Five Minutes

The thing about half term is finding that precious five minutes when your thoughts are free to wonder without interruptions.  Five minutes to lose yourself in a memory, a photo or song.  I have been going to bed late this week in order to have an 'evening', so with tiredness brings emotion.  So when one of my dear friends visited from London today, I felt so sad to say goodbye.  I love the years that build up with friendships, for me my friends that I made in my early twenties feel so valuable.  This shot was taken in five minutes, a fair task as I grabbed things to put in and arrange it, this song over and over in my head, this memory the first time L & D came to our house for dinner.

My harbor has a boat in it BY Benjamin Francis Leftwich

The water makes its way around it,

When the sun shines down the hills, 

winds blow

I miss you more

You said I'm young, but I'm yours

I am free, but I am flawed

I'm here in your heart

I was here from the start

Music I'm listening to..

It is little chilly outside, so I have been busy putting play lists together.  Love the mellow and stunning voice of Agnes Obel and then to the other extreme of the disco beats, mixed with the soft attitude of Friends single I'm his girl.

Listening...

I promised Jo that I would post or email her my playlist for Sept 2011, this is still follow, but I couldn't resist mentioning that I cannot stop listening to Simone White, it helps me to know that she is signed to Honest Jons (Damon Albarn's record label).  Love her voice, please have a listen and share your thoughts.

More Slow

With a sunshine start to the holidays and weekend, we have been making the most of seeing friends and being outdoors.  We have had far too many hypothetical scenarios talked about this weekend, which left me feeling unbalanced that change maybe coming...small changes yes, big changes feel so unsettling.  Naturally there is a part of me that loves change and adventure, but we were discussing leaving England for two years.  I love our home and the girls feel safe and familiar that I would like to stay in this country for now.  Would you pack up for two years, sell your house and live aboard with a 6 and 3 year old?
ps. Listening to Metronomy, Aimee Mann and The Horrors (esp. Still Life track)

Green Fingers

Last week R and I bought a few herbs and plants for our little corner area. We were busy planting the long awaited herbs. I was particularly taken with the pink Dahlia that I picked up from our local green grocer.

ps. Listening to the new friendly fires album and loving the galvanised tub I picked up from a car boot sale.

Today

The sun is shinning and I have not been tempted to venture out. Instead chores are getting done, eating blueberries, planning a mini break and listening to the fantastic Agnes Obel.

Happy New Year

May 2011 be filled with love, laughter, gentle persuasion and compassion.

Currently listening to Anais Mitchell, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Ali and Toumani

More Greens Please

Lately I am remarking a little too often on how time is flying by. This week has been no exception. September is around the corner and the mental list of things to do is being added to hourly! Today was particularly busy, but hugely enjoyable. I got to see and spend time with two of my favourite friends in the village. I felt so touched by the gesture of home grown beans from my friend Kathie, it was wrapped in baking paper and tied with brown string. Anyway these beans could possibly be the most photographed in the whole world!

ps. Still loving the Square cropped and listening to Hurts on youtube, as the album has been pre- ordered for the release in Sept. Finally love french beans.

Wonder Wall

For fans of Naploeon Dynamite, you have to visit this link (click design mom). The above is a mural from twelve year old Ralph's room. He is into all things films and his mum, cleverly came up with the concept of this image instead of poster. Love it!

ps. Listening to Diane Birch and off to see Broken Bells on the 22nd June

48 Hours

The last forty-eight hours a been memorable, exhausting, a revelation and gratefully shared with loved ones. We sat outside in the garden this morning recovering, as we are not really able to leave the house, as L has a tummy bug. She is a lot brighter today and looks as if she is on the mend. However my husband and I are a little shattered from the broken sleep! We flew to Jersey on Friday to celebrate with our super dear friends their wedding on Saturday. L & I had the privilege of being a part of the bridal party. It was so emotional to be a part of this very special day. We only wished more photos had been taken and we had stayed a little longer. The cupcakes are a snapshot of the stunning wedding cake display, creatively and lovingly made by the Bride's talented sister.

ps. Currently listening to Laura Marling's recent album I speak because I can

Slow Day Yesterday

With Lydia feeling a little under the weather and after a bad night's sleep, she had a day off school. She insisted that she was too poorly to get dressed until after lunch. So our day was slow and filled with drawings, having a wardrobe clear out and picking music for her 5th birthday party next month. Along the way I discovered a band that I kept revisiting, their called Teen Dream a little duo.

Today

Borrowed items returned

Clara is walking now

Song by Broken Bells

Last Friday Clara started walking and we bought her first proper shoes yesterday. She is loving her new found freedom, but older sister Lydia can't understand why she is not ready for a game of chase! The items borrowed from my lovely friend have now been returned, I loved photographing them. This song has been going around in my head for weeks now, so I was delighted to see the super clever video on myspace. The song is The High Road by James Mercer of the Shins and producer Danger Mouse. I cannot wait for the album to be released sometime in March.

Listening

Love this song, keep playing it, singing it and humming it!
http://miriamjones.bandcamp.com/track/ashes-or-gold-september
For some reason unable to copy and paste the link, but if you have a moment to listen to this, it is worth it.

Tomorrow

On the eve of Jo Whiley's last weekday show on Radio One, I feel a little sad. I have been a faithful listener to her ever since she joined. I find her passion for the new and the knowledge of the old ever enlightening. As a send off, Coldplay are playing a live set from their current tour. So I sit here, in my lounge, before I rest my weary head, listening to 'A rush of Blood', playing Green Eyes, feeling a little tearful...."I came here with a load and it feels so much lighter now I've met you. Honey you should know I could never go on without you.....green eyes...."

The image was one I found some time ago on a blog that no longer exists...if anyone knows any more, please let me know.

Short but certainly sweet

Two books I am reading...

ps. listening to Chairlift

Where dreams are made

Dreams of floating through moonlit streets, over seas and other islands, and wearing candy coloured fluffy full length dresses - I remember being introduced to the work of artist Marc Chagall as a teenager. Today I am wondering what he would make of the fast growing world of illustration. As a teenager, I loved the distant places that Chagall took me to. His paintings allowed the mystery of love to be alive and I was fascinated by the haunting depth of the colour blue. Then imagine my joy at finding illustrator Lisa Evans. One of her characters, Brigg, reminded me of my days growing up in inner-city London and looking out on the world from my mum's first floor flat. I love her....! Seriously, I feel like her work is the stuff that dreams are made of. Find out more about Lisa at http://firefluff.blogspot.com/

ps. currently listening to Leona Naess, Thirteens...very Sunday morning!!!