Wednesday 1 April 2020

WOYWW565

Well another week on and another week on lockdown so although I am running a little late here is my entry to the nicest bloghop in the world - Julia's WOYWW.
Here is my desk as it was late last night with my computer packed away and a little bit of crafting underway. I had nearly finished my mug of tea by this time and nearly completed a drawing of a lion.  I can't draw at all so was following an instruction video on You Tube by the incredible Oliver Pengilley. 
Here is the end result.
The other crafting from this week has been zentangling in my art journal - it takes ages but is quite therapeutic in this crazy world of ours.
Alex on the other hand has been crafting on a while different scale - he has made a LARP axe from a stick and rubber and foam and duct tape - a LOT of duct tape! It is officially the school holidays now so I am always happy when he has a project to keep him engaged so I can work. I tend to feel very guilty that I can't play with him and do all the cool things that non working parents are doing with their children at the moment.
We did get out for some decent walks at the weekend. 
From our house you can walk across the estate, then across the golf course and down into some lovely woods.  This little stream flows over a waterfall not far from where you enter the woods.
We have a fantastic neighbourhood scheme going on, partly through church and partly just local people, called The Lodgemoor Mutual Aid group where 'street heroes' look after all the houses on their streets, providing everyone with their phone numbers so that people have someone to call on if they get ill.  I am one of the street heroes for my street of 91 houses and yesterday went shopping for an elderly neighbour who lives alone, and spent a happy hour chatting to her from the other side of the garden.  It was so nice to actually have an interaction with someone in person rather than on a screen for a change.
All this makes me realise how truly blessed I am with my family and our neighbourhood and church. Hence another encouraging verse from Isaiah 41.
I will leave you with this daft video of me dressed as a dancing elephant! Alex and I are intermittently joining in with the Taskmaster 'Hometasking' challenges and this was one of them.
Take care of yourselves, my friends,  You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time,
With love & God Bless,
Caro
xxx

28 comments:

Sarah Brennan said...

So glad you have somewhere nice to walk Caro. Loving the art work this week. The dancing elephant did make me laugh. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #4

glitterandglue said...

Hi Caro. Oh my - have had to wait until my laughter stopped before I could write this - what fun you do have in your house!!! Lovely photos of your walk - and the axe maker. Fantastic lion - Aslan! I have offered help to some of my neighbours, too - but so far, the only people are a couple from church who have opened their guest house to some of their most vulnerable regular guests who have come to stay in lockdown, but in company - if you see what I mean. I keep in touch, do their shopping, then talk through a window to them!! Yes, a strange time - I wonder what God is doing through it?! We shall see.
Take care of yourselves. Stay safe. God bless.
Margaret #8

Lunch Lady Jan said...

The one thing that I hiope will remain after all this is over is the outpouring of community spirit and the realisation that people are more important than anything else! My community is also marvellous at sharing resources, it's heartening. Love your drawing and zentangling, I want to get painting again but haven't made time.
Keep safe and well,
Hugs LLJ 4 xxx

Annie said...

Such a lovely post today Caro. Your Lion is amazing and well done to Alex for making his axe...it's brilliant. You have such a lovely place to walk to at this difficult time.
Stay safe and keep busy my friend.
Hugs,
Annie x #6

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Caro, I think you are teaching Alex far more than you realise! He's learning kindness, compassion, and consideration for others, just for a start. Plus developing the ability to occupy himself, every one a very important life skill that many are not getting from home! You only have to look at his face to see he is very happy, 'cool' things or not! Stay safe and have a good week,Hugs, Shaz #7 X

Mrs.D said...

Wonderful elephant, and very brave of you to share!
And if that is "can't draw" all I can say is "you are wrong", that lion is amazing.
Bless you and keep sane,
Chris #11

Sue Jones said...

your art work is Fab . Love your elephant "dance" was funny. What a wonderful thing to be able to do, helping so many people . Enjoy the time with your son. Take care and Keep safe Soojay#21

Diana Taylor said...

Your lion is amazing and shows that you can draw! I'm so glad you you have such a great community spirit in your area, I've been amazed at the selflessness of the community around me - we really are seeing the best of people in this crisis. How lucky you are to have such beautiful woodland on your doorstep, and I love that photo of you and your son - you both look so happy and relaxed.
Hope you have a good week and stay safe and well,
Diana xx #13

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh you have nothing to feel guilty about Caro, really. An awful lot of children are waking up and sitting in front of screens on one sort or another, all day. I think you do a marvellous job of making time and having fun with Alex. Talking of which..LARPers and COSPLAYers and duct tape....they must all have shares in the companies that make it! The axe is pretty brilliant isnt it! I love the elephant...you made me laugh alright. And then I thought - hey, how come Alex isnt having a turn too?!! How like you to be a street Hero. I took some shopping to a friend of my Ma In Law this morning and have to say I felt very refreshed by our half hour chat, whatever the distance between us, I agree, it was nice to have a chat ‘for real’. Keep on Caro, you’re doing a fab job. BUT, please, keep well too. Xxxx

Helen said...

so glad you shared that video again! what do you mean though that you can't draw - that lion is fabulous, and so is the zentangle. I might have to have a go at that again, not done any for ages, it might be calming! Take care and stay safe, thanks for stopping by. Helen #3

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Hi Caro, who said you couldn't draw..?? That looks like a pretty good Lion to me and look at those tangles, your so right it's such a relaxing thing to do. You always bring a smile to us all, good to see you and Alex making good use of this time & staying so positive. Take care & stay very safe & thanks for sharing WoywW Hugs Tracey #25 xx P.S I did laugh @ the vid :D

Shoshi said...

Another lovely encouraging post for me to read! I love your verse from Isaiah at the end. The video of you being an elephant was hilarious - first time I've ever seen an elephant wearing glasses lol!!! What fun. It sounds as if you are doing splendidly during the lockdown, and how your neighbour must have appreciated that nice face-to-face chat as well. I like the idea of the Street Heroes.

Lovely photos of your beautiful walk, too. It's so nice to share things like this so that we can at least enjoy a vicarious walk in the country! For someone who "can't draw" that lion is truly fantastic, as is your big Zentangle piece. I don't believe people who say they can't draw - they just think they can't! Zentangle proves that. You should do lots more, and you will gain confidence!

Thank you for your visit. Yes, our garden is lovely, isn't it - and it's all down to my hubby's hard work. It will look much prettier later in the year when the roses and shrubs come out, and his new plants start flowering, but in the meantime, I do love the spring wild flowers, especially the primroses.

God bless, keep well and keep smiling, and happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #26

Heather M said...

Hi Caro, I think the lion picture shows you can most definitely draw! The zentangling looks fun, not something I have done, but then there's lots I haven't done! Nice axe, Alex - duct tape has so many uses! The street heroes is an excellent idea. Our street/cul de sac has many elderly people living on it, I hope they all have someone to call on! Have a lovely week and stay safe, Heather xx #31

Kathryn Frantz said...

Hei, Caro! Kudos for your elephant video. (I wouldn't be able to get back up again!)
Looks like Alex is having a ball! Maybe he will write a story or draw pictures about his adventures with the LARP axe....

The pictures of the fern and stream are beautiful! Thank you for sharing those.

Happy Wednesday, and stay well.

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I think your lion is so sweet and the Zentangle always brings back memories for me as I used to do lots of doodling when we were at those staff meetings after having a full day teaching. You needed something to keep you sane! it worked for me. Pleased to see you keeping busy, very important right now. Take care and have a lovely woyww and a happy creative week, Angela x18x

Stacy Sheldon said...

Hi Caro, ummm that lion says otherwise on the drawing... :) I am sure if I was to do this it would not be recognizable as a big cat haha. Love the outdoor shots too and your son looks so happy. :) I am sitting here smiling from ear to ear, thanks for that. ~Stacy #29

StampinCarol said...

Your lion is wonderful!! And to think you did it by watching a video! WOW! Great zentangle! I never got into it though I have a couple friends who do it.
Alex seems pretty clever to make his axe! And what a beautiful location to walk! Love the Scripture and had a good laugh from your video!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
Carol N #27

sandra de said...

Now that is pretty good for someone who "can't draw". At this rate I think the next drawing will be amazing. So lovely to see children creating it makes my heart sing. Inspiring to hear about the Heroes program...This is the time where demonstrations of God's love in action will change hearts. Stay safe.
Sandra de @16

Marit said...

So sweet of you that you help your neighbours when they need it! I love the drawing and I especially love the zentangles.. haven't done that myself for ages but I remember the relaxing moments it brings so I might pick it up and go 'tangle' on an art journal page... Have a nice day, stay healthy and safe. Big hug from Holland. Marit #24

lisa said...

We are learning all sorts of new things now aren't we. There's no such things as not being able to draw, that lion is beautiful, well done you.
How lucky we are that we have such beautiful places to walk to from home in this country. I don't think we appreciate it when life is busy do we?
Great to see such fun happening. Enjoy your week and take care
Hugs Lisax #19

Twiglet said...

A lovely post Caro - did I comment on it on FB - having a bit of deja vue so wanted to make sure I left a little comment here too! Alex is looking sooo grown up these days. xx jo

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Good Morning Caro, thanks for the visit. I had to take some time to enjoy the half day of SUNSHINE. It's only been a 2 day enjoyment here. I walked and enjoyed the countryside. Turned COLD so here I am. WOW such fun photos. What a talent for drawing, and always good to see your son. Cherish these times together, once they leave home it's just not the same. Your fern and waterfall are gorgeous, wish they were part of my walk. Have fun being an elephant ! Take care, prayers for you and yours and enjoy all the things you love.

Crafting With Jack said...

Oh you do have a lovely place to walk, I do love walking through woodlands and by steams. Places my mobility scooted won't go, but my husband always brings me back photographs. I had to look up Larp axe! You have to love Google! I couldn't play the video, which is a shame because it must be funny. Have a great weekend and stay safe x Angela #22

Neet said...

I don't think you should knock yourself up about working and your son. You do so much with him and such exciting and adventurous things too. I think you are a mum in a million.
Love the drawing and the zentangling, think I told you on FB that I don't have the skill to do the latter as it requires me to be neat and despite the name that is not me at all.
Stay safe and well
Hugs, Neet 2 xx

Belinda said...

Hello Caro! Wow, that is fantastic drawing skills you have. I don't know if I would be able to draw like that even if I had instructions. Alex is quite a craftsman! I love that he put the duct tape to good use. It looks great. You are lucky to have that beautiful place to walk. Our property is a good size but no brooks, streams to appreciate. I am convinced that we all feel guilty about not spending enough time with our kids. I work from home and my kids have online classes but they have a lot of down time and I definitely feel the tug at my heart to just hang out with them. But we will figure it out. Weekends and dinner time is a start for now. Love your elephant dance. Thanks for stopping by.
Belinda #31

craftyani said...

You say you can't draw that lion is fantastic, must be a good instruction video. You are lucky still being able to go out here in spain we cannot unless for emergencies. Our beach and paseos have been roped off. Keep up the good work. Ani #1

Kyla said...

ooh that video, brilliant :-)

Great larp too, bet it did take a LOT of duct tape but looks good and is great you can craft together as well out getting out for the walks too.

thanks for visiting my desk already

Kyla

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Very late Caro.. think you made us all laugh with the heffalump!! Love the wee stream and ferns too. Stunning Lion..like Aslan, eh?
Thanks for sharing, and may God bless you and all you love, and keep you well in uncertain times. In God we trust.
Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

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