Inspiration

A couple of weeks ago we happened upon , whilst on holiday, an event call the Spring-fling, which occurs during the first week of June and celebrates arts and crafts in Galloway. We wandered around artist's workshops and homes and came away enthralled, delighted and inspired.

Youngest was so inspired by one exhibit that he actually created a smaller version to suit a homework topic.

We had wandered into a willow workshop and fell in love with all the creativity and joy the willow sculptures exuded. Outside was a quirky sprite-like figure happily 'juggling' pink wellington boots and a mystical woodland lady with huge swirling skirts.

The door way to the workshop was as equally quirky and inviting

And inside, the space was dominated by a huge willow tree

The boys were fascinated, both decreeing they wanted one in our house too, I agreed and Himself, although raising his eyebrows as the silliness of the thought, probably would love it too.

What Himself did like was the huge mermaid in a shell (although at the time we thought it was a coracle - it was only afterwards when we looked at the photos we could see it was a shell)

Suitably sated and inspired that when we came home from our holiday,  Youngest started his homework with enthusiasm.

The topic was to create a sculpture or some form of artwork to reflect the positivity of life and the environment and he immediately set about planning a tree like the one we saw at the willow workshop.

We all marched off to the local beck and fought our way through a swathe of nettles and brambles to help collect some willow for him, which he painstakingly wove and wound until he had a tree shape.

He then wrote a list of positive words down, then cut out coloured leaves - writing down the words he'd found on each leaf. These were then tied on the tree. He wound barbed wire at the base to represent evil and gave the tree a tree post - naming it 'strength'. We were amazed at his creativity and I am kicking myself at not getting a final picture of his tree - which is now at school. He carefully/triumphantly carried his tree in this morning with such a grin on his face - bless him!

July - in a montage (or 2 or 3!)

I've been gardening today and apart from feeling absolutely shattered I am happy happy happy (can you tell?!!). 

Years ago, Himself and I were watching some  mindless American sitcom (the name and story line have deservedly faded into history) but we do  remember one sentence the main protagonist said and it was..... 

I am very tired - but it is a good tired! 

Any way, in the spirit being on hols, I shall do a July round up in a trio of montages!!

Firstly - a mix-up of garden and garden festival pictures, the garden - despite my work-induced neglect - looked good but not good enough to win anything, but the boys did well both winning a second place in their catagories. 

Our knit and natter group took over a huge area in the local church and we displayed both flowers and our work and received loads of lovely lovely comments.

We managed to squeeze in a lot of family and friends time in between work and sleep - Youngest finished junior school (a mixture of sadness and glee) and won the Technical Cup which took us all by surprise and delight!!  

Our blondies (young hens) are growing both in size and friendliness - they don't get much choice with the friendliness as they are regularly seen firmly tucked under a boy's armpit (poor chooks). 

A tree house has been built and now is the centre of many a boy-game or just gentle contemplating of life as they lie on their backs and watch the sky. 

My Dad celebrated his birthday (from last year!!) with a helicopter flight and we went along to watch and share, we also took a picnic and spent a lovely day enjoying the sunshine and family. 

Poor old giddy dog has had more than her fair share (as she thinks) of baths recently as the boys have discovered the 'delights' of washing her in the wheelbarrow.....they fill it up with tepid water and she hops in (well she is instructed to jump in and she so well trained she does, despite really really not wanting to!) then she is lathered up until she looks like a meringue, rinsed and dried and then all three of them play up and down the lane until she is dry. 

Youngest has rediscovered his camera (strangely it 'appeared' in the greenhouse....) and has been taking photos of EVERYTHING! 

Our veg garden is doing us proud, we are harvesting a goodly amount for such a small space. Yesterday I lifted all the garlic and they are now drying. 

The black kale and the Chinese mustard have been featuring heavily in our 'garden soups' and the onions are excellent and won't be long before I have to lift those too. 

Our peas, although only a few plants - gamely gave us just enough to have as mange tout initially then peas in salads latterly while the butter beans have been delish raw as well as being chucked in soups. 

The potatoes are still quietly growing and I haven't had an investigation yet but the tomatoes and courgettes in the greenhouse are the best we have had so far. We've picked tomatoes every second day and have them in lunch boxes, in salads and on picnics.  The beetroot have been a bit of an experiment - usually I plant them individually and allow to swell, but this year somebody on television (for the life of me I can't remember if it was a chef who gardened or a gardener who cooked) said to leave them in little bunches and lift a whole bunch at a time and they are sweeter and cook quicker. They do cook quicker, but they are definitely fiddly to deal with - so the jury is still out. 

Leeks are growing nicely and the rhubarb is now resting after providing it's first good crop - it is still a young plant and I didn't want to frighten it too much!

Eldest's wheel barrow entry to the garden festival is providing us with salad and herbs on a daily basis - it has been so so successful that I will encourage him to do it again as it has turned out to be so productive!

Well, that's just a little taster of our July - not a lot was done, but so much happened! 

Tomorrow is the 1st of August - can you believe it?? This year has flown by - it will be Youngest birthday at the end of the month - it doesn't seem so long ago he was just a tot :).

Tomorrow we are celebrating our day by going off to the local tea rooms for the obligatory carrot cake and tea then for a walk to return for the boys to wallow indulgently in the huge paddling pool Himself bought for them today - we may have to crack the ice of the top first and beat back a polar bear or two....!

Right I am off to bed! G'night!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

ooh it's lovely to be back :)

**walking* baking* thinking**

Walking:

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Thinking:

Further to my last post (Japan) things have progressed, I will let you know soon x

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Baking:

At this very moment I am baking buns for Youngest's fund raising at school for Red Nose Day, the kitchen is wall to wall with chocolate buns in various stages of completion. When the boys come home tonight we will have a marathon icing session - oh the mess the mess!

I love, love, love these silicone baking cases, the colours are really cheery and bright.

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Counting..counting 17 and not so slowly becoming mad

Sitting, waiting for Eldest to come out of school yesterday, I contemplated the complete lack of the number 17 of any shape or size or anything slightly resembling a 17 at all. I had taken to carrying my camera with me for those unexpected opportunities to snap a number, much to the bemusement of Himself.

Pulling my coat closer around me, the warmth of the car quickly fading, I wondered idly about this elusive number and thought on my self-imposed count down. Why do I add unnecessary detail to my already randomly chaotic life.  Movement caught my eye, I looked up to see students were beginning to pour out of the gates in a noisy gaggle of black and green uniforms. No sign of Eldest, he usually appears after the initial escape. I glanced at the clock in the car and it said................15.16.  I sighed. 15.16. A thought slowly trickled into my tundra like brain. 15.16.

WOOHOO!! After 16 comes 17 !!!!!!!!

I fumbled for my camera, my fingers feeling thick and wooden, I glanced up.....phew, still 15.16 - nope, it was now 15.17! I became frantic, the camera case zip was stiff, the strap was in the way, I couldn't get the camera out of it's case, I shook it and pulled it at the same time, I kept looking up, still 16.17.....finally I freed the camera, still 16.17, turn it on, still 16.17......click! Got it! no - no no, it was totally out of focus, in my haste the setting was for macro, flick the setting, quick quick ....get the damn photo! Click! Got it! Argh!! **!//\\!! (and similar foul mouthed thoughts) it was still blurry, quick get it right! C-L-I-C-K!! YES, YES, YES! And on the final YES the clock tripped onto the next number....the moment gone.

Feeling fully chuffed with myself I looked up and saw a rather started Eldest with his friends with mouths slightly agape.

Oops erhem, sorry lads. 

**Funnily enough, having finally obtained a clear clean photo, I proceed to fuzzy it up on photoshop...... method in my madness? Or just plain mad........................

14 days and counting -

14 - fourteen, 2 weeks, fortnight.

I looked up the word 'fourteen' and found that it originated from middle English and was written as - fourtene or feowertene and and in Anglo-Saxon it was written feowertyne or feowetene. This reminded me that the ancients measured time by nights and winters, so a fortnight came from  fourteen nights - two weeks.

Only one more week to winter solstice, the longest night and then the earth begins to tilt and gently gently we will start getting our days back. Woo hoo getting closer to spring, and as I sit here, feeling cold, that thought is so positive!

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I have already mentioned that I will be running through the 12 days of Christmas, starting from the 25th December but I thought I would just post here Youngest's most recent homework. His task was to reply to 'His True Love' and thank them for all the gifts they had given him and explain to them what he had done with them..........So, below, for your delight and guffaws I have copied out his reply - classic!

Dear friend

The presents that you gave me were delightful but…

I could not catch the partridge in time so it flew away, 

but I planted the pear tree in my garden.

I set the turtle doves and the calling birds free, did you know that they are colly birds- which is the old fashioned name for blackbirds. 

The French hens I have added them to my other six chickens. 

I found out that the rings are chocolate not gold I ate 2 and sold the rest. 

I have bought an allotment for the geese. 

For the milk maids I rang up the dairy factory in Settle and they have got part time jobs. 

The disco divas have gone to see a friend of mine’s mum who is a dance teacher. 

Those lords, well I sent them to train for the Olympics for the long jump, triple jump, high jump, hurdling jump, trampolining, pole vaulting, ski jumping, horse jumping, snowboarding and gymnastics.

For the pipers I sent them to plumbing school to learn about all types of pipes. 

And the drummers they have gone to the coldstream guards military band. 

But I will report you for theft and violation to her majesty herself for stealing seven swans.

from xxxx

     

                           

I laugh out loud every time I read his reply ! What goes on in that little head of his is amazing! 

Africa-day: in which my Dad is a Hero in the eyes of my boy (and ALL his mates)

Youngest asks

We are learning all about Africa mum, can you come and talk at the school?

I reply rather absentmindedly

Hmm? umm, ok.

Youngest asks again

Would Bumpa come too?

When is it for? I think I better start concentrating now

Not for a while, the teacher says it will be ok, I have already asked if you can come

Oh, um ok, think we better speak to Bumpa

*********************************

A couple of day later, and in his most angelic voice Youngest asks my Dad -

Bumpa, we are learning about Africa at school, can you come and talk about it?

To his absolute credit my Dad did the exact opposite to what he would have rather have said and said.....

Yes

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Weeks later, we suddenly register that 'Show and Tell Africa-day' is imminent and although we have all loosely discussed African related ornaments and stories, clothes and food - we haven't actually done anything about it! My Mom decided to make some traditional 'Boer rusks' for the children to taste and asked me how many to make, and according to youngest there are 16 - 18 in his year. (Please retain this low number in your head for later.......)

Phew - not so many kids to deal with. 

As the day gets closer, nerves get a bit jangly - although I used to teach, its always a bit nerve tingly to start in a new class of faces and I knew I wasn't the only one getting cold feet..... but we'd promised and with a slight feeling of fatalistic dread we all carried on.

********************************

On the day - which was yesterday, we met up at the school, we had bags and boxes and oddly shaped parcels holding our historic and sentimental treasures. I suggested that the children be in first so that as we arrived and opened our 'wares' the element of surprise would be heightened.

My Mom had made some copies of a map of Africa but midway through printing them her printer decided to conspire against her so ended up with only 10 copies and we asked at the school if we could have a few more copies made.....

I'll do you 33 copies the secretary cheerily said...............

33?    33?   THIRTY THREE???? 

(please retain not so low number in head for later....)

My Mom and I glance at each other and then at my Dad................. Had he heard? 

The look on his face confirmed all. 

Before he could run off we were marched to the classroom by the headteacher who whilst chatting mentioned that Youngest had been enthusing so so much about his Grandad's Africa stories that there would be a few more children - aah, I thought, that's why there are 33.

We were then met by the teacher who is such a lovely young enthusiastic lady whom Youngest adores. She said how Youngest was so pleased and proud his family were coming that she and the other teachers had added a few more children in and they were all excited to see. I suddenly thought I'd better ask how many children ....exactly... how many children....

Oh, she happily said, about 60 or 65 I'm not exactly sure...............

60!?!?! (please recall at your leisure and at our discomfort how many children were originally involved.......) 

I didn't dare look at my Dad now!

But, once we started it was fine - my Dad and Mom were brilliant, and the children loved it. Especially when historic weapons came out, a wonderful old ram rod rifle, assegai and ceremonial axes. We passed around fired clay beer pots and stone carvings. We showed porcupine quills and beads and played traditional wedding music. My Mom had made a traditional costume and one of the little girls happily wore it and danced to the music. We spoke on snakes and spiders and all things squeamish, we told of hills and mountains, of rivers so wide that it was difficult to see the other side, we spoke on lions and crocodiles,  we shared the heat and dust of Africa with the class of English children that day. 

And Youngest was a happy chappy in the back row and he later told me,  the kids in the school thought....

that his Mom, his Grandad and his Gran were AWESOME  

so I think we did ok :)

PS - there were 68 children in the end........and two teachers................and the headteacher..............and two teaching assistants.

30.03.10 - You want it for when??!

4.45pm - Thursday evening, I'm about to get ready to go out, Eldest is about to go off to music lesson when he absently mindedly says...............


Mum

Yes

We've got a bun sale coming up soon

When is it?

Tomorrow

Tomorrow??!!

And we have been told to make at least 12 buns

Tomorrow??!!

Yes, I told you about it

When???

Oh....... um.... about three weeks ago


Aaaaargh!!

(Last seen galloping into the kitchen, much clattering and cussing later)

Mum

What!

Do you want any help?

Thanks love, but no, it's quicker if I get them done, you better finish your homework and get ready for your music lesson, your Dad will be home from work soon

(Himself stumps into the kitchen noisely urging eldest to hurry up, followed by a whirlwind of bodies and music books and slamming of doors, leaving me to finish the buns and still get ready.)

(Some time later, late for my evening out and son and Himself back from music)

Triumphantly dishevelled I presented a tray of buns to Eldest who graciously says

Thanks Mum - good thing I reminded you.........

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(Overheard the next day in the car on the way to school)

Got my buns for the sale (shows friend)

Friend - wow - did you make those?

No - my mum wouldn't let me!

Friend - but you are s'posed to have done them

I know, but you know mums - they think they know best....................


sigh.

I do love him, honest...!

04.02.10

Today's heart is.....

This felt woven heart, brought by my Mom to knit n knatter last night,  was one I had made when I was 11 or 12 for my Gran. It still has the childish uneven stitches done by a reluctant scholar.

I did it in the final year of junior school in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in what was called 'Home Economics' class. A thinly veiled attempt to train girls to be good housewives. While the boys went off to do wood work, cross country and play cricket, we learned to crochet (didn't pick up a hook again until last year), how to sew (only started sewing seriously-ish in last 6 months) and how to cook (only really got the cooking bug when I met Himself and I had found that by feeding him he kept coming back!!... and I really did want to keep him.)

School and I didn't get on well, I never really excelled at anything and school never really cared.
As a child, many adults used to say to me 'school days - the best days of your life....'

I know now what I felt then - they were lying.

My best days are now.

13.01.11

Today? well today didn't quite go to plan.

Brief synopses.......

Roads icy.
Snowing.
Then fine rain.
More snow.

Himself sets off to work. (first attempt)
I start to take boys to school. (first attempt)
Himself returns - deeming roads too icy for me.
I am ok with that.
Himself takes both boys to school.  (second attempt)
I walk into the house - realise the dog is
in the back of the landrover,
on her way....
to school ....
with himself.....

Text himself to let him know.
I start chipping and chiseling away the ice,
so I can reach the chickens without slipping (again).

I slip.

Later - much later, himself returns with the dog.

Himself sets off to work (second attempt)
School rings - they are going to close.

'Can youngest be collected please'

Text himself (who has only just got to work)
Himself sets off to school (third attempt).
Later much later himself returns with one son.
Himself sets off to work (third attempt)


....keep up... keep up - are you with me on this one?

I temporarily re-home one son
with a friend who is forcibly off work
due to car sliding then crashing into back of another.

I set off to work.

I slip.

Himself finishes work (has he been there much today?)
collects eldest boy from school.
collects youngest boy from car-less friend.

My work shuts early unexpectedly - blaming the weather.
I come home.
I slip.

Find all three chiseling their way through the ice.

SO! as an antidote to all the excess of ice and slipping and trips to school and to work
I made home made falafal with a green salad and a good dollop of 'Lindsay's garlic dressing'.


Aaaaah - bliss.
Now - as I sit and crochet and slurp from a mug of tea,
this day seems just another story woven into the fabric of my life.

I smile.
And himself ? - well he's ok now he's eaten.

Snow slump and frozen melt water looking more beautiful than any Swarovski crystal

05.01.10

My world has turned black and white.

Overnight more snow has landed, and as I type, is still coming down.

The schools have been shut - school buses have been cancelled.

And the chickens are still in bed..................

so, today, they are having breakfast in bed.

I opened their hock
and snuggled up looking like feathered tea cosies -
were the four chooks.

As soon as I gave them their pellets and warm water,
they hopped up and tucked in.
I wonder if they will get up at all today?

I've been having fun with some felt -

Making these.........

The far end of the garden - a wintery view on the way to the hen hock.

02.12.09


We were already running behind time when............
Oh no!
I could hear the panic in his voice
Oh no, I've left my P.E. kit at home - Mum please, we have to go back and get it!


A quick glance at my watch confirmed what I already knew,
it was too late to go back home and still arrive at school in time.

So in a tense silence, we continued to school
- a little faster than normal,
a little faster than we should.

A terse goodbye on both sides as I returned home with these words burning in my ears....
please can you bring my kit
please don't forget.


The school run today, which normally takes about 3/4 hour, took nearly two.

No greater love hath a mother for her eldest when he has forgotten his sports kit at home......................... (spotted any irony?)

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trying out new ideas and designs

trying out shades and colours

trying out shapes and styles

trying the patience of himself, as I spread out and play

04.11.09

We, as a household,

are at various stages of some form of sniffles

Eldest is passed the worst and feeling chipper

He is giving no sympathy to his fellow sufferers

Youngest and I have just started

We feel like we shouldn't be made to go to school/work.....

And himself has manfully dragged himself through the week, very bravely.

Why is it the weather has joined in too?

Where is that warm sunshine when you need it?

So - I have resorted to some serious comfort food - tea and toast

Can't get more serious than that!

20.10.09
Hmmmm.

I have a 'Should be - Could be - Am doing' list.
How does it work? Well, let me explain...........

I should be doing:-

• vacuuming - the carpet is covered in bits of yarn from the last project I had to hastily finish last night to be able to be given to fav teacher this morning
• dusting - but the boys made off with the feather duster to enhance some game or other
• bed making - when will everyone make their own?

I could be doing:-

• writing up my notes for my coursework - but the urge to run in the opposite direction is pretty full on.
• the washing - but its not that urgent (yet)
• putting away the yarns from my last project but the colours are so pretty together that I have left them - for aesthetic reasons you understand......

I am doing......

• taking pictures of threads and cards made by the youngest
• drinking piping hot tea
• about to start sewing a bag
• about to carry on crocheting  my 'windmill' bag 
• completely ignoring the above two lists.

As a postscript - a picture of the blankie and the card the youngest made for fav teacher

18.10.09
Work in progress.

Slow progress.


Hey ho - youngest son watching over shoulder, better get on...........

16.10.09
Favoured teacher will be leaving to have her baby.
When? I asked.
Soon the youngest said vaguely.
How soon?
erm - think on Wednesday..... .
Next week?
Yup. Can I give her a present?

Sigh.

Ok, out with the hook and yarns. I'll see what I can do...............

30.09.09

'It's my birthday in three days time' she said,

bouncing up and down excitedly with a wide tooth-gapped grin.

Her mother smiled benignly on.

A serene image of motherhood.

Her beautiful lilting French accent making my native English language sound melodic.

I must finish the hearts and wrap them for tomorrow -

for when you are 5 turning 6,

presents have to be unwrapped on your birthday.

22.09.09

They share the unfinished heritage blankie whilst watching a DVD. She purrs as he strokes her back. She is 20 years old and he is 11 and off school sick.

It is raining and cold outside - a good day to be curled up under a blanket :)

09.09.09

Today the sun is shining – so is my mood. The last few days have been a whirl of emotions. My eldest son has started senior school and the strength of his reluctance to enter the world of 'growing-upness' has pained me to tears.

His pale face on the third day as he fought back tears of fear and my having to let him go – on his own – nearly broke my heart.

But today he was happier and so am I.