Weekly bird in the hand

Here is this week's list of things I am grateful for:

"Shall we dance?"  Photo by mikebaird

• Matt, Peter, Mary and Fin - my sister and her family, who arrive back in England today :-(. We'll miss them. After staying with us, they enjoyed a few days in Yosemite and some in SF. We had dinner with them on Wednesday night.  We so enjoyed our time together.
• Our pond. I've taken to trying to find a little time each day to sit at our pond. It's so peaceful - apart from all the wildlife!  I love watching the great blue heron; the turtle on the duck platform, soaking up the sun; the kingfishers; the red and blue dragon flies; the frogs; the fly catchers; the fish and tadpoles; and occasionally, when I sit quietly, Quentin and his new family of tiny quails wanders by.  
• My voice lesson. I had such a great voice lesson this week.  Just exciting! Thanks Karen.
• My dear friend Clare whose birthday it is today
• My dear friend Fabienne whose birthday it is today
• Walking in a quiet area and listening to the silence.
• The joy of learning

Weekly bird in the hand

This week's bird in the hand - the things I am grateful for  - is easy!

Photo by mikebaird

Yes, it's family.  My sister Mary, her hubby Fin, and my two nephews Matt and Peter have been staying with us for the past week.  We've had a great time and the time has gone really quickly.  It's been so lovely to share days together - some with different activities, some more leisurely.

They head off to Yosemite tomorrow and then SF on Wednesday.  We'll have dinner with them Wednesday in the city and then they fly home on Friday.

Thanks for coming sweeties. We'll miss you a lot. xxxx ...but not before an action packed day today!!

Weekly Bird in the Hand

Here's my weekly bird in the hand - the things I am grateful for:

I'm still in England and yesterday was the "celebration of life" service for my mother in law who passed away recently.  This week's gratitude therefore extends to:

• Family. We've seen lots of family this week - both mine and John's and it's been great to reconnect - even if in some cases, it was under sad circumstances :- from all the family who came to the service, to the meals out with Craig, Adam and Michael, to time with my parents, to a fun day today with my sister and nephews....  It's been a great week for family with some reminiscing of old memories and creating new memories too.
• Friends.  We've had fun times with friends this week and they have all be so supportive of us too.  And it's also been lovely to see that support from many of my "online" friends. 

It's been a wonderful week to feel the love and support of family and friends. Thank you.

Under our wing

A customer saw my "mommy bird" necklace with a mommy bird and two little ones under her wing, and asked me to make her a family bird necklace, with mommy and daddy and two little ones - like her own family!  And so I made "Under our wing" for her.

 Mum and Dad are snuggled close together and each holds a little one under their wing!  What a sweet little Byrd Family!

Happy Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day in the UK today so just wanted to wish my mum a Happy Mother's Day.

Sorry I'm miles away.....

Thinking of you lots.

xxxx