A little Colour To End The Week

I knitted these as a gift to an overseas friend (hence the patriotic red white and blue, its not just the USA, the Union Jack is red white and blue too).
Its not the only bit of colour on the horizon either, it looks like a little sparkly speck of excitement may be coming our way (that's not code for babies, its something else).
Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Sometimes I Worry Too Much

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"
Hunter S. Thompson

The No Baby Blues

As I have mentioned before, we lost a baby last year (incidentally that makes it sound like losing a sock or something, how awful). Some people said 'ah well, it wasn't meant to be', some people said 'sorry to hear that' and some people said nothing. As I came out of the early pregnancy unit, after being told the pregnancy wasn't progressing, I knew straight away I didn't want to talk about it, and I whispered words to that effect to my husband. Inevitably we did talk about it, but only with each other. I know there are quite a few family members who think I shouldn't be having another baby anyway, and I hate to say it, but I think my Mother was relieved. We have a complicated history when it comes to me having children. I don't understand her attitude and probably never will. All I can say is, she was very pleased when I was sterilised and not so pleased when I had it undone. That's probably why I am typing it here, because I know the instant disapproval I would get elsewhere.
Ok, so whats this all about. Well, the Cons-
 I am 41, I am very overweight, I get very tired with just 1 child (and 2 grown up children). I have had a thrombosis and a childhood heart condition, I have back problems. All true, but the weight, thrombosis, heart condition and back complaint were all applicable the last time (the last time I had a child that is),and didn't affect the pregnancy.
The Pro's - I want a sibling to grown up along-side the littlie. And 'I JUST WANT ONE'
Its decision time.

Alli?

I haven't mentioned Hattie for a few posts, but don't worry, she is still here, my imaginary friend. I wanted to bring up a delicate subject, one which is so close to Hattie's heart, it probably surrounded it and contributed to its early retirement. Yep, I am talking fat. My battle with weight has gone on since I was 18 years old and I am SO tired of it. I was a skinny child, all long hair and pointy elbows, and this carried on into my teens. I was married (the 1st time), at 17 and my wedding dress was a size 10. I had my first child at 19 and by then I had gained quite a bit of pregnancy weight. I recall two lovely comments from my Mother during the pregnancy 'You look as big as a house' and (wearing a red maternity dress), 'you look like a giant tomato'. I never managed to lose the weight until my son was over 1 year and I went to buy a new dress for my wedding anniversary (my son was 15 months) and I was delighted to be able to buy a size 12. I was pregnant again 2 months later and the weight piled on again. This time my daughter was born and I didn't lose any weight until she was 4. I went to college to study art and being out and about helped. When my daughter was 6, my husband and I split and my weight dropped again, I was size 14. This lasted a few years, then I moved in with my now husband, and finished college. I couldn't find work and was hanging around the flat all day. Slowly the weight piled back on again. I reached a size 20 and that was when we got engaged and set a wedding date, so I was determined to lose it. And I did, by December 2005 I had lost 5 stone and was a size 14 again. In all honesty though, I was working for the Government (so out all day), by then and had to half starve myself to do it. The following year I had my gall bladder removed and the weight started to creep up. In January 2008 I went into hospital for surgery to be able to have another baby (I was sterilised). I had been a smoker then and stopped smoking the day I went into hospital. When I came out, we began trying for a baby and I began eating sweets (smoking replacement), day and night. We were extremely lucky and became pregnant in March 2008. Again I piled on the weight, and here we are. The baby is 2 years old and I am a size 22. Don't I know my weight time-line so well? It really really bothers me every day.
Anyway, Alli. I am considering trying these drugs. I need to give myself a mental push and even if the weight loss they allow isn't huge, it will hopefully help psychologically. At almost £40 they aren't cheap either, so being a typical Scot (kidding), I hope I get my monies worth.
More info on Alli here

Highs And Lows

It has been quite a week all in all, with highs and lows all the way through. Monday 14th was Valentines day of course, and I spent the day shopping (all morning) and baking (all afternoon). I asked my Mum to come over and amuse the little guy while I did the baking. Its not something I have ever done before, but I figured a bit of help wouldn't go amiss. I cooked up a storm in the afternoon so that I could relax with my husband at night, which thankfully I managed. In amongst all of the cakes I found time to make a gorgeous casserole (beef, sherry and orange).
Tuesday 15th was the little guys 2nd birthday. He had a marvelous day with lots of presents and fun with Daddy in the morning (my husband always has the day off on our birthdays), and a little toddler tea party in the afternoon. The party was a rabble of course, but the kids enjoyed it and that's all that matters. I had made far too much food as usual and we will be eating cake for days (until it goes off). Since the littlie is obsessed with witches I decided to make his cake myself this year in the shape of a witches hat. Considering I have never made a birthday cake before I think it turned out pretty well (if very very sweet), everyone said they liked it.

And that was the highs. On Wednesday morning the little guy woke with a fever and an almighty cold. I was worried enough to scoot him along to the Doctors surgery at 9am, but thankfully it was nothing more sinister that a cold and a virus mixed in together. He has been so ill for the past three days its been awful. His little eyes are so heavy its making my eyes water to look at them. He hasnt figured out 'how' to blow his nose yet, so I am constantly chasing him with a tissue. Then there is the cough and the fever, its been one heck of a week. Thank goodness its Friday. Roll on the weekend, my darling other half will be home and we can all smooch up and keep cosy.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

simple

I borrowed this idea from 50s housewife. I am still under the weather, so to speak, and it gives me an easy way to convey the current mood here.

FOR TODAY (08th Feb 2011)

Outside my window...It is dark and crisp with a crescent moon.
I am thinking...How dark my bedroom is with only the laptop for light.
I am thankful for...my little boy's chubby hand resting on my arm as he sleeps.
From the kitchen...I am avoiding going in there until someone else unloads the dishwasher.
I am wearing...A black and lilac (floral) nightgown and a pink fluffy robe.
I am creating...A little jumper for the boy knitted in Peter Pan 'cupcake' wool, the blues and white shade.
I am going...to watch some TV do some knitting and wait for my husband to come home.
I am reading...'Hattie' by Andy Merriman
I am hoping...the little one sleeps through tonight.
I am hearing...The quiet gurgling of the hot water tank.
Around the house...I have been trying to start spring cleaning
One of my favorite things...twiglets and hummus
A few plans for the rest of the week: Playgroup on Thursday, lunch with my sister on Friday and baking the boys 2nd birthday cake at the weekend.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My big boy will be 2 next week, here he is only a few hours old

Kings and Colds

I am absolutely bowled over with the cold. The little fella still has it and that's over 2 weeks now and it looks like my husband is set to have it too. In the true spirit of feeling poorly, we have been eating lots of soup and watching plenty old movies, or, movies about the past. This leads me on to 'The Kings Speech' , and I have to say, it is certainly worth all of the praise it has received. I am partial to Colin Firth in anything, because he is undoubtedly a fine actor, and Helena Bonham Carter is excellent as Queen Elizabeth. I am currently reading King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by Christopher Warwick, so it was excellent timing and tied in nicely. I have to confess to a certain fascination with the Royal family (some more than others). But even if you are not too enthralled with them, the film is still worth a viewing. The costumes and sets are amazing of course, and any period enthusiasts can bathe in the visual feast of the movie.
Well, that's about all I can manage for the day, I am feeling weak and watery (sounds lovely doesn't it?). I will finish off with a recipe for one of my favorite soups, taken from Retro Food Recipies

Green Pea Soup Recipe

Green Pea Soup Recipe with Green Peas, Stock, Milk, Mint, Butter, Cornflour and Croutons.

INGREDIENTS

2 lb (900g) Green Peas
1 1/2 pints (900ml) Vegetable Stock
1 pint (600ml) Milk
Sprig of Mint
1 oz (25g) Butter
1/2 oz (13g) Cornflour
Croutons

METHOD

Shell the peas. Wash the pods and put them into a saucepan with the stock. Simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and return the stock to the saucepan, add the peas and mint, and simmer until tender. Then rub through a sieve (or blend). Add to this puree the butter, the milk mixed with cornflour and a good seasoning of salt & Pepper. Stir while it boils for 8 minutes. Serve hot with croutons.

Enough for 4 people.

Based on the Green Pea Soup recipe in:
Home Cookery Illustrated
by Anon (Odhams Press, Circa 1955).

* I use cream in mine instead of milk.

A Little Pair Of Fish

We have had very little success with real fish in the past, and frankly I was embarrassed having an empty tank most of the time. Also, did you know the pet shop wont sell goldfish to you unless you have a tank with a filter? Gone are the days of a fish in a bag from the Fair.
Anyway, I have mentioned my love of all things vintage, and this includes items bordering on the tacky side too. So its not surprising I fell in love with these little salt and pepper pot fishies. They are pale orange, rainbow glazed, and in my opinion, very very cute.
Fish and chips for dinner I think.