The Best Things in Life are Free......

:: Heart Shaped Ice Cubes in Lime Cordial in a Green Glass ::

:: Wild Daffodils on the way home from the Dentist in Grindleford ::

:: Spirea Branches - From a weekend of Gardening ::

:: A Smattering of Summer Freckles - Sun Kisses for a Seven Year Old ::

:: Discovering the Dicenta in Full Bloom after a harsh winter ::

:: Open Windows letting in a Warm but Fresh Breeze ::

:: Forget me Nots - From the Garden ::

:: Blue, Blue Sky ::

:: Musscari from the Garden - In an old school Milk Bottle ::

:: Tiny Blooms against a Ben Simmons Clock::

:: Colour ::

:: Sunlight Sparkles up the Walls & on the Ceiling - My Favourite Place for an Afternoon Rest :: 

:: Handmade Mothers Day Card from my 7 Year Old ::

:: Yes, I really do look like this! ::

This weekend, I heard Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross on the Radio
It brought back memories of past Summers & inspired this post.

Wishing you all a week of Free Best Things

Lx

Interview Day

Hello All,

What a day it has been.

The job interview was the toughest I've ever had, and I have spent most of the day getting in a tizzle over it all, convinced that I had blown it.

However I decided to count my blessings & bought myself some flowers to cheer myself up....

G was also convinced that I was in need of flower therapy & bought me 2 bunches of these...

Oh and some of theses. I think the village florists have done well out of us today....

He also bought me a card saying that him & the little people loved me...

So here I sit, looking at my flowers, brought to cheer me up, cup of tea, eating the emergency chocolate & wondering why my card doesn't say congratulations...

Because I got the job.

Oh yes - I am going to become a Macmillan Nurse...

I think my new boss may think he's offered the job to a noodle though - as I had Kate Winslet moment when he told me...

So thank you for all your support & good luck messages - I am sure they helped!

Love Lydia xxx

The Tale of Two Irons

Sometimes, it's the simple things that make the daily chores a pleasure or just about bearable.

Take my iron, I am (like most ladies) on first name terms with my iron.

I am attached to it, I like how it feels, and glides, I am at one with it, no other iron is like mine.

That is until my poor iron dies, a watery, leaky, fuse blowing death.

G quickly volunteers to go and buy another - I wonder why? He's under strict instructions to only bring home a Tefal and appears with a lovely purple thing....

However when I start using it, its not the same, it weighs heavier, it smells all new, I am not a happy ironer....

Then I remember a posting on Sadie's Blog....Ironing water!

Oh the joy! - My iron smells nice, my clothes smell yummy - I quite like this ironing business after all. What a simple idea - why have I never tried this before? I am almost feeling domesticated.



And whilst I'm on the subject of simple treats, have a peek at my flowers for the week.....




A large bunch of Snaps (Dragon or Bunny, dependant on your preferences).

Simple, smiley, cheap & cheerful flowers, full of childhood memories - stripping Great Auntie Mable's collection of flowers, to perfect the art of opening & closing the bunnies mouths....

Love Lydia xx

Pussy Willow & the Two Tired Children

Its been a very quite evening here, all is peaceful & settled.

G has gone off traveling again - Norway - I think to see if he can find more snow....

After much pouting and whinging from me re him going again so soon, I came home from work to find that G had left me some Tulips & some Pussy Willow.... Huge long stems, that are taller than the hearth....


The small people have had lots of fun stroking the pussy cat tails - which I have told them, are sitting on the branches, waiting for collection by willow, who puts them on the baby kittens.

My 8 year old, is rather suspicious re this explanation, but I have told him, if he has a better rational for the name, then let me hear it....

Little Miss, at 5, is entranced - is Willow a boy or girl? Fairy or Elf?

Pondering on these serious questions, they have gone to bed early and I haven't heard a peek out of them since....

Leaving me a quite evening to read these, my bargain bumper pack of housey magazines from Sainsbury's, all 3 for just £6.00



This is actually reading that is required for research purposes, as I am trying to glean ideas for our planned new kitchen, and research is more important than housework tonight....

It really wouldn't be me, if I didn't post a Tulip picture when one was available! The 3 stray purple Tulips sat in amongst the red, have been separated & sit on my bedroom drawers.




Won't I just feel a princess when I wake up in the morning, and spy (once I've put my specs on) these?!

Oh well, I'm off, to dream up some theories for the Pussy Willow questions that I am sure will arrive tomorrow, and to plan my Valentine crafty/bakey session for tomorrow evening.

Love Lydia xx

A quiet day

Friday - my -day has been a quiet one, and most enjoyable too....

The schools were back open, so I was able to potter up into the village and have a little wander in the fruit & veg shops, gift shop & local Co-Op.

I say wander, more like slip & slide, as the council have failed to grit the paths - I wouldn't mind if Duncan James were holding onto me, and whizzing me about, but a bruised backside is not for me....

I bought this lovely card - oh how I love tulips....



And I picked up these tete-a-tete @ £1.10 each - perfect as a thankyou to those who have helped me through this week. They just need presenting a little better....

So out come the raffia, bright stripey green paper, string, tags & a little bit of patience....



I cut a large square, and a similar size one of cellophane, so as the bulbs can be watered without removing from the wrapping....

And sort of wrestled & folded till it looked presentable - I used an elastic band to hold it all fast, having realised that I didn't have enough pairs of hands, to rely on raffia alone....

Into one of them, I nestled this lovely metal tag ....

Ta -da!

Two thankyou gifts for two special people, who helped stop me from drowning this week with the snow/work/school palavers....

And I'd like to say thankyou to all who have visited my blog on this, my first week in blogland & sneeked a peek. Especially to those who have been so kind as to comment & welcome me....

Thankyou all Sooo Much....

Love from Lydia xx

Is it Christmas?

This is a daily question asked by my 5 year old since it first snowed.

Sorry, but 3 days of snow & this question is now wearing a little thin.

For the 2nd time this week, the Infant & Junior schools were both shut, pretty much the same blind panic overcame me as it did on Tuesday, bit slightly more controlled.... Just read Tuesday 3rd blog to get the idea....

Look at the views on the way to work - see I can now drive with my eyes open, rather than shut whilst praying....

It was a quiet shift today - some of the patients couldn't make it in for treatment, but it was a full turn out for our small (but perfectly formed) team on the unit.

We had a new patient start treatment today. Whilst there was the usual humour, banter & support, hopefully making the experience easier for her, we also touched on the struggle of getting the working mum balance right. We agreed, sometimes as a working mum, you feel guilty about anything & everything.

It has really made me reflect, and count my chickens & blessings tonight, as she has a little one the same age as my eldest. Yes, it has been a nightmare this week with childcare & school closures. I wanted to be at home & play in the snow - capturing those mummy memories, but I also knew that I had to be at work, to do a job I care about.

I have a lot to be grateful for.... So I thought I'd look for the colour in amongst all the whiteyness & smile....

Like my bright green mac, stripy scarf & yellow polka dot brolly, waiting for me at home time. High fashion it isn't, but cheeriness it is....

The lovely deep purple tulips, bought half price for £1.50 on my way home....

Sat in my smallest fish bowl vase, waiting to open fully....

The lovely zingy zesty Phsayllis - shared tonight between little lady & myself....

And my sneaky indulgence, whilst watching TV....Fruit pastel Pic 'n' Mix

And finally, tomorrow is Friday-my-Day....That is, unless the snow conspires to pinch it from me....In which case, it will be a special mummy bonding day.

But whatever happens, I'm counting my blessings....

Love Lydia xx

Its been an odd weekend

G went abroad on Friday and doesn't return until next Saturday - cue very nice peace offering-

I love Lilly's - the tall white ones with a splash of green - they look stunning against the dark grey dinning room wall.

Little man went off to cubs Friday night, and then to G & G's for some special bonding with his Grandpa (probably a special conversation re his cub uniform ensued...)

Saturday Little miss said she didn't feel well. Alarm bells rang, because she's not one for complaining. What a nightmare it is, trying to get an appointment with a GP at the weekend. Anyway, it turns out she has a throat & kidney infection & has been duly commenced on antibiotics. This all took up most of Saturday.

I did however get time to snap a picture of the tete 'a'tete that have shot up & burst into colour.

What a happy sight, sunshine included.

Sunday has been a day of catching up on the domestic chores - and by tea time I was starting to feel deflated - the bedrooms are still not tidy & I am sure the window cleaner must think we have been burgled when he sees the spare bedroom.

However on reflection, I have achieved quite a lot - I broke the back of the huuuge pile of ironing (devils work), we will all be snuggling down into fresh clean beds in clean PJ's tonight.

And Humphrey also had a good fettle -and a new tissue box to nest in & toilet roll to shred - she is easily pleased (and photogenic too!)

I hope you don't mind, I left out my bed. I'm playing hard to get, as its only my 3rd Blog!

I also baked cheesy feet - although someone (you know who you are G - shame on you!) had a nibble on the extra strong Cheddar, so they look orange, because I had to use Cheshire instead. I also tried Lucy's (from Attic 24) 8 bun mix - left un -iced as they are for the packed lunches this week (however we've already eaten 4 - so I'll have to make some more)

Would you like to see a picture of the lunch boxes? - I like them, they make me smile, as I love Emma Bridgewater designs sooo much. They are a bit battered, but are standing up to the ravishes of the playground well (the small one is mine).

Oh well, not too bad, as long as the window cleaner doesn't come tomorrow....

Love form Lydia xxx

Friday's my Day

Friday's my Day



No work......small people at school.......empty house......



So really I should be running around like a woman possessed doing the household chores, catching up on the build up created by 4 days at work.



But today I am not. Friday is my day.



I have done the basics, dishwasher on, washing machine loaded & unloaded x2, and off for a quick shop I have gone.



I met with a fab friend & had a quick mooch round a small retail outlet, stopped for tea & scones in the Thornton's Coffee Shop (yum) & had lots of cuddles with her 6 month old baby. What a lovely couple of hours, friends are invaluable.



On the way home, i stopped at the local fruit & veg shop & blew £2.60 on these.......







A quick snip & into an old frosted bath bubble jar - recycled raffia bow to complete & ta-da!





Yellow cheer to arrive quite soon & hopefully everyone will be so busy admiring the yellow cheer, that the dust won't be so noticeable........






The bright yellow tulips have ended up in a passata bottle in the lounge (sneaky housekeeping distraction number two).

Panic!

I spy the new Cub sweater, awaiting its badges & when is Cubs?? - tonight at 6.

I need to go & get the little people from school in 10 minutes.





Oh well, i feel a mad stitching dash coming up - I must be more organised...!


Love from Lydia