Monday 2 December 2013

Happy Thanksgiving - belated!


We’ve had a glorious few months after a pretty cold first half of the year  but from Wimbledon (late June) onwards it was wonderful to be in England now that we had a summer to relish ...
 
Pasty van - providing an easy supper for us all -
Downsview Icecream tubs to follow later on -
simple but effective catering I'd say?!

There were a few celebrations ... some shared, then repeated and why not when you’re 21 – it only happens once ... but so many of us seem to want that recurring bliss time!


Lots of beautiful gardens to see ... this is a post of few words (well it was meant to be!) ... as I now I feel able to relax and get on with life once again ... Thanksgiving has come and gone, end of November also ... by which time I had need to complete a few things – done .. now to spruce them up, after I had an epiphany for my future blog and life ...

One real and one honorary twin goddaughters ...
born on the same day - coincidence to say the least - but
fun all the same!

Christmas is a-coming ... the goose is getting fat – well I hope our turkey is! ... so December will be another month of action and finally perhaps in 2014 I can really see the light ahead.


Generally I’ve been out and about lots – visiting many exhibitions that I still need to write up about ... and have a list of a few to visit in the coming months – keeps me learning.

 
The family standard poodle


In 2014 I need to catch up with friends and more family ... but you’ve all been great supporting me, some of you I have met, which has been a pleasure, some I almost feel like I know albeit we’re miles apart ...


My blog proved its worth recently ... as I wrote about Emily Hobhouse the great aunt of one of my mother’s cousins.   


Meditation seat half way down the pergola, opposite
one of the ponds
Those brief posts were spotted by an Afrikaans journalist in Cape Town, who is organising a project around Emily and a famous speech she wrote for December 16th 1913, and her work in South Africa, where she is honoured.


So now Elsabe, from the Die Burger newspaper, in Cape Town and Emily’s great niece, Jennifer Hobhouse Balme, who holds her papers, in Vancouver Island are in touch ... interesting world isn’t it.

 
The tidied up compost heap at the bottom
of the orchard ...
I think I need to do a post on Emily – as her thoughts are still so relevant today:


We in England are still dunces in the great world-school; our leaders are still struggling with the unlearned lesson that liberty is the equal right and heritage of every child of man, without the distinction of race, colour or sex.


... one of the ancient apple trees now happily
covered in rose blossom



Emily had always been determined to help the impoverished ... the women, the children in particular – the inhabitants particularly affected by the war, whichever ghastly war, raging around them ... so, so sad it is still happening today.




Shawn the Bouncing Sheep - to get everyone in the
mood for the party ... 

We have natural disasters, mechanical disasters, human disasters and for most of us in this blogosphere can count our blessings we don’t usually fall into those categories, however should a disaster occur I like to think we can each learn from the other – as there are so many caring people who have family challenges ...



Roses - blooming outside
the town's library in
mid-November!


This is a learning environment ... as well as a fun, caring place to be in ‘our’ blogosphere – which reaches far and wide ...


A belated happy Thanksgiving ... and while we still have roses blooming in November – before the polar air hits us at the end of the week I send you some blooms across the airwaves ...



Emily Hobhouse post - part 1 and my school days in Oxford


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

66 comments:

Luanne G. Smith said...

I'd like to hear more from Emily Hobhouse. Smart lady. And how can you still have roses blooming in November? Amazing and beautiful. I hope December doesn't fly by in a rush. There's so much to appreciate about this time of year before the really dreadful cold hits.

Julie Flanders said...

How wonderful about the newspaper and Emily's family! What a great surprise that must have been. Congratulations!
Love the pics of you and your god-daughters and the poodle! :D

Bish Denham said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely! I bet those trees love growing in the compost heap! The apple tree in bloom, sweet. And the quote from Emily... yes still relevant today. Why haven't we learned yet?

Lisa said...

As always your blog is so very interesting, introducing me to people I haven't heard of and places I haven't been. The world is indeed a smaller place than we imagine, while at the same time seeming immense! Thanks for dropping by Hilary. It is always such a pleasure. I hope one day to be one of those following your blog who actually gets to meet you face to face!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's cool your post brought them together. You offer so much knowledge in your posts - surprised you don't have more people contacting you.

D.G. Hudson said...

How perfect, Hilary, that someone saw your post, and acted upon it to further praise for such a great woman. Kudos to you. I always like to hear about women who do MORE for others, than the average person.

As LG said, I'd love to hear more about Emily, especially if there's a Vancouver connection. A lot of British people have settled in our province, hence it's name. . .

Suzanne Furness said...

One of the things I love most about blogging is the caring, sharing community we have. I do believe we 'look out' for each other even though distance separates us. Lifelong learning I am all in favour of. Your blog proves you just never know who might be reading!

A happy and peaceful December to you, Hilary.

Old Kitty said...

Are those your beautiful goddaughters!? Awwww! What a trio of utterly gorgeous floral and fragrant women!! Yay!!

Your 2014 sounds like it's already shaping up to be a most wonderful and interesting time! Lovely!

Looking forward to more of Emily!

Take care
x

Optimistic Existentialist said...

How wonderful that your post led to this - your blog makes a difference in people's lives :)

A Lady's Life said...

This sure is a learning world and this is what life is all about.It is a journey and a never ending story.
Glad you are able to do so much leg work lol

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Luanna - yes I'll do a post or two on Emily .. there's a lot of relevance to today.

I know - the roses and other plants are beginning to flower again ... but winter I think might be here.

I'm looking forward to appreciating Christmas and New Year this time .. so am getting myself organised and as you say I really don't want it to rush by.

@ Karen - things are slotting into place, for which I'm extremely thankful. Delighted you enjoy the posts - thanks.

@ Julie - it was a surprise Julie - and to find Jenny was in England .. was amazing. They are now in touch re some articles and Elsabe's project on Emily in Cape Town ...

Aren't the girls great and the poodle! Always good to have around ..

@ Bish - thanks so much - the ancient fruit trees, some new ones - but the compost is well collected and the roses flowering amongst the apple branches all enjoy a renewal of life ...

I thought that quote was very appropriate for today - and why haven't we learnt ... I honestly don't know.

@ Lisa - thanks so much .. the main thing is 'everyone' is interested and enjoys visiting.

I just opening my own wings as well as letting everyone into my world as I educate myself.

Wouldn't that be great to meet up - I'd love that .. let's hope it'll happen ..

@ Alex - thanks so much - I was surprised .. Elsabe must have searched high and low. Jenny Hobhouse is thrilled as you can imagine ...

Thanks again .. I just enjoy what I do, but I'm not an expert at anything .. and I'm really happy doing what I do ..

@ DG - Emily was an amazing lady .. so more posts will follow. I'd been intending to do a post on her before Elsabe made contact.

Jenny and her husband settled out in Vancouver Island - hence the connection .. but I enjoyed visiting! Emily didn't have a Canadian connection ... but she certainly did more than the average woman and probably person!

@ Suzanne - you're right about being there for each other ... it's an amazing advantage for many of us bloggers. I love learning and am delighted that readers also appreciate my posts - as they rock around the place! And yes I wonder who else is reading!

@ Old Kitty - yes they be my beautiful 21 year old god-daughters ... it was a lovely early party for them - but they were happy to share.

I think 2014 might just bring some changes ... and more on Emily will follow.

@ Keith - yes the connections were certainly made and they are in email correspondence, which is brilliant news.

@ A Lady's Life - yes life is a constant learning story along its path ..

Thanks everyone - so delighted you enjoyed the mix of information .. more on Emily will follow ... and the girls ... cheers Hilary

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

There's just no telling who might be reading our posts, is there? It's terrific that your post was able to serve such a good purpose.

Yes, there's a lot to be learned in the blogosphere, and lots of wonderful people to meet. I'm so glad you're one of them.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

So glad you had a restful break! That's wonderful. And I know what you mean about friends and family...I need to connect better in 2014. But you're right...so true that our online friends are such good ones, too.

Vallypee said...

What an interesting woman Emily Hobhouse was. I shall now need to know more about her! Has Jenny published the book again, or is the original version still available? I have read both the former posts now and I can imagine how inspired you were! One question Hilary. When I was in SA, people used to tell me the Land of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings was inspired by Lesotho. Do you think that's just a legend invented by enthusiastic people because Tolkein was born in Bloemfontein, or do you think there might be any truth in it? I can't find anything further and as he left SA when he was very young, it seems quite unlikely now.

Vallypee said...

What an interesting woman Emily Hobhouse was. I shall now need to know more about her! Has Jenny published the book again, or is the original version still available? I have read both the former posts now and I can imagine how inspired you were! One question Hilary. When I was in SA, people used to tell me the Land of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings was inspired by Lesotho. Do you think that's just a legend invented by enthusiastic people because Tolkein was born in Bloemfontein, or do you think there might be any truth in it? I can't find anything further and as he left SA when he was very young, it seems quite unlikely now.

Julia Hones said...

Hi Hilary.
What a fascinating, inspiring blog, dear Hilary! So much to think about, so much to be thankful for, so much to do for others...
Thanks for being there.
I love your blog and I love the messages you convey here...

Elise Fallson said...

Love the picture of you three. And how amazing your post got the journalist in SA and Emily's great niece in contact! How marvellous it is to live in an age where we can communicate with people instantly all over the world... Enjoy the last blooming roses! (:

klahanie said...

Hi Hilary,

We most certainly and finally, had a decent summer.

Both Thanksgivings have come and gone. Which means that Christmas is becoming most apparent. Actually, I saw Christmas stuff in August.

You have been keeping busy and taking in such cultural wonders.

Your blog always proves its worth and the connections are a marvel to note. It's all for your friends to see.

We share the ideals of this community being a place to learn, to understand, to share our diversity. You do that very well, Hilary.

Cheers and more cheers,

Gary

Janie Junebug said...

Emily is fascinating. What a great historical figure.

Love,
Janie

Chatty Crone said...

Things sound good for you! I'm so glad.

Isn't it funny how something in the blog can lead to something like that. Funny I just read a blog that talked about someone who helped her out.

Love, sandie

Jo said...

Wonderful that your blog got such an international response and made a great connection.

I love Cornish Pasties, there is a place not far from here where they make very good ones. We buy them now and again. They are called The Scottish Bakery and have a lot of British pies and cakes etc. Great if one is feeling nostalgic.

mail4rosey said...

That sheep does look fun! I'd love to read your post on Emily, and you've got blooms this late in the year. How lucky!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Susan - the connection with Die Burger paper and Elsabe is really amazing - so I'm glad I was able to put them in touch.

The blogosphere is a surprising place isn't it ..

@ ELizabeth - thanks .. I was head down in some studies. Well you've at least got a family .. I really do need to get out more! But we learn so much from being around our online friends .. well I certainly do ...

@ Val - I've emailed you .. so please check. Jenny's book is still available - as a 2nd hand book "To Love One's Enemies", I'll have to find out about the reprinting.

Tolkein has always been linked with reaches in South Africa, after those few early years there ... and who knows - perhaps he was inspired by the books the family brought back, where there were illustrations of the Eastern Cape and Lesotho ... but I've no idea other than similar myths you've heard.

@ Julia - thank you so much - it's lovely to find blogging friends are interested in similar things to me ...

@ Elise - yes it's a good photo of the three of us isn't it. Then I was really surprised that Elsabe contacted me and that I was able to put her directly in touch with Jenny - but I could ring Jenny here in the UK as she was over visiting.

It's still 'warm' here and I thought I'd wake up to a frost - but not by the Channel .. and those roses are just a burst of bright colour as I walk past the library.

@ Gary - thankfully we did eventually have a lovely summer - as this party shows, it's not often we can be out late into the without a heavy mist falling.

Christmas has been rocking around in the shops for ages - I think they have a storage problem and need to get the 'stuff' out! Even the National Gallery had Christmas cards out in August!!

I've been happily travelling around educating myself and seeing some friends and family along the way - just such fun to have all these connections here though.

We, as with many others, share the ideals of community ... thanks so much for your lovely words ..

@ Janie - it seems she is finally being recognised.

@ Sandie - thank you .. we do find out those links don't we - blogging can be a great medium.

@ Jo - I was surprised, but pleased - not as happy as Jenny is to have the connection with Elsabe, in Cape Town.

Cornish pasties - I have to say I only really like home-made ones! But delighted you've found a local bakery and can indulge occasionally ...

@ Rosey - Shawn the Sheep kept everyone amused before they were thrown off ...

The weather is being unusually benign at the moment - I'm pleased to say ... well except the plants don't know whether to flower or not ..

Cheers to you all and thanks so much for visiting - Hilary

Annalisa Crawford said...

How cool your post was read around the world! And Emily sounds very sensible, and - as you say - relevant today. I hope your Christmas preparations go well :-)

Anonymous said...

Those roses are beautiful. And they were still blooming mid-November? Very hardy, aren't they?

Manzanita said...

Hilary
The connection of blogging never ceases to delight me. So many things we would miss without it. I enjoyed all of your photos and especially of your two lovely lasses and the lovely Hilary. Since our Thanksgiving is later than yours, the turkey taste is still a vivid memory. Ha
Well what happened to the compost pile?
Many hugs on this very cold day in Montant.

Patricia said...

I took a whole week off of the phone and the computer and turned out off of reading too - I feel ready for action now; refreshed.

I liked this post and all the connections - felt like I was at the party too. We have been having glorious sunshine though had an earlier frost around Halloween which did in the roses. Today is 28'F very chilly with sunshine.

I hope the new year will be a great one for all of use - 2013 has been such a transition year and my focus has been on my health.

Maybe I will find work this coming year - that would be helpful also, though I still wish I could turn the book reviews into more income.

Oh Hilary you have such spirit and that fills me with Thanksgiving no matter the date

Friko said...

Well, it doesn’t seem to have been a bad year for you, at least it had pleasant highlights and lighter moments.

Enjoy the festivities and have a happy new year. I know it’s a bit early to say this, but good wishes are always welcome, aren’t they.

Empty Nest Insider said...

Lovely photo of you and your goddaughters! It's so exciting how you brought the newspaper woman from Cape Town, and Emily's great niece together! Hilary, you really have accomplished so much with your blog, as you continue to inform and enlighten us.

Julie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Annalisa - I was so pleased for Jenny - as she has done so much with Emily's papers and making sure the facts are presented truthfully.

@ Susanne - yes the roses were still blooming in November .. and still are - a little more battered now it's early December.

@ Manzanita - blogging has some wonderful attributes to it .. ah! the lovely lasses - they are great and I'm lucky with two wonderful god-daughters.

Yes - Thanksgiving is a moveable feast .. and we don't even have one - though we've grabbed Halloween with both retailer's paws! It's not a public holiday though and I doubt will become that.

The compost heap is regularly used around the garden, when plants/borders/ vegetable garden etc new trees need some encouragement .. nothing goes to waste here: good husbandry is practised.

@ Patricia - well I'm glad you had a refreshing week .. sometimes we need to switch away completely.

I know your health hasn't been of the best - but hope you can have a good 2014 and find some way to make some money - always useful - and thanks re your comment .. life is wonderful isn't it ...

@ Friko - at least I was able to settle down and met some great people! You're so right .. good wishes never come amiss and though I'm going to enjoy the December days of 2013 .. I hope the New Year will let me spread my wings even more ...

@ Julie - thanks re the photos .. and I was so surprised with Elsabe's email to me - but so thrilled for Jenny - that she can get involved with the acknowledgement of Emily's place in South African history ..

Thanks everyone .. always wonderful to see you - cheers Hilary

Gattina said...

You have lots of plans for 2014 ! Hope all your wishes will be fulfilled !
We had the darkest November since 30 years ! Christmas we will celebrate here in Waterloo with son and family.

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Cheers Hilary. This is a terrific post with beautiful pictures.
I agree with you. I have learned a lot from fellow bloggers and as much as I am afraid of losing memory I enjoy blogs because they give me very nice reading material and if I don't understand something or I do not follow something I go back and read again.
Take care of yourself. Stay warm and fit and healthy.

Christine Rains said...

What a wonderful post! :) And great pictures.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Gattina - thanks .. and glad you'll be having your family for Christmas.

@ Munir - so glad you enjoyed the post and photos. We do learn so much don't we - and blog posts aren't necessarily too long and can be enjoyed, once or twice -

You too look after yourself ..

@ Christine - many thanks

Cheers - Hilary

Sara said...

Hilary,

First of all, thanks for sharing the pictures of what looks like a fun and wonderful event.

You're right about turning 21! Although, I must admit, for me, it's been long to really remember the feeling:~) Still sharing it must have been a great time. I really liked the "bouncing sheep."

Yes, please...more on Emily Hobhouse. I loved the quote you put up!

Unknown said...

Wonderful informative blog, and you look so happy.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sara .. the photos show some of what was happening on a glorious English party-time evening .. sadly - me too .. it is way too long ago! But still I can enjoy the joining in ..

Emily is coming up .. next week I think ..

@ Carole - many thanks .. the evening was a lovely time for us all ..

Cheers to you both - we're experiencing the softer end of some northern gales .. Hilary

Sandra Tyler said...

belated thanksgiving to you too my dear, and thanks for your kind words on my posts about my mother. And yes, Christmas is just around the corner so I need to get in gear!

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, Hilary,

GORGEOUS roses. The colors are SOOO vibrant!

Thanks for dropping by my blog earlier. I always smile from your sweet comment and smiling face.

Glad you are still having lovely weather. I look forward to more of your outings. I learn so much and you do a fantastic job of bringing us right there with you.

CONGRATS on the post. That's amazing that you were contacted. Exciting things will certainly be happening for the new year.

Have a wonderful holiday season! May it be truly magical!

River Fairchild said...

I think I squealed out loud when I saw the picture of the dog - I have a silver standard Poodle who looks just like her/him!

The world keeps getting more connected. How wonderful that your posts about Emily were seen by others who could then connect in a separate branch. It's also sad that Emily's words still hold true and relevant today - just as true in the US. We should have made more progress than we have.

Wishing you a joyous season, Hilary!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Sandra ... your post about your mother resonates so much - while as you say Christmas is a-coming!

@ Michael - thanks so much you're always very generous with your comments. Your visit to Bogota sounds amazing - such a great experience.

The gales and storms are now in - I'm safe here ... otherwise the island will be sinking!

Wasn't it amazing about being able to connect Elsabe from Cape Town with Jenny in Vancouver Island, with the origins here in Cornwall where Jenny and I both hail from ...

Thanks Michael ..

@ Laura - that's wonderful you have a silver standard poodle, ours become silver! As do their elderly family!!

I was so pleased about the Emily Hobhouse connection over 100 years later ... and those words of Emily's do ring true don't they .. very sad to acknowledge that.

Cheers to you all - it's wonderful everyone's fascinated with hearing about Emily - and delights Jenny .. many thanks - Hilary

Denise Covey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denise Covey said...

It would be wonderful if you got picked up by a newspaper or magazine Hilary. Awesome.

Inger said...

It's fascinating how blogs can be found by people we don't know and new friends made all around the world. I, for one, am so happy that you find joy in visiting Samson and me in the canyon. You know my hubby wants to be anonymous, but in the real world, you would enjoy him and his cooking too.

Mark Koopmans said...

Aloha Hilary,

(one of my favorite "furriners" ... you should have seen how long it took me to figure out what you meant :)

Thanks for sharing the latest news from the annals of Planet Melton-Butcher and how wonderful that your posts on Emily were found by that other writer - and now the family are involved... wow :)

PS. How fun to have two goddaughters born on the same day and Belated Happy Birthday to both! (Here, my wife and her two sisters all gave birth to children in 2010 and it is fun to watch the "Tens" as I call them growing up and interacting with each other at family events:)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Denise - many thanks .. but I think it's unlikely to happen - but who knows! I had another post picked up by their curating arm - but cannot for the life of me remember how or what - something to do with food and the Midlands I think ..

@ Inger - I'd love to meet you both and Samson of course .. and I'm sure I'd love your hubby's cooking ... good wholesome food from the garden is the best.

Meeting people through 'blog conversations' has been eye opening for me .. I'm always amazed - and am so pleased I'm out here with you all.

@ Mark - Aloha! It's a wonderful world in the way it pulls together ... and the Emily connection from Cape Town was just wonderful, particularly for Jenny.

I know the god-daughter x 2 connection is just lovely .. but your "Tens" sound quite delightful .. three of them growing and changing together - that will be interesting to record and watch .. similarities, yet differences ...

Thanks and lovely to see the three of you .. Hilary

TALON said...

Roses in November - sounds like the title of a Canadian Fantasy novel, Hilary. :)

What fun you had! I'm glad. :)

loverofwords said...

Oh how I envy the English climate which makes gardening not such a hardship as it is here in Colorado. Your story about Emily makes me want to find out more about her through you! When you were in South Africa did you learn to speak Afrikaans?

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Talon - it is unusual .. unless the climate is so odd - then who knows! Titles are fun and especially if the roses were in Canada .. it could definitely make for a fantasy story line ...

@ Tasha - yes we're lucky and gardening the day away can be great fun ... especially with a wonderful day .. sun, cloudless and gentle breeze.

Emily is coming up - Mandela first though .. which I'm mulling about - and no I'm not a linquist .. though I can at least pronounce the names ... I really should have made an effort to learn languages - tried, but not hard enough!

Cheers to you both .. Hilary

scarlett clay said...

Wonderful to hear your post was found and recognized, what an honor! And what a sense of accomplishment! But I want to hear more about this 'epiphany' for your blog..i'll be back and hope to get the scoop on that! :)

Stephen Tremp said...

Your blog and posts are very powerful, able to leap tall buildings, beat speeding bullets, and bring people together.

Once 2014 comes around I will be out and about visiting much more often. 2013 has been a difficult, challenging, yet rewarding year.

Hilary, thanks for a great 2013. Your posts are some of the best in all of Blogdom. I really mean that.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Scarlett - amazing set of coincidences isn't it .. but I'm just so pleased for Jenny - she's always worked so hard at finding out more about Emily's efforts to help others and bring peace.

Later in 2014 I'll be able to bring in some changes .. more as and when! So no scoop for now - sorry!

@ Stephen - that's amazingly kind and I so appreciate your thoughts here.

I know you've had a challenging time this year - here's to the best for 2014 .. and the 3rd part of your trilogy.

Thanks to you both .. cheers Hilary

cleemckenzie said...

Loved the belated Happy T'day message. It came and went so quickly I'm glad to have a moment to pause and relive it.

I'm so pleased to read about Emily Hobhouse here. And aren't you thrilled to have captured the interest of that Cape Town journalist? Emily's words need to be out there for everyone to read again.

Here's to a brilliant Christmas season. All my best, Lee

Kittie Howard said...

Hilary, that SA connection is amazing! What a small world it is but also a good thing when a Cape Town blogger/journalists can connect with your family's distinguished history. You've definitely got a book in the making here!

I'm healed from that nasty fall (thank you for inquiring, you're a sweetie) but now pay more attention to the railing when I go down the stairs.

Thank you for the roses -- they added a touch of warmth this wintery day that's going to go from bad to worse as we deal with the storm that's affecting 22 states. Those of us who believe in global warming (67%) are becoming openly annoyed with those who don't.

Sherry Ellis said...

The bouncing sheep looks fun. My kids would like that!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Lee - well I'm glad you lingered here and am happy to know your Thanksgiving was peaceful, after your own recent experiences.

I was really surprised about Elsabe contacting me - but so pleased for Jenny - as she has kept her great-aunt's concerns out in the world. Emily's papers have not been 'lost in a dusty trunk', but published, and are continually being added to by Jenny.

Thanks for your thoughts ..

@ Kittie - I was surprised with Elsabe's contact - but it is a small world and keeps showing us how small it's become. There are definitely stories here ..

So pleased you're healed .. and yes we all need to watch our step don't we .. I hope I too don't fall over again.

I've just looked across the net to see the storm you were talking about .. and it sounds really dangerous. We've just had our first frost down here by the coast .. but it's still not 'cold' as such .. I'm glad to say: the cold doesn't thrill me!

@ Sherry - the 'kids' did enjoy bouncing around and being thrown off .. laughing uproariously as the next rider thumped to the ground .. some, only to rise up and try again!

Thanks so much to you all for coming by .. cheers Hilary

Anonymous said...

Good to hear you are keeping so positive, Hilary. That's a lovely photo of you and your Goddaughters (both look real to me) memories of a glorious summer!
Debbie X

Sue said...

I love the photo of you and your god-daughters and I want to reach in and give the family poodle a scritch behind the ears. I hadn't realised how much I miss ours till I saw that photo.
You seem to have had some very up and down weather lately but it sounds like you have a lot to keep you busy!
cheers
Sue

Kittie Howard said...

Thanks, Hilary, for your very kind words! Yes, yes, reaching across the Pond is very nice as there are so many wonderful people in the world (like you). Now, I've finally remembered the rather awkward title of one of my favorite reads ever -- "The Guernsey Potato Peel and Pie Society" -- the format of which popped into my head when I read about your SA connection. How wonderful it would be if you shared your communication about your relative in such a book.

We have a break in the weather today so off to run errands. Hope you also have a lovely day!

Tina said...

What a lovely, positive post! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. This really cheered me up this morning. Our blogsphere certainly is supportive and caring and helpful. I'm jealous you've gotten to meet so many of your fellow bloggers. Shannon and I are working on meeting soon, though, which I'm very excited about.
Tina @ Life is Good

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Debbie .. thanks so much - positive is good. It's a great photo isn't it .. and as you say lovely to have the photos and memories ...

@ Sue - the poodle would love a cuddle! They are amazing dogs I must say ... not mine, but I always enjoy having the dogs around ..

We love the weather - we're the Brits .. it's topsy turvy, but always interesting! Good to see you ..

@ Kittie - thanks .. well your books have done so well and I'm sure I'm going to enjoy the read.

Ah! - I've seen this book .. and I must get it to read .. sounds such a fun title .. and by your comment I'd better get it to see what you're talking about .. ordered!

The family connection is a little tenuous as it's Jenny's family and not my side .. but I can do something in the blog.

Glad you can get out and about with that storm that's been sweeping the States ..

@ Tina - good to see you .. well delighted I've cheered you on your way.

As you say the blogosphere is very supportive ... I've only managed to see a few fellow bloggers - but next year I expect it will definitely be a few more (lots more!) .. that'll be wonderful to meet up with Shannon .. it is fun.

Cheers to you all ... Hilary

Kittie Howard said...

Give it a few pages as one needs to settle into the format -- that said, I couldn't put the book down -- didn't want the fab read to end -- went to web cams the next day to see the island for myself -- oh, what a treat!

Misha Gerrick said...

Wow! So cool that you're related (however distantly) to Emily Hobhouse.

She's a heroine to most Afrikaans people. :-)

Patsy said...

Emily sounds like a very interesting lady.

I'm glad the polar weather hasn't reached us - maybe we've got away with it this time? I do hope so.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Kittie - many thanks I shall be reading the Guernsey literary and Potato Peel Pie Society book - I know it's an interesting read ... the Channel Islands (if the weather is kind!) are wonderful .. somewhere else to visit?! For me too ...

@ Misha - I know Emily's a heroine to the Afrikaaner .. I'll be interested to see developments in the light of Mandela's passing ..

@ Patsy - Emily must have been a very doughty Victorian and Edwardian lady! Strong of mind, not so of body ...

I'm glad that weather hasn't reached us in the south east .. it makes a change from recent years ..

Cheers to the three of you ... and everyone else who visits and reads ... Hilary

Old Kitty said...

Lovely Hilary!!!

Just popping by to wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and New Year! I hope you are keeping safe and warm! Take care
x