Lilys House

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...)

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 !

not the intended post...

but hopefully pleasing to the eye!

I've been working on Maddies little crochet hound over the weekend - well saturday night to be precise, in order to have him up for display today. All finished, stuffed and sewn. Little jumper made for him too - I've just got to sew it up around the body and then he's done. Might as well wait until he's completely finished before I show him off. (I'm completely bigging this up - hope he's not a total anticlimax !) I just didn't get round to it on Sunday what with one thing and another, mainly the fact that the weather cheered up and we decided to go for a lovely walk instead of chilling 'round the house. So glad we did, it was beautiful. Maddie stripped off down to a tee shirt half way round despite a distinct chill in the air....she is such an outdoor child, totally in her element when shoeless and grubby and free.
There is a country park near us with amazing trails to suit all abilities and desires. We chose the 'play trail' which was dotted with wonderful wooden structures, dens and secret paths for the children (and big kids ;)

my 'would you like to punch me ?' condescending smile (it was meant to be 'queenly' !)

Hope you all had some nice weekend weather too !

a very nice weekend...

Saturday was spent up on Dartmoor, a short drive from us. We are so lucky really...I have always adored the moor, from when I was a little girl, making trips to Cornwall to see Dad. If going by car (there were a few 'coach travel' years that I'm trying to blot from my memory) we would always stop to survey the wonderful scenery and stretch our legs, maybe have a picnic. It always felt so wild and different compared to where we lived at the time and signaled our approach to the deep Westcountry, the beautiful culmination of a very long journey (before the A30 it was very slow...never ending to us kids).

This is Haytor, a very popular little climb. The moor is scattered with tors of various sizes...this one is nice and accessible - first stop on Dartmoor for us if you like.

It was bitterly cold with a few remnants of ice and snow if we looked hard. Harry felt like all his Christmases had come at once as you can see !

Half way up. That's the sea in the centre, pic not that good, 'twas a little hazy.

The intrepid climbers...Mads wanted to get up there bigtime and had to be restrained...

From the top (or semi top.....remember I was holding on to a budding rock climber).

Coming back down to the car wasn't such a success though. I took a tumble after skidding in the icy mud and took Maddie with me. Unfortunately her little hand was in mine and I failed to let go. Poor baby landed face down, flat on her front in freezing mud. It was in her mouth, hair, up her sleeves you name it. Still she's a little trooper and has enjoyed reliving the episode all weekend!

Today was a trip to the local swimming pool, with waves and flume. Much fun and squealing with delight ensued....the girls, not me....They don't get to go as often as they would like due to my dislike of the whole 'getting dry' part of it, but it was such a laugh today they may be in luck. Plus it had the benefit of a guaranteed afternoon nap for the little one ;)

what a surprise....

the sun was shortlived......(but thankyou for putting in a brief appearance, it was lovely)

but ......it means cosy afternoons filled with this:

and this:

so it's not all bad.....(plus I'm not working tonight in this weather....after 2 very busy nights)....... and relaxxxxxx............

breaking the routine

Usually Mondays are a bit of a rush. Lily has two dance classes after school, so it's quickly home, get changed, shovel a bit of food down the poor child and then quickly run her across town.........get stuck in the traffic on the way back, nose to tail.
Today I took my camera with me and took the scenic route home. It's really no longer if you factor in the time spent sitting in traffic and the back way is so much more chilled. I may do it everytime.

The evenings are definitely drawing out which brings such a sense of hope. Too many days of wet gloom lately. The collective mood following suit. But now.....a little chink of sun here and there, still light at 5pm......we're on the right path......yes....

Here is my journey home....(you also have to imagine the little one saying 'whats happened ??' and 'I want to get out' everytime I stopped the car :)

It's amazing what pleasure such a little change can bring.

blown away

A relaxed and gentle weekend was had, visiting my grandparents on Saturday and taking a walk in the howling gale on Sunday. We trekked around a nearby reservoir, a beautiful spot ....very quiet and quite wild at this time of year. There were white horses on the surface for heavens sake!

You want me to go in where ?

Oh, alright then, if the stick's big enough !

excuse the blurry action shot - I was about to get seriously wet dogged.

bit of colour in all the grey

excuse the strider look a like (at least I was dry....)

I will be honest - I was hard pushed to find many photos in this lot without a bright orange
Sainsbury's carrier in full view. Nice. And very Brits abroad. Thanks Lil ;) It contained her sweetie stash for the walk (I know......it's not like we were climbing Everest or anything...)

There is some craftiness going on quietly in the background here too. My bag is about 3 rows off felting stage (feel the excitement build). One leg, a head and tail to go on the greyhound and needlebooks are made and awaiting embellishment. Just need a little bit of sunshine (pleeeeeease ) to take a few pictures.

I'll leave you with this thought.........Why is the best light always in the messiest room ?

just a quickie

Just wanted to leave you with memories of my worst and strangely best experience this week. You know when it's so bad it's good ? It was like that. I'd opted for the dog walk instead of baby gym -what was I thinking ? Nick was all nice and dry playing with the little ones. Definitely the short straw -the walk I mean ;)
Pictures are a bit off but the wind and sideways stinging rain meant I could barely stand up let alone twiddle with the camera. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
Needless to stay the weather hasn't changed much, so we ain't 'goin nowhere today.......

no it's not the devils feet............dogs - WHY? (love him really)

Have a super, non muddy weekend!

return to routine

Yesterday I steeled myself and got out of bed in the pitch dark morning, was showered, dressed and all the rest by 7.15 only to find that Lily felt poorly. As you may well know there is a nasty virus sweeping the nation, so any hint of tummy upset is treated with suspicion. School would have sent her home straight away. We had a lovely cosy and unexpected day inside. She felt a lot better by the evening thank goodness and so far no one else is ill.

So, today was it. What a rude awakening. We'd all been enjoying very lazy mornings over the holidays. Even the little one had been sleeping in which is unheard of. We managed to get out without too much stress (well only a little bit of shouting ;) - it could have been a lot worse.

It's cold and damp and to be honest, pretty miserable. Harsh blustery wind, chilling to the bone. We dutifully walked the hound round the usual trail, he had a fab time which made it bearable, meeting up with his doggie mates - missed over Christmas. We were all covered in mud by the end.

Rubbish light for photos but here's a couple that will give you a sense of the damp and chill....

That cold grey slab is how my bones feel right now, I'm putting the heating on.......................

sort of back......but not quite

Just had to share evidence of the most lovely and welcome sun today. After days indoors with brief outings to the shops for milk or the quickest of doggie walks, I decided that we would get out and get some air today. Everyone up, out and pile in the car with a flask of hot choccie. The sun came out, the water was calm and clear, the beach pretty much deserted. It did the trick - broke the spell of hibernating in the house and keeping away from reality (I try to string that out for as long as possible even though there is a deeper nagging, urging me to clear up, put away and get back to normal).

I think I like this in between time best , not Christmas, not New Year - it's definitely the most relaxing!

Enjoy the rest of the holidays. I know many peeps are back at work (inc me) but you know what I mean !
See you in the New Year....