This weekend was strange because the kids were at my mum’s for part of it. I got some alone time and made good use of it 🙂
On Friday, I picked up some craft type things for the girls from The Works. I love that you can get activities so cheaply there that keep kids entertained for ages. The girls got a felt board each, so they could make a farm scene and match words and pictures. Then, they used some new stampers I got to make unicorn posters 🙂 I also found a little wooden train set for a couple of pounds. They built it and it kept them amused for a while too 🙂 Kids really do appreciate the little things the most 🙂
On Saturday, we went to the local park and the kids ran wild and then did some tree climbing. They insist on climbing the same tree every time we’re there.
After the girls went to my parents’, I went for a mint latte and sat outside Clements in the sun, writing 🙂 I love coffee and mint together 🙂
Afterwards, I had a look around a local flower and plant shop and got a present in it. There’s something really calming about shopping for plants – maybe it’s all the green 🙂
I went to St George’s Market which I hadn’t been to in ages 🙂 It was so quiet – probably because everywhere else had just reopened and you can sit in to eat and drink again 🙂 I looked around the different stalls and bought some strawberries, avocados and coriander from the lady at the fruit and veg stall. I got some fresh falafel for lunch. The man at the falafel stall (Bel Falafel) was so friendly and made everything from scratch. He made the pitta bread himself and it was delicious 🙂 I decided on a healthier meal than the girls would ordinarily allow me to enjoy 😊
I did some clearing out when I got home and then went to the cinema to see Nomadland 🙂 It’s funny that most people want to socialise on nights out while I just want to be alone and have peace ☺️I got some strong coffee and enjoyed the cinema experience alone (without having to tell anyone to sit down or be quiet five thousand times :)) I like the fact paintings are popping up around East Belfast now – like this popcorn one outside the cinema. When I was leaving the cinema, the sunset was beautiful and it lit up the cranes and Belfast hills. (It was hard to capture it on camera.)
I had a veggie wrap for dinner afterwards with the avocado and coriander I got at the market and some red wine. I made some brownies and had one of them too 🙂
On Sunday, we all went to Sketrick and a new playground in Killinchy. The girls loved it and the weather was beautiful 🙂 There was even a playground there for dogs!
We spent the afternoon in my parents’ garden. My mum made some jelly for the kids in jelly moulds she had from the 80’s and they loved them 🙂 They liked seeing the unveiling of them too. We had a barbecue for dinner and headed home. They have some wisteria that looks and smells so nice along their fence. I get to enjoy the fruits of their gardening labours while we are there (meanwhile, I can’t keep a plant alive!)
Today, the girls were off school so we went to Sea Park and they played in the playground while I enjoyed the sun and the views 🙂 We had a biscuits picnic on a bench and we bumped into friends there and had an impromptu play date. We went for a walk and sat on a little beach together. We went early before it got crazily busy and it was lovely 🙂
After lunch, we treated ourselves to some chocolate cake in the garden 🙂 I’ve been dreaming about it since a girl whose YouTube videos I watch made a video about a date with herself and chocolate cake 🙂 We’ve done lots of simple things this weekend but they’ve been enriching and we’ve been so lucky weather-wise too 🙂
The Funky Thrifter 