Thank you for my anniversary present, my love

Thank you for my anniversary present, my love. 

I can not wait to use it.

Did it mention how heavy it would be?

Not to worry.

I taught the hatchlings how to move heavy things.

Impromptu dolly.

Girl style!

Autumn has come to our home!

Winding down

It still amazes me, watching the drastic shift in the daylight. As we loose an hour every ten days, it feels dramatic. 

The children had been out running about in the field until past nine, fighting sleep, because they sun is too shiny, just mere weeks ago. Now, they are heading to bed easily by eight.

There has been this inner shift towards crafts, baking, puzzles and renewed feeling of wanting to get work done inside.

Not that we are not greatful for the gentle approach autumn is making.

Well, gentle towards us.

Just down the road from us, is a very large farm. 

It took the farmer three whole days to cut all the hay.

He was out cutting at 5am.

He was still out there at 10pm.

For three long, beautiful sunny days.

And then it rained, for four days straight.

Finally, a stretch of sunshine, and after two days of solid sunshine,

he drove out to bale it all, and the machine broke down.

Two more days he spent out there, trying to do what he could,

before the rain came back.

Which it did.

And now,

a flock of fat geese, literally thousands of geese, have decided to camp out on his land.

I can't imagine that is good, those birds soiling his hay.

I don't know how bad this is for him, but I am betting it is pretty awful.

While I don't mean to spread bad news, I just wanted to say, 

Little bit of humour

Rather funny choice for a dairy advertisement, don't you think?

Veggie Update

Hatchling no5 is at that precious age where articulates himself very well; however, certain sounds do not roll off the tongue quite so easily.

Hence, the hedgies are veggies in our house.

Many a Mr.Bloom song rendition is sung to these spikey babies.

They are growing and filling out quickly, just for our own recollections, these babies are 9 days old in the photos.

All three have homes waiting for them, so we have only a short while that we have to spend with them.

I have been trying to emphasise this to the hatchlings, as they have a tendency to accumulate creatures furry and feathered.

Well done mama veggie, you have such beautiful babies.

Preparing for Stoptober

This year has been such an overwhelmingly expensive year for us.

And the bills certainly are not shy about continually appearing through my letter box.

How about you?

Do you feel the same?

I find that the stores really ramp up their 'you really need to buy this' strategies in the lead up to Christmas.

It starts so early, too.

The Christmas chocolates are already out and have been for weeks.

I don't mean to sound pathetic, but I will admit, I find it hard not to spend money if I start to browse through the many shops, as they urge me to spend, spend, spend.

So, the last two years, I have just chosen to opt out.

I start in September by slowing down my shopping. 

I halve my budget.

And In October, I aim to spend half what I spent in September.

Essentially, cutting my weekly shopping to a quarter. 

Which sounds impossible at the outset, but I have found it has made me far more conscious of my spending into Christmas.

And truthfully, it gives me a little boost, to clear out the cupboards, and sell things on. 

If I sell £50 worth of old clothes, I can spend that.

I have wool to keep me busy, knitting gifts, old clothes to cut up and quilt, and many other little diy projects that I really can make do and mend, in order to achieve the results I would like.

Without any new expense.

And that food pantry and freezer, we all know how congested that can become. 

It has made sure, I actually use up what I have long since bought, on sale, and never looked at again. 

A bargain is not a bargain, if you never use it.

I have found that since starting this, we start off January, in good terms financially, and feeling hopeful.

The children too, really get into the spirit and this year have promised to do an inventory list for me of everything I have tossed into our pantry, so we can make the best use of what we already have.

So, this is us, one week in to our Slowtember, preparing for Stoptober.

Do you ever make an opportunity to reevaluate your spending, or re - focus your finances?

Mama hedgehog has had babies!

We've been a busy household over the summer, and in addition to the terrapins, we've welcomed three hedgehogs. 

Then, last week Henrietta Hoglet, gave birth to 3 chubby baby hoglets!

So proud of you Henrietta! I suppose a certain amount of praise should be reserved for the proud papa, but he is busy courting his new lady.

So wonderful, these little spiky blessings.

New characters to our cast

This is hatchling number two.

A wonderful eight year old girl, who is full of love for most every creature.

And after a rather contrary, but heart felt plea, she has brought two new characters into our home.

A pair of seven (almost eight) year old terrapins.

Now, we have terrapins at level crossings,

and terrapins reading books.

Hence, we are officially introducing, our new cast members.

Who both need new names? 

Any suggestions?

Time marches on

I can not believe it has been 5 months since this precious girl blessed our lives.

And as each year runs past faster than the one before, I am reminded,

to take part in simple pleasures.

The road is long, and it is not a race.

And there is so many opportunities to enjoy.

Even if it is simply a good nap.

Today, I am thankful for this day that I have been given, and all the opportunities it has provided.

A boy in a cape

A little boy in a cape, came up to me today, and told me,

'I do really promise you, I'm up to no good!'

Well, at least mama can at least be proud of his honestly.

He has more bounce than a tigger,

and a humbling softness to his face when he is sad.

He has an infectious laugh to accompany his boyish sense of humour, 

and he is always eager to help.

We are so very blessed, even on days when he solemnly swears, he is up to no good.