I'm a bit concerned about the so-called Nowhere island that has been in the news this week. I am useless at doing links but if you Google it you will see the many sites on which it is featured.
This beautifully embroidered cushion (pillow to you in the US) cover was made by Brenda and will fit so well into my pink bedroom.
Thank you so much Brenda. It will be much admired, I know.
Two parcels in one week. Aren't I privileged?
My box is ready, covered with bright Christmas paper. It's labelled 'For a girl of between 5 -9 years old'.
In it I have put many of the suggested items, such as colouring pens, drawing pad, warm socks, pencils in a case, stickers, a bar of soap a toothbrush, a little toy........
Here is one of the recipients of last year's boxes. She lives in harsh conditions in such a remote village in Romania that very few people visit. Ticu, the village, is 10 km from a bus stop, and sadly the children know that 'Father Christmas doesnt come there'.
However, a Pentecostal pastor suggested that the team went with their gifts, and they were amazed to be welcomed with a true Romanian celebration. They were told that 'no one visits, and we think that no one cares'. The delight of these parents and their children on receiving the boxes was tremendous.
Don't you think that some Western children take a lot for granted? (Though, as has been mentioned in a comment, there are children here and in the UK who will not receive presents either. )
This little boy lives in a village in Belarus where a small Baptist church organises the giving of the boxes. The parents cannot afford to buy gifts for their children, so these boxes bring happiness and hope.
How they love an Autumnal season, where they can skip into a warm house, make for the hidey holes that only they know of, and create mayhem, quietly. If I wasnt ready for them they would chew up all the old newspapers, make nests in the attic, and generally misbehave.
Into view came our neighbour. Yes, it's one of his pet sheep that's decided the grass is greener here. This is one that he has raised from a baby, even bottle feeding it! his three sheep are not for eating, ssshhh. They are his pets. 
Raymond spends much of his time on the lane, with his little chair, his three pet sheep roaming along the lane grazing, a dog or two by his side, and the daily newspaper for interest.
When he got up to go home, at the respectable hour of 'midi', he was followed by three black sheep, one white dog, one black dog...and his Siamese cat. 
So having looked at my photo, I then went to her blog and 'stole' the original photo of two pairs of earrings made by Diane. The pretty ones on the left are now on my ears, and I love the blue flower. Thank you so much Diane!
I would happily buy from her.
These are what the locals call Peches Sauvages (Wild peaches). Our neighbours have a tree laden with fruit which overhangs our garden, and as they are only here for two weeks of the year, they invite us to pick whatever we like.
I love to have flowers of any sort in my rooms...all the year round if possible.
La Rentree, translates as 'the re-entry, the return', and here signals the beginning of the September school term. For some time now the supermarkets and the shops have been full of shelves of books, notepads, new pens and pencils, bags, in fact all that a child can need on his return to school. There are government grants paid, on a means test, to families having children from 6 - 18. For example, children of age 6 - 10 could receive €284 pa, which goes to help with clothing and other necessities.
The good news is that my Yahoo account has now been reinstated, with the help of a very charming Indian gentleman ('may I call you by your Christian name?')
