Happy Easter

I think I spoke to soon as once again we have intermittent internet connection.  However, you can rest assured that I will visit as soon as I am able.  I do thank you for your Birthday wishes, I had a lovely day thank you.  I must admit it was a little strange but good none the less.

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed Easter.  Christ has risen.  Hallelujah!  I came across this vintage card in my small collection and thought it would be nice to share.

We have just has a roast pork dinner with all the trimmings and have over indulged if I am truthful so we are going to go for a walk over the croft.  We are hopeful that we will be able to take photographs of the sea and walk some of the extra calories off.  

Have a wonderful day and will catch up with you as soon as I am able.

See you soon.

Spring Day On The Island

Open Reach have been here the best part of the day.  Not here in the house but clambering up poles and rewiring all the connections.  I am so thankful that all is well and we now have internet and telephone connection, long may it last.  Today James is my unsung hero, he phoned us several times and kept us informed of everything he was doing.  A very professional young man.  The strange times we are finding ourselves in makes us turn to technology more and more to keep in touch with family and friends.

Very slowly and gently we are beginning to see signs of Spring all around.  A little sun makes everything alright.  It is a delight to see the girls strutting around and reward us with eggs daily. 

 

The rhubarb is starting to unfurl its beautiful leaves and is such a welcome sight.

The parsley and mint is starting its regrowth.  The herb bed needs a little work but again it is so reassuring to know it is making a comeback.

The cottage plants have been stored in the garden room through Winter so are now ready to be sorted out and prepared in readiness to go back.  We are going to sort the pots out but leave them in the garden room a little longer as the temperatures are still a little low at night.

Seeds have been set in the hope of growing a few items for the kitchen.  Time will tell how successful we are but certainly worth a try.  I suspect there may be a shortage later in the year...lets hope not!

It was nice to have a little time outside and get some fresh air.  It was still a little cold but warm enough to enjoy the time outside.  We smiled a few times as Mickey had a romp around the garden enjoying a little sun on his back.  Long may this good weather last and we can start to enjoy the great outdoors.  We are blessed that there is so much land in between homes so we are quite isolated and as such protected.  We now have 5 confirmed reported cases of the coronavirus on the Island so we are been extra vigilant and ever cautious as we are considered vulnerable.

It is my Birthday tomorrow so I am thrilled we are up and running once again with the internet.  I am so excited to be able to catch up with the grand children.

As always I thank you for your visit here and your uplifting comments.  Please stay safe and take care.

See you soon.

Normality

Internet connection has been a real issue once again, but I am getting around to visit as and when I can. How long this will take to publish is a mystery.   We finally phoned to report the issue and there is a problem with a copper connection so will be repaired as and when they can.  We had made the presumption that it was either the weather or volume of usage that was the issue.

 Dad remains in hospital but is doing a little better.  I hope he understands that we are unable to visit and that he is in our thoughts and prayers constantly.  The hospital have been amazing keeping Mum informed and passing messages to him from us all, but it is hard.  Such strange times, history in the making.  I wonder how we will all feel about this period of time in our lives when we look back?  We are trying to keep things as normal as possible but we all know they are not.

In so many ways life goes on, literally!  Lambs are been born all around, what a joy they are to us.  Giving everyone a feeling of normality.  New life, a miracle.

We have just listened to our church service via the internet.  How normal this now seems and yet so strange only a few short weeks ago.  Neighbours call and leave parcels at the door how normal the procedure of moving away seems now.  What a joy there is in the kindness of others as little treats appear.

Cheese scones and millionaire's shortbread.  Community spirit and kindness at its best.  There are so many heroes, keyworkers and those on the frontline but I have been most impressed by the children.  There little worlds have been turned upside down, many not having a real understanding of what is going on.  They have got on with it and made the most of a very sorry situation.  Go boys and girls today you are my unsung heroes.  Take care everyone and stay safe.

See you soon.

Poetry

I covered a plain brown notepad sometime ago with great plans of making a journal and recording my creations.  Making notes of patterns and adjustments.  This went by the wayside for one reason or another not sure why.  The journal was empty and unused.  Whilst looking for a notebook to make a record of the poetry I had been writing for the church website I came across it and had a light bulb moment.  The perfect place for some creative writing...

I have had fun sorting through drawers and arranging papers and toppers into categories.  Browsing the stacks of paper and the stunning array of colours.  It was like going through treasure, I had so much fun.  It certainly filled a couple of hours and was a joy to be working on something constructive.  It was a task that gave me purpose and a delight to put everyday issues to one side.  

I have left some space around the papercraft to write notes and record how we coped and were feeling throughout this pandemic.  The poem slots into an envelope.

I have been trying out different styles of both journalling and poetry.

I have also made a start at looking through some of the creative writing courses online.  It is my intention to enlist onto one of them.  Maybe, a taster course first to see how I get on.  There are so many free courses available at the moment so I feel it is the perfect opportunity.  You are never to old to learn.  My only problem is the intermittent internet connection.  One of the issues of living on a remote Island.  We have also been warned to expect blackouts due to power cuts and to keep torches and a blanket handy.

Sadly, 2 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed on the Isle of Lewis so the pandemic has suddenly become a reality for us now.  Inevitable I suppose, although I had harboured a secret hope.  

There has been a reduction of the ferry service.  They are now operating an essential lifeline timetable as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.  Freight is still coming across so there really shouldn't be too many shortages if everyone is sensible.

My dear Dad was taken into hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning struggling to breathe due to his COPD.  My heart is breaking as we are unable to be with him.   The fear of anything happening whilst he is in hospital on his own is tearing me apart.  All we can do is wait.

Hope all is well with you and that you are filling your days.

See you soon.

This and That Filling Our Days

Hurrah we have internet connection...lets hope I haven't spoken too soon!  Not really sure what the problem is other than over use I would imagine as schools have closed and everyone is working from home the computer has become everyone's best friend.  Technology is such a blessing in times of hardship keeping many people in touch with each other.

  I am truly grateful for all the key workers that are maintaining our shops, production, packing, delivering, stacking shelves so many people involved in the chain.  I applaud you all.  I took the time this morning to really think about the people that are still working, transport in all its guises buses/trains along with all the deliveries.  The postal services again in so many different ways.  Care workers and of course our beloved NHS workers at all levels.  So many unsung heroes that are keeping our country going and helping those in need I will be forever grateful.

Soap seems to be short supply here on the Island so I have been making a couple of batches.  My way of giving back to the community that has been so good to us.  Bringing a smile in times of uncertainty.

Eggs are another way of giving back, lets hope our girls continue to lay every day.

Flowers are so uplifting and what a surprise when this gorgeous bunch arrived in the post from our daughter.  Making my day and lifting spirits.

There was also a little surprise left in the front lobby another bouquet from our dear friend and neighbour who is able to go to the stores.  She picked up a few bits for us, bread and fresh salad and these gorgeous blooms.

Mickey has been given a little trim, as it was difficult to keep up with his grooming.  He is not looking at his best but at least his fur is not tangled now.  We will give him another tidy up a little later but for now he is OK.

I was asked by our ministers wife to write some poetry for the church news.  A rather daunting task when I first thought about it as it wasn't something I have ever done before.  It is quite amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.  I will share some of it with you as time goes by.

Crafting is still a major way of filling my day.  Thank goodness for the stash of craft provisions making it possible.  Our youngest grandson has a pirate bedroom so I have made some storage bags for him.  My favourite is this large bag using fabric that has been in my stash for years and lined with the remains of an old red sheet.

A hessian patch stitched on so that it can be clearly labelled.

Skull and cross bones fabric used to line the drawstring bag and shopper.  He will love them.

I am knitting a bag on enormous needles using this pattern.

It won't take long to knit up at all.

We are filling our days and are surprisingly upbeat.  We are enjoying the sunshine even though it is still very cold.  Making the most of what is an unavoidable situation.  Hope all is well with you and that you are not too stressed by the situation we all find ourselves.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

Problems Blogging

Thank you as always for your support and understanding with the lack of posts lately we have been having technical issues with connecting to the internet.  It has been so uplifting to know that I have been missed and thank you for your lovely emails and messages asking where I was.

All is well with us both, we are both keeping well and safe.  Gerard has a compromised immune system due to the medication he takes, so is particularly careful in this current climate.  At the moment there is no reported cases of Coronavirus yet on the Western Isles but as we all know this could change at any time.

We are keeping busy and enjoying many of our hobbies.  It has been good to explore the copious amount of craft materials that we have.  It has given us both a clearer idea of what is available and a list has been formed so that we can get on with a few things.

We are hoping that the weather will pick up a little so that we can make a start on so many of the jobs that need doing outside.  We are going to start setting up the seeds in readiness for onward planting in our garden room.  We stored all our outdoor plants out there over the winter and they have done so well.  We love the rewards homegrown herbs and vegetables fresh from the garden, worth all the hard work.

We had prepared for this lockdown with lots of books and jigsaws so we have plenty to occupy our minds.  Technology has become our new best friends and we have enjoyed daily contact with our daughters and grandchildren when the internet allows.  Food hasn't been an issue as we had recently filled the freezer and restocked the store cupboard.  If anything it has made us a little more frugal, making things last a little longer. 

We are blessed with wonderful neighbours who keep in touch by telephone.  The Church have whatsapp groups which are uplifting and last Sunday a service was done via a podcast which was such a joy. 

In a World that is changing so fast all we can do is the best we can.   Know my dear friends that you have all been in my thoughts and prayers.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

Back To Crafting

My goodness how time has flown by this past week.  The bright sky and a glimpse of the sun has made me a little giddy, so we have been venturing out a little whilst we can.  It has been so nice to feel a little breeze against your face instead of a gale force wind.  The ground I must admit is still sodden and in places like a lake so not easy to get about, but what a difference to breathe in fresh air.  It is a real joy to return to the cosy cottage and sit in front of a blazing stove reading and finally getting a few craft projects done.  It has been awhile but I have my craft mojo back.

I have been working on a small needle felting project which will become the main feature within a tweed bag.  It was quite the job working the wool in readiness but a wonderful feeling once it was done.

I used a metal pastry cutter for the outline of the heart, it was a real confidence booster enabling me to enjoy the process rather than worry about the shape.

What fun slowly building up the layers until finally it as sturdy enough to be attached to some black felt.

All ready to become part of a Harris Tweed bag.  What a story the bag will have, certainly made with love but also made with the wool from the sheep I see daily.

A wooden clock is all ready to have the clock movements added.  Painted and then decoupaged with some beautiful paper that the photo does not really do justice.

The sewing machine is back out of hibernation and trousers have been altered, they have been on the list for quite some time.  A tablecloth has been cut in half to make two cloths and a table runner has also been made and crossed off the never ending list.

Finally, I have made some little pouches for the grand children to pop some little eggs in for Easter.

Each with a little message using stamps.  It was fun sorting through my collection of ribbons to match to the chosen fabrics.

Now back to this list...

It is Communion weekend so there is lots of social gatherings planned as well as additional Church services.  It is a weekend that I cherish in so many ways not just spiritually, as everyone comes together.  There is an informal fellowship, testimony and singing with a meal after the service Friday evening.  Saturday a soup and sandwich lunch is served after the service.  I am once again making quiche for the Friday event and the broth for Saturday.  I must check the store cupboard to see what I have available for some cakes/biscuits for the tin as it is always nice to welcome neighbours back to our home.  I will be around to visit and catch up with you all soon.

See you soon.