As Predicted

As accurately predicted, we woke up Saturday to a big snow fall, our green field suddenly was not looking so green...



Lola and Mummy got our winter coats out, Lola looking as thrilled as Mummy about the temperature change...




But thankfully, Monday has returned us to autumn, not very warm but at least sun shine and pretty leaves :)

Halloween Part One

Last night I went out to practice for my big Halloween do next weekend. I think it was a fairly successful rehearsal and I am confident I am ready for the real deal next weekend.

Human Again

Yesterday I woke up for the first time this week feeling human again, fully recovered from my trip last week. So I celebrated this fact by having a small dinner party last night, and have now woken up feeling a bit less human once again..


My favourite, Mexican mess :)


Marietta and Lola


Me and the newly married Mrs and Mr Adams, congrats!


My new 'rugby' friends, Chris and Pia

Weather People

I am not usually an 'in the moment blogger' but I am sitting in the sunshine, in me and Lola's favourite field feeling a bit sad. When living in the UK, I often wondered what the purpose of a weather forecaster was, as it is almost laughable how much they get it wrong. Which was good in someways as you had to be spontaneous and they always left you with hope. Well here sadly, my hope is lost, as they often get it right. And as I sit in the beautiful warm sunshine I am absolutely dreading the drastic change in weather predicted this weekend and may have to accept summer is definitely over :(
Good bye rolling green fields, hello brown mucky ones.

Pre and Post Suzanna

Pre Suzanna: coming home from holiday I would have arrived to the disaster I would have left, to no food in the house, basically to a cold, lonely, dark flat
Post Suzanna: came home to a sparkling, happy, warm flat with a dinner party all prepared.
She is one fantastic roommate and friend :)

The Fabulous Five

Just when the kids finally warm up to me it is time to go home. Last night Tracy hosted dinner with all the girls and their families, and the kids all finally played with me (of course they all think I am stark raving mad but I had to win them over some how). It has been so nice to see them all, they are pretty fabulous and I feel really lucky to have kept this bond.

My father has nick named us The Fabulous Five, I think it is pretty fitting myself :)

The House that Mum Built

I came to Canada to of course see my Dad and friends, but also to say good bye to my family home. I knew this would be difficult but think I under estimated just how difficult. This house,the property, the neighbors all bring back so many special memories, just looking out the window onto the beautiful property I can see all the people running around at our huge summer parties, or the people skiing across the property at the ski parties and so very clearly my mum forever mowing our never ending lawn. But it is sadly time to say good bye and start some new memories for my Dad and family in what, by all accounts is a beautiful place in cottage country.

The property is looking great, clearly my father has put a lot of work in.  It is also such a beautiful time of year.
Thank you house, for a life time of wonderful memories.

A Walk Further Down the Lane

So after returning from my walk with Amy, I decided to continue the journey down memory lane and pulled out some old photographs. As these were way before digital photos, I thought I would include a couple on here so that I always have them (also I was fairly cute and thought all must be interested in seeing!).

I think sadly most people learn the hard way how important it is to tell people how you feel about them, or thank loved ones for things they did for you. I was one of the luckiest girls in the world and i just wish I had realised it back then, my mother took me to figure skating lessons, horse riding lessons and shows, swim practices at 7am, tennis lessons and matches, baseball games and practices, ski lessons, girl guides, sea cadets, to name a few of the million activities I did. Looking back that must have been fairly difficult, what I would not give to be able to tell her now how much it meant to me.

But I can Dad, so Dad thank you so much for all the carting around you did, supporting me in everything I have done and for not getting angry about the 'bad pizza' I left all over your car that night ;)

A Walk Down Memory Lane

This morning, Amy, her son Carson and myself took a little stroll down memory lane. The tour started at the logical all Canadian...

Where I had a delicious French vanilla cappuccino and a pumpkin muffin (which was better than the same Starbucks version I had Monday). We then walked on past a building where I have some fantastic memories.

It looks pretty much the same, just a lot more houses built up around it and not as attractive as us teenagers milling about. We then headed 'downtown' passing by possibly the most famous Acton institution (bar the beer tent at the fall fair), the Olde Hide House.  Anytime, you mention Acton, people come back with 'Is it worth the drive?', thinking they are very clever (was a catch phrase in their commercials for years), even though they are the ten thousandth person to come up with the same joke. Then there was the Hotel...
Although changed hands now, and running as a restaurant now, the Hotel was one of our big socialising spots. I had many a night in there, some I remember very clearly, others not so much.
And finally, one of my favourite spots, the old Red Dog Cafe, where I worked, solcialised and had the odd glass of wine or bloody Caesar. I had some great times in this town and it was really nice to tour around and see how things have changed/progressed. I must say though I am pretty thankful that all my favourite drinking holes altered their business after I left...

My Adults

Even when I was a little girl I loved hanging out with the adults, I would sneak up stairs to hang out with them, leaving the children behind. So it was great last night to have some of those extra special ones over for dinner (they will always be the 'adults' and me the child in my head). My wonderful Godmother, and some of my parents best friends. It was great reminiscing about the past, playing one of my favourite games (reminding me where I get my competitive nature from) and catching up.

Donna head of the table, Ed and Bev beside her and beside Bev Donna's husband Fred (who one New Years had to chase some visiting boys away with threats of his shot gun) and beside Dad Aunty Janice.

Western Days

Yesterday Amy hosted a great lunch with our 'London' friends. These are the girls (and Dave) that we lived with during our University Days, like my high school gals we shared some great times and yesterday just added to that list. They, like my other friends all have beautiful families now but I must say besides that they have all really not changed one bit.

All Grown Up

I think because I have lived away so long, I just imagine that everything is the same as when I left Canada and funny enough people's lives moved forward. It is so amazing seeing all my friends with proper grown up lives, husbands, children, homes. And it was great last night to have all of them together and for me to meet so many of their children.

Dad, wore his cow boy hat because he thought I was so disappointed he did not wear to the airport (think he will find the right emotion was shocked not disappointed!).

My Oldest Nearest and Dearest

You know you have special friendships when three years melts away in two seconds. Last night Mandy hosted the Milton Ladies Wine Club (inspired by the Bruton and Basel Ladies wine club, we are going International) and my four oldest, nearest and dearest friends came. These girls are something very special and over the last twenty years we have been through a lot together, there are many moments in my life that I really could not have made it through without them (there are also many moments that we have shared that I would pay good money to keep between us!). It was an amazing night full of reminiscing, wine and shockingly no tears. And I cannot wait to do it all again tonight :)

You know it is a good night when it hits 3am and Mandy comes down wearing this costume...

Airports

I think the film Love Actually became one of my favourite films in the first five minutes when Hugh Grant is describing how he feels about watching people in arrivals at an airport. I, like Hugh's character, think they are amazing places to watch people. They are filled with so many emotions; excitement, love, joy, sadness to name a few. I never realised this or took the time to look around and watch until just over ten years ago when my relationship with airports and in particular Toronto airport changed forever. When flying into that airport was one of the most difficult times of my life, where exiting from the safety of the baggage pick up, into the real world meant everything became a bit too real and life would never be the same again. It is a moment that I relive every time I fly into Toronto airport, and although the initial landing always takes me back I not only remember the sadness but I also remember all the love and support I had that day (and continue to have). And now every time I go to an airport to collect someone or arrive in one I always take the time to look at the people and if anyone was doing the same tonight at Toronto airport they would have seen a very excited girl happily reunited with her wonderful father. I am so excited to be here after way too long and look forward to the following nine days spending time with my loving father, fabulous God mother and some of my oldest, nearest and dearest friends.
PS- if you fall into one of those categories, I hope you have the white wine and bubbles chilled :)

Arriving to my Dad not wearing his cow boy hat, which is fairly incredible, he usually is the British/Ontario cow boy (without a horse or boots, but the proper hats)!

Lola's Worst Nightmare

After the first very busy day of holiday, cooking, cleaning, organising, packing and lunching, I have awoken to a very panicked Lola. Have made sure windows are all secure and there is no chance of escape or to harms oneself (still not sure if first jump was an accident...). Now am on my way...

Poor Lola starts shaking with even the sight of luggage let alone when packed and by the door :(

The Way Forward

Even when holiday begins I cannot help but preach about mixed ability teaching....

Compliments of my fabulous sister:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/9590249/A-10-hour-school-day-and-music-lessons-one-free-schools-recipe-for-success

For instance, Hackney New School will be a mixed-ability school. There will be no setting, streaming or some other mechanism through which some students are told they can’t grasp more complex maths than 2+2=4, while others are taught differential equations. It has always been a mystery to me how anyone can expect 13-year-olds, who are being told they don’t quite cut it (and in a very public way), to respond in any other way than by performing badly in maths, or whatever subject it is that they are being “set” in.

What should happen instead – and what we will do at HNS – is to teach everyone how to solve differential equations; those who find it harder will just receive more lessons (eight instead of five in year 7, for instance). As far as I know, mixed ability teaching is completely normal in most European countries other than Britain. It is so obviously sensible – but it is also much more work for teachers and students. Imagine a time when dinner party conversations by neurotic parents worried about how “clever” their children are become a thing of the past.


LOVE YOU
xxx

Happy Thanksgiving

Well I must say I was pretty spoiled with food this weekend, Saturday night delicious and yesterday the most amazing Thanksgiving dinner.  I just love Thanksgiving, a reason for family and friends to get together and be thankful for each other without having to go out and buy a million presents to show this.  It was a great day, with great people and ended perfectly with the West Indies beating Sri Lanka in the 20/20 World Cup Cricket Final.

Beautiful Table

Beautiful Hostess

Beautiful Drink

Thank you Jen and Hayes for such a great day and Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians around the world!

Best Thai Ever

After a short lounge on the sofa (after bike tour) it was time to get up, get ready and get to Claire's birthday dinner.  Claire is a 'newbie' (me last year), a fab women and quite possibly a secret award winning chef.  Not only did she have the most amazing set up last night, everything looking beautiful, but her Thai meal was simply the best I have ever had (Thailand included).  I ate so much, that I probably could do with going on a ten hour bike ride today.   However, it seems like I will have to go over eat again today, as today is Canadian Thanksgiving :)

Two different curries, a delicious salad and amazingly executed rice, yummy!

Three Country Bike Tour

Today I awoke to a beautiful autumn day, with a bit of a fuzzy head, and this combination somehow made it easy to convince me to do a three country bike tour.  Since coming here, I have successfully avoided the bike riding, as actually fairly terrified of getting hit by a car or run over by a tram but today I conquered my fears and had a brilliant day.  We started off in Switzerland  headed to fabulous French bakery and then across to Germany for a cold beer and a not so German kebab (I stuck to the beer as kebabs are not so veggie friendly).  Four and a half hours later, I have collapsed on the sofa, happy I survived (I had a strategy of sticking close to Tess and Roran as thought everyone would do anything to avoid hitting a baby, thanks Roran) and ready to plan my next ride.

The Tour de France has nothing on us.

Happy Anniversary

One year on, we are larger, still growing and still having a fabulous time. Happy One Year Basel Ladies Wine Club!

Salsa Tuesdays

Last week I started a salsa course, and tonight I have just left my second lesson feeling like I am in the beginning of a great comedy film. We have the elder couple getting ready for their holiday, the very young couple getting ready for their prom, the disco couple stuck in another decade, and us singles randomly paired up. Tonight my partners ranged from a Swiss lady to a Swiss man who does not like having the same partner as they all fall in love with him (I actually laughed out loud before I realised he was serious). I can really see a film coming out of our little class, I do really love it and just hope when the film is produced that Jennifer Anniston plays me.

Somehow

Somehow, after very minimal sleep Friday and Saturday night, I managed to drag myself up at 7am Sunday to clean the disaster from the night before and start preparing for my lunch guests. And even more impressively, we met for a charity walk at 10:30 before returning to mine, for what I must say was a pretty scrumptious soup and I managed to stay awake the whole time and had a really lovely day.