Friday thoughts...

I went to work this week. It was good; interesting, it felt familiar and new all at the same time. One benefit of having worked for the same company for 15 years is that it's a bit like home. I haven't worked since June, so going back was a big thing. I haven't really started doing much yet, other than dealing with a gazillion emails, but I was very welcomed by colleagues. It reminded me that there were reasons why I worked; to do with my own sense of self, and my own capability. A good colleague told me that she missed how my mind worked; what I brought to meetings and decisions. Always taking a different view to those in the room and then gently but persuasively arguing my corner. It was nice to hear...

And so to Friday, I find that times are different here in our household. My husband is at home each day which is just such a treat for family life. Its funny how life goes; every cloud has a silver lining.

Thank you to my wonderful guest posters...so interesting to see life through the eyes of others. And in a spooky but lovely turn of events, my favourite artist contacted me as she had seen my blog. I was quite chuffed and in wonder at the power of the web...

Worries that turned out to be unfounded.

Feeling my son's heartbeat as he cuddles me.

Wood burning stove and endless cups of tea.

Walks round the field in rain, drizzle and damp.

'Grandma's Chair' by Jessica Cooper

Quiet moments.

Final preparations for Boo's senior school exams; it's all part of growing up.

emma watson

A newly present husband; unexpected and unplanned days together.

Getting ready for skiing in Austria...shoop, shoop....

Trusted colleagues and work peers.

Winter meals: shepherds pie and sauteed leeks.

Circuit training and strong coffee with the school mums.

Pancakes and nutella at tea-time.

via cannelle et vanille

Ridiculously dark mornings...when will the Spring come?

Sporting woollens every day.

love this outfit via prettystuff

My voice completely absent...too much talking.

Restoring order in my house...it's never been so organised!

via plush palate

A day spent...

A day spent. School drop off. After I went on a long run - using my favourite and most relied-upon route. I run around the roads where I grew up (one advantage of living in the same town for over 30 years; I know the way everywhere). I passed the theatre in my town where they were unloading sets. I passed the University and observed students piling in for their lectures. I ran on; pondering the days when I used to go to lectures, my attendance usually prompted by my friend Nikki, who was way more conscientious than I and could probably still recite our English Literature timetable, even now. I passed my doctor's surgery, then my childhood home, through the avenue of chestnut trees, leaves and conkers crunching underfoot.

via crush cul de sac

Home. A dog walk with my friend and new doggie partner-in-crime (she has my puppy's sister) around the fields. We discussed the single-worst-ever dinner party she attended at the weekend. Why would a host say the attire is 'informal' when she herself opens the door wearing a cocktail dress??! Nothing worse than turning up under-dressed.

Osteopath visit. My pain issue still not better, oh how I wish it were. It's very, very slow progress. I am developing patience unlike I have ever exhibited before.

A condensed shopping trip to salve my frustrations...where I purchased a short skirt not dissimilar to one I owned when I was 19. Is this a sign?

via crush cul de sac

School pick-up and home again. Homework hour. Where I established that I really can not do maths. English however; I managed.

A part showing of the film 'Mary Poppins' before their bed. A spoonful of sugar, helps the medicine go down.

Bubble and Squeak for dinner, as is Autumn's tradition. A Sunday roast must be followed by a Monday Bubble and Squeak. It is the law of our house.

And so my day was spent. You know how people ask: can the minutiae of someone's day really be of any interest to the masses? I do consider when I write this; really, who cares? But then I think of that line in 'You've Got Mail' and my small life...so good night, dear void!

Things of beauty...

As this is published, we will shortly after be making our way to Wimbledon. I have never been before, let alone enjoyed the benefit of corporate tickets. Strawberries and cream anyone?

And so I leave you with a mood board of English loveliness. Incidentally, did you see Alexa Chung's comments on blog 'mood boards' in British Vogue? She incurred the wrath of the blog population by stating that blogs are 'ridiculous' and that blog mood boards are passé...well, even my hackles rose! She later reneged her view on Twitter. But a selection of images here nevertheless...

via lets drift away

via cannelle et vanille

English hedgerow....lovely cow parsley by me

...anyone for tennis?

from Vanessa Arbuthnott

photograph by Jamie Beck

via brown dress with white dots

 

via toast

...a Sussex meadow by me

via dustjacket attic

via lets drift away via vogue

a show of mother-love...painting by Jessie Wilcox Smith

Here's to a lovely weekend...

The little things to brighten a day...

I've got to say, it's not been the best of times lately. It's not that bad, but it's not great either. With one thing and another I feel like there are too many important matters that are being neglected in my little world. Try as I might (and I really do) I seem to never get on top of things. Sometimes this passes me by and I figure 'I can not do it all'. Other times it weighs heavy on my wellbeing, making it harder to see the light side. Along the way though, when working out what on earth should take the priority, some of these little things help me find my perspective.

Like Jake Gyllenhaal...one word: eyes...

Bowls of the freshest fruits, packed with vitamins that might just stave off the down-time lethargy.

via cannelle et vanille

A well thought out email from a dear friend whose empathy and advice made my worries about my currently tearful daughter seem less...worrying...

via sailboats and seersucker from luxe paperie

 The prospect of hot summer sun and nothing to do all day but be...

Going to bed when it's still just about light outside...all sleep is good sleep...

via toast

Beautiful flowers...I am almost considering retraining as a florist...!

via once wed

In the world of Lou...

I am having one of those productive days; spurred on by a few terse words between myself and my beloved this morning about the uselessness of our house filing system. I loathe filing. Paperwork and admin are my worst, worst activities. So I shove everything in a drawer and hope for the best until one of those days arrive where something has to be located. Rapid leafing through pile after pile of un-filed paper ensues, until defeat is admitted or the key item is triumphantly discovered! I wish I were more organised...

via tick tock vintage

After the long weekend, I am settling back into the norm of work days and home days, interspersed by the school run. Term time offers the calm of a quiet house during the day, an opportunity to regroup and to not be Mummy for a few hours. But in return is the tyranny of the drop-off/pick-up/homework/sports matches. I like it though, as I get to go running more and to plan appointments for things I normally don't have time for, like the homeopath or beautician. It's pedicure season; one luxury I afford myself in the summer months.

How can it be May already? I feel like April went by in a whirlwind of Spring days; it really was a fabulous month. Now May means Boo's birthday - she will be a whole decade old. Impossible. My Boo? Surely not; I remember when she looked something like this...

via a lady's findings...washing eggs to be sold at the farmers market, near Falls Creek, Pennsylvania, 1940, Jack Delano.

Trying to eat well (as in really trying; have cut out a-l-h-o-t of bad stuff and it's good but also exhausting cooking everything from scratch). But then when food can look as beautiful as this, I figure it's worth the effort.

photograph from Canelle et Vanille - this food blog is just beautiful...

I am just trying to get on top of everything again, trying to be a better me.

Oh and before I forget - here is what I think:

It's gotta be Prince William.

Ballet - all the way.

Bikini - for as long as I can.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (let's call her Kate as we are between friends...)

Could not live without tea. Chocolate a close second...

Really really want to be plan in advance, but something always ends up last minute (I wish I were more organised!)

Skinny jeans.

Go it alone on holiday planning - did an all inclusive once; probably not again!

Worrier, Worrier, WORRIER!

Emerald.

Light and floral on the perfume front - I wear Diptyque.

'When Harry Met Sally' - all time classic.

Botox - currently no. Think I will stick on that point.

I love getting into summer clothes - we are so deprived on the weather front...sun = instant wardrobe high.

Marilyn Monroe.

First thought...universally it seems we all agree on this: is it morning already?!

Mental note: go to bed earlier!

Things of beauty...

Thank goodness for modern medicine! I am starting to feel much better now, thanks to a day of rest and crucially doing nothing. The sun has been shining and it feels like summer, let alone Spring! As I type, Boo is outside in the garden, lying on a blanket in jean shorts and a vest, reading 'Harry Potter'. Boo 2 is watching 'Scooby Doo' on repeat...oh, the joys of school holidays. So what else?

I have taken heed of advice and I pledge to try to slow down the pace of life for a few days atleast, regain my strength in readiness for a forthcoming birthday (yep, my boy will be 6!) and family Easter celebrations.

Oh and I read the book - near enough cover to cover; and it did what all good books should do: it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me nod my head in recognition and it made me think. Perfect.

via where is the cool?

Marion Cotillard by Raymond Meier

Love this print...it's on order so that I can have it as a constant note to self:

via jones design company

photograph by Paul Graham via dust jacket attic

by Period Living

Spring-like ballet shoes in many variations...

via audrey hepburn complex, art by Caitlin Shearer

via the bottom of the ironing basket

This food and photography blog Canelle et Vanille is just a feast for the eyes...

Photograph by Aran from Canelle et Vanille

Photograph by Elizabeth Messina

by sweet berry me

Fabulous chair...

photograph by Adrian Briscoe from house to home

I like this shot of Molly Ringwald; she looks very comfortable in her own skin...

...Molly Ringwald...

by jcrew

Beautiful brown-eyed Olivia P...

Olivia Palermo via the vogue diaries

Happy Friday everyone!