Finally and at last!
Last Saturday we went to spend the day with the family. Practically all my Spanish family were there.
This was an extra special occasion not only because we were able to get together again after so long but because my nephew C who lives in Valencia and who we haven't seen for several years came for the weekend with his daughter,my great niece,who I have only met once when she was very small. She is eight years old now. A beautiful girl and quite a bright spark. I can't post any photos of her as her Dad wouldn't be happy about that. She was a little overwhelmed at first with so many people she didn't know and so many hugs and kisses from everyone but as children are she was inquisitive and was asking me who was everyone. She was quite fascinated that Sr P was the brother of her YiYo (Grandpa) and sadly told me her YiYo had passed away two years ago,which we knew about of course but I wasn't going to complicate matters so said no more. When I told her I was her Great Aunty she asked me how old I was and I said 67 years old. Her expressive and long drawn out exclamation Ohhh and the impulsive hug that she gave me made me strangle a laugh as I wondered if she thought I was on my last legs or near to it... bless her!
Trying to take photos of the family all together is literally impossible and even when we are sitting down for a meal. There were just too many of them flittering about. I have nevertheless taken a few photos of my SIL's beautiful five bedroom villa and gardens.
This snapshot was a bit difficult as I had to avoid photographing the children as they were lightening up floating candles in the fountain.
My SIL is putting her villa up for sale very soon as she finds it is far too much for her alone. It will be such a shame as we have spent some wonderful family get togethers here over the last 30 odd years. Lots of very fond memories. Nevertheless she has to downsize and move on and she has bought herself an apartment right in front of the beach.
Dark Earth
I so have to echo what Meredith from Mereknits has mentioned on her latest post "A rough week"
If I were an alien on holiday and looking for a place to visit I would avoid the Earth! I am so fed up with such miserable news all the time! It is beyond depressing! I know that sounds totally selfish but I am pretty sure there are lots more like me out there who feel the same. When will they learn that Mother Earth isn't the enemy but mankind is ! Can the nations of the world get off their high horse and those greedy,callous few who control the world wealth be sacked and put to digging wells for those kiddies who cannot even drink a clean glass of water per day! Can we not work together now to put things right? I truly despair at the state the human race is in!
Can we please have some world good news for a change!
I am so thankful for my chatty blog-friends though! I would say its blog therapy as I feel so much better when I read your blogs and comments.
CROCHET
I am making a Christmas gift at present. I know its a bit early but it is a bit intricate so it will take me awhile to do. I also want to post it to the UK in heaps of time for Christmas as last year my gift to the same person did not get there on time even though I thought I had posted it in plenty of time.
At least I am using the fine cotton I love so much and it doesn't stick to my hands in this heat.
I can't show you what it is as the person who will receive this gift may read my blog 😏
Weather
Storms are forecasted for today and tomorrow. It is so hot and muggy and the flies are being really bothersome a sure sign there is a storm on the way.
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| Snapshot from my kitchen window |
Many thanks for the numerous snippets of advice about how to care for Petunias and how to clean the stamp case in your comments on my last post and also the queries about my health.
I am feeling quite a lot better not 100% as yet but the new thyroid medicine has made a difference and my diet is gradually getting back to normal. I still have to go for a few more tests and see the endocrinologist in October. It seems the other thyroid medicine I was taking is the source of my problems that and a critical lack of Vitamin B12 .
The "summer colds" we both had have been and gone and its back to the cool refreshing pool!
Take care and keep well
Amanda :-)
When I was young I loved Star trek, and loved the pertect earth they portrayed, everyone equal, and I assumed no poverty or war. Our planet a beautiful place to live. So why could we not all grow in the same direction, sadly I agree with you, the news is depressing, mankind is killing our world and each other. The rest of us with little power, sadly watch the downward spiral.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. Very thoughtful and so true! I worry for my grand-daughter what she will have to face in the future. At present the future outlook of our society is pretty bleak. A x
DeleteReading this makes me happy that you were able to visit a family gathering. That in itself is enough to lift one's spirits.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely home, but an apartment with beach views sounds awesome for her. I remember when I was a kid we always went to my Grandparents farm for all the major holidays. The dinners were allot of work for her by the time I was in college, so my Mom suggested we all go out that last year. Many don't realize how much work it really is preparing for a large gathering.
I enjoyed the photos, and your the yarn you are using for your next crochet project is so beautiful I love it.
The world is total caos right now for sure. scary times.
Happy Mid week-hugs Kathy
It was so good seeing everyone. Hugs seem to mean so much more than they ever did before LOL! It is hard for my SIL to let the family home go but it is the most sensible thing to do and I am sure once she is settled in her new beach apartment it will wonderful for her as she does love the beach. Looks like we are going to have a massive get together at Christmas as well...fabulous! A x
DeleteI am glad y'all had the chance for a family get together. It is a spirit healing when folks can connect in person. Beautiful villa. If I could move to Spain, I would.
ReplyDeleteDark Earth can be brighter looking into the eyes of our loves ones, and hearing their voice.
You’re definitely right about that . The family,the ones we love ,keep us sane. If I was totally alone I suspect I would be engulfed by the constant doom and gloom we hear about daily! A x
DeleteHow lovely that the family were able to get together Amanda your SILs place looks amazing what a pity she has decided to sell but understandable, it will be lovely for her to have an apartment with such a lovely view. I can't watch the news it's unbearable so much sadness. I love the colourful yarn I bet the gift will be lovely, good for you starting so early, I haven't a clue what to make yet I need inspiration I only make small and cute so I'm on the lookout. Have a great week. xx
ReplyDeleteHope you've had a good week too Linda. It was really wonderful and so relieved to see everyone looking so well. My SIL will be fine once she is settled in her new apartment by the beach and we will continue to be there for her. It's just hard for her at present to let the family home go. A x
DeleteWhat a lovely, happy, thankful post. Thank you so much. Even those dark clouds looked - er - as if they were smiling behind the frown.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had such a fantastic family gathering and that little lass sounds really delightful.
The yarn is so lovely and someone is going to be a lucky friend.
xx
Thanks for stopping by Joy. Laea is a delightful little girl and so family orientated and eager to know who is who. That child thrives on hugs and kisses :-) I feel so much better having had that family gathering and seeing everyone is so well. A x
DeleteSo great that you could have a family get together. I agree with your thoughts on this messed up world. I ty to limit my exposure to the news - it is just too depressing. Crafting certainly helps to focus on the positives and there are a lot of positives, despite what the TV and newspapers would have us believe.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Ellie
That's right Ellie! I must try to focus more on craft and stop listening to so much news;just the important bits perhaps. A x
DeleteThat's a very black cloud in your last photo. I hope it didn't storm too badly (we could do with some rain!).
ReplyDeleteIt pelted down Chris but that is good.Alicante is always desperate for rain. What aren’t good are the floods. Flood season is just starting. Let’s hope they are few and far between this year. Ax
DeleteYour photos are beautiful Amanda - both your sister in laws villa (which looks stunning) & I love that photo from your kitchen window. What a lovely outlook you have there.
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie. It is a beautiful home and we will all be really be sad to see it sold. It has to be though as it is far too costly for her to maintain alone. She loves the beach the small apartment she has bought will be really ideal for her and right in front of the beach. A x
DeleteYour family gathering sounds like such a wonderful time. I wish, like you we could all just make the world a better place. stop all the ridiculous politics and help people. Stay safe my friend.
ReplyDeleteHi Mere, we had a wonderful day out and it was so good to see my nephew after so long and my great niece. we had so much to talk about. Thanks for your comments. Ax
DeleteI couldn't agree with you more about wealth and power. The world is so amazing and we are blessed to be living on planet earth, but power and greed prevail and spoil the balance of life. It's hard sometimes to find the positives but we keep trying.
ReplyDeleteVery true. There seem to be less positives than ever , at times a very dismal outlook. I turn to my family and worry. What will it be like for my grand-daughter and for her children they will be the ones who will have to put up with mankind’s failures and blindness!
DeleteI'm glad you're feeling a bit better and the new meds seem to be working. Totally agree with you about our beautiful planet. I don't understand those who want to cause mayhem and terror. There are enough bad things happening in the world (Covid for one) without adding to the misery. What a lovely family time you all had. The Christmas crochet looks intriguing. I bought a book from the charity shop the other day - 100 crochet snowflakes. So I've made a start on them and am planning to put them out near Christmas, for people to take. I reckon if I make 1 or 2 a day, I'll have plenty. xx
ReplyDeleteHi HH,Many thanks for your kind comments. I think I know that book you have bought, sounds good. Lacy snowflakes are beautiful for Christmas. I am thinking I will make a couple in hoops so they can be hung on the front door or walls or even in the windows. You must send me a photo :-) please :-) A x
DeleteThank you for your contribution and your words ... yes, family reunions are the best thing there is :-) We had a summer party with the whole family in July and I love being with the children.
ReplyDeleteI wish you lots of fun with crocheting ... I've also finished my first little Christmas present. I also love making something myself. Hug to you.
Hello there,thank you for calling in and for commenting. IMO homemade gifts are the best. There is so much more instilled in them than just time and yarn. The creativity,thoughtfulness and love that goes into a handmade gift is priceless. A x
DeleteSo many things we used to take for granted. We can't spontaneously meet with friends, or family. It felt like I was never going to be able to hug my children again.
ReplyDeleteI like a good dark sky, a good thunderstorm, so thank you for the final photo.
Hello Kim,Thank you for stopping by. A hug nowadays means so much more ,doesn't it? I,like yourself love thunderstorms. Mother Nature puts on a fantastic show :-) A x
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ReplyDeleteHurrah, dear Amanda I’m over the moon about the health report fir you that it was an endocrine issue that was the trigger, such an answer to prayer that they’ve found it out!
And after that I totally agree re the comment about the poor state of the world I generally and so agree not Mother Nature but mankind that is the issue.
Praying much that eventually good and God will prevail. In God we trust.
Love your crotchet, very pretty and glad about the family reunion, brilliant indeed.
We are still into forth week if lockdown for zero cases (praise God) in our area since April 2020.
Not sure when they wake up to facts and not swallow the epidemic of fear.
Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, prayer hugs Shaz in Oz.x
{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
Hello Shaz, Thank you for your kind comments. I have yet to have more tests but it looks as if the solution is in sight...finally! Stay safe A x
DeleteI'm glad you were able to have a family reunion.It must have been wonderful to catch up with everyone. That crochet cotton looks pretty and I bet the finished article is stunning.
ReplyDeleteHello Cherie,thanks for stopping by. It was a great relief in many ways to see all the family and to see that they were all safe and well. A x
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