Typically I finish Project 365 posts on Monday mornings, and would have done so with week 7, but last Monday morning we had a call from the son of our dear friends, telling us that his father died. We knew the end was imminent, and still, the news hurt. Our friend and his late wife were more than friends, they were part of our family, wonderful special people who kind of "adopted" us when we were a young couple. We got married from their house (while living with them). They helped and supported us in so many ways. I could never repay their kindness. A big part of our lives is gone with them.
Too upset, I kept crying all day.
Running into town on Sunday, I saw these white doves on the rooftops, and they made me think of the musical notes.
We recently bought an art poster from Postera for Eddie's room. It was his choice. I love the fonts of Hokusai's name, with the red sun instead of the letter O. He also has a huge Dune poster on one of the other walls, unframed. It's not a scene from the film, but an illustration from an old edition of the book.
I wasn't feeling well, and ordered McDonald's meals for my guys for dinner. Now we have two Friends toys from the collection, Monica and Chandler.
I read another book by Dick Francis, named Decider - my Mum recommended it enthusiastically. I didn't like it as much as To the Hilt. It is entertaining enough. The plotline is centred around the multi-million pound Stratton Park racecourse, which faces ruin in the hands of a squabbling family.
Lee Morris, architect by education and builder in real life (and also a father of six sons) who restores derelict houses, has inherited a small share in the race course (his mother was the ex-wife of one of the vile Strattons). The family can't seem to agree what to do with the Stratton Park, either to modernise it or sell to the highest bidder. One day Lee is approached by two gentlemen running the race track, asking to help preserve the race course. His eight votes could make a difference. Little does he know how quickly a simple request will escalate, putting him and his family in mortal danger.
The Strattons are a dysfunctional family and quite cartoonish too. Potential triggers: domestic abuse and violence.
On Saturday Eddie visited our friends for dinner, I tagged along, and stayed for dinner as well. The guys played Catan. I watched and chatted.
What else did we do this week? Watched Knowing with Nicolas Cage, a sci fi/dystopian thriller about a mysterious list of numbers that has predicted future disasters. I'm usually a fan of the genre, but I would not recommend this film. The ending in particular is absurd. Have you seen it?
A couple of years ago I was attending a book club at the local Waterstones. It was great fun, and I enjoyed it. Sadly the mid-week days were not super convenient, as that's when my husband is often away, which means I couldn't leave my guys on their own. I recently found out that the club is meeting on Sundays these days, and I'm considering of re-joining it. Not sure of the latest book choice, it's not really my genre. Perhaps I should wait until the next month.
Crocuses in town are looking much perkier than mine in the garden, which were left bedraggled after incessant rains. The snowdrops are almost all gone too. For some reason, there were not as many snowdrops as there used to be. I wonder if I can blame the rain?! Was it too wet for them? Typically our garden is carpeted with spring flowers, but this year it was less of a carpet and more of a scattering.
We have plenty of primroses though, yellow and white.
The fields nearby are still under water, though it is subsiding a little. You can pass through, probably even in big wellies.
It was my birthday on Saturday. Eddie and I went to Oxford, while my husband looked after Sasha. We had a late lunch at Itsu, and hit the shops at the West Gate centre, traipsing through the usual suspects, Uniqlo, T K Maxx, John Lewis etc.
We happened to watch some Latin and modern dancing in the little square next to John Lewis. I liked the youngest group the best, they were performing a dance routine to Mamma Mia, and people around were singing along and dancing too. I might have wiggled my bum as well.
I wanted to buy a patisserie cake to bring home. Sadly, all cakes at Paul's were of a mousse variety, and I didn't fancy any in particular. Eddie insisted we walked further up High Street to Saint Claire Valentine patisserie. When we came in, there were a couple of cakes in the window, alas, they were only for display. The chef happened to be there and we started chatting. I told him we were totally chancing it, and I was happy to buy a selection of delicious looking pastries. The chef kindly offered to make me a cake, if we would wait.
There was a choice between Red Velvet or Joconde. We opted for the Red Velvet. We waited while enjoying a coffee and a pastry. It was the end of the day, everyone left. The staff were chatting to us, wishing me a happy 21st birthday, so sweet. Really lovely friendly people working there.
The house where the cafe is situated, is many centuries old, like most buildings nearby.
The cake was superb, with chocolate cream, and a layer of fresh strawberries inside. Truly, one of the best cakes I have ever had in my life, and I surely had plenty of cakes. So delicate, not too sweet, the flavours were balanced perfectly. We all loved it. Eddie declared that he wants a cake for his birthday in summer from the same patisserie.
Top marks for the cake and brilliant service. I was so touched that the chef made a cake for me personally.
