Once, long, long ago in what seems like a different lifetime I used to go out lots. Lunches, meals, drinks, trips to cinemas, galleries and extended shopping trips - the world was my oyster whenever I fancied it. But these days, what with balancing the various needs of my family, going anywhere without a nappy bag is rare occurance. Which is why I had such a nice time last friday. Off I set on a trip into the countryside with the colours of autumn whizzing past the car windows and singing at the top of my voice (because the sun was shining and Amy wasn't in the car to tell me off). First I stopped off at Jolie for a browse among beautiful things and to stock up on some knitting supplies (it's the best stocked wool shop for miles and miles!) and bought some lovely things courtesy of Mary who had sent me a voucher (thanks so much Mary). After much deliberation I chose some kidsilk haze for a simple scarf and an irresistible new mug for tea.
Then it was off to Westmill and the sweetest little tearoom with tablecloths, proper pots of tea and homemade cake and as if that wasn't enough I was meeting a special person too. Well two special people actually - Dotty Cookie and her daughter Tiny Small. We had a lovely elevensies together followed by a wander around the pretty village and the ancient church.
To top it all off there were pressies too: the tiniest pair of rabbit sized knitting needles with a project ready on the go (there's even a perfect weenie ball of wool on the end) and also a me-sized set of beautiful stitch markers.
It was lovely to meet you Val, thanks for taking the time to drive down and for the very cute pressie!
I would have guessed that you were calmed and chilled refreshed by the colours of the yarn and mug.
Those days...yes. i remember them...long ago.
Hope your recharged until you have more of those days..xxx
Posted by: bigbucketgirl | October 20, 2008 at 12:21 PM
It's lovely that you had this time for yourself and the chance to meet another blogger. Pretty gifts and I like what you are doing with the Kidsilk Haze.
Posted by: Zoe | October 20, 2008 at 12:25 PM
One of my friends was 30 at the weekend, and her best pressie from her hubby was 3 hours without the 3 kids. Much as we love our children it is nice to go out with a small handbag instead of the carryall that small kids need. Glad you enjoyed yourself!
Posted by: susetheslowknitta | October 20, 2008 at 12:29 PM
What a delightful wool shop! How I would love to be able to visit it and follow it up with a visit to that tearoom ~ bliss!
Marie x
Posted by: marie | October 20, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Looking out at the grey skies today it's hard to believe it was only 3 days ago we had such a sunny day! But Julie, have you really managed all that knitting in one weekend? I feel terribly inadequate! Love the Kidsilk Haze though; have you seen Kidsilk Night? I found a gorgeous lilac shot through with silver for a lace scarf. I made one for myself and now all the women in my family will be getting one for Christmas!
Posted by: dottycookie | October 20, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Glad you found time for some "me time" I've been lucky enough to have tea and cake with Dotty Cookie and Tiny Small too so I know you will have had a lovely morning.
Posted by: Gina | October 20, 2008 at 01:30 PM
sounds like a gorgeous day, and well deserved!
Posted by: Leah | October 20, 2008 at 01:46 PM
It is so important to find time for your own. Never feel quilty, always say you deserve it, because you do !
Posted by: Annelies | October 20, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Sounds like a perfect day for the soul! Your knitting looks lovely, as does the mug of tea ;)
Posted by: Frugal Trenches | October 20, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Ah, me time is good for the soul. And any time spent with Val is good time.
That shop looks good.
Posted by: Ali | October 20, 2008 at 02:26 PM
From reading your blog and visiting the Jolie site it looks very you. It looks lovely. Glad you had a lovely time - what a lovely way to spend a day.
Posted by: Gemma | October 20, 2008 at 06:31 PM
So glad you had a nice bit of 'me' time ... and got some very beautiful 'me' stitch markers. I've always suspected DC was a lovely person ;-) x
Posted by: Kitty | October 20, 2008 at 06:49 PM
oh its sooo nice to have 'me' time. you have picked my favorite yarn, i just love KSH! and the colour is beautiful.x
Posted by: wonderwoman | October 20, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Time for yourself is quality time.. You Really deserve it. Beautiful colour of the yarn and a lovely tea mug..
Nice and calming picture..
I love your Blog :)
Posted by: Musseblomman | October 20, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Mmmmm, I definitely think that cup was made for you! Your elevensies sound so wonderful. Glad that you got some time to yourself. Everyone needs time to themselves sometimes - Jen
Posted by: frazzy dazzles | October 20, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Hi Julie. I Just wanted to let you know that I love your blog and that you've been nominated for an award :)
Please see
http://boladeberlin.blogspot.com/2008/10/on-being-given-award.html
Posted by: Ana Salomé | October 20, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Just wanted to say hi! I read your blog every day and love every bit of it. Thanks for sharing so much. Hugs.
P.S. So happy to see that you got some time to yourself. Hope you'll show us the scarf when it's complete because that shade of KidSilk is dreamy!
Posted by: lulu | October 21, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Just wanted to say hi! I read your blog every day and love every bit of it. Thanks for sharing so much. Hugs.
P.S. So happy to see that you got some time to yourself. Hope you'll show us the scarf when it's complete because that shade of KidSilk is dreamy!
Posted by: lulu | October 21, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Loving all that baby blue going on in your photos. Beautiful!
Posted by: lina | October 21, 2008 at 03:20 AM
I know what you mean, to always be with child! It is hard to not have time alone. One sacrifice us mothers make to care for our little ones. I usually stay up late after the girls are in bed. I am usually tired but the alone time is definately needed.
Sounds like you had a great time. I love anything to do with tea!!! I also love the pretty blues in your post. So soft! Have a great night or day? hugs, Ellen
Posted by: Ellen | October 21, 2008 at 04:29 AM
Hello...just found you, great blog - the photo's are lovely. I do lots of knitting myself but you make the wool & needles look beautiful....better then my messy basket!! Will pop back & say hello again soon :)x
Posted by: Josie-Mary | October 21, 2008 at 07:46 AM
These are beautiful colours, and sounds like you had a well deserved day off :)
Posted by: Laura | October 21, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Oh, love the pics in this post! They're amazng!
Lovely!
Posted by: celia | October 21, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Sometimes you just need to getaway. I'm not a mother, so I can't yet begin to imagine everything that comes with the job. I do know I would like a family eventually, but I worry that I'm sometimes too selfish when it comes to what I want to do and my time. I think I need to learn and grow some more.
Lovely pressie ^_^
Posted by: Sinta | October 21, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Yes don't we all cherish the thoughts of those days long ago - I have unexpectantly got two nights with out my little cherub - I had to do a quick dash to my parents place (2hours away) to drop her off, as her daycare mum is very sick, and I had no one to look after her while we are both working - So tonight and tomorrow we are childless - I had heaps of things I was going to do tonight - but we have had a terrible hail storm and have had our power cut until about 15min ago - so nothing productive tonight - but the peace is nice for a change.
Posted by: Tania - Jet Designs | October 21, 2008 at 12:14 PM
What a lovely day! Val is such a lovely person so I am envious that you got to see her and I'm envious that she got to meet you too! Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | October 21, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Tea, cakes, yarn, presents. That is SO my idea of a perfect day..... how lovely. Made me laugh about the singing! I know just what you mean. .
Debbie xx
PS Hannah says she knows what Amy means about the singing!!
Posted by: debbie | October 21, 2008 at 03:13 PM
How wonderful it all looks!
Posted by: Maggie Ann | October 21, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Oh a perfect day out, its a long tme since i had one of those too. very cute knitting and lovely stitch markers. Jane x
Posted by: Jane | October 22, 2008 at 07:44 AM
it's so great you had some great time for yourself
i love your tiny needles they are so cute
Posted by: Marimi | October 22, 2008 at 09:05 AM
I really love the colour of your kidsilk haze.
Which one are you using ?
thanks in advance for your answer :o)
Posted by: emeline | October 22, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Kidsilk haze is lovely to work with and I love the colour that you have chosen. I knitted a cardigan in a burnt orange colour a couple of years ago.
Best Wishes
Jacqui
Posted by: Jacqui Dodds | October 23, 2008 at 06:08 PM
It is nice to treat oneself to some special time just for oneself, it recharges the batteries. I loved seeing the Teahouse, as I grew up on Patmore Heath, Albury, so know the area, although not the tearoom. You made me homesick.
Posted by: Christy | November 01, 2008 at 11:03 PM