days on our way up to Scotland.  Lily was 6 on Friday it just doesn't seem five minutes since she was born and we were driving down the A1 to see her, how time flies.

 

Ged has been watching the football this afternoon so I have sat with some crochet making a facecloth all ready for our new home and adding a crochet border to a flannel.

 

 

I do thank you for all your comments and appreciate you all.  I will be around to visit later tonight but probably in the morning as I am going to make some tea and sit and watch Call the Midwife.

See you soon.