A Day At Home

A bug has entered the house and H2 has caught it.  He woke yesterday morning feeling not quite right, but battled on and got ready for school.  We walked to the top of the lane and then I glanced down at him and saw a tired looking little boy, bundled up in his school coat, hood up and heavy-eyed.  We turned round and came straight home.  Today he is on the mend.  He has had Marmite on toast and a cup of tea for breakfast and is now snuggled up watching a DVD.  The combination of Friday and wet weather give us licence to be lazy!

I too have been feeling 'off' for some time, but just thought it was me.  Now I know I probably had this strange bug, that takes all your energy and lust for life and leaves you feeling low and shabby, I can give in to it and actually, I feel better already!  I haven't read anything for quite a while, being busy with home, family and candle making, but something was missing.  I love books and always have done.  They have given me many hours of pleasure; helped me when times were tricky; made me laugh out loud or cry silently; passed a few moments or held me in a tight, nail-biting grip.  I have been lulled to sleep and kept awake all night by books and the stories within their pages.  I have read and re-read all the books in my possession and felt the need for something that would keep me reading but not take over my life.  I found it.

In fact, I found several.  I read The Woman in Black last year and was a little disappointed at how short the book was.  I wanted it to delve deeper and keep going!  It was a brilliant read though so it was to Susan Hill I turned this time.  I read The Small Hand in two sittings.  It is simple and strangely comforting, for a ghost story.  She doesn't do gore and horror, just good old-fashioned ghosts.  I haven't yet found her books to be as terrifying as the previews claim them to be, but I had a teenage diet of Stephen King, so that could explain it!  They don't disturb me or keep me awake; in fact I find them a little sad more than anything, but they are super and I will be reading more.  I started The Man in the Picture last night and even read some in bed and so far this is the most unnerving, but I can't wait to finish my chores later and settle down for another chapter or three!  Have a look at Oxfam on Amazon books if you're interested; you will be doing a good deed and getting yourself a really good book.

As you know, I love candles.  Good job really as I am a chandler!  The other day I had a rare burst of energy and cleaned the lounge, bathroom and kitchen.  I know! What is wrong with me, for goodness' sake?  Anyway, for a short time all was gleaming and fresh.  I had cleared away a load of rubbish that had accumulated on the kitchen work tops and my kitchen felt pretty and spacious.  Recently I had a go at making a candle that smelled of Bakewell Tart; almonds and jam.  I mixed a little red wax in with the yellow to give it the right appearance.  My clean kitchen was the perfect place to have it.  So with snow, hail, rain and wind beating against the windows, inside my cottage was sparkling and warmly scented with baking!

A candle is for life (and every room, day and occasion!), not just for Christmas.

H2 and I are going to have a cup of tea now and then I will bake some spice biscuits and a tray of chocolate biscuit cake, then I will treat myself to a lazy hour with my book!  Yippee!  I don't want too many of these kind of days, but once in a while they are quite nice.  I hope you have a good book to keep you company and plenty of tea and biscuits.  Have a lovely weekend and thank you for reading.xxx