Totally F 'owl' ed

 Happy Wednesday

28th April

I am not a product of my circumstances.  I am the product of my decisions.  Stephen Covey

I've been very lapsed keeping my blog up to date recently but I have had some personal issues and to be honest I didn't feel in the right frame of mind to write, unless you wanted a blog full of darkness.  All I can say is that I have had some excellent news after the visit to the breast clinic - all clear nothing to worry about.

You may be puzzling about the title of today's blog.  It is because, as you know I love owls, and have yet to see a real live one in the wild.  Well, walking the dog whilst Bill was recovering from his scan at the weekend I spotted one, it was very early on a beautiful sunny morning I looked up and in the tree right in front of me I saw it.  I  got out my phone and took a photo.  I didn't get too close as Oscar can be a bit yappy and I didn't want him to cause my quarry to take flight.  As I got close I thought the Owl had what looked like to have a tail but of course that's impossible Owls don't have tails, BUT, this one did - it was a wooden carved owl someone had nailed to the tree.  Im not posting the photo because it is very blurred when zoomed in.

Did I tell you that the Arbour has been delivered and built and wrapped in fairy lights?  The shed is adorned  with a colourful hair net and the upcycled ladders and Pieris bushes look lovely with tiny little fairy lights thrown over them.  The Moroccan lights look amazing.  All in all a beautiful little courtyard.  Bill is adamant that we are going to get a small Chimenea I'm not to sure from a safety aspect. 

I have consoled my self my mostly reading as it meant I didn't have to get out of bed.  Here are my books and views

I have finished this book since my last post.  I have to say it was quite a hard read to start with but then I got into it and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It made me laugh and cry and gasp sometimes.

Verdict - a must read.

The Dressmakers Gift was a Kindle Unlimited with free audio so I chose to use the audio version, something I am getting to enjoy as listening doesn't hurt my wrists like holding a book or kindle sometimes does.  I can also crochet and listen at the same time (heaven).

If you have ever thought about reading about some of the women of the French Résistance in the 2nd World War then this is the book for you. You will laugh, cry, get really mad and feel so sad about what happened to lots of Jews in this terrible time.  I certainly opened my eyes.  The last few chapters left me gasping in anguish.

Would I recommend - Yes but not really a beach/holiday read.

These two books I read back to back.  They are as usual very good books my Roger Silverwood and his detective Mr Angel (Known as the man who always gets his man).  Read each one in one go.

Verdict - Would I recommend - Yes if you like a good mystery murder.

I first heard of Joanna Sheen in the crafting world.  But she has written a few books now which are both mysteries and very humorous.  It says what we all think (if we have) a very overbearing, nasty mother in law.  

Verdict - if you like a funny and light hearted murder mystery in the area of the Torbay Riviera then this book is for you.  Great read for a coach journey or long car journey (do not read and drive it is very dangerous). A good read.

This is my current read.   Again set in France starting in 1938.  I've only just started listening to this audio book so I will update you next time.

I have been dipping in and out of the craft room finishing things off but can't post some of them just yet.  All I can say is that I am up to date with my birthday cards.

I made this for my daughter who turns 40 next week - she won't read this blog - for those who don't know, my Daughter Rebecca lives with a carer in the community.  She suffered brain damage at birth and is very vulnerable and unable to look after herself safely.  She has lived with Rachel since she was 17 years old and it was the hardest thing for me to do to let her go, but the absolute best thing for her.  It is extremely difficult to know what to get her as she doesn't really have any idea of value or even sentimentality so we don't normally buy her valuable gifts as she would just give them away is someone said they liked them, she would say here you are you can have it.  However, this year we have made the decision to buy her a Pandora bangle so I hope she looks after it.  I have also passed on two of my charms, a guardian angel given to me by my parents other daughter after my mum died and a Pandora bag charm which was bought by the same person.  Rebecca would get these when I pop my clogs so thought she could have them now.

This is the card to accompany the artwork I have done for Bill for his birthday on BH Monday.  He is actually at home this year again due to shielding (don't ask) .  You Light up My Life is "our song" so is very sentimental.  Just have to find the words for inside.  Bill writes beautiful words in my cards which I can never match.  It was made by using stamps from Claritystamp then coloured using coloured pencils by Castle Arts , then blended with paper stub and finally polished up to give a lovely sheen.

It is going to be a long weekend celebrating Bill's birthday over the weekend.  Sammi, Ste and the grandchildren are coming which makes our 6 and we are hopefully going to try out our Barbecue, never used one before so it could be either delicious or disastrous.  As a good Cancerian though I will also have a Lasagne prepared and ready to go in the fridge if it all goes pear shaped.

Looking out the window and the tits are out again. 

Finally, more good news, my missing artwork has been found and put away safe waiting for framing in proper glass fronted frames.

Time for a change

 Just a quick post at the moment to say that my new blog name I feel is far more appropriate for my little journal.  

Cobbling it together

 Happy Sunday

• 10th April

Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, today is a Gift, which is why we call it the present. Bil Keane

• 11th April

No guilt in life, no fear in death.  This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. Stuart Townend.  Extract taken from the song'in Christ Alone; by Stuart Townend.

Today marks yet another start of the week (end of another depending on your daily calender).  As we welcome Snow into the weekend with beautiful skys, dark skies and quite a bit of the white stuff (from the sky, not up my nose) My week ended yesterday as it started sitting in a hospital.  This time it was Bill having his kidney scan at the MRI.  God, how I hate that journey but St Christopher was definitely on my shoulder yesterday he guided me to tell Bill to go the wrong way which ended up the best way yet. No stress, no tears, just a feeling of sickness due to lack of sleep.  Tomorrow is my bone scan at RBH a long afternoon starting at 1pm going on until about 6pm.

What else have I done?

Well I have made a few shoes, not pairs, just odd shoes.  I have had the template for years and years but never tried it out.  I'm still practising but not bad for my first goes

Still not got the hang of posting pictures nicely yet but I will - eventually.

In a previous post I mentioned a book I had been reading by Ruth Hogan which I said I was struggling with, well I have finished it and I have to say that again I have to admit that I really enjoyed it.  As the story progressed the different people in the book all linked together and I have to say it was a lovely story.  Ruth has this knack of naming her characters so aptly and funny, e.g Justin Case the solicitor! I won't tell you  anymore or the humour they provide will be lost.  If you decide to read this book, persevere if you struggle at the beginning, it will be worth it in the end.

I am now reading my fourth book by Ruth Hogan, (she has only had 4 printed to date) and this looks to be just as promising as the others. A bit dark at the moment but I am only on about chapter 5

Bill's birthday present is finally framed and boxed so that's another worry off my mind. 

So I'll not get back to my tits (the feathered variety on the feeder) and chops (pork which I am offering up for tea).

See you later

Oh dear what can the matter be?

 Happy Friday

Firstly RIP Phillip Mountbatten. You were a loyal husband.

So many days to catch up on

• 5th April

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle.  But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth.  Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognise; a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the curious eyes of a child - our own two eyes.  All is a miracle.  THICH NHAT HANH.

• 6th April

Great things never came from comfort zones.  NEIL STRAUSS

• 7th April

Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish ALBERT EINSTEIN

• 8th April

Self-praise is for losers.  Be a winner.  STand for something.  Always have class and be humble.  JOHN MADDEN

• 9th April

No coward soul is mine, No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere; I see Heaven's glories shine, and Faith shines equal, arming me from Fear.  EMILY BRONTE 

What a palaver this week.  Easter Monday was nice, bloody cold but nice.  

Tuesday 6th April  the you know what started to hit the fan.  Firstly Bill's manager rang to say that now Shielding was finished (6 4 2021) they are always quick of the mark where payment of wages is concerned that they couldn't pay him anymore until he got a sicknote from his GP to say why his employers Occupational Health team won't let him go back to work - FFS - how would his GP know what his employers occupational health team are saying.  Anyway Bill duly rang the GP surgery explained what he was ringing for and - when they had stopped laughing - (good job it wasn't April Fools Day) they said that the doctors would not give out sicknotes for such a request and that the doctors where far to busy to deal with this.  However after a few questions about his hospital results (or not) coming through from MRI it was suggested that he ring on Friday morning and request a telephone appointment.

Then, I receive a letter from Breast Clinic to say that my "mass" was 12mm in size (is that big, small) and that my case was being referred to an MDT for discussion.  Its probably nothing but I did feel very sick on receipt of the letter.  I messaged my friend Janet straight away and she talked me down off the ceiling - again.

In the afternoon Sam called round for the children's Easter Eggs and although against the rules she got a hug.

So that was Tuesday done and dusted.

Wednesday I absolutely have no knowledge of this day what so ever - this is happening such a lot lately.

Thursday - I read all day, but not enjoying this book - its a bit like treading mud but I am persevering.  It is another by Ruth Hogan  but I will give you a further update when I've read it.  You never know there might be a surprise at the end, and Bill got a phonecall from MRI to go for an x-ray on Saturday morning at MRI so that will be another stressful drive.

Friday - Well what can I say, THANK YOU JANET, although I didn't know it was Janet.  Who was this woman at my door with a bunch of beautiful flowers for me?  She has lost so much weight and looks fantabulous darling and guess what, she got a hug, a kiss and a little tear from me.  What a wonderful wonderful way to round off this week. 

Bill also spoke to his GP who give him an 'unfit note' for 3 months so finances will be even tighter now but we will manage.

No artwork to share but hopefully next week.

An Owling Success

 Happy Easter Sunday

4th April (Happy Birthday to my cousin Caroline Dale)

Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe;  Augustine of Hippo

If you have been reading my blog you will have read that I have been playing with owls.  Well one owl has been completed and I am so very happy with the outcome.  It will be framed and given to DH as his birthday present.  (No spoiler here he doesn't follow my blog or my FB page) as joint gift and card.  There will be an inscription on the back.

To those of you who are of the artistic bent or are just curious how I have done this then here is a quick run down of the project.

 I started by masking off  the moon then coloured the whole of the card with various colours of Distress Oxide inks in various shades of blue and green.  I reverse masked the moon and stamped the marbling on the moon with a stamp and pumice stone distress ink (stamps all from a set from Hobby Art stamps - all the images are from various sets of stamps ).

I added the barbed wire stamp across the background and added the various grasses in black Adirondack ink for definition.

Oliver was coloured using pencils from Castle Arts which are good value for money and you can layer colours on top of each other to create depth and shading.

Inscription on the back will be I'll Owl-ways Love you!

I mentioned yesterday that I had finished the Hoarder so I started a new book yesterday and I have to say my choices of late have been superb.  Janet, this is one definitely for you.  It was the Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan and was totally impossible to put down. I had to read from beginning to end - not done that for a long time - such a very very good read and the highlight was Sunshine..... this book will make you laugh and cry and if like me have a daughter with learning difficulties get very angry in parts.  

I am now starting another book by Ruth Hogan called Madame Burova.  Madame Burova - Tarot Reader, Palmist and Clairvoyant is retiring and leaving her booth on the Brighton seafront after fifty years.

Imelda Burova has spent a lifetime keeping other people's secrets and her silence has come at a price. She has seen the lovers and the liars, the angels and the devils, the dreamers and the fools. Her cards had unmasked them all and her cards never lied. But Madame Burova is weary of other people's lives and other people's secrets, she needs rest and a little piece of life for herself. Before that, however, she has to fulfil a promise made a long time ago. She holds two brown envelopes in her hand, and she has to deliver them.

In London, it is time for another woman to make a fresh start. Billie has lost her university job, her marriage, and her place in the world when she discovers something that leaves her very identity in question. Determined to find answers, she must follow a trail which might just lead right to Madame Burova's door.

In a story spanning over fifty years, Ruth Hogan conjures a magical world of 1970s holiday camps and seaside entertainers, eccentrics, heroes and villains, the lost and the found. Young people, with their lives before them, make choices which echo down the years. And a wall of death rider is part of a love story which will last through time. 

Well that's me done done for today, have a lovely Easter Monday.  I don't think I'll be writing tomorrow as I am hoping to get my arse up off the chair and uncover the table in the courtyard tomorrow ready for the summer.  I do hope the blue tits that are feeding on the feeder as I write keep on visiting they really make me happy.   Trying to "spot" the woodpecker I hear but not much luck yet.

Wishin' Shoe a Happy Birthday

 Happy Easter Saturday

Here are the Everyday verses for the last few days

1st April

'It's impossible', said pride

'It's risky', said experience

'It's pointless', said reason

'Give it a try', whispered the heart;

Anon

2nd April

The real voyage of discovery conists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes; Marcel Proust

3rd April

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate; Oprah Winfrey

Since my last post my feet haven't touched the floor - literally, been in bed - AGAIN - and after talking to Janet my friend Hi Janet, and my DH it has been diagnosed as fallout from my recent tests resulting in the worst migraine ever, which reached it's peak yesterday, so thankfully today I am feeling as fresh as a daisy. 

Finished one of my best cards ever for my neighbour.  She is a lovely young woman and she has the most beautiful auburn hair. 

Now working on my latest PTC (Parchment Trading Card) for April, and then to finish my Owl project.

Hope to see you soon

  Almost forgot.  Finished The Hoarder - what a fantastic book.   Loved it.