The Purge
In a couple of weeks I will live in the New House. (Can we say “Yay!”?) Of course, in Edinburgh, new is a relative term. The New Town was designed in the 18th Century. The University’s New College is the quintessential example of the Victorian gothic-revival. And my New House is far away from both. … Continue reading
Squash, the king of the season
The leaves are turning. The mornings are misty. I can see my breath when I sit in the window. …and I definitely have soup on the brain. This week, I bring you something sweet, but with bite. Something soft and romantic, with a hint of fiery passion. This is made for sharing on long, lazy … Continue reading
Comfort Soup for cold Autumn evenings
You know those days where it never stops raining? That first morning of autumn where your alarm goes off and it’s still dark outside? When the day ahead of you is filled with investments and contracts and not nearly enough Unicorns? Those days require autumnal fortitude. And Jimmy Stewart. Possibly also a killer peacoat and … Continue reading
Sprucing up the house
In a bout of unprecedented domesticity, we spent part of our weekend in Homebase. Coming home after such a long absence has been a blessing and a curse. I feel a renewed sense of purpose and focus now my life has been thrown into rather sharp relief. But I also spend everyday surrounded by the … Continue reading
Independence Day: or how to roast a chicken
It’s almost the 4th of July. One of my favourite holidays, and yet another opportunity to subject my ex-pat acquaintance to a good dousing of Americana. This year, I heartily recommend blending two of America’s best culinary clichés (preferably while humming patriotic anthems): barbecuing large quantities of meat, and using an eclectic spice fusion reminiscent … Continue reading
Hello, Monday
It’s a dreary Monday morning. It hasn’t rained for one day out of the last, I don’t know, fifteen? I’ve lost count. A blustery haar is rolling across the city and I am loath to separate myself from my pjs. Haar: an excellent word. Imagine outside looks deeply foggy. Imagine that fog is actually lowlevel … Continue reading
New Season Salad
Spring in Britain requires a little bit of flexibility. Some days it’s 70 degrees and sunny. Some days it’s freezing hailstorms. Lots of days it’s both, usually in quick succession. I like all this variety. Keeps things busy and my world feels alive. Plus, I take it as a personal challenge. Can I possibly dress … Continue reading
Platters of wholesome goodness
It is a bright, stormy day and my head is full of heavy things. And while I want to believe being all grown-up, facing these things head on, and standing up for what I believe in will always turn out for the best, I need a mini-hiatus. The kind made of toasted crumpets and fuzzy … Continue reading
Meet Ollie
Our family is growing. (No. NO. Calm down. There is no bun in this oven. Promise. Unless you mean cinnamon buns. Then you’d be right.) We just have this habit, ever since we started dating many moons ago, of naming things. The first gift I ever gave Bean was a fern. He named it Cornelius. … Continue reading
Que Sera Sara? 