Hobbies and Crafts

Morning all
That’s lovely Von. Goldcrests and Firecrests are such pretty birds but so tiny. I’ve only ever seen a couple at our old house but they were gorgeous little birds.

Yesterday OH and I were at the window watching half a dozen long tailed tits on the suet balls when a rat ran across the patio :-(. I have told himself that if I see another one we will definitely be getting another cat, whether he likes it or not.

Thinking of you Kandj <3

Good morning. Despite the temperature being minus 3 this morning the little gold crest is back :-D

<3 <3 <3 Kandj <3 <3 <3

The birds were very miffed this morning after the window cleaner had been. He had taken the feeder off the window and put it on the ground where everything spilled out.
They were still flying to the window LOL At least I had the opportunity of giving the feeder a good wash before refilling it and sticking it back on the window. It was well overdue a good clean. I have swept up all the loose seeds and suet pellets up so the birds werent feeding off the ground. Thomas has had a few recently :-( :-(. I dont mind it when he has a Mouse or 2 but not the Birds.

Love to our Kandj as always <3 <3

Good to see you feel able to post now and then Kandj. Just pop on when you feel like it. Don't feel you have to do anything too soon; one little step at a time. Sending you love <3

Not much to report on the bird or wildlife front. I think they are coming in, grabbing a bit of food and going back to shelter before they get soaked. I don't think our dry area of the country has seen so much rain for years.

Dear Kandji

<3 <3 Thinking of you <3 <3

Hello Kandj, were I in your shoes that would have had me in tears as well, we had it at our wedding almost 58 years ago. My parents also had it at theirs, it is a much loved wedding hymn and a favourite of ours.
You are doing well though to be actually watching Songs of Praise with all its memories, I suspect it may be cathartic for you.

Good too that you are continuing to feed the birds, little pleasures like watching them are probably all helping you along the way.

Look after yourself Kandj and don't forget to eat will you? and keep calling in here too <3 <3 Much love to you.

Just popping in to say ""THANK YOU" to everyone for your kindness. I am watching Songs of Praise which hubby and I always watched together..... just had Love Divine, All Loves Excelling on now which has had me in tears....... sung at our wedding 55 years ago, so not surprising it hurts me so badly to listen to the words right now.

I am still the feeding the birds, they haven't deserted me and I haven't forgotten them.

My very grateful thanks to you all, it is a hard and painful road our close family are on now, but helped with kind thoughts and prayers from many lovely people on GR sites.

Big group of Goldfinch here late this afternoon :-D :-D. I just love these little birds :-D I hope they stick around .No Long Tailed Tits though :-(

It has been a lovely sunny day here but, like you Vera we have not had many birds at all. A couple of days ago we had a pair of long tailed tits on the feefders and yesterday we had 5 (they are multipling) Wood pigeons as well as a dove. We have seen the Robin, the Wren, a couple of starlings and a couple of male blackbirds, there is a female around who visits occasionally. Not many great and lue tits though.

Cold winds and rain seem to have kept the birds away although the seeds have been going down as usual. Today has been glorious weather but there have still only been a few sparrows and a couple of blackbirds plus one lonely long tailed tit.

We don’t seem to have any frogspawn this year either. I shall be quite upset if the frogs have deserted us :-(

Kandj, you have a lovely supportive family. I hope you have enjoyed having your son in law and granddaughter to stay. Sending love <3

Horrible weather isn’t Jane don’t blame Thomas staying in.
Kandj that was a lovely thought of your nieces and great nieces, I am sure it was hard for you but will have helped them
I hope you are enjoying your time with Martin and your granddaughter. <3

What filthy weather. The poor birds are all looking very bedraggled but still feeding like crazy.They must be as fed up with this cold and rain as much as me. Thomas has spent a lot of time indoors and has just been popping in and out.Then having a good lick to dry off his fur each time. He is now toasting himself near the wood burner.

Kandj has her SIL and Grandaughter with her for a couple of days which I am sure will cheer her up :-D Lots of love Kandj <3

I met up with with my two nieces and their 4 children, who are aged 7, two 4 year olds and 2 year old who all visited hubby and I almost weekly. C and D decided that helping their little ones to write messages attached to helium balloons and then let all the children send the balloons off high in the sky was a way to help them say their little Goodbye to a very special great uncle....... I swallowed hard, especially when C handed over a balloon to me too. I really wasn't expecting this but swallowed hard and quickly brushed my tears away and focused on the little ones excitement..... as they shouted; "Goodbye Uncle, we love you soooo much"...... such a lovely thing to do but not easy!!

Our Durham family did offer to come and pick me up this weekend but all understand I'm just not ready yet. Son in law rang and asked if I would like to go out for lunch today. Helen and Martin were happy to drive down for the day to keep me company. They rarely have a spare moment and so I told them I was ok..ish!! Martin is bringing granddaughter Katie as it is half term next week (already??) and they will stay here a couple of nights, so we will all look forward to being together then.

I opened the door this morning and have a beautiful arrangement of bright and cheerful flowers in a box so I don't even have to put them in a vase..... sent with love and hugs from our Durham family... how lovey and thoughtful they are. I'm blessed.

Thank you everyone. Your kind thoughts and ongoing support is a blessing too. xxx

Thinking of kandj and her family <3

A family member who recently lost his mother, who he lived with and was carer for, for many years, explained to me that going out or away means he has to go back to an empty house and it's that emptiness underlined which he finds too much some days.

Gradual steps and brighter lengthening days will hopefully help kandj do what is right for her.

Never mind Jane, Kandj will feel able to go away soon I am sure, at the moment I expect she wants to stay where the memories are,

Ooops I made a mistake . Kandj isnt going to stay with the family this weekend.
Her Daughter did want to pick her up tomorrow but Kandj isnt feeling quite up to it just yet. I got the wrong end of the stick . Hopefully though it wont be too long before she will be able to enjoy a few days away with her family.

Love the selfi Puss Jem :-D :-D.

Thank You Jane for passing on news of Kandj <3

I hope Kandj will find comfort in spending time with her lovely family <3



Who wants to see some really "wild" life that's slightly weird? ;-)
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:-D :-D :-D

Thanks Jane, Kandj a break away sounds just the thing, been thinking of you. <3 <3 <3

Kandj has said she is so grateful for everyones kind thoughts and words and they are healing for her <3
She is still feeling 'in limbo' and tearful at times especially when she has to inform companies, like the utilities and insurance that it is now just her name on the details.
But her Daughter and OH have just purchased a new house which will need alterations and redecorating etc.So that is great news . Her Daughter is coming on Friday to pick Kandj up to take her back with her for the weekend which will be wonderful as she has not been able to go and stay for a long time.So a change of scenery and spending time with the family will be just the thing.
Still early days for Kandj, but I know she will be ok . Lots of love Kandj <3 <3

My heart goes out to you Kandj, I am so sorry <3 <3 <3

I hope that you will feel a bit stronger soon :-)



~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to Everyone :-)