Saturday 18 February 2012

The important things in life

Life
I was actually a little stumped on what to write for life this time around. I didn't want to go on about work. Or how sometimes, living in a share house is really fun but other times it makes me want to tear my hair out (if the dishwasher is full... put it ON... oh, don't get started on this, I could go on for hours).

So I suppose I just need to say that my life at the moment, is pretty sweet. I feel very lucky and sometimes quite selfish that my biggest concerns seem to be whether or not to have dessert at our wedding or if I should take my physio seriously when she told me I'm no longer allowed to wear my gorgeous, ridiculously high heels (they will feel so unloved...) Needless to say, I'm taking the time to sit back and appreciate that I am happy and so very, very lucky (and I don't need to post it on facebook just so all my friends can comment and 'like this').

It shows that life can sometimes just be lovely
Ettington - February 2012

Love
Apart from the obvious and most important things in my life (family, b, friends, shoes...) here are a few more... superficial things I am totally in love with right now.

My puppy-coat. Chosen by my big sister, bought by my Mumzie and Dad for Christmas. best. coat. ever. It feels like it's made of puppies and seeing as little dogs bark at me when I wear it, I'm beginning to wonder if it actually is (it's not, I promise).

I know, you just want to pat me, right?
Stratford-upon-Avon - February 2012 
This one isn't so superficial and is probably the thing that I'm most exciting about right now. The thought of becoming an auntie for the very first time. L & G, I could not be happier or more excited for you. I cannot WAIT to meet my little Blob.

The first thing I plan on buying for Blob
when he/she arrives. Just waiting to
find out whether to buy pink ones
or blue ones - don't be too late Blob,
I've got money riding on this!
I have no idea if it's new or I'm just really behind the times but I have recently discovered Pintrest. Beautiful photos of all kinds of random things - it's giving me inspiration in the kitchen and for that somewhat important upcoming celebration in September. I love!

A Pintrest image discovery - GENIUS idea!
Travel
Having still not ventured out of the UK (I know, I’m sorry, it’s almost a little bit redundant having a ‘travel’ section of my blog at the moment) we visited the Shakespearian town of Stratford-upon-Avon. As with every place I visit, I got very carried away with everything Shakespeare and was suddenly wishing I knew the sonnets and lines from all his plays. ‘Romeo, Romeo. Where for art thou Romeo’ is about as far as it goes though. But that aside, we had a day of brilliant blue skies, fascinating history (I know, bet you never thought you’d hear me say THAT!) beautiful old buildings and quirky little shops.


We spent the night in a teensy little town called Ettington. Our hotel (B will accuse me of being a princess for saying this) looked much better in the brochure but it had a pool (damn... didn’t think I’d need to be in a bikini in WINTER) and a hot tub so things weren’t so bad. It was also a very ‘couple-y’ place. I didn’t see any groups, no children, nothing of the sort – only couples. So when B was steaming himself in the sauna and I jumped in the hot tub with two other couples, I got the feeling they felt sorry for me for being on my own. Yes J, I was... judged.

Anne Hathaway's house - Shakespeare's wife,
not the Hollywood actress, just so we're clear
Stratford-upon-Avon - February 2012
Food
So, I think I’ve done pretty well. I have lasted an impressive 18 months without buying a single cookbook. Those of you who ever visited my tiny little Canberra house will know that my giant bookcase contained row after row of cookbooks and cooking magazine. I even asked my mum to continue my Donna Hay magazine subscription while I was overseas but eventually coming home to years and years of old magazine to flick through did seem a bit excessive. And so I finally gave in and asked B to buy me my FIRST cookbook to own over here. Much to his disappointment, I had asked for a vegetarian cookbook and I am currently trying to introduce two vegetarian meals into our weekly menu. So far I've been met with the same response for every meal, "It'd be better with meat. But it's ok." Whenever he says this, I take it as a success. If I ever get anything better than 'ok' I'll be sure to let you know.

Brisbane food markets - December 2011
My current food photos just don't seem to be
up to scratch at the moment, I promise
to try harder!