R u a D G?*

I wanted to use code. Because it almost seems like a dirty little secret.

Are you a Domestic Goddess? I'm not, I know that. But I think I rather aspire to be a Brocante Vintage Housekeeper.

Snippets in here made my heart sing - indeed they twanged my apron strings. After reading it, I finished tidying the kitchen in about seven minutes, and bolted out to the line to take in the washing and peg out another load. As I paired the socks as I went along (hitherto - a very Brocante word, I'm thinking - I would just throw it all in the basket and then try to sort it out later, which usually involves trying to match up sixteen pairs of navy and black socks, often in the dimmed bedroom lights in the evening, it's lucky I'm not blind by now) I made great progress, though I was cradling innumerable pairs of socks and clutching a handful of pegs as I whizzed through it, and then thought - it would be so useful if I had a pocket... and then realised that I did. I had unconsciously adopted the 'Wear a Pinny' commandment and was sporting my June Tie One On Apron.

Wow, that woman is good. She's subliminal....

I've been fretting a little about the upcoming visitors. (What, really? you gasp in astonishment, bracing yourselves for another onslaught of the wibbles) And now I've realised that yes, it's ok that I want to have a nicely dressed bed and a well-appointed room for them. And a bed, but I digress. But it's not vanity, it's just that I want them to feel welcome, and at home. Of course it's not the case that I have to do this - god knows, they are easy going and won't expect that there is a red carpet and a butler to hand. I'm also mindful of the fact that they took such good care of me when I arrived on their doorstep years ago, when they would pay no heed to my protestations that I'd find other lodgings and I want them to have a wonderful, restful, interesting, relaxing holiday here (on that note, if there are any Londoners reading, where would you suggest they visit? Bearing in mind they have two boys, eleven and six years old).

One of the highest compliments I've ever been paid was by a dear friend of my mother's. Joan is a fabulous hostess, the sort of person who has guest bathrobes and keeps a supply of spare toothbrushes, who makes her own scones - do you know what I mean? Most people our age seem to be doing well if they have a rolled up futon at the back of the 'office/spare room' and two extra bowls for cereal in the morning. After our wedding, I sent Joan a card to say thank you for their lovely gift, and she told my mother that she showed it to her own daughters as an example of how to write a thank you card. I was quite embarrassed. I was also deeply touched, and flattered. High praise indeed, as my grandmother would say.

So I've decided it's ok to:

- make biscotti and oat cookies for Saturday morning, to welcome the visitors
- put fresh flowers from the garden in their room
- put a lined basket with toiletries out for them
- possibly even tie up the guest towels with ribbon, to make them look pretty

Well, to be fair, I know I'll definitely do the first one.
The second - here's hoping there's something blossoming. The gerberas above look pretty, don't they - shame they are only four centimetres high, and the last ones.
It will depend on how I do with finding a basket.
I might need to graduate up to the ribbon.

Wish me luck.

*And are you someone who abhors 'txt-spk'? I'm not always trying to be a DG, but I think I'm always an SO - Spelling Obsessive.

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Ideas for visiting London with young boys: London Eye, Natural History Museum, London Dungeon, Tower Bridge Experience, Greenwich for the Meridian Line, Covent Garden with the street artists, Ride on a double-decker bus and in a black cab, google 'Harry Potter's London' for places you see in the movies. Have fun!