This time last month I was sat in the glorious sunshine by the pool in beautiful Cyprus.
I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing our week spent  there was and how magical it was to spend a week just chilling with my favourite people in the whole world.
We ate way to much, but isn’t that half the fun of holidays, we drove for hours taking in the beauty as we filled our days with adventures.
We swam every day and boy don’t I miss it.
Exercise doesn’t come easy at home, firstly because the weather in the Uk is a huge trigger for me, cold, wet, damp days are not my friend. Swimming however seems to be the only exercise that my body will allow me to do, so it was wonderful to be able to get up and swim in a warm pool first thing in the morning. How I miss that.
I’m not going to go too much into our holiday as I have some blogs up my selves, when I find time to sit down and write them.

July has been full on, we haven’t stopped, but it’s been good really good, I truly have loved July.
For those of you that follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that we have started,

“Operation Coffee Deck!”

Without giving to much away, we moved into our house four years ago. It needs a lot of tlc, which we are slowly getting around to doing but you’ll hear more about this in a new series I’ve started writing called,

“House To Home.”

The garden was probably the worst area and needed an extreme amount of work to make it resemble anything like a garden. We have slowly been doing this since we moved in.
With two areas of the garden finished, there are three areas that need attention and we started one of those areas a few weeks ago.
We’ve named this area our coffee deck.
It’s slowly but surely starting to take shape. It’s been backbreaking at times, Mark has worked his socks off, and I’ve tried to help as much as I can but when I can’t, I sit and try to get a little crochet done, while I keep my hubby company, ready to jump up and help when he needs me.

That’s whats so great about this project, we get to spend quality time together while turning our house into a home.
I’m really loving every moment of this journey, I can’t help but smile when I look out our back door to a dessert of dirt and feel the pride and love that has so far gone into “Operation Coffee Deck.”
Ok, ok, I’ll admit when it rains and our fur babies walk mud everywhere, that desert of dirt becomes my worst enemy but I just try to remind myself that it will be worth it when we are sat on the new deck, having our morning coffee as the sun warms our skin and sets us up for the day head.
I really can’t tell you how excited I am about it and can’t wait to show you it, in all it’s glory.

Along with working/remodelling the garden, we have been putting the finishing touches to a room we have been doing up in the house, we are just waiting on a door delivery and then I can tell you all about it. 😀
What I can tell you though is, I Love, Love, Love this room. It’s definitely my favourite in the whole house and I can’t wait to share it with you.

16 years ago our Son Calum, came into this world with a head full of curly black hair, a skin tone we all dream of having and the most delightful cry.
We held him in our arms and all the love that blossomed over the last 9 months filled our souls and hearts.
After 3 years of being poked and prodded by every doctor imaginable, 1000’s of scans and daily injections, our dream of completing our family had finally come true and we knew how extremely lucky we were to have him.
He’s brought so much love to our hearts, smiles to our faces and laughter to our bellies but most of all pride. Pride at how incredibly talented he is, how caring, loving and kind he is and pride that no matter the situation he always brings the biggest smiles and floor rolling laughs, he truly lightens this world with his awesome sense of humour, cheeky smile and dry wit and we couldn’t possibly love him more than we do.
He completes us.
If I could ask just one thing of him, I would ask for him to never change for anyone, to continue to laugh and smile through every situation and take the world by storm because you Calum can conquer anything you set your mind to. (And we know you will)
We love him with every inch of our hearts and souls.

🧐Family History.
As for family research, it just hasn’t happened.
I’ve had no time, no time at all and I miss it.
Hopefully though, throughout August, I will get back into the swing of things and finally start the journey into my husbands family.
As you already know our families cross paths many times on Marks material Line, so I’m pretty excited to delve a little deeper into his history.
I’ve also got to share the last part of my Nans story with you, I haven’t forgotten, it’s that time factor again, I really do apologise for being so slack.
I promise to up my game.

🧶Crochet.
Since I first picked up my hook, I don’t think I have crocheted as little as I have throughout July.
Time really hasn’t been my friend, I’m not complaining though, it’s good to have a little break and work on something new once in a while.
However my mind is full of what to make next, who to make things for and what colours I envision for each project.
I’ve got some gorgeous projects planned but first things first I have to finish off a few wips.

My secret project has had most of my attention this month, especially as it’s taking a good hour if not more to crochet one side.
It’s big, heavy, snuggly and I love it, truly it’s gorgeous and I can’t believe I made it.
Little old me, made something so timelessly beautiful.
How did that happen!!!
I’m hoping to finish it in the next few weeks, but in truth, the glorious weather we are having at the moment in the Uk has stopped play for the moment. You see it’s 79” x 79” already and there is just no way I can sit under it, in the heat.

I’m also desperately trying to finish off my “waffle stitch blanket” as it’s for the room I’ve just told you about. Once again, it’s not easy to work on in this weather.
It’s nearly there. So far I’ve used 6 skeins of yarn, I’ve got 4 more to use and then I can add a border (not 100% sure if it needs one, we will see)

On the odd occasion, I have had time to sit and crochet, I’ve managed to make two squares for my Mums, “Nuts About DNA Afghan”

Square 98, was the Rachel’s Flower Afghan Square by Diana Krenz.

And square 99 was also by Diana Krenz called, The Popcorn Dance.

Diana Krenz patterns are alway enjoyable and a dream to make. They are very well written and full of texture. I’m hoping to make a Lapghan just out of her squares in the near future, so watch this space.

😍Crochet Crush.
I have decided to feature each months “Crochet Crush” as its own blog and in its own category/section, this way my lovely followers can find them easily. So please pop back tomorrow to see what it’s is. It’s a beauty that’s for sure.

I think that about sums up the wonderful month of July but before I go I must tell you that my hubby Mark was featured in the July issue of, Amateur Photography.
We haven’t received our copy yet but as soon as I do, I promise I’ll share it with you, but of course you can go and buy yourself a copy.
While I’m on the subject of being featured, our youngest son Calum and our beautiful Niece, Ashlin, were on the front page of our local newspaper.
I would love to share the photo with you but I’m a bit of a security nerd when it comes to putting photos of my boys and our pets on line, you never know who’s looking at them. It’s best to be safe than sorry.

So until next time, enjoy this glorious weather while it lasts and don’t forget to cream up.

Too-da-loo for now.

🦋🦋🦋