On Patrice's Porch, and on Luskentyre Beach

Well, I was in the process of writing a post on some of my favourite Scripture texts of 2012, when Patrice got her crowd together for her Porch Chat. I couldn't resist joining them, even though we're most certainly sitting inside, rather than out on the porch.

Here are Patrice's questions for today's chat:

1. Do you make New Year resolutions?

I'm not sure if you'd call them 'resolutions', but I do sit myself down and have an 'appraisal' of the previous year. Looking back at how my previous year has gone normally gives me the incentive to make 'resolutions' or at least to set new goals or think about new ways of doing things. 

Because I'm homeschooling, there are always areas to assess, to re-evaluate, and to change. This year is no different.


2. What do you hope to accomplish this year?

Oh, that's difficult to answer - maybe especially because going public on my aims makes me very accountable .... I'm not sure I could cope with that kind of pressure! 

I really do want to find some way of inspiring certain members of our family, so that they can make the most of the gifts and talents God has given them.... whilst at the same time, keeping myself inspired.

Phew! I'm exhausted just thinking about that!


3. Tell me about your favourite place to think, create or just relax.

I normally go and sit in our lounge when the kids are having their break after lunch. It is a very peaceful room, it is always tidy (shocking for our house!), and the kids know that they must not disturb me unless they are bleeding to death or the house is on fire....

I have my Quiet Time during this hour, and what I've learned over the past few months (when I missed this time often) is that I need this hour, not only for my soul, but for my mind too. 


4. Are you a fan of old movies? (Like the ones that were originally black and white)

I can't say I am, Patrice. You wont judge me, will you ;)


5. Tell me something that made you happy since our last porch visit. 

Oh, lots of things! Over Christmas, we had some American visitors staying. These were friends our own kids had made over the summer, when they visited Michigan. It was such a pleasure meeting these friends, and seeing the joy of our kids renewing friendships. Our two older children then went to London for a trip with these American kids (well, someone had to look after them ... ahem). They had an absolute ball! Their enjoyment made me so happy, but I have to be honest ... their return on New Year's Eve made me most happy! Oh the joy of having our whole family under one roof again. 

The day before Christmas, the troops took a drive down to Harris. These are some of the photos the took on Luskentyre Beach.

Our Visitors. All the Way from England. That weird Country...

Remember I told y'all we were having some Sasannaich coming to stay.

Yes, remember we were gonna teach them about life in the wilds. 

So, the first thing we did was have a few round for some food.

After all, that's what we do bestest on the island.

Eat.

Some of the guys filling plates. And stomachs.

Food, 

and fellowship. What more can one ask for?

However, I did want the Sasannaich to go without them getting their hands dirty, so to speak.

I got J to do some vacuuming....

R to dry some dishes, 

and DR to mop.

DR mopping!! The floor didn't know what hit it.

(No, not because it was DR mopping, but simply because it was being mopped.)

But the best is yet to come. 

The other day, in 60mph winds, and in a windchill of -6 degrees, these hardy, intrepid folks jumped into the sea. 

Yes they did. For some inexplicable reason, they decided it would be great fun to jump into these waters in these conditions.

Give me strength! I can't bear to go into these waters above my ankles during the Summer! 

But here they are, with DR underwater.

He's alive!!

J now dives in...

then R,...

And now the incredibly brave, if somewhat mad, LJ.

Mad I tell you, mad...

And now we know that these Englishers are "a hardy, intrepid race" as well as us Scots.

Oh, hang on, these guys are Scots.... ;)

A Visitor comes to the Croft

Later this morning, I head off to the airport to meet Heather, of Life in the Valley, and her daughter. They are coming to stay for a few days, so we're hoping for a bit of sunshine, very little wind, and a bit of warmth.


Hmmm. We'll see.


Heather and I only met through blogs, so this will be the first of my blogging friends to come and see us, here on the Croft. No doubt, I will post over the next few days of some of what we do and of what she thinks. Should be fun!