Spencer's Summer

It's been a busy few weeks to say the least. Visiting friends and family, holding a stall at a flea market, attending events at Stroud Fringe Festival and Stroud Theatre Festival, getting my businesses prepared for Christmas and, yesterday, helping my son, George, move into his new student house in Cheltenham.!...... I haven't taken many photos along the way so I thought I'd treat you to a few of Spencer and the fun he's had this summer. 

Enjoy!

Good times on the beach......

And first time in the sea!

Chasing seagulls.....

Great times with George when he came to stay.....

Finding out his most favourite thing is climbing right into the cattle troughs on the Common...

Having such fun with his mate Ozzie when he came to stay for the week.....

Showing off jumping the jumps at Stroud Show......

 

And winning a rosette for doing so!

Travelling adventures in Harvey J.....

In France.....

Climbing the tors on Dartmoor......

Having a whole field to himself in Cullompton, Devon.....

Loving bedtime in Harvey J ......

Enjoying the lovely aromas of the summer sweet peas.....

Charging about like a crazy dog!

Rolling in the grass with lots of snaffling and snuffling!

Wading in the canal.......

Playing with his new favourite toy....a ball on a rope that his mate Ozzie's mum bought for him for having him to stay......

Relaxing in the shade...........

A cool and peaceful doze on his favourite step.....

Lots of love and cuddles with mum and dad......

And of course....just being incredibly cute!

Thanks for visiting!

Maggie xx

Blue Skies and Holiday Blocks

Hooray for beautiful blue skies......

 blossom on the apple tree.......

and gorgeous purple aubretia.........

Doesn't the sight of them just give you a boost?!

 

Last weekend we took a short break away. It was our first trip out in Harvey J this year.

 

Best of all......I got to drive!!

We found a lovely quiet campsite near Leominster. There were beautiful views....

and lots of space for Spencer to run around.....

He even found a doggy friend to play with. Spencer made us laugh as when he had had enough of playing, he would dive under the van where the other dog (who was bigger than him) couldn't reach him!

 

The weather was ok, quite cold, so I made some time to make a block for my holiday quilt. I made a simple template, cut out heart shapes and hand sewed them onto squares. I tried to keep to reds and blues. It was very enjoyable :)

I sewed the squares together on my machine back at home.....and this is the completed block...

I have another block to show you from my holiday in Devon last month. I had trouble with the centre and have unpicked the stitches and resewn it a couple of times. It's still not perfect but it was getting to the stage where it was going to end up in the bin or out the window!

 

So please don't look too close!

 

The block is called Clay's Choice, Star of the West.....and several other names (besides what I called it!).......

I had to show you this pic of our neighbours' donkeys......mum and baby.....who came to greet us on our walk last week.....

Down on the canal there are three little ducklings......

And the other day I made a potato and spinach frittata....never made one before and it was surprisingly nice!

I'm finishing this post with a burst of flowery loveliness....our azalea :)

 

Happy crafting 'til next time :)

 

Maggie xx

Fossils, Strawberries, Patchwork and a Pig

So I've shared my Somerset patchwork block with you but what about our little holiday?

Our camp site was at the foot of the beautiful Quantock Hills....

What glorious weather we had for those few days we were away?!

The sun never stopped shining :)

Here are a few of the things we got up to..........

Lots of dining (and a bit of drinking) al fresco!

I love it when the weather's good as Chris likes to take charge of our little gas barbeque and I don't have to cook!!

 

Visiting the animals where we were staying.......chickens, sheep and pigs...this muddy one was fast asleep in the shade.....

Some patchwork of course.....

The beautiful Somerset farmland........

Chilling out under Harvey J.....

And under my Wool-eater blanket........yes that's my knees!

Pretty cornflowers....

Fish and chips for lunch.......

....whilst watching the boats in Watchet's pretty harbour.....

Walks with Spencer in the evening sun.....

Strawberry fields.......for as far as the eye can see.....

Relaxing with more patchwork and Chris carving a sculpture from wood.....

Visiting the spectacular Jurassic Kilve Beach........

.....with it's extraordinary rock formations of limestone and shale.....

.....and fabulous fossils...............

......we found some ammonites but there are reptile remains too.....

I definitely recommend a visit if you like rocks, fossils, rock pools.......the kids will love it.....and so will the dog :).............

Also time for a spot of knitting.............

And on the last day, a delicious cooked breakfast of course ;)

See you soon,

Maggie xx