projects

I've heard it's good to have a project. I don't know about that. All too many of my 'projects' get relegated to the darkest corners of the house, where they sit, balefully reminding me of the attention they need and never get. I have chairs that need painting, sewing projects that need completing, things that need mending, years of photos that need albums, skirting boards that need fixing... the list goes on. And on.

So, what do I do? Add another 'project' to the list, of course! In fact, I think this is a project with a capital 'P'. I know that there are some who will think it's sacrilege to paint that lovely wood but it's just too heavy, sitting there in the corner of my all-white kitchen. So a painting project, which according to Farrow and Ball means two undercoats and probably two layers of paint. Ugh. I feel like taking to my bed at the very thought of it. The Welsh dresser is courtesy of my kind mother who promised it to me a year ago and has finally cleared it of all her stuff (you see a family pattern here?)

But perhaps saying it out loud on this blog will motivate me. The weather's beautiful at the moment and I really have very few excuses not to get out there and get on with it (except I have to order the paint. Procrastinate, procrastinate.)

Watch this space, as they say. But don't hold your breath.

sshhh...

I hope my husband doesn't read this blog (I'm pretty sure he doesn't) because I had a bit of an online shop in the sales. Very late-sale shop, which means they were practically giving the stuff away. Ahem.

I know you're with me when I say a girl can never have too many stripy t-shirts. And thumbholes? What did we do before some fashionista invented thumbholes (poke our fingers through the seams ourselves, I guess).

I know what you're going to say. Culottes have so had their moment. But I don't care! These are black and wool and timeless and they were cheap! Or rather "good value", as I prefer to say.

And then this (that's the back view). It's a jumper sort of thing. I have hopes it will look better on me than the hanger.

It's all a bit somber but it's what I'm feeling these days. So sue me.

The Muppets

Took the kids to see the new Muppet Movie and now I'm wondering if my 35-year-old original Kermit the Frog toy has a greater ebay value? Apart from that, I loved this song - and was totally reminded of the Flight of the Conchords. Turns out it was written by Bret ("Britt") from FotC. It's up for Best Original Song at the Oscars.

Then there's this. Always makes me laugh.

kitchen poetry

There's something poetic about a baking chocolate chip cookie, as it swells and melts in the oven (and later in the mouth). A cold Saturday afternoon, the rest of the family out walking the dog and time alone a quiet kitchen lured me to my new Nigella book. The secret of making your chocolate chip cookies look so professional is to measure the dough out into quarter cups and plonk them on the baking tray. Somewhat tedious but rewarding in the end when you carefully stack them up for a slightly (warm and) fuzzy photo.

(Oh, and we woke up to snow this morning. At last.)

We're back from London, where I didn't take any photos. I know. What kind of 'blogger' (though it is laughable to call myself that) doesn't tote a camera around 24-7? Instead I have my trusty iPhone, but by the time I've rummaged around in my bag to find it, typed in the password (and correctly), found the right app and actually taken a damn picture, the moment is invariably lost. Yeah, yeah, excuses, excuses, I know. Sigh.

OK, I did take one at the Imperial War Museum. It's a plane, possibly a biplane, hanging from the roof. Freaked the small one out. I found what I saw of the museum really fascinating, but there are only so many ration books, gas masks and authentic WW2 posters that kids can look at apparently, so we retired to the cafe for lunch and then out to the playground.

We also went to the zoo, which was much more fun for the children, although Sarah and I were getting rather cold and possibly even grumpy by the end. Although I didn't take a photo, there's a beautiful Modernist penguin pool (now out of use) that is so fabulous it's Grade I listed, and the old elephant house is a 1960s architectural marvel. There was also a carousel, which demanded to be ridden and ridden with glee.

Thanks to Sarah for the boundless hospitality.

house of cards (and then some squirrels)

I turned off the TV and we played 'War'. She won more often than not, which she liked, but she encouraged me all the same, bless her 7-year-old heart.

Then we tried our hand at building a house of cards. She had the touch, which I lacked. She built a row of 16 'houses' all in a row. I tried to build a tower without success. I persevered, trying to set a good example. Doesn't take much for them all to come crashing down around your ears. But we laughed a lot and it was fun while it lasted.


And I am a total sucker for stuff like this. Squirrels? Oh yes. Baby squirrels? Come on! Squirrels and baby squirrels overcoming life's obstacles with the help of some kind humans, and all set to a quirky indy soundtrack? I'm there, baby.

these days

The National Portrait Gallery has always one of my very favourite places to go in London, so imagine my delight when I saw that there will be an exhibition of one of my favourite artist's paintings when I am there next week. The children might titter at all the nakedness, but I am so looking forward to seeing Lucien Freud's work, up close and in person.

It's half-term, so we're also planning a trip to the Imperial War Museum and the Regent's Park Zoo and hoping to bump into Jamie Oliver while staying in Sarah's salubrious neighbourhood.

Meanwhile, outside it is grey and foggy and damp. Not a flake of snow in our neck of the woods, which is very disappointing to the small people. I have been building fires and knitting and cooking and reading, reading, reading (this and this and now this) and listening to lots of Motown, with this on repeat.