My friend Hazel calls me a hermit and it's not an undeserved or unkind label because most of the time I am! I do spend most of my time at home and in truth I am perfectly happy pottering around doing a little cooking or gardening and of course a lot of knitting. Before having the children I had a busy work and social life in London but since they came along I have become a homebody.

 

 

It's not that I'm unsociable but more that I often feel a bit tongue tied or lost for words in social situations these days. I don't do a whole lot with my time other than look after the children and knit, so I don't often feel that I have much to contribute to cosmopolitan conversation. I also frequently feel a bit worn out and my brain definitely doesn't work as fast as it used to – it's not uncommon for me to think of something to add to a conversation around 10 minutes after everyone else has moved on to a new topic!

Over the last week however I have been uncharacteristically sociable. It started on Saturday with a wonderful meet up of blogging friends: Ali  Alice  Emma  Kristina  Monica  Nancy  Penny  Sue  Tessa  Tracy  Val

There was a great deal of laughter, chatter, good food and handmade present exchanging.

 

 

I came away with this superb basket (made by the fair and skilled hands of Val at Dottycookie), these divine handmade socks (so beautifully and expertly made by Kristina), and also a full tummy, a big smile and warm heart.

 

 

On Tuesday I had my second workshop teaching session and like the first workshop I was amazed at how friendly, willing and wonderful everyone who came along was. The work was fiddly (we were mattress seaming and stitching egg cosy bunnies) but everyone was really cheerful and chatty and I had a great time, hopefully everyone else did too. Thanks to Elaine, Esther, Iolanda, Jane, Sue and Peggy for coming along.

Then on Wednesday I went to visit a community garden run for adults with special needs by a group of wonderfully dedicated and caring volunteers. Hopefully somewhere like this will feature in Toby's future and it was heartwarming to see how sensitive and dedicated all of the volunteers were. It also gives me hope that Toby will still be occupied and having fun after he finishes school.

All in all it's been a busy social whirl compared to my typical week and hopefully I held my own in conversation. I am happy though to be spending today quietly alone with my knitting and am thinking that a little of both is a good thing.

What about you, are you a happy homebody or a companionable conversationalist?

Earlier in this cold and snowy week I received a heartwarming email which I'm going to share here because it says everything so perfectly and shows in such an inspiring way the power of friendship.

 

Dear Julie,

I write to ask for your help. One happy day, when I happened upon your
blog, I also saw a post for a raffle being organised by Saving Rare Breeds. It
was a happy day, not just because I found your blog, but also because since
then, I have become more involved with Saving Rare Breeds and the work that they
do.

Unfortunately, Stephen and Tracy who are Saving Rare Breeds are having a
really rough time at the moment. Frankly, I don't know where they find their
strength. They are struggling in lots of ways. This week, they have lost a
number of their animals to a mystery illness. They describe it as their worst
week ever.

They are presently trying to do two things. Firstly, they are running a
1000 club (http://www.savingrarebreeds.org/).
The take up has been slow to say the least. Secondly, they are trying to raise
votes through the following link – http://www.facebook.com/FeelGoodPark?sk=app_440439032678865.
I understand that if they get enough votes, they will get a much needed
donation. Sadly, despite this second option costing nothing, again the take up
has been slow.

As your blog is so widely read and as you have helped Saving Rare Breeds in
the past, I wondered whether you might be able to post a link to the 1000 club
and the Animal Friends vote. If all of your readers took the time to vote,
they would easily reach their target.

I have become extremely fond of Stephen and Tracy and humbled by the work
that they do. I am desperate to help them in any way that I can. I am also
very grateful to you for leading me to them!

 

It has been such a cold few weeks here in the UK and for anyone working the land or caring for livestock it must be a challenging time. I don't know if any of you are able to help, I know that there are so many worthy causes to choose from but if you are able to help in even the smallest way either by

giving a few moments of your time to vote for Saving Rare Breeds here

or by donating a few pounds to support their work here

I know that Stephen, Tracy and their animals would be incredibly grateful. Thanks so much x

 

image copyright: Olive & Harry