I'm Happy Little Bunny

Before I begin I just want to say, thank you so much to all the lovely ladies who left a comment or sent emails on my last post.  The things that you said really touched me and I greatly appreciated it.

Now, aren't I quite the naughty one! 

 I have just returned to blogging after months of a break and what do I do? 

Only go and disappear again for a few weeks. 

Initially it was because I was getting warning signs that the stress from the previous months was coming back to bite me on the bum.  

First my sleeping pattern was disturbed and then my pain levels rose.

But I didn't push things.

I took things easy and rested when I could.

I understood that my body was struggling to deal with all the pressure that I had put it under.

I'm not saying that I'm pain free or anything now but I definitely more relaxed and sleeping better.

I also was having problems remembering words, which happens sometimes when I'm overtired, making very hard to put a sentence to together.

If I had written a blog post it probably be total gobble-dee-gook.

A couple of things really helped with my recovery. 

The first is the unbelievable span of great weather we've been having here in Ireland.

Every day we've been getting out for walks straight after school.

Down to the canal we go so that the dogs, especially Molly, can go for a swim.

She gets in the water as soon as she sees it and swims along the bank as we walk. Only occasionally stopping and refusing to go on until my son throws a stick out to the water for her to retrieve.

Mad thing is she won't even play fetch on land!!

Another thing that has cheered me up greatly is that we have finally finished my studio, otherwise known as Benny in this family. 

Benny is a gutted and refurbished mobile home that we turned into a studio for me and a playroom for the kids.

The kids up one end and my work space down the other.  

Thing is that the kids toys seem to somehow hover very slowly over to my side of Benny 'all on their own', according to my kids!

My Hubby got the stove set up and the chimney built.

It looks so cute when it's lit.

No pictures yet though because I want to add some more homemade bits and pieces around the place and work there for a while before I can find everythings own 'right place'.

I'll post some little sneak peaks as I get things finished.

I have also managed to get a few little crafty bits and pieces done over the last few weeks but i'm going to wait until the next post to share them with you. 

Must go now and head off for our daily walk.

I hope to chat to you all soon in blogland.

Rosie xx

A Pause For Breath

Last time that I posted was in January (I can hardly believe that it's been so long) and I sad that my New Years resolution was to get out and about more and get as much as possible out of every day.

Well I sure have been doing just that!  And that is what's been keeping me from my beloved blog.  I have been out walking as often as possible with little ol' Molly but always along the same stretch of canal. And as the weather was bleak a lot of the time, I wasn't at all inspired to take pictures and I was sure that you did not want to see a constant repetition of a grey dull canal walk.

Thankfully we have been getting much better weather lately and I did take a few piccies on my last outing.  The picture above is of a silver birch.  Unfortunately you can't see the striking metalic looking bark on the above photo but still I love the contrast of the tree against such a stunning blue sky.

In this photo I adore how the sky and bridge was reflected perfectly on the canal.  Here the canal a  looks a rich sapphire blue.  Natures inspirations.

I have also been spending a lot of time working on the studio in the garden.  often with the help of some little hands.  I did take some photos today of it but they turned out horribly and so now I think that I'll wait until it's all finished to show you.  I'm really pleased with how it has turned out so far and I can't wait to get settled in there.  We were in and all ready to go when I realised that there was on oil spill on my work bench.  It all had to be sanded down and now it just needs to be painted. But to be honest, I don't mind so much as I've really enjoyed the decorating aspect of getting into the studio because here is where I have been able to put my stamp on it.

Pardon the poor photos here but I took them on one of the more wintry mornings.  I've been working slowly on a new blanket for the studio.  I wanted to go for a vintage selection of colours which sadly the real colours can't be seen here. I've used a lot of Kerry Woollen Mills aran yarn which I've had lying around for a long time while I looked for it's perfect project.  I'm really happy now where it has ended up.  The squares are a delight to work and only take a few minutes from start to finish.  Hopefully the next time I get some pictures from it the light will be much better.

With the spring beginning to appear here in Ireland.  I feel like I have more energy and want to get out into the garden and slowly tidy it after the winter.  Already I can see new growth appearing.  So when I'm finished in the studio that will be my next big task.

I'm also hoping that when I'm in and settled in the studio that I will be able to get more sewing, knitting and crochet done in my own little space.  at the moment there is no room for anything and so my stuff is just stacked up in the corner looking messy.  It takes me ages to find anything and that is really putting me off doing any real work. So fingers crossed when all is sorted out I'll have a lot more crafty stuff to post about and not just pictures of the canal again!!!!

Heading off for now.  Slowly trying to catch up on some of your wonderful blogs.

Chat soon,
Rosie xx