cheers!

me last week at with my 70,000 word celebratory mango lassi - more on that later!

Seasons greetings everyone! I thought I'd just stop in quickly and wish you all the best for the holiday season. May you be safe, happy, well fed and relaxed in your celebrations!

Sorry for the few weeks absence - perhaps I should wish you all a happy Easter while I'm at it.....

Thank you for taking the time to read my little blog and its various ramblings this year. Your encouragement, kindness and words of love, support and inspiration have meant so much to me. In turn, thank you for allowing me to share your journeys as well. It is a privilege.

Bring on 2011, where no doubt there are more goals to kick and more dreams to dream.

My love and my best to you all. See you on the other side! xxx

PS: This is the view from my parents-in-law's house at the moment! A white Christmas!! Huzzah!

green gloves

I am always so touched by a handmade gift, and even more so when it is a complete surprise! These arrived on the weekend from my friend in Hobart, and are absolutely perfect. I have been wearing them non stop, and probably will be for the entire winter. And they're green! Thank you Kris!

Oh, my clever friends who can knit! I am envious! My nan taught me when I was about eight, but my efforts were always riddled with dropped stitches. I've tried to learn again as an adult, and have been trying to knit a snood since April 2009! I'm hoping to finish it on our 5 hour train journey to see Tom's family for Christmas, so I might have a chance of wearing it this winter....dropped stitches and all :)

Can you knit? Or crochet? Or are you like me and are mistress of cross stitch? :)

roses and violets

Photo by my friend Kiki, who has an iPhone :P

I think Melt might be my new favourite chocolate shop in this fair city. On Saturday, while Christmas shopping, my friend Kiki and I stumbled into this chocolate lined oasis in Notting Hill.  They were morsels of heaven.  Pictured above are the roses and violets, which were gorgeously floral in flavour rather than sickeningly sweet.  My favourite was the blackberry and ginger.  Autumnal, earthy, fruity and luscious, like a beautiful red wine.

Melt
59 Ledbury Road
Notting Hill
London
W11 2AA

Mon-Sat 10am-6:30pm,
Sun 11am-4pm

to the shops (and post office)

Picture from Natalie Dee.

I always breathe a sigh of relief when the Australian leg of my Christmas shopping is done, I have braved the post office queues and made (in fact beaten!) the deadline for international posting! YAY!

A few gifts still to be sorted but thankfully these are coming courtesy of an artist in Queensland and a bottle shop in Hobart - somewhat easier to arrange delivery!!

Now it's time to hit the shops (Oxford Street, online or otherwise) for my UK family and friends! I've found, of all places, Notting Hill and Portobello Road really good for Christmas gifts this year!

And how are you all going with your holiday shopping?

tread softly, for you tread upon my coffee

This jar of instant coffee has been in my pantry since August, when my parents came over for the wedding. Only Dad drank it!

I can't bear to throw it away just in case he and Mum happen to pop over for a coffee one weekend. It's silly, because of course they can't. But keeping these things makes me forget that the ones I love are as far away as they are.