For Freddie.........

Our cantankerous, annoying, pain-in-the-neck, wonderful, beautiful and so-much-loved cat, Freddie has left us.
My heart is broken into so many pieces that at this moment I don't know if they will ever fit back together again. My husband is just the same.
Yes, some will say that he was 'only' a cat, but he was our friend and faithful companion for many a year, and he has left such an enormous hole in our lives - how can we go on without him?
The vet said it was for the best - he was old and in pain, and he couldn't have gone on as he was - so I am glad he isn't in pain anymore.
So, my lovely boy, my Freddie - rest in peace - we will always love you.
Goodbye my angel, I will always love you.......

I Simply Love You........

Hello - it seems such a long time since I last wrote anything here - I hope you are all well, and are enjoying your Valentine's Day?

I stitched this little design by Twisted Threads, using the recommended Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art, and used a piece of 32 count 'mystery' fabric - which basically means that I can't remember what it was. It didn't take long to stitch, and then I had it framed.....

I stitched this for Valentine's Day for my daughter.
She is in her early thirties now, with two small children, a loving husband and an equally loving family. She is my pride and joy.

In mid-December, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Finally.

I say 'finally' as it has taken over six long years for the medical profession to find out what was wrong. Such a long time, when you are in pain and don't know why or what is happening to you.

At one G.P. appointment, that she was able to get after days of trying, the doctor, on hearing her symptoms said "Well, what do you expect me to do about it?"
How about your job?
I wish I had been with her that day.....

She is bright and happy, and determined not to let all this get her down. She is always cheerful, even when she is in pain.

I save my tears for the night, when my husband is asleep, and I lie, worrying about it all. I wish it was me instead of her - she has done nothing to deserve this - and so on. It gets me nowhere, I know, but there it is......

I would dearly love to hear from anyone in a similar situation, so if you feel you can, please let me know.....(lyndaharrison6@gmail.com)

So, to all of you out there on this Valentine's Day - just cherish all those you hold dear, and love them all every day of the year.

Back soon........

A Trifle Of Epic Proportions...........

Hello again, it's been a while, I know.
Christmas and New Year passed so quickly, and it has been an effort to get back to 'normal'.

This is my husband's Trifle Of Epic Proportions.
I make this for him just once a year - for obvious reasons! And he does enjoy it - bit like a child in a sweet shop!

This effort was made from jelly, two different flavoured blancmanges, custard, fruit, whipped cream and topped with chocolate and little silver balls. Oh, and Sherry. Quite a lot of Sherry.
I didn't hear much from him all Christmas afternoon......!

Now, though, back in the straight and narrow, and all the healthily stuff again.

I hope you all had a wonderful time over the holidays?

Now, it's back to the wintery days again, and the challenges of a New Year.

Have a happy week!

Back soon...........

Midnight Ride...........

The Eve of Hallowe'en - or All Hallows' Eve  - or Samhein.....
How fast this year has gone!
Aren't the Autumn colours just so lovely - the reds, golds, russets glowing where the sunlight shines through the leaves on the trees........
I do love Autumn......

And it's Hallowe'en tomorrow!

I have been so far behind this year, I still don't know what to start on - or finish! - next! I'm pleased to say the shawl I started to crochet recently is nearly finished now and I'm pleased with the way it has turned out.
I have managed to finish - stitching, not making up, as you can see! - Midnight Ride, by Blackbird Designs. I do love the witchy crow, with her tall hat, riding through the night sky on her trusty broom....
I shall finish it into a little cushion, I think, with some black, starry fabric and some of the trims pictured.......
I just need more time! (Don't we all ?!!)

This morning, I made a pumpkin pie.....

My daughter loves them.....

My husband, not so.

He says that the 'colourof the purred pumpkin puts him off......

I'm not too surprised. It has taken me many years to get him to eat any vegetables apart from peas and potatoes.....(yes, really!)

So I'm not at all surprised - just resigned........!!

We're busy at the moment, planning home improvements - it's either that, or a move, and we're comfortable here - it's just all the dust......

Still, it won't be until well into the New Year.....

What are you all doing for Hallowe'en?

We will just be staying in, and leaving the spook tabular stuff to the children......

Perhaps we will get some Trick or Treaters......
I hope so - they have some brilliant costumes these days!

Hope you all have a happy and safe Samhein!

Back soon.......

A New Week.......

To be honest, I'm really glad that it's Monday! I love the weekends, but the last one was one I'd rather not dwell on.....
I've spent the entire weekend in agony with really painfully muscle spasms on the left side of my back. The pain has been awful, and it came along with nausea too......... Not nice!!
My dear husband ordered me to rest today - feels awful, doing nothing - but it does seem to have helped......
The spasms seem to be lessening.......
I did start a bit of crochet earlier - just the beginnings of a shawl in some green pure wool worsted I was given. I'm finding this particular hook is making my hand hurt a lot, so a new one needs to be bought, I think......

The picture above is of our beautiful cat, Freddie. He is lying in 'his' chair - an old one we keep just for him. We have had him nearly nine years now, which makes him, we think, about fourteen - a good age for such a big cat.
He is an old boy now, and spends a lot of time asleep, and I am so sad because I don't think we will have him for much longer.........
He was a rescue cat - his previous 'owners' cast him out when they moved house, and he was left to fend for himself.......
How people can treat animals - any animal - like that - and much worse - I shall never know - or want to.

Hope all of you out there had a lovely weekend.........

Back soon.........

A Little Stitching For My Grandmother......

I started this little sampler some years ago. Yes, I know - the time has just flown by, and it was put to one side and forgotten about.
It's not very big, and I found a design I liked by Brenda Keyes in one of her books, and stitched on a 32 count linen with DMC threads, it fitted the frame perfectly.
My Gran loved to knit and sew, and living in a time when there wasn't much of anything to be found, she knew how to make ends meet, so her talents with needles were always useful.
This little frame was in her bedroom, and I just managed to save it from the skip (my sister is a de-clutter freak) along with a few more cherished possessions.
So, quite a few years later, here is a little band sampler - I think Gran would like it.

This week is just flying past again!
Last weekend, we had a big tidy-up in the loft, and had quite a few bags to take to the charity shop on Monday!
I really didn't mean to buy anything, but.........
Just couldn't resist this..........
It's a pretty little bone china tea cup and saucer with all the flowers of Canada on it.
Isn't it just lovely?

And then I saw this......

A beautiful little pressed glass scent bottle that just had to come home with me.......

My poor husband wasn't too impressed!!

Then yesterday, we changed our car. I always feel so sad to see the old one go - after all, it had become a friend, and even had a name, Hyacinth.......

Yes, I know I'm rather strange.....

At the garage, husband was thrilled with his new  car, and the salesman gave me these......

Lovely flowers, and so kind of the garage.

So, as if that wasn't enough for a whole week, and it's only Wedneday - look what came in the post today!

The Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments Magazine arrived late last week - always looked forward to with anticipation!

But - I couldn't find a Halloween Ornaments Magazine in this country at all this year.......

So - this lovely magazine arrived from the U.S.A. Sent by a dear friend!

Hard to believe that just three days ago it was in California.......

Thank you so much for thinking of me!

What a busy week it has been with no time for any stitching of any kind!

It has turned chilly and misty outside now, the lovely sunshine of last week now a memory....

But, a bowl of homemade soup and crusty bread followed by crumpets by the fire.....

Oh yes, I do love the Autumn......

Have a lovely week......

Back soon.......

Of Mists, Mellow Bits And......A Hidden Dragon......"

Can it really be October already? Where has this year gone?
It has been a busy few weeks, here in our little bit of Worcestershire. My husband seems to disappear in to the garden most days, and is sweeping up the fallen leaves as I write.
I do love Autumn. Every season has it's blessings - but Autumn is my love. All the colours, sounds and scents - everything just seems different now.
The garden is winding down, ready for it's well-earned rest and the last of the apples and pears are being picked.......

These are Russet apples, picked about an hour ago. It has been a good year for fruit.

Our daughter and her new husband are making cider with the crop from their trees!

I'm afraid I'm boring, and will stick to pies, crumbles and chutneys!!

There hasn't been too much time for stitching of any kind, and I miss it. I did make a patchwork cushion though, for the cat! Poor Freddie is an old lad now - he's fourteen, which is a good age for a cat - and he needs a little comfort. He seems to like it, though he has spent hours basking in the lovely sunshine we have had recently.

A surprise gift from an old friend......for no reason at all! This huge bag of yarn! It's a double knitting yarn from Stylecraft - I have never used this before - in such wonderful colours!! It is to make a blanket designed by Attic24 - and the hook is itching to start.........

What a wonderful gift - thank you, my dear friend.it is time to bring him in - our little dragon who keeps an eye over the garden....I think he is frost proof but I should hate to loose him to the cold weather to come, so better safe than sorry....

I've made a Shepherd's Pue for dinner tonight, and there will be leftovers for tomorrow - perhaps I will find some time to pick up some (any) stitching then!

I did make a Victoria sponge cake this morning. Filled with home-made apricot jam.

This is what it looks like now - and, in case you're wondering - I didn't have any!!

The flowers are lovely Autumn crocus, and here is my patchwork cushion, just made from scraps.

So, that is all for now. 

Hoping that you are all enjoying this lovely Indian Summer - even if it is Autumn!!

Have a beautiful weekend

Back soon...........