Hurrah

We are off on our hols tomorrow - how exciting. Two weeks in Normandy. Fingers crossed for nice weather. We have not been lucky with the weather on our summer hols the past few years.

Bags are almost packed. Will be up early tomorrow to finish off last few things.

Better get to bed as morning will be here before I know it.

Brrrrrrrr

It's chilly. Having been lulled into a fall sense of security by the fantastic weather over Easter I am taking the cold very badly. The weather has regressed somewhat. It's been grey all week and cold (ver cold today). At least it wasn't misty today.

Have been at the family park with Master T and chums. It was freezing. When we got back I had to have a hot drink, put on the central heating and put on the oven for a biscuit making session.

The biscuit making has been a disaster so far. I am making lace biscuits and have never made them before. The recipe is so easy, but then I cut a corner. line the baking trays with parchment it said. They are non-stick I thought - no need, but greased them anyway. First two lots were stuck solidly to the trays and had to be chisseled off - bits flew everywhere.

The third lot are in the oven now - on a tray with parchment. Will they be any better?

Easter Monday

I wonder what is behind the door at 32B?

We have had a lovely weekend at grandma's. The weather was wonderful - a lovely sunny Easter. We spotted the door to 32B on our walk on Saturday afternoon. We walked round by the castle and down to the river so Master T could throw stones into the water. What simple fun.


On Sunday we went for a different river walk, so that Master T (and Mister T) could throw stones in the river. This splash was made by Mister T!

Everything was so green, floweres were flowering and blossom was blossoming - everything was springing into life.

A lovely wood anenome.

I love rooftops..................

Today has been lovely again. Master T was at nursery and Mister T was at work. Peace to catch up on the chores. But it was too nice to stay indoors cleaning, so between many many loads of washing, a run, a trip to the supermarket and a little cleaning, I manages to potter in the garden. So peaceful.

Back to work tomorrow.

A host of magnificent tulips

Saw these beauties in St James' Park when I was in London the other day. What a fantastic display!

We are a little way behind here in Scotland. It will be a few weeks before my tulips are flowering, and I won't have a display like this - only a few pots.

It's Been A Long Day

After a very busy weekend, it has been a very long day for me. My alarm went off at 04:40, I put it onto snooze, then when it went off again I knocked it off the bedside table and couldn't find it........it was beeping all the time! Poor Mr T got a very rude awakening. My taxi arrived at 05:30 and off we went to the airport. I caught the 07:05 flight to London, made my way into the centre, went to my event (work of course), finishing around 14:00. What to do then? My afternoon meeting didn't work out. I had a brisk walk up Regnet Street, accompanyng a friend who was looking to buy a bottle of whisky. He had not succeeded at the point I left him. I made a very quick visit to Liberty - a most fabulous shop, before heading back to Terminal 5 and my flight home. I can't believe I am still awake, but I think tomorrow morning will be a real struggle. I think I need a wee trip to London, without the distraction of work, so I can have a browse around the shops.

Did I buy anything in Liberty. I surely did. This little gem: love hearts kit. So cute and bought on the spur of the moment in a real rush. I'm sure I don't need a kit, but they will be fun to make.

Time for bed I think.

April Already

Where has the time gone? It's grandad's birthday today. He's 75. Master T sang happy birthday to him over the phone tonight. It was soooooooooooooo sweet.

It seems it was a lovely day today - it was when I emerged from work around 4.30pm and was dazzled by the sunshine. I had been on a course all day and had almost lost the will to live. Fingers crossed that the sun will shining on us again tomorrow.

Spring has Sprung

What a lovely day, I was in good spirits until master T got out of the wrong side of bed. Everything has been uphill ever since.

He hasn't slept this afternoon, so is now in front of TV with the opiate of choice - Thomas the Tank Engine. We've just returned from a walk - well I was walking, he was on his trike. Thak goodness it has a handle which allows me to control where he is going. No road sense and no sense of steering. I was going a bit crazy. By the time we got home he was holding on with one hand, but only just. His other fingers were in his mouth and he could hardly keep his eyes open. But we don't want sleep now. It's far too late in the day for a nap now. I'll have to keep him entertained for a bit longer.

I Should be Working

I'm sitting here browsing and blogging now and next I shall probably go to bed! I should really be doing some work, but I just can't focus.

The Secret Garden

It is true, you can experience every season in one day. We've had brilliant sunshine, blizzards, gale force winds..................what a day. At least we managed to get out for a little while this afternoon. We headed to Inveresk Lodge Garden. I read on Friday that the National Trust for Scotaland is proposing to close it in an effort to cut costs. It's on our doorstep and we had never visited. We had to go in case it closes.

What a lovely place, it's just a pity that we were being blasted by a very cold wind. We explored. Master T ran everywhere.

I particularly liked the fancy sundial (below).

We will return on a warmer day .................. I hope!

Use it or lose it. What will happen to it if it closes?

Yesterday was more trains, before heading to a wedding party. When I asked Master T about the party this morning, all he said was "lovely girls"!!!! What sweet dreams he must have had last night.

March

What a busy weekend we have had and now Master T is rather under the weather - just a bad cold, but too bad for nursery. So I have had an enforced day off today which has been rather nice. He was so out of it this morning that he was content with the opiate of choice- a Thomas dvd. this allowed me to get on with all sorts of chores - general tidying, three loads of washing which were all hung out, a pot of soup with the dregs of the vegetables I found in the fridge and a jolly nice curry for Mister T.

Meanwhile I've been doing jigsaws, mending train tracks, mending diggers, giving cuddles and providing the odd bit of food and drink on demand and of course copious nose wiping.

In between times I managed to get the iplayer to work and managed to finished episode 2 of Mistresses in time for episode three tomorrow evening. I also found a rather interesting programme about Sissinghurst. I remember watching Portrait of a Marriage on TV a number of years ago and this spearked my initial interest. I've never been, it's so far away, but I am inspired to read about Vita Sackville West. All this while Master T is having an enforced sleep. I am so glad he is still in his cot. and can be contained!

We've been away at grandmas all weekend, so it is nice to spend a day at home. These magnificent creatures live near grandma.

We took Master T to the National Railway Museum in York - heaven. I had been once before, many years ago and hadn't expected to enjoy it, but I had so it was nice to go back again. The engines are magnificent, the engineering skill and craftsmenship is wonderful. We probably just touched the surface, but I imagine we will be back. It struck us that there were two sets of visitors. People like us with a train mad child or children and train mad boffins - of which there were loads!

I really like the mail train and was desperate to look at all the letters in their pigeon holes.

I also really liked all the old enamel signs and notices that are around the place.

Just had to rescue some washing from the garden. Noticed that my first tulip is almost out, a few miniature daffs are out and my hellebores are blooming lovely this year.

Was going to bake this afternoon , but I made a necklace instead. Don't tell Mister T!!

Secret Pond

I am a week behind,but last Sunday we went for a magical walk here - the secret pond - or lake as it is known. Not that we have many lakes in Scotland. It was really lovely. Quite mild, sunny, secluded and very quiet with lots of snowdrops for snowdrop spotting.

Even though the sun was shining and the temperature was quite mild (it's all relative I suppose), the pond ws still frozen over, with a small area unfrozen where the coots were swimming. To round off a lovely walk, we headed to the nearby tearoom for tea and cakes and bumped into some friends with the same idea. What a lovely Sunday!

Not sure where the week has gone, work, work,work I think. I was so pleased when Thursday night came round.

Master T was not on best form on Friday, but we went to The Farm to try and better his mood, and also because my membership is almost at an end. I wanted to squeeze one last visit in! We did meet this magnificent chap when we got there..............and some lambs. Spring must be here!?

Yesterday we headed down to the border to Dawyk, another magical place. We had a lovely lunch and a marvelous walk around the garden/arboretum. We have been many times in the past, but always in the late autum or winter. We must make an effort to go in the spring/summer this year, to see the garden with some colour. Master T had a fantastic time exploring, though he wasn't so keen on the steep paths when we were heading up the hills.

Running down was a different matter all together!

And now we are back to Sunday. So far it has been chores, shopping, cooking and a little tidying up (though alot is required!). What next I wonder?

The Snow is Disappearing

We've had some more snow this week, but still not that much and today it is very sunny and disappearing fast. Have just found this beautiful thing in the garden.

Also found a couple of lonely crocuses (croci?) and some lovely mud splattered snowdrops and snowflakes. I can't believe it's Friday already, where has the week gone?

It started sadly last weekend, as I headed off to grannny and grandad's so I could go to the funeral of my good friend J's mum. She died very suddenly - so very sad for everyone. Engineering works on the line meant my journey was extended significantly by having to take a bus transfer. Anyway got home, went to the funeral and somehow managed to withstand the cold. Even managed a run on a very cold Monday morning - the views were fantastic. Snowy Angus hills lined up over the valley of Strathmore.

Got home on Monday to find an interesting looking package waiting on me. What could it be? It was from Flutterby Patch. I had forgotten I had won her pin cushion. How exciting and it did cheer me up.. She did suggest that Master T might like to wear it and she was correct. I will get a picture later!

On Tuesday I went to a bead class at our local bead shop. For the first time in ages I really felt like I achieved something. I started a project and finished it all in the space of a couple of hours. Fantastic. I will post a picture later. I am inspired to do more beading. Maybe tonight once Master T has gone to bed.



Pilates last night - though I was far too tired to enjoy it, and it was far too cold in the draughty church hall. But at least I went!

And so it is Friday again, the start of my weekend. Master T had his second hair cut today. He almost didn't get it done. They kept us waiting for half an hour. Not ideal when you have an energetic toddler who doesn't really want to get his hair cut. But we stuck it out and he is looking even cuter than cute again, even though his curls have gone!


Then it was off to the shoe shop for new shoes. Even though he has some lovely new shoes:

he came home and wore my cosy slippers. What a boy!

He's chilling out watching a Thomas video now, with all his trains lined up on the sofa with him. No sleep again. He (and probably I)will be in bed early tonight!

No Snow

It's strange to be in Scotland and to have no snow, but to be watching everyone else with loads. We have had a little, but nothing to write home about. There is evidence of snowmen all over the place - piles of half melted, but frozen again, snow.

Had a lovely walk by the river this morning, Master T had such fun collecting sticks to throw into the river until............................................he slipped very badly on some ice and got a very bad fright.

Poor Master T. We're off to the nursery ceilidh this evening, that should cheer him up - but I need him to have a sleep this afternoon, so he can keep going this evening. It's not looking likely at the moment. You may hear the screams very shortly!!!!!!!!!!

Revenge is Sweet

After my late afternoon run I thought I would relax in the bath for 20 minutes before making tea (already cooked earlier today from the new Comic Relief Cookbook). Master T burst into the bathroom just as I was getting comfortable. Hair wash mummy. Wash the hair. He got the jug I use for his hair and proceeded to drench me for about 10 minutes. He was having fun, and as Mr T said it's revenge!!

Finished my 16th square this afternoon for my blanket. Started alternative squares, but decided that I wasn't too keen. Need to re-think my layout. It was great, I was knitting and watching Dinnerladies, Master T was asleep and I've no idea what Mr T was up to. Peace! perfect peace.

Must go and cut the article out of yesterday's Guardian - Why I hate thomas the Tank Engine. I laughed and identified with this so much and must send it to my friend who has two boys.

Busy week ahead. Can't wait for Thursday night and the weekend! I'm wishing my life away.

A dreich night

It's so mild tonight - compared to the hard frosts we've been having recently. The rise in temperature is bound to encourage my snowdrops to burst into bloom. Here are a few from under the apple tree - photographed at the weekend.

Middle of the week tomorrow. Hurrah!

Technophobe

Just spent age trying to upload photos to make a mosaic. Failed. Will try again.

In the meantime these will have to do.

I love anemones. I haven't been very succcesful at growing them myself, maybe I will try again.

Today has been a day of housework. Worked 5 days last week and the house was in a real state. I wasn't put on this earth to do housework. I know I should do it little and often, but I tend to be loads rather infrequently. Anyway, things are looking rather better now and much less like squalor.

Forgot that we should have had haggis tonight........never mind it will keep for another night. We had a stir fry instead. Perhaps it was for the chinese new year.

Not much else happening. Still waiting on the car being fixed. This week I hope.

So much to do

I've wasted the evening away doing nothing. I've got so much to do I don't know where to start and once Master T was consigned to bed, I wasn't really up for much except pottering on the computer. Where shall I start, tidying, ironing, yet another load of washing, the kitchen floor, a couple of letters and e-mails.................I could go on at length.

I'm too weary. Spent all day at an interesting workshop. Why is it you always feel weary when you've been sitting down all day?

I should have done some sewing or knitting. Maybe I'll go to bed with my hot water bottle and book. Sweet dreams!

This Could be Addictive

Places I have lived..........................

The weekend is almost over

Have just read Mousenotebook and decided to take up the challenge, both to find some lovely images and also to see how it all works. I think I have been succesful - hopefully this will appear on the blog - but you just never know.

It made a great distraction from Master T's bath time and his obsession with the Island of Sodor. Mr T and I have just enjoyed Nigel Slater's bean recipe from the Observer, with some very fine fish. Once Master T is in bed I think we will have some sticky toffee pudding. Yum yum!!!

The Car is Poorly

The day started so well. Me and Master T had lie in, then off to his gym class. Great fun, until another child pushed him around. Poor Master T became very withdrawn, but then we were off to meet my work colleagues for lunch. Drove to the part and ride, just missed the train do decided to get the bus. Managed to deduce that the bus no longer comes to the bus stop at the park and ride and trekked off to find the nearest bus stop. So much for an integrated transport system - but don't get me started on that topic. Eventually got to our destination and had a lovely lunch. Master T had such fun and made news friends. I gave him the choice of going back to the office with them, or coming to the museum with me. The museum means trains - it was a no-brainer. Off we headed, and off he snoozed! Fast asleep when we reached the museum. I dropped him at Mr T's office and popped out for a bit of shopping.

Then we dragged Mr T off early to get the train back to the car. Then we were off to grandma's for the weekend. Half and hour into our three hour journey, the road was blocked by an accident. We re-traced our drive and headed to an alternative route. Then something went wrong with the car. The weekend away was aborted and we headed home slowly. Two hours after we set off, we were back home. Mr T is very unhappy, having just paid a very large bill at the garage earlier this week.

I wonder what we will get up to this weekend now?

It's the Middle of the Week

Middle of the week and I don't seem to have achieved very much, either at home or at work. I just don't know where the time goes. At least we were home a little bit earlier tonight. Master T was very grumpy even though I let him watch Wallace and Gromit - his latest obsession.

Me and Mr T have both gone down with the nursery bug. Nothing terrible, but just enough to make you feel a bit under par, and cause my sinuses to rebel.

I have just read Attic24 and so wish I could stay at home with 30 balls of wool for a few days. it would be so nice to achieve something. I tried to get back to my square knitting at the weekend, but Master T wouldn't give me peace and by the time he was in bed, I had lost interest.

Maybe I just need to sit down with The Good Husband of Zebra Drive and escape to Botswana. I can dream..............

Baking frenzy

I haven't tried uploading photos before, so here goes. Wow, so easy and it has worked. A little flower blooming in my garden on 3 January. It may be completely blown away by now. I think we were all woken by the gales last night.

Just a day for staying in the house and baking. I have been baking for the last couple of hours, in complete peace. Cheesey crumbles, muesli cookies, and blueberry muffins. The house still looks like a bomb has gone off on the Island of Sodor, but we have plenty to eat in our war-torn, train-mad household and the FDat Controller will be happy. Master T and Mr T went to church sometime ago. I imagine they have stopped off in the park to wear Master T out. Hope they are home soon - I need some lunch. Will I go out for a run today - the wind, the wind, just makes it all so hard. I know that Mr T, will tell me to get a grip and get out running! I think I would like to sit and knit a couple of squares for my blanket, which is probably going to take me years to complete, given the slow rate of square production. More on this later I expect.

A Windy Saturday

What a lovely start to the day. I woke up and it was daylight. Mr T had decamped during the night as he was coughing terribly. I had the bed all to myself...........lovely! All was quiet from Master T's direction, so I turned on the radio and read my book for a little while. Bliss. Then I heard Mr T coughing and Master T shouting on daddy.

A slow start to the day for all. I then tried to decide whether to go for a run. It was dry, not frosty but windy. Eventually at 10am I managed to step over the threshold and set off, running into the wind. It was awful. I couldn't get my breathing sorted out, I was battling against the wind and then I inevitably got a stitch. And so it was for two thirds of my run, than eventually I was on the homeward stretch and the wind was behind me. What a relief. Tried to enter the Glasgow Ladies 10k yesterday, but the technology won't let me.

Master T was a bit under the weather earlier today, though to hear him singing in the bath just now you wouldn't know it. He had a very long sleep this afternoon. One week back at nursery and he has caught something. I knew it would happen. Anyway his sleep gave me time to pop out and book a couple of bead classes, pick up a few things in the sales for Master T and pick up a couple of provisions. Then came home and watched The Diary of Anne Frank on the BBC iplayer. It has been excellent, and so sad (even though we know what happens).

Mr T has been making a couple of interesting curries for tea. I am looking forward to them once Master T is in bed.

The Weekend Starts here

Thursday night and my weekend starts. I don't work on Friday's. The car has broken down and is getting towed to the garage tomorrow, so today we all travelled into town on the bus. Master A was very well behaved on the way in - remarkably so. I think he was still half asleep. Tonight on the way homehe was full of beans and would not sit down. I then had to race home, get changed and run off to my first pilates class of the year. Could have gone to another interesting meeting in an adjoining hall but didn't!

Had a very interesting meeting at the National Library of Scotland. Have walked by it so many times over the years but have never ever been inside. Came away really excited about the interesting stuff that they have. Will be back in a few weeks to see it at first hand.

Tomorrow have to do some chores and entertain Master T. He has his gym class so hopefully that will wear him out.

Am feeling rather weary, so I am hoping for a long lie tomorrow. I'm off to read my latest book, Apple. It is so beautifully written - you almost feel you are in the noisy, dark backstreets of Victorian London. It follows The Crimson petal and the White. A long, but wonderfuly written account of a prostitute in Victorian London.

Mr T has told me that he has entered me for a 10k in March. I can't workout if he is telling me the truth. Will have to explore this further.

My Day

My day off, but up at the crack of dawn as usual to get a lift into town with the boys. Visited the hairdresser - locks gone, back to very short and manageable! Poor hairdresser has a broken finger. Not a good injury for someone who relies on their hands. Then I was free to wander round the shops. I don't often get the opportunity to wander round the shops, but this time of year is not idea - most are like jumble sales. I am always drawn to the new season stuff, and was today - though wasn't inspired. So what did I buy, well I found a stripey jumper in a sale, a couple of things in the Emma Bridgwater shop to add to my haphazard collection, an interesting book - that I will probably never get round to reading, cake tin liners and a new pair of jogging bottoms for pilates. In the middle of all this, I met Mr T to take him for a very belated birthday lunch. We went here - it was fantastic.

I hope I will get round to the book - it will remind me of time spent in India and Florence.

Master T in bed, after loads of stories and a very succesful attempt at the potty. He was delighted with his pull-up nappy - just like Miss D's. Wow.........so easy to please.

The car has conked out. Think we will all be on the bus tomorrow morning. Could be a nightmare waiting to happen.

Inspired

Ive just been browsing and looking at Attic24. Fabulous images. My latest resolution is that I will learn to crochet in 2009.

Now that the Christmas tree is down the house is so bare. Master T will be distraught in the morning - my tree has gone. The house also looks like a bombsite. Something will have to be done. Have just unpacked a lovely hamper we received for Christmas - it had been sitting looking beautiful under the Christmas tree. Lots of lovely stuff in a lovely wicker basket. Unfortunately a jar of scrummy looking Winter chutney has leaked all over the basket, the packing and other stuff. Have just spent half an hour cleaning the sticky mess up. Yuck! Will re-examine in the light of day.

Tomorrow is a day off for me. I am really looking forward to it. A long overdue visit to the hairdressers, a look at the sales, lunch with Mr T and maybe a gallery. Lovely!

Back to work

Up at the crack of dawn, out shortly afterwards - it was so dark - and off to nursery and work. Poor Master T didn't know what had hit him, but he was soon in the swing of things looking for diggers as we drove into town. Unfortunately they were few and far between this morning. He wasn't keen to go to nursery and wouldn't get out of the car. I had to carry him in, but as soon as Miss D saw him, she was off to help get his breakfast. He sat down to eat it like he hadn't been away. I know how he felt. After 20 minutes at my desk I felt I hadn't been away either. It was good to be back at work, but it's even better to be taking Wednesday off! A long overdue haircut, a look around the sales and lunch with Mr T - an overdue birthday treat. I'm looking forward to it already. And tonight I went out for a quick run/plod - only a couple of miles, it was treacherous. the streets were like skating rinks. Must try and finish my book tonight. Almost there. I am enjoying Spilling the Beans. A priviledged and troubled life.

It's all over for another year

Can't believe the festive break is almost over. Took the Christmas cards and decorations down. Will take the tree down tomorrow night. Back to routine tomorrow, which will be good- but hard. I am not looking forward to getting up so early before it is daylight. I really think it is so uncivilised to get up in the dark. These last two weeks or so I have managed to wake up late. It has been bliss. Today has been another lazy day, but I did force myself to go out for a run/plod in the rain. 3 miles today, so I am feeling good about myself. I just need to keep it up. Made a spreadsheet tonight to record my plodding. Next thing is to finish all the Christmas treats that are still lying around, and get back to healthy eating. Poor Mr T will not be looking forward to that. As my mother would say, back to auld claes and porridge!

Almost the end

Almost at the end of the holiday, it will be good to have some routine back in our lives. Our toddler is all over the place - he does like his sleep, but he all out of kilter at the moment. Today hasn't been helped by us all being at a party last night. He had a great time, flirting with young ladies. I drank fizzy water all night - being the designated driver, I had to get the boys home.

Today has meandered on. Went for a walk this afternoon - just into town. I love a brisk walk on a cold and bright winter's day. However with a two-year old in tow, walking cannot be brisk. We just got chilled to the bone. It ended up being a visit to the supermarket and a quick look around town. Poor Mr T ended up pushing the pushchair, carrying the scooter and carrying some shopping. My hero!

Have managed a quick look at the paper, but can't move in the front room for jigsaws. Have recently discovered BBCiplayer. have watched the Christmas Royle Family and the 39 Steps and have listened to a few radio shows. What a great find. I'm off to watch Thatcher and the Scots. Leftovers for tea tonight, so no real cooking required.

A new year

A new day, a new month and a new year. A new start - new opportunitities. Where will we all be in 12 months time?



The year has started quietly. Lots of cooking and a short run and now this.............. Not sure where this is going, but must keep the running/plodding going. Haven't run for 6 months. I need a goal to plod towards - probably a 10k.

Lots of cooking - fudge, biscuits, soup and thai curry. God bless Nigella and Madhur. And tonight a new book - one that can be read in less than three months.............. I just never seem to have the time anymore. A Christmas book, or one from my ever increasing "to be read" pile. I must go and make my selection.