Molly

So after five years of being without a dog, we decided to buy a puppy. The contracts on our cottage in Wales should exchange in the next two weeks and we decided that as Wales is where we will be spending most of our holidays it would be great to have a dog to take walking with us. 

We went for this breed, shih tzu x bishon, as she is small and easy to care for, not needing lots of exercise. She won't shed and we are told won't bark too much....that remains to be seen if the last two nights are anything to go by!

       

                                     

This photo was taken when I was trying to ignore her so as not to respond when she whined for attention. She gave up and sat like this looking very sad :(

                                           

I can't wait for these three to come and visit, she will love the attention they are bound to shower upon her. We were given a list of names that Maggie (on the left) had come up with and Molly was the one we felt we could go with ;)

Easter

We thought the Easter weekend would be quiet with no family visiting but our eldest son called to say he would like to come and stay over. He said if we met him at Richmond he would take us on a nice walk. 

We had a great day, walking along the Thames, through Richmond Park and to the Isabella Plantation which has amazing azaleas planted throughout. 

We walked back through the park to Petersham Nurseries for lunch, back along the Thames and to the car to drive home. Ben and I then went out to Ashridge to see the beautiful bluebells. Sunday was church where my husband preached on the new life we can experience through Jesus and then our neighbour joined us for lunch, such a lovely Easter time. 

                                 

                                  

                                  

                     

Grandsons

    

         

This is the first Easter I can remember that we don't have any of our children coming to stay. So when I received his photo this morning all the way from South Africa it has made my day!

No family to bake for but I am about to get going on cakes and cookies for church on Sunday!

Busy busy

I have just returned from six days in Devon with my daughter, son in law and their family. They have moved into their new home and I went I help keep the children occupied, meals on the table and washing done while they unpacked, shopped for storage and built shelves etc. The house is waiting for an extension to be built but they have done lots of work already in the main part of the property.

The location is wonderful, with amazing views. At the end of each day I sat in the lounge looking out the window across Dartmoor until the sun set. The children are loving the garden and the surprise visit of a neighbours very friendly cat was an added bonus.

While all this is happening with family in the UK, my other daughter still has baby Lilhe in her care. He is such a sweet little baby. 

I've been out and about today and been amazed at the beautiful Spring colours around, such a beautiful time of the year.

                        

                        

                          

                          

Liberty Quilt

I love Liberty fabric and have been collecting for my stash for a number of years. I have bought in sales, charity shops and been given pre cut squares. Due to these squares being of differing sizes it's not been easy to piece them together and make sure the joins and corners match. I decided to make some triangle pairs too which added to the challenge.....

However, amazingly when I came to attach the triangles they just fitted exactly around the edge. 

I have lots of fabric left and so need to think of which way to go next. I have a lovely vintage sheet from my Mothers house which I plan to use to back the quilt. And then I need to decide whether to hand or machine quilt it. I'm looking forward to this quilt being finished after waiting so long to starting it!

                  

Lihle

I'm just posting a quick one as I don't have much to blog about at the moment other than this little chap...he is still being cared for by my daughter and her husband. She thinks he will soon be going to his bio family but for now he is with them.

He received the quilt I made him and looks beautiful lying on it don't you think? 

                       

          

Montessori aprons

I love it when I get a commission order through my etsy shop, these Montessori style aprons are my best sellers. I don't make much money from them as I have to compete with other sellers making similar items...I can't see that they make much either. But they are quick and simple to make. 

On Sunday I had a request from a mum to make an apron for her little boy, she had bought one from etsy for her daughter but had to order from USA as she hadn't seen my shop here in the UK. She was specific about her colours and so ordered these beautiful fabrics and had them sent direct to me. They arrived today and now her little apron is packaged ready to post :)