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Showing posts from March, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

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Mountains in Cyprus. More pics can be seen here.

Teaser Tuesdays

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Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! So here is my contribution for this week --- 'Dad distrusted him, too, for different reasons. Once he asked me, only half joking,'Shall I ask him about his intentions?'.' page 58,'The Eternal City' by Domenica De Rosa. More teasers can be found here.

Musing Monday

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Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about multitasking. Do you – or are you even able – to do other things while you read? Do you knit, hold a conversation, keep an eye on the TV? Anything? At times I can hold a conversation, I'm sure it's pretty rude to read as well as talk, but if the book is particularly gripping, my lips move but my eyes stay firmly on thte page. Although this is only done with nearest and dearest. Watching t.v.is done to a certain extent but the t.v. programme usually loses out to the book eventually! Of course when it comes to audio books I have been known to sew and watch t.v. , now that's multitasking alright! Check out more musings here.

Palm Sunday

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Reflection. ..His coming is a revelation, a radical, total revelation of God's holiness."Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory...". Precisely this Week which humanly speaking is filled to the brim with suffering, humiliation, despoliation, in a word, with the kenosis of God this Week contains the revelation of God's holiness, the culmination of world history. "Holy, Holy, Holy.... Hosanna in the highest".... To embrace the Cross on this day, to pass it from hand to hand, is a very eloquent gesture. It is like saying: Lord, we do not want to stay with you only at the time of the "Hosannas", but with your help we want to accompany you on the way of the Cross as did Mary, your mother and ours, and the Apostle John. Yes, O Lord, because "You have the words of eternal life" (Jn 6:68), and we have believed that precisely your Cross is the word of life, of eternal life! Courtesy of EWTN

Mary, Queen of France.

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Mary, Queen of France by Jean Plaidy. This novel follows the life of Henry VIII's younger sister. Mary and Henry adored each other and as such the little sister was granted anything she desired, or so she thought. However when Charles Brandon, one of Henry's friends was invited to court Mary's desire was not fulfilled. As a royal princess she was expected to marry into royalty and help the politics of her country. So Henry's wish was for his sister to marry the French King Louis. The King of France was many years older than Mary, and she rebelled at the thought of this alliance, but in this decision Henry stood firm. The story unfolds as Mary is sent to marry her French King and leave behind her one true love Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. The book portrays a strong, rebellious and somewhat spoilt girl but as she matures her character appears calmer although always determined her dream would come true... 'Henry laughed suddenly. He pointed at Mary.''That

Prayers please..

Could you remember in your prayers a very dear friend who died this morning, she had cancer but her death was very sudden. A lovely kind lady who helped others in many ways. Kate R.I.P. Edited 27th March ----Thankyou all very much for your prayers and kind words.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

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You ask me a method of attaining perfection. I know of love - and only love. Love can do all things. -- St Therese of Lisieux

Another week over.

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The weeks are flying at the moment, I suppose time flies when you are busy. Lambing is going strong and although I don't work outdoors all the time , there are plenty of meals and household chores to keep me busy. I've also finished my latest sewing project(finished last night actually) I can tell you it is a double bed quilt. That's all I can say as the recipient (my youngest daughter) must see it here before I post about it. My next project will be a bonnet for my favourite girl, yes that's right the one in the photo. She is now 6 months old and is such a delight. They are all visiting at Easter , so the next couple of weeks will be preparation time. Busy, busy, busy!

Wordless Wednesday

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Lake Windermere. More photos can be found here.

Teaser Tuesdays

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Join in Teaser Tuesday ---- this is what you have to do , Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Here is my teaser 'The night before they sailed the four of them were alone together. Henry and his wife, herself and Charles; and she was envious of her sister-in-law who, like herself, was apprehensive, yet at the same time deeply content, because Katherine was pregnant and Henry was very affectionate toward her and had greatly honoured her by making her Regent in his absence.' page 55, 'Mary, Queen of France' by Jean Plaidy. You can find more teasers here.

Fourth Sunday of Lent.

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Mothering Sunday.

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Happy Mothering Sunday!

The White Queen.

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'The White Queen 'by Philippa Gregory. Set in the time of the Wars of the Roses this novel follows the life of Elizabeth Woodville. Elizabeth is widowed when her husband is killed in battle, with two young sons she relies on her parents for help. Richard and Jacquetta Woodville were supporters of the house of Lancaster at this time , therefore when they were entertaining Edward IV , the reigning King of the house of York, Elizabeth questioned their loyalty. In answer to her daughter Jacquetta used her usual mix of legends and witchcraft. However when Elizabeth met the reigning monarch she was completely captivated and soon the pair marry in secret, so begins a marriage to try and unite the two powerful houses in England, Lancaster and York. The book continues with the story of their marriage , their children and the rise of Richard III, the reigning King's brother. Members of each family seemed to swap sides as on a whim and the climax of the book follows the tragic tale o

Spring has sprung!

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Hello everyone,the last couple of days have seen some spring cleaning tackled. In the bedrooms , paintwork washed and yesterday was such a warm day I managed to wash two pairs of curtains , dry them outside and hang them again. I've swapped over some of my curtains for lighter colours and material in the hope that Spring will definitely 'be around the corner'. Sorting and disposing of clutter is very therapeutic (as my daughter always tells me!)I'm afraid thes wise words have not been heeded in the past by this ferocious hoarder . But yesterday I took her advice and there is certainly a benefit to this regime. The house not only looks cleaner and brighter but it is so much tidier. I can thoroughly recommend 'spring cleaning'. By the way I have just finished a wonderful novel, review will follow soon.

Wordless Wednesday

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Mosaic floor. Cyprus. More pics can be found here.

Teaser Tuesdays

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Here is my teaser, 'The London butchers send us a fat goose and my boys and little Elizabeth and I play cards and I make sure that I lose a silver sixpence to her, and send her to bed thrilled to be a serious gamester. We spend Twelfth Night in sanctuary, and Mother and I compose a play for the children with costumes and masks and enchantments.' taken from page 143, 'The White Queen' by Philippa Gregory. More teasers can be found here.

Third Sunday of Lent.

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Forty days and forty nights in the desert... Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man And giving His life on the Cross. Help us to bear witness to You By following His example of suffering And make us worthy to share in His Resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.

On the farm in March...

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Well this photo says it all! Lambing has begun, the twins in the photo are the first of many. One down, 400+ to go They have started on time so hopefully by the end of April we should have a good crop of lambs.The weather is beautiful today,blue skies and sunshine. This all helps in lambing; if they can lamb outdoors there is less risk of disease or infection. It's when the weather turns nasty that we have to choose between the lesser of two evils. On the home front I think we are coming to terms with the loss of Smokey, although she is sorely missed. There has been quite a bit of quilting completed here, but I'm afraid I can't reveal the project as it is a present for my youngest daughter who won't receive it till Easter. Once I have handed it over I will post it.

Mog...

Today has not been good. This afternoon we had to have Mog put to sleep. She was not improving and these last 24 hours had deteriorated , she seemed to be in pain, for the first time this morning. We are all so sad, she was a very friendly, gentle cat. A cat that wandered onto the farm 10 years ago. I know we gave her a good home and she gave us much affection in return. btw her real name was Smokey!(not sure how she got Mog from that).