Sunday 24 March 2013

Georgina


We have snow again, and plenty of it - the strong winds have been creating odd little drifts and although it is late March I'm transported back to December somehow. I had a wonderful childminder growing up - she was, and is - truly one of a kind. An Irish woman from county Cork with a heart the size of the moon and occasionally a very matter of fact turn of phrase. At Georgina's we would spend days like today building indoor forts of blankets and sofa cushions, hanging out by the log burner munching toast and playing Contraband, or bundling up in ski jackets to brave the cold and bounce on the snowy trampoline in the garden. There were endless snowball fights and soggy walks home from school which meant squeaky shoes and wet socks in the porch then a race for the comfiest chair by the log burner. The kitchen was a place of wonder and there was always something bubbling away on top of the stove or baking inside it; we made biscuits and bread, dropped scones and fairy cakes, tarts and even doughnuts. Christmas was a riot of badly topped mince pies, cheese straws and cards sporting lollystick frames around cut-outs from the previous year's festive brochures. Pancake day equalled barely contained pandemonium in which we'd all queue up eager to help stir the mixture and flip our own pancakes before Georgina slid them deftly onto our plates, it inevitably lead to some batter based disasters, I vividly remember only narrowly avoiding wearing Jonathan's pancake when he got a little overenthusiastic with the flipping action. 

Random recollections but I often think of Georgina on snowy days!


14 comments :

  1. Lovely tale about Georgina, Jem. How lucky you were to have a child minder like her.
    No snow here (of course!) just blue skies, but rain is promised (fingers crossed) for tomorrow.
    Btw, I have had a look at T's beautiful wedding pics. Wow! They are gorgeous! Please tell him I said so. I'm very impressed x

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  2. this is one of the things I enjoy most about your blog, jem. You write so beautifully! These are some lovely memories thankyou for sharing them. x

    P.S the final picture is stunning

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  3. Sounds like something out of an Enid Blyton book!

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  4. She sounds a fascinating lady! I hope the snow leaves you soon!

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  5. Lovely childhood memories. My childminder was called Florence. She had cats all over the house, and one, Snowy, lived in the bathroom. He only had one eye and used to unnerve me when I had cause to pay a visit! Another used to spend all his time watching the goldfish bowl... x

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  6. That sounds absolutely idyllic. I hope if I ever have children I can provide for them a childhood of always having something bubbling on the stove, adventures and forts made out of blankets and cushions. Those are the best things, I think! xo

    Rosie | A Rosie Outlook

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  7. Georgina sounds a true Mary Poppins! Fab photo of pretty black cat against pure white snow. We just have nasty sleety rain, I would much prefer the fluffy white stuff!

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  8. Oh gosh what an amazing tale of childhood. Georgina sounds like a true Mary Poppins character. It's so intriguing and a tale you will be able to pass down to future generations xxx

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  9. My hubby and I were watching the news here in America and I told him, I bet my blogger friends in England are getting hit hard. I was talking with a lady who's brother lives in Germany and she said he had tons of snow too!
    Stay warm...loved your blog post.

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  10. I really love the sound of Georgina :) xx

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  11. Georgina sounds lovely. My Grandad used to babysit us when we were little but I had to assist in nappy changing as he didn't have a clue!

    Your snow looks gorgeous, it's just sleet down in London unfortunately.

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  12. Beautifully written post as always. Georgina sounds like an amazing character and what fond memories of childhood she has left you with!

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  13. Georgina sounds utterly wonderful <3

    Jennie xo | sailorjennie.com

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  14. Georgina sounds like my Aunty Norma! Whenever I smell baking I think of my aunt and all the fun we had when I was little. Happy memories. Em x

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