The Antidote

Guess Who

The Children love Book Character day.  This morning I spotted, Snape, Red Riding Hood, Pippi Longstocking, The Invisible Man, The Cat in the Hat and many others.  I couldn't resist when I saw this pink and white candy stripe cotton jersey in the fabric shop.  The pattern is a Simplicity nightie, and it is such soft jersey that we intend to recycle this costume as a nightie - probably tonight.  I will happily reassure myself that if you can guess Ivy's costume, then my sewing skills MUST be improving!

I'm on the edge!

Yay! at last, all of those wretched ends are sewn in, my little squares are pieced together and I am officially on the edge!

I am actually rather enjoying the repetitiveness of it, no starting and stopping or snipping and knotting, and I am finding it methodically soothing to treble round and round.  So over the weekend, The Husband and I cracked open a Dexter box set and indulged in a little hooking and sociopathic killing!  I feel like I am being slightly unfaithful to my beloved Jack Bauer, but what is a girl to do?!

I really have no idea where I am going with my edging, I am thinking a few rounds of trebles with a round or two of doubles.

In addition to snuggling under my blanket whilst finishing the edge (love that) this weekend saw the arrival (at last) of this.

 

I LOVE this lady's blog and have very patiently waited for this book to arrive in Blighty, and at last it is here, and it does not disappoint. It is so beautiful and inspiring and wonderful and Amanda writes as though she is speaking to you from a comfy arm chair in your sitting room.  I cannot wait to try some of the projects, Portrait Bookmarks will definately be in one or two stockings this Christmas.

I am now going to fit another Dexter and some more of the edge in before the school run, I hope I don't get blood splatter on it!

Summer Hallmarks

Three hallmarks of summer 2009:

Tattoos - if you stand still long enough, you are likely to have a temporary tattoo slapped on you.  Friends,Parents, Grand Parents, Great Grand Parents, there are NO exceptions.  Tattoos are mostly skulls and cross bones, things have been very piratey round here of late, and occasionally upside down!

Friendship Bracelets - these range from Oscar's bits of string tied round a wrist to elaborate beaded creations designed by Ivy and her little friends.  Some of them have been on for six weeks, am I wrong to fuss about the germs these may harbour?

Quest Seekers - I know these library summer reading schemes have been going for at least 25 years, as I remember doing them when I was Ivy's age.  This summer my two have completely embraced it.  It is really quite genius - it encourages reading throughout the long summer break and provides us with plenty of visits to the library, then the park and who couldn't use a nice (free) activity to keep the little ones amused?

Nightie Night

The absolutely bestest thing about camping when I was a child, was the going to bed.  It was no surprise when, as we were strolling over to do some washing up on the first night, that Ivy said "I can't wait for bedtime" I knew exactly where she was coming from.

The Babies are just old enough to go play in a playground without being watch, so while the Husband and I enjoyed a glass of something cold and pink Ivy and Oscar exhausted themselves on the climbing frame and swings.  There were no arguments when we called them back for hot chocolate and and PJ's. 

We all snuggled up with cosy PJ's and fluffy socks, beneath my collection of crazy coloured grannies and had bedtime stories, Enid Blyton and Arthur Ransome of course.  Of course we were later joined by "Dennis" and "Spiderman" - it takes all sorts you know!

This Week I Am..

Admiring my fuscia..

and my Freesia, which I grew from bulbs all by myself!

Grateful for my weekly greenhouse parcel from my lovely father-in-law.

Picking out red and pink smarties ONLY for fairy cake decorations.

Watching Ivy camouflage into our garden.

Paddling.

Crocheting with mostly grey (love grey)..

and wondering what on earth to do with this?! I though it would be a giant granny blanket, but it is sooo mishapen!

Planning summer adventures.

Frequenting the beach and being completely unable to wait for Friday when the Babies break up from school.

Sorry this post is a little picturey, I seem to be a bit snap happy at the moment x

 

 

Ripping Things To Do

How much do I love the title of this book?!

 

A book by Jane Brocket is always a treat, and this one certainly does not disappoint.

My little ones have been bought up on a literary diet of The Famous Five, Milly Molly Mandy and My Naughty Little Sister to name but a (very) few.  Books that I loved as a child.  By the time I was Ivy's age I was allowed to walk up to the library by myself with my little brown library tickets (the library ladies - as I called them then - took pity on my poor little legs and gave me a few extra tickets to keep me going).  I would spend the whole morning making my selection, before heading home with my little bounty of books.  I would average a book a day in the holidays.  I really loved my books.  I am now enjoying them all over with the Babies, and introducing my husband to the joys of children's literature. 

I have a very strange worry sometimes that Ivy and Oscar won't fit all of the wonderful stories into their childhood, I don't suppose it will matter too much if a bit of Arthur Ransome or Dodi Smith spill over into adulthood, it certainly hasn't done me any harm.   It also delights me when Ivy or Oscar come out with proper 1940's/50's phrases like "I say" and "Jolly good".

Ripping Things To Do, is a wonderful anthology of activities inspired by children's literature.  A very close twin to Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer from last year.  I actually think I love this a little bit more.  I think it is slightly unfair to review a book which I have not yet completed, but I do know that I will love the whole of it.  The things to do in this book are varied from card games to things to do with a jam jar all heavily referenced to the book in which the activity featured.  I really don't want to rush through it, but maybe enjoy if from a deck chair whilst the Babies are crabbing or making seashell pictures on the beach this summer.

This book is endearingly evocative of my own childhood.  We moved from the East End of London when I was five to the Essex countryside, my Great Aunt Vera looked after my sister Amy and I whilst my mum went to her little part time job.  Aunt Vera took us Blackberrying, showed us how to clean silver, collect buttons and make a fun pool dip out of a water butt.  Aaah the hours Amy and I spent in that water butt!  Aunt Vera recreated and idyllic 1950's childhood in the early 1980's.  This book is transporting me right back there.

I am only a little way in, but have already been reminded of my library trips, Amy's Caterpillar collection in an empty ice cream tub and mixtures - although the book suggests this activity should be carried out in the kitchen we (and now Ivy and Oscar) preferred (prefer) the bathroom as you can hide more easily from grown ups and make better coloured mixtures.

A couple of weeks ago Ivy came into my bedroom and said "Mummy do you have some scraps I could use to make a tea cosy" I knew exactly what she had been reading and remembered wanting to do exactly the same thing when I was her age - this activity is also featured in the book.  There is an abundance of ideas for things to do, mostly for free, and all of which allow a whole new generation to enjoy things which we or our parents may have forgotton from our own childhood.

Of course the other thing which I adore about this book and which Mrs Brocket is so very good at, is the reference section, hundreds of "recommended reading" lists - I used to love a recommended reading list at Uni.  Her reading lists are dotted seasonally through the book and also there is an extensive list at the back.

This is a wonderful book and completely essential for the approaching school holidays.

While we are on the subject of books I am still looking for someone to pass The Blue Handbag onto, do let me know if you are interested x

The Blue Handbag

I have just finished reading this book as part of 100 readers. I loved it.  It is a beautifully sweet story of love and loss, the characters are ingratiating and the tale both compelling and poignant, it is deliciously easy to read and perfect for summer.

I now have to pass it on to another reader, so if anyone is interested in reading this book and taking part in an interview at the 100 readers blog, please leave me a comment and I will pass it on to you.

Summer Reads #1

I worked on Saturday night.  I love working nights.  I love the peacefulness that takes over the unit as night falls.  Anxious parents relax a little and enjoy more peaceful time with their babies.  The nurses get more time to chat, reassure and care.  The pace slows down and the time spent with these impatient little babes who wouldn't wait is precious.

Working nights also buys me time with my own family, I am at home for their bedtime and then back in time to take them to school, I catch a snooze while they are at school and am there to pick them up.  The Babies are little stars, they know that when I am tired, I as seriously tired, I regularly go two sometimes three days on naps and a few hours here and there, and they will help out and be good.

Somehow I have completely digressed from today's subject of Summer Reads.  My point was that on Saturday night it didn't get dark until nearly 10pm and was light just after 4 am and I was lucky enough to see nightfall and sunrise in such close proximatey to each other.  The Summer Solstice or  Mid-summers Day really does mark the arrival of summer so I thought I would share some of my Summer reading this week.  Starting with the little pile that I shall probably not even put back on the cookery book shelf for a couple of months, as they will be used so often.

The Sophie Dahl one is new, and I have not yet made anything from it yet but it is definitely my kind of book  (seasons order!) and have some plans for a few of her dishes this week.  Apples for Jam is one of my favourites (colour order this time) it is always out in our kitchen and as I am now the owner of a preserving pan courtesy of the church jumble sale I shall be making some actual jam from this book.  The Jamie and Nigella ones are also great for Summer cooking.  Stu and and the Babies (and I) expect certain things from Summer, The Beach, Bare toes, Long evenings, Pretty dresses and Nigella's Sticky Ribs!

I really need to go now, I have just flooded the kitchen by forgetting I had run a sneaky mid day bath and let it overflow. And I am working again tonight.  And I am seriously tired!

The Goddess of Lovely Books

Today is the 10th birthday of the lovely book publishers Persephone. 

I discovered these books via Mrs Brocket and I adore them.  I then introduced them to my mum and my nan, and the three of us are huge fans.  We take turns in buying them and then swap them.  Thankfully I have been nominated "bookkeeper" and get to look after these beautiful volumes.

As a Special Baby Care (SCBU of NICU) nurse I sometimes find myself at Great Ormond Street Hospital for study days and such like.  I can then wander past the little Peter Pan statue through Bloomsbury to Lambs Conduit Street, where the adorable little Persephone shop can be found.  A proper book shop.  Walls of the exquisitely bound dove grey books, some of them wrapped, sweet postcards and bookmarks also reside here all ready for purchasing.  I can thoroughly recommend a visit.

They are having a little birthday celebration there today and are offering 3 for 2 on books.  This offer is also available on line all this week.  My mum, nan and I are going to choose one each, I have not made my selection yet, but am sure it will be a Dorothy Whipple.

My Persephone themed yarn is no coincidence.  I am planning a re vamp of our living room and hope to have Persephone Grey walls.  I thought I would start with a a throw (as I cannot afford the Farrow and Ball paint I want) in a selection of greys and hook them into a giant Granny.

While we are on the subject of on-line offers, Boden have just launched their Autumn/Winter range and are offering 20% off on pre orders.  I am going to have a cup of tea now and indulge in a little virtual shopping (whereby I fill my basket and never hit checkout!).

Would you listen to me, I have looked forward to Summer for the last six months and now we have glorious weather and I am planning woolen blankets, cosy coats and beautiful boots!

 

The Ripple Effect

I had real trouble sleeping last night.  This is unusual for me, as, being a night worker I am generally tired and I had worked Monday night.  Next doors scaffolders were banging away on my wall all day yesterday so I had no sleep since Sunday night, so really I should have been very tired by last night, but I think it was particularly warm and I just couldn't sleep.

I don't think I helped myself by watching two episodes of 24 before I went to bed and was maybe a little over stimulated.  Then my bedtime reading was this book, which inspired me so much that my head was FULL of my next crochet project.

The colours in this book are to die for, just my kind of thing. Beautiful vintage pinks and plums with a little grey and duck egg blue thrown in.  That was it, I was done for!  All I could think of was those colours and how I would use them.

This Ripple Blanket is particularly inspiring, I know the US edition of this book uses it as the cover.  I have fancied trying a ripple since I first saw one on Jane Brockets old Yarnstorm blog which is sadly no longer with us, but there is a glimpse of it in her book.  I also have this book which has many different ripples.  I think though that when I do try to ripple myself I will use this pattern.  Lucy makes it so understandable and I have full confidence that her tutorial will guide me successfully.

I am still not convinced though that I have enough crochet experience to try something so huge, maybe (my back up idea) I should just use this beautiful palette which is stuck in my mind on a massive granny I feel pretty sure I could happily treble away for a couple of months while gazing at sumptuous bruise coloured yarn.

I am off to find a blanket now, and see if I can close my eyes for 30 minutes before the school run x