Oh Happy Days - My 'Blog Buddy' Swap Has Arrived

Patience truly is a virtue.  I have been very good and patient waiting for my 'Blog Buddy Swap' to arrive.  I was so disappointed with the Postman yesterday.  Bills and bank statements!  Huh, who needs them?  The postman is supposed to bring little boxes of happiness, just like this one!   Teresa Kasner and I met on Ravelry and we have been firm friends in Cyber Space ever since.  We follow each others Blogs and share news and projects.  It really is uncanny how much we share in common across the miles.  We often find we have been doing very similar things, on the same day.  I think there is some sort of 'Parallel Universe' thing gong on!  We share many similar interests.  I would really rather not mention our 'Facebook' Scrabble Tournaments as I get my 'Butt Whooped' on a regular basis!   Teresa lives in the Columbian River Gorge in Oregon, USA and I have grown familiar and very fond of the beautiful scenery, history and heritage of this area through Teresa's blog posts.
          We have taken part in Swaps as Groups on Ravelry and both were a little disappointed not to be each others Swap Partners.  The odds were against us being 'paired' up.  In my travels I saw little 'crafty' bits and pieces that would make me think of my Cyber Buddy and I would think 'Teresa would love that'.  It is probably a good job we are separated by a large pond, because I am sure we would have formidable 'crafty' shopping excursions together.  I asked Teresa if she would like to be my Swap Buddy and of course she said yes.  :)
          We posted our Swaps on the same day and Teresa received hers before Easter, mine got stuck in the Bank Holiday, postal traffic as did Easter Gifts for my family from The British Hen Welfare Trust.  Not to worry, better late than never.  I was actually amazed how fast my parcel got to Teresa's house, less than a week to go all that way.  Here is Teresa's Blog Post about what I sent for her :)
           Well on with the important part, I opened my little box of happiness.

How delighted am I?  Very, very delighted is the answer.

Look at these pair of cuties.  Lovely Chicken Egg Cups.  I will have to have a boiled egg and soldiers asap.  I may go all out and put a spread of Marmite on the soldiers too.  There must be a knack to photographing glass, but I don't have it.  These have cute little faces and feathery detail.

The Crafty Goodies were all wrapped up in, I think you call it a 'Fat Quarter', of Cotton, Chicken Fabric.  I love it and will have to think very carefully what I can make with it.  All suggestions would be gratefully received.  I think this buttons are 'Super Groovy'.  Pink CND buttons are just too good to be true.  I believe I could be in the process of making the perfect 'Thing' for all five of these buttons.  Perfect, perfect, perfect.

I appear to be developing quite a passion for buttons.  I have noticed it creeping in over the last few months.  These buttons really do make me happy, flower buttons, sparkly Bling buttons, Mother of Pearl buttons and really pretty 'Lace' like patterned buttons, here take a closer look. . .

Pretty eh?

More pretties, ribbon and tiny ribbon roses.

Lovely Lavender coloured Cotton, I feel a self indulgent 'Face Cloth' coming on!  I feel as if I am showing off a bit, but I am having so much fun sharing all this with you and I am not finished yet!

Ho, ho, ho!  'Moonstruck' Dark Chocolate, Expresso Bean!  Now I am telling ya, I love Chocolate, and I am telling ya I love Coffee, put the two together and that makes me very happy indeed.  Teresa did not know that!  This is the perfect bar of Chocolate for me!

This Chocolate might even make me smart and strong and sexy, well let's get the wrapper off!  I am not sure about pondering for too long about who I will share it with.  I am pondering as to sharing it at all!  'Give and you shall receive.'  is making me feel a  bit guilty though.

I am not sure if this will make me strong or sexy, but the chocolate sure is!  If you let a square of the rich dark chocolate melt on your tongue you are left with crunchy chips of Expresso Bean for an intense flavour blast.  Ask me how I know!  I am feeling smarter, stronger and sexier already.  This is gonna be very hard for me to share!

  I am not sure I would like anyone writing on my cute little pad either.

Now I don't wear any jewellery, but I am wearing these right now.  I love, love, love them.  They are the Genuine Article.  Teresa has written a blog post Trade Bead Story explaining the fascinating history of these pretty little beads.  They were used for 'Trade' with Native Americans.  Trade beads have been valued by ancient cultures for thousands of years.  Teresa has a fine collection of these beads, the post is really worth taking a look at.  Now I won't be trading my beads for love nor money!  I have nearly got to the end of this post.  It has been a joyful post to write, for me.  I have been thoroughly spoiled with goodies.  I just have two more items to share.

I didn't tell you did I?  Teresa is also a fantastic Artist, she is a lifelong Artist and crafter, she has an Etsy store Here where you can purchase her art work, water colours and ink.  (Also take a peek at the Handmade Jewellery).  I am very touched by this 'Just for me' water colour of 'Glastonbury Tor.  The camera has not captured the colours as vividly as the actual painting.  I think it is fantastic and it is definitely going to have 'Pride of Place' in my living room.   I have a photograph of Glastonbury Abbey on my wall, that my friend took and had framed for me and another 'Chalk' picture of Glastonbury Tor that my Sister in Law got for me. The chalk is beautiful and it makes the Tor look misty and mysterious, Teresa's watercolour has captured the Tor on a bright Summers day, looking across the expanse of countryside in the heart of The Land of The Summer People.  Glastonbury is my favourite place.
             Last but not least is my Teresa Kasner Scandinavian Crochet Heart Ornament, the link will take you to the pattern.  I have loved this for ages.  Now I have one.

 To me, this is Teresa's 'signature Crochet piece.
'Thank you Teresa' feels inadequate.  I am sure you know how happy each one of these gifts has made me though.  I find it very hard to believe in the concept of 'Cyber Friendship' but this Swap has bought it home to me.  Cyber Friends are 'Real' friends of course!  We may never meet each other in person, but due to the marvels of technology we share each others 'lives' in some way and have a firm friendship.  That makes my heart very happy.  XXX
(((Group Hug))) in cyberspace for 'Blog Buddies'.  
         

Yeah Maaannn! Glastonbury!

This is my favourite place on the planet.  I have loved Glastonbury for over a decade.  I have never been to the Festival though, I think I am too old, unless I was 'Glamping' with my own porta loo!  I first visited Glastonbury on my birthday when Henry was about three, he was very cute back then.  He trudged up the Tor singing 'Happy Birthday' and 'I love my Mom' songs.  It melted my heart.  He still loves the Tor and is always happy there with good energy.  I have visited Glastonbury many times with and without the children.   I have stayed at The Shambhala twice,  for two day breaks and walked up the Tor alone, for Sunrise which was blissful and sunset which was blissful.  The last couple of times I have been to Glastonbury I just couldn't make it up the Tor.  My energy just wasn't there.  Euan was born with a club foot and has had three or four operations, he is fine and surgery has worked really well so far, but I am always conscious of him doing too much and I worry when he says his foot hurts, so we have played at the bottom of the Tor while Henry has made light work of going up and down and up and down!  I have a few problems with general fitness, extra weight doesn't help, my back is dodgey and my knees often ache.  I love this hill.  This time I was determined to make it to the top and so was Euan.

  Euan and Henry carried on without me, I used Lacey to pull me up!  I counted steps, I sat in peculiar places and regained my breath four times!  I cursed a little and met a few of my demons, but somehow I wheezed and puffed my way to the top!  It was like meeting an old friend again.  I must get fitter!  Euan was absolutely fine and very pleased with himself.  It was great to take Lacey to the top too (or rather she took me!)

I love this poem too:  'Jerusalem' by William Blake;

 "The poem was inspired by the apocryphal story that a young Jesus, accompanied by his uncle Joseph of Arimathea, travelled to the area that is now England and visited Glastonbury.^[2] The legend is linked to an idea in the Book of Revelation (3:12 and 21:2) describing a Second Coming, wherein Jesus establishes a new Jerusalem. The Christian church in general, and the English Church in particular, used Jerusalem as a metaphor for Heaven, a place of universal love and peace.^[3]

In the most common interpretation of the poem, Blake implies that a visit of Jesus would briefly create heaven in England, in contrast to the "dark Satanic Mills" of the Industrial Revolution. Analysts note that Blake asks four questions rather than asserting the historical truth of Christ's visit; According to this view, the poem says that there may, or may not, have been a divine visit, when there was briefly heaven in England. But that was then; now, we are faced with the challenge of creating such a country once again.^{[4][5]"  (Wikipedia)}

And did those feet in ancient time.
Walk upon England's mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In Englands green & pleasant Land


I cant explain what it is about this hill, it has many myths and legends about it.  'The Ancient Isle of Avalon', 'The Home of the Fairy King', 'A place where Dragons Sleep', 'The Heart Chakra of the Planet', 'Part of an Ancient and enormous Astrological Map', 'An Elysium, where the veil is thin between this world and other worlds'.  It really depends on what you read...  To me the energy is tangible.  It is simply a fantastic place.  It draws many 'Pilgrims' from all over the globe.

The humped hill you can see in the centre if this picture is Wearyall Hill  It is suppose to be the place where Joseph of Arimathea stuck his staff in the ground and from it grew 'The Holy Thorn'.  In recent years ( the last couple of years) this alleged 'Holy thorn' tree has been victim to brutal vandalism, chopping and burning which is very sad.  There is an off cut that grows in the grounds of the ruins of 'Glastonbury Abbey' that flowers each 'Christmas'.  Glastonbury Abbey is also said to be the burial place of 'King Arthur and Guinevere'.  Of course Merlin is asleep in a cave within the Tor.  He will return!

I took my own 'Glastonbury Love heart' picture.

This is one of the clearer carvings on the tower, it is 'Saint Brigid' milking her 'Holy Cow'.  Saint Brigid and the pagan Goddess Brigid are often taken as the same person.  Glastonbury Abbey was said to be the site of a major, ancient Druid centre, prior to becoming the site of the The first Christian Church in England.  Whatever your beliefs Glastonbury has been a major spiritual Centre for thousands of years.

At the foot of the Tor are two Holy Springs, This is the White Spring and across the road is 'The Red Spring or The Blood Spring'.  It is believed by many that the water has healing properties.  It sure is refreshing anyway after puffing and panting your way up the hill.  I like to have a slurp from both.  People tie little 'prayer' rags and ribbons around the springs and in the nearby trees.  There were also little 'corn dollies' decorating the spring.  It is said these waters have never run dry and they are always pure.  Euan said it was amazing as it cured his cold, I pointed out it was the first I had heard about him having a cold!  

This is just a random shot of Glastonbury High Street many of the buildings were built using stone from the 'Dissolution of the Monastries' in 1539 when Glastonbury Abbey was destroyed.  The last Abbot, Richard Whiting resisted and was hanged. drawn and quartered as a traitor to the King Henry VIII, on Glastonbury Tor on November the 15th 1539 .  (The dog in the picture is not Lacey it is just a 'Look a likie'.) 
 For those of you that have hung on in there and actually read this rambling post I thank you and I have a little reward.  Look what I spotted in a shop window in the High Street.......

I feel a 'Mini Glasto Granny Square' Project coming on!  Oooh Fringe and all! 

Glastonbury Love

My friend Sarah took this wonderful picture when she walked up Glastonbury Tor with Henry.  I absolutely love the photograph.  Can you see the Giant love heart?

Sarah also took this one of Henry, half way up the Tor sat on the Dragon's Egg with the wise old crones (the Elder and Hawthorn Trees).  If Henry sat any longer I think he may have hatched himself a Dragon!  Jake Wiggle the dog is having great fun.   I got stuck the last time I went to the 'Dragons Egg'.  It is quite a steep climb and I get vertigo.  I literally couldn't go up and I couldn't go down.  Quite a predicament to be in when you are half way up a 'Mystical' hill!  In the end my only route out was straight through a nettle patch sideways, crawling and scrambling.  Hence why this time I stayed at the park with my crochet!