Juggling life through a bi-polar lens. Sometimes up, sometimes down. Mostly trying to tread water in the middle. Creating a likeness to a normal life. Whatever "normal" is...

Wednesday 13 February 2008

ABC Wednesday.... D is for Dressing Gowns!


D is for Dressing Gowns ..........


Dressing Gowns (or, in the USA, I believe, 'robes',) are a little bit of affordable luxury. In fact, judging by the ones I've manhandled in department stores, the cheaper they are, the fluffier. Don't bother with expensive woolly ones. They just go bobbly anyway. They're also too heavy for suitcases. And far too posh to relax properly in, especially around morning cups of caffeine.

The one above was given to me one Christmas. After many washes, it's still as soft as.... as soft as.... OK. Let me explain something here. I have my own measure for softness. Not silk or feathers or snow. No. Something reaches the pinnacle of softness only if it reminds me of my cat's tummy....
"Figs".... named after "Figaro" in Pinnochio... beatifully innocent (so she said) of the crime of scratching this wallpaper.... Her fur was thick and soft, and she was love and friendship, and cheekiness and humour, on legs. Nearly 3 years now, and I still miss her. Snuggling down in my soft fluffy dressing gown, I think of her, her soft, warm, thick silk, and try not to consider that I'll never hold that purry warmth again.

'Ahhhh....' I sigh to my patient partner, as I stroke another fur collar/ cushion cover/ teddy bear, as we wander through Debenhams. 'Soft as Figgy's tummy' I say. He smiles, rolls his eyes to the ceiling. He knew I was going to say that.
*** *** *** ***
Each morning I get up to put out food for the birds. I make a mixture of sultanas, oats, fat and apple. -Mix it all up small in the food processor. I've tried putting it out the night before, but if it rains in the night, or if there's a heavy frost (like lately), it turns into a mushy porridge. The birds eat most of it still, but it makes a mess of the bird tables. So... early morning rises it is, come rain or snow...

-This one was taken about a year ago. Hard to believe. No snow this year.... Anyway, here I am, 6am., walking back towards the door after putting out the birds' breakfast...... This is my other Dressing Gown. I bought it from a discount store called TK Maxx. It has Elizabeth Emmanuel embroidered onto the front lapel in gold. Hmmm.... quite a posh designer, that. She was one of the ones who designed the wedding dress for Princess Diana. I have to report though, that this Dressing Gown, whatever its credentials, doesn't pass the Figgy's Tummy Test. It does have a hood, though. And has towelling inside. So, good for rushed showers and baths, cool lazy evenings eating straight out of the fridge, and feeding birds in the snow.

**********************************************

For links to everyone else doing the ABC Wednesday, & instructions on how to take part, visit Mrs Nesbitt's site.

***

34 comments:

ellen b. said...

I think I might just have to call my robe a dressing gown from now on because it sounds so much better! What a fun post to read...

Edmund (the explorer) Nesbitt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeeMom said...

What a delightful post...pretty cat

Leslie: said...

I love your post. We used to call them "housecoats." And they are so nice to cuddle into. I'm going to add you to my blog roll and come back. Please pop over to visit me between ABCWs. :D

dot said...

There is nothing like a nice soft warm robe on cold winter days and nights.
I was going to say we sometimes call them "housecoats" but leslie beat me to it.

Anonymous said...

The English language can be quite complicated for a non-native speaker like me. First time I realise a dressing gown is also a housecoat :) However, we use neither in the tropics. Too hot! Good D post!

Andrea said...

Housecoats here too. And on a cold night like tonight it is nice to be wrapped up in one.

Sharon said...

I've always had robes, but will have to get a dressing gown now. Yours does look soft and snuggly.

The picture of your kitty is pretty. I know how you feel. I still miss my sittle Snicker,even after 2 years.

Wonderful "D" post. Visit mine, if you'd like.

Neva said...

Dressing gown sounds so eloquent! I like soft ones as well! pretty cat....

Lilli & Nevada said...

Oh my your kittie is as big as mine, how much does she weigh? Mine is at 32lbs. Very nice post

FO - 2 said...

You described the Dressing Gown perfectly. Wishing it was Sunday.... ;)

Rune Eide said...

Highly original - including the stains!

Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Gerald (SK14) said...

well I'm sitting here in my dressing gown right now - wouldn't dream of calling it a housecoat.

Guess I'll have to go get showered and dressed soon.

mrsnesbitt said...

My favourite dressing gown of all time was a pink one with a zip up high colar and pictures of reindeers on it. I loved curling up in it. Warm slippers too.
Welcome aboard. Missed your C post last week so now I know where you are I will know where to come.

Great to have you aboard.
Dxxx

VP said...

What a coincidence - I washed my Dressing gown yesterday and never even thought of it for D!

RUTH said...

That certainly does look a luxurious dressing gown and a great idea for a D post :o)

Daryl said...

What a terrific post .. and wonderful D .. thanks for visiting my blog .. say hi to your Roy!

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Hey Helena,
Thanks for stopping by at my blog, your D is wonderfull!

Its a day later so.....

HAPPY VALENTINE:)

TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

JoAnn D-eyes/NL

Mrs Mac said...

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK, EVERYONE!

I'm working my way through the list of people doing the ABC Wednesday on Mrs Nesbitt's blog. I think I'm up to number 60, so I've nearly visited all of you!

Lilli & Nevada- 32lbs??????
Oh my, that isn't a cat, that's a small bear!
Figs got to about 15lb at her largest. She was fairly big for a couple of years, maybe age 5 to 7. But she slimmed down. She always had a baggy belly though, even though she never had kittens. She was so daft and trusting she would let me go 'worra worra worra' on her tummy, blowing raspberries. LOL!!!

:^)

ArneA said...

Do not be afraid of speaking English in Norway. Most people do although writing seams more challenging.
I also believed that English people always believe that the whole world understand English if you talk slowly.

Most of us speak offshore english here. :-)

Anonymous said...

Your blog site is quite a gem, a great place to visit with a cup of tea and some almond biscotti. My Mom calls them housecoats, but I've always called them robes. My tourqoise, wrap-around, terry cloth robe is one of the most comfortable clothing items I ever wear. Gown sounds much more regal and my robe probably deserves that distinction, too. My youngest cat, Seven (who is on my lap right now, loves rasberries, too. Seems odd--My other three cats would NEVER have any of that.

virtual nexus said...

Hi - had to laugh about the softness test, and sorry you lost figs!

Lovely imaginative ideas for a blog - good to see you on mine.

Vi said...

I ADORE my dressing gown. I even wear it over my clothes when I get home from work, to snuggle up to the softness of it!

Daryl said...

You must check out the rest of my pal's son's pie charts . ..

http://tmbbi.blogspot.com/

A.Bananna said...

a dressing gown? I like that better than a robe! :) it sounds fancy! lol.

Happy valentines day!

Dragonstar said...

I like a nice cuddly dressing-gown - but these days it would be nothing but dog and cat hair! One day . . .

Pernille said...

Pretty cat and great Ds:)
Happy Valentines day:)

Miss_Yves said...

Nice dressing gown (robe de chambre en français).In fact, it looks like a bathrobe made of terry-towelling!
Nice picture of a "white ghost" under
white flakes ,the opposite of your black Figaro!
miss Yves

Miss_Yves said...

I don't think that the animal above the door is a dragon:perhaps a fantastic animal which became a mere fish in my watercolour!
miss Yvves

Katney said...

I am snuggled up in my robe (dressing gown) which is soft as a kitty's tummy. My DD gave it to me for Christmas a couple of years ago. She had given me one exactly like it the year before. I don't knwo if she remembered, or gave me one that fit to replace the one that was two sizes too big. She hadn't seen me for several months and I had lost weight that year.

Max-e said...

I have two dressing gowns - or shall I say robes - the winter woolly one and the summer cotton one.
Of course you have to love cats.

Petunia said...

Hello! just a visit from Norway! Great D post:)

lv2scpbk said...

Good "D" word. Love the cat too.

Siani said...

Nice D post - sorry about the loss of your cat - she looked very sweet. Thank you for visiting my ABC. Sorry for taking so long to repay the visit.