Simple things

Sometimes it's the simple things.  This morning, the kids decided that they wanted to spend some time reading before school.  At their school, one of the reading schemes has online ebooks that the kids can read and get rewards for, so E read one of her bug club books, and S read one of his Christmas presents - Dragon Orb, Firestorm.

This afternoon I finally finished making a bookmark for someone - I'd meant to send it to them before Christmas, but never quite got round to finishing it.  They've seen a pic of it on my other blog - http://prettylittleneedfulthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a-special-little-mouse.html and I think it's made them happy.  That's made me happy.

And finally, it's a bit nippy out there, so the delights of a fire cannot be stressed enough!  Hubby is home early tonight so it's snuggles on the sofa and watching The Following, followed by a hefty dose of comedy to cheer us up!

Highs and lows

There are so many things to be grateful for, and sometimes things are especially highlighted when your life is held in stark relief to others.

We met up with friends that we've known for about 15 years, something we try to do at least once or twice a year.  Normally it's 3 couples with children, and another older couple.  The men from the couples, and the older lady all used to work together (I was there too!) at a industry publishing house in London, and formed strong friendships that have lasted ever since.

Yesterday though, we were down a family.  One of our number has been battling cancer, and is now recovering from his 3rd round of treatment, which has left him battered and completely exhausted and withdrawn.  The rest of us have had trouble contacting them - it's not in his nature to share, and doesn't want people to feel sorry for him.  We could only speculate as to how bad things were (we think they are pretty bad), and raised a glass to toast them in their absence.

So, looking at the GD family, I'm so glad we're happy, healthy, have each other and lots of really good friends.  We're very lucky.

And, yesterday we celebrated our friendships with our other good friends, over a fantastic roast, with good wine and lots of laughs.  Highs and lows . . .


And then, this morning was stunningly beautiful.  As I sat in the car whilst it defrosted, watching oncoming car lights sparkling on the frosted windwcreen, I was delighted with the beauty.  Driving around later, with the misty sun, and the slighty hazyness through the frost covered trees, I just felt so very happy.  After the stark reminder from yesterday, simple beauty is enough to make me smile today.  Just wish I'd been able to take some photos, but alas, school runs and forgotten bags, leading to another school run had me all of a dither!

There will be more frosty mornings though and I'll attempt to capture their beauty one day.

Cats and Sunday mornings

It's another lazy morning here in the GD household.  I should perhaps add that as well as the human component, we have 2 cats who are now over 13 years old which apparently puts them in their mid 70's in human years.  It doesn't stop them play silly-buggers with each other though - they're brothers and the sibling rivalry between them can sometimes erupt in pretty violent surprise attacks.  I caught one jumping on his brother's head the other day.

As with all cats, they have their own mind about everything.  Throughout the years I've bought them endless cat toys, beds and treats, but none have been regarded with any favour - until now!  How sad is it that I'm totally excited by the fact that this new cat bed has found favour with my furry companions.  So much so that I've had to take photographic evidence that they're using it!

This is Tigger, commenting on how he doesn't like his photo taken

The reason it's up on the table is that's where they often sit, as they watch the sparrows at the bird feeders outside.  Now they can do so in comfort.  I might have to get another one, as they've both been in there, and I don't want my crotchety old cats finding yet another reason to fight - it's like having extra children at times.

And, whilst typing this status up, they both wanted to see what I was up too . . . .

Willow got bored and went back to bird watching, but Tigger finally decided not to sit on the keyboard and just look moody, just out of shot.

They make me smile every day!

Oh, and it was coffee and croissants again this morning - very scrummy and another thing to smile about!

A tradition begins . . . .

I love it when the kids take it upon themselves to positively change aspects of our lives.

Sam has expressed a wish to learn how to cook curries.  He's already a dab hand at a spag bol, mainly under the tutorship of his dad, but with the special tweaks that I give the sauce that helped me win over his Dad's stomach, and therefore helped with winning his heart!

But Sam, at the grand old age of 8.5, is keen to learn how to cook a curry from scratch - a skill that will stand him in good stead later on in life.

We tried last Friday/Saturday.  His favourite recipe is Lamb Rogan Josh, and he wanted this to be the first recipe that he tried.  I duly gathered all the ingredients, with the intention to follow the recipe and marinade the lamb overnight, but we forgot.  Cue a far earlier Saturday morning than planned as I desperately grated ginger, mashed garlic and glooped yoghurt around, and shoved in the diced lamb in the hope that 8 hours would compensate for nearly 24.

It actually came together really well on Saturday night.  Apart from the face that Sam got bored, and as yoghurt is a texture he's avoided since he was a baby, he actively avoids having anything to do with it.  It was all smelling really tasty.  And continued to do so through the patch when I managed to rub chilli into my eye.  That bit was kind of distracting.

So distracting in fact, that I didn't turn the heat down enough on the pan, and burned the dish.  Cue an emergency takeaway, and grumpy family (the fact that I'd blinded myself was apparently besides the point!)

Anyway, this is a really long winded way to get to my point.  Whilst the girls went to gymnastics (Boo did the gymnastics, I drank coffee and gossiped) the boys went to the driving range, and then did the shopping for the weekend.  They came home with a boxed curry ready meal for tonight.  To be fair, it tasted reasonable, if not a bit too spicy for me.  I got through half a big pot of plain yoghurt!

Whilst sharing the dinner, Sam piped up and said he loved having curries on a Saturday night, so could we make it a family tradition?

With endorsement from everyone, including his little sister, a tradition has been born.  From now on it's curries on a Saturday, and proper roasts, with Yorkshire puddings no matter the meat, for Sundays.

It's a tradition I'm happy to embrace!

Relaxed Saturdays

Sometimes it's the really simple things in life that I'm grateful for.  

My daughter does gymnastics on a Saturday morning, and before Christmas her class started at 9:00.  However, she's gone up a class, and now starts at 10:00, meaning a much more relaxed morning for all of us.  

So, for me today, it's the simple pleasure of a lazy morning, with a good coffee and a just-out-of-the-oven croissant.  Beautiful combination to start my day!

Happy Saturday everyone!

New year, new start - and a year on we're going to try again!

The funny thing is, I finally organised myself and made up 3 jars, with beautiful labels, for my Mother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law, and soon to be Sister-in-law for little extra Christmas presents.  Didn't do one for myself though, did I?

Anyway, a year on from my last post, I guess it's time to actually type something.

I'll keep it small - today I met up with my lovely quilting ladies, who came over to my house.  I'm the baby of the group, but they're all lovely, friendly and welcoming.  We were guided by one of the group who's an experienced quilter, and she's leading us, with baby-steps, to a new skill of 'Trapunto' quilting.  We gossiped and talked for most of the session, but we got the general idea.  I've got an idea for what I want to do, which is going to be based on a Charles Rennie Mackintosh rose.  If I actually get my backside into gear, and do the crafting, I'll post some photos.

I'm also happy to have seen the sun today, which appeared in between the heavy showers.

There are many other things, but am starting small!
xx

Gosh! Well, a new year, a new start and all that . . .

I'm  wincing as I realise just how long it's been since I was here.  However, inspired by the following photo and it's sentiments I've decided to get back on my horse so-to-speak and do what I intended when I first started this blog.

Ok, so I'm a day late on writing things up here, but I did start yesterday.  I had a fab New Years, but drinking and talking late into the night made me face up to a few issues that I've been avoiding.  I finally admitted to the turmoil I've been having, including the darkest side of it which could be very self-destructive if left to fester.  Not only did I admit to my friend, I admitted to an online community that I've been part of for nearly 4 years now.  I've been avoiding them as I just didn't want to be posting false jollity when that was the last thing I was feeling.  Several times I've started to post to my blog there and then felt that I was being stupid and somewhat selfish for sharing such thoughts and never went through with actually posting what I'd written.

All sounds a bit depressing so far, doesn't it?!!

Anyway, the upshot is that I've received a wonderful response from all sides and feel so very uplifted by the kind words and support that are being sent my way.

So, yesterday was about recognising what lovely friends I have, both virtual and in the real world.  I am truly lucky.

It was also a beautiful day, filled with the first proper sunshine we've seen for a while. The kids were well behaved and I really felt ready to face the new year with some gusto.

Today, I listened to my lovely daughter E singing.  She was singing her nativity songs, but slowly adapted them until they were totally different from where she started.  She was happy and cheeky, as a 5 yr old should be, carefree, and yet filled with the self-importance that comes so naturally to her.  

As I tucked her into bed, and we read The Hungry Caterpillar, she was all giggles and smiles.  I got to blow raspberries on her neck, and smother her in kisses and cuddles.  What can be better?

And finally, I've had a bath run for me too - which I shall be enjoying shortly!