Ch-ch-changes

It feels like a long time has passed since I last wrote my blog, but it was only last Friday. It was an intense weekend, taking my son to uni, and coming home to a house with only three of us in it, and what feels like a new phase. There was the excitement of driving to Manchester, heading over the Pennines in bright sunshine. Then arriving at the halls of residence with hundreds, no thousands, of other parents and their children, spilling out of cars with duvets, pillows, hockey sticks, guitars, chairs, pots and pans. Those of you who've done it will be old hands, but it really is  like no other experience I've had. There is happiness and pride, because your son or daughter is doing something that they've been working towards for years at school; there's nostalgia, if you've been to university or college yourself, you can't help but recall your first day. Sadness, of course, because you're leaving your child for the first time, and worry that they'll settle in (or more in my case, that they'll work hard as well as enjoy all the socialising!). And a very real sense of time passing, and circumstances changing. So actually I am quite glad that the day is over and my son is happily installed, and his texts tell us that he's having a great time and has made friends. Today, though, still feeling a bit raw,  I thought I'd indulge in a day of pottering.
First up, jam making. I've had plums and apples and blackberries in the freezer or in bowls for a few days now. Chopping, peeling and boiling is therapeutic, so I made a batch of plum, and some apple and blackberry.

Then I've always wanted to bake myself a new header, so I thought today I'd do that as well.

Wasn't sure about the background...neutral or colourful?

In the end, it had to be the colourful one at the top of the blog. Talking of the blog, I thought it was time to give that a shake up as well. I think it has been looking very tired recently, and I hadn't realised that the design elements are now much easier to use. So I hope you like the fresh look (and that you can see it if you are reading the blog via an iPad or phone).

Much more bounty to come from the garden. I've never seen so  many apples on our two trees. 

And finally, I'll end with a really special present that a friend painted for me. She took me completely by surprise with this:

She took a snap of me at my 50th party, and painted a  watercolour. I had no idea that she was doing this until she popped round the other day and handed me a lovely package. So, a massive thank you to Jo for such an amazing gift. This is me stepping into my next phase....