Showing posts with label The List. Show all posts

An unexpected hiatus

September 11th

Sunrise in the fields by my village
I am really not sure what to write or indeed at the moment whether I should write...  I've had an unexpected break from both blogging and reading blogs of which I had not meant to.  And now I am not sure how to flow back in, I feel very staccato and have wondered about stopping and yet here I am at the keyboard.  That must be telling right?  Somewhere inside, I must want to carry on...

Indeed I know not where this post is going but if you are reading this, then I obviously decided to publish.  I have in truth been reading one blog, that of http://thetwistedyarn.com/  If you do not know Phil, then I urge you to pop along.  She is a knitter extraordinaire and now of late becoming a whizz at the most complicated original and intriguing crochet projects.  I think she may be a slightly bonkers and twisted character too ;)  The reason I have been reading her blog is because she pops up on my face book page almost as if to say 'hello' here I am,  how could I resist.  As I have not been logging in on my blog or indeed on my emails, I have not had the other blogs literally pop up in front of me.  Until that was this morning when I ventured over to Amy at Love Made my Home.  Her Five on Friday, of which I am planning on getting back into today(!) made me stop and think and reflect and that is perhaps why I am here at the keyboard.

Look at the date, it sent shivers down my spine and all that we hear and see on the news and for all those stories out there yet untold of the atrocities that befall the human race by others hands I am weeping.  Weeping also for the ones this year and years gone by who have lost their fight with depression. I know I am not alone but I am hurting, so my Five on Friday today is to be positive, be grateful and to help wherever I can in my own small way...

1 
I am grateful for my family and friends whom keep me sane, make me laugh and give me a purpose to my life.  Walking this path alone would be too difficult and I am blessed to be surrounded.  Thank you.
This picture sums up family and friendship to me
2      
Feeling blessed to have found a family sport  and recreation in sailing where we can all be together, learning, having fun and exploring the world.

Each year we hold a regatta on the Thames for family and friends,
this year it was COLD but fun as always

 

3
I give thanks that we have food on the table  and do not need to worry where our next meal will come from, food is so important to me, it conjures up all sorts of feelings of well being, friendship, family, love, togetherness.  I couldn't imagine what a world would be without this.  So thankful.

Homemade tapenade, homegrown tomatoes
and coffee in my new bone china cup

 

4
To have the fortune and opportunity to continue learning and be educated. Under this umbrella I have to add the internet for bringing me a whole new world on my door step, from you tube video tutorials, to IG and blogging friends with whom I learn from and share knowledge with.  This has been a revelation to me in the last couple of years and a big part of my happiness.


Crochet my first crafting love of which I am
constantly learning new things about.
August 15 was granny square day
on Instagram, did you join in?



Glass fusing has been my latest passion and I
made these cocktail stirrers for my daughter's 16th
 
 
5
Safety and security are all important and I am lucky to have a beautiful sanctuary and roof over my head.  I take it for granted most days but stop short every now and again, as today and am so in awe of how lucky I am.

Warmth from the fire at home despite a cold summer
warms both the heart and the mind


The nature around and in the garden is inspirational
both for its colour, inspiration and beauty

Sunset over my roof  ♥



 ♥ I wish you all safety, security, food, warmth and love ♥
 
Hoping that normal services will resume here soon, please do pop back and see.  Joining in finally again with  Amy taking Five minutes of my day to list 5 things that are important to me. 
Do pop over and see what others have listed.
 I am also joining in with   #thelist  hosted by Hannah and Aby, pop over and see
the huge array of blog s over there too.


Until next time...

 

 

 

 

Drinks to see me through the summer

22nd May 

The weeks are flashing past and before we know it, mid summer will be here.  Today I spotted the first elderflowers flowering and so in a week or two, I will be out there along with many others collecting my flower heads and making my own elderflower cordial.  Which made me think, that depending on the weather dictates what I like to drink in the day.  Gone now are the cold wet dark damp nights, of roaring log fires and a warmed glass of rioja or mulled wine but instead more delicate flavours and lighter drinks are required. 

The last few mornings instead of automatically reaching out for caffeine my body has craved, yes you read that right, craved a cleaner drink and so I have been drinking hot water with slices of lemon.  I often revert back to this drink in the summer as my first drink of the day.  I would not want to be with out this on summer mornings.


hot water and lemon
Hot water and lemon to start the day


During the day other than drinking tap water, I am a tap water lover, I really savour elderflower cordial.  I had Amy here for lunch yesterday and that was our drink of choice, but my remiss was to give her bought cordial, when in fact I actually have two bottles left from last years making!  Doh!  this really is a wonderful early summer drink, so delicate.  It's especially lovely with sparkling water or even a cheeky glass of champagne.  In case you want to collate all that you need to be ready for making elderflower cordial follow the link to a great recipe!  Elderflower cordial


elderflower cordial
Elderflower cordial and sparkling water


Usually towards the end of the summer I remember how much I love iced coffee and how excellent it really is at hitting the spot on a hot dry day.  This year, a first, I have remembered it at the beginning of the season and have already partaken of a sip or two.  I shall really enjoy this all summer long now.


iced coffee
Iced coffee, I keep a jug of it in the fridge


What would a girl living in Britain be if she didn't include in her summer drinking that of good old Pimms.  An English summer is not an English summer without sport, strawberries and Pimms.


pimms summer drink
Pimms in a kilner jar!


Lastly and although strictly a drink I love all year round, I think it especially lovely on early summer evenings, just to get the week end started, a classic mojito... in fact, I'm off to make one now, have a wonderful weekend everyone.


mojito cocktail
Always time for a mojito

Joining in with  Amy  from Love Made My Home and  The List #37  hope you
enjoyed my 5 summer drinks, pop over and see what others are sharing too and 

 
♥  As we say in the UK,  CHEERS  ♥