Thank You

Thank you for your patience. Thank you to those of you who emailed me directly and asked if I was okay as I disappeared for an extended period of time. Thank you for still being around to read my ramblings.

So, yes, I am okay. More than. Life has been barrelling along at its usual rate and I've been enjoying it immensely. Christmas was quietly fabulous. It is times like these that I truly appreciate the family that I have because watching my girls react as silly happy over a calendar with photos of pugs as they do over their main presents really means a lot to me. And it fills my heart with smiles. Don't get me wrong. They are teenagers. Every day is most definitely not perfect, but in the scheme of things in life I have lucked out with two seriously nice teenagers.

After Christmas we snuck off up north to see my mum and stepfather for a few days. Back home for new years and seeing friends. Then 2015 was over, and what a year it was. I have to say that it was the best year I have had in I don't know how long. So much happened. The trip to Canada and Florida. Venice. Scotland and the north of England. Seeing my girls grow in confidence by leaps and bounds. It was just a freaking good year. No complaints here.

I made a few things too. Theses are just a few of my favourites. I am not going to do a full recap, because seriously I don't have a clue what I made this time last year. I just know that I made some things I am rather proud of. That feels good inside.

Before I knew it we were back to the school run. Quickly followed by the arrival of my best friend from Canada. She could only come for eight days but that was eight days that we filled as much as possible. Her and I spent a day in Oxford. I live close to Oxford. Too close to have any excuse to explain why I haven't been in about ten years. I shall not let ten years elapse before I go again. We also took the girls to London for a day. The girls and I decided that Francine really needed to experience afternoon tea in style.

And there is a tradition that Francine always does with the girls when she comes for a visit. That is make a cake with them, and decorate it. We have had some pretty elaborate creations in the past but this time they chose to do a carrot cake. That didn't mean no decorations at all mind you.

Now Francine is back in Canada. I sent off my latest commission quilt to the magazine yesterday. I have the next one all lined up with the fabric ready for cutting. But I have also joined a swap and have bee blocks to make for Brit Bee. And January is my month in Stitch Tease. So still loads to tell you.

I think I will leave that for future posts though. So that I don't leave it so long again. Sewing is happening. My mind is full of things I want to make, and desperate for time to make them. But I also have injected a trip to the gym into most of my days. I'm no thinner really but I am more fit and I do sleep better so maybe the slightly thinner will come eventually. Eating may have to be modified for that though and that is a sticking point for me. I like food. Just saying.

And for those of you who might be curious. The chickens are thriving, though a bit soggy what with the weather we have been having.

You think they would go into the coop if they hated being wet so much. Bird brains!

Susan