Sitting in Costa one morning sipping a coffee as I was early for an appointment. Watched a man walk along and noticed that his trilby hat was too small for his head. He was wearing a suit, a blue Inspector-Gadget-style Mac that was too large and carrying a battered leather case that could have held paperwork. He ducked into the coffee shop, I assumed, to grab his morning Venti-Latte on the way to work, but out of the corner of my eye I noticed … [Read more...]
Zapptastic challenge 2: Fun, fun, fun.
As I was in the States when I was made a QC (that's Quinnycaster to those not in the know) I was unaware that we had been challenged to provide funny, witty, original posts about the 'Grand Opening' of our Quinny Zapps and instead blundered in with jetlagged head, got the pushchair up, blogged and thought nothing more of it. Some of my fellow QCs really went to town and, unsurprisingly, went on to win a lovely footmuff to go with their … [Read more...]
Writing workshop: Shhhhh.
ShhhhhhhhShit, I forgot to take the mince out of the freezer.Shhhhhhhh, baby mine, sleep a while,While I just run the hoover round, while I do the tax returns, while I write a chapter.Shhhhhhh, precious one,One minute whilst I answer the door, the phone, the party invitation.Quiet my darling,"Hi darling, could you collect the dry cleaning?"Quiet my love,"I'd love to, but can I get back to you?"Quiet, precious one,One minute whilst I go to the … [Read more...]
Autumnal Plum and Apple Pie
After the Dimpled One pulled the fruit bowl down on her head this afternoon, I had two bruised cooking apples and half a dozen squashed plums (not to mention a baby with a headache) that I needed to do something with. So I peeled and diced the apples, and de-stoned and chopped the plums and divided them between two enamelled oven dishes. I sprinkled them with a handful each brown sugar and sultanas, about half a teaspoon of mixed spice and a … [Read more...]
I get what Kevin McCloud means about the story of a house.
There is a tale to tell in everything. I think that's where my love of antique jewellry comes from. My engagement ring is a heavenly 1930's ring, white gold and diamonds, that DH chose for me. (I know how lucky I am, in case you were wondering.) I do think it's a shame, however, that it didn't come with a book that told it's story. I used to love the tales that came with items on Antique's Roadshow when I was growing up: how a piece of furniture … [Read more...]
Toddler Law
Toddler's Law Number 2, which states that: if you spend hours cooking a locally-sourced, organic, salt-free roast tea, Toddler will not eat a mouthful. If someone else's mother cooks a similar meal, the same Toddler will immediately eat it all, including vegetables, and ask for more, making it look like you never feed them healthily. … [Read more...]
Seeing red.
Sometimes I see Christmas in it's hues: the scent of berries and warm red wine, of spices from mystical places that soothe the soul on long dark nights. Sometimes I see happiness: the red shoes of partying and reckless abandon; the bright primary colours of the plastic pantechnicon that was once our sitting room and is now play-room of small, bright, happy souls that giggle and gurgle and brighten my days. I see warmth and comfort and colour in … [Read more...]
