Are you familiar with that conversation where you discuss what mega star / demigod you might invite along to a dinner party? You know, Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Gandhi and Oprah all back to mine for vol au vents and spag bol? (Nightmare). Well, it was had amongst a small gang of us out to dinner … Continue reading I’m Voting Yes
I Am
This Constant, Lingering Sense of Grief
The small fella needed to renew his passport. A true sign of the times when you're not even four and you're already on your second piece of international documentation. The photos made for a fun comparison - our little man, more 'himself' now with his curly head and emerging freckles and still-little nose. Much less … Continue reading This Constant, Lingering Sense of Grief
You Can’t Keep A ‘Real Me’ Down
'I had a whole life before you came along, you know'; something my mother often informed us of when we were small. We didn't believe her though. Most photographic said-evidence was in black & white and tarnished by other-era styling. It looked more like an air-brushed version of our mother's face had been stuck onto … Continue reading You Can’t Keep A ‘Real Me’ Down
Itchy Spring Feet
There's a want in me. Not generally - well, at least not constantly. I have itchy Spring feet to be places and see things and do stuff. It must be after the long Winter - and, take it from me, it was loooong. I try not to crib about our climate / meteorological situation because, … Continue reading Itchy Spring Feet
Then There Were The Cranberries
I think we all have a soundtrack to our lives. Those songs that evoke all the memories, all the feelings, passions and failings we've been through. If that's true, the soundtrack to encapsulate me, Laurie, aged 15 - 20 would probably be the 'Gold' album (so far, anyway). A double album (obviously) crammed with 90s … Continue reading Then There Were The Cranberries
More Wishes Than Resolutions
Is it OK if I try my best to just keep going next year? You know, hang onto my hat and all that? New Year's Eve makes for an unavoidable dance-off with the ghost of your year past, but right now I'm happy enough to look back on the various jigging, twirling and (at times) … Continue reading More Wishes Than Resolutions
Christmas Cake Ticks All The Boxes
Could I feel any more smug after making my Christmas cake? It's sitting outside in the kitchen as I type - wrapped in foil, in a tin, in the press. (Don't ask, but you don't put Christmas cake in a 'cupboard', you put it in a 'press'). The creation is officially my pride and joy … Continue reading Christmas Cake Ticks All The Boxes
Taking Black Friday Back
Some things are difficult to come out and admit to. It's the fear of being judged, of being thought 'odd'. I try to fit in, I do. Before my recent trip to New York a good friend mentioned the phrase 'Shop til you drop' and I nodded earnestly. You see, it's not really 'fun' to … Continue reading Taking Black Friday Back
When Nothing Much Happens
Winter is upon us. I don't particularly announce this because our calendar tells us so, more because - in this house at least - we're finally feeling it in our bones. So, for this week, we've gone into hibernation mode. It's easy to hibernate in the Burren. It's been four days since we left the … Continue reading When Nothing Much Happens
As Long As We’re Out, Together
How's your date life? Lacking in excitement? Last on the list after 'use a night cream consistently' and 'do more crafty-type-stuff with the kids'? If you're not nodding enthusiastically, frankly, I don't want to hear from you. You will only make me feel inadequate and elderly and my husband may want to swap us. Or, … Continue reading As Long As We’re Out, Together
