Photo Diary: Week 16, Project 365

 It's been one of those weeks, when you feel listless. Thankfully, no drama of any sorts has happened, but I'm just going through a seasonal wave of feeling slowed down and empty, lacking energy and not sleeping well. My blog has been neglected for a week. If someone finds my mojo sauntering around, please send her back to me.

I'm very anxious for my elderly Mum in Russia, where the stats are far from reassuring. I miss her terribly, we haven't seen each other for a year and a half, and somehow it just hit me hard recently. 

We're sorting out Sasha's near future. Thankfully, he's been offered a place in college from September (did I mention that already?!), but as it is out of town and quite a long distance to travel, he would need his transport organised etc.

It's not all gloom and doom. Eddie and I have almost finished reading Hunger Games (book 1). Despite the fact we've only just watched the whole series, we're enjoying the book very much. It's such an original setting, with the most extraordinary characters.

Robins keep visiting me in the garden. I've put a little feeder for them, but of course, the fat chickens aka doves are there are well. They cannot hold onto the feeder, but walk underneath, looking for fallen crumbs.

Last autumn I planted a little Lonicera Japonica (edible honesuckle) in a big tub. It's doing quite well, and the first flower buds have appeared. It's very popular in Russia, and grows in the wild. The berries are sweet, and similar to blueberries. Don't know if I get any berries, as ideally you need two or three plants together for them to cross-pollinate.

Last year Ocado has dumped Waitrose (boo hoo!) and partnered with M&S, which is OK, but I still prefer Waitrose own products. They were running a competition, where you had to take a snap of their new Percy Pig truck. We kept an eye for them, but haven't spotted them anywhere. Of course, now that the competition is over, I had a delivery from Ocado in the Percy Pig truck. I had to take a snap to show Eddie that it actually exists.

I've had emails from Mediterranean Direct for a few years, but haven't bought anything from them recently (I did buy a gift hamper for my friend's 80th birthday once before).

We love Italian food, and they have a great selection of preserves, sweets and cheese. Sadly, I couldn't find any of my favourite Venchi chocolate.

Saffron-flavoured Pecorino is wonderful. I got a Slitti white chocolate bar for my husband, and he ate it in one go. Apparently, it was so good.

After a long time, my friend and I had our first coffee together. We were sitting outside, and my ass was pretty frozen on the icy cold chair. Italy it is not, to drink outside in the morning. Still, it was lovely to see my friend, and I surely enjoyed the latte.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner is one of the books I've read recently. I'm still editing my book review, but hope to publish it in a day or so. There's a dual timeline - present day and back to the 18C. The main protagonist is an apothecary who dispenses poisons to women to murder men who make their lives unbearable.

Things that bring me joy - flowers in the garden. The red tulips have such an intense red colour.

And how was your week?

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