Tuesday 16 October 2007

Just what the doctor ordered


Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes for my daughter. She had a lovely day and is now all geared up for the party on Saturday, only bemoaning the fact that it's a whole week till half term when she can wear all her new clothes (thank goodness for school uniform). I think I better come clean and tell you all that I played no part in the making of the cake other than asking M to go and collect it from the shop, Choccywoocydoodah. This is the most brilliant shop for cakes, birthday and wedding, chocolates, sweets and the ultimate chocolate indulgence. Have a look at their website and drool! The cake we bought even had a chocolate funnel to hold an indoor firework instead of candles!



I've not been feeling too well and last week my eyes were sore and my head felt like it was in a vice and I couldn't move it. After the fifth day I had one of those Woody Allen moments when I was predicting doom and disaster, but thankfully the next day it cleared to be replaced by an awful cold! We had friends round on Saturday for a special birthday dinner and THE CAKE, If it had not been my daughter's birthday or the fact that these were our oldest and closest friends I might have cancelled. I'm pleased I didn't, we had a wonderful time. There's something very comforting being surrounded by friends and their children, friends that you share a history with, friends who've known you through the good and not so good times. These friends are like our family. My daughter had planned the meal and had planned to share the cooking, but she just had to go shopping! M had been a bit vague about the time our friends were coming too. Two hours earlier than I thought our friends turned up but it really didn't matter. We had the best time sharing the cooking, chatting and drinking wine (which I'm sure did my cold no end of good!). A few Nigella touches too - a batch of Hokey Pokey which is very sweet, delicious and fun and easy to make. Her chocolate dipping sauce which I poured into some cups and placed strawberries and mini doughnuts around the saucers and THE CAKE!



On Sunday the day of the birthday my cold was getting worse but C wanted to go up onto the Downs to her favourite spot and it looked so beautiful outside, so I wrapped up warm and went along, I'm glad I did, the scenery as ever was beautiful and I relished the quiet stillness of it all.



The birds were singing as if it were spring and we climbed and soaked up the sun's rays. I must admit the climb back up to the top was a bit daunting and I wish I could have gone striding ahead just like my youngest!



Yesterday I just felt rotten and OLD! I spent the day under an eiderdown, wrapped in a shawl on the sofa reading a book. The heating on its highest and still I felt cold. My back was aching so much that I couldn't walk without stooping.



Today however, my energy has returned, the heating's off and the chimney sweep has just been round to clean the chimney. It's grey and rainy outside and for once I've found two raincoats for the girls that they'll both wear! A pink (of course) Hello Kitty mac for the youngest and a sixties inspired trench for the oldest, this is the first time in years that they're both happy on rainy day walks to school.


A birthday party to plan, more pompoms to make and a roaring fire tonight, things are on the mend!

35 comments:

Carol said...

Glad to read that your are feeling better. Tea,books,eiderdown and a cosy sofa, heaven to me and very addictive.
I love a real fire too.....

dottycookie said...

I'm glad you're on the mend - there are some vicious bugs around at the moment. My husband spent the whole day in bed yesterday, which is completely unheard of.

Thank you for the chimney reminder - ours needs doing too. I'm always nervous lighting a fire at the start of the season until the sweep has been, but it's so cold now in the evenings I'd love to have one!

tess said...

sorry you were feeling so awful, glad you are on the mend, a day with tea and books etc is a lovely way to recuperate.

andsewtosleep said...

Hi Kim
sounds like you beat the virus with sheer brute force and resilience. Do take it easy though - these things have a habit of coming back.
Take care
Mary

Berber said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better!
How I wished I could take a walk in the English countryside!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you picked up a really nastly bug there, I highly recommend lots of Vitamin C even though you are now, thankfully, on the mend.

Anonymous said...

Oh we missed your daughters birthday, sorry that cake looked fab! Sounds like she had a lovely time and a party still to come. Belated birthday greetings and a little keep getting well greeting to you too!

Andylynne said...

Sounds as if your on the mend. I loved the picture of your tea pot and the flowered table cloth. Such a bright cheerful spot you have created. Tea is the ultimate comfort in those surroundings.

pinkgreen said...

Glad you are on the mend...the fire and the tea should help! That cake looks delish by the way (missed commenting on your last post). Glad you enjoyed the birthday despite being ill. Good luck with the party!
Cathy X

Anonymous said...

Kim, you were brave - I too am suffering, sneezing and feeling very blugh! I can't belive I didn't get to go to 'the spot!' on the downs for my traditional birthday walk.
Glad 'C' had a good one, I'm looking forward to a big glass or 2 of champs when I am feeling better. Mmmm, my chimney needs a clean too!

Betty said...

Kim! I think I'll pretend to have a cold so that I can spend the day on the couch with a blanket and book. Really though, I hope you're feeling much better today!

Perfectly Lovely said...

So glad your feeling better, everyone seems to of been suffering with a bug just lately.

I love the name of that cake shop!
Oh, love your cushions by the way! :)

Jennifer x

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Glad to hear you're feeling better! You have a beautiful fireplace - how cozy it must be to sit near with your eiderdown.

How fortunate you are that both girls like their raincoats! With all my kids and all the years I've been buying raincoats, not one has ever been pleased! They'd all rather wear their "hoodies" (hooded sweatshirts) and be damp, but Mom won't let them! heehee

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

Hope you are feeling better Kim! I sometimes love those times when I can curl up with some books and a nice warm blanket.

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Hope you are fully recovered soon, and I'm so glad your daughter enjoyed her day!! Love the macs-I'd wear one myself!!xx

meggie said...

You paint such a cosy picture to recover from a vile cold!
Please be well quickly!

Mandy @ Belle and Boo said...

I visted sussex for the first time this weekend, it is ssoooooooo beautiful, you live in gorgeous part of the world. I'm sorry to here you've been ill, I hope your feeling better now,
Mandy :)

mollycupcakes said...

What a lovely birthday and a party this weekend to look forward to. I'm so glad you're feeling better honey.
As nice as it is to get all wrapped up under a eiderdown, it's much more fun if your feeling well. Sounds like it did the trick. Can't wait to her all about the party, good luck with.

Hugs.

Catherine x

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're feeling better, Kim! The raincoats you found for your daughters' are so cute ~ I'd love to have one like the black one! Enjoy your week. ~ hugs, Lynda xo

Naturegirl said...

So pleased to hear that you feel better! I also have been surrounding myself with tea books eiderdowns and a place of comfort..my bed!fighting Shingles for 5 weeks now! Sat. is my birthday so sure hope I feel like eating cake! All the best to you and your daughter..hugs NG

Elzie said...

I just love that teapot. And the heart under. Lovely things all over.
Love Elzie

Carol said...

Hi Kim,
I have a little suprise for you, pop over and see me soon !
Carol x

Heidi said...

I was sorry to hear you were not feeling well. My this really seems to be going around. I hope it misses my street. But you are on the mend and that is what matters. Have you ever tried using a heating pad? They are wonderful for back pain but also to warm you up when you have that cold~down~to~the~bones feeling.

I just mentioned to DH that our chimney sweep has not contacted us and it is past time for him to come. I love your fireplace! Is it original to your home? The tiles are just so pretty.

~~ Heidi ~~

Ali said...

Sorry you've been poorly - I think I'm headed the same way. Probably just in time for half-term. Pah!

Thimbleanna said...

Gosh Kim -- I'm so sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. I hope you're all past it by now. That cake was gorgeous -- wouldn't it be fun tomake them like that? And I LOVE LOVE LOVE your new red boots!

Rowan said...

It sounds as though you have managed to enjoy life in spite of feeling so ill - I'm so glad you're feeling better now, the walk in the fresh air probably did you a lot of good along with a really good rest the next day.I'd love to be up on the Downs at this time of the year, it must be beautiful with all the autumn colours.

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

I hope that roaring fire put you back on the road to good health...

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I love what you said about friends!!! I'm so thankful for mine and dream of a day when I can meet some of my online ones. I'd love to go walking with you on that gorgeous hill!!!
Oh, and could we have some cake upon our return?
So glad you are feeling better. That sounded awful.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear you've been ill, but so glad you're on the mend! You had lots of lovelies to cheer you...Be keeping well ((HUGS))

Lila Rostenberg said...

My first visit to your lovely blog! I like all the pink and roses! BTW, your daughter is almost my birthday "twin"...(mine is the 15th of October.
Hopw youn will continue to be in the "pink" of health too!

Louise said...

What a nice family life you have. I hope you're back to good health soon!

Bumpkin Hill said...

I just found your blog, it's lovely. Good to hear you are feeling better, nothing like a good walk in the English countryside to blow away the cobwebs :) Loved your photos, made me miss England. As for that choccy cake, oh my goodness that looked yummy!!

Racheal Miles said...

I'm please to hear that you are feeling better.

We have friends arriving tomorrow that are just like the friends you described, more like family.

Racheal x

Amanda and Tim said...

Gosh sounds like you had a nasty bug - glad to hear you're feeling better now! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time out and about - what beautiful scenery!

Nonnie said...

Sorry to see you haven't been well. I've also had a cold which then developed into an ear infection that had me off work and away from my computer all last week. Hope you're feeling a lot better now. I'm sure a cosy roaring fire helped a lot.