Tuesday 28 October 2014

Blue and grey










A little half term treasure hunting by the sea.  We found sea glass amongst the pebbles and books in the community bookshop.  The littlest boy even found some actual money.  Treasure indeed.  I should just point out that the two younger ones aren't intentionally wearing similar clothes.  Although it does look like I've matched them.

The bird is a cormorant that had just caught an eel.  He was chased by gulls and I think he might have dropped it in the end.  It was lovely to watch him diving for fish so close to us.

I've been feeling a little unsettled for some reason.  Restless and anxious.  It will pass of course.  In the meantime I'm wishing I could just curl up with a book or some crafty type thing and enjoy this cooler season.  But instead I'm wandering around, never stopping but accomplishing very little.  I'm between knitting projects - could this be the reason?  Is knitting some tranquilizing thing that calms the fevered mind?  Quite possibly it is.

We haven't quite adjusted to the time difference either.  The boys and I were all awake far too early this morning.  Lying in bed with my eyes tightly closed should count as sleep shouldn't it.  Somehow it's just not the same though.

We don't have any fixed plans for the rest of the week.  We visited the allotment today and we've done the chores that we needed to.  If the weather allows we'll be out and about a bit over the next few days.  The smaller two would love to go to a skate park I think, but of course the biggest boy and his knee cap never want to see a ramp again.  No doubt a compromise will be reached.  The biggest boy will want to visit Slimbridge and look at birds.  I want to make a lemon meringue pie.  I'm not really sure why, but I do.  We'll probably manage all three.

I'm trying to stop myself from launching into any unrealistic projects.  Huge fancy advent calendars, vast crocheted blankets, complicated knitting patterns.  I know myself well enough to rein in these wild enthusiasms.  Although I do often waste time and money on things that I'm cross about later.  I've just finished knitting a really long sparkly scarf that I'm almost certain I'll never wear.  Each time I swear it will be the last.  Next time I'll be sensible.  But there's always one more mistake.  Let's call it education.  If I had any willpower I'd be finishing some of the things I've started, namely a cross stitch and a couple of quilts.

I'll leave you with a couple of conversations from around here.

Littlest boy:  Mum, this place is really boring it is.

Me: What place?

Littlest boy:  This place.  Our house.  It's getting a bit boring now.  Because I've literally done everything.

                                                                    *  *  *

Biggest boy:  Mum, did you know, X says you're not allowed to die in the Houses of Parliament?  If you even look sick you have to go out because it's so precious they don't want to clear a body up from there.

Littlest boy:  That is a good rule.  We should have that in our house.

28 comments:

  1. The beach looks wonderful, it seems like it must have been warm there since they are in short sleeves. I love that coin, it looks much older than 2008. What great finds, between that and the sea glass. I have too many projects going on right now myself and I really wish I didn't do this to myself. I didn't use to, and I need to get back to that old willpower. I love the conversations, aren't kids funny? The things mine come out with sometimes, it's all I can do to contain myself. I don't want to laugh too much because if I do, they might stop sharing their ideas with me. I hope the rest of your break is enjoyable.

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  2. Wowsers! You really scored on the beach glass! I don't think we'll get a single agate or glass this week while we're at the coast as it's pretty stormy. I love it here anyway. Your kids are so funny! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. I had company today. As I joined her and my 4 year old in the kitchen I heard him tell her: mommy choked on a carrot one time. She thought she was a goner!

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  4. Your littlest one sounds like quite a pip! You certainly will NOT be bored when you chat with him.

    (Can you tell I might be missing having a little one of my own? Since my littlest (and only) is 31 --- I don't get to hear much fun stuff. Only sensible stuff.

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  5. What a lot of sea glass - treasure indeed. I also love the photo of the cormorant - its wake looks like a skimming stone. I envy your plans for half term - a combination of E being under the weather and pile of English coursework to be done means that ours is rather blighted. Even so, it's nice not to have to do the school run for a few days! Have fun. x

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  6. Oh that last comment gave me a good giggle on my Wednesday morning commute! Enjoy half term xx

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  7. Maybe someone would like a sparkly scarf as a gift?

    Aren't there lots of pink footed geese at Slimbridge at the moment?

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  8. Sensible - to be or not to be... I love all the intricate patterns in knitting, crocheting, quilting, but I am a very plain dresser and so I sympathise with you. What to make - what I like creating or what I like to wear? Please let me know if/when you've solved this riddle! Meanwhile enjoy!

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  9. I miss those sort of innocent conversations now that my two are older, their overheard conversations make my eyes nearly pop out of my head rather than raise a smile. I'm coming to the end of Eleanor's ripple blanket and I'm already thinking what I'll start next, I'm always a bit jittery without a project on the go. Enjoy half term, it's nice not having plans but doing what takes your fancy on the day.

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  10. Hunting for sea glass is the best! I have jars of the stuff (and shells and driftwood) found after hours of dragging children off to search for 'Mermaid Treasure'. I always enjoy it as much as they do, needless to say. Don't let unfinished projects faze you, it's part of being creative, the next good idea taking hold a bit too soon. I'm currently battling with the idea of knitting a cardigan for the winter vs finishing the crochet blanket I've been making for ages. Wouldn't be so bad but family actually laugh when the crochet comes out, they've seen it put in appearances year after year! I only do it when I'm feeling meditative and non-busy. I hear the weather is due to cheer up towards the weekend, hope that makes half term fun for you and the family, have a good one, Caro x

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  11. A most enjoyable post and lovely photos. I think that it's a restless time of year what with the weather and the realisation that we wouldn't be doing much plotting now for a few months. Enjoy the rest of the week. Flighty xx

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  12. Most parents don't do ANYTHING with their kids. No plans, no going to allotments, no arts and crafts, no trips, nothing as a family, nothing outside, etc. Growing up I was like the only kid who went or did anything with my family. And now-a-days kids just sit watching TV or playing video games and that's all they want to do. I work at a restaurant and they literally sit on their gameboys the entire meal and don't speak. My point is that even planning ONE thing a week is more than most. Your kids actually enjoy being outdoors and doing things like treasure hunts so you clearly are doing an amazing amazing job.

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  13. I always enjoy their conversations! They capture that magic of being a kid so fantastically! And your photos are beyond gorgeous in so many ways. They brought me ease and calmness just viewing them friend! WOW! And I hear you about big projects...I am just taking the upcoming season in stride as much as possible. (so I say now...ha!) Happy day dear friend! Nicole xo

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  14. I really enjoyed readingbthis CJ. Olly and I have been laid low with a horrid d&v bug, so no adventuring for us. And a burst water main meant no water, which just adds to the hideousness as you can imagine ;)
    Gorgeous sea glass haul. As for too many projects, I think I need one.
    Leanne xx

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  15. I love the conversations!
    Great finds at the beach.

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  16. What a lovely post, you have such a lovely way of writing. Wonderful treasures gathered at the beach and the comments from the boys had me smiling.
    Autumn is a rather unsettling time, I think it takes us all a while to adapt to the darker evenings.xxx

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  17. I love the conversations around your house. Excellent. I know that feeling you're describing. You're moving, and doing, but it's not very comforting.

    As for crafty projects after a year or so of focused knitting it looks like I'm back to multiple items, just to keep pace with my flaky focus/interest. Just make sure as you move, do and go and craft there is always at least one thing for yourself bringing you joy.

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  18. What wonderful finds....I am always searching for sea glass, but, so far, only have 1piece!! Lemon meringue pie - delicious <3 xx

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  19. After a stressful day the conversation snippets have just made me smile so much, lovely pictures and wow so much sea glass enjoy the rest of the week,
    Clare xx

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  20. Oh, your kids are funny..thanks for sharing. My two often whinge that they're bored and I accuse them of being horrid, spoilt, first world brats, which they don't really understand but I still say it. I feel very twitchy if I don't have some kind of crochet or sewing on the go, it honestly really does soothe me, so I can see how you might feel unsettled. xx

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  21. Maybe it is the weather CJ, the change in the seasons. At least here, one day it still feels almost like summer, than the next we are wearing hats. That big season, the holiday season, which everyone stresses about, is already starting to be talked about, which gets everyone in a rush to start preparations already. I say make your pie and eat the first piece yourself - all alone in peace and quiet.

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  22. Your Littlest Boy is hilarious, bless his cotton socks! I'm tired and restless too CJ. I agree with Katie, I think it's the change of seasons and the impending doom of Christmas. Even though I don't do much in the lead up to Christmas, all the hype does have a negative effect on me and if I'm tired anyway it all just makes me feel overwhelmed...breath...and perhaps a new little knitting project? x

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  23. I hope that you've found a moment to curl up with a book and eat a slice of pie, sounds like a wonderful remedy for feeling grey, take care x

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  24. I'm another discombobulated by the time of year ... I have this theory that as there is only one truly fixed date in the Western calendar and that's December 25th - fixed as in it's totally unavoidable even if you don't celebrate Christmas, and how tempting that sounds - late autumn is when we start to feel twitchy because, collectively, our horizons aren't clear. I often feel a little as I imagine a fish does when it's being reeled in. Does that make sense?

    Any chance you could start a dedicated page for the boys' conversational gems ... then anyone who needs cheering could just pop in here for a chortle ;)

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  25. Oh I had to smile at the conversation between your boys. I agree, I think that it is a very good rule to have about houses of any kind. I hope that you feel more settled soon and find a crafting project that you will enjoy doing and having and using. xx

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  26. Oh little boy conversations, they are priceless aren't they? I always feel restless, especially before the on-slot of the holidays.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  27. There is nothing like listening to children;s conversations! I enjoyed your beach walk, what treasure and views! Sarah x

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  28. Oh you have just made me realise just how much I miss visiting here!!! I love reading these snippets of your kids conversations, they are so so funny and make me laugh out load, thanks!!!! Like you I am always the optimist thinking I can do a million projects and especially now when things are already so busy. I love taking on new projects all the time, but yes it is all education and I am slowly learning that its a great deal more fun doing a little by little and making sure it is something you really really want. xoxox

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