I’m almost finished a four-year Homeopathy course, and I’m now insured to take cases under supervision. We have always used Homeopathy, and have only needed to bring our little ones to a doctor twice, no, three times I think, in the past twelve years, for diagnosis only. It has been, quite simply, a life saver, and I don’t know how anyone could have children without it… 

And yesterday I was honoured to be asked to give a class on Homeopathy in Pregnancy at a Spiritual Midwifery Course in Co. Clare. It was a great day, we had a fantastic discussion. It is great to know that there are so many people out there using Homeopathy effectively, quickly and safely, and seeing the extraordinary results, especially during pregnancy and in childhood.

So after an hour or two case typing, I had to take a break. (As a quick adjunct here: we have been using cloth nappies for over a year and have found them fantastic. Until recently, that is, when our little one seemed irritated by them So after a chat with my Nappy-Expert, dear old Gertie, m plan of action was to wash the nappies with a dishwasher tablet to take out any detergent, and then wash with Dr. Bronners. I’ll let you know how I get on…) Why I came to telling you this was because when I took my break I went out to hang out clothes on the washing line, in the sunshine! Needless to say the weather has been simply glorious these past few days. And running around in the sunshine was our little dog, Pebbles, looking rather delightful, don’t you think in her red bandana?

(She needs a good grooming… a little bit felted here and there, I’m afraid…   )

Fergal and the boys are getting our hen-run ready for the imminent arrival of a few hen this week. Their fencing has been re-inforced, house cleaned and readied. Water, food, laying boxes, perches… My friend Mary is donating a rooster to mind his ladies…

 Oh, I cannot wait.

I usually buy my vegetables from Beechlawn but didn’t get my order in in time, and have been making attempts for weeks now to go to Denis for my vegetables and eggs in Mountbellew on Tuesdays. Denis has been coming to Mountbellew for forty years, and was his charming, lovely self on Tuesday (although I think he definitely thought I was bonkers when I asked could I photograph him…)

We went over to The Square Kitchen after that for a plate of chips (oh, the excitement!… we need to get out more…) The Square Kitchen is just simply lovely and quaint, and the apple tart is excellent, so I’m looking forward to my next visit, although I’m sure my sanity was in question after I asked to photograph this…

what I do for my “art”!!! 

Lastly, we went to the local supermarket which had almost everything I needed, including a great stock of organic foods from Irish companies like Glenisk and Bunalun, so I was very pleased!

And since we were practically passing her door, we popped into Bernadette’s house on the way home. A life-affirming-ly lovely visit as usual, made all the lovelier and sweeter by the consumption of these delicious scones!!

 Also this week I received my first ever ATC (Artist Trading Card) These are collectible pieces of original art, the size of a regular playing card. I have been making a few and wanted the first of my collection to be a special one. I have been following Debrina through this blog and loved her work, and I became the delighted owner of this gorgeous ATC:

This is the parcel I received, my ATC, a lovely letter, and!! as an extra delight, a beautiful print: Thank you Debrina!! You made my week!!

They made a really lovely pattern when laid out, and I photographed each stage…-

The flat crochet backs…

…flowers added…

…buttons sewn on top… (Thank you dear friends, Bernadette and Barbara!)

…brooch pin and our “handmade” label attached to the back…

I then made some tags with the Kelly’s logo and attached with ribbon…

It was so lovely to see the first fifty customers come in wearing my creations!!!

I made more of these for our shop, and so
I’m hoping to upload some similiar images onto our shop website early this week (have to move a few things around there, be sure to check it out, we’ll have some gorgeous Easter gifts featured soon!)

I’m not sure if I’m completely happy as yet with what I’ve done though…

-This was an alternative page header!

  So it was a welcome distraction to have a friend over for lunch today:

Beetroot and Goats Cheese Tart

followed swiftly by an utterly delicious light sponge with cream and peaches (can’t take responsibility for this gorgeous creation I’m afraid…)

Last week, we were visiting my parents for a few days in their beautiful home in Kildare. 

Our little ones spent plenty of time running up and down the avenue,

which is brimming with snowdrops and crocuses,

and taking time-out with Old Faithful (only spotted the hand-cuffs just now, not sure what they were being used for!!!)

I came back with a few treasures:

A gorgeous old leather case (thank you William!)

Old maps and books, postcards, letters, photos;

newspapers from the second World War,

and an truly ancient “Midland Reporter And Westmeath Nationalist” from 1923!

But the piece de resistance, for me, is my mothers sewing basket: for as long as I can remember it “lived” in the corner cupboard, full of odd buttons, needles, thread and other delicious treasures! I’m so excited that I now have it, ready to be filled with all my sewing bits and pieces,

Thank you dearest mother!!  

I’ve been starting more projects also: I find that if I have several on the go I can inch away at them:- crochet when I’m sitting down, drinking tea and chatting (hence plenty gets done, ha ha); painting and mixed media work when I’ve an hour to myself, children fed and baby in bed; sewing at any spare minute (and I’m getting good at doing all these with a baby or boys sitting on my knee or “helping” me!)

At the moment I’m making journals-

I’m recycling brown paper bags,

stitching them together,

then painting them white,

which renders a most lovely painterly surface. I’m going to photograph the entire process tomorrow, it’s as easy as pie!- and the result is wonderful.

 I’m in the middle of finishing some crochet for the Official Opening Night of Kelly’s Bar in Galway, it’s opening on the 26th, next Friday!- so that’s my priority at the minute. So on that note I’m off to sit beside my blazing fire, with a pot of tea, and my basket of crochet… Bliss!!