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 By Friendship

 Your love and support has overwhelmed me.  Not an occurrence that happens often but I am at a loss for words...and I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Reading through the numerous comments has uplifted and sustained me both emotionally and spiritually.  I also thank you for the private emails, ecards, notes and little gifts.

I have been surrounded by loved ones for the past few weeks, spending quality time with each daughter and their little family.  Creating memories that will hopefully be cherished.  Memories of us as a family together and the beauty of this stunning Island.  

Each sunset/sunrise a stunning array of colour emitted through the sky.

A stop for a cuppa and another spectacular view.  The sea tempting us with its beauty, with its gentle swell as it hits the harbour wall.

Sheep lambing and geese looking for a place to land.  Nature at its finest, spectacular and breath taking.  I feel so blessed to be living the dream.  I am at peace and happy to end my days here.  I have decided to take each day as it comes and look for the beauty.  A start as been made on the garden, albeit slowly.  Wild flower seeds have been thrown in the fenced area by the outbuilding.  I am hopeful that it will give a pop of colour and bring butterflies to that patch, we shall see.  The pots at the front of the cottage are looking a little forlorn but we have plants ready to be added.   A job for another day.

On the crafting front I have been keeping myself busy experimenting with watercolour, decoupage and sewing a mixed media picture.  I must admit I am really enjoying the process.

There is a ladies Flourish conference here locally on Saturday at the Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, a day of praise and worship.  I have made bookmarks for each attendee.  Again I enjoyed the process filling each piece with love.

Finally, I have added a few cards.  There is always an event that I need a card for and I though it prudent to have a couple ready.

I will close for now as I need to pack a bag once again.  I am travelling to the mainland tomorrow on the early ferry, heading for the hospital for another biopsy Thursday, this time the lung.  I am thankful for your love and support and feel blessed by so many hands of friendship.  The blogging world is a joy to behold.

See you soon.

Fun In All Weathers

 What a mixed bag we have had with the weather, storms one day bright sunshine the next a typical day in the Outer Hebrides.  A start has been made in the garden, a few moments at a time the bright sun lulls you into a false sense of security it is still quite cold.  The tyres have been cleared and are ready for future growth.  The rhubarb is already starting to unfurl its rich red stalks and pale green leaves, a lovely welcome to a sign of Spring a change of season and a shift in the weather cycle.  The mint is starting to poke through the soil, along with some of the other herbs.  We are making plans for the garden, always an exciting time of year.

Saturday saw me in the kitchen doing a mammoth bake for the freezer, a quiche, sausage rolls, egg custards to use up an abundance of eggs.  I also prepared a bolognaise sauce and a curry ready for the days we have hospital appointments.

I spent a few hours immersed in a project of dying some wool, what fun I have had.  I intend to crochet some flowers to make wreaths and a twig arrangement and needed some extra colours.  I want to use all Hebridean wool so dying some wool made this possible.

It was soaked in cold water along with vinegar for 20 minutes prior to adding the dye.  This was then heated until just before boiling and left to cool to room temperature.

A good rinse before it was hung up to dry.  I am looking forward to seeing the end result once it is crocheted up.  The colours are good with an even spread so I am quite pleased with it.  The bonus I had so much fun with and enjoyed the process.

I have once again pursued the experimenting with water colour paint.  This time a mixed media approach of painting, decoupage and sewing.  I had so much fun with it and will certainly be doing this style of art work again.

This is the back of one of them to highlight where I have used the sewing machine to stitch an outline.  I have been looking at other forms of mixed media and will let you know how I get on.  As always I thank you for your visit, support and comments.

See you soon.