To have a sweet tooth

The weekly food shopping done and it's time for dinner, wine and chocolate - highlight of the week.

We said to M that she could choose a bag or sweets or some chocolates in the supermarket but she said she didn't need any as she had already picked out some (i.e. dried fruit snacks). How healthy! We haven't been very strict when it comes to sweets but then she prefers olives, cucumbers and fruit...Don't get me wrong, she has sweets as well but somehow it doesn't seem as important to her as After Eight is to me. Or cheese.

I have a special relationship with After Eight. Must be something to do with childhood memories as my parents always had After Eight at their parties in the good old 70's. They used to have friends over, and I remember one of them clearly as he was a dentist, always wearing tartan trousers, and only ever allowed us (the kids) to chew sugarfree chewing gum (Sorbits, just the name...) that he brought in big tubs - meanwhile the adults were having After Eights. The next day I always foraged for that last hidden After Eight thin in the box and how lucky I felt if I did find one. If I wasn't as lucky I just had to comfort myself with the smell of the wrapping paper.

To now to be able to buy my own box of After Eight is one of those little things I get pleasure from. (It's the same story with Cadbury Fingers). And I haven't had Sorbits since. I'm also making sure history is repeated minus the Sorbits.

To have Friday

We get home early on a Friday as I can pick up M straight after school, I also work from home that day.

Lego was on the menu today.

To have a bit of Monday fun

 

For the first time as a family we went to enjoy Bonfire night (in Crystal Palace Park - better point that out as to not mistake it for Paris, or that we somehow were involved in the remake of War of the Worlds).

 

I asked Maya today if they had talked about it at school, as to why we celebrate Bonfire night/Guy Fawkes night as I have to Google it every year to remember - not something we celebrate in Sweden. She just said it was best to have the fireworks in the dark, and not in the morning... It's really nice though to have a bit of fireworks and some mulled wine in early November, when Christmas still seems a bit far away.

 

 



 

 

http://www.bonfirenight.net/

To have dim sum

A lazy Sunday, grey and cold, a perfect day for dim sum and noodles at our local Vietnamese bistro, Urban Orient. Tasty and "happy food" surrounded by lovely bric-a-brac, perfect.  It was appreciated after a day of Lego-playing and food shopping.

Time to enjoy the afternoon, it's already dark but we have candles, coffee, home made Swedish buns and a fridge/cupboard full of food - and best of all, 90 minutes of Downton Abbey to look forward to! Life is good. And on a Sunday afternoon I feel a bit extra grateful for the small things which are when you think about it, not so small.

To be near the dinos

 

We have a lovely park nearby,  just a few minutes walk from our house. Not everyone has got Victorian dinosaurs as neighbours. There is also a playground, a cafe, a lake and a small farm - great for a few hours of outdoor fun with the little one.

To have a day at home

Day off work and we've been quite productive; baking Swedish style buns, and clearing up all that mess (instead of mushroom stuffing).

The sun is shining so we'll soon be off to the park for some fun and fresh air - as fresh as it gets in London.

To stuff a mushroom, or not

You can tell a certain little person has been at home all week...Oh well, life's too short to stuff a mushroom (one of my favourite quotes  - thank you Catherine!)

No (office) work tomorrow - but who am I kidding, look at this mess! Better go and buy some mushrooms. And now it's time to hit the hay.