A perfect Sunday

What a day its been!
Started off with a lovely sunny breakfast in the garden, the birds twittering, no cars or trains....well it is 7 o'clock on a Sunday morning. So peaceful until the the crow couple in the back of the garden starts yelling, and it goes on and on and on.

Mina and I are enjoying our homemade smoothies for breakfast, christening the carden funiture's

A quick cycle trip to the shop and farmers market to pick up the last ingredients for this afternoons bbq.

Never been to the market this early before, its usually much busier

Our first non-meat bbq and a delicious one too. Pims, sunshine, a never ending suply of delisous food and good company - what more do you need?

The chef at work

The kids are running round with bare bottoms, chasing boubbles.
It was just perfect.

Dancing queen - we did actually have our very own wireless garden sound system

A big girl now. Have officially started potty training, (well we might as well give it a go as she spent all day without a nappy anyway) even tho it didn't happen in the potty a single time today. Much easier to use the lawn...


Mina takes spider for an evening walk

Garden furniture's

Finally, we can properly enjoy our garden, and only taken us a year and a half. Have had my eyes on some garden furniture for a while now and it couldn't be a better time as we are having people over for a barbie tomorrow. We also took Mina to Layton swimming pool (2nd time ever, 1st time for me) and it made me neurotic, I was just too scared thinking she was gonna fall over that I forgot to enjoy myself, but she and daddy had a splashing time.

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And what a bargain, all this for only £30!

A glorious day

Summer is here!! And what a day we made of it too. First some buggy exercise (well more of a comfortable stroll while pushing a fully loaded buggy) to Sally's to pick up some eyebrow tint etc. Then Lisa and I walked through Walthamstow marshes and stopped off for very long pit stop and play on the new playground in Springfield park (my favorite park btw). What a lovely day we've had. Can you tell I am listning to 'In the Nightgarden' while I'm writing this?!

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Mina and Lilly is fuling up on Lisa's homemade kanelbullar mmmmm...


View of the canal at the bottom of Springfield park

CV writing day

Dropping of Mina at nursery a little later than planed (as always). But at least I searched the job pages yesterday so one less thing to do today and I was surprise to find so many jobs advertised - is this the end of the rescission? Probable not. However as I only skimmed the ads I missed out on a perfect marketing job as the closing date was yesterday gggrrrr.
Anyway, now I am armed with a new and fresh CV so bring on the jobs.

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Mina outside her nursery - coolest kid on the block

Garden fun

Rain rain rain, don't really feel like leaving the house. Dressed up in full rain gear we head out into the garden. I don't know what I would have done without one.

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Home sweet home

Its nice to be back home and I am well impressed with how well Paul and Mina have managed without me. After all, this is the first time in over 2 years I've been away by myself, think I should do it again sometime. I cant believe how much Mina has grown up - suppose you need to take a step back to really appreciate it. 

We had a lovely family day out at the adventure playground / city farm. 

I have the best family in the world and I love them very very much.

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Some mother-daughter time with this seasons hottest coulour

A walk in the wild

Again, its a gorgeous day and very hot - especially when one have to wear layers of clothes to fit everything else into your hand luggage. But it was fantastic to have the time to take a proper long walk in the forest before leaving the suburb and heading in to Stockholm city. 

1 by 1 we dropped of to get back to our normal lives, my flight was last so I had time to see my uncle again and I was determined to find a market stall selling fresh flowers and make my own bouquet (wasn't gonna buy them from the overpriced  station shops). I thought I got a decent deal in the end. Hakan and Leila really liked the flowers and I got an opportunity to do some practicing , so we were all happy.

I got a lift to the bus station which was nice so I could get an early bus - didn't wanna miss the flight. I was really stating to miss my family now especially after seeing Lotta reunited with her baby and hubby before leaving Tyreso. 

Then I was stupid enough to put my bag in the baggage compartment - it was most irritating finding out from the TV screens that the bus had WiFi!! I could have Skyped and updated my blog....

The flight back was delayed but it didn't bother me the slightest I was enjoying listening to Stephen Fry's pod cast and Apple store talk while reading Swedish magazines.

BBQ in the suburb

Johanna is a genies who had booked us in onto a late check-out which meant that we could all go back to sleep for another 2.5 hrs after a fabulous hotel breakfast - I love hotel breakfasts! I must have had about 5 helpings (and if I wasn't feeling so hangover I would have had a couple more). 

Half the gang sitting in the sun now feeling much better after being back on the champagne

We couldn't have had a better day. 

The sun was shining, sitting on the veranda eating lovely food with my closest friends (and no children or husbands needing our attention...). It was just perfect.

A fantastic couscous salad - no need to pre-boil (lemon, olive oil, marinade in fridge for 2hrs)

Li's christening cake - will it pass the test? Of course, its so pretty and very yummy too

Late into the night - we're still having a good time

 

What a feast

Hakan drove me into town after a fantastic swedish breakfast. Mmmmm. 

Before dropping me off outside Sjofarts hotellet we had a quick Fika /early lunch at NK (where both me and Mina got some very nice gifts).

Sjofarts hotellet's lobby 

 Then off to the next food venue, an espresso bar where I  caught up with Steph, an old London friend.  I had a big big kanel bulle. 

Now, its only 2.30pm and I have already had 3 meals so I think I can handle some alcohol.

Back at the hotel the girls were arriving 1 by 1 and we started with a drink in the bar then some champagne and snacks while getting ready to go out for a delicious 5 hr meal at Grill. 

Finished the night off with a Swedish hot-dog (after a fair few hrs on the dace floor and a couple more vodka russians).  

I almost missed my flight

I could hear something in the background, ringing... oh shit! Its 4.05am and my alarm hasn't gone off (no surprise when the time on my phone is actually 16.05pm, karma is still around. I must have done something worse than just shoplifting). Thankfully the cab driver kept on ringing, this was the 3rd time. Not knowing what to do with myself I started running on the spot wondering what to do first - put some clothes on or let the driver know that I was on my way. Paul beat me to it and grabbed his dressing gown and ran outside. Once at the airport everything went smoothly and what a luxury to travel on my own.

My cousin picked my up from the airport in Skavsta and we drove to her newly built country house. Sooo want to move to Sweden NOW. Gorgeous location, clean air and silence. Oh and the house isn't shaking when the train runs past...

The day was rounded of with the seasons 2nd BBQ.

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Sweden in a nutshell - nature, good standard of living and style

Karma

Every dog has its day and today its my day. Me and Mina 'shoplifted' yesterday from the 99p store, well not on purpose but I saw the packet containing 2 electric toothbrush replacements in the buggy once outside on the high st and I didn't turn around to return them. Most annoying is that we cant even use them and my friend whom I was meeting was also under the old fashion brushing spell, using a normal toothbrush. 

As I am off to Sweden tomorrow I decided to unlock my phone. I shopped around and found a decent shop charging £5 which is what I have paid in the past. However, the bastard in the shop didn't tell me that I would lose EVERYTHING stored on my phone, incl well just absolutely everything!!!!! So I might as well have flushed it down the toilet, at least then I would have got a new phone. They gave me a crapy ugly-looking cover as compensation, but what can you say? My numbers are forever gone....

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Looks a bit creepy don't you think? or maybe I've been watching too much television...

The library

We have spent all afternoon in Walthamstow library and what a brilliant place! Its free and snacking is allowed too, well not really but the kids can get away with it in the children's section if they do it discreetly . However noisy grown ups eating fruit salad in are not allowed.

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Mina in the library

A new snappy camera

Whoho! My lovely hubby came home with a surprise for me...a new camera. So needed, the old one was really on its last legs.

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Lee Valley Wildlife Weekend

Jimi is here. The weather is rubbish but we have decided to check out the Lee Vally Park no matter what (well you cant stay indoors all day with 2 toddlers, that would just send you crazy).
Walk there and back....a good 8k felt like we were in London no more. Didnt know we had such a paradise around the corner. Ok it was full of weird birders.

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Bird watching....

Eurovision night

As always on Eurovision night we had people round, no exception this year apart from the no of guests (only one) and a few more cancellations. Score cards ready in hand and Skype set up we were ready. Portugal and Estonia were favorites and 10 points for performance on the night to UK.
Who would have thought Norway would win? Well at least it wasn't fixed. And an amazing show put on by the russians, especially the 'pool show'!!

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Allo Sweden....

A day in the country side

Woke up in a 6 bedroom house in Surrey.
Thought Mina would let me have a lie-in after her late night but NO. Apart from continuing unpacking we did a whole lot of cooking, the kids helped. Then of course we had to check out the enormous garden with a tennis court, golf tee and the cutest little play house.
The journey home wasn't as bad as I expected - 2.5 hrs door to door. Only a little awkward traveling on a train and tube with a car seat strapped on to a Mcaren buggy.


Fantastic Naan pizza inspired by Nigella and leftover chicken salad


Just a small part of the garden...

A hectic day

I am helping Karin move into their new house today.
A bit short notice.
Came home.
Pack for me and Mina's overnight stay.
Hurry to pick Mina up at nursery to catch the cab ordered to pick us up and take us to Primrose hill. Mina was sick in the car (again) the bumpy short-cut through Islington is NOT worth it.
Get cleaned up.
Jump into new car.
Make new house as toddler friendly as possible as quickly as possible.
Mina asleep on sofa at 11pm. Jimi asleep in buggy at midnight. Me asleep at 4am.

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Two very tired children and well past their bedtime

This blog is getting me into trouble

On my way home from my make-up course I realized how much the cafe at the end of Queens Rd lit up the street and bringing a sort of mediterranean feel to this otherwise gloomy part of London . This Turkish cafe, always blaring out popular music (in a inviting manner) has been fascinating me for a while and I wanted to make it part of my London memories. Little did I know that the people drinking there were not as friendly as they looked. Furious, after me taking a few pictures I was approach by 3 or 4 men being very aggressive and angry for me taking picutures of them without thier permission. Luckely a police car drowe past and settled our argument and the men walked back to thier coffee. Even tho this might be East 17 I quite like it here, I am constantly surprised by how supportive the borough is. The police was just at the right place at the right time. Lucky me! Might have to be a bit more careful in the future.

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Front of my college....


our class rooms.....

House work

Being a proper housewife today. At home with child, baking and doing the laundry what more can you ask for!?
Its official - Eurovision fever, well in our house at least. Watching the semi final and Sweden's contribution is good (even if she does sound a bit like a tranny at times) Britain doesn't stand a chance.

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Mamma's little helper

Late babysitting and no more taxis

Looking after Jimi, not the most exciting job but it pays for Mina's nursery fee. Double mum 1 day = 1 day at nursery (1 day for me). Karin is going for a drink after work so I stay for a bit longer than normal. But it will have to be tube home tonight. On Friday we got a taxi home (thinking it was quicker and easier because it was late, and paid for) and Mina threw up all over the seat, on a friday night! We were lucky we didn't have to pay any extra. Paul did a good job cleaning it down (and he had only just got back from a long and clod business trip in Scotland) while I took care of a pukie baby.

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So many beautiful houses in Primrose hill...

A baby themed weekend

So we're back at the museum of childhood. This weekend there was a Montessori workshop I was interested in, Mina however didn't even want to enter the room so she and daddy spent most of the time going up and down the lift and running along the ramp.

Typical toys from a Montessori nursery

The evening I spent at a friends house babysitting Mina's friend Ruben, easy peasy, he didn't wake once and was already tucked in when I arrived.

Me cycling home in the moonlight - see, late night out!

Early start on Sunday, cycling to Columbia flower market (disappointingly expensive this week due to Mothers day in Holland). I managed to stick to my budget and picked some 'fillers' by the side of the road on my way home.

Did managed to find fresh catnip for the cats tho.

Spent the afternoon at Lyd's house - can't believe how big Baby Ollie has become! Mina got her belated birthday present which is awesome - Aquadraw mat (folds up like a briefcase) that comes with a marker that fills up with water then when drawing on the mat the water turns blue!
Ended the day on another high - seasons 1st BBQ.

Waiting for it to get hot - admireing our garden. The view of our neighbours concreate garden is less pleasing...

Later with Jools

Listening /watching 'Later with Jools Holland', I love this show, my favorite artist toninght must be Paolo Nutini (and of course the Manics). It's nice to take a break from my usual TV series addiction of Heroes, 24, Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse and Fringe oh and catching up on Battlestar Gallactica.

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my new look....

Always under your feet

On my precious day off I got to take my bike out for the second time since I bought it (last sun) - freedom. And why is it that the weather is always shit when I have the time to go out for a ride?! My bike takes me not only to my destination quicker, it also takes me back to my childhood and the country side (my old bike didn't make me feel this way, I think its the old fashion feel that's the key, not a street adopted mountain bike).

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Spike just managed to get out of the way in time.

Ikea trip

So were we here again.....It is a great place to catch up with friends tho. Good cheep Swedish food (and I usually buy a couple of hot-dogs from downstairs and bring them up to the restaurant. Bad, I know) and a child friendly environment then a little shopping trip for mummy.....

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Oh no!
Spider has eaten all the runner beans!! Bad cat!

Barbie

Thank god, a new obsession (that does not involve any of the 'in the Nightgarden' characters), DOLLS! And they all have to be naked! Suppose its ok with the hard plastic ones but when they are the ones with a fabric body and its taken everywhere you go, they get pretty dirty...nappy changing and drawing pictures of them are the favorite hobbies at the moment, so today we spent pretty much doing just that.

Todays artwork

Bank Holiday weekend (Sunday)

We decided to do the all our excursions in one day and in one place.
My heart was set on a new bike so we got up early to hit the Brick Lane market before it got too busy to push a buggy down the street. And, I found a lovely 'Lady shopper' for £32!! My second bike from the market (1st one I got was when I used to cycle to work, Finsbury park - Soho, everyday, if it wasn't raining, or we were going out or anything else..)

Me and my new bike

Our 2nd stop was Colombia Rd flower market I cant believe I haven't been here until now, its absolutely amazing and the prices really are to die for (I know a little about floristry) I am yet to find out what their quality is like as I couldn't physically carry any more, pushing a buggy and a bike along proved difficult enough. Paul and Mina hanged out at the playground as I forced myself through the ocean of people all looking for plants and fresh cut flowers to wholesale prices.



It took me a good 20 min just to get to the 'end' of the market and back (of course there are loads of shops selling garden furniture, pots and other trade goods but I think those shops will be more enjoyable to visit any other day but Sundays).


Mina loved this 'urban jungle' playground - especially the trampoline!

Now time for a well earned pint after fighting our way through the crowded Brick Lane while Mina has a snooze.

Brick Lane's Wibe bar

Our last stop is V&A's Museum of childhood which is absolutely brilliant! It feels like walking into a Victorian seaside funfair (and you wouldn't think it looking at the red brick building you see from the outside) and of course everything is designed with children (and buggies) in mind. Lifts, ramps, changing room and obviously a crafts area. Two floors of old and new toys in glass cabinets . A gem, for kids and adults alike.

Ground floor, Museum of childhood

Hair of the dog

Oh boy! Last nights celebration was done in a true walpurgis fashion. Today you have to pay the price and there is no lie-in to be had either with a toddler in the house. We're off out tonight and have a baby sitter for the 1st time in AGES and the house is a total mess so I have to get the house in order before me and Mina is off to Shoreditch House to meet with Charlotte and Mya and for me to have a glass of wine....

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I finally get my glass of wine and some lovely pizza too