He's Gone....

Oh yes....he's gone. Saturday morning Teenage Boy met his friends at school and boarded the coach for the long journey to the south of France. To the Ardeche to be precise. He doesn't look that excited in this photograph, taken just before we drove to school. But I think that's just his aversion to having his' boring' parents taking 'boring' photographs. We waited a while whilst everyone was checked in at school and luggage loaded. And watched the scramble for seats, only to see them all get off the coach again because they had forgotten something, or because Mom and Dad needed to check something before finally sending them off on their week long adventure.

Not to mention the comedic scenes as teenage boys ducked and dived and in some cases ran to avoid giving their parents a hug before leaving. Mr. F. proffered a hand in case Teenage Boy prefered a handshake to the much wanted hug....I'm pleased to say, we both got our hug. And now he is in the Ardeche, jumping into raging rivers from the top of cliffs, canoeing dangerous rapids and later in the week moving on to the mediterranean coast, windsurfing and sailing in dangerous tidal waters. I know it's true........I saw the video of last year's trip. So this week, I shall spend worrying......is he eating? did I pack the right clothing? will he hurt himself jumping into that damned river? Who'd be a mom? Do you worry about your kids constantly, or are you able to be laid back and say ....wahtever? Mr F. has plans to keep me occupied this week and I think that will be the best therapy.

I might get around to planting my new baskets and herbs

From May11

and relax in the garden if this rain ever stops.

We could do a spot of salvage hunting From May11 Or visit some beautiful houses and gardens.... and eat cake. Yes that might stop me worrying. What do you do to stop worrying and relax?

My Day

I'm certainly making the most of the sunshine and the warmth. Wow! What a gorgeous couple of days we've been having. It's at this time of year I get all excited about gardening. I gaze at wonderful lush green gardens in magazines and books and imagine my garden resembling a corner of Great Dixter or Sissinghurst. Of course it never does. By the time August comes, I'm tired of lugging the watering can around the garden, slugs and snails have usually wreaked havoc eating my favourite plants and everything is beginning to look a little tired. But not now. In March, I'm enthusiastic, excited and convinced that the garden will definitely look better than last year.

From March 2011

I love seeing these old fashioned plants in borders, although I've never grown them myself. Last week in the garden centre I was persauded to buy them by this little message on the back of the packet, written in capital letters.'VERY EASY TO GROW'. Well, it's certainly worth a try isn't it?. So they came home with me ready to become part of my master plan for the garden.

Such strange little seeds aren't they? More like little millipeeds than seeds.

I've taken the plunge this morning and planted some in a seed tray. Now we'll see if they are 'VERY EASY TO GROW'. Also, I must show you the bargain of the week.

From March 2011

I spotted the new Hummingbird Bakery cookbook for the grand price of only six pounds in our local Sainsbury's yesterday. Retail price should be twenty pounds. Needless to say, it found it's way into the trolley very quickly and without too much 'should I? Shouldn't I?' debating with myself. I couldn't wait to get started with it, so popped into Waitrose this morning to top up on essential ingredients to make caramel cupcakes

Not bad eh?

From March 2011

I wonder if Mr F. and Teenage Boy will miss this one?

From March 2011

This Weekend

This weekend didn't go as planned. I suppose not many do really. It very probably ended up being better than planned, as I was able to spend some time working in the garden, tidying, planning, admiring, and 'having good ideas'. Whether any of them come to fruition is quite another matter as my butterfly mind will probably be distracted by other 'good ideas'.

From March 2011

Saturday was so warm that I sat in the shed with a cuppa..... it felt like heaven after all the months of being cooped up in the house, much of the time not going out because of snow or extreme cold.

From March 2011

It doesn't take much to keep me happy does it? Sunday turned out unexpectedly as well. We decided to go for a llong walk in the afternoon, but rather than walk the hills or canals we decided to explore one of the local villages. We are used to driving through here regularly but rarely stop. Don't places look different when you walk around them instead of whizzing through in the car?

You know I can't resist a pretty cottage

Or two

Or three. Even the old workhouse looks pretty. Much better as a home though don't you think?

From March 2011

And the workhouose residents only had to a couple of minutes walk to the local church.

From March 2011

I didn't realise, but over a very small area there were 12 mills working, as far back as the 15th century. Scythe mills and corn mills. This mill race served a mill called Nog's Mill. Wonderful name that immediately makes me think of Noggin the Nog!

From March 2011

There are still several broken mill stones as evidence of the area's industrial past.

From March 2011

We were able to follow this little path a short way along the stream before deciding it was time to come home for tea and cake.


I've come up with idea of adding whatever I'm reading and listening to on the blog. What do you think? Sometimes, I might add them to the end of the post, or I may give them their own post. I've found some good books by reading other people's recommendations and it would be great if others joined in on this too.I've almost finished this book. Susan Hill's account of how she decided not to buy any books for a year and only to read, or re-read those she already had in the house. My goodness, that requires some self-control. Not buy a book for a whole 12 months? There's more chance of me ignoring chocolate for a year. I've enjoyed this one, I've not only added books to my 'to read' (buy) list, I've found out more about Susan Hill too. Don't you just love the cover and the title? I really loved The Magic Apple Tree and her very different Simon Serraillier crime novels.

From February 2011

Mr F. surpised me with this CD. I love Trio Mediaeval and being fairly near Worcester, just had to have this CD based on a manuscript belonging the cathedral there. There are no track samples for this one on Amazon but I think you may get tasters of their other albums on there if you want a listen.

Sorry if it's been a long and rambling post today, but I do feel a bit rambly. Have a good week.

From February 2011

Blue Sky

From March 2011

Yes, at last, blue skies here in the West Midlands.

After feeling like I've spent the last couple of weeks in darkness we awoke yesterday to the rare and welcome sight of blue sky and sunshine. There were plenty of chores for us to do in the morning and probably even more we could have done in the afternoon. But we decided that we needed to escape, even if it was only a couple of miles down the road to one of our local beauty spots.

From March 2011

Look, there it is, blue sky, bright, intense, uplifting. Oh! It certainly did me good to be out and about walking in the beautiful woodland and heathlland of Kinver Edge.

From March 2011

Bright blue sky again! I don't believe it.

The intense cold didn't deter us. We were wrapped up, protected against the biting wind and the sun was shining. There was just the slightest hint of warmth from the sun, but it was there, enough for us. And we were surrounded by intense colour, even in the absence of buds and flowers yet to burst into life.

From March 2011

From March 2011

I loved the shadows cast by the trees in the late afternoon sunshine.

From March 2011

And it was good to see young life in the fields, though no sign of lambs with any of the sheep yet.

From March 2011

Oh yes. It was a good day to be out enjoying blue sky, sunshine and being hopeful for the Spring to come.

From March 2011

Pretties

I feel as though I've spent this last week in darkness. I live in a small terraced house with little natural light. The weather this last week has been so incredibly dull and dark, and full of that chillingly wet coldness that seeps through to your bones, and drains energy out of you. I would have loved to have spent some time in the garden over half term but the wet and cold have put paid to that idea. If it had been autumn, I would have been content to cosy in, switch the lights on and turn the heating up. But now, like the plants in the garden I need light to thrive, and perhaps a little warmth from a watery sun would give me a little boost. Instead today, I've had to search the house to find some prettiness and colour to chase away the depressing effects of the darkness and to be honest it has helped. For instance, I've unpacked my new cushion yet again. From February 2011 It's so very pretty, with bright, springtime colours that instantly lift my mood. From February 2011 I pack it away again carefully and resist the temptation to display it....that's for when the bedroom is decorated and is once again a clean tidy space I can be proud of. From February 2011 Next, I open the wardrobe and pull out my latest puchases. Two floral shirts from good old Sainsbury's and a little cardigan covered in the prettiest of pink roses. I begin to feel a little chirpier as I put it on and the delicate pinks add a little colour to my pale features. Once again in the kitchen I see colour and prettiness in the most mundane of things. Yes, even a tea towel can be cheery. From February 2011 Cupcake cases can be pretty and cheerful too. From February 2011 And the pattern on one of my favourite jugs lifts my spirits. From February 2011 A cup of coffee later and I'm beginning to feel better. I decide to brave the damp and venture into the garden and am glad I do. Just look, a pretty, colourful sign of things to come. From February 2011

Going With the Flow

From February 2011

There's nothing for it this week but to go with the flow. I've got the week off work and things I'd like to do. I'd like to get these colourful polys planted up into their lovely wicker basket but as you can see it's very wet. I don't garden in the wet. In the cold yes, but wet, no. But they'll wait until another day.

From February 2011

Teenage Boy went out of the house early this morning to do his paper round. 'Is it o.k if my mate comes around early this morning?' he asks absently. 'Yeh o.k' is my reply, thinking that the friend in question is not known for being an early riser and would probably turn up at about ten o'clock. No, he arrives at 8.20am, before Teenage Boy is back home from delivering newspapers. Good job I didn't decide to have a lie in then.LOL. Luckily, Teenage Boy's friend is a nice young man and can make himself at home. When Teenage Boy is breakfasted I think maybe it would be a good idea to clean the bathroom, so I begin industriously cleaning the bath, the basin etc when Teenage Boy appears and says 'I need a shower now'. All my work undone, yet again. Perhaps I won't do any cleaning today then. Good decision - as other friends arrive leaving their muddy trainers in various locations in the house....as well as a trail of mud. I give up, find my lovely Nigel Slater book

From February 2011

and bake a coffee and walnut cake instead. It's not complete until Teenage Boy and teenage boys have left the house, so it will last longer than a couple of hours and I can hide it until Mr. F. gets home.

From February 2011

So, this afternoon, I'm not going to try and acheive anything. I'll finish that bar of posh chocolate I was given for Valentine's Day.

From February 2011

Enjoy a nice cup of tea.

From February 2011

Watch one of the dvds I was given at Christmas.

From February 2011

Or I just might listen to some lovely music.

From February 2011

Whilst I catch up on some reading

From February 2011

Not forgetting that chocolate.

I'd love to know how you cope with half term. Do you battle on as usual or give in and go with the flow?