the ewe experience 2013

One of our most favourite place in the world to visit is the Ewe experience, a sculpture garden in west Cork. It's becoming a summer tradition. Last year we went in the pouring rain, this year it was glorious and there were lots of new things to discover and enjoy. Joa was too little to remember any of it from before so it was all new to him. So special to watch the magic work through him seeing it all for the first time.

life is good

Life is good and lovely here.

There is a definite chill in the air in the mornings and evenings, summer is coming to an end. But what a glorious summer it has been.

I've been working in the garden a fair bit this weekend, tidying up and taming the somewhat unruly greenhouse.

beetroot, so beautiful

i'm really enjoying these tender, spicy salad leaves

the tomatoes are doing really well and are working away hard at ripening their fruit...this is them after I cut back loads of foliage!

all the little 'windfalls' I knocked off, waiting to ripen now on the window sill

no shortage of cucumbers

that I am starting to make into pickles

 We have also been starting to think about going back to school, gathering up uniforms and books,

 and a very first pencil case for a very excited boy :-)

 I just wanted to document this, that very occasionally  people do actually play with dolls in this house (very occasionally that is...so ironic!)

 Rebe made me another coffee cozy, upcycled from an old sweater.

We went to the beach yesterday and Rebe did a bit of nature crafting.

at first she made a boat out of feathers tied onto a twig with some tough grass, but this didn't float too well

I find that when we go to the beach or the woods with empty hands, not taking spades or kites or boats, the kids really invent some awesome games and make wonderful creations of their own. They just need a little time to be free and they find they have everything they need right there provided for them.

so she found a pointed stone and made an arrow instead

very kindly she gave it to Benny to hunt with

 Who knew how many birds and sabre toothed tigers and buffalo and warthog and deer lived on the beach

 They cooked all the meat over camp fires and even baked corn bread from mashed up grass seed. We ate like Kings!

 A certain little girl is turning 8 on Friday and asked me (over and over again) to make her a squirrel wearing a red knitted jumper.

 I finished him today. He is made of an upcycled wool jumper that I felted. He has button jointed limbs which can move. I covered his tail with a knitted 'sock' using some fabby orange boucle yarn.

He has a soft red wool jumper that closes at the back of the neck with a wee hedgehog button. I hope she'll like him!!

holiday home days

The holidays are slipping by faster than I always think they will. We have spent lots of time at home the last week or so with a sprinkling of visits to the shop or the beach. We have had lots of visitors though which has been lovely. The weather is pretty changeable so we have had lots of indoor play (while I have been doing lots of knitting and reading and a little birthday crafting). Here are a few moments from the week: 

Rebe is (I think) a kangaroo carrying this explorer in the sling

Joa's never ending love of dogs

 3 of his dogs (called dogger, seven and Katie) eating yoghurt under the table

Rebe bought herself this dog with her pocket money from the charity shop and made him this harness and lead.

I spent a lovey evening updating my endo-something book

This morning the window cleaner came, this is pretty much a bi-annual highlight for the kids who follow him all over the house supervising (and undoing) a lot of his work. He's lovely though, very tolerant and didn't mind having jokes fired at him from Rebe's Ha Ha Bonk Book while he was high up a ladder.

Benny helped him and was even allowed to borrow some window cleaning equipment

the shed has been converted to a 'Tiger Club' club house

I managed to set the castle up again..I don't think I swore once even though we've lost the instructions

we've all been reading lots too

So all is good and peaceful here Under Rainbows, hope it is good for you too!

It's been a year

Today the kids and I went to Manch to attend a basket making course. I went last year, one of the highlights of my year, and made my much used and loved farmer's market basket. Karen, the tutor, was happy for me to bring the kids along and she even provided a babysitter in terms of her teenage daughter. It was a wonderful day, we were there for 7 hours and I had to drag the kids away from it. It is a place of fresh air, peace, excitement and adventure. Pure imagination fuel. I have pictures of today, but I really want to write about something else....

Karen brought craft things and crayons for the kids

they went pond dipping

shared picnic lunch

the classroom

cob oven

the air is so clean here everything is covered with lichen

entrance to the walled garden

apples ripening in the orchard

willow tunnel

hide in the apple orchard

pond

rebe made this sweet crown for one of the ladies there whose birthday it was

boat play

our finished creations: my basket, Benny decorated a ready made base, Rebe's 'fish' plate

It's been a year.

It's been a year since I told Andy I wanted to separate from him.

It's been a year since my dear friend Lucy drove a 4 hour round trip to come and get us and take us to her house.

It's been a year since I got a phone call, late at night, from the police.

It's been a year since I started using the mantra 'Just breathe' to get through each moment.

It's been a year since I had to find a way to tell the kids that 'Daddy's feelings have gotten all muddled, they are so muddled that he's not okay anymore'.

It's been a year since my mum got on the first flight she could to come and be with me when I got home.

It's been a year since I have started really listening to my inner voice. Since I have learnt to trust my intuition and deeply know that 'the Universe has my back'.

In this year I have learnt to be a single parent.

I have done every bedtime, every school run, every breakfast.

I have made all decisions about my life alone.

I have learnt how to ask for support when and where I needed it.

I have had so much help, from friends and family, from my wonderful counselor. I have been supported by my neighbours and people I don't even really know. 

I have received the biggest gifts of my life this year and I have learnt so much. 

Learning to know myself, learning to meditate, learning to listen to my inner source and to believe in myself.

I have found my way back to my true self. She who is strong. She who is vulnerable. She who is calm. She who can make choices. She who is vegetarian. She who can have fun. She who gets tired. She who holds no resentment or ill will for anyone. She who is a mother, and a friend, and a woman and a human all at the same time. She who is creative. She who is inventive. She who is sexy. She who is beautiful. She who can grow things in the garden. She who can nourish herself and her children. She who is healthy. She who is.

And life is good. Truly and deeply good. I am asking for what I truly want and I am receiving it. What is meant for me is finding me and it is such an exciting place and time to be alive. And that is how I truly feel. Alive.

I am thankful for this year. The pain I have learnt and grown from, the friendships and love that have carried and supported me. The path that is so brilliantly lit ahead of me.

I know this next while is going to be equally as full of challenges and joys. But I welcome it with an open mind and an open heart.

It's been a year and what a year it has been.