Mothering Sunday

The sun is streaming through the windows today, but it’s been a weekend of contrasts.

This is what we woke up to on Friday morning.  Oh boy, did I have a big smile on my face!  We’ve hardly had any snow this winter and even though the meteorological spring started on 1 March, it looked like the winter had finally caught up with us!  The neighbouring gardens were blanketed in white …

and it was still snowing when the dog and I went for our walk after dropping small daughter off at school.

In the garden, the plants all wore snowy coats …

but by mid-afternoon it had all melted and the snow had turned to rain.  My girls (and yes, me too!) were very disappointed – they had hoped it would last over the weekend (and a bit longer – they’re always hopeful that the schools will be closed!) but it wasn’t to be.

It was just as well really – on Saturday I went to listen to Betsan Corkhill speaking about therapeutic knitting and if we’d been snowed in I wouldn’t have been able to go.  What I learnt ties in very well with what I already know about well-being and relaxation and how knitting can be an important part of that, but I also learnt more about how it can be used to help alleviate pain and combat stress and anxiety and why knitting works so well for this.  I’ll be writing more about the day a bit later on – and telling you why it’s absolutely fine to have more than one project on the go!

Today is Mothering Sunday.  The service in our church is always very considerate – Mother’s Day isn’t an easy day for everybody – and today the talk was about how the day was originally a day when people would return to their “mother” church which was the main church of the parish. Later, children in domestic service would use the day to visit their mothers if they were close enough to do so, but the tradition of giving mothers presents is one from more recent times and in the UK has been amalgamated with Mothering Sunday although in other countries Mother’s Day falls on a different date.  It’s interesting that a quick Google search on the subject gives lots of different origins for Mother’s Day, but the focus of the church talk today was on how everybody “mothers” in different ways, whether a man, a woman or a child, and so the day should be a celebration of how we care for others.  I like that sentiment.  I also liked breakfast in bed, cards and presents – and having dinner cooked for me tonight.  I really like that bit!

Despite the sunshine, it’s still been very cold today and back home, small daughter and I were glad of our new socks.  I’ve finally finished my cashmere socks and they feel very luxurious on my feet. I’ve noticed that some of the socks in my drawer are looking a little tired (they do get worn a lot!) so it’s nice to have some new ones to replace them with.

Small daughter found herself the cosiest spot in the house, happy reading her book and pretending that she didn’t have any homework to do.  I made her socks with some growing room so I’m hoping they’ll last her for a while.

It’s been a lovely weekend, and today I’ve enjoyed having a day of not doing very much at all – usually Sundays are full of chores and getting ready for the week ahead.  There’s still been some of that, but I have deliberately not done any more than I needed to and have not felt guilty at all about sitting down with my knitting this afternoon.

I hope you have had a lovely Mother’s Day, whoever – or whatever – you mother xx

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12 Responses

  1. Amy at love made my home says:

    Beautifully said Christine! Very thoughtful and just so well said as always. You really are one of the kindest and nicest people that there are. Thank you for being just so! xx

  2. sustainablemum says:

    I am suprised that you haven't had much snow, we have had lots this Winter not that ours has hung around much either. That talk sounds fascinating, I will be interested to read your post on it.

    Your socks look like the perfect thing to wear on a cold wintery day. It sounds like you have had the day you deserve. Have a lovely week.

    • Winwick Mum says:

      We've had hardly any snow this year, it's been really disappointing! Hope you have had a lovely day too! xx

  3. selina says:

    love those socks!
    have only just delved into sock making, only done one so far & have too much other knitting to get done before going back to tackle socks again (it was too big)
    well said on the 'mother's day' never knew it originated from the church
    thanx for sharing

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Perhaps a smaller pair might be better to start off with – hope you do get back into the socks again! xx

  4. Unknown says:

    Love the photo of small daughter and dog's feet. Do you think he's trying to tell you something? X

  5. Elizabeth says:

    Thank you for the link to your church. The pictures are lovely.
    Great colors in the socks and they look nice and warm.

  6. Jo says:

    We woke up to snow on Friday too but unlike you, I was glad it got washed away in the afternoon. It's lovely when it's freshly fallen and you can watch it out of the window but I'm not a fan of it when I have to go out in it. The socks are lovely, it's a shame when they wear out though, isn't it. Only yesterday Eleanor was sorting through her drawers and brought me a couple of pairs of handknitted socks which were definitely past being repaired, they've gone in the rag bag, very sad. Glad you had a lovely Mother's Day.

    • Winwick Mum says:

      At least if your socks have been worn to rags then you know they've been well-loved! I always feel slightly guilty for getting as giddy about the snow as I do, as I know that it causes so many problems in this country because we're just not used to it – but I can't help that I really do love it! 🙂 xx

  7. Lilly's Mom says:

    Greetings Christine, looks like you had a lovely Sunday. Your garden looks beautiful with its blanket of winter snow. I loved seeing all the socks you've knitted; especially the one with the dog. What a precious photo. And, many thanks for the kind words you left on my blog. You are a dear. My best to you, Pat xx

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