WIPs for every occasion...

...even if that occasion is coping with a poorly four-year-old home from pre-school!

I forgot how often young children come down with little viruses – Bunny is 10 and rarely home from school. She built up her immune system during her time at pre-school and early years of primary school.

But Little Flower, ah, she has a fresh, new immune system that isn’t as prepared for battle yet. So when a virus floats around the village, she’s bound to catch it, in varying degrees. Last night she succumbed to the croupy cough making the rounds, and we were both up most of the night. She’s fine in every other way, just can’t stop coughing, and we’re both exhausted now.

So it’s an imposed Nothing Day. No housework, no errands...I’ve requested a takeaway or ready meal for Darling Husband and me tonight, I know by 6 p.m. I’ll be a zombie! (Thank goodness for batch-cooked, veggie-loaded tomato sauce in the freezer, I can manage boiling pasta for the kids...)

However, I can only take so much Peppa Pig or Disney Channel as we snuggle on the sofa. My choices are limited to “easy” and “exceptionally mindless” WIPs and activities.

The brain cannot handle this today

It can handle this

I can’t face colour changes and fiddly rounds of this

But I can do a repetitive back and forth hooking of this

A crochet item for a man that I actually like! From the latest issue of Simply Crochet...

Fingers cannot stitch this today

You didn't think I'd just cross stitch another flower, did you? Just look at those golds and peacock shades!

But the repetitive stab stitch of this negative space project, yes

(There’s more news about that red heart, coming very, very soon...)

And, of course, lots and lots and lots of cuddles!

Do you have WIPs for every occasion? Tell me more...

Happy crafting!

Chrissie x

Recipe for a Nothing Day

Take one family struck down with a virus...

Add a pot of homemade chicken soup simmering on the stove

The smell of chicken soup is most comforting...

Treats and tissues

The words "Krispy Kreme" and "share" have no business being on the same box...

Some light reading material

Vitamin-boosting fruits

Some more treats

It wasn't me!

A few library books

Pyjamas and pillows in lots of cuddly, fuzzy fabrics

Optional ingredients: DVDs, TV, games (electronic and board)

...and lots and lots of cuddles.

I have been hit by the first virus of the new school year (which probably explains why I was feeling so fragile earlier this week). Unfortunately for me, I seem to have it the worst in the family, and Darling Husband is out of town this weekend. Bunny came back from her awesome school trip sniffling as well, and Little Flower woke up at 5 a.m. with a stuffy nose and cough. A Nothing Day was ordered.

When I was growing up, we had Nothing Days after busy weeks, stressful times, when hit with colds, or just for nothing at all! The idea is total rest and relaxation, with no worries about accomplishing anything. Except personal restoration.

So we threw on some clothes (yoga outfit for me and leggings and tops for the girls – pretty much one small step up from pyjamas) and popped into town for the Nothing Day ingredients listed above. Less than an hour later, we came home and shut the door, with no intention of opening it again until Monday morning’s school run.

Remember the nest? Well, it’s being put to use big time this weekend, surrounded by all the ingredients for Nothing Day. Darling Husband is away, so he’s missing out on all the fun – yes, one can have fun even when poorly – of snuggling all weekend!

The nest in healthier, neater times

I wish you all a happy, healthy Saturday. I'll be doing a bit of stitching today for tomorrow's Stitching Sunday post. And I can’t wait to hear about Yarndale, all you lucky folk going there this weekend!

And have you entered my giveaway yet? Time’s a-ticking!

Chrissie x