Birds, cliffs and blue skies

What a wonderful day! The Clan and I went to the seaside today and strolled along the beach. 'Strolling' might be overstating the case just a shade... The glorious sunshine was accompanied by some of the strongest winds that only the British seaside-goer knows.

We collected pebbles and oyster shells and, somewhat oddly, spotted a parsnip. What was even odder was when we saw a friend's photo of her day at the beach - different beach, same day - and she had photographed one, too! How extraordinary is that? I am now wondering if there is some poor English person abroad looking for their longed-for parsnip and not finding it...

I stood for a while watching a host of sandmartins fighting the wind - it is one of the few times I have been able to recognise them by markings rather than just their speed. Sometimes they were flying backwards very quickly and other times they were staying in one place with all their might - amazing to watch. I quite lost track of time gazing at birds, cliffs and blue skies...

Happy day.

Five smiles for a blustery day:

1. Pebbles in their rainbow of colours
2. Sandmartins determinedly flying into the wind
3. The scrunch of the beach underfoot
4. Flying kites
5. Parsnips in odd places

Cheery smiles, D x

Glorious children

Now, I might have said this before - my children are wonderful.

Take today, the Boy did his homework without too much complaining, greatly aided by the liberal application of sweets as rewards and then proceeded to be a young gentleman of the first order. The Girl got herself up and made me a cup of tea - an act of superstardom in our home - before getting herself breakfast and not disturbing the Boy and myself as we wrestled with English and Maths revision. The most amazing thing about this is that it was all completed before 10 in the morning! Colour me amazed and grateful...

This was then topped off by an enjoyable day in town with my two as we tackled the shoe and equipment lists before going back to school after the Easter break. A task to strike fear into the stoutest of parents' hearts... The Boy opened doors for myself and the Girl; the Girl was patience personified in the shoe shop when they had only one pair in her size. Such a marvellous day in the company of two wonderful young people of whom I am extremely proud.

Five super duper smiley things for today:

1. My amazing children
2. Lovely ladies and gentlemen in different shops who went above and beyond the call of duty to help my gorgeous children
3. New stationery for school
4. New shoes!
5. My wonderful husband

Cheery smiles, D x

Blue skies...

As much as I love all types of weather, there is something so uplifting about a blue sky. My heart has been lighter throughout the day simply because of the colour above me - wonderful!

The Boy and the Girl came home from a sleepover at the Venerables and have filled the house with noise once again - I would say 'sound' but really... It is marvellous to have them back in the fold.

His Lordship has picked up his new spectacles - despite the silly lady not believing that he was a Lord, harumph! The Girl accompanied him and described her as 'rude', damning indeed. The Boy and Cat were reunited to both their delights and snuggled down with The Phoenix. If you have not heard of this, you are missing out - it is the highlight of the week for the Boy and Fridays would not be the same without it. It is a weekly comic which he has delivered and we all enjoy it - tell you what, I'll pop a link at the bottom of the page...

Okay, smiles for today:

1. Sunshine
2. Blue skies
3. Having family pop round
4. The Venerables
5. The Phoenix Comic http://www.thephoenixcomic.co.uk/

Have a wonderful weekend full of joy and smiles!

D x

The white stuff

I have a confession to make to you all... I love the snow. Even the unseasonal, freeze-your-socks-off stuff. I love it.

I am starting to understand that this makes me just a tad unusual as most of my friends, family and acquaintances would rather not be surrounded by the white stuff for more time than is necessary. I have a strong feeling that this is because I do not have to go and work in it; I am assured of this by His Lairdship whose feelings on the white stuff are more mainstream. I really enjoy watching the flakes as they float and skitter through the air and gently land on the ground before fading into the earth. It is a form of meditation and relaxation for me, a moment to let my mind free-wheel...

The Marvellous Mrs M and I are at the start of a new venture - we hope it is going to be fabulous for us and the village. Mind you, anything which Mrs M creates is usually of the highest quality and style!

Right, five smiles for today:

1. It snowed again
2. Lunch with friends
3. Planning lessons - I know, not the norm
4. Silence
5. Watching the birds on our feeder

Have a marvellous day whatever the weather,

Cheery smiles, D x

It's been a while...

Life has been full of surprise and joy at our house... so here is a quick update and I really truly promise to put something on here every few days xxx

Five smiley smiles for a glorious sunny day:

1. His Lordship now lives here all the time
2. I have finally finished my advent scarf from 1st December last year - it is veeeeeeery long
3. The Girl is learning to play the flute
4. The Boy wants to be a blacksmith and farrier
5. I have work after half-term for a whole term...

Happy days!

D xx

Autumn days

Waking up on sunny mornings in September is one of my favourite things... As the low, bright sun flares through the trees and you can smell the crispness of the air, I feel truly awake. The clarity of the light is amazing and it is at moments like this that I really wish that I could draw or paint what it is that I am seeing! 

This is also one of my favourite times of year because it is a time of new beginnings. The Girl has gone up to her new school and seems to be enjoying it. She is making friends, learning new things and joining in with new activities. The Boy is much more settled this year - I do believe that he missed having his sister with him last year! He, too, is trying new things and seems to be growing up almost before my eyes. I noticed the other day that he has become a bit of a 'gangling youth' with limbs that seem to long for his body - looks like a growth spurt is about to hit... Ah well, back to the shops for more clothes it is!  My goodness, I cannot believe how quickly they grow, to me he is still a babe in arms...

Five autumnal smiles for you today:

1. The colours of the leaves
2. The nip in the air
3. Cold tips of noses
4. Kicking leaves as you walk through the woods
5. A shaft of light through bare trees

Cheery smiles, D x

Mixed blessings

As I write this, the sun is shining through the window and all looks well with the world. My family and I have spent a lovely weekend with friends at the seaside and at home. We are blessed...

But whilst this goes on, I am aware of feeling guilty for enjoying the simple things as one of my friends would give anything to enjoy those again. This weekend his son was killed in a road accident, bad enough to begin with, but then to discover that the person who caused this wrenching of life from the universe did not stop... It is beyond belief and my heart goes out to my friends and their family and all who knew Timmy. He was a good man who worked hard, loved all and laughed - his sunny spirit is the one thing that all of the comments have said will be remembered. What a legacy this 27-year-old is leaving - to love and be loved is one of the greatest things in this life.

My heart goes out to the family left behind...

D x

http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/latest-news/hit-and-run-update-family-s-heart-rending-tribute-and-plea-1-4268356