The Cook House

New year, new me?

2012-01-27T11:01:00.004Z

I've never been one for diets and will try and avoid conversations about less carbs, more proteins, green tea at 10am followed by a swift session of pilates. I just find it all so boring. I know really that you actually need to eat less cake and move a bit quicker.
Still I'm not so foolish as to think that loosing a few pounds wouldn't do me some good.
I'm now 41 and have finished making babies quite some time ago and really thought I'd look like I did on my wedding day by now or that you'd at least be able to recognise me. So I really am looking to shed some pounds....stones.
The need for this has been emphasised twice this week.
Once whilst playing a family game of hide and seek in the dark on Wednesday. Whilst trying to squeeze myself between a wardrobe and the underside of the bed I began to realise that this game required a certain amount of stealth, dexterity and limbs that move in the direction you want them to. Also that if there weren't quite so much of me to hide....
The other prompt was last night. The small boy has taken up taikwando and after the session had finished and we were bidding our farewells to the nice instructor man, he asked had I ever considered taking up this discipline? After I had snorted he assured me that it was possible and "You may have let yourself go a bit...had a few babies but it could still be done"
Oh how I laughed as I was pinning his medal for tact and diplomacy right INTO his chest.
We'll see. I have run down to work this morning and walked swiftly back , in time for a cup of tea and a slice of that nice banana cake I made yesterday.

And a lovely time was had by all

2012-01-13T11:27:00.003Z

...or that's my take on the whole proceedings anyway.
I managed to do all the things I needed to in the time I needed to do it and we received guests , fed them, watered them and I presume we kept them entertained.
We had a game of rounders in the park on boxing day and a treasure hunt in Shoreditch the day after. Both of these outings were great fun and spanned all three generations.
My immediate family caught up with us last week and of course it was gorgeous to see them, no rounders though - I think I'd peeked on my entertaing skills by then so a few walks and plenty of cups of tea in nice cafes was as much as I could muster.
The New Year has rolled in without much drama and of course the weather is acting like Spring so we have no snowbound tales to tell. I'm almost dissapointed although there is a promise in the air of brightness and warmth whiich I wouldn't say no to.
This year means changes for us regarding schools for boys and jobs for girls so I'm sure it won't be dull. What am I saying? I really haven't had a dull moment since that first one made her grand entrance 17 years ago and all in all since then - a good time has been had by all.

Ah Christmas

2011-12-21T13:17:00.007Z

If I looked at my blog archive I may find that I have written of the dangers of thinking I was organized...ok for time....able to relax... Oh! and I would have mentioned factoring in a few days out due to illness. If I haven't, then here I am in preparation for next year.
this may lead you to think that I am in a panic but I am really not. I think I'm in a state of resignation about my complete inability to organise anything at all. Ah well...we all have our strengths and I'm sure I'll discover just what mine might be one day.
I refuse to get down about it though because it is the most wonderful time of the year..(have I ever mentioned that?!) and not an occasion to get maudlin about one's inadequacies!
I am sat relaxing now and listening to some lovely music on classic fm and ignoring all the wrapping and other preparations that need doing. This is thanks to that illness I mentioned earlier. I haven't given it enough time to see itself out so it keeps coming back and biting me on the bum (so to speak) everytime I try and do something!
This morning my doing something consisted of walking with my father in law (aka. Jim'll fix it) to the DIY store at the bottom of the hill to get supplies to fix our house as he likes to do. I also had to nip to the paint shop as, just to fulfill my title as worlds worst painter, I had to get new paint to cover up my mistake of finishing off the edges with a very small pot of totally the wrong shade of blue!!! To match the colour properly this time I took the scrapings of a splodge of paint that had dripped onto the desk in that room. The poor man there must think I am insane (@$>>%?!) but has helpfully promised to come and take a look if I haven't got it right this time.
The smalls are ok apart from a few coughs and colds. Their lists to Santa seem to change daily. I just hope HE'S organised!

Looking blue

2011-12-05T22:37:00.003Z

After a few days slaving away painting the small boys bedroom,some blue splattered clothes, hair and carpet -I don't think I've done anything to change my lovely husband's mind about me being the messiest painter in the known universe. When the 7 yr old 'helped' me the other day there wasn't much between us.
They say it's all in the preparation...sadly I don't think that means making sure you can reach the cup of tea you took up with you before you climb on top of the cupboard (Nb. not safely positioned stepladder)to reach into the corners, which incidentally haven't been swept first so look out spiders...run for your lives.
It's nearly done now and I think I will finish it all this time, a rarity for me, ask the man. Well maybe not the bit behind the bed - it depends on how much paint I've got left.
Advent marches on and it will be here before you know it. We always want to be organised, on top of it, ahead of the game. Sadly I don't think we are or will be. I'm not sure our heads are in the right place and so no amount of Andy Williams is going to get this festive house all ready on time - 7 year old doing the decorating or not!

Jokes

2011-11-29T10:51:00.004Z

Dear Santa, Please can you bring me a fat bank account and a thin body. And please don't mix them up like you did last year.
That's my best joke of the moment and I was telling it at the tea table on Sunday when a certain small boy who shall remain nameless (but he's the only one we've got) said "Aw mum - I like your body...you wouldn't look like my mum if you were thin" Now somewhere in there I think he was paying me a compliment.
Only 2 days to get thin now...how exciting. Madly thinking of a lovely idea for an advent calender whilst all the time remembering that they do loose interest the nearer it gets to the big day and I end up eating all the chocolate and that really doesn't help!

Owning up

2011-11-22T10:50:00.003Z

Today I will be mostly using my blog as a confessional. I have bought a Christmas cake mix. I know...I know..not that shocking in the grand scheme of things but it somehow feels so ...wrong..slovenly almost!!!
Jokes. I'm over it already.
I saw this marvellous invention last week at Sainsburys and thought it seemed like a grand idea as I do like a bit of alcohol in a cake but don't like the way I have to buy a big bottle of the stuff only to leave it sitting in the cupboard, waiting until we have a spirits drinker visit or an unsightly stain that will only shift with the aid of a splash of the hard stuff.
Anyway this kit has pre soaked fruit included, thus dispensing with my yearly dilemma.
My next confession is that I had Christmas pudding last night. It also felt soo wrong but so good. It was set on fire and everything - the full shebang. Thanks for a great evening Sally Ann but don't tell our mate Nick...he won't even eat a satsuma till the start of December!
My last confession is that I fired up the computer to do an online grocery shop and an hour later I haven't even booked my delivery slot so I'm off to browse the virtual aisles of Waitrose and re-stock our sorry looking food cupboards. Although I'm sure with a bit of imagination we may still have at least a week's meals but I'm not sure what they would taste like and teenagers and small children do not like those sorts of surprises.
Will let you know how the cake goes x

Oh gracious me....

2011-11-16T22:09:00.004Z

It's beginning to be...the most wonderful time of the year.
There's a definite nip in the air and a song in our hearts, well all kinds of Christmas songs actually. As I type I have Andy Williams singing his little Christmas heart out and Hamish has just brought me my ovaltine in a Christmas mug. Rock and roll - no excuses!
We just love it all in this house and really aren't ashamed to admit it. There's just so much good stuff to cram into such a short magical time,so many scrummy books to pore over and dream on, so much magical music to dance along to...you get the picture. But the conditions must be right-the cold, the dark.. then we're away. No decorations allowed yet though...the build up must be slow and delicious.
In other news we've all had the lurgy - not the most pleasant one either but it seems to have wrapped itself up now which is good news as we don't want to miss a moment of this most wonderful time.

We did it

2011-11-08T00:05:00.002Z

Placing the craft table in the bedroom did work after all. My dear friend Caroline and I achieved a little stall at a fair in Peckham.
We made some people smile, we sold a few things...and we managed for the first time in 7 years to have an uninterrupted conversation! (we have 9 children between us) All in all - a grand day out!

Where's ..my..head at?

2011-11-04T11:25:00.006Z

I've been a shocking blogger and I'm sorry. In my defence, one of the main reasons that I write a blog , when it comes down to it -is to let my parents know that I'm still alive because as well as being a very bad blogger I am also a very bad ringing your mum up-pper.
Well, the folks know I'm still alive as they've just left my house to travel to Yorkshire to visit my lovely adorable sister and boys and to house hunt. They are retiring - I have retiring parents! Never mind having a seventeen year old daughter for making me feel like a grown up, now I will have retired parents, what's that all about and how on earth did I get here?
Recently I mentioned that I fancied an adventure. WELL, life is never as you imagine it should be and I (as the previously mentioned grownup) should know that. We are possibly at the beginning of an adventure but it no way resembles the one I had in mind. I'll keep you posted (or will I? as my posting isn't too hot at the moment!)
As a mother of four I am often asked advice on stuff to do with small people and it would seem that I pushed the section of my brain that remembers anything of any worth out, in ever increasing sections along with each child. So my default setting is "just bumble along,do what's right for you, muddle through and most importantly - don't plan anything because in my experience it never turns out how you think it will." There! That much I can recall.
The crafting is coming along although it's taken an altogether more commercial direction. A lovely friend of mine has booked us in for a couple of craft fairs and the first one is this weekend so I have been a sort of busy bee with no doubt a mad dash tomorrow afternoon when everyone is busy doing other things.
The eldest had a haircut yesterday and her attention to her appearance seems to have put me to shame because I find myself considering an impromptu visit to the barbers because I wouldn't want to embarrass the glorious 5 as I Morph into this grownup. Added to that I was stopped as I walked through Boots the other day by a bright young thing trying to sell me a new wonderful foundation that covers wrinkles.How that poor girl got out of that one unscathed I'll never know!
The photo is of the beautiful first born on her birthday last week...Just one of the reasons I am so mature..

A bit like the gym...

2011-10-22T09:16:00.002+01:00

Setting up a craft table in my room has been a bit like signing up to the gym at the start of a new year.Good intentions but when it comes round to putting on your trainers and leaving the house it's not as easy as you thought it would be!
Needless to say I haven't achieved much on the crafting front apart from a few cards and a trial mouse with wonky ears. We'll have to rely on the glorious charity shops to achieve my aim.
In other news...the eldest has a job hoorah!!! We're proud. She got out there with her CV and bagged herself a job in a flagship store in Oxford Street. Oh the excitement!! It will be interesting to watch her progress in this new stage in all of our lives. A grown up girl - how did that happen?

4 different dinners

2011-10-10T19:43:00.005+01:00

I bumped into a lovely neighbour of ours the other day, and when asked how she was, she spoke of being in a 'golden period'. Her golden periods seemed like they lasted a bit longer than mine ie.weeks rather than hours, but I vaguely knew what she was talking about.
Those are the times when all seems well with the world and every thing's sorted.
I had one this afternoon...the washing was done, the house hoovered to within an inch of its' life, dinner was made and I'd even had an hour to indulge my crafting indulgence before pickup.
Then whoosh...we're out of toilet paper, the kids come through the door asking what the awful smell is (their dinner) there seems now to be 7 children instead of 4 and no way enough smelly dinner to feed them all. I manage to create something else to eat out of not very much whilst the two smallest play precariously on the shed roof but still don't have enough to feed any grown ups.
Ah well, maybe that's for the best as I had managed to absent mindedly eat 7 marshmallows, the remains of 2 packed lunches ( I'd mixed them up this morning)and 6 garlic stuffed olives.
As I speak the remaining children - we're now down to 3 - are rooting in the cereal cupboard obviously making up for the tea that needed to go a bit further!
Life is never dull and if you look for it , usually a lighter shade of gold, most days.
The picture is not one of the kids that came to tea today, nor is it the lovely neighbour but a handsome fella we met in the summer. Thought he was more interesting than a photo of my dinners!

A sneaky blog post

2011-10-09T20:24:00.003+01:00

I've done it! I have the technology in my hands, the smalls are occupied, the girls are out and so is the man one. AND it's all about indulgence tonight because I plan to watch t.v. for a whole hour after this!!
So - Autumn has returned and with it , the roast dinners, snuggly afternoons and period dramas on at 9pm. I do so love it but you know that already.
The loveliest thing that happens in our house during Autumn is that we are led to think of Christmas. Not in an over commercialised way, no, in the loveliest of ways. So here I am tonight, listening to Dean Martin's 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas' album on spotify and I'm making a list...and possibly checking it more than once!! My big plan his year is to make, or find in charity shops, every one's presents. So watch out if you're in receipt of a Cookhouse gift. And that's the reason I'm starting now.
I've set up a workstation in our room and I'm raring to go. I just love to create and I think if all my crafting stuff is more to hand then I'm more likely to do so. How Hamish feels about the bedroom being taken over by a sewing machine, a trestle table and all my hoarded material I'm not sure but I'm sure it will all be worth it or maybe there will be a mad dash to the pound store on December 24Th! Hope not...

On Parenting....

2011-09-29T07:57:00.002+01:00

"Betsy, do you know how to wash your face?"
"'course I do......I've seen it on films"

Fleas,bees and all the little things in between....

2011-09-22T14:16:00.004+01:00

Well it's wasps actually but that didn't fit with my title.
Life with 4 is never dull but sometimes it sails and sometimes it engulfs you. At the moment we're engulfed.
We have an infestation of wasps.The boy is now quite accomplished at removing these critters from his room - what a hero. Sadly these critters are quite accomplished at finding their way back in.
Fat Lil is covered in the darned jumpers so she's banished from anywhere that might harbour the awful things (which is everywhere apparently as they live and thrive everywhere) But there has been protests from the smalls that we are excluding her and treating her unfairly. Perspective DOESN'T come into it!
On top of this Hamish has a concert to prepare for, a sermon to write and some studying to do. The small boy is poorly and requires medical visits and we are checking out schools for next year for all that's worth and the eldest is making life changing decisions!!!
The house funnily enough isn't keeping itself tidy so that needs doing. That's where the little things come in. Whilst attacking the relentless mess , dishes, clothes to be washed, dried sorted, stored I do come across little gems that make me stop and wonder. It may be a little drawing, scribbled note, ('poo'written on a piece of masking tape and stuck on the door frame) toys set up to have a tea party - you get the picture. It reminds me what a varied and wonderful set of children we have and in the midst of all this madness, despite the distance I have to cover putting belongings away everyday, I am still in love with them all.

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Love Peckham

2011-09-14T13:53:00.006+01:00

After the riots, some inspired people of Peckham took it upon themselves to start a wall of' post it statements' on the boarded up pound shop window as to why they loved Peckham.
This was a fightback and made the news all over the globe.
I had shopping to do this morning, so I donned my trainers and headed off for Del boy turf. The sun was out, the sky was blue, there was a real feel of Autumn in the air and I can honestly say, that I too loved Peckham at that moment in time.
Sometimes my concrete surrounding can seem a bit soul-less and urbane and my heart yearns for nature, space and open skies. This morning however I was revelling in all the cultural mishmash and loving it.
There are a million (!) shops selling EVERYTHING in the world....Where else do you know that you can pick up a bottle of yellow catkin water, 2kg of custard powder, concentrated cardamom syrup, a packet of dried lime, roasted maize cake rusks, teas of ever conceivable plant and 20 litres of mandarin juice?
It was a rare moment where I was able to look at this great surge of humanity and revel in all its diversity.
I still held my breath whilst passing the 'use it all up butchers' but I had a glimpse of how creative God is , even in this wild and crazy neighbourhood.

Harvest

2011-09-09T10:02:00.007+01:00

I have heard it said, by columnists that are trying to convince us city dwellers to celebrate the urbaneness of the urban, that we can grow wonderful produce in the comfort of our own window boxes.
Well, here at the Cook house, we do try and I have mentioned in the past about our attempts at living the good life
.This year was no exception. Spring came and with it came lots of enthusiasm and seed planting. The results however were less enthusiastic! We got 9 borlotti bean pods, 10 bog standard pea pods and about 14 strawberries (the slugs got more)
The tomato harvest was more promising. Sadly I suffer from the inability to stop myself anthropomorphising most things, let alone living, breathing emerging seedlings and ,obviously believe that the whole plant deserves a chance. This has resulted this year in some very wide tomato plants with a myriad of tiny weeny pink tomatoes. I haven't got the original packet, so I'm not entirely convinced that this isn't what they're supposed to look like! Oh and we had a lettuce a day during most of June which was nice.
Looking on the bright side of life they are perfect for packed lunch boxes... as the children trudge (yes, they're trudging already) to school.
I have however realised an ambition -A hollyhock... or should I say ,The Mother of all hollyhocks. She's (there I go again) at least 6 foot tall and very happily leaning over into next doors yard so they can enjoy her as well!!!

All Autumny

2011-09-02T08:00:00.005+01:00

It's happened, we are plunged into my favourite season, seemingy by the back door. I'm not ready for it yet. I barely got up to wish Tilly well on her first day back and certainly only opened one eye and grunted at my lovely spouse when he left for work early this morning!
Still I do love the Autumn. Already we have conkers on tables and hot chocolate before bed.
We were in the park the other day gathering in the shiny brown irrisistables,when Hamish was heard asking -"What are you going to do with those when you get them home?" Now there's a man that has been around the block (or the park)a bit.
DO with the conkers? We quite obviously don't DO anything with them old man! We just can't resist the urge to gather up the beautiful shiny things...oh and then we may stick them in a plastic bag and put them under our beds for you to find when you notice the bad smell mid November!
Talking of going around the block, we have..at least 21 times. It was our wedding anniversary yesterday. It doesn't seem too long ago that 2 earnest young people were trying to persuade their parents that it was ok that they didn't have anywhere to live on the Wednesday before they got married, and that the order of services weren't printed the day before they got married. We've been on a wild and colourful journey since then and I'm very glad for it indeed.
We celebrated by taking the family to a very nice Italian Restaurant in Camberwell (yes, such a thing does exist) and very nearly had to do the dishes as I forgot to take my purse. A swift phone call in the toilet to the bank, followed by a surreptitious nip out to a cash machine by the eldest saved the day.
So - here's to our family - glad we did it - it's great fun sharing the days with you , be they autumny, summery(rare), wintry or all of the above all at once, which is more likely. x

Rain and Riots

2011-08-29T21:32:00.003+01:00

So - here we are at the end(ing) of the hols. Hamish is back at the grindstone tomorrow and then we're all back next Monday.
I don't think I have regrets about staying in the smoke because we've had some fun times but I am abit sad that we didn't have many lazy sunny days. More dashing between the clouds days. Much rain and some riots.
Bank holiday was true to form and quite freezing with the sun getting out now and again. We headed to Dulwich park, picnicked, ran rounders and raced banana bikes. It was lovely family fun times minus the one who got away.
We have been married for 21 years on Thursday and felt that was worth a mention.
Crazy times but largely fun. Still looking for that adventure though.
Most of that time we have lived in our current haphazard house with many people staying for a while here and there. When we moved in it was just the two of us rattling around, but we worked hard and filled it with small Cookies who have now grown into the splendiferous creatures that they are.
We've had the house most ways and I have blogged before about the switching and swapping of bedrooms and we thought we'd settled.... but no.
The boy one wanted to downsize...to simplify and that meant switching with his sis. This gigantium event happened today much to my chagrin - well not really because we've achieved enough of a change for the small boy to feel settled. The baby one will be my companion tonight as she doesn't like the mess that we've(!) created and Hamish is suffering from the ill effects of small children creeping into his bed at night time so he's off to another place.
We're trying to introduce bedtimes of some description this week so I'll break off now and go read short stories to smalls in new rooms.
(picture is London museum - we like)

Results day

2011-08-25T20:05:00.003+01:00

Well today was the day that we were all waiting for, bated breath abounding. It has nearly passed without too much sadness. The girl did well and we are very proud.
We had a trip to the Imperial War Museum which we do like and then back for a sleep for some of us - glorious lazy days.
Well I say glorious lazy days but the bad weather and the nights drawing in have caused a bit of gloominess. Maybe its because we didn't go away? Who knows. It is very nice not having to get up though.
We have a keen film maker in the house at the moment which is fun.The boy one. He assures me that when he hits the big time he will buy us a house in LA or fly us over when we want. There's something to look forward to then.
I gave blood for the first time today and was heartened by the absolutely span of humanity that was in that elongated caravan in Sainsburys car park. It's not even as if people get paid apart from the weak orange juice and custard creams.
Since I sat down to write this, two small children have been talking to me continually and I've been nodding in agreement and I'm not quite sure what I've agreed to so I'm off to find out. Happy Thursday x

The picture above is my gorgeous exam taking girlie and her quite fantastically ancient great grandfather at his birthday party back in July

Resurrected?

2011-08-24T09:39:00.004+01:00

Well hello,

What a long time away.
There was a spell when we were computer-less and then there were exams (eek) and then there's always a gaggle of smalls wanting their fix of screen time so I am sorely pushed to get near this baby.
So - we are still here doing whatever it is we do. It's the summer at the moment and we've had some fun.
We stayed in London this year out of disorganisation and utter amazement at the cost of taking a large family anywhere for any amount of time. The girls have been involved in a community week at their church, we've had family and we've done the cinema, swimming, some sight seeing and some glorious not getting out of bed very early at all days.
We have a week and a half until this all comes to a rude and disappointing halt. The eldest has finished legal school, the next one down is desperate to leave and the smalls just don't want to go. What goes on there then?
I have cut my hours down to be around a bit more and the old man is number crunching as ever.
We are on the hunt for an adventure so watch this space.
All is quiet in The Cookhouse at the moment and it's 9.45, so I suppose I'd better make some noise before we waste the day....as my mother in law would have said.
Hope to speak soon x

Loving the Autumn

2010-10-19T21:17:00.003+01:00

This, I think is my favourite season. Everything changing, preparing for winter and , in this house we sense that we're getting nearer to Christmas which we adore.
All the smalls are well - usual coughs and colds but nothing awful.
Always wishing we lived in the countryside so we could really notice the seasons, but grateful that our small corner of this grand metropolis is reasonably leafy and colourful. The small boy thinks it's "terrible" and would much rather reside in the wilds of Scotland. But alas, we are not really at a packing it all in and uprooting to the North stage in our family life at the moment.
I am having an interesting time at work. I'm getting involved in 'court support' to people affected by a member of their family being sent to prison. A largely forgotten and shunned group of people, and as far as I can see it will be a bit sad, quite challenging and a lot rewarding.
Half term looms and not a moment too soon. There's also quite a significant birthday approaching which will, ultimately make me feel very old so I've taken precautions by dying my hair. It has been met with mixed opinions - many folk either not noticing it or choosing not to mention it so it may be the last time it gets done and I may just grow old gracefully!!
Still, that will suit me nicely up in the highlands of God's own country.

I like it that..

2010-09-24T13:53:00.003+01:00

I like it that there's a lego storm trooper on the door frame in the living room.
I like it that there are several potions on the bathroom window.
I like it that I have 5 acorns, 8 conkers, 2 bottle tops, a half eaten packet of crisps, a small Christmas stocking, 1 hairband and a balloon in my handbag.
And I like it that I was sewing a Scotland badge onto a small boys t shirt 10 minutes before the start of school this morning.
L'hourra pour la famille.

I'm not sure what's going on but..

2010-09-16T20:41:00.004+01:00

I'm on my own downstairs, with the laptop, no tv on, everybody in bed and it's only quarter to nine?
I lie - there is a medium size boy on the sofa, wriggling as he has a sore tummy and headache, but he isn't making a fuss - or even a sound so it doesn't count as disturbance.
Week 2 of school and things are reasonable. Everyone seems to be walking out the door semi voluntarily at the moment (after some discussion) and homework seems to be getting done..largely.
The man person and I are back into the swing of things with work and I have even had a good two days, with much to occupy me AND stuff to get excited about!
Medium boy is moaning quietly now so I may not have much time left.
It's something like 99 sleeps until Christmas (don't tell my Dad I used the 'C' word) and the excitement and mental preparation is not far away. We once holidayed in a cottage in Wales in early October and only took Christmas music with us (Handel as opposed to Slade) and we loved it. We haven't quite hit the Christmas compilations yet but I can feel it in my bones.
The word "sick" has just come from the opposite sofa so I had better move swiftly.
Mel
NB The above photo was taken in mid summer but looks so Autumny that I thought I'd use it now x

And so we go on...

2010-09-05T20:32:00.003+01:00

Another round begins. Packed lunches, homework, tea dates, new shoes, highs and lows. As you can imagine tonight is a bit of a low. The summer holidays are gone and we have to conform again.
We will do it, but will also miss the freedom.
But we have had an adventure. We've been on trains, boats and buses. We've driven cars, and chicken back into their pens! We've been in the sea and caught starfish. We've watched movies and sunsets and eaten icecream till we could eat no more. We are very lucky and will look back fondly.
The big girls have a few more days of freedom until they darken their school doors again. New challenges (aka exams and choices) face them upon their return. Talking of which, the lovely eldest did very well in her GCSE bits (no we don't really understand how it works now) and we are hugely proud of her and they both had gleaming reports, which is nice!!
But for now, it's clean teeth, bath, stories and bed whilst we await what this school year holds for us.
I'm off to make jam which is the line of work I would ideally like to end up in! Watch this space.

Where has the summer gone?

2010-08-26T10:33:00.005+01:00

Aww, the summer holidays are going too fast. We've had a ball so far but really don't want it all to end.
I do love Autumn though and it's very much like it at the moment thanks to our fantastic weather. A lovely neighbour of ours brought round some delicious plum jam yesterday which got me in the mood for preserving and bottling....and living in the countryside!!
Yesterday was a frightful day so courtesy of a local charity shop we had a VHS festival and all for a pound.Our video recorder is hanging on by a thread and long may that continue.
My urban gardening exploits have been mildly successful insofar as we had homegrown pesto last night - delicious! The feeling you get from using homegrown produce(get me..) is very satisfying and I've said it before, but it makes the food seem all the more precious. Apart from basil though, the rest has been quite unsuccessful - very green but not very successful. We have green tomatoes aplenty and very large pumpkin leaves and not much else. Oh - the coriander is flourishing so I feel a curry coming on.
I won't be going off grid yet then and will post about our lovely life again soon x

Fantastic hols

2010-08-23T08:32:00.003+01:00

We've been here there and everywhere. Actually, the children are exhausted and begging for mercy in the form of staying put for a while.
After the Sussex holiday we went to Cheltenham and had a fun time feeding chickens and gadding about the Cotswold's. The smalls were thrilled with the enormous paddling pool that was in the garden we were at and despite freezing conditions, managed to jump in every day clothes included usually.
After Cheltenham it was to work for me and Hamish took the two smalls to my parents - what dedication! So they spent a week in Norfolk which is glorious. I nipped up after work on the Friday and we went exploring all together.
The eldest ladies were doing community service....I mean a community week with their church, worked very hard - one broke her finger - but both had great fun with minimum amounts of sleep and a seriously changed diet so now are both fast asleep and dreaming and may be for some time.
It seems to be doing all the summer's raining today so I will take the opportunity to do all the washing that this vast and glorious family can produce when they're having fun.

Holiday H-aven.....

2010-08-07T09:44:00.006+01:00

Weirdly, we've just spent a week in a most unlikely place - a caravan on a site in Sussex with the temperamental English weather, and yet I've come back feeling like I really got away from it all. GREAT.
We had fun in our temporary home with plenty of swimming done and some nice adventures to the beach, some of us even swam.
There were some railway carriages sited on the beach that are now homes - my absolute dream, but these carriages had been built around so you really had to peer in to even see what they once were.
We had ice cream and candyfloss, coca cola and sweets and we managed to see some truly awful shows courtesy of the campsite entertainment team. A real British holiday.
I did manage to read two fantastic books though which is a real treat. See - all you need to do is lower your expectations and you can get wowed by anything!!

Tee Hee...

2010-07-19T21:17:00.003+01:00

Am led to blog by guilty feelings from lovely friends linking to my blog!
We are having a birthdaytastic time at the moment but it all goes quiet from now on.
We've had a Birthday Betsy recently and had a great time celebrating in all kinds of ways with all kind of cakes.We also had a party with a visit from reptileman. He brought several creatures with him including a 12 ft Boa constricter, a scorpion, a millipede and a tarantula amongst others.
Big girl now - where did that time go? She does still amuse us hugely with her antics and tales and really still is the baby. Aaah. Am resisting having another though as 5 is quite a lot.
Loving the sun, happy to be alive and as privileged as we are. Still trying to decide our holiday destination though. We have a few gigs lined up - chicken sitting twice which will be great fun. Barbara or Margo? Barbara every time - hand me my dungarees!
School is out for 1 of the winkies, 3 to go and they can't wait, neither can I. I love the summer holidays and the great opportunity to just do nothing.
Small boy wants a story now so I will go and read one - and fall asleep - and wake up half an hour later feeling shocking!! Same old, same old, been doing it for years. We are reading 'Just William' which I would highly recommend as long as you have a degree in 1930's English. Smashing x

School's Out

2010-07-02T22:00:00.004+01:00

Nearly there! We are so looking forward to the end of term here in the Cook house.
Life's too short for school and rules but alas it's something we need to do to learn stuff at this moment in time.
But Summer - No rules, bare feet, late mornings, later evenings and great smells.
Talking of school - the boy was shouted at the other day for not knowing what sympathetic meant.......oh how we laughed x
I think there's something in the water at the moment as I know lots of lovely pregnant ladies. My sister and my sister in law are making an auntie of me again which I am thrilled about. Another pregnant lovely is our friend- Lucy. Even at 20 weeks pregnant and in this heat, she's still finding the energy to campaign her heart out! FOLLOW HER BLOG BY CLICKING ON LUCY IN MY FRIENDS WHO BLOG LIST, OR FOLLOW THIS LINK.
http://lulastic.blogspot.com/
You could even get pro-active yourself and send a letter to your MP. It's very easy and very worthwhile.

Happy with my p... lot

2010-06-20T21:29:00.005+01:00

Have been sad about the garden being eaten but something that someone quoted today in church - and yes, that is where I will have to leave it as I can't find the verse, led me to be grateful for the tiny back yard and look forward to its yield - if any!
We had a tiny bbq today which was nice. The small boy was pleased with himself as he was able to use the fire starter/flint/Ray mears thingy to get it going and there was a bit of fun and fizzy drink.
We don't normally go in for bbqs as we are largely vegetarians and it really, despite Delia's best efforts,isn't a very exciting choice. But today is Father's day and 'man like fire', so we thought we'd give it a go. We did apologize to next door for contaminating their washing.
We are very lucky with all we have and as I've said before, it would be great to be able to get to a place that we were able to appreciate it all...and stay there!
All the children are well and so are we.
I have had a really nice evening as both the small ones went straight to sleep and I was able to listen to Radio 2 which I love doing on a Sunday evening as I am approaching middle age and this is what we do.
I have some photos of the back yard and it looks bountiful and full. That is all to do with clever positioning of the camera and trickery, but we do have a very nice life and I am glad of it and when I find that verse I will let you know.

Another Teenager

2010-06-06T17:26:00.003+01:00

Aarrrgh! There's another one in the house now. Tee Hee - we love her very much and hope that she has a really happy 13th year.
As a birthday treat , the new teenager and I went on a jaunt to Paris and we had a lovely time. Eurostar was great but it almost didn't feel like we were any place other than the uk as we didn't really notice any crossing over.
The celebrations as ever in this house eek themselves out and we had a cake two days later and there's still a sleepover to come - although I have learnt my lesson with regards to the latter and only have three girls staying.
My career as a farmer is not going well. The slugs have seen to it. We may get a few tomatoes and I have counted 9 gooseberries and a possible 3 plums. Still - I suppose it's all relative as we do only have a back yard and nowhere near a smallholding.
What I am doing though is making elderflower cordial again and have about 9 bottles worth awaiting bottling in the tiny kitchen . That makes it interesting when we're making toast.
It's the last day of half term and we are having a lazy day. One teenager is at the Capital fm Summer ball listening to acts that I haven't heard of, one has just left for church, the small boy is watching the excellent film The Goonies and the really small one gave in to exhaustion 2 hours ago, which should make for an interesting evening now that she's had her sleep. Only one has done the homework that they were set so all in all they've had a really fantastic holiday.

There will always be another bus....

2010-05-22T21:53:00.003+01:00

Well, after blogging about taking it easy and slowing the pace I fell foul to the fast pace that is London life.
I had a fall,whilst running for the bus. But it didn't just involve me - I had a child on my back and she went over the top whilst my nose hit the floor. There was a bus full of people and a line of traffic and if I'm not on YouTube I'll be amazed.
Anyway, as I dragged myself up off the floor, soothed one daughters tears and the other 3 children's embarrassment - an old man with a wonderful Jamaican accent informs me that :"They'll always be another bus me dear..there will always be another bus" And there will always be another bus. Never mind keep calm and carry on - I'm getting this poster.
With regards to waiting for my yard to transform itself into a wonderful green space, it really isn't being helped by the slugs and snails that I seem to be so good at breeding.
There you go - I've joined the swathes of frustrated gardeners who have blogged about the dreaded slug - I have arrived.
Still, we have had a glorious day and are very happy with the sunshine.Hope you are too x x

Just a quick note

2010-05-11T19:33:00.004+01:00

Each day as I do stuff - I am writing a blog in my head but it (I) rarely get to the keyboards to transfer it, so I'm taking advantage of the empty chair.
We are all well. The smallest is cutting and sticking a surprise for me as we speak, so I'm not allowed to turn around as that is where she's working. The boy is at cubs -I've just dropped him off. We have taken to freewheeling down the hill with him on the back of my trusty bike. Highly risky I'm sure but heaps of fun. 1 girl sick in bed, so she's not actually well and the eldest has left the building. Hamish thinks he's posh because he's reading in the front room whilst listening to classical music.
I've indulged in a bit of tv watching of late. I don't usually bother as I come away thinking that I've just wasted 30 mins/2 hours... but I did enjoy watching Peter Owen - the vicar following the teachings of St Francis and living without money for 3 months. He's growing most of his food and working for the rest. It's a nice watch if you can catch it this week.Cynics - you know who you are, please leave the room.
I've done my own bit of planting this last week. If all is successful we are due to have plenty of herbs, salad, tomatoes,bell pepper, courgettes and pumpkins.But if the slugs have their way.....
I just love gardening, even though we only have a small back yard and if my tender seedlings grew just by me looking at them and checking them, we would have giants!
Have a lovely week,
Mel x

Take it easy

2010-04-27T20:09:00.003+01:00

I've said it, before but I was totally born in the wrong time and live in the wrong place.
I can't bear to be rushed and will cope with technology but would largely do without...to a point.
I love to take it easy and manage my own time without pressures and routines.When we home educated our offspring I was in heaven - I was bucking the system and being partly self sufficient.
Recently I've noticed how great it is to step back and dream. Unfortunately being dreamy whilst cycling through the streets of Camberwell does not go down well with other cyclists and motorists. It's just that my bicycle is made for floating along - not dashing. I expect hedgerows and leafy lanes and all I get is potholes and irate drivers!
Another way I have of slowing the pace is classical music and my all time favourite is The lark ascending. It absolutely makes me stop. I just have to sneak away and listen to it...till the end, and it's quite a long piece. Try it - you will cry, and dream, and think you have gone to Heaven.
The last 'thing' that slows me are our wonderful children, particularly the smallest. NO concept of time whatsoever and when I'm in the right place it's lovely - as long as I can step back and get where she's coming from. She lives totally in the moment and that is maybe where I was supposed to live.

Sunshine

2010-04-13T17:59:00.003+01:00

The sunshine is here and it's great and rather uplifting. It's not uplifting when you go up North and only hear of the sunshine that is occurring down South!
We were in the North last week spending time with the Hamish's father and venturing into deepest Lancashire to visit my octogenarian Grandfather who has had a fall and is feeling very sorry for himself. He is a marvellous old chap though and we're glad we did it.
It's an interesting development when your teenagers would rather be elsewhere though. I blame that social networking site! They would be blissfully unaware that they were missing all the fun if they were unable to log in...BaH. We NEVER knew what people were up to and so thought we were having the best of times....?...didn't we?
Now we are back at home doing some working and some playing. I have the sewing bug so everyone is getting handmades this year! I failed on the bunnies - they were too skinny so I gave up. I did manage one and the smallest biscuit snatcher claimed that as her own during the - not very extensive, confined to the living room - Easter egg hunt. I pore endlessly over fantastic blogs filled with beautifully photographed crafts with deep longing and wait for the day that I can hand in my clocking in card and sew/make/craft to my hearts content and for the benefit of our bank account!
So - here comes the sun and we are busy wondering about where to spend the holidays. Hamish and I and 3/4 of the smalls are very easy to please but the spanner in the works (beautiful though she is)has grand ideas of warm weather and clean beaches!? We will no doubt have an adventure even if it is only breaking the news that we may stay within these shores to our eldest!

Sunday night

2010-03-28T19:25:00.005+01:00

Well I have managed to get to the computer even though there are smalls in the house - they've all had their allotted time today and are off dueling dwarfs or straightening their hair or something.
THE WEDDING! It was great fun and very beautiful. We had such a lovely time and I only cried 6 times. It took place in Henley on Thames in a rather beautiful setting and there was such a lovely happy vibe to the whole day. Having brought the happy couple together in the first place I was particularly proud and pleased. All my babies were bridesmaids and pageboys respectively and they behaved rather beautifully and of course looked gorgeous.
We had Australian relatives over and lots and lots of friends having much fun. Thank you for a grand party and big love and congratulations to you both x x
Spring is trying to break through which is so wonderful. I looked at the yard today and have grand plans for our 3 square meters! I was inspired by the Country Living Spring fair this week with lots of green, yellow and pink - I just live in the wrong town/ area/ era!...
Still determined to produce wonderful crafts, I have started on some Easter bunnies. 4 to be exact and with only 6 days to go, a full time job and several piles of washing to tackle - I think I'll do just fine!

Madly making marmalade

2010-03-08T20:15:00.004Z

It's seville orange season and I am churning out the stuff at a rate of knots. It's great and it sooo makes me feel like the domestic goddess I was called to be! Enough of this going out to work lark...
When I am stirring the bubbling hot stuff on the stove I am fulfilled, at one, creative and providing. The sad fact is, only one of my children likes the stuff- but provider I am, for that one at least.
There was a great plan in my life to go all out on the creative side , but sadly we are into March and all I have really made is the jam stuff and a couple of cakes, so I won't be handing in my notice just yet - especially as I give the stuff away! I will endeavour to craft and be like Martha for the final three quarters of the year.
We are busy busy busy getting ready for the big wedding. The man one survived his brother's stag weekend and now we have but 2 weeks till the big day. So little time and so much to do - and we're just the relatives.
Talking of weddings, we are 20 years married this year and are trying to come up with a fun way to celebrate this momentous, totally baffling (I am too young for this) occasion. Any ideas to the usual address.
Until next time and if you should want any marmalade..£2,50 a jar..."what?! I have to start somewhere".

The morning after the night before...

2010-02-28T15:59:00.003Z

Aaah - Sunday afternoon and all is quiet in the Cook house.
It is a grey old day in London but we are fed, watered, occupied and eternally grateful and so I blog.
Last night was interesting.
Last summer I indulged in a bit of match making - I say indulged - that makes it sound pre-meditated which it soo wasn't. Hamish's brother and a relatively brand new friend of mine. AND the outcome of that is a wedding....in 3 weeks! And so yesterday was the hen party in a spa on the Edgeware road. Well, I've had that experience and now I can leave it there!!
Ooh but it was fun - a hamam spa? Anyone had one? Lots of steam, some cold water, black stuff smeared in places then scrubbed off with what I can only think was one of our flannels (we don't use fabric conditioner) and then a foot rub. Lots of ladies, lots of screaming and lots of fun followed by a meal and some comedy at Tiger Tiger on the Haymarket. So here's to Tania & Murray - Big love and best prayers for you both.
Hamish goes on the stag do to Harrogate next weekend so we will await his stories with eagerness.
The rest of the week has passed without much drama. We still have a poorly Hamish but the rest of us are in reasonable health. Bring on the spring though. The man person is wanting to move to a warmer climate and even my Celtic bones are starting to agree with him.
I have just been summoned to an impromptu production of Rapunzel in the front room so I will leave you but I will try this week to do something wildly interesting to blog about. In the meantime - have a safe week x

Sore feet but here..

2010-02-25T21:27:00.003Z

I have managed to get too the computer twice in one month and we're not at the end yet.
My sore feet are a sadness and make me appear older than my years -still I am approaching 40 this time. Note to self - make appointment with podiatrist before I have to wear slippers outside!
Our half term started out very nicely. In fact I was in domestic heaven just pootling round the house tidying, making, cleaning, sorting, children happy THEN illness struck and I was a temporary single parent as the husband man was confined to his bed due to a flu. Still, it was glorious not to have to go to work and make packed lunches and stay in pyjamas far too long. That IS the life.
February is starting to be ever so slightly depressing and we do need it to end. The spring will be very welcome and here in the Cook family we have the added joy of a wedding which will be lovely. I will keep you posted as most (5/6ths) of this family are involved and have to wear nice clothes. As for me - I will don a dress and comb my hair and take lots of pictures so watch this space x

A new start

2010-02-13T14:33:00.002Z

How many times have I said that - I am rubbish at blogging with consistency BUT, and I know they say a good workman never blames his tools - well I can't even get to my toolbox!!! The children have taken over the technology! I use the word technology very loosely as our computer requires winding up before one can do anything on it. Still - husband is trawling the centre of all things techno as we speak (Tottenham Court road) avec spread sheet and 2 cunning and experienced Greeks, to see if he can get a deal on a laptop of all things.
So much has occur ed since I last wrote. The reason I am back though, apart from all the children being occupied doing other things, is that a lovely friend of mine reported that she had happened upon this blog and that she liked the tone. Well thank you for saying so Nicky. It is also a very therapeutic thing to do so I will endeavour to keep it up.
We are stunned again by all life has to throw at us via our children. Roller coaster doesn't cover it anymore -what's the next thing up? Well we are on it! But we are trying to maintain a sense of humour and perspective and aren't decided which one of those is the most valuable yet...I'll let you know.
I will not tempt fate - even though I don't believe there is such a thing - and will leave the keyboard and go and make the curtains that have been waiting to be made for many years.
Until next time..

Ashamed

2009-10-06T21:38:00.003+01:00

So ashamed as I have not blogged since the summer.
We're now in the glorious autumn - my favourite season I think, although I love them all and shall be sad when they all merge into one.
Talking of which we have been doing some serious recycling/decluttering, call it what you will. I think we are coming out of the fug that is parenting small children and are moving into the next exciting stage - whatever that may be, and as we leave it we realise all the stuff that we have been harbouring for the next one, all the stuff people have passed onto us and we have gratefully received - may not be needed anymore. (I say we but I think it is I who is the major culprit as Hamish would happily exist sitting on a cardboard box resting his feet on the cat)
It is a good thing - less really is more and we are discovering space that we didn't know we had and a clarity of mind and spirit that has been buried under 17 duvets for several years.
Hopefully keep you up to date with any major discoveries we have - material and otherwise, oh and if anyone should need any bedding......!

Summery sunshine

2009-07-25T21:46:00.002+01:00

AAAh, what a lovely day.
We've cricketed, supped elderflower cordial and eaten an impromptu sponge cake and read. Now THAT is what summer is all about. It is also about a medium sized girl's first solo jaunt out to the local lido and her first awful case of sunburn. A happy day with consequences.
This house of ours is mad and chaotic - and it's all our fault we know, but here we are at the end of a sunny busy day and the children are still munching on cereal and watching the Goonies (great film)
We love it though and wouldn't change a thing....well not many things!
The small one has had chicken pocks since Tuesday morning and so that means we've been confined. I'm ever so slightly stir crazy but she's been fabulous. She has been covered - even with some on her tongue..oouch!
Eldest is away for a week - camping!!We are missing her and hope she has fun and is able to keep warm and happy. To say she would feel out of place in an Enid Blyton story is a slight understatement, so we await her return and her tales with eager anticipation.
I'm not sure if anyone still reads this, but I just thought I'd check in and let you know how we all are, blogging twice in one month seems to be quite good in the Facebook age.

After the lull

2009-07-08T18:27:00.003+01:00

I am writing this whilst avoiding the dinner dishes and the rest of it.
We are well here in London. The weather has been glorious and now has turned. I don't mind too much as I don't do heat very well - I am not glamorous at the best of times but less so when it's 38 and I have to cycle uphill!
We plod on here in Camberwell, realising what a charmed life we have - or should I say - trying to emphasise what a charmed life we have to the children. I've been mildly involved with getting supplies to the folk who have been made homeless by the fire last Friday, and just that small involvement was a good reminder for me to appreciate all that I have - and also how precious my non material posessions are ie. The Cookies!
I do have a housefull of small people running riot so I should go and see what all the noise is, but can I just leave you with a great Franciscan Benediction I came across today:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

A lovely Sunday afternoon

2009-06-14T16:03:00.003+01:00

Hallo from sunny London,
We have had a pretty exhausting weekend because we had a birthday party. The party kind of took care of its' self but it was all the clearing up beforehand and then the clearing up the morning after. Never mind morning after - I think it will some days. Still - I hope she had fun and will have fond memories.
This week was good - I managed to overcome my techno difficulties and finish my coursework....only to be told that I rushed the last bit and maybe I should add a bit more!! It was just like being at school again.
We are all well, trying to help the eldest with her homework is proving trickier by the day. It would seem that Hamish and I not getting our o level maths does matter after all though. We are stuffed if we can remember how to calculate the angle inside a rhombus..with only very scant info being given to help you out..? Will she need to do that later in life?...my guess is not...but don't tell her I told you.

Technologeeeeeeeeee

2009-06-05T18:55:00.004+01:00

It would seem that the computer has eaten my coursework.
I've had quite a humbling day - realising that I'm not quite as clever as I thought I was! This computer thing has moved on since 1987, and although I can shop quite competently, saving coursework and filing it so that I can find it again is proving to be a bit beyond me. So is writing an account that doesn't sound like I'm writing a letter to my Granny!
Still, I'm not distressed (now). My coursework is a follow-up journal to a facilitators course I attended in April. I'm learning how to facilitate a parenting group, so I've been thinking about my own parenting all day. It has made me smile as I've recalled stuff that's gone on this week. I think I'm a pretty cool parent, and of course that Hamish is in fact the coolest dad, but our kids seem to have very different ideas...can you believe it. I think they just yearn for a normal pair..?I would like to think that when they get to the age of SREE - Big Brother, last night, they too will proclaim to the entire country (well those that watch channel 4 anyway) that we are gods...because we give them food - now that's parenting for you.

disclaimer: I was in fact only watching Big Brother as a bonding excercise with the eldest.

Here we are again

2009-06-01T22:01:00.004+01:00

Writing to you on the eve of another birthday that has come around very quickly indeed. Baby no.2 is getting old again. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVELY GIRL -WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE OURS. X X
Last week was very successful. Most children seemed happy most of the time. We swam, did the cinema, the park, the seaside...what more could we ask for? Sun..well we had that as well. Life is good and we are very grateful.
nb.the picture of the birthday girl was taken at a museum - not our house!

Ah...british culture

2009-05-28T09:41:00.003+01:00

The children thought it would be a good idea to go swimming yesterday, and it did sound like a good idea. Swimming, or rather visiting a swimming pool in this country must be the same kind of experience as childbirth. How so? Well - in my humble opinion, it's an incredibly painful experience, but you forget about that until the next time someone suggests that you do it again. It was noisy, crowded [I'm finished my childbirth analogy now] and the staff are far too keen to blow their whistles and aren't very nice once they've done that...oh!And the changing rooms smell of wee.
All this seemed to pass the small people by though and the promise of chips got them to leave the pool without the usual moans and groans.
We did have a nice day yesterday; Lazing about in pyjamas till lunch watching bad TV and consuming multiple breakfasts.I on the other hand was working hard for my family whilst they were tucking into their cornflakes. I was part of a consumer panel for Sainsbury's, for which I got £30 in Sainsbury's vouchers. There's a new supermarket opening nearby and they want to make sure that they're ahead of the game and don't lose customers.
Now for those of you who know me, you may be aware that I think supermarkets can be the bad boys and I would rather support the small independents. But I thought I would use this opportunity to give my opinion and try and shape the future of the fat cat - for the better in some small way. Yes of course I came across as a bicycle riding hippy with too many children but it was fun.
It's another day with the smalls all wanting to do different things, so I must go and negotiate! Bye for now.

In at the deep end and just about treading water

2009-05-23T17:20:00.003+01:00

Oh woe is me....Don't be too concerned, it's just that after 14 years of being at home this is all proving to be a little trying. Working....house...children...same old, same old. BUT! Here I am, on the computer - alone.
It's a Saturday afternoon. 2 children are asleep, 1 is watching Willy Wonka and 1 is at the cinema. Oh and husband is asleep also.
I have achieved a long held ambition - I've made elderflower cordial! You can only make it in May/June and I've always missed that window, but not this year! It was great fun buying citric acid from the chemists round here! For those who don't know, it's used by drug users somehow. My attempt at looking like a domesticated Goddess must have worked although I had to buy it in 2 chemists as they only let you have it in small quantities.
I've also gardened and sewed today, so life is good. It's half term and we are trying to please everybody in the family. "Can we go on holiday?" "Can we please stay here?" "This is the most boring day I have ever had in my life"
I'll leave you to guess who said what and hope to write again soon x

Tee Hee

2009-04-12T14:49:00.004+01:00

Just thought I'd share something that speaks volumes about our life...
William:"Mum - can you find me some socks please....not too big, not too small"
Happy Easter to you all x

It's wrong...I know

2009-04-11T20:27:00.004+01:00

I know I only blogged a couple of days ago and I am breaking a habit, but I'm blogging out of necessity.
It's Saturday night and we seem to be having a tv fest. It's ITV and Britain's got talent is on. I don't find it as excruciating as Hamish seems to. No!even worse...I can't watch without crying!!!So I will look at this screen instead so my kids don't see!
I don't know what it is and it really is only since having babies. It's also, I imagine, seeing Simon Cowell humbled.
Anyway- the lovely funny, fantastic scottish lady has finished singing now - so I will finish too. They say confession is good for the soul..

We've moved

2009-04-09T18:08:00.002+01:00

We haven't really, but we have had a swap around.
The older girls were finding room sharing a bit of a challenge, so we gave in and gave up! We now have a small room with our bed shoved up against the wall. It also has Ramones pictures on the door, red and white bunting with the number 8 hanging across the wall and a Star Wars poster on the ceiling. It's all making me smile at the moment so I might keep it like that!
It's been an interesting exercise moving 4 bedrooms at the same time. We started it about 2 weeks ago and I can just about move about with damaging my shins today. I kind of like sorting out. It gives me a bit more insight into our lovely children, what they like playing with, what they write and draw when they're on their own. It also uncovers things that we haven't seen for months...possibly years, which then gets a new lease of life. It also reminds me that less is more, so the bin is full, the recycling bag is overflowing and the charity shop has benefitted AND I even managed to walk out without buying anything!!
It's the Easter hols. The big girls seem to have left home leaving me with the smalls who are very happy with the park and the sweetie shop...Simple!

Sticks, sticks and more sticks

2009-03-19T14:45:00.003Z

I was a little unsettled this morning and couldn't figure why. As I cycled down the hill with the sun on my face and the wind in my hair - I REALLY couldn't see why I should be - I love this weather and didn't even have socks on, so it must be good.
I did work it out as the morning drew on. When no-one is on the computer, I will often sneak on and check out some of the zilllions of creative blogs that there are out there and I was a bit sad because that's how I want to earn my living!
There is a whole community of creatives out there that make a living doing and making things. I need to create but sadly don't have the time.Ho hum.
Then I thought that if I were more organized, I would be able to find space to do something, so I set to.
I decided that I would tidy the tv room first and I found no less than 7 sticks which made me smile and stopped me thinking about poor old me, and set me being grateful for that small boy, and his sisters who bring the sticks into the house.
We are very blessed and the story I wanted to share with you the other day is about our eldest who is truly fabulous and very responsible.
We were invited out for dinner - hooray - and left the smalls in the capable hands of girl no.1 for a few hours. As we arrived home we realised that we didn't have keys. It was 11 o clock, and all was quiet in the Cook house. We rang, we knocked, we whistled, we yelled, but 20 minutes later we were still outside.
Hamish decided that he would go round the back and see what he could do.
After vowing never to climb the drainpipe again, he did and yelled through the first floor window to see if he could alert anybody. This worked, as Tilly was roused from her sleep - went to the window and yelled back "WHAT? What do you want?"
Clinging on by his fingernails 15 feet up the side of the house, Hamish was slightly bemused but managed to find this all highly amusing.
Daughter no.1 did not and delivered a fantastic lecture on how irresponsible we'd been and didn't we realise she had to be up for school in the morning, to 2 very giggly grownups.
We'd like to go out again next week but aren't sure if she'll let us!

Spring!

2009-03-18T19:07:00.002Z

Isn't it great? It just changes everything. I am really enjoying riding round on my old lady bicycle in the sunshine and being happy! I fit right in round here I can tell you.
All's happy in the Cook house. We do have a funny story for you but I'll leave that for another day.
Everyone has just poured in from various tea dates so I won't stay. But I will tell you of the best thing I have read today on a blog I happened upon:
It was the perfect day to organize pipe cleaners........if only!

Away so long

2009-03-13T10:47:00.002Z

Sorry...life just marches on.

We are all well in the Cook house, after various bouts of illness. When there's so many of you the chances of somebody being off school/work each day are pretty high. Still, today we are all upright and in the places we need to be.
Had a nice weekend with the parents and my lovely sister and her husband. It was Grandma's birthday and so we decorated the house - had nice breakfast and then asked Grandma where she would like to go.
It was decided that the Tate would do, so off we set. We arrived and saw the enormous spider [ummmmm] and then went upstairs to the first floor where there was a children's education department. Cecily got something to do and so did Betsy, a tool to help them appreciate the artwork.
We had it explained that Betsy would take this fabric bag, with a fabric picture of the Tate on it[with squares of Velcro in appropriate places], and when we saw one of the objects that we had been given in the pocket of the bag on one of the artworks, we were to stick the object,with aid of some Velcro, onto the picture....so off we set. As we happened upon our first priceless work of art, Betsy duly scans for something she may recognise... et voila! There it is - into the fabric bag she delves and pulls out the matching object. Meanwhile I am delving into my bag when a small voice demands that "it won't stick...it won't stick" I look up and to my horror it wasn't the fabric picture of the Tate that she was trying really hard to stick this little velcroed object to..
Praise the Lord that the attendants are slightly less attentive than they ought to be. We legged it and had a jolly rest of the day with dear, dear granny and all the other nice folk that we were with, along the Thames on a sunny day in London Town.

Souza

2009-02-23T14:58:00.002Z

This is a helpful thought:
Today
Souza : For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one
Today, I am confined due to one of the smalls having the flu. It's made me realise that I am a serial socializer, but I have had some nice cuddles with the one that sometimes gets away.
It's good to slow down sometimes.

It's been a lovely day

2009-02-21T21:34:00.003Z

We've had a great day here at the Cook house.
Pancakes to start, followed by swimming at the Queen Mother's[see previous post] A tube ride across London to Bethnal Green, where we picnicked. A visit to the museum of Childhood, a bus ride to dear friends of ours for tea and cakes and then another bus ride home to have dinner with our lovely Jill. What more could we ask for.
Well, it would be nice if the teenager shared it with us, but she was out with body piercing in mind [it didn't happen in the end]
We are now heading to bed at 9.30, but we have to persuade the smalls who are at present re-enacting a 1940's domestic scene upstairs. The boy is a butcher who is also member of the home guard, who lives with his sister and his mother. Ring any bells?

All's quiet

2009-02-18T15:15:00.002Z

All is quiet in the Cook House, so I should take the opportunity to write something before all hell breaks loose, as it often does and surely will.
We have just returned from the grandparents new house. They live in Huntingdon - home of Oliver Cromwell and John Major I think.
It's a nice town with all it needs. Of course it was lovely to see the grandfolk. For all the time we've had children though, we've been very careful about what we called them - until now! Until Betsy!! She did manage not to swear, but did insist on calling my mother GRANNY the whole time we were there.Granny, in Brenda's book is old and we were under instruction that it was to be Grandma.
Still, it's done now. We can relax and no doubt join in. We won't however be joining in with the other name she tagged on. It rhymes - I'll leave you to do the maths. Granny assures us that she's not offended and does cope admirably with all me and my smalls throw at her! Thank you Brenda....and John. We do love you both very much.

From outrage to outrageous

2009-02-15T20:05:00.002Z

It is outrageous that I haven't blogged at all this month.
We are half way through the month now and I thought it was time to say something. I can assure you that it won't be of any great importance, but I'll blog anyway.
We've had amazing snow and 2 days off school as a result. That was fun.
I've been on a youth workers conference, learned I'm getting new bosses and just been generally busy.
The man is a trooper and troops gallantly into his workplace without complaining everyday....day in...day out....My hero. He does need rescuing soon though!
The smalls continue to delight and amuse everyday, in between all their nonsense.
We've had a very nice weekend. We've found our swimming pool of choice now - The Queen Mothers Sport's centre. Tee Hee. Surely one of the most bizarrely named sports facilities yet? If you can beat it, I'd love to hear from you. Then we went to a lovely park. I went with eldest to see a chick flick [of the highest order] after we'd had supper with our fabulous friend - nay -SISTER! Jilly. Today was church then a park. There is a real promise of Spring in the air which excites us all.
I'll try and keep up. I won't promise anything.
I must go now as the smallest said if I didn't come then she would cry "and you won't like the cryedness will you mummy?" I imagine I won't.

Outrage

2009-01-30T11:21:00.002Z

Some serious works needs doing on the youngest as I've said before.
Last night we'd read a story and were settling down to pray, when she said
"God can see us"
"Yes he can"
"God can hear what we're talking about"
"Yes he can"
pause..."God can see our bums"
"But of course he wouldn't look" I replied, hoping that helped?

Back and raring to go

2009-01-28T13:59:00.002Z

Well, I had a nice time away. I found a great cafe which is the mark of a good town if you ask me. The conference was helpful and I stayed with nice people, which was fun.
Upon my return, the house had not caved in, and all the children reported being fed at some point over the weekend!!! Tee Hee...how indispensable do I think I am?!
Having a good week at work. I am networking like a networking maniac at the moment.I have so many pots on the boil that one or two will get forgotten I am sure. Still-it's keeping my brain active which is great and very unusual.
I never like to get too excited about anything, just in case it all comes crashing down about my ears. But needless to say I am enjoying work and I feel very lucky to have this opportunity.
The family are well.Small one still not into school, boy one totally into boy stuff- soldiers, very small drawings of battle scenes, not changing his socks for days...you know the score. But he has recently taken to washing his hair on a regular basis which is a step in the right direction...or so some would say. The big girls are plodding on, getting up for school in the dark, doing lots of homework, bickering...same old, same old. And the husband one is too busy to be bored. All in all we are very happy. Hope you are too. x

Going Away

2009-01-22T14:55:00.002Z

I am off to a conference this weekend, leaving the man in charge and the children in various locations at various times over the weekend. They will be fine I know and I will rest...maybe. Hamish went away to a conference last year and came back all relaxed. I will too...maybe. I am so laid back about it that I have just realised that I have no clean clothes and haven't checked the train times. What was I saying yesterday about being organised? I'll get there..maybe.
Husband MUST attend good husband classes soon. When asked did he like my new hairdo he replied "did you want it like that?"
What is girl to do?

Being organized?

2009-01-20T20:09:00.003Z

That's the most exhausting thing about working - being organized. Before, I could just bumble along, and if I forgot something then one of the smalls had to do p.e in their knickers and vest. Well not now, but so far it's been OK. Although I've never worried about going mad before, and the thought has occurred to me twice in the last two days! Some would say that the 4 children may have something to do with it? Watch this space.
We are all well. The girls have had some interesting art projects of late. One involved second child dressing up like a renaissance beautiful lady and lying dead in a plant filled bath {spot the famous painting} This was highly disturbing for me as her mother, but seemed to do the trick for her art teacher. The first born has just dressed up as a 1950's housewife, and had pictures taken of her in various retro settings. How creative, and beats that perspective picture we all had to do {train approaching from a distance, you know the one]
The other smalls are good, if not turbulent. Small boy is into his second week of ballet and seems to love it. He informed me that when he is older, he will grow a moustache, as that will make him look more like a serious ballet dancer. That suggests he's in it for the long haul.
Really small one continues to go to school, but did try and get out of it this morning by announcing that 'actually the teacher said I don't have to go to school because I am too clever'. I will second that.

Best quote today?

2009-01-14T21:00:00.004Z

Our smallest, whilst eating her dinner in our bed[?] :"Oh,my bloody finger!"
Hamish and I:"giggle, snort, Oh betsy...that's a bit rude?"
smallest : "look - you can see the blood"

Monday night and I'm feeling fine

2009-01-12T22:11:00.002Z

It may be quarter past 10 and I'm waiting for the printer to behave itself, but I am good.
All the children are in bed, the house is a mess yet the dishes are done and I'm nearly through all this washing.
Hamish was helpful the other day when I was wailing about not having the time to keep the house tidy anymore. He pointed out that the house was never tidy before and that I shouldn't worry about it. So I shan't.
Ah ha! Teenage one has just arrived telling of homework that she forgot she had to do, and that it won't take a minute, so I suppose that's me off the computer for another week!!!
We are all very well, and seemed to have settled into the year. Small is at school - without the same amount of ceremony that number 1 child, nay - even number 2 child received. She did say that she had been there ages when I picked her up from class on the first day. Sorry baby! That's something you'll have to get used to.
Now there's a working mother talking if ever I heard one. Tee Hee.
Much love
x

Happy Christmas?

2008-12-31T08:09:00.003Z

Did you have a good one?
We did. Quiet,staying in and eating nice things. Although, Hamish and I were STILL up at 2am on Christmas eve. Note to selves...sort that one out!
Sorry I haven't blogged. This isn't a whinge, but I don't get near the computer unless it's at 11pm, which isn't where I want to be at that time of night. If I have a New Year's resolution, it is to make sure I'm not one of those people that says:"There just aren't enough hours in the day" Because I actually believe there are if I can just manage them correctly!
I have found this working lark a huge shock to my system , yet a managable one thus far. I will not be beaten!! The kids haven't left me in search of a more attentive mother yet and Hamish is doing all the cooking, so we seem ok.
Ramble, ramble, ramble.....what I'm trying to say is that , although I haven't blogged for nearly a month - I want to be able to, and will try and organise my life so that it is possible.
We are up North and chilly at the moment. I am trekking over to Burnley today to see Burnley Bill so I should see some nice frosty countryside, which will be fantastic and as near to snow as I am likely to get.
So have a fantastic New Year and I hope we all can find the time to do the things we want to do.

Busy, busy, busy

2008-12-05T12:37:00.002Z

..as are you all I'm sure.
What a great time of year this is, but I have to say, I am finding it all quite challenging. Blah, blah, You know the score: how to be a working mum and a nice mum. As a result, I am sure there are cinnamon biscuits coated in glitter being sold at the school fair today, courtesy of our kitchen table last night!
Usual colds and stuff going on. I am so dosed up on vitamin c though, determined not to give in to it all - there's no time.
The lad has been chosen to take part in the 'chance to dance' scheme, run by the Royal Ballet, via school. So Billy Elliott here we come. ( I realise I would have sounded so much more knowledgeable if I could have produced a famous male ballet dancer there) We are very excited about that.
The small girl is bothered about death and the not coming back from it thing at the mo.We have some work to do with her, though how we make it all sound o k is still beyond us.
The upper 2 are doing very well at school and we are very proud of them.
I on the other hand, am obviously losing it ever so slightly. As I was preparing the evening for the older kids at work I was reading about the The Great Commission versus the Great Commandment and I read that 'Santa can very easily distract us'. Well he obviously has done me!

Oh dear...oh dear....

2008-11-19T19:52:00.002Z

..for all kinds of reasons. The one that prompted that was that I have forgotten my user name and password combo to enable me to blog. So I tried and tried again...and then it let me in and I don't know which one I've used.
Life is complicated for all kinds of reasons. There are 4 children and so 4 lots of potential correspondence from the schools they each attend, but 2 go to 1 and 2 go to the other!So which one's is the one sat next to the computer now saying she has to be there at 5 with her costume and whose is the one that wants me to be there at 8 without my costume!!! Tee Hee....
My dad sent me a text this morning suggesting that I sounded frazzled...MOI?
We are all good. The man has had a haircut, so he looks smart. No.2 has just come out the bath saying that she hasn't been this clean in ages, and she actually quite likes it and the small two are in there now, unaware that while they play 'how long can you keep your head under the water', that they too are getting clean. No.1 has a bit of OCD about cleanliness , so she's OK, and I may yet reach the bath sometime this evening! But you don't want to hear of our ablutions, although I'm sure my dad is reassured by it all, you want to know what we've been up to. We're all very happy. We have a piano, newly purchased from a nice lady in Ilford, so we're looking forward to singing carols round the piano at Christmas time - the fact that none of us play is neither here nor there...it has 120 tunes programmed in!

Working Girl

2008-11-08T09:08:00.002Z

You may, or may not know that I am know in employment. It is quite shocking, and depending on what time of the week you caught me at, would have a bearing on my opinion on how it were going.
Well, after 14 years of not going to work, to doing a full week, and doing family stuff too is interesting. I'll keep you posted. I am working with children and families though, which is where I seem to fit in and I had such good fun last night with the teenagers at their 'yute club', apart from clearing up the peanuts after a peanut fight. They do all think that I am only 17' so of course I'm going to think they're fabulous!
The family seem to be coping with my absence a little too well! They are just getting on with it, although it is early days and they will of course be crying, weeping and holding onto my leg as I go out the door next week.[and that's only Hamish]
So, all in all, we are fine and at the moment our adventure into 2 careers seems to be doing ok.

Advice

2008-10-28T08:40:00.002Z

You can read about them, talk about them and quite possibly even remember being one, but in my recent experience..NOTHING quite prepares you for being the parent of one.
I'm stunned really and quite surprised at my reaction to it all.
What? Teenagers. Never mind an emotional roller coaster,this is the mother of all fairground rides [nb.if I were really down with the kids, I could have quoted the most recent and desirable theme park attraction!]
It's ok for her to be up and down within the space of 5 minutes but I can't keep up! I'm confused and not quite sure where I should be pitching my reaction and when. Tee Hee! This really makes for some interesting moments.
Our lovely teenager celebrates her birthday this week, and we are grateful for all she teaches us[!] and the love she shows us....all within the space of 5 minutes, and hopefully by the time the small one reaches the same age, we will know what we're doing!

Learning lots

2008-10-22T09:36:00.003+01:00

It's a trial all this homework...and I mean for me as well as the girls!
I think when I was teaching at home then I stuck to the subjects I was familiar with, well vaguely familiar with.
Now! It's all new....cultural diversity, computer aided manufacture, reactions of fingerprints with iodine and what does Harper Lee mean when she says... Still - we are all in this together, whether we like it or not - we are all sharing the pain and of course coming out the other side, Better, more enlightened ?people. That's what I'm telling the girls and myself anyway!
So if you get a phone call asking for your opinion on the merits of living in a religiously diverse society..be kind and answer as simply as possible!

Can't top that..yet

2008-10-19T21:19:00.002+01:00

I'm having a small difficulty topping the nude! I shouldn't have to I know - I should give you, my reader more credit and realise you're not just here for the scandal that is the world that I inhabit daily!
So, we plod on. But referring back to the nuddy incident, when I had stopped staring, I said to the small boy: "we've seen it all now, haven't we?" Yet it transpires that he hadn't...he hadn't seen anything but the ladies, who were also giving chase, [on a strictly professional basis you understand].
This got me thinking about our part of the world, and just how rich and diverse it is, and how- largely- our kids will benefit from all their experiences and acquaintances.
We are attending a small church, whose congregation is mainly from the home next door. Alot of these people have had strokes and are recovering to a greater or lesser extent, and there are certainly lots of walking sticks and wrinkles. In fact, our children are the youngest by several generations. I thought this would worry me and the fact that they don't have other children to play with may be negative. But at the moment, I'm really pleased that they have the privilege and opportunity to mix..and even be appreciated by such a diverse group of people, that we just don't get the opportunity to get alongside in our natural social circle. We are however, a family separated on a Sunday, as the big girls do their own thing, but we're working on that one.
We are blessed, living where we do with huge diversity and also with a grand bunch of friends, and this weekend we have really been lucky. On Friday, we had a lovely cup of tea with a lovely friend. Saturday, another lovely friend brought a sumptuous breakfast round and we shared fish and chips on Saturday evening with some more mates. Then tonight, we had Sunday tea with some more friends.
I'm not boasting...I'm just really aware of how blessed we are, and we are ever so grateful!

Treasure this

2008-10-13T14:44:00.002+01:00

My family was all over the place on Saturday, and I had a real sense that I should get used to it, as this was a sign of things to come. Growing up and out very quickly.
Not being hugely philosophical..thank goodness for spellcheck, I was glad to find this quote, which kind of sums things up for the reflective, autumnal mood I'm in at the moment:
Mary Jean Iron : Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.
I don't need to say anymore.

Say what you think

2008-10-06T20:26:00.003+01:00

I've had my hair cut recently, or had 'a new do' as my sister puts it. It was quite a dramatic cut, and totally transforms the way I look. Largely, the comments I've received have been complimentary but I suspect there are two in this household that don't approve.
One was a little person, aged 4. At the dinner table the other night, she looked wistfully in my direction and said "Ah Mummy, I wished you still had your long hair...it was really beautiful. Did they do it wrong at the hairdressers?"
The other person that I suspect doesn't like it is not so small but has still managed to get away with it. He was asked tonight 'did he like his wife's new do? Don't you think it suits her?' He also looked over wistfully in my direction and was just about to launch into his appraisal, nay - critique, when the visiting dog farted so he got away with it, even though he's not as cute as the first offender!
An interesting day. I saw my first 'naked man running up the street being chased by the cops' today, then had a jar of honey, 2 bananas, 1 pear and 6 eggs nicked from my grocery delivery! And I saw who did it. Still, her need was obviously greater...or she had a great cake recipe that she just needed to try out!

It's been a long time

2008-10-03T11:08:00.002+01:00

Well yes, I have been busy. Visions of days spent swanning around like a lady of leisure have been put to bed! Life, instead of getting slower, has been a touch frantic.The more time you have, the more you fit in, and then I look up and it's pick up time.
Still, life is good. The school children are doing all they need to to appear well behaved and nice at school, we have celebrated a grandad birthday and our lovely boys birthday. That was only this week, and you'll know if you've read earlier blogs that these occasions tend to stretch out! We still have a birthday tea and a trip to GAMBADOS to fit in. Football was the theme of the presents and he is now the proud owner of a goal, a new ball and some goal keepers gloves. He's also had his first bash on the nose since taking up the sport, but survived and still loves it.
We are in chaos. We have relatives coming tomorrow from Australia, and have decided that we need carpet. So at the moment I have a carpet man upstairs, a bed in the shower room, Will's bedroom in the bathroom and our and Betsy's room in the girl's room...and it's all got to be back in place tomorrow! Will we do it...we love a challenge...or are we just fantastically optimistic and disorganised?!

Or should it be Ho! Ho! Ho?

2008-09-18T07:42:00.003+01:00

We had been to our lovely friend's Phil's for lunch on Sunday, and as usual, the smalls had fallen asleep on the bus home. We opened the front door and Hamish put the smallest straight to bed and I put the kettle on.
We'd been enjoying our cup of tea and the fact that we weren't wedged between Sunday afternoon revellers on the bus anymore when, "Hee!Hee!Hee!" a very small Father Christmas is sliding down the banister! Hat, jacket and trousers. All she was missing was the sack. Oh, how we laughed.
She amuses us daily amidst, and sometimes during, her difficult moments. This morning she wanted the chocolate that had been bought for her yesterday. "it's breakfast time - we don't eat chocolate at breakfast time." I said, somewhat unconvincingly.
"Please get me the chocolate or I will die...and you wouldn't want me to die!
YOU wouldn't want me to die would you " she repeats, directing her drama at her brother now.
"Hold my hand Will, I AM dying".
Now I KNOW how she feels and she was allowed one small chocolate bunny - and so was Will. I couldn't refuse after such a performance.
The other two are coping with the early mornings and long hours of our glorious education system. Homework is being done and handed in but it's not easy, and I can't quite believe that we have 14 more years of it to come!!!! As long as Santa makes the occasional appearance, I'm sure we'll get through.

I've said it before...

2008-09-13T12:05:00.002+01:00

..and I'll say it again - life is nothing if it's not colourful, and complicated, and funny and hard.
Yesterday it was fairy cakes before breakfast.This morning it was euthanasia. Nibbles - Cecily's hamster - had her final bite of the carrot and then passed away peacefully at the veterinary surgery down the road. She'd been looking a bit rough of late, but looked so bad and couldn't see and had lost the use of her left leg, that it seemed only right. Cecily was very brave and stayed with her beloved till the end, and had a prayer and a decent burial afterwards in the front garden.
I then accompanied Snow White and a Christmas pudding to a birthday party.

worried!

2008-09-12T09:54:00.002+01:00

A few days into school, and I'm seeing a side of me I don't recognise.
I have come in from drop off and done all the admin for the day - it's not even 10 o clock. The dishes are done before school, a wash has been put on and I've even caught myself with an iron in my hand...something has got to give.
Well actually it nearly did this morning. Eldest needed a passport size photo of herself. Of course we didn't have one, and getting one didn't prove too easy whilst trying to make breakfast, fairy cakes and nipping out to the shop for milk.
Ah...I feel much better now I've remembered all that. No worries.

All Change

2008-09-10T18:53:00.002+01:00

We are undergoing some changes in this house at the moment, and also soon to be.
3 children are now at school, with the smallest due to be full time by Tuesday. Of course I'm not counting! The big girls started last week, and it's all very ordinary very quickly, which is a good thing I think. Small boy is now in the juniors and seems un-fazed, and may I say - unimpressed by it all.
And big news...well for me anyway - I have landed myself a job. SO that means that the house will probably stay untidy and undecorated until I'm free again, which could be when I retire. Ah well, it was a nice idea.
The job is working with children and families in the local area, so I've started a notebook of ideas and will be nicking some more, so be careful if I talk to you...I have an ulterior motive!
All's well here in the Cook House and we are, as ever, deliriously happy!

NO Pictures yet

2008-09-02T08:43:00.002+01:00

I can't find the lead that would transfer the photos from the camera to the computer..so no pictures of our adventures yet.
There is a certain man in our house that would seem to suffer greatly every time something is lost. It reminds him that we have far too much stuff and no places to put the things we need to have...and find! All this is soon to change. During this week, all my babies are going to school, so for the first time in 14 years, I am home alone. 14 years of shoving things in cupboards and hoping for the best has come to an end. It's time to sort out those cupboards. But where's your ambition...your creativity? I hear you cry! It's probably in one of those cupboards so I'd better get cracking!

We're back

2008-08-24T17:21:00.005+01:00

We are back in old blighty now. We retured to grey skies and rain, on Wednesday, with quite an interesting landing. The pilot obviously mistook the motorway for the runway, or something similar, as we were minutes from landing and then we were suddenly reaching for the skies, quite spectacularly, seconds later.
Still, we are here safe and sound. We travelled to Greece for 2 and a half weeks of rather hot weather (36-40) and lots of swimming. It was an adventure and actually turned into a enlightening budgeting exercise, thanks to the kind person that stole our card details and withdrew money from a machine in Canada. Fancy that! We were limited to 16 euros a day to feed and entertain a family of 6...and we did it! Well, we fed everybody- i think the teenager would take exception to us saying we entertained them all.
Ah well..we must cast our weary middle aged minds back to what it was like being a teenager on holiday with our parents. It just wasn't cool, and Yes..we probably would have been happier in Peckham shopping,rather than swimming in the Agean sea.I do think though, that given a few months, we wil all look back fondly on this holiday..all of us.
The parental side of our little posse had a great time. Hamish felt like he'd been away for a very long time and had had a real change.
I will post photos when I have deleted the any hours of video footage of the toy soldiers that small boy bought for 3 euros. A proper Steven Speilberg in the making..? So maybe I won't.
We have the Elliots here for a week now.(Hamish's sister & co) Yesterday we were on the Southbank in the fountains. What fun! And the boys did the War museum as they like to do.
I will fill you in on Grecian events as they spring to mind. I'm slightly tired and in sunday afternoon mode so I'm now going to listen to the fantastic Mr Vaughan Williams and snooze abit before Sunday tea. Somebody stop me!

Evidence!

2008-07-30T10:03:00.003+01:00

We have proof that there is in fact a sea at Southport.
We went, en Mass, to the beach and walked...and walked...and walked. We reached the sea, in all its brown and sludgy glory, and 5/6ths of us even had a swim. I am the 6th that didn't. Not because I valued my health, I do but someone had to hold the clothes, as there wasn't a dry spot in sight.
We had a swim, some fun, then it was the mile trek back to dry land.Through some very suspicious foot deep mud, across a million razor shells and a few cut feet later, we were back in the car park waiting to deposit all the sand we had collected in the back of the taxi, home!
I should work for Southport tourist board shouldn't I! It was good fun though, and the vastness is just magnificent, just a little tiring for short legs.
We're home now and thinking about unpacking, but that really is all I am doing at the moment.

Having a great time

2008-07-28T12:22:00.003+01:00

We have found the sea!
It was a mile out, so that's a bit of exercise for me and the top two, but when we found it , in they went. The water was warm...in a kind of dirty dish water kind of way, but they went fully in and had a great time. We also cycled there, so more exercise to boot.
I think we are all very happy here. It's very relaxing and we are all busy doing lovely things. H is reading and has nearly finished a whole book. I am walking and loving the contrast of Southport v London and the kids are all being kids.
We've been to see some nice people and kept Pa company.
We return to the smoke tomorrow- kind of reluctantly, but then we have a bit more of a holiday in the land of baklava and hummus to look forward to.
See you!

Nature beckons

2008-07-26T09:17:00.002+01:00

Hallo!
We are in the North and having a fine time.
The weather is being kind and there is much football being played in the local park.
I've been out walking down to the beach, so that's a round trip of about 3 miles, 4 if I do a detour. The beach, although previously thought of as barren,is strangely beautiful. I'm there at 7am, so it's very still, and there's the only dog walkers, rabbits and the shrimpers that are there with me. It is vast and most unlike anything we get to see in London ie. nothing. Hooray! I love it.
We were in Liverpool yesterday with the family from Ormskirk. We had a very nice time and did a lot of walking. Liverpool, I'm pleased to say, is looking very smart. There's lots of new building around the docks - all very European.
Hamish has had a new hairdo. It seems it's causing quite a stir at work...people calling into his office to see the transformation. Who'd have thought it...still turning heads at his age!
Sorry it's not a great pic, but you can just about see his lovely hair.

Another one done and dusted

2008-07-16T20:17:00.004+01:00

I've hoovered up most of the cake from the living room floor and nearly washed all the face paint off the smallie...she still bears a great resemblance to one of the munsters but it will come off on her pillow, won't it!
That's right, ANOTHER birthday, another cake made and trodden into the carpet, and another happy bunny.
The party came and went without incident. Either Boo is a different kettle of fish to the first few or we are getting better at it. Or we've given up caring what anyone thinks.It was all very easy and nobody ,except our children cried. (Which is of course their prerogative)
We got round the present thing by not giving her one. That's not really true - she did have things to open, just not an electric guitar.
Anyway, she's in the bath scrubbing her face paint off and washing her dress, so I'll go and attend.
Hope you're all well...would be nice to know if any one's out there!

Even in London

2008-07-11T11:00:00.002+01:00

We, as you may know, live in an uber urban landscape, which can be very overpowering and noisy. But I still manage to touch base with nature every time I walk to the supermarket, as part of that journey (can be) is through a piece of land which has been left green. And if you can manage to tune out the planes going overhead every minute, the traffic roaring up the hill and the general bustle, you can hear the wind rushing through the trees and the birds singing. You can also breath, if you remember! This is an absolute sanctuary for me and a valuable part of my day, before I go back to refereeing quarrels, negotiating pocket money deals and trying to create our own sanctuary, in what can be a very busy house.
Every one's good. One of the smalls has a birthday next week, so we have to get our creative thinking caps on because nobody in this house actually NEEDS anything, so it's a case of finding something worthy enough to fit that criteria...or we could just buy BARBIE!!!

Foul Play

2008-07-05T11:43:00.005+01:00

It would seem that I have overstepped the mark in the world of football trading cards.
Small boy came out of class yesterday, looking a bit glum. When asked why, he said that he had swapped his Steven Gerrard with Hugo yesterday but he hadn't really wanted to. "Why can't you swap back" I asked innocently? It turns out that year 3 boys have said there are no 'swap-backs'."Oh...maybe you'll be more careful next time".
Later I see Hugo, by himself. "Hugo...Will's a bit sad about the Steven Gerrard card swap yesterday...is there any chance of a........'swap-back'?
"Well" says Hugo, year 3 boys say that when you play football cards there are no swapbacks"
"But Hugo, year 3 boys aren't in charge, surely?"
"There are no swapbacks though"
"OK Hugo...William really likes Stevie G and I'll give you a bun if you swap it back....."
"THERE ARE NO SWAP BACKS AND ANYWAY I DON'T WANT A BUN!"I don't know..what's the world coming to when you abuse your position as a parent and it still has no effect.
Fight his own battles?.......He's my only boy, cut me some slack!Ah well...well done Hugo for holding your own in the face of such a blatent abuse of power...even though there was a bun included!
Eldest did a trial day at school yesterday, uniform and all. She LOVED it and looked the part.
Everyone else is great, trying to loose a few pounds before our holiday, and turn our skin from blue to at least a nice shade of Farrow and Ball white..parchment maybe or perhaps string.
School needs to be over now because the children are revolting as is their job at this time of year. We should all be outside, playing football...like Stevie G.

Guten Tag

2008-07-02T11:46:00.002+01:00

OOops...we need to learn German quickly....actung!
Tilly had a test on Monday to see where they need to place her in the streaming system and she doesn't reckon she did that well. No worries, I'm sure she'll knuckle down and get on with it when she starts. I did admire her tactics though when presented with a paper and was asked to write a whole page in french.."I just made like she was talking to the girl behind me!"
It would seem that her year have been learning German though, for a whole year , so- so are we. It would also seem that the initial excitement of getting into school has worn off as at this moment in time ,Tilly is schlafen...Zzzzz.

Great news!

2008-06-29T09:13:00.003+01:00

Just to let you know.....homeschooling is drawing to a close. Eldest was offered a place at the same school as her sister, to start in September.
We are thrilled for her of course, and wish her every happiness.
So, come September, I will be at home, without children, for the first time in nearly 14 years!!! Don't worry about me though..there really is plenty to be getting on with!
We are all very well indeed. Hamish had a lovely birthday and was very happy with his presents, and the way his day went. A quiet day in, with nice treats along the way.
Smallest was saying goodbye to me as I left the house yesterday, shouting out the letterbox as usual, when she noticed a workman, painting the house opposite. So then she changed her shout to "Come and fix our house...come and fix our house...come and fix our house"
He didn't, so I shall have to do it, come September!

N.B.Dad in particular!

2008-06-20T12:24:00.003+01:00

Just to let you know, when I said in the last entry about looking to the bottle...I really did mean the bottled wonderment and not the other type of bottle.Things have reached that stage yet!

Where's the wonder?

2008-06-18T18:49:00.003+01:00

Every now and then I get this great sense of wonder at the everyday and even mundane.
It's fantastic and it occurs more in the summer, so at the moment I'm having a great time!
It can happen when I'm clearing up the kid's mess...how can that be? I'll be picking up some little socks or small underpants and think "This is great...how did I get to be so lucky as to be in charge of the wearer of these small garments?"
It doesn't just happen indoors. I can be passing a total stranger, wearing odd socks,(there is a chap round here who religiously wears shorts and odd socks every time I see him) and I can think "Isn't life so wonderful? Aren't we all just so interesting"
BUT! The next day, the same small socks on the bathroom floor can irk me.(I knew I should have picked them up there and then!!) Why is this? And how can I bottle that sense of wonderment to have in my back pocket next time I see those underpants?
Other than that, we are all well thankyou. Home schooling is a slight trial so I shall be looking to that bottle a bit more during the next few weeks!

A big long walk, finished off with a bag of milk.

2008-06-10T22:03:00.002+01:00

What a beautiful day it has been. The sandpit and little house entertained two small naked people all afternoon and that is always a good thing. Because when you are 3 there can be a lot to argue about with your mates. Really important stuff, like how many birthdays one needs before you grow up..?
The weekend went very well - a very low key and manageable birthday celebration. That's what we like!
We were invited to a BBQ on Sunday which is great, as Sundays are the day when a) I don't like to cook and b) we don't usually have any food to cook anyway. What a lovely spread too. Hamish and I had to work for our dinner though, as it was a very impromptu invite from H's cousin at church, and we had left the house without cash, so to get our lunch we had a 2 mile walk! That wasn't when I got the bag of milk though.
I have just done an excercisey walk and finished up in Sainsburys, where I am pleased to report they are now selling milk in bags, along with clever little jugs to go with them. This apparently reduces milk carton waste by 75%, and that can only be a good thing.

Saturday

2008-06-07T12:02:00.002+01:00

It's been a relatively quiet week. We had a tooth issue yesterday where I had to take small boy to the emergency clinic. It only took 3 hours and I did have to watch him break his heart, but apart from that it was fine!
Small girl has been upstairs alone for 5 mins and I've just heard her say 'I'll tell you what's on my face when I come down'. I'm not alarmed..much! Oh, it's only soap. Isn't that funny that she thinks that's something to be sneaky about!
Anyway, back to the week. Parents came down on Wed. We had a very nice time with some wonderful weather. We had coffee in the new cafe on Peckham Rye (highly recommended) then a picnic and a paddle in our local park. Dad did a lot of bike fixing and polishing (thanks Dad) and mum did lots of clothes folding and smallest entertaining (thanks Mum).
Today, we have a birthday visit to the cinema followed by a sleepover so the two tallest are out buying popcorn and the likes. And Hamish and the lad have just come in after an hour and a half of cricket.
I must go and get dressed and make something like a birthday cake for later. I told you we stretched these things out in this house.

We've had a ball and it isn't even lunchtime

2008-06-02T10:19:00.003+01:00

Well, yesterday went very well indeed. The rain held off for the birthday tea, the cake was made and the living room was tidy...or more to the point-our yard was tidy!!
Our sweet darling Cecily is now well into double figures and has an electric guitar to go with it. I definitely think there's rock chick material there. The boy one was abit put out by the big pres though...and didn't hide it at all well. Ah- the tribulations of being in a large family. You have one glorious day and then your nose rubbed in it for 5 more...or in our case, as the birthday celebrations are eeked out for at least a week..a bit longer than 5 days. Hopefully he'll be allowed to practice his Ramones rifts sometime soon.
So, the tea party was great. Birthday girl was happy because she had lots of friends to run about with, and the grownups drank tea and ate cake. Isn't it just all worth it?
Can't believe it was so long ago that I had my first 'home' baby. What a fun ride we've had. Blessings on you big girl and we look forward to your first record contract.

Pink icing and dolly mixtures

2008-06-01T10:13:00.003+01:00

It's a birthday celebration today and so I'm up to my elbows in icing in between mopping floors! It's a good job these occasions happen, as it prompts a huge clean up operation.
Whilst I bake and wipe, the smalls are all out with father playing baseball before church, as they know how to swing now and realise its not cricket. The cricket bat is scary enough in the hands of a 7 year old, but to introduce the American thing?! Still, it's stopping them sticking their fingers in the fairy cakes.
Must dash. I will tell you how it all went and if our present was well received....intrigued? It's noisy and that's all I'm saying.

Exhausted but loved

2008-05-30T09:58:00.003+01:00

I've just got out of bed at 9.15am. Getting out of bed is possibly something I should have done at 4.30am , which is when the smallest came into our bed.
I ache, I have a sore neck...I am wrecked! (Don't worry..it will pass in about 10mins. It really is nothing new)
Smallest was still in our bed at 9, urging me to get up as she was hungry and still climbing all over me. Needless to say and trying to claw back a few minutes rest, I got a bit grumpy. "Mummy is trying to stretch out and rest because you've been wrapped round me all night". She snuggles in even further and says "that is because I love you". And that is what gets me up to make some food and get on with the day.
Yesterday was native Indian day. The tip pee was up, first in the spare room, then the yard, then outside in our extended garden (!)It sustained a whole mornings play and we all joined in in eating baked beans cooked outside. Imagination is a wild and wonderful thing.
Just now, there are cardboard electric guitars being made and all the rhythm fill ins on the keyboard going to as fast a tempo as you can do. I'll get to listen to woman's hour when I'm old I suppose and nobody needs my help to construct a Fender Stratocaster out of a cornflakes packet.

Half Term nearly done

2008-05-29T09:31:00.002+01:00

It's Thursday of half term and we've been busy. Since the last blog, we have had parents galore!
At the weekend, we had mine and Hamish's dad, which went very well as the two males are Scottish - so they can understand what the other is saying!! Only joking Dad - you're accent is nearly Queen's English! I took mine to St James Park for a picnic, which was lovely, whilst H's dad stayed at home with the boys and sawed wood and played cricket. They didn't have to be separated...it just worked out that way!
The Irvines went home on Sunday and I took father in law to see Jim Wallis - an American evangelist/author/columnist/activist/married to the real vicar of Dibley. He was talking at Church.co.uk, and very interesting too.
The rest of the week has been a flurry of bus journeys and frequent tea stops. We did Harrods on Monday and the V & A, the Museum of London and the Barbican on Tuesday and....slow down..Bromley and the Salvation Army coffee shop on Wednesday.
We are going to put F.I.L. on a bus to Euston now and hope he has a suitably restful journey. Hopefully, the Cookhouse hasn't worn him right out.

Sneaking a few minutes

2008-05-22T14:03:00.002+01:00

No one else in the house...a rare occasion, so I thought I would fill you in on the cookhouse goings on.
I had a really great weekend away thank you. We (4 other ladies et moi) stayed in a penthouse flat over looking the sea and just had a nice time. The balcony went all the way round the flat and to the rear was the New Forest. We had curry, cream tea and a bit more sleep than usual.
Tuesday was fantastic. I had bagged us some tickets to see Q.i (channel 4 Fri eve.)Even though we had to queue forever, we had a fine old time. The quiz master, as ever was Stephen Fry - huge and superb, joined by Jimmy Carr, Alan Davis, Jo Brand and the very lovely John Sergeant. It was very funny, quite rude and I'm glad I didn't take my mum!
The children are all fantastic. Two of them have been tested so that the school can gain its place in the league tables. One of them noticed, one didn't! The one that noticed is soon to be eleven and is finding it hard to decide what she wants for her birthday and also what she should do! I thought we had heard of everything, but she did mention that tea in the park just wouldn't cut it when others al around are doing much more interesting things....What ?! What now? Corset making.....OK, point taken, we'll think of something else then shall we?
Small boy has moved on in his music tastes quite considerably. From Dolly Parton to The Ramones. In a way - I'm pleased, although if I were to decide on a poster for my bedroom wall...Dolly would win, hands down (I can hear the comments already!!!) Is Ramone another word for not very pretty? Still, I do prefer their music. Sorry Dolly...off to the charity shop for you.
Father in law arrives today. Eldest has gone to pick him up from the station. Don't worry..the back yard looks slightly better since he last visited, although the floors aren't mopped - so I'll take my leave.
Till next time
Mel

OOOOh

2008-05-16T14:14:00.002+01:00

Do you like our new heading? I'm obviously not as computer illiterate as I thought.
I'm away for the weekend now, leaving the man in charge....oh yes, no, of course he always is...tee hee.
I'm off on a girlie weekend to the New Forest. I dream of getting 5 minutes peace quite a lot, and then when I am handed a whole weekend - I get all wobbly!
Anyway- back on Sunday. I'm sure I'll have fun and they all really will! There's plenty of cornflakes in so what am I worried about?!
Speak soon x

Hallo again

2008-05-10T19:15:00.002+01:00

Greetings
We have been away and then part of me thought it was a bit rich to sit and blog when there were other...more pressing things to be done.
Oh, and I have been ill....purely due to going cold turkey on my daily caffeine intake. I am now doing vegan until our holidays and tea just isn't the same without a splash of milk. Actually, the vegan thing is quite cool and much better for the environment AND this morning I made vegan pancakes...so life is good. The reason for going vegan though is just to shift a few pounds because all the things I love aren't vegan!
We were in sunny Southport for a salvation army gathering, where Hamish and I worked and the children played...fair enough. It was good fun, we met nice folk and it made a change.
The weather here in Blighty (well our part of Blighty)is glorious and we are loving it. The kids,as ever are having a ball, staying out till late, eating tea in the garden and generally not conforming to much at all.
Till next time
Mel

But can I eat it?

2008-04-28T21:49:00.002+01:00

You may or may not know, that we are largely a vegetarian family. Only (theoretically) the dad person eats the flesh, so to speak.
When smallest child was distressed at nursery this morning because she wanted me to stay, the lovely Sue took her on her knee and told her a very special secret, and I was free to go on my way.
Later on , when we were chatting about what had gone on during the day, she informed me that the farm was coming to nursery tomorrow.
"Oh, won't that be exciting? They'll be lots of cute little animals coming. Goats, pigs, rabbits, chickens"
"To eat?" asks the smallest, quite obvious, carnivore.
We try..really we do.