{Quality time} ... in Paris

Oh if only to rewind a whole year - I'd be back in beautiful Paris with my mum and sister.  It was freezing cold but there was more than enough mulled wine, hot chocolate and .... oh, French champagne to keep the chills at bay.  A white-out in the UK meant our flight home was cancelled so we had to stay an extra night ..... What a shame, I hear you cry - except we could only book into a flea-ridden hotel next to the train station!  On the plus side...

Our Parisian highlights:
... Walking away from Le Tour d'Eiffel over the bridge to turn and see it light-up.  I know Parisians find it tacky but we LOVED it!
... Drinking champagne on the Champs Elysee
... Taking a wrong turn and ending up on the beautiful Place Vendome
... Queueing forever for the Monet exhibition at le Grand Palais.  We made our own entertainment
... The Christmas market at La Defense where we devoured raspberry macarons and met Santa Claus!

{Take action} Taking time to remember my very special Dziadek...

I had a wonderful Dziadek - for those of you that aren't fluent in Polish (!) that's Grandfather to you and me.  It's funny as a child - you're brought up in a family where, in your mind, your parents and grandparents have always been the age they are right then and there.  It never crossed my mind to imagine Dziadek as a young man, a person.  In my mind even then I knew he was a strong, unique person - so unique that I've never met a person like him since or imagine I ever will again.

He passed away when I was eleven.  Too young to know the unique qualities that I know were him through and through.  Too young for me to appreciate him fully and express my love for him.

So, tomorrow at 11am I will be thinking of him.  He served his country and was proud of it, that I know.  But I will be thinking of how proud I am that he survived his harsh reality and lived to create such a wonderful legacy.  My beautiful mum and my aunties, lovely Anne and Halina.  Of his son-in-laws.  His grandchildren - especially his beloved boys.

I will be thinking of the mark he impressed on my young life and the vivid memories I hold of this wonderful person:
.... the BIG hug awaiting us when we went to visit.  Him standing at the kitchen door
.... his smell
.... the home-brew in the airing cupboard
.... his beautiful garden, his pride and joy
.... the greenhouse and his prized tomatoes
.... him getting a sun lounger out for us at the slightest hint of sunshine
.... my first EVER trip to McDonalds with the vouchers he'd cut out of the newspaper
.... the krufki (baklava) we were treated to on our visits to the Polish stall at the market
.... the sounds and heated energy of him playing cards with my parents
.... the hush we had to keep when he was watching one of his Westerns
.... the very "individual" way he would eat chicken!

I could go on and on.  I am extremely lucky to have known and be a part of my Dziadek. 

I can't remember if I ever told you, Dziadek, but I love you x


Image: One

{VIP} Happy birthday Pappa B!

Wishing a very happy birthday to my wonderful Dad.  Love you loads x

{VIP} Birthday wishes

I love birthdays.  And one of my favourite things about birthday celebrations is choosing the card that's just right for that special someone and then forming the perfect message to scribe on the inside - a message brimming full of the proverbial best wishes.  


This week celebrates the birthdays of two of my most cherished people - my beautiful friend Janey today and my little brother, a complete one-off, tomorrow.  Wishing them both the year that they truly deserve - magical. Love you both x x


Photos: Donna Hay

{VIP} Happy Mothers Day

There's not enough words to express how much mum has done for 'her babies' and how grateful we all are to her for her love and support.  Happy Mother's Day mum, we love you!! x

{Take action} Get yourself connected

I was stopped and asked for change for a parking meter yesterday and, as this stranger and I exchanged grubby coins, we got chatting. It was only a few minutes but enough for me to find this person likeable - in short, we made a connection. Her parting words to me were "I'm so glad you came walking by" - feel-good factor!

It got me thinking. I walk that same street almost daily on my way into the city and don't think I've ever, in my five years of living here, spoken with a complete stranger on that route. Or in the lift of my apartment building. Or my local shop ..... you get the picture, right!?

My friend Rachel is an expert in 'connecting'. She met her future husband, me and probably countless others by taking the risk to get talking to someone new. Of course it helps that Rach is bubbly, confident and has an infectious energy so she's exactly the type of person you'd want to get chatting to but, you've got to hand it to the girl, she puts herself out there. And as I stand beside her as her bridesmaid on her wedding day, I'll be grateful that she did just that more than 14 years ago. So let's get connecting, people - you never know who that stranger might become!

What's your story? Have you had a chance encounter that changed your life?  Please share it.


Photos: Courtesy of Lake Jane and Me

{mood} Heart full up

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." - Desmond Tutu

A rare occasion this weekend - all siblings with partners and babies back together with my parents in the home-stead.  And what a weekend!  It was the best of everything - an early start on Saturday morning with mum and Sis to talk wedding flowers while the boys were let loose with mountain bikes, followed by fell-walking with mum and dad to blow off the cobwebs (and then some!) and then a BIG family dinner on Saturday evening.  I can't remember the last time I laughed so much or felt surrounded by such love.  One lucky girl, signing out ..... x


Picture is Lovely Love my Family by Tuesday Mourning, found on etsy