A Look Back at Your Own Family.

Looking at old pictures of my grandparents i find myself looking for every tiny bit of me in them. I don't have to look hard at my grandmother. We look exactly the same. If only i could fit into all of her amazing old clothing. 21 inch waists are hard to come by these days.

Sometimes...

Sometimes we do inexplicable things. Today i decided i wanted to make plum jam and for some reason had it in my head to just buy a whole box of plums. I'm not sure if i thought that they would reduce down a huge amount, or whether i was just forgetting that that is a whole lot of plums to make jam out of the blue. So now, i have many jars of plum jam, and maybe one of them has your name on it.

Speaking of which...

There's a new Canal House out soon... and as if that's not exciting enough that means there's a new updated website (thanks to my mama!) AND if THAT isn't getting you going... which it should, a recipe for one of my all time favorite drinks is up on the site. If this doesn't usher in spring i'm not sure what will. I cannot wait for this book to arrive, it's like christmas every few months with Canal House.

Forced Rhubarb.

Tis the season for beautiful Forced Yorkshire Rhubarb. There's something so alluring about eating something that is picked by candlelight so that it maintains it's bright pink hue and a certain sweetness. This also means it's time to break out one of my favorite Canal House recipes, because as far as i'm concerned they can do no wrong. Unfortunately, the recipe isn't on their site, but, almost exactly a year ago one of my favorite foodie bloggers adapted the recipe with white wine. I don't normally do it this way, but tonight it's all i had around. It still came out beautifully, and is amazing on its own, or with a bit of greek yogurt. Yay for rhubarb! I don't see getting tired of this any time soon.

A Week of Consumption.

(Photos via Sascha)

It's been a week of consumption and now it's time for a break. Back to normality and less eating and drinking.

Gallavanting.

My london partner in crime is back for a week. In short that equals more museums than a brain can process and more food than a stomach can handle, with extravagant drinks thrown into that mix.

Introducing...

My bike! After wanting to get one for over a year it finally happened. Thanks to a friend who got a new bike, i got this one, and i love it. Just a few more adjustments and it will feel like it's absolutely mine.

Rochelle Canteen.

Again, i've waited far too long to go to Rochelle Canteen. I decided due to the imminent closing of the restaurant because of the council i had better hurry up and check it out. This morning i went for breakfast and realized it was the perfect place to start my day. It's just the right amount of quiet, the tea, porridge and eggs i split were amazing and you feel tucked in and like you're keeping a bit of a secret once you're inside; entering through the gate you feel as though you're entering another world. It made me hope that all of the letters people have written petitioning to stay open are heard, and this place isn't closed to the public. If you haven't already send a letter asap. I'll be going as many times as possible until a decision is made.

Mondays Off.

I keep debating whether i miss having a traditional saturday/sunday weekend, or whether my current sunday/monday off are actually the way to go. There's something nice about having monday off when everyone else is getting back to the daily grind. Today i decided to make the best of sleeping in late on this grey day with delicious plum jam a friend made, scrabble, seinfeld and a pot of tea. I think that makes a strong case for having monday off.

Shadows.

I haven't been very inspired to write anything lately on this blog, and then today, there was some sunshine and somehow it made me feel a spark. I had forgotten how dismal february in london is. It's seriously mood altering in a way i haven't ever felt weather to be. My whole life i've enjoyed rainy days more than anyone else i know, save maybe one or two others who share my view of how completely cozy they are. However, rainy days in london aren't the same as rainy days back home. Here it isn't rain that makes a lovely noise on the window panes, instead it's a damp, cold mist that goes straight to your core and makes you shiver. And february, is day after day of that. The only upside is that when it's sunny you feel incredible.

The past two days have finally given me a bit of hope in the gloom. The sun today came and went, but while it stuck around i realized that because london has been so grey there haven't been beautiful shadows in a long time. Everything is matte. No shadow follows you around. And then today, all of the sudden, my shadow was back.

Just because...

Hemingway was amazing. I wish i could go back in time and have a drink with him.