On the Seventh Day of Christmas......

"On the seventh day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree."

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(7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit,

the seven sacraments or so its believed?).....

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On the Seventh Day of Christmas my son will soon be married.....He's just walked in wearing part of his suit and his waistcoat, does he look handsome or what. Hard to believe that my son who stands before me is getting married today, where have the years gone....Well I've finished my coffee so off to finish getting dressed myself for the big day.....lol....

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On the Sixth Day of Christmas.....

"On the sixth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree."

(Or could it refer to the six days of creation?)

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I have not long been home from an evening out with my son Christopher, Jane, Korenza, Charlotte, hubby Andy and my good friend Cheryl & family. We have had a lovely meal and the dress rehearsal went well. After a stressful afternoon (the dress shop was closed so we couldn't pick up Jane's dress!!!!!!, the cake was late!!! and we forgot to get the car ribbon!!!) it was great to see my good friend of over 30 years. Cheryl still lives up in Nottinghamshire and her children I have known since they were born. Her son is a day older than Christopher (24) and his sister 22. Her partner Alan is lovely and it just felt like I had seen them only yesterday, although it was May when we last saw each other. It's great to relax with people who know you so well and you can just be yourself......Just a last few things to do then I'm off to my bed. Lets hope tomorrow is sunny like today....lol...

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"Friendship happens in that special moment

when someone reaches out to another,

trusts, comforts, believes in another,

and makes a special differencethat no one else can make".

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On the Fifth Day of Christmas.....

"On the fifth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree."

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(or does it refer to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace?)

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Well only two days to go to the wedding. I will be going for a quick drink with Christopher and his friends later and then I will be having my granddaughter for a while....lol... Dress rehearsal is tomorrow at 1pm and then 24 hours later the real ceremony will take place.......lol.....

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On the Fourth Day of Christmas....

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"On the fourth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree."

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Or do 4 Calling Birds refer to the Four Gospels and/

or the Four Evangelists?

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On the Third Day of Christmas....

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" On the third day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree."

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If this was a song of Christian instruction, then it was believed that the Three French Hens refered to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues.....lol....

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On the Second Day of Christmas

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“On the second day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree.”

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Continuing on from my previous post
it is thought that The Two Turtle Doves

refers to the Old and New Testaments.....

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Hello from the Hovel on Boxing Day. Not only is it the second day of Christmas but it is also known as St. Stephen’s Day. St. Stephen is the saint of horses and so Boxing Day is associated with horse racing and other sports today. At one time however December 26 was celebrated as a day for the giving of gifts to non-family members. Each family that served the manor received a box of gifts, usually included were cloth, leather goods, food supplies, tools, etc, and was thought to be a part of their wages. Merchants gave boxes of food to trades people, and churches gave boxes to the poor....

Many of us however will be visiting family and friends today. I for one am enjoying vegging out on the sofa watching Christmas films, after the busy few weeks I’ve had its great just to do that. My dogs are laying at my feet, the cats are asleep, a fire is blazing and the Christmas tree lights are twinkling....Bliss!...lol...

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"Good King Wenceslas looked out,

On the feast of Stephen,

When the snow lay round about,

Deep and crisp and even:

Brightly shone the moon that night,

Though the frost was cruel,

When a poor man came in sight,

Gathering winter fuel."

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IT'S CHRISTMAS........

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Ok, I know I said I wouldn’t be back until 2009 but hey a girl can change her mind can’t she!!. I’d had a lovely Christmas lunch and afternoon with my neighbours family, parents and siblings of my ‘adopted’ daughter and friend Charlotte, aka ‘Tiger Charlotte’ after her journey with the big cat (see her pic in the previous post)....Charlotte & I are aka The Nutty Nannies where Korenza is concerned but that’s another story!!!!......but I digress. The reason I had lunch with my neighbours from across the road, literally (not far to stagger back home...hehe...) is because hubby was working until 4am this morning and is working again tonight, so I was kindly invited out for lunch. They are like family anyway so it was nice to relax with them, a dinner and Christmas pud was plated for Andy so he didn’t miss out. I’m cooking tomorrow so he will be spoilt again as he is also working tomorrow night. I don’t really mind as I used to nurse so worked many a Christmas.....but I’m rambling on. Once back at the Hovel I thought I would go through my emails while drinking a nice mug of cappuccino!! While doing so I spotted a comment from last week from Gina of Cat Nap Inn Primitives, oops forgot to answer it and yes I’d been tagged......

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So I thought before my menopausal memory loss kicks in again I would try and think of six random things about myself.....not easy, I struggled last time but I will give it a go......Thank you Gina. If you want to feel Christmassy then go visit her blog. There are some great snow pics and there’s even been a sprinkling of snow today where Gina lives, a white Christmas, how cool is that. You will find the link in my blog list because I have not yet worked out how to put a link behind a name in a post itself, so any help with this would be appreciated.......

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Now with tagging the rules are:

Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.

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Again who to tag? So I will invite all who visit here to tag themselves and please let me know. I would love to know more about you, so in the spirit of the season please have a go. If I can then I know you guys can too....lol... Well here goes.....

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• I used to be a psychiatric staff nurse when I lived in Nottinghamshire. Loved it but sadly due to an injury at work was medically retired at aged 38.....
• I got married for the first time at aged 41 after being a single-parent for 12 years
• I would have loved a house full of children but sadly had 3 miscarriages
• I am predictably unpredictable, if that makes sense. I have a fantastic mum, hubby, son and friends who understand my neurotic quirky ways (they must do because they are still here for me...hehe...)
• I'm not very organised and tend to leave everything to the last minute but work better under pressure.
• I talk too much & too fast when I’m nervous and also talk with my hands even when I’m on the phone!!!!

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Well there you are, 6 not that unusual things about me......but back to Christmas, one of my favourite times of the year. I have yet to finish watching all of my usual Christmas films. I just may watch ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ tonight, this film does make me laugh. And it is the first day of Christmas after all, only 11 more to go........lol....

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“On the first day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me

A partridge in a pear tree.”

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We are all familiar with the seasonal rhythm The Twelve Days Christmas and according to most of the Western Church the first day begins on December 25. So on this First Day of Christmas I would like to wish you all you wish yourselves...
I have always associated this children’s song with Christmas and just that but the specific origins of the song are not known. It is said by some that it began as a "Memories-and-Forfeits" game and suggested by others that it is a song of hidden Christian instruction stemming from the religious wars in 16th century England. It is said that ‘True Love’ refers to God and the partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, what do you think? Regardless of its origin I will always associate this song with Christmas....

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I hope you guys had a great day, lots of pressies and didn’t eat too much!!!! I’ve been doing well with losing weight now I’m back at Slimming World and thought we would have a break this holiday being as the meetings fall on a Thursday....no such luck. There is a class this Saturday morning and one next Friday, our leader has no mercy!!!. I am going because the class is held only across the road from me, so no escape....lol...Until next time, which may be tomorrow on the second Day of Christmas...hehe....

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Christmas comes but once a year,

And when it comes it brings good cheer.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

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A Merry Christmas from the Hovel

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After a very busy week I was finally able to take time to say hello. The builders finished for the time being last Thursday and I now have two rooms instead of one long lounge. I am so pleased I had it done but it is far from finished. I have an open doorway into what will be the office and a wall dividing the rooms, that’s it....the floors, decorating, etc, will begin in January. But I was determined that I would have at least a clean cosy lounge with my tree up, which I finally did on Sunday....

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My Christmas decs are very sparse this year but it is festive with the lights twinkling. You will notice that I’ve already began stripping the paintwork. Yes, my house still resembles a building site but the main areas are clean and tidy...The tree itself has mainly unbreakable ornaments due to one cat who still thinks she’s a kitten, Willow....

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It wasn’t until I sat and looked at my tree that I realised that there were a lot of angels and fairies, which I like. I decided that next year I will put all my angels on my new purple tree....yes I have a purple tree and I hadn’t planned on looking for one. I went shopping with the intention of buying a brown tree (which I still purchased for my prim ornies, etc) but there on display was a purple tree. Well purple being my favourite colour I knew I had to have it, only problem was that it was the only one left. Leaving hubby on guard I went in search of an assistant and after asking very nicely was able to buy it!!!!!.....
But pride of place on my tree this year is a bauble with a photo of my granddaughter Korenza inside. Christopher and Jane had it made for me.....


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I was lucky to see them Christmas Eve as they came to visit and to pick up their pressies. Ok, I did let Korenza open two, well she is only 1....It was great to see them and extra special for me as this is the first Christmas that my son will not be at home but it’s comforting to know that he will have a great Christmas with his little family....I was also pleased to visit my very good friends tonight who recently moved back to Hayle. Their grandchildren were also there so it was great to see them, their youngest being only 4 months. I love being with children on Christmas Eve so I can enjoy the magic with them. I took my friend Charlotte with me, who is my assistant ‘nanny’ when we have Korenza. Poor girl I do get her to help me with many things, one being the collecting of a rather large cat!!!!It was for sale in our local charity shop and just had to have him for my little princess Korenza.....

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Sadly this year we have not had one carol singer at our door which is very unusual. I love to hear them singing outside but I have been playing some carols why I write this...


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Well I must go to bed soon as it is now early Christmas Morning and I must be asleep or Santa will not come....lol...

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Hubby's just come home from a long busy shift. I will be back in the New Year to tell you all about the wedding. It has come around quickly, hard to believe that my son is getting married on New Year’s Eve......Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year......Until 2009 take care....lol...

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"I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

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Let It Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

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''Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!''

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Hello from the Hovel on this very wet Sunday. Christmas will soon be with us so can we have some snow please. I know, I hear you say that snow is bad for driving in and as pretty as it is it can cause havoc. But snow is so Christmassy and I remember the fun I had as a child building a snowman and sledging down Robin Hood Chase where I lived. If it snowed I could still build a snowman today but would have to say no to riding on a sledge!!!!

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When I lived in Nottinghamshire we had snow each winter. As a child I would be out in it for most of the day, only going indoors to change my mittens which were clogged with snow. Did we feel the cold? If we did we ignored it. What fun we had but as a child I was not aware that my dad would not be able to work, he was an outside worker, nor did I see the worry on my mum’s face due to less money coming in. Children in their innocence only saw the snow!!!



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My son had some fun times too. He’s 24 now but I bet he would still enjoy throwing snowballs and jumping in the snow. The pictures below were taken at my old house in Nottinghamshire. Just look at that snow....

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Christopher aged nearly 3 c.1987


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My dear old friend, my late dog Arnie, enjoyed it too (I think!).....

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Arnie, a faithful friend

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Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been caught out with the hazards of snow but thankfully lived to tell the tale. I remember one year, my son was about 5 at the time, I had been to a Murder Mystery party at my friend’s house some miles away. My son was staying with his ‘adopted’ aunt, a very good friend of mine. The party was fun, talk about good role play. By the end of the evening we were so into how roles I was believing anyone could be the murderer...hehe...

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A group of my friends at the Murder Mystery Party
The gent on the left was my ‘husband’, we had never met before!!!
No it was not an arranged marriage, just for the night of the party...lol....

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What we didn’t know was that while we were solving the ‘murder’ a fine sprinkling of snow was falling. I was staying the night so it was not until the next morning I discovered this beautiful sight....

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This is what greeted me when I woke that morning

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A magical scene

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The snow was quite thick in parts but that didn’t deter my friend from trying to get me home!!! Problem was I had new suede boots on, so after carefully walking to the car we proceeded to travel. Big mistake!!! We made it to the duel carriageway but could go no further. We had to abandon the car like so many others, the road looked like a vehicle’s graveyard as there were lorries, vans, etc, scattered everywhere. So off we went to struggle back the way we had come. But me being me enjoyed the beautiful, magical snow laden surroundings. My friend however replied that if I said one more time ‘I wish I’d brought my camera’ she would not be responsible for her actions...hehe...We arrived back safely to her house which was all electric and yes there wasn’t any!!!!! And my boots, don’t ask.....I eventually got back home where my son and me were snowed in for 5 days without electricity but luckily I had a gas cooker & fire. We actually had some fun. We played games, listened to the radio, read and talked lots......

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You may wonder why I’ve rambled on about snow.....It was when I visited Gina’s blog Cat Nap Inn Primitives that I saw her photos of snow, yes they have snow in Washington. Why don’t you nip across and see for yourself, I’m sure Gina wouldn’t mind.....It was while there I also noticed her post about a poor dog called Hope....

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Hope

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And this is what I read on Gina’s blog for December 9.......

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"Angie at Love the Prim look is in desperate need of help to save this poor animals life..

Hope is in desperate need of sponsors. She was found emaciated and will die without help. She came in from the Auglaize County Pound and is heartworm positive. A temporary foster has come forward, but the money for her treatment must be raised. If you can help this girl, please donate by paypal or send a check to APLMC, P.O. Box 663, Celina OH 45822. Please mark that is it for HOPE!!Ok Ladies, I need help. I keep thinking about this poor dog. So here is what I want to do. Any light orders 20 count brown cord ($6.50 plus shipping) and any 35 count brown cord ($9.99 plus shipping ) will be 100 % donated to this dog. Please contact me at angiek32@roadrunner.com with any orders. Please let me know what color and scent you prefer. Thank you so much in advance and God Bless you for helping !!!
Angie at Love the Prim look is in desperate need of help to save this poor animals life.

http://aplmercer.com/Sponsorships.html "

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I know that we sadly have many such cases here in the UK but it’s great to see when people go that extra mile to help save an animal. If you do visit Angie’s blog check out the other bloggers who are involved with helping Hope. What an appropriate name, especially now.......

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Hope is a strange invention

A Patent of the Heart

In unremitting action

Yet never wearing out

Of this electric Adjunct

Not anything is known

But its unique momentum

Embellish all we own

~ Emily Dickinson ~

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With Christmas less than 2 weeks away I’m hoping to take my granddaughter to see Father Christmas on Wednesday. Korenza shouldn’t be too apprehensive though coz granddad Andy has the long greyish hair, beard & moustache & the belly, so apart from the red suit she may think its granddad...hehe....

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A visit to Santa many years ago!!!!!
I’m on the left. My sister on the right looks unhappy!
Apparently she had toothache, poor thing....

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Ok, so how many of you can remember visiting Santa when you were children? Do any of you have photographs of that time? If so why not search them out and post them on your blog and please let me know so I can pop over and see them. If you don’t have a blog then please let me know and I will post them here.....let’s get into the spirit of Christmas by remembering the magic we felt when we were children. I don’t know about you but Christmas for me as a child was a special time, and still is.........Until next time...lol...

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Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All Men

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HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY KORENZA

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Special hugs and kisses to my step-granddaughter Korenza on her first birthday today. I hope she had a super time. Sadly I was not able to see her today due to my being very poorly with flu (curtsey of my husband Andy who had ‘man-flu’ at the weekend!!!!!) but I did see her yesterday. ....

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Korenza with granddad Andy in November 2008
Just look at those eyelashes!!!!

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I have heard she had fun opening her presents and had a birthday lunch with her nana Helen and gt. Grandmother, so no doubt she was spoilt, as she should be....

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The weather has been very cold today and despite being poorly I had a visit from some friends. One is just getting over the flu so I hope I do not give it to my other two friends.... I still have so much to do in the house but obviously not up to doing anything at the mo. The builders are here again at the end of the week so hopefully I will be able to at least clean the house at the weekend. I usually have all my Christmas decs up by now but not even a sprig of holly adorns my house. I did start to feel a little Christmassy at the weekend when we went to visit friends who had moved back to Hayle, they already have their tree up. Plus, when we went to finalize the wedding reception details at the The Watermill I spied a leaflet for the local Christmas church services ........

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Front of church leaflet

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Christopher and Jane had originally chosen another place but decided to have their reception at The Watermill at Lelant Downs near Hayle. It is a quaint old place which I much prefer to their first choice, The Old Quay House, Hayle. The Watermill was originally a corn mill known as Trevethoe Mill until 1876. After this date the mill served as a water pump to Trevethoe village until 1970....The place has an olde world feel to it and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of its’ former occupants still visit!!!!.....

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The Watermill
Photo taken 1996 by Martin Bodmin

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Part of the room where the reception will be held

Christopher & Jane can arrange the room how they like

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Part of the gardens at the Watermill
This would make a great place for a photograph

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While in the bar area I spied a poster on the wall and cheekily asked if they had a spare one. You’ll see why I wanted one.....

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‘’Betty Stogs was a native of the Cornish Celtic Nation.
She was unkempt& lazy, could never mend her stockings,
Couldn’t knit or cook and liked a drop of ale.
Her child was taken from her by the ‘’Small People’’,
Washed in morning dew and returned.
The shock of which turned Betty into a reformed character.
Sort of!!’’
~ Cornish Folklore ~

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What a fitting ‘Queen of Cornish Ales’...hehe.......Well, I'm off to make a Lem-Sip and will be tucking myself into bed shortly, flu and me don't mix well.....Take care until next time...lol...

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A One-year-old child is so many things --

A tiny discoverer of butterfly wings,

A hugger of Teddies,

A sweet sleepyhead,

And someone to dream for in bright years ahead...

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News From The Hovel

Hello from the Hovel and how are you all coping with this very cold spell we are having at the moment here in the UK. I love walking when the winter sun is shining but the wind Friday had an icy nip to it....brrrrr......But I did manage to visit my local charity shop (again!). Just lately I have been going in to have a look, see something I like, buy it then realize I can’t take it with me due to lots more shopping so I leave it there......yes you’ve guessed it, each time I go to pick something up I have a look around, buy some more, leave it and take home my previous purchase. Friday was no exception, I even joked that I should have my own locker store......but I decided enough was enough and phoned hubby to pick me up from outside the building after he had finished the school run. So there I sat on the steps outside what is locally known as Pratt’s Market (it’s an old Methodist Hall that was once owned by a man with the surname Pratt!). I looked like a bag lady sitting there with carrier bags and large laundry bags full of stuff. The lady who runs the charity shop kindly lent them to me (oh dear I have to go again to the shop to return them!!!!!)......The shop is called Brother Wolf and it helps fund the cat rescue she has. She is an amazing lady who for many years was a foster parent and now she and her family devote their time to rescued cats and re-homing them.........

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Pratt's Market, Hayle, Cornwall

Formerly the Wesleyan Chapel

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Now as you may have realized Brother Wolf is not the only charity shop I visit.......I’m not saying I drop in every time I visit Penzance but some of the shops know me by my first name!!!! But let face it there are still some bargains to be had......and here are some of my recent finds. I will warn you now there are quite a few pics in this post, sorry, and apologies for the poor quality of some of the photographs......

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Bottles & a Jelly Mould
I was particularly pleased to find the Boots bottle
as I’m originally from Nottingham,

which was home to the first every Boots shop.

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Here is a collection of pillow cases, scarves,
placemats, cushion covers, etc.

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A beautiful large pair of sheer embroidered curtains
with a muslin lining.

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A quilt cover, pair of curtains, a table cloth

and oddments of cloth

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I do not see their original use, I see a selection of different material for many crafts and such like.....

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I bought the hearts for use as templates and
the little pillows will look great when ‘aged’ and grubby.....

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A nice little collection.
The gloves are a little too yellow for me,

now where is that tea!!!

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A purple cushion from the school fete (ok I like purple).
The borderie anglaise material of the bag will be used elsewhere
Is’nt that little girl’s pinny sweet.....will look great ‘aged’

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This sweet little dress is a deeper red than seen here
And once the pot puree is removed from the shoes they will be great for dolls

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A nice collection of dolls waiting to be dressed in all their finery

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Just the thing
Some of the patterns I recently purchased

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Just the ticket
some more outfits for those sweet little dolls

plus accessories

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And so the dolls won’t feel left out a fancy costume or two

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Won’t my little step-granddaughter be pleased when I make all these clothes for her new playmates, who she hasn’t yet met. Some are for when she is older so I have time to have some fun making the clothes......talking about this darling little girl may I take this moment to introduce you to Korenza Emma Louise, who will celebrate her first birthday on December 10.....

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Korenza aged 11 months
Trying out the new highchair I got for her

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Korenza is one special little girl. Not only is she the sweetest, happiest little babe who I love to bits but she is very lucky to be here. She was born three months premature and spent over two months in hospital.....

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Korenza aged 4 days with her mum Jane
How tiny she was....

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Some cute dress patterns for my little granddaughter
Plus a christening dress.....

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There is also a christening outfit for a little boy......which is great as I am now able to tell you about our good news. I am going to be a nana again in April. Yes my son and his fiancée Jane are expecting a baby and the scan on Thursday showed that it is a boy, so a little brother for Korenza. They did not want me to say anything until now. So guess who has started looking for boys things!!! Plus it doesn’t stop there.....My husband’s daughter after many years got in touch with us and we were surprised to hear that he is a granddad to 5, the youngest being 3 months.....phew! so I am now a step-nana to 6 and will be a nana again in 2009, which is fine by me coz I now have more grandies to spoil.....Speaking of grandies, may I introduce you to my future grandson Dylan Reilly Edsel Doyle........

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A little wave from my grandson

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My dad would have been really pleased that his name will continue on through his great-grandson. He would have been 84 on December 5 if he had lived and had always wanted a son but for his sins he had 3 daughters!!!. My son Christopher, who has my surname, will pass the name of Doyle on to his own son .....

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Great Seal of the Irish Free State

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Talking about my father today, who was from Southern Ireland, is appropriate, because it was on December 6 1922 that this part of Ireland was declared the Irish Free State....

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The Irish Flag

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Well I suppose this also means I will have to get my knitting needles out, but that will have to wait until the New Year. My house is still ‘Work in Progress’ so a little too dusty for making baby clothes. At the rate it is going I will be lucky even to put my Christmas tree up never mind the rest of my decorations.....Ha well. ...I’ve also been very busy with listing on ebay. Yes, after a break since March due to many reasons !!! I decided to bite the bullet and try and sell some stuff, mainly flea market items at the moment just to get back into it. I have too many things I no longer need or have room for and the extra money, if I make any, will come in handy. So I’m going to be busy, busy, busy. No rest for the wicked......Take care until next time...lol......

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Grandchild's Hand

The promise of tomorrow

And the hope of dreams come true...

A reminder of the childhood

That's still a part of you...

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The wonder of a miracle

From which this love began...

There is so much found in the touch

Of holding a grandchild's hand.

~ Author Unknown ~

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