What A Day!

Well, after nearly a week of antibiotics and still having a horrible cough and suffering rib ache and general breathlessness I decided to go back and see if the GP could do anything else for me as I am just so fed up of it all and so tired. After Nathaniel and I had been on a hunt for school tights for Francesca (when will that child stop growing upwards?!) we hot footed it to the surgery to then be sent on an adventure to the hospital for a chest x-ray, "to rule out pneumonia". It's not pneumonia but then I never get anything pneu, boom boom! So I now have another course of antibiotics and a five day course of steroids. Fingers crossed for full recovery soon.

The long day and the cold and having woken for a wee twice last night took it's toll on Nathaniel and after stuffing his face with chilli courgette pasta and buckets of coleslaw he became grumpy. I asked him if he was tired and ready for bed. His answer involved parting his bowl and his garlic bread and resting his head in the space between and falling asleep;


I carried him up to bed and tucked him in and he didn't even notice!!

Daisie xxx

It's Sh*t, It's Eighteen Inches High, It's Pink,

and it made my five year old so happy and excited I thought she'd pee herself;


We have a proper tree (not up yet) but have old mental confused cats who either try and climb it or pee on it so it lives in the 'front' room so we can close the door on it and the cats are only allowed access while there is someone to keep an eye on them. We 'live' in the back room where there are toys aplenty, a huge table and comfy (washable) places to sit. Francecsa desperately wanted a pink tree in her bedroom but there is little space and to be honest enough crap in there already. This is our compromise and it is now on the radiogram next to the fruit bowl. She decorated it after school with her friend Jodie and made her own angel.

And then, in the glow of merry christmas crafts with all the children being delightful, disaster struck. I had planned stew and dumplings for tea but when I went to make dumplings I realised I had no suet. Dum dum dum! Now, I could have dragged all the children out into the minus two degree darkness to the corner shop in the hope they would have some? I could have made a longer journey to the supermarket where they would have some but then run the risk of any one of the small people falling asleep en route? I even contemplated the madeness of not having dumplings with the beautiful succulent lamb that had been bathing nicely in a bottle of good red plonk all afternoon! Then from somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind the idea of cobbler formed. A vague memory of stodgey savoury cakes. I didn't have time to google for a recipe and Prue Leith was of no help (on this occasion) so I made a usual scone dough (minus sprinkling of sugar and sultanas) and added a huge spoon of grain mustard and a good grating of strong cheddar, I then had a wobble as I couldn't find the frilly circle cutter (the one I use for scones) so had to use the cutter that I use for Francesca and Nathaniel's sandwiches. I put them all atop the stew, closed the oven door and held my breath.

Then was really rather pleased when I opened it again and found these;


Rather tasty they were too. So maybe not having suet in the cupboard isn't such a bad thing after all!!

Happy December!

Daisie xxx

A Queen In The Making

Having the chest infection from hell, mega antibiotics, an inhaler and being told by my doctor to rest (whatever that is) I decided we'd have a pyjama day today.

I made a start on Elizabeth's snow queen costume while the children snuggled under blankets and watched Night At The Museum II.

I used this pattern as the basis for the dress;


It still needs some fine tuning, a little tightening in areas and a huge net under skirt but I think it's looking rather good;


Oh, and a zip;

Elizabeth loves it so it's ok.

Daisie xxx

Fifteen Years Ago Today

I met a beautiful young man with tattooed arms, big boots, biking leathers and sparkling blue eyes for a drink and a dance. The rest, as they say, is history!

So thank you Simon for fifteen years of love and understanding, four beautiful children, two lovely homes (we have lived in two houses, we don't have two!), several clapped out cars, long late night bike rides, cups of tea when I am ill, numerous laughs, lots of hugs, millions of kisses and for being the very best friend a girl could have!

Happy anniversary, I love you so much!

xxx

Knitting And Squealing Show!!

I was up at 5.30am sipping my lemsip and blowing my nose in preparation for such an exciting trip.

I collected Gil and we made good time, jumped the queues as we already had tickets and started a mammoth knitting fest! I managed not to meet anyone from blogland, sadly, but was spotted by many of folks as I ran from one stall to the next squealing "Ooh, look at that!!" It was so brilliant!!

I spotted a knitted boat but feel very bad as I think it was a project from Leeds University but I'm not sure if that's right or if it's something I read somewhere else or just made up (baby brain again), sorry, but it was truely fabulous;


It had it's own knitted ship's cat;

A knitted anchor;

There were many knitted sea creatures; crabs, fish, octopusses but my favourite has to be this seal and her pup;

I bought some of my favourite flowers for a project just for me;

And some yummy yarn just for me too;

I also bought some clothes patterns as I have to make a costume to end all costumes as Elizabeth is The Snow Queen in the Christmas production . She is very excited as she usually ends up with a crappy part. In year one she came home and cried as she had been given the part of a reindeer and, I quote; "It's not fair 'cos I am the best reader". I have huge amounts of flowing white fabric, gems, glitter and not much time but am sure she won't be disappointed with whatever I manage to create for her.

I got lots more little things, things to make gifts with, things to give as gifts and things to admire and stroke in a non-sinister way!

One of the nicest things about the day was watching lots of older, posh looking ladies sitting around on dirty carpets in corridors eating packed lunches like students, it was fabulous, wish I'd had more balls and asked if I could have photographed them!

How was your Sunday?

Daisie xxx

The Excitement Mounts!

One of the random shots taken when trying to take a good picture of the children. The boys look quite good in this one and the girls just look like they're maniacs!

The yucky poorliness has finally got me, as I knew it would once the children had recovered. I am hot and shivery and snotty and achey and felt so bad yesterday I went to bed at 6.30 last night. I wish it had made me feel better but it didn't! It has not dampened my excitement for tomorrow though. I am off to get Gil early in the morning with a small boy and some water and snacks to see us through the day. I have my money ready to spend! Squeal! Can't wait.

Ddaisie xxx

Harrogate Anyone?

Is no one off for jolly oohing and ahhhing and stash buying in Harrogate?!

Anyhoo, just popped in to show you my hat with it's rosette (yes, Daisie Heights really is that dull at the moment);

Bad pictures again but this time in the kitchen. I've managed to take a picture with no chin, how is that possible?!

I have started knitting another hat for Francesca with some beautiful Juniper yarn today on some lovely new bamboo needles I treated myself to. So smooth and nice to handle and an absolute baragin too.

And just to prove that I am not the only person in our house unable to take their own picture;

Although I think Nathaniel looks quite cheeky in this shot!

Daisie xxx