6am talk radio Newcastle style, I was so dead to the world that I could not move to put it back to the BBC. I made my husband get up and he did, and made the coffee too...well pushed the button for the coffee maid!
I opened the window to see if we had had more snow, nope. We already knew that there would be no school for Zelda today as we read it on the TWITTER from her school late last night. She, of course had no idea.
7am yell for mommy. Daddy goes instead to get her. She refuses daddy, she WANTS mommy. Mommy refuses, as yelling is no way to get someone to do what you want. Daddy returns to bring Zelda in and along she comes willingly and happy. Yippee, I held my ground. We break the news and she screams with glee..."yeah, daddy play with me". Daddy replies, " what would you like to play?". Zelda says "polly pockets", I giggle and think to myself a perfect start to a great day. I remove myself and leave the two of them to play their game.
9am Hubby leaves the house as it begins to snow bee bee gun pellets of snow. Zelda and I get dressed. Zelda goes next door to play for a few hours while I traipse into town to fill a prescription, go to the bank, post office and market. A usual day just like any other.
Once home, Zelda and I play games, snuggle, watch TV and eat lots of biscuits and drink tea. My parents sent her a package, hence the trip to the post office, and inside were some great books. We sat and read and then built a city out of wooden colored blocks. Before I knew it, it was time for dinner. Some pasta and salad and then off to bed.
Time check, 7:44, bee bee pellets again, and hubby home. A glass of sherry awaits. A slow paced, fun filled day with Zelda.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
Monday
6am, 6 more inches and it was still going strong. It has been 17 years since I have seen a large scale snow storm. This mornings snow, with its addition of really loud thunder, made it the perfect storm. Zelda looked out of the window and described the sky as purple. There wasn't a glimmer of light anywhere. It really was just purple. Like a big bad bruise across the sky.
The radio was tuned to the local Newcastle radio station and we waited patiently for the half hourly school closing bulletin. Schools near to us were closed, but not ours! I put off getting Zelda dressed as long as possible before we would be late for school. Just as she finished getting dressed, there it was, St. Oswalds had been closed because the roads were too dangerous to drive on. I let out a loud scream of delight, but then realized it wasn't me, it was Zelda who should be happy.
I took a walk over to the medical center up the road. It was a glorious walk. The streets were full of snow, people were everywhere walking to school or work. It was just like any other normal day. Now that the snow had stopped falling the sky had actually turned a beautiful powder blue and the sun was out! I was happy that I actually felt sick so I could take this walk on my own. Ten minutes later and I was heading back to my house.
Ahhh I thought chicken soup is perfect for a day like today. I walked to the local Sainsbury near to the house and bought a chicken. I got it home and found that the people who own this house do not own a large soup pot, unless they took it with them to France. Change of plans, I would instead cook it slowly in a marmite. I stuffed it with limes, tomato, fresh whole chile, and shallots. Under the breast skin I put butter and rosemary and lemon thyme sprigs. I put the bird onto a bed of chopped leeks, potatoes, limes, more chile and fresh herbs. Added some red wine and cooked it for two hours. The perfect cold weather meal.
Around Three Zelda and I made chocolate peanut butter cookies. The batter was so delicious we could not stop eating it. We were thus only able to make 20 cookies instead of ?????
As I write it is hailing out now. The door has just closed so my hubby must be home. It is 9:10pm.
Five fifteen my friend and her daughter came over. We played scrabble while the girls played dress-up. I made them pasta and was then rewarded with their version of a dessert....apples on a fork! Clever. I unfortunately went up stairs after they left and found apple bits and a fork in Zeldas bed. Not so clever, but cute all the same.
As far as Mondays go, this one has been pretty special. It has been a long time since I have spent daughter mother time with Zelda in a relaxing and fun way. It has been a long time since I have had a friend come over and just do normal friends things, like play a game, drink tea, chat, giggle and enjoy life all at the same time. It has been a while since I have heard the laughter of my daughter with a friend. No fighting, just pure perfect fun, for me and for her.
The radio was tuned to the local Newcastle radio station and we waited patiently for the half hourly school closing bulletin. Schools near to us were closed, but not ours! I put off getting Zelda dressed as long as possible before we would be late for school. Just as she finished getting dressed, there it was, St. Oswalds had been closed because the roads were too dangerous to drive on. I let out a loud scream of delight, but then realized it wasn't me, it was Zelda who should be happy.
I took a walk over to the medical center up the road. It was a glorious walk. The streets were full of snow, people were everywhere walking to school or work. It was just like any other normal day. Now that the snow had stopped falling the sky had actually turned a beautiful powder blue and the sun was out! I was happy that I actually felt sick so I could take this walk on my own. Ten minutes later and I was heading back to my house.
Ahhh I thought chicken soup is perfect for a day like today. I walked to the local Sainsbury near to the house and bought a chicken. I got it home and found that the people who own this house do not own a large soup pot, unless they took it with them to France. Change of plans, I would instead cook it slowly in a marmite. I stuffed it with limes, tomato, fresh whole chile, and shallots. Under the breast skin I put butter and rosemary and lemon thyme sprigs. I put the bird onto a bed of chopped leeks, potatoes, limes, more chile and fresh herbs. Added some red wine and cooked it for two hours. The perfect cold weather meal.
Around Three Zelda and I made chocolate peanut butter cookies. The batter was so delicious we could not stop eating it. We were thus only able to make 20 cookies instead of ?????
As I write it is hailing out now. The door has just closed so my hubby must be home. It is 9:10pm.
Five fifteen my friend and her daughter came over. We played scrabble while the girls played dress-up. I made them pasta and was then rewarded with their version of a dessert....apples on a fork! Clever. I unfortunately went up stairs after they left and found apple bits and a fork in Zeldas bed. Not so clever, but cute all the same.
As far as Mondays go, this one has been pretty special. It has been a long time since I have spent daughter mother time with Zelda in a relaxing and fun way. It has been a long time since I have had a friend come over and just do normal friends things, like play a game, drink tea, chat, giggle and enjoy life all at the same time. It has been a while since I have heard the laughter of my daughter with a friend. No fighting, just pure perfect fun, for me and for her.
Sunday, 28 November 2010
The Weekend
Snow, snow and yet more snow, and still more snow coming. I love it. I love the white crisp powdery not solid and not liquid substance. I love walking in it, lying down on top of it, pulling Zelda in a sled through it. I enjoy watching it fall in small specks and thick fat fluffy clumps, falling lightly or heavily so that my glasses get covered and I am snow blind. I never wear a hat when it is snowing. I do not carry an umbrella like some. I walk under the shower of snow unadorned so that I get the full power of its intensity on top of me.
The backyard has piles of snow on top of tables, chairs, trees and plants. The washing line looks like a sparkly spider web. Birds fly in to eat and take refuge. It's pure eye candy!
Snow makes me giddy. I can not be mad when it is snowing. I can not be sad when it is snowing. I can only be glad when it is snowing.
Last night at 1am in the morning my husband and I walked home from a friends dinner party. They live about 2 miles away. We walked all the way under the bright moon lit sky. It felt warm out. I felt safe. The stars were magnificent and their light reflected on the snow covered streets below. I ran through a cemetery and I rolled on the ground. I was, possessed, for a small moment. Taken over by joy, wrapped in the warmth that the cold snow gives off. Memories of my childhood. It was perfect.
The backyard has piles of snow on top of tables, chairs, trees and plants. The washing line looks like a sparkly spider web. Birds fly in to eat and take refuge. It's pure eye candy!
Snow makes me giddy. I can not be mad when it is snowing. I can not be sad when it is snowing. I can only be glad when it is snowing.
Last night at 1am in the morning my husband and I walked home from a friends dinner party. They live about 2 miles away. We walked all the way under the bright moon lit sky. It felt warm out. I felt safe. The stars were magnificent and their light reflected on the snow covered streets below. I ran through a cemetery and I rolled on the ground. I was, possessed, for a small moment. Taken over by joy, wrapped in the warmth that the cold snow gives off. Memories of my childhood. It was perfect.
Friday, 26 November 2010
Friday
a perfect day
Ingredients
wake up to BBC radio
coffee in bed
warm bathroom
warm towel
warm clothes
light breakfast ( shared my bagel with Zelda)
catch bus
catch train to Newcastle
Work at BALTIC
Learn new things
Feel ill
take lemsip
go home
have tea
go to bed
see family
Directions
Take all the ingredients and mix well. Finish off with a big hug and kiss and the words " I love you mommy, feel better" and your perfect day is complete.
Ingredients
wake up to BBC radio
coffee in bed
warm bathroom
warm towel
warm clothes
light breakfast ( shared my bagel with Zelda)
catch bus
catch train to Newcastle
Work at BALTIC
Learn new things
Feel ill
take lemsip
go home
have tea
go to bed
see family
Directions
Take all the ingredients and mix well. Finish off with a big hug and kiss and the words " I love you mommy, feel better" and your perfect day is complete.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Thursday
The lamp post on the other side of the wardrobe in the film Narnia was a lamp post in Durham. This morning, that lamp post was outside my window and so was all that snow!
6am I awoke to the giddy sounds of both Zelda and my husband, induced by the stillness and magic of falling snow flakes and about 6 inches of already deposited pristine white snow. I raced up stairs to the top room, which has six sky light windows on the A- frame walls. The views from this room are magnificent. I can always see the rainbows, the colored moody clouds, the sunshine and the trees. This morning I was looking forward to the snowy vista I would see. Instead I saw the inside of an igloo in the North Pole. White solid snow filled the panes. It was eerie. It was a bit creepy. It was cold. It was a perfect way to experience my first winters snowfall in England.
Northerners are die hard. Schools do not close. Everyone still walks to work and school. Instead of mini skirts and open toed shoes, I was looking at mini skirts and wellies sliding down the hill and marching into town. By the time we arrived we were 10 minutes late. Not too bad for our first attempt at the heel toe express on snowy icy hills. Zelda had a blast and so did we.
Coffee as usual and then into the center to buy warm under things and proper gloves for Zelda. Then, a quick stop at the charity shop proved successful. A lovely black wool short coat with cowl neck and two soft scarves all for a total of 6 pounds. I was now set for the winter also. I am learning the magic of layering. I feel like a wedding cake when I get dressed. First the silky light weight pink silk under wear. Next a soft cotton camisole. On top of that, a thin black Lycra turtle neck and finally the icing...a fleece. My short wool coat on top with a scarf wrapped around and I am good to go anywhere, looking good.
Walking up the hills in the snow I found to be easier than walking up them when there is no snow. I ask myself why? I don't know, but it felt great and I was happy and smiling all the way home.
After school club at the church was quiet today and very relaxing. Ian turned up at around 4pm and we all went home together. Today was Thanksgiving and we were going to spend the evening together. I made baked rolled stuffed turkey cutlets with lemon thyme, rosemary and orange. Brown rice and roasted baby carrots as an accompaniment. While I was cooking Zelda made a snowman with her daddy in the garden. It really was the most perfectly loving sight and I loved the feeling of warmth and happiness it gave me inside.
Dinner was followed by stories in front of the fire all snuggled up together. We then put Zelda to bed and she drifted off peacefully and content. All that snow probably wore her out.
Time check: 8:48. Zelda a sleep. Hubby investigating heating costs! Me, truly madly happy.
6am I awoke to the giddy sounds of both Zelda and my husband, induced by the stillness and magic of falling snow flakes and about 6 inches of already deposited pristine white snow. I raced up stairs to the top room, which has six sky light windows on the A- frame walls. The views from this room are magnificent. I can always see the rainbows, the colored moody clouds, the sunshine and the trees. This morning I was looking forward to the snowy vista I would see. Instead I saw the inside of an igloo in the North Pole. White solid snow filled the panes. It was eerie. It was a bit creepy. It was cold. It was a perfect way to experience my first winters snowfall in England.
Northerners are die hard. Schools do not close. Everyone still walks to work and school. Instead of mini skirts and open toed shoes, I was looking at mini skirts and wellies sliding down the hill and marching into town. By the time we arrived we were 10 minutes late. Not too bad for our first attempt at the heel toe express on snowy icy hills. Zelda had a blast and so did we.
Coffee as usual and then into the center to buy warm under things and proper gloves for Zelda. Then, a quick stop at the charity shop proved successful. A lovely black wool short coat with cowl neck and two soft scarves all for a total of 6 pounds. I was now set for the winter also. I am learning the magic of layering. I feel like a wedding cake when I get dressed. First the silky light weight pink silk under wear. Next a soft cotton camisole. On top of that, a thin black Lycra turtle neck and finally the icing...a fleece. My short wool coat on top with a scarf wrapped around and I am good to go anywhere, looking good.
Walking up the hills in the snow I found to be easier than walking up them when there is no snow. I ask myself why? I don't know, but it felt great and I was happy and smiling all the way home.
After school club at the church was quiet today and very relaxing. Ian turned up at around 4pm and we all went home together. Today was Thanksgiving and we were going to spend the evening together. I made baked rolled stuffed turkey cutlets with lemon thyme, rosemary and orange. Brown rice and roasted baby carrots as an accompaniment. While I was cooking Zelda made a snowman with her daddy in the garden. It really was the most perfectly loving sight and I loved the feeling of warmth and happiness it gave me inside.
Dinner was followed by stories in front of the fire all snuggled up together. We then put Zelda to bed and she drifted off peacefully and content. All that snow probably wore her out.
Time check: 8:48. Zelda a sleep. Hubby investigating heating costs! Me, truly madly happy.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Wednesday
 |
| Sky light window at 23:03pm |
What you are seeing is SNOW!!!! I am so happy that I bought a sledge today! I purchased my sleek black plastic top of the line sledge, with hand rails, and brakes this morning at approximately 10 am. The sun was shining, but earlier a few flakes had flown down to the ground, ( I swear) albeit they did not stick, but so what. I wanted to be ready. I could smell snow. I could taste snow. I was thirsty. I was, I am, a New Yorker, snow WAS on its way. The people in the streets, who I passed as I walked my 2 foot sledge home up the hills of Durham, looked at me queerly. Many made a comment like " so you had some sledging today did ya?" or " you expecting snow?". Well, yes I was. I answered that I had been told that if you don't buy a sledge at the first sight of snow fall, there wont be any left. This was a scenario I could not face. Not after moving my daughter from sunny South of France, with the promise of snow and sledding!
This morning when the BBC radio alarm went off it was not talk, but music. I thus stayed in bed an extra half hour. Being that I and everyone else in the house was on the late side, I rushed into the shower and then dashed downstairs to start breakfast for us all. Upstairs, Zelda and Ian were sparing over getting dressed. I wont say who won. I will say that tomorrow will be different, for Zelda.
8:30am and we are out the door. All bundled up against the wind and the chill. 8:34am and our student friend Lizzy, who has adopted us and we her, walked us to Zeldas school, so the morning was saved. We made it just in time for the bell. When Lizzie is around, Zelda dashes and leaps and jumps all the way down the hill and up the hill and happily makes her way without a dawdle to school.
No coffee as usual this morning. I was off to Tony and Guy. A quick hair cut which turned out perfect, took all of 30 minutes. Next stop realtor. Next stop sledge. Then home!
Zelda pick up as usual. Boot exchange. Bus home. Snuggle. Bath. Books. Bed. Dinner prepped..I was on a schedule. I had a special Skype session planned for 9pm sharp.
Twice baked stuffed jacket potatoes, California burgers, that is a burger without a bun and fresh guacamole with chile on top, and rocket salad for dinner. A nice light red wine to go with it. Fueled up I was ready.
"Ready to skype?" showed up on the computer. Yes!
9 years had passed since I spoke to and saw my brother. He was in New Mexico spending Thanksgiving with my parents. I do not usually go in for all that Thanksgiving stuff. I really don't believe in it. I have always felt that it was not really an event to celebrate, since it was surrounded by disease, rape and the "overpowering" of an indigenous people, in order to get the "American dream". Today, as it happens, I was very thankful and this feeling of thankfulness just happened to coincide with the holiday, so, that made my day perfect. Thanksgiving will no longer hold memories and stories of nasty historical stuff, but the stuff that makes me happy. The stuff that makes families family. The stuff that says, I love my family.
Time check: 11:36. I am due downstairs. Hubby and I agreed to stop whatever we are doing and go to bed at 11:30. oops I am late!
This post is dedicated to my family. I love you where ever you are!
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Tuesday
Ill. Perfectly ill.
Mug of hot water with honey, cloves and lemmon.
Lemsip MAX
and now plain old paracetomaol.
The chills and aches don't seem to want to leave me.
Had a nice snuggle in my bed with Zelda, reading and listening to classical music while I rested and waited for hubby to come home to put her to bed. She is scrummy. She makes me feel better. It is strange, but your own child must give off some kind of chemical that actually heals!
Off to sleep withall my clothing on!
good night all.
Mug of hot water with honey, cloves and lemmon.
Lemsip MAX
and now plain old paracetomaol.
The chills and aches don't seem to want to leave me.
Had a nice snuggle in my bed with Zelda, reading and listening to classical music while I rested and waited for hubby to come home to put her to bed. She is scrummy. She makes me feel better. It is strange, but your own child must give off some kind of chemical that actually heals!
Off to sleep withall my clothing on!
good night all.
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