Dickens

A while ago, I was talking to a colleague and we discovered that we both have a love of classics. I prefer reading but also enjoy seeing books brought to life. My colleague prefers the BBC adaptations and has a lot. She lent me a lot of them to watch and I've started with one that I haven't yet read - Little Dorritt.

I'm four episodes in and really enjoying it so far. It's nice to not have read the book this once - watching without knowing what to expect.

It made me realise how few Dickens novels I have read. There will be a few more going onto my list: Little Dorrit, Bleak House, Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop.

Sometimes I wonder if the classics are really good or just became so popular because of the times they were written in but with Dickens, he's just so brilliant. The intricacies of the stories, colourful characters, I think he'd be as good writing today.

Ponytails!

I've been waiting for this for soooo long - over the last couple of weeks, our little girl has finally started to let me put her hair in ponytails for nursery.  It makes such a difference - she looks like a real little girl.  Of course, she never keeps them in until home time but it's a start!

I remember my mum doing my hair for school and I remember driving her mad because I wanted it doing a specific way or to do it myself.  Of course, you get what you give and my two-year-old is already demanding to brush her own hair which normally ends in tears and knots.

The cutest thing is that she is becoming something of a trend setter.  When her friend Henry came to pick us up for nursery last week, he had also demanded a pony tail like Bella!!

It will be pleats and hair straighteners before we know it!

Make it Monday - August birthday cards

This month I experimented more with the patterned paper from the Mollie Makes magazines to make some nice cards for various ladies (and one man). I was really pleased with the results - they look good with the minimum of fuss.

For the kids I used the felt stickers again - they're good fun and look nice too.

Weekly Wisdom

When you're on the dark side of the world, remember that the world is turning.

The Saturday Update

Another busy week here. We had a full work and nursery week.

We had a quiet weekend which included a daddy-daughter camping adventure.

I was tutoring on Monday - that went well. I also cooked and baked on Monday.

Tuesday was short for a change. We did some shopping on the way home.

Wednesday was another full day. We spent a bit of time at nursery as she was sleepy and eating when we got there.

Thursday was quiet with no appointments. I got a fair few jobs done and took Isbella to the library.

Yesterday was the usual wind down to the weekend.

In between I got some knitting, crafting, journaling and planning done so very productive even if my list isn't cleared yet.

This weekend we're staying with Nico's family for the first time in ages before another busy week.

What does the fox say?...

Keeping us entertained this weekend:

September Goals

Here are my goals for this month:

• Finish Isabella's room.
• Write two letters.
• Eat more fruit and veg.
• Organise European Day of Languages at school.
• Continue my crafts and diary.