Photo diary: Project 365, week 8

Art and books, is there a better way to escape? This week was busy with art projects and reading, and garden work.

Instagram is a bit of a black hole for me, when it comes to looking at the recipes. There is a young Russian chap called Dima who makes all kinds of dishes which bring back memories of my childhood and uni days. A few weeks ago I watched him making olad'i. They are a cross between pancakes and fritters, popular in Russian and Ukrainian cuisine. I remember making them when I was a teen, and I haven't cooked them in many many years.

There are many variations, some are yeast-based, some use bicarbonate of soda, there is either flour or semolina. The recipe I used this time - 2 eggs, 2tbsp of sugar, a pinch of salt, 250ml kefir, 250g semolina, bicarbonate of soda 1/2tsp. Mix the ingredients, leave for about 20 minutes until there are bubbles on the surface, and then fry tablespoons of batter in lots of hot oil. Once cooked on both sides, place on the paper towels.

They are fluffy and tasty, especially with honey, or soured cream and sugar. Better eat them while they are hot/warm. They don't keep well, and don't taste as nice cold. I think I will keep looking for the recipe I used in the past, as I definitely added flour to the batter, but it was fun to try, and my guys seemed to enjoy them.

The only snap I did on Monday was when I was running home after grocery shopping, and was running out of ideas of what to take photos of.

Our garden is beginning to look prettier and prettier, with snowdrops and crocuses, which grow like weeds everywhere. We had a couple of dry days, so Eddie and I worked in the garden, clearing some of areas. I've been trying to cut down some of the creepers growing from the neighbours' sides. They are taking over the stone walls, and seem to be indestructible. 

Our Tokyo Box arrived this week, it's Valentine Day-themed, and as with the previous box, there are all sorts of sweet and savoury treats that we haven't tried before. Thankfully, there is a booklet, which explains what is what.

On Thursday Eddie travelled to Italy with his father to stay with his grandparents. They haven't been well recently, and were looking forward to seeing Eddie. 

Sadly, Sasha and I don't fly any longer, he is not able to cope with the airports and any possible delays. 

This is the photo Eddie took on the flight. 

I stayed at home, when Sasha went out with his PAs and cleaned his room (the only time I can hoover is when Sasha is out, as the noise of the hoover upsets him). 

As mentioned in the previous weekly post, I have been collaborating with Penandinkchallenge, creating a week of Calligraphy prompts. It went really well, and I am very pleased with how many people took part. It was a joy to see all their creations.

For the last day of the week my prompt was Colour or Black and white. Typically I work in colour, and the black and white palette is a bit of a challenge.

I'm a big fan of The Umbrella Academy, and my sketch is the homage to the clever Tv series. "I think we are alone now" appears in the dance scene of the season 1. You might remember they are all dancing in their own space to the sound of this song.

I tried to do the glitchy fonts to reflect the glitchy universe.

I finished reading The Sun King and his loves by Lucy Norton. 

This was the third book about Louis XIV that I read this year (one fiction and two non-fiction), and it was the most informative, with beautiful colour illustrations. It's quite short and enlightening. 

And while he might have been a great king and all that, Louis XIV was truly a ruthless bastard. His attitude to women, especially pregnant women, was appalling. It's hard to imagine how someone could be so merciless. 

Another book I finished reading this week was The Creak on the Stairs by Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir. I bought this e-book a few years ago, as it had good reviews. 

It is set in the Icelandic town of Akranes. The main protagonist, Alma, returnes to her home town after a personal tragedy, and joins the local police force. A body of a woman is discovered near the lighthouse, and the investigation will uncover a series of long-hidden awful secrets and crimes.

It's very bleak, like many Nordic/Scandi Noir thrillers. The writing is atmospheric and the mystery is well-developed, though the dual timeline plot could be triggering.

And now I'm waiting for my guys to get back from their trip. How was your week?

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Photo diary: Project 365, week 7

 It feels more like spring, with snowdrops and crocuses in the garden, earlier mornings and longer days. 

There is a new cafe in town, named simply No.14 Wesley Walk. There used to be a popular cafe before the lockdown, but it didn't survive. The building was empty for a long time, and about a month ago they opened the doors again. 

Eddie and I went to check it out for a quick bite. I had a cup of chai, and Eddie fancied some blueberry pancakes with cream. A bit on the pricey side, but then again, a hot sandwich at M&S cafe is £6.50+.

We tried to go there yesterday with Sasha, but it was packed full, and there was a long queue to get seated. On the plus side, less people in his favourite place.

In the past few months, my husband and I have been watching the old seasons of Law and Order: SVU. There are 26 seasons altogether, and we're on season 24. 

Rafael Barba is one of my favourite characters. He is so elegant, and his outfitss are always stylish and impeccable. After five seasons, they got rid of him by making do something totally stupid and out of character (I still haven't forgiven them for that). 

He does an occasional guest appearance. 

We watched one episode in the morning, as my husband was getting ready to travel later to Paris. 

Sasha was out with his PAs for a couple of hours, and Eddie and I met after school to check out the Romanian store. They announced that they had Dubai chocolate. Looking at the price (£27.99), I said, Perhaps we don't really want to buy it. We got a box of Polish marshmallows in salted caramel instead (for the guys), and a bag of salted pickled green tomatoes (for me).

Our garden is beginning to wake up, with snowdrops poking out of soil here and there. Give it another week or two, and there will be a wild carpet of flowers.

Last month Eddie and I entered an Instagram competition with Bibigo and Squid Games (you might remember one of my previous posts with him posing with a Squid Game doll mask). 

We were thrilled to be the winners. The prize arrived earlier this week, including the green hoodie, a cool bag, mini figurines and Bibigo Tteok Bokki dumplings. Have you tried this Korean food?

My weekly haul of books to take to the charity shop. I finished reading Victorian Workhouse from My Story series. It wasn't as gripping as Slave Girl, though it does make you think and count your blessings.

Another book I finished reading is City of Ghosts by Ben Creed. It's a psychological thriller set in Leningrad, 1951, just a few years after the siege. These were the last years of Stalinism, one of the darkest periods of the Russian/Soviet history. The reality was bleak, macabre and brutal enough, without an added gore of the plotline. 

The authors (Ben Creed is a pseudonym of two writers) clearly know the Russian history well, and have created an authentic background, with the paranoid horror and fear written convincingly.

The main plot is rather convoluted, and you can guess the villain quite early on.

Saying that, I might read the next books in the series, just to find out what happens to the main protagonist.

It was Valentine's day on Friday, and I received a box of chocolates as a gift, a fancy Hotel Chocolat one, (didn't expect anything, to be honest). I did sample just one, but alas, the rest of the box was gobbled up by my lovely Sash, who always thinks that if a box of chocolates or biscuits is open, it's fair game. I should have hidden it better and shared with everyone. Oh well.

For the last few days I have been busy, getting ready for my Instagram collaboration with Penandinkchallenge. I could choose any theme and prompts.

I opted for Calligraphy because I wanted to challenge myself. I find drawing and painting much easier, and have always admired people who can do calligraphy.

As mentioned in my Insta posts, I am making lots of mistakes with spacing and placement. I found a few books in the charity shops which explain the basics of calligraphy fonts and techniques, and enjoy learning new skills.

My week started yesterday, and I'm excited to see how everyone interprets my suggested prompts.

School midterm break has begun. What are your plans?

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Photo diary: Project 365, week 6

If I were to choose one word to describe the last week, it would be "showtime". In the last couple of months, Eddie's been taking part in numerous rehearsals of Bugsy Malone. And finally, the time has come to perform in front of the audience.

I keep taking snaps of books that I've been reading. It's an on-going never-ending de-cluttering mission, this time sorting out books from Eddie's room. We decided to move some of the favourites, like full collections of How to train your dragon, Murder most unladylike, Alex Rider, Sculduggery etc (keeping not sure for whom, perhaps for my future grandchild?) in boxes to the attic, and also take those books that we definitely won't be reading again to the charity shops for other children to enjoy.

Before saying Good Bye to some books, I thought I'd read them myself.

Slave Girl/ The Diary of Clotee, Virginia, USA, 1859 from My Story series is a heartbreaking, moving read, even when you know about slavery. It is based on the story of a real person, Clotee Henley. Her story was first recorded in 1939, when she was 92. Clotee served as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping over 150 people to escape slavery. It's an incredible story, and so well written. 

The series is aimed at a younger audience, but I found it truly gripping, and kept reading late into the night, hoping to find out if Clotee herself manages to escape.

The second book, Victorian Workhouse/ The Diary of Edith Lorrimer, England, 1871, is another story of survival through adversity. I only read a few pages so far.

On Monnday the only snap I have taken was of my husband and Sasha walking towards the cafe. Sasha loves going to cafe Nero. I usually accompany them, queue for drinks and food and then leave them alone before running my errands.

The Bugsy Malone crew had four performances in one week, one a daytime show for the younger audience, and three evenings in a row for families and friends. It was quite intense.

As we were not allowed to take any photos, I asked Eddie if someone can do a snap of him at the back stage. 

One of his mates, a boy I've known since the primary school, was doing a part of Fat Sam, and he was brilliant. Actually, they all tried their best, and did a good job.

I went to see Eddie on stage on Wednesday. He had a small part of one of the Dandy Dan's gangsters and said just one line, though he did take part in action throughout the production, running around the hall with big guns and shooting foam.

It was a joy to see how much fun they all had.

It also brought back memories of my own school days, and taking part in the production of Moliere's Tartuffe. It was the high school competition, and each class had chosen a play to perform. Though we were truly the best, the first place was awarded to our competitors who've chosen a contemporary play with a socialist propaganda slant, romanticising the revolution. 

I loved Moliere's play, it is truly a timeless comedy, and I also loved being on stage, especially wearing the period costume and the fancy wig. 

It being one of my cherished memories, I'm so glad Eddie has enjoyed the similar experience. 

Here is a snap of the play programme.

On Thursday it was my husband's turn to see Bugsy Malone. He enjoyed it too.

I baked an apple tart for my guys, and served it with custard. 

If I were to go to an addicts anonymous meeting, I would say that I'm addicted to books. Even when I don't plan to buy any, I just have to pop into the local bookshop to look at the books, do a quick browsing. It is one of my top favourite places in town.

We do have the whole set of the Huger Games books, but I'm allowed to admire the new edition of the series. I have also pre-ordered the prequel, which comes out in March. Isn't it bizarre to think that Hunger Games has been a banned book in several states in America. So, the gun violence is acceptable, while books are banned.

On the way to Sainsbury's, I stopped for a second to take a photo of St Mary's Church, beautiful in all seasons and weathers.

Overall, it was a positive week. I've been feeling much better (hope I don't jinx it). And the days are getting longer, have you noticed?

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Photo diary: Project 365, week 5

 I'm so glad January is over, and good riddance. It wasn't a very good month for our family, and I wonder what February has in store for us all.

Last Sunday I didn't take any photos except of the two rotten blood oranges, which I emailed to Abel and Cole, politely saying that I expect the oranges to last more than four-five days. As much as I love the idea of Abel and Cole, they don't always have the freshest plant produce.

Rather than show the rotten oranges from Sunday, here are two pics I did on Monday. 

I popped in the garden to check if anything is already showing any colour. So far I couldn't find much except these pink blossoms (please don't ask me what they are called, I'm terrible when it comes to botany).

Last week I mentioned the Korean brand Bibigo. Eddie and I went to Oxford the previous Saturday, hoping to find Bibigo Squid Games products, we couldn't find any, but we did venture into a Chinese supermarket and got some fancy KitKats, snacks and enoki mushrooms.

I bought Bibigo dumplings on Ocado. We tried the green chilli ones, and oh my, the filling is pretty hot. Eddie enjoyed them, as he loves spicy food. 

I drew a Squid Game doll mask for him, to make an Insta post, he kindly obliged me for the photo. I bet he was rolling his eyes behind the mask. 

More food pics. On Tuesday I baked an Italian cake Margherita, it is a tasty fluffy cake, served with just a dusting of icing sugar. My guys love it. It disappeared pretty fast.

I made a semi-resolution to give a second chance to some books, which I started in the past but didn't finish for a variety of reasons.

Eight Pieces of Silva by Patrice Lawrence was the book, which I was reading together with Eddie over a year and a half ago. We went through one third perhaps, and then he asked if we could choose a different book. 

Sadly, we don't read together any longer, though I wonder if I could tempt him with the new Hunger Games prequel coming in March. If not, I'm definitely going to read it myself.

Anyway, back to Silva. This YA thriller had good reviews, and was praised for the representation, in fact, it was recommended by someone whose opinion I trust. 

If you plan to read it and don't want any spoilers, skip the text now.

This book gave me the rage. 

One of the main characters, a teenager, is wasting her life with some lowlife, who has zero redeeming qualities. As the story unfolds, we find out he has a wife and a child, and a tendency of sleeping around. Despite knowing all that, our protagonist is ready to fight for this "treasure", even offering money to his wife to leave him and go back to her home country. 

I wanted to shake this girl. Honestly, where is your self respect? I understand that some women measure their worth by having a man, any man, in their life. But sheesh, I'd rather be alone for the rest of my life than waste it on such an off-putting boyfriend.

I finished the book, and it goes straight to the charity shop. 

Another book that I finished reading last week (I always have two-three books on the go at the same time) has been in my Kindle library for a few years. 

The Dark by Emma Haughton is an atmospheric thriller, set at the UN research station in Antractica. The main protagonist decides to apply for a job as a station medic, after the previous doctor died in a tragic accident. 

Running from the devastating events in the near past, Kate believes she can find peace of mind and tranquility in Antarctica. She is traumatised, not coping with the grief, and physical pain, and is a flawed character. Her own mental health makes her take some pretty unwise (bordering on criminal) decisions. It's hard to relate to her, but the mystery itself is gripping.

There is a dark, claustrophobic feeling of despondency and paranoia. The descriptions of the ice wilderness create a tense, hostile setting. Really enjoyed it.

This is a screenshot rather than a photo, as I read it as an e-book.

Usually I just have a cup of Earl Grey tea and a slice of toast in the morning. I don't eat yogurts or a breakfast cereal. For some reason I decided to make a batch of honey and peanut butter booster bars, using the recipe by H.Fearnley-Whittingstall from the old copy of The Guardian.

I have a bag of milled flaxseed from the latest Degustabox, which needs to be used, and I thought adding some to the energy bars might do the trick.

The bars were very crumbly. I cut a few pieces, then rolled the rest into energy balls, dipped into cocoa mix, and put in the fridge in the container. I prefer these bars as energy balls. They were tasty, and I might experiment with more different fruit and nuts.

And more pictures of food, sorry. Saw a video of young chap on Insta, baking a crumble pie with jam, which brought back memories of my Uni days, when I often baked a similar pie with whatever jam we had at home.

This one is made with a mix of bilberry jam and remains of cranberry sauce. 

Grate 200g of cold butter into 300g of self-raising flour, add 80g of sugar, vanilla sugar, mix into crumbs. Press 2/3 into a baking tray, lined with parchment paper. Scoop the jam on top, and add the remaining crumb mix. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 180C until golden brown. Serve with cream, ice cream or custard.

It's quite nice cold too, cut into slices.

All in all, not an eventful week, and thanks goodness. 

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