O is for Origami

O - such a tricky letter! So, O is for Origami. During holidays or weekends, Nick and I sometimes enjoy puzzling over books instructing us on how to make a fish/crane/rabbit/rose out of squares of patterned paper. He has much more perseverance than me!

I wonder if we will do any origami this holiday.

What are your favourite holiday pastimes? We also enjoy board games. I will probably insist on a family game of Articulate at some point, to the disappointment of my long-suffering parents!

Laura x

F is for Family

Happy Friday, everyone! Nick's term finishes today and although there's plenty of research and writing to do during the 'vacation', he'll have no tutoring for six weeks - hooray!

Advent is a time of looking forward but also a time of looking back over the year that's just gone. In our family, it's been both happy and sad. We said goodbye to my Nan. My other Nan suffered through eight rounds of chemotherapy, which was horrible, but is now doing really well, which is great. Our little Sophie has brought us such joy and happiness. 

Sophie in January

Sophie in December

She's changed so much this year!

Family is such a wonderful thing. People to share life with. People who support you in tough times. 

Today, I'm really thankful for my family.

C is for Cards

I've been writing all my Christmas cards to send to friends and family around the world. I love remembering everyone at this time of year and sending a 'hello', even if we don't see each other or speak that often the rest of the year. Our circle of friends is always growing, as we meet new people and get to know them a little or a lot, and I hope that everyone we meet knows that they'll always have a warm welcome at our house if they happen to be nearby.

A warming cup of hot chocolate helped the
card-writing process!

Saying goodbye

This week we said a sad farewell to my dear Nan. It really is horrible saying goodbye to someone you love who has died. Her funeral remembered her kindness, generosity, green fingers, delicious stews, long and happy marriage, and delight in her family. 

Goodbye Nan. I love you, I will never forget you and I will miss you always.

Four generations together, Christmas 2012

My lovely Nan 27/04/1930 - 14/11/2013

Hello everyone,

We have had sadness in my family for the past few days, as my dear Nan died last Thursday. Although she had been unwell for a while, it has still been hard for us all. I have found moments of peace in between the grief and sadness, but at the moment I just feel as if a part of me / our family has been amputated.

She was a wonderful Nan. I will miss her so much.

Nan (Granny-Nanny) with Sophie and Molly, two of her
three great-granddaughters

Please pray for my family.

Laura x