Tuesday, April 01, 2014
I've been quiet here for the last while, only because work has been busy and I've taken the sensible route regarding my own health. A long bath and an early bed time was far important than a blog post. Switching off come 8:30pm has been so lovely and I've been eager to get into bed with my new book. Don't you love that feeling - getting through the slog of the witching hour and knowing that a hot bath, cup of tea and a book awaits. Bliss. Ideally I would follow that with an uninterrupted sleep but that's a rarity for me at the moment; two little wriggling ones usually make their way into my bed by 1am and they sleep talk (sometimes in unison) which is both hilarious and weird.
On the days when Poet isn't with a grandparent or babysitter we've been going on little outings - usually a cafe stop followed by a library visit or wander around one of the local nurseries. I'm going a little plant mad at the moment; there's maidenhair ferns, succulents and herbs around and about the house, all in varying states of green. When I asked about the availability of a fiddle fig on one recent nursery visit the man at the counter immediately labelled me "plant hipster". "Yes," I said. "They really are the plant du jour." To which he replied, completely unamused: "I'd call them a trendy tree". I am now the proud owner of a trendy tree that sits happily in a woven basket near our dining table (heart of the home). The kids call it "Fiddle" and they say they can't wait to introduce Daniel to it when he gets home. Who needs a pet rock when you can have a tree called Fiddle?
Aside from my plant antics I'm finishing up work (deadline this week - always hectic) and then preparing for Daniel's return. We have a date! And it's less than two weeks away. I'm not going to tell the kids till two days before (for their own sanity as well as mine) but I have explained that it really is so soon and they are bursting with excitement. I do plan to write a post about this solo-parenting experience; the emotional process and the things I've learned - the challenging and enlightening moments that have been both rewarding and humbling. I think I can say that I'm a more grounded mother for the experience, that I've let go of a lot of my ideals and subsequently, I've come to a very content place. But more on that later...
18 COMMENTS
Those colors and terra cotta pots are just gorgeous! I love how you dress Poet in so many florals. Where is her lovely dress/tunic from, if you don't mind sharing?
ReplyDeletexoxo
I have to tell you, I ordered Poser right after you had mentioned it and I am HOOKED. Thank you! I'm nearly finished now. It had me couch-locked in a good way :) thanks again! x
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are absolute perfection. So beautiful. And "plant hipster" made me laugh! :)
ReplyDeleteKatie x
I'm lucky enough to have the mister at home for a couple of days, to help with daisy (and everything else!) while I'm out of action...we went to the nursery and bought vege seedlings today and I sat in the sun while he dug and planted. Everything is so green after the rain and it just feels so good to soak up the sun's warmth. Do you think Poser might be an appropriate read for me right now??!
ReplyDeleteAs long as laughing won't hurt your back you'll LOVE it; it really is hilarious (and equally wise) x
DeleteSoo excited for you! My husband was only away for 10 days but I can really relate to what you're saying, the sense of pride I had for managing on my own and the letting go of high expectations is sooo liberating!
ReplyDeleteLove that first image of Poet. I worked in the plant industry for years and love being a plant nerd! I know all the latin names for plants, but have discovered that no one really cares that a maidenhair vine is called a muehlenbeckia. haha...
ReplyDeleteYou must be so thrilled to have your husband *almost* home! I can't even begin to imagine. You've done well.
Yay for a date that is so close. We often wander around the nurseries dreaming about what we will one day plant in our garden, we are about to renovate the front of our house so the frontyard will soon be done. I should pop into the same nursery & ask for a fiddle fig, then they'll think a crazy plant fad has started!
ReplyDeleteplant + antics = plantics! lovely story :)
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention that plant, I saw a fig at one of my local nurseries on Sunday, and thought two words as I wandered past "Apartment Therapy".
ReplyDeletePlant hipster, trendy tree... I shared similar April ?!?!?! thoughts with J tonight and reading this post now makes me think about autumn and all the (decidedly non trendy) trees around turning red... sounds like your happiness is blooming like the flowers in these images. X
ReplyDeleteHehe hipster - they've been trendy for a while, but it's not hard to see why :)
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow solo-parent more often (and far longer) than I would wish, I humbly offer this piece of advice from my experience: the first two or three days will be all honeymoon and pure bliss-- and then you will suddenly find this strangely familiar person in the middle of your life, messing up all of your systems, not picking up the slack you have been so desperately needed to have picked up, not reading your needs, and exhausted and overwhelmed in his own right. The re-adjustment period is hard. After all, a month (or three) away means that a lot of change has occurred, and it takes time and patience for rhythms to become re-established and shared understandings once more fully understood. I recognize this now, and so am able to anticipate it and handle it with a bit more grace. I hope this doesn't come across as nosy, bossy, etc-- it is just a process that I wish someone had told me about so that I could have navigated it much better myself. And yes, a tree named Fiddle holds infinite charm!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate this advice. I have thought about it a lot; the change, readjustment, expectations, resentment. One day at a time, I guess. And with as much patience and grace as I can give x
DeleteThat is wonderful it is less than two weeks. I just love your photos.
ReplyDeleteLove this set of photos.
ReplyDelete:)
Beautiful photos. I love the first one with her wreath of flowers. and good for you for learning that it's okay to not do it all. It took a long time for me to get to the point where I am content with my own expectations and not live by the expectations of others. It's a good feeling to be there. So, enjoy the next two weeks! ♥
ReplyDeleteI just adore coming here. Thank you. Kenza.
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