New Arrivals....

...eight point of lay 17 week old warren pullets arrived yesterday.

They are very shy, never having been outdoors before today.

There has been a bit of squabbling.

Some of the resident matrons are positively sulking...

What was really amazing was watching a couple of the new girls enjoying a dust bath for the first time. They have spent their entire life in a barn but an innate instinct took over. The wonder of creation.

Speaking of which, there has been a positive proliferation of plum blossom in just one week...

I hope it means a bumper crop of plums. The tree is just two years planted in our garden and was a young sapling. There were approx five plums last year. So here's hoping.

Another arrival this weekend is eldest daughter home from uni for five weeks.

Eleven year old daughter made a lovely spring flower table decoration..

Here it is displayed on a recently purchased rather jolly charity shop tablecloth (£2.79.)

And  just the excuse we needed to bake a big cake to welcome her home...

Also managed some seed sowing, a bit of weeding and quite a lot of leaning on the fence enjoying the bird song. All the brood back under one roof, happy days.

The Eigth Station of the Cross.....

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.

Jesus meets the women of Jeusalem, weeping for him. He pauses to give them words of kindness.

Dear Jesus, let me, like those women, be unafraid to announce my faith in you. By their example may I always seek to spread the faith by trying to live the gospel in my daily life.

The Seventh Station of the Cross....

Jesus falls a second time.

The cross grows heavier and Jesus falls a second time. He struggles to get up but does not give up.

Sometimes I am impatient when I fail. I become despondent about small things. I feel like giving up.

My dear Lord, help me to keep trying when I feel like giving up. Help me not to feel despair. By your example may I always be encouraged to do the best I can.

The Sixth Station of the Cross....

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

A woman suddenly comes out from the crowd, Veronica. She cannot do much to help but she cares enough to wipe the blood and sweat from the face of Jesus.

Do I notice the needs of others around me? Do I unselfishly offer help when I can? Or do I try not to get involved lest too much be asked of me?

Dear Jesus, just as your image was imprinted upon the cloth Veronica used, may it be always be imprinted on my heart, as a reminder to show compassion whenever I am able, for no other reward than just because I can.

The Fifth Station of the Cross....

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross.

Jesus is weak and struggling. The soldiers are afraid he will not make it to the place of execution. They pull a man, Simon of Cyrene, from the crowd to help.

Do I always do as much as I can to help others? When asked for help do I  sometimes claim to be too busy? Do I get by doing as little as possible for others?

Dear Jesus, help me to recognise when others may need my help. Give me the grace to offer myself willingly and unselfishly. Let me not seek satisfaction in gratitude and likewise let me not be disappointed when none is offered. May my reward be the knowledge that you love me, and as such I seek to serve you in serving others.

The Fourth Station of the Cross.....

Jesus meets his mother.

Amidst the mocking crowd, Jesus meets his mother. She has not fled like the frightened disciples. She is courageous in accepting the fate of her beloved son because she remembers the words of the angel Gabriel, "Do not be afraid."

Holy Mary, by the example of your courage and faith in the face of extreme distress, guide me in my path through life. Help me to trust in my faith and not be afraid when faced with adversity.

Shameless

I just told a total stranger I saw in Asda I thought he was gorgeous!!!

He was in front of me at the self serve checkout. I was ogling him.

He left.

I left a few minutes later and he smiled at me through his open car window as he drove past me. I couldn't help myself and called out "You have made my day."

He slowed the car and leaned out and asked me why was that. I said "because you have curly hair and are wearing wellies." I asked him if he was a farmer and he said no but he had been working on a farm today. I said "My Dad was a farmer and I love farmers. You're gorgeous."

He drove away smiling, I think I made his day too.

If only........

(P.S. I think hormones are getting the better of me!)