Looking for joy :: DPP Day 3 and 4

I was hugged by God yesterday :-) 

 Despite the sorrow and madness in the world I was blessed to meet a fellow kindred spirit.  We met as strangers and parted as friends :-)

  I had just finished my cup of tea at a local-ish garden centre and was on my way out when I was intrigued by this lady tapping an enormous urn.  I looked at her and she looked at me, she was ringing the pot to check for cracks.  The conversation flowed, both she and her husband are potters, we talked about the perils of making an income in the handmade market, shared about our concerns regarding the bombing of Syria and talked about the need for prayer.   We hugged and shared Instagram details and it was only when she handed me her business card, I realised that I knew of her!!   Geraldine and I are part of Pen's blogging network and Geraldine blogs over at the potter's house 

 Not one of my best photographs but that picture will be forever etched in my mind and heart.

Today's story is about our yearly jaunt for a holiday treat and a staggering trip down memory lane :-) 

 Dave had a dreaded welfare medical this morning but we had an answer to prayer and the assessor was a very understanding and knowledgeable Occupational Therapist.  Once the meeting was over, we headed into town to purchase some items for our Advent Wreath and some gifts for family members.  Our final stop was a well known coffee place for a gingerbread latte and a cinnamon swirl.

  As much as we love our two youngest it is really great to have some head space and actually begin and finish a conversation without being interrupted!  Our ponderings led us to conclude that the last time I was in town Christmas shopping was when I was pregnant with Pip seven years ago!  And the last time Dave and I went Christmas shopping together was in 1993!!!!  Chronic sickness and disability on my part meant that catalogue shopping and then latterly internet was the only way forward.  As my health slowly improved, Dave at that point was once more working full time and so the present buying was pretty much my domain.  Funny how time flies, eh?!!

 

This evening we managed to finally make our Advent Wreath.  Pip and I made the wreath and Dave rolled the beeswax candles.  I think it turned out pretty good and I'm looking forward to seeing it lit on Sunday :-)

 The last candle in the making.

 Aligning the wick.

 On a roll ~ couldn't resist :-)

A Ta-Dah Moment!

Advent Blessings x

 

Spring Break Snapshots

Pip finally returned to school this week after a two week Easter break.  We have had a busy time and managed to accomplish a variety of activities despite ongoing health problems.

 Pip and Benedict attended two full days at the local Mad Science event.  They had a great time, learned loads and enjoyed being around the other kids.

 When Pip attended an Easter camp at a local church with my friend Sallie, Benedict and Roland had a back garden camp, complete with fire bowl and provisions provided by mum!

 I finally took part in an art assignment  My friend Meg using the assembly line art challenge as a chance to organise a live google hang out on drawing a mandala.  The time chosen would have meant my getting up at 2am!  So I joined in a few hours late and Meg very kindly linked my work on her tumblr page.

 From Friday to Sunday there were only three of us at home as Pip went to stop with big sister Kathryn and Mary.  On the return journey home we stopped off for a yummy iced treat :-)

 Pip won a local easter egg competition organised by a local supermarket and linked in via her rainbow unit.

 Pip's treat that she shared with the rest of us!

 When it was time to collect Pip I met Kath and Mary at a half way point.  Sara and Tom joined us and we enjoyed coffee, cake and a play in the park. We even saw the helicopter in the background, take off as part of a scheduled service in the lake district.

 Would you believe it!  The shop is almost up and running.  Dave and Benedict were busy today uploading pictures and descriptions.

 A friend turns fifty on Friday so I made her a bag as a treat.  It is made from two pairs of old jeans, an assortment of odds and ends and a whole heap of non stop sewing!

 Beach huts and bunting.

 For some reason picasa and blogger were being awkward with this picture!  This quote from St Columbas forms part of the internal pocket of the bag.

Hoping to be popping in a bit more regularly, now that we have settled back into out "normal" routine :-)

Seven Days :: Snapshot Blessings

On Monday we should have been here Eureka but it was closed, so we tried here Jodrell Bank but the arboretum and kids play area was shut due to drainage work, so instead we made our way here Brockhole and a great time was had by all:

Lovely Views.

A Monkey Puzzle Tree.

Fun on the adventure playgound.

Follow the leader.

Enjoying the curly wurly slide.

We walked down to the lake and sat on the jetty.

We admired the flowers in the beautiful gardens...

... and walked past the terrace to meet Dad in the cafe.

On the way home I picked up a bargain in one of the local outdoor wear shops, a packable, lightweight yet breathable waterproof for me, for £19.00, it should have been £35.00.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Pip was at Debbies so Benedict continued with our desk work on Maths, Narration, Copy Work and Illustration, Independent Reading and on line Maths from the Carol Vorderman site.  He also attended his swimming lesson on Tuesday and Cubs on Wednesday.

On Thursday we had Pip's Fairy Party.  As you may know Pip's birthday is on the 23rd December and it can be pure overload celebrating a birthday and Christmas within days of each other.  We don't go overboard with gifts, but even so it can be daunting.  Pip has also been very aware of the concept of parties this year, so it seemed only fair to arrange a mid year celebration.  On mid summer eve she left out her fairy next to the castle in Benedict's room and woke to find a special gift:

This lovely book tells the story of Katie Morag always wondering when her birthday will be next as she celebrates a year of birthdays with her family and friends.  My Mum and Dad also made a special effort to be with us and their gift to Pip was some lovely fairy wings and a magic wand, so sweet and so thoughtful:



We had Fairy Cakes, of course!

Crispy Garlic Wedges with mixed salad, feta cheese and tuna mayo.

Like Father, Like Daughter.

All finished and ready to serve.

Tucking In.

Pip enjoying a cuddle with Nanna.

Sara and Grandad enjoying a chat.

I have nearly finished our end of year home report, thankfully it has been less stressful this year, since I have been working on it throughout the course of the year.  Benedict is making good progress in all areas but Maths still is the weaker subject.  He definitely benefits by using the maths manipulatives and the Montessori Stamp Game came in very useful this week:

 

 We've also had a break through in telling the time and quite rightly so, he is very chuffed with this new found skill.

It is good to see the two of them have moments of pure genius and this is what transpired when they were left to their own devices one afternoon earlier in the week:

Back View.



Front View.

Yes, Benedict is riding the motorbike he had when he was two and is providing a rickshaw service for Pip in the trailer tot!

  Sadly, this is the only use the trailer has had in over a year.  Combined health issues and disability makes it near on impossible for Dave or I to be involved with "normal everday things" that, so many folks take for granted.  Despite our limitations we do try to provide fun activities for the kids and if I'm ever in doubt of this, I only need look back over this blog as proof that we are doing OK.

On Friday via live stream on the internet, we watched the Olympic Torch Relay pass through our area.  The weather was absolutely appalling with gale force winds and torrential rain.  Despite that, the British spirit was not thwarted as everyone was determined to make the best of it.  We also visited our friends in Shap.  They had been blessed with good weather and had been involved in a midsummer camp, not far from here with other home edders.

Today we braved the winds and made a trip to the library and a toy shop for Benedict to spend some of his birthday money.  He bought a play mobile mini turret and knights.  For Pip I treated her to a tap - a - shape set, complete with cork board, mini hammer, wooden shapes and pins.  As I suspected it proved to be a hit.



Seven days :: Snapshot Blessings :: Easter Fun

Happy Easter ... Hallelujah, He Is Risen!

We finally have a new laptop so normal blogging service should resume!  I'm joining in with Jacqui and here are our snap shot blessings from the past seven days:

Pip making faces with Jen.

Pip with J.

Swinging High.

Sharing a hug with a lovely friend.

The photographic proof of a crazy afternoon with three boys!  Mum if you're  reading this I actually managed to keep my cool!!

Crazy Dude mini greenhouse building.

Seed Sowing.

Sara endured horrendous sea sickness bringing these home from the Outer Hebrides!

Making Chocolate Easter Nests.

Easter Sunday lunch and sharing a joke with Uncle Bernard.

Easter Nests.

Opening Easter presents from Uncle Bernard, books for Benedict and craft items for Pip.

Pasche Egg Rolling.

Easter Bread for Afternoon Tea.

Cowboy Grandad.

Pip sharing a story with Uncle Bernard.

Phew!  We really did have a busy week no wonder I'm more tired than ususal today! 

We are caravan moving tomorrow, Dave's milling machine arrives on Wednesday and the builders move in on Thursday!  It's going to be an interesting few weeks!!