Taking stock.

An old photo of George I found. He no longer has such a long messy mop of hair, I miss it a bit.

Making: for dinner earlier: spaghetti with tomatoes, greens, olive oil, lemon zest and Parmesan. In the morning I'm planning a batch of banana bread, carrot cake cookies and scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Cooking : quick and simple for the children and me six days out of the week. We really look forward to Sunday when Tom manages a break from work and then we feast a bit. Either at my parents-in-law's house or here.
Drinking : lots of tea, not enough water.
Reading: Anna Jones' new book: A Modern Way To Cook
Wanting: A little break.
Looking: Tired.
Playing: Nick Drake's Pink Moon.
Deciding: A beach walk after breakfast tomorrow will be on the cards, regardless of weather
Wishing: For some time with my Tom
Enjoying: The late evening quiet very much tonight.
Liking: the sound of the rain.
Wondering: What to make for dinner tomorrow. My background thoughts always revert to food.
Loving: Matilda's appetite for books. She's ploughs her way through chapter books, laughing aloud and pausing to ask me a question or share the joke.
Pondering: The many and much there is to do and what needs to come first.
Considering: Starting those blankets that I've mentally committed myself to making for the littles by winter. I've never made a bed-sized blanket and neither have I ever crocheted a blanket. Better make a start then. (tips?)
Buying: All the lovely fresh vegetables I can squeeze into the fridge. Something about that, that I really enjoy. Makes me acknowledge in a small way how fortunate we are, I suppose.
Watching: The rain and the trees in the garden doing their best windy dance.
Hoping: tomorrow brings some sun and a break from the rain.
Marvelling: At  the kindness of some people I'm lucky enough to know.
Cringing: at myself in my less than patient moments, which are too frequent lately, truth be told.
Needing: Some child free pal/gal time.
Questioning: the wisdom of living where we do when the weather is so rotten.
Smelling: The washing drying on the landing
Wearing: LAYERS. IT IS JULY.
Noticing: the children growing, as children do.
Knowing: That, "this too shall pass", as they say, trying to be mindful of this when it gets too much.
Thinking: About people far away.
Sorting: Bit by bit.
Getting: Behind.trying not to mind.
Bookmarking: Recipes as ever.
Coveting: Little dresses for Matilda. She does love a frock, hard to get her to wear anything else. She needs a few new ones. Opposite of me at that age in that department
Disliking: Solo parenting at the moment.
Opening: messages from family.
Giggling: Often, thankful to live in a house of laughter.
Feeling: happy to be in bed.
Snacking: All the time.
Helping: Matilda with writing sweet letters to cousins
Hearing: George mumbling in his sleep. The rain.
'Taking stock' list prompts borrowed from Pip over at Meet Me at Mikes.

FIVE

Dear Matilda,

Yesterday you turned five. Happy birthday, amazing little You. Our singing, dancing, drawing, daydreaming, funny, clever, creative, brave, beautiful, kind, strong, sparkly super powers princess, aspiring doctor, engineer and rabbit (pony would do, too) and would-like-to-be ballet dancer. You're stubborn and highly sensitive, kind and a very deep thinker.You also tell excellent knock-knock jokes. You love school and you're a serious book worm (just like I was). You've been reading by yourself with ease for some time and there's nothing I love more than to read with you.  Currently, we're halfway through The Magic Faraway Tree and we just finished Roald Dahl's The Minpins since Aunty Laura got you that one for your birthday. You love Rainbow Dash (of My Little Pony) and insist she is your real sister. It's so sweet. Five years of joy and hilarity and so much learning. Each day is a lesson in more and more patience, listening and kindness and being present. And  I love you more and more and more and more.

good advice

This evening after dinner, while George was busy making merry havoc with the contents of my fabric and thread stash and my lady small was bobbing about in Matilda Land, I was quickly trying to whizz through the dishes and tidy up (so I had less to do post-bath/bedtime.) Right then, my girl said to me, "Mummy, why don't you just stop doing all these boring things and do what you love best." Knowing exactly what she meant, in her own funny way, I asked her, "Well, what do I love doing best?" "Playing with me and George, Mummy." So I did. It can be all to easy to slip into 'got-to-get-this-done' mode, instead of focusing on what's right in front of me. That girl always has something to say that is worth listening to.

Right now.

Sunset in Huishinish, Isle of Harris, back in April

Well, right now, it's 8.04pm. The small people are settling down (silent is as good as asleep) and I'm just stealing a few minutes with a cup of tea before I sort the house out a bit and get packing. We're headed for a little escape to the Harris hills this weekend. Some much, much needed time together, as a family and hopefully this will include a bit of sun (I'm optimistic), some exploring, some resting and not a lot else. We're actually staying in a very little and quite dated caravan and I'm not the least bit embarrassed to say how excited I am about it. So, I hope to whoever may be reading this, that you have a little sun, exploring and rest in your future, this weekend, too. Bye!

Hello

Without completely meaning for it, it seems it's been five months since I last visited this little space, here. And I do feel pretty awkward and clumsy tapping at the keys just now, as I try to cobble together a few lines. I've no big news to explain my absence, life on this lovely/funny island continues to flow for us in the usual too fast/too slow way that comes with raising small people. I'll admit though that it came about initially as I struggled to justify the time I spent writing posts and faffing about with my photos when there is so much else I'm not finding time for and I felt in trying to put bits and pieces of my simple life here into readable and interesting posts, that I was being a bit contrived maybe. In the end I just fell out of the habit of writing and posting and completely dropped the ball on the 52 project, even though I'm still forever taking photos of my children.(Can I join in again, halfway through?!) At the same time, I DO actually quite like this little corner of the internet I have and I find it an enjoyable way to share the things I like and do with my little loves. So I might not abandon it just yet. We'll see. I have always been incredibly indecisive. Haha. Anyway, HELLO and happy weekending to you.

This week

We have a few final days left of Tom's lovely juicy week off work (seriously, it's been about 9 months or so since he's had one it has been bliss!) so we're fitting in some much needed progress with decorating with help from lovely grandparents, of course. We'll also be having extra snuggles and hopefully some time outside as a family. I'm endeavouring to be a little selfish and find some time for myself, maybe even a run (now there's a bold and ridiculous statement, too late - it's out there!) We're sure to be laughing and eating well, 'cos when he's home there's magic in the kitchen. I hope your weeks are simple and lovely and busy and good.

in recent days

1. Sleepy feet.
2 + 3. Reading
4. A yet to be perfected, flourless and refined sugarless chocolate cake... It is far, far better than it sounds, believe me.
5. Pink tea for three.
6. Holding hands on a windy walk.
7 + 8. Playing with paper presents from her beloved Granny.
9. Willing those grey clouds to clear... Come onnnn!!!

Some little bits of our week, Joining in with lovely Emily and her Weekly Stills in 2014.