Landed!!

After a lovely send off from the picnic in Winchester to visiting with friends in Brighton we have arrived in Malta. It will be some time before we have our own computer up and running so believe it may be a week or so till I am able to post more photos.

Life in Malta started with a bang, our middle child came down with the stomach flu and chicken pox within hours of leaving the UK (her tell tale signs didn't come till the morning after we arrived). Over the course of our first three and half weeks here all three children have broken out in spots. Not ideal in upper 90's weather and foolish parental promises of trips to the beach as soon as we arrive. After consulting a doctor here we were instructed to keep the children inside for a minimum of two weeks... no easy feat. Boredom, antsiness and television watching abound much to A and I's frustration. With one week to use before the big 'SHUT DOWN' (when most of Malta closes and leaves on vacation) we have had a lot of running around to do- last essentials for the house so we can move in. Visitors from Madison/Seattle coming this week!

Goodbye Winchester, goodbye England

It's come to the end of our time here, we will all miss these cobblestone streets, the lush greenery, the rushing river, our little yellow house and dear friends. Hope to be writing next from Malta (not sure exactly how long it will be till we are connected to the Internet) so good bye for a few weeks. 

Film Review- Once

So after waiting nearly seven months for Once to come through our mail slot (via Love films) it finally arrived and after all the anticipation I must admit I was a little let down. It was good, and I enjoyed the film don't get me wrong. I liked the fact that it was an unsuspecting musical (or to me at least- I knew nothing about the film apart from the fact that it was Irish and good) so sorry to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it- it is a quirky musical,  in a subtle indie folk music kind of way. I enjoyed it  (but A. fell asleep) so not for everyone. If you don't like the sound of Damien Rice then this film may not be for you (thus my husband falling asleep out of slight boredom). Am impressed with what they were able to accomplish  using only a few cameras and little cash. I do think I may just have to go out and buy the sound track, for even though I was little tired of the songs by the end of the film, I must admit waking the next day and wanting to hear them again (particularly the song by the main woman sung while in pajamas walking down the street).  

Few spare minutes

If you're like me and enjoy interiors, people and their environment  ....this site is VERY cool, updated every few days .   New York city people and their homes. The Selby.

Time for baking?

Not really but I wanted to try out a new recipe- cinnamon and cardamom buns from Falling Cloudberries. They turned out pretty well. The kids and Adrian ate nearly all of them before they had even begun to cool. 

 

The title of this picture brought a smile to my face... just when the tantrums were starting to ensue between my four year old and two year old (who is certain that actually she is three).

The title is-  "Send Joan of Ark Over"  seen here. 

Baby Stella sleeps on- phew. 

Am very fond of birds that must be said and find these images really beautiful at Geninne's art store. 

Surprises

I must start off with explaining the recent annoying new obsession of my husband's... it's not enough to read late into the night abstract papers on computer functions noooo the latest find is he has discovered a vast selection of  computer related podcasts.  German IT specialists going on for hours about the latest computer science trends (with subjects like relating technologies such as 00 and SOA - if interested here is the site with the podcasts - software engineering radio ) . He has even taken to listening late at night and in bed to these radio shows! BUT today -Saturday he woke up early  made cafe miels (lattes with honey and cinnamon) for us both and a delicious fratata (Spanish omelet) today with tomatoes, spinach, red pepper, fresh basil and Parmesan as all three children slept and quizzed me in Maltese at the kitchen table.  Then a little later as the children sat watching morning cartoons led  me into the kitchen to dance to this song (as he was doing the dishes he was inspired to dance by this song) - Lo dudo from this album- Los Canciones de Almodovar (a good album if you like this sort of thing- dramatic Spanish singing). Although a bit of a computer geek it must be said he is a romantic guy and I do appreciate the weekend when he is around.  

So excited!

My dear friend A. gave us the most wonderful going away gift - a new cook book!! 

This one looks really good, can't wait to get unpacked in our new red kitchen and start cooking!!! The author is half Finish, half Greek Cypriot and married to an Italian. She grew up in South Africa and brings all these aspects of her life together- pretty interesting mix huh.... 

Not to mention the photo of Tessa Kiros the author, who looks like a glamorous Bollywood actress.  Falling Cloudberries.

Boden

I really do more than window shop.. it's just that I am in that 'witching hour time' waiting for my partner to come back from work... dinner more or less ready and all three children are sitting near me- some watching t.v. and the other serving me some pretend tea.  Just happened to see this- think the sales are everywhere here because summer didn't exactly happen and it's nearly August! Check out Boden now. 

Wednesday's dress

Amid packing up the kitchen pots and pans I called a time out and made Stella another summer dress.  At last it's warm here and it's been a few days since I touched my sewing machine... my days are numbered with my ole clunky Singer machine (too heavy to cart with us) . I call it the summer tomato dress. By the way Stella is starting to stand!!

books

Love this man's art work. 

Cardamom plum torta

Although we have quite the collection of Mediterranean focused cook books I think this guys site will be one I will be visiting quite often Figs Bay Wine- . We walked under a fully loaded plum tree on our way back from the park today and I pondered what to do with lots of plums and this seems worth trying. I do love cardamom. 

*Side note- our reason for needing to leave the park in a  rush was my four year old son scraped his toe (ohhh the drama!!) but this led to a lengthy discussion as regards blood... why do people bleed... what is blood and why do we have it... where does it come from, who makes it...why does it come out...  ohh the questions never end! I was grateful for the distraction of the squashed plums that we passed --  fruit trees...the start of a new discussion. Thus my mind on plums as we reached home. 

 

It's all in the name

Calm Olive branch - need I say more. Thinking a summer dress could be nice made of this (for myself this time). 

Longing north

In the midst of selling off nearly everything in the house (worried about the children going into panic mode) as coffee tables, bookshelves, desks and beds go walking out the door (to be 'looked after' by someone else) I sit during that mid day pause (nap time) and catch myself getting drawn to Danish products online.  Think I will forever have a longing for Scandinavia. Here is a book I am very tempted by.

Perhaps after four years in Malta I can convince A to move to ... say Bergen. 

For the love of Radio

Another very wet day here in Winchester. While Stella napped and the bigger kids were at nursery I skipped spending the morning folding laundry, running errands and organizing dinner to just sit and sew. While doing this I listened to some interesting programs on the radio,  sipped tea and wondered if not sewing from a pattern is such a good idea. 

I was impressed with how supportive (of Obama) and clear John Edwards was in the interview on talk of the nation on Tuesday (NPR) and was in awe of just how slimy Jack Gerard, the new head of oil in the U.S. seemed, to me it sounded like he was basically saying - we need to drill in protected areas  but in a very hpney coated way.  He very much reminded me of the main character from the film Thank You for Smoking. Caught as well the program on Fresh Air with the interview of Don Bachardy am now kind of tempted to see the film. Although it wouldn't appear from the outset the relationship between Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy was one of true romance ( the thirty year but in the end it did seem to be a real story of love. I for one was moved by the frankness and admiration Don had about the whole relationship.  Did also listen to BBC Radio Four woman's hour program talking about the woman who is trying to save tigers.. a little  fluffy but was entertaining and all in all it was a very nice morning. Feel like I have a lot to ponder over. Ohh do I love radio!  

Here is the fruit of my morning- a little summer dress for Stella. 

Great resource

Ok so I am a bit behind in some things - can't believe I hadn't heard of this before now- to my morning coffee state of mind this seems like such a brilliant idea! Check it out- Whip up. 

Undecided piece of sewing

Another product of today's sewing time -at the moment it's a pillow cover but am thinking I could make it into something else.... folded over as a wallet perhaps.... open to suggestions.  Do think I would like to make a bigger version (and take my time a bit more) perhaps a set of place mats.  

The race

Or so it sometimes feels, an hour and half before all three children finish their naps isn't long. The clock is ticking away... managed to make this little dress for Stella- it's a trial run really. Not so sure about the neckline.. I used some left over ribbon type fabric from the apron I made Carolina a few weeks ago.  Another made up one - pattern to be drawn (needs some tweaking).