Alright

This image is by one of my Flickr contacts, who has a lovely blog here.  It is also available as a print in her etsy shop here. 

You know when a picture really resonates with you?  It rarely happens with me that I am really moved by something, but I just adore this image.  I have been pondering why, and I realise that the word 'alright' is what's drawing me to this.  Undoubtedly the polka dots are playing their part too....

'Alright' is used a lot in our family.  My Mum has a stock comforting phrase that she used on me as a child, and now with her grandchildren of 'It's all alright'.  I've highlighted the second 'al' so you can hear the emphasis she uses!

I've inherited this from her and often use it as my 'one size fits all...can't think what to say, but need to keep calm myself and appear to be in control......comforting statement'. 

We've all got one right?

I have fond memories (well fond now that 10 years have past!) of the Queen of Clean trying to comfort me whilst in labour by repeating 'It's alright' to me over and over again.  I replied firmly at the time that no, it wasn't alright.  But I can smile about that now........

Do you like this image? What would your word be?

Slowly easing back to normal

 

Phew...what a relief.  Things are slowly (touch wood) back to normal.  I can tell you a sickness bug and a family of five.......well it's a case of letting it work its way round. 

Now thankfully everyone has 'had their turn' I must give my thanks to:-

• Fantastic employers who let me work from home 
• The Queen of Clean who took a day off so I could go into work
• My parents who also stepped in on Friday on a 'just in case basis'
• Stephanie Meyer for writing 'Twilight', turning me into a lovestruck teenager and taking my mind off things during the entire sickness epsiode.
• My best friend Harry, for introducing me to Twilight.
• And most importantly my 'patients' for being so brave.

I have missed this space and have only had a moment now and again to keep up with all the other lovely blogs I read.  Here's to a fresh start next week.............

The aftermath

Last night Yoyo was sick.

So through the night and during this morning I came to know my washing machine intimately.  And it's not a relationship I'm keen on developing (my top secret that you may already know from here is that my Mother-in-Law currently does most of my washing).

Every door is now covered in her numerous rugs, sheets, quilts recovering from their ordeal.

And I can't help thinking one child down....two to go.  So things may be quiet around here for a few days.......

Birdwatching

 

 

We really did go birdwatching today....well we tried.  Went armed with borrowed binoculars and bird spotters reference book to a local reservoir.  It was freezing, and so we were tempted into the barn there, to make our own toad houses and get stuck in with some various other crafting stuff on offer.

We have promised ourselves to give it another shot when the weather warms up.

So when we got back home, I remembered these birds made from wood/vintage wall paper that I bought last year from Ladies & Gentlemen.  I thought they might look good on my twig (you may have already seen this as a Jingle Bell tree at Christmas, and a glass heart tree....wait till Easter comes around!).

They are all now perched happily on the playroom shelf.  Not quite as exciting as the real thing....but dare I say it a little prettier?

Cake sale woes

We were late for the cake sale at school today....every last one had gone by our arrival. 
  
Even the much despised shop bought Mr Kipling ones....it's a big no no at our school to bring a shop bought cake to a cake sale. Although I do engage in such practices myself.....I trot out the working mum excuse, or even worse engage my parents in the cake making and then pass the results off as my own. There, I said it. 

Well I digress.  Yoyo immediately burst into tears about the lack of cakes......this is very unlike her, so in a moment of desperation I announced we would make some cakes together when we got home. 

So without further ado this is my recipe for cooking with children.  Photos very kindly provided by The Queen of Clean.

 

Take equal measures of tolerance and patience....

Turn one (or if preferred two), blind eyes depending on potential for spillage.....

 

Add in one stock phrase, to be repeated throughout process.  

My current favourite is 'Hang on a minute!'

Finally, and this is the crucial ingredient......mix in endless amounts of enthusiasm.

Have a fantastic weekend :)

Toad

There are many reasons I love my husband.........but his Toad in the Hole is high up on the list.

It's his signature dish.

Would you just take a look....!?  Fabulous.  We call it just 'Toad' here, in an attempt to have a little inside joke.

This carefully edited version of my life.....

I had dinner last week with some good friends who also read my blog.  We were laughing as they shared they thought I presented a 'carefully edited version of my life'.

Anyone who knows me will recognise the above scene......goldfish bowl could do with a clean out, crumbs on the counter, cartons of apple juice struggling to find their way back to the fridge.

So this post is in the interest of 'keeping it real'.  Because we can't all be living the Chez Larsson dream can we?  And I'm sure I'm not the only blogger who will sweep the toys and mess away before they take a photograph.

So for one time only....here it is, the reality.  Taken just minutes ago and waiting for me to sort out.