Featherglen

Better late than never....

2012-01-27T13:02:00.000-08:00

Oh dearie, an awful long time has passed since my last posting...well, I can sum up 2011 as The Year of the Breakdown - happily, just mechanical, but we were swamped by the first the computer, then (real horror) my beloved sewing machine, then the car and to top it all, in late November - amazing timing (not!) - our ancient woodburning central heating stove gave up its ghost. Oh joy! However, we've been blessed by very mild winter weather, and next Monday will see a beautiful new stove arriving. I have so very badly missed the smell of wood and flickering flames throughout the long dark evenings, so we will be celebrating! And one way and another, everything else got mended, sorted or replaced. So you see, it's been tricky to get back online, but I'm hopeful now. And I didn't stop being creative in various ways, and lack of internet or sewing machine certainly meant lots more knitting and trying out other new things. So there are good things everywhere really. And even the wise men are always late...

One thing I've been exploring, both at L'Arche and at home as a family, is a beautiful and playful way of 'discovering God's presence in our lives' with Godly Play. Using story, handmade and natural objects, the participant is drawn into a community of wondering and response. I was very touched by my own experience at a Discovery Day in Inverness. I have started to experiment sharing stories with both adults and my own children, and I begin to see all sort of beautiful doors opening. Personally, the creation of the objects, is in itself deeply satisfying. So I'll see where this path takes me...

And I'm not the only one with new discoveries...I was crazily thrilled when my oldest son came and asked to learn knitting. I suspect it may be a case of 'if you can't beat them' as my beloved has also taken up knitting (socks only) again. It's slow going for wee fingers but a tiny little red scarf is slowly emerging, and the long cold nights are certainly improved by a sofa full of knitters.

Here's to hope that the old computer will limp along and I can be rather more faithful to my blog. And here's to all the new journeys this year will bring...see you soon.

2011-02-23T12:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, more photographic fiddling...Let me know if you're getting bored...After my beloved's birthday meal (an excellent curry!) we were both in need of a post-prandial stroll. Inverness looked surprisingly beautiful on a chilly February night. He made a good assistant, holding my handbag, and helping me perch on some precarious spots on the edge of the river Ness...It was a strange experience taking pictures in the city we lived in for 8 years. I can't believe I have never taken a picture of the castle before, but it would feel strange to do it among the many tourists. So perhaps a cold night in February is the perfect time! We had fun until our fingers got too cold, and we gave in to the warm lure of a friend's home.

Possibilities

2011-02-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

There's been a fair bit of crafty-ness going on recently, but I can't reveal anything just yet owing to a certain special birthday celebration coming up... but I have been out with our local wee camera group again. I'd have to say that I am a bit slow on the uptake with all the teccie stuff, but it's really nice to have someone help you through with that side. I feel a few things beginning to click (mentally)! And maybe I'm not wrestling with my tripod as much either...I took loads of pictures at a local loch recently, and I will post some more. The only problem is, I now know so many things are possible and I want to try them all out!

Illumination

2011-01-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

I've been going to some photography evenings in our community hall recently. A local photographer, Paul, has been generously giving his time to bring together a group, and to help us explore the possibilities of our cameras. It's scary wandering away from the safety of automatic settings but also wonderfully exhilarating! Our last evening made the most of the long dark nights and we had a lot of fun taking it in turns to sketch these beasties with torches whilst keeping our shutters open. I don't think I'll be getting bored if there is ever a blackout!

New Year Project

2011-01-17T09:50:00.000-08:00

You know how much I like tweed. I love the warmth, the texture and the amazing number of colours that go into producing one seemingly-plain weave. When you look up close, there are often shots of lime green and turquoise in fabric that had announced itself, at first, as something quite conservative. I imagine, in days not too long ago (and perhaps still, in one or two places on the Western Isles) an old weaver setting his loom up in his weaving shed, choosing the threads that will make up the warp and weft. In comes his wife, and she is apparently shocked at reels of magenta and deep purple in amongst the more sober tones of mossy greens. 'Surely you can't be thinking of adding those colours to the tweed?' she exclaims. He says nothing, just smiles and carries on his work. She rolls her eyes and sets down his mug of tea, both of them knowing full well what makes tweed sing and move with hidden depths. Have a look one day, pulling out a few threads and you'll be amazed at the colour recipes, revealing the genius of their creators.

Among my lovely Christmas presents this year, my mother-in-law gave me a subscription to Marie Clare Ideés which is a fabby French magazine, full of inspiration and fresh ideas. In the latest edition there is a section aimed at more masculine taste using wools and tweed. It looked like the ideal project for my scraps, but once I got going I decided not to make cushions. Instead, I'm going to make a quilt instead, which I can throw over the sofa and cosy up under this winter.

I couldn't help noticing this chair too.

Hmm, doesn't it look similar to something I made earlier this year?

Nice to be ahead sometimes!

2011-01-10T01:23:00.000-08:00

It has been soooooooo wonderful to be at home these last couple of weeks to be with family and celebrate together. Hogmanay was very special this year - we got together with our neighbours for a 'street' party complete with a BBQ and ceilidh dancing up and down the track behind our house - thankfully there was no snow this year! The boys are back to school today and I have one precious day to myself - my 'studio' has finally been given a very long overdue sort out, tidy up and clean out, so I'm planning on spending most of the day there with the first major project of the new year. I wish you all a very, very Happy New Year and leave you with a few images from the last few weeks - I did manage to get my Advent Three hats finished - it was wonderful seeing all three chaps leaving the house wearing them today...I hope they make it home too!

PS. The DH's hat pattern is this one (I've made it twice and it's very good) and the childrens' hat is this, both from Ravelry. I sewed a wee turtle on one and a dinosaur on the other for a bit of personalised detail.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T15:07:00.000-08:00

Joy to the world! Is Christmas Eve one of the very best days of the year? The start of holidays, a first lazy breakfast followed by visits to neighbours on a crisp, sparkly cold morning. The afternoon spent with last minute secret scurrying around the house and final present wrapping. The boys were in their jammies in record time - so early that they had to change out of them into Christmas jammies later - with their room tidied impressively well for tonight's special visitor, carrot, drinks and cards all laid out in readiness and hopeful expectation! I finally started the cooking - not terribly organised this year, but I impressed the family enormously with a hazlenut meringue roulade - hoping it will taste as scrummy as it looks! Then just my husband and I headed out alone in the star filled evening to a simple but so beautiful Christmas Eucharist. The candles were lit in the tiny church and I felt my heart fill up with the warmth of God with Us, Emmanuel, as we celebrated his birth.

A happy, happy Christmas to you.

Advent 4

2010-12-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

The final week...Granny has arrived from France, the shopping done, tree decorated, all manner of secret preparations are going on, hat knitting is progressing and large quantities of chocolate truffles have been mixed and rolled. The 'creche' is now set up, added to and rearranged every now and then, this year with a few woodland visitors...

And today, the shortest day, the longest night, the tilt of the year. It started for me with a rose pink lunar eclipse on my early morning way to L'Arche. Then, as the sun dipped back down behind the snow covered mountains, as rosy as the moon, four tiny deer stepped out onto the road and slowly made their way across before pausing to look at me and then amble off. A special, time-stopping moment.

And in the midst of it all, I'm aware of my own longing to stop awhile, to linger...but it's coming soon. In the meantime, we are all trying to stay well - don't we all get a bit run down just about now? So here's my simple 'staying well drink' which I concocted when trying to redeem the taste of some worthy but not very tasty teabags.

Staying Well Tea:

Place one lemon and green tea bag in a large mug, add 15-20 drops echinacea tincture, a pinch of cinnamon, a pinch of ginger or a grating of fresh ginger and a teaspoon of honey. Fill three quarters with boiling water, allow to steep, then top up with orange or apple juice.

One a day, with a vitamin C and zinc supplement seems to do the trick! Hope it fortifies you to enjoy these days, and yes, they will be getting longer -starting tomorrow!

Avent 3

2010-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the terrible photo, but there wasn't much light indoors this afternoon, anyway, here they are..my 'Advent 3' - otherwise known as 'Almost finished', 'Not much longer' and 'Help, not yet begun!'. Three Christmas hats for my three chaps. Now there are many elements to Christmas that are a touch stressful...this year I just haven't been able to settle down to card writing and I'll do almost anything humanly possibly to avoid the shops! But I must say that hat knitting, on the whole, is a remarkably peaceful activity, and by carrying them around I can get a wee bit done here and there. And the wools are rather lovely, so I feel happy every time I pick them up. L-R we have Noro Kureyon, Rowan Pure Wool Aran and Manos Wool Clasica. So who knows, perhaps I'll get them done? At least the door is decorated and I had some time for a blissful frosty walk out in the hill today.

Christmas is coming, but not yet...not just yet.

Advent 2

2010-12-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

Another tradition that has started edging its way into our celebration of Advent is the story of St. Nicholas, which I hope may start to gently nudge Santa/Father Christmas away from centre stage. Not that he ever has, but it is difficult when he appears plastered everywhere. Reading up on the stories of Christmas, the idea of Father Christmas comes very much from the historical figure of Nicholas, a third century man of extraordinary kindness, who used his entire inheritance to show compassion for other people in need, showing them God's love in practical caring ways. St Nick is about generosity, not consumption, and if ever we needed that spirit of living, then surely it is now.

My wee Christmas 'gnomes' get called Nicholas and pop up in surprising places around the house, with their pockets carrying a small treat. Hopefully we can share some of his kindness too. Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Advent 1

2010-12-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

And so, once more Advent is upon us, the season of waiting and looking for Christ's coming. For me, Advent is the perfect antidote to all the craziness of this month. There are sooo many things to attend to, but Advent calls me, again and again, to stop, take a moment, breath, pray, reflect and share. Because in the stretch of eternity, that's far more important than all the other stuff. Each year we, a group of women, have an evening at our church to prepare Advent wreaths together. For me it marks the start of the season. It can be a bit mad - this year there were over 60 of us - along with half the contents of the local forests! But it is also a beautiful creative time, and I enjoy the gathering of greenery, because no matter how foul the weather I just have to go out and get some, and inevitably it becomes a pleasure. This year I ended up at our local loch, with half an hour to spare and the most magical still, misty moment of the day. A small voice called me to linger...

Since then a great blanket of snow has fallen, oh so very early. I'm not quite ready for it! But there is something comforting to be surrounded by so much light that also calls you to slow down, take time, keep warm...and wait.

Indoors we are as cosy as we possibly can make ourselves as we come in from our days work. Layers of pyjamas and woolly jumpers are the order of the evening. As are thick nourishing soups, perfect for tired minds and bodies. We mark the passing of the days with our Advent calendar and wreath, and a Jesse Tree in a corner of the kitchen, taking a few moments by the fire to think, read and pray before bedtime. I admit it's a challenge to keep the seasonal chaos at bay, but I so want to live beyond all that, to know peace and trust in this waiting time.

2010-11-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

November already? Autumn seems to be racing past as fast as the leaves are getting swept off trees by stormy winds outside. Today is dreich, wet and gloomy. Nonetheless, once I've accepted that yes, it is actually happening, I begin to enjoy the change of season. I'm cheering myself up by looking at pictures of our half term holidays, when despite chilly downpours, we managed to get out and about. Thoughts of a camping trip were abandoned by forecasts of snow (and a mild dose of chickenpox!), but we stayed cosy at home, luxuriating in a little unorganised time together, and ventured over to the west coast for the day, and out into a local arboretum to see the glorious colours of the specimen trees. A bit of painting and foraging for hazelnuts too. Indoors saw us taking time to sew (a long-promised bag for my sister), make paper maché dinosaurs (note son No.2 getting right up on the kitchen table to get on with his work - so like his mother!), bake and admire the treasures we brought home. Mine included some deliciously soft merino wool which I'm using for a simple project. A bit of knitting (nothing too taxing) is the perfect antidote for these long dark evenings, a simple cure for the downturn of the year, in colours as fresh as a spring day.

Island Blues

2010-10-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

The temperature around here has dropped like a stone and this morning we saw the first dusting of snow on Ben Wyvis - yikes, already! Happily, I have just finished knitting myself a cosy scarf to go with this coat which I finished earlier this year. I had some lovely hand-dyed wool from the Isle of Skye and I wanted to try something different, with a bit of a lace, and in my Internet wanderings I found a pattern using the Shetland Isle traditional lace stitch 'Cat's Paw'. The pattern is free on Elizabeth Lovick's Northern Lace website. Truth be told, as a fairly inexperienced knitter, it was a challenge to me, especially at the start, where more concentration was needed than an easily distracted mother can muster. However, once I got into the rhythm of the pattern and started to see the pattern emerge, I found it very satisfying to make.

Sunday Tea

2010-10-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

After weeks of chilly wet weather and accompanying poor health all round, finally the sun returned and our energy with it. How welcome is a weekend outdoors. And for tea today, off to a favourite spot, with a camping stove, pancake batter, jam, bananas and coffee. I don't believe any café could have made us happier.

A Day Out

2010-09-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Before I went back to work I had a couple of days when the boys were at school. It was a bit strange to have this time to myself...and rather nice. After a brief discussion with myself (yes, yes, it's the road to madness) I swiftly threw off any ideas about clearing out cupboards, sorting through papers, blah, blah, and decided to head out instead. I went to visit Scotland's Housing Expo, a local development of 52 sustainable homes. The sun shone, I kept bumping into friends and it was a really interesting day. We went to something similar in Sweden some years back and it was great to see the Scandinavian influence in the Highlands. Having said that, some of the architecture was a bit too modern for me - and a bit bonkers too. Who would want to live in a home where the kitchen was downstairs and the dining room a rather long haul upstairs? Not designed by a cook, I suspect...

However, one of my favourites was the ANTA house , a tiny but very cosy home. I love their pottery and fabric, but it's horribly expensive. Still, very inspiring, nonetheless. Check out that wash hand basin!

There were quite a lot of lovely crafts on display too. Here's a couple of my favourites...love those owls!

Beats clearing out any day...

A New Rhythm

2010-09-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, a month has almost passed since my last posting, how did that happen? My absence has been due to a big shift of lifestyle. When my oldest was born (over seven years ago - unbelievable) I stepped back from a full time position of responsibility at L'Arche, in order to focus on my new life as a mother, which I have absolutely loved. I didn't stop being involved in the Community, sometimes in small ways such as having folk over to lunch, sometimes in bigger projects like organising the whole community to go away on pilgrimage. It's been a great honour to have had so much time at home with the boys while they have been young, but now my youngest has started school, and it is time to start working again. It has taken me many month to feel ready, and a certain amount of heart searching, coupled with seeing the end of nursery days, which have been so very precious. However, several boxes of tissues later, and with peace in my heart, I am very much enjoying being back in a L'Arche house four days a week. Happily, I am normally at home by the time the boys are and I won't be working school holidays.

So far, so good, and I am trying to move slowly into this new rhythm of life. My day (without family) at home has become very precious and I am still trying to work out how to use it best (cleaning? swimming?shopping? painting?laundry?sewing?garden?walking?sleeping?? The choices are many). Being mega-organised does not come naturally to me, but I am getting some things right. The weekend together is a time to preserve some of our rituals and traditions, which seem more precious to me now - maybe my sense of 'home' is coming into a sharper focus, now that I am not here so much. Possibly the most important - rain permitting- is our walks and picnics which we try to keep going all year around. Even a small contact with the landscape we love so much helps to feel more rested and peaceful. And of course, it indulges many of our various passions!

Other weekend traditions? My French husband gets the family Gold Star for getting up on Sunday and making us all crepes, which we love, love, love! And what could be nicer than Golden Syrup?Off the spoon, if at all possible.

Breakfast anyday is an important meal for us. We each have a sense of what we need first thing. J likes eggs and marmite soldiers, for T it has to be cereal or porridge, my beloved is a toast and (his) homemade jam man. I do love toast too, but if there is time then fruit salad, yoghurt and granola is the very best (just now!).

Even with the new pattern of work, it doesn't long to whip up a batch of granola on a Sunday evening. We first got introduced to it in Canada when I was about 11. It's perfect for a snack or putting on top of yog or fruit for a simple pudding, or eating on the go. Here is my swiftest recipe, although there are many variations out there:
Half a Cup Granola
For us British folk, something like a teacup works well, otherwise I use a half cup measure for speed of making and cleaning up.

3 1/2 cups (that's 7 half cups) porridge oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup green pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup chopped nuts - I like almonds or hazlenuts
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/2 cup rapeseed oil
1/2 cup honey
good tablespoon of peanut butter
1/2 cup raisins, sultanas or dried cranberries (optional)

Mix all the dry ingredients together except the fruit. Melt the oil, honey and peanut butter together and pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well. Spread over a large baking sheet. Stick into a pre-heated oven (325F/170C/150 Fan). Don't wander too far from the oven! Mine tends to cremate things if I leave it unattended! Turn the granola every 10 minutes or so, until roasted nice and golden (certainly not black and smokey). In my oven it's all done in about 25 minutes. Add the dried fruit about 5 minutes from the end of cooking.
Bring it out, let it cool on the try and then store in an airtight container. Voila.

Hopefully it won't be another month again!

All too fast

2010-08-24T03:46:00.000-07:00

Why do the lazy days of summer zip by so quickly? It seems as if the holidays flashed by and already the boys are back at school, the little one for the first time (sigh). But I'm trying to hold onto the memory of sunny days and the good times we have had over the last few weeks. As my beloved is French, we have the difficult task of going of spending our holidays in France most summers..a hard life, eh? We go to the Alps, where we have been gradually renovating an old wreck of a chalet over the last five years. We have finally finished, so this year we had a proper holiday...bliss. For us that means doing not very much, pottering around in the woods, picnics by rivers, a spot of knitting, loads of reading, gathering wild strawberries, catching grasshoppers, eating far too much with the extended family (piles of cheese, magnificent salads, food cooked over a fire, fragrant pesto, apricot tarts and many, many glasses of wonderful wines). It was fantastic seeing the boys' swimming confidence grow and we all love swimming in the fresh waters of Lac Leman. Happy days. Simple pleasures.

Am I allowed to show off and be a tiny bit commercial?? Just a wee peek...here is part of our chalet. It's pretty simple, but comfy and restful. It is divided into two appartments, one sleeps eight and we rent it out here . We've just finished the second appartment, which sleeps four and we are just starting to rent it too. It's been a real handmade family affair, with all of us combining our DIY, painting and sewing skills. So, taa-dah, the fruit of the last few years...

A Favourite Corner

2010-06-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Around about this time of year we start to make a few trips around Scotland. It's such a gloriously lush time and our feet get itchy. One place we love going to is Ullapool, on the north-west coast of Scotland. It's only an hour and half from where we live, but it's just far enough away to feel like a decent adventure. Over the years a few things have become dear to our hearts, not least the fantastic Ceilidh Place (do visit the link - really sweet) which does fabulous food - some of the best vegetarian food I've ever eaten. This time round I had an open sandwich, which doesn't sound especially exciting, but thick homemade bread topped with slabs of gooey goat's cheese, dripping with aromatic pesto and loads of local salad...oh I can taste it still! Even better was sitting outside in the glorious sunshine, which I should say is not always possible in this part of the world...bliss. Not only great food but wonderful books for sale in a teeny-tiny bookshop, and some great art exhibited to boot.

After all, that glorious food, Ullapool is a great place to pootle around. For the boys the beach, any incoming Hebridean ferries and the fishing boats are of most interest. And of course we go home with buckets of their treasures - which may explain a distinctly fishy smell coming from just outside the backdoor...

I love all of that too, but I am always pleased to have a chance to visit a beautiful little wool shop, which sells all sorts of goodies that I'm unable to get in Inverness. I came home with the makings of a wee project to take on a holiday with me this year.

And we are off again on another adventure this weekend, to the new Solas festival (a Scottish relation of the wonderful Greenbelt) on the Borders, to represent L'Arche and hear our pal Andy Howie sing. Happy days.

The longest day - a Scottish summer begins

2010-06-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

Chaise Ecossaise

2010-05-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

A neighbour gave me this old chair a while ago, and although it had a newish cover it didn't really go in our house. I'd been drooling over some beautiful tartan to re-cover it with, but it was going to cost a small fortune. Hmm. Then I realised I had lots of tartan at home. But...in many small pieces. And many different colours. Hmm.

Eventually a plan hatched itself for a tartan patchwork, with a few bits of tweed, felted jumpers and other oddments thrown in to the mix. Just for good measure.

Well, it took a while, Christmas happened, birthdays and a few other celebrations had to be attended to. Then the sewing machine decided it wasn't going to play nicely anymore and we had a few arguments about that. A huffy silence for a couple of weeks. Then we managed to get back together and sort out our problems. And finally, fifty three million staples and 100 upholstery nails later, here we are. Cheery and oh so comfy. I love it. However, the boys did think I was straying from the plot when I dragged it out into the garden...possibly, possibly.

Five

2010-04-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Last week, my youngest turned five. Five. I am still slightly in shock about it. When did that happen? Despite all my pleading for him not to grow, he has. And it seems there is little I can do about that. However, a birthday is good time to stop and wonder at the marvellous person who is being celebrated. My boy is a highly unique individual. How to describe him?

He is very small (perhaps he has been listening to me after all!) and most people are surprised that he is actually turning five. But he revels in his smallness, loves it and makes a game out of it all the time. He is often hidden in tiny places, and will squeak quietly, informing me "I am a baby mouse/frog/lizard/etc, you can't see me". he will stay hidden for quite some time, before making a mad and sneaky dash to grab a banana or other tasty snack within his reach. Often a hand will quickly appear from under the kitchen table to skillfully nab a biscuit...

He is extremely curious about things, especially nature. He recently brought me his friend's welly boot, full of water, frog spawn and a large live frog! So I should also add, he is very, very messy! So he relished a 'volcano' at his birthday - very satisfying activity, I must say, for all concerned!

His love of chocolate knows no bounds.

He can happily play for hours on his own, pottering around the garden, building large and elaborate train sets, or engrossed in books. But he adores his brother, leaping on and wrestling with him, with perhaps rather a little too much exuberance. But although, at times, they fall out (daily, probably) he is so funny and irrepressible that his big brother can only roll his eyes, tap his head and say with love, "He's crazy". And truly he is. He knows no fear. Small he may be, but he makes up for it with his dynamic, offbeat personality.

So, here's to five, and all the many, many adventures it will bring us all. Our boy-mouse-dragon has wheels, an accomplice or two, an empty jar, ponds and woods to explore. We can't help but love him deeply.

New Life

2010-04-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! We have been having a busy but wonderful time, with lots going on at L'Arche. You can see a bit of what we were up to by visiting the L'Arche blog. And otherwise, we have been getting in a bit of time with friends and to relax and walk a little too. Crazy weather too - yes, that is me in a hammock with four inches of snow on the ground - and enough sun to dry the sheets! But it is so wonderful to be out and about, climbing trees, wandering the hills and woods. New life indeed.

Bunny Egg Cosy Tutorial

2010-03-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

It's been sunshine and showers around here, so fair-weather gardener that I am, I have been in my studio quite a but during the rainy moments. And it is still quite chilly, so I have been drawn to use cosy fabrics, especially wool felt and felted jumpers. Spring is the perfect time to sort out the scraggy looking woollies that really have had their day. And so chucking them in a hot wash gives me the pleasure of some splendid felt to play with. More on that in another post! But with the remnants, I came up with these bunny egg cosies that will make splendid Easter presents. And they are so easy and quick, I thought I'd share the pattern.

What you will need:

* The pattern, click on the pattern below and print it off. You may need to resize to the measurements marked on it, sorry I'm not very good at sorting these things out for you!

* Felt, I like to use wool felt as it so nice to sew with, or a bit of a felted jumper

* A scrap of felt for the nose, or embroidery thread

* Buttons or beads (optional) for the nose

* Embroidery thread in various colours to suit the felt

* Oddments of wool for the tail

Cut out the pattern, then pin it onto two layers of felt (I cut two at a time, but if your fabric is very thick you may prefer to do one at a time). Cut out two rabbits. Then decide what you want to do for the face (buttons, beads or embroidery for the eyes, a felt or embroidered nose, embroidered whiskers). You may wish to mark it on with a vanishing fabric marker first. Stitch the face - I used 2 strands of emroidery thread for everything, except the nose, where I found it was easier to use 4 strands). When you are happy with the face, pin the rabbit together carefully, wrong sides together. then sew together using oversewing, blanket or running stitch - it's up to you! Finally, you need to make a wee pompom for the tail.

The easiest way to do this is to wrap some wool around two fingers (don't do this too tightly!), then slip the wool off carefully and tie a strand around the middle, two or three times, tightly.

Snip all the loops and fluff out the pompom, trimming it into a nice round shape. Sew it firmly onto the back of the rabbit. Fluff up, and taa-daa! One cute rabbit ready to keep your breakfast egg nice and warm, while you are spreading Marmite on your toast soldiers, no doubt!

If you make one, do send me a link to your picture!

Time to hang up the mittens?

2010-03-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

Although all the snow was beautiful and wonderful, we have been terribly excited to see it creeping away. After three months of looking at a white landscape, we were longing for colour and light. And here it is! The poor garden looks a little crushed and dried out, but with a bit (a lot!) of clearing and raking, I am uncovering all sorts of treasures emerging. It's so GOOD to be out again, woolly mitts exchanged for gardening gloves, breathing in fresh spring air.

And getting the first washes on the line. It's not really warm enough to dry things completely, but just that smell on clothes, well, it's heavenly.

My wellies have gone back into the cupboard and now the garden clogs stand on the mat.

There's enough light in the morning to make me at least think about getting up for an early morning wander...

Is it time to hang up the mittens and declare spring has arrived?

A Cosy Mummy is a Happy Mummy

2010-03-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post something about this coat for a while. I got started on it..oh, about 2 years ago! I bought the tweed - for a bargain five quid - and the pattern (a vintage Vogue) at a sale, thinking that coat making was way beyond my skills, but at the price, it was worth trying. And I was so right, it was horribly difficult, even trying to cut the pieces out, matching up the pattern. Then we decided to move house, so it all got packed away and neglected in a box for 18 months. I must have mentioned something to my mother-in-law, because when she came to visit us last October, she made me pull it out and gave me hope that it might just get finished. She helped me choose the lining and wonderful wooden buttons, and then we got cracking! You can see the pictures here. It was quite an experience, because she doesn't speak English, and I could barely understand the instructions on the pattern, never mind translate them into French for her. My machine whined and complained, but by the time she left, we had got most of it done. You can imagine what happened next...somehow, those odd little hemming and finishing jobs got put off, then it was almost Christmas, then the holidays, and still that unfinished coat was left hanging up in. However, in the freezing weather after New Year, I sat cosily by the fire and finished it off.

And I'm so glad I did, I have worn it and worn it again during this chilly winter, thankful of its length and warmth, and being big enough to snuggle many layers underneath. Merci encore Belle Mere!

I'm not sure I always looked this happy when I was sewing my coat, but this is the beautiful card my beloved and my sons presented me with yesterday. Along with flowers, tea, croissants and kisses. In bed. Cosy and happy.

Hoo Hoo!

2010-03-03T03:55:00.000-08:00

You can tell that if I'm not blogging, then I'm probably busy living. Sometimes living is a mad unfocused round of the daily stuff, sometimes it means I'm taking a little time to smell the roses. As it were. Did I mention it has snowed around here? Actually, this has been the wildest winter in 30 years. I haven't seen my grass since the 18th December. Two and half months! Some days it is tiresome, worrisome and a touch chilly. Other days, the sun comes out, it all sparkles gloriously, and we head outside for snacks or a cuppa on the door step. I have even tried cross-country skiing, which is the first time in ..oooh..um...25 years (surely not?!). I still fell over a fair bit, but this time round, although it hurt more, I discovered that I no longer care about looking stupid, which has to be a Good Thing.

But all this snow has had me longing for a little green. So it has been a great pleasure working on a recent commission, which has had me raiding the most colourful of my scraps. I was asked to do an owl bag, which is a new thing for me. We do have a lot of owls around here. On a still night you can here them calling out. My youngest used to call them 'Hoo hoos'.

So, here it is, the Hoo Hoo Bag.

Valentine's Celebrations

2010-02-14T11:08:00.000-08:00

A few images from today. The boys made these gorgeous cranberry, oat and white chocolate chip cookies - the recipe is meant to be for Christmas, but the colours are perfect for Valentine's Day. We bundled them up in small parcels for some special people who show the boys a lot of love, and give them their time generously. My husband treated us all to some splendid pancakes for breakfast, and I made him the Hurricane Hat. I didn't manage to get a picture of him wearing it (yet!) but it was my first foray into knitting with double pointed needles. I was really pleased with the whole process and end result. I did loose the needles a few times, but got there in the end! He painted me a beautiful little picture, which I shall photograph in part 2. The paper decorations were very simple, just some origami paper paper glued together, cut into hearts and sewn in strands to hang down. I love how they twist around in the warmth of the kitchen. It's going to be a festive week. We have a birthday coming up soon..shhh...lots of secrets....
Much love to you!

His and Hers

2010-02-06T11:35:00.000-08:00

We've been busy in the new studio. I've been working on some pieces of tartan and tweed patchwork (all leftover pieces from kilt makers and dressmakers) which I'm going to use to cover an old but very comfy chair. It was coming along very well, but I've got sidelined by a frenzy of knitting. I'm easily distracted. Or maybe I just like having lots of things on the go at once.

And him? Well he also seems to be on a sewing kick at the moment, loving the freedom of choosing his own colours, using a needle (a big blunt one) and his very own scissors. He seems to go off into his world. I hope it lasts.

One Year On....

2010-01-17T07:02:00.000-08:00

Hurray, today is my first blogging anniversary! I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep it up, but it has been a great year, connecting with lots of amazing and lovely people. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your comments. To celebrate, I have some exciting news to share! And for those of you are creative and need space for what you do, you will know how momentous this is....I have a new studio! It is still very much a WIP - even now I can hear my beloved busy drilling holes for my stuff. Over the Christmas holidays we had a rethink about the use of the rooms of our house - we only moved here about 18 months ago, and so we are still finding ourselves in our home. This is truly the best room in house, full of light and a wonderful view of the mountains. It is right next to the kitchen, so close to the heart of things.

We were using it as a playroom for the boys, but we realised that they weren't really using it, because of course, they wanted to be where we are. And the trail of toys from playroom, through the kitchen, living room, up the stairs, across the hall and into their room, was just beginning to get on their mother's nerves. Just a little. You understand. And my old space (which doubled as the guest room) wasn't really great to welcome them into - especially not for their crafty activities, because of the existing white carpet . You understand that too. And now everyone is happy. Most of the toys are in their room, which they seem to prefer. I have a fab, light-filled room that is not just for me, but has plenty of space for all their paint, pens and crafting materials. And the best bit? I have already discovered that they do indeed want to be with me, but they also are picking up the pens and paper, even a little sewing, and producing artwork at a rate never seen before! They have their table and chairs, I have mine. We seem to have made another hub to the house, which we can all relax in and be creative. It is such a treat.

Oh, and by the way, visitors are welcome really. This was just to warn passerbys of wet paint last weekend....

Perspective

2010-01-16T12:24:00.000-08:00

The gorgeous snow that we have had is swiftly becoming mucky and drippy, and truth to tell, a little worrisome, as water has started pouring down some of the inside walls of our house. Not good at all. But we are trying to keep our perspective right, especially in the light of the deeply saddening news from Haiti. I spent a summer there, about 16 years ago, volunteering in a hospital in the north of the country, and it felt like such a fragile place to begin with. So, I'm not going to complain, when we have builders and insurance on hand to sort out things for us. In fact I can only urge you to join many fellow crafters to give, pray and check out Craft Hope and find a way to help.

Epiphany

2010-01-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

For some folk, Christmas is all done and dusted, the tree slung out the door and all the festivity finished by Hogmanay. At our house we stretch it just a little bit longer. Today is Epiphany, the date that traditionally marks the arrival of the wise men to visit the infant Jesus, and the revelation of the divine kingship of Christ. Epiphany not something I grew up being aware of, but my dear French husband has brought his traditions into our family and now I love it.

So, on or around this date, he makes a special cake, the 'Galette des Rois', a splendid concoction of puff pastry, ground almounds, sugar and butter - typical of the French to endue spirituality with a amazing creation of patisserie. In it, a china figure is hidden, to represent the Christ-child. Then some crowns are made and a few neighbours invited. The youngest is asked to sit under the table and call out names as the cake is being served (to ensure impartiality). Then the person who finds the china figure becomes the wise man - or woman - who has found Jesus. They are given a crown and asked to choose a companion, who is also given a crown.

There isn't really anything terribly spiritual about it all, but is a simple gathering of friends, devoid of commercialisation, that we really enjoy. It seems to be a right way to round off the Christmas season, without too much fuss or bother, and with a continuing nudge to remember Christ come among us.

And it has to be said, we find ourselves in need of meetings with our neighbours, as the Highlands experience the coldest, snowiest winter for...who knows? But it is very chilly, and the snow just keeps on coming and coming. Today was supposed to be the start back to work...but instead, my beloved busied himself with digging us out (again!) and improvising some shoes for a donated pair of cross-country skis. Tomorrow perhaps. But the sun shone, the frost sparkled and it was glorious. A true Epiphany.

And I know, I am supposed to take the decorations and the tree down. But who makes these traditions? We still need it to brighten us up on the house-bound days. The needles are holding, the candles still burning and we welcome all the light and beauty that is ours.

Bon Année! Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

Happily for me, the French don't send Christmas cards, but instead send greetings for a 'Bon Année', so this naturally falls into my husband's department, at some vague point in the New Year. Here is his drawing (right click on it to see it larger) for this year's card - very apt, as we have spent the Hogmanay celebrations totally and contentedly snowed in. In fact, it snowed non-stop for all of New Year's Eve, and we have over half a metre of white lovelieness everywhere. Heaven sent? Well, it depends on your persepctive, but we love it. We have plenty of firewood, food, bread just baked, a few odds and ends of festive bottles to finish, and nowhere pressing to go. Might as well cosy up and enjoy it. Knitting a little, watching a bit, munching now and then...it's a good start to the year!

Happy New Year to you!

Preparing

2009-12-22T15:40:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in the fantasy department of my mind I had thought I might manage to post every day during Advent...ahem, things seem to have gone a little astray and the reality has been the usual whirlwind of creative activities, baking, decorating and trying to keep up with an exploding calendar - whilst all the time telling myself to try to simplify, let go and move away from all that has little to do with my personal vision of Christmas! Phew! But our family have arrived, most of the essentials are done(ish), the snow has fallen deeply and beautifully and we are starting to feel that Christmas is really on its way...aided by a nice wee glass of port...

Mince pies have been made in vast quantities, with plenty of small helping hands...

A few little gnomes have been sent off on their voyages...

The house looks and smells Christmassy, with many more homemade decorations, from big and small hands, added this year...

Did you know Santa speaks Gaelic? And travels on a steam train? How perfect is that?

We have heard the Christmas story retold, in a sweet and creative number of ways, with my boys being a thoughtful and serious Joseph, and a somewhat wayward but terribly cute sheep.

The run up to Christmas is a terrible time to decide to make a quilt, but sometimes the beautiful ideas that inspire me on other people's blogs - I'll share in the New Year, as I'm starting to wilt at this late hour - just have to be followed up, even when a trillion other things are calling. The result has made me very happy, so I'm glad I went for it. I want to make a really big one now!

And snow! Gorgeous, deep, dramatic snow, that has caused the schools to shut (oh blessed relief!) and has created all kinds of chaos, but is such a wonderful gift, imposing a certain stillness on us all, just as we needed it.

May you have a warm, joyful and peaceful Christmas! With much love from Featherglen!

Advent

2009-11-29T14:54:00.000-08:00

This was the scene in my kitchen yesterday as our preparations for Advent kicked off, an annual ritual of making Advent wreaths, both for church and home. I love the season of Advent, as a counterpoint to all I dislike in the commercial frenzy of Christmas. Advent is about waiting, being mindful, preparation of heart. For me, it is the challenge to be still; a direct challenge to our culture and its' prevailing beliefs. I know my children are thinking about presents and Father Christmas, and of course who can deny their pleasure in this? But Advent is the chance to open their hearts to the greater, deeper story; the coming of Christ and His light and life. So, we'll enjoy the gnomes and other silly things, but I hope we'll take some moments each day to stop on our journey.

As well as the Advent wreath, this year we are trying something new (to us). We have discovered the idea of making a Jesse Tree. We're starting simply, using some bare branches, and readings from here, where you can also download some ideas for ornamnents. We'll see how time allows but I would love to make a set of durable wooden or fabric ornaments. Maybe that's something to do as a long term project - after all, I'm trying to get away from being too busy!

To go along with that I have discovered this wonderful book, which we have started reading today. It looks like it will be really good, with a tiny chapter for each day. It is the story of a carpenter carving a Jesse Tree and his conversations with a young boy.

Other reads for Advent...One I have been reading for a few years now, and really love - it is a children's book, but I do still enjoy this story about a magical Advent Calendar that leads a small girl back through time.

And, more a challenging read, but again has become well loved over quite a few years, is this collection of writings. It includes authors such as Bonhoeffer, Annie Dillard, C.S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, and is a mix of prose, poetry and meditation.

Tonight I'm tired, but outside a light covering of snow has fallen, the moon is almost full and stars shine brightly in the deep blue of a winter sky. A beautiful stillness covers everything, and I'm trying to take it all into my heart. Happy Advent.

Featherglen Christmas Gnome Tutorial

2009-11-27T15:13:00.000-08:00

Almost at the start of Advent, and here's a little gift for you crafty folk out there, my first ever tutorial (sound the horns!) This little chap can be made as a Christmas gnome or Santa, or indeed in any colour for other times of the year. He can made in a variety of sizes (although the tiny ones are a bit fiddly, but hey, I know some of you thrive on the fiddly stuff.

If you wish you can give him a little pocket, front or back, to hold little surprises or notes of love..

I find they are quite companionable and like hanging out together. They almost took over my studio not so long ago...

Now then..onto the tutorial...sorry, some of these pictures a bit dark, but most of this was done after night had drawn in...and I hope I can explain OK, any questions, leave me a comment.

You will need: oddments of fabric - you can use up scraps and make the body, hat and back in different colours for a patchwork effect, linen or calico for the face, ribbon or ricrac trim (optional), wool or roving for the beard (I used some leftovers of Rowan's Biggy Print), stuffing, fine tipped permanant black pen, blusher and cotton bud (optional), small soft hairbrush, plus sewing kit.

First print out a pattern..Sorry, I'm not terribly teccie, so this is not a pdf or anything, but right click on it, then 'View Image' and you should be able to print it off and make it the size you wish. My pattern just over 11 inches high. In this tutorial, my pattern is black - it's on card to make it a bit more durable and I just draw around it.

Cut a strip of fabric for the face, allowing a quarter inch either side for the seam allowance - you can see I'm eyeballing the size I need... then cut fabric pieces for the front hat and front body, again allowing an extra quarter inch on one side.

Then sew these three pieces together like so..does it make sense now? Press the seams open.

If you want to add a strip of ribbon to the hat, now is a good time to do so. Pin, then sew it in place.

Now place the pattern on top, pin it on and cut it out.

So far, so good? Now for the beard. I used a lovely chunky wool which I cut into pieces, the length of the gnome. I then unravelled the wool strands, discarding any that were not the right colour. I ended up with about 10 lovely crinkly lengths. I think wool roving would be good for this too.

The next bit is a tad tricky, but you'll get there. You need to sew the beard on following the line on the pattern (basically a gentle U shape from halfway up the side of the face). Hold the wool flat to sew it on evenly - you can always sew on an extra strand if you have any big gaps. Make sure you don't sew the wool right up to the edge of the fabric. This is how it looks when it is done.

Then you fold the beard over, ironing it a little if need be. Give the beard a little trim.

If you want to add a little pocket, you can do this now. Take a piece of fabric as wide as your gnome and as high as the body and press it in half. I used some old white linen. Pin it to the front of you gnome, fold towards the top, trim the fabric to the shape of the gnome like so..

Then twist the beard so it is well away from the seam allowance, and place the gnome right side down on the backing fabric. Pin in place:

Sorry, this is an awful picture! Then, sew around the gnome following the seam allowance on the pattern. The allowance tapers towards the tip of the hat so it is not too bulky. Leave a gap for stuffing. Trim away extra fabric at the point of the hat, and cut the back to match the front. Then turn the gnome right side out - a blunt knitting needle is helpful for getting the point of the hat, but poke gently or you will be making lots of cross noises if you get a hole in that hat! Stuff lightly - I stuff the face and body, but not the hat. Then sew up the gap. If you wish you can sew a little hanger on the back at this stage. I use a 5" length of twine, folded and knotted together and stitched firmly in place.

Nearly done! Give the beard a gentle brushing to fluff it up, then trim to desired length. Mark two small eyes with the black marker, then apply a bit of blusher with a cotton bud. The pocket can be turned to the front or back. Fill with some token of love.

Phew! Here endeth the most monster posting ever. Please do let me know if you make a gnome and send me a link to your picture of it, I'd love to see what you make too!

Colour and Light

2009-11-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

Here we are, the finished results...the weather has been a bit grim, but it was nice to grab a little bit of early morning sun to take these pictures. I would love you to be able to have a wee feel of the bags, tweed has such a lovely texture, and its beauty lies in all the different colours that you only really see close up.

Talking of touching, today we have been involved with our church checking Christmas shoeboxes. They are full of thoughtful and useful items that will be driven to Eastern Europe tomorrow, and distributed to the very poorest families. The boxes are sent with everyday things like soap and toothbrushes, hats and gloves, as well as pencils, toys and sweets. It is sobering to think that such things are still needed so badly by people living in Europe. However, it was cheering to see many boxes full of hand knitted hats, gloves, scarves and gorgeous baby jumpers. On my table we had many boxes that had come from the Orkney Islands, and so much care and skill had gone into the making of these little clothes. My boys had a wonderful time too, acting as runners for everyone, and being fed copious quantities of homebaking! It is an annual event and each year it has become more meaningful for the two of them. For me, it feels like a good way to start moving towards Christmas, in a spirit of giving and working together, rather than being dragged into the frenzy that it so easily becomes. What is bringing you a little bit of colour and light?

Tweed, glorious tweed

2009-11-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

Aren't these delicious? In between the usual sweet stuff of life (Mum, can you build me a cabane? Can I have a snack? Let's do some painting, Mum! Look, I'm a baby dragon in my shell...and so on) I'm snatching moments to sort through my scraps, pull out threads, wool and buttons to start to put together my next project, a commission. It necessitated a trip to my most favourite shop in the entire world, a very old fashioned tweed emporium. It has lovely old windows full of displays of fabric, tweed skirts, jackets and hats - all very traditional, Shetland style jumpers and gloves, wonderful thick knee high socks and various other essentials of Highland paraphernalia. Inside, high wooden shelves are filled with coloured tweeds of all sorts, and big old wooden tables stacked with more rugs, jumpers and shawls. The service is impeccable, and the tweed is measured out with wooden rods before being cut on the long counter with an enormous pair of shears. Of course, everything is horribly expensive, but a little tweed goes a long way, and it is such gorgeous fabric to work with.

So, bring on the dreich weather and the howling wind, I'm all cosied up in the evenings with my radio, sewing machine and lots of wonderful cosy colour. I'll show you when it's all finished.

Sales and Stories

2009-11-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

I love making things and I always have done, ever since I was quite tiny. And every now and then, someone will ask me if I have thought about selling what I make. Of course I have, but I just don't know...maybe because so much of what I make is just for the people I love, or for my home, things we need as well. Or maybe it is my slightly chaotic side that probably couldn't produce things in large batches without going a bit loopy, never mind having some sort of business sense. And there are those lurking doubts. Am I good enough? Will people really pay for things that take ages to make, when they could nip down to the shops and get something terribly cheap that was made in China? Still unanswered questions...However, I did finally stick a toe in the water and made up a batch of wee bits and bobs, robins, gnomes, bags and bunting to sell at a little stall that I mentioned in my last posting.

This was it! And you know, I think people did like them. And I even sold a fair bit too, which is terribly handy at this time of the year. So, I'm feeling quietly pleased with myself. The price to pay?

Before....

and um...

After...

I think there'll be a fair amount of tidying up going on this week. Not just in my studio either! So, for my sweet cousin who said my life looks like a story - here's the non-fiction!

Work in Hand

2009-11-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

It has been a hive of activity around here recently. It has been half term holidays - the 'Tattie Holidays' - from the days when all the local children were gainfully employed in digging up potatoes in surrounding farms; it may have been child labour, but there seems to be a lot of good memories of those times. Well, no potatoes for us. But plenty of gardening - lots of digging for me! And catching up with friends, including a very creative family. Here is a fantastic designer in the making. Mum provided the fabric, but she came with all the most definite ideas, starting with the drawing (below) and finishing with the teddy above. The two mothers were just the work force really...

Well, all that rubbed off on the boys who have made some beautiful tea light holders, which we are enjoying on the dinner table now.

And me? Well, just a sneak preview, but every evening I'm running up some ridiculous looking baby robins and other odd looking creatures, in the hope I might sell some next week at a little pre-Christmas (oh, sorry, that word. It just slipped out. I do apologise.) shopping evening to raise funds for my son's Gaelic choir. If they don't sell, well, friends and family, you know what to expect!

Happy November! May it be a cosy one for you...

Belle Mere and Nightmare (and Cake)

2009-10-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I nearly started this posting with a massive rant about nightmare changes in Blogger that are driving me crazy, but that isn't what you come to my blog to read all about, so I'll take a deep breath and try to contain myself! (Actually three hours later and I'm not sure that I can - ARGH!!!!) But if my photos are not in the order or size I was quite hoping for, my spelling is a bit odd and Featherglen is not the haven of calm it usually is, you know why...

I haven't had a lot of time to blog recently, mainly because my mother-in-law (or 'Belle Mere' as the French so tactfully put it) has been staying with us for a few weeks. As she lives so far away, we don't see her more than a couple of times a year, but it is usually quite an event!

So we need to have the welcome party out...

And a decent cake. This is a fabby doo recipe, which is easy peasy and has so much fruit in it you can almost convince yourself it's healthy, ahem...

You need...

125g marg/butter

90g muscvado sugar (the very dark brown stuff...mmmm)

1 tsp cinnamon or allspice

50g walnuts

450g dried fruit - I like a mix of raisins, sultanas and cranberries, but use whatever is to hand

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 teacup water

Put all of this into a big saucepan and bring to the boil. Let it boil for about 10-15 mins, then let it cool a little. Meanwhile heat your oven to 150 degrees C, line a medium sized cake tin, make a cup of tea, ignore the mountain of laundry etc.

Then, add..

2 eggs, beaten

260g flour (I like half wholemeal) sifted with...

1 tsp baking powder.

Top with some blanched almonds if you like (I do).

Stick it in the oven for an hour, more or less. It will come out looking craggy, and if you stick a skewer in it, it should come out clean. Cool in the tin. Serve to suitably impressed Belle Mere, who LOVES British baking.

Our Belle Mere is a very civilised sort, she is a wonderful professional artist, bookaholic, deeply enthusiastic about food and cooking, sews her own clothes, tells hilarious stories in top speed French complete with hand gestures and impersonations (it has taken me 12 years to finally be able to follow them!), doesn't mind grandsons tapping at her door at 6am, adores Marks and Spencers and, best of all, wouldn't notice dust if it was knee deep around her. Any downsides? Not really, but I expect that my boys will probably learn all the fairly rude French words from their Granny!

So, the last couple of weeks have seen quite a few really good celebratory meals...

Quite a bit of drawing...

Some beautiful autumnal moments...

And LOTS of sewing.
Over a year and half ago I bought about 3 metres of tweed at a sale for a fiver, plus an old Vogue coat for a pound, and decided to have a go at making a coat (I can't actually do dressmaking, by the by, but hey! If someone is there to tell me what to do, I'll give it a go.) However, after cutting out the pieces, we then decided to move house, so everything got packed up and I was so busy making curtains and things for the boys, that the poor old coat lay in a basket neglected. A visit from Belle Mere was just what it needed. And thank goodness she was there to help me, otherwise I would have never got beyond the first few instructions - which I could barely understand in English, never mind translate for her. Also, she does things properly. I am a complete bend-the-rules sewer, but she got me tacking and fitting and trying - and of course, it does all make a huge difference. Coat is not quite finished yet, but the end is in sight, so if I don't completely loose the plot with Blogger, I'll let you see the finished product.

In the meantime, to recover my calm, I'm knitting a lace scarf to go with the coat. It is a lovely pattern and I promise to share it with you too. Deep breaths, a bit of cake, a few cups of tea, or possibly even something a little stronger, and I will get the better of this new Blogger editor (said in a threatening voice to the computer). Until then!

Digging and Dreaming

2009-10-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

Of all my gardening experiments this year, the one that has given us most pleasure visually (as opposed to all the edible pleasures we have enjoyed), has been a new flowerbed planted up with annuals. I grew these beautiful girls from seed. Some did better than others, but I am chuffed to bits with the Cosmos, which has been flowering for about 3 months, and is bravely flowering on despite our first frost yesterday. I like drawing my flowers sometimes, but look at Geninne's paintings in her diary (her Cosmos are just in flower in Mexico City). Just lovely.

But I know all too soon, the flowers will decide it is just far too cold to be out and about. So in between other things I have been running out and sticking in a few bulbs every now and then. I've had some help - especially with the watering can...but he is most disappointed that there is nothing to show for all his hard four year old work....but I'm dreaming of golden daffy days ahead...

Autumn Weekends

2009-09-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Oh, it's a bitter sweet time of a season! So much beauty in all the colour and fruitfulness, and so much to enjoy, but it all heralds the passing of light and warmth...nothing for it - just to get out there and breathe it all in, soak it all up. So there's not much time blogging, when there are autumn picnics to be had, more chanterelles to be found, blackberries to be picked...and when that's all done, then the jam making (him, not me!) and cooking starts. And then... a pause to be thankful for all this beauty and abundance.

Mushroom Magic

2009-09-18T03:04:00.000-07:00

I'm just getting over a swift dose of flu and feeling a bit out of shape, but not even that can stop me from enjoying this time of the year, there are so many wonderful things to find outdoors. Lots of crafty folk love the shape and colour of mushrooms and we are no exception, even my youngest can't go for a walk without pointing out almost every one that he sees. So, our little walks can take quite some time. Mushrooms are everywhere in our local woods, in the most extraordinary colours.

We are happy to just look and enjoy, but my beloved is a good Frenchman and forager of fine things, so armed with a pile of mushroom books, he has taught me how to identify some edible varieties. This year we have hit gold - a big crop of Chanterelles.

We have been enjoying them with earthy Puy lentils, generously seasoned with garlic, parsley and lemon, or as a deluxe filling to an omelette. Aren't they the most beautiful colour?

Anything interesting to eat in your neighbourhood? Any suggestions for cooking our treasures? I'm sure there will be another mushroom hunt this weekend...

2009-09-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

I always love to connect what is going on outside in nature with what we have in our home, even if it's just a pine cone we found on a walk, or a rock one of the boys has given me (I have a small bowl of such treasures adorning on our kitchen table).

Right now, there are a lot of yellows catching my eye, from bright Rudbeckias in the gardens, to ochre mushrooms in the woods, and even a few yellowing leaves on the silver birch. So, I must have had that in mind when I was making a little present for a local birthday girl. She is already (at age seven) the collector of aprons and the giver of the most elegant of teaparties. There's not a lot of girlieness going on in our household, so it was nice to have a chance to let rip and make another apron to add to her collection.

I used a bit of white linen from a old French sheet that I've been gradually cutting into, plus some Rudbeckia yellow gingham, a few patchwork scraps leftover from the boys' baby quilt, some ric-rac, and a fabric and button flower to decorate the waistband.

It was the first apron I've ever made, but it was easy-peasy and fun to do. Might even make myself one next. Although I have to say, I'd never be able to wear it with the elegance and glamour of this particular party girl!

Feathering the Nest

2009-09-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

The early autumnal weather has made us aware that the season is changing quickly, and soon our light evenings will be gone, our energy with it, and we'll be spending our evenings close to the fire, in semi hibernation. So, a flurry of minor home improvements have been going on, hence the lack of recent postings. It has taken me a year of living in our house to finally decide on the perfect colour for the living room (paint samples, anyone?). It was white, which is fine, but not very cosy and not always soothing either.

So, two days solid of painting, plus the kindly offer of boy-amusing from my neighbour, and the room is now a deeply restful shade of grey. No, not cosy perhaps, but not cold either, and it's given me the chance to rearrange our pictures and treasured things. Everyone has their corner, my husband has the desk, I get the rocking chair and the boys have their table too. Of course, we all fight over the sofa!

It's blowing a gale outside tonight and I fear for the flowers - will they all be flat or even gone by the morning? But while I can, I'm bringing lots of them indoors. These ones are in a sweet little wall pot made by Dorinda Johnson.

Do you feel the same? Do you get a sudden burst of 'nesting' in early autumn? Seems to happen to me every year, along with the brief urge to clean in early spring. I think I'd make a good bear, busy all summer and then sleeping all winter. But! If it would stop raining and howling outside, I think I'm ready to welcome autumn.

Summer Loving

2009-08-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

It has to be said, it's beginning to feel a touch on the autumnal side around here. Yes, already! But there is still a few last joys of summer to be relished. One of which is a local Flower Show, which took place yesterday. It's a small but wonderful exhibition of prize tomatoes, enormous leeks, sweetpeas, flower arrangements and pots of homemade jam, chocolate cake and gloriously sweet tablet. The competition is good humoured, but I suspect at heart the winners are quietly jubilant. I entered the 'Pot or Vase of Herbs' category with a mug filled with eight different variety of herbs from my garden (the courgettes having steadfastly ignored my encouragements and pleading) - and yes, I too was able to be quietly jubilant! A first! The certificate is now proudly on the kitchen wall, and prize money spent on a plateful of homemade cakes for the boys and...

all these fabulous local vegetables, grown by much better gardeners than myself. Don't they look great? Any suggestions for the beetroots? They are something I know I probably should be brave and eat, and will probably love, but memories of beetroots in jars of vinegar, brought out at childhood teatimes, has rather put me off. But I love the fabulous colour of the beetroot stalks, and the wonderful red-purple tomatoes with the red-skinned potatoes.

Despite not producing masses of glorious veg, the wee raised bed has done pretty well for our first year together, and we have eaten salad from it for ages, had some sweet little dwarf beans and a few courgettes, so I'm pretty happy. But the best things grown from seed have been flowers, and I think my private first prize would have to go to the humble cornflower. That blue! Summer's not finished until the cornflowers are.

Do you have any prizewinners you are loving in your garden right now?

Images to Savour

2009-08-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

In the bump-back-to-earth that is the return to our usual routines, the holidays already seem so far away. Going away with two wee chaps full of life and energy, and going to stay with other families doesn't make for the most relaxing of holidays - but oh, lots of fun! And lots of simple goodness; messing around on beaches, tramping through woods, visiting agricultural and horticultural shows, and the chance to explore the gardens and toys of our wonderful and welcoming friends and family.

But for us, the parents, there were also moments of sustenance, relaxation and revival. Lazy breakfasts. Newspapers and coffee. Evenings of treats and great conversations. Wine... Tiree art galleries (briefly! And thank you so much to Colin at Blue Beyond for providing the boys with absorbing lengths of bubblewrap to pop! And Dorinda Johnston for having the great wisdom to site her studio just by the beach, with its' harbour and old boats - perfect! ) We came back with quite a few ceramic goodies...But above all, the beauty of Britain, in all its variety and richness; from a Scottish island, and a Somerset wood, to a Mersyside beach or a Buckinghamshire manor house, leaves impressions that will nourish us in the days ahead.

" i thank You God for most this amazing

day for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a true blue dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes"

e. e. cummings

Celebrating Ourselves

2009-08-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

A quick hello! We're finally back from holidays, and had a marvellous, mad time wandering the breadth and width of the British Isles, begging hospitality from kindly friends. We have plunged straight back into school and work, and a garden gone completely bonkers, so I haven't had a pause to take a good look at the many photos of our travels. But I will! So, just for today, a picture taken of the two of us - which is kind of a rare thing, as I'm usually behind the lens.

Our first stop was on the island of Tiree, a wonderful wee place off the west coast of Scotland, where I used to live, a long time ago. You may be able to tell that it is a slighty windy place! We went to see old friends, but also to renew our wedding vows, on our 10th anniversary. It was a very simple, but really lovely moment during a Sunday morning service in the tiny Baptist church, with the same minister who married us. When we married we had no money at all, and my beloved engraved a little silver ring for me, for our engagement. To mark this anniversary, he made and engraved a white gold ring with a celtic seal swimming around it. It's really beautiful and I'm even more happy to be married to him, ten years on.

Les Vacances...

2009-07-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

The garden has been well-watered and entrusted into neighbourly and house-sitting hands, along with the guinea piggies and fish...

Some presents have finally been finished (sorry for the poor light, it's getting late) - perhaps a foretaste of our beachy holiday plans?

The essentials have been assembled and (I hope!) packed into the groaning car.

So, it's goodbye to our cool, flower-filled meadows and hello to another Featherglen family expedition, taking us to pastures new and old. We'll be back in a wee whiley! See you then, and have a wonderful summer.

Summer Pattern of Life

2009-07-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

I don't really do structure, especially in school holidays, but Monsieur Featherglen and I realised that there some things we wanted to try and focus on a bit over the summer, so we've sort of evolved a little pattern for each day (well, most days anyway).

My boys are are only just getting into drawing and writing, and need a gentle nudge to pick up a paintbrush or pen, so we've been trying to encourage them to do that. It helps to have a good reason, such as making and writing birthday thank you cards - we helped out by scanning a nice drawing into the computer and printing it on paper which was glued onto coloured card.

Another thing we've been a bit more focused on is their French. It was much stronger when they were younger. Now English has become dominant, and as they both get Gaelic at school/nursery that has also become more prominent. So, over the summer we are trying to speak as much French as possible in our home, encourage them to respond in French and play lots of little games. My aim is to try and sew or draw each day - so preparing things for our games has helped me too! I had hoped to look at my Gaelic a bit each day too, but that seems to have fallen by the way a bit. Oh well, can't do everything!

And it's very important to have plenty of time just to enjoy summer days...

And the winner is....

2009-07-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

I can't recommend highly enough having a Postcard Competition! Usually our Postie, nice man that he is, brings nothing but ominous brown envelopes, not designed to cheer up a day. But YOU out there, well! You sent me all sorts of wonderful postcards. They came from North America (Canada and the US), Africa, Australia and Europe! Dolores card arrived first, Johanna's from Victoria Falls, Zambia, made me laugh the most (a baboon stole her lunch! Love that word 'baboon' by the way!) and Becky's from a wintry day in Australia arrived on an unusually sweltering morning here. But the winner was.....Erin from the US! When this arrived, I almost fell off my perch - isn't this the most beautiful thing to arrive (with no envelope) through the post? I imagine postal workers from one end of the world to the other saying "Wow!" when they saw it. And it arrived in an immaculate state too, so it was probably handled with care.

She even wrote on the back of it too! So a bag of goodies will be heading off on their summer holidays to you very soon. Thank you!

But some special mentions have to go to Grace for this fabbydoo mushroom print - and mushroom poetry to go with it. And see her blog for Meatless Monday recipes - more mushrooms, I'm guessing! I want to make her tostada recipe already.

And also a drum roll to Sfer for this with the words "Sometimes life seems nothing but scraps...think of what you're missing if you throw them away." A lovely card, scrapped and glued together, a real recycling special. Muchas gracias!

So ladies all, I will be sending you a wee card back very soon. Thank you so very, very much for participating and I will keep visiting your blogs too.

A Bit too Chicken?

2009-07-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or does anyone else find chickens inherently lovable? Despite looking somewhat ridiculous and appearing to not have much brain capacity, I can't help liking them. In fact I've almost forgiven some I lived next to a few years ago, for pecking up my precious seeds and pooping on my doorstep. But not the turkey. Ever. But that's another story.

We would really love to keep some, but we have a small but vicious problem. Pine martens. They may be little but they are also strong and very intelligent. And they also finished off a couple of sweet guinea pigs we were looking after for a friend while she was on holiday, which makes them completely evil. Sigh...has anyone got any ideas for keeping chickens out of the clutches of voracious beasts? Whilst giving the chooks a nice life too? Answers please!

Ooh yes, I almost forgot. Tomorrow I will be announcing the winner of my Postcard Competition. It's been very exciting getting your lovely cards in the post! All of them beautiful...how to choose?

Now we are Six

2009-07-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

School holidays start, and naturally, after weeks of sunshine, it instantly starts raining. Non-stop. For a week. Oh joy! However, nothing can dampen a birthday celebration and even the weather cheered up a bit too. Now at the grand old age of six, my boy really knows how birthdays work. First request was breakfast in bed (our bed, so everyone could fit in). Only a bit of chocolate spread on the pillowcase... And some very specific present requests...

"Mum, can you make me a SamSam costume?"

"Mum, can you make me a knight costume?" And a cosy velvet cape with a furry collar - wouldn't mind one of those for myself actually. Goes with the quiver that was also requested recently...

Naturally a superhero/knight needs a quest. And some friends to help. So after a bit of shield decorating, face-painting and dressing-up we headed out in search of dragon eggs - left carelessly all around the woods...

We got attacked by a not very friendly dragon hiding in the heather - it got enthusiastically bashed! Just as well, it had lots of goodies in his belly...

Peace restored, it was back a bit of cake. Despite my love of all things homemade, I have to say I find birthday cakes a bit daunting, well, the fiddly ones anyway. This one was no exception. Especially as the electricity was due to be cut for several hours the morning of the party, and I found myself manically trying to beat the icing whilst throwing cocoa powder everywhere, as I realised I only had 3 minutes in which to take a shower! Still it worked out fine, I got my shower, the cake was very chocolately and the kitchen is almost clean....

The party finished with a peaceful campout in the garden, a nice bottle of wine for the grownups and a cosy campfire. And the sun even came back out for the weekend.

Almost too good

2009-06-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

This summer is almost a sensory overload; I go to peg out the washing and miraculously, real deep warmth envelopes me, the rich honey scent of the clover beneath my feet makes me stand and stop midway. Colour is everywhere, subtle and dramatic, the birds are quieter now, but the bees hum happily, a nice little background music for a perfect summer day.

And outside the garden, the colours are more subtle, but still lovely, and song comes from the skylark and the growing lambs instead.

Not all the colour is outside. Maybe the riot that's going on in the garden and beyond made me buy this fabric! And I finally finished a dress that I started about a month ago. It was a first attempt at shirring, which was scary at first, but actually pretty easy, once I got into the swing of it.

It was based on the Mendocino sundress but I wasn't 100% sure if it was going to work for me, as, shall we say, I'm not a tall willowy type...ahem. But I took some advice from my ever reliable sister, and also found good tips at Weekend Designer. It seems I wasn't alone being unsure, but it worked out quite well - although it probably will stay as a garden and beach dress, but that's just fine with me. I think it helped to have the fabric wide enough to go around me twice, and have the shirring quite far apart - about 2cm. Oh yes, and to try on a variety of different things to go underneath.

My boys like it, "Oh, you're wearing a rainbow, Mum!" And it feels lovely floating around in a gentle breeze....

The other thing I LOVE about summer, are all the special recipes you can really only make with fresh summer food, at its very best. Right now, we are really enjoying the classic French Clafoutis, which is one of my husband's favourites. It reminds him of his childhood. You can make it with lots of different fruit, but the one in the photo is blueberry and cherry - it had a lot of fruit in and was very juicy - yum! Cherry Clafoutis is, however, the classic.

So, here's our recipe, and I have it on the authority of my husband's grandmother that you should leave the cherry stones in for better flavour.

4 eggs
9 soup spoons castor sugar
pinch of salt
5 soup spoons plain flour, sifted
25g (1 oz) butter
1/4 litre (half a pint) milk
a few drops decent vanilla essence
500g (1 lb) cherries

Heat oven to gas mark 6/200 degrees C/180 fan oven

Butter a big flan dish, then wash the cherries and place them evenly in the dish - you can remove the stones beforehand, but it's a bit of a faff. Beat the eggs, sugar and salt then gently add in the flour, beating to make a smooth batter. Melt the butter,allow it to cool a little then add it to the milk, along with the vanilla essence. Mix this in with the batter, ensuring everything is well combined. Pour it over the cherries, stick it in the oven.

I find it take about 30 mins in my hot oven, but it could take 45 mins. Cook it until the batter is set and slightly browned. Dust lightly with icing sugar before serving. It is best eaten slightly warm.

****

I usually roast lots of tomatoes with loads of garlic in the oven at the same time and just serve them with some pasta, cheese and salad, which is nice and easy-peasy and lets me get back outside again quickly!

What are you eating this summer?

Soaking it up

2009-06-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

There hasn't been a lot of blogging recently despite the computer having been coaxed back into being. I think it's because there's just been awful lot of living going on instead. Winter nights here are so very long and dark that the boys are happy to snuggle up into bed, and we don't move more than a few feet away from the fire, so it's easy to sit pottering with the computer. But summer...well! The nights stretch on almost endlessly, light pours into my studio in the evening, the garden calls out to be tended and no-one wants to sleep. It almost feels immoral to spend time in front of a screen.

And these long days cry out for journeys, to use every moment of light and sun, somehow to store up energy and experiences to draw upon in the blackness of winter. So recently we headed up to the very north coast of Scotland, across the wide empty spaces of Sutherland. Even in summer, these are impressively desolate places, you travel for miles without seeing anything manmade other than the winding single-track road.

Then suddenly, twenty or more deer alongside the track, the stag eyeing us up warily, watching us as we watch them...then miles more of moorland and heather-covered hills, following the path of a river. Sometimes, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, a small loch would have a tiny rowing boat moored - a sign that someone visits from time to time, after all.

Not a lot of houses, - the legacy of the Highland Clearances, but when there are, some of them are perfect - almost defiantly jolly in an often bleak landscape. I like that. One small gathering of half a dozen houses had every door, window frame, gate and every other paintable surface rendered in a striking shade of emerald green. Was it on special offer? Was it the only colour available? Or was it a collective decision to cheer things up a bit?

We met with a group of friends to camp. It was a brave decision as only the day before it had been pouring with rain and even snowing slightly up north - yes, in June! Midsummer madness? I don't know, but we went anyway, and were rewarded with glorious sun, empty beaches and beauty all around. But...the night was VERY cold. I had a 3 season sleeping bag, thermals, flannel jammies, 2 fleeces and my hotwater bottle. I was still frozen! But amazingly the children didn't seem to notice it at all and woke up fresh as daisies, as their parents grumped around in search of a hot cuppa.

Having finally thawed out and woken up we headed off in search of unknown places and were amply rewarded by a tiny but beautiful bay, complete with rock pools, sand, a peaty coloured burn, harbour, ancient wrecks and new fishing boats enclosed in a diminutive harbour. What more could we want? Hours slipped away as we munched and dug and made dams and piles of stones. We checked the wrecks for pirates and loaded up buckets with 'treasures' (sparkly rocks - I'm no geologist, as you can tell, but they are very pretty).

This isn't the place to go on a shopping trip really. You might get a paper and some loo roll and tea bags in the few little shops we saw. But how about this for a craft shop/garden centre? Complete with it's own honesty box as well.

So, if I'm not blogging, I'm out living. In all these summer days I know I have to stash it up for the time ahead. But I'll be back soon, I have some fabby summer recipes to post and some crafty projects to share. Hope you are having a good time living too!

Catching Up

2009-06-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well, hello, hello, I'm back! Two weeks of no Internet connection - which also means no radio or telly either - made me realise how sadly dependant I am on my computer. However, I did get on with lots of other things and my beloved was away for 10 days which meant I didn't have much time or energy anyway. So it's time for a wee catch up!

For my birthday, I had some friends around for a lovely evening of eating crepes and doing a bit of sewing. Look at these fabbydoo cakes! A friend made them using squished raspberries to make the icing that gorgeous pink colour. They tasted really fruity too, totally yummy. I'm drooling again..

We almost didn't get any sewing done, as we were too busy eating and blethering. And in the middle of the evening there was a great big storm which knocked out the phone line and the electricity a couple of times. It was a dramatic night, but in the end we didn't have to stitch by hand in candlelight! We made a number of blocks for a quilt that I hope will be finished for a cheery summery kind of a quilt. Maybe this summer, maybe next summer.

But it was a wonderful evening and it was great that some of my lovely friends were game for trying something new. Thank you!

I've not gone away!

2009-06-10T04:26:00.000-07:00

Our modem got blown up in a thunderstorm last Friday and so until a replacement arrives and I work out to install it - give me a sewing machine anyday - I'll be offline for a few days. Which is very sad as I have lots of lovely quilting pictures to show you and stories of the coldest camping trip ever...you'll have to be patient!

In the meantime I'm off to dig big rocks out of my garden, battle against the midges, and get some new plants in. Oh and finish up some boxes of birthday chocolate....THANKS for the postacrds that have been sent in, it's very exciting. Given the modem troubles and not being able to get at my email account I'm extending the deadline until July 15th on the Postcard Competition!

Catch up with you soon!

Giveaway Winner!

2009-06-01T02:49:00.000-07:00

The Sew Mama Sew! May Giveaway is closed now and I'm happy to announce that Treasures of Joy has won! A bag of goodies will be winging its way to her this week, and I hope to get a postcard back. A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who took part, it cheered me up greatly reading all your comments - what a nice bunch of people you all are. If you want another chance of winning something, please do take part in my Postcard Competition - click on the piccie on the right for details. In the meantime, drop by again soon!

Dream Days

2009-05-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

We are feeling very blessed, with long days of sun, and yet another trip to a beach. The wide-open skies, the songs of the oystercatcher and skylark, and the heady scent of coconut from the golden gorse all make for a healing, restful balm for the soul.

Colour abounds, from the windbreak to the kite against the deepest blue of the sky, and from the sometimes ill-advised and startling beachwear of the British at leisure. Anything goes...

The boys and their Papa dig, splash and paint. I snatch a few cherished moments in solitude to walk the long length of sparsely occupied sand, feet in the water at the warmer fringes of the North Sea.

The beach tunic is finshed and well worn today, roomy and soft.

It was made from an old sheet and a few scraps left over from a quilt, with a bit of embroidery and appliqué to cover some ancient rust marks. My sister gave me the pattern from a magazine, so it was a good thrifty make for summer.

Also finished, the blackbird mosaic, just looking for a comfy place to nest in the garden.

Ah, dream days indeed, to be savoured.

And tomorrow, first thing, I will be announcing the winner of my Giveaway! But don't forget, there is a second chance to win a surprise goodie bag by sending me a postcard so do join in!

Hope you're having some dream days of your own...

The Perfect Antidote

2009-05-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

After nearly a week of illness my boys perked up a bit (and thank you for your kind get well comments, they cheered me up!). The sun came out too, so a bit of fresh air and change of scenery was definitely called for. So picnic and buckets were thrown in the car and we headed north to a lovely peaceful beach at Portmahomack.

I can't tell you how soothing I find the sound of sea and the calling of oystercatchers. And it was a perfect day. The kind that maybe only happens a couple of times a year in Scotland. Hot, hot sun, a gentle breeze and time to enjoy it all.

The boys dug in the sand and paddled, we hunted for treasure - and so much of it on this beach! But I was happy just to sit on my favourite Guatemalan patchwork blanket and soak it up.

I was happy to have found a sunhat I made for my oldest a few years back, which still fits the youngest, not that it stays on his head for long...

Treasure...

Portmahomack is a wee fishing village with an old stone harbour, where lobster and crab are landed. A perfect place to sit and eat our ice cream...

There's all sorts of interesting old houses with little surprises to be found.

And today, we had another day at a different but also wonderful beach. I didn't take my camera, but I did optimistically pack some sewing, and managed to get a summer tunic finished with a little embroidery - suns, sand and..sewing! My idea of a good day out! And to finish...

May Giveaway Day Update

2009-05-28T03:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a week it's been! My two poor boys have had some kind of evil bug that has had us running around with well-placed buckets - I'll say no more, you get the picture! So inbetween brow mopping, tummy rubbing, carpet cleaning (oh joy!) and copious laundry it has been SUCH a pleasure to see the massive response to my Giveaway Day (see previous post). How very cheering to get all your encouraging and kind comments from all over the world. So, for all of you, that have posted and are posting comments, a few flowers...My youngest loves to pick anything/everything that pops up in the garden and sweetly present them to me, hence our table of tiny arrangements.

Now then, the postcard request seems to have proved a big hit with many of you, so it gave me another idea (as I was awake a fair bit last night...) for another Giveaway! Just to give you a second chance of winning something nice from Featherglen.

To enter, you need to send me a postcard! For my contact details either leave a comment with your email address (and if you have done so already, I will reply) or email me at:

trinaclacroix@hotmail.com

Please mark 'Postcard' in the subject box. The competition will be open until the end of June, and basically the postcard I like the best will win! And if I can't decide I'll ask the boys to choose. Please be sure to write your name and address on the card, oh and maybe what crafts you enjoy, your favourite colours etc. The winner will get another Featherglen mystery goodie bag, filled with crafty items and wee treats - I'll try and choose stuff that you'll like, plus some Scottish things. And I will send a reply postcard to the next 10 coolest cards.

Let the fun commence!

May Giveaway Day and Other Excitement

2009-05-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here are three things I'm very excited about:

1. An early and totally wonderful birthday present from my sister - a quilt handmade by her, called 'The Rich Tapestry of Life' and filled with fabrics that relate to places I have lived or things I've done in my lifetime so far. How fabulous is that? It's going to live in my sewing room, which can get a bit chilly and will be just perfect on my chair, when I need a bit of something to cosy under.

2 . Our wee raised bed is doing really well! Or rather the plants in it are...and today we cut the first leaves for a homegrown salad. A small thing, I know, but it was deeply satisfying.

3. And taaa-daaa! Today is May Giveaway Day!! I'm going to be giving away a goodie bag of crafty yumminess - mainly fabric, including some Scottish Tweed, as well as ribbon, buttons and all sorts of things you might use to whip up a sweet something with. I will also be adding 4 Featherglen postcards to the bag, and maybe some other little treats too..

It's my surprise to you, whoever you are and wherever you are in the world. My only request is - please send me back a postcard from wherever you live.

So, to win my goodie bag, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post by May 31st - I'll be choosing a winner by bedtime GMT. The winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

You can also visit Sew, Mama, Sew! to check out all the other giveaways all over the world! So have fun, and thanks for dropping by to visit me.

A Giveaway Coming Up...

2009-05-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across a very nice idea in blogland the other day - a big massive day of giveaways from lots of other crafty blogs, organised by the creative types over at Sew,Mama,Sew! So watch out for a Featherglen Giveaway coming up this Wednesday 27th May. What will it be....? You'll have to come back then and see! And you will also be able to access lots of other yummy craft giveaways from all over the world. Doesn't it sound like a great way to spend an evening?

So a little something will be coming out of my wee creative space - maybe for you! Here it is unusually tidy (my big sister is coming up for a few days, ahem, out with the hoover!)

Do you remember the nice old tablecloth I bought recently? It ended up covering a long cushion and bringing a bit of early summer into the living room! There's a piece leftover, and I'm hoping to put them into a quilt soon. However, in the meantime, I'm looking forward to bit of sewing and lots of chatting with my sister.

Branching Out

2009-05-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

There's always a number of creative projects on the go here at Featherglen, but the one that is particularly attracting the boys attention is an ambitious extension of their treehouse.

I hasten to add, this is not really my department. This is definitely the territory of my beloved. I can draw up ideas, but he is the poor soul who has to make them work, and who understands what it takes to build something that won't fall down.

So, every spare evening, he is out there sawing and chipping away at big piles of wood. Thank heavens for the unexpected arrival of a Canadian pal at the weekend (because, obviously, all Canadians are lumberjacks). That got the ladder done.

Our neighbour is nearing the end of a big building project and has donated a big pile of tree-house construction goodies to the cause. Probably because her children will be spending an awful lot of time up there too...

I climbed up to have a good look ( and no, the ladder did not break, thank you very much) at how things were coming along. Here is the view from on high...I wonder if there might be room for a deckchair up there...

Finally

2009-05-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

You aren't ever going to see many photos of me on this blog, but just occasionally, I might let myself come the other side of the camera, for special times maybe. So, what's up?

Hurray, hurray, hurray, I finally finished this first ever cardi for myself. It's only taken a year! Well, I started it last May, but there's been a lot of other things happening, like moving house, for instance. Knitting it wasn't too bad, but sewing it up...that was an entirely different story! Grrr...And I like sewing. Usually.

Anyway, now it's done, I'm jolly pleased with myself. It's perfect for this spring weather. The wool is a nice speckled aran and the pattern is from this book . Now that it's finished, I can get on with a bit more of this:

And baking a few more of these:

And trying to get enthusiastic about finishing the biggest pair of curtains in the world. So they seem to me...

Work in Progress

2009-05-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Every two weeks or so I go to this amazing craft group in Inverness, which provides a brilliant creche for tiny ones and the opportunity for people, mainly mums, to get together, make stuff, see some lovely people and get a cuppa with a slice of homemade cake! Could it be any better? And it's wonderful because I have learnt so much, had help with my novice knitting, started painting with acrylics, and got into doing mosaic. Sometimes I just take whatever I'm working on at home, other times I go and try out whatever I'm in the mood for. And today was definitely a mosaic day.

I have a plan to make some to cheer up the garden in the non-flowering times of the year..we'll see how far I get, but here's the start. And the weather was so nice later that I was able to carry on outdoors while the boys paddled and played alongside.

Bliss...

A Woodland Rainbow

2009-05-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

After a week of sun and showers and rainbows in the skies, colour is everywhere. A Sunday afternoon stroll in the woods had me on hands and knees, wanting to get up close, so not to miss a drop of it.

Violet...tiny and fragrant

Blue... "A true blue dream of a day"

Green...everywhere, and in every hue and texture

Yellow...coconut scented, way too exotic for the Highlands...Mmm

Orange...the peat tinted waters of the burn

Red...is this cheating? The real thing was obviously having his afternoon nap....

Watercolour

2009-05-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year where Highland weather changes every few minutes. We've woken up to see snow on the mountains twice this week, yet my son insists on wearing shorts to school. Glorious sun. Pouring rain. Howling winds. It's all happening.

So we are having to snatch moments outside when we can. And when we can't, then bring the outside in.

Having the outside in, means you can see the rapid changes of the season right under your eyes. I don't paint very often these days, and I'm not terribly good at it. But perhaps it's the weather, or perhaps it's the delicate beauty of spring growth, but it felt high time to get the watercolours out. I love using pen and wash, because it is very immediate, and you are totally committed. No rubbing out, no painting over.

And best of all, my son wanted to join in. I have learnt it is important sometimes to offer the best paints, brushes and paper, as the results are so different. We had a lovely time, quiet and focused, a rare moment of just the two of us, a good counterpoint to a rather fractious morning!

Then we got a big roll of lining paper out and tried out all sorts of colour combinations, and ended up with our own watercolour rainbow. And then it was time to get our wellies on and grab the moment to get back out again!

A Table! And Gardener's Revenge Salad!

2009-05-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

How was your May Bank Holiday? (For those of you that have have one, that is) We thought about a wee trip over to the west coast, took one look at the weather forcast and swiftly made other plans! We headed east, not too far, in search of some clement weather and maybe...a table.

We've had a tiny kitchen table for over a decade, ancient and lovely, but really, with friends, far too small. And wobbly to boot. We've been hunting for a while, in and around various charity shops, but didn't find anything that really fit the bill.

We thought it was high time we paid a visit to an antique & reclamation place not too far from home. It's a great cavern of delights! And swiftly we found just the thing, a splendid old table, missing a couple of leaves (but not a problem, we can improvise and cover up!), slightly battered, but very sturdy and can be extended to feed an army! Hurrah! Oh, and cheap too, even better.

The boys enjoyed some fabby vintage toys - including a rather slendid Harrods tricycle. The beloved table was very carefully tied to the roof of the car and the journey home had to be along the back of the back roads, at a very dignified pace. But we made it! And with a bit of borrowed muscle, got it into pride of place.....

I also bought a lovely old table cloth, and it does look rather nice on my new table, but I'm not sure it would survive more than one pasta sauce incident. So, I have other plans for it...

I admit that I do love a certain Swedish purveyor of cheap household things, but it feels so much nicer to be using an old table and cloth, with their sense of story. Who made that cloth I wonder? It is beautifully stitched.

Well, it certainly is nice to have space to spread out meals on the table. And what's on the menu? Haha! Gardener's Revenge Salad! Recently, in The Guardian newspaper, I read that Ground Elder could be eaten. I duly told my husband, who is PLAGUED by the stuff in the L'Arche garden. No matter what you do, every year, up it pops! We checked it out in a few wild food books, and yes, it can be used like spinach, or in salad.

He tasted it a few days ago, and is still here to tell the tale, so we had some for supper. The verdict? The small, young leaves are the best, and they have strong flavour, part lemony, part celery. Quite edible, although, I prefer it mixed sparingly with other salad leaves, and a good salad dressing. A few walnuts go well with it too.

My dearly beloved however, ate a plateful with relish! If he can't exterminate the stuff, at least he can eat his way through it. It must be the first time Ground Elder has made him happy. I think we are going to have some good times around that table....

Celebrating May

2009-05-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

This is (probably) my favourite month in the Highlands, and our trees are slowly greening up. Beech trees are my no. 1 favourite tree, probably because I spent an awful lot of childhood in and around them. But since moving here, Larch have also taken a place in my heart. They aren't terribly majestic, but their cones are lovely and flower-like, and the soft green needles are a beautiful colour. And they are such graceful trees.

Indoors and out, everything is popping up, full of promise and fragrance. Our seedlings are doing well...

And joy! The first radish of the season. Not ours, but from the L'Arche polytunnel, brought home as a contribution to our Friday Lunch with Syd, Lil and Gina. They were crunchy, with just a hint of peppery bite. And how best to eat them? We had them dipped into a thick mustardy vinaigrette, but the French smear them with butter and a sprinkle of salt. How to make a perfectly healthy food totally decadent!

This weekend, we had another film night in the living room. This involves dragging mattresses downstairs, the telly out the cupboard and making a big bowl of popcorn. Then settling down with a flick all four of us can enjoy, and then snoozing off together. Naturally, the setting up of such an arrangement causes a certain May madness....

Not much sleep but a lot of fun....

Another celebration was a birthday BBQ at the wonderful Abriachan Forest. Just the sort of party we most enjoy. The woods are full of trails and treehouses and all sorts of lovely little surprises hidden away. A beautiful community project and really inspiring.

On our way home, we almost witnessed a terrible tragedy, but Featherglen readers will be relieved to know that Mama Duck and her 13 ducklings didn't end up in the local funeral home, but were last seen heading off into a lovely big garden with a stream...phew!

And on the creative front so far this month? Well, tired out by all of last month's activities, all I managed to do was sew my finished (the knitting) cardi onto the one I was already wearing! Argh! At least a nice glass of wine was quickly proffered to help me unpick it all...

In Praise of the Domesticated Man

2009-04-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Other than a man in a kilt (with a French accent, to boot), is there anything more attractive than a man wielding a hoover?
I don't think so...

Having just spent several days away, leaving care of home and household to my beloved, I hope you won't mind if say, that he really is the most fabulous man ever (in my humble and entirely subjective opinion). I came back to find, well, not an entirely tidy house (but then it never actually is...) but evidence of housework and laundry done, happy and healthy children, and a great big vase of cherry blossoms waiting on the kitchen table, oh and a nice wee glass of something yummy to have by the fire later...

Those of you who know him, will probably be aware he is the most fantastic cook too (thank you, Poppy!) I thought I would share one of his fab recipes with you, Madeleines au Citron. These are small, light cakes, with a wonderful fresh lemony taste, that go down particularly well with a cup of tea on a sunny spring afternoon. Or a rainy one, just to cheer yourself up.

Madeleines au Citron (makes 18)

2 large eggs
150g caster sugar
150g flour, sifted with half a teaspoon baking powder
150g butter (unsalted), melted
Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated

Beat the eggs and sugar until light and foamy, then beat in the melted butter. Gradually fold in the flour , a spoonful at a time, then the lemon zest. Butter a Madeleine tin (well, you could just use a bun tin, that would be just fine. You could use paper cases, but we don't) and fill with the mix. Bake in a preheated oven at Gas 7/425 F/220 C/180 Fan for about 10 mins. Allow to cool briefly on a cooling rack, before making that pot of tea and getting stuck in.

L'Arche Friendship Retreat

2009-04-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

Just come back from helping facilitate a L'Arche Friendship Retreat. It was so beautiful. Five pairs (one person with a learning disability and one assistant) who came from our community and L'Arche Edinburgh, to share the story of their lives together. We prayed and played and painted, told and heard stories, sang and danced, ate and slept, swam and walked, laughed and joked and were silent together for four days. It was so beautiful.

There is more about it on the other blog I contribute to here and more photos here

2009-04-19T11:43:00.000-07:00

Toot de toot! A birthday weekend! My wee chap scrubbed up rather well for his big day, or rather a whole weekend of big days, spent with some very bestest friends sleeping over for two nights. So, yes, some chaos, some tired parents, but everyone very happy...

Plenty of handmade and thoughtful gifts...

And a party full of rainbow colours....

But very best of all, glorious hot sunshine (it was snowing here this time last year!). We dragged tables and chairs out into the garden for a long lazy lunch and then sent all the superheros off for a quest for treasure...a mission enthusiastically accepted...

with tracks to follow...

Everyone helping out...

And sweet success!

But there were treats for the grownups, like the first BBQ of the year, loads of sweet herby grilled vegetables, lovely red wine, bread and cheese, all made more pleasurable by the unexpectedness of eating outside on a Highland April evening.

And treats for me - a wonderful felted bag, made especially by a very special friend, filled with all sorts of crafty goodness - including some easy threading needles, which apparently are very popular with older German ladies...well, scary to admit, but I think they might come in very handy...

Tomorrow I'm off for the best part of the week to help out at a L'Arche retreat. I have been busy making all sorts of things to help facilitate our days together. We are going to stay at a wonderful place near Perth called The Bield. I'm sure it will be a full time but I'm really looking forward to being part of it. Catch up with you soon!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

A Very Happy Easter to you! This comes somewhat belatedly, as rather symbolically, our computer decided to die on Good Friday, only to resurrect briefly, give us a few moments of hope, before decisively ascending to glory..well, I wish. And had I backed up all my work onto a USB thingy or some such sensible device? No, of course not...However, thanks to a beloved husband, advice of friends and one spanking new graphics card, we're back online!

Well, it was not all bad. Over our Easter holiday week we've welcomed friends to stay, basked in glorious spring sunshine and eaten vast quantities of chocolate, slightly offset by a few wee rambles here and there.

And although I was slightly miffed to have the last 5 minutes of Dr. Who cut off on the iPlayer, the lack of computer has meant time for lots of crafting, which is just as well, as it is almost someone's birthday...

Maundy Thursday with L'Arche

2009-04-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

Today we met with the L'Arche Community for one of the most significant days of our year. We meet in the hall of a church in Inverness for a Passover meal of lamb, flat bread and 'bitter' herbs, to remember the last meal shared by Jesus and his disciples. We have readings and tell the story in a Jewish style, and then eat together in a (fairly!) quiet reflective way.

Afterwards we wash one another's feet. It's a very vulnerable thing revealing our winter-ugly feet to one another! But it is a sign of our openess to each other and our care for one another. Sometimes we get the giggles, sometimes it's a bit awkward, but usually it is profoundly touching and there is often a few tears...after our feet have been washed, we place our hands on the head of the person and thank them, maybe offering a prayer or blessing too.

Although the children have been before, this year they were old enough to participate and understand a little more. It was beautiful to see them take their place in the community.

40::40 Palm Sunday

2009-04-05T11:51:00.000-07:00

The end of 40 Days of Lent, the start of Holy Week. Palm Sunday, the welcome of our humble and gentle King on a donkey.

For some beautiful and inspiring listening today (and for the next week only), Something Understood, on Radio 4, a reflection on the spirituality of hospitality, with lovely music and poetry and an interview with the founder of the L'Arche Communities, Jean Vanier. Do listen, if you can! He is one of the most gently inspiring men I have ever met, and has formed much of my understanding of community and living in general.

40::39 Held

2009-04-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Snapped late last night. For both of us it was a good place to be.

40::38 Washed White

2009-04-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

Oh Happy Day!

Thinking of my sweet Scottish grandfather 'Papa', who made an old hymn of this title his own, humming and singing it, in my memory, as the theme tune of his daily life. It was certainly the one of the first songs I ever learnt, on his knee. He and my Nana overflowed with joy and happiness, making love, faith and hospitality the hallmarks of their life.

40::37 A Place to Pause

2009-04-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

40::36 Poisson d'avril!

2009-04-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Well it's April Fools Day, but the French have a lovely variation called 'April Fish' or Poisson d'avril. My Dear Husband remembers making paper fish in primary school and then trying to stick them on people's backs as a joke . Who knows why? And does it matter? I introduced the idea to my Spanish-speaking friends yesterday and we spent a wonderful afternoon making all sorts of fish from paper, card, beadws and fabric - and not just fish, but an amazingly gifted 5 year old artist made a great variety of sea creatures, and did her first ever sewing, which was great to be part of! We explained that you can use the fish to play tricks on people by putting them in funny places. Then we had a great time finding places for them around their house...

Where they made friends...

And swam all over the place....

Although my lads are not really crafty types (yet??) they loved finding them in the breakfast cereal box this morning!

And then after lots of jokes with Papa, kindly took their Poisson d'avril out for the day, climbing trees...

Giving them a share of the picnic..

I do think they had a great day. The boys enjoyed it too.

If you would like to see more fish from France and beyond, or print our your little poisson, go to this site where we have joined in the game. It's all in French, but you'll enjoy the artwork.

A bit of silliness is profoundly spiritual...

40::35 Colour

2009-03-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

Living in the Scotland Highlands, is not the most cosmopolitan experience in the world, but from time to time I meet up with a group of Spanish speaking pals (from Latin America, Spain and Scotland) to stop my Spanish from disappearing entirely. One of friends is from Chile and her home is full of beautiful artwork, but I do love the mosaics made by her mother when she comes to visit. She gets the children involved too and many have made their home in the garden, which seems a great way to brighten things up while you are waiting for winter to pass . Colourful and cheery.

All the boys played outdoors in spring sunshine, but the ladies got down to some serious crafting at the kitchen table (of course). What were we up to? Tune in tomorrow for some 1st of April silliness...

40::34 Hang Loose

2009-03-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Surely a vital part of growth is time that is unplanned, unscheduled and undemanding. I am SO happy to have my boys home from school/nursery for Easter holidays. It feels like we can break free from our usual routine and just potter. I asked them what things they would like to do, which includes modest requests for train rides and swimming - but also (Oh my heart filled with love!) helping Papa bring in the logs and helping Mummy set the table. So we will do those things, and see friends too, but I picture a lot of time spent with water, sticks and mud.

Watching spring unfurl. Watching birds. Watching a few favourite films.

Nurturing our little seedlings. And breaking the rules a little - who says you can't cook and craft at the same time?

We're taking this gift with both hands!

40::33 Violence

2009-03-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

During Lent I have been reading a few good things, including the wonderful Plough magazine, which usually has a series of articles, poems, songs, beautiful artwork and book reviews for Plough Publishing. I always find it thought provoking and profound. It has raised the question of the nature of violence and evil, in very different ways, such as a report about Rwanda. Although I often encounter, especially at L'Arche, great beauty and generosity of love, there is in all of us a brokeness which sometimes errupts into a violence of words or actions.

This weekend has left me deeply saddened by a front page article in a regional newspaper. It is about my son's school, or rather, some of the parents of the children at the school. In line with much journalism, it is innacurate and sensational, and yet there are grains of truth. Rumours have circulated, stories passed from one person to another, positions staked out. Trust and relationships break down and the trivial becomes a matter of public arguement and deep hurt.

Violence makes its way into the lives of my children, sometimes through things they are given or exposed to in the playground. Of course, children need to play and be heros, but we also want to teach them a gentle and thoughtful way of living.

From The Plough:

" The question that faces each of us is "Where do I stand when confronted by the power of evil?" We have to confront evil in the small things that happen each day - in the grudges, unforgiveness, self-pity, self-seeking or self gratification that we cling to...We need to take a stand, but ultimately we cannot help ourselves. That is the message of Easter. As J. Heinrich Arnold writes...'Christ died on the cross to break the curse of evil and vanquish it for once and for all. If we do not believe in the power of evil, we cannot comprehend this. Until we realize that the main reason for his coming to earth was to do this on our behalf - to free us from the powers of darkness - we will never fully understand our need for the cross.' "

I hope you'll forgive the sermon - it is Sunday after all! But when horrible stuff comes to the surface, it challenges me, and makes me realise how fragile we are.

40::32 Moving in Closer

2009-03-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

Taking time to think, to look hard at things, seeing the details, asking the questions.

40::31 Food for the Journey

2009-03-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I hope I'll be forgiven for showing the reality of our breakfast table - thankfully I'm the one with the camera! But as I sat there in my usual pre-10 a.m. fog, I found myself thinking about what sustains me. And of course, this being Lent and everything, we are looking to be sustained spiritually, hence some decent breakfast reading matter. But it also being a particularly foul March day, and looking forward to welcoming a friend from L'Arche, I also thought about good everyday food, which keeps us going and sticks to our ribs...(not thighs, I hope...ahem). Breakfast was a good starter - as ever, Perfect Bread, toasted. Today's had a few dried cranberries and chopped brazil nuts in. I threw some into the dough of one of our loaves during the last baking. And if I say so myself, it was very nice. Good for when there might not be any jam, or when you're being good and not eating cake - two sad occasions indeed.

There was a bit of reading on the other side of the table too - a shared interest in some beautifully drawn French manga.

And later on, for our guest (and many guests), some very simple flapjacks, enriched with a few healthy goodies. A friend asked me for a simple recipe to make with children. This, I think may be it. It is my tried and tested, throw-in-the-oven-in-5-minutes, drat-I-forgot-I-said-I'd-bring-baking, recipe. Perfect too for lunchboxes, picnics and journeying. And if it all crumbles it makes superior cereal, with yoghurt. Sorry, I'm making myself hungry! Here goes:

250g oats

150g butter, marg or vegan spread, whatever takes your fancy

75g golden syrup

75g sugar

25g each of some of the following: raisins, dried cranberries, ready to eat dried apricots, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut flakes etc.

Preheat your oven to 175 C/350 F/Gas 4/165 fan oven.Grease and line an 8"x 8" cake tin. I find it's good to just cut a bit of baking paper to line the base and extend up the sides about halfway to get them out easily.Melt the butter, sugar & golden syrup together. I usually do this in a pyrex jug in the microwave, on full power for 2 minutes, but you can do it on the hob in small saucepan, stirring all the time.Then just mix all the dry ingredients in a big bowl and add the butter mix, stirring everything together. Slap into the cake tin and bung it in the oven. That's it. They will be ready when nicely browned on top. About 25-30 minutes (20 for a fan oven). Remove from the oven and cut in squares in the tin. Allow to cool - if at all possible...

I wanted to post another recipe, one of our best ever dinners, which has my youngest consuming loads of vegetables quite happily - truly a miracle, but right now it's obvious he just wants to get on and eat it! I hope you enjoy your dinner too!

40::30 Observing

2009-03-26T14:40:00.000-07:00

40::29 Frayed

2009-03-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

A very full week, and I'm pretty weary...but hanging in there.

40::28 Community

2009-03-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of 'my' people: from our L'Arche Community. We gathered tonight to eat, share news, welcome visitors, sing a bit, pray...

Our shared experience is so simple, but so vital. It's a place for me to be truly comfortable, to be myself, share food, laughter and joy. We don't always do much, but we do a lot of being together. I often sense God among us.

40::27 Internal Fire

2009-03-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Without warning, a sudden temparature drop, and it was snowing again this morning. Bah! Just as I'm relishing the warmth and sun. So if it's foul and freezing outdoors, there's no reason for it to be like that inside. Create warmth, bring in sunshine colours and light the fire...

40::26 Mother's Day

2009-03-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day! I've had a lovely day being treated by my family to a wonderful breakfast in bed (fruit salad and almond croissant - mmm), no cooking or dishwashing (utter bliss) and some sweet handmade cards. Most unexpected present came from my oldest son - "Close your eyes, hold my hand...SURPRISE!!". Surprise indeed, he had tidied his bedroom, a very fine treat indeed. He was pleased with himself and I was almost overcome with love...

I've also been remembering my wonderful Mum. I love this picture of her taken in the 50s when she was pregnant with my big sister. Now I'm a mother, I am so aware of what an amazing person she was, and so thankful for her.

This afternoon we spent an hour or two looking at the boys baby videos, which amused them greatly and made us all clucky and tender. How tired we looked! But what wonderful memories of tiny toes and fingers, first little smiles and baby cooing.

Today reminds me how precious is all of human life. A gift.