Monday 16 May 2011

Warmly And Affectionately Yours....

Where does the time go? Does it sneak out the open window when my back is turned? A slippery trickster who somehow can be too much or too little at the same time, it seems, and never whichever one you most want.
Jay has been gone a month now, and we are on the final countdown to his return in a few days. And in these weeks that seemed to stretch interminably we have somehow done very little, yet a lot has happened.

For example......

....these five little dearlings arrived quietly in the night a week ago. Five little bundles of joy that have leant the house a hush, a desire to creep and whisper and peek every so silently around the door at this little nest of sweetness. There is something so heartening and reassuring about tiny baby animals, it brings out the softness in even the coolest teenagers! And what is most heartening is that each of these little things is going to a home we know and love so we will be able to continue with the sweet love affair that has begun here in our home.

We have, as always, been surrounded by the most wonderful friends who fed and entertained us beyond measure, and who remind me just how lucky I am to have somehow landed in this place that seems to have an excess of Remarkable Humans who take the true meaning of friendship to heart and deliver every time.


And they also brought much sustenance, joy and laughter, through two suspected cases of Fifth's Disease, a dose of Chicken Pox, which was swiftly followed Croup. *sigh* I may be wrong, but these things only ever seem to happen to this extent when Jay is away....!
And on the subject of joy, can I just share this wonder with you? Elaine Prunty, she of Jaboopee fame created one of her marvellous Toy Portraits of this little family of mine. I Laughed Out Loud upon opening the package that Jimmy the Postman brought to my door, so thrilled and delighted to receive it.

L to R: The Eldest, My Only Girl, The Dude, The Smallest, Me (yes, the taxi driver!), and My Hero. 

So now, as the last few days tick by, and as Jay's homecoming approaches, it feels as though I have got the better of time for a while, (until that is, I read back at just how little writing I got done, and how little blogging too!) I take a moment to look around and once again feel a deep Gratitude for all that I have.

19 comments:

Unknown said...

So beautiful! Those tiny little kittens are so sweet! Time certainly does have a way of playing pranks on us!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Lovely post. I adore your "family portrait"! And the baby kittens are just wonderful. But chicken pox??? I've never had it and run screaming like a girl whenever I hear the name!!

Ellen said...

The photo of the bundle of kittens melted my heart...on to just sit and watch them sleep...thank you for this quiet moment in a newborn kitten's life.

Karen said...

Oh those kittens! I would get nothing done for sure if those were in my house. Time would just go by while I sat and soaked in every ounce of adorableness. :) x

Mimi said...

I know what you mean about time eluding us, though you put it so eloquently, it seems to me, a reader, a good thing. (even though I have missed your writing too, hope that makes some sense!)
Chickenpox and croup and your man away? Agh! Too much!

The family portrait is adorable! So clever and imaginative.

Mise said...

The family portrait is wonderful, and quietly emits happiness and individuality. I'm not quite sure she 100% captured your own good looks, mind you, Ciara. Don't tell her I said so.

Elaine Prunty said...

aah! ...kittens, i love it at flickr when you inadvertantly go to something that might be 'disturbing' and you get the option to " bring me back to the kittens" which in fact does lead back to pictures of kittens....you should put this one up there......Methinks mise underestimates the power and the beauty that is barbamama.....best wishes on " the return of superhero" guess we'll get no blogging out of you now.

yew tree nights said...

Considering that it is May, that the sweetest kittens in the world are living in your house, and then croup and chicken pox, and that you are on your own for the month, I think that you are probably exceeding everyone's expectations for good time management. And I am sure some time will sneak back into your place on some rainy evening.

GourmetGirlfriend said...

I love the way your mind & soul work Ciara. It cheers me & soothes me ....
And seriously Elaine's artwork is MAGNIFICENT. I love it as I am sure you do beyond words.
xxx

Rebecca S. said...

All I can think of after reading this post is A MONTH? You, Ciara are the hero in this family portrait! But you are right, there is nothing like a community of wonderful friends and children to help make the time and trials go smoothly as possible. Hugs,
Rebecca

Elizabeth said...

Such a warm hearted blog as always, Been following a while, as I become ever more delighted to have stumbled upon it, though in truth I was directed here. I love the family portrait!!!!and your kittens, little bundles of gentle life they are.
Thanks: ) Elizabeth

the wild magnolia said...

It's entirely true, life's a kick, a hoot and way to much fun, I'm on the merry go round for the full ride!

Great post!

SWEDISH HOUSE said...

Hej Ciara!

(I just typed Carina...think my brain is thinking Swedish too much lol!)

That picture of kittens is just too adorable...

LOVE your contemporary family portrait and YOUR sense of humour.

Have a wonderful weekend with your HERO home ;-)
LOVE PEACE enJOY
Julie
x

Amanda said...

Everything ebbs and flows, doesn't it? Adore the family portrait!

Chris Judge said...

The kittens are so cute!!

Loove the family portrait too. Hilarious

Rommel Peter Fernandes said...

The kitties look so adorable.
Homestay in Goa

One Woman's Thoughts said...

I don't even know where to start. I loved so much about this post. The kittnes, the friends, the family in the frame. You put the words and photos together is such an endearing way. I know your place is a fun place to visit . . . and now that I have the map to your house well . . . knock, knock.

Charlie and Caroline said...

Another lovely post. And that Toy Portrait is great, too. x

Jayne said...

Oh those little kittens... it's lovely that you know the homes they are going to and can watch them grow. :)

The family portrait is a very clever, unusual thing to receive in the post! Wish my post was as exciting, sadly alas and alack, it's all bills at the moment.