Introducing the beautiful Sorrel.

 

Sorrel about a week after her adoption bravely out in the centre of the room.

Hello folks!

As promised I'd like to introduce you to the new love in my life.

Very sadly I lost, precious little Sid who was by then 20 years of age in December 2016 just before Christmas.

The last photo.  Sleeping peacefully but a poorly girl.

Obviously, I'd know it was on the cards but was still devastated at her loss and she was the last living link at home with Trev, she'd spent a lot of time with him, especially in his last few weeks.  We had discussed how we'd handle things when the time came some time before, so I always knew she would come home and be laid to rest in the garden.  We'd also talked about weather or not we would have another little soul when the time was right, and the decision was that yes we would.

I left it for about 6 weeks before I could even think about sharing my home again with another little cat...but had decided that I'd start looking.  In the UK cat rescue centres find it very difficult to home adult black cats, so I had decided that this was the way to go.  I started trawling the rescue sites, I'd ruled out kittens and elderly cats and knew I'd only be able to afford one lot of vet bills on my tight budget.  For weeks the only options that came up fell into the 'ruled out' categories, but the sweet face of Sorrel kept catching my attention.  She was listed with a fairly local Cats Protection League site so I got in touch and explained my circumstances and my interest in re-homing Sorrel. 

They told me that Sorrel had been in a pen/run at the rescue centre for a whole year without ANY interest shown in her. She, along with her brother had been abandoned by the 'owners' when they'd moved house and had been living under a hedgerow, they were only between 10 and 12 weeks old.  Her brother had been re-homed a few months earlier.  He had been housed with her but was very domineering and had not allowed Sorrel to eat properly despite the rescues best efforts and only weighed 3.2kg when I got her (around 7 pounds).  The rescue had had an influx of newborn kittens at the same time, so Sorrel hadn't lived in a home and wasn't used to all the sounds of normal domestic life.  They wanted her to be homed with no other cats and preferably no children and a single adult if possible.

So, on the first of February last year I took a very good friend with me for support to visit and hopefully bring the little soul home.  The moment I saw her it was love!  She ran over, and tempted by Dreamies cat treats, and was happy to get fusses and purred and rubbed around our legs.  Of course I understood that I'd need to work with her to acclimatise her to domestic life, and so she came home.

I'd already prepared litter trays, toys, food and bedding for her but even though I knew there'd be work involved, but even I didn't quite realise just what it would take.

She was truly amazing in the car on the way home, and settled down peacefully with hardly a murmur.

I brought her into the lounge, left her for a few minutes before opening the cat carrier door.  She fled out and not surprisingly hid behind the settee.  I made sure that I spoke to her gently and often, and over the next hour made sure she had nice warm bedding with her own blanket (brought home with her) and a litter tray along with a few treats.  When I had the TV or radio on I made sure that the volume was only just loud enough for me to hear it.  She was so terrified she didn't make a move for hours.  I decided that I would stay in the chair instead of going to bed that night.  I caught site of her peeping round the settee some hours later and didn't speak but tried to ignore her.  When she moved back to safety I put a few treats where she'd been brave enough to venture to, and sure enough an hour later they'd gone!  Over the next week she gradually got braver, and the photo at the head 

of the post was taken in one of her brave moments a week later.  I made sure that when I got eye contact with her I slow blinked my eyes, as cats do this to one another to say they're no threat.  I'd watched lots of US cat behaviourist Jackson Galaxy programmes, and knew that I needed to build her confidence.  The little 'red dot' toy is amazing for this as cats concentrate on chasing it so hard they forget their surroundings and find themselves out in the centre of the room.  They then realise it's safe to be there.  I got her a 'cat tree' as she'd have to stay in for around 6-8 weeks and I didn't want her to get bored.

Bird watching!

Gradually I built up her trust and she has become a very sweet companion.  Now weighing it at just over 4kgs. (10 pounds) she loves her life here!  She proved to be a hunter, which meant that the bird feeders in the garden are now over 10 feet off the ground!  Filling them can be a challenge, but the birds are a whole lot safer.

I keep her in at dusk until the next morning, and she spends most of the evening curled up on my lap.

Sometimes, as you can imagine I still have off days when missing Trev just becomes too much, and if she's around and I am upset she will make a bee-line for me - I'd like to think she knows I need that bit of support from her.

Sleepy time on my lap.

She is incredibly funny, and gets up to all sorts of antics which make me laugh.  She loves any company and is always happy to come and say hello.

I am so pleased we found each other, and I love her to bits!

Sorrel today.

Hope you have enjoyed meeting her.

Very best wishes.

A day late but..

I know, it's boxing day - a day late to wish you happy Christmas.  None the less I send greetings to one and all in the hope that however you spent yesterday it was the way you wanted to celebrate it.

Hoping that 2018 will be a good year, and your hopes and dreams can be attained, and you enjoy good health with your loved ones.

Someone posted the following on Facebook, I thought what beautiful words for us all:

Here's to new life, new beginnings, fresh starts & second chances. 

Here's to making friends or making amends, making up or breaking up. 

Here's to a new you and a new me but still being the same us. 

Here's to those who can't be here but to remember them is a must.

... Here's to looking ahead with a smile, to giving everything & everyone a try. 

Here's to forgetting bad feelings that weigh you down, be lighter on your feet & lose the frown.

Here's to keeping your head up, with pride, song & heart. 

Here's to being better people, the best that we can be.

Here's to them, us, him, her, you & me.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

Unknown author

I would like to return to my blog in 2018 in a different way, for no longer to do buy mountains of things that catch my eye, and am still, slowly cutting back and pruning my home into shape.  Don't fret - I cannot be a minimalist!

Since loosing my sweet little cat Sid last December I have a new dear rescue cat Sorrel that I share my life with...and I will introduce her to you soon. 

So for now, I close wishing you all well.

With my very best wishes to you all.  (If anyone is still out there!)

Eight months on.

It's been a while since I have sat down to make a post.  The last eight months have been awful. How does one get on with life when half of it is missing?  It's only now I feel that I can, through the tears, put down some words.

This is a tribute to the wonderful person I shared 44 years of my life with.

Trevor Alan Hadley was born on the 31^st March 1954, the third child of Ray and Brenda in Bilston.  He had an elder siblings Roy and Joy and after a few years a younger sister Jackie.

The Hadley family lived in Bilston and were close and fun loving.

Trevor was a typical boy getting into mischief in the company of his ever faithful dog Bobby.  Sometimes as he attempted to hide on the fields behind their home after some jape but Bobby would be the one that gave him away by sitting, wagging his tail next to the bush Trevor would be hiding behind!

Always interested in anything mechanical, encouraged by his dad and Uncle Norman.  He had quite a collection of Matchbox cars and trucks as a lad.

Though Trevor had many friends at school he wasn’t motivated by the teachers, and despite passing the 11+ and attending Grammar school he caused some consternation by not being very attentive.  His parents didn’t know weather to laugh or cry at a comment on one of his school reports by his biology teacher – ‘Trevor is an amiable buffoon!”

After leaving school, and fully motivated by his interest in mechanics he went into an apprenticeship at Bradburn & Wedge Wolverhampton, and attained his City and Guilds qualifications in Vehicle Mechanics with distinction.  Never happier than covered in oil and with a spanner in his hand!

He had good friends including Pete and Neil, who he shared good times with. Many laughs were had together, and their shared interests in cars and motorbikes, and spending happy hours ‘off-roading’ over the fields.   

He had a wonderful knowledge of a wide range of music styles, including blues, rock and Cajun and could tell who was playing backing instruments on recordings by there styles of play.

Trev and Rose met in July 1972 on a blind date – but not with each other!  They shared company over a drink or two and by the end of the evening Rose knew that she had met her soul mate.  Many of their courting days were spent happily customising his cars.  They were pretty well inseparable from then on. Getting married in 1978.

He started working for BRS in 1975 as a HGV vehicle mechanic until attaining his 21^st birthday when he got his HGV licence, which he was longing for and from then on was out on the road in his truck.  He had the most amazing knowledge of the roadways of both Britain and Europe, never needing a map as his very own ‘TREVNAV’ came into play. Up to his retirement in October 2014 and having driven literally millions of miles with an accident free driving record.

In 1982 he became the very proud father of Vicky, upon whom he doted. 

Vicky becoming his constant companion when he was at home.  Together, they fettled motors in the garage and walked for miles sharing a love of nature and wildlife – often joined by neighbour John and brother Roy and his daughter Laura.  Of course his roguish ways never left him, and he was know to play pranks upon Vicky – one memorable one by bending a nail around his finger and smearing tomato sauce around it to pretend he’d injured himself.

One day old - first family photo

He came back to motorbikes later in life, and still loved to individualise his Honda CX.  Someone once commented to him that you couldn’t fit a 650 engine into a 500 frame – he soon disproved that theory by his huge knowledge of mechanics! His beloved black bike SLY runs like a dream, and he has toured all over the UK and also got many miles under his belt in Europe attending club rallies in both Holland and Germany.  He greatly valued the friends that this interest bought into his life, and he spent lots of time talking bikes and sharing jokes with them.  Helping each other when spares or technical information were needed.  A close friend once offered him some spares and his reply was that ‘My shed runneth over!’

Happy days together.

His last project, the beautiful blue American CX 650 Custom was built up from a bare frame and arrived mainly through the post box!

Though Trevor had a busy life he was generous with his time and would always help out a friend in need.  He loved his family and friends and always the gentle giant with the roguish laugh

It was a mark of the high esteem in which he was held when over 95 people attended the celebration of his life, they came from all over the UK, Southern Ireland, Holland and Germany.

Ancient history, almost 45 years ago...

19th July 1972  
I had been set up on a blind date - all I knew was a rough description of the chap, and that his name Rob.
I was at the appointed place on time and a car kept driving past, slowing but not stopping.  The handsome chap driving the car would smile as he slowed down....I was confused, why if he was my date didn't he stop?  I waited for around twenty minutes after the appointed time and thought that was long enough.   I started to walk to my brothers home about two miles away.  As I walked along the main road, the same car kept driving past... By the time I was only a few hundred yards from my destination curiosity got the better of me (young and foolish you see) So I kept a look out in case he came past again, as I saw the car I stood and waited... The driver pulled up alongside and leaned over and wound down the window and said hello.  I asked his name - fully expecting the reply to be Rob, and was horrified when he reply "Trev".  I was totally embarrassed, and stuttered an apology and started to walk hurriedly off.  He asked me to stop, and got out of the car to talk to me.  I explained who I'd thought he was, and he commented that Rob was a fool to stand me up.
I was certainly attracted to him, but also cautious.  He asked if I'd like to go for a drink.  I said that as long as I could select the place we could go.  There was a pub just around the corner, so I suggested there - he agreed and off we went the few hundred yards to the pub and talked and laughed together for the next few hours....I knew in that short time that he was 'the' one.
Who knew that this meeting would shape the rest of my life.

Just in case anyone checks in, sending you all my very best wishes for good health, happiness and contentment in 2017.

Bereft.

My soul mate, friend, love, partner and husband of 38 years passed away on the 17th June only three days after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.  I am bereft.

Rest in peace my darling...

Trevor - my gentle giant. 

1954 - 2016

Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2016 to you all!

'My' Robin sending best wishes to you all!

Hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful holiday-time.

See you all in 2016.

Very best wishes

x x x

To remember them

With respect for the fallen

We will remember them.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE HEDGEHOGS.

Hi Folks

Don't reckon many will be reading this as I've been away so long, but if this saves one hedgehog that's a bonus.

Thank you..

Lots going on with me this year, and cannot get my head around blogging.  I haven't gone for good but it may be a while before I'm back.

Hope everyone is well, sending you a {{HUG}}

Very best wishes

Rose H

x x x x

Finally, a post!

Hello folks, before I start with my post I would like to say a very sincere thank you for all the comments I received on my last post.  I found them very moving.

Right, here goes.  

There's been a lot of changes in my life and attitude to things of late (not really surprisingly) I've been trying literally to put my house in order.  The seemingly endless task of sorting out and decorating has begun, and as I'm sure you know the rooms that are finished make EVERYTHING else in the home look super shabby!  Last Summer I did manage to decorate our downstairs loo and hallway and also the bathroom, which were long overdue but finally I have redecorated our dining room!  I really don't like to admit that it has been many, many years since it was last decorated.

I took the plunge and 'Annie Sloaned' the dresser, corner unit, bookcase and hostess trolley, and though I shall whisper very quietly that I'm really not a fan of 'shabby chic' I really needed to make drastic changes.  Out went the over sized dining table and 6 chairs (now re-homed with my beautiful daughter and her lovely partner.)  It's taken me a while - I'm not getting any younger and I know when I've done enough!  Here's some befores and afters....

The dresser top before - I don't have good views of the whole of it!

(incidentally, the daffodil china is one of the (many) things that has been re-homed.

Sold it to a vintage tea shop.)

Painted in AS Louis Blue and Original (off white)
then it's been AS Soft waxed to finish.

The knobs are crackled cream (eBay)

I've painted the interiors to match.
Please note fab new carpet

Couldn't find a before photo I'd taken so this is from here but identical to mine.
Mahogany heated hostess trolley

After!

My pine bookcase was very similar to this one, but of course mine only cost £25 from a charity shop!

but afterwards it looked like this!

(This shows a little of the old peachy carpet)

The 'old' corner unit

And again after it'd been Annie Sloaned.

I managed to get hold of a fab pine farmhouse style table and hard wood chairs off eBay which someone had kindly already painted and waxed in AS Pure White.  

(Sid's sleeping quarters showing by the radiator - she's 19 now and needs a bit of comfort.) 

Since taking this photo I've also changed the curtains to a china blue colour.

It took me around 4 weeks plodding along at my own pace to do but we are delighted with the finished result.  I did however roller on the AS paint as I preferred the finish to brush painted.

There has been a LOT of thinning out of 'stuff', some has gone (back) to charity, some has been stored in the loft and some given to friends - with more to do in every room.

I'm in the process of sorting out the gardens at the moment, and then the kitchen is next up, it too will be attacked by Annie Sloan - who has time to rub down oak cupboards and drawers?  Not me!
I have taken to decision that ALL our downstairs rooms will be in blue and white.....well why not?  Both hubs and I like those colours :o)

On to other matters.

Hedgehogs are still a huge part of my life :o)  I've actually lost count of how many I've released back into the wild this year, I think it's nine or ten.  Four of those were my little Autumn juveniles, and the others needed a safe place to live and Joan at the rescue centre chose me to release them.
I found out an amazing fact from Joan when collecting one of the spiky little critters for release - she has run the rescue centre for the last 15 years, taking in between 450 -500 hedgehogs a year.  Those who are able to be treated are lovingly cared for and cured only to be handed back to the folk who bought them in for release.  Joan had NEVER seen any of them returned to the wild!  A few days later Joan rang me and asked if I could take another one, and that she could bring it round for me as she would be in the area.  I suggested she leave it until later in the evening so that she could release it.  She was over the moon!  She arrived around 8 o'clock, we had a cuppa and a chat until it was dark enough.  I marked 'Lucky' so that I could keep a close eye on him for the next few weeks.  Joan placed him into one of the hoggy 'Hiltons' in the garden and we sat on a bench and waited for it to emerge.  Half an hour passed and nothing happened, then Joan gave me a nudge as another hog had appeared for a forage around the food in the garden - she was beaming from ear to ear.  A few minutes later another hog appeared and started to hoover up some mealworms, then a third large hog appeared and snuffled over right between our feet to  one of the water dishes for a long drink.  Joan was beside herself.  Then 'Lucky' finally snuffled out and promptly began to eat.  We were both overjoyed.  We stayed outside for another 15 minutes or so until Joan had to leave.  She told me the next day she'd had a lump in her throat as she was so moved to see the delightful little creatures doing what they should be doing.  It was a privilege to be the one that finally let Joan release one of her beloved little patients.

Lucky.

Thank you for reading this, I know I've been missing for quite a while and there's been a lot of heart searching as to weather or not I was going to blog at all...for now I will try and 'get back into the swing' of it all as I do miss catching up with you all.

Best wishes as always

x x x

R.I.P. MOM

Mary - R.I.P.

Mom

Born 21.12.22 - Died 26.01.15

Mom, serving at the Co-Op during the 1940's

Mom sadly passed peacefully away just over a month ago after a short illness.  Despite suffering for the last 4 years with dementia she had a very full and interesting 92 years of life.  

Following words will just skim the surface of it.

Mom was born the eldest of identical twins to Clara and Jack Dunn on the 21st December 1922, younger sisters to John.  The twins were inseparable throughout their lives, though had totally different personalities - Mom the extrovert, and Auntie Doris the home-maker.  Nan and Grandad weren't by any means wealthy, but were very hard working and the children were always surrounded by love, and brought up to believe that they were very special people.  She was also brought up with pets - cats, dogs and chickens which instilled in her a life-long love of animals.  (To her last days she vividly remembered carrying soft, warm, Peggy the hen to their new home when she was four years old - Auntie Doris carried Tiger the cat with the white tipped tail!)

Despite having such different personalities it was uncanny how they would end up doing and wearing similar things.  For example they both arrived on the same day and time to tell their parents the happy news that they were expecting their first child.  (My lovely cousin was born only 10 days after my brother, he is known to me as CuzBro as we share some of the same DNA.) They would often attend family gatherings dressed in a similar manner - for example Mom wearing a red top and navy slacks, Doris wearing navy top and red slacks!)  They spoke and or saw each other every single day of their lives until my Aunt died in 2006, as you can imagine Mom was devastated when she lost her sister.

Mom was always very active, taking part in sport during her younger days.

Mom 2nd from left front row.  St. Saviours School netball team 1936.

When she left school she went straight into 'service' working for a local well to do family.  She would be up at 5am to light the fires in the house, and many other duties.  She worked there until war broke out in 1939, when she left to do work for the war effort.  She worked in a factory that made springs and other components, Mom made springs for children's Mickey Mouse Gas Masks.

On VE day 08th May 1945, during the celebrations with family, friends and neighbours Mom met my Dad, Ron - it was love at first sight for them both.  They married on the 16th May 1946, my brother Ron(ald) came along in 1949 and I followed in 1956.  We were brought up strictly to respect others and to 'mind our manners', and although both Ron(ald) and I had a somewhat difficult relationship with our Mother we ALWAYS knew that we were loved by our parents.

Mom throughout her life worked hard and at times had more than one job to help make ends meet.  In 1953 she joined Staffordshire Police in Bilston where we lived, as the first woman special constable in Staffordshire, and continued to 'do her duty' for the next 27 years.

Mom in 1953, (and below) photos taken by the local newspaper 'Express & Star' for the article about her joining the police force.

Bath time for my brother in 1953.

Though women constables were never issued with a truncheon (unlike today's police force - woman constables are issued with night sticks.) when Mom retired from the force in 1991 she was presented with a special truncheon, a great honour as very few women constables in the UK have been awarded one.

Laid upon Moms police uniform skirt her much treasured presentation truncheon, long service medal and bar, police whistle and key (which would have been for opening the Dr Who style blue police boxes) and her powder compact. I used scrabble letters as a tribute, Mom loved crossword puzzles and avidly played scrabble for many years.

Bilston changed it's county borders during her years in the force and became under West Midlands, hence the West Midlands police badge on her powder compact.

Mom sang every single day, up to and including her last day on earth.  She knew a song on any subject you cared to mention!  She was one of the founding members of the West Midlands Police Choir and sang with them from the 70's until she retired.  She took part with the choir in the National Eisteddfod at Llangollen North Wales on no less than three occasions.  (She was also an active member of local choirs up to 18 months before her death.) 

In 2002, Mom was about to celebrate her 80th Birthday - we were at a loss as to know how to help her celebrate it.  I asked her what she would like to do?  Her reply amazed me...

"I'd like to go a ride in the police helicopter!"

What could I do but approach Staffordshire Police force and pass on my mothers request.  When they realised that she had been the first woman Special Constable in the county, they helped us push the boat out for the celebrations.  Although the insurance wouldn't allow Mom to actually have a flight in the helicopter arrangements were made for Mom and us (the family) to have a day visit to the aerodrome at Halfpenny Green Airport, Bobbington to meet the crew and were treated like royalty.  

Here I am pictured with Mom just before her special day.  You can see by the huge smile on her face what a brilliant surprise she had.  We were all amazed by the equipment that the helicopter crews have at their disposal in the fight against crime.

After Dad died in 1995, Mom was determined not to allow depression to win.  Throughout her life, as well as singing she had always had an interest in amateur dramatics and had appeared in many local shows and plays.  She joined an 'extras' agency, and was soon offered a part as one of the witches in Roald Dahl's 'The Witches' at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton.  The family joked with her that she was typecast ;o)  She appeared in each performance for the two weeks the show was on. 

Mom chose to move here, into sheltered housing in our village in 2003 as she realised that in the not too distant future she would probably need more help from me.  She arranged to have me added as a joint bank account holder, made an Enduring Power of Attorney and also made and paid for all her funeral arrangements within the first two months of living here.  This shows how she was quite an organised person throughout her life.

Sadly, dementia changed Mom's personality a lot until a few weeks before the end when she became very loving again.  We knew that the end was very near and I had made my peace with her. She died surrounded by love, care and a very close family member was with her.  Mom had been admitted to The Beeches care home at Standon Hall on the 23rd December for her own safety (a traumatic time for both Mom and I), and after settling in very well she became ill.  We, the family have the highest regard for the loving care that she had during her stay there.  Despite some of the awful things that we read about that happen in care homes there ARE good ones, and we believe that Mom was in one of the best.  We, the family cannot praise the staff highly enough.

Mom's funeral was a celebration of her life.  She chose to have a humanitarian graveside service, even though she'd had a deep religious up-bringing and belief throughout her life.  When I went to see the undertaker about the arrangements they remembered Mom very well and told me that they'd had a long an interesting conversation about the service.  Mom had told her that even though she was deeply religious we, her children weren't and she didn't think it was fair to make us attend a church service.  We were deeply moved by this. She had asked for no flowers, but would like donations in her memory to be given to animal charities in her memory.  The donations were an incredible £220, which we divided equally between Many Tears Animal Rescue and West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue.  We know that Mom would have been delighted with our decision to award these two self funded charities which are close to our hearts.  In turn the charities have been overwhelmed with the donations made in memory of Mom.

Mom, enjoying a visit to Nicky's (a family members farm) at lambing time in 2012

Rest in peace Mom, you are now reunited with your beloved Ron, our Dad - and you are very probably singing with the largest choir.

xx xx xx xx xx xx

Just popping in quickly to say...

Hoping that all my lovely blogging friends enjoy peace, good health and happiness throughout 2015.

Sending my very best wishes to you all :o)

X X X

To wish you all...

A very happy Christmas!  Hoping that you and yours are all well.

Very best wishes to all.

X X X 

Love Spoons

Hello folks!

I realise that you still expect posts from me about my collections and new items that I've found, and though I'm not buying many items these days -  after 'finding' something very recently I realised the other day that I have another collection that you will not know about - yet!

Welsh Love Spoons.

The carving of love spoons probably dates back to the 17th century, when young men would carve from a single piece of wood simple utilitarian spoons for their loved one - probably with just their initials and a simple hole to hang up the spoon likely using only a penknife and a saw.

Traditionally they would have used sycamore, as this is the type of wood which is well suited to use as a cooking utensil, though they could also have used oak, box, and fruit woods such as apple, wild cherry and pear.  Close grained woods would have to be harvested and dried so that the wood didn't split as they were carving the spoon.  Over the years they became more intricate so that they would be used as decoration instead.  These young men would spend hours carving the spoon to give as a token of their love, in the hope that if it was accepted their loving relationship would begin.  This is where the origin of the word 'spooning' comes from.  (There is also a belief that the carvers expertise would show the girls family that he would be able to provide for the girl with his carpentry skills.)

The handle of the spoon then expanded to more of a paddle shape so that more and more intricate designs could be added.  

This form of love token was also used in other European Celtic countries too.

Today, the carving continues and though I imagine rarely carved by the suitor there are many Welsh carvers that make and sell them, prices start in the tens of UK pounds to the hundreds depending upon the detail.

The symbols used in the carvings are generally accepted to mean the following:

Hearts = Love

Dragons (the symbol of Wales) = Protection

Locks/keys = Home and security

Knots = Everlasting love

Ship = Smooth passage through life

Bell = Weddings and anniversaries

Vine = Love grows

Comma shapes = Soul signs for deep affection

Ball = Love held safely

Cross = Faith

Flowers  = Affection

Horse shoe = Good luck

Diamond = Wealth/good fortune

Double spoon bowl = Togetherness

Heart shaped bowl = Togetherness

Wheel = Work
Shield = Safekeeping & Protection
Twist = Binding and growing together

I have found my small, motley 'collection' from charity shops over a number of years, and I display them on the wall between the kitchen and dining room.  Of course, as you can imagine I certainly haven't paid anything like the tens of pounds that they would have originally cost ;o)

and in close-up:

The bell for marriage/anniversary, and the heart for love.

The cross is for faith, the shield for safekeeping and protection.
(And a chipped spoon bowl because I'm clumsy and dropped it!)

Probably my favourite one, the Prince of Wales feathers to give good service, heart for love, and the lovely twist which means binding and growing together.

The horseshoe for good luck, and a heart for love.

And finally

A heart for love, the commas are soul signs for deep affection

and a double spoon for togetherness.

(Incidentally, after further tracing of my family tree I have found that there is Welsh blood running through my veins on both maternal and paternal sides of my family, so it looks like (finally) I have an apt collection!)

Hope all is well, and you have had an enjoyable weekend.

Best wishes to all!

x x x

A bit late posting this, but PLEASE check.

Will post again soon, hope you AND the HEDGEHOGS have a safe bonfire night.

Best wishes