Dolly's Dreamings

Happy Birthday Boyz

Well, after the worries during their first year, there were times we thought this day would not come - but thankfully it did and our Boyz are 1.

We have all had a lovely day - and I am afraid there are a lot of photos

 

I made bunting and bandanas. Indy was fine with his, Koda hated it. We had time for a couple of very quick photos.

 

 

 

 

 

They had their own camper van as a present which they loved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and they had 'cake' which a bit dangerous as they are so food driven so just the one lit photo!!! Plus they never have food like this - they didn't especially like it thankfully. I know it's not good for them.

 

 

 

 

and then there was the 'big' present. I had asked Nigel to make them a new box as the one they have is a little worse for wear. It would just have involved cutting a cat flap and a few holes in. Nigel was in the garage three days straight and I couldn't believe what he made, At first I was furious and said where on earth was it going to go, but once he brought it in it was superb and the boys loved it. It has so many different areas and tunnels and levels inside. It was a huge - literally - hit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I have even scrapped one of the photos as part of my DT work for A Trip Down Memory Lane using the gorgeous Bungalow Lane by Paige Evans

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• our boys turning one
• the joy they bring us every day
• and exciting day for us as well as them
• digital cameras!!

It's Official and a sad farewell

It s now finally official. Nigel fully retired last week and I was contacted today about the next round of invigilation and we discussed it and - I am now fully fully retired.

 

Yey - it's a great feeling.

 

We have been busy preparing for the Boyz birthday tomorrow - all will be revealed tomorrow. But suffice to say we have both made things and mine are small and Nigel's are anything BUT. It will be worth the wait for the laughs alone. Poor Boyz won't know what has hit them.

I do, however, want to write this today as I want to focus on the positives tomorrow when the boyz turn 1. A year ago tomorrow, as the boys were being born, we lost our first ever boy, our beloved Fiki. He had been poorly for a few weeks and had several vert visits and the vet was trying different things to help his breathing. He was still happy, still playing, albeit briefly, but breathing was becoming a struggle. We had been away for a lovely day out with Carly and Paul and returned home about 6 to find him very unwell. we watched him for half an hour or so and decided we needed to go to the emergency vets. He was really struggling with breathing and was very tired. On the way there we discussed what our options might be and we both decided that at 17 we did not want to put him through any invasive treatments to prolong his life for what we knew would be a short time.

The emergency vet was lovely and took him off to examine him. She came back about 15 minutes later and told us he was very sick. It was, in all likelihood, a soft tissue tumour but his lungs were full of fluid. She told us they could put him under and aspirate the fluid but the likleihood was, if he made it through the procedure, they would fill up within a couple of weeks. She was relieved when we told her that was not the end we wanted for our beloved boy. They were wonderful. Under Covid rules, we couldn't go in to a vets unless it was to say goodbye. They put a cannula in and then called us in. He was on his bedding, canula ready and she said she would leave the room so we could remove our masks and say a proper goodbye, which we did. Masks back on we were able to hold him as he quietly passed and we brought our beloved boy home for the last time. We were in shock. It was so sudden and whilst no time would ever have been enough this was so harsh. I think we both wept all night, and it also marked the end for Kira who, over the coming weeks, simply gave up without her brother.

Fiki was once called the most famous cat in the scrapbooking world. Everyone in my little world of scrapping knew him. He was a larger than life character; naughty, daring, irrepresible and so so handsome. He was the only boy we had ever had and was so very loving. So many people sent things when we lost him, from gorgeous tree ornaments from our good friend Mike in Florida, beautifully engraved cats from Ann, flowers and so many many messages. He had touched many people and we will never ever forget our beautiful naughty Bengal boy. The boyz have helped to heal our hearts a little but they were never intended nor could they ever be replacements. And Indy grows more and more like Fiki every day. We say he has the face of an angel. He really does - a Fiki angel.

Today I am thankful that we were blessed to have Fiki share our lives and we will never ever forget him.

 

I leave you with our Fiki

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very very busy few days and Cornwall day 3

It has NOT been a quiet week here in Lake Wobegone ... very busy indeed.

 

We had some substantial holes where the trees were removed so we went to Nigel's least favourite place in the world, any garden centre. But he knew it had to be done.

Now bear in mind we have absolutely no clue at all what we are doing in the garden, our soil is utter rubbish - just sand really, and nothing we plant does well.

We bought several decent-sized bushes. some are private to form a hedge type things and there was a pieris and another gorgeous purple leaved bush I can't recall. I thought poor Nigel was going to pass out because the digging was so hard. The ground we were working on was full of roots but we got there.

 

The trouble was, at the garden centre we saw a bronze stag - about 5 feet tall - and we were smitten. We came home to think about it but we decided that it was a worthwhile investment as it would be a real focal point of the garden and would be one thing we wouldn't be able to kill.

So today we went back to fetch Buckley - yes of course he is named - and bought more plants for his area. He looks a bit 'naked' at the moment as the plants will take time to establish but we can see him from the kitchen, the dining room and my studio and we love him.

 

 

We are both shattered but happy with what we have achieved.

 

I have also done loads of work in my scrap room. I bought another 44 Weston Boxes and have been thinning papers and resorting so it will look so much neater. I will show you a  photo once it is finished.

So - on to Cornwall day 3

This was the day that we had most been looking forward to and it lived up to our expectations.  After a good breakfast again we headed off to The Lizard. This is the most southerly part of the UK and a place we had been to once before but had never seen. On our last visit it was so foggy we could see nothing. Not this trip. The sun was bright and the view was stunning.

 

We parked at the top carpark and admired the view and then walked down to the lower level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

and from the bottom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was wild and beautiful and we quite literally had to tear ourselves away.

 

Our next stop was Kynance Cove and we were very lucky to get one of the last spaces at the bottom car park, otherwise it was a heck of a walk. They were very bust as a huge area was cordoned off with marquees and lights and security and cameras. We asked one the NT guys what it was and he told us they were not allowed to tell but we should google it. It turns out it was filming for the prequel for Game of Thrones. Boy was I thrilled.

 

Anyway, Kynance cove was stunning though we did not walk down to the cove itself. So much to see, so little time to see it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From there we headed to Marazion so we could see St Michael's Mount - something else we had visited before and not seen. Years and years ago, before we were married, we went to Cornwall for a weekend break and Nigel had chosen for us to stay at Penzance and made sure we had a sea view room. When we woke up he told me to open the curtains and enjoy St Michale's mount. It was just too funny. You couldn't see two foot in front of your face let alone the mount which, in fairness, would have been small from Penzance even on a clear day.

 

Marazion didn't disappoint and we found a brilliant place on the street right by the ferry dock to park. We knew we wouldn't be able to go across to the mount itself and felt, anyway, it was nicer to see it than be on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we also knew the tide times were not going to enable us to see or walk the causeway but to be honest I prefered seeing it at high tide when it looked completely like an island.

 

Our next port of call, pardon the pun, was Mousehole. Once again we were very very lucky to find a parking space in the town itself - I did have to work hard for this one - and we had a lovely time wandering the narrow streets with the quaint houses and great views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We headed off for our next adventure - we had tickets booked to take a tour around the Minack Theatre - somewhere else we have always wanted to see and it was stunning. The engineering to carve out that theatre on the cliff is phenomenal and it also gives great views over Porthcurno bay and beach. Whilst we were there the Cambridge University Gilbert and Sullivan society were there rehearsing the Pirates of Penzance and it was fun to watch them rehearse. The planting there, largely beautiful succulents, was also stunning. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our next two visits were not so successful. We were going to go to Land's End but when we got there it was £7 to park, there were hundreds and hundreds of cars which would translate to thousands of people. After the unspoilt beauty of the Lizard and Kynance Cove and when we saw the massive commercialised building at the entrance we decided we did not want to go and visit it.

 

We headed for our last destination which was St Ives. We had planned to eat there. We drove in - and out again very quickly. It was quite frankly the busiest most touristy tackiest place I have seen in mnay many years. It was literally heaving. No wonder Cornwall's COVID rates are high. It was quite simply NOT for us so we hightailed out of there.

 

We had seen so much and enjoyed it all we felt we were ready for a quiet dinner and an early night. Day 3 had been the one we were most looking forwards to - and it was the one we most enjoyed.

 

Today I am thankful for

• a wonderful holiday
• good honest hard work
• Buckley
• Nigel liking the same things I do

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New release day

Just a very quick post today - I am shattered - too much gardening work.

 

However, it is new release day and it is Berry Big Deal time over at Pickleberrypop and it is a chance to get things at great prices and everything all coordinated. Some of the bundles are incredible so do check out the store.

THIS LINK will take you right to the deals

 

I worked with four collections this week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do go and have a look in the store because it is all fabulous.

 

A second day of travel and tree surgery

Today has been a big day at home as we have had three tree surgeons here removing trees and dead wooding those we are keeping. It was fascinating to watch and I have taken photos which I will share but I haven't downloaded them yet

We now have some pretty big holes in the garden and also a lot more light. We will replant in the future but for now we are pretty done.

 

I wanted to share my second day of our Cornwall vacation. We were warned the weather would be poor but in reality, it was stunning. A very mild 20 plus degrees and blue skies. We had an amazing time.

We enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the hotel, early of course, and headed out. First stop on this day along the northern coast, was Boscastle. It was such a pretty village and we enjoyed a little wander and some photo ops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then set out to find a place we had stopped and loved in 2011 when we visited Cornwall. I remembered where it was and although they have now changed the walk so you can't do quite what we did last time it was lovely to find it again - It was Bossiney Haven. It was still early so a little hazy out to sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and how cute was this

 

 

From there we headed to Tintagel. Again we had been before so we felt no need to do the tourist attractions like the castle and the Old Post Office as we had done them. It was very busy and the carparks were already filling up so we decided to park at the wonderful castle-like hotel as they said they were open for coffee and it does truly afford the best views. The grounds are strictly private for hotel guests only but we asked if we were there for coffee could we walk round and they were only too happy. As it happened their coffee shop was not yet open so we didn't even have to buy a coffee.

We got some fab photos of the castle (maybe it really was where King Arthur lived) and the new bridge and the coastline. We had decided not to do the bridge, not just because it was £17 each but it would have taken several hours to do it and we didn't want to do it that much. It was nice to see it though

 

 

art work at the front of the hotel

 

the new bridge

 

 

The hotel complete with it's own helipad

 

 

 

 

 

 

the very posh ladies toilet

 

 

We then made our way to Port Isaac, which was so busy we didn't stop much and then onto Padstow.

 

 

 

 

The last time we had been to Cornwall Padstow was gridlocked and we didn't get the chance to visit and so I really wanted to see it this trip. It was busy but we drove round and round car parks and in the end we saw a young couple walking across and we asked if they were going back to their car. They said yes but their space was behind us, but bless them they said they would wait in the car until we got there. They saved the space for us and we got to see Padstow and lovely it was too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We stopped briefly at Mawgan Porth but our memories of it were from a cold but bright February day when it was completely empty. We chose not to linger this trip

 

 

 

We headed on to Newquay, again we had visited before but we wanted to go back plus we had a dinner reservation there

 

 

 

 

We had reservations at the Pizza Express which was just on the main road so imagine our surprise when we were shown in and to our table with such a gorgeous view. The next few photos are all from the restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were then lucky to find a space near Fistral Beach where we spent a very happy chill out time watching the dozens and dozens of surfers. It always seems like such a lot of effort for a very short thrill ride. And they must have feet like hobbits because everywhere we went there were surfers walking barefoot over very hard uneven roads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had another couple of places on our list but once again we ended up with the sat nav taking us on a teeny tiny road that was just way too scary (and you can't turn back of course) so we decided we had had enough and headed off for an early night.

 

I have been scrapping today and have a couple of pages to share ... yes I have started the Cornwall album between watching men climb the tall trees!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• the tree work being done safely and well
• a tidy garden
• light through the trees.

 

 

A Cornwall Extravaganza

We are just back from a few days away in Cornwall. It was the holiday we planned last year but we didn't feel safe enough re Covid so cancelled it and re-booked for this year.

 

We were a little reticent as it was the longest we would be away from the boys and also the weather forecast was rubbish. But we figured we had coats and brollies and it was only water so we just went for it.

As it turned out, apart from the first day which was a bit grey at times, the weather was completely awesome with blue skies, temperatures in the 20s and gorgeous sunshine. And Cornwall has water - you know me and water. I was in heaven.

 

Day 1

We set off in greyness and headed west, beating most of the traffic and stopping just once for a sneaky egg McMuffin - well it wouldn't be a road trip without one would it.

We headed through Dorset and Devon and then crossed the Tamar Bridge into Cornwall.

 

 

 

Our first place to visit was Looe and I have to say we were not over enamoured. It was busy - very busy - and it was grey and damp. We had a walk to stretch our legs after all the travel but we were not thrilled and I confess to feeling a little dispirited if everywhere was going to be this grey and this crowded. There were signs everywhere saying COVID levels were high and to be careful. I only needed telling the once!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ate our lunch - yes Nigel remembered to pack it this time - and marvelled at how lovely and cold our drinks were. We purchased an electric coolbox for the trip and it was to prove to be awesome. We will never travel - in the UK - without it again.

We had the most wonderful tour vehicle for the trip - Nigel's new car - which was so comfortable and so luxurious, but we did have issues with the sat nav again. We can't change the settings and she appears to be set to 'as the crow flies' and doesn't appear to have any idea that roads need to be wide enough for a vehicle and at least partly paved. Oh boy did we have some terrible terrible moments this trip. However, this time the detour she decided on was welcome and we hadn't planned to go via Fowey and the ferry, but she decided we should. And the trip was lovely and quaint. The Fowey ferry makes the Sandbanks ferry seem huge. She only holds about 20 cars and it was cute (and pricey!)

 

 

 

 

 

It was just after the ferry we hit our first problem,m. We left the village up a steep road and the traffic stopped. The road was very narrow - just barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass and cars ahead were turning round and coming back. We asked a very dressed up lady in the road what was the issue and she said they had a cruise ship in(In Fowey!!!!) and four coach loads of passengers were coming - one coach had come through but three more were trying to get through and couldn't so everyone had to turn round! We couldn't believe their system. If Fowey had cruise ships presumably this wasn't the first time, presumably they knew their roads were narrow, presumably they KNEW they would need to stop cars. So why oh why did they not just close the road temporarily and get the damn coaches through rather than make people turn round when turning was a major drama. Hey ho!

 

Eventually, we got out of Fowey and we headed to Mevagissey. We had planned to visit Polperro but it was closed to traffic and the out of village car parks were all full. We did however manage to park in a car park outside of Mevagissey and walk into the pretty pretty little town and harbour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were quite surprised that there was actually quite a bit of parking in the town and so vowed next time not to be put off by the out of town carparks! It was to be a bit of a downfall to be honest!

Anyway - we loved visiting - it was really pretty and no so busy at Looe had been

 

We carried on to Goran Haven, Hemmick Beach and Port Holland but the roads were starting to really get quite narrow in some of the places and so we decided perhaps enough was enough

 

 

 

 

 

This was a very scary drive and was very very narrow and thankfully we met no cars coming the other way.

 

We headed into Truro and by now it was raining and we were tired and so we went to the first place we found which was a Wetherspoons which I wasn't thrilled by but it worked. I had a vegan all day breakfast  but the beans were cold and the chips hard to basically I had quorn sausage and egg. Nigel had the proper breakfast and he said it was lovely. Dessert was nice though!

 

We then moved on to Camborne where we were staying and it proved to be a big hit with us. It was 'in the middle' of Cornwall and so meant we could stay based in the same place but take trips out to the different coasts. It was impeccably clean (I still anti-baced everywhere though) and there was no cleaning service which was exactly what we hoped for. They were brilliant as supplying anything you needed it just meant no one came into your room. It was also incredibly quiet in the room although the hotel seemed fairly full. No sound of other guests which was brilliant.

A very successful first day of a little UK Road Trip.

 

Today I am thankful for

• a great time away
• HOME
• my boyz - oh how they missed us.

 

 

 

The final bits of Wales

Well the Welsh album is now away and will re-appear only to be looked at when we want to remember that little break, significant in that it was the first time we left our boys too.

 

I loved the wild rhododendrons clinging to the slate hills

 

 

Visiting Aberfan was such an important thing for me to do and it was terribly moving. The first news story I ever remember, it killed children my age and so I felt I really had to go and pay my respects

 

The mass grave site and memorial is beautiful but heart-wrenching

 

and that garden on the site of the school was at the same time dreadful and beautiful.

 

 

I struggled enourmously with this page as I couldn't work out how to do it so the map unfolded. I got there in the end

 

 

 

 

It really was a lovely little trip. Not a proper road trip by our American standards, but none the less, a lovely trip.

I think we have to get used to holidaying in the UK for the foreseeable future.

 

 

Little else to report here.

I have been sewing - and for once not on paper or card. I have been making the boys little bandanas for their 1st brithday and also some bunting. Yes, it's offical. I am crazy cat lady!

 

Today I am thankful for

• a task completed
• my boys - all three of them. They made a great team the other night when a massive - and I do mean massive - spider ran across the loungs. Koda spotted it, Indy chased it, Nigel 'dealt' with it. We try never ever to kill spiders but he was huge and fast and nothing to catch him in other than a slipper. We were very sorry.

 

 

Days just fly but memories remain

I seriously don't know where the days go - they just vanish

However, whilst days fly by some memories last forever, indelibly marked on our collective unconsciousness. Today is such a day

20 years ago ... cocooned in a school where we don't have TVs or radios on,  we didn’t hear the news immediately... I remember going outside just before collection time and talking to parents... some very worried. We had a lot of parents who worked for J P Morgan who had offices in the twin towers. For me it is also inexorably linked to Daddy. We watched the news coverage together as I packed his case for his final visit to hospital. He never came home, passing just three days later.

The world changed for everyone that day. Visiting the 9/11 museum and the memorial was something we both felt we HAD to do and it was hard. There was much I couldn't watch or listen to and we left emotionally drained after our visit. The anniversary seems even more poignant in light of the withdrawal from Afghanistan and it seems we are once again on the precipice.

The world needs to remember and pull together forgetting these petty differences that seem to consume everyone so much

 

This is a photo I took at the 9/11 museum in 2018

 

I have been scrapping a lot as I wanted to complete my album on our little mini break to Wales. No idea how a three day break has ended up with a thirty page album but there you go!

 

But I have completed it now which is excellent.

 

So here are some welsh pages ... I won't bombard you with all of them in one go!

 

This is the title page

 

 

 

 

I have also been working with some lush digital things. One of my favourite designers - TirAmisu Designs  - was our Gal Friday this week and I worked with her gorgeous Gal Friday Just September collection which is heavily discounted and has a free gift at the moment.

 

 

and I don't think I shared this one though I made it last week

 

 

and finally I have two pieces of art to share. One was just a bit of a fun doodle and the other was a painting from art this week. we had to use acrylics as watercolours and paint a picture completely from our imagination. I found it really hard to not have a reference photo but I gave it a go.

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• relative peace in the world I habit - so many people are NOT living in a safe peaceful place. They loose loved ones, see things no-one should see, live in fear of their lives and the lives of those they love. I pray that all of the leaders of the world can work together, setting aside differences and trey to bring peace to all

 

Hug your loved ones just a little closer today because none of us know what lies just around the corner, ever!

 

Finally turned the corner

Well it's been a hard old few days but I think I am finally over whatever the heck the nastiness was that struck me down badly and I am on the mend.

The last two days have been far more normal.

Yesterday we met Nigel's brother and sister in law at Poole Park for coffee by the lake.

 

 

 

And we also had dinner at the RNLI college which was a lovely view over the harbour

 

 

 

 

 

 

And today we were so privileged to help my best friend with her bee hive. She needed a hand lifting and so Nigel got to dress up and help which was awesome. They really are amazing creatures and Jakki is so knowledgeable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

not one of her bees - a wild interloper

 

and pure liquid gold - literally

And a little scrapping to share. First a brand new collection from Dita B Designs using a kit called Thank You

 

 

and this with Autumn Dayz: A Berry Blends Collab Kit by LorieM and CarolW Designs Free with $10 purchase

 

 

and these are a few pages made for challenges

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• feeling better
• living by the water
• best friends

 

almost out the other side

Well it's been quite a few days here on the home ranch!

 

I was hit with some sort of bug - no idea what but it was evil. I can't remember ever having stomach pains like or being so sick. Haven't really eaten for anything other than a slice or two of white bread for 48 hours but that's good for the diet, right!

 

I am left feeling very wobbly and weak and still nauseous - haven't even felt like scrapping much - unheard of eh!

 

But the GOOD news is that the boys had their final blood test yesterday and it was clear and it looks very like we have dodged the bullet. I can't tell you how pleased I am and I have even started planning for their birthday later in the month. I couldn't do that before - it was tempting fate, but now I feel I might be able to actually look forward to it. I can't believe they are almost 1

Here are a few pages I did before I was properly struck down

 

 

This is for my Iconic America album. The Golden Gate had to be there

 

 

and this for the digital coast to coast which I have neglected a lot

and one I managed to make today - but it was a bit of a step too far

Today I am thankful for

• a wonderful husband who looks after me so well
• my boys being all clear still
• bed!