Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Late summer sun

We have been very lucky this last week enjoying sunkissed skies and lazy balmy evenings. Grandma and Grandad have been visiting and having them here is really wonderful, we have made the effort to eat outside despite the mosquitoes who are obviously using our garden as a meeting point. The last few days have included a big lunch for friends and family, a mini fete where we sold cherry jam, lavander hearts, piggyback rides and told fortunes, all to raise money for A and T to put towards toys they really want. We have had the boy's birthday and enjoyed days out to San Giminagno and San Casciano, picked grapes, re-planted aubergines, harvested more tomatos, enjoyed wine and homemade bread and yesterday soaked up the atmosphere at the market. The only niggle is the camera which is being a bugger and is only working when the mood is right. For now though a few pics until I can upload some more, the light is magical at the moment, an intense autumnal sun that drenches the hilltops and spreads a warmth over the houses and vineyards. - Random chairs liberated from roadside bin!!

Monday, September 21, 2009

homeschool today

I have often wondered about homeschooling and would love to be able to learn with my kids everyday but I simply do not have the skills or time away from my work - sadly. Also as we live in Italy it is so important for my children to be learning the language with other local children around them. Today things are different though, today we have the normal Sept sicknesses, T has an ear infection and A a banging headache and temperature, so today we will be at home, reading, curling up and listening to classic old stories on my ipod. I feel some Christmas planning may also be on the list, I love this time leading up to the festive season, so comforting. Of course in between this lovely homeliness I need to put in a good 5 hours work and make beds for grandparents who fly in tonight. Most interesting though is buying enough food for 6 of us for 1 week on 20 Euro, which is all I have until my new cashcard arrives!!!! Looks like I will be rummaging on the veg patch and loitering at the market.

Hope

Today I am so sad because we have a lost dog roaming the countryside near our house, for three days he has been sitting under trees or lolloping through the olives. I have tried everything to encourage her /him to come to me I have put down food and water all over the garden / hillside but it is too timid. And now it is limping, I know if I call the forestry police they will probably shoot it as it is an injured animal but to me she is someones lost dog and needs love and help. I checked the food bowls this morning but they were untouched. I feel desperate for the dog and its owner, though it is probably a hunters dog who has lost it's way and they don't bother looking for them in all reality when they go missing. Also we have had no sleep as the girl has been crying all night with a poorly ear, in the end we boiled an egg and wrapped it in a wet flannel and held the warm egg to her ear which worked in getting her to sleep at 4am. But I feel that we will have to give in and go to the Dr today. I wonder if the stressful things are related to Mabon? Could the start of autumn mean a shift in priorities again, ie. home, hearth, health and compassion? Rather than work and money? Maybe a large mug of tea and a peice of paper will help straighten things out as to what to do first and re-align our focus.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Birthday boy

Archie is 9 today - Gary and I remembered all his birthday's so far and it seems so strange to know this lovely young chap who is no longer a little boy. Right now he is at football training and coming home to a family supper and a party with the boys tomorrow (hideous playstation frenzied antics and football in the garden no doubt). I miss the wee boy but I am enjoying watching him grow into himself ( a real mixture of both Gary and my personality traits).
On Archie's request we are having Crostini followed by risotto then panna cotta. The house smells wonderfully of garlic and mushrooms and I can't wait for him to come home x these pictures are a heartfelt and gentle reminder of how time flies.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Sleeping Tigers

Just had both children and the dog fall asleep on me.... I felt totally choked at the gentle sound of their breathing and warmth of their bodies leaning on mine. Archie shattered after school and football, Tabby worn out from putting on all her pants and socks at once (15 pairs pants) - very funny and time consuming. But the result was tired peeple curled up together with an old dog accross our feet - a magical moment of real togetherness. The lead up to this perfect evening included good old mashed potato for supper followed by hot chocolate in tin camping cups. Both children now carried safely to bed and gently snoring on this blissful September evening.

Listen with Mother

I am loving 'free' audiobooks which you can download and enjoy curled up with the children. Just getting into some truly classic oldies and can't wait for it to be chilly enough to light the fire. See these two fab links.. http://www.kidsaudiobooks.co.uk/ http://freeclassicaudiobooks.com/ Archie's birthday this week so will be busy with butter icing and sticky tape x

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Blogging off for now

 
(16 year old kickers above - reused & well loved)
This whole blog thing is terribly addictive and I have convinced myself that it is also important and worthy of my time which sometimes though really I feel it is not entirely true when deadlines loom as do the bills so for now I am blogging off to concentrate on work for a few days at least until Monday. For the timebeing some lovely early autumn pics of fun in the sun x