Sunday, May 13, 2007

Brownie points for hubby

It wasn't Mother's Day here in England this weekend, but I got the most wonderful gift anyway - a weekend alone! Yup, read it and weep sisters, hubby took the boys off camping for the weekend (luckily with a mate and his caravan because the weather was truly dreadful!). And me, I had a whole weekend home alone -bliss. I owe that man. It is nice to have them back though - tired, damp and hungry with 63 loads of washing!!

I learned several things this weekend:
  1. There's not really very much difference between the things I do normally and the things I choose to do when left to my own devices. The main difference is that I do them without interruption and without feeling that I ought to be doing something else. In the grand scheme of things, I'd say that makes me a pretty lucky person.

  2. If I lived alone, I would hardly cook. I found this quite shocking, because I cook all the time, I like to cook. But for me, cooking is all about showing love - I want to feed you well, make you feel welcome in my home, take care of you. Me alone? I just ate fruit, salami and popcorn! And the kitchen was much cleaner - I've always been deeply suspicious of people with spotless kitchens.

  3. I never really enjoyed my own company until I had children, but the thing I appreciated most this weekend was the silence. No questions to answer, no instructions to issue, no nagging, no negotiating.... Of course, it did also mean no-one to tell when exciting parcels arrived:
From Lisa at U handbag - some Moda fabric and the much awaited Amy Butler Barcelona Skirts pattern!! I have made the prototype-skirt (well, I did have the whole weekend to myself!) which I'll show you soon, now my resident photographer is back home. And now I know the pattern is a good 'un (and it really is!) I can buy the expensive fabric I really wanted for the skirt.



And a totally unexpected goodie parcel from Monica - Amy Butler fabric!



I think she might have noticed that I'm slightly obsessed with Amy Butler at the moment. Is it possible to have a crush on fabric?

17 comments:

Sasha said...

I am jealous, I can't imagine an afternoon to myself, that sounds so relaxing. Yay for you!

Ooh, I want to see your skirt, I love that pattern! I am always crushing on fabric and the Amy Butler one are lovely.

Kate said...

I am beyond jealous! A weekend of silence and peace and doing whatever you want! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Think I need that skirt pattern.

Anonymous said...

I liked reading your "findings". I really identified with them. So glad to hear you had a lovely weekend.

Anonymous said...

that is BLISS. And you owe him nothing. Good meals and clean clothes should be plenty!

Anonymous said...

that sounds amazing! glad you had a great weekend and can't wait to see the skirt!

caroline said...

I'm working on the pattern too but only got as far as cutting the pieces out.

Did the boys have as good a time as you?

Fibrespace said...

Lucky you, I managed a day to myself thanks to my husband, I got so much crafting squeezed in :-) Can't imagine production rate with a whole weekend!!

julie said...

Sounds like a blissful weekend - although I bet you're happy to have them back, absense making the heart grow fonder and all that! I like your discoveries and I definitely agree about the cooking - like you I suspect I wouldn't bother cooking if I was on my own. When you have a family what you put on their plates is an expression of how much you love them! Lovely fabrics - can't wait to see the skirt.

Anonymous said...

Ah, that sound like a very luxurious couple of days. Even better than a holiday (schelpping to the airport, schlepping to the hotel, schelpping to the...etc, etc, etc.)

I'm just the same with cooking, I also think that feeding friends and family it's one of the nicest ways to show you love and care, but given choice, (and with lots of WIPs) I'd happily pick at some ham and cheese!

I CAN'T wait to see your skirt, it will be the 1st UK made Barcelona skirt I've seen...

Anonymous said...

Loved your description of the great weekend. I totally relate to #1 - you said it so well. And I'd relate to the cooking thing except I don't do it enough even when the family is around... And also to the not having to answer questions thing. OMG, the questions! (and I only have 1)

Rebecca said...

Lucky lucky you!

Love the fabric - looking forward to seeing the skirt.

Angel Jem said...

A weekend... alone? Impossible! (but lovely!)

Di said...

It sounds like you had a ball - although I am sure you were glad to see them home! I live alone and I agree cooking for yourself isn't up to much! That's why I like to invite friends over!!

Happy crafting! Can't wait to see your skirt!

Anonymous said...

I love amy's fabrics too - can't wait to see the skirt!

Anonymous said...

I can so agree with 1,2 & 3, (although I am assuming you didn't eat the fruit, popcorn and salami together?!). I feel lucky all the time for the wonderful family I have, and the joy of getting to do mainly what I like but I agree with Tiel, clean clothes and food should be enough!

Anonymous said...

oh good.... i thought i was the only one with a crush on amy butler fabric :) it's become a fab obsession now!

Anonymous said...

I think your skirt fits nicely and imagine it in Amy Butler Fabric? Love it too! The material Monica sent you is really nice - what is the name of the bird pattern? Very different.
Nice site... :o)