Are they really the terrible two's?

I used to think that I didn't want to have any children. 

It wasn't until I reached my 30's that it suddenly hit me; I did want one (maybe 3 or 4) afterall.

I used to joke that I only had one 'Golden Egg' left - luckily Violet turned out to be that Golden Egg.

Though when she reached the age of two I began to worry.  I'd read stories about the terrible two's.  Friends and family had even warned me about this tumultuous chapter in a toddlers life. 

I needn't have worried.  Violet is a joy.  I won't lie and say that she never cries, or throws the most fantastic strops, but she's a funny, bright, little person, who makes me giggle everyday with her antics and funny sayings.

Today I thought I'd share with you some of the funny little things that have happened recently.

When we visited a place called Coughton Court a few weeks ago, she touched one of the paintings hanging on the wall and set the alarms off.  I could tell by the look on her dad's face, that he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him. 

The next day we visited Baddesley Clinton, and thought we'd walk round the house.  Whilst walking down the stairs into one of the rooms, Violet shouted "I love Kung Fu".  She's a big Kung Fu Panda fan.

Each morning I have to pretend to phone Space Command, speak to Buzz Lightyear and ask him to come and play.  I then have to try and sneak a Buzz Lightyear toy out of the front door without making a noise, press the door bell, then run and pretend I'm putting clothes away in the bedroom quick sharp before Violet comes running down the corridor to find me, and tell me that Buzz is at the front door (you have never seen such excitement).  She then sits on the sofa with Buzz and they watch Toy Story or Toy Story 2 together.  .

Violet thinks that Buzz is real and believes that he lands his spaceship in the flat's carpark and zooms back off into space when his visit is over. Even when my friend came to stay with her little boy the other week, Buzz still had to visit. My friend's little boy was out of nappies, but the excitement of seeing Buzz Lightyear at the front door was too much excitement for a little 3 year old and he forgot himself for a moment

One of the funniest things about Violet, and one of the things I have to explain to everyone we spend more than half an hour with, is that she calls a muslin square 'mummy'.
 Let me explain.
 When Violet was very small I used to play peek-a-boo with her.  I used to put one of these muslin squares on my head then say 'where's mummy gone?'.  Violet, as with all babies, loved playing this game.  It wasn't until a few months later that I realised what had happened.  We where playing peek-a-boo, but this time I was hiding behind one of Violet's teddies.  I asked her where mummy was and Violet crawled off in the opposite direction.  Wondering what was going on, I looked around teddy only to find Violet lifting up her muslin square and saying 'mummy'. Now, when Violet is tired or upset she asks for her mummy, but it's not me she wants, it's a muslin square.  I've been given some very strange looks when Violet's been asking for her mummy and there's me handing over a grotty, bit of cloth.

Ahhhhh - she really loves that mummy of hers.

Time for a recipe methinks

The sky is looking extremely ominous here today. Lots of nasty looking dark clouds threatening rain. 

I made sure that Violet and I were at the park early today, then back home before we got drenched to the skin. 

Violet is now happily engrossed in watching Kung Fu Panda, and I should really be attempting to reduce the extremely large pile of laundry, but I've decided to come on here instead and share the scrummy recipe I'll be preparing for dinner tonight.

Leek & Fennel Roast Chicken

1 medium leek, washed and sliced
1 medium fennel bulb, trimmed and sliced
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 chicken breasts
600g Anya potatoes
2-4 sprigs of tarragon
40ml olive oil

Heat oven to 200c (180g fan).
Put the leeks, fennel, garlic, potatoes, tarragon and chicken into a large bowl and pour over the olive oil.  Toss everything together until they are all well coated.  Add more oil if you need to.
Transfer everything into a roasting tin, season, then roast for about 30-40 mins, until the chicken is completely cooked through and tender.

Could it be any easier? 

OK - now I'm off to do boring housework-type stuff.

Is that all I talk about?

I'm sorry - I'm a complete yarn bore at the moment aren't I?

On my return visit to the House of Fraser sale I was unable to find any pinks or purples, so instead I bought

10 balls of Rowan Handknit Cotton in Lemon

&

10 balls of Rowan Milk Cotton DK in a sage colour

And, at only 20 Earth Pounds each.

I haven't got a clue what I'm going to knit with them yet - so if you've seen any nice patterns around the blogosphere of late (not too complicated mind) please let me know.

OK, I hear you.  Enough about the yarn purchases.

* * * * *  *

I'm forging ahead with that lovely lacey sweater I showed you yesterday, even if I did have to 'frog' about 17 rows last night- I was not a happy bunny as they had taken me, what felt like, an absolute age to knit.

The Eco Cotton I'm using is absolutely beautiful.  It's so, so soft. 

This is my first attempt at knitting a lacey pattern, so I've decided to only knit the pattern for the front, and knit the back in just plain old stocking stitch.  I'm sure it'll look OK.

* * * * * *

I notice that there haven't been any photos of Violet on here for a few days, so here's one of her going 'Choo Choo'.  It was taken last Friday when I took her to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor - I'll post more about this another day.

* * * * * *

For any mum's out there, who might be stuck for things to do this long Summer Holiday.  I noticed that the National Trust properties are putting on activities to entertain the wee folk.  We went for our usual scoot around Baddesley Clinton on Sunday and I noticed that they are offering Pond Dipping and other nature activities for £2 per child.  I'm sure we'll be visiting other NT properties over the coming weeks, so I'll try and keep a look out for what's on offer and mention them on here - perhaps some of you may find this useful.

Sorry for the complete randomness of this post - it seemed to cover everything and nothing.

Get rummaging

I must just share this with you.

On Saturday I popped into House of Fraser to check out their wool sale. 

Oh my.  They had bags and bags of wonderful yarn in their sale bins.

Plus, 20% off everything.

It was hard to choose just a couple of bags, but I ended up with:

10 balls of Cashsoft 4 ply in a fantastic Plum colour for just £16.00 (original price £47.50),

and 13 balls of Patons Eco Cotton in Cream for just £15.60 (original price £38.35).

What amazing prices.  I can't quite believe my luck.

The other half was so impressed with my bargain buys, that he even said I could go back and buy some more. 

You don't need to tell me twice.

So, hopefully that's what I'll be doing later today.  Having another good rummage.  Fingers crossed some of the bright pinks and deep purples will still be left.

Get yourselves off down to your nearest House of Fraser if you have one and get rummaging too.

* * * * * * * * * *

I already had this lovely pattern.

So, all that was left was to cast on.

And, that's precisely what I did on Saturday evening.

The pattern consists of 20 rows - I've never attempted this before.

Wish me luck.

Note to self: Must try and get some of those fancy-pants knitting needles that I keep spying on the internet.  These old metal ones of your mums are completely bent.

Let battle commence

Do you remember that Lavender Pouch I embroidered for my Fairytale Swap partner?

Here's a photo to jog your memory just in case you can't.

I was sooooooooo very, very chuffed with it when I'd finished.

The other half also made very encouraging noises when I showed him the finished article, and my jaw almost hit the floor when he said I should make some more.

So, not wanting to disappoint him, I've been busy stitching away...

Adding some of this.....

And created this.....

Me likey very mucho.

But, its destiny lies in someone elses knicker drawer.

You may be wondering (or maybe not) why I entitled this blog post 'Let battle commence'.  The reason being, that I had to use that darn sewing machine again.  I felt a tad calmer about it this time.  I thought we could be friends, or at the very least, come to an amicable agreement that it wouldn't bugger up my embroidery and I, in turn, wouldn't throw it out of the flat window.

As you can see, it's not perfect, but it's turned out OK.

I just need to mention a few things whilst I'm on the subject of making these Lavender Pouches.

Firstly,  if you are wondering why I haven't showed you my Fairytale Swap gifts.  They never materialised. Unfortunate, and a little disappointing, but hey ho.  Life's far too short to get pee'd off about such things. 

Secondly, when I initially had the idea of making a Lavender Pouch,  I didn't appreciate how hard it would be to actually find any dried Lavender to put in it.  I scoured Florist Shops, Garden Centres, Craft Shops, Hobbycraft - nowhere sold the blessed stuff.  I was beginning to give up hope, until I eventually found some in the National Trust Shop at Baddesley Clinton.  But, the price!!!!! oh my goodness, was shocking.  But, I was desperate, so purchased two TINY bags.  This time around, I wasn't prepared to pay extortionate prices, so I asked the advice of The Linen Cat.  She makes such wonderful things, including Lavender Bags.  She told me where I could buy tonnes of Lavender at very reasonable prices, which is available here for any of you who may be interested.

I'm already onto making Lavender Pouch number 3, which will be a first anniversary present for my brother and his wifey. 

Me and that sewing machine are going to be seeing a lot of action betwixt now and Xmas time.

Buona sera

x

Friendship Giveaway

The lovely Em over at Garden Peas and Fleas is offering everyone a chance to enter her Friendship Giveaway.

Just pop on over and leave her a lovely message in her comments box.

You can either click here, or on the link photo over on my sidebar, and you shall be transported straight there.

Bonne chance.

Grazie mille

First off, I'd just like to say an extremely big thank you to you all, for the very lovely comments you left me regarding yesterday's post. I feel very privileged to have such wonderful, caring folk following my blog, who have genuine concern for my well being.  The Blogosphere has opened up alot of new friendships for me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I don't know about all you ladies out there, but usually when my spirits are down, I shop. 

I could spend money like it's going out of fashion. 

Usually on a very lovely, but very expensive, pair of shoes. 

OK, I admit it.  I have a teeny, tiny, shoe addiction.

Or should I say, HAD, a teeny, tiny, shoe addiction.

You see, my problem nowadays is, that I don't have said income to be affording teeny, tiny, shoe addiction.

(Sad faces please).

So, what was I to do?  That dark cloud had descended and I needed something lovely and pretty to make me feel happy again.

Lovely and pretty purchase numero uno:

Two very fine looking mugs from Whittards.  Price £2.50 each. 

Just what a coffee addict needs.  I'm sure you'll agree.

Lovely and pretty purchase numero due:

A metre of fabric from Ikea of all places.

Pardon, what was that?

Did I hear you asking the price?

Your eyesight is not deceiving you.  That really says £1.49.  I know, it's madness.

When I got home I wish I'd purchased another 5 metres of the stuff because it's soooooo lovely.

You all know how I'm determined to start sewing.  Well, I see this as a nice big cushion for Violet's room.  What do you think? 

If I'd been wise, and bought another 5 metres, it may have ended up life as a bean bag.  As if I know how the hell to sew a bean-bag.  It can't be that hard though, can it?

Now onto purchases tre, quattro, & cinque:

Ultra cute little baby clothes.

These are off to my friend who'll be having that little baby girl any day now. 

(If you're wondering where I bought the baby clothes from.  The stripey and flower tops were from John Lewis.  The Hungry Caterpillar vests are from Sainsbury's and the Rabbit long sleeved vest is from Mothercare). 

So, I'm thinking I did pretty well.  I only spent £6.49 on myself, and the other purchases are for that little girl, which we've all yet to meet, but are all very excited about.

What a result. The other half (and his bank balance) will be so pleased I didn't spend a months salary, on a pair of shoes that I wouldn't even have been able to push a pram in.

Until tomorrow.

Ciao

x