Happenings

Today I'm joining in with Annie Cholewa and listing a few happenings in my world at the moment.

Looking forward to a week with no school.  I know it will fly by, I hope we make the most of it.  And I hope it's warm and sunny.  Too much to ask?

Hearing sedge warblers and reed warblers.  They are at the wildfowl and wetlands place, and they're easier to hear than see.  Me and the biggest boy have been listening to their songs on Youtube so that we know the difference.

Smelling those stocks I put by the kitchen door.  Fantastic.  I shan't go a year without them again.

Tasting some odd pale green/blue ball sweets that the littlest boy got in a party bag.  Weird and foul.  Who invents these ghastly things?

Holding hands with my littlest boy.  Oh he is so sweet and affectionate.  The bigs don't hold my hand any more.  I'm making the most of the one hand that will hold mine.

Hugging the bigs though.  They can't stop me.

Talking all sorts of nonsense over the meal table.  Oh how boys love to talk about ridiculous things.  They make themselves laugh and laugh.  It's infectious.

Making a blanket.   Yes I am.  And I'm on the home straight of a quilt.  Watch this space.

Giving a little to the people of Nepal.  I try to teach the children a bit about current affairs and try to explain what these people have lost.  I'm not sure they can fathom the hugeness of it though.  How could they?

Gathering delicious young salad leaves from the garden.  Lettuce, rocket and mine and the littlest boy's favourite,  French sorrel.  I must sow some more, it's in its second year and it's running to seed very quickly.  We call it Lemony Leaves and we love it.  Sometimes we even call it Lemony Snicket Leaves, see Nonsense above.

Finding a little time to write.  Just a little.  I need to find more.

Losing a bunch of library cards.  Literally a bunch, they are on a key ring type thing.  It wasn't me who lost them.  I'm hoping they're here somewhere.  Library cards are very important in this house.

Sitting outside in the sun.  Glorious.

Standing at the park this afternoon fielding in a game of cricket.  It's our new best thing.

Walking tomorrow?  Maybe, let's hope so.  Or on bank holiday Monday.  Nothing lifts my mood like a walk in the countryside, and at this time of year it's gorgeous.  All of that cow parsley and fresh green leafage.

Playing chess.  That's our other new best thing.  The middle boy has an electronic chess set that he plays if no-one wants a game.  He's getting very tricksy and has beaten all of us at one time or another.

Watching the fruit and vegetables swelling down at the allotment.  Strawberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, radishes, onions and artichokes.

Noticing how the littlest boy copies the things I say about the gloriousness of the countryside, the loveliness of a sunset, the beauty of a garden.  I hear myself in his sentences.  I'm so glad he notices these things too.

Hoping you all have a good couple of days.  CJ xx