ice cream in the green

I took the boys out for ice cream this afternoon, following a picnic in the backyard. I endured a terrible and most embarrassing tantrum in the ice cream shop. The younger of my boys screamed the place down because he didn't want to part with the five quid I had let him hold while we waited in line. My cheeks became somewhat rosy as I carried him out, his legs thumping mine and I tried not to meet the judging eyes of strangers that filled the shop. Of course all was well the moment we were outside. He was forgiven when he told me "I don't love you a little bit just a big bit".

tea time

I awoke early on Sunday morning to bake wholemeal sones for the tea party that Sophie and I hosted in her humble abode after church. It was a lovely, lovely afternoon of games and english tea time treats. We had planned to party on the roof, though we were fearful of the cold so we stayed inside.

We substituted tea cups with mugs which proved to work just as well.

in the pale moonshine

Twas again, a lovely evening at the Duke's Head. I sang The Trail of The Lonesome Pine and had the old man or two singing along in the corner. I also sang my Polish Love Story and had the bar tender grinning, which subsequently left me feeling like one hundred dollars. Aunty Lucy, Uncle David and Jodi were there to listen to my ramblings, as were the usual strangers. I got invited to play at a garden party in the coming months, which excites me a lot. I stood in the dim light by the bar and waited patiently for two extra feet to walk me home in the pale moonshine.

So full of joy was I when I stepped inside that I made myself a giant piece of toast to accompany my warm milk and honey. I may even treat myself to another..

There's really nothing better than toast or cereal at two in the morning.

paperback writer

I've begun writing a book. A story. Somewhat of a love story.

About him and her, a library and a landlord, mysterious strangers and mildewed pages.

This is my writing sweater. I feel it gives me powers. Perhaps the stranger who wore it before me was a literary genius. I'll never know.

it's personal

I gave myself the day off work yesterday and took a personal day. I stuck a pencil in my hair, and took myself, a moleskine and Dorian Gray down to the river where I sat for hours writing and reading. On my way home I found yet another secret graveyard that ran alongside Vineyard Passage. I sat for a moment in the sun and then continued on my way...

night amblings with jodi

Jodi and I stepped out into the cold tonight, while it was still somewhat light - ie. 9.30! We went walking about town in search of a quiz night, with no luck. However we did stumble upon another open mic night, down by the river, at which I sponatenously sang a few tunes.

on a high horse

I'm quite proud of my day today. I met with my Aunt briefly at High Street Kensington to swap various belongings before stumbling upon a rather large park that I spent hours in. I ambled for a time in search of the perfect patch of grass, which I found beneath a happy tree. I ate a seeded bread roll and used the brown paper bag to write a song on. When I was satisfied with my words I took a nap before buckling my shoes and finding my way back. I bought another bread roll because I needed the brown paper bag. I walked the slightly longer way home to do something brave, and have a little pride for doing so.

The space where I layed.

This is my song, it's called 'Polish Love Story'

There is something so lovely about this man and the way it looks as though he's been sitting beneath that tree for such a time that it has become perfectly moulded to his back, and his back only.

dukes head

Wow oh wow what a glorious night. I wandered around the corner to the Duke's Head once again to sing tunes to new strangers. I waited patiently for my turn, watching and listening to the souls that sang before me. I was baffled by the sounds that filled my ears and the sights that my eyes beheld. So many happy people, such a great feeling about the place. An elderly Polish woman told me I was beautiful, took pictures of me and said she'd like to be my Grandmother. I thanked her and agreed to her proposal with a giggle.
Oli grinned in my direction as I climbed upon the coffee coloured stool by fireplace and began rambling my love songs into the microphone. His grin was teamed with a thumbs up which really did wonders for me. When I started to sing, the loveliest thing happened. The voices that had been loud for hours suddenly became nothing more than a whisper and remained so until I had finished. I'm not quite sure what it was that brought so many people to near silence but it made me feel like one hundred dollars. As did the comments I received from the old and the not-as-old folk that passed by me on their way to buy another round or use the loo. I stayed by the bar chatting to various people until 1.30am before bidding a fond farewell to Oli through the window and making my way home looking "like a rock star", as he told me, with my guitar strung over my shoulder.

This couple sang Polish folk songs. He was a brilliant pianist, she is now my Grandmother.

This lady was an amazing whistler, I was a little envious.





friday funnies

I was flying solo today, and played mummy for eleven hours instead of the usual five. While Tyler was at school Kennedy and I went to the playground before picking Bryce up from pre-school and taking him to a birthday party where he was more interested in plastic farm animals than the jumping castle and the strange man with a red nose who perhaps shouldn't have quit his day job. He played quietly inside while the other children ran about the garden.
After school we listened to Disney songs and baked wholemeal gingerbread(ish) cookies. Ty informed me of the properties of "wrestling sugar" and I couldn't help but giggle quietly to myself as I sifted the icing sugar into a plastic bowl.