Lilys House

a Spring in our step

(just pretend you haven't seen the dangling flex from the wall. 6 months on and I still can't find a wall light I like that's in stock ..........)

a favourite game - 'gymnastics' and 'dance school', actually I think this may have been 'swimming lessons' going by Maddies diving hands...

I could watch the girls playing together like this all day. It's not always the case. You would think with a 7.5 year age gap there would be no bickering......wrong, very wrong...as I'm starting to gather now they are at home together all day. They are lovely girls and are devoted to each other as you can see in the bottom pic but wow does it get noisy at times. At least they won't be teenagers together - I'll cling on to that !

Mowzer joins in the fun ..........this cat is the less stable shall we say, of the two....(it's a very high wall but he made it, just)

sun and showers

Pretty much sums up the weekend. Bizarre weather......from this ..

(new togs courtesy of Girly Style Wardrobe again. As you can tell I'm in love with this book..)

and this..

(note swimming costume over a thick dress...she looked like superman with bulging pecs. I just let her get on with it ;)

to this....

in the space of about half an hour . And back and forth and back and forth all weekend.

Those kids were so excited and stood outside collecting all the 'snow', which is now in lumps in the freezer ...... this may seem like small fry to any of you coming out of a severe winter, but to us snow starved individuals it was like Christmas so to speak. Very sad I know....
If you click on the pic you will also notice Maddie taking advantage of my distraction and helping herself to the scrapings out of the rice pudding tin... No sharp edges involved you'll be pleased to know.

There has been quite a bit more 'making' going on too, nothing fantastically exciting, just some practical stuff. You know, the more 'boring' sewing. Will take some pics and show soon. Don't die of anticipation ;)

I've been playing with my new 'toy'. Well not really new..It was given to me (I mean loaned, Dad..) back last summer and to be honest I was too scared of it to try it. How very silly I was. This thing ROCKS baby !!
There was a learning curve to be sure, one I have not completed yet - but still, the potential...my sewing life has suddenly become a lot easier and that can't be bad. Can you spot it, on the end of the table ?

I know it drives Nick bonkers but I love the fact that the kitchen table has hair straighteners (Lilys new toy...at 10...I ask you..bought with birthday money so don't blame me) toys, overlocker, sewing stuff etc. It's us. We do manage to be tidy too but it was Sunday morning, so don't judge to harshly !

The childrens Easter break is upon us and that means, most importantly, no school run, breakfast and dressing panic, shouting and stressing to get out of the house. Two weeks of pure heaven.

just popping in.....

to say a *massive* thankyou for all the lovely comments wishing me well (and regarding Lilys crocheting...she was a bit overwhelmed when she read them!).

It's very kind of you all, seems like having a bad back is something you can all relate to! Sorry I've not responded individually - I do like to but sitting here is not very comfortable.

It's getting better, there is no doubt about it, just keeping up the ibuprofen and getting on with it really...like you do ;) Went in to work last night which wasn't the best idea seeing as most of my work involves bending, lifting or kneeling on the floor! Was told in no uncertain terms to stay off until it's better...we are a very small team and with the current budget and staffing issues there is NO room for sickness...still can't be helped. We all unfortunately feel guilty if we have to take time off.

Anyway - I'll quickly post a few pics from the weekend. Big sister was a very big help, keeping the little one amused. And she went down for a 2.5 hr nap (and we all collapsed in a heap, losing that hour obviously affecting us all ! )

Bracing

The weekend in pictures ... (despite tummy bugs we did get away)

you may just about be able to see the seals in the bottom right curve of the sand

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Aunty Mary in NZ....if you are reading...belated Happy Birthday from us all..!!! (Dad's now using the blog as an international messaging service ;) xx

success !

Yesterday afternoon Lils was given the all clear - hooraay ! After days of nailbiting and tears she was ecstatic. Stupid old skin condition, very glad to see the back of that.
I had to find the place up on the moor, in the rain, wind and failing light.......I actually found it quite easily but that doesn't sound so dramatic ;)

this was interesting...as I hesitated a farm Landy ploughed past me in a huffy, get out of my way you townie, sort of way. OK....we went through without a hitch. The times I've done this in younger years, in tiny, tinny, non diesel cars...clutching the wheel tight and praying I didn't stall - and then did invariably. I can laugh now......

On arrival we were greeted by the sight of her friends trudging back from abseiling, absolutely soaked to the bone but looking very happy and tired. The teacher told me that a lot of 'jumping in a lake fully clothed' had gone on too........ We entered the place via a huge drying room festooned with sopping wet clothes, the floor strewn with a million pairs of wellies, come to think of it, I don't think I saw an actual pair such was the chaos. I hastily beat a retreat and left her in the capable hands of her friends and teacher, who seemed remarkably unphased in the face of all the squealing, excited and hyper girls (and boys, but I didn't see them..probably banished to the furthest reaches of the facility by said girls) brave man.

Back to normal here then today - I have a delightful morning of house blitzing ahead of me whilst the little is at pre school. We've had the alloted half an hour of sun already and it's getting darker and darker as I type. At least I won't feel so hard done by, slaving over the ironing if it's tipping down outside. (Anyone will tell you that I never iron, but some things unfortunately resist the fold it up and hope for the best treatment. Those things are now in a pile up to my waist....time to wade in...)

off on an adventure

Lilys off this morning.......hopefully..I'm writing this before the visit to the docs to get the all clear but we're hopeful. The offending bug seems to be retreating thanks to the antibiotics - still visible but much less angry. It's been touch and go whether she would be able to go on this trip. Its the biggy, the one they've been looking forward to...4 nights, five days away from home....with all her friends. The sleeping arrangements were meticulously planned months ago , who goes in which room, who gets top bunk and of course who sits next to who on the coach ! It's been fun hearing all the plans for the games and midnight treats they might have. I've shoved a couple of illicit goodies inside her bag which should come in handy ;)
And the fun she will have........caving, abseiling, orienteering, raft building, campfires, night walks, moorland exploring. Wish I was going myself (actually abseiling is probably something I'd be comfortable with missing..... not one for heights..).
She's 10 and sensible and bright BUT I'm still a teensy bit nervous....totally stupid and unfounded I know. It's more that I will miss her terribly.............have a good time sweetie and be safe.

******* edit.....11.30 am*******

The poor girl's still here - to be seen again tomorrow afternoon after which I will hopefully be able to whisk her up to join the others (if suitable improvement has been made). Upset and disappointed, we were so sure she would be allowed to go today. I'm a little peeved because if they had got it right in the first place (I did query impetigo myself right at the start, but no...it 'definitely' wasn't that ) she would have been better by now. Fingers crossed for tomorrow everyone please........

not the pox.....maybe.....

Just back from the quacks......this time my own doctor. He doesn't think poor Lils has got chicken pox... more likely impetigo or scalded skin syndrome.....probably...he's not totally sure. I took her back today as it's been going on a bit and not following the the expected course and the spots are still coming...(hope no ones eating their breakfast and reading this ;). If it's what he says then she's highly infectious. We'd been taking a more relaxed approach to hugs and kisses around this house as we presumed the 'chicken pox' was on it's way out...OK...time to revise that then !
Antibiotics a go go here then but her school residential trip to Dartmoor all next week is still in the balance poor love. Lets hope they kick in and she can go.

Right, off talk of scabs and the like (sorry about that, it's just what's going on around here) and onto some pretty pics of the beach yeaterday. It was not too cold as it happens and the water was flat calm as you will see. The intended hour turned into two, not another soul to be seen.

trying for a nice pic of 'knitting on beach'....but houndy boy just wouldn't shift...too busy hanging around in case a bit of sandwich came his way..

might as well get the whole dog in shot then.....oh and in case you are cringing at the colour mix wool wise, I'll show more later...I think it's working..weird but true.

I did ask Lils permission before posting a pic of her looking less than best !

they know me so well.....

Sunday - I'd already been awoken before 7.00 to change a bed, but as I thought at the time, that's what being a Mum is all about. What a very apt day for that little reality check, and bringer back down to earth, away from the choccies and flowers. The very essence of Mum in fact.
And it was lovely to have that early cuddle and snuggle too.
Lily was soon with us and so excited to give me these wonderful things as I lay in bed.

aren't they just too good to eat ?

Of course we immediately had to try out a recipe from the new book, which has got the most tempting recipes in - from very basic to truly 'knock the socks off'....and I thoroughly recommend it ( anyone for Cape Ginger Tipsy Tart, Vodka Chilli Chocolates, Lemon Drizzle with sunken chocolate chunks, or Maya Gold Stollen........gasp !)
We went with the child friendly (cooking and eating) chocolate drop scones, or Scotch Pancakes as I know them.

The blur was me in my my panic to hurry up and take the pic before my little plague of locusts ate them all, leaving none for the poor old cook. They were all eaten in the best, and only possible way...standing up at the counter, still hot, with butter dripping down the hands. I'm going to need some serious fruit and veg after this weekend I tell you.

Later I found a little time to start and almost complete a new project, which was bliss. All whilst poor Nick slaved over a hot roasting pan. ( well if you can't make the most of it on Mothers Day, when can you ?!)

The spell was slightly broken with having to go to work in the evening, but I'd had such a lovely day, nothing was going to put a downer on it . Thanks guys xx

tearjerker

This just about killed me when Mads presented it after pre school. They just know how to tug at the old heart strings.. I was feeling a bit emotional anyway and this tipped me over the edge !
Nicky popped over and was reduced to tears too when she saw it on the wall. Sentimental old fools we are..

Hope you have a lovely weekend and a cosy Mothering Sunday with your babes :)

3

Although her birthday proper was last week, we had a lovely family get together on Sunday. Due to the utter failure of my completely tried, tested, never failed and always impressive Nigella victoria sponge (I have no idea what happened...) Maddies 'cake' was these very yummy carrot muffins with cream cheese icing. They are from this essential book. I use this book a lot and the results are always good, plus muffins are SO quick to bake, using store cupboard ingredients. What more could I ask ! I think everybody enjoyed these more than they would have the sponge anyway, so all was good in the end.
Can't believe my girlie is 3. She has really turned a developmental corner over the last few weeks, it's wonderful to see new understanding, words, wit, cheek and even some sarcasm (!) - she really is a sweet little bundle of mischief.

The bigger 'kids' had some fun too.....