Comfort Seeking

It's been a difficult week on the home front, it always is when there are germs lurking. Poor Little Man (although not so little these days) was knocked off his feet by a virus and spent four days battling it. He is a good ill child mind you, spending the days 100% horizontal in a nest of cushions and blankets on the sofa, very still and quiet. And yet it is surprisingly draining being at home with him in this state, although I'm not quite sure why exactly. Could be the unsettled nights we have both been dealing with, the continuous underlying low grade stress that mothering a poorly child brings. On Friday, Little B was also knocked off his feet, so I had two ill boys jostling for recovery space on the sofa. It was a difficult end to a difficult week.



To deal with the low-grade stress, I found myself in full on comfort-seeking mode. First up fresh flowers. Got to have a jug of fresh flowers on the table when there are germs lurking.



They add comfort and colour, and a reminder that Spring is just around the corner.



The other thing (aside from crochet) that I always, always do when the Little People are ill is bake. It's an instinctive act, something that seems to happen so predictably when illness hits, that it makes me proper laugh at myself. I am a funny thing for sure.



I made the naughtiest, most indulgent, comforting thing I could think of :: Tiffin. I made it partly for J (it is his absolute favourite, and it was Valentines day), and partly cos I had this extra special need for a mouth full of chocolate. This is a no-bake recipe and utterly divine, the recipe is here.



I also baked a carrot cake which turned out very well indeed, the recipe is here.

This morning (Saturday) I am very happy to report that both my boys are very much better. Still not 100% but oh it is good to see Little Man actually able to use his legs again after a week of The Wobblies, and to see Little B playing and smiling again and not laid low by a rocketing temperature.



I spent some time this morning doing a little Home Blessing. Cleaning and tidying, folding blankets and plumping cushions, picking up a whole mountain of toys, books, clothes and miscellaneous crud from the floors and surfaces. What a job. You should have seen behind the sofa....on second thoughts, maybe not. We found lots of Long Lost Things though (a toy canon ball, a wind up torch, a tape measure, a steering wheel, a bouncy ball, several keyrings, lots of lego bits), so that was a bonus.

I took away my gone-over pots of bulbs from the mantel and replaced them with pots of bright new shoots. Such a pleasurable job! These little yellow pots of narcissi are from the local supermarket and only 50p each, I love having them in the house so much.

My comfort reading has been this delightful book, oh how I LOVE to be inside these pages! This was never a part of my childhood reading (they were written in 1980 when I was twelve) but I so wish it had been. I have a similar feeling about Sylvanian Families, I know I would have loved them so much as a child. This book is one of four seasonal "Brambly Hedge" stories by Jill Barklem, such sweet tales about a community of hedgerow mice, but it is the illustrations that really make the books. The one I've been reading this week is Spring Story and I also have Summer story, both bought second hand. I see on Amazon that you can buy a very lovely little box set which contains all four books, it's called " A Year in Brambly Hedge "..think I might have to invest.

I was sat in the Big Chair earlier with a mug of frothy coffee, having just re-read the Spring Story again. I turned round and looked at the room I was sitting in and was overwhelmed with a sense of relief and gratitude. Home. My boys are on the mend, the floors are clean, I've new green shoots on the mantel, Yellow daffodils on the table and Spring is round the corner. Thank goodness. Thank goodness for Home and all it's little comforts.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

Comments

[Angelika]

Dear Lucy, i love, love, love your blog !!!!
Angelika from Germany

[Lorena]

Hola! YOur house look like the one form the bunnies! very homely!
Saludos x

Lorena!

[ali.b.]

Glad your boys are well. A lovely post and lovely pics - thank you for sharing x

[Gabli]

Love love love the little mice family and the Sylvanian Family is on our shopping list for our little girls birthday (well maybe because I adore any little animal thing that acts human). Hope your little one gets better soon. And, thank you for brightening our day with your great pics!
Gabli

[Lisa C.]

So glad that your little ones are feeling better and thank you for sharing your recipes :-)

[Diana Makarova]

Привет, Люси!!!! Случайно нашла ваш блог. С удовольствием посмотрела:) Он очень красивый и жизнерадостный)))) Буду приходить еще))))

[Twolittleflowers]

Yay for home. Yay for home comforts. Quadruple Yay for healthy children!! A special Yay for home baked comfort food. Have a good week.
Keri

[may]

Thank God your little fellas are feeling better! Can't wait to try your yummy recipe :) Thank You!
Question!
After your bulbs bloom and die off how do you take care of the bulbs for the rest of the year to plant next year? I have a few bulbs that are yellowing and am not sure how to take care of the bulb...

[Geraldine]

Loved reading your post. Your home looks beautiful and cosy and so colourful with all your crochet work. I am a knitter of toys and baby garments but I am envious of your crochet work. I will be a frequent visitor to your site. Best wishes to you and your family x

[sooz]

I love Brambly Hedge, my mum bought me this version (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Four-Seasons-Bramley-Hedge-Barklem/dp/0583326382/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361111351&sr=1-6) as a present for learning to read when I was a tiny girl. I still have it now, it's much bigger than the single copies so you can look at the pictures in more detail...I'd recommend it if you can get your hands on one!

[Nadine]

Mothers are wired that way, I think. It never quite goes away, but one gets better at controlling it.
Did you mention the little print on the mantelpiece in any of your previous posts, I can't find it, and I think it's lovely. Did you make it?
Good luck.
Nadine

[Kathy from Virginia]

Spring is so encouraging. On my daily walk I've been waiting for the crocuses to come up. Early last week the greens peaked through. Mid-week I saw the buds. Friday they bloomed! Spring is just around the corner! Blessings to you and your family, Lucy.

[Jones]

Glad to hear that your boys are on the mend - those bakey treats look like just the thing to perk up ill little people (and older people too!). I love that blue spotty jug of yours, and your tree cushion - might we have a close up on that one day, purlease?!
Jones x

[Lianne]

And again you manage to make me smile and feel inspired because of your words and images, despite the fact that is has been a rough week for you.Glad to hear the boys are feeling better...

[Caroline]

Dear Lucy - without getting too sentimental, I can only thank you for brightening up a fairly gloomy outlook on my horizon. I stumbled across your blog whilst looking for some crochet help with a precious project, and I am delighted to have found your spot. I am making a blanket relying heavily on your hexagon tutorial, which is for a terminally ill best best friend. And whilst many tears are shed contemplating my future without her, your cheerful colours and delightful projects that pop out of the screen as I try to work out where to put my yarn and hook next next, are a ray of sunshine. Thank you.

[Jacquie]

Hi Lucy, love your comfort post....carrot cake is my fave and I hadn't seen your recipe before so I must try it.
I had a big smile when I saw your book illustration. I've been revisiting some Molly Brett books from my own childhood this week....will share these adorable illustrations soon.
Glad to hear your boys are feeling better.
Jacquie x

[Bobbie]

Lovely post as usual. I have the same Tete a Tete's and this year they are 3 years old. Did you know you can keep them going for years? Can't get better value for 50p!! One of mine has 9 flowers on this year! Bobbie

[terrimm]

Thankyou so much for the most scrumptious carrot cake recipe. I made it this afternoon, it's delicious!

[Laura]

I have a big book with the stories of Jill Barklem "Le quattro stagioni di Boscodirovo", with the stories of the seasons and 4 other: I'm very jealous of this book because I love the gorgeous illustrations!!! Your blog is goergous as well, so I came very often to see if there is some new post, and when I found it, I feel very happy, like someone (you!) has given to me a gift! <3
I'm happy to know that your children is well now!

[Kate]

I so know how you are feeling, I have 4 ill little peeps, all with temps through the roof. I have the same little yellow pots on my windowsill. The baking looks fab and might just inspire me on yet another enforced indoors day. X

[jane dobson]

how wonderful i found you; am a total newbie to crochet, it helps while away my nights at work; have accomplished the hearts(for my grandaughters valentine)and the stars,made into a mobile,for said little girl too; am now on the ripple cushion; only thing is it takes up all my ink on printer with the 15 pages of pattern; hey ho; off to buy ink cartridges; xxx

[Sue]

Have you "The Secret Staircase". When my elder two were little it was always read on Christmas eve and was one year acted out by them. Love,love love Brambly Hedge.

[Anne]

So glad your little ones are getting better. I prescribe a dose of 'Little Grey Rabbit' which has the most beautiful little home and family.

[Anna-Marie Field]

Hi, Yes I know the feeling! Home!!! The place we sometimes hate to love and sometimes need to escape, but at the end of the day, home is where the heart is and we always come back home for it's comforts. The place that allows us to just be. The place where we can surround ourselves with all the things we love and make us happy!! Home!!!! There's no other place like it.
Love
AMarie

[Deborah]

Happy your boys are feeling better!