A home day.

Today I am ment to be at church helping with a mothers group.  But instead I am at home.  Little Henry has a little blood in his nappy yesterday that appears like it is innocent, perhaps some sore, irritated skin somewhere we cannot easily see.  He has gone to the GP for a thorough check and specimens have been taken and tested and they have come back clear so it is a matter of trying to keep that area as comfortable as possible.  He has been very bothered by it when he wees.  Last night was long, today we are all tired. 

Im am pleased to be at home.  The fire is burning, we are playing duplo on the rug, reading books.  The lounge has clean washing scattered about in various states of drying. Our home is not a show home, it is real and functional, welcoming and cozy.  There is always time for a cuppa here!

Loading up the fire first thing this morning, there is just enough coals left to light it.  It needs emptying, the harth sweeping but not today.  It is still dark out.  

Dinner tonight will be roast chook, pulled from the freezer bought on special and potato with pan gravy, and fried cabbage with bacon, fennel seeds in butter.  I love this as a side dish, its seriously yum.  Oh and lots of salt and pepper.  Bacon, butter and salt - what could be better?!  Clearly I'm not a blogger who is all about whole, raw foods! I'm a comfort food kinda a cook.

Defrosting on the bench, I know they say you shouldn't, but my mother did, my grandmother always did and so do I.  The cabbage was bought from the markets, super fresh.  The chooks will love all the tough outer leaves.  I love that about chickens, the ultimate recyclers.  Then you get manure for the garden in return, and eggs.  Except ours are slack and past laying.  We really need to deal with them.  Though we will replace them with a variety of heritage chooks.  

There was nothing extraordinary about today, I pottered about, gave the bathroom a quick scrub.  The smell of eucalyptus oil and vinegar was refreshing.  Its funny how over times my idea of "clean" smells have changed now.

Henry and I spent some time discussing his animals, I love his little crochet slippers I bought from an beautiful old Granny at some markets.

"COW!"  He exclaims with delight as he finds the animal I was asking for.  This kid is so full of beans and mischief I wonder where he gets it from.  

Between the sleepless nights and resulting cups of coffee, loads of washing, noses wiped, bottoms changed, games played, books read....I know these days will soon be passed.  In their simple, small delights and their challenges.

Henry hoards books in his bed, he cuddles them nightly.  Children are strange creatures, but what a delightful hobby to have.  Together we stripped his bed and re-made it, he loves to help, though is the best at all my children of creating a gigantic mess as he does so!  

I often think I suck at being a SAHM.  I'm too often irritable, and not energetic enough to keep up with my rowdy boy tribe!  But then there are kisses too steal, soft chubby bodies to breathe in and tickles to be had, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  There are so many moments of joy and beauty in my days that fill my heart, in even the most ordinary of days.

xx