Jams and Jewels

The Rest of Summer

2011-08-23T11:24:00.001+02:00

This summer, well most of it has been a wash out. If it hasn't been raining, it has been overcast and if it hasn't been overcast, it was at least as cold as to warrant a jumper (if not a coat). Everyone I know is sick of me moaning about it. Reading about in the blog world, I seem to follow people who have had wonderfully hot summers. Well not here. However, we are having a spell where the mercury in the thermometer has stayed above 20° C for a while. Today is sunny and if the humidity would just go down, I'd be over the moon.

Now having had that grump at you, I'll tell you what I have decided.... that irrelevant of the weather, it is time to get into the summer swing. If I don't do it now, I never will and then it'll be November and gloomy before I get into the swing of it. So NO more moaning for me. It is summer, I mean just look outside and you'll see.

Oh and for those of you who are wondernig about my crafting mojo.... those boys' Pjs are finished. No pictures yet, I decided to wait for Xmas (when they will be given) to put the elastic in. Nothing worse than having to unpick them as they are too big/small. They look so funny, one pair in 110 and one in 62. One looks so long and one so short. Better get used to that difference.... it is coming along very shortly.

Reuse, recycle and get back on track!

2011-08-15T13:31:00.000+02:00

I have finally got my sewing machine set up in the new place! Yeah.... no news for a very long time. My excuse is manifold (I love that word!): boxes, boxes and more boxes that needed emptying, a job, a family, no photography or crafting mojo, a garden that needed some serious sorting out and a seriously low energy level.

But we rearranged some stuff recently and put up a table (made by my Dad) and the sewing machine on it. I have promised myself, no new projects until the unfinished projects box is empty! Well.... tomorrow I'll post a picture of the unfinished projects box and maybe even some of the contents. Nothing like a bit of self induced pressure to get things done. These were the first things to be "finished". They used to be pjs. But sadly although I really like the pattern, the quality wasn't good and for some reason they shrank a lot. Non-fitting pjs are not the way to go in my book. They were turned into dusters in short shrift. Not exactly a challenging project, but a good way to start and useful too.

Next up, more pjs... mummy ones to boys' ones. But more about them next time.

Back Again

2011-06-22T13:48:00.000+02:00

Just a little note to say that I am back again. Since last time I blogged, we've moved house, been on holiday and survived other changes. As slowly the new place is coming together, I intend to have more energy and time to put into showing you what we're up to. Until then here is a little picture from our beautiful holidays in the North of England.

On Top of the World (2)

2011-03-31T13:06:00.000+02:00

Happy Wednesday

2011-03-31T12:53:00.000+02:00

Hope the week is treating you nicely so far. In Germany some call Wednesday "Bergfest". It means you got half way there already (half way up the mountain, now you just have to get home again). The weekend is approaching. I am quite excited about this weekend as we get the keys to the new place on Saturday. Yipee! Don't know what I am more excited about: having much more room or a garden. Luckily I don't really have to decide, just enjoy (after all the moving work is done).

(P.S Please excuse the Thursday posting of this Wednesday post. For some reason it didn't upload and I am still trying to work out why)

On Top of The World

2011-03-23T13:22:00.000+01:00

We've just returned from yet another "most beautiful place in the world". I have a few of them. They are all characterised by their remoteness and by the lack of other people there. We spent the last week in Engadine. You can see the beauty from these webcams. Some might say that it is not empty here. There are thousands on the slopes.

If you walk these mountains there aren't many and if you go to places other than skilifts and ski place, the silence is so engulfing, you can hear the words uttered by the people over half a kilometer away. Standing on top of the Corvatsch, looking out over the valley I had "Top of the World" by James playing in my mind (sadly, there is no good version on youtube). Lying in in my own bed on Sunday morning, keeping my eyes shut and pretending I wasn't back in this crowded and dirty city, I realised two things. I am most sincerely not a city girl at heart, and Engadine is a somewhere that can be brought home as a feeling.

I'd like to thank the friends that took us with them (again....and we are always up for this trip) and shared their holidays with us. We had great fun and enjoyed ourselves magnificiently.

AND I'd like to apologise for the lack of photo. I am having computer problems...... so far unexplainable ones. There is a gremlin in my computer and he is refusing to leave.

Visiting

2011-02-24T14:39:00.000+01:00

This weekend my folks are coming. Yipee! I don't see them often as they live soooo far away. Apart from looking forward to a great weekend, I am looking forward to continuing with this started project. My lovely knitting teacher (you know who you are... :-)) took me to one of her favourite haunts and where she teaches. After dithering for about ten hours at the very least, I treated myself to this box of the softest most beautiful wool. She helped me choose a pattern and off I started. Well one ball half knitted and I realised I'd made a mistake. Having so far only knitted scarves and hats (lots of pictures to come), I wasn't used to paying much attention to what I was doing. Knitting in the train home with one eye on a dog, or whilst chatting or watching TV is not the way to go as a beginner if it involves more than just knitting around and around. A small amount of concentration would have done me good. Anyway the wool is so precious (no I won't tell you what the shopkeeper was happy to take out of my hand for this softness) that I daredent rip it out by myself. My mum is going to oversee this ripping and Mrs. T (haha... it works for both of these knitting ladies) will be most surprised to see what I show you next time I see you.

A Perfectly Quiet Day

2011-02-22T17:00:00.000+01:00

This is what I did today. I sat down and started to read for my thesis. Started, I hear you ask. Well for the first time properly. Flow for the first time. I was beginning to worry it would never happen. There is no way tthat I'll get a thesis done, if I never get to the flow point. I have stopped worrying. So thank you to the train drivers who striked today so that actually going into work would have been such a hassle. I stayed home instead and had a wonderfully productive and really very quiet day. All that looking into a sunny park.

The Town Where Everyone Drives Hire Cars

2011-02-21T12:50:00.000+01:00

A couple of weekends ago, we went to visit friends in the town where everyone drives hire cars. What? I hear you ask. Well that is what it feels as you drive into the city. For everyone ouside Germany, you have to know that most hire cars here are registered in Hamburg (HH) and then always have a great big "D" sticker on the back. So as you drive in you wonder for a couple of minutes about the amount of hire cars in the place. Hire cars are registered in Hamburg and many company lease car schemes are registered in Munich. I personally believe it might have something to do with these two cities trying to convince the rest of the republic that they are actually bigger than they are.

Well enough about cars, we had a lovely weekend. Thanks, guys! And despite the rain we did get out. If it is throwing it down outside, what do you do? Of course, you go to an aquarium. Hamburg is home to Hagenbeck Aquarium. It is great and despite the fact the place was packed we weren't pushed and shoved like you can be sometimes. The animals and fish looked like they had as realistically natural setting as you could achieve in such a place. We saw the biggest snakes ever and they were actually moving so you could see just how long they really were.

The big tank with the rays and sharks is always the best though and we did sit there on the floor and watch the sea life glide past for about half an hour. So relaxing.

Just around the corner from the friends we were visiting is this shop window. Sadly they weren't open when I walked past the first time or the second time when I specifically went there (hrmph... opening times on the website aren't the same as the ones in real life. But then again it really was throwing it down with rain, the whole area was deserted and all the other shops had shut too). I suppose I shall just be glad about the non-consumer moment I had (that is for you, Yramesmor!). But still look at all those beautiful spools..........Hopefully they'll be open next time.

FOR TODAY

2011-02-17T13:14:00.000+01:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... the sun is shining
I am thinking...about how to rectify an installationn problem on my computer and how to balance the upcoming move in terms of ease, cost and environmental impact
I am thankful for...the sunshine and the promise of a garden this summer
From the learning rooms...(if this applies).....logistics clusters, ArcGIS 10
From the kitchen...fresh bread and a wonderful cheese and ham collection waiting to be devoured this evening
I am wearing...too little for the temperature in my office
I am creating...a very pink cowl (the wool came from here)
I am going...to look at kitchens over the weekend
I am reading...The End of Mr Y.
I am hoping...I am
I am hearing...the builders in the neighbouring street giving a house a new rood
Around the house...filled boxes, empty boxes, piles
One of my favorite things....good coffee in the morning, made by my great husband
A few plans for the rest of the week: work, work, work, measuring up and making plans (and brunch with our favourite neighbours)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Inspired by http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Moving!

2011-02-15T16:45:00.001+01:00

Little did I know when I shot this a few weeks ago that I'd be able to use it to announce our move into a place with a garden. Yep, a garden and a live-in kitchen. Oh my, am I excited! I am thinking through furniture arrangement, curtains and picture hanging as well as what we can plant in the garden. The timing is perfect, my parents are coming soon and my mum has very kindly offered to help me on that score. We'll now be reducing the size of those monster green and yellow ones and digging some old but beautiful curtains out too. As to the garden, Y has already suggested peas and beans and flowers. Pretty good going I reckon. Just have to keep that dog under control otherwise all we'll have are worms!

The first thing that we need is a new kitchen. Anyone reading this from outside Germany probably won't be familiar with the crazy system they have here. Many people rent places but own their own kitchen. You move and take your fitted kitchen with you. Mad! Anyway, our kitchen is now in it's last flat. I really like it and it looks good where it is right now, but it will not take another move. So now we are looking to leave our kitchen in this flat and get a new one. Or even a new to us one. The choice is now red or white? What do you reckon? The room itself is narrow but theoretically could have up to over 4 meters of tops once you have made allowance for the hob, sink and fridge. That is a lot of kitchen!

There'll be more pictures coming up soon. And to those have asked, of the house too.

A Year of Change

2011-02-03T10:29:00.000+01:00

The other one of the two blogs I regularly follow has created "A Year of Change". If you read her post for today and you know why I blog, you'll get the fact that this is right up my street. Can you feel my virtual smile? Why wallow when you can enjoy, when although life isn't going as you would like or had planned, you could be worse off? And anyway wallowing only helps for the shortest amount of time ever. And then you have to deal with what life threw at you and get on with it. Okay, there are a few situations where wallowing is the right therapy for a good long while, but those are exceptions and I don't even want to go down that street. This challenge fits so well with the developments in my life that have come about over the past week. Developments that include some trees, a room of my own and a patio door. Exciting times....

Oh and the release from finishing these curtains!

Waking Ned Devine, A Poignant Reminder

2011-01-24T21:35:00.000+01:00

On Sunday a great guy I know invited his friends to his annual film showing. Once a year, this couple invite all their friends, their families and their children's friends to a film of their choice. Held in the Lichtburg in Essen it is lovely opportunity not only to go to a proper cinema, but also to meet people you haven't seen since last year (and promise to really meet up soon again!). The Lichtburg describes itself as a film palace. It is true. With a balcony, proper red carpet, a cloakroom, marble floors it just exudes a celebration of film. The other great thing about this event is the film itself. This year it was Waking Ned Devine. If you haven't seen this movie, go find it and watch it. Wonderful celebration of life, friendship and funny, very funny.

The film not is a wonderful film in itself, it also touches me in two other ways. It starts with a tune by a band who's music touches me everytime I hear it. The Waterboys. Irrelevant of which of their tunes I hear, they evoke the same nostalgic feeling as long evenings in summer do. They make me think back to being a teen (and feeling the same thing) and how much those friends meant to me. And about that special place in my heart they still occupy, even the ones I have lost contact with. I love my friends now, but there is something about those teenage friends (you know who you are) that fill a spot that somehow noone else ever can. Or is it not the years we shared, but the music we share(d)? This really would explain one subsequent friendship that has that special "teenage" or should I say JYF depth?

The other thing this film does is remind me of home. No, I don't come from Ireland. But that landscape pulls the same strings as the Welsh landscape does. It reminds me that there is a part of me, a significant part, that belongs somewhere else. Somewhere I don't live right now. Somewhere that nourishes a part of me that this country of choice doesn't. A place with less trees, with wilder open spaces, with cold beaches, with small cottages, with less roads and with sheep. Where a Landrover is not a status symbol, where green wellies and a waxed jacket are accompanied by a collie and are work clothes, not a fashion statement. Time for a trip home.

PS. Whilst looking for a very particular Welsh picture, I have discovered that my external hard drive isn't working..... oh all my older pictures..... let's hope it is just my power supply

Just Something to Cheer you up on a Grey January Day

2011-01-19T10:39:00.001+01:00

When I make calendars (which I do every year) I always wonder whether I should put sunny and green pictures on the winter months. If the winter is grey, dark and long, the last thing I want on my walls are pcitures of what I experience all day every day. Maybe others think the same. These tulips today are a hommage to that reoccuring thought.

As to the darkness and general gloom that normally takes over in winter, it has been kept at bay this year. I think I know why....

walks with this guy mean that I get a lot more rays than I have done in the past. Yes, I have previously made an effort to go for a walk at lunch time. But honestly, if it is raining, damp or drizzly, I never did. If you manage this, you are a stronger person than I.

The Lessons of Curtains

2011-01-18T13:50:00.001+01:00

There are some monsters in my house. They are huge yellow, green and white curtains. Originally made by my mum for my place in Brighton, then remade to fit windows in France and now they are in Yorck's room. Despite being huge, they are too small for his windows (floor to ceiling, wall to wall windows). There was some material left over when my mum made them, so I have been intending to lengthen and widen them for over a year. The poor boy had curtains that hungs somewhere halfway down the window and didn't cover them either. Looked a little strange. Well we bought track, hung it and then hung the curtains provisionally. Provisionally in my house tends to indicate it'll never get done, well at least not in this place. On a mission to finally rid myself of all the unfinished projects hanging around, I attacked them a couple of weeks ago. Who would have thought it would take so long to unpick some seams and match those stripes? I certainly didn't. I am thinking about working out how long it has taken so far and paying myself. These monsters are over three and half meters wide and two and half meters long. Handling them is not easy. Add a cat who loves to run under them, a dog who wants to sit on them and a child who thinks the whole thing is boring into that. Yes, you get the point. But I now have some pressure to get them done. My mum is coming soon and she has put the heading in the post already. That means I have to have them done before she arrives. Nothing like a bit of self-pressure to get things done.

These Laura Ashley curtains have taught me several things. One, curtains that are terrible in one room can be perfect in another. When they hung in Brighton, they dominated the living room. I could not look at anyone sitting on the sofa that was in front of them for longer than two minutes. We regularly moved around whilst talking so no-one had to look at them at such close range for long. They strobed after about five minutes. In Yorck's room they are just great. They are sunny and light. Two, even curtains that are too small keep a lot of heat in. Despite the lack of material in front of the draughtiest bit of the big windows, I have really noticed how much colder it is in that room since taking them down to make them exclude even more draughts. Three, Laura Ashley isn't only frills and flounces and flowers. Four, I really don't like sewing curtains.

Yipee! A Finished Project

2011-01-17T13:02:00.000+01:00

Yes, it's a finished project. No, not quite on time, but I still hope that the now 4 year old who recieved like these pjamas (I can put this online now as I know her mum won't be seeing this before we meet in a couple of hours). The sewing around the C was deliberately loose. But I don't think I'll do it like that again. It looks kind of shabbily done. That was the look, I was going for, but I think I prefer neat. That is just me. Frau Otten, do you recognise the materials? I think they are really pretty, specially together. The t-shirt is organic and from H&M and soooo soft. I could spend all day decorating their t-shirts.

We had some fun doing this kind of stuff with freezer paper over Christmas with Yorck and Em. I'll show you those another day. Groovy cars chosen by Em

Space for Creativity

2011-01-17T11:12:00.000+01:00

We are moving buildings at work so there is a lot of clearing out and throwing out being done. This pristine vintage box of good Pelikan chalk and roll of brown paper were off to the big rubbish dump before a collegue of mine asked if I would like them for my little man. Well here is the thank you. A totally absorbed child drawing for hours (this wasnt the only picture) delighted with lovely materials and so much space. We'll definitely be repeating this. And it does go to show that quality art supplies improves the experience. The Ikea chalk I bought a while ago (before I swore never, never to go there again) doesn't even always make a mark when put to paper.

Dreaming of an Aga

2011-01-13T10:21:00.000+01:00

I read this lady's blog faithfully. Probably because she leads a life I dream I'd like to lead. In the country, a stack of kids, lots of animals and home crafted things. Ok, I spend quite a lot of time in the country, but somehow the German Eifel is not quite Maine, a son, a cat and a dog, however demanding I find them are not four kids (and one to come) and a farm and I craft more than I probably should but not as much as I'd like to. But then again, I am very grateful for what I have and I probably wouldn't really want to live in the country as much as I think I would. Nipping on the tram to see my friends at a whim is not really an option then AND we'd need another car, which I am happy that we don't have. But Amanda Soule and I do have one thing in common we dream of an Aga at the heart of our homes.

Picture from www.aga-ranges.com

An Aga isn't just a cooker or a way to heat your house, it is a way of life. It is the best way to bake, especially Lasange. Nothing quite beats coming in out of the rain and leaning against one. How many induction cookers can you lean against to warm yourself whilst you sip your tea or chat with the family? Yes I dream about one. One day, when we live in a house (with props in the cellar to stop the beast from crashing through the floor!).

A Special Visit

2011-01-11T10:37:00.000+01:00

Over Christmas some good friends (www.elasticpeople.net) came over from Beijing. We had a wonderful time catching up, spending hours chatting and the kids playing. It is incredible to see how one person can get a whole lot of overworked busy mums together to finally get their acts together, meet up and even go out for drinks a couple of nights. Yup Alex, you pulled us together to start with and back together again over Christmas. Thank you! This is the first time in ages that we've met up. There have been many mails though. Jobs and more kids have basically filled up our lives to bursting point and as mums tend to do, the meetings, which to be honest were about us as much as them, seem to have been put on to a back burner. We have vowed to change that though, so Mondays here we come. There are three other kids who aren't on this picture, two because they didn't want to be and one 'cos her Mummy is very pregnant and the amount of ice and snow outside when this was taken meant it wouldn't really have been very sensible to be travelling about town. Yup Sienna, Susan and Bryanna, we love you too. Even if you didn't want to join the photo.

2011 - A New Year

2011-01-10T21:48:00.000+01:00

I've been a little less than present here for quite a while now. I spontanoeusly decided to spend Christmas and New Year completely in the virtual world. I only checked my mails a couple of times and that was it. UNbelievable but soo refreshing. My camera was very active, so there will be some pictures popping up here soon. I really enjoyed the festive days without my computer, trying to remain present all the time and soak up the lovely time with friends and family. There were lots of kids around. The noise level couldn't be called peaceful or relaxing but it was fun (most of the time!!).

I'd like to wish you all a peaceful and wonderful 2011. May it bring you fulfilled dreams and happy days.

The Solstice Moon

2010-12-21T14:41:00.000+01:00

Happy Winter Solstice to You!

It was a wonderful early evening moon. The world here was hushed by the amount of snow lying and the moon was so bright. A perfect Solstice night. By morning and time for the eclipse sadly the clouds had crept in. Shame to miss the eclipse, but the moon was wonderful beforehand, so it made up for it.

Precious Days

2010-12-19T18:55:00.000+01:00

We have visitors. No I'll rephrase that as they are friends and are I am sooo happy that they are here. It started with a picture book sledging afternoon. Here it is a winter wonderlnd and we enjoyed it sledging, with homemade Glühwein and stollen. I am a happy bunny...

Chaos Master

2010-12-14T09:17:00.000+01:00

and destruction machine on four legs. A Persian carpet, a pair of glasses, several Steiff soft toys and much more besides has been demolished. Such a shame he has good taste! How can looks and action be so far apart? Is he the devil in disguise? At least I now understand the whole devil concept!

PS. The picture was taken with my new toy. Canon 550D. Pretty impressive so far.

Thoughts for the Day

2010-11-24T10:06:00.000+01:00

My mother send me this this morning.

Ten Ways We Misunderstand Children by Jan Hunt, M.Sc.

We expect children to be able to do things before they are ready.
We become angry when a child fails to meet our needs.
We mistrust the child’s motives.
We don’t allow children to be children.
We get it backwards.
We blame and criticize when a child makes a mistake.
We forget how deeply blame and criticism can hurt a child.
We forget how healing loving actions can be.
We forget that our behavior provides the most potent lessons to the child.
We see only the outward behavior, not the love and good intentions inside the child.

She is right. It made me stop and think. And it made me promise myself to try harder, to think more about my actions, words and thoughts, to do more justice to the little man in my life and where he is coming from.

Want to Know Why I am not Blogging?

2010-11-22T18:05:00.000+01:00

It is this combination.... and almost in this order! Love 'em all but they are time consuming. Lots of time outside so little time in front of the computer and really little time creating 'cept for knitting because you can do that anywhere, almost. My life is very un-virtual right now.

Hope to be back with more regularity soon. How are you?

The most precious link today

2010-11-18T13:50:00.000+01:00

It's November. I have a long post about the good things in life and more specifically the good things in my life. but instead I would like to post something that really struck a chord with me today. I really like these sister-in-laws' blog Sugar City Journal. It made me laugh so much and just describes life with us right now.

Hope November is treating you all well

Its Autumn

2010-11-08T11:33:00.000+01:00

And there is no denying it. Hope you are wrapped up warm

The Perverseness of Life

2010-10-27T12:29:00.000+02:00

Why is it that sometimes not getting what your heart so desires, makes what you already have seem so much sweeter? And when slapped down, it sometimes just increases you will to succeed.

Sadly the cold punch season is over, but that means the Glühwein season is approaching. It has to be said Germany has it's merits above no speed limit on the motorways (I know you are sick of hearing it). This place does Christmas really well. Glühwein is just one of the small parts that make up the whole great experience.

Flea Market

2010-10-26T17:28:00.001+02:00

I am doing a flea market (inside) this Saturday. For anyone in the area, it is in the Schwelmer str. 10 in Flingern (Düsseldorf) from 09:00 - 17:00. The flea market is taking place in a disused machine hall so it'll be good even if it rains.

We've got everything you need (and plenty you don't but might like), funky secondhand clothes for grown ups and kids, antiques, preloved books, English and German, new things, crockery, pictures, some electrical appliances, telephones, new toys, oh you name it.... and some jam. It is all in a good cause. I am going to save my takings to go visit friends in China (silly people that moved away!).

Oh do come along. You might find the steal of your day!

Chaos - Why No Pictures or Posts

2010-10-18T09:54:00.000+02:00

A while back we had some renovations done to our place. Needn't have been too disrupting, some new windows, more insulation and new vents on our radiators. We weren't anticipating weeks of chaos. Too bad, it happened anyway.

We got back from our holidays (good thing No. 1) to be swallowed up by workmen traipsing in and out of the place, dust saturating everything and mess everywhere. That was just the windows. The day after the heating vents had been swapped, we had water pooring out of all of our radiators. A big hooray and thank you goes out to the lady who amazingly saved our laminate flooring (having to have that replaced would have been a nightmare). The water meant getting everything up off the floor and desconstructing my office. For those of you not in the know, it is about as big as an under-the-stairs cupboard and is stacked to the ceiling. This is the reason why I have never published a picture of it here and am so unlikely to ever do so. It is a very small room, but very central to my life. Despite it being so small, if it is out of action then our place falls into chaos and with it, any ressemblance of organisation I might have pretended to have.

Why should this affect this space you might ask. Well, with no space there to organise or blog, and the space elsewhere covered in the stuff from there, not only have the physical spaces to do these things been filled, but also the motivation or interest. Add to that a lack of personal laptop (it had to go back to it's owners, my old employers (good thing No. 2) and you have seen the result. Yep, no blog.

I have thousands of pictures from our wonderful holiday to a beautiful part of the world. I have news that I shall devote a whole post to. And lots of thoughts about autumn and the new routes my life is currently taking. Hmmmmm..... just have to get that office sorted.

September Always Brought Beginnings

2010-10-05T18:15:00.000+02:00

Tomorrow I shall be back with pictures and news. Big changes here. And they are good ones.

What a Day!

2010-09-08T23:09:00.000+02:00

This time three years ago, I'd just started out on this journey called motherhood. I really think that day was the most moving of my life. No squishing romanticism going on here, it just was. My mother said once that once you know you are pregnant, nothing ever is the same again. Well "that" moment came to me early one September morning when the little man that brings so much joy (and a whole load of other emotions!) physically came into my life and could be touched. One thing amongst many others struck me at the time and that is how much one little person can create/bring forth/ draw out (I can't find the word I am looking for) love from so many all by themself. You bear a child which is so intricately part of you, it is born and immediately has a sphere of influence that you do not realise and cannot necessarily influence.

Well today, we celebrated his birthday at home, with friends, with family and in Kindergarten. Once again, I am amazed at this little man and the circle of people he has collected around himself. Some of them certainly are our doing, the friendships he has are not. The love shown on this day by those people makes me so thankful. Thankful that this little man has the capability to reach out to others, inspire their love and affection (so important for a fulfilled life), thankful to his friends, our friends, my friends and the family for showing this and for giving him all those lovely presents (and I get to play with too).

Trusty Companions

2010-08-30T21:47:00.000+02:00

Whilst clearing out my stuff and saying goodbye (to that beautiful French abode), I found these guys. Oh these trusty friends of mine, they accompanied me to many gigs, down country lanes (when I should have been revising), to my high school leaving do (with a lovely purple long dress), in conversations about the meaning of life, a good photographic angle, in a dark room, .... I couldn't believe I could live without them. Who would want to live without boots? I was told once that I would grow out of boots, well you know what, I haven't. I have just changed the brand. Now they are beige instead of brown. But I still love them and wear them until they look this beaten.

Well as clearing out goes, I was clearing out and that meant saying goodbye. I cermoniously put into the rubbish bin (and yes I lifted the lid several times over the course of the week to take them out again, but didn't) and said goodbye. But not without a photo shoot. I now have a nice series of docs to put on my wall.

Summer

2010-08-29T23:07:00.002+02:00

Over a week ago, we had one day of beautiful sunshine. And we were lucky enough to be invited to a pool opening party. The cousins had a great time playing in the pool, entertaining grandparents, and generally enjoying summertime.

Since then it has gone back to be a Welsh summer. No disrespect to Wales, I love the country and yes, a good summer there is perfect. I have experienced many though that were mainly rain and a lot like the one we are having here. Everytime I get frustrated about it, I remind myself of those millions that have had far more water come down on them than we have this year. For us it is frustrating, for them life threatening and terrorising. So once again I am counting my blessings and saying thank you for this beautiful day. Oh and please, if anyone is reading this that has some say in the matter... please can we have some more sunny ones.

Times, they are a changin'

2010-08-16T13:59:00.000+02:00

Times are changing here. Okay, okay, life is about change. But this time, it is a big one. I have spent the last 5 years working for the same company, with great collegues and content that was right up my street. Officially I left yesterday. It was a treck to get there (long and expensive train ride) and a change after five years isn't a bad thing, right?

So right now, I am spending my days being fairly domestic. There are many things that have just been left by the wayside waiting for their time. The first to be dealt with are going to be those Elderflower berries (seen in the last post). Their time is up this week (just got to buy some rings for my bottles). And I have just finished The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris (called The Girl with No Shadow in the US). I loved it. I loved Chocolat and Blackberry Wine so I was expecting it to be good. Now I have finished it, I can now get back on with my life, but I feel a little lost. Does anyone else have that feeling after finishing a good book?

I shall just comfort myself with the rest of the stack waiting here for me.

Free Fruit for Jam

2010-08-12T13:31:00.005+02:00

Aren't they beautiful? Such pretty mirabelles found by my husband. The men in my house share the opinion that if they don't produce edible bits, there isn't much point in plants. I don't wholey agree, but, I can see the point.

Having said that free fruit good for jam (and other eating) is about as good as it gets. It is the time of year. Wonderful. These are around the corner from us, just waiting for the juicer.

Back on track.....hahhaa......

2010-08-11T11:14:00.000+02:00

The weather has changed. It is close, damp, and humid. Oh and I hate this kind of weather. I can hear myself five times louder than anyoneelse, I have no patience (watch out little kids, small animals and anyoneelse daring to come close!) and like to moan a lot. I did't make it back on track, but that is just as life isn't panning out as planned. Never mind, that is life, right? To make up for it (why is my cat pushing my computer around? Can't he read??) I'll post you some pictures later when I have finsihed grumping.

Back on track

2010-08-09T21:06:00.001+02:00

as of tomorrow, promise.

Saying Goodbye

2010-07-27T10:23:00.000+02:00

After 10 years, it is time to say goodbye to this beautiful place. My visits have been fewer than I would have liked and strangely, despite the pool, more often in winter than summer. I mean how much more can you want for a summer break than a pool and a big river, the clearest night sky to stargaze, roses, roses and more roses, peace and quiet, good produce to make yummy meals....

I know it sounds a bit like a pensioners paradise. Hihi.... but it is so nice to step out of my busy urban life and slow down here. When I am here, I always find it difficult to believe there are people running around in big cities, stressing about meetings, deadlines, projects and clients. Now it is time for others to enjoy this special place. I sure hope they do. They better had!

The Weekend

2010-07-26T18:10:00.000+02:00

We've been up to all sorts. The theme is enjoying ourselves.

Trouble Waiting to Happen or a Trio Infernale

2010-07-20T11:48:00.005+02:00

We spent the weekend with the whole family in Worpswede. It is a beautiful village near Bremen. Some wonderful artists have lived here including Paula Modersohn-Becker. I have wanted to visit since reading about the place and the people whilst learning German at high school. Well, it took a while to get here. And I have to say that I'd now like to go back. We got a good look at the place from the outside, but having five kids with us, the oldest being five, we didn't get to do very much gallery visiting, nevermind going in to the museum.

The weekend was full of wonderful moments though. And I have discovered why we parents are so into focussing on the beautiful and good moments (more about that later).

This picture, on the surface, of three little boys looking at an insect, is one that when I saw it for the first time on screen, reminded me just how important those moments are. Just just how much one moment captured can make you think about now, the soon, the later and much later. Look at these guys. Between Yorck, the oldest (the one in Lederhosen) and Tjark, the youngest (the little guy in the checked shirt) are 11 months. Over the past 2 and a bit years, the difference between the three of them has been huge. Even the difference between Ari (the guy in stripes) and Yorck has been significant at times and they aren't even two months apart!

This weekend the obvious developmental differences between these guys gave way to an amazing pleasure in one another. Tjark is still a tinsy bit little, but everyone could see that that is going to disappear very soon. Often all three of them were on their way somewhere, together, fast, without parents, shrieking with joy at being together (and up to no good!). There was also the fun watching parents run after them to stop them jumping in a river, tumbling downstairs or rushing out in front of a horse and carriage (yes this is a possibility in Worpswede).

It made me think not only about much fun they obviously had this weekend, but also about the years ahead. We all live in the same city, joint playdates, family occasions, birthdays and the like mean that they should play an important part in each others lives. Although unlikely that they will go to the same first schools, they may go on to the same high schools, let's see. Taking a step back and thinking about teenie years makes me shudder. I just have this feeling there are going to be high jinx and silly pranks (if we are lucky) going on there!

However in the mean time, it makes me happy to see that they like each other and have fun playing together (obviously there are moments when that is not the case!) Hopefully they will grow up to respect and care for one another. For some reason I like to think about them as old men cackling about funny situations together.

Wishing you a good start to the week

2010-07-19T09:39:00.000+02:00

Wishing you a good start to the week. May it be full of summery moments. I am still relaxed from the weekend.... and what a lovely weekend it was. More about that later.

Someone else's Stash

2010-07-15T13:35:00.000+02:00

I told you about my award winning ebay steal. Now I am washing and airing it. Good that the weather is so hot (and now windy too). I now have a nice pile of material, such a nice pile that I have no idea where I am going to store it. Yesterday I ironed a lot and whilst doing that I thought about the woman who's stash this had been. Did she have things in mind when she bought each piece or did she just buy them? Some have obviously been reduced or pieces with faults. What was she like as a person? Did she sew for herself, for her family, for friends?

There are two ways of looking at this collection of material (I don't know if there was more): it is what is left over after a lifetime of crafting, all the really nice pieces have been sewn, or there are plans and dreams in still in there. I think the truth, as ever, is somewhere in between. Some of the pieces literally shout out about what they want to become. A pretty pink summer skirt, a child's winter fleece, a Barbie dress (?? that must be the material talking as I haven't come up with such things before!!), a pair of grey autumn trousers. I am sure you will end up seeing some of these things here.

Some of the pieces pay hommage to a certain period of time. There are pieces of spun nylon in purple, red, bright yellow and bright blue. There are some horrible beige nylon with light blue flowers raised on the surface. A bit like flocked wallpaper. In this heat it doesn't just look horrible, it makes my skin crawl. What would you do with them? The only idea I had was to ring a clothing museum and ask if they could use them.

Building with the Neighbours

2010-07-14T08:32:00.001+02:00

One morning a couple of days ago, the doorbell rang. Nothing out of the ordinary, but I'm still surprised when I'm not expecting it. It was one of our lovely neighbours who was clearing out. Everyone has been clearing out here as we are having some maintenance work done in the cellar. People that go through Sperrmüll were almost in fistycuffs outside our place recently. More about Sperrmüll another time though. Anyway it was one of our lovely neighbours with this set of building blcoks. I feel building blocks is a far too lowly term for them, especially after I looked for them on the net. (Browsing that site, they do have a lot of nice things. I just have this feeling that I might well be spending some of my "presents for other people's kids" money there. Just look at this bed). It is set of blocks that you can build fancy manor houses with.

Just look at those columns! And the big clock. And those windows. If Yorck doesn't play with them, I certainly will. The term "building castles in the air" will just have to move aside for "building manor houses on the living room floor". I could deal with a manor house far better anyway. Castles tend to be draughty.

Thank You!

A home for an external drive

2010-07-12T19:03:00.003+02:00

Somehow this picture snuck it's own way in here. So in answer to Helen, it is a felted sleeping bag for my external drive. Nothing special, but I think it is fun. And it keeps it from getting scratched when in the depths of bag.

Hot, hot, hot

2010-07-12T18:51:00.000+02:00

It is ssooooooooooooooooo hot here. Somewhere around 38°C. The only way to survive is by eating ridculous amounts of ice cream. And as everyone knows that's no fun!

drei-zwei-eins-meins BINGO!

2010-07-08T23:06:00.001+02:00

Wasting time looking at material on Ebay wasn't quite so wasted. Look at the loot in this boot. 2€! I challenge you to get a better deal! There are some wild, some pretty and some pretty grim (70's nylon) pieces in there. And there are some that are already calling out to be turned into clothes. Clothes for me, clothes for Yorck, clothes for Karneval, clothes for little girls (don't have any of those at home)..... I shall have lots of fun! I do have one question though, what do you do with three meters of purple (or red or yellow or brown) nylon? Any takers?

A Week of Events

2010-07-05T20:01:00.001+02:00

I intended to write every day or to at least post a picture. My excuse is that life got in the way. The events were (not in order of appearance)

Event 1: the new nephew arrived! No proper pics or details of him yet (he is a little new to be broadcast yet). Believe me though he is lovely and has that old man feeling about him that newborns often do. It is as if they are wise. The question that remains is though how do they go from wise old creatures to the crazy under threes?? He has been welcomed into our family (well at least everyone has viewed him) and found him to be satisfactory. The boys (you saw them last week), generally agreed he was good and then turned to the business of leaping about on the hospital bed and running down hospital corridors holding hands. Far more fun to be up to no good when there are two of you!

Event 2: Germany beat Argentina. Now I don't have England to support (and we now theoretically beat Argentina 2:0) I can support Germany (at least a little bit). You have to acknowledge that they are playing very nicely, thank you very much. The whole country is a state of black, red and gold and serious excitement. Next round is Wednesday.

Event 3: wild storm with flooding. About an hour before the match the heavens opened. We'd been in the garden playing and reading before hand. I was swinging Yorck and we were listening to it rumble around. It sounded a bit like far off artillery fire (we spend quite a lot of time near a Belgian military range. It sounded very much like that. My parents-in-law were reading the weekend papers. At some point we went inside as it was too dark to read and getting really quite threatening. All of a sudden, down came the rain. Stair rods are positively bend in comparision to what we saw. We stood for ages and watched the water lash across the garden.

After about 20 minutes I went down into the cellar, just to check. And it was pouring in through the door. About 10 cms in places. What fun we had mopping it all up. Well the cellar floors are now clean. It turned out that all the houses in the area had water in their cellars, thorough their front doors, wherever there was a little crack to pour though, through it came.

Event 4: discovery of the Pomodoro Technique A spectacularly effective way to increase your concentration skills. After just three "pomodoros" (yes the idea of measuring time in plastic tomato egg timer units is somewhat bizarre, I used my phone timer) I had reduced the amount of distracting thoughts to half. Just writing them down as you go highlights how many there are! It's worth a look, even if you can concentrate well.

Just Another Summer’s Day

2010-06-28T09:06:00.000+02:00

or the day after. Today is going to be a day of snide comments, blatant „Schadenfreude“, and the like. What do I have to hold against all this? Well, a decent night’s sleep (not a normal event on a Sunday night) and a beautiful summer’s morning which I am enjoying to Coldplay. Even if football isn’t coming home, that one (in comparison) small island produces a disproportionate amount of excellent music artists. I will enjoy today anyway. I suppose if you are going to live somewhere abroad (only a problem once every two years, don’t forget the European Cup!) I suppose it’s best to live where the party has a good chance of being to celebrate the world champions, isn’t it? And in a way it is better than to live in the county that is now going to fall into a mix of self pity, anger at a massive ref. mistake and self inspection. Have I mentioned just how beautiful this morning is?!

Time is speeding by. Last Friday was Yorck’s nursery leaving party. I have to admit that I no longer have a baby, but a little boy. The toddlerisms are almost over as well. Time for Kindergarten (European Kindergarten that is.). I am sure going to miss the cosy nursery he goes to now. The nursery assistants (is that what you call them?) are great, Yorck feels nearly as at home there as he does at home. I suppose moving on is one of those things that is going to accompany us until he makes his own way in the world (it breaks my heart just thinking about that even now). Thanks to all of you who have made my little man so welcome over the past two and a bit years.

Oh dear!

2010-06-27T19:02:00.000+02:00

4:1. No more excuses to run around in my fooball shirt anymore. My life will be filled unwillingly with black, red and gold.

Boys in Parks

2010-06-25T14:22:00.000+02:00

Summer really is with us here in Düsseldorf. So Yorck and I are spending our days outside with friends. We are really enjoying Düsseldorf. It has to be said, I never noticed before how green this city is. It just came 7th in a Mercer quality of living survey of the world's cities.A lot of parks and green go towards making somewhere livable, if you ask me. It is also somewhere that seems to pull people back. I've ended up living here twice! So as part of this challenge (34 days of summer) I'm intending to show and tell you about some of the places around here.

Yesterday we went to the Nordpark. I have been there once before (in a different life) and although it was nice enough I wasn't overly impressed. Quite different yesterday. It was wonderfully wot (more than warm but not HOT), the fountains were on (they can't have been there last time I was otherwise I'd have been back there many more times inbetween) and the boys (those two rascals on the pictures) had a wail of time. You can see the evidence of the nephew I mentioned who would be coming this summer here too.

So for any of you who live or are coming to Düsseldorf, the Nordpark is worth a visit (despite it's dubious origins). There is even a little cafe hidden away in it's depths. I've heard they do a mean iced chocolate!

And then there are other playgrounds which are just places that are great to hang out in with your mates. Nothing like a well placed table tennis table in the shade for a snack for the boys and a coffee for the mums (Thanks Helen!)

Publish Post

Okay, okay, so it has to be about football

2010-06-24T10:42:00.000+02:00

Deciding to be more present and enjoy life a bit more sure is the way to start. Just deciding that no chores were going to be done yesterday, just fun in the park and intense football viewing, has recharged my battery enormously. To anyone who doesn't know, I am a Brit (for football, English) married to a German living here in (currently) sunny Düsseldorf. So days like yesterday are good: England and Germany win their respective games, days like the coming Sunday (England vs. Germany) are fraught.

Between games, Yorck and I went to the park and had amongst lots of other summer fun, a Sesame Street park moment. Lots of kids running around enjoying themselves. Yorck and I were sitting on a big seesaw. The shades of skin varied from so white translucent would be a better description, through prettiest tan with long loose brown curls to a gorgeous black (with the biggest grin out). Our park on a weekday is like a United Nations Assembly (only the kids can solve their problems more easily). I love it.

Time to ......enjoy the remaining 92 days of summer

2010-06-23T13:23:00.001+02:00

It's time to move forward, start seeing and savouring again, enjoy the summer and enjoy my great family and friends

So to celebrate this I have decided to join Evidently in her 94 days of summer. Although I have obviously started a little late (I plead tight work deadlines) and can't make up for those lost days (is there a moral in there somewhere??) I shall do me very bestest and intend to post you a picture from my neck of the woods as often as possible.

This summer is promising to be a bit more relaxed than some past ones have. Just 1 wedding, 3 family parties, 21 birthdays (most need no more than a quick call or card), a new nephew (due any day now... exciting), the rest of the world cup.... well these are the things that sping to mind.

In the in-between-times I will be playing, working on some of those to-be finished projects (never call them unfinished!) and enjoying life.

What this space........

It's a Cat's Life

2010-04-28T09:59:00.001+02:00

This is just rude. I sit at my desk and work and he just sunbathes. In my next life, I am going to put in to be a cat.

A Quick Link

2010-04-21T08:52:00.000+02:00

I found this great idea, thought, photo linked in a great blog Bluebirdbaby that I read regularly.

Availles Limouzine

2010-04-18T20:32:00.000+02:00

Pepiniere d'Availles

2010-04-15T10:39:00.005+02:00

On the first day of our holidays my parents took us to see some friends of theirs who have started up a nursery. The Pepiniere d’Availles is an ecologically sound nursery offering a wide range of honeysuckles, magnolias, and many other plants, shrubs and trees that I couldn’t identify. One of them even had flowers that smelt like toffee! I lusted after a honeysuckle but at that point our car boot lid still didn’t open and so we weren’t sure we’d be able to get one home in one piece. I wished we’d have risked it.

Not only do Barbara and Romain run their nursery on ecologically sound principles, they also have renovated their traditional Charentais/Limouzine (I admit to not knowing which) house using low impact and highly effective materials. The inside has a huge fireplace/stove/wood burning hearth which like the rest of the place is insulated with a hemp compound. Normally those places are really quite cold. I would have loved to take pictures as the place inside looks so different from the outside. It looked like it had come out of an interior design magazine and at the same time felt warm and welcoming. They also have animals (carthorses, goats, ducks, hens etc..) which they both work and which also produce food. A really sound enterprise and such friendly people too. So all you people out there round about and nearby, go buy your plants at Pépiniére d’Availles.

Our Temporary Resident

2010-04-11T21:40:00.000+02:00

We woke up one morning about five weeks ago to find a duck in our back yard. She had already thrown out lots of my precious anemone (that forgot to flower last year) and had laid four eggs in the pot. After deciding not to eat them (and yes there were suggestions. Duck eggs make wonderful sponge cake), we wondered what to do and decided just to watch her hatch them

By now there are 15 eggs in there and she has been sitting on them for over two weeks. A lady from the city will come and move her and her chicks to the lake in the park when they are hatched. There is no way she'd get the over three walls, down into a courtyard, across the road and the park safely. We are enjoying her company.

Spring

2010-04-11T21:30:00.000+02:00

Spring! If you ignore the hail, sleet and below zero nighttime temperatures.

April already

2010-04-09T12:26:00.000+02:00

It's April already! What is happening to this year? I have lots of photos and stories to share from our trip to France. Eggs, diggers, new houses, spring moments...

Just got to find the cable for my camera......

Taking it slow and thinking

2010-03-17T11:28:00.001+01:00

Taking it slow was the order of the last week. A cup of coffee, a double chocolate muffin and a whole day of sunshine. They added up to a beautiful, slow and deeply refreshing day. It would have been better if I'd have had my coffee shop friend (not in the Dutch manner!) there with me, but she chose to move away, so I had to enjoy it by myself. Which I did.

I read this today:

"The Hebrew Talmud says: 'Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior. But from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved.' "

I love it. I feel like shouting it at all those blokes who say things like "what do you expect for a rib?" Only it is too long to quip back and why gratify them with the idea that I might entertain the thought of them being equal to me? But then I suppose they are, we are equal, just not the same. That is good too.

2010-02-15T14:48:00.007+01:00

I’ve been meaning to show you a present that I got for my birthday. Helen, my mum, made me a new quilt. It was meant to be a replacement for the old one that serves us well, keeps us warm and lives on our sofa it is at least 25 years old and used to be dark blues and reds. Well since I snook it away from her when I was about 13 (it wasn’t made for me, but I always like it and it did go so well my room as a kid) it has been a faithful part of my home where ever I have been. It is no longer blue or red of made of brushed cotton. It is more kind of pale blue and the cotton is soft, but there is certainly no “brush” left on it. As you can probably imagine, it’s not a replacement. We now have two quilts on our sofa now. A nice new one and a comfy old one.

Once a week I spent the evening with friends. Really, I should say at least once a week I spend an evening with friends without family or chosen family. I get a whole evening just to chat. For a working mother of a toddler that is something quite special. I enjoy it. This week I spent the evening with a friend who has just quit her regular job (a successful buyer for a big aviation company) to follow her dream to live from her art. Okay, she has her husband’s financial support, but more importantly she has the will to make something of something she is passionate about. I admire her so much for that. We talked a lot about it on Monday. I am inspired. Go for it, woman! No names yet as she still has colleagues who don’t know. But believe me, when all her immediate colleagues know, then I shall be showing you what she is up to right here.

2010-02-08T15:22:00.001+01:00

Happy Birthday!

2010-02-01T10:17:00.024+01:00

I have a special place for January in my heart. Okay it can be very dark, cold and miserable. In the past two have been snow filled which makes it even better. I think lots of people have a special relationship with their birth month. Birthdays are great, I love them. It is so nice to have people from all over ring you, send you cards or just drop you a text message. Granted we now have mobiles, computer and applications like Facebook to remind us about them, but I don’t care. Thanks for all the calls, mails, texts….I think I appreciate those calls all the more because I am soooo bad at birthdays myself. Typically I remember or am reminded early in the morning, spend all morning thinking about calling that person to then forget until it is too late at night. Sorry!

The other reason I like my birthday is because two years ago I decided that the best thing I could give to myself was a whole day. My company gives us the afternoon off (thank you very much…..) and I add a half-day’s holiday to it. Time to do just as I want. The rules are no admin stuff, no doctor’s appointments, no work, just pleasure. This year I fiddled with my sewing machine, skyped for two hours to my far away friend in China (almost as good as sitting in the kitchen drinking tea, only almost) and then stamping through the snowy park to a café (Sugarbird Cupcakes) for hot chocolate and cake. Sugarbird Cupcakes is somewhere I have been wanting to go since we moved here, but somehow had to be made into a proper date before I actually got there. Y and I really enjoyed it as you can see.

And now it is February and February brings a whole round of pleasures. Karneval is one of them. Living in Düsseldorf means you have to really be fore it or leave the city. It is a bit like Marmite, either you love it or you hate it. This year we’ll be dancing inside on Saturday and following the children’s parade on Sunday. The big parade on Monday is better seen on TV anyway (oh and yes, I have to work…… there are disadvantages of not working in a part of the country that doesn’t celebrate).

2010... January

2010-01-31T00:00:00.037+01:00

Hello there stranger….. life has been very busy and I admit to have been spending my internet time on reading other people’s interesting blogs. So many interesting people out there with so many interesting projects, stories and causes. The beginning of the year is already over. January is a month of taking stock, of thinking about the future and re-evaluating goals for me. I have ambitious plans for this year and I’ll let you know if I achieve them. I read somewhere that telling people about your goals does motivate you, but also gives you a milder form of the kind of kick you get from achieving them. I’ve decided to tell only few what I aim for to make sure I am not wasting any of that motivation.

January was a wonderful month. It started with friends and family in the Eifel over New Year. We took a three day break with friends, invited family over to celebrate and had a great time. Here we all are on New Year's Day at Hellental.

It has been really cold here this year and the snow continues to fall. I now know why I could feel the winter looming in September. It is a biggy this year. But contrary to other years, I am enjoying it. We have had snow lying (almost continuously) since the 18^th December. That is not usual for around here. Towns are running out of salt to keep the streets clear. Having said that I think we live in the only part of town that isn’t clearer anyway. I think that adds to the charm of the area. It makes it seem a little more natural and extends the park over the road to our place. The snow has kept the city quieter than it would normally be. How does snow do that? It is such silent weather (at least around here). The nights have been long and quiet.

Y and I borrowed The Tomten from the International Library here in Düsseldorf (a great selection of English media for all ages and such friendly staff). I got it out after reading this post about how it inspired a little girl. Well to be honest, after reading it several times with Y, I was bored. Nothing happens, this Tomten (a kind of gnome) just runs around at night talking to sleeping animals about the summer. The copy we have has badly printed illustrations to add. Well after Christmas I tried to take it back to the library but all of a sudden it seemed to fit the season so well. The nights even in the city are thick, dark, long and cold. I suddenly could appreciate this slow story where the cold and dark permeate and the animals dreaming of summer. So it is now still inhabiting Y’s bookcase.

Apart from being dark and cold, we’ve been celebrating. The family got together to celebrate a very special person, our Frau P. who has looked after this family for over 25 years. She has loved, cooked and cleaned three generations of the family. She is always there to help make things possible, a hug for the kids that need consolation, cake that needs baking, a sock that needs mending, a household that needs keeping in order, … she is our good wife (as my mother would say) and we are grateful and thankful for that.

January also continued to bring us lovely gifts. We especially appreciated two parcels from the States. One full of wonderful presents from New York….thank you! And one from Bar Harbor, ME. We were touched to receive a delicious cake from the lovely people we stayed The Birches in Sothwest Harbor (Mt. Desert Island, ME). It is such a shame that they are so far away as otherwise we’d go there every year! If you are looking for the perfect break, I suggest you check out The Birches. Rocky, Dick and Susi will spoil you rotten, the house is spacious and luxurious, you can watch the humming birds feeding in the garden or stroll down to the beach and wonder what life’d be like if you were on the yatch berthed in the bay. Pretty close to paradise in my opinion.

January 2009

2010-01-13T11:35:00.000+01:00

It is cold here!

Christmas 2009

2010-01-05T13:17:00.000+01:00

2010 has started and I am on my way to work. A little while in which I can either sleep along with my fellow passengers, take the time to reflect on the past few days or think about the future. This morning I am taking the time to reflect on the past fortnight. The Christmas and New Year celebrations were fun. We spent a lot of time with family and friends, ate excellent food lovingly prepared, opened packages which showed the givers had given much thought to the receivers, and enjoyed the weather.

On Christmas Eve we went as a family to the family Christmas service. I thought it was done really well. The local primary school acted the Nativity and the meaning of Christmas was spelt out very clearly. The blatant message wasn’t enjoyed by all, but I felt it was good to be reminded without any misunderstanding what Christmas is about and about how good our lives are. The following days were very family intensive and with 5 little ones (and quite a lot of big ones) a noisy affair. We had them all around for dinner on Boxing Day. It always makes me appreciate what having 18 people for dinner entails! Thanks to my inlaws for having us the other two days.

Despite the thoughtfulness and generosity of the presents we were given, this time of year never fails to make me question the amount of presents we receive. Funny, I love buying, making (doesn’t happen half as much as I would like!!) giving and receiving presents. I less like having things. Of course I like the things I have been given or we have been given, the whole ritual is wonderful but we seem to have so much. All of the things we have and then all the new things. Somehow when they are all together they take up so much space. I am still mulling over these thoughts.

Winter Solstice

2009-12-21T20:49:00.000+01:00

21st December. Winter solstice.

May peace, warmth , light and love be with you over the coming festivities.

It is so dark and cold here tonight. We had 40cms of snow yesterday and it is sooo cold. It is definitely a time to snuggle down under blankets and or to go out and celebrate. I am choosing the reflection tonight at the night is too thick to celebrate in. It is the kind of night I yearn to sit in front of an open fire and gaze into the flames. If I were to go out into the street and inhale the coldness into the bottom of my lungs I'd be able to smell someone else's.

Funny, I am not a winter person at all. I know and love someone who really is, so I really know I am not. But on nights like tonight, it seems a shame that it will be getting lighter again soon.

New Hair

2009-12-03T20:58:00.000+01:00

2009-12-03T12:00:00.001+01:00

A leaf bathing in the sunlight. I'd like to be doing that right now. Escape the early December grey and lie by a pool in the sun.

Lots has been happening here, parental visits, parcels, fun and games, evenings with friends, but the grey has stolen my writing inspiration. Hopefully it'll come back soon.

St. Martin

2009-11-17T10:18:00.000+01:00

Precious

2009-11-15T22:15:00.005+01:00

Over the past few weeks I have regularly thougth of those five things to be thankful for and although on some days it took some looking for, other days were filled to the brim. Just to mention some of the ones that filled those days to the brim:

Going to Switzerland to Zürich on a long overdue trip to see two wonderful people. Thank you so much for a lovely weekend. Oh and Zürich is nice too. The sun shone, we had our first Glühwein of the season and the conversations were soulfilling.

Having the longest conversation whilst surrounded by bubbles about dreams. And re-discovering that there are people who will support you and even dream with you irrelevant of how crazy others think your ideas may be.

Spending an evening (well most of a weekend) with some friends over a table creaking with delicous food and drink. Where did the hours go? What did we talk about? When was the last time we hurried to bed as the kids would be getting up in two hours (if you're lucky)?

Toys

2009-11-06T15:24:00.000+01:00

Who needs toys? Or playgrounds for that matter? Take a bit of waste land, a dry day and a friend. Oops I forgot to mention the sticks and the dirt. Fun guarenteed.

Some warming thoughts

2009-10-22T10:36:00.000+02:00

Just found this. And really just imagine doing this for someone to wake up to

There were some other words on that blog just above this inspiring picture, that really struck a chord with me this morning.

Please excuse the direct piracy please. And just remember it's okay to be

nice

happy

hopeful

imperfect

silly

yourself

Good to have a reminder about that, specially if you spend too much time in voracious business environment.

A Wiesbaden Weekend

2009-10-21T12:28:00.021+02:00

A couple of weekends ago, some good friends got married. How happy do they look? Just like the cats that got the cream. Congratulations!!

It is just great to celebrate with a couple who you just feel are soo happy with one another. The registrar talked about marriage as being an acceptance of one another as you are. Registrars don’t normally meet the people they are going to marry before they actually do. But this lady certainly hit the nail on the head. I regularly stay with these guys, so I get to see how they are with each other at home after a long days work. They are just at peace with each other. What more could one want in a relationship??

Oh and the party was good too! Thanks for letting us be part of your big day.

Between wedding and party, we spent the afternoon looking at Wiesbaden. The farmers’ market was very inviting. I took the chance to collect some pictures of heaps of fruit, veg and flowers. There is something very satisfying about taking pictures of them.

Quince……

Mangold, manpink, manyellow…..

.... and flowers for the table.

Speed and Music

2009-10-06T20:21:00.009+02:00

Wednesday I spent a lovely evening with dinner, friends and sewing. Yes, Heather we will be finished with our tops by the time summer comes around again! Carried by that nice evening, I got into the car and sped through the night to hubby and bubby. Me, who thinks continuously about how to reduce her carbon footprint, how to reuse, recycle, gather etc etc… has one big weakness. I think it might be one of the reasons I love to live in this country. Well it certainly isn’t the autumn weather that keeps me here! It is German motorways. As most people know they have no general speed limits. That means on an empty night motorway heading out of town away from the city, they are empty. I really did speed into the night and chanced on Coldplay live from Roskilde (last summer) on the radio. Speed. Loud. Perfect.

The rest of the long weekend was spent doing earthy things like mushroom collecting and walking (and the last blueberries of the year), and kiddie things like playing on swings and speeding down the drive on a Bobby Car (my son and nieces have a taste for speeding in/on cars too).

There was one particularly great moment when Yorck put some of his cousin’s stones into a small watering can and started to make music. He used it like a drum, “banging” it to his inner beat, he danced for about 10 minutes. These kids never cease to amaze me with their creativity and zeal for life and all its opportunities.

There was a music and speed theme to the weekend – even I was the only one to see it.

A Stolen Summer Day

2009-09-27T22:47:00.000+02:00

What more could you want? A stolen summer day, the smell of freshly mown grass, great relatives, easy-going kids and a snail to match your clothes. Not much I don't reckon. Well maybe a collection of baths

Small but Very Pink

2009-09-23T13:10:00.000+02:00

Okay it has taken me a while. Now I know why people make things for kids.... it's because they are smaller so you can get them finished. I should be spending my sewing time on finishing those pjamas. Those ones for a birthday that happened in May. But the satisfaction out of starting and finishing something in one go is addictive. This is a small apron for a little girl who was given a play kitchen for her second birthday. Very pink, very girlie. No use for such items in my household. The chefs in my house don't do pink.

Presents, parcels..... the unexpected ones are the best

2009-09-21T12:59:00.000+02:00

Thank you Jean and David, the parcel was great fun and the contents are great too. The jumper is perfect, especially for our little jumper fan. He'll be modelling it as soon as the weather cools down a bit again.

Knitting - what happened to summer?

2009-09-17T09:16:00.007+02:00

I can feel the winter lowering. Okay there are good things about autumn and winter. Invigorating walks in the autumn sunshine, beautiful leaves, and being able to wear hats.....one day I'll learn to knit them myself. This great hat (I love fun knitted hats) was knitted by my knitting, stitching, quilting mother, Mrs. Crafts.....what would I do without her?

But right now I could just do with some more hot summer sun. Somehow there just wasn't enough this year.

A jammy weekend

2009-09-14T17:38:00.000+02:00

It was a real JAM weekend. How could it not be. Look at these plums….. We now have loadsa Pflaumenmus. It’s a sort of German plum spread. I love it. Ours turned out quite lemony (due to really strong lemon peel) which is alright cos my little family seems to love the taste of lemon. The smell of plum jam wafted through the house all day Sunday. Both of us realised how the smell of jam is an integral part of the smells and memories that conjure up home and childhood. Mmmmmmmmm...............

And there was a real JEWEL walk in the weekend as well. My little two year loves to go on walks. Not sure where he could get that from (neither his great grandparents….bless them, nor his grandparents (on either side) nor his parents like to walk, hike or ramble!!).Well after he had had enough plum picking, swinging and climbing on the climbing frame, this little guy decided it was time for a walk.

‘Dis way, ‘dis way….he rattled at the gate and wanted to go….so off we went. Papi was left in the house stoning plums. My son and Iwith our great new wellies on our feet (thanks Helen and Clive), what more could I want in life? We saw tall grass, we investigated creepy crawlies, looked at the sky, jumped in puddles (well I watched), walked down “new to us” roads, discovered old style electric pylons, met a man with a Jeep and a trailer, enjoyed each other’s company. And when we got home again, most of those plums had been stoned.

The thing that struck me all weekend, and yes it has been threatening for a while, is that autumn is upon us. The colours (and the temperature) outside reinforced that feeling. I love this time of year, even if it is kind of melancholic. The long summer days are over.

Birthday Furniture 2

2009-09-09T17:27:00.000+02:00

Here are the finished table and chairs. I am amazed for two reasons. Firstly because I finished them (anyone who knows me will understand this!) and secondly because they look as good as I imagined them to. Lots of white paint and some blackboard foil have turned these old guys into nice new shiney furniture. There is something very satisfing about making (and finishing) and giving presents.

What a Day!

2009-09-09T16:27:00.000+02:00

He's been with us for two whole years. Amazing! And what pleasure filled years they have been. What did we do before he arrived? I suppose we slept longer and went out more (in the evenings). But to be honest you can get by with a lot less sleep than you think and I have been out more in the day, met new friends and generally enjoyed my life a lot more since Yorck has been around. Thank you, Sweetheart. You are such fun!

Yorck enjoying the first of his cake at 06:30 am. Well there do have to be advantages of a failed cake the night before! I reckon this is the way to start a birthday!

And here is the very same little boy picking the Smarties off his cake. Not interested in the presents, just interested in picking these things off his cake. How did we get him to the age of two without him knowing what they are!! We watched in amazement and stifled our giggles. Okay, we have spent a lot of effort keeping him away from Gummibärchen but not Smarties. After he had successfully removed them all, he then turned to the serious business of present opening.

Sadly there are no pictures of us in the park where we spent the rest of the day, due to a mother leaving her keys in the back of the door (and the camera in the flat)! But a good time was had by all. It was still 30°c here yesterday so we even got to play in the fountains in the park. Such weather on September the 8th is a birthday present in itself.

2 Today!

2009-09-08T10:41:00.000+02:00

Congratulations!

2009-09-07T16:03:00.000+02:00

A Rowan Tree

2009-09-07T16:00:00.000+02:00

Yorck and I went to pick up his birthday furniture last Wednesday (lazy blogger here!). It was a beautiful afternoon and I took the opportunity to shoot a few pictures I saw on the way home (or even over the past few years). We often drive home via Belgium as fuel is much cheaper there. The quickest way is along the back roads near Mützenich.

There is one field which is hedged or rather lined by rowan trees. This year they are bearing so much fruit, it surely is going to be a very hard winter (should get my curtains finished!). Everytime we drive past that field I think of Anne of Green Gables (in Anne of Ingleside): “A rowan tree? Whyn't you have it planted by the front door? It would keep the fairies out”.

Birthday furniture

2009-09-02T09:12:00.000+02:00

Over the weekend I started to renovate a “desk” and some chairs for Yorck’s 2nd birthday. Somewhere for him to draw and paint. After deciding that I’d at least like something with a bit more history than the standard stuff from Ikea, we kept our eyes open at a couple of we’ve been to flea markets recently.

I already had the coffee table (and yes it is old Ikea. Thanks Andrea). To go with the rest of the furniture in his room, I decided it should be white (I do quite like the shabby chic look of that sanded blue paint though). The weather was so nice that I started the renovation outside. And guess who was so very enthusiastic to help? Seems a bit wrong, but who am I to stop his renovation fun?

We spent the weekend away in the Eifel (where there is considerably more room for such things) and it was great. I got to spend it with my family and choose when to sneak off and work on my crafting projects. What a combination. Apart from the furniture (which still needs more work) I finished a promised seat strap for my littlest nephew on his holidays. Thinking about it, I finished it more for his parents and their eating pleasures. Then I started and finished (!!) a couple of presents that I can’t show you yet. The birthday surprise would be spoilt so you’ll just have to wait until they arrive on the other side of the world…..hopefully in time for the 13th. Might be pushing it a bit, but I’ve got my fingers crossed.

5 Things

2009-08-26T12:31:00.001+02:00

I once read that recapping 5 things good things that happened during the day before you go to bed at night helped you remain/become contented with life. Well yesterday when I didn't have to even think twice about those 5.

1. A friend with excellent interior design sense came up with a solution for the TV corner in our living room (it's not good at the moment).

2. I got to come home from work 3 hours earlier than normal. I got to play with Yorck before he went to bed (not normal for a Tuesday evening) and to watch TV with my hubby (not normal either).

3. Listening to the man standing next to me on the platform in Düsseldorf. He was approached by a guy selling Fifty-Fifty (Düsseldorf's homeless magazine). Not only did he give him way over the price, as he needed change and the train arrived whilst the transaction was going on, he reassured the guy selling that he was in no rush and could catch the next train if it took longer. He just treated that guy with more respect than most people treat anyone.

4. The cashier in my local Rewe City pointed out twice that the pluots that I wanted to buy were not in the best shape. I'd never had them before and so didn't really know what I was looking for. After me picking up a bad pack the second time, he went off himself to look for a good pack. That really is what generates customer loyalty.

5. I was greeted by my little boy with the biggest smile shouting Mummy, Mummy when I got home. And about 10 minutes later Arvid came home too.

It is the people you share your life with, the respectful encounters with others and the simple things that can make life so much more enjoyable.

2009-08-17T12:31:00.000+02:00

What a hot weekend, 28°C in Kalterherberg. No-one really believes it when those kind of temperatures are forecasted. A great time was had at Nadja and Collin’s August bash! They really do have interesting friends. Sorry no pictures as I really wasn’t in a photography mood. Don’t know what was wrong with me!!! Hot sun, beer, a tasty BBQ, good conversation, kids happy to run around until ten, what more could one want? If you ask me, not much.

2009-08-12T08:37:00.000+02:00

This really is meant to be a blog about positive things and the good things in life. Well I had an exceptionally good chance to get to know Mainz Kastel rail station (bit of a big word for it) today. I thought I’d try a new way home. But the bus was late and I missed the connecting train. So it took an hour for me to get no further than Mainz Kastel. If you have ever been from Wiesbaden you know you can walk there in that. Honestly you can.

But I did see the most amazing cloud formations on the way (made me think about the book I’d like to dip into about cloud formations). And I got time to sort the pictures from the weekend. There are some good ones of Ari and Yorck at their Great Aunt Irmi’s 75th.

Here are the guys and their first tortoise experience

What a hot and urban week

2009-08-12T08:32:00.001+02:00

What a wonderful week. Despite or rather because it was soo hot, the Düsseldorf had a completely different atmosphere this week. I took things at a nice slow pace which meant that the afternoons were just perfect. It was easily hot enough for paddling pool fun. And on Thursday, we met up with Derek. We wandered through the Hofgarten (Düsseldorf’s Central Park!) and looked at the ducks and chatted about life, particularly about silly Alex and Steve who moved. Well they would be scoffing at 30°C heat.

Waiting for the tram on the way home, Yorck and I watched some breakdancing kids. They were soo cool. And for some reason complemented the heat really well. Every one standing around watching was grinning. How great is that. Collective grins don’t happen that often.

The week ended perfectly with a wedding anniversary dinner in Benkay. We finally used the dinner voucher that I won at the FEDEFE in February. It was nice to go for dinner just the two of us and eat the most delicious fish ever. I can certainly recommend the place!

Sometime has passed....

2009-08-06T12:51:00.000+02:00

Well sometime has certainly passed since I started this. Time to get back on trap. You may ask yourself what made me want to pick this up again. Well several things. The first is I have some stuff to sell. Some good friends moved to China (sniff) last week and left me with a stack of stuff to sell. The idea is to find loving homes for the things and to support, well even start, my "Visiting China" fund. Three seats on an airplane to Beijing don't come cheap. Why not Ebay I hear you cry. Well Ebay is great, but some of these things are kinda heavy and bulky so it will be best to try find them local homes. I shall be back with a list and photos of the homeseekers. Most of the stuff is for babies.

2007-11-16T15:12:00.000+01:00

Growing, growing, growing......that is really all this little guy does. Check out the knitted cardigan. Thanks Helen! It almost fits, which is quite incredible as last time anyone looked Yorck was really small. Funny thing is at home he seems quite a reasonable size, if I take him out then he seems to shrink to this tiny baby that everyone cooes at. He cooes back too, but at home where all those aunties can't hear him.

2007-11-13T19:04:00.000+01:00

Sunday was a very slow day, except for visiting Arvid's parents. They invited us for St. Martin's tea. Suddenly having four grandchildren has turned their place into a children's playground. These are two of the little people responsible for that. Liv is on the left and Yorck on the right.

Smiley!

2007-11-06T22:15:00.000+01:00

Yes, life's good. There's no other description for it. Especially as we now have a baby that can smile. And because last week we had a four day trip to the Eifel. Lazing about, walking (a bit) and eating. So now we're a little more rested and had lots of fresh air.

2007-10-29T14:16:00.000+01:00

Well this weekend was one jam packed with people and action. Family, friends and acquaintances, and lots of noise. All good fun, but quite tiring, especially when you are still putting together pieces of the world to try and understand it a bit. So instead of the next party (sorry Christoph), Yorck and I are spending a quiet day at home. The weather isn't really inviting enough to want to go for a wander around the park.

Last week Corinna came by and brought pictures from her wedding and her sister Reni's wedding with her. Both of them great fun. Reni's wedding was a week before Yorck was due so I was little concerned about him deciding to arrive at that point in the night when no-one (except for me) has a labour suite on their mind. But he was a good little guy and let us party into the wee hours. And then came on the date he was due. A proper little Virgo.

Hello there!

2007-10-23T13:03:00.000+02:00

The picasa album was nice to start with. As we take more and more pictures and become more active with him, I thought a blog would be more appropriate and more pleasing to look at. And I have to admit it, I can't put all my thoughts about one photo into a title.

I'm not going to pretend that I started this at the beginning, so I'll probably post some older pictures as I go on.

The summer was awful, unless you were expecting ;-) but those responsible for the weather have given us the most beautiful Autumn. I am particularly happy as I get to enjoy as opposed to being cooped up in an office. Yesterday afternoon I took Yorck for a walk around our little park. I am so glad we decided to live here as it really is a beautiful little place. I am really looking forward to being able to feed the ducks there with Yorck when he's bigger. Hope there aren't any officials reading this as you aren't supposed to.