Thursday 16 April 2015

Ten Things :: April





:: I'm constantly amazed by how little sleep I need when under stress. I go to sleep without a problem and am dead to the world by 10pm. By 4am (or even 3.30am) I'm wide awake, brain fizzing with thoughts (good and bad), lists of things to do, stuff for the garden, cakes to bake, things to sew, birthday ideas, holiday ideas, places to take the girls, things I'd like to 'get sorted' (bedside drawers I'm thinking of you first!) as well as the worry thoughts (what if...) but to counteract that I've actually gotten up and gotten on with stuff.

:: I'm struggling to believe we're nearly a quarter of the way through the year. Thr last 6 weeks have been a blur and a steep learning curve.

:: Pizza is now a staple in our lives since I worked out how not to make to stick to the baking tray... I often have some dough 'resting'in the fridge (who knew you do this? thanks Hugh) so if the mood strikes it's there ready and waiting.

:: I made a new (to me) cake. Rhubarb and orange...as Leeds is so close to the Rhubarb triangle - it would be rude not to, Yet to be tasted ...it smells delicious.

:: I'm really enjoying the garden at the moment, we've had some lovely sunny days. It's not been as hot as some parts of the country and today was cloudy but it's been good outdoors weather. The girls really love to play outside and it's fantastic to now be able to let them run round without worrying they (well the youngest one is the one with the sense of adventure) can open the gate. Who knew such a small thing could make such a difference?

:: We planted some seeds last week. The next day littleR dug them up to see if they were growing. To my surprise, 2 of the pea seeds had put out roots!!

:: We're going to get blueberries again this year. I'm beyond excited. I cant wait to go and get some strawberry plants too.

:: Spring and the clocks changing energises me. I've been looking through my sewing books and making plans. I had a list a while ago of things I would do creatively...I need to follow this up and add to it.

:: I bought a colouring book (Although I don't think I'm a grown up just yet. when does that happen? Actually having a poorly child makes me feel like a grown up. Hmm. Confusing) to do whilst we waited (and waited and waited) in the hospital. I treated myself to some gorgeous colouring pencils too. I've not used either of them (but plan to this weekend) as it seems that you need to hug and encourage your small child to stay in one place as she doesn't want to nap when there's peppa pig to watch and random people taking your blood pressure/temperature/give you medication/take blood every 20 minutes!

:: BigR has expressed an interest in learning to knit. I'm wondering if it's too early and she may not be dexterous enough (she's 5 and a half). I don't want to put her off it by starting before she's really ready. I was thinking chunky needles and wool might be the way forward?

6 comments:

  1. I'd definitely let her have a go at knitting. If she can't manage the needles, maybe she'd like the French knitting with a dolly. Keeping pizza dough in the fridge is a great idea. I made one the other day that stuck horribly. I''m still waiting for rhubarb though. I know what you mean about the 4am stress wake-up, I get that sometimes too. My heart rate is fast enough that there's no suggestion of any more sleep. It's so frustrating, but definitely a good idea to make the most of the time by getting up. I hope you have a good weekend, and that things improve with your daughter. CJ xx

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  2. It sounds as though you're managing to achieve a great deal despite what's going on in your life. Baking and pizza making... Impressive!
    I do hope things get better with your little girl. It must be such a worrying time for you all.
    Oh, and knitting? Yes. Fat needles and chunky yarn could well be worth a go.
    Stay strong and take care of yourself.
    S xx

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  3. rhubarb and orange cake is my favourite cake ever. I love it more than chocolate. and that's a lot....

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  4. I'm so glad you've figured out pizza. We make lots of it around here too. I think you could start her on knitting now, why not? One thing she would like to do is knit on one of those round looms with the pegs that you lift the yarn over. They make some that look like dolls. My kids love to use them. Hope you're having a good weekend, take care.

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  5. I am so horribly behind with everyone after my time offline etc. that I missed your posts about your daughter being unwell. What an absolute pig of a time you must be having. Colouring sounds like a perfect tonic, it's a vastly underestimated adult down-time occupation it seems to me.

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  6. I think Big R can start off with a knitting doll. I'm planning to get Markie one for her birthday. It will get them used to working with yarn, plus the dolls I've seen are cute, so it's for playing too. My husband uses Jamie Oliver's recipe for making pizza coughs. And it also took him a few tries before he found a way to keep the dough from sticking to the pan. Enjoy your weekend! X

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