A Very Long Project.

So this is what I'm working on at the moment. I started it ages and ages ago and at some point it was put away and forgotten about. So I've dug it out and got back to work on it. It's going to be an 'Advent' calendar. (What's with the Christmas theme in my life right now? Very weird.)



Expect a finished piece photo. Sometime. I just can't promise it will be VERY soon.

Bargain Bin Finds.

I have to say I rarely buy much in Avoca, apart from maybe kitchen stuff. Yes they are overpriced, which is why getting a bargain there is so satisfying. Myself and Lisa spend all our time going on about how we could make everything and why would you spend so much on something when you could throw it together no problem. Ha! How often do we actually make anything?
Anyway, I love their bargain baskets, and nearly always find something, like these. So these are my latest finds.



I'd been looking at this bunting for a while, but really, how long would it take me to make it? So when I found half of one in the basket for 1 euro how could I pass it by!



Again, I'd been admiring these cute cushion covers from Rice but 30 quid seemed excessive. But 12 euro? Not bad. And perfect for Finn's room.

Crafty Idea.

I spent yesterday morning with some other Mum's from school, crafting for the Christmas Fair. Yes, can you believe it? Aren't you impressed how organised we are! There's not much to show yet as you can see, but the ball is rolling. We're trying to avoid the absolute madness that happens in November when the fair is looming.



I'm not going to get much done at these morning meetings as I have The Smallest with me, but, I hope to do some at home. To be honest, I think whatever I do will be a bit more 'year-round'.



I'll post a picture as I go.

Though I'm having a hard time getting in Christmas mode...

Favourite Corners.

We've been living here for almost twelve years. Ru was only four months old when we moved in. These days I struggle with the feeling that we have seriously outgrown it. The problem is, we are not prepared to settle for anything less than this. I think we would all go into serious withdrawl if we had to leave. It would have to be something better than this. (I only know of one house that would meet this requirement, but that's taken at present!)

At times like this when I long for more space, order, organisation etc, I force myself to stop and pay attention to all the things I love about this little house. You'll notice it is reduced to mostly corners now as there is so much work to be done overall. But it's here and it's so us.

For an outside view, have a look here, or here, or for more house shots click on the 'house' or 'interiors', label on the right.

Real Life.

Yesterday was one of those days when life puts it's hands on either side of your face and looks you in the eye. You can't escape it. You have no choice but to look back, into the heart of it. What do you see?

Left behind,
I become a shadow, see-through,
the bird soars while I am here feet firmly on the earth, surrounded by my mountains,

I see birth, oh joy!
a new family member, a birth that is also a balm,
a beautiful ray of sunshine in the heart of the winter that is grief,

and I see death,
a heartbreaking, untimely, tragic
death,

I am afraid, when I am see-through,
to put myself in their shoes,

I cannot,

but life has me by the face.

This is it. It is the joy and the grief and the heartbreak and the tragedy and the beauty and the wind in the grass and the sun on the sea and the little hand in mine and the trusting eyes on mine and the welcome at the door and the storm and the rush and all those sweet heart-seizing moments and the frustrating ones and the look that says it all.

It's all there. And some days are like that, where it all collides in the air above you and it engulfs you and leaves you completely stunned.

That was one of those days.