At the foreshore.

This tree has been cut down into a chair. Today was the first time we have been at the foreshore since it was finished so Christopher and Joseph had to have a seat and try it out.

Smart Martha Monday.

Last week, I had take Joseph to Adelaide for a MRI and to make the boys some backpacks for their pump consumables.  The MRI went well although we don't know what they saw or what they found from it. I suppose in this case, no news is good news. 

I cut out one backpack so should be able to finish it off this week. 

This week I also want to pray each day with Steve and get to adoration for one hour on Thursday.

I hope you all have a good week. 

The Avett Brothers!!!


(photo by Ryan Mastro)

Around here, we are huge fans of the Avett Brothers. Years ago, when I first bought their album Emotionalism, I listened to it over and over and over again. It gripped me from the get go and we still listen to them in some capacity every single day.

This morning I bought tickets to their June show at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. It's an outdoor venue which will be perfect for the girlie's first live show.

Mills doing her best Scott Avett impression:



On NPR's Tiny Desk Concert:



Live in a larger arena:

Naif Magazine.

Before there was Millz Coffee...there was Millie's motorcycle (featured here on Apartment Therapy). Another labor of love and my solution to her (and my) love of motorcycles (specifically, this one) and not being able to find a ride on toy that I liked the looks of.



About this time last year, the very lovely Rocío of Naif Magazine contacted me to see if they could do a feature about the motorcycle I made. Of course I said YES very quickly! Naif is a stunningly gorgeous magazine about design and kids and I was (am!) honored to have been a small part of it.



Emilia's magazine debut!!!



They sent me a hard copy of the magazine (it really is so beautiful to look at and hold!), but you can also see the article online here (page 31). Thanks again Rocío and the Naif Magazine team! We love you!

Shrove Tuesday and the start of Lent.

Today after mass, Christopher, Joseph and I stayed for pancakes with our parish priests and parishioners. We also had pancakes for afternoon tea since some Tom and Amelia had some friends over after school.

For lent, I am giving up sugar in my coffee. Daniel said I should give up coffee instead of sugar in it. I don't think he would be suggesting that if he lived here. I may try and have a few coffee free days. Will see how it goes.

What are your plans for lent?

Therese.

Smart Martha Monday.

My list last week was to get Lenten activities planned and be a bit more vigilant in looking after the boys sugars. I did both. I also took the week of facebook.

This week I have to take Joseph to Adelaide to have an MRI. I am also going to make the boys some backpacks for their diabetes consumables.

I hope you all have a great week.

ronde


ronde, at 66 hamilton place stockbridge, is mostly a funky bicycle shop with slick, smart and intelligently designed bicycles and bicycle gear. but it's also a cafe and art gallery.

ronde occupies two shop fronts with the cafe in the front of what was previously a butchers, complete with lovely old tiling. you can take a seat at one of handful of cute vintage 50s-ish tables and have coffee and sweet, cake type things.

the space has been furnished and designed thoughtfully and contains lots of really nice goods that you'd like to take home.

the coffee is well made by friendly people. soft milk, not too hot, rounded flavour. trusty partner very much enjoyed the espresso. my flat white was a wee bit weak but we'll be back.

- coffee: artisan roast
- coolness: beautiful bicycles
- website: www.rondebike.com
- dog-friendly



Happy Birthday Christopher.



Yesterday, Christopher turned 7. He had a great birthday. 

In the morning, after Brigette had been dropped at school, Christopher had his first ride in the front seat of the car. 

We went to the church to say some prayers and Fr. Paul was there. He gave Christopher a blessing for his birthday.

Last night we had birthday cake with Fr. Paul and today we went to Hungry Jacks with 8 friends to celebrate. The video above, is everyone singing happy birthday to him. Editing because my computer is not cooperating with me and I cannot get the video up yet. I will have a go at getting it up tomorrow morning. 

Happy Birthday Christopher. We love you very much and are so happy God blessed us with your life. May you have many more happy and blessed birthdays. 

Mum and Dad. 

Push UPS.

Steve has been doing push-ups every night. Tonight Joseph thought it would be good for Steve to do them with a bit of extra weight.

Valentine's for Me..and You!



We're not huge Valentine's celebrators, but I've been admiring this stackable initial rings from Moncadeu for awhile, so I decided to get myself a little Valentine's gift. They're so pretty!

Also, I've got a bit of a Valentine's gift for you too! Visit my facebook page for a special offer. Hurry! It ends tomorrow!

Smart Martha Monday.

I had two things on my list last week. I did them both. I was in bed each night by 10 but I didn't turn the light out till around 11.00 on Friday night and Saturday night too. I did our meal preparation and we have them all worked out for this week. I still have to cook our meat pie filling but should get it done tomorrow morning.

This week, I want to put caring for the boys diabetes on a higher responsibility. We had a couple of good weeks with them both and I have become complacent about caring for it. I haven't been checking sugars as much and haven't been checking up on Tom's care at school. I want to be a bit more vigilant in what I am doing. 

I also want to get some more planning done for lent and some activities we can do together as a family. 

I am also going to give up facebook for the week. I will still play words with friends but I am not going to be going and reading or posting status updates. 

I hope you all have a good week. 

Therese.


razzo st andrew square

razzo coffee is in st andrew square - the square of green itself. doesn't get much better than that for a top spot to park yourself (as it were).

it's a wee place with a couple of tables inside and benches to sit up to around the edge looking out. on dry days, there are plenty of tables outside at which to sit and watch the world go by.

you order at the counter with the friendly staff and service is quick and efficient.

the coffee is excellent.

- coffee: extract coffee roasters
- coolness: right in the iconic st andrew square



Weekend Wrap up.

We had a great weekend here. My mother and Daniel came from Adelaide for a visit. It was great to have them here.

I sewed a couple of tops for my girlfriends daughter so that Daniel could take them back.

Daniel, Sam and Madeline all went to a vocations afternoon at the church yesterday. I think they all thought it was worthwhile.

Last night we all went to mass early so that we could get to reconciliation before. Today I spent a fair bit of time preparing main meals for the month. I made chicken schnitzels and apricot chicken. Tomorrow I will make some spaghetti sauce and meat pie filling.

It was pretty busy here but productive. I hope you all had a great weekend.

Therese.

Prints!

When we moved into our town house (4 years ago!) this is what our wall of prints looked like. Obviously it was the height of the "Keep Calm" craze. Also, look how uncluttered our place was!!!...



Naturally, over the last four years our tastes have changed, as well as finding new artists that we enjoy. This is what it looks like now...And I can honestly say that I love every piece up there.

Since our town house doesn't get much natural light, we decided to switch out the black frames for white (and yes, I do realize there are still 2 black frames up there. I'll get to it). We also decided to fill some of the space with photos of Emilia since we don't have any other framed photos of her up in the house.



Last May, when we were in London, Herman and Emilia and I were wandering around Liberty and this William and Catherine print caught both of our eyes. It was only a week after the royal wedding and London was still abuzz with all the excitement of it. Whenever we travel, we try to find something not too souvenir-ish...this print was the perfect thing to take home. It was designed and screenprinted by James Brown.



The sweet apple ("Apple Papple) and pear ("Pirum Parum") prints are by the massively talented Elisabeth Dunker of Fine Little Day. I picked up the owl in a little shop in the Mission and can't remember (or find) who the artist is (which really bugs me).



Back in 2004, while on vacation in Prague, we picked up this amazing little print (in pencil) from a street artist on the St. Charles Bridge. I always wish we would have grabbed at least another one. My brother in law was the smart one...I think he went home with three of them.



The London print and the balloon print are by Blanca Gomez.



Last of all we have these really lovely Beatles prints by Oliver Barrett.

Happy Birthday Joseph

2 years old today.

Here is the post that I announced he was on his way.



Here is the post Steve did when Joseph was born.


First Birthday celebration and some cute photos and a video from his first birthday.


Happy Birthday Joseph.


Tahoe Weekend.








We spent this past weekend in Tahoe with Herman's cousin and his wife and their two adorable boys (whom Emilia adores). It was Emilia's first time in the snow and first time skiing. Although I'm not entirely sure you can really call it skiing. Herman did all the work and she just rode down the hill with him. Nonetheless, a good time was had by all. Including me and Rachel...we skipped the snow and the cold and instead stayed cozy and warm in the cabin, chatting and watching Lost. Yup.

By the way, Herman's glasses are killing me. He forgot to bring his, so at the lodge he let Mills pick some out for him. I have to say he's much braver than me. She, of course, loved it.

Smart Martha Monday.

last week, I only had two things on my list.

To get up and pray early each morning before the children got up and to make some new tops for my friends daughter.

I got up early every morning except Wednesday and Friday. I didn't finish the tops for my friends daughter though. I think I should be able to get them finished this week though.

This week, I want to be in bed every night before 10.00. I am also having my big cook this weekend for our main meals.

I hope you all have a great week.
Therese.

spoon

spoon bistro and cafe is upstairs on the first floor at the corner of nicholson and drummond streets.

this is a lovely big space with lots of big georgian-sized windows across the front and plenty of tables and chairs to choose from.

it's quirkily furnished with a combination of seemingly vintage 1950s to 70s touches - bookshelves, light fittings, chairs and coat stands. they've also done cute job cutting up some magazines from the era to decoupage some of the chairs. it all adds up to a great feel unlike any other cafe we've visited in edinburgh.

the food deserves separate mention as there's a large choice - too much to go into for a coffee review - and we've eaten here and enjoyed it on previous visits.

so, the coffee...is a cracker. the flat white came in a cute retro cup of the perfect size. milk texture was lovely and soft and the temperature perfect. it was strong, round and complex without any residual bitterness. loved it. on the a-list.

- coolness: airy retro decor
- website: www.spoonedinburgh.co.uk


7 Quick Takes.


Thanks so much to Hallie from Betty Beguiles for hosting 7 quick takes for the next few weeks while Jen finishes of her book.  

-1-

This week was the first week of school term 1. We had a good start on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday were hard days but today seemed better again. I am glad it is the weekend and we can sit and relax a bit again. 

-2-

Next Tuesday, Joseph turns 2. I cannot believe how fast it has gone.

Here are the first photos Steve put up of him the day after he arrived.

Here is the video I did on his first birthday.

-3-

On the 11th of February, Christopher will have been on the pump for 1 year. He is going really well with it. Whenever the boys have a significant event to do with their diabetes, I give a donation to The Faustman Lab.

-4-

Tonight the children are watching The Sound of Music. It is on the top of my list of favourite movies from my childhood. One of my most memorable birthday presents was the soundtrack from the movie.

-5-

I decided tonight to change the colour of my blog. I may change it again when lent starts.

-6-

Only two and a bit weeks till lent starts. I am starting to prepare activities for the children to do at home. Catholic mom has some great ideas for lent.

-7-

Next weekend, Daniel and my mother are coming for a visit. We are looking forward to seeing them both.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Therese.  

peter's yard - quartermile

peter's yard - quartermile at 27 simpson loan is part of the quarter mile development and specialises in 'artisan' breads, eat in or take home. they've got lots to choose from including sticky buns, cakes, tortes, crisp breads and very yummy looking pizza among others.

you order and pay at the counter with friendly staff who then bring your food and drink to you.

lots of light streams into the modern space and you can sit up to benches looking outside or a mix of communal and smaller tables.

their coffee is excellent.

we've sampled both the flat white and cappuccino and both are seriously cracking. rich and robust with creamy soft milk. the flat white in the traditional smaller cup, perfectly formed.

among the best coffee in edinburgh, without a doubt!

- coffee: artisan roast
- coolness: a stone's throw from the meadows
- website: www.petersyard.com

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