A Wood Trail

Freezing temperatures have hit and although we have central heating, nothing beats the wood burning stove in the lounge.  Our mission for today was to replenish our log pile in readiness for the Christmas season.  We all actually managed to be out of the house just after nine, nothing short of a miracle given our current combined health status!!  Benedict was duly deposited at school for the morning and the rest of us continued on our way into the local countryside.

We are very blessed to buy all our wood from a couple who have their own woodland at the back of their house.  They manage the land appropriately and ensure that all their wood is well seasoned and stored in dry conditions.  They have their own wood burner and run their central heating from it, in fact the only time they have a heating bill for water is in the summer when the burner is not used!!  We had toyed with the idea of running our system from our burner but given our family and it's various nuances decided against it. All we would need would be a prolonged spell of sickness and:  No Burner = No Heating = A bad combination and a cold house!

Neatly stacked logs in the back of the car.

The source of the logs.

We definitely needed somewhere warm to thaw and headed for a local and favourite bird reserve.  I can't believe it but I think this is Pip's first visit to Leighton Moss... where has the time gone?  She was slightly bemused by the feathered creatures wadddling around but very quickly warmed to them.  Give her a few more visits and a couple of months maturity and she'll be charging around after them!  Poor things!!

Hmm, these look interesting.

C'mon mummy lets move in for a closer peek!

As usual the cafe was a welcome break.  Two lattes, one slice of gluten free cake and a piece of flap jack.  Pip was more interested in the food rather than the decorated tree nearby.  I'm sure she will home in on ours once it is in and decorated just before her birthday!  After all she can spot a loose piece of wallpaper a mile off and before you know it there is that familiar ripping sound!  Dad has part shares in evostick and can most days be seen with glue stick in hand!

Quit snapping, where's the food?

Cake please not just the crumbs!!

Empty plates and full tummies!

Cheeky Daddy and a serious Pip.

The day did not end here once we had collected Benedict and eaten lunch, Dave very kindly/bravely drove back through town so that, Benedict could  attend the school advent service.  Pip was enthralled by the whole event.  I had a few hours peace and actually made a start on present wrapping, good job too, nothing worst than late night wrapping on Christmas Eve!!  All in all a very blessed and happy day, Thank You God. 

Light up A Life

This picture was taken outside the front of our local Hospice.  Our Shalom Prayer Group meetings are held here every Monday evening, where as a mixed bunch we worship, share and are truly blessed by the presence of The Lord.  The original St John Of God Hospice was based in Silverdale and ran by a community of nuns with the same name.  Sr Ainee Cox and Sr Callistus Barry were the two stalwarts who prayed and believed in God's Providence for the building of the current building.  There was many a time when the workmen needed paying and there was no money in the kitty, it was during these times that these two dear sisters were on their knees.  The result?... a cheque would land on the doormat of the convent for the exact amount required, now that is what I call true faith!!


Even though the community of nuns have long since returned to Ireland, their legacy of love and care still permeates this building.  The staff work tirelessly to support all those affected by cancer and the yearly lighting of the trees at the front of the drive, are a chance for loved ones to meet and remember those gone before.

Caravan Craft

Sara and Benedict put pen and stampers to paper and wrote out the Christmas cards they made at the start of Advent.  Glitter pens and ink pads were pressed into action and Mum and Dad had a quiet hour whilst they busied themselves.  Dave and I were not completely idle... Dave washed the tea pots whilst I went round the downstairs rooms trying to find " a place for everything and everything in it's place".  I think I just about succeeded but tomorrow will dawn and the whole process of keeping house will dominate the day's coming and goings.  Ah, well.  Pip has also learnt to climb, there is no keeping this gal still, so will really have to have eyes in the back of my head where she is concerned.  The look of joy on her face when she tackles  a problem and solves it, is priceless, it's hard to believe she will be one next week.  No chance of me avoiding the Christmas cooking this year!!  I'll leave you with Sara and Benedict's craft antics:

"Tis A Gift To Be Simple...

... 'tis a gift to be free, 'tis a gift to come down where you ought to be and when you have found yourself in a place just right, it will be in the valley of love and delight."  This line from a song  came into my head as a result of a conversation with a friend earlier and then reading this families proposed account of their seasonal preparations:   http://ourunschooledfamily.blogspot.com/ 

Over the years I have felt increasingly perplexed by the mass consumerism associated with Our Lord's Birth.  He IS the reason we celebrate this feast, yet we have discarded Him with wrapping paper and mountain of to-do-lists that accumulate the kitchen work top.  As usual I have worked within our budget yet due to our own change in finances I have made a promise to myself that, more gifts from us will be handmade next year and I will not be above scouring the charity  shops and ebay for suitable bargains.

Right now I am on a damage limitation exercise with the dreaded diabetes.  I cannot stabilise Benedict at all.  We have changed basal rate again, yet I am still not in bed much before 1am.  We are having to carb count all meals and snacks and bolus in insulin at this time so school right now is out of the question.  As usual Benedict remains non plussed by the whole thing; he has built lego creations, read and completed some maths sheets today, so at least he hasn't sat around thumb twiddling!!  The house is actually peaceful as I type since Pip has gone to bed and Benedict is having a treat evening with one of his best buddies, Ollie.  At present they are up to their elbows in clay modelling, whereupon Dave will bring home their creations and fire them in the kiln in our workshop.

Sara is busy in the caravan finishing off another assignment.  She has been working incredibly hard at college and the fruits of her labour have paid off, she gained a distinction for her first briefing.  Well best sign off, the pots in the sink are calling and then there are presents to sort and cards to write.

Peace At Last

One of Pip's favourite places is here...

... at the milk bar!!  After the hiatus of teething troubles and periodic biting (ouch!) normal boo service has resumed, Thank God.  A lovely ten minute respite for mummy and babe. 

Gaudete Sunday & The Toffee Crumble

Today the third advent candle - traditionally pink - is lit and rose-coloured vestments are worn.  We are invited to rejoice (Gaudete) because the Lord is near.  The following text was written by our dear friend Sr Callistus Barry when she led the advent Lectio Divina scripture in our parish, she has long since returned home to the Lord but her words live on:

LUKE 3:10-18

Meditation

In this reading, we see where Christ comes into the life of an individual, a group of people, or a parish.  A spiritual growth seems a possibility.  People become more sensitive to sin in their lives and then are drawn to repentance and reconciliation.  I find that there is a desire then to become closer to Jesus.

Gospel Prayer

We pray for all those who are searching for meaning in their lives and perhaps have lost hope in God.  As John the Baptist was not judged by his appearance, may we be able to accept others in what they have to offer us by being open to the Holy Spirit who is working in their lives.  Let us always remember that we have that same strength that John the Baptist had because of your presence within us.  John called for a selfless concern for those who are disadvantaged.  May we who are blessed with plenty, give of our spiritual and temporal gifts.  Lord help us to realise our own spiritual condition of poverty and the need we have to appreciate God’s wonderful love of us and accept it fully in our lives.  Lord give us the gift of repentance – true repentance, that we bear fruit in the way we live our lives, living the Gospel as Jesus lived it.  Enable us to respond to your call with the selfless desire to give.

Sara bravely allowed her failed fudge culinary disaster to be photographed, but sadly, in the switching of blog providers due to earlier issues, we have lost the picture.  Never mind the crumbly texture it is beautiful... you get a real sugar hit with it, definitely need to keep it out of the way of Benedict!!  It is a diabetics worst nightmare!!

Horsing Around

As promised Mum and Dad visited today.  We had our usual Saturday Fayre, homemade vegetable soup( thanks Dad for your sous cheffing!) and cheese and onion bread.  The food offered welcoming warmth to beat off the winter cold.  Pip ate every last bit:

Bread in one hand a spoon in the other.

After lunch and the washing up ( thanks Dad!!) Grandad taking his role seriously got down on all fours and gave Pip her first horsey ride.  I remember him being a horse for me and my brother and then laterly our older children, Em, Kath and Sara, followed by Benedict and this little one.  Not easy these days with arthritis in your knees and a hard wood floor to work with!

Hmm, I'm not sure about this she thinks!

A Visit From Jack Frost

Well the met guys actually got it right and we have been experiencing sub zero temperatures in this neck of the woods.  I know not as bad as the folks in America, Canada and other arctic regions but cold enough for us Brits and as usual we are ill prepared for such weather!!  Still it provided me with another chance to get outside and snap some pics:

My favourite image of the wispy clouds.

 A n-ice table!

A crunchy lawn underfoot.

Ice formation on our green recycling bin.

A flash of colour in an otherwise ice white landscape.

Sara babywearing Pip, ready for their outing to the local shops.

Whilst Sara very kindly helped Dave with Pip I was able to meet with  a friend from Benedict's school.  Deb's is a very talented knitter, she leaves me in the shade especially when it comes to fiddly designs.  I'm more of a give me a pattern and I'll follow it kind of person.  I think she and Sara would get on well, as Sara also is not afraid to think outside the box and come up with her own designs.

After my lovely time away from household concerns I walked the short distance from Deb's to meet Benedict at school and carb count his meal and give insulin.  I was instantly suspicious when his classroom assistant informed me that, he had been running high all morning.  Undeterred I bolused in the dose and waited the obligatory hour to see how his glucose would react.  Typical, I rechecked and his BM's had risen again, so the cannula had obviously failed.  So much for Benedict remaining at school for the afternoon.  I gave him a sub cut injection to bring him down and then once home gave a complete set change on the pump.  What a nuisance... I think I spoke to soon when I said thing were looking hopeful.  I have also had to increase his basal rate yet again at night, just hope he does not hypo on me in the small hours.

We have had some good things happen today I hasten to add.  Firstly I have had some success with ebay shopping and thanks to Dave's bidding skills have aquired some much needed trousers and a skirt to my wardrobe!  Again thanks to Dave I was relieved from cooking duty this evening and we had a lovely Indian take-away for our tea.  We also have an interesting weekend lined up with visits from my parents tomorrow and then some longstanding friends on Sunday.  It's like buses, nothing doing and then everybody turns up at once!!!  It will be good to see them all and would not dream of turning anyone away.  

More Winter Sunshine

Morning sunshine in the front bedroom:

And at the end of the day in a nearby country lane:

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Thank You God for the sun to warm the earth and for Jesus Your Son the light of the world.  We also celebrate the feast of St Lucy this weekend; Lucy meaning the bearer of light in the darkness.  On her feast day tradition has it that, the eldest girl in the family wakes early and prepares hot coffee and saffron buns to serve to other members of the family.  She is depicted wearing a wreath of candles on her head.

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Blue Skies

 At long last some blue in the sky, beats dreary old grey any day; a chance to get out in the garden and get snapping!  The view above is looking north on the left side of the bottom of our garden, I liked the whispy cloud effect.  This next one below is looking east to the right of the bottom:

Bamboo Fronds dancing in the breeze!

This shot is our bamboo at the bottom end of the garden:

Family-wise, Benedict actually made it into school this morning and he gained four house points for working extremely hard in class.  His blood glucose levels have been within normal range up until half an hour ago where he hypoed.  Despite that blip I have been pleased with his readings, mind you I think a lot of it is down to some dietary changes that I have made this week.  Will probably write a post on that when I'm satisfied that the tweeking is working

.

This last picture is one of Pip at the tea table with the left over remains of her salmon, roasted veg, colcannon mash and banana!  She actually went to bed without a boo feed this evening; she has been biting loads when I have nursed her these past few days.  I know there is another tooth on the way, still I hope this evenings change in routine is not a portent of things to come, this mama is not quite ready for those peaceful nursing sessions to end:-(

The Cup That Cheers

Nothing like a freshly brewed cup of tea to soothe weary spirits and warm the heart.  We had another really bad night diabetes wise.   Benedict's blood glucose ran really high for the early part of the evening and so extra insulin was bolused in at appropriate intervals and then typically he crashed around midnight and we spent another hour trying to bring him up.  He was not best pleased but can you blame him?  after all he was woken from a deep sleep and even the promise of jelly babies did nothing to sweeten his temper!  An hour later at 2am we were woken by him screaming with some kind of nightmare and could do nothing to console him.  In the end both he and Dave slept on the sofa's in the lounge... it was not a comfortable night for Dad.  So tea has been drunk in medicinal doses today, here's hoping we have a better night tonight.  Please God if you are listening do something to sort this mess will you?

Sleeping Beauty

When you have been up most of the night with teething troubles... you gotta catch those zzzzz's when you can!

Spectacular Speculatius... And The Feast Of St Nicholas

We were a bit behind with our celebrations today; a combination of late night checking with Benedict and early start with Pip = two very tired parents!!  However by mid morning we had rallied and set forth in the kitchen making our speculatius biscuits.  Our recipe was taken from this book:

If you want the  recipe it will be posted on The Kitchen Angel Blog!

After tidying the kitchen (again!) we gathered our supplies as pictured below:

Demerara sugar, soya flour, ground almonds, gluten free flour, unsalted butter and mixed spice.

Not wishing to be excluded, Pip as usual could be found on my back.  Thank goodness she isn't the proverbial back seat driver!!  She was quite happy watching over the proceedings with wooden spoon in hand!

This spoon sure is tasty!

Once all the weighing and mixing had been done we came to the fun part... the rolling of dough and sprinkling of flour!  Note to self, forget about cleaning the floor the night before when baking with little one's; it is an exercise in futility!!

Rolling and flouring the dough.

A very mucky pup!

 Our St Nicholas Shapes waiting to be baked in the Remoska.

And here they are,the finished treats in their iced glory, accompanied with the traditional hot chocolate drink.

Happy Feast!

Happy Birthday Nanna

We thought of a different way of passing on birthday wishes today.  It's Nanna H's birthday and we did this photo of us all in birthday mood. 

(Incidentally, Nanna was born in Arnside, where we visited yesterday.  Her mother was evacuated there and thus Nanna was born as an evacuee.  Talking to the café assistant, they still consider themselves to be inhabitants of Westmorland.)

Didn't We Have A Lovely Time...

...  the day we went to Arnside.  This was our promised treat for restarting pump therapy.  It was great to be away from the house and chores.  We were blessed with gorgeous Winter sunshine and interesting views along the journey:

Carnforth

I was spared the problem of organising lunches; I cheated and bought a fish and chip lunch from The Big Chip cafe.  I still had to remember the weighing scales since we are carb counting all the time!

Carb Counting In Progress

Pip was brilliant as usual, you can take this gal anywhere, she is so accomodating!  Here she is eating her lunch in the boot of the car!

After lunch Benedict, Pip and I strolled along the prom and called in to one of the quaint gift shops, we were able to buy Nanna H  and Grandad H Birthday presents.  Whilst we were engaged in purchasing, Dave had charge of the camera and took some great shots of the surrounding scenery (sorry about the joins - didn't bother with an auto panorama software!):

To warm up before the journey home we popped into a lovely bakery cum cafe and had gluten free chocolate krispie cakes and coffee for the adults, fruit juice for little man and Pip had her usual milk on tap!!

A Trip To Clinic And Remembering A Special Friend

As arranged we had our second visit of the week to this place:

Here we met with our diabetic team, I like to think of them as the " A-team".  Between the four of us: Consultant Paediatrician, Diabetes Specialist Nurse, Dietitian and myself( unpaid front line nurse) we usually manage to thrash out the difficulties associated with Benedict's diabetes.  I came away from the meeting hopeful that we should be able to make the pump therapy work and given time stabilise the condition which so readily dominates our life.  We have another follow up meeting on Monday and my clever husband has managed to upload the necessary software, so that we can download info from the pump and glucose sensor and glean an accurate picture of trends over the course of a week.  This should enable us to fine tune his basal doses further.

Leaving clinic Benedict pointed out this cheerful mural and as promised I whipped out the camera and here it is:

"The Weaver of Tales"

Coming home, I even managed to purchase a few Christmas presents, thank goodness!  This time last year I was super organised, mind you I had to be, I had a baby on the way!  This year presents have been bought in dribs and drabs but slowly, slowly the Christmas list is getting shorter.

After lunch of leek and potato soup and cheese toasties we wrapped up warm and headed over to the cemetry to place a birthday wreath for my friend Kȁcka.  She would have been 33 years today.  It is nearly two years since the Lord called her home.  It was through her I found out about babywearing; she could always be found with Ami strapped to her back/front.  She could be very outspoken at times and was unwavering in her opinions regarding birth, breastfeeding and organic food, yet she had a heart of gold.  She supported me through a miscarriage the year before Pip was born.  Not only was she a dear friend but she was also my prayer partner.  For months after her death I thought about her daily, yet as time has gone on and family life has been hectic, I realised today that the last time I had visited her grave was actually a year agon.  I know that she would understand.

The Birthday Wreath

Whilst Dave was reading one of our favourite holiday reads to Benedict, I was able to organise our nativity display for the mantlepiece.  The only other outstanding item of Advent decoration is the wreath for the front door.  In the past we have made an advent centrepiece of greenery, candles, ribbons and decorations; in our current family scenario it would be an open invitation for prying fingers, so the door wreath it is!

" The Legend Of The Poinsettia- Tomi de Paola"

 

Our Nativity Scene- the manger is empty of course and the wise men are still travelling!

"Oh Christmas Tree..."

" Oh Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Thy Branches" 

Mummy's Little Helper

A Photograph A Day In December

Have decided to rise to the challenge (with a lot of help from my lovely husband!) and be involved with this interesting project.  Go click on this link and check out the contributions from folks all around cyber space: http://www.tredways.org/december-photo-project/

A Late Weekly Round-up

Benedict actually managed half days at school last week, the rhythm was much needed for us all.  Right now however, we are back sailing uncharted waters with insulin pump therapy.  This little guy takes it all in his stride.  We have already refitted our second glucose sensor in less than 24 hours.  These mini chips are an expensive piece of kit and so far I am yet to be impressed, not only that but the needle used to insert them is nearly an inch long; no joke for a little guy with very little flesh to spare!

We had a visit from Nanna and Grandad H late on last week.  It was good to see Grandad in fine fettle since he has been below par these past weeks.  He very kindly brought Benedict a pocket watch to help him learn to tell the time. Benedict thought it cool especially since the guard on Polar Express has one just like it.  You guessed it, I caved and let him watch said film as a treat yesterday, for being so compliant with regards to restarting the pump (We try to avoid Christmas fillms until a bit closer the time).

As with every Advent we do our best to make way for the Lord but often at this end we are fire fighting daily.  Having said this we all managed mass at the weekend albeit at different times and for the past two days, Dave and I have managed a short Advent reflection at the start of the day.  Like all thing it is early days and a lot can happen between now and Jesus' birthday.  Part of today's reading ws based on the prayer by St Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.  Where there is hatred; let me sow love.  Where there is injury; pardon.  Where there is doubt; faith.  Where there is despair; hope.  Where there is darkness; light, and where there is sadness; joy.

Am hoping to celebrate a few of the Saint's feast days that are due around this time, so will be googling a few of the online resources for ideas and crafts. Keep warm on this first day of December.