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!