Cornwall

Breath...it's Friday!

What a week. While the rest of the country has been basking in glorious sunshine with soaring temperatures we have had the usual ragged clumps of broken cloud blowing over – sun occasionally colouring the land in bright shifting patches but mostly the world has been grey and windswept. I did manage to get a few wash loads hung out on the line this past week – the wind blew fitfully enough to dry the lot so l was pleased.

Update on the bathroom refit : After lots of measuring, discussion and basic sketching for our bathroom we are venturing across the water tomorrow to visit a large showroom full of bathroom furniture, etc. This will give us an idea of what might work- l had thought of putting in an offset corner bath but need to see them now to be sure. I am the 'bath' person in this house- the boys prefer to shower so l definitely want one where l can stretch out and relax.

Our Sam is away out to school today dressed up as Willy Wonka- his school is hosting a 'Dahlicious' dress up party and all the children have to come dressed as a character from one of his books- Roald Dahl. The money raised with go to his Children's Charity raising money for the seriously ill – only £1 per child but with all the schools taking part this should really add up and what a great cause!

News: Our Sam got voted in for Pupil Council this year – he represents the children of Primary 5 for his school. We got a letter from the school which read,

“I am delighted to inform you that your child has been chosen to represent their class year at this session's Pupil Council. This is indeed a credit to them as they are not just popular members of their class, they have also been chosen by their peers as they have been judged to have many skills e.g. they are good communicators, are able to work as part of a team, have demonstrated that they have good ideas and are enthusiastic members of our school.”

Wow!! How proud are we!!

Oh, and look- it's raining again!!

Have a great weekend all!

Another weekend gone

Good evening all.

Another busy weekend almost done and Monday tomorrow already but - l won't think of all that just now. I'm just glad it's almost time for bed – I'm looking forward to snuggling up under the duvet with a good book. Today has been a monumentally wet and dismal day – the only word that seems to fit is dreich! It's hard to believe the reports of this wonderful 'Indian Summer' that's on its way to us especially after the fickle week of weather we've just had but way-hey if it happens.

Well, as you know from the last post, the bathroom window got put in last week by our friend Robert – l'm still taken aback every time l go in there – it's so wonderful to see so much more light!

Over the weekend hubby cemented around the outside and plastered around the inside frame – he still has the windowsill to do but things are starting to really take shape. Today our plumber 'friend of a friend' came round to size up the bathroom for fitting so now l'm on the hunt for a good bathroom suite at a reasonable cost.

Daniel went back to work on Saturday and is recovering well – it always amazes me how much faster you heal the younger you are. Thank you for all the well wishes.

Sorry to hear that Betty over at Country Charm had a fall – sending healing wishes across to you Mrs!

Our Sam had a fun time yesterday at a birthday party – he got to go to a Laser Tag Arena across the water! He had a great time there with all his friends so certainly has something to write about in his school journal tomorrow. He has also been practising the clarinet and guitar and tonight played and sang a song for us (on his Dad's electric guitar) – we were so impressed!

Incidentally our house name means 'House of song' in Gaelic – chosen by us because of our love for music. Hubby and l both play the guitar but he is the pro.

Okay, tired now – up the wooden hill (stairs) for me.

Let there be light!

introductory text...a window to boldly go where no window has gone before...(said in the style of Star Trek)

We've had a busy day here getting a new bathroom window put in. Up until now we've only had a small skylight so this should make a world of difference and after that it's bathroom refurbishment time!! Hopefully that will be done before Christmas - well, that's the plan anyway.

It's my friend's hubby that has been putting in the window for us and he has done a fine job so far. Thank you Robert! Today he knocked through 16inches (depth) of stone walling and set the window into position so tomorrow he has to cut from the inside out and set the windowsill, etc.

My oldest son has been in the wars - he fell down a long flight of stairs at the railway station last week on the way home from work- ouch!! He had to go to the hospital and the x-ray showed three cracked ribs - one side is quite swollen and the other has a rib that moves around under his skin as he breathes - kind of scary looking! He has been prescribed some serious pain killers and is receiving much TLC (Tender Loving Care).

Earlier this evening our youngest also had his first music lesson on the Clarinet so we have enjoyed his first few musical gasps.

Apart from all the above we are doing okay - the garden is starting to feel tired and yawn looking to be put to bed for the winter. I have been crafting away each evening so will post some photos about that soon.

We are planning another trip down to Kernow (Cornwall) in October so l'm counting down the days- the break will do us all good (no pun intended son ;).

Below are some photos of Sam (son) & Ollie (granddaughter) playing with the Hot Wheels car set - these two always give me something to smile about.

♥ Love and blessings to you all for the coming week♥

Tegenaria domestica

It's early Autumn and time for House Spiders to start roaming around for mates. I was sitting earlier typing away when from the corner of my vision l saw this huge spider climbing up my desk lamp, not even 30cm from the keyboard! The thing was enormous- bigger than the palm of my hand! I froze – it froze and I'm sure we made eye(s) contact. I backed away slowly slowly and then hurried downstairs to grab my camera and a glass big enough to catch it. Wow- that spider was fast and after a few moments of heightened heart rate and mad thrashing around (me) l managed to trap it under the glass and gloat while l got my breath back.

"To usher the spider into a cup for relocation, hold the cup in front of the spider and use something to gently nudge the spider from behind. A spider's first reflex after being touched from behind is to walk or run forward. The spider will walk right into the cup that is placed in front of it." Wikipedia.

--- Easier said than done!!!!

I knew it was just a house spider but l haven't seen any quite that big! I looked it up to double check and found out that it is also one of the world's fastest spiders - made it to the Guinness Book of World Records, having clocked speeds of up to 1.73ft/sec – arghh!

Do you recall (above) when l said - 'time for spiders to start roaming around for mates' ? Well, l've just read up on these spiders and *queue scary music* this one could already have a mate which could be anywhere!! I keep shivering now and jerking my head uncontrollably as if it's crawling nearby looking for it's lost love that l have tossed outside – eek!

"The spider species Tegenaria domestica, commonly known as the barn funnel weaver in North America and the domestic house spider in Europe, is a member of the funnel-web family Agelenidae and a close relative of the hobo spider." Wikipedia.

Oh, the wind & the rain

Yesterday we had such a quiet Sunday – no one visiting, no one headed out – the phone silent. The rain poured and the wind blew but inside it just felt so warm and peaceful. I remember lying in the bath watching the rain fall gently on the skylight above, listening to its pit-patter sound. I relaxed by candlelight just enjoying the tranquillity of it all.

Today is quite the reverse – we are experiencing the tail end of hurricane Katia – the winds have been strong and in some places over 75mph. Living on the west coast of Scotland we are used to the remnants of Atlantic storms but this is our first big one of the year so we got busy making preparations early this morning for it - making sure pots and tubs were tucked away in a sheltered spot, bins secure and hanging baskets taken down - the usual stuff.

Today l took our oldest lad along with me in the car to pick up the youngest, Sam. Daniel had to keep a grip on Sam as they ran to the car and at one point his hat flew off down the road – exciting stuff. Anyway, we decided to stop by the waterfront and get out to feel the force of the wind gusts. The boys had a laugh but unfortunately l ended up with horrific earache – both ears!

We've been back in for ages - the boys watched a DVD while l made Carrot & Coriander soup- my own version with a few parsnips and potatoes thrown in for good measure. I think soup is just the perfect supper for a day like this.

Plenty of candles are lit around the house and although the storm rages on outside l feel quite safe and secure so now l'm away to watch this new Pirates of the Caribbean film aptly titled 'On Stranger Tides'.

Stay safe folks.

Healing thoughts across the horizon

Today in our home we will recall the moment ten years ago when our son shouted for us to come and see what was happening on the television. It was of course the minutes following the first of the Twin Towers being hit. We watched with millions in realtime as the horror unfolded – one of those moments that you will never forget and everyone remembers where they were. We stood transfixed as another plane plunged into a tower filled with life and humanity – it all felt so unreal.

Our world changed that day and the repercussions of it are still changing the world.

I grieve for the people who died on 9/11 as l grieve for those who died in the London bombings, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in India and for all those who are still dying in so many other places around the world.

Peace and love be with you all. x

Post from yesterday- around the same time ;)

I'm not long in and l've just sat down with a hot cup of tea. The window beside me is partially open letting in a slight breeze- a cooler Autumn freshness. I can hear the cars passing by below - tyres splashing through the troughs of rain that have run rivulets down the centre of the road.

Today has been a blessed mix of sunshine and showers – the type of weather that creates wonderful contrasts - land, sky, sea and architecture woven theatrically together using just the power of light and shadow.

The grandeur of it all has not just been in the more extraordinary features of nature or buildings, but more so in the less conspicuous and commonplace – an old door knob, a broken gate, moss on an old tree or stone wall.

For me it is the idea of seeing – the emotion of the place, the art within the landscape that is so intense – it's that fascination and tranquility brought about by nature that inspires.

So today, as l accompanied my husband out to one of his work places, l was glad l'd brought my camera because while he was indoors l got to wander a while in the hopes that l might capture just one single shot of this beautiful day to share - with you.

Still August - still Summer

Sitting here and looking out of my window towards the hillside l notice how it is starting to take on a richer hue- the trees have started to turn and with todays rain it just feels like Autumn is creeping slowly nearer – how quickly the seasons seem to pass.

We've had a wonderful summertime – camped down in Cornwall and bought a new tent; took our son (Sam) and granddaughter (Ollie) to the Sea Life Centre at Loch Lomond and spent many many other days down by the beach or at the parks. I took advantage of every good day and still am (taking advantage of these days) - hanging out washings and enjoying just being outside.

This past weekend our little town hosted the annual Highland Gathering where pipe bands and people from all over the world came to participate and enjoy. For me this was the highlight of our 'summertime' but also an event that tends to mark the end of it for us locals. The buzz and lively atmosphere fades as quickly as the visitors leave and the bunting is taken down to be packed away until next time.

On Saturday we had a big family dinner and watched the firework finale down by the waterfront– a balmy evening shared together as we waved at the coach loads of people leaving and watched as the ferries pulled out from the pier.

And on Sunday morning l drove through the town when there was not a soul- a different world – a sleepy world recouping.

I hope you have all had a lovely Summertime so far - that you have had good harvests and good times spent. ♥

Facebook

I've had no time at all to blog lately or visit - sorry. Our wee granddaughter is staying with us again while her mum is away to summer school for OU - wonderful times but busy.

Sam starts school within the week so might find some time to catch up after that but in the meantime facebook is also a way of staying in touch.

If you would like to join me on facebook please would you send me your link/name to mackenzieinteriors@yahoo.co.uk.

Hope you are all doing well..

bests for the now

Our day out - Saturday 9th July 2011

This is my first upload using You Tube - a slideshow about our day out to see the Tall Ships event at the James Watt Dock and quaysides. Over 57 ships, fantastic stage performances, stalls and fairground - entertainment for the whole family. I loved hearing Yvonne Lyon sing and seeing Sam with Captain Jack Sparrow ;) but best of all those beautiful sailing ships - graceful lines, miles of rigging and huge masts.

Will get round to visiting asap :)

Last night's sunset