Autumn, antlers and inspiration

A perfect autumn morning calls for a (slightly downsized) family walk. Obviously by 'downsized' I do not mean that I have cut off family members limbs. Rather the walk was without a couple of family members, who instead were at school a) re-building lego pyramids and b) earning their first class 'Star of the Week' having only been at school for 4 weeks (very proud mother).

At this point I should confess I had plans of sending the Mr, The Wee One and Misty Moo out by themselves so I could catch up on some blogging. However The Wee One was determined that I should not miss out on this glorious weather and I should get some exercise and push his pram up as many hills as we could find. I will thank him one day when my bum can fit into the mirror widthways.

Autumn is by far my favourite season. The colours, the smell of bonfires, conkers, snuggly jumpers and cosy socks, cold sunshine and sunglasses, drawing faces on dew covered car windows, collecting leaves, an extra fluffy layer of warmth, watching a leaf fall, and hot, hot drinks.

Today's walk had most of these things, with the addition of the 'if we won the lottery which house would you buy' game whilst walking firstly behind the biggest poshest houses in Stamford along a service road (sounds very sad but is actually a nice quiet road) and then in front of them. It is always important to get the full panoramic view of a property before imagining knocking on their door and asking how much for a quick sale. You could be totally taken by the house's front elevation only to discover an extension  at the back designed by an architect whose last erection was in the 1970's, and built by a distant relative whose building experience is limited to Jenga. In case you are wondering number 72 is our favourite and we'll be popping round Monday morning with our winnings.

After our fix of property porn it seemed only right to have a coffee in town and build further fantasies around cultivating a career in interior design for bars and restaurants. The venue of choice today was The Cosy Club which is known for it's quirky eclectic design and wild use of antlers, deer heads and dodgy lampshades, all in a good way you understand.

Amazing how fresh air, caffeine and soaking up a creative environment can spark an idea. But it did. The free wifi helped too. I am inspired. I feel a surge of motivation. I must now tether it to make sure it doesn't escape and harness it's potential.

Saturday is Caption Day

I love a family walk.
Fresh air never fails to defuse a time bomb of confined energy and dissipate sibling power struggles. But who has the upper hand here?

Can you think of a fitting caption?
Feel free to populate my comments box with your wit.

Joining in with the double MADS winner, Mammasaurus *sound of rapturous applause*

Fitness

I am allergic to gyms. They make me all hot and sweaty. Not natural.
I am not designed for running. What with dodgy knees, weak ankles and bobbing boobs, I would either incur an injury or inflict one.
Swimming is a challenge with 2 non-swimmers in tow and another who only wants to go down the slide.
I have a cycling helmet and a pump but no bike which makes cycling a challenge.
I have a fitness DVD or two but my DVD player is in my living room at the front of my house and I could not stand the shame of being witnessed going for the burn. Yes I do have curtains, and it is dark earlier now but not early enough.

I do, however, have two feet, a dog and a pram.

Admittedly Misty Moo is getting older and less likely to sustain a brisk pace, and is easily distracted by every other blade of grass. And the toddler is not always a compliant participant in power pram walking, preferring a toddle waddle instead.

But I get out into the fresh air and I stretch my legs, and it's now my favourite season for walking, crunching through fallen leaves, my breath visible. My mind can clear itself of the clutter, it can organise itself, and it is fitter, better able to manage this family's life.


Joining in with The Gallery at Sticky Fingers.

365project Week 39 Round Up

Is it officially Autumn?
I can only suppose it is because all my photos this week seem to have taken on either an autumnal theme or an autumnal glow. You know, that perfect cold crisp sunny morning when you can't wait to don an unfashionable jumper.

Woolly jumpers for scooter riding.
The crochet needle has been dusted off and dreams of cosy gloves are coming true.
Cheese on toast is the only way to go.
Wood perfectly adorned with iron and ivy.
Indoor games on a wet afternoon.
Cupcakes to accompany comforting tea.
A is for Autumn.


Joining in with The Boy and Me.

If you would like to see any of this weeks photos in more detail, head over to my 365project.

Silent Sunday

Saturday is Caption Day

Stamford Museum is hidden away in the library and is a little gem. We even have our own tapestry which I'll blog about next week but for now you have the delights of the Wee One investigating an exhibit.

Feeling witty? Then feel free to sprinkle some witty words in my comment box.

Now shimmy along to Mammasaurus for more funnies.

Keep Calm It's Only Christmas

How many days to Christmas? There is probably an app I could download to tell me the answer to that question. It must be less than 100 because Christmas cards are in the shops already and I spotted mince pies in the supermarket (can you freeze mince pies?).

I could start to get myself organised and think about those must-have presents the kids are going to want, the 'that is so them' presents I spot whilst window shopping, make a Christmas cake and start feeding it a bottle of whiskey, start crocheting tea cosies for my tea drinking friends, knock out a few personalised hand crafted and printed Christmas cards, take some photos of the children to make into calendars for relatives, scavenge hunt for stocking fillers, actually make some new Christmas stockings, start buying store cupboard treats to stash away (and then eat over the weekend), repaint the dining table in time for a pre-Christmas dinner party, lose 2 stone so I could feel glamorous in my Christmas apron and party hat on Christmas morning, crochet some Christmas tree angels to sell at the school Christmas fair, but I'm pretty sure that I should have started in June and it is all too late.

So I'll continue to to watch the days pass by, the afternoons get darker and the nights colder, I'll admire the store decorations going up, and be impressed by the wrapping paper designs. I'll praise everyone who is planning their Christmas menu already and has picked their bird. I'll carry on pinning decorating and baking ideas for Christmas day and then panic on Christmas Eve.

It would be stupid to break with tradition.

Are you planning already? Have you already started your Christmas shopping? Go on. Make me feel even more inadequate.