Milk & Cookies...

Not working at the moment gives me the opportunity to indulge in lots of different things but also to enjoy resting in the times between all of the doing. I seem to have loads more energy - both physical and mental - the latter which, for those that know me, is always looking for an outlet in reading, crosswords, puzzles etc but I am also sleeping more soundly each night than I have for a long time.

There are times when being surrounded by busy working people makes me feel a little lazy (old habits die hard!) but it does make me wonder whether we all wouldn't be better off with a little less of the doing and a bit more of the in-between resting.

I have a desk calendar that has a 'thought' for each day and here is today's:

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap." Barbara Jordan

Would this give us a small space to regroup, re-energise and re-focus - to rest between the 'doings' of life?

Imagine how quiet it would be...

Resting...near Ullswater, Lake District, August 2007

Fotografía Extraordinaria...

Fotografía Extraordinaria...its Dutch for 'Extraordinary Photograph'...which is apparently what the people at Schmap though of my photo of de Waag in Nieuwmarkt when they found it on Flickr and asked could they include it in their Amsterdam City Guide! HOW EXCITING! You can look at it by clicking on the Blog Title....

I took a heap of photos when I went to Amsterdam last October and spent a couple of hours sitting at Cafe in de Waag one brilliantly sunshine-y afternoon chatting with a couple of local students and updating my travel diary. The cafe is located in the oldest Gate in Amsterdam (built in 1488 on St Anthony's Dock as part of the medieval city wall) and in its time, the building has been a public weigh-house, a trade hall for various guilds, a museum and now a restaurant!

Anyway enough about that...just wanted to share my little thrill so I'm off to bask in the glory of my first ever published (albeit FOC) photo!

News From The Patch: Report Card May 09

I have strawberries!
Green, not-pickable ones as yet but still...strawberries. Check them out...How chuffed am I?

My other children are coming along at different levels of enthusiasm (just like real children I am told)...

- Top of the class goes to the strawbs but not far behind are runner beans (busy 'running' up the bamboo frame), Mizuna lettuce (has grown taller than the container - bless) and peas (I'm thinking I might need to put taller stakes in!)

- Tomatoes, courgettes (or zucchinis for those of you who know better), dwarf french beans (btw - how big are the regular ones??) and all of the herbs are trundling along nicely as are the rocket, spinach and chard. That's an A for effort kids!

- Greater challenges have been faced, however, by the pearl lettuce which have faltered a bit in the shadow cast by mizuna and rocket success so I can see that a bit of T(ender) L(ettuce) C(are) is required here...

So that's about it for the Mid May report card at The Patch...off to do my rain/sun/rain/sun dance now so we can have more salad and 'eating strawbs' for June!

Under The Weather...

It's a grey, rainy day in Kingston today so there has been very little strawberry stalking I'm afraid...and after seeing the most amazing clear view of Trafalgar Square and London last night from the penthouse of no. 80 Haymarket (the venue for a marketing seminar, nothing more fruity - although the presenter was from a company called Berry Gardens!), it's a bit of a come-down. And just like the climate, I am feeling a little under the weather today so it's perfect for curling up on the couch under a blanket for some light-weight telly...and leaving Alfie to the chores...

What a busy little bear he is....and so proud of being able to help. It makes him feel so grown up. Anyway, I'll be back on my feet soon (but don't tell Alfie - I kind of like a little helper around the place!) and I have a sneaking suspicion the next News From The Patch will be quite exciting...