a hint of summer in Cumbria...

hope springs eternal and while others in the UK are basking in hot sunshine... things oop north have been a trifle more challenging...rain and some more rain...but we have had some lovely sunny days and today has been one such...so musn't grumble...bless the rain...must be washing the countryside squeaky clean!

had to have along lie down after the exitement of staying up well past my bed time to view the amazing opening ceremnony of ye London 2012 Olympics ...wow! that drumming was something else ...and didn't you just love the Queen's awesome entry ...and Mr Bean's musical interlude...it was all pretty stunning... tho' I rather gave up the will to live when the countries trooping in got to about G...what a fantastic event with some truly memorable and moving moments...a feeling of community spirit and the possibility of nations truly sharing an experience in a peaceful and loving way...

so here we have some brave summer flowering...and even some peas... not as many as usual tho they taste pretty good...a combination of breaking my wrist in January (still improving thank you!) and the less than clement weatheriness...

and for sure the hot bed system of donkey muck, cardboard and grass clippings under a black membrane blanket has kept the courgettes snug and warm...you really wanted to know that! the donkeys are wonderful recyclers!

handsome Ned

beautiful Gwendoline...

we are entertaining high hopes of a hot sunny week...sometime...anytime...when we can harvest the garlic...

  
love that it's the holidays and we're all at home together...and we have even been able to eat lunches outside...much to the delight of the chickens...those girls can suss people eating from miles away and they come running... necks extended to see what they can get...half a sandwich the other day was snatched from husband of patience's careless hand...

and what of the hencklings I hear you cry...here they are out with their mum and aunties...looking to all intents and purposes...like ducks! it is strange to see them in water while their mum looks on...

here's a rare photo of an awake Bethany cat..she's so beautiful just had to share this with you...normally she's snoozing in the kitchen or in the lounge..happy cat! lkes nothing beter than a cuddle or a  knee to snooze on and a little food now and then...way to live!

leave you with a pic of my tranquil Buddha...I'm having a wee break...family stuff n visits...going to see the 62 Textile Group in Manchester a 50th Anniversary exhibition...whooppee! excuse is that daughter mine is doing textiles next year ...not that I need an excuse...see you in a while...have a peaceful summery week...I'll be back soon to tell you about my visit to the lovely gallery Hestascene? full of lovely contemporary art n craft in Caldbeck xx

chicken love...

when we've been away it's so nice to come home...and be greeted by two cats most indignant that we've not been there to let them into the warm cosy kitchen for snoozing...and a bevy of running hens scooting up the path from the orchard (well a bit of field with some fruit trees in)...even the geese honk a noisy greeting..home to fresh air and green grass and hills ,...and getting greener by the minute as the opening hawthorn leaves green up the hedgerows...breathe it all in...then into the house for the unpacking ceremony...piles to add to the piles...

many thanks to kind friends and neighbours for the looking after of everything...and thanks to chickens for the lovely brown eggs...which daughter mine soon has whipped up into a fab cake to share with friends...

thought I'd just share with you the inside story...no, not our house but the henhouse ...tho' the hens often want to pop into the kitchen to see us...and Emilia especially is always keen to join me in the studio...here's an insight into the secret life of our chickens...Rosa sitting patiently...clever girl...when she got off there were 2 eggs...and next time I visit...3...it's magic...beautiful warm fresh eggs and all we give them is food and water ...and some love

Bluebell looking in on me looking out! I think she wants to know who's on housework duty this week cos the perches could use a cleaning...

any chance of a little tasty something from the feed bin?

and here's the cat who thinks he's a dog...sharing the chicken's run outside... warm and happy cat!

off to my studio today for some making...Woolfest is in June and now I can sew again there's a lot to do but it's all exiting and feels so right...I just love being in the studio surrounded by fabrics and threads, able to stitch and sew and get on with setting up my workshops - got a new machine embroidery workshop to plan too...still couple of places on corsage making on Thursday 19th...leave a comment if you're interested...

hope you're having a lovely weekend too and getting some sunshine xx

it'sMonday morning and I'm loving...

that hooray!!! we have internet connection and a working landline again after 3 days...sorry if you've tried to ring...we weren't ignoring you! actually it was weird without it..but so peaceful and you have loads of time for other things...

that daughter mine has enjoyed her birthday and her party ...and now she's fourteen and feisty... and we can move into Christmas mode...

that Grandma and Grandad made it here safely on the train on Thursday despite the awesome windy weather... I was glad of the extra weight (heavy suitcases full of all those birthday presents...) in the car on my way home from work after I picked them up at the station!

that we've all shared a lovely birthday weekend together....

that I put lots of dried fruit in  bowl last week and sloshed quantities of sherry over it( someone has drunk the brandy...) and one day soon it will magically transform itself into a cake, ready to ice somewhere around Christmas Day...

that I have actually MADE a lot of my Christmas presents...been knitting and sewing quite gently...trying not to panic...and I might even be ready...in some small way

that we had a fantastic Christmassy Open Studio evening party at Phil's with friends...here's a taste...sorry we ate all the mince pies...

 

that we had an email this week from the rehoming Hens lady...and we're off on Saturday to get some more battery rescue hens which would otherwise simply be surplus to requirement which really doesn't bear thinking about ...if YOU think you would like to help too then read the message below...the best Christmas Present you could give a battery hen...

that it's not snowing or blowing a gale out there, cold and clear, the stove is lit and I'm off to the gorgeously warm studio (air source heat pump and underfloor heating soo worth all the chaos and confusion earlier in the year)... to do a little light stitching and making....and playing with fabrics... bliss!

that my studio is nice and tidy...cos Steph was in on Saturday with a wonderful workshop with lovely people and I HAD to make it tidy for her!! there are lots of advantages to 'Making in The Studio' being in MY studio...

that we are going to get some Christmas lights and decorations up tonight to start getting in the mood...now where did we put the living Christmas tree...somewhere out in the garden...or veggie patch...orchard...or...hope the donkeys haven't eaten it!

and it's sooo verry nearly the holidays...huzzah!

Have a lovely Monday....

Hen Rescue... CAN YOU HELP to re-home some?

As you may be aware - the regulations for caged hens are changing in January 2012.  All battery hens who are currently sitting in barren cages will be send to slaughter - with the new enriched cage system coming in the new year.

We  have  hens available on SATURDAY 17th DECEMBER - to be collected from STOCKSFIELD   NE433 7SB

   

All desperately wanting a new home for new year.  If you feel you have room to offer some lucky hens a happy retirement, please give the re-homing team a call on 01769 580310  Mon to Fri 9am - 4.30pm, or respond to this email.

 

Please be aware though, you would need to keep any new hens separate from your existing hens for the first week or so - ideally so they can see each other, but not actually get at one another.  We will be happy to offer any merging advice you may need.

Many thanks

Wendy

Wendy Reynolds
Tel: 01769 580310 / E: wendy.reynolds@bhwt.org.uk / www.bhwt.org.uk
British Hen Welfare Trust, North Parks, Chulmleigh, Devon EX18 7EJ

• Careline:            bhwtcareline@smallholderfeed.co.uk / 01362 822904
• Charity Shop:    www.bhwt.org.uk/shop/index.php
• Facebook:          www.facebook.com/BritishHenWelfareTrust
• Twitter:              @BHWTOfficial

The British Hen Welfare Trust is a national charity that re-homes commercial laying hens, educates the public about how they can make a difference to hen welfare, and encourages support for the British egg industry. Its ultimate aim is to see consumers and food manufacturers buying only UK produced free-range eggs, resulting in a strong British egg industry where all commercial laying hens enjoy a good quality life.

halfterm and halloween happenings....

it's been quite a week, travelling here and there, seeing family and sharing meals and talking and laughing and catching up...

making memories to keep us warm in the long winter nights...

by the sea 

feet in the sand 

in October

spiky grass

rough waves

skein of geese

black green seaweed

sea washed smoothness of shells

apple harvest

warm kitchen

 apple press

slow drip of juice

delicious sweetness

bottles the taste of summer

the rose outside the kitchen window

Mum's favourite

blooms still

put my nose to soft petals

and breathe in

sweet scent

remember

wake to heavenly

red skies in the morning

rain swiftly follows

torrential water downpouring

washing rivers in the lane

 halloween

pumpkins grown

huge and round on

donkey muck

thanks donkeys!

friends fill the kitchen tonight

carving scary faces in pumpkin flesh

 cakes, friendship and fun

celebration! 

and tomorrow 

time is mine

studio beckons

making again

fabrics and threads

freedom and creation

bliss!

hip hooray for holidays...

.....even tho I'm at work later in the week it feels like holidays cos daughter and husband are off from school... and we are leaving the homestead and livestock in the capable hands of Great Friends and Next-Door Neighbours (we've just looked after their chickens while they were away...it's a great arrangement, we do their chickens and they get to do ducks, donkeys, geese, cats and chickens...fair swop?!)...for a whole 2 nights and heading to the northeast to see my Pa and Big Sis...and a birdwatching trip to Druridge Bay is of course on the cards...for TODAY! so better stop blogging and get the teenager out of bed and get packed up...is that footsteps I hear above my head.??

Druridge Bay is on the beautiful Northumberland coast... here's a few pics from last time (summer? you can tell from the big coats and welllies...)

 

mustn't forget to take my knitting and crocheting for the journey... thinking ahead to C....mas....sorry it had to be said....so I will take some gorgeous inspiration with me.... homemade art and craftyness is the way to go ...handmade knitting and crochet goodness for presents all round?? maybe for NEXT year...as usual I have a strange feeling that hope will outrun performance...but I can give it a go....optomism and hope is everything....

....and when we return we have the exitement of Small (but getting Bigger) Swiss Cousins and Best Swiss Auntie (sadly Uncle C is at work)  and Greatest Grandparents coming up to stay nearby...so more fun!! Hope you have a great Octobery halfterm too...wherever you are and whatever you do....