Precious things (3)

Once upon a time I went through a period of illness. It was a very long time ago. Even now though, moments of that experience stay with me and very occasionally I think back to that time and how it partly moulded me into the person I am now.

During that time when I thought all the things that I have subsequently achieved were unlikely to happen I was given a stone…a small piece of green adventurine by a good friend who’d just gone to Uni. I carried that stone me with for ages and collected a few more along the way. In theory, adventurine is a stone that brings good luck – I guess it did for me. Every type of stone has a meaning – you can see what they mean here.

I chose most of mine for their colours and the way they felt in my hand rather than for their meaning.

Interestingly, when I was pregnant with both my girls I felt drawn to seek out my stones again and carried a piece of rose quartz in my bag. Rose quartz is a stone of unconditional love.

Every now and again I seek out my stones, for me they are a precious thing.

You can see others’ precious things here:

Sarah at Mitenska

Leanne at Today’s Stuff

Bee at The Linen Cloud

I am trying

Yes I know I am trying in all senses of the word.

:: I am trying to Get. Stuff. Done. I’ve written and rewritten my do list today and I am getting through it. I just had to put a couple of items on the list that I’d already completed just to give me more impetus.

:: I am trying to be patient when hearing my child read. Give me my due, for the most part I am. Unless she’s making no effort and then I feel really annoyed. She doesn’t know this yet. I guess you have to get her at the ‘right’ moment. And me at the right moment too.

:: I am trying not to be too disappointed it’s raining. Again.

:: I am trying to get bulbs into the garden in the few moments that LittleR is asleep. She loves to be outside but has to constantly monitored leaving no room for bulb digging.

:: I am trying to look forward to a few days off.

:: I am trying to believe that these all won’t be 5.30am get up times.

:: I am trying not to wish my children’s lives away but really do hope they start getting up after 6am! That seems far more civilised.

:: I am trying to be more prepared for that thing that happens as the same time every year in December. 

:: I am trying to hold off on buying a new notebook to prepare for that thing that happens in December.

:: I am trying to think of some more personal gifts for friends. I’ve had an idea of embroidered decorations…we’ll see…watch this space.

:: I am trying not to be too cross with a school that gives 2 days’ notice for a costume on the theme of ‘a hero’.  Yes, she does want to go dressed as Elsa.

:: I am trying to read a very dull academic paper and failing.

:: I am trying to look for solutions to the CD/DVD explosion we have in the corner of our living room. I’m thinking of recycling the cases and using an big CD/DVD envelope. We hardly play CDs now as they’re all on the computer. That means more space for cookery books!

:: I am trying to remember that in amongst all the trivial things, I am trying and that’s something.

(Don't you think the pink primrose at the back looks like she's waving and shouting 'I'm over here!')

Miscellaneous and happiness and random thoughts

Sarah over at Mitenska has had posts on miscellaneous things in her week. Gillian writes about her weekly happies. I'm going to do a combination of these two things. I not usually such a join-er in-er (is that a word/phrase??) but I can't not join in with these.

We survived our first half term. It was a whirlwind of getting stuff done, reading, trips out, family visiting, eating lots, treats, cinema visits (Daddy and daughter day)  and catching up on sleep. It has (almost) been a relief to get back into a routine and back to work/school - although I'm pleased this is my last working day of the week....

We had a fabulous day out in Whitby. The sun shone and the weather was warm (for the end of October). We made collections of stones (and brought a few home), played crazy golf, ate fish and chips and ice cream. It was a very good day. We all slept well after the sea air!

I traversed the entirety of Leeds to get a pumpkin on Halloween. A trip to big Tesco resulted in no pumpkin (but nappies - the real reason for going) but BigR did see Tesco staff members dressed up for Halloween, and from no where (when the music started) run into the centre of the store and start dancing (in time) to Thriller. Very random but very good. This resulted in much YouTube after to see MJ in action. She wasn't sure if he was brilliant or not.

I did eventually get a couple of pumpkins in our local veg shop. One was very anaemic....scary :) they're still sat on plates in our kitchen and going slightly fusty now so I'll have to spirit them into the bin later tonight (under the cover of darkness) so there are no protestations.

I made a ginger cake following this recipe. Yum. It's gone now.

I ironed and ironed and ironed to X factor. I think the ironing made X factor better. I finished all the ironing and gloried in that moment where there was no more ironing. Sadly, there's now more ironing. who though uniforms and being smart was a good idea?

I finished knitting my hat. It's blue and green not purple. It's a bit big. Maybe I should've made the biggest child's size? It looks a bit wonky here too but 'in real life' it isn't. I will be wearing it. Maybe I'll even model it?

I took more pictures of roses in the garden. Still yet more appear and flower (don't look at the black spot on the leaves) and it's November. Just beautiful.

I've been reading lots too....recipe books mostly. In bed.

Today I've been embracing The Smiths. Spurred by this post from Leanne. This isn't my favourite Smiths song but it's got very good jangly guitars. I love Johnny Marr.

Why I write

I was nominated to participate in this blog hop by Christina at A Colourful Life. I was really flattered to be considered as my blog is fairly new.

I’m writing this after being on the go all day...this is not unusual...I should really think about time management some more! I wanted to post before I became busy with work this week and then a short break. So I may edit in some more when I’ve thought a little more...I’m sure there’ll be something I think of the minute I press publish!


What am I working on? At this precise moment, nothing in particular. I don’t really plan these posts in advance (can’t you tell?) They come about organically. Sometimes I have an idea and think...’ooh I’ll blog about that’ but generally I post what’s in my head at that moment.


How does my writing differ from others in my genre?
I’m not really sure what genre I fit into. I guess it’s the ‘working mum of two young children who likes books, gardens, crafty stuff, tv and wine’. I’m a little bit secretive here about who I am, mainly for professional reasons. I don’t really want random students finding my private space – it’s like when they want to ‘friend’ you on facebook...er, no. I want to be able to write here about anything I like and not feel constrained.


Why do I write what I do? In a previous life I kept a written journal. Snippets of the day to day and how I felt about things. Some days I would write lots and navel gaze in great detail. Other days were just the odd line or two to remind me what I was up to at that time. My blog is a more public version of that, just me, documenting aspects of my life and allowing me to have a record of this time. This time where my children are young and where I’m balancing life as a mummy, an academic, a friend, a partner, a daughter, a woman. Seeing where my life fits in to the world and generating friendships through this.


How does my writing process work? I don’t really have a planned process but I fall into when the mood strikes me. I blog from my sofa and during breaks at work. Usually, the latter is when someone is having a loud phone conversation and I can barely concentrate. - the joys of academia in an open plan office. Sometimes I make notes on my phone if I want to blog about something specific. My photos all come from my phone - I have much to learn about light and making these much better. I think one of the reasons I don’t plan to much is I’d then think I’d need to revise and refine my writing (as I do at work) and I like this being straight from the heart.

Part of this blog hop is to nominate others to join in. It’s so hard to choose! I’m still waiting to hear from a couple of people and wanted to post before time ran away...

So I nominate Sarah from Mitenska – this was one of the first blogs I plucked up the courage  to comment on. I love Sarah’s beautiful photography and writing. Her blog is so full of inspiration and positivity. She writes beautifully about her life, home and the world around her. I love seeing snippets of her notebooks and her drawings.

 

Ten random things

Having seen a few of these random lists on various blogs (but most notably Annie and Gillian) I thought I'd compile one of my own.
Pic is a random cloud I saw today and liked.

1.  Growing up I wanted to be a marine biologist who specialised in crustaceans (not marine mammals that everyone else wanted!!).  When I was 11 I wrote to a Professor in Cambridge (who had written a book I found in Foyles book shop) to ask how to be one. I got a handwritten reply and still have it.  I did go on to study science but not marine science (even fewer jobs and opportunities in that than my chosen field!).

2.  I kept tropical and marine fish when I lived with my parents and would love to again but marine tanks are a lot of work.

3.  I wear skirts everyday to work (no need to...I  just do) but jeans and leggings at home.

4.  I'm not particularly tidy but I cannot bear knives, forks and spoons not to be in their correct sections in the cutlery drawer. I know the ABO frequently challenges this state of nature for his own amusement.

5.  My cookbooks are arranged in colour order on their shelves.

6.  I have strange food allergies being allergic to types of squash, pumpkin, courgettes. I have a severe allergy to beet root.

7.  In 1982 John Craven (of Newsround fame) was on the same plane as my family (to somewhere in Greece). My mum stopped me from bothering him on his holiday on the way out but didn't have a leg to stand on the way back. I spent the entire flight chatting to his daughter.

8.  My parents had a holiday romance (also in Greece!) and found out they lived 4 miles from each other.

9.  I hardly ever wear make up as I always look like a clown when I apply it plus for some reason it slides off my face within minutes even with 'primers'.

10. I love lemons and will always choose a lemon dessert over anything else.

Cooking and understanding my place in the world

What a difference a few days or warmer weather and sunshine make? I really feel as though Spring has most definitely sprung. Seeing all the fab photos all over other’s blogs is really inspiring. One day I’ll sort out my camera and stop using my phone!

We had a good weekend. I managed to get the supermarket out of the way very early (thanks BigR for the pre 5am wake up!) and we could spend the rest of the time having fun.

On Saturday whilst LittleR napped we made fairy cakes (or buns as my Yorkshire lass says) and some more date and ginger slices for Daddy. She was very excited to be using the pink cupcake cases. We planned to ice them but they hadn’t cooled enough before LittleR awoke, so one had to be taste tested before that happened for quality control purposes.

We decorated them on Sunday…there can never be too much pink glitter. The lack of icing on the cakes is down to BigR not liking it! We used just enough to stick on the sprinkles!

I was inspired by Gillian to make some poached eggs with Colcannon. Usually my poached eggs don’t cut the mustard. I was quite proud of these two holding their shape. I used a mixed bag of cabbage as I didn’t have any Kale in the fridge and lots of black pepper. It was very, very tasty!

In keeping with my try a new recipe each month…for my evening meal, once the girls were in bed, I made Sue’s chorizo and chickpea rice. I forgot to take a picture of finished dish as I was far too hungry!! I used Chorizo from Tesco and found it to be a lot more piquant than others I have used. No less tasty for it though. There was enough left for lunch the next day which I had with a big salad. You can tell spring is here; I’ve bought salad! Also, this picture tells me I need to clean my pan handle more thoroughly!

I’ve had to google whether you should capitalise ‘spring’ or not. Apparently if you give the word a human trait you add a capital letter….everyday really is a school day!

Sunday saw playing with friends at their house due to inclement weather and the making of a Shepherd's pie and a beef casserole. Batch cooking at its best.

All this food activity meant I spent a happy few hours leafing through some cookbooks. I have 2 huge shelves of cook books and can’t stop collecting them. I’m not sure how much of this changes what we cook day to day, sometimes I think just be having them there things will go in by diffusion!  I have very practical books that I use regularly and plenty of fantasy books that I just read for pleasure (and look at the pictures for inspiration). This is what I perused over the weekend.

The Allegra McEvedy book was a ‘getting paid for the second time after going back to work’ treat. It’s got some lovely looking recipes in it that I may even try out!! I like recipes that have a bit of narrative to them as well. Nigel Slater is a favourite cookery writer. He really understands how to marry together words and food. I’m loving the Rose Prince book too! The River Cottage bread book is a staple. We should have made homemade pizzas but we ran out of time!

Once again I’m thinking about work and not working. It’s nice being paid and having that extra cash to buy books and glittery sprinkles, spending time having adult conversation and using my brain in non-childcare/household (read here cleaning) related tasks. I spent so long in education to get into the ivory tower of academia I’m loathe to give it up completely. Being an academic is part of my identity. A really important part of how I define me. So when I read this today I felt a mixture of relief that I wasn’t alone and despair. I earn a good salary but I’ve added up our childcare costs, how much it costs me to commute, and I have to conclude I’m not really in it for the money that’s left! I’m torn between caring for my children myself and having time as a family and being at work and perpetuating that part of my identity. Our School is in the middle of planning for an Athena Swan silver award, I’m part of the steering committee. It’s interesting as the leads are men, the loudest voices are men and they think they understand the pressures and that flexible working policies are the answer (mine could be a parking permit!). I guess it’ll be up to me to tell them where they’re going wrong!