Category Archives: Family

Live in the Now: May

May 29, 2013 By in Family, Harpenden Tags: , , , 7 Comments

The Bank Holiday weekend was a good reminder of how important sunshine is. Everything seems easier, everything can be done with a smile on your face, everything seems more possible when you open the curtains to a warm, bright day instead of a cold, grey one.

We had one of those weekends where it didn’t feel like we were doing very much, but we still seemed to pack it in. A lovely lunch and an afternoon at the park with a friend we hadn’t seen for a long time. (‘Jeez,‘ she said. ‘Is this what people do in the suburbs?‘) A drink at the pub in town with a beer garden where, to DorkySon’s delight, there was a bouncy castle set up. A little potter around the farmer’s market to pick up some local honey and strawberries. And some bread and ham. And some cheese and radishes. Oh, and some chicken, and some ribs. And some freshly ground coffee… Wasn’t it Oscar Wilde who wrote ‘I can resist anything but temptation.’
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The Gallery: Self Portrait

May 1, 2013 By in Family, Photography Tags: , 84 Comments

The theme over at The Gallery this week is self-portrait.

As soon as I saw that I knew which photo I was going to use for it. It’s not a recent one – in fact it’s almost four years old, but it remains one of the few pictures of myself that I really love.

self portrait with baby

I can’t remember exactly how old DorkySon was – just a few months I think – but I do remember that this was the first day after he was born that it was warm enough for us to spend an afternoon out in the garden.

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Old friends and whisky

April 29, 2013 By in Family, Scotland Tags: , , , , , , , 18 Comments

Jura Whisky 16 years old

I learnt a new word this weekend. Diurach.

Diurach is the Gaelic name for someone from the Isle of Jura, and I was lucky enough to have three of them staying with me this weekend (although one of them – a friend who I have known for twenty-five years – is a Hearach like me. But Harris is happy to let Jura borrow her for a wee while…) Continue reading →

Turning 30

April 22, 2013 By in Family Tags: , , 43 Comments

You Look Good Just the Way You Are

I have a birthday later this week.

I’ll give you a clue. It’s not 20, and it’s not 40, but it’s the big one in between.

To be honest, I’m not really a fan of birthdays. I already eat cake pretty much every week without needing an excuse… and the things that make me happy in life are usually experiences rather than ‘stuff’ so I don’t get excited at the thought of presents. As for standing there blushing like an eejit while people sing Happy Birthday to me *shudders* well, let’s not dwell on that thought.

This year’s a bit different though. While I’m still not looking forward to the day itself, I am quite looking forward to turning 30. Continue reading →

Dear DorkySon…

April 3, 2013 By in Family Tags: , , , , , , , , 13 Comments

Painting The Rainbow Old Jack's Boat

Dear DorkySon.

Now you are four!

Didn’t we have a grand old birthday weekend? A night in a lovely hotel on Friday, and a walk round central London on Saturday. We saw the duck boat on its way to the Thames but decided it was too cold to get on one ourselves. You gave a big cheery wave and a hello to every policeman that we saw, but didn’t like watching the guards changing over outside St James’ Palace because you thought their guns and big heavy boots were too scary.

Then home, for your proper birthday; far too many presents from all your generous family and friends – including this wonderful painting of Old Jack’s Boat by DorkyGranny – and so, so much food.

It amazes me, that tummy of yours. It seems you can always fit a little more in… especially if it’s roast potatoes or chocolate cake on offer. But then seeing you constantly running around – climbing under one thing and jumping over the next – it’s no surprise that you need a lot of energy to fuel the engine. Continue reading →