My Januarys post of this and that

Hello my friends,
I hope this might cheer you on a dull grey Sunday ,or that how it is in this part of the world. I have just taken Effie for a quick walk ,she does not like the road walking ,much sooner be off the lead free running in the fields. However,needs must today as other half is not feeling too good so I have told him  to take  it  easy today  he usually drives us to the fields  along by the Fleet but as  I cannot drive Effie  had to be walked locally.
I have things to tell you today that may make you smile, it sure caused some hilarity in the family. The other morning ,by the  way I do not do mornings, I was preparing breakfast . I poured my bran into a bowl, ready for fruit and yoghurt to be added. Only one thing wrong was that I was also preparing Effies  breakfast I tipped her meat into the bowl and went to make coffee. You have probably guessed what I did ,hmmm , turned round with fruit and yoghurt and noticed I had put the dogs food on top of my Al Bran. Needless to say I did not eat it, although my daughter had hysterics when I told her,and as I am  doing Slimming World she said oh well it is Protein. Then said  I should send a picture of it to the leader  and ask him how many syns for it. I did not do that.

So talking  of dogs I have just finished this Lizzie Kate design ,and  added  the names of all our dogs ,past and present to it.

Here are the photos that I have near it.

This was our very first dog ,  Bess who was given as a present to Graeme by a friend. She was a real character and really should not have lived to 18 as she had a fondness for chocolate,our neighbour used to make her hot chocolate every day and she used to trot round when she heard the knock on the door as she knew what was coming. One Christmas she ate a whole box of chocolate gingers that the husband had under  the tree, wrappers and all. We then decided we would have a golden retriever the breed  we have had since. This was  Tristan ,known as Trissie. Loved the water and  lying on the bed.

He was always up to mischief and having 2 teenagers still at home he had 2 playmates as well as Bess.When Bess died he was lonely so we got Hairy Jack,we called him Hairy as my grandson was Jack ,Martins Dad was Jack so it got a bit confusing , especially as grandson was a toddler.

Hairy Jack loved his Bonios and would trot out to the car when we came back from shopping to collect his box of Bonios. We thought we would get another as Jack was getting older,however he was only 10 when he died. Oliver was next ,and I expect some  of you will remember him. We lost him almost a year ago this month.

Last but not least is our latest addition and probably the last is our rescue Effie.

Sorry if you are not a dog person ,but I had to explain why I decided to stitch Paw Prints. They were all so special to us and had their own characters. I have had another finish ,this was going to be finished for Christmas ,I stitched  along with Sally on our sheepie Fridays.

I couldn't resist the little buttons and was so pleased with how it turned out. I am  now doing a LHN design of a needlebook  and scissor  fob of course  featuring sheep. I will show you progress next time.  Sally is  doing a Drawn Thread piece. We don't always do the  same. I have also had a finish of a UFO which has  been in  and  out more than a fiddlers elbow.  Here is  Boughs of Holly,which will be a cushion at some point, this has been my stitch on Wednesdays recently with the Parlour Ladies.

So on  Wednesdays Welcome  Spring has taken over and it is going  to be a  pretty one I think.

Stitched over one.  I then saw Hello winter and as it has a sheep on it ,well of course this arrived  earlier in the week.

On Mondays Sally and I do a Lizzie Kate design, I started Busy as a bee my needle and me last week. I have done a little but not really enough to show you. Save that for next time. Last night I got my other Christmas design out The Christmas List.

Over  one again and I am  enjoying this one. What I will do with all  these I do  not know.  I also started a Prairie Santa this week  as I usually try and get one done in the year. I have to also finish Away we ride and Jane Austens piece. I cannot remember if I showed you this last time but this has also arrived.

It was my sons 50th on the 16th, his wife took him  to London to have dinner at the Shard. It was a complete surprise to him  and  he loved  it.  They went with 2 friends of  theirs and had a wonderful time.  They came  down on Friday for a curry so we could give him his gift. Then yesterday Sue did a surprise party at home for friends and our daughter and husband went and his uncle who Graeme looks remarkably like and his wife. We were invited but as we saw them on Friday and it was really for people of their own age we thought it nicer if they did not have the wrinklies there. Yes we really are and next month I reach my allotted life span of 70 years. How did that happen ? I am hoping for at least another 70 as I have so much to do. I think if I start going backwards instead of forwards I may be able to get it done.
I think the photo hunt is due for publication next weekend so there will be another post from me.
I have a few books to show you this week . I have just had the delivery of another but not opened  it yet so will share that next time.. meanwhile here are the ones I have had since last time.

One about the Hebrides and The ladies of Ivy Cottage is a follow on from the Inn Keepers Daughter ,which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed.If any of you are fans of Miss Read it sort of reminds me of her style of writing.
I  used to like Stumpwork  a while ago  and when I saw the design on this book well fingers started itching, not sure if I could do something this complex,but I love the book.

Last another smile to finish up with. As some of you know I have arthritis in my hands and back and at times in a lot of pain. My dear other half was reading about this and thought it may help me. It has caused some merriment I can assure you.

Hmm. I do not think my udders need this. However it does seem to help my fingers,  it is very minty,  I had just rubbed some  into  my fingers and  Effie  thought she  would give me a lick, so funny her tongue literally curled. Of course daughter found it amusing ,she is wondering what is next. So  hope I  have made you smile .  Take  care  in  the coming weeks until I post again.  Thankyou for leaving me a comment and be sure this old woman does  appreciate  your visits.
Love and hugs Barb xx