What a difference nine years makes...

I resemble a Weeble at this moment in time. Remember those from the 70s and 80s? Little round, chubby, wobbly people. That's me.

It is a combination of being on iron tablets that are playing havoc with my, ahem, shall we say "insides" and the fact I've eaten non-stop today.

We had my aunt, uncle and cousins over for lunch today and had a thoroughly wonderful time. I made the food last night (massive vat of chilli and my "famous" trifle which is known to my immediate family as Gem's Trifle Crawford*) and blitzed the house, which meant I was freed up today to be sociable and chilled out and the madness of yesterday paid off.
My cousins are now both in their teens but nine years ago they were my bridesmaids, along with my sister Anna.

We took an up-to-date pic of us today and I love comparing us now to how we were then, although it is slightly depressing at the same time. I. Feel. Old. Please excuse the face I am pulling on my wedding day, think I was over excited.

There we were then, on August 17th 2002.



Young sweet and naive. Them, I mean, not me!

  And here we are today.



Yes of COURSE that is a cherry tree shop dress.
Originally Boden, I got it from Oxfam for £6.

My auntie brought me these gorgeous pink roses and sweet peas. The latter in particular smell amazing and are sweetly scenting my living room as I type.

And I couldn't finish my brief blog update (brief as I am exhausted and forcing myself to have an early night) without mentioning the cheeky children. The Prince pranced around in his Hawaiian shirt and the Princess actually wore a dress. It's one I picked up for a reduced price in a boutique on the Isle of Wight two years ago and am thrilled it still fits her.

He was charming my cousin at this stage, hence the casual look

She was being silly and writing down naughty things. Her favourite pastime.

And so another week begins. Bring it on.

* It is called Trifle Crawford for the following silly reason. Remember the scene in the Royle Family where Grandma is staying over and she talks about how her doctor is called Michael Crawford? She finds it really amusing and keeps reliving the story to the rest of the family. Anyway, in her accent, the name "Michael Crawford" really tickled me for some reason. I thought Michael sounded a bit like Trifle, so my trifle is now called Trifle Crawford, which you must say in the same Northern accent. If you've never watched this show, you will be sooo lost and think I am a nutter. Which you possibly do anyway. Ho hum.

Peace at last

I popped out to the cherry tree shops this morning and when I got home, I discovered a totally empty, peaceful house. It was weird. It is NEVER like this. I don't think I like it.

The husband decided to nip into town to buy new shoes for the Prince while I was out, so I am now blogging and then finishing off some writing and proof-reading for a client. I've opened the study doors and the breeze is welcoming. It's not a hot day by any means but it is blue sky and sunshine.

Washing is billowing, bees are buzzing and a pigeon is busy nesting on top of our pergola. And looking very proud.

Now, I am thrilled with my cherry tree purchase today.  I bought the below picture from Oxfam for £1.99. It is just gorgeous and I am even more excited because it goes perfectly with the three glass jars which I bought from an antique shop five years ago (they were £1 each). Aren't they made for each other?

I do love the illustrations. Very cheery.

These beauties are one of my favourite purchases

Now onto other things. Had a great lunch with the girls yesterday. Despite it being my second lunch because I'd eaten at home before remembering I was going to a friend's for a huge scoff, I still took it upon myself to eat. A lot.

I took my 70s trifle which they all loved. We ate until we practically popped. It involved fresh homemade pizza, jacket spuds, coleslaw, salad, crisps, a lot of cheese and biscuits, grapes, the trifle, cup cakes...oh dear. And a lot of catching up while the children all played nicely (ie throwing buckets of water at each other in the garden).

Terrific. Calorific.

Layer upon layer of sheer filth

OK, can you tell I am getting a trifle obsessed? (Sorry)

I managed a cuddle with the very gorgeous baby Ruby and the Prince was besotted with her. He would love a baby brother or sister. If only I had the energy/inclination to go through it all again.

Note my cherry tree skirt and necklace, if you will

Here come the girls. We all met at pre-school six years ago.
Two of these mums have four children. Are they mad? 

Then we all headed for the school run, all rolling down the hill with trifle sploshing around in our bellies. I arrived home and looked at the passenger seat. I HAD to share the madness.

 I can confirm there is a red balloon, an empty bag of candy floss, a pair of Converse, a book bag, a pair of old leopard print slippers, a Sponge Bob drinking bottle, a hoodie, a present to post though a friend's letter box, a brochure and a Wagon Wheel wrapper.

Underneath that mess was also a salad bowl, a trifle dish, an apple core, a bottle of Evian, a pair of shoes and a rain mac.

Before kids, that seat would have been empty, apart from a small handbag with the bare minimum in it. I daren't even reveal the contents of my bag these days. You thought the passenger seat was bad...

Lunch. Twice.

It's a new dawn, it's a new day. The Prince slept through until 6am this morning. Phew, I was in bed by 10.30pm so now feel like a new (ish) woman!

Although he then started demanding things. "Mum!" (he yelled in an abrupt tone). I refused to answer. "MUUUUUUUUUM!".....(this got louder and the husband was in bed as got in from his shift at 2am so I always try to keep things as quiet as I can).

"Yes my boy?" I tried to sound all pleasant but I am sooo not a morning person.

"Choo choo mum. Doot."

This means he wants to go to the train station and get in the lift ("doot" is lift). I told him it was 6am and too early to attempt something so thrilling. He wasn't best pleased. But he eventually settled for a choo choo book instead. Occasionally I would glance at today's papers (hubby brings them all home freshly printed) but the Prince would clock me. "Mum!" (abrupt tone). He was NOT happy that I wasn't as excited about Thomas the Tank Engine as he was. Halcyon days though eh?!

Look what I picked up in the cherry tree shop. One of my followers will LOVE this big stylee as she has a penchant for toadstools! I was thinking of her when I saw it.

It is such a beautiful book. I'd love to lie down in a pink water lily, gently floating. How tranquil.

I'm a silly moo. I've just eaten lunch (baked beans on toast) and then remembered I am going to a friend's house for lunch in an hour. What a fool.

There are going to be five of us in total, we've all been friends for a good few years now, and we each have to take something to eat. One friend has baked cupcakes and I am going a bit 70s with a trifle which is my favourite dessert ever. It has silver balls on and everything. Always reminds me of Abigail's Party, although she didn't actually have any trifle from what I remember.

One friend had a baby 5 weeks ago so we will all be itching to cuddle baby Ruby. And then we will scoff and catch up til the school run! A nice afternoon.

PS Note to KMMMS and Cuckoo regarding their message on my previous "woe is me" post: I have done online supermarket deliveries with Sainsbury's, Tesco and Asda for years in the past.  BUT I am now a bit of a Lidl convert. The fresh fruit and veg is amazingly cheap and just as good and the meat, cheese and wine is great. But this means actually having to go there. BUT it also means a sneak peek in the cherry tree shops!!! I spent £40 more when it was delivered to the front door. But I get what you are saving, time is money.