Thanks for dropping in and thanks for the kind messgages that I've had over the last couple of days asking if things are OK. They are, and I hadn't meant to be away for so long. I had intended to pop my blogging head on again the day the children went back to school but when I looked I couldn't find it! I suppose it's a little to do with getting out of practice but there is also the fact that my head feels stuffed full of thoughts about so many different things right now. The Easter holidays were quite difficult and a couple of different things happened which were unsettling and upsetting. When things are complicated I try to seek out ways to simplify our life here and I'm making lists and jottings in an attempt to order my thoughts, hopefully that will help me feel normal again soon!
I did have a few laughs when I discovered a brilliant blog written by the dad of an autistic boy. He wrote a wonderfully funny piece for the BBC website about the dreaded school holidays which I completely identify with, it's a good read if you have time. I also read a fair bit of his blog My Son's not Rainman over the Easter break and it helped me hang on to my sense of humour which was in danger of becoming a bit threadbare.
It is good to be back in term time again and have a little time for peace and quiet. I am currently enjoying pondering plans for this basket of
recently acquired malabrigo. I'm also busy making
hedgehogs for the next class I'm doing at the Creative Sanctuary in May. There
are a couple of spaces left if anyone is interested in coming along,
booking details are here.
It's nice to have some warmer weather at last too, happily Spring now seems to have properly arrived and over last weekend Toby was joyfully reacquainted with bubbly bouncing time on the trampoline! There are blackbirds nesting in the clematis outside the back door and the bluetits are checking out the bird box on the plum tree. Luckily neither of them seem disturbed by the work going ahead in the garden. H has worked like a horse over the Easter break carting barrowloads of our old patio away and taking down the shed.
There is now a flat space ready for the garden room though first the herb wall needs to be finished and the fences replaced. It's coming along though and Toby is coping suprisingly well with the changes. I think it helps that he loves his new swing chair and I feel better at the loss of the climbing frame when I see him spinning and rocking and squealing with delight!
Well, it's nice to be here again and I'm looking forward to catching up with what everyone has been up to but for now I'm off to do some more thinking and list writing. Will be back soon, hopefully with a clearer head!
little cotton rabbits 
Welcome back. Hope the first signs of spring sunshine help. I like lists too. How else does the world turn? There must be a list. Xx
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That chair is gorgeous. No wonder he loves it. I bet he feels weightless.
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Not much to say other than ((((HUG))))
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Sorry to hear that you had a difficult holiday period. I do hope that now school is back in full swing that you have some nice, relaxing and gentle time for yourself. Perhaps some crocheting in the sunshine with a nice a cup of tea 🙂
SmallP
x
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Really nice to see your ‘back to blogging’. I can totally recommend a list, often it feels better when it’s all on paper. Sarah
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Lovely to have you back again Julie and glad that you have settled into your term time again. You make those lists nothing like making a list to get the head cleared.
Sorry Easter time was difficult but it’s behind you now and you have that lovely garden room to look forward to. Toby certainly seems to be enjoying his chair.
What a delicious basket of yarn too, I would keep breathing that in too until you decide what to make with it.
Wishing you a sunny, trampolining weekend,
V xxx
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so glad you are back it’s lovely to share a bit of what’s going on in your life. I love lists but seem to mislay them and have to start again x
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It’s lovely to have you back.
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Hello Julie, its lovely to see you back x
I hope your head fog clears soon, hopefully some beautiful sunshine will chase it away.
Gosh H has been VERY busy …. its going to be fab, what a hero he is. Such beautiful photos of Toby, his face full of joy.
wishing you all a calm, sunny and happy weekend.
love jooles xxx
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Dear Julie! Welcome back, we’ve missed you but I assumed you must be having a difficult Easter break. The miserable weather hasn’t been a help and there are clearly a lot of changes going on, but hopefully things will start to improve now. Toby’s new swing looks fab and he looks quite pleased with himself in it. Do you sneak a go when he’s at school? 😃Xx
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Even when you are not here we are thinking of you and wishing you peaceful moments.
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Such joy in his face. He is growing like a weed. That is a neat chair. Hopefully things will calm down for you now.
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Hi Sweet Julie, Lovely to read your post today and to hear you are well and making your lists. I’m a list person too, really helps to organize the head!
Loving your yarn and can only imagine the beauty you will do with it. Toby looks in heaven on his new swing, sure looks fun and comfy!
Hope you get some cosy time on the swing too.
Blessings to you, xoRobin
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Dear Julie…wish I could find the words…I just hope reading all the comments and knowing all the followers of your blog are enchanted by your work and think of you with admiration and affection will make you feel a little bit better.
Thank you for your lovely blog, a big hug from Italy,
barbara
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Dear Julie! So happy to see you again with your darling boy in his new swing–what a joy that is for him!!! Your yarn basket looks full of promise as well. Hoping with spring and the school term coming round, calm days will again be yours.Glad to see you here again! Wow, H does move quickly! Love to you all.
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sorry the holidays weren’t too good……..the seat looks great fun, ali
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Hi julie,
As everyone else has already said…lovely to see you back on form. The chair is great and doesn’t Toby look happy sitting in it !
Best wishes,
Carol .x
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Glad to read you are well. I think this incredibly long winter has taken its toll on many. Thank goodness it seems to be over at last.
Hope you have a good weekend. Keep smiling x
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THAT!!! Is a cool chair/swing/twirly!!! I think I need one! Have you had a chance to sit in it yet? You could sit in it and make your lists. I swear lists are the only thing that keep us sane sometimes. I’m glad Toby has been able to get outside again for some bubble jump time. I don’t know how you do it dear Julie when the weather doesn’t cooperate!
Your H is working quite voraciously isn’t he? He needs my boys! Stupid ocean………..
Give Toby’s cheeks a squeeze for me and a kiss on each one. Those last photos of him are precious. You can’t help but smile and feel his joy in the moment. What a beautiful beautiful boy!
So good to hear from you again Julie. I miss you when time lapses. I’ll go and read those other blog posts that you recommended in a bit. I’ve got to run off to the school to hear my daughter and her class play the ukulele. You know how those things go. They are all just learning so you sit and smile and think happy thoughts as your ears are trying to find a place to run and hide. 😀
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Iy’s good to know that you are all ok after your busy stressful Easter break. I know very well how hard it is to get back to blogging especially when your head is “busy”. Love that basket of wool and Toby’s swing seat……I could happily swing on it all day!!
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Good to have you back.
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Good to see you again and also to see the garden progressing!
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Just JOY on Toby’s face. Glad you’re back!
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I’m so happy you’re back. I have checked in every day for the past few years and get concerned when there’s no new post at least once a week. Hope everything continues to keep you in a positive frame of mind. I send you prayers and thoughts because I believe you are a very courageous individual with the hand you have been dealt.
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I’m so glad to see you again. You were on my mind. I’m sorry that your Easter and the school break were difficult. I hope you enjoy the quiet you can have now. That yarn is beautiful, I’m excited to see what you make! Toby looks so happy in his new swing, what a wonderful thing to have. I’m glad it helps him feel relaxed.
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Yay!! You’re back! 🙂 understand though. I have to agree about that yarn. Love the colors!
The swing looks fun!
Missed you!
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Hello, I came for the hedgehog pattern and stayed for the blog and am enjoying lots of entries. The BBC article was so well written, it leaves everything and nothing to the imagination!
from Catherine in Italy
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He looks so delighted with it! And I so wish I could come to the sanctuary. Will just have to imagine myself there.
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Hi Toby looks so happy .Nice to hear from you.Enjoy your Hedgehog class.
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Good to see you back And I hope you have better days a head. Your son looks happy in his new swing chair. I like lists as I’ve got a head like a sieve. So take it easy Julie look forward to seeing your summer house x
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Sorry to hear things have been hard Julie. Lovely smiley picture of Toby. Sending hugs!
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So sorry to hear how stressful life has been. I have a daughter with mild handicaps. She hates any tags in her clothes and everything has to be big and loose! Looks like you found Toby some new pajamas and he’s wearing them! Good job,mom!
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Faced with a problem I’m a list maker too. I hope your woes are soon behind you Julie. Toby certainly looks jolly happy on that swing seat.
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Nice to have you back – Toby’s chair looks FAB, and what a lovely smile to cheer up my boring old Monday morning at work! x
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It’s great to see you pop back in Julie — and with Toby this time! Looks like you’re making good progress on the garden. I followed your link and read a few of the posts. So interesting. I was touched by the story about having to tell TheBoy about the dog dying. So sweet that his thought was to be so concerned for the other dog. xo
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That yarn… and THAT chair…. and that smile!
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Thank you so much for the update, I think of you often. I hope spring is good for you, and I hope you enjoy the adjustments to your home. You are doing God’s work with Toby, and although it cannot be easy he looks so well-cared for and loved. And good for you for taking time for yourself with your lovely knitting, garden and the re-evaluations on how to keep life simple. I’m always inspired and amazed at what you create with needles and yarn.
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Hello again! What a fabulous infectious smile your Toby has and I love the swing chair…I could snuggle there for hours.
Nina x
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Looks like amazing progress is being made, it will be so wonderful. Toby looks so happy in the swing chair x
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Hello Julie, I am a very ordinary mum with three children and a very hectic life. Over the years, I have visited your blog just to catch up with your beautiful knitting (I used to knit years ago, but don’t anymore) and to offer some support, very silently I know, to your family life. It was strange that you had not updated your blog, but can understand that it is not always easy to do so. The pictures of Toby are lovely and those are the moments you have to cherish which I know you do. Keep smiling and keep blogging as we have missed you. Deborah xx
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Julie you are a beautiful person doing beyond your best with your beautiful family. Although I don’t always leave a comment I feel a strong kinmanship and wish I lived around the corner not around the globe!
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I am so sorry that the challenges you face every day are so draining. There is so much to be said for a real vacation. Everybody deserves a chance for refreshment, and good genuine rest. I hope you get such an opportunity.
On another note, please don’t think I haven’t signed up for your class out of lack of interest. There’s just this darned ocean in the way….
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Oh goodness! I love that swing chair. Look how happy Toby is on it. Sorry you had a hard school holiday but hope you’re back into routine now.
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Welcome back Julie…doesn’t Toby LOVE the new chair! Sorry you had a hard time at Easter. I really do think this long long winter drag has pulled everyone down…resilience levels are low! I’m sending you a mental picture of our young espalier plum tree against the fence…in Blossom! We didn’t expect anything much from it this year, but the sun on Tuesday brought out lots of tiny flowers. Big smiles all round in our house at last! Keep listing. It does help so much. Love and hugs Jenni xx
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It’s so lovely to see you Julie! And to see Toby so delighted with his new swing seat! I think of you every time I pick up my sock knitting as I am using the blackthorn needles you so kindly sent me last year :o)
How is your crochet blanket coming on? Mine has stalled for some reason and I haven’t done any for ages. I think I’ll start trying to do a square a day again until it becomes an active project again. One of the reasons I think I’ve gone off it is that some of the yarn isn’t as nice as the rest so I don’t like using those particular colours, but I need them to balance the whole blanket.
I’m looking forward to seeing your new garden layout – it will be so lovely.
Take care,lots of love, Lucy xx
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Lovely to see that huge gorgeous smile!!
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HI there! And so very nice to meet you! Your blog looks fabulous! Sorry to hear you had a tough time over the holiday break, I hope things begin to improve! I look forward to reading more about your adventures in mothering and knitting!~
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I know there must be a lot of chaotic times but I just wanted to say how happy Toby looks in these photos. I wish you peace and contentment.
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I love both the bunnies and would love to win either. Its great to have you back again. I would love to be able to sit and knit all day no interruptions.
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So love both of your bunnies and would love for one of them to come and visit the USA. Honestly thank you for being so creative and sharing these patterns with the world. It has been my salvation lately. Give my best wishes to Toby I love seeing his smiling face. Best of everything. Linda
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Hi Julie. Great to have you back among us, you have been missed. Regards Mary x
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Your work is so beautiful such a talented lady. I like to crochet in my spare time wish I could knit like you .
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Missed these photos of Toby for some reason. He really is such a cute little boy. Lovely little face.
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