11.12.09

Today, my Mom and I raised a cup of tea and silently wished Happy Birthday to her Mom

My Gran.

When, as an angry 20 year old, I arrived in the UK,

she took me in.

We fought.

We laughed.

We went walking around her town in the evenings, counting cats basking in the last of the sunshine.

She, being the upstanding lady that she was, wore skirts and tights and never tore them when we climbed over gates into fields.

She took me to castles.

Took me the museums.

We visited London.

We saw the Queen's flag at half mast and laughed at the thought of her going to have a cup of tea

I watched the Changing of the Guard.

We visited the Tower of London.

We argued,

I slammed doors,

She tried to dominate me.

She was of a generation when you had to respect your elders without question,

I wanted to be treated as an equal.

All through out our stormy Gran/granddaughter relationship,

we remained friends.

I became less angry, she became more lenient.

She loved my sons, dearly - and they called her O'Gran and loved her dearly back.

.

.

.

.

.

At her funeral, in January,

I was asked to say a few words.

My Mom had given me something she wanted me to read, and me being me, had left it at home.

So, I stood up and just told of a tale, of us, Gran and me, going for a walk, counting cats and climbing gates.

Happy Birthday Gran.

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Frost on geranium leaves

Bristling with frosty hairs

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I've been busy.

09.12.09

Am I alone in this world of madness

that actually dislikes shopping?

Some types of shopping I hate more than others

- and in particular -

shopping now.

I hate being elbowed by elderly ladies in sarees as I try to reach for the mushrooms.
I loathe being shunted from behind by women talking loudly on their cell phones whilst loading their shopping trolleys with items as glossy and as false as their nails and their hair extensions.
I detest listening to piped jolly festive music done by little known - I hesitate to use the term - musicians.
The forced merriment by the store staff must grate on them as much as it grates on me.
It all seems so financially driven and artificial.

A few years ago, I tried my hand at making a 'Hand-Made-Christmas' and buoyed on by my achievements, I have tried year on year to be more and more handmade.
Sadly not all my friends, want or appreciate hand made items.

Hence my rant.

I have just returned from

a forced forey  into the commercial world of Christmas frenzied purchasing.

  ***takes a deep breath***

I am home, I am drinking tea

I am recovering!

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On a more gentle note -

in the grand scheme of life and loving, living and forgiving,

our adopted stray has finally come in from the cold (literally).......

it has taken 3 years to get this far.

A major achievement on her part.

The ol' lady and ex-feral-fatty-cat luxuriating in the heat from the woodburner.

Think I will go and join them before I have leave for work.

08.12.09

Any one for .........

....?

07.12.09

I've been playing.

Unfortunately it's time to clear up - gotta go to work.

I want to finish these....

06.12.09
For many years, himself has taken it upon ..... erm ....himself,
to eat as many mincepies during the month of December as he can.
Over the years we have logged his mincepie munching progress.

Each December - up goes the record sheet
and up goes the numbers of eaten pies.

For years, he was the reigning champion (I am no competition is this festive feasting) until now......



For now the boys have taken up the challenge.
For every one mincepie troffled by himself, mincepies are scoffled by them.
The tally goes up daily - as does the mincepie bill.

I've stopped making them - I couldn't keep up with their consumption.

This morning, when I put the kettle on for a pot of tea,
three voices said 'yes please and don't forget the mincepies!'

Himself's mincepie munching record?

Any guesses?

In excess of 350 mincepies in one month.

Fortunately he doesn't do that any more, but to date - he has eaten 24 pies.

Watch this space

I will let you know how many all three consume..............

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Special effects supplied by youngest and eldest

05.12.09

On Thursday evening,
we met at my home.



Balls of wool,
Pieces of felt,
Blankies of all shapes and shades,
Quilting,
pompoms,
Scarves and dolls.

All lovingly being made.

We ate cake,
we stitched,
we crocheted,
we knitted
and we chatted.

A crochet blankie

A snuggly warm wintery scarf, knitted by my Mom.

A fun scarf, still growing on the needles for a daughter.

I get so much from these evenings.

Friendship.

Laughter.

Stories.

Inspiration.

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I have been gifted a beautiful present.

It was so unexpected and undeserved.

The front's piece has been crafted by one of our 'Knit n Knatter' group.

I am so touched by her generosity.

It is so full joy and lustrous colour.

I love it.

Thank you xx

02.12.09


We were already running behind time when............
Oh no!
I could hear the panic in his voice
Oh no, I've left my P.E. kit at home - Mum please, we have to go back and get it!


A quick glance at my watch confirmed what I already knew,
it was too late to go back home and still arrive at school in time.

So in a tense silence, we continued to school
- a little faster than normal,
a little faster than we should.

A terse goodbye on both sides as I returned home with these words burning in my ears....
please can you bring my kit
please don't forget.


The school run today, which normally takes about 3/4 hour, took nearly two.

No greater love hath a mother for her eldest when he has forgotten his sports kit at home......................... (spotted any irony?)

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trying out new ideas and designs

trying out shades and colours

trying out shapes and styles

trying the patience of himself, as I spread out and play