The Incredible Generosity of Bloggers

Good morning - and I have to say a much better morning here weather-wise than yesterday when we were greeted by high winds and torrential rain.  Driving back from shopping we almost had to pull over as we could not see where we were driving for a few seconds. 

A few weeks ago, I saw that some of my favourite bloggers were involved in creating beautiful crochet dollies.  In the summer I had purchased a doily pattern book but, try as I might, I could not find any crochet cotton in any of the craft shops I frequent.  I happened to mention this in a comment on Betsy's lovely blog when admiring the amazing doily she had made.  The next thing I know, I receive a lovely message from her asking if she could send me some crochet cotton!  I was so touched by this very generous gesture from her.  Within a few days a big box arrived all the way from America.  Would you like to see what this lovely lady sent to me?

Wow...

Just the right crochet thread for my patterns...and a lovely card with such a sweet message (this will be going on my office wall where I display favourite cards I have received from friends)...

...not just one big ball, but two!!  And then, so thoughtfully, she included some coloured thread too so that I can accent some of the doilies I will be making...

Just look at this yarn, I can see why it has this name as I love it too!! It is sooooo deliciously soft...

A beautiful decoration with crochet and beads, this is already hanging on my bookcase...

And, just look at this sweet tin of hot chocolate, I am saving this for when I finish work for the holidays, a special treat to look forward to...

Betsy, I am truly blessed to count you amongst my friends.  I hope that you will like the little package I have sent to you, with much love to you. 

Bloggers really are the best!!

Have a lovely Sunday, Helenxx

Treats and Tricks!

Hello everyone, hope that this stormy weather isn't having any adverse effects for you. Very blustery and heavy showers here with spells of bright sunshine - but could be a lot worse.

Thank you so, so much for all your kind comments about my Darling Mum, she seems quite a bit improved today when I visited her earlier so hopefully that will continue as the days go by.

I have spent today (even though it is half term) working on reports and referrals, but now I can say that I am officially on holiday as I have ticked off all the items on my to-do list!!  Hip-hip-hooray!! I firmly believe in that old trick of a to-do list, keeps me on track and I find it so, so satisfying when I eventually tick everything off!

Yesterday I worked in the morning, then took my DD out and about to our local villages on a tea and gift shop tour.  We love to do this when we can, there are so many lovely places and little shops, all so different from the usual High Street fare.  First of all we visited a little tea shop and treated ourselves to a very yummy hot chocolate...after all, it had been a long, hard morning of work...

I love the idea of popping a mini-gingerbread man in amongst the cream and chocolate flake, but a close up made it look quite creepy and Halloween-like, almost like a mummy emerging from its tomb...would be a great drink to serve up on the 31st...

After investigating more local village shops, including a newsagent that sells everything and 2 gift shops we went to the local garden centre, always a treat at any time of year, but they had really gone to town with the Halloween theme...

Onto another village, where my kids have attended school (and DD still attends there). I also attended school there "back in the day".  I loved the autumn colours on this tree.  The old building in the background was a fully-operational mill in my young day, but is now converted into upmarket apartments...

It was so lovely to spend time with DD, we share so many interests, we didn't stop chatting the whole time we were out!

Hope you have a lovely and cosy evening, Helenxx