A snippet on life...

October 7th

Life is for living they say... well blimey I seem to be going it at like there is no tomorrow and consequently  blogging has suffered.  I'm not complaining that life has thrown me many adventures and social times, but could they be more spread out over the year and not crammed into a space of 6 weeks.  Yeah, you're right it sounds like I'm complaining;  I best be quiet and let you have a glimpse of what has kept me so occupied...

There was Russia...

The Church of the Spilled blood

The Winter Palace


For more photos and a snippet of how wonderful the city of St Petersburg is pop over to see From Russia with love, for those of you kindly waiting for Russia part 2 I hope to post it next week.



There was our yearly friends and family boating regatta on the river Thames...

This was our 15th year of hosting, it's hard work but super fun, here's a glimpse of one of the days...











There was my father's 80th birthday celebrations...

As a young man!

Spot the Where is pappa photo!

It was a real hoot having masks made up of pappa
There is boat moving around the coast before the weather turns too much...

 The boat has been away from home for 4 years and we have experienced so many wonderful memories, now she is back in UK shores we need to move her around the coast to be refurbished and looked after, a boat spa if you like.  We still have a couple of hundred miles to go before the weather turns, wish us well...

 Below are the last photos taken when she was moved from Southampton to Eastbourne, so very British don't you think.







...and finally, Ella and her half marathon run for charity...


 I broke my heart completely on this trip and yet I don't feel broken, I feel determined.

 These were some of the words Ella uttered on her return from Kenya just over a year ago.  It changed her and she is determined to go back and to continue to help.  In raising money she has decided to run a half marathon, THIS SUNDAY in Oxford, she had not run more than 3 miles before this, running is not her natural form of exercise and I think she is there.  Do pop over and read about what she did in Kenya last time and her very touching thank you letter she sent to everyone who helped her achieve her goals last time.  

 Should you wish to donate any money, a cup of coffee worth, then she would be grateful, as would I and she would then personally keep you informed of exactly how the money was spent on life changing projects for orphaned children in Kenya.  Her page is  
Can you spare a penny or two please


Ella and the girl she personally sponsors, Naomi
Ella's thank you post from her last trip to Kenya:  Thank you
Before she left for Kenya:  Before Kenya
What did Ella do in Kenya? Kenya


Joining in with Amy sharing my five with you today, pop over and see what others are sharing

♥  I am ever so thankful for my life  ♥

45 comments:

  1. Crimson Kettle7 October 2016 at 09:52

    Best of luck to Ella, hope the weather holds. You have been so busy, enjoy. I love those masks, what a great idea. x

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  2. Jules7 October 2016 at 10:00

    What an amazing six weeks you have had, captured beautifully in all your photographs. Good luck with your boat moving and all the best to your gorgeous girl on her first half marathon. Xx

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    1. eclectichomelife7 October 2016 at 14:32

      Jules thank you so much for sponsoring her. Means so much. She will let you know how the money is spent. Thank you from me too xxxx

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  3. Jo7 October 2016 at 10:56

    No wonder the time is dashing by, you've been so busy. What a dashing young man your father was, wishing him a very happy 80th birthday and wishing your daughter all the very best as she runs her half marathon.

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    1. eclectichomelife7 October 2016 at 14:33

      Thank you so mush Ko. Will let Pappa know and pass on your wishes to Ella

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  4. mamasmercantile7 October 2016 at 14:09

    Wow you really have been busy. Hope all goes well for your daughter when she runs the marathon.

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    1. eclectichomelife7 October 2016 at 14:34

      Thank you so much. Will pass on your wishes to Ella, mamamercantile x

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  5. Christine7 October 2016 at 14:23

    Fantastic times by all accounts and photos!
    i am full of admiration for Ella and her work - I wish her every success!

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    1. eclectichomelife7 October 2016 at 14:35

      Christine thank you so much. I'm so proud of her. Wiall pass on your comments xxx

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  6. collettakay7 October 2016 at 14:42

    What a beautiful post full of wonderful activities! No wonder you've been busy :)

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Colletta

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  7. Judith @ Lavender Cottage7 October 2016 at 14:58

    You are doing what we all should - living life to it's fullest!
    Ella is a gal to be proud of and I am touched by the quote after her return from Kenya.

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    1. eclectichomelife8 October 2016 at 13:05

      Judith that quote made me cry tears of pride I must admit xxx

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  8. AnnieOBTextiles7 October 2016 at 15:31

    Good luck Ella, have a great run. Lovely pictures especially the one of your father when he was young. As my mother (who is in her 90's) says every day she wakes up is a bonus, so let's make it a good one. A great philosophy I think!

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  9. Snap7 October 2016 at 16:51

    What a wonderful thing for Ella to do .. good luck to her. Happy birthday to your Father -- the masks are very clever. Looks like a marvelous trip to Russia. Spa for boats -- why not?!!! We all need a face lift every now and then...! Happy Friday!

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    1. eclectichomelife11 October 2016 at 07:31

      Thanks Snap. I passed on your good luck. She's completed it and very happy with the fund raising too

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  10. ellen b7 October 2016 at 19:49

    What a great five. That regatta really looks like a lot of fun. Hats off to Ella. Our author royalties from our 2nd cookbook (MGCC) go to a children's academy in Kenya. So many needs around the world...

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  11. Sharon7 October 2016 at 19:49

    What a lovely post! Sounds like you have been so busy. The Regatta day looks like a lot of fun.

    Happy Five on Friday

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    1. eclectichomelife11 October 2016 at 07:33

      The regatta weekend is one of my favourite in the year Sharon. It's heaps of fun

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  12. Sara - Villa Emilia7 October 2016 at 20:13

    What an impressive post! You really have been busy... and Ella is busy making the world a better place. Such a dynamic family, no wonder your father looks so very young. :)
    Wishing good health and happiness to you all! xx

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    1. eclectichomelife8 October 2016 at 13:04

      What a lovely thing to say Sara. Thank you so much X

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  13. Patsy7 October 2016 at 20:16

    That does it! After seeing your exciting life, I've got to get my buns off the couch and start living.

    For now, the food at the boat regatta made me hungry, so I'll pause for lunch.

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    1. eclectichomelife8 October 2016 at 13:06

      Ha! That made me giggle Patsy, hope the lunch was stupendous x

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  14. Hootin Anni7 October 2016 at 20:34

    Well now....I can understand your absence. Busy life....but a good life!!

    Enjoyable photos to go along with your tale.

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  15. busybusybeejay7 October 2016 at 23:50

    I think we have been paired for the Swap!Exciting.Hopefully, I have sponsored your daughter through PayPal.Barbara

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    1. eclectichomelife8 October 2016 at 13:03

      Barbara, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for sponsoring Ella. She will keep you updated. I left a message yesterday on your blog too about our swap. I am so excited about it. Not sure how to directly communicate with so so left my email on your blog but I leave it here for you again: eclectichomeandlife (@) gmail (dot) com

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  16. riitta k8 October 2016 at 02:58

    You had so fun celebrations on your father's birthday! The masks are fun.

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    1. eclectichomelife11 October 2016 at 07:34

      They were a sudden stroke of genius. So glad we did them. Made us all laugh all evening

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  17. Lilly's Mom8 October 2016 at 03:33

    Hi Selma, I loved reading about all your adventure you have had these past few weeks. How fun to be with family and friends! Thank you for your sweet comment you left on my blog. I now live in California and if you are ever in my state, please stop by and say "hello". Have a wonderful weekend dear friend. Pat xx

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    1. eclectichomelife11 October 2016 at 07:35

      Ahh of course I knew you had moved but in my head I was still in Washington!!!

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  18. The History Anorak8 October 2016 at 13:02

    What a lot of things you've had to do. I love your photo of the chairs. Very arty!

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  19. Tomoko8 October 2016 at 13:24

    The church in Russia is mysteriously beautiful!
    Happy birthday to your father. You must have been so busy, but fun!
    Enjoy your day.

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  20. Meredith8 October 2016 at 19:55

    Your daughter is amazing. Hugs to you and good luck with her run. Happy Birthday to your father.
    Meredith

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  21. Gattina9 October 2016 at 08:39

    Great time you have spent in the last weeks ! I recognized the pier of Eastbourne immediately ! It's some sort of second hometown, I spent each year 10 days there with friends and know it very well ! What a fun with the masks on your father's birthday !

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    1. eclectichomelife11 October 2016 at 07:36

      Ha! Glad you recognised it Gattina. What a great place to visit each year

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  22. aspiritofsimplicity9 October 2016 at 17:20

    Wonderful images!! Happy Birthday to your Papa

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  23. eclectichomelife11 October 2016 at 07:26

    Thank you Kara. Shall pass on your wishes

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  24. Claire@homesweethome201520 October 2016 at 21:05

    Worthy cause, I have made a donation xx

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    1. eclectichomelife20 October 2016 at 21:51

      Claire I cannot thank you enough. Much much appreciated x

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I will always read all comments and will try to reply but it may take me a couple of days, do please pop back and lets get a conversation going...