MY MUM

It is two years today since we lost our beautiful Mum

IM SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS THIS YEAR

I see the countless Christmas trees

around the world below

with tiny lights, like heaven's stars,

reflecting in the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,

please wipe away that tear.

For im spending Christmas

with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs

that people hold so dear.

But the sounds of music can't compare

with the Christmas choir up here.

For i have no words to tell you

the joy their voices bring,

for it is beyond description

to hear an angel sing.

I can't tell you of the splendor,

or the peace here in this place.

Can you just imagine Christmas

with our saviour, face to face.

I'll ask him to light your spirit,

as i tell him of your love.

So then, pray for one another

as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful,

and let your spirit sing.

For i'm spending Christmas in heaven,

and i'm walking with the king!

by Wanda Bencke



Not a single day or minute goes by where we do not think of you. We miss & love you so much. Godbless you Mum xxx

Some Hedgie Info & Pics I Would Like to Share With You All!

Hello my lovelies! i just wanted to share some information to all of you caring folk out there who have been emailing me about the hedgies. A lot of you want to know why they have not hybernated yet so thought i would fill you in on what i know.

Usually Hedgehogs hybernate between Nov/Dec to Mar/Apr. A lot depends on how cold the winter months are as to how long they are around for. The only reason they hybernate is to survive the winter as food is so scarce for them at these times. When the little guys go into hybernation mode their metobolic rate drops dramatically so they burn much less fat. This is why hedgies need to store up as much fat during the summer/autumn months as without it they will not live through winter (this is why so many do not wake up and die in their nests).

Very often the hedgies wake from their hybernation several times, especially if food is available to them (like in my garden!) and often they have more than one nest (some have up to 12!!!) which they may move to especially if their current one is under threat from preditors or the elements (not enough insulation due to the weather etc).

So now you all know why i leave food out every night of the year come hail or storm. Infact it is encouraged even during hybernation. Cat food (meat and biscuits) is the best things that humans can put down for them but usually suggested is chicken flavoured only for their digestion.

If anyone would like more info please do not be scared to ask as i love these creatures so much and would encourage anyone to do their bit to help our little endangered friends. I have added this link to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society which makes great reading with loads of facts including encouraging them into our gardens.

TAKEN BEHIND THE CONSERVATORY DOOR DURING THE FIRST HEDGIE SIGHTINGS OF 2010

Thankyou for dropping in guys. Take care and keep warm in UK and cool in OZ!!!.

Love Clare xxx

WANT TO SHARE SOME PICS!!!

Just wanting to share pics from the past week in the UK. This is mainly to benefit my Aussie mates who do not get to see snow. I am sure all of my mates in the UK are well over snow pics by now!!!.

 SOME PICS I TOOK ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

 THURSDAY

 YEP, THAT'S COLD!

 LOOK AT THE BIRD BATH!!!

 MANAGED TO CLEAR SOME SNOW SO THE POOR BIRDS COULD EAT

 THE HEDGEHOG CABINS RESEMBLING IGLOO'S!!!

 ALL THE PROOF I NEED TO KNOW THAT I HAVE HEDGIES IN THE CABIN'S

LOOK HOW CUTE THOSE TINY LITTLE HEDGEHOG HOOF PRINTS ARE!

The snow was really handy as i now know that there are definitely hedgehogs in the two cabins. I saw all little tiny tracks leading from cabin to the food i put down every night by the conservatory doors. I could also actually see where they had burrowed out of the snow from the cabin's. The fox is also still around as i found his/her tracks and the food has always gone by morning.

Today we have had really heavy rain and the snow has completely gone now.

It was definitely beautiful while it lasted!!!.

Hope everyone is safe and well. Will be back again soon.

Big hugs Clare xxx

UPDATES!!!! Coffee morning, thankyou's, health, pics..............

I have decided my New Year Resolution is to stop being a God awful blogger!!!.

I can't believe how quickly the weeks are going by and just how busy my life has been.

I am feelin a lot more recovered from my hospital visit although it has taken a good few weeks. Off to see a specialist in a couple of weeks. Good news when i saw my Rheumatologist is that i am set for a new drug trial. I will have to spend the day in hospital one day a month to have infusions but if it is going to work it will be well worth it. I know there is no cure but to help slow it down and help with the pain will be good if it works, plus it will mean coming off the steroids. Will update you in the forthcoming weeks.

So Saturday we had the big weekend for me and Wendy with our St.Wilfred's coffee morning. I am so so happy to announce that it was a huge success and although the end figures are yet to be announced we reckon we had made near on £500! not bad for a 2 hour coffee morning hey!. Here are some pics of my table and some random shots. Bear in mind this is before everyone arrived!!!.

I would like to say a big big thankyou to all of the kind girls who have donated cards. I do hope i do not leave anyone out of my list, here goes;

Teri

Helen

Sally

Deb

Belinda

Mel
Claire
Brenda

I would also like to say a big thankyou to my lovely friend Keryn who is a constant support to me and always there for me to bend her ear and ask her advice, not only on crafty issues!!!.

I would also like to add some pics of some other sights from Saturday which really shows that winter is definitely here!.

The weather is still really bad here in the South East and not sure when it is due to improve. Hope all of my Aussie friends enjoy the pics!!!.

I am taking a well earned rest at the moment but already i am starting to get twitchy and wanting to create. I am so over doing Christmas stuff though!!!. Maybe i need to start using some stamps and bits that i have not used yet.

I promise that i will let you know when the figures are announced for the coffee morning and will stop neglecting my blog in future, afterall i have missed everyone big time.

Big love and hugs Clare xxx