Solstice

You know when you float on your back in the lake, when your ears submerge and the noisy world is still there but all watery and subdued and far away? I sometimes get this sort of feeling around midsummer (and without necessarily going in the lake either). Everything slows down and the world is somehow … Continue reading

Thirty: My decade of being late.

So I’ve been pretty terrible at the whole Thirty Things malarkey. I’m not super fussed, mostly because it’s got me blogging again and brough lots of other adventures and stories my way. [Plus, I am secretly rather gleeful that I am shedding my hyper-retentive OCD list abiding ways. It was exhuasting.] And I haven’t done … Continue reading

Walking the Dalmeny Estate

Once upon a time I came up with Thirty Things to do when I’m Thirty. And despite the fact these thirty things never make an appearance on this here blog, I have in all actuality completed a good number of them. Well, like half. So it’s time I play a little catch up. Today: Walk … Continue reading

I Capture the Castle

This is one of those books I’ve always meant to read. Working in a children’s bookshop once upon a time, it was a go-to favourite for many of my colleagues. In the world of British kids lit it’s legendary, and I believe it is the sort of coming-of-age novel that’s as valuable and valid at … Continue reading

Red Velvet Cake

We like unconventional traditions in our house. They break things up and add spice to our everyday. Every year for our birthdays, we do two things: One is our birthday getaway which I mentioned already, and the other is cake. I know, I know. Birthday cakes are totally old news. But since we started dating, … Continue reading

Swingsets are for Grown-ups too

The tiniest whiff of spring has been gaining traction in these parts – and for my part, it seems to have come before it’s time. I can’t remember ever being caught off guard by sunlight like this. It’s a little unnerving. Not that I’m complaining, mind you.There is something rather pleasant about a shocking arrival … Continue reading

birthday

This weekend I am going to be 30. I’m ticking along with my Thirty Things [though I am direly behind in writing about them], which seems like resolution enough event for me. Generally I am really proud of the direction life is taking, even when it’s unexpected. Serendipitous even. So it’s time to celebrate the … Continue reading

Be by the sea. On Cramond Island

I love the sea. Always have, always will. It’s in my blood. My grandpa used to joke that my family is part-selkie. Sometimes I half believe him. More than a few weeks without a shoreline and I get a little stir crazy. So, as one of my thirty things for being 30, I’ve promised myself … Continue reading

Thirty Things Update II

I have been remiss. I started this blog to ostensiby track my Thirty Things for Thirty Years project. I’m just over six months in, which by my reckoning means the sand in the hourglass has gone down by a third. I haven’t mentioned anything about this whole shebang in ages, what with international travel and … Continue reading

Make Something [Festive &] Beautiful

Wait, it’s mid- November? When did that happen? Dearie me I am behind. With pretty much everything. Including all the stuff normal people do all the time. Like wash my hair. And buy vegetables. Oh well. Onward and upward dear readers! [just pretend it’s a time warp I guess. that’s what I do] ~~~~~~~ Thirty … Continue reading