Bust that dust

Sophie has a strong desire for handheld vacuum. Good thing we kept ours (circa 2005) 

 

Summer treats

All the treats one gets because it's your last weeks at home...

Special ice creams

New sheets for your dorm room

Fancy doughnuts

Last trip to the farmers' market

and of course, we had to have a sticky bun

and cool local drinks

And a final meal at Banjara's

The guncles & pearls

As a young woman, Sophie's Auntie R espoused that with pearls and penknife, a woman could go anywhere. So 16 rolled around and it was time to ensure that Sophie had both. The latter updated for 2023 with dear and multi-talented Uncle Arthur.

 

January was for ...

divvying up their mother's cast off bits of jewelry

d

and buying one's own...

determining what hair care works for you as a 16 year old proud of her locks 

and catching the rays whenever we can 

 

So many birthdays!! 2022 v3

 We celebrated 16!! with Sophie's uncles who came with gems and a pocketknife - and sparklers (there must be sparklers!!)

Opening her requested denim overalls

So many birthdays!! 2022 v2

Since this child was home, I was treated to a homemade cake - except Seb started at 9 pm - without all the ingredients! 🤣

There were plenty of hugs. Lucky lucky Mum!!

 

So many birthdays!! 2022 v1

 It’s that time of year, folks. So let’s do a whistle stop of celebrants. First is our much loved Sebba

And yes, THIS happened. And it's a beauty.

Oh and since Seb turned 19,  it was time to hit a bar -- legally. Fun was had and a phone was left behind... The tracking software worked but the bar didn't open again until the next gig happened - 3 days later!!! 

All ended well

Florence & the Machine

 To wrap up the summer, and to make up for the fact that we didn't really get away, Sophie & Mum headed to one last concert. 

Toronto did us proud at the outdoor Budweiser Stage (it didn't pour with rain either)

FLORENCE & THE MACHINE!! Whoop, whoop.

Florence is known for her raven tresses and floral crowns, so there were some glorious heads of hair in the audience

More November celebrants

 We all know it's a busy month...

When friends make cakes...

Galpal got a camera from Dad and a lens from bro!!

and chose Thai for dinner 

Just one person left

Sophie managed to time her first vaccine to do it with great Nuan. Someone fainted and broke the plexiglass divider... The vaccination was followed by drinks - and a sore arm - in the park. (Anyone recognise her top?)

Who loves halloumi? We love halloumi!!

For New Year's, I had given our halloumi-loving daughter a cheese-making kit. So over 4 hours(!!) and many many steps, we made halloumi. She started, then I joined, then she left for her dad's and I finished it! And yes, tasted it. Kate & I agree that it is 80% right; not quite the correct consistency and saltiness, but yummy! I can't wait to serve it to the children tonight in a dish that the gorgeous Emma shared.

Wait, there's more!

In addition to the lead up to Christmas, Christmas Day itself, the lead up to & enjoyment of the New Year's Open House, there was also New Year's Eve and our gift exchange on January 1st.

While we weren't quite this mother & her children

We did have a yummy dinner by the tree (everyone had to at least put on a nice top!)

And we bought a ticket to the "Big Night In" concert in which Seb's 

former classmate's band played. But in reality, the teens were in bed by 11:30 and I baked and maked until 2!

However, I was still first up to use Lorraine's fabric gift bags
(by the unlit fire because chocolate melts!)

and we devoured our overnight French toast with orange peel, cardamom, berries, syrup and toasted coconut.
Then it was gifts and the Open House - before tidying up and a light dinner of any healthy leftovers

The next day, I was gifted a day on the couch to read my murder mystery

We played the ridiculous Big Cheese game

Sophie modelling her new wellies

The kids did all the dog walks that day

And then to wrap up the holidays,
 I made a simple and quick tomato & tapenade tart

It was to emulate a delicious snack that Seb had adored in France.

It's bacl to (virtual) school and work this week. We all survived 2020, so bring it on 2021!!