Monday 10 August 2009

Silver linings

It has, as they say, been a bit of a day from start to finish. So I suppose I am just touting for sympathy. It has been the sort of day when I have to remind my myself that you have to laugh or, well, I’m not sure what. Men in white coats, perhaps?


But we have had a lovely weekend to fortify us, and I thought I would share with you some Kidstonly cheer. By now, dear readers, I am sure you will have gathered how much I like presents – just look at my list of post categories in case that fact had passed you by. For reasons both agricultural and financial, we won’t be going away on holiday, and what with all the animals and permaculture and self-sufficiency, and all the commitment that goes with it, we don’t get out much, but who needs holidays and outings when you have a holiday sofa and lots of lovely people to stay? And lovely people who bring you lots of lovely presents! Including cake (cake in the plural chocolate form) – but I can’t show you pictures of that because it has all been gobbled up.

My dear sister-in-law, the Seaside Landlady, and the Head Chef’s brother, Bob the Builder, came to stay with all their darling children, Isis, Osiris and Bob Junior. And if you would like to stay at their stylish, bijou seaside residence, built by Bob with his own hands, just click here.

The Seaside Landlady, who is a woman after my own heart, not only came armed with cakes and ale, but also some charming little souvenirs from the temple of the great Cath. How well she knows me! And here they are in all their beauty and domesticity. I don’t think I will let the Head Chef use the oven gloves – he is sure to make a mess of them with gravy stains or cherry juice or the like.


And I have had a hankering after this pincushion ever since I saw it in the catalogue, but felt that thrifty wives don’t indulge themselves in such frippery.


So we have had a jolly weekend with family who understand the complications involved in the permaculture life, and are kind enough to come to the mountain. The holiday sofa has been overflowing with occupants – I think I might even have to acquire another one to be the party sofa, in order to avoid arguments and forcible evictions when we have company present.

The new Cath Kidston bedlinen in the bed-and-breakfast rooms has been reviewed and found satisfactory by the adults, and we have had some outdoor sleepers as well. The more intrepid ones amongst the youthful members of the party slept outside, with my second son, the General, ensconced under a basha in the garden (for those who don’t know, that is a sort of camouflage lid with no walls and doors), keeping guard over the younger and softer ones cosied up in a proper zip-up tent. The Head Chef’s other brother, the Media Mogul, also graced us with his presence, and my other dear sister-in-law brought a nice chocolatey present, too. Chocolate is always given a very warm welcome in this house.



So although, among other things, the day started with taking this naughty dog to the vet (and she has already chewed off her bandage, so I think we will be going back again quite shortly), and has finished with some other slightly distressing slings and arrows, I have the means to comfort myself. I can go and play with my pincushion, think where to hang my oven gloves to best advantage, and munch on a few chocolates. Like the tea towels say, keep calm and carry on!

16 comments:

Marigold Jam said...

Gosh it sounds as if you are really keeping busy! Hope that an evening of admiring your pincushion and deciding where to put the oven glove so it won't get dirty or used whilst also admiring your lovely painted floors will set you up again for tomorrow's slings and arrows!! It's a great life if you don't weaken as they say!

Jane

Marigold Jam said...

Oops it was Posy who had painted her floors not you! Sorry put it down to increasing age or something - I do get easily confused if I read more than one blog at a sitting!!

Jane

Pomona said...

I've always wanted painted floors, but the attrition rate in this household is quite high, so I think I would always be repainting them!

Pomona x

Mrs B said...

xxxxxbig chocolate cupcake lovexxxx

they come to us all....my motto: nothin stays the same (good or bad!) mothehood taught me that one fairly swiftly! and it sounds an absolutely glorious weekend! all things I love, camping, kidlets, family, chocolate! x

A Farmers Wife said...

Hey! Things are up and down in this house too, what with the abismal weather situation, agriculture is hanging a very grey cloud over us......never mind, those pretties will bring a little bit of happiness!!! And chocolate, well, it always does the trick doesnt it....now where did i put that galaxy???
K xxx

MelMel said...

Hello sweetie....
Sorry things are hard at the moment, its tricky life sometimes...

How lovely to be given such special presents, a CK gift is always very welcome....

Keep calm and carry on...wise words.....

I think the Band B guests ought to be chuffed to bits sloeeping in such wonderful prettiness!
I know I would!

Melxxx

fairyglade said...

Hi there and thanks for stopping by my blog, it is always nice to make a new friend. You also have a very pretty blog and I will be having a read in full when I get a minute! Still can't fathom out the two blog problem and as you will see at the end of this comment, despite commenting from my fairyglade page, it will, without a doubt show me as the fairy dell...sooo frustrating..tearing out my hair and grinding my teeth! I am going to try using the name URL just to see if that makes any difference, fingers crossed. Dev x

silverpebble said...

Wonderful wonderful pincushion!

That poor hound - she looks like a kindred spirit to ours - full of character.

Hen said...

Well, it sounds like a top weekend to me!
Hen x

Joshy and belle said...

oh ive always wanted painted floors too!! he he!!
I hope your feeling brighter tomorrow and those slings and arrows take a detour and head on to the sea, i was going to say to someone else but thats not nice!! cath k and chocolate always make me feel better too and the warm cosiness of famliy and freinds, take care, fliss xx

Sal said...

I do love the CK bed linen!
I have no wooden floors to paint but I did paint some paving slabs recently...which came out quite well!!
;-)

...Nina Nixon... said...

I hope things feel more settled today and such lovely gifts. Though if you fancy a laugh you could jump on the train and come on down here one day up until Friday and it's feeling very holidayish at the moment.

take care,

Nina x

Duchess of Tea said...

Pomona darling, thank you so much for this honor, and do forgive me Luv for not coming over sooner to receive it. My trip was so unexpectedly planned that it hardly left me time. Darling, I will gladly and proudly post this lovely award later today on my blog.

Hugs & Teas

Duchess xx

andamento said...

Hi there, what great presents, very thoughtful guests indeed.

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

WE ALSO WON`T BE GOING ON HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR... NEVER MIND... IT MEANS MORE TIME TO READ BLOGS AND TO CREATE PRETTY THINGS.
I WISH I COULD KNIT!
THANKS FOR SHARING THE BOOK BELOW...
A REAL FEAST FOR THE EYES.
DEBBIE MOSS

Unknown said...

cakes, ale, and cath kidston presents? the seaside landlady can stay!

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