My daughter put this photo on her blog...obviously considering how it would effect her twins..especially as they are crazy about puppies!

This coming week end we are off for our church 'Week End Away' we go to stay at a Christian conference centre about 2hours away and they don't allow dogs to visit. This tme last year we had just moved here for my husband to take up the pastors job. Our youngest son got married just before we moved and we suddenly realised that we had no one to look after out dear old dog Daisy. She had never been in kennels and was nearly 16 years old so we wouldnt leave her with someone who didnt know her. So...we snuck her into the centre, thankfully she was so old not many people realised she was there. Well today as I have been preparing all the administration for the weekend I received this photo by email from one of those few who did know Daisy had come along. It was a lovely surprise especially as we had had Daisy put to sleep a few months back, she had come to that time in her life that everything was a struggle and her main organs were giving up. We have many happy family memories of Daisy.

Cushions

Yesterday I managed to make 10 cushions for Christmas gifts. I have over time bought sample fabrics from curtain/upholstery shops, I then bought some cushion pads. I don't like inserting zips and I find using Velcro a little fiddly so I wasn't sure how to make the closures for the covers, I came across this idea in a magazine and used the buttons and ribbon that I bought in the Cloth House in London. I am really pleased with how they turned out and think I may keep some for using on our Ercol Daybed when it is finished. Of course this means that I shall have to make more for Christmas!

Busy Busy Busy

I am cracking on with the cushions and will post some photo's tomorrow but in the mean time just click on this link and see some new photo's of the twins...they are so cute!

http://andrewmorrall.typepad.com/missing_fillmore/

Cloth House....via the macaroon shop

On Friday we went into London to meet up with our sons for lunch. I wanted to call in the Cloth House which is a fabric shop near Carnaby Street, they have lots if interesting fabrics. I bought some velvet ribbon, some vintage buttons and a little bundle of fabric off cuts. I am planning on making some cushions for Christmas gifts and will use the ribbon and buttons on them. We went via a lovely tea shop called Yauatcha which sells these beautiful cakes and macaroons. I have never been inside but have tasted the macaroons when our son in law bought a box for our daughter.

Inlaws Day

On Saturday we had an 'Inlaws' day at our house. We are three families linked by the marriages of some of our children. Our youngest son's wife is the sister of the wife of one of the sons of the third family...if you see what I mean. Between us we have 13 children and children-in-law. Only four of then could make the day, some of them live too far away and some were working. Since we have moved house (we used to all live in neighbouring streets but we are now an hours drive away) we have to arrange specific times to get together. We had a great day, the weather was lovely, we had lunch in the garden then went to Ashridge Estate for a walk and cup of tea in the tea shop. Arriving home for still more tea and cakes and relaxing for the evening.

God brought us and joined us together through our kids and we are so grateful to Him for that.

The whole group

The Mums

The Dads

The Kids, our youngest son and daughter-in-law in the middle

Clovelly, North Devon

While on holiday with my Mum we went to Clovelly in North Devon, for those who don't know this is a famous little village on the North Coast. It is a privately owned village with the residents renting their cottages from the owner. No cars go down through the centre of the village which has a steep cobbled lane all the way through. Shopping or other goods have to be transported down in wooden sledges which are pulled down over the cobbles.If you click on the link above you can visit a good website. The author, Charles Kingsley who wrote The Water Babies spent his childhood and then later years in Clovelly. I bought an abridged version with pictures for the twins, they are fascinated by the 'dirty' little chimney sweep and keep asking for the story to be read over and over so they can look at the pictures of him.

It was our first visit to Clovelly although my Mum had been years ago with my father when he was alive. She did really well walking all the way down to the harbour even though she has chronic asthma. My husband walked her along the harbour wall and then we got a landrover ride back up again!

After our visit we drove around the rugged Devon coast and came upon this beautiful view. I never cease to be amazed at God's incredible creation.