I'm savouring in-between time right now. I feel like these ferns that are sucking every drop of moisture from cracks in this wall. Finally getting back into making, squeezing five minutes here and five minutes there, in-between this and that and it seems to suit me just fine at the moment.
The incessant rain has subsided, now we soak up every last ray when the sun appears. Gracie even had a full day of it on Saturday when she went riding, more pleasant than the downpours she's experienced for the last few weeks, which of course didn't put her off.
Turns out our village has a huge fair each year; bands and beers, antiques, art and lots of food – we had a fantastic time but I have no decent piccies to show. Here's a funny video about the day that I found, it gives a tiny glimpse. The rain poured in the morning during set-up then it was sunny and warm for most of the day, perfect.
At the fair we got a big bag of roving from sheep and alpacas up the road (bought from the farmers, not the sheep and alpacas :) It was a great opportunity to introduce Fi to needle felting, she's making a sweet sparrow.
The rain hasn't stopped me and Pippi getting outside everyday, if it had we'd have missed so much.
Like the way dandelions are transformed by water...
and the way this old apple orchard is taking it's sweet time coming into bloom.
And I'd also have missed out on picking up these fallen larch branches, I love their flower-like cones. I used a little in-between time to circle them up and put them on the wall.
Gracie, lovely pony April and, Cath her instructor (an amazing horse whisperer)
Spare moments have also led back to a long neglected dolly, her face is coming together every time I steal 5 minutes. She's a surprise for a special little person.
Other stuff. I finished The Life of Pi the other day (again chosen from the Oxfam bookshop, and again a title I wouldn't normally choose). It was a good read, it ambled along nicely yet it's chock-full of philosophy to ponder. It was more than good really, I loved it.
Also, our new little garden has been receiving some much needed TLC, mostly in the way of clearing out dead stuff, harvesting the abundant ground elder and mowing the weeds. I spent at least an hour sawing down ivy that was wriggling it's way under the felt on the shed roof and I used muscles I haven't used for years – ouch. BTW, if you pull yourself up on to a roof with ivy, then cut down the ivy, make sure there's another way of getting back down ;)
We're starting to uncover a sweet space with some wonderful flowers, old roses, lovely bay and more surprises popping up everyday. We just have to find the right place for our bird feeders and the space will feel more like home.
I'm also learning about lots of great activities in the area. I want to take the sourdough bread making workshop, join the Pilates class, the sewing group, the creative writing group, the weekly art workshop... not sure if I have enough in-between time for everything on offer, maybe just one thing.
I hope you're stealing in-between moments for yourself, if so what are you doing with them?
Jx




