As January ends

 Hello and thank you for popping in. Writing this on my iPhone so I apologise.

Friends are wonderful people so thank you all for being here. 

Lots of happy beginnings and sad endings have happened since my last post.  A lady very dear to me - although I’ve never met her face to face -  lost her beloved Dad at the beginning of this year .  My crafting buddies will know her she is Barbara Grey of Claritystamp “fame” her blog which she writes everyday is really inspiring and I’m hoping to follow in her blog steps. She is one of the most talented people and is so kind and generous.  She donated a substantial amount of money to a refuge charity when I attempted a mile a day walk for a month she met my target by her single donation and I’ll always be thankful to her.  

Another goodbye was to my Uncle Roy who passed last Sunday.  His wife was able to be with him at the end as she is poorly too.  They would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this year.  I lived with them for 7 years as a child and I felt really loved by them both.  Nice things sometimes come out such sadness and her estranged son of 10 years went to see her after Uncle Roy passed away.  Too late some might say but you know sometimes lateness is better than not at all and I know Uncle Roy would have been glad he went to see his mum.  Long story but it’s their story to tell.

On the crafting front 2 coats for Oscar made and he looks so smart but he hates wearing them but it’s been so cold.  Also finished 2 pairs of socks here is one pair. I’ve not knitted socks for ages and really enjoyed the mindfulness.

Getting along with my latest blanket in what I’m calling my mermaid tail colours.  It’s called Persian Tiles designed by Janie Crow this is my third blanket in this design but all in different colour ways. Sadly had to order more yarn so on hold at the moment.

Meanwhile in the book corner, I have just finished a brilliant book. I chose it for a quick light hearted chick-lit read which looking at the cover and reading a small synopsis I though it was.  I wanted something to cheer me up.  Oh Boy was I wrong.  It was one of the most sensitive books covering mental health especially in men, grief and much much more.  It was certainly an emotional read as well as an eye opener.  I would definitely recommend it.

Friends are life's gift of love

Friends are Life's Gift of Love

 If people like me didn't know people like you, 

Life would lose its meaning and its richness, too. 

For the friends that we make are life's gift of love,

And I think friends are sent from Heaven above.

And thinking of you somehow makes me feel

That God is love and He's very real.

By Helen Steiner Rice

This is my third post and I am back in the Craft Room but have a much smaller workspace than I had before, but knowing you are here with me makes me a happy little bunny and the smaller the space the more I will have to slim down to fit LOL.

Friendship is very very special to me and I can count on one hand the very special friends I have. As they say you can choose your friends, but... and I cherish each and everyone of them. I am loving being back in here it reminds me of what I am missing.  I can look out at the trees with the squirrels racing up and down the tree branches and jumping from tree to tree, and the birds hopping from branch to branch and listening to them tweet, I love it and so glad I am back. No crafting done today just another quick tidy around and now it is what it is and when I need anything it will be like a new treasure hunt on every search.

As you will gather I love listening to audio books whilst I go through my day and now watch little or no TV (don't miss it at all) and my latest read was a book called Pandora it was very difficult to follow at first but after the first few chapters I really got into it and loved it.  My verdict is at 4.5 star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⋆ 

Bye for now my friends 

I’m Back - Take 2

 Well……

I posted on what was to be my new blog last week to say that I would be returning to my posting today after a long time away.  I am determined to carry on looking forwards and not backwards and to start anew and thought a new blog would be the way forward but looking at previous posts here I thought no I’ll carry on with what I think was a very good place to be so ditched that idea and I’m going to carry on here albeit there is a massive jump from my last posting.  Waffle over.

My DH put away all the Christmas decorations and all his new toys (Christmas village) and said my craft room was now mine again.  I went in this morning and could have wept…. 

DHs nice neat Christmas village and decs

My craft space

So as you can see it’s going to take a while to sort out, and with my disability it could take a while. 

However, I can tell you about a fabulous fabulous book I’ve just finished called The Circus Train and what a journey it took me on it should have been called the rollercoaster there were so many ups and downs, twists and turns, never ending up where you thought you would go.  A truly brilliant story which I have given 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 

I am a member of the Goodreads community and join the Goodreads challenge every year and last year was a stonker for me although I declare that most of my “reads” were audiobooks listened to whilst going about my daily chores and crocheting 

My knitting is no longer a hobby due to problems with my shoulder but during lockdown I taught myself to crochet so at the age of 64 I followed a wonderful teacher Bella Coco on her YouTube page and she taught me from a beginner to what I would call an intermediate standard and I’m so pleased that after all these years I now have a needle craft I truly love.  My favourite “professional” and blogs I follow are award winning Attic 24 and Janie Crow although there are so many others these are the main two I follow.  I have made nearly all the blankets from Attic 24 and a few of Janie Crows but her are much more intricate than most.

Here are some of the things I have made - not bad for a newby.

Well that’s me done for today . Talk soon hopefully with better news from

The little white things are little door mice and I’ve lost a rose from the top but I made this about 8 years ago so wearing quite well I think.

.

Rocco the Robin

Happy Friday 

18th June

In the end, only three things matter; how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.  ANON

Rocco the Robin has made his first appearance today, don't know if it is Rocco but the name just lives on year after year.

I can't believe it's a month since I last blogged, most of which I have spent in bed due to my chronic back pain.  I have though managed to finish a massive throw whilst in bed and read several books (well, more than several).  I have had my 2nd COVID vaccination and stocked up with my lateral flow tests at home.  We have decided to cancel our holiday in Dawlish in July as it is a hotel holiday and we didn't think it was worth the risk but the Langstone Cliff hotel in Dawlish were more than accommodating and we have carried it over to next year. This is a truly wonderful family run hotel situated on the top of the cliff which serves for the most fantastic views of sunrise and sunset.  It also takes dogs. Next year I will celebrate my 65th birthday there.

This is my latest make it is a ClarityStamp using a stamp I have had since the very early days of my crafting journey with this wonderful wonderful company. On a sad note I have made several cards most of which seem to  have been sympathy cards.  I think although gloomy I will have to make some for my stash.  My friend Julie lost her husband after a very short serious unknown illness; another friend Carol has lost her husband Wilf who she has cared for for more than 30 years, he was in a wheelchair for many of these years after suffering a massive stroke, Wilf always had a smile for you and a twinkle in his eye.  RIP Jim Corcoran and Wilf Entwistle.

I have managed to spend an odd hour or two in the "courtyard" my sunflowers are growing like crazy and I am so excited to seem the growth day by day.  My Clematis is in full bloom, my climbing roses are falling profoundly and my beautiful roses are beginning to bloom and smell magnificent.

Now some of the books I have read...

I have read more than these but they weren't that readable and I didn't finish them.

Mayfair 100 crime series these were really good books I thoroughly enjoyed them and the flow from book 1 to book 3 were really very good. If you like a good crime book on the Agatha Christie theme then these are for you. 

Compelling crime dramas set in WW1

Set in London, during the first year of World War One, these crime thrillers follow the Mayfair 100 team – a clandestine group of women and policemen – as they solve murders, and other crimes, sometimes delving into the city’s seedy underbelly. However, their sterling work must be kept a secret, as Scotland Yard and the Government would never approve of women being employed by the police force as detectives. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Speaking of Agatha Christie I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and O Boy what an ending that is all I am going to say. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another wonderful read was the Sea Gate One house, two women, a lifetime of secrets...

This book made me cry.

Following the death of her mother, Becky begins the sad task of sorting through her empty flat. Starting with the letters piling up on the doormat, she finds an envelope post-marked from Cornwall. In it is a letter that will change her life forever. A desperate plea from her mother's elderly cousin, Olivia, to help save her beloved home.

Becky arrives at Chynalls to find the beautiful old house crumbling into the ground, and Olivia stuck in hospital with no hope of being discharged until her home is made habitable.

Though daunted by the enormity of the task, Becky sets to work. But as she peels back the layers of paint, plaster and grime, she uncovers secrets buried for more than seventy years. Secrets from a time when Olivia was young, the Second World War was raging, and danger and romance lurked round every corner...

The Sea Gate is a sweeping, spellbinding novel about the lives of two very different women, and the secrets that bind them together. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bill is probably going to return to work at the end of July which brings with it all kinds of worries and concerns but Occupational Health have to make sure that it is safe for him to return. We contacted the Union for advice which resulted in Bill getting all his stopped pay refunded.

Bye for now

🌻 Megan🌻

Life is a Rollercoaster

🎢 Happy Saturday

15th May 2021

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to my fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.  Stephen Grellet

I am sat here once again looking at my tits hanging out on the birdfeeder.  One on each of my coconuts, they are such a lovely bunch, the birds are too.

 Life is certainly a rollercoaster as the song goes and its been an up and down time for us here at Ratty Towers but we're back on the upward climb until the next big dipper drops.

I have been keeping myself busy, I have finally finished all the blankets for Sam (my DDIL) and making a good headway into one for us although I am not sure on the colour but Billy likes it so it must be ok.

Oscar the Miniature Schnauzer is his usual mischievous little self but so lovely.  He should be called St Oscar he picks me up emotionally every single day.

What else have I done since my last post?

I spoke with my daughter Rebecca on her 40th birthday (3rd May) and she said she really liked her gift and card so that was good to hear.  I asked her what else she was doing on her birthday and in good old fashion Rebecca fashion got told nowt.

I rang her again the morning after to be told that her carer had arranged for her to have a small buffet which I was so shocked (but not surprised) to hear as I hadn't been invited and when I asked who had been invited she told me it was my mother and father's other daughter and husband.  I was so upset and I am sorry to say that at this point I lost the plot.  When asked why I wasn't invited she said she didn't know about it.  I emailed her carer immediately as I didn't trust myself to speak to her and was told "that due to Covid she didn't know what would be happening" I pointed out that she would have known the Covid restrictions on the morning of Rebecca's birthday so I could have been invited then.   I cried for hours and hours and Bill and my friend couldn't console me.  I feel I have been stabbed in the heart and the back once again..  Anyway, lets move on.

On the previous Saturday we had a barbecue for Bill's birthday and Sam, Ste and the grandchildren (group of 6) came and my heart filled with love when Darcy jumped out the car arms wide open shouting Nana and threw herself into my arms.  Heart healing it was.  The weather was on our side and we had a lovely afternoon outside apart from Oscar grumbling because he was in his crate as Eva is suddenly terrified of dogs especially if they jump up and Oscar loves a good jump!

The BBQ was our very first ever so it was a bit of trial and error but the food was great, and so was the Gin.

Bill loved his present of the Owl complete with frame and it now sits proudly on the hearth looking at us.  I have to say I am so proud of this achievement.  He loved his card too (see previous post).

Since then I have lived in either the craft room or the bedroom just wanting to be on my own as this is what I do when I am upset and hurting.  I have read so many books I have surprised myself .

I finished the Beekeepers Promise and it was an amazing read. It is the same family as in the Dressmakers Gift but from the country rather than the city of Paris. I gave it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I then read the Music Box Murders by Roger Silverwood as usual it was a good but not gripping read.  I gave it ⭐⭐⭐ as indeed Tied to Murder by Brian Battison I had solved the crime 3/4 way through but had to finish it to see if I was right again a ⭐⭐⭐ read.  

My next read was the Flat Share it was absolutely fantastic.  That is all I am going to say but I would definitely recommend this amazing book. Definitely a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I followed the Flat Share with The Cottage of Curiosities by Celia Anderson and whilst reading I felt a de ja vu moment thinking I had read it before but then I knew I hadn't.  I then realised I had read another book by this author called 59 Memory Lane which was this books prequel.  If you love Cornwall you will love both these books. I give both books ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My next book - yes another - and more to come was the Sister's Twin by Jane Adams, this popped up as free on Kindle Unlimited it looked interesting so I thought I would give it a try.  I couldn't put it down.  If you are interested in Tarot readings and what different cards mean then you may enjoy this.  I give this a ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Next to drop into my Kindle was this little beauty.  This book spoke to me as the synopsis struck many chords with me and how greed and inheritance can be very toxic.  I'll say no more but it is an excellent read and give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My next wander through the world of crime was this book which I read from beginning to end in one long read so you may think it was an amazing read which as far as the plot went it was but the never ending "waffling" text I found a bit laborious and to be honest just skipped a lot of this waffle, hence why I read it in one go, I won't be reading any more from this author . ⭐⭐

And finally my last read was this totally beautiful book.  I popped up on my kindle as a suggested read and boy O boy am I glad I downloaded it.  It covers, grief, hate, love, break ups, murder, mafia, but it is so beautifully written I'm sure I will go back to it one day. All I can say is this is a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ➕ read. Great if you are on a beach or sat in the sun with a glass of Italian wine.

These comments are my own personal opinion of what I have read and I am not paid or received any gifts for comments made.

Now I am off to play with my new Groovi Plates and hopefully will have some lovely pictures to share with you next time.

Have a lovely weekend and a pleasant and happy healthy week ahead.

🌈

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.