10 sentences ( inspired by my favorite teacher and lovely friend)

Lily has her first school holidays this week. half term here in London. Fun

We plan to make Halloween cookies this week with our new cutters and carve a pumpkin

Despite being weeks away from seeing everybody my homesickness is reaching alarming heights , cant understand it myself.

If I cant lose these 5 kgs I am going to scream. have to lose them to fit into my jeans nicely..grrrr damn you nice food

I am loving strictly come dancing this year yet again. If only I could dance like them. I think it must be the most amazing feeling to dance like that. I dance in my head.

Lily went to see the fantastic Mr Fox today with her daddy and she told me about it without breathing for about 10 minutes. she is so so sweet I could just eat her up .

after making all these plans to get some Christmas pressies and even making a drawer I have the grand total of ......1. Must try harder

Going to get my eyebrows threaded soon. I am a little bit scared, but its a good scared

I have read the most divine book recently . East of the sun its called. beautifully written and so emotive. really worth it if you see it

I joined the library a year ago but we have our new library that's just opened in Hither green, manor park library. I have become a library junkie. Its so wonderful and books for free..what more could you ask

Wicked

A year ago I had the idea to start up a dinner club like I have the pleasure of gatecrashing when I am in Cape Town. I love going with the girls in Cape Town its such great fun and such a release, all the laughing , cackling , sharing of feelings. I wanted to have something in London as I always felt that was lacking. I threw together 3 ladies I know from different spheres of my life that all now live in London. Sandi (far left) I have known for 10 years or so but we only became much better acquainted after we both moved to London. She married my school friend Jason. They are one of my favorite couples in the world and she is one of my favorite people. She is bright , beautiful and has such a kind , generous nature. Lailaa ( next up) went to my good friend Caroline's yoga classes and we met at a few yoga events. On her arrival in London she contacted me and we had tea in Greenwich and a few weeks later Lily and I went to her flat for tea. I have only known her well for a year now but she has such a special place in my heart. I love her enthusiasm ( for a lot of the same things as me) and her love of life. She is without doubt one of the most thoughtful people I know and I am so happy to call her my friend. Jenny (far right) worked at the emporium with me at Tygervalley shopping centre. I had a lovely little fairy shop and she had a jewellery shop. I then carried on working in a stencil and craft shop and we worked 2 small shops from each other. We hit it off and have been friends ever since for about 7 years now. She is an ultra enthusiastic , optimistic person who will brighten every day. We get on like a house on fire and if I leave London It is her I will weep about as I know she loves it here and I wont see her as much and enthuse about Christmas and food and beautiful things.

For a year these ladies have given me something to look forward to. they have given me friendship and connection when I most needed it. We are all so different but yet similar. We are aware our arrangement is fleeting as some of us will move away, but for now we look forward to our monthly gup (read, east of the sun) Happy 1 year anniversary to the gourmet goddesses. ( official gourmet goddesses blog update to follow) In honour of this occasion we went to see the fabulouso Wicked. It was brilliant. Loved it . didnt we girls?

appreciation

Do you think you appreciate what you have? I know I don't , there are times when I find life so frustrating and wonder why it has taken me on the path it has. Recently though, I have started to write down what I am grateful for in a little gratitude book , if you will.

To remind me that even though there are some things missing from my life there are others that are present and wonderful. Don't get me wrong , I think its totally appropriate to feel sad or angry at some of lifes twists and turns , but don't forget the good things. For every up there is a down . For every rose there is a thorn.

Slowly I am growing and learning that the downs make the ups even more sweet.

I am having a down day today. Missing my mum , missing my dad,missing my brother, missing my dear friends and all their dear babies. But I know that tomorrow or the next day I will feel brighter again. and a few weeks after that I will see them all and we will laugh and have fun.

My biggest gratitude in life is that by some miracle the universe gave me a gorgeous daughter who fills my life with happiness. the path I take is now not only for me but for her too. So you know that good day I will have tomorrow? It will be because of her.

ride ride ride

I just have to show you a small selection of my tomatoes. after this no more I promise

Lily is leaning to ride a bike. I was under the impression that with the little fairy wheels (thats what i call them) she would pedal and then in a year or two we would remove the wheels and then the real work would begin

But no.. it seems Lily finds it easier to pedal backwards and she finds it ever so fun when her mummy and daddy push her really hard and she just pedals backwards wildly. We are running behind her shouting. Pedal FORWARDS! push DOWN on the pedals Lily! But no... thats no fun

After an hour.... Milly, Lilys imaginary friend, had a turn. Lily ran after the bike pushing it wildly shouting. pedal FORWARDS Milly. Push Down on the pedals. Then she just stood there shaking her head at Millys inability to pedal