February

Ah, February, the month of love. And on its last (leap!) day, a little look back...

We had a bit of a damp squib of a Valentines, but only in events - not in emotion. We woke, suitably, to a pink morning. I had made a card with PVA and fabric. This is my new favourite card-making technique! Nothing like a bit of PVA to make you feel crafty and put you in touch with your inner child. The children were ill and so was the husband, but we got to have a meal together. Togetherness is all that you need, really.

I don't go in for the commerciality of Valentines, but I do go in for the sentiment. Yes, we should love and enjoy one another all year round, but life does get in the way sometimes. Just as a birthday sets aside a day in the year to celebrate someone's existence, and Christmas gives you a (few) days to celebrate family and midwinter (and other religious things, should you be so inclined), Valentines gives you a day to celebrate and enjoy loving someone and being loved. It's a good thing to remember and, if lucky, wallow in.

If you had no one to share it with, I hope you remembered to love yourself instead - ideally with cake!

February is also a month for other kinds of loving. The birds and ducks have been doing quite a bit of chasing and playing hard-to-get. In our neck of the woods, ducklings will be converted from twinkles in eyes to promises in duck bellies, but unfortunately the herons will ensure they don't get a lot further than ducklings. The birds have better odds, and I have plans for making them a lot more welcome in our garden. Any ideas for recycled, free bird feeders anyone?

I think February is also a month where, although fed up of winter and ready for spring, you can really enjoy the last frosty days as you know they're ending. It's a bit like how it is with our youngest, for we know the Tiny One will be the last babe in our wood, and thus we enjoy him and his loveliness all the more, knowing that the troubles of babyhood are being endured for the last time. I say endured but, to be honest, at ten months old he's so settled and himself, and we're so knowing of him and potty about him that it is pretty rare to get a day that feels like endurance any more.

The week that was; the week that will be

A weekly list. And yes, I know I missed last week. My excuse is illness, as you will see...

Train fabric, Echino Nico, Etsuko Furuya, Kokka, available from Fancy Moon

Last week:

1. The Little One got better. The husband took two (unheard of) days off work as he succumbed. The Big One as usual avoided all illness. But the Tiny One. Oh the poor Tiny One. He is shrinking in front of my eyes as a nasty sickness bug ravages his beautiful, chubby baby body. He feels so sorry for himself. We all feel sorry for him.
2. So not much has been done but...
3. I did treat myself to a joyful half hour stacking my fabric stash by colour. I know, you must think I'm mad. But wait til you see it.
4. I also purged my filing and reorganised all the household files. Organising has been a bit of a theme this past week.
5. And, as the Tiny One showed the first signs of illness, we made the train trip to my parents' house for the second half of half term. The Tiny One then was terribly sick all over me three times on the Virgin train as we travelled from north to south. The two businessmen sat opposite us 'kindly' vacated their seats so the Big One could sit with us too. I think it was the smell.
6. I have had a little time to myself at my parents. Been trying to get on top of blog and sewing plans.
7. My mum let me loose on her old fabrics. I was greedy!
8. The Little One discovered what a sword was.
9. I have been reading fashion blogs. An old love is reawakening.

And this week to come:

1. We leave my parents' house on Monday. Sad to go; glad to return to the husband; hoping we are all well enough for the journey.
2. I am putting myself back on the pinterest diet.
3. I will get to work on the new facebook page to accompany this blog.
4. And the new pinterest page, all ready to go but waiting some technical changes.
5. There is some serious cleaning and tidying to do.
6. And a wardrobe reorganisation. Fun, fun.
7. And I will be sorting out clothes that I think I can alter or remodel (how to get a new wardrobe of clothes with no money for clothes buying).
8. If we are all well enough, I think we deserve a day out somewhere lovely.
9. I am determined that winter is coming to an end. Time for some spring cleaning and putting away the winter things. Premature, maybe. But I am not known for my patience.