Americans really have the right idea at this time of year. Thanksgiving: a time for family, friends, warmth, love and CARBOHYDRATES. Lots of carbohydrates. I love the idea of a big turkey accompanied by potatoes and pies, though I still get a little wary of the addition of macaroni cheese. Does it really work?
But most of all I love the idea of sitting down with your loved ones and giving thanks for the good things in your life. It’s so easy for me to get bogged down in the day-to-day routine of no sleep, nappies, weaning, budgeting, blah blah blah that I forget to look at the bigger picture and realise just how good I have it. Thinking about what I am thankful for gives me perspective on rubbish I really shouldn’t be wasting thought power on. So today, in homage to the carbs, I’ve sat down and given thanks to the wonderful things in my life. Here they are.
My Children – I have somehow managed to give birth to the two most adorable, happy babies who are a total joy to be around. Yes, they may do immense poos that I manage to get on my elbow (?!) and scatter jigsaws in every room of the house but I am so very lucky they belong to me.
My Husband – our next anniversary will be 10 YEARS and although we might bicker and grouch at each other when we’re overtired (so that’s every day, then) I feel so lucky I met him so early on in my life. He’s my best friend.
My Family – I am so lucky to have my parents and Mother-In-Law so close by. My mum and dad love the children almost as much as I do and my Mother-in-Law is so wonderful with them. She looked after Hux whilst I tool Elfie into London yesterday; I came home to find the kitchen cleaned, house hoovered, washing done and dinner cooked. It was a wonderful surprise and if I wasn’t married to her son I might have proposed there and then.
The place we live – I appreciate our quiet village more and more as Elfie gets older and we venture out of the house further. I’m really excited for her to make new friends at preschool next year!
My job – I admit to some whinging and moaning because I find it so hard to work efficiently as well as look after Elfie and Hux but I am so lucky to be able to work for myself. I still wish I didn’t put so much pressure on myself to be everything to everyone, the mother, the wife, the businesswoman, the cleaner, the cook… but it’ll fall into place I’m sure.
Our health – In the last six weeks we’ve suffered with 2 tummy bugs (Elfie) and food poisoning (me) but overall we’re all live and kicking. We should never take our health for granted.
Our friends – We lost a lot of friends moving out of London: to many people we may as well have moved to Scotland and I almost know how they feel, for me going to Notting Hill from Islington used to be a mission-and-a-half. The ones who have stuck with us are brilliant true friends and I feel lucky to have them.
Salted caramel – whoever invented this is a ruddy genius.
Right. Now that’s done I’m off to roast a chicken, stick some cream on some vegetables and eat some potatoes. Thanksgiving: the British way.
Lovely post Alice. I think it’s really important to be thankful for all the things we have in life- it is so easy to get bogged down in a lack of pennies, housework, job worries and endless pooey nappies- but actually life is pretty good. X
Very true xxx
You are so right Alice. When I am super stressed because the house is a tip, the snots dripping from three kids noses and I’m bogged down with ‘real work,’ I have now a built-in switch that tells me to calm down and be thankful. It’s so easy to let the little stuff get us down, but thinking about the bigger picture is needed- LOTS! Lovely post :)
ps. Do you hire your MIL out?! N Ireland is a lovely place, if she ever wants to move ;)
I’ll suggest N Ireland to her! Thank you for your lovely comment x
Hi Alice, great post, where did you get the kids jumpers from in the first photo? Love them
Cute post Alice. Nice to stop and take stock. And salted caramel – oh yes. Have you tried the Sainsbury’s salted caramel and chocolate ice cream. AMAZE!
Happy British Thanksgiving to you my dear! XXOO
Gorgeous post and totally agree with everything…especially the salted caramel x
This is a really lovely post. Beautiful pics too. It’s so important to remind ourselves of what we’ve got, it becomes all too easy to focus on what we DON’T have that I have to step back every now and again and look at the positives. Thank you for the reminder. x