Monday 25 June 2007

Early one morning ...



I woke up very early on Saturday. Not sure whether it was the cats or the seagulls that did it, both seem to be conspiring to deprive us of most of our sleep this summer. Maybe it's the unsettled weather or maybe our cats are just too darned greedy demanding their breakfast at the crack of dawn. Nothing we can do about the seagulls, they're here until the autumn.
The forecast had been for rain but that was definitely sun shining through the curtains, so I crept downstairs to feed the cats. Having successfully tackled the creaky floorboards and sshhed the cats I grabbed a book and cushions for the garden bench and armed with a cup of tea decided to savour a few moments of quiet outside.
I am, I think, more of a morning person than night owl. Most evenings I'm usually dead to the world on the sofa by 10.30, but left alone for a few minutes with a cup of tea after having chosen to wake up early (chosen being the keyword here, I hate being woken up) I am happy. Sitting in the garden and listening to the silence knowing that everyone else was still fast asleep, neighbours included, felt wonderful, some sort of guilty pleasure to indulge in. I am alone a lot during the week, but nothing compares to this kind of silence!


I'd decided to reread "The Summer Book" by Tove Jansson, who wrote the Moomin stories. It's the story of a little girl who goes to stay with her elderly grandmother one summer on an island off Finland. It's beautiful and charming and above all about SUMMER! (she has also written a collection of short stories that have been published in "A Winter Book" which may be more appropriate for the weather we're having now)!

But my mind wasn't on the reading, more on trying to put into order the million and one things that were running round inside my head. I'd had a busy week and felt like I'd been chasing my tail a lot of the time. By Friday I was in the very happy and fortunate position to have orders from three stockists for my corsages. I knew that this little lot had to be finished, priced and sent off - number 1 on the list.


I also wanted to make a new teacosy and it was good to sit and think about the colours etc for this. Bright red with a blue border maybe and a little flourish somewhere I think. Something bright and cheery - number 2 on the list.
I have had an old footstool tucked under the stairs for several months that I have earmarked for this project and spurred on by your positive comments about my own footstool that's going to be another addition to the list. Is it too big for Etsy do you think?
Just about to go in and pour myself a second cuppa when my youngest came running up the garden steps ... "Mummy. mummy we'd better hurry". "What's the matter?" "Mummy we've only got seven days till my party and you promised me the garden would look like 'Far Far Away' and Daddy's got to make me some Shrek signs and remember you promised me you both wouldn't dress up and we've got to think of some games and prizes and I want a treasure hunt and is there enough room in my bedroom for the sleepover? Come on Mummy hurry up we better have breakfast quick."
So there it is - Shrek slime, purple and gold bunting and Daddy's signs need to go on that list too. Well it was nice while it lasted.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those quiet moments are good aren't they. They just don't seem to last very long:-)
Alison x

julia said...

I just love those morning moments, they don't happen very often but the peace and quiet is priceless!

Julia x

pink-petal-designs said...

I too love getting up in the morning on my own having my cuppa and toast, and i love that lilac heart too.
x

pink-petal-designs said...

thanks for your comments Kim, i have never been able to crochet and tried for years to learn it. I can send you the sheets i learnt it from if you would like.
x

Darla said...

I'm definately a morning person and starting the day with some quiet thinking time is important to me.

I love that blue and white striped cup and saucer. I know that kind of china has a name and I keep thinkign Cornwall or Cornish something or another. Can you refresh my memory?

Darla

Heidijayhawk said...

those morning moments are precious and irreplaceable. everything is always so new.

Thimbleanna said...

Well, golly gee, Mummy, you'd better get crackin'! It sounds like you've got a delightfully fun week ahead!

Berber said...

I made the exact same photo of that "vrouwenmantel" (what's the English name... in Dutch it means women's coat?!) this weekend!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I love your white painted floor boards! Nobody does that over here...at least not around my area. It really makes colorful things stand out.
I wanna come to the Shrek party!

mollycupcakes said...

Aww bless our little ones they always know how to pick the right moment to spring one hundred and one things on us. Come on Mummy now, now, now!
So did you get it all done? Cant wait to see the pictures from the party.
Good luck with it all and enjoy your peaceful time after it's all over.

Catherine x

meggie said...

I love the early mornings too.
When I was young, I was always in a bad mood in the mornings. Now, I find it the happiest time of the day..& it is mine alone! GOM sleeps late every day.

hannah said...

your pictures are so beautiful, i love coming to look at your blog. they feel all summery and fresh. I am not a morning person at all, though your early morning did sound blissful today.

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Treasure each and every quiet moment... even if it only lasts five seconds! =)

Ahhh! A little girl birthday party! We have one of those next week, too! Somehow she chose "Hello Kitty" for a theme?! It came out of no where, as she doesn't own a single Hello Kitty toy!

Gypsy Purple said...

Lovely post!!!

AC said...

Hi Kim,
Just to let you know that I am still in blogland!
Alison x

Louise said...

I'm not much of morning person but I love that silence at the end of the day when everyone has gone to bed. I love your photos - everything is just so pretty. Makes me want to empty my house out and start again.

Anonymous said...

Isn't lovely when they think we can make anything, looking forward to seeing you recreate Far Far Away! I am under instruction to turn the garden into a beach for my daughter's party in 2 weeks time, if it keeps on raining it'll be more like the Great Flood and we'll need an ark!
Good news on your corsage orders.

Charity Grace said...

What a beautiful blog. I came here on a rabbit trail...So pretty!

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

It is those quiet moments that really give you a sense of regrouping...don't you think sometimes we don't take enough of those times?

Funny about your daughter and her party! Memories in the making!

Heather

Racheal Miles said...

I was just doing my rounds of all the blogs on my list and when I clicked on yours I gasped with pleasure, the photos are really nice, it was such a lovely sight to greet me.
I love the painted white wooden background, it has a real beach hut feel.
I too am a morning person, I hate to get up but once up I am ok.
Racheal x

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Those quiet mornings are just the best-so peaceful!!

Anonymous said...

Summer mornings are my favourite part of the day ... in fact, I just wrote that in my blog today! I hope you'll take photos of your re-decorated garden. I'm sure your little one will be delighted! ♥

Heidi said...

Quiet moments in the morning are like precious gems! There is a special quiet early in the morning that reminds of the special quiet you get after a snowfall. How wonderful that you allowed me to join you there for a moment. Thanks!

I love your book tips. I bought "I Capture the Castle" already and now will put this book in my basket also.

Heidi said...

Sorry but I forgot to say how lovely your Cornish ware is! What a wonderful photo.

dottycookie said...

I sympathise with the party prep - we've just survived a Dora the Explorer extravaganza ...

That was a lovely post. A cup of tea enjoyed in peace - bliss!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely morning, your photographs are beautiful. I hope the rain stays away for the Shrek party.

Clare and Mike said...

Hi Kim,

I'm just trying to work out how I've managed to miss so many of your posts! I've enjoyed catching up though - that footstool is something else - wow!

Enjoy your quiet times when you can - sounds as if you are probably knee-deep in party arrangements by now!

Clare x

Anonymous said...

Isn't the peace of early morning wonderful? Living in the city, my favourite time for a walk is early on a Sunday morning when no-one else is around...bliss.

The bureau is charming - I have always wanted one of my own since I lived in the Nurses' Home and had one in my room.

I enjoyed your Midsummer posts Kim. Sorry to be so far behind in reading all of these - I don't seem to have much time for catching up on blogs at the moment.

Marie x

Vintage to Victorian said...

What a lovely post, Kim! I know just what you mean about choosing to wake up early, and enjoying that special silence. Nothing like it!

I hope the weather stays fine but I have a horrible feeling you'll be having that party inside!

I've had so many comments about my corsage (no 2!!!) and endless people have asked me if I made it, but I've had to be honest and say I couldn't possibly manage anything so clever!!!

Sue x