Tuesday, 30 December 2014

Christmas at the Snookery

CHRISTMAS AT THE SNOOKERY

Christmas at the Snookery continues to change from year to year, as the clan continues to grow.  We had 4 generations altogether again this year which was very special.  

Years ago it was simpler.  My mother in law was German and so we always celebrated it on Christmas Eve as much of Europe do.   It was lovely to think we were enjoying a wonderful meal and opening presents while the rest of the UK were still frantically trying to buy their last bits and pieces.  Then on Christmas Day we went to my parents and celebrated it again the English way.  Looking back to those days we certainly had it good.  As our parents got older, we then carried on the same tradition but hosted it ourselves and my husband has become the cook each year which is wonderful and he does a great job.

Now two of our children are married and have children of their own, which is always a bit of a squeeze in our small lounge, pictured above. No longer able to have the meal on Christmas Eve in the evening, we get together for lunch, which means babies and great grandads can get an early night.  Christmas Day for now is the main celebration day, I guess it will change again in years to come.

Seeing Christmas through the eyes of children is always lovely.  I had a few special moments this year with the grandchildren.  Looking at the Christmas Tree with one of my grandaughters who is only 18 months old was special.  In her own language we had a lovely conversation about the lights and baubles hanging there, completely mesmerised by it all.  A moment with my grandson who decided he would show me his new book and a very special moment seeing our newest grandaughter who is now 6 months old, sitting next to her cousin and looking at a book together.  So glad I have it on video, I can relive it again and again.

Then there were those moments when you realise that putting together a scooter before giving it to your grandson would have been a good idea!!


Now we are in those few days before the celebrations of the New Year begin.  Time for reflection on the past year and anticipation of what the new year may hold.  Good or bad, whatever lies ahead, we know we can be sure that our loving Heavenly Father holds us in His hands, leading and guiding us into a year He has already seen from beginning to end.


I trust you too have had a good Christmas and may we wish and pray you have a good year ahead too.



Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Invisible Paths

Invisible Paths

Having been away for a few days and returning home, the first thing I heard as I awoke were the geese flying in for the winter.  To be honest, I had been expecting it to of happened during August, but it has been such a warm and dry summer, September arrived and I still hadn't heard them.  To me they herald in the autumn season, making their entrance known to every one that they have arrived, as they honk and squawk to one another while flying.  They are late this year as its now mid September, nevertheless, I love the sound they make.

Lying in bed last night during one of those sleepless nights when sleep seems far away, I could hear different flocks arriving.  The moon was full and bright, hanging in a cloudless sky, lighting their way through the darkness to "The Haven", a bird sanctuary not too far from here on the coast.  Yet even when it is cloudy and dark, they still know the way to go, shown to them by their parents.

It got me thinking though as I was listening to the geese, about those invisible paths that God has put in place for the animals, fish, birds and ourselves to find.  We can't see them, but they are there none the less.  For nature it is important as it means food or safety through the darker days of winter or to sunnier climes to breed.

For us too, there is an invisible pathway that God has signposted for us to find, a spiritual one.  He has put it there in the hopes of us using our free will to walk it together with Him, after asking Him to forgive us.  I found that pathway many years ago when I was a child, marked with a cross.  It is a cross on which Jesus died for me and taking my place and the death that I really I deserved.  It stands on a small hill and behind set into that hill, you can still see the trail.  It's not always clear as you travel it, but Jesus knows the way and with Him you can't get lost unless you try to go it alone without Him.  The pathway is winding, sometimes difficult, painful, emotional, but so rewarding if we finish the journey with Him and don't give up.  It eventually leads to the heavenly Jerusalem in heaven, where one day we will reign with Him.  I look forward to that day.

"Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew Ch. 7 v. 13.

The days are shorter now and the sun's strength is diminishing, yet it is still warm and sunny enough to don T-shirts and soak up the sun's rays.



I always love walking by the sea.   Despite a long and hot summer, I missed much of it as I was working in London with the drama.  I often look for those shells or pieces of tumbled sea glass that get washed up by the tide, delighted if I find something special like a piece of driftwood, or a glass bottle top smoothed by the timeless rhythm of the waves.





The photos are of the beach just 4 miles from where I live.  Here it is warm, sunny and tranquil with the Isle of Wight in the distance.  I guess the storms and gales will soon begin again, but eventually summer will come round once more and I look forward to it.

Thursday, 7 August 2014

It's a Bit of a Hoot!!

It's a Bit of a Hoot!!

July has been rather a busy month, but I have been able to experiment with some old jeans!  Up cycling jeans is the latest craze and there are some excellent pinterest photos of work out there.  This is what I have come up with at the moment.

The owl doorstop on the left now belongs to my daughter, but the one on the right who also dons a jean pocket in the front can be bought for £10 if anyone is interested.  I think there will be other craft items to come in the jean fabric, so I will keep you posted.


Thursday, 24 July 2014

Summer Strawberries



Summer Strawberries

There is nothing quite like a glorious English summer's day and going to pick your own strawberries.  It's just heaven!!!  Blue skies, sunshine and no traffic!!! In fact it is so lovely and peaceful that you can even hear the sky larks singing as they fly high over head.  Then there are the children, parents and grandparents excitedly talking while filling their baskets with the delicious fruit and even trying a couple, just to make sure they are up to standard!  I think it is something everyone should try and do.

For me it brings back many memories of fruit picking with my own children and more recently with my grandchildren.  It is so good for them to see where the fruit really comes from instead of just buying it at the supermarket.  It's cheaper too!

Here in Locks Heath, not too far from where I live, strawberries have been grown for many, many years and I think they are the best in the world, very very sweet and completely red right through.





Back in the 18th Century, the common land was divided into plots and sold off to local people.  Strawberries grow well here on the stoney soil, so it was a crop that many people decided to grow.  The early ripening made them desirable in markets every where.  When the Swanwick railway station opened in 1888, large quantities of strawberries were soon being sent all over the country.

The picking season was the busiest time of the year from the end of May to mid July.  Everyone was involved in picking the crops, families, friends and neighbours were all pickers and children were also given time off school to help.  Gypsies and the unemployed were also hired.



Initially the strawberries were transported in large wicker baskets called 'gallons', made by the prisoners in Winchester Prison.  Eventually they were put in a standard sized container called 'chips' made from strips of wood woven in a rectangle shape and stapled together.

In a good season before the second world war, there would be up to 160 trains laid on specially and the queues of wagons could be seen lined up the street at the train station, awaiting their turn to be unloaded and then transported.  As well as trains, anything from bicycles to lorries were used to transport the strawberries to the towns and cities.

I am told that the peak of the strawberry industry was during the 1930s and then it began to slip into decline.  Much of the land was sold off for housing with the demand for development.

Strawberries are still grown in the area in a few of the fields where you can still pick your own and I hope it will continue for the many generations that follow.  There is nothing like a bowl of strawberries, ice cream and of course cream, yum!


Wednesday, 18 June 2014

A Typical English Holiday

A Typical English Holiday

     The one thing you can never guarantee in England, is the weather!!!  You can plan the date for a holiday and find a lovely farm cottage to rent, but the weather, well you don't really know what is going to come.  It could be anything from glorious warm sunshine to clouds, rain, a cold wind or even thunder storms.  So being typically English, you go prepared for everything, just in case.
     And so, all the Snook families loaded up the cars and we all went on a Snookahol as I called it or in more normal words, 'a holiday', seven adults and 2 and a half children!!  (Well the half is due at the beginning of July, and it will be very exciting to welcome yet another Snooklet to the clan!)
     My daughter in law helped us choose the cottage as she had been there before when she was a child and so with a great sense of adventure and excitement, we were off to Holsworthy in North Devon, a very lovely part of the British Isles which, my mum told me, is very near to where she went on honeymoon.
     The cottage, was once part of the main farm house, but because it was so big, the farmer had it divided into two and now lets out the part we were in as a holiday cottage.  It had 4 bedrooms all with on-suite bathrooms, a large kitchen and lounge and a massive dining room with a huge snooker table which was also used as a dining table when the lid was put on.  Both the dining room and lounge had a huge ingle nook fire place too.
     Outside there was a jacuzzi and a BBQ area.  Then as you looked down the garden there was a lovely play area for children which also included a marquee with table tennis, ball pool and many trikes and games.  There was even a trampoline!
















Beyond the play area 2 lambs looked on and were duly fed each day from a bottle, which the grandchildren loved doing, and myself.
     We had our food delivered by Tesco to the door, which was a brilliant idea, but did wonder as tray after tray was carried in, if we had bought up the whole shop and the van was only coming to us as it was so full!
     The weather was never really that warm and on some days it did rain, but we enjoyed our holiday.  Mornings started early with a knock on the door at 7am from our grandson who enjoyed getting in bed with us.  Then we spent our days visiting some lovely wildlife parks, where we had picnics in the rain while watching the peacocks displaying their beautiful feathers, or huddled on the beach and eating ice creams.











There are two photos that I really love, taken while on holiday.  The first is grandad and grandson paddling on Bude Beach.  It just tells it's own story.


The second of my favourite photos was while we were on a day trip to Clovelly, a very beautiful old quaint fishing village with a cobbled street down the cliffs to a small harbour at the bottom.  
The family mostly went ahead, but I wanted to enjoy the walk, carefully picking my way down the street, looking at all the little houses still lived in to this day and browsing the little gift shops too.  Eventually I made it down and joined the family.  I was rather tickled by the photo I had taken at a view point on the way down.  The tide had gone out and you can just see a little pink dot making a bid for freedom!  Yes, my grandaughter, crawling down the beach amongst the stones.

     At the end of the day, it was a relief to get a ride back up the cliff with my daughter in law who is expecting a baby, rather than climbing back up again which the rest of the family did.
    
     Family times together are always special, making many memories for the different generations of the Snook family to remember in the years ahead.

     It was sad when our holiday finally finished, but the memories will always be cherished and we look forward to another one in a couple of years or so.

Saturday, 7 June 2014

Crafty Nana

Crafty Nana

Crocheted Basket
Crafting is what I love to do amongst many other things.
Jean Pocket Fridge Magnet
This little lot will be going to our Big Community Summer Fayre in June and much much more!

Birdies
Jean Pocket Fridge Magnet



Button Tree
Owl Doorstops
Bunnies

Sunday, 11 May 2014

April Revisited

     April is often a very busy month and this year was no exception.  So many churches wanted to book us over Easter, it could have easily been booked ten times over.  However, four of them went ahead and a whirlwind of activity seemed to ensue and surround us wherever we went.  Suitcases, bags, ironing, packing, computers, cameras and boxes stacked everywhere and even a bag full of cups, plates, a kettle and utensils just in case we needed some food and a decent cup of coffee!!  Eventually with everything stowed in the van, we set off to the first of two destinations, Edmonton in London and Croydon, only then to unpack everything again either at someone's home or a hotel.
     Both the missions went really well and before we knew it the whirlwind of activity intensified as we returned home to regroup and get ready for our next mission.  Just two and a half days, to rewash our clothes, iron and repack.
   


     Angel gowns are often seen hanging from the doorways in the house which seems to be a good place for them to dry when the weather isn't very good.  I often wonder what the postman and other delivery people must think when they knock at the door delivering yet more packages.  At times there is even a devil's cape and a gown covered with pretend blood!  I guess they have seen many things on their delivery rounds, but probably coming to our house it is rather unusual to say the least!!

     With a final push we were off once again to Wealdstone near Harrow.  Another set up, training and three performances and yes another hotel too.  I wonder if the staff at the hotels we go to wonder what we do, often getting back from a performance late at night.  It's no wonder I often dream about hotel corridors and stairs, desperately trying to find my way around, only to find a dead end or a sheer drop.  Then there's that question of why do hotels always seem to have a smoke alarm right over the bed and which takes great delight in blinking a red light at you all night.  You would think that just round the corner out of sight would be more helpful, especially if you can't get to sleep. Or maybe their policy of making you have a good night's sleep is to make you shut your eyes so you can't see it.  I will ponder on this.

     Finally we finished our last mission in Walthamstow.  Another great success, many lives changed, great testimonies, people excited at what God has done and a very happy church.  Although very tired and yes another unpack and mounds of washing its been a great month and we are very thankful to God for helping us through.

     At the end of April I had quite a bit of craft work almost finished and which kept me occupied during our trips away.  I guess during May I must get them finished to sell, as I have a craft stall with the family at a Fayre our Church is holding and which I am also helping to organise.  Maybe you can work out what they are!

     I do have a very unusual life style and see some amazing people and places, but it's always nice to come home.

Tuesday, 29 April 2014

37th Wedding Anniversary

37th Wedding Anniversary

Last week was our 37th Wedding Anniversary!
Quite a feat for these days when so many marriages fail.
While talking to someone who was engaged to be married about this I was asked, "So what's the secret of a long and happy marriage?".  Pausing for thought I replied, "Probably forgiveness, a determination to make it work and never stop loving him."  Of course it has meant we have had our ups and downs, but for both of us loving Jesus helps tremendously as we tackle life's journey and difficulties with Him in prayer.  But both of us have resolved to love, forgive and pray together and for us it works, especially as we work together as well as live 24/7.
Today we have 3 grown children. Both boys are now married to lovely Christian wives and have nearly 3 grandchildren between them (one due in July) and our daughter who still lives with us, but often has the house to herself when we are working away from home.  They are all such a blessing to us.
Well it's only 3 years to our 40th Anniversary (Ruby), so it should be enough time for my husband to start saving for one!!

The Snookery





I have just named our house 'The Snookery', a title very apt I thought for a place that has a lot of my family history linked to it, times past, present and I guess the future too as I don't think we will ever move!!!  We have lived in this house for 37 years, our first home since we were married and I changed my name to Snook!

It's a terraced house built in the 1930s just before the 2nd World War started and during which a bomb dropped near by ripped off the tiles so I'm told!!!  Since that time it has seen some changes structurally, but basically it is the same, with the same front door rather than one of those white PVC ones.

I often used to wonder who lived here before us during those war years and what kind of family life they had experience here.  Then one day at least 30 years ago while I was tackling the jungle in the front garden, an old lady walked by.  I looked up as she stopped the other side of the wall and said, "You are doing exactly what I used to do many years ago", "oh", I said, "What do you mean?".  She then went on to explain that she lived here during the war years and had had her family here too.  She also mentioned that there had been pear and apple trees in the back garden and also a grape vine, sadly they no longer are here. "How lovely" I said, "would you like to come in?".  She declined saying that she wanted to go and visit one of her last remaining friends here, but wished me much happiness and walked on up the road, taking with her her own memories of this house.

Now my family have grown up.  Both boys have since married themselves and started their own families.  My daughter still lives with us at the top of the house so they haven't all flown the nest.

My life has certainly been a full one and still continues to be.  A mix of faith, family and travel and crafting, all of which you will get to know as you follow me