Tuesday 12 March 2019

Ticking Along




It's been a while but, as the title suggests, life is ticking along nicely. I've been preoccupied with the everyday and, what with trying to keep on top of things, I feel like I've neglected this little space.
There has been nothing much noteworthy happening of late, with the exception of a welcome return to regular routine and, I'm pleased to say, life should be on a more even keel within the next few weeks. Lily has been back at school for a little while now and, aside from trying to keep up with the day to day chores, any free time has been spent relaxing indoors and ambling quietly through our days.

Following several sunny days, the weather has been very unpredictable and hasn't lent itself to us venturing far from home. We spent Lily's last day off from school paddling in the lake and picnicking on the shore.  A delightful treat of a day  and it was so good to feel the hot sun on my skin but, to be honest,  it was reassuring to see a return to more seasonable weather, I just wish it wasn't quite so wild.

Last week we celebrated World Book Day at school, with the focus being on poetry. Lily went dressed as a robin for the day, her chosen poem was 'The north wind doth blow.' I had somehow managed to assemble some soft fleece fabric into a cosy red and brown jumper, with the inside of a cereal packet fashioned as a beak (apparently she wore it all day!) and she won best costume in her class! She very proudly accepted her award of a book token and, after much careful consideration, has since spent it wisely on another 'Mog' book.

The days are lengthening and, with us finally being able to get back on track following a difficult few months, I'm hoping that along with some brighter weather I will begin to feel my mood begin to lift once again. Spring is on the way and it's a time to look forward and make plans for the months ahead. It's wonderful to feel I'm in a place where I can do that once more.

J. X


81 comments:

  1. Your writing is so good, Jules, and your pictures always so lovely. It is always a delight to come by your blog and see what you and Lily are up to these days.

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    1. Thank you, Arleen. We've been quiet recently but life is picking up. X

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  2. I am so happy, that the difficult time, is behind you. So happppy!

    And what lovely photos. Oh mercy, having weather, allowing you to do these things, at this time of year. :-)

    Still snow covered and blustery here.

    You sound as if you have a lovely handle on life, right now. I'm glad you had the time, to update here. But life is the most important thing. Enjoy it!

    Come chat with us, when it fits.

    Gentle hugs....

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    1. Thank you, WoW. Don't be deceived by the photographs, the weather is back to being cold, wet and windy now and there is snow on the fell tops. X

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  3. What an uplifting post Jules. It was wonderful to read that you are ticking along nicely. The weather certainly does influence our mood so hopefully Spring is near. Congratulations on Lily winning the best costume.

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    1. I must admit, I'm relieved you saw it that way. When I read back through the post I was worried it sounded a bit maudlin, when that wasn't my intention. Since those sunny days, I'm now really looking forward to some warm spring weather. X

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  4. Congratulations to Lily! Lovely photos of a lovely day out. I'm happy to hear things are looking up for you again. Best, Jane x

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    1. Thank you, Jane. We enjoyed a lovely day out. Hopefully a little taste of the warm spring days to come. X

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  5. I'm so pleased that things are getting back on an even keel for you, and that Lily is well over the chickenpox now, these things are sent to try us! I used to dread any school events where a costume was needed, needlework not being my forte. It sounds as though you've got it off pat, Lily's outfit winning best costume. I think she spent her token very wisely, I love the Mog books.

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    1. Lily is fine now, thank you Jo. I know what you mean about costumes, yet there always seems to be something they need one for. I'm not the most creative when it comes to that kind of thing, so I was relieved my idea worked out. X

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  6. your WBD costume sounds brilliant, and I bet it was so much warmer than some of those flimsy dressing up outfits sold in supermarkets. I used to cringe in the playground seeing some of the kids braving rainy weather in shiny fabric thinner than tissue. Violet always hated dressing up, we'd have to come up with ideas so she could wear her own clothes and claim it to be a character. Like Violet Mackerel!

    Glad Lily is over her illness and back to normal, and that you are enjoying being out and about. xx

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    1. Oh, it was lovely and cosy for her, Sadie. There were some wonderfully creative costumes at school but they are not always the most practical, given that they still need to see it through a regular school day. X

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  7. Everything is sounding really positive for you. Beautiful photos, it's just a shame that very good weather didn't last. Well done to Lily on winning her book token and of course well done to you on making her a fabulous costume x

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    1. Things are definitely beginning to look up now, thank you Eileen. X

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  8. Love the photos - that weather is so different from the storms today.

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    1. It was beautiful and warm that day, Sue. And it was so quiet, it was as if we had the lake to ourselves. It's back to being cold, wet and windy again now but I'm sure the warm spring weather will be here before much longer. X

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  9. Lovely peaceful photographs of Lily and her surroundings - glad to hear she is better and back at school. Winning with her robin costume will give her a real boost I am sure. Like you the weather has really got me down over winter and I am looking forward to some uplifting days ahead.

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    1. It was very peaceful that day, Pat. It was a weekday and I don't think anyone expected the weather to be quite so lovely. I'm hoping it was a brief taste of some warm spring weather to come. X

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  10. Well done with Lily's costume ! I agree about the weather, as glorious as it was, it was so wrong! Saying that, this windy wet stuff isn't right either😃

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    1. Thank you, Kate. I'm not known for my sewing ability, so I was just relieved when the costume turned out OK. Fleece fabric is very forgiving. Hopefully the weather will calm down soon enough as we gradually settle into spring. X

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  11. Being a recent follower and knowing nothing of your difficult times all I see is positivity and I hope that continues for you. I live the photos (as always) but am wondering whether we are in the same land given that Lily is paddling in the lake in one of them. I recall diving into Derwentwater one August day (many years ago!) and thinking that my end had come.

    I was thinking of you today as it happens. I was making parsnip and apple soup and I usually use cumin or curry powder to spice it up and I recalled that you'd said somewhere that you used thyme (I think) but I couldn't find it and I hadn't got any fresh thyme anyway. I shall remedy that if I'm correct (I'm hoping you confirm it or otherwise) and try it next time.

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    1. Thank you, Graham, that's very kind of you to say. Yes, the lake was still very cold but the day had been so warm that a quick paddle was quite refreshing.
      Yes, it was thyme that I used in the soup and I used dried which was fine, although I would be interested to know if you get a tastier soup using fresh. X

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    2. Thank you. I'll let you know assuming that I can find some.

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  12. Congratulations on the award for Lily's costume!

    I too like routines. It makes me feel organized and less stressful. :) I'm so glad that things are back to normal for you and the difficult time is over.

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    1. Thank you, Nil. I do find it much less stressful to have some regularity to my days. X

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  13. Glad that everything is resolving for you in a good way. I used to love playing by water when I was a child. It looks like Lily enjoys it, too. I think I've heard more people complain about feeling depressed by this winter weather this year than ever before. Glad we're all finally seeing signs of spring.

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    1. Thank you, Sue. Lily loves water and it's one of the reasons teaching her to swim is so important to me. I don't mind the winter weather but much prefer the snowy days to the wet and windy ones, although I am definitely ready for some spring sunshine now. X

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  14. It's good to know that things are getting back on track for you. Your day at the lake looks lovely, and well done to Lily for winning the book token and to you for making what was obviously a good costume :)

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    1. Thank you, Eunice. We had a lovely day at the lake, it was beautiful and quiet. X

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  15. So pleased to hear you are on the up - it is good to feel life is gently ticking over after a period of unrest and good to see your beautiful pictures - hasn't Lily grown! Well done to both of you for the inventive costume. Sending hugs x

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    1. Thank you, Vivien. It's reassuring to know things are heading on an even keel once more. Yes, Lily has grown! She is quite tall for her age anyway but it's surprising how quickly she's growing. X

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  16. Such gorgeous photographs …
    Well done with Lily's costume, so lovely that she won, and what a brilliant book choice :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. Lily was so happy to get her token and enjoyed choosing a new book to read. X

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  17. So glad to read that you are feeling better about things in general. Well done, both of you, on Lily's award-winning costume! By the way, is it just me or is Lily getting taller? I hope spring comes soon and things continue to improve and look up for you. Take care.

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    1. Thank you, Bless. Yes, Lily is growing so fast I can barely keep up! I'm looking forward to some warm spring days now. X

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  18. So glad Lily is recovered and back into normal routine again. Congratulations to you both on winning the costume prize. How lovely!
    xx

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    1. It has felt like a strange few months but I hope we can return to a regular routine very soon. X

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    1. Thank you. They are a reminder of a such an enjoyable day. X

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  20. Hi Jules, hope things continue to settle for you. So glad Lily is better. Congratulations on the Robin costume - fleece is a so-and-so to sew, isn't it? Well, it is for me - slips all over the place and tries to stretch when you don't want it to.

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    1. Thank you, Jayne. I found the fleece fabric quite forgiving but maybe that is because I stitched it by hand - I don't have a sewing machine. I wonder what I'll be called on to create next :)

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  21. Congratulations to the pair of you for winning the World Book Day dress up Competition, I bet Lily made a lovely Robin!
    Wren x

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    1. Thank you, Wren. Lily took to the role rather well. X

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  22. So glad to hear that you are getting back on track and huge Congratulations to Lily (and you of course) for winning the costume competition.
    I love the photographs of the lake...how serene it looks.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thanks, Sheila. It was lovely and quiet at the lake that day and it felt like we had it all to ourselves, save for a few swans. X

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  23. Hello!
    So happy to read that the sunny days are finding you feeling peaceful.
    Your photos and words are so lovely, and I share your love of home and family!
    Congratulations on the costume award!
    Have a cozy day, my friend.

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    1. I'm definitely looking forward to more bright sunny days. X

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  24. As others have said, it is glad to hear you are getting back on track and life is ticking along nicely for you. xx

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    1. Thank you, Marlene. It's a relief to know things are starting to look up now. X

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  25. A great costume idea mum, well done. Congrats Lily on the win, so pleased to read she is over the chicken pox. The lake looks beautiful and serene.

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    1. Thank you, Julie. Lily was happy to wear the costume, as it was so comfortable. X

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  26. So glad to hear things are more back to normal for you. Spring weather never ceases to amaze me - cold, wet and windy one day, and sunny and warm the next. Lily's costume sounds adorable! Love the photo of Lily out by the water - so beautiful and peaceful. Take care.

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    1. Thank you, Julia. Things can only get better, including the weather, I hope. X

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  27. How lovely that she won the prize for her robin costume ... making memories 😁

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    1. She was so excited to receive the book token, Eileen. X

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  28. I am thrilled to have found your blog---backtracking from a comment you had left on another blog.
    Your little Lily is adorable and I can tell she is the treasure of your heart. I am your newest follower and will be back to visit!
    Have a wonderful week-Diana

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    1. Thank you, Diana. It's lovely to welcome you here. X

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  29. Your photos are beautiful especially that first one. Something about the milky blue of the water. Glad things are improving. B x

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. The stillness of the water shows just how quiet it was that day. X

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  30. So pleased to hear you feel you're getting back on track after a tough period.

    Great news about the winning costume too, lots of fun!

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    1. Thank you, TD. There's more dressing up to be done for school tomorrow but, thankfully, there is no sewing involved this time. X

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  31. Well done Lily and also well done Mum for coming up with a winning costume :) It certainly is wild weather at the moment. I've just had to chase my bin down the road! Glad to hear Lily is over her chickenpox and that life is slowly returning back to normal. Normal is good. I like normal a lot haha. xx

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne. Lily was thrilled to receive her book token, so all that sewing proved worthwhile.
      The weather has certainly kept us on our toes this week, thankfully all the roof slates are still in place. I really don't like this windy weather and will be glad of some warm spring days. Hopefully they are not far away. Some warm, sunny weather and normality, that will suit me just fine. X

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  32. I read this the other day but couldn't comment at the time (I think!) so apologies if you get two from me! So pleased life is settling down again, it must be a relief for you. Love those lake photos xx

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    1. Thank you CT. I'm feeling very relieved that things are settling down again. Hopefully now I can concentrate more on my studies and, of course, my running. X

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  33. Ah, Mog. A favourite of my children when small. There is much to be said for routine. I know some people hate it but I need a degree of routine to feel 'in control'. I never fail to love your photos. Lily's looking taller!

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    1. I am far more comfortable if I have a general routine to my days, otherwise I just feel muddled. X

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  34. Such lovely photos! If only the weather had been so nice here this past week :)

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    1. Thank you, Nikki-ann. The warm weather was rather out of the ordinary. It's been very wet and windy this last week. X

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  35. Mog has always been a favourite in our house, my girls were so disappointed that neither of our cats regarded a raw egg as a treat! Well done on the costume (and the choice), it saddens me that so many people regard World Book Day as World Disney Princess and Superhero Day. You are hardy, paddling in March. I'm glad you are feeling more hopeful. x

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    1. Haha! I can't imagine our Mog tucking into raw egg either.
      My World Book Day costume priorities are practicality and warmth and I think one of the reasons Lily won a prize was to do with us embracing the poetry theme as opposed to my sewing skills :D X

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  36. Hi Jules, Congratulations on the costume award. I'm sure it was well deserved. You are such a beautiful writer, and your photos are glorious. There's so much spirituality in your work.

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  37. Re: Your struggling to comment on some blogs... 'Tis the Full Moon Time! Perhaps this, is a Full Moon Effect. :-)))

    Happy Spring! 🍃🍃🍃🍃

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    1. I think you're right. It all seems OK now. 🌕

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  38. Wow, I’m jealous of your 75 comments.

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    1. People are very kind and I've made some lovely connections through this blog. X

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  39. I do hope you haven't packed away all your warm undies just yet...it looks as though we're in for a short sharp lesson in such matters this coming week! Glad to read your spirits are lifting. x

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    1. Thank you Jackie. I'll keep my warm undies handy. There was snow on the fells this morning! X

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