weekend wonders...

This weekend was lovely as I finally got to see the Nutcracker performed by Scottish Ballet. The production was wonderful and the ballet was set in the 1920's so there were beautiful costumes as well as quirky sets.

This cute little trailer shows one of the ballet dancers becoming Dame Mouserink

I now have my heart set on seeing this production of Swan Lake as it's on in March at the same theatre I saw the Nutcracker and I've read so many positive reviews.

It's unique in it's production and is best known for replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble. I know it has been on Broadway - anyone out there seen it?

grey and rainy...

Today is grey, rainy and uninspiring but at least we're at the weekend again! Sometimes it feels as if I have so little time during the week that it passes in a blur but it's always nice to get to this point. The point where you have two whole days stretching in front of you...

Tomorrow I'm off to see this production of The Nutcracker which I'm really looking forward to, especially as it seems to be a contemporary take on the tale.

After that, no plans really, just a little crafting and catching up - I can't wait!
What are you up to this weekend?

new guilty pleasure...

Anyone who reads this blog will know what a huge book lover I am.



One of the things I've always wanted to do, is to keep a list of the books that I read in a year but somehow time, organisation etc etc has meant that I never got around to it. This year one of my resolutions was to try and do this, so imagine my excitment when I came across something on Char's blog that made me whoop with delight. As you can probably see there is now a link on my sidebar, (with pretty pictures!) of the books I've read in 2010. The link takes you to a site called goodreads.

Basically, on the site if you create a free account, you can list all the books you've read, the ones you want to and the ones you're reading at the moment. You can also link up to see what others are reading, join online book clubs on the site, and join discussions. Oh and you can get lovely wigets to add to your blog to show off your bookshelves.

Trust me this site is very addictive, before you know it, you've spent far too long and any guilt is only because I should be doing something else instead of getting sucked into the world of books. But hey, there are worst things - right? Come and join me on the dark side...!

fragments of the weekend...

* a snowy walk in the woods * finding a frozen lake which I really really wanted to walk on but didn't * teatime with cake and magazines * realising my roses had faded but still liking how they looked * a brunch with the Sunday papers * a little creative planning...

This is pretty much how it went... how was your weekend?

simple things - January...

As you will know, today Christina is hosting yet another Simple Things Day. This time for each blogger who joins in she is donating a dollar,(up to £250) to a charity helping the survivors of Haiti.

My simple things are all about appreciating what January has to offer...

* The delights of unexpected snow
* Having an excuse to stay snuggled under the duvet
* New beginnings and the stirring of creativity again - ( oh I have so many ideas!)
* Enjoying simple tasks like making bread and soup
* Celebrating the lengthening of days
* Taking the time to pause and reflect...
Head across here to see other bloggers and their 'simple things'.

simple things for Haiti...

Just a reminder, that Christina is doing another Simple Things day this Wednesday 27th and if that wasn't a good enough reason to join in and play, she has very generously agreed, (along with her family) to donate a dollar for every blog that joins in, (to the tune of $250).

Christina has the most beautifully written and photographed blog and that lady has a seriously big heart.

So come and join us...

lunch today...

Remember how I said I had made spicy parsnip soup yesterday? Well a delicious portion, made a warming lunch today to chase away the dreary weather.

Warming Spicy Parsnip Soup (to chase all dreariness away!)
5 medium sized parsnips
2 carrots
1 large onion
2 and a half pints of good vegetable stock
teeny pinch of chilli flakes
Garam Masala to taste ( i think I used about 4 teaspoons ish)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to season
Double cream if feeling decadent!

* heat a glug of olive oil
* add onions and let sweat in the oil but don't brown
* chop parsnip and carrot into chunks
* once onion is soft add the parsnip and carrot to the pan
* let vegetables get to know each other for about 5 minutes with the lid on
* add good quality vegetable stock
* add a teeny pinch of chilli flakes - just to add a little something, not to overpower
* after about ten minutes add the garam masala - it's best to do this towards the end of cooking
* wait for the vegetables to soften
* when vegetables are cooked enough, buzz in a processor to make a silky consistency
* add more stock if you want a thinner consistency
* add seasoning and cream if you dare!

Soup making is so easy, cheap and satifying, especially in this cold damp weather. Feel free to tweak the recipe as the inpiration strikes you. Yum!

in the blink of an eye...

No sooner did it get past Sunday, I blinked and here we are again...I really need to get to grips with this blogging lark and post more frequently!

* This weekend I've started reading a new book and finished this one.
* Made some delicious spicy parsnip soup, (Recipe to follow...)
* Played with my new 50mm - I managed to break the last one :(
* Bought a new pair of boots and a pair of black skinny jeans
* Visited a camera shop and held the lovely Canon 7D and 5D as I was curious to their weight *swoon*
* Took Sparky on a snowy dog walk







How about you?

the weekend in a nutshell...

Some things...
:: A log fire
:: Watching this
:: A flurry of snow
:: Trying to sort a problem with my Magic Mouse that wasn't a problem!
:: A lovely lie in and a lazy read of the Sunday papers
:: Sorting my shed after the roof collapsed with the weight of snow
:: Reading this and this...
:: Listening to Florence and the Machine and Bat for Lashes and The XX

a sliver of wintery sunshine in my kitchen

finding a balance...

I've been thinking about New Year Resolutions and goals and after much thought - it really is pretty simple. What I'm aiming for this year is 'balance'.



In a nutshell, balance between the things I have to do, - work, commute, eat, etc etc and the things I want to do - make, play, wish, grow - with maybe a happy overlap between the two.



Not much to ask really - I'll work on the fine tuning as I go along...