Boo... it's Halloween

Thank you for all the lovely comments congratulating Imogen and all the well wishes. Everyone here is much better, just coughs and colds which are gradually going.

Imogen went back to school after half term today so we had a meander around town. There's lots of work going on at the moment, lots of preparations for 2017 when we'll be the City of Culture, all very exciting. I was hoping to be inspired with some ideas for stocking fillers for son and husband (always the hardest to buy for), but nothing caught my eye. While we were out we popped into Waterstones to see their new cafe, grab a cup of tea and a bacon butty.

A little milk bottle, just like being back at school (I actually used to dread the school milk, I really don't like milk).

I saw these really cute little cacti candles, I thought they were so sweet that I had to take a picture with my phone.

Happy Halloween! Imogen loves to dress up and used to love to go trick or treating, but being a bit old for that now she decided to help out at a party instead on Saturday evening. Dad helped with the scary smile

She wore a scary necklace that made her throat look like it had been cut. An old school shirt that she ripped and used fake blood to make the whole thing more gory - yuck!

Imogen had a wonderful evening and managed to scare some people too, which made her very happy! This evening she's gone to the yearly Halloween fair at the park, they do a 'spooky walk' as well which she loves... yikes!

Take care
xxx

A Little bit Poorly

It's the school half term holiday this week, Imogen has a week off school. As seems to happen so often in the school holiday, my poor girl is poorly. I think she keeps herself going through the flood of germs at school, working hard and when the holiday comes her body surrenders and the germs take over. She was so pleased though that she achieved 100% attendance as well as this brilliant Achievers Award for being in the top 50 top achievers.

Unfortunately Imogen has been very generous with her germs, so we are a house of coughs, colds, headaches and sore throats. Consequently not much is being done, the heating is on, lots of drinks and I've been catching up with my favourite magazine.

It's called 'Modern Gardening' and I have a little notebook next to me so I can take note of any ideas I'd like to implement in our garden. I love the hanging baskets they've put together, especially the Chinese Lanterns.

Just popping by to say hello, so I'll get back to my magazine and box of tissues and hopefully have more to talk about next time.

Take care
xxx

Halloween Felting

I'd like to thank my new followers for following me, it's always good to see that people are interested, just like when I receive a comment, it never fails to make me smile. I have a very quiet life really, struggle quite a bit with my disability and day to day tasks, so it makes me feel like I have friends out there in the big wide world. Not that I would want you to think for a moment that having a quiet life doesn't mean that it's not also a very happy one, content to share my life with my family, I've always been a very homely girl and feel I am very lucky in so many ways.

Anyway... I had a lovely delivery through the post the other day.

It was very well packaged

Lots of lovely bulbs. A couple of packs of Alliums, some tiny Snowdrops, Tulips and a free packet of Crocus bulbs.

Straight into the garden and the Crocus bulbs have been planted. Andy also dug up our Hot Lips as its getting a bit large for the bed and moved it into a pot, I hope it continues to thrive, it has such beautiful flowers.

On the crafting front, I've been busy doing some felting. A little kit for Halloween.

 I sat with it on a tray on my lap, stabbing away with my needles. It's very rhythmic and therapeutic, as long as you keep your fingers out of the way!

A little wreath for Halloween, a couple of pumpkins with leaves on a vine.

It was made in an evening. Firstly the wreath, the leaves are cut out of felt, a small piece of string to hang it with.

It's hanging in the middle of the mantle.

It's made me want to do some more felting, though I think I may have to buy some new needles first as I had a couple of snaps.

Take care
xxx

Late Night Visitors

We live in a residential area, not too far from town (about 10 minutes in the car) and also not far from being in the country (about 15 minutes or so, we're also lucky enough to be only about 1/2 hour from the coast too). There are houses all around, but also one of the best parks in the country.

This little bit of background is leading to me telling you about our late night, more early morning, visitors. We were laying in bed and could hear the most awful noise, it was a kind of bark, but sounded like the animal was in pain perhaps wounded. It was coming from outside, so we hopped out of bed and looked out the window, just not knowing what to expect.

It was a fox, walking straight down the middle of our suburban lit up road at around 3am. Bold as brass, making an awful barking noise every few steps. It was amazing to see and I felt truly privileged to be able to watch it from such a close position.

So, at almost 3am this morning when I heard the same noise again, I knew it would be fantastic Mr Fox visiting. It was amazing, he stood outside our house, barking intermittently down the road. It appeared that he was watching something, we couldn't see anything from our limited position at the window, but he stood there for around 10 to 15 minutes, then another one appeared, walking towards the first one. I was worried were they barking to warn each other from their territory, perhaps fight? Apparently not, as a cub soon followed.

I managed some photos, not the best, but you can make the foxes out. The first 2 are of the cub.

As this is the second fox that appeared just before the cub, I wondered if it's the mummy fox? The cub just sat and watched while the mum scavenged about looking for food I imagine?

I could barely move from the chair after sitting there for over 20 minutes watching these glorious animals, but it was definitely worth it and if I'm lucky enough to hear them again, I shall be watching again. I think it's such a shame that these poor creatures are being pushed further and further into urban areas. I know many people think of them as a nuisance, but I felt honoured to be able to watch them.

Take care
xxx

October is Flying in...

We've been out most of today, running errands and such, unfortunately the weather wasn't in our favour and even my bag was soaked through at one point! I have to say it's very good to be home again, in my pyjamas with a hot cup tea. We've had our tea, the washing up is sorted (dishwasher on) and I'm ready to relax for the evening, do a bit of crochet and watch a bit of TV.

I've changed the mantelpiece display to reflect the October feelings of Autumn and Halloween.

I love my 'snow globe' with Edgar Allan Poe's Crow in it. I try and have the globes out throughout October as it's the only time they come out of the box! The dancing skeleton couple have a key underneath to play music and if you shake them there are lots of teeny tiny black bats floating around them.

The 3 tiered pumpkins at the end are a new purchase and light up.

It all looks very cosy in an evening...

I think the new lamp is my favourite light, I love how the light shines through the holes throwing patterns all around the wall.

These are my 3 little houses with tea lights in them. This picture looks really dark, but with all the lamps and candles shining warmly, you can still see the autumnal colours of the houses.

Again, this picture makes it look far darker than it actually is. If I was clever, I'd be able to fiddle with the pictures and adjust the light... but I'll have to settle for just telling you there's a lovely warm glow in the room.

As I'm showing you some of my treasures, here are some of my others. It started off with the little Blue Tit by the tap.

I love my little birds. All of them are finds from car boots or charity shops, I'm getting quite a collection now.

My little collection of birds has to make up for not getting birds in the garden, the cats and dogs frighten them away. I think because I only buy them as preloved objects, there's always a little thrill when I find another one to add to my collection.

Have a lovely weekend

Take care
xxx