Little Cotton Rabbits

white

Overnight our garden turned white, as did much of southern Britain.

 

I'm just so grateful that the snow didn't arrive 24 hours earlier because that would have meant missing one of the nicest days that I've had for quite a while. A day spent with lovely, like-minded ladies: Tracy, Val, Ali, Emma, Monica, Alice and Nancy (and the very lovable Pippin, who is not a lady). There was a lot of laughter, good food, thoughtful presents and a little crafting (not quite as much as planned) and it was one of those days that you reach the end of and realise that you have aching cheeks from all the laughing and smiling that you've done. I feel very lucky and privileged to have been able to go along, thanks to Emma for chauffeuring me and to Tracy for being the perfect hostess and to everyone else for your you-ness x

 

happy new year

Just popping in to wish everyone a happy new year.

I've been dipping into memories of 2011 by making a month-by-month mosaic of some of the things that made me happy ...

 

Mosaic making to start the year has become something of a little tradition for me ...

2010

2009

2008

It's good to have something to remember the good bits by (and to gloss over all the bad bits)

Anyway, here's wishing you a very happy, healthy and fulfilling 2012 xxx

Finished

Yay, I've finished my Peerie Flooers and am looking forward to wearing them on my next wood walk with Toby, which will definitely bring me a smile - I do love them!

 

 

No doubt there will be quite a few wood walks (weather permitting) over the next couple of weeks because here we are again at the last day of term. Toby went into school this morning laden down with homemade peppermint bark for all of the teachers (this is so easy to make and is really good, so it's now my first choice for teachers gifts).

 

Tomorrow is the start of 17 days of full-on Toby watching. Keeping him safe and entertained with the changes in routine and the added differences that Christmas brings will be a challenge but hopefully there will be some good times sprinkled in there too. I'm hoping for a quiet and calm Christmas with good food, plenty of sleep and some peaceful walks in the woods (with warm and pretty hands!)

All that remains is for me to wish you and those you love a very merry Christmas and a happy New year wherever you are xxx

 

Half term business

It's been half term break from school this week and a pretty full-on one at that. Toby and I have woodwalked every day and I've been trying to spend time with Amy too, although inevitably Toby does get far more of my attention. Hopefully the time I have managed to give Amy has been quality time. Today she's had a friend round and we've made pizzas from scratch and carved pumpkin heads ready for Halloween on monday - so I'm feeling like a good mum today!

 

I look forward to catching up with everyone next week when I have a little time to call my own again! Until then I hope you have a spooky and fun Halloween weekend wherever you are x

 

* idea for fanged pumpkins from Martha Stewart

Treats

Toby had a good birthday on tuesday - unlimited Green & Blacks chocolate ice-cream softened in the microwave, lots of cuddles and tickles, a few cards and presents (which he's not so fussed about) and a dry afternoon for bouncing and bubbles after school - all the ingredients for happiness in Toby's book!

I'm feeling a little more positive too, thanks to a few indulgencies. When you're a little down there's nothing like treating yourself to something a little special. At least that's my thinking and my justification for buying some gorgeous new yarn for animal knitting.

 

It's Misti Alpaca's new and wonderfully soft 'best of nature' baby alpaca yarn hand-painted with natural dyes. I think it will make some beautiful bunnies and fabulous foxes (After I finish the batch that I'm still working on of course!)

 

I didn't stop there on the treats though! I've been admiring the beautiful and unique jewellery in Silverpebble's shop since she opened and when she listed her latest collection inspired by nature I fell in love with her viburnum berries necklace, so now it is mine!

 

I love that it's unique and naturally inspired but the thing that I love most is that it has 3 berries, because for me they'll symbolise the 3 people most precious to me; H, Amy and Toby.