We're back from a lovely few days in Cornwall, what a treat! We stayed in a lovely cottage with a hot tub, which we used even when it was raining (it's actually quite a nice experience). It was great to see Ruth's (step-daughter) new house and to spend time with her and Jay. The weather in the West Country is definitely different - Spring has already arrived, daffodils and anemones are in flower and the whole place looks really pretty. Otto had a fantastic time, he loves the beaches, and I think St Ives beach must be his favourite, he was so excited when we first got there that he didn't know which way to run first!
​I'm glad we arrived home when we did though, as Dick has gone down with the lurgy, and is in bed, which is not like him at all. The place seems very quiet, and Otto just keeps going to have a look at him, not quite understanding what his playmate is doing. 
​Even though we have been away I am still putting new stock on the website this week, I have already added a few, and have several other things to add over the next few days, so have a look at the New Items section to see what I've been up to. 

.I'm having a good day today, the birds have been singing, woodpeckers pecking and our hens have decided that spring is on its way. They have gone from laying one or two eggs a day to producing eight yesterday! Good going for so early in the year. We're selling them at the bottom of the drive again now and they're proving very popular. We had to purchase a new stand for the eggs as our last one met with a sad demise, we'd had a rather good evening here with friends a couple of weeks ago, when they left they reversed down our drive (quite tricky I must admit) and our egg stall got run over. Seriously run over, it looked like a flat pack kit. It has now been used for firewood, but a new one was easily come by so no harm done. Except to our friend's pride. 
​Dick and I went to Diss this morning, we often go for supermarket shopping, but very rarely walk round the town, which we did this morning for a change. Handy for me as I got a new pair of jeans (size 10 would you believe! Target reached - thank you Slimming World), The mere was looking lovely, and we saw people we hadn't seen for a while, which was great. What was also great was that we stopped for a scone and coffee. Wonderful!.
​There are new items on the website - why not click here New Items to have a look.

I'm having a busy, busy day today. I have a lot of new stock to get onto the website, but it's not an easy (or quick) process. It is easier these days though, now that I have my portable photo studio which makes getting good light so much less a matter of luck. Before I invested in the lighting etc I had to take all my photos early in the morning to get the right light - it's just too dark in this cottage. It still takes a long time, but I like to think that the website looks relatively professional! I have to say that although I have made it sound like hard work, it isn't really, I just like to think of it as advanced play. 
​As I have been spending a lot of time sitting on my behind, making, pricing and taking photos I have to get out and exercise a bit - there seem to be so many programmes on lately about health/weight loss/general fitness. Dick and I can often be seen stomping round the countryside, and we are keen on doing ten minute speed walks to raise our heart rates. It seems to be working - we're both getting a lot thinner (I've lost 24lbs, am so pleased and can't help but have a quick boast, sorry). Dick has been wearing his new Fatface hat which covers his ears, so no more complaining about cold ones. This morning we gathered some firewood - so many branches have come down this winter in the storms, so we carry them back to the barn for firewood. Otto was a little disappointed that he couldn't carry this particular branch! 
​I have started putting the new stock on the website, and this will be an ongoing process, so keep an eye out in the new items section.

It's been an interesting week, not least the fantastic Super Moon. I have to admit that I have let everybody down, I had planned to put a photo of the moon on this blog, but despite my efforts yesterday evening, all of my moon pics were rubbish! You'll have to put up with Irises and Aconites instead, proof that Spring is on it's way, if not quite as exciting as the Super Moon. Never mind, I tried.
​Dick and I have both been enjoying our stained glass course, so much so that Dick is currently outside setting up a workshop in one of the outbuildings. We've both got a bit to learn, but are doing really well. Dick is so enthusiastic that he has bought a job lot of glass and assorted tools, which will have to be collected from Devon; this will fit in nicely with a short break to visit daughter Ruth at her new home in Cornwall!  I have a lot of ideas and designs for stained glass items formulating in my mind, if half of them get made I'm going to be very busy! Watch this space.....
​As is usual, I have been making (and buying!) new items which I have been busy putting on the website this morning, have a look at the New Items page to see what I've been up to. 
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