Prezzies, swaps and Baby Dove

I am having a really great week - yes I've got bills to pay, washing to do, beds to change etc etc but I am being distracted from the horrible by the loveliness of Blogland

My Valentine swap has arrived from the lovely Joanne at Little Patch Of Heaven. I was a little concerned when I first was given my swap partner by the wonderful Mrs Thrifty as Joanne used to be called Tatty Mum.

I did wonder what I would be getting through the post !! But she couldn't be called anything better now as this parcel really was my "Little Patch Of
Heaven"

I have taken photos of all my items but cant work out how to get more than 5 on !!

I had these amazing bag with a beautiful heart - it is so wonderfully made - all fully lined.

The heart hanger is gorgeous and the little heart pegs made me jump up and down like I'd had too much coca cola.


This great wall hanging - I've just got to decide
where it will be shown off to its best advantage.

There were another two packets as well. A gorgeous tissue holder and heart keyring and some lovely chocolate hearts (which I've hidden) and some love heart sweeties.

Joanne if you're reading this - thank you so much from the bottom of my heart - this really is the best Valentines ever.



I also found out last week that I had won Michelle
from Cowboys and Custard giveaway for the funniest story.

I wont bore you with the details but you can go to Michelle's blog and read it in her comments - basically it was about my very first roast dinner that I cooked as a newly wed.

I could probably win a funny story competition for most of my cooking efforts !

Michelle has sent me some beautiful things - if only I had known 18 years ago as I sat sobbing on the kitchen step that what had just happened
would mean that I would receive a lovely present in the future perhaps I wouldn't have been so disheartened.

The toadstool pins are great and are now pushed into my computer desk wall (will have to show you some time) - the mirror (with the strawberry print) is in my handbag, the heart keyring attached to my keys, the love tag hanging by my computer and the ribbon squirreled away for the future. I have yet to decide on the lucky recipient of the card.
Thank - you Michelle so much.

I will try and get round to my eBay bargains tomorrow - I think they have all nearly arrived now.

For all of you who have sent Colin your best wishes - if you don't know about Colin our baby dove - I blogged about him here

He is doing really well - he is hopping about the dining room and starting to try and lift himself into the air.

He is feeding really well - still through the syringe but we are trying to get him to take some seed.

His beak is very rubbery and we have learnt that this can be calcium deficiency - apparently common in winter babies so he is now having added calcium.

My main concern now is that he will struggle when released but I was reading a blog yesterday about someone who had hand reared a dove - last year he nested in their arbour and has had a family of his own - I really hope that this happens for Colin.

Hubby is going to build him a dovecote so if anyone has experience of this or knows of any plans we would be really grateful.