Hibernation

Just like my tortoise, I feel the need to hibernate.

She has been slowing down over the past few days, the night temperature has been dropping and she has been eating less, so all signs that she is ready for a winter snuggle down. So she was measured, photographed and weighed and placed in her sleeping chest in a bed of straw, locked down for the next few months.

I can't say I have been eating less, but I do feel the need to pull the blanket up earlier and closer in the evenings. I feel the pull of the cosiness more than usual.

Maybe humans are meant to hibernate too?

I hope mine is more of a transition to Autumn, but I am feeling a slowness and tiredness as the Summer closes out and the Winter draws in?

Anyone else feeling like this?

Any tips?

The whirr of the sewing machine

It is funny how it all comes back to you.

It's the whirring  of the machine, the sound of the fabric scissors cutting through fabric, the sight of the green quick unpick, the bright coloured pins, the multi-coloured bobbins and the bits of the fraying fabric lying all over the living room  It all conjured up memories of being a teenager when my mum was busy making something magical.

I haven't used a sewing machine for nigh on 20 years, however it all came back in a matter of seconds.  The senses become flooded with those stored away childhood moments, ones I hadn't accessed in years

I recall being encouraged to try things out, new material, new stitches, but always with the eagle eyes and clear direction from my mum. Fond memories. Shame I didn't realise how special it was at the time.

And today it was my turn to be that parent. Nuturing and teaching. Holding the space but ensuring safety and confidence.

My 8 year old has been begging to use the sewing machine so with the eldest out at a theme park, today was the day.

We got out all the tools, lots of thread and any old material. We started early.

Her ambition was scary. It was not about doing a pillow case or a scarf, she wanted to design and then make a handbag with a bottom and sides with applique shapes on the front.

 

I was torn between letting her make her own experience and giving her strong guidance on what works and what doesn't, yet I was keen not to quash any enthusiam through rules and frustration.

It was a wonderful day, with lots of excitement, enthusiam and suprisingly little frustration. 

I was left in awe of her talent and ambition and very keen to see how this all transpires.

Thanks mum for all the teaching, I hope I have passed on the love of the craft to the next generation!

The ideal day

On Sunday, we were faced with the prospect of no plans!

So before we spent the day just hanging around, playing on technology and getting into family fights, I decided to create a plan. I do like a good plan.

So I asked each of the girls to design their ideal day. Like mummy, they like a good list, so they eagerly grabbed a pen and paper and crafted their ideas for the day.

As we progressed through the day we ticked off the activities and without the exception of one thing (which was to write a story) we managed to do everything.

It ended up being a rather pleasant day with fewer fights, limited technology and a whole lot of fun.

If you had a free day, what would  you write on your list?