Autumn has come.

 This beautiful, majestic young stag stole my heart. Before I had my operation we spent a day at the gorgeous Lyme Park in Cheshire, I love to roam around the woodland here, this is where I feel at peace. So whilst I am recovering and resting I am looking at pictures that remind of the beautiful world out there.

 Resting, lost in our own little world, I gently rubbed his head, slowly running my fingers through his hair. I cherish these moments, they are things I will remember when I am older, greyer and a mama to all my children grown and fled the nest.

 Autumn has come, she adorns the leaves in dresses of red and gold.

Our boy, soon to be 7, such a leap in childhood, gone the baby years, the boy in Charlie is really showing now, exciting times together ahead.

A bit poorly.

I have'nt been around here much as I have been a bit poorly. I have had an operation and am recovering slowly and surely, I just was'nt prepared for how much pain I would be in. The doctors orders are for complete and utter rest and to be honest I am not going to argue with them so lots of sleeping and reading are in order I think. Any good book recommendations would be very welcome :)
I am hoping to do a little reading with Charlie too and am sure we can do some crafting in bed when I'm up to it. Well I'm making the most of Warren being at home until Monday as then he goes to work away for a few days in Scotland, after then I'm pretty much on my own until after 4'oclock each day when my eldest daughter Kirsty is going to come over after work and help out.

It's funny really as being told to stay in bed and rest seems like a dream when you are up and running around every day but in reality it's quite frustrating, as I can here normal life going on downstairs and...ok, breathe...the TV is on Again..grrr! I am really going to have to learn to switch off for the next couple of days.
Right enough for now, I'm shattered from just typing this. Rest, bed and books it is then.

More summer stuff.

 These two love a bit of rough and tumble but there are lots of hugs too.

 Charlie loves going to the gym club and has gained so much confidence.He has a go at anything and has a fabulous sense of balance.

 We have camped a few times this summer and this is the beautiful beach at Robin Hoods Bay.

 Oh how I love this boy.

Science in the kitchen. I think we were growing crystals here.

Snippets of our Summer

 One very happy little boy who has mastered the art of bike riding, he went from using stabilisers one day to zooming around like a whirlwind the next. It just goes to show that children will do things when they are ready and they certainly know when.

 We spent many a warm summer day here at Jerusalem Farm in Mytholmroyd, it really is the most beautiful place. There is a lovely woodland area with wonderful carvings and little fairy circles dotted around but this was Charlie's favourite place to be, in the river.

 A hug on the tops overlooking the stunning Lncashire countryside.

 There is always plenty of time for play, even for a mama.

 Charlie did really well feeding this lamb, as small and sweet as it looked, it had the most powerful sucking motion and nearly pulled Charlie over.

Meditating together in a hidden Tibetan garden at Harewood House.

Walks and Wildlife

 A beautiful red squirrel at Fornby beach nature reserve. It's breathtaking how fast and agile these gorgeous creatures are. We are so very lucky to live close to this reserve and watch the elusive red squirrel

This is an amazing photo Warren took whilst he was feeding a grey squirrel a monkey nut. We were visiting Chester and discovered a small park with very friendly residents who were more than very happy to take nuts from our hands. 

 In Spring we visited Tatton Park, famous for its majestic deer. I feel very drawn to these graceful animals and could spend many hours just sitting quietly watching them. I am also lucky to have a husband who is a gifted photographer and can take such beautiful pictures for us to look back on.

A little bird with a big character, the Robin, such a handsome little bird.

Out for a walk.

 I have been stuck in the house for what seems like *forever* so today we went for a walk around a local reservoir. It was so good to be outside even though I was so cold and the wind made my ears hurt :(. Charlie did his usual finding fun and adventure around every corner.

 
 

Me and technical stuff :(

I've been around, reading your lovely blogs, commenting now and again but unable to update my blog...grrr!

Anyway, this is just a little test post really to see if I have mastered using my I pad to post on my blog, so here goes....

 

 
 

Here...

Yup, I'm back!!
While I've been gone life has carried on in the same way it does. We have grieved for the loss of our dad/father in law/granddad, He suffered terribly for the last 6 months and his passing was so very, very hard but such a blessing for him, a final relief from pain and free to be with his love Eunice again. We love you and miss you dad.

The seasons continue to change and birthdays have been celebrated, Christmas was good, we have played in the snow, read lots and lots of books but now we await Spring. We need that glimmer of warmth and light.

I don't know where to start, how can I catch up 3 months of our lives. I am probably just going to upload lots of random photo's and try and fill in the blanks. I was going to type a long emptying of my mind and heart post but Charlie is going through a phase of *needing* me to listen to him right now...I am really trying to be ever so patient and present but truth be known..I'm struggling.

Anyway, I have been nipping online now and again and reading my favourite blogs, thank you for being an inspiration and also for being so honest!! I intend to be here regularly from now on, I have missed this place :)

Back Again.

 Charlie has been performing lots of puppet shows for me, although he is still a little shy sometimes and actually told me that he gets stage fright, aww bless him :)

 we have a new very small but very crazy addition to our family...meet Tabatha Mactatt aka Tabby.

 Walking in woods, watching out for squirrels.

 Ben came home for a while from Vancouver. It was lovely to have all my kids together but alas he has gone back to carry on his life in Canada.

Don't children spot the tinniest things?