A relaxing get-away

Two weekends ago, Stu and I stayed in a yurt belonging to some friends of ours. It is set in a beautiful secluded meadow in Suffolk, surrounded by mature trees and acres of pasture. I think it was the most relaxing (child free) 24 hours we had had in four years. We sat and read books and the Saturday papers and cycled to The Low House in Laxfield, where we ate well and watched the locals arrive in 007 themed costumes before cycling back with a bit more speed than we arrived.

I was pleased to have some quiet time, as the previous week I ordered a book from Amazon called the The Creative Family, written by American blogging Mum of three, Amanda Soule.  I don’t regularly read her blog, Soule Mama but I was aware of it. Other blogs were raving about this book and the reviews on Amazon were very complimentary so I bought it. I wanted to get on the  ‘good mama’ band waggon instead of being the grumpy selfish one I so often am. I read this book while at the yurt, and I have to say, I turned into a holistic, patient, creative, positive and gentle Mama almost instantly. Wow, the wonder of books and the gentle persuasion of words and pictures.

So while we were listening to nothing but birds chirping in the glorious meadow -

I tried a bit of rope knitting with fencing steaks…
(Not easy).

… Stu climbed a oak tree and fitted a swing…
(It made my heart race and I worried that an ambulance would never find us)

… and we ate breakfast in the fresh air and gently drizzling rain.

new books and cafe

On Monday I turned 34 and then I turned into a bad tempered, irrational mother (again). Is there a remedy for intolerance?

Also on Monday, I ate the most delicious lunch at the just opened
Wiveton Cafe, cooked by wonderful friend and fabulous chef, Ali Yetman. The
Cafe is a delight; brightly coloured inside with views over looking the
growing seasonal vegetables Ali cooks with and part of the North
Norfolk coastline. I’ve written a more detailed post here.

As with the nature of birthdays, lovely gifts are received and as with most of my
birthdays, books are welcomely received and usually from my in-laws and
brother Matt – thank you. This year I received cook books; Angela
Harnetts Cucina and Clotilde Dusoulier’s  Chocolate & Zucchini inspired by the well known food blog of the same name. I’m looking forward to having a closer look and baking something. I haven’t baked for ages  (perhaps that’s my problem…)

The other book I received from my in-laws was Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing- perfectly timed to encourage me to create in my new and already untidy ‘studio’ ( I use that term very lightly).