Kindness, magic, faith and a spot of laughter!

Hippy Happy Friday!

I think that the crazy as a loon fairy has been fluttering about in our home lately! Oh yes, that little fairy has definitely been visiting.

 I did this one yesterday, my latest little fairy, not looking particularily crazy, but a fairy nonetheless! The little creature hasn't been living with me long enough yet... give it time!

In the past when we have decided to move house, I start out by looking at potential properties on rightmove, and then usually get daydreams of a particular house stuck firmly in my head. It is a kin to falling in love, you just can't stop thinking of the object of your affection, and basically long to get your mitts on the blighter!

Well, this time, I have spotted a house that I really, really, (think!) I want to live in. I say think, because I actually haven't been to view it.  The fact of the matter is... that it is not even up for sale!  Yes, you heard that right,  NOT FOR SALE!  Put that together with the fact that we are not even up for sale yet either, and the fact that even if we were and we had a buyer, there is no reason to believe that said object of my affections would even be up for sale when we are, or even for years!   I know, the crazy fairy has me smitten with its's madness!

 One of my applique cross stitch designs, very simple... like the creator of it!

It is a sweet old cottagey type house, with original stained glass windows and the sweetest 1920's original front door! We have walked past it several times now, and no, sorry, I haven't got a photo, as I may well be arrested soon for stalking a house anyway, without standing at the front of it wildly snapping pictures as well!  It needs a lot of work (well, from the outside, it looks so!), It has a good sized garden (good old google bird's eye view maps!) So, we could still grow some of this.....

 Some of our veggies grownig happily in the veggie plot! 

And this.......

Ahhhh, Aubergines!

And these.....

Oh pretty flowers!  Such beauty!

I love a cottage garden, wild and full of wildlife, mysterious and magical. Oooh err and slightly rambling like me!

YES! I do, do , DO  believe in magic, I believe that what ever we can imagine is utterly and completely possible! SO,  I have been doing a spot of cosmic ordering! George says that if we end up living there, he will have me burnt at the stake for being a witch!

Talking of George, ha ha ha,  he did make me laugh yesterday morning! George, I am telling you, you are so funny! You ought to be bottled up and sold as a tonic!

I woke up and noticed that it was 8.30am, so I nudged George and said "GEORGE! Its 8.30!" He opened one eye and replied "SO!". I gave him a shake " GEORGE! Its 8.30!" He wasn't too happy, in fact he was coming accross a tad grumpy here. Another nudge, a shove in the ribs, another "GEE-ORGE"......reply- "WHAT????" he was not happy....he squints at me irritated and says.." ITS SATURDAY FOR GAWDS SAKE"  ...... "Errr, no George," I reply  "its Thursday!" ... Silence....then.... "ITS THURSDAY???!!!".   Ha ha ha, I have never seen him jump out of bed so quick..."BLOODY HELL!, Why didn't you tell me"  He says as he scurries around getting ready for work!!!

Now another, yes another big thank you, for a big huge dollop of  kindness! Look what the postman delivered yesterday!
 Kay! You are such a love,  it was wonderful  surprise! This is what I love about kindness! Kindness can lift your spirits, cheer you, make you feel cared for and loved. Kindness is infectious like a smile it sends out ripples of good feeling, and makes the world a nicer place to live in. Kay, made this lovely hanging for me, and recently did a post featuring this (you can read the post here).

 Look at the gorgeous charms, I love them!

 Yummy goodies too!

 The parcel had lots of goodies in as well as the hanging, and the sweetest enchanted garden card, with lovely words from Kay, which I will treasure with all my heart. Thank you so much Kay! You are one of those special people here on blogger (and Facebook!) who I feel a real connection with, and now consider a very good friend, and who make all of this waffling that I do, worthwhile!

As a matter of fact, I am so very lucky to have so many kind and wonderful friends in this huge and unseen blogland and facebook too.... thank you all!

I will leave you with this photo of my clematis.... now if thats not magic, I would like to know what is!

Every time I see this, my I gasp, and my eyes pop out! That conjures up a picture... gasping for breath, with my eyes a bulging. Ha ha, I had wanted it to sound a bit more romantic than that! I was aiming for more of a  Wuthering Heights effect than the Hunch Back of Notre Dame!


I wish you all happiness and love, and hope that that darn crazy fairy stays well away from you. Its too late for me I am afraid!  Now where did I put that book of spells.... hmmmmm?  :o)

Suzie xxxxxxxxx

I forget to pray for the angels, and then the angels forget to pray for us...

Happy Friday! (again date says thursday, but its Friday morning after midnight)

Do you ever get the feeling that you sometimes get a little helping hand from somewhere? Some may believe it is from Angels, some feel it is from God, others from the universe, or from the source... Others may believe that it is just from coincidence or chance.  I think anyone who knows me well enough by now, from reading my ramblings, will probably be pretty sure which side of the fence I am sitting on!  I feel that there is always someone or something looking out for you!

 A glimpse of one of my stitcheries with a handmade button, which I made from fimo clay. It is good fun making buttons!

Yup! I believe ( by choice and by experience too) that there are forces at work behind the scenes, which we can only imagine. I say choose, because, lets face it, it is so much more exciting that way. Well, to me it is! Also, through life I have had way too many experiences which to me have shown that there is more to it all than just what we can see in front of us with our two earthly eyes!

My title today comes from Leonard Cohen's wonderful song, So Long Marianne. ( I adore him!)  Some think him depressing. Not so, to me he writes the most deep and beautiful poetry and sets it to music. In fact, I see the humour in it, which many overlook. He is brilliant, and I am sad that I have not managed to see him in concert yet.

What do we do when, by whatever reason, we are given a helping hand from out of the blue? Well I know what I do! I say thank you! Out loud sometimes!  Just imagine for a moment, if the coincidences and the synchronisities of our lives were really, really, actually something else, something magical? Wouldn't it be rather rude of us not to say a big thanks? If we forget our Angels ( or the forces of nature, God, etc.) then they may just decide to take the day off!

 One of my Angel Angst stitchery designs.... Angels need some care and attention too!

It sometimes is an eerily strange experience that may happen, and we may feel a strong sense of wonder at how such a thing could be. On the other hand it could be much more subtle, and it would rely on us to be much more observant. For instance, as I am writing this, I stopped to pour myself a cup of tea, and the bubbles on the top of the tea formed an absolutely perfect heart! What a shame I didn't have my camera to hand to show you all! So I found this picture on the internet to illustrate my point!

In fact, Not long ago, when I was feeling a bit down, I seemed to see hearts all over the place!  Is it grasping at straws?  I don't 'feel' it is.  Some times we get signs.... When we were buying our home, I kept seeing things to do with owls, and everytime the sale was going well (it dragged on!) owls kept popping up. We thought we had lost it for the 3rd time, and I had all but resigned myself to forget the house all together. But, one night I dreamt about the large tree in the front garden.

 Mr. Owl Tree!

 In the dream it was in the park across the road from where we lived then, and it kept coming closer and closer. when It was very close, I could see about 6 owls sat in the tree looking at me! That is why our home is called Owl Tree Cottage! The next day, we got a viewer and then another offer and moved soon after.  Just another coincidence?

Yes I say thank you out loud, and I also salute magpies! Poor George, what does he live with? And speaking of magpies.........

Sometimes we may be helped by being given a warning. I am a little superstitious for some reason, when it comes to magpies, well why take a chance?! So I do salute them. I think one is unlucky (sorrow) , 2 for joy, etc.

So when I saw a single very dead magpie lying in the middle of my lawn, I was not feeling happy, it made me very unsettled. Put that together with a horrible dream which George, the next night,  had had about someone stabbing me in the chest (left side), I began to worry that something was afoot. Maybe that was why, shortly after a few more strange 'signs' (?), I examined myself thoroughly in the bath..... and found the lump in my left breast. Another coincidence? A series of events, which maybe in the singular I would have ignored, but in the plural pushed me to feel that something was amiss, that needed my urgent attention.

I could actually write pages on some very strange events and experiences... but thankfully for you all... I won't!

SO! That is why I always remember to say thank you. We don't like to be taken for granted after all, do we? 

This week I have been to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D......I loved it! Some have said that it is too dark a story, but lets face it, the original story was a dark tale, so this is a follow on from there with a Tim Burton treatment, which I thought has worked very well indeed..

I have been drawing again this week too, practising for a project, which I shall divulge at a later date, if it all goes well. A sudden and unexpected opportunty has arisen, and I have decided for once in my life, to not think, but just do! If I think, I will bolt off like a frightened rabbit! When I was made, they forgot to fill the confidence container! That, is why again, I have not attended to blogland as much as I would like too at the moment. Here is a practice doodle/ painted thingy (not related, just messing!) I often draw, but I haven't picked up a paint brush for a long, long time! So I rustily and gingerly had a quick dabble.  They are not finished yet either!

Kitty M at Dolliedaydreams is hosting a lovely cheery Easter giveaway. Please pop along to visit her!

Anyway folks, have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to shout out thank you very loudly if you feel like you have been helped in some way!

Love to you all Suzie xxx

Ding Dong merrily on high!

Hello all you little christmas elves out there! Thank you to all who wished my arm well! It is a lot better now thank you! Although I do still feel a bit achey, with a sore throat, but nothing too bad!

Well, I don't know about you but I don't think that it harms sometimes to do a good spot of self mocking! It is good for the soul I think to have a darn good laugh at one's self.  For instance, a couple of weeks ago, I dyed my hair orange! Yes, you did read that right, orange! Satuma surprise! No, the hair dye wasn't called that! I have toned it down a bit now, but when will I learn to take my glasses with me when I go to the shops!?  It was supposed to be light brown, but it actually said light auburn. When I put it on, it must have reacted with my blonde highlights. (that I also self appy)

I bought these little angels (there are two!) without my glasses on too, the price tag to my Mr. Maggoo eyes read £9.99 for the pair, the price tag to eyes that can actually see read £19.99. So it was a good job that I had enough money in my purse when I plonked them on the counter!

This week I thought I would bring you all some festive cheer by sharing some of my christmas with you all.  Last weeks post hit a nerve with me and this week after years of buying a real tree I have gone and bought this artificial one. I always feel sad for the trees, and I know that they are grown specially for the purpose, but after the story I told last week I just couldn't! Silly, I know!

  

 

 

 

This tree skirt is over 40 years old and has travelled back and forwards to Canada!

Note how I have changed the fire surround by painting it cream, much better I think!

I have been so lucky and have been given these awards. The first by Tracey at Tracey's crafty scraps and Mummy mad at The Madhouse. Thank you so much to you both, you have made my week! I was so excited when I found out that You had chosen me!

The other one is from Theresa at  Faerie Moon Creations,  Thank you so much Theresa, I am really bowled over that you have given me this award!

For both awards I am to list a few things that you may not know about me, and some things I like to do.  Oh dear! Soooo.......

1. I love listening to music, any type more or less.
2. I enjoy puzzles, cross words, sudoku, etc.
3. Having a special meal with George, with candles and music, lovely
4. Being at home, all cozy toasting marshmallows by the fire.
5. I love laughing!

Things you may not know about me;

1. I can lead and cut glass.
2. I can walk for miles and miles, but not too good with hills!
3. I get full quick, but my eyes are bigger than my belly!
4. I can do a hilarious rendition of 'oh my darling clementine' on the piano, it can make dogs howl!
5. I can be a bit of a practical joker. Last weet I put cling film over the top of George's bottle of becks, and the confused look on his face when he couldn't get any beer out, just made me crack up into hysterics!
6.  I am a serial giggler, and apparently laugh at anything!
7. I could never have my own children, so all three of our children we have adopted.

I am not going to pass this award on at the moment, as a lot of the people who I would like to give it to, have just got one the same, so in the new year I will make one and give some out to all my lovely friends that I have made here in blogland!
I am going to have a blogging break over Christmas as I feel a little frazzled and I have friends and family visiting, and visits to be made. You know, the usual Christmas activities. So I won't be blogging or commenting until January now, (if I can resist the urge to peek, that is!).  I don't want any of my lovely blogging pals to think that I am ignoring them, but I have to have a complete break from the computer, work and sewing! Then again, next friday, posting day is actually christmas day, so I wouldn't be posting then anyway would I!?  Hmmmmmm!

Ralphus  Le- puff  Macduff  (Ralph)  says Merry Christmas!

Archibald Peabody Smythe (Archie) says Jolly merry festitvities! More like Bah humbug! Don't you think he looks more like scrooge? He has got the saddest face I have ever seen on a dog. Probably just can't take another one of my jokes!

Bertram Butterbean Barker (Bertie to his friends) says Happy New Year!

So I will be off now until the new year and I wish you all a wonderful, laughter filled christmas and a very Happy new year. New decade that is!!!

May fairy dust land on the tips of your noses and make you giggle out loud!

Love Suzie. xxx

Fairy wings, bubble gum melon and cock-eyed optimists!

Happy October everybody! Hope you all had a lovely week? Now, let me ask you all a question! Do you believe in fairies?

The Fairy Godmother from the Wizard of Oz. Picture sourced from the internet.

When I was a child  I believed in fairies (hmmm, maybe I still do!) I mentioned in another post, how I used to lie in bed, with my eyes slightly open, feigning sleep, hoping to fool the little flittery creatures into believing I was asleep. They would think it was safe you see, to fly about my bedroom sprinkling their magic fairy dust, and I would at last see them!
I am afraid to say that too much of my time was spent on otherworldy pre-occupations, so much so, that my report card from school would repeat again and again, that I would do so much better if I would only stop daydreaming quite so much! My little mind was full of magic toadstools, fairies and goblins. Perhaps I read too many Enid Blyton books! Also, I would doodle and draw, so yet again I was carried away from the real world into the world of my imagination.

Now who wouldn't want to go here? Sourced from the internet.

When we lived in Canada the first time, I became a brownie. Like all brownies I had to become a fully fledged one, and attend a becoming a true brownie ceremony. We prepared for weeks for the big night, and we were all told in no uncertain terms that on no condition were we to look, not even peek, behind the curtain up on the stage. Only on the night would we see what was behind the curtain. Well, my imagination set in, I was so excited! Of course, there would be red spotted toadstools, goblins, fairies, magical creatures busily going about their day, fairy godmothers who would give magical powers and gifts. And maybe, oooh, maybe even an enchanted tree!

My little toadstool fairy cross stitch design.

As the day approached I got more and more excited, such wonderful and exciting surprises were being promised from behind that curtain. Who would have believed that behind that boring, ordinary looking curtain there were such delights!  And, weren't they all being so quiet, so good!
The night before the magical day I could hardly sleep at all,  almost beside myself with excitement.
At last the night of the ceremony arrived. Obviously as soon as we new brownies  had made our oaths it would trigger off some kind of magic. We each in turn said the words that had so painstakingly been learnt over the last few weeks, and then it was time for the curtain to be opened. I stood with baited breath. The curtain inched open, bit by bit, I could just make out some shadows in the semi- darkness of the stage, but no sparkly lights or glittery fairy dust yet.  I watched intently. The curtain pulled open some more.......and I saw...........I saw........... an owl.........and what is that? .......a toadstool? yes! ..........No, wait a minute.........What did I see?  ............ A plastic owl leaning precariously to the side, stuck onto a plastic toadstool by a wire! Where was the magic? Where were the fairies?  I felt very disappointed indeed!

  My brother and I, in Canada, taking our uniforms very seriously!

Did my first early disappointment in life change my belief and sense of wonder?  Nah!  Of course not!

 I beleive that as adults we still have a part ( a big part) of the child we were still in us. When I was in hospital and I was vunerable and frightened, I had a dream one night, a beautiful dream. A child from way off in the distance, came skipping towards me, playful and full of energy. I watched her approach, I wondered who this innocent little girl was. Did I know her? She came right up to me smiling and took both my hands in hers and gently pulled me towards her. She told me to go with her and play. As I rose to my feet I wondered once again who was this child, she looked familiar. And then it struck me......it was me! The child that I was, the child who was made of  innocence, belief and trust,  had come to look after me in my hour of need, to comfort me and make me feel better! We ran to the forest of my childhood and played, running free through the trees, happy and safe. It was such a magical dream, and felt so real, just imagine playing with your own child-self!

Yes I know! After last weeks blog, showing me in my sunday best.. this is what I looked like the rest of the time, I loved climbing trees and running free, and usually, when Mum wasn't looking, with no shoes on!

Everytime after that dream , if I was facing something to dread, like a scan or a test, I would go back to the forest in my mind, and daydream again like a child! It really helped me, and it was good to be somewhere beautiful, when you are actually not! That dream has also helped me to remember, that no matter what happens to me in life, that little girl can not be taken away, that there is always that place to go to, untouched by this life, my safe haven.

Anyway, the fact that there was nothing to see behind that curtain, did not put a stop to my beliefs, I still believed with all my heart, that somewhere, somehow I would find  that Magical Kingdom!


This video is just lovely!


I still laid in bed at night waiting to peek at the fairies. I still sat each day at school yawning and gazing out of the window daydreaming! That is probably why my brother nicknamed me raccoon features, because of the dark rings under my eyes! Brothers are great.  By the way, I still look like a raccoon!

You see, I guess I have never quite grown up. I did promise myself when I was ten years old that I would never change, I would be like Peter Pan! I stood near to where I lived in Nova Scotia, and I said out loud, from this day on, I will never change!  To a large extent I think I have been faithful to that promise to myself!  I am not by any means a Pollyanna, I know by experience that life is not always a bowl of cherries, but I am a cock-eyed optimist!



I love this song, I have been singing it to myself for years! Hee hee, I think I will try this in the garden!


I have learnt that true magic comes from deep within ourselves. It has been there all the time. There is no need for proof. Although, having said that, I wouldnt half mind seeing a fairy!

“Every time you say you don’t believe in fairies, a fairy dies.” – Peter Pan

Finally, Here is where I am up to this week with my Christmas stocking!

Coming along nicely I think, I hope!  Click on it , if you wish a more detailed view!

Also, have a look at this! Ok, its not a huge yield, but I am pleased!  The melon was gorgeous, it actually tasted like bubble gum! We only managed to grow one, very small  marrow, and before you, think "gosh is that the pumpkin she keeps mentioning?" NO! it is certainly not!  It is a very small squash of some sort! Pumpkin is still waiting in the garden for his big Halloween debut!

Well thats all for another week,  a week that has been a sad one in the news with the earthquake in Sumatra / Samoa.  So so sad. It certainly makes me realise how lucky I am, safe at home, cup of tea in hand and happily sewing away.

I wish you all a lovely weekend and look forward to catching up with all your wonderful posts!

So until next Friday, Listen out for tiny bells, because everytime you hear a bell, a fairy gets it's wings!

Love to you all, Suzie. xxx :)