You really wouldn't believe it was almost mid November - the weather is glorious. It was a little nippy but not cold when we went for our walk round Poole Park, to Baiter and back through town. Bright sunshine and lovely light.
I think I have more pictures of Poole Park than anywhere else in the world.
one of these swans was angry with me for taking pictures not giving food and he was spitting ... a bit scared to be honest
I even managed the first of my new Shimelle class pages. Gosh did I struggle to think this one through - use all patterned paper - no plain paper or card. Oh my - so not me.
although it took me out of my comfort zone it did teach me a lot about design and about my own design decisions and how I think through a page - plus ... it's good to try new stuff, right!
It is new release day and there are new collections from dawn Inskip
She has re-released her Planning for December collection here
and she has a brand new collection available called Jolly Holidays
and it seemed apt to scrap Fiki playing with his Christmas present from Dawn and her family last year
Today has been a day of reflection too in our house.
Nigel's father passed away, very young, 34 years ago today, the 11th of the 11th month.
And I have been thinking about my family's own 'war heritage', doubly significant as it is the 100th anniversary of the Somme. We were in Ypres this year and celebrated that with an act of remembrance and the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate and I have been wearing my Somme Poppy with pride (poppies made by the British Legion with shell cases from the Somme which are in a special presentation box) Mt grandfather fought at Mons and Ypres and the Somme and he was awarded a commendation for bravery at the Battle of the Somme. He was an amazing man, though I have no real memories of him as he died before I was 2 years old.
This was when he was home on leave and my Dad's oldest brother was christened (I am very like my Nana)
I also think of Daddy who was stupid enough to run away to sea when he was just 14. He lied about his age and found himself in the Battle of the Atlantic in World War Two. His stories of that time are horrific, things no-one should see let alone a 14 year old boy.
He stayed int he Merchant Navy until he was 19 and then joined the army in the Royal Signals.
and yes I am the spitting image of my Daddy
The world seems to be in so much turmoil at the moment with political upsets, wars raging, people driven from their homes, suffering and strife. So many are remembered for their efforts in trying to fight for the freedom of other, so many who lost their lies or suffered both physically and mentally. I pray, alongside millions of others, that at a time when we are focusing on remembrance, what they did and what they lost will inspire us to strive for a better peaceful world for all.
Today I am thankful for
- a family I am so proud of
- people still striving to bring peace to a very troubled world
What a very dear post today. I know I have seen several layouts about your daddy before, but I don't remember if I had read the account about his early adventures in the Merchant Marines. Terrifying!!
You have every right to be so very proud of him.
What an amazing layout for Shimelle's challenge. Patterned paper and I are not friends. I have to be very careful with it, or the photo disappears!
Well done!
Posted by: Barb inAK | November 12, 2016 at 06:45 AM