Crochet

Having been inspired by a new crochet magazine that has come out here in the UK, The Art of Crochet, together with Lucy at Attic 24 I have taken up crochet again. Not that I ever did much crochet before but I made a blanket years ago. I still have a long way to go before I am anywhere near Lucy's standard but I love the colours that she uses and the different designs. I bought this yarn at our local craft shop and got the pattern off a website...before I realised that Lucy has great tutorials on her blog. So in future I will be checking those out when I want to learn something new.

Looking Forward

Well, I have now had enough snow, its fun for a short while and then I am ready for the Spring. I came across these photo's from last year and then opened my Bible to add a scripture and low and behold this was the scripture I opened at! So yes there is a purpose for the snow.... to water the land and for God's Word to accomplish all that He intends it to.

That is my prayer for this coming year that we would see the Father's Word speak mightily into the lives of those across the nations

Isaiah 55: 9-13

9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

10 “ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

12 “ For you shall go out with joy,

And be led out with peace;

The mountains and the hills

Shall break forth into singing before you,

And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,

And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;

And it shall be to the LORD for a name,

For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

For part of my Christmas gift my daughter and son in law gave me these lovely hand designed notelets from Rifle Paper Co. They also bought me the frames from Habitat so I could frame one of each design.

I made this little coat from the fabric I had left from making the twins birthday dresses. Using fleece to line it.

Cushions & Snow

I thought I would post some more cushions that I made for Christmas now that Christmas is over and no one can take a sneeky peep of their gifts!

Just as the snow cleared here in the UK...it returned. When it came before Christmas I was ready for it to go, we had family visiting and lots of things to do and as we live on a hill getting the car out and back was quite tricky. However, now it has returned, schools are closed so I dont have to go into work, there is just the two of us in the house, we have plenty of food and its quite restful being snowed in. My daughter in South Africa is missing the snow and asked me to go into the garden, make a snow angel and get my husband to photograph it for her...the things we do for our children eh?

The angel could have been a bit clearer...but I wont be trying again!

London

Today I went into London to meet up with my eldest son and do a bit of shopping, it is always great to meet up with our sons because they both live and work in London and so know all the best places to visit and eat at. We did some shopping then went to Fernandez & Wells for coffee and croissants. After we went to look around a shop in Regent Street called Anthropologie...this is a beautiful shop to wander around, selling home ware and clothing, it has some fascinating displays.

The wall to the left of the stair case is made up of live plants, I couldnt get a better shot because the security man was on the stairs and I thought he might stop me!

New Years Day 2010

Happy New Year to you all. We begun this New Years Day down in Devon with our daughter and her family. They live near the sea so we went for a lovely walk this morning....the sun shone and as Devon is in the south west of the UK it is usually warmer in the winter months than most parts of the country. Later, after lunch we drove back up to Hertfordshire and watched the thermometer drop as we travelled back up country. Thankfully the snow had all cleared while we were away. The house is all quiet after the busyness of the Christmas holiday and we will miss having our Grandchildren coming into our bed in the morning for snacks and a story. I look forward to getting back into some patchwork again, it seems a long time ago that I did any as I have spent the past couple of months making Christmas presents for my children and neices and nephews. I also look forward to all that God has planned for us and our family and seeing Him move in the lives of those who we know and love.

Christmas Day

Christmas has been busy but enjoyable.....family staying. C hristmas day began with breakfast and present opening followed by church then lunch which was roast turkey with lots of vegetables, stuffing, cranberry and bread sauce with Christmas pudding and clotted cream for desert. Then a few napped while others entertained the twins...or maybe the twins entertained us! After supper and little people were in bed the adults played some scrabble then Trivial Pursuit...I was glad to be on the winning team of a very close game. Bed came pretty late and morning came too soon with little people coming into Grandma and Grandpa's room for stories and early morning snacks.

Two little elves find the last of theAdvent chocolates

Pretty Christmas dresses

New bedding from Mummy & Daddy

Watching The Snowman with uncle Ben

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Early morning snacks

Christmas Rocky Road Cake