It was a deliberately quiet weekend. Mostly, I retreated to the warm kitchen and surrounded myself with cooking smells and the radio. I don't know why I persist in listening to Radio 4 constantly when the news is so relentlessly depressing, but I do. I must find something about it comforting. Saturday was wet so I did some errands, made chutney, worked my way through a pile of ironing, cooked a butternut squash lasagne for dinner. My parents called in and my poor put upon Dad (who'd just come from painting my sister Katy's new kitchen) hung a shelf for me. I worked on my second pair of crochet socks and ignored the patterns for the crochet animals I am supposed to be making as gifts.
Sunday was sunny. I supervised homework and baked a Christmas cake - a small one this time, as it does seem that it's only me who eats it - and caught up on admin. By admin, I mean the forest of paperwork that comes home in book bags each week; Christmas card orders, school photo orders, finding a costume for Victorian Day, checking we have clothes with spots or stripes for Children in Need day on Friday, paying for trips and school lunches. I need to make sure I buy suitable jumpers for Christmas Jumper Day at school, before they sell out.
Late Sunday afternoon I met my other sister, Anna, and her girls for a short walk. The sun was starting to go down and the dwindling light was lovely. The trees are looking bare in places and there was a touch of winter in the views of branches silhouetted against the sky. I like living near my family, especially on those weekends when John is working. I don't take having them nearby for granted, not one bit.
Then I made fish pie for tea and John and I watched tv together all evening. All very humdrum. All very comforting.
I am teetering on not making a Christmas cake this year even though I love them but another year eating a whole cake to myself is not feeling joyful. We had a weekend like that a few weeks ago and the children kept saying, "What are we doing?" and I kept answering, "Nothing! whatever you want to do!" Nice photos Gillian, have a good week. I am working extra this week and as you once pointed out - I haven't even got a wife! Jo xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian. This is the first time I have commented on your blog but I read every entry and thoroughly enjoy it. Lovely pics of your daughter (who is looking very grown up these days) and I must tell you I love your candle sticks. I would love some for my sideboard if you don't mind my asking where you got them? Thank you, Tricia
ReplyDeleteHi Tricia, thanks for commenting and your lovely words! The tall thin white ones are from IKEA and the coloured ones are by the Danish company Superliving DK - they are called "curve" I think.
DeleteGillian x
Thank you so much! Found them. So much choice!
DeleteTricia x
It sounds perfectly lovely! I love that new shelf...so interesting, unique and eyecatching. Suits the wall. I hope a peaceful week follows a peaceful weekend. Blessings xx
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, somebody looks like their Mum! Sounds like a lovely weekend & not humdrum at all. Your circular shelf reminds me of growing up in the 50/60's as we had one similar although the shelves were staggered. Very vintage Gillian & it suits the room perfectly. Have a good week, although it sounds busy with the kids from now till Xmas. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely weekend, I do love afternoon walks in the winter when the sun is so very low in the sky. How grown up your beautiful daughter is looking, gorgeous pictures of her. I am restraining myself from googling crochet animals, I am already buried in projects. Although a quick look wouldn't do any harm would it. I wonder if there are dogs..? Have a good week Gillian. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI like humdrum. Humdrum is a lovely word and I quite like no excitement sometimes, especially after such a bonkers week. Your photos are absolutely lovely, Gillian, especially the ones of Bella. Have a good week. Sam x
ReplyDeleteIt does sound comforting, but still very busy!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the new shelf and how you have put some things in it without overdoing it.
You and those of your readers who are the only ones in their families to eat Christmas cake should get together and bake just one cake to share between you.
This is my favourite kind of weekend. You have a way to describe chores (ironing!) that makes them sound almost fun :-) Pottering around the kitchen, walks, seeing family, eating fish pie and watching the telly together with John - a lovely image, a pinnacle of happiness. Have a fantastic week. x
ReplyDeleteI love all of your little vignettes and Bella's cardi
ReplyDeleteHumdrum is good. Helps to recharge our batteries. I have given up on Christmas cake as I'm the only one who eats it now my daughter has left home. She usually makes me an individual one to go in my present hamper. Mind you my husband is the only one who eats Christmas pudding and manages to get through a whole one!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! I love your house.
I think November lends itself well to a weekend such as you describe. We've been very similar here. I must make the Christmas pudding, you've reminded me. xx
ReplyDeleteI love that picture of your son walking on the marsh at low tide.
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures!
ReplyDeletea comforting weekend sounds perfect x
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice weekend, sounds just perfect x
ReplyDeleteYou paint a beautiful picture of quite the perfect weekend. Give me humdrum with my loved ones close by me any day. It's been much of the same here, although I'll not be making a fruit cake for Christmas this year. I fancy something a little different. Lovely photographs of your gorgeous children. X
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. Your chutney looks delicious and Bella is beautiful and looks so grown up. Here's to more cosy humdrum! xx
ReplyDeleteI dream of such a weekend! I admit to being a bit desperate knowing that we won't be having such a quiet weekend before Christmas...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful weekend ♥
ReplyDeleteSweet...hum drum. Thanks for sharing yours with me, Gillian. xx
ReplyDeleteI like Angus camoflagued against the mud flats and Bella looking so pretty (and the spitting image of you!) in her Nordic cardigan. Thank you for sharing your delightfully humdrum November weekend.
ReplyDeleteI gave up on the radio: as you say, constant depressing news and analysis. I put music on instead (usually something like classical or big band for cooking along to, no idea why).
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely feeling wintry here. The trees are almost bare, the wind's howling and the rain's lashing against the window.
As for those dreaded book bags: yes! I'm struggling to keep up. Wrapped gifts to take in, jars of sweets (tombola), photo forms, pantomime forms, party RSVPs, reading books, learning diaries... I'm very much looking forward to the end of term.
S x
Doesn't look humdrum at all. Sounds like a perfect weekend. I think we all need to stop listening to the news and just live life.
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ReplyDeleteLovely autumn activities! What a pretty shelf, perfect against that dark grey wall.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Beautiful, cosy looking weekend...
ReplyDeleteI love listening to poetry please on radio 4 whilst cooking a roast dinner. It all means home comforts, routine and stability, all very important in todays world.
ReplyDeleteI think your weekend sounds perfect.
Lisa x