A MOMENT 'S PEACE

When you have children, something you often truly long for is a moment's peace. It becomes particularly alluring during the witching hours of 5pm-7pm, I find, when my darling children are being particularly trying, and I'm trying to simultaneously discuss the beneficial effects of vegetables with one (eat them, they'll make you grow up big and strong like Spider-man) and the life cycle of the water spider (they lay their eggs in an air bubble, apparently) to the other. So, what to do? A few suggestions..

Have a massage!

Lovely Elena Impagliazzo, who has nearly completed her training as a massage therapist, is offering Ayurvedic massages (20mins) for women and children at the Vrouw Kind Centrum every Monday until 16 November from 10.00 for €1 - you can sign up for this at the VKC. She is also offering wonderful 1 ½ hour Ayurvedic massages for €30 - please contact her on elena.impagliazzo@gmail.com

Join the knitting group! (VKC, Langegracht 57, Fridays 10.00-11.30)

Yes, I'm waxing rather evangelical but it's truly lovely: if you have something you'd like to make (take a look at www.knittingpatterncentral.com for free knitting patterns and ideas) you can take it with you (I buy my wool etc at Wolwinkel 'n Steekje Los Leiden, Oude Rijn 11a, www.nsteekjelos.nl , because the owner is very friendly and helpful), and get Marja to help you get started, but even if you have no ideas she has plenty, and even wool and needles if money is tight. It's a lovely relaxed me-time hour and a half, and the kind ladies of the VKC provide free childcare! Here's what I just made.

Indulge in some art!

This weekend is Kunstroute, which means that art galleries and ateliers are open all over Leiden from 12 until 5 on Saturday and Sunday. The official start point (where you receive your route book) is Museum de Lakenhal in Scheltema: see www.kunstrouteleiden.nl It's great fun to have a look at all the art available in our city. When I'm not doing HomeinLeiden stuff, I am an artist, and have just set up my atelier in Leiden(The tulip and the Butterfly, van der Sterrepad 2 - by De Burcht) - we will also be open during Kunstroute and our official launch party is on Friday 25 th from 17.00-20.00, so if you would like to come and drink a glass of pink bubbles (of course) to celebrate with me, you are most welcome.

Do Ladies' Day!

This Saturday (26 th ) is Ladies' Day in Leiden: many shops will be offering special offers, free gifts, or discounts. There is a high-heeled race on Vismarkt at 13.00 (heels must be a minimum of 7cm high, first prize is € 200, and there will be lots of other prizes including one for the most 'imaginatively dressed lady'. Not sure what this might involve, but wish my daughter Evelyn could enter, given her usual daily fireman hat/gumboots/tutu/goggles combo. See www.ladiesdayleiden.nl for more details.

Read this book!

Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali. I love this book: it is incredibly reassuring, comforting and helpful. It has some incredibly helpful insights into ways to live a more calm life with small children, and tackles many relevant and difficult issues such as anger and guilt. You can get it online or ask Ans at the Mayflower Bookshop to order it for you www.themayflowerbookshop.nl.