Over the last few days we have been experiencing some beautiful weather. Days have been warm, bright and sunny, and there has been a change in the air that tells me spring is on the way.
Unusually for us, however, we've been staying home. Lily has had chickenpox!
I'm not really complaining. She was bound to get it at some point, and other than feeling a bit under the weather and with a few (very) restless nights because of feeling itchy, she's been fairly stoic and has been more perturbed about not being able to go swimming. Most of our days have been spent snuggling up on the sofa and the newly finished blanket has already proven to be very useful.
The mild weather has at least given me the opportunity to fling open the windows and let in the fresh air, which, in my opinion, is always the best way of ridding the germs and it has felt wonderful to get the washing hung out on the line again. When Mog hasn't been lying with Lily on the sofa, she has found herself a nice sunny spot in which to curl up and I've had to physically move her out of my way on several occasions - it's not easy to change a bed with a lump of a cat fast asleep on it but she was going to happily let me try.
I've been in the kitchen quite a bit this week too. I've tried out a few new recipes, including Mushroom Bourguignon, chickpea and pepper wraps, some delicious carrot cake, all successfully. Sadly, Lily was not impressed but I've also made some 'feel better flapjack' which she is very happy about.
Yesterday, Lily turned a corner but, despite, feeling much better she is still required to stay off school for the remainder of the incubation period. Not a problem for us, especially on a sunny day, so from the back of the house we went for a gentle meander through the fields, past the newborn lambs, through the woods, where the wild garlic is beginning to grow and down towards the river, where Lily was desperate to take off her boots and have a paddle. The delicious warmth of the sun was just the tonic and really lifted our spirits having been cooped up for several days.
J. X
J. X
Poor Lily. Glad she’s feeling better and can make the most of this glorious weather. Love the new blanket and the pictures of Mog. B x
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara. She's doing fine now, back to school today. X
DeleteOh poor Lily. I still have scars from when I had chickenpox and I remember the horrid itchy feeling. So glad she has turned a corner and that you were able to have a wander out.
ReplyDeleteThe flapjack looks lovely. I don't think I have made a decent pan of flapjack in my life....it always breaks up into sad little lumps rather than nice squares like yours...lol.
I hope the sun is shining for you today.
Hugs-x-
I think feeling itchy has been the worst for Lily and yes, it felt great to be out in the fresh air again.
DeleteI'm always baking flapjack. Lily takes some in her packed lunch every day and it's perfect to take with us when we go out walking. It took me a few adjustments to get the oat/butter/syrup quantities right, so that it stays in one piece. I'll try and post the recipe later today. X
Awww poor Lily. I think it's good kids get these things out of the way ASAP. My kids both got chickenpox on holiday one year, so it was out of the way and done with. Kids are always happy for an extra week of school! The weather is weird isn't it? Not that I don't appreciate it, but 20C in February? This time last year we were freezing our socks off thanks to the 'Beast from the East'!! I hope Lily is soon fully recovered. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteThat has been my way of looking at it. It's out of the way now and, thankfully, she has only needed to miss two days of school - beautiful, sunny ones though. X
DeletePoor Lily, what a time to have chickenpox!
ReplyDeleteThe feel better flapjack looks amazing though.
Thankfully, she's not been too bad with it TD and I'm sure the flapjack helped with her recovery ;)
Deleteoh I'm sorry Lily has been so poorly. Sounds like Mog has been good company though! Had to laugh at you trying to change sheets with her in the way, because what is it with cats? Dudley used to get in my way whenever I changed beds, and now Ginty does the same. I'll pull everything off, dump it on the floor, go back and find him in the deepest sleep ever!!!
ReplyDeleteWell I'm glad Lily is home this week. The weather really is lovely with the frosty starts and warmth and sunshine later. It'll be so good for her to get that good fresh air to clear out all the germs before she goes back.
Hope you are managing to find a little quiet time for yourself. It's too easy for mums to get swept along looking after everyone else. xx
Thank you, Sadie. She's not been too bad with it and I'm grateful it's out of the way now. Back to school today, she only needed two days off.
DeleteI've been surprised by Mog. I thought she'd be spending more time outdoors in this beautiful weather but maybe she's becoming lazy these days. X
When I worked at school I was told my an older colleague that there was a season for chickenpox - who knew? There may be some truth in it though because both Amy and Thomas had them around about this time of year. Knowing Lily, running about outside would be the perfect remedy for her :)
ReplyDeleteYour flapjack looks delicious and very professional. Mine are usually thin, burned affairs that have to be chiselled out of the tin. If you could point me in the direction of the recipe you use and give me some tips I'd be grateful. xx
I had no idea either, until I read up on how long I needed to keep Lily away from school. Spring is apparently chickenpox season.
DeleteThe fresh air was such a tonic and it was lovely to stretch our legs after being stuck indoors.
I'll try and post the flapjack recipe later. I used to have the same problem as you until got the quantities right. X
I remember having chicken pox when I was 16, not the best age to have it. Measles is just as bad.Pleased that Lilly is feeling better. What a good time to have it with this lovely weather though.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
I was eighteen when I got it and I remember it was a miserable experience. Lily is feeling much better now, thank you Briony. X
DeleteI'm glad Lily is over the worst of it. I hope you don't catch it Jules, I did when my two caught chicken pox and it's much worse in adults I can tell you. The weather is beautiful, we've had the highest temperatures in the country here in Wales apparently. It's lovely to be out and about without coats in February as officially it's still winter! Your flapjacks look scrummy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. I had chickenpox when I was eighteen and I felt rotten.
DeleteThe weather has been unusual. This time last year (I think it was the 28th) school was shut for a snow day!
Oh no! The dreaded chicken pox. I haven't had it myself but Eleanor got it at about eighteen months old when we were on holiday in Minorca. She wasn't very poorly with it and didn't have too many spots but Daniel got it the day after we got home from holiday and he was literally covered. He was in so much pain. I'm glad that Lily is feeling a bit better now, she deserves some extra time off school to enjoy the good weather after missing so much of it. Your blanket is gorgeous, I'm surprised Mog doesn't want that too, she seems to like her home comforts, as all cats do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo. Lily is feeling much better now and is going back to school today. It can be a miserable experience but, thankfully, she wasn't too bad with it.
DeleteMog has indeed spent plenty of time on the new blanket. X
So sorry Lily is poorly, and I hope you are all back to normal soon.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, lovely description of trying to move Mog - "lump of cat" - that made me smile, you know why.
Thank you for having "been there" for us these last few terrible days.
Thank you Jayne. I was thinking of you on Monday and continue to do so. X
DeleteAs you say, she was bound to get it at some stage so at least she's got it over and done with while she is young. I'm glad to hear she was feeling well enough to get out in the sunshine and enjoy the fresh air.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos of her back view as she rushes ahead of you.
Thank you Eileen. She's much better now and it was good to get out in the fresh air. X
DeleteSorry to hear Lily has had chicken pox, I hope she feels much better soon. I love your description of 'a lump of a cat' - Mog looks so adorable curled up like that. I sometimes have to disturb Mouse if she's sleeping somewhere I want to get to, I feel very guilty about it but sometimes needs must :) It's good that you have at least been able to get out in some of this gorgeous weather, I love the photos especially the last one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't forgotten about the question you asked me on my own blog, to be honest I've felt too upset about Jayne's situation with Daisy to reply in detail so I'll contact you properly when I have a minute :)
Thank you Eunice. Mog is only small but has managed to fill out somewhat over the winter. At her vaccination and check-up even the vet weighed her twice just to check she'd got it right! She's becoming lazy. X
DeleteSo pleased Lily is on the mend. The weather has been a real tonic. I remember both mine getting the dreaded chickenpox within 10days of each other. I have to say they were worse, grumpy, teary and generally out of sorts for a week before the spots appeared. It was a relief to know there was something wrong.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tania. Lily is much better now and is going back to school today. I'm just relieved she wasn't too poorly and at least it's out of the way now. X
DeleteChicken pox - another hurdle crossed. Pity it had to coincide with a period of such lovely weather - but glad she is recovering.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm grateful she's got it out of the way now. We might have been housebound for a while but we have made up for it the last couple of days. X
DeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI am glad your girl is on the mend, and that you could get out and enjoy the beautiful land around you!
Your photos are so lovely.
I too enjoy those first few days that I can throw open the windows and let the fresh air in.
Your blankets are beautiful too! : )
Thank you, Billie Jo. Yes, flinging open the window and the washing drying on the line makes me very happy indeed. X
DeleteI am so sorry that Lily has the chickenpox. It is nasty and I remember when my first three children had it. One got it and then the other two got it 10 days later. My fourth child was born later and was inoculated against it so I did not have to deal with it again. I hope she will be well enough to return to school next week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Arleen. Chickenpox is rotten but I'm grateful she's got it out of the way now. She's back at school today, so will have only missed two days. X
DeleteOh so sorry!
ReplyDeleteBut, why would she have chickenpox???
Don't you have chickenpox vaccine there?
Being in my 80's, way before there was a vaccine for it, I had chickenpox,
Such virus' live on, in the spinal column. Which is not a good thing. They can give shingles, later. Which is an awful sickness.
We recently were vaccinated for shingles. Because thankfully, there is also a vaccine for shingles, now.
Beautiful photos of your area!
Thank you WoW. Lily is fine now. They don't routinely vaccinate for chickenpox here, unless there is a need. X
DeleteIt's good to know that Lily is feeling better. Sunshine and a river are food for both the body and soul.
ReplyDeleteThank you Graham. I said something similar myself yesterday. The weather has been glorious. X
DeleteI forgot to mention the flapjack which looks very much like that which my grandmother, mother and wife made. I make carrot cake but I've never made the flapjack (so look forward to your recipe) as my 'feel-better' cake is chocolate cornflake crunch.
DeleteIt's only a very basic flapjack but it tastes delicious.
DeleteI'm glad Lily is feeling better now. Like Wisps of Words, I too thought there was a vaccine for chickenpox?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos as always. :) The weather looks very nice and sunny.
Thank you, Nil. They don't routinely vaccinate for chickenpox here but she's feeling fine now. X
DeleteHow interesting it is reading blogs from around the world! I love the difference in British and American language. Flapjacks here are pancakes, usually eaten with maple syrup. Your flapjacks seem to be more like a bar cookie and look delicious! Glad Lily is feeling better and you can get out and get some nice fresh air and sunshine.
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember Bless telling me the same thing a while ago now. I will be posting the flapjack recipe later so you could always try it for yourself. X
DeleteSo nice that Lily was once again able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather that you are having. Wishing her a speedy recovery. Love the blanket.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Lily is feeling much better and is back at school now. The weather is still beautiful but it's a bit cooler today. X
DeleteProbably a useful infection to get done and dusted. L never had it, unless he did but didn’t show any signs. What a wonderful childhood Lily is having, with a river to paddle in not far from home x
ReplyDeleteThat's how I was looking at it CT. She was the last in her class to have it so I was relieved when I finally saw the rash beginning to appear last week. Getting it as an adult is not a lot of fun.
DeleteIf there is water, Lily will be in it. That's why her learning to swim is so important.
I'm pleased to say I've been keeping up with my running and I've even entered another event to help keep me motivated. X
Brilliant- well done you. What have you gone for? X
DeleteI've decided to try a 10K in mid April, then if that goes OK I might try a 10 mile run during the summer. I'm feeling quite excited. X
DeleteThat's great news- good for you x
DeleteOh, poor Lily! Chicken pox! Glad to hear that it wasn't too bad and she's back in school. I was in my late 20s when I got chicken pox! My daughter was vaccinated against it, so, never had it, I'm glad to say!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bless. She's fine again now and enjoying a lovely time in the school playground last I saw her. X
DeleteI have never had chickenpox although both my daughters caught them at school - I must have some natural immunity against them and all the other childhood diseases as the only one I ever caught was measles. Glad Lily is feeling better - how nice to be off school when the weather is so warm and sunny at the moment. Your new blanket came in very handy - I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't get christened the 'poorly' blanket now! x
ReplyDeleteYou were fortunate to miss them, Vivien. I did wonder if Lily had managed to dodge them this time around, as she was the last in her class to get them. She's feeling much better now, however and is happy to be back at school again.
DeleteWe have quite a good selection of blankets here now, so it's not a bad place to be if you have to be ill. Mog takes advantage of them too. X
My daughter was 20 and at University when she took chickenpox. She was really ill and had a second wave before the isolation period was over. She suffers from eczema and has various allergies so spent most of the time either taking antihistamine or having calamine lotion applied by me to the weeping sores. Definitely better to have it as a child. Lovely to see Lily skipping in the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty miserable getting it as an adult and it must have been so much worse for your poor daughter. I'm relieved it's out of the way for Lily now. X
DeleteOh how I still remember having chicken pox,..my mother was a firm believer in if you’re ill you stay in bed...consequently very sweaty face and neck...oozing pox...and long hair was not a pleasant experience! When our children had it I was very conscious of this...I even dried them with a cool hairdryer instead of a towel. x
ReplyDeleteThat does not sound like a very pleasant experience, Jackie. I'm not surprised you have vivid memories of it. X
DeleteI'm a little behind on blog reading and hope by now Lily is feeling much brighter and ready to return to school tomorrow. Those flapjacks look the perfect medicine for getting better especially cuddle up in the new blanket with a furry friend.
ReplyDeleteLily is much better, thank you Julie, although I have a suspicion she may be coming down with a cold now! Mog cuddles do help her feel better. X
DeleteHI Jules, Your blanket looks heavenly. It really adds a comforting quality to the home to have hand knit and crocheted items. They bring the whole place to life. I love all of your photos, too. That dessert reminds me of our Rice Crispie Marshmallow Treats in the US.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The blanket has already seen plenty of use. X
DeletePoor Lily, but at least she's had it now!
ReplyDeleteLovely seeing your photographs and the new blanket looks great.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. Lily is feeling so much better and I'm relieved she's got it over and done with now. X
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