Tuesday 29 May 2007

And then I don't feel so bad ...


My oldest daughter went off to Italy at the weekend and we won't see her for another ten days. This is her third holiday away from us this year and I don't find it any easier! Of course I want her to go and have fun and experience as much as she can and I know how important it is for her to do things independently of us, but that doesn't stop me worrying. My youngest, whose favourite past time is arguing with her sister, was inconsolable within five minutes of her greatest adversary's departure. I asked why, if she loved her so much, why didn't she show it more when she was around and was told, very patiently, that fighting was so much fun! That'll teach me to get involved in the future in the name of fairness and peace and quiet. Must remember when they're slamming doors and shrieking at each other, that it's fun!

Feeling very unsettled and with lots of nervous energy I attacked the eldest's room with the hoover (very brave and rewarding), found things that had been missing for months, and restored order of a kind. I managed to finish the ragbag that I started last week and some corsages too for my etsy shop,
Well, if we're to believe dear old Julie Andrews, thinking of (or in my case, having) a few of my favourite things has made me feel better this weekend. We certainly had the raindrops on roses part and the evenings were suddenly so cold I even thought we might have the snowflakes part! On Saturday night in front of an open fire (in May, it's mad!) I watched Casino Royale. I know, I know, I must be the last one on earth to see it, but it's true what they say about all good things coming to those who wait. Daniel Craig is certainly one of my favourite things and a great diversion!

In between the downpours I ran into the garden to take some photos of some flowers, worrying that they wouldn't survive the weekend. This ground cover geranium is a real old toughie and is not nearly as delicate as it looks. I've got clumps of it all over the garden and it is even snail-proof. The snails seem to be in heaven at the moment and have devoured so many of the plants this weekend. So many seedlings have disappeared that I'm beginning to wonder whether I imagined planting them in the first place.

I took this picture of the purple sage in between showers and the light was quite dramatic. The flowers seem to be quite flourescent but are really much softer and prettier against the foliage. The sage is planted next to Lamb's Ears and makes a great contrast with the silvery grey. The campanula, bellflower, in the top photo is another favourite, I love the colour of its flowers, and it looks lovely in front of the white foxgloves that are towering behind them.
Sunday was spent again in front of an open fire watching videos and eating chocolate with my youngest - gorgeous! It is very nice being able to focus on just one child and feel that they can have your undivided attention for a while. If they want to spend a morning glueing and painting, it's great to know that you can give in to it completely and everyone is going to be happy.
We spent the Bank Holiday with old friends. Chatting, laughing, children dressing up and eating. Favourite food, favourite people and lovely wine. Doesn't really get much better - and finally, finally the eldest made contact with us to say she was very, very happy, very, very hyper, definitely not homesick - hurray!

29 comments:

Betty said...

Your daughters sound like my nieces who love each other but constantly argue and they say the same thing..."it's fun to fight"...silly girls! Love your garden pictures.

The fabric of my life said...

It must be nice to have one-to-one with your girl for a change. I love it when I can give them some much needed mummy time without one of them feeling left out. It's hard to juggle sometimes isn't it? My two biggest ones fight like crazy even though there is 10 years between them. They adore each other really and turn on me if I get involved :-/

Thimbleanna said...

Ahhh. Girls! Sure wish I had some. ;-) Your flowers are beautiful. The snails? Isn't it always something in the garden. We have chipmunks run amok. They're eating all my petunias. Apparently the cat at the window poses no threat to him -- they seem to taunt him.

Samantha said...

I think all children are the same. My boys are.

Just think of the wonderful opportunities you are giving her. She'll soon be back safe and sound!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Cloud cookies! Can I have one?
I love the movie with a child story...
About that magazine...you can purchase it off their website.

Primrose Hill said...

Your girls sound like fun! I was always fighting with my sister when I was young, but we get on great now!
Your not the last to see Casino Royale, I've only managed the first 20 minutes as I keep falling asleep! Shocking considering the tasty Daniel Craig is the star!
L x

andsewtosleep said...

When mine were all at home and arguing my Mum used to say "they are only communicating"!! How lovely to have one on one time. Enjoy. Mary

julia said...

What is it with the hoovering thing, I did just the same last week!

It is great to have one-to-one with one of your children. I find I don't have enough of it with my eldest but just this morning the youngest slept til 9.30 (how?) and Jack and I had an hour in bed together reading to each other. It was bliss and brought back my little boy who's growing up so fast.

Julia x

meggie said...

Lovely post!

Trudi said...

Ilove your bag. It's so pretty, love the texture. How did you make it and are you going to sell them.
Hand in there with your oldest. What great memories you are allowing her to have.

The Polka Dot Pixie said...

I am sighing over all of your lovely pictures.

Italy! What a wonderful place to visit. It's on my list too! My grandparents were Italian.

AC said...

My youngest two spent Sunday yelling at each other and then promptly in the evening decided that they wanted a sleep over!!!!
Love the bag, flowers, meringues (never heard them called cloud cookies before -how lovely) and Daniel!!!
Alison x.

Cape Cod Washashore said...

My two oldest boys are always at each other when I am around... when my back is turned they behave like such loving brothers... what is with that??? heehee I haven't had any of my kids take long trips away yet and I honestly don't know how I would cope!

Your flowers are gorgeous! You have snails, while we have awful tiny green caterpillars ("winter moth") that are leaving so much caterpillar poop (sorry) that the kids don't even want to play outside - it crunches under your feet! We need a good solid rain badly!

Anonymous said...

You're certainly not the last to watch Casino Royale!! And how lush to have an open fire - mad in May it may be but it sure beats a gas fire!!

Rowan said...

Glad your daughter is enjoying Italy - it's a lovely country. Have to say that one daughter was more than enough for me, the boys were a whole lot easier! At 27 she's still pretty convinced that she knows more about life than me! Amazing that I made it this far on my own really:):) Of course I did only have to do the first 33 years without her opinions to guide me!
Can't believe you have campanulas flowering - mine are still tightly closed buds and obviously plan to stay that way for some time yet! And are those meringues in the bottom photo - oh,how yummy:)

Anonymous said...

Hello Kim, I discovered you on 'Everything stops for tea's" comments. I love your blog and those ragged bags are beautiful. Your daughter may not be homesick but your lovely photos of English flowers certainly pulled at my heart stings. The ground geranium is one of my favourites and until a couple of years ago I had never seen it in Australia. Of course I bought one as soon as I could. However, it doesn't do quite so well as it did in Merry England.
I have just started my own blog so please visit if you can. Patches and Batches. (Haven't quite got the hang of it all yet but getting there) You can find me through 'Everything stops for tea' if all else fails.
Cheers, Jenny (aka Jorja's Nanna)

dottie angel said...

just popped over to say thanks for visiting my blog and also, i leave crusts aswell as the dregs in the cups!! glad to know i'm not alone!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim

I love the campanula and the purple sage.

I have two sisters and we spent a lot of time fighting when we were growing up. We are now great friends and keep in touch regularly.

Thanks for droppping by - we also had a couple of log fires this week, so you are not the only one experiencing cool evenings.

Marie x

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

Italy...these are the days of her life she will always remember, don't you think? To be young and carefree without the responsibiliy of house and family...sigh.

Your flowers are just beautiful...hope you and your little one have lots of fun! Oh, and I haven't seen that movie yet so you aren't the last!! lol

Heather

Daisy Lupin said...

There certainly has been a nip in the air the last few evenings. I also agree there are so many slugs and snails about this year, munching there way through plants.

Annie said...

I LOVE that purple salvia. Do you know it's name? What beautiful photos!

Raindrops said...

Sounds like most peoples kids to me LOL mine included. Love the bag and pictures. Tricia

Trudi said...

The red birds on my blog are Cardinals. I collect them too. I just love them. We are lucky to have them in our yard.

Lizzie said...

This was a lovely entry- I am glad I visited your blog today.

ginny said...

When my eldest went off to camp for 3 days her younger sister, who adores her, was actually really pleased to have full time mummy attention and a chance to choose the tv programmes!
ginny x

MJ said...

Thanks for the heads up that my little girls may be arguing because it is fun! I'll leave it to them then!! Lovely bag too!

Anonymous said...

Your garden looks lovely, Kim! The purple sage is very striking ... my sage has buds but no flowers yet. I lost my lamb's ears over the winter and haven't replaced them. The campanula are a gorgeous colour! Mine are white and I've never seen the purple shade. It's frustrating when the bugs enjoy your flowers as much as you do! ♥

weirdbunny said...

Those geraniums are great, we've got a few clumps too.

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Kim - Purple sage, one of my favourites. I used to have great clumps of it all over our previous gardens but haven't got round to planting any here yet. All the flowers look wonderful, despite the rain.

Lovely post. I haven't seen Casino Royale!

Sue x