My mother made the massive mistake of asking me to decorate her birthday party (a significant one). I think she thought - a few pretty table cloths and a bunch of flowers. I've got terribly over excited and am now trying to persuade her to do an Alice in Wonderland party. Though it's got expensive for me already...
In trying to find examples of props we could buy (or I can create with my trusty printer and laminator) I just came across the most amazing shower curtain which is an entrance to Wonderland. I've purchased it. It's totally unsuitable for the shower - but I'm going to stick it behind my desk as my 'generic remote meeting software' backdrop. Very excited!
Thought I did explain it doesn't need to be expensive as I could make loads of stuff and also whenever I see something suitable for an Alice party I buy it. I got the napkin above from Asda. Wasn't sure what I'd use it for, but knew I'd do some decoupage or similar and it would come in useful.
Alice is a big part in my life, I'm utterly obsessed and there are white rabbits and clocks all over my house. I mean ALL OVER. Even in the sitting room (and starring in previous post) we have an enormous clock that reminds me of the white rabbits pocket watch.
I appreciate that this makes me more than a little sad - but let's face it - that ship sailed a long time ago so I just embrace it now.
I'm now pretty much over the cold, though do still have some residue - but at least don't feel ill any more.
You wouldn't believe how much I did on Saturday - I was on my knees by the end of it. Last week the builders came in and sorted out our front garden. There's just planting to happen now, but it does look a bit of a patchwork of old bits of garden and new bits. Unfortunately the new bits make the old bits look really rubbish, but I'm not going to do anything drastic until we've planted as I'm guessing that will make a huge difference.
Had a bit of a panic when the paving slabs turned up - I absolutely hated them. Builder told me that after a few months they will settle down in colour and I'll like them. As they were stone and had been cut specifically for us I made a deal with him. If I don't like them in 3 months I can go and paint his house pink. The labourers confirmed with me that they know where he lives and that they'll happily help me with the painting.
That said I came up with the idea of using a dark grey grouting between the tiles (which are paler than I'd like), once that went in it immediately looked better. But there are still patches of the garden that no longer have grass.
We also got one of them to come and look at the bathroom and give us a quote - I'm desperate to get that sorted as it's leaking everywhere and basically falling apart. Though I could do without the stress of a the work happening.
So what did I do on Saturday.
1 - woke up (always a bonus)
2- got son breakfast and clothes
3- hopped on computer and researched entire bathroom suite + bits, costed and saved links for purchase (this took AGES)
4 - put a wash on and sorted out a weeks worth of dry washing
5 - made supper for 5
6 - prepared as much as I could for a Sunday lunch for 6
7 - cleaned house because cleaner ill and we were having guests (literally did this whilst waiting for things to cook..... ok can't do next thing until potatoes have par boiled - I'll clean the shower....)
8 - drove to the tiling shop to get samples of tiles to decide on colours for the bathroom (all decided.... thanks for asking...)
9 - drove to garden centre to get grass seed (oh and managed to find a reindeer hat for dog on Christmas day - dog loves it as much as you'd imagine it would).
10 - finished cooking supper and got on table on time for 5 people, then entertaining in the evening.
11 - son to bed, then me to bed (well not as early as I should have done as we are totally hooked on Squid Games at the moment).
Then on Sunday morning I got up - watered garden, planted the grass seed, then planted a couple of yukkas that have been floating around the house forever and I thought would fit with the new garden (if they die they die - watch this space). After that I had a shower and tarted myself up. Took the dog for a walk then...... disaster.
I'd totally miscalculated how long the roast would take and had allowed 2 hours - I went to put it on only to calculate that it actually needed 3 hours. I made a brave decision to make some extra gravy and serve the meat dry - so rather than cooking at gas 4 for 3 hours and then resting for half an hour - I cooked it on gas 7 for 2 hours and carved immediately.
Yes the meat was dry, but I just didn't mention it and made sure there was enough gravy on the table to make sure people didn't choke!
After lunch we went for a really nice walk with dog and guests to seafront. Was actually really nice weather - though suddenly what looked like a monsoon appeared to be heading our way so we quickly made our way home. Luckily the monsoon didn't start until we'd been in the house for half an hour!
Once they had gone I sat on the sofa and refused to move for the rest of the evening.
Don't you just love a nice relaxing weekend!!!! I'd love to know what one was like.
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