Summery Days, Lazy Times...

Summer continued when I got home to Manchester with my brother's 13th birthday. A teenager, wow! We had a scrummy cake and plenty of other delights with the family to celebrate!



The brother and I cooked a delicious asparagus and cheese tart one summer's evening...



The mummy and I decided to go out for dinner one night, my treat! We went to the delicious Giraffe restaurant. We had one of their original smoothies each - Mum had Fluffy Giraffe and I had Giddy Giraffe. We most definitely ate our fill!




I ventured into the garden late one afternoon to catch up on writing some letters and making some cards. The sunshine tempted me out and made me temporarily forget about the pollen - I was sneezing all evening!



Finding delight in the every day is so key for me. This summer isn't about massive adventures abroad and big things; it's just about appreciating all that I am blessed with every day.

[number seven] & [number sixteen]

go out dancing & cook a vegetarian meal for my friends

Number sixteen preceded number seven. A yummy vegetarian ratatouille, packed full of aubergine, tomato, red onion, button mushrooms and juicy peppers accompanied with crusty french bread...

Perfect preparation for a night out dancing with the girls. Great fun minus the strange rappers that appeared...

Things I did in 2009...

What did I accomplish in 2009?

* put my blender into use and started making soup
* survived taking four courses at uni in order to change my degree
* had my first birthday in Edinburgh
* passed my first year at Edinburgh
* saw some brilliant films either big blockbusters, little ones in alternative filmhouses or curled up on the sofa with great friends
* visited Cardiff and Barry Island
* went to Somerset
* saw friends in London and then 'Hairspray' and 'Romeo and Juliet' with the lil sis
* volunteered
* spent two weeks in the highlands with my family
* spent three weeks in America with some great friends
* kind of got over my fear of flying i.e. I didn't cry too much. Perhaps it would be better to say I didn't let my fear stop me from doing what I wanted
* climbed Mount Laffayette in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
* went to NYC
* ate lots of new American foods for the first time
* saw the White House, lots of cool art, monuments and museums in Washington DC
* went to the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, an amazing experience
* survived an American public bus
* saw my first baseball came
* returned to Edinburgh for second year
* had to say goodbye to a close friend
* enjoyed sewing at the cath kidston shop
* had many a wonderful breakfast at a number of little cafes in Edinburgh
* kept on with the Swahili
* visited friends
* wrapped up my Christmas gifts in brown paper and beautiful ribbon
* saw the new year in at hogmanay