Saturday 12 September 2015

Thank you


Thank you to everyone for taking the time to leave me a message. It has been a great comfort to read them and the many cards I have received this week. It has been an up and down kind of week. At first I had no energy for anything- the slightest task took an age. My brother, parents and Steve's daughter and fiancé have all been planning the funeral which we hope will reflect the Steve we knew. I chose a poem from a book edited by the husband of a good friend which my husband will read on my behalf. The funeral is next Friday and I hope that we will be able to celebrate his very full life.

On Tuesday I decided that I must get out of the house so I went to the September meeting of Cutting Edge in Ystradowen. I even had, hold your breath, a finish to show; Isobel's quilt. However I did not take photos. I'll get some when the sun shines again. I do have photos taken yesterday of my second finish, the Japanese +x quilt started last year. So without further ado, drum roll please....




The quilting was done by Sue Phillips of School House Quilting near Newport. 



Details of the quilt are here. Funnily enough that post contains marmalade references and I have been making some today. I know, it is September. I'll let you in on a secret, we have had an offer on the house. I hope I'm not tempting fate by mentioning it and it is very early days so shush..... Anyway, I have decided to try to sort out the freezers (note the plural!) We could probably eat for months out of them. The two bags of Seville oranges were frozen in early February so needed using.


The roses are from the second flush this summer on the bushes and they smell divine. I'm taking another bunch up to Jenny's tomorrow. Her new baby is expected at the end of next week and she has been early with her last two pregnancies. I can only stay for a three nights but it means she will not have to call on her neighbour if she does start between now and Wednesday.

My next post will contain photos of a new online crazy quilting course I have been following. I never meant to keep it secret but have not had the time to write about it so until next time,

Have a good week,

Catherine


Friday 4 September 2015

Absence

I am sorry that I have not posted for a while and should explain.

My brother Steve was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer last year. He went through chemo and radiotherapy and earlier in the year was told that there was very little sign of the cancer left. However he got increasing problems and symptoms and was told last week he had secondaries in his brain and liver.
Steve was transferred from hospital to a hospice on Tuesday and died early on Wednesday morning. The close family, his parents, siblings, daughter and partner and his own partner were all with him in his final hours.

He was an outgoing, loving person who lived life fully. I miss him so much.


I do not think I have the energy to reply to messages and hope you understand.

Catherine