It’s been a while hasn’t it? Life moves on apace here and a few newsworthy things have happened.
Workwise we have a new Head Teacher [a lady this time] so that brings with it, what we hope will be, welcome change. Also I have been given another year long contract [I’m temporary and have been since I started there in 2009] so that’s reassuring and I can financially relax for at least another year.
Ethan has finished year 3 at school [gosh, that went so fast] and had an amazing end-of-year report, the best he’s ever had, so we are very proud and pleased as it’s proof positive that moving him was a good decision. He’s also learnt to ride a bike this summer which, given his battle with Hypermobility Syndrome, is no mean feat. He rides now like he’s been riding a bike for years. Interesting how the skill and confidence come all most immediately. He has just celebrated his 8th birthday which involved a party and a trip to Pizza Express among other things. Lucky boy!!!
We’ve been away on a couple of mini-breaks over the summer. One to Centre Parcs which was all action and left me absolutely exhausted, Ethan was in his element however. The second was a Castle Hunting holiday in North Wales. I’ve never been to that part of Wales before and it was truly beautiful, I would live there in an instant. The castles were also absolutely breath taking, all that history just sat there waiting for your imagination to pick it up and run riot with it. We managed to visit Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon [above] and Harlech castles on a special three day explorer pass which worked out very inexpensive. We all loved Wales even allowing for a bit of Welsh rain and excessive thigh-burn from climbing all those stone steps to the ramparts and towers. We also took in Snowdonia National Park and quite a few eateries 🙂 .
Our garden has given up some produce already this year, lettuces, onions [first ones as they take two years from initial setting], potatoes, cabbages, blackberries, spring onions and we’re still waiting on the purple sprouting which seems to be struggling a bit…
Faith wise I’m still nowhere **sighs** ….or at least nowhere I’m prepared to discuss 😉 . It’s a struggle but it doesn’t fill my every waking moment anymore which it certainly used to. I’ve ‘removed’ a few people from my life who I felt weren’t a positive influence and that has helped enormously. As a Woman of God I’ve always tried to be open and welcoming to everyone who comes into my life. I’ve discovered that although that’s still very important it’s equally as important to recognise when a relationship is detrimental or negative and has run its course. As the saying goes, some people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime…the trick is spotting the difference.
On the plus side I’ve made a few new friends and that has been lovely. When one door shuts etc….
I’m still reading, crocheting and cooking ~ not all at once obviously 🙂 . The sewing has taken a back seat recently as the crochet has kind of taken over, being something I can do whilst watching TV or chatting to Si. Sewing is a bit more all-consuming so less sociable. I’m crocheting another prayer shawl probably for myself this time. It’s my own design so we’ll see how it turns out, it’s nearly finished.
I’m reading Citadel by Kate Mosse at the moment. I’m really enjoying it, as I did Sepulcher and Labyrinth but, in the same style as those two, Citadel covers two different periods in time ~ both historical ~ World War II and 342+ AD. This can leave my head spinning a bit if I forget where I am and whichcharacter I’m with. The trick is to read a bit everyday and complete at least one chapter in one session if at all possible to aid continutity and understanding.
I’m also working on a recipe for some cereal/fruit bars for Ethan to take to school as am fed up with the rubbish that comes in nearly all pre-packed or processed foods supposedly aimed at children. We eat very little processed food, even a quick meal on a busy night will usually involve a jacket spud with corn-on-the-cob or pasta with maybe a jar of good quality sauce. However, lunch boxes are a challenge as Ethan flately refuses to take fruit at all. So the only way round providing a healthy ‘sweet’ treat for after his sandwich is to make something that isn’t messy, travels well and provides in some format one of his five-a-day….I’m determined and will post any recipe that comes out vaguely ok on here along with photographic evidence of the finished product if possible. On the plus side Ethan’s started having cooked lunches at schoolabout three days a week so that’s a massive step forward for a child who never ate any cooked food unless I’d made it…he’s growing up so fast.
That’s it for now. Will update again when projects become finished and cereal bar recipes become edible 😆 .
A very welcome return Mrs S. 😉
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Thank you Mr H 🙂 x
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