Echoes of a Dream

Quality time with number two

For the first time in a very long while I'm actually getting to spend the day with my middle child, Rohan tomorrow. Tom is off to Gloucestershire to sort stuff out in the house (that's taking ages to sell) and Amber and Raj are tagging along to stay with friends.

Rohan didn't want to go and said rather sweetly that he wanted to spend the day with me. Of course, I jumped at the chance because how many more times will I hear that from a boy who's going to turn twelve soon.

So I went out and got a few treats. He wanted waffles for breakfast with hot chocolate, whipped cream and marshmallows. All to be had whilst sitting in bed reading the papers/books I hope. Then there is a church fete in the village we might go to and after that he's been invited for a swim at a friend's house.

In the evening I thought we might watch a DVD that I found in the library:

and maybe munch these:

or his choice, these:

On Sunday morning I might suggest a walk and breakfast somewhere and then the others will be back at lunchtime. I'm not actually planning it like a military campaign (although it sounds like it). But he doesn't want to go anywhere in particular so they are just ideas. All in all I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time with my boy.

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I must just tell you that I've booked our flights to the States now. Yippeee. We've decided to fly to Philadelphia instead of New York and we'll be going on August 15th. So far plans are to stay with Jodi who lives nearby, Georgia in CT and Wylie in Long Island. We're all so happy to be staying with these lovely friends again. Meanwhile we're thinking of anywhere else we want to go to that fits in with these places. Of course, we're madly excited and Rohan is already counting down the days.

Felting and summer holidays

The school are having a series of craft workshops this weekend and I suddenly find myself running a felting morning on Saturday. It seems that the lady booked for the job had to cancel at the last minute and although I thought I'd kept my crafting skills quiet, someone out there knew about them. The poor organiser was in a bit of a panic and I found myself saying Yes.

It might have been an easy option had I not got rid of a lot of my supplies before we moved. So this week found me trying to gather raw materials. Luckily, there is a woman in the area that dyes her own wool. This is what I bought from her:

It's all acid dyed - aren't the colours lovely? I found some bog standard plain colours locally and what with some of my plant dyed stuff I think we'll be fine:

More of an issue is what to make with the people that are coming. There are six, six year olds; two Mums and possibly a sixteen year old. I think I might make a flat piece with the little girls and then turn it into a purse like this one that Amber made years ago:

The Mums want to make a bag (in three hours?) but I might persuade them to make a camera case like this gorgeous one that I got in a swap from Marieke in Holland aeons ago:

Isn't it gorgeous? It's always admired whenever I take it out. I think the wool is actually my own plant dyed stuff. If they don't fancy a camera case then maybe a tea cosy:

This one is old and dirty now but I think they'll get the idea.

Lastly, maybe the sixteen year old can make beads and a necklace like this one:

I'm slightly wary about having a range of ages and abilities but some of the Mums are staying with their little ones so I do have some extra pair of hands. Wish me good luck though please. I haven't felted for years and have never run a workshop on it.

You might have heard about the sudden heatwave we've having down in the Southeast. Thankfully, it's a lot cooler today but it's been boiling for most of the week. Amber's been trying to find some outdoor pools to visit but none of them open for another week or two. As luck would have it there isn't one flat bit of lawn to put our paddling pool on either. So we've just been melting away trying to keep out of the hot conservatory which is just off the hot kitchen with the hot Aga in it.

The hot weather reminds me that we haven't booked our summer holiday yet. For the last ten years we've gone away with my sister and her family but this year they announced that they were broke (I don't think we've done anything to upset them!). I've come up with all sorts of ideas - beach on our own; France; Germany, taking the train through Europe but every idea has been poo-pooed. It seems that nothing is going to match up to our perfect holiday last year where we toured around northern America staying with new friends. I can't count how many times I've heard "Can't we go back to America?".

Tom and I finally managed to sit down last night to talk about it. I don't think he was anticipating having another expensive holiday this summer but he too did have to admit that last year was our best holiday ever.

So dare I put it into print - we're going to America folks. Yipeeeeeeeee. Oh my gosh I am so excited and I can't wait to tell the children when they get home. If you're reading around 3.30pm English time I'm sure you'll hear shouts and cheering from the children.

Now I need to get practical about this. A while back Jodi my friend in PA said we could come back and stay any time so that's the first leg of our trip sorted (Jodi, I'll call you later to beg/confirm). After that we're open to suggestions and ideas folks. Tom wants to spend some time by the water so any ideas would be appreciated. New York is a must as it rained when we were there last year. Are The Berkshires near by - and worth visiting? Any suggestions greatly appreciated ladies.

Oh, I'm so excited. Must go and look up flights (even though I should be getting ready for tomorrow).