We had a visitor.

Our picnic table is a popular resort spot for local cats. Must be comfy.

#cats 

A Glimmer is a small moment that sparks joy, happiness, or peace.

Today's glimmer is:

I've been doing my best to keep on top of things while Mr. C is away from home. I managed to take the recycling out to the bin on the other side of the building. I was rewarded with the sight of Sarah and Michel's lovely white snapdragons. They're so pretty!

#flowers #glimmer #glimmers

Update on us:

19:40 hrs.

Mr. C is slowly improving, but today...

I had to have him give this message to the head nurse - in French, of course.

To whom it may concern:

The staff has been informed several times that John Campbell is allergic to cheese. He has been served cheese repeatedly. This is dangerous and unacceptable. I intend to send a strongly worded complaint to the hospital administration if this situation is not corrected immediately. My husband should not have to starve because of miscommunication and neglect.

Mrs. Campbell

[À qui de droit :

Le personnel a été informé à plusieurs reprises de l’allergie de John Campbell au fromage. Or, on lui en a servi à plusieurs reprises. Cette situation est dangereuse et inacceptable. Je compte adresser une plainte formelle à la direction de l’hôpital si elle n’est pas corrigée immédiatement. Mon mari ne devrait pas souffrir de malnutrition à cause d’un manque de communication et de négligence.

Mme Campbell]

I told him that I am not so helpless that I can't come there and put the fear of me into them!

I was ready to chew up an iron bar and spit nails!

They'll wish their fathers had never met their mothers!

Fortunately the head nurse is in complete agreement with me and said she will speak to the nurses and kitchen staff. She was furious too. She brought him a replacement meal.

After I calmed down I was able to cook myself a dinner of pan seared Spam and fried potatoes.

He sent me a picture of his view of Vitré.

A Glimmer is a small moment that sparks joy, happiness, or peace.

Today's glimmer is:

I thought that the dimorphotheca that Mr. C bought me last month wasn't doing very well. When we brought it home all of the blossoms and buds promptly died. However, it has recently rallied and this morning it surprised me with a lovely little purple bloom.

#flowers #glimmer #glimmers

Update on us:

14:00 hrs.

Mr. C is staying in hospital at Vitré for now. The infection is a complication of his surgery in February and is being treated.

He asked me to convey his gratitude for the concern shown by all our Sunbeams. He's sorry he's not up to direct communication with everyone right now but he just needs to rest and heal.

I have all the supplies I need and Sarah and Michel are close at hand to help me. Moriarty, Miss Watson, and Rincewind are keeping me company as are Sir Terry Pratchett and the Red Dwarf crew.

Thank you for all your love.

🌞❤️🌻

by Susan M. Toba

In case anyone is wondering what Miss Watson is up to...

#Watson #cats 

Moriarty seems to be wondering where his daddy is. He's now guarding Mr. C's pillow for him.

I have reassured him that Daddy is getting better and will be home as soon as he can.

#Moriarty #cats 

Happy Gotcha Day to our dear little foundling European Starling, Rincewind. It's been a year since he fell from his nest under the roof, where it was impossible to return him, and we rescued him from becoming breakfast for local cats. He now says three things clearly, "Rincewind," "Pretty bird!" and "Hello, sweetie." We're working on "Eggses, my precious." He also imitates sounds from the computer and my glucose monitor. He loves watching murder mystery shows and Doctor Who. He enjoys Terry Pratchett audiobooks, too.

In this picture he's harkening to the next generation of his relatives who can be heard through the ceiling squawking for their parents to feed them.

Update on us:

16:30 hrs.

I am starting to hate April. Last year it was his appendix. Now Mr. C is back in the hospital. At least it wasn't an emergency this time. He's got a bit of an infection again so they're going to keep him in and treat him with antibiotics.

I've been a good girl, keeping myself too busy to fret...much. I washed the dishes, put the groceries away, cooked myself some parmesan artichoke dip (which I'll use to make myself amazing grilled cheese sandwhiches for dinner later), washed and hung up the laundry, and FaceTimed with Mom and Dad. I also fed Moriarty, Miss Watson, and Rincewind.

🌞❤️🌻

So, last night I wanted to crochet some little pouches like I made a couple of years ago. Could I find the pattern/tutorial to refresh my memory? Nope. I checked my saved files and playlists but nearly gave up in frustration. Then I hit on the brilliant idea of searching my FB posts for the word "sweeties" because I like to give them away as bonbonnières. Bingo! And thank the gods I had included a link to the YouTube video in my post.

https://youtu.be/cdYRfadR-VE?is=r7xgDVer6zP-h9wU

#crochet #RandomActsOfCrochetKindness #RandomActsOfKindness #RAOCK #kindness #CrochetItForward

I saw a reel which led me to a YouTube tutorial and I thought, "I have some stray granny squares just hanging around. I've got buttons..."

Et, voilà!

A cute wee pouch perfect for small items like earbuds or, in my case, a magnifying lense.

#crochet

https://youtube.com/shorts/uaRAfOQKKPE?is=ifzL0pHyuM5BiimM

I do love testing patterns! This one is by @altxversi (IG) for a cute Ghost Jester Snuggler. The pattern is available to download on Etsy. I've named mine Dr. Whiteface. Sir Terry Pratchett fans will recognize him as the head of The Fools Guild.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4491675826/ghost-jester-snuggler-crochet-pattern

#crochet 

I really like this ring of hearts coaster pattern by Rodi Crochet Studio !

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BPb3kTzXt/

#crochet #RandomActsOfCrochetKindness #RandomActsOfKindness #RAOCK #kindness #CrochetItForward

Mr. C says:

Update on us.

21:37 hrs

It's been a hot day today and we had the car windows open as we took the opportunity to drive to the Action store in Vitre. Fair Damsel setup the satnav as we were leaving and accepted the recommended route. Interestingly, it deviated from the normal journey and took us down an unfamiliar country road which seemed a bit odd to me. A mere five minutes later I was surprised to see that we'd reached our destination.

Fair Damsel took this photo of the beautiful scenery.

All's well in our world, Sunbeams.

🙂☄️🌻🌞

Update on us:

18:45 hrs.

We had a fairly early start this morning; so, we both took a nap after breakfast. 

Since we had access to Sarah's car in the afternoon we ventured to Vitre.

Mr. C let me loose in the craft section of Action while he tracked down his favourite almond cakes.  

Then we braved the unfamiliar Intermarche which is annoying because the selection and layout are very different from that in La Guerche. We persevered and got what we needed plus a dill plant for my herb garden.

The real question is: which flavour of crisps should I try first. J'adore la vie française.

🌞❤️🌻

Yep. I'm at it again, making the same pattern over and over in different colour combinations.

#crochet #RandomActsOfCrochetKindness #RandomActsOfKindness #RAOCK #kindness #CrochetItForward

A shooting star!

Une étoile filante !

#crochet 

Happy 5th Birthday, Miss Watson!

#Watson #cats 

Mr. C cooked us a fine big breakfast this morning which gave me the strength to get outside and finally plant the violas, aka pansies, aka heart's ease that have been languishing in the skylight garden into a large planter on the front porch. Mr. C pulled a bunch of weeds from around the porch but left the feral forget-me-nots because he knows how much I like them.

All's well in our world, Sunbeams. 🌞❤️🌻!

#gardening #garden 

Easter Sunday Dinner with Mr. 'n' Mrs. C 🌞❤️🌻...

Marrying an Englishman has led me to learn some recipes I might not have otherwise tried. Tonight's toad-in-the-hole with Lincolnshire sausages from Elliotts Boucherie was a triumph according to Mr. C.

#Easter #SundayDinner #cooking 

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

Mr. C cooked me a lovely Easter breakfast 🦋 with fresh eggs from Sarah's chickens. He surprised me with lovely Easter flowers he picked out all by himself. 🥰

#Easter 

Joyeuses Pâques !

Happy Easter!