apr, 6th - ice-cream afternoons....

day 424:

it was the most gorgeous day in London......so i came home, threw on some sandals and Limi and i headed out for ice-cream. our neighbourhood cafe has at last reopened (hooray!) {see day 203}......proper pics of that soon.....

so down we wandered, grabbed a seat outside and with Limi perched on the table.....one spoon each and a small tab of vanilla ice-cream to share, we watched the world go by....Cherry tree blossoms showered the passing cars and the people headed home with beautiful sunny smiles.

what a good day for ice-cream.

ps. yikes.....teething....five teeth popped out ages ago and the rest are just toying with us......they seem to be arranging a mass appearance......

anyway, we're trying an amber necklace to ease the pain....well, and also cold ice-cream on those swollen gums......

mar, 25th - bleugh....

day 412:

even though we've been having the most delicious Spring weather this week and our neighbourhood coffee shop has re-opened {see day 203}...okay, it has new owners, a new exterior, a new interior, a different vibe (i miss the French jazz).....and they don't yet realise that we're locals.......

we haven't had the Spring feeling in our household.......... 

i've been perfecting the hacking cough and my throat feels like i've been gargling with vindaloo.....Limi's had a jab-related fever for two days and kept it interesting by trying to cut some molars at the same time, Jae has had pounding drums inside her head and A. came home tonight with a promising tickle in his throat.

bleugh.....our weekend plans may be less out-and-about-taking-in-the-Spring-blossoms and more curled-up-on-the-couch sharing the calpol spoon. at least we can try for a picnic on our inside-grass.....

hope that your weekend is more promising. x 

oct, 24th - our morning walk....

day 255:

since our neighbourhood coffee shop is still closed (see day 203), we have to walk a little further to get our morning coffee.....

what a beautiful Autumn morning,

leaves turning, 

weak sunshine trickling through,

touches of natural art everywhere you look,

and one small 8 month old who is already making style decisions....

insisting that her beanie be worn more like a beret.

sep, 3rd - so long chez kristof....

[chez k in the sun]

[chez k in the snow]

day 203:

our beloved, (took us in and fed us when we were renovating and had no kitchen), neighbourhood deli, coffee shop and restaurant, Chez Kristof (affectionately known as Chez K.), has closed its' doors. sob....

[bare shelves]

it's been sold on to another restaurant chain.......and they are renovating before they re-open (hopefully sometime soon....)

the deli/coffee shop is where A. and i took refuge when we were renovating our Shoe-box and didn't have a kitchen....

[this was the state of the kitchen at the time]

in fact, or a lounge.....it's where we would stumble down on a Saturday morning (okay...afternoon) pre-Limi, after a big night out, seeking caffeine.....it's where I waited out my ever expanding bump when Limi decided to delay her entrance 

[37 weeks]

and it's where we have spent many a day since.....when i was in desperate need of caffeine, adult conversation and a break from the 4 walls at home.....it was our neighbourhood community and we are decidedly lost without it.

the restaurant next door, spoilt us....we could skip down at the end of Long day, sit on the terrace and they would serve us amazing French cuisine, delicious red wine and the best Tarte Tartin in the world (it has to be......but feel free to send me yours and i will compare).

[day 3 with Limi]

the staff all got to see the Before and After....and from day 1 (okay day 3...we didn't quite manage to go down on day 1)...they have cooed and gurgled at Limi and made me feel cocooned in hot chocolate with my brand new baby.....plus there was free WiFi and a power cord.....I only had to go home to sleep.... really.

[the wonderful people at chez k]

it's left a gaping hole in my days......and i can't help but wince when i walk passed and see the stacked tables inside, lights off and doors firmly shut....so long chez k. you will be sorely missed.

aug, 28th - sad day for the locals....

day 197: our wonderful neighbourhood deli/coffee shop/restaurant closed its' doors yesterday. when i have recovered from the shock of wondering how i will spend my mornings.....especially a saturday, like today,.....i will write about all our memories that are intertwined with this gem of a place....