... went berry picking
followed the same day by jam making
and then by jam eating!
Despite my best attempts I've misjudged it again and this year's batch is definitely soft-set jam. Still, it tastes good and we had fun.
July 31, 2011
July 22, 2011
summer hols
Well, you'd never think it by the weather (which has been far more March flavoured than July) but here we are again at the start of the long summer break. This one is slightly different as it marks a major transition point for Amy, who says goodbye to junior school today and is getting ready to be a senior from september. I'm so grateful (and relieved) that she's incredibly excited about it.
As usual we're not having a family summer holiday because it's just too difficult with Toby so I'm whipping up a little summer holiday kit for Amy including a batch of summer holiday vouchers - lots of little fun things that we can do together while Toby is at summer clubs or being looked after by H. I had thought Amy might have grown too old for these but she informs me she'll never be too old for them and it wouldn't be summer without them! This year treats include regulars like camp out in the garden, berry picking and trip to the farm shop, shopping trip with £10 spending money, lunch at a restaurant, trip to the cinema, picnic with a friend, trip to a museum, sleepover with a friend etc.
If you'd like some to use with your own family, you're welcome to print some off from here Download Vouchers
Anyway, there have been a few breaks in the cloud today so I'm off to spend the last few hours of peace at the end of the garden with my one-a-day blankie which continues to grow slowly but surely.
Wishing everyone a good summer/winter depending on your hemisphere. Will pop in here when I can, so see you soon x
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PS: Thank you so very much for all of the kind comments on the previous post. Comments I'll treasure and am very grateful for. I hope I didn't make anyone who has simply asked about patterns for the animals feel bad for just asking - that was not my intention. I just wanted to explain some of my thoughts and feelings x
June 27, 2011
my little helper
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the wonderfully wise comments on the previous post. I suppose I was looking for a little reassurance that my parental compass wasn't completely out of whack! It is incredibly reassuring and heartening that so many people feel the same way about raising children. I loved reading all of the comments especially since they were from such a diverse group of women and yet echo the same strong maternal instincts to protect and nurture. Thank you again x
Amy's enjoying stretching her wings gently and has been out for a bike ride with friends over the weekend - it's good to give her freedom to do fun stuff with her friends that doesn't involve wearing too much make-up!
Over the weekend the temperatures here have soared and since this comes hot-on-the-heels of a rainy week, everything is growing well in the garden. I expect the first harvest of french beans in a week or so and we've been enjoying fresh picked lettuce for a few weeks now. The strawberries are also at their best and I've been picking a delicious bowlful every few days.
Thankfully I've got a little helper living in the strawberry patch who has been keeping the slugs in check for me.
Isn't he a sweetie?
June 19, 2011
happy father's day
Happy father's day to all Dads out there, most especially my own.
Thanks for keeping the felt glasses case that I sewed for you when I was seven - despite the fact that it was never fit for purpose, thanks for putting up with my teenage years, for keeping me on the right path in life and for always being there when I need you.
Love you Dad x
June 07, 2011
peonies
Well, another school break is over with and once again the relative calm of term-time reigns here. It wasn't a bad week - the usual ups and downs associated with life with Toby, a few more downs than ups, but there you go. I even learnt something new - though I'd rather not have learnt it in the way that I did...
Up until last week I was blissfully aware of the potential poisonousness of peonies. They've always been one of my favourite flowers both in their fragrance and the abundance of those velvety soft petals and so when I saw bunches of them at the checkout I popped one on the conveyor belt.
Back home I did my standard flower arranging technique of bunging them haphazardly in a vase and plonked them on the table to enjoy when I swept past. Later in the day I noticed Toby taking an interest in them and thought he must like the texture but as I looked on he plucked a handful of petals and stuffed them in his mouth! It was one of those slow-motion moments when you can't seem to move quickly enough and before I could hook them out they'd been swallowed - obviously Toby likes peonies too! After dumping the flowers outside I flew to the computer in a panic but was relieved to read that they're only poisonous in excessive quantities and as 5 or 6 petals seems less than excessive, I settled for observing him for the rest of the day while poised to dash off to casualty if he showed any signs of illness. Luckily he stayed well and we got through the rest of the week without any more heart-stopping incidents, I have however resolved to stick to fabric flowers from now on!