This cup is just right!

I'm not an avid collector of china. But I've been eyeing this cup for a while. It's a nice size, but not too big. The handle is roomy. I can hold it comfortably and hug it's warmth close. I like it's rustic, slightly quirky qualities. It's not too heavy, but heavy enough. I love the colours and the glaze, and it reminds of far off travels. I may have found the perfect cup.....and no one else may use it!

This morning I was crunching through the fresh snow on the common, there was some lovely sunshine too. It's always great to get all that vitamin D in January. You can see there are some houses up here with amazing views. The extremes of weather too. A few days ago I had the spritz and blast hydrotherapy treatment, all free, thanks to the gales and rain! Very revitalizing.

It really is the highlight of living here. I'm not sure how far I walk, but I'm considering getting a pedometer to find out. I probably do about a 30 minute quick march. Sometimes it's a wander and chat depending on who I bump into.

Home to drink a welcoming latte and to meet the plumber who has come to fix a burst cold water pipe in the cabin. I always manage to pick his brain about heating and kilowatts and frost thermostats. I think he may charge me for the time he spends giving me advice...., I think it may be a form of anxiety! Do you worry about your pipes in the loft?....Anyway, discussions about heaters and insulation and boilers, and the realization that there is only so much you can do to prevent cabin pipes from freezing was the outcome. My hardy cabin folks have survived gales and cold this week without any complaint. For them, home is where the wood burner is!

♥ 

gifts

Each year at the Dog-walkers Christmas tree on the common, people come bearing gifts for the local dogs home. The gifts of dog food, treats and toys and donations are left each day in the red box, and dutifully emptied by the Christmas tree elves. It's wonderful. Tinsel billowing and sparkling on the Hawthorne tree on top the windy hill. It's the annual Christmas pilgrimmage to see the tree!

Life continually surprises me at the way our many gifts reach us. And they don't all come on the back of Santa's sleigh. Although I will be listening out at the night time, for the sleigh bells. There is definitely magic out there. I am a believer. Ho ho ho!

♥  

this year was....

This is the impossible tree. As you can see it's a beautiful leaning tree I pass on my walk on the common. At it's base you might be able to see that it's also hollow, and sometimes if you catch it at the right angle you can see a heart shape made by the hollow. Sometimes people leave little gifts in there like feathers or stones. I still don't know which tree it is. Actually I'm thinking it really is like the tree of life, because of it's fantastic shape and branches. I love seeing it on this cold frosty morning against the blue sky.

Now, I'm not going to call this year, impossible. It's actually a year that has been made very possible at a time when I couldn't see how we were going to move out of the position we were in. The word I chose for this year was commit. I think I imagined or hoped that I was simply going to make all the things happen I wanted. Just by committing to it.

What actually happened this year is I found out what it feels like for people to be committed to us and our situation. How beautiful and I just didn't see that one coming.

Never underestimate just how much support you are going to need parenting teenagers. You just can't do it alone, especially if things get rocky. You have to call on all your resources and sometimes find some new ones. We have both had mentors this year, people who have absolutely and constantly given up their time to help work things out.

I'm also beginning to notice that there is a stage that comes before commit, and that is intention. Intention helps to set the cogs in motion and no doubt sends out a message to the universe that you are wanting to do something, so that the little synchronocities and solutions can fall in place. I have really felt this during this months december reflections.

So this year we have been extraordinarily shown what commit feels like. Together with caring and acceptance and the time to explore our stories. I am so grateful for this time.

There's been a lot of walking on the common as you can see! and a pretty huge amount of de-cluttering and letting go has been going on too of late. I'm starting to feel excited about what next year may bring. Creativity and productivity is definitely going to be part of it! I'm beginning to imagine a future where I may be in a different place, living in a different way. It may all not happen over night, but it's exciting to imagine new possibilities. Keep things flowing.

Thank you for reading.

♥  

a part of who we are......

I love the pink Hawthorne on the common

May was a lovely month wasn't it. So much green and growing. Warm and wet and some gorgeous sunny moments.....even the soft and gentle rain in may could be forgiven. I have been soaking up all the lovely nature around. I've needed it so much and I notice it so much more now I am no longer just a suburban girl. I have a dog and a garden and hills to roam, and it's wonderful to be able to anticipate what comes next as the year unfolds. This common has become a part of me. It has become my life blood. I can breathe in life up here.

new leaves and blue skies

The open, wide expanse of skies, new leaves against the blue, my favourite. Awesome. The Buttercup meadows, the Daises and the grasses beginning to grow in abundance.

blue skies and buttercup meadows

Of course May saw the arrival of others who also love the common!

the cows are out!

Yes the cows are out and there's a fair bit of jostling going here for a space under the cool shady trees! They are remembering their summer ground and the places they like to go. They are such big beautiful creatures with their big brown eyes. Mainly a little shy of the humans. Getting barked by the occassional passing dog. Everyone will have to make room for the new arrivals and find their place. There's room for everyone up here. 

having a scratch on the bench!

I found these funny pictures in the National Trust booklet!

keep little dogs under control!

We try and walk past carefully, not too close because I don't want little dog to be kicked by big hooves.

Daffodils are not good for cows.

Daffodils are poisonous for cows. I didn't know that. That would be why you only see wild flowers up here.

ancient grazing rights on the common

The grazing rights for the common go back to the days of William the Conqueror. I will look out for the horses and the donkey who follows them around.

lovely betty's bench

So here is our daily view. This bench says 'a lovely view for a lovely lady'. Her name was Betty. It's a top spot. We can sit awhile, take in the view out to the River Severn and across to the Black mountains and Wales. We can watch the Magpies and the Ravens circling in the warm currents and dream of the place where the river flows into the sea and the coast line and beaches and the ocean. All from the view on our hill top.

Hawthorne (dog-walkers christmas tree in may)

And here is the famous Hawthorne tree, which at christmas becomes this.

Well I've brought you up here with me many times now, I hope you don't mind. I've even bumped into two fellow dog-walkers/bloggers, which is strange because you kind of know them and you kind of don't!

pickings from the garden

 At home I have been picking a lovely supply of flowers from the garden.

blue spotted jug

and enjoying them in this blue spotted jug. I think it was a second, because of the misprint, but I love it and the glaze and the shape. Underneath it says made in Japan. 

I have a couple of creative makings to show you, but to be honest my energy levels feel quite low right now. I need to take some photos and share some little adventures from this half term. But I'm taking it pretty slowly right now. Just trying to recover some of that energy again. The last week seem to involve a lot of driving around dropping the teen off at his Dads for a few days and then back home to a couple of days of sanding and painting, touching up the teens room. I just want it to feel like a fresh space.

a  string of colourful bunting.

But oh go on. Just a little one then! A little project, inspired by Ingthings, I can't remember where on her blog I saw this. I still have to string it together, but it will make a little bunting for the summer.

Well dear people, that's it for now, can't wait to share my other projects, have a great week. Hope all is well. 

♥♥♥

it's coming.....!

The first decoration on the dog-walkers christmas tree! has arrived. I love my morning walks here on top of the common with my little dog. Sometimes it's very blustery and at least 10 degrees colder than down below. We wrap up in woollens and head into the wind with our eyes watering. Little dog has decided she doesn't like wearing her coat anymore, more fool her!

and here's the first doggy christmas card! There will be a box left under the tree, which is actually a hawthorne bush, for collections of food and money for the local dogs rescue. It's a well known sight around here, with people coming up to see it in all it's splendor later on.

every day I admire this little tree as I come past. It has the most amazing backdrop of beech and birch trees down below. There's quite a high slope here, it's really so scenic. The red berries against the subtle misty winter landscape stops me in my tracks. My mornings are very different now. We haven't quite landed in a new routine yet, but they no longer look like this.

In our town it's lovely to be out after dark now and see the lights and spot the houses on the way home that are all lit up. This is where the local skateboarders hang out! Flipping up and down the steps and around the pavement.

I expect I'll be down in the town several times this week buying last minute pressies! It looks quiet here now but I don't think it will next week.

A quick peek in the church which has been decorated in trees by local businesses.

really I thought this one was very clever, A tree made from books! by the local hospital education.

I have my little advent tree up now on my table, I can't find my advent star anywhere! I think the big tree will go up in the next couple of days. It's nice seeing bits of festive sparkle beginning to arrive. Oh and I have put up my rather lovely christmas fairy, she just needs a new bulb so she can do her glowy thing and then I will show you!

and this is where it's all happening right now. I little glimpse of sparkly projects as well. This year I have been using some coloured foil sheeting to wrap small presents, it's lovely. It's like wrapping with a box of quaility street sweets! Very christmassey, I think. And in case you need to know, last second class post is on Wednesday and last first class post is on Friday, in the UK! and to throw in some zen like thoughts, if it happens, it happens. If it doesn't forget it for this year!

Catch you later in the week with more christmas sparkle no doubt,

Heather

X 

The freedom to roam!

Aren't they just beautiful!....and so powerful too!

I was driving my car across the common. I stopped as I could see the horses coming and knew they would cross the road. Magnificent and on a mission, they knew where they were going. Horses have right of way here, and cows too. Sometimes there's a little donkey following along. He tends to hang out with the horses!

These horses aren't wild, but between mid may and October they are allowed to roam and graze here on the common, along with about 400 cows. The ancient grazing rights go back to William the conqueror. In the surrounding area there are signs telling drivers 'the cows are out', and to take care driving across the common.

Over the first few days the young heifer cows were following and learning from the older ones. At first you would see a line of young cows standing at the edge of the road wondering what to do. Then suddenly one will break ranks, so you have drive slowly and be ready to stop. Sometimes they will cross on mass and the traffic just has to wait!

It can get busy up here, what with the cattle and the cars. There are also lots of dog-walkers. I just walk through the cows, as if it's a normal thing and my little dog follows along. I know not to walk between a mother and it's young, and walk round wide if any of them are stamping their feet and looking erratic!

There's also a golf course and some days it's so funny to watch the cows wandering up and down the golf course. They like to go and stand by the flag and have a scratch on the pole. Often leaving behind a gift for the men who look after the golf course!

I do love this place, with all its strange customs.

Do you have any strange happenings where you live? Do tell,

Heather

X

52 weeks of happy

oh these cold and dark December days!

these happy things of mine could equally read, my four survival things!

Oh boy, early nights, tucked up cosy, head on pretty pillows and a good read! not much swinging from the chandeliers going on here!

My advent star in the evenings, casts a pretty glow, adding some magic.

A colour hit from my wool basket, there's lots of elving going on at the moment.

and of course the view above my home town. I go up here almost everyday. It sure is cold. We wrap up and stomp along the top of the common, taking it all in. The wind blows out all the cobwebs! The fir trees have turned spectacular colours. Then it's back home to the warm to make coffee!

I wanted to show you something from the common,

This Hawthorne tree, (picture taken a few weeks ago), will become the local dog walkers christmas tree!

Over the next few weeks it will gradually get decorated with tinsel and baubles and cards and photos of peoples dogs! and a box is left underneath for donations of food and money, which goes to the local dogs home.

It's a sweet idea and it has become quite a landmark!

Yesterday I found the first piece of tinsel. I love the red! I'll show you more as time goes on.

Thank you for a great response to the give-away, if you haven't already entered you have until midnight on the 14th! U.K. time! on this post here.

Have a super cosy and fun weekend!

Heather 

keeping me happy today

yes who can beat it, flowers and crochet, are cheering my life up at the moment! what with all this rain, I think they are really needed. Well we live in hope of the summer happening, again, after our brief encounters with it last month.

I am especially enjoying the rambling rose on the common. The grass is so long there now it is like one giant meadow to walk through. The cows are enjoying it too. During certain months of the year it is free land and the farmers allow their cows to roam. It's always entertaining when they decide to cross the road, on mass!

The flowers on my table this week. I love the feverfew? is that the name? The small white daisy like flowers. There is a mass of it looking pretty against my shed at the moment. I must go and get a picture....

.....well this week, life at my little red suitcase has found me visiting a new school as a possibilty for my son, who has spent the last year at home. oh boy, fingers crossed he will come back and visit it with me next week!

 He is 13 and found the first year of secondary school pretty difficult. This school is a drive away, but smaller, only 400, as opposed to 1500! at our local comprehensive.

 The headmaster was inspiring, realistic and willing to try and really seem to know all of the children there and their stories. So hopefully we will try there in september, otherwise it will be back to our version of home-schooling.....

hope the week goes well for you and the sun pops out to say hello, otherwise it's more muddy boots and a wet dog!

Heather