April .....ing
Time flies, doesn't it?
These past few days have been cold, wet and generally miserable. Today started grey but it ended sunny, for which I am grateful. It was deceptively cold though! Here a random selection of news from the past two weeks:
:: Watching the pair of goldfinches in the garden. The goldfinches have been notably absent all winter but have returned. Instead, we have an entire flock of sparrows visiting. They are noisy bunch but I don't mind bird chatter.
:: Knitting, ever so slowly. Well, when I am actually knitting, I am doing it fast but I don't knit often enough to make a quick progress. Still, the Matilda jumper is taking shape. I have finished the body and there are just the sleeves to knit now.
:: Inhaling the scent of my Mothering Sunday bouquet. It is beautiful, particularly the freesias. Shame it is too cold to grow freesias in our garden. The bouquet is still going strong, more than a week after Mothering Sunday.
:: Cutting fabric for my Ice Cream Soda quilt. I have lost count of the blocks that I have made, probably just over half. Having said that, I don't actually know how many I need altogether.
:: Admiring the new fence that Richard built in the back garden. The old one was not fit for purpose anymore and had been patched over more than a few times.
:: Cooking nothing much at all. These days, Richard and Annie are in charge of dinner.
:: Planning a trip to the zoo. I love going to the zoo and I am happy that the boys are keen, too.
:: Feeling frustrated because the adventure playground we visited today was closed. A trip across town with three boys is not fun and the return trip was worse because obviously I should have known.
:: Wondering what to do about Alistair's friend. He more or less moves in on weekends and during the holidays. I am finding it tiring, although he is quite a sweet boy. He arrives in the morning and only goes home if I send him his way.
:: Planting raspberry canes. I bought different varieties that should be fruiting at different times of summer and autumn. I am not often in the vegetable patch and noticed that Richard is more laid back with his approach to weeds.... I couldn't help myself and pulled weeds all around the raspberry row. I am pleased with my work but my body is aching.
:: Making vitamin D at every possible opportunity.
:: Training the naughty pup to avoid him running away and disappear into badger sets. He is almost back to his former well trained self but I can see his ears and nose twitching with the temptation of an unbearably good scent of badge/fox/squirrel
:: Planning my summer wardrobe. I made two plain t-shirts, a navy blue one and a white one. They'll work well with anything. I have this pattern for a summer dress and this pattern for another summer dress. Fingers crossed they'll be ready for this summer :-)
What have you been up to lately? I hope all is well. Thank you all for visiting, it is good to see you. Christina xx
I loved your April-ing post. I was very struck by the situation of the little boy that stays at your house. It doesn't sound very good, but I am glad for his sake that he has found such a wonderful family as yours whee he is fed, and safe. Perhaps a way of handling it would be to make a few discreet enquiries at the school as to his family situation. I am always keen to read of your knitting and quilting project, and t hear how Jack is doing. jean/winnipeg
ReplyDeleteYour ings are an interest ing selection of liv ing :-) I hope you are able to complete your sewing and knitting projects just in time for using them when you hope to. Dare you invite the carefree seeming mom over to have a cup of tea to get to know her better and share your concern? Happy Spring, Christina xxxxx
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I loved hearing about your April. Can't wait to see your new quilt. I think the situation with the little boy would start to get me down. Much as it was nice when my daughters had friends round, it was always a bit of a relief when they went! xx
ReplyDeleteIt was good to read your update on how all is going in your corner. I think you're very nice to feed that boy, it sounds to me he's being neglected at home. I also think you know when you want to send him home and reclaim your space.. I know it's a pickle. But you are kind to help him out. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeletePembroke looks interesting, should give a lovely shape. I can't wait to see some more blocks from your quilt. Mmmm not sure what to do about the spare boy. We had a spare girl once and I must say I just sat it out over the summer holidays and we kept going out and staying on the move. It was slightly better than you because every so often the mum would have my girls at hers, but it was OK because she was a teacher at our school, I am guessing this is not the case for you. That is not really very helpful advice sorry. Joxx
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy these posts with a snapshot of what’s going on in your life. Tricky situation with the little friend... you would think his parents would be concerned that he was out all day.
ReplyDeleteWow it's hard to believe, Christina, that it's another month and new "ings" which I really enjoy as well. While having an extra child around may be difficult at times, I agree that your family is doing well by him. Have you considered checking with his family to make sure all is well there? I am envious of the colorful blooms you already have and not having to cook meals is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBertie cannot resist the smell of fox. It gets him into serious trouble. Lucky you with the cooking family members. I need to train mine to do this sort of thing. You have me contemplating a trip to the zoo now. There is a new zoo extension not far from us that I haven't visited yet. Hope you enjoy the rest of the week. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThose blue flowers are so pretty. Such a vibrant color.
ReplyDeleteTime flies so fast, doesn't it?
The end of the semester is getting close, so this month is going to be busy for me.
Lots of great April...ings. You always inspire me with your needlework, I’ve still to get round to finishing my mother in laws quilt. Hope you resolve the issue of Alistair’s friend although take it as a compliment that he wants to be around your house. Hope the week goes well. B x
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Christina, enjoyed catching up with your ing post. Jack is such a handsome boy.
ReplyDeleteI think I would feel miffed about the boy arriving and staying all day but I'm guessing he's probably neglected or certainly keen to leave the house all day. I'm not sure that I have any advice as I'd be struggling too but as he's chosen to visit all day, I'd give him jobs to do when yours would be busy too. Such as help empty the dishwasher, run errands or whatever needs doing outside. Other than that I'm not sure that speaking to the parents would help, especially if he's neglected or unhappy. Maybe the school teacher may be able to shed light eg perhaps they have to give him breakfast before school too. All the best, Cathy x
I’ve been on a spring cleaning binge. My daughter will be home from college in May. I hope to have the house clean and tidy before she brings home all her school things. Plus my mother-in-law emailed she would like to visit for three weeks this summer! She’s a wonderful lady but goodness three weeks is a long time. It’s probably the right amount of time for me to sufficiently make her mad enough to cut me out of the will. Ha ha
ReplyDeleteStunning photos and I look forward to seeing your summer makes. With regards to the little friend I think sometimes you have to be blunt. I experienced a similar thing a few times when my boys were young and not only in the holidays, people seemed to think as I worked in school I was happy to take care of all their childcare needs! I had to put my nice face aside and say no on occasion, it certainly rooted out true friends on my part. The boys friendships were fine of course. x
ReplyDeleteAnother one who had to put a foot down and tell local children that it was time for them to go home now. I think in the end our own children appreciated that I was safeguarding some family time.
ReplyDeleteI think think it is often that your house is more interesting than theirs, and certainly we interacted more than other peoples parents did. There Was also more interesting food.