Pye - a terrible day

We had a huge shock on Thursday - Emily's lovely horse Pye died in his paddock, just dropped dead - he had not been ill, he was his usual self in the morning, ate his hay, but by lunchtime he had gone. A post mortem was carried out but everything pointed to him being a healthy horse - he was only 12 - and the vets said he probably had a heart attack. I cannot begin to say how awful it has been and Emily is heartbroken.

When you have a horse it is a partnership -one that has its ups and downs -which can be very special. There are times when things don't always go to plan, but on the occasions when you are both in tune or in sync with each other it can be amazing, whether its jumping a clear round or having a canter along a grassy track. That feeling is so special and indescribable.

He has left a big gap in our hearts.

xxx

Birthdays

Birthdays - you either love them or hate them!!! I decided i would love them but just wouldn't think about the you-know - 'number'!!! Anyho, had one last week and was thoroughly spoilt - spent a few days at a lovely hotel in Bournemouth being waited on - bliss!!! Then all the family were over at the weekend which was lovely. My children had all clubbed together to get me a present - which Em had thought of - it was to have some acrylic nails done. Now in the winter my nails are c--p - they spilt and just don't seem to grow - i think its to do with always being out in the wet and the cold and washing my hands so much! I had always wanted to give acrylics a go so hence the pressie - well here they are!

Now i have to confess that i did fiddle with them - they were originally the square shaped ones but i just didn't like them so when i got home i filed them into a rounder shape. I kept looking at them because they just didn't look like my hands!!! I almost felt i should dress up! The only down side is that to keep them up is very expensive and too much high maintenance for me - so when they come off in a couple of weeks (they are soaked off apparently) i will not have them done again, just have a mini manicure instead! It was an experience though and i would have them done again, say for a wedding or something.

After opening presents we decided we would all play on Dan's latest toy - its called connect, i think and its to do with the Xbox360 - you can tell can't you that i know such a lot about these things!!! it has various games and you don't need hand controls as some sort of machine just scans you in - very clever. Anyway the upshot was that i beat the pants off them all at bowling - such a hoot! Its actually quite good exercise because you have to move about as if you were doing the games for real, if you get what i mean!

Anyway it was a great end to a lovely few days!

One other very exciting thing to happen was that my quilt from the Around the World Quilt Block Swap (Christmas) arrived! I was soo happy as for a while it looked like it had got lost which would have been a huge shame after all the lovely blocks that had been made for me - anyway here they are - just put out at a random at the moment

I think i will make another 6 blocks and then think about how it is all going to go together! I just want to say a mahoosive thank you to all the lovely girls who have made these blocks, they are all gorgeous!

Well thats all for the moment better go and light the woodburner and think about making dinner!

xxx

Brightening a dull day!

Yesterday was a very dull and dismal day - i'm not complaining, i would rather have that than all the blooming snow we had a few weeks ago! As I was mucking out the horses the postman arrived and had some parcels! Yay - how lovely - I quickly finished my jobs and went inside for a cuppa!
The first parcel was from my very special friend Joy - we were both late in our Christmas parcels and decided that they would be New Year ones instead! Ahem, i have a confession that mine is not in the post yet but will be very soon (I have 'fessed up' to Joy!!)
Such gorgeous gifts - i feel very lucky indeed - a beautifully made cushion cover, which is going straight on my bed - some sweets, a lovely little purse, a gorgeous christmas decoration which will be on the tree this year,some scissors and a lovely little chain with a sheep and chicken on it - just perfect!
Thank you Joy for spoiling me rotten!!

I had just gone outside to do some more jobs when it started raining, absolutely bucketing down and blowing a gale!!! Trying to put portions of hay out in piles for the horses in the wind is a nightmare as you can imagine - it goes everywhere! I ended up absolutely soaked. So when i came in I decided a hot bath was in order - bliss!!! I took a cup of relaxing tea with me - The tea worked so well i nearly feel asleep!

With brilliant timing, as i had just finished my last book, the second parcel was more books! So I was looking forward to a cosy evening by the woodburner new book on the go!

Someone else was thinking about cosying up by the fire as well!

But then decided he would cosy up to Lilly instead!

Simple pleasures are always the best!


xxx

Catching up.

It seems like ages since i did a proper post! It was nice to have a break though and just read everybody elses' blogs and find some new ones.





I decided this year not to bother with resolutions - i very rarely keep them anyway! There are some things i would like to do this year though - making bread is one of them - although i use my breadmaker a lot i would love to make bread 'properly'! Also i want to do some quilting courses - being self taught i could do with some advice!!!




I have kicked off the new year with some knitting - a lovely soft, snuggly scarf - i made one for Tom's girlfriend and liked it so much i thought i'd knit one for myself! This pattern is really easy - well you know me - why make life difficult !!! You end up with a different pattern on each side -


The pattern comes from this book and is for a man's scarf, but i just love it!


I have also tidied up my sewing space - about time as it was a tip!!! So am ready to get sewing.



Talking of sewing i had the most beautiful gifts made for me by a lovely lady called Nicolette - this was the Chookyblue SSCS swap. I certainly was very lucky with my swap partner who was incredibly generous and i can't thank her enough!As you can see Nicolette sent me two lovely candle holders, scissors, tape measure, bag charm, quilt pattern and some gorgeous yarn. The best i have kept till last - a beautifully made wallhanging
Thank you Nicolette for such scrumptious gifts - this hanging will be pride of place every christmas!

My swap partner was Jo in Tas and this is part of my gift for her -


I really enjoyed this swap and must say a mahoosive thank you to Chookyblue for all her hard work!

Well that's all for now, back to the housework!!!



xxxxx

Happy New Year!!

A very Happy New Year to you all!!! I've had a little break from blogging but will be back shortly, raring to go!!!!

xxxx