Hyacinths in Mum’s old glasses, making the whole room full of their scent
Monthly Archives: January 2024
Wildlife in Our Garden Today
The pigeon very much the boss here. It’s taken the magpie lots of small steps to creep close enough to get some biscuit crumbs.
Squirrel poised to leap up at the bird feeder
Robin
A Brilliant Read
A lovely friend with whom I share good reads, turned up just after lunch, in her hands a book she felt would suit me today. I was so touched by her kindness in recognising the need for laughter and relaxation as the LiveWires and their families have all left. It’s very quiet here today and I have spent the rest of the day reading and laughing. It’s a brilliant, totally original read, a thriller full of current humour, written in a very up-to-date epistolary style and completely unputdownable. I’ve read it all this afternoon. Thank you H. 
Poem, Santas and the Sea
I should have posted this poem, found last time we visited Ti, on my birthday but with everyone here and so much busyness, I forgot, but here it is now and I love it.
The last family left this morning – all very quiet here now after 10 days of visits. Here are the twin LiveWires, numbers 5 and 6 clutching their Santas.
5
6
As we drove away from Lavender Cottage where that branch of the family have been staying, tears still on my face and muscle memory of big hugs still there, the restorative view of the sea as we drove over the hill, began to work its magic.
Chocolate Cake and Christmas Crinkle Cookies
Another busy baking day – first a Chocolate Cake with LiveWire No 1 while the smaller ones were at Heartlands’ play park and then making the Crinkle cookies with LiveWires 5 and 6 – a feast tomorrow when friends are coming round for coffee and cake and to meet the family. 
Gingerbread House
A lovely afternoon spent building and decorating a very lovely gingerbread house with LiveWires1, 5 and 6. 
Snowdrops, Baking and Hair Design
We found these gorgeous snowdrops at the end of December but this is the first time its been dry enough to get out to take the photos.
LiveWire no 2 started the dough for Cinnamon Rolls last night and rolled them out today under the watchful eyes of LiveWires 5 and 6. The rolls are now rising ready for baking for tomorrow’s breakfast before that family, too, has to leave. 
LiveWire No 6 has the most beautiful hair, the heart being her own design.
Family Times
Thank you so much to all the lovely people who sent me birthday love on New Year’s Eve. It has been the best birthday ever! We have had the whole family here for the first time in 6 years!
The Senegalese family, who live in Spain, got their visas that allow them to visit, the London family came, the Suffolk family came and the Exeter one too so it has been full of excitement, noise, 15 round the dining table, laughter and giggles, hugs and love and very full hearts!
Thank you again for adding to the love that has surrounded me for days!
Today, despite the wind and rain, we spent some time on the beach at Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth after a lunch all together at the cafe. 
So many shoes!
