Out of routine...

The weather has really warmed up here in Devon these last few days...Glorious Sunshine!.

We have had the odd grey cloud and little bit of Rain~ But we wont dwell on that.

Up high on the hill in my steep part of the cottage garden the views have been wonderful...Hazy Sunshine skies...There was enough sun to dry the washing in a gentle breeze.

My daughter started her Half term week. I always love that feeling of not needing to go by a routine on precious time off...School, work and general busy days take their toll after a while. Its nice, so Nice to just take time off the tread wheel. My partner though still at work so not so great for him...But we did have a lovely family Weekend by the sea in the Cornish village of Cawsands/ Kingsands. Its one of those less busy spots. Well, less touristy. Summer months can be at times with the ferry running. Its my little hidden gem. We arrived late afternoon and it was quiet and peaceful. Just the sound of laughter and singing from local pubs and a few dog walkers.  A lot of the pretty cottages are holiday lets these days. The narrow streets are so sweet and charming and they lead you down to the seascape...Myself and my daughter love beach combing...looking for sea glass and pretty shells...I also love to find stones with washed out holes in them with the Cornish black and white lines running through them. Stevie spotted a Falmouth buoy bobbing around in the sea obviously had come loose from the boats...The rock pools always fascinate me as well, So much life when you look so close. The fresh Sea air...Just makes your body feel at ease, free of any worries.

(My washing blowing happily on the line)

My lovely new book 'Down to the river up to the tree's' ....

We had a few trips the weekend before to Buckfast Abbey Gardens and to Trago Garden centre for a few things for the garden...

In my spare time (usually evenings) I've been making and creating...

LOTs of new illustrations 'to be' printed up for my Etsy shop (link in profile)...My last cake topper commission really inspired me. She has asked me to do more for another party so its a busy creative time at the moment...

I've had some lovely emails and messages via here and instagram about my father...

Thank you for thinking of him~ He has an operation Weds...then more treatments. He's feeling like a yo-yo all the 'backwards and forwards motion' of hospital treatments. So he's quite fed up and run down. Trying to keep the positivity going and telling him he's doing so well...but he's finding it all so much. Its hard for me being so far away...My twin sister hopes to get up there these next few weeks. I hope to do a Spring- Summer trip. 

Its getting late and I better look through the cupboards to find some food for tea.

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Making creative time in February...

Snow, sleet, rain, wind...hale storms and Sunshine!...What lovely weather we've been having here in Devon.

Now the new routines of work and school life have got into a steady pattern and February is finally here I feel I have a few more spare hours here and there (mainly evenings) to create...

I have enjoyed learning my new craft of embroidery/stitching. I looked on Pinterest at some of my boards of 'Handmade' for inspiration. I follow some amazing embroiders on instagram as well that really have made me want to try something completely new.  I had a lovely trip to our big store of Hobbycraft in the city and decided to buy some threads and embroiders hoops...I do find myself in a bit of a daze walking around in the crafter's paradise. So many new exciting crafts, art supplies and making bits and pieces. So many threads to choose from. But I went with a plan in my head of mainly foliage green colours to embroider a wreath type design. And red threads for berries.

 While the sleet and wind blew around the cottage I was snug with my hoop and threads. I mainly made it up as I went along...I drew shapes of fern and berries as a bit of a guideline but mainly free flowing. Obviously it was a bit of a test run and as I learn new techniques I will be able to perfect it a bit better. I've also had a commission for cake toppers for a little girls birthday...So I've been using my water colours and inky pens to create some design ideas of little girls in party dresses with bunting and flowers.

(Plymouth herald, itv.com/news, bbc news online images via google of Dartmoor) Above.

Those last weeks of January we saw snow in Devon. Our little town sparkled with snow flakes. And up high on Dartmoor it snowed quite heavy...From our bedroom window it looks towards the moor land and it was beautiful to see the snow on the hill tops. Quite magical really!. But boy' does the snow cause wide spread disruption when it falls...We never seem to learn or be prepared!. On Bodmin Moor Cornwall, not far from us the snow came quick and heavy and it made the main news feeds...Cars abandoned on the sides of roads and people seeking over night shelter in local pubs and Schools.

Quite a contrast to the previous Weekend where we were in blazing sunshine on the Beach at Salcombe.

Watching the waves roll in....

We had a few trips to the coast during January. Salcombe in the South Hams which is lovely out of season and to have the beach almost to ourselves was bliss!. I love watching the waves and breathing in that fresh sea air!. Always does me the world of good. If I am ever feeling blue or anxious we drive to the coast. Its my 'get well sea tonic'. We have been to Slapton sands, Torquay and on the Dartmoor National Park for beautiful frosty, Country walks...  I know a lot of people find January a long, bleak month. But actually I find it my wined down time...The hustle and bustle of Christmas and New year is put to bed and things return to a more steady pace. As you know from previous posts the on going cancer treatments with my dad have had a knock on affect for all the family. His treatments, the worry every time I hear my phone ring out.  On  a more positive note He has been feeling more energetic and walking around (even to the shops and cafes). The scans last week revealed some worrying signs of re-growths of tumours. I know dads worried about it. We all are, But he's coping so amazingly well.  Steve's mother has had some serious falls lately and now we are concerned about her health too. So its been a bit of a 'pickle' for health issues... My garden looks so worse for wear~ everything needs a good sort out. Its these next few months i enjoy most about the garden though. The seed planning. The new shoots. The garden coming back to life after a Winter's sleep...

I have already seen the snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and blossom start to bloom....

'Flowers, flowers in the home...

bring me joy and company when I am alone.

Pretty heads and blooming faces...

Give me light and keep me bright.

Keep shining on me...keep lifting me up!

While I sit here drinking from my pretty cup'...

By Kazzy...I often write little bits of poetry ~ nothing serious or worthy of credit, but little thoughts and feelings that inspire me...I thought i'd share this one.

(Dartmoor and the Dartmoor ponies before the snow)

Stay warm dear blogging friends...I'm looking forward to catching up on your blogs now.

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