And So It Was

Chapter One

So this is how it happened...

I was shopping in Morrisons

and bought a new card-making magazine that I've never read before

(as one does...)

And in it was a little booklet called 'Best of British'.

And in it was an advert for a card making shop called Dollycottage Crafts,

which is in Chesterfield (and yet, I've never heard of it...)

And so I found their website.

And on it was an advert for a card making demo.

I rang up and booked myself in.

And on Tuesday night I trolleyed along.

And stumbled into paradise.

It's run by a wonderful woman called Sue.

I had a mosey round the shop

And then went into the class.

Sue demonstrated how to make some cards using Nellie Snellen punches.

She also demonstrated the Sizzix machine. I want one.

I was quite overwhelmed after the demo, and didn't really know where to start.

It was a bit like going straight from a GCSE into Uni!

I was sitting next to a lovely woman, who worked with me,

and we made the cards step-by-step together.

I was very nervous of using the Sizzix machine, but soon got to grips with it.

I loved the punches. One punches out the flower petals, and its partner embosses it.

There are punches for stamens and leaves, too.

Fabulous punches. I can't recommend them enough.

I made this:

and was thrilled with it.

I can't wait to go again.

I learned so much.

Chapter Two

We had our Bible Study last night. It was really good, and there were four new people there. I finally plucked up the courage to take my cards along. I had asked our group leader (who is also an elder at the church) last time we met, if I could sell my cards in the coffee shop in aid of Pastor Abraham's work in India. To see how this came about, please read here (especially Margaret, please!)
I was so nervous about presenting the cards, and asked him not to look while I was still there, but his wife picked the file up and said the cards were lovely, and before I knew it everyone was looking and asking me how I made them. They loved the decoupage and the shaker cards. I can't believe it. Richard is taking the file to the next leader's meeting to present the idea to them. I can only leave it in the Lord's hands. I'll keep you posted.

He Is Risen!

It's all happening here. This is the best Easter I've known in years, more exciting than Christmas. A wonderful blog has really inspired me this year, see what Floss has written here
Church was fantastic this morning, and packed to the rafters. A chap called Matt got baptized. He spoke very well about why he felt his life would be better if he told Jesus he had reached rock bottom and was willing to let Jesus take over the reins. The preaching was spot on, too, obviously about the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive for evermore. How amazing is that, really? I have been a Christian for 25 years, and have never doubted once that Jesus is alive. Before I became a Christian, (I was 17) I used to have terrible panic attacks about dying. Mum said she could hear me crying in bed at night, and didn't know what to do, or how to comfort me. It was in the '80's and nuclear war was still a big threat, much more than it is now. After I gave my life over to Jesus, I was invited to a Bible Study group, and they were looking at the whole concept of heaven. I can remember praying with them and never having a panic attack again.
About four years ago, I still had my old pony, Crispin. I can remember riding around a place called Lindrick, still my all-time favourite place to ride. It was summer, the poppies were startling against the wheat, the birds were singing, I was on my favourite horse, strolling along. I thought, 'This is stunning.' The Lord said, "Heaven is more beautiful than this." I began to cry, and bawled most of the way home. Crispin just rolled his eyes, 'she's off again.'
So yes, death has lost its sting, and all because Jesus died on the cross for me. What an honour, what a privilege.
Finally, our Lenten fast is over, and I am scoffing quite a bit of chocolate. Missis bought us an Easter egg as well, so we have quite a bit to get through. It is a challenge I am prepared to accept wholeheartedly.

We drove to a couple of different tack shops yesterday, to put the advert up and also look for green jods, of which there were none, unless I want to pay ninety pounds (for a pair of jods, for goodness sake!)
I forgot to take my phone with me, but when we came back I found it and it rang in my hand. A woman has seen the advert in Parklands and asked me loads of questions and has arranged to come and see Max tomorrow. Then today another woman has rung and asked if she could come and see him this afternoon. I was tempted to say yes, but I must give the first woman the chance to see him first. They are both women with daughters who ride, and they think Max sounds suitable, so we'll see. I'll have to ride him up the road to the manege, so they can see he's sound in traffic, ride him in the school for a bit, then let them have a go, and canter him on the verge on the way home, so they can see he pulls up well and doesn't try to tank off with me. I just hope he doesn't spook at anything on the way there. Mr O has ridden him today, and he was very silly, but Mr O is obviously stronger than me, and kept his leg on and made him behave himself.
Max knows something is going on. I have to say, I have quite a peace about selling him now, and don't have a massive urge to ride him any more. It's very strange, I thought he would be mine for ever. I've got to admit, though, I felt physically sick after these phone conversations. I have had Max for such a long time, I never thought I'd have to tell a prospective buyer about him. As I described him on the phone, I thought, 'He sounds lovely, why on earth are you selling him?' But I know I'm doing the right thing.
Barnaby knows the situation is changing, too. I have explained to Mr O that I want to ride him a lot on my own, and really get to know him before I ride him out with someone else, so I rode him yesterday. He seemed to say, 'Right, if you're going to be riding me a lot, you need to know that this is how it's going to be,' and off we went. It was a fabulous ride, but he needs to know he can go more slowly. He will get the hang of it, though. He looks at the odd thing, but doesn't spook at anything.
When I am at my happiest out riding, I have been known to burst into song. Max usually walks faster, trying to get away from the hideous noise. Barnaby seemed to know I was singing about him, and let me trill along harmlessly. I either sing, "O'er the hills and o'er the vales, in Flanders, Portugal and Spain, the King commmands and we obey, over the hills and far away...' but yesterday it was my favourite song. Do you know it, or maybe remember it from school?

When a knight won his spurs in the stories of old

He was gentle and brave, he was gallant and bold

With a shield on his arm, and a lance in his hand

For God and for valour, he rode through the land.

I hope you've all had a wonderful, blessed Easter and feel rested and refreshed.

Birds of a Feather

It's funny, you know, but before Christmas I really felt a word from the Lord. Not one of those earth shattering ones that you know you will have to stand up and say in church, but a quiet whisper, a hint, a clue, just for me. I felt the Lord say that this winter wouldn't be all about horses, and that I would need something else to do. And not something that required tonnes of commitment (like a college course) but things I can pick up and put down at will, without affecting anyone else.
So I think it was an instinctive response to that, that made me look into all this cross stitch and card making, not to mention blogging. And then, as you know, it began to snow, and I've hardly ridden since. To be honest, if I'd known, I wouldn't have bothered clipping Max and when the farrier came he could have taken Max's shoes off, and I'd have roughed him off for the winter. Never mind.
Maybe it's just part of learning how to live in the country. I need something to pick up and put down at will because I go out in the morning to turn out and muck out, go out again at twelve to get the horses in, and go out again at three to put night haynets up and feed round. I do go out again at six or seven, just to check everyone's okay. So something like cross stitch is ideal, although I then have to learn not to treat my proper job as an interruption to the things that were only meant as distractions in the first place!
By which I mean, that I am enjoying the cross stitch so much I don't want other things to get in the way. I finished another one yesterday, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was by far the hardest one I've done so far, quite a challenge. When you look at it you'll wonder why, because it's such a simple picture, but the back stitch was so hard. It's the first time I've done back stitch that didn't go from square to square, but halfway up the square. I'd decided these first few projects would be for training purposes, but as I've worked on them I've got quite attached to them and don't want them to go wrong and be ruined. Anyway, here is the finished product, and I can honestly say that I learned a lot this time.

My next project is a little bear with a love heart, but I may use it as a Valentine card for Mr O, so I'll have to work on it while he's at work, and just read and blog in the evenings, as I don't want him to see it, do I?

One of my other challenges was to photograph the robins that come to the bird table, and I'm pleased to say, here is at least one of them. I put it off because I don't think sitting outside in the snow waiting for an opportune moment is going to work. Mr O took a few through the kitchen window that came out fine, so I had a go today, and this is what I got:

Cute little fellow, isn't he, in his red waistcoat?

I have noticed daddy blackbird has arrived at the bird table, obviously trying to find out why BFMB is spending so much time here when she should be at home ironing. He obviously thought he'd stumbled on an 'all-you-can-eat' table and started tucking in. There must be ten birds dipping in and out at the moment. I don't mind, everyone is welcome.

We drove to Stable Mates. There is snow everywhere, and it's hard to see where road ends and pavement begins. You can't see the road markings either, which makes it feel a bit surreal. I bought myself a pair of the SSL boots that Mr O bought last week. I have worn them today, and they are amazing. I wasn't sure what to make of them, because they feel like smooth polystyrene (like styrofoam cups!) but I only had one pair of socks on and my feet were really warm. They are for riding in, too, so I'll give them a go, as I get cramp in the winter when I ride. I am usually ok on the ground, but in the saddle, as the cold air can flow round my whole foot, terrible cramp sets in.

We went to Tesco as well (needs must, n' all that). Everyone was in wellies. It was like being in Canada. I don't know if that's what influenced me, but I ended up buying huge Scotch pancakes, cream and maple syrup, which we had for supper. The maple syrup was gorgous - I've never had it before, but will certainly have it again.

We were late getting up this morning and hadn't finished doing everything before it was time to get ready for church, but Missis said she would finish off, so we could go, which is fantastic. The beds were done, and so were the haynets, so she only had to do waters, but as it turns out she brought the horses in at twelve as well, which is a real blessing.

We set off, and the snow was scudding across the road, making it very slippery. It was like someone squirting water from a hose at the car. It's getting a bit 'Arctic-like' for me.

The service was wonderful. I'm still not well, so I decided not to stand up, but just to sit down and enjoy it. We are very blessed with good musicians, and the worship was excellent today. Jim McGlade is our pastor. I love listening to him, firstly because he was born in Belfast, lived for many years in Canada, then spent several years in Dublin before coming to England. I've been trying to work his accent out, and I guess the nearest voice would be Liam Neeson. It's like having Aslan explaining things to you! The second reason, is obviously that his preaching and teaching is excellent. Both last week and this week he's said things that have applied to us. Sometimes after a service I'd like to go into a little room and spend some time really thinking about what's been said, not just rush home and carry on with life. I might spend my Monday quiet time on that.

And Mr O has spent the entire afternoon watching the most dreadful films he could possibly find. One was 'The Mouse That Roared' with Peter Sellers in it (can't criticize a man from Portsmouth, can I? My aunt used to be his cleaner!) and now we have 'Monte Carlo or Bust' with a very young Susan Hampshire (and Tony Curtis et al). These are just the sort of films I can't abide, but listening to the variety of accents is fun. I am amazed that there are so many television channels, and this is the best he can find. Tessa is curled up next to him, in total agreement with his choices. She likes something interesting to sleep through.

Afternoon Tea

Things are slightly different here on Sundays. Well they are on a normal Sunday anyway, like today. There is no such thing as a lay-in now that the horses are in at night. They expect their breakfast at 7.30am, no matter what, but usually it's Mr O that does it at the weekend, so I get a few more minutes in bed, but Barnaby is soon ready to go out, and this morning was no exception, especially after hunting yesterday. He was still hunting this morning, marching constantly up and down, and staring into the distance, rather than going straight to the haylage.
Then it's 'all hands on deck' to get the mucking-out done, and the hay nets finished, then we get changed and leave for church.
It was beautiful today, especially as it's Remembrance Sunday. A guy called Patrick spoke very well. He is in the TA, with a lot of friends serving in Afghanistan at the moment, and you could see he struggled to keep his emotions in check. We had the two minute silence, a short moment to ponder our gratitude to God that we live in a country where we are still free to come together in church to worship Him, thanks to some phenomenally brave men and women who gave (and are still giving) their lives in service to their country. We will remember them.
I decided to ride Max with Mr O riding Zak, and Missis came too. Zak has had a tendon injury, but is now well enough to be walked out. I walk him in hand during the week, but Mr O is riding him at the weekend, and Zak is getting stronger and stronger. The urge to trot is incredibly strong, but we must resist and be patient. It will be worth it in the end. Missis looked down from on high (well, on Lindy, anyway) and noticed Max and suddenly said, "Well, you're looking rather pretty, aren't you?" and I realised that Max was on the bit, and looking rather stunning, doing his 'I was a Lipizzaner in a former life' impression! I was so thrilled I am surprised I didn't get a headache from my head swelling underneath my hat!
I baked some chocolate cakes this afternoon. They have golden syrup in and are absolutely gorgous, light as a feather, but slightly sticky on the inside. I used the muffin cases, and really filled them, so they were nice and big. I have had a big baking project over the summer, and, though I say it myself, my cakes have got better and better. Baking has never been my forte, but now I bake all my own bread, cakes and biscuits.
You can tell it's winter, as the ritual of afternoon tea has begun again. For some reason, when it's cold at the weekend, we love to sit in front of the fire, possibly with a good film on, or the racing if it's a Saturday, with a pot of tea each (Mr O likes Earl Grey) and either cakes or crumpets or even toast with jam. I have a beautiful three tiered cake stand, cream coloured from Laura Ashley, a present from Lorayne, or if I make a big sponge cake, I have a glass cake stand. Mr Tumnus would feel very at home.