Tales from The Shire

beanielou

Being in pain does indeed take it out of you. 

Fortune_Smiles

Some actually money saving...

This weekend has flown by and I don't feel as though I've accomplished much.  Some money saving has occurred though:

• Mr F pruned all the small trees in our courtyard.  It's a big task and he did a great job of it and the trimmings came in handy for one of my projects 😉
• he also repaired a dodgy light switch in the hall
• I made a wreath for the front door.  I did go to a wreath making workshop years ago so I cast my mind back, interrogated the internet and had a go.  It turned out ok.  Not perfect but I like the look of it and it was very satisfying to use evergreens from our own garden.  Also cost me a fraction of the price of buying one
• my new art lamp was tested out today as I painted two slate chalk boards for Christmas presents.  The lamp is fabulous and means I'll be able to work in the evenings if I want to now.  I'm not sure about one of the slates though.  I may post a picture to see what you think
• we had Rarebit Toasties with Sticky Marmite Onions for breakfast today.  A treat for Mr F as he's been so good at taking FDawg out for his walks whilst I've been injured.  Mr F luuuuuuuves Marmit£.  There's enough leftover for tomorrow's breakfast too 😁 Lunch was Leek, Kale & Potato Soup.  It was quite a thin soup so I stirred in some cheddar to bulk it out a bit.  There's loads left so I think I'll add some more potatoes to it.  Not sure what supper will be tonight.  Yesterday we had Sausage and Kale Pasta to use up some spare sausages
• I crunched some numbers and, if all goes well, we may be mortgage neutral by the time our fixed rate comes to an end in 2022.  In these troubled times 'all going well' might be a big ask but it's great to feel so close
• in the meantime we've raised Mr F's pension contribution to take advantage of the maximum his employer will contribute.  I wish we could have done this sooner but we prioritised getting an emergency fund together.  It was the right thing to do as it's the buffer we need should anything happen to Mr F's job.  They announced a new CEO on Friday (completely out of the blue) so more changes are bound to follow.

I've arranged to see two friends this week - separately and at outdoor venues.  We're missing each other and they've been feeling a bit low so we decided we needed something to look forward to.  We can keep safe if we're outdoors... just hoping the weather will be kind.  It's been bucketing down all day today.

Hope everyone's had a good weekend.

Take care

Fortune x

beanielou

Enjoy seeing your friends. X

Fortune_Smiles

What do you think?

Here are the slates I've been working on today.  I've fairly happy with the Westie but not so sure about the cat.  He's supposed to be playing with the feather but I don't know whether he looks more like roadkill 😆  What do you think?  And is this something you'd be happy to find under your Christmas tree?  Be honest.  I've just enough time to do another cat if need be.  Mr F has already said he couldn't work out which way up the cat was so I know I need to do something with his head.

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff

Love the westie Fortune! You are so very talented I'd be so happy with anything you painted of course! 

If you really want an honest opinion on the cat though... er... yes, I had to look at it a few times... 

What excellent neighbours you are though!! Ours will be getting a box of mince pies if they're lucky, and probably not even that

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff said:

Love the westie Fortune! You are so very talented I'd be so happy with anything you painted of course! 

If you really want an honest opinion on the cat though... er... yes, I had to look at it a few times... 

What excellent neighbours you are though!! Ours will be getting a box of mince pies if they're lucky, and probably not even that

Thanks Cheery.  I'm going to have a go at recovering him but I have another cat idea up my sleeve if not.  So useful to get other opinions.  I look at a piece for so long I lose the ability to 'see' it.

We have very good neighbours here and I love to think of them finding a little surprise gift on their doorstep - particularly in these hard times.  I've had two surprise gifts this week and they lifted my spirits no end.

Fortune x

beanielou

Love them both. 

Love westies & cats. 

I love the cat one. Happy to give it a home 😻😻. As a cat lover I can tell which is a bushy tail & which is the head. 

Fortune_Smiles

beanielou said:

Love them both. 

Love westies & cats. 

I love the cat one. Happy to give it a home 😻😻. As a cat lover I can tell which is a bushy tail & which is the head. 

This made me laugh out loud Beanie 😂😂😂😂  I think Mr F couldn't tell whether it was lying on its front or its back - there are some markings below the mouth that could be eyes so he found it confusing.

Fortune x

rtandon27

Fortune - your westie is adorable! - as always I'm in awe of your talent!
I'm  with Mr.F about the kitty's head -  and that was after putting my reading glasses on to double check - lol

Cornish_mum

Hi Fortune, I just caught up with your diary, so sorry to hear about your hair and leg.  The Westie is super cute but I am with MrF on the cat I am afraid.  

Thank you for the inspiration to make surprise presents for friends.  I can’t paint so I am going to copy the Chocolate Brownie idea (as I think they are quite postable) and make a batch on Friday night for the Saturday morning post. 

CM