Happiness and perfection breeds laziness. I have been lazy.
All week long the weather has been glorious. I now know what is meant by an English Spring. I am nervous for what an English summer will bring!
We have been planning our building project on the new house and have met with two builders this week. One very expensive, well known for quality work, and their higher prices. The other, a smaller individual business, quality work, and lower prices. We will have to some of the buying ourselves, but this is good. I am looking forward to picking out bathroom and kitchen tiles, fixtures and flooring!
Enough about the week, onto the weekend!
Friday was Zelda's first day of April break from school. We had a mommy daughter day. WE made a broom stick out of a long paper tube and rolled newspaper that was cut on the ends. This was after watching Bed knobs and Broomsticks! We had story telling by Zelda on her bed with every single stuffed toy she owns...took about 30 minutes! We painted pictures outside in the garden. Ate fruit and cheese platters, played with the doll house, read stories and of course snuggled.
In the evening I made a date nite dinner of turkey scallopine, wild brown rice with peas and carrots. Zelda ate the same earlier and loved it! We loved it too.
Saturday morning Zelda came into the room happy as a clam! All day she was bright eyed and bushy tailed. she made out bed. She dressed herself, and put away her clothes. She helped make breakfast and clear up. She was very proud of her achievements. We had swimming lessons at 10:30 and afterwards we went to the Gala to see the new Winnie the Poo movie. We walked home and by the time we arrived it was 4pm!
We all had dinner together. I made Broom House Farms fresh ground Angus Steak burgers with mashed potato and peas, carrots and broccoli. We read, snuggled and Zelda fell asleep in 10 minutes! We followed shortly afterwards.
This morning I woke at 5:45am. My brain would not shut off and I could not sleep. Pre Passover jitters! I am cooking for 15 people, 6 or which are children! All of which are new friends we have recently met, plus my brother in law, his wife and their two boys.
No shower, just two coffees and I was and running to make the brisket. I cooked it with red wine, port, prunes, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, thyme, orange peel, carrots, onions, celery and veggie stock. I made chopped liver with cognac and the tradition charoseth with apples, walnuts, cranberries, raisins, red wine, Ginger and orange juice. Tomorrow there will be more to make. The Seder is Tuesday.
By 12 noon I was finished! We ate a late breakfast and then hung out in the garden. The hubby and Zelda cleaned it up, he mended Zelda's bike and she rode it around the street. Zelda being the friendly girl thatshe is, called through the fence to the neighbor " HELLO" several times, before the hard of hearing neighbor acknowledged her! She ran across the street to the neighbors, like a cat that had been cooped up inside for days to " play " with them. I had to drag her home as they English are so polite, they would never evict her even though they wanted to eat their dinner! This is definitely the American in her!! Just perfect!!
We all stayed in the garden until around 7:15 then came into snuggle a a bit. Zelda went to bed late, but fell asleep quickly.
I feel once again eternally grateful for the life I lead, for the love I have and the family I share it all with.
Sunday 17 April 2011
Sunday 10 April 2011
The Weekend
Ok Ok, I lost a week, but lets face it, the weeks really are all alike; full of beautiful and inspirational things where ever I turn. I woke up every morning at 6am and did the usual routine things, only this past week I did them on my own as the hubby was home sick. A viral plague has hit Durham and almost every one I know has it or is getting over it.
On to the weekend, as it really was special and quite perfect.
Friday night I met my friend S in town at around 6:30. We walked over to the Cafe Rouge , I know, French, but it is the only place in Town that has outside seating, and is not a pub. It has the bonus feature of being right next to the bridge over the river wear too. What was supposed to be a quick drink and maybe a small bite, turned into a fabulous gab-a-thon, which we both evidently needed. We also went on a hungry splurge and shared steak and duck and frittes. It was 11pm and they were throwing us out. Places close quite early here, but that's OK.
I got into the cab ride from hell and was home by 11:05.
Saturday we went into town in the morning to take Zelda to her first swimming lesson. We were able to watch her from a viewing area. She really enjoyed it and was ear to ear smiles. Afterwards, we walked down to the river and then decided to head home and get the car and go to the Broom House Farms 6 miles away in the country side. This is a great place where they have a working organic farm, a great cafe with outside table facing a huge farm field with sand pit, swings, hay stacks for climbing on and a wooden castle on top of a mound next to a forest. We ate some lunch and watched Zelda zip around or about 3 hours. Next we went to visit the lambs. They were so cute and innocent. I felt very guilty about the big bag of meat I had bought earlier from the farm butcher.
We were home by 6pm. The evening was quiet and calm, but I got a sunburn on my face. Never in Nice did I get sunburned. The sun is so low here that it hits you directly in the face.
Today we woke up early and packed a picnic lunch...cheeses, baguettes, fruit, crudites and a small bar of dark chocolate. We packed up the car with our rug, some warm clothes and some games and headed to South Shields to go to the coastal beaches.
The journey took all of 30 minutes, 18 minutes according to the GPS, but we took a slower route. The coast was truly amazing. It was the perfect beach. The air was full of seaweed smell, I found crab legs and sea shells and beautifully ground down smooth pieces of green glass. Zelda and her dad played in the crags down by the sea and I made sand mermaids. We ate some lunch and then went for a walk up onto the Key, where when we got to the top, it looked like it had been carpeted with beautiful green perfect grass. Zelda was so proud of herself for climbing up the high cavernous rock, and so she should be!
It was getting late so we climbed down and took the coastal walk walk on top of the dunes back tot he car.
It was a marvelous weekend full of beautiful sights that were only 20-30 minutes away. In contrast to living in Nice, we never went anywhere as it was always too hot to be out in the blazing sun on an open beach, that would be made up of rock, not sand and have garbage and needles on it. Here it had soft and smooth glass and plenty to keep a child or an adult occupied for hours. It was the perfect beach. The perfect weekend, and the perfect family time together.
good night all!
On to the weekend, as it really was special and quite perfect.
Friday night I met my friend S in town at around 6:30. We walked over to the Cafe Rouge , I know, French, but it is the only place in Town that has outside seating, and is not a pub. It has the bonus feature of being right next to the bridge over the river wear too. What was supposed to be a quick drink and maybe a small bite, turned into a fabulous gab-a-thon, which we both evidently needed. We also went on a hungry splurge and shared steak and duck and frittes. It was 11pm and they were throwing us out. Places close quite early here, but that's OK.
I got into the cab ride from hell and was home by 11:05.
Saturday we went into town in the morning to take Zelda to her first swimming lesson. We were able to watch her from a viewing area. She really enjoyed it and was ear to ear smiles. Afterwards, we walked down to the river and then decided to head home and get the car and go to the Broom House Farms 6 miles away in the country side. This is a great place where they have a working organic farm, a great cafe with outside table facing a huge farm field with sand pit, swings, hay stacks for climbing on and a wooden castle on top of a mound next to a forest. We ate some lunch and watched Zelda zip around or about 3 hours. Next we went to visit the lambs. They were so cute and innocent. I felt very guilty about the big bag of meat I had bought earlier from the farm butcher.
We were home by 6pm. The evening was quiet and calm, but I got a sunburn on my face. Never in Nice did I get sunburned. The sun is so low here that it hits you directly in the face.
Today we woke up early and packed a picnic lunch...cheeses, baguettes, fruit, crudites and a small bar of dark chocolate. We packed up the car with our rug, some warm clothes and some games and headed to South Shields to go to the coastal beaches.
The journey took all of 30 minutes, 18 minutes according to the GPS, but we took a slower route. The coast was truly amazing. It was the perfect beach. The air was full of seaweed smell, I found crab legs and sea shells and beautifully ground down smooth pieces of green glass. Zelda and her dad played in the crags down by the sea and I made sand mermaids. We ate some lunch and then went for a walk up onto the Key, where when we got to the top, it looked like it had been carpeted with beautiful green perfect grass. Zelda was so proud of herself for climbing up the high cavernous rock, and so she should be!
It was getting late so we climbed down and took the coastal walk walk on top of the dunes back tot he car.
It was a marvelous weekend full of beautiful sights that were only 20-30 minutes away. In contrast to living in Nice, we never went anywhere as it was always too hot to be out in the blazing sun on an open beach, that would be made up of rock, not sand and have garbage and needles on it. Here it had soft and smooth glass and plenty to keep a child or an adult occupied for hours. It was the perfect beach. The perfect weekend, and the perfect family time together.
good night all!
Sunday 3 April 2011
The weekend
I woke this morning at 7:15 well rested and greeted by a grinning daughter, who could not keep a secret. Today was Mothering Sunday in Britain. She whispered into my ear don't look, we are going to sneak out and make you breakfast in bed. That was followed by my dress worn last night, lying on the floor, being thrown onto my face to keep me from seeing!
I stayed that way until I heard surprise. There in front of me was a large tray with waffles, juice, fruit and coffee. All three of us sat in bed and ate a lovely breakfast chosen and prepared by Zelda. After eating I was presented with gifts and cards. I received a crocheted pillow in the shape of a heart that said LOVE on it, a lovely magical wooden music box for jewelry. It is the kind that when you open it the fairy inside spins around until you close it or the music ends. Zelda made me a perfect card with butterflies on it and lovely writing saying she loved me inside.
After breakfast, Zelda left, only to return dressed in a princess outfit, donned with fairy wings, a crown, a wand and holding an apple. She put the music box on the bed opened it up and moved in time to the music and in circles to the fairy in the box! A scene to behold...who writes this stuff???? Where does she get it???
We got dressed and ate a bit more and then went to Crook Hall. This is one of my favorite places in Durham City. It is an old mansion with large gardens. We took a family membership for one year so now we can go whenever we like. It will open for the season in two weeks. Today was just for Mothering Sunday.
Upon entering you are faced with a large hedge maze. Zelda led us through it and out again. We walked through all the secret places and then settled down to have an afternoon tea with scones, ginger cake, flapjacks, cheese sandwiches and of course ea. The sun shone, it rained, it shone and it was all in all great weather.
The grey clouds rolled in around 2:30 and we went home. We found a classic childrens film, Amazons and Swallows and all three of us went up up to watch it. It was super sunny and bright outside! I can't wait until we can all go camping on the island in the Lake District, like in this film.
Saturday was library day. We took it easy and just relaxed. I read my book The Room and got to bed early.
Friday we got a baby sitter for Zelda and her two cousins H and E. The four adults went out to the pub for dinner and drinks. We got home by 11:30. The evening was gloriously warm. It is great that one can walk to town and back, never having to use the car.
Right now it is a fantastic evening. The sun is setting and the cherry blossom trees out the window are glowing in the evening light. The birds are singing otherwise it is very quiet. Zelda is in bed with her dad who is reading to her and snuggling her to sleep.
I feel loved, happy, grateful, giddy and ready for what ever tomorrow brings!
I stayed that way until I heard surprise. There in front of me was a large tray with waffles, juice, fruit and coffee. All three of us sat in bed and ate a lovely breakfast chosen and prepared by Zelda. After eating I was presented with gifts and cards. I received a crocheted pillow in the shape of a heart that said LOVE on it, a lovely magical wooden music box for jewelry. It is the kind that when you open it the fairy inside spins around until you close it or the music ends. Zelda made me a perfect card with butterflies on it and lovely writing saying she loved me inside.
After breakfast, Zelda left, only to return dressed in a princess outfit, donned with fairy wings, a crown, a wand and holding an apple. She put the music box on the bed opened it up and moved in time to the music and in circles to the fairy in the box! A scene to behold...who writes this stuff???? Where does she get it???
We got dressed and ate a bit more and then went to Crook Hall. This is one of my favorite places in Durham City. It is an old mansion with large gardens. We took a family membership for one year so now we can go whenever we like. It will open for the season in two weeks. Today was just for Mothering Sunday.
Upon entering you are faced with a large hedge maze. Zelda led us through it and out again. We walked through all the secret places and then settled down to have an afternoon tea with scones, ginger cake, flapjacks, cheese sandwiches and of course ea. The sun shone, it rained, it shone and it was all in all great weather.
The grey clouds rolled in around 2:30 and we went home. We found a classic childrens film, Amazons and Swallows and all three of us went up up to watch it. It was super sunny and bright outside! I can't wait until we can all go camping on the island in the Lake District, like in this film.
Saturday was library day. We took it easy and just relaxed. I read my book The Room and got to bed early.
Friday we got a baby sitter for Zelda and her two cousins H and E. The four adults went out to the pub for dinner and drinks. We got home by 11:30. The evening was gloriously warm. It is great that one can walk to town and back, never having to use the car.
Right now it is a fantastic evening. The sun is setting and the cherry blossom trees out the window are glowing in the evening light. The birds are singing otherwise it is very quiet. Zelda is in bed with her dad who is reading to her and snuggling her to sleep.
I feel loved, happy, grateful, giddy and ready for what ever tomorrow brings!
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