Stuart – Blue Moment

Day 165 – Waiting

September 2, 2017September 27, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Family, StuartLeave a comment

I used to have a bad habit of being late. Luckily Stuart is (possibly) the world’s most patient person. When we started dating, he once waited for me for over an hour in a restaurant where we were supposed to meet. The waiter already gave him a sympathetic ‘I don’t think she is coming, mate’… But already then, Stuart knew me well. I did come.

In recent years, I have found myself to become more and more punctual (although Stuart might disagree). What makes this weird is that South Africa as a culture is highly un-punctual (depending, naturally, on the subculture) – I remember once arriving to a house party 45 min later than the invite indicated, just to surprise the host who had just gotten out of shower. Whereas in Finland, if you arrive 5 minutes late for a dinner, you are late. And should apologise.

I guess I just always have to be different.

Day 163 – Roadtripping

August 31, 2017September 26, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Africa, Stuart, TravellingLeave a comment

Road trips are a travel of choice for Stuart and me – to my mother’s absolute surprise. When I was a child, I could not keep my eyes open for more than 3.5 min in a car – if I was lucky. I still get snoozy occasionally, but luckily Stuart really likes driving. I just try to keep my snoozing limited to the boring bits.

Road trip in Namibia is on our near-future to-do list. One needs a 4×4, but the scenery is sure to be worth it.

Day 158 – Another walk, another pool of mud

August 25, 2017September 21, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Merlin, Nature, Outdoors, StuartLeave a comment

Merlin has a real talent in finding mud. After several month of dry season, he still manages to get muddy on almost any walk – and whenever we let him out in the mornings. We have white tile floors in the living room and kitchen, and every paw print is visible – but luckily easy to clean. But let’s not talk about the bedroom carpet.

Day 150 – Crushing It!

August 18, 2017September 4, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Home, Outdoors, StuartLeave a comment

Day 150 deserves another mini celebration!!

Although I admit that in the past weeks the busy work schedule combined with spring flu has made it difficult to motivate myself for the challenge. But I am still here – maybe in few weeks I will even catch up on posting and editing the photos. And if not, – well – photos don’t have a ‘best before’ date.

Day 134 – Savoury Tooth

August 1, 2017August 10, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Cooking, Everyday objects, Home, StuartLeave a comment

Stuart has no sweet-tooth what-so-ever. It sincerely limits my possibilities for baking. I like eating, but there is only so much cake one person can handle. And our freezer can’t take that many chocolate muffins. Therefore, I blame Stuart for the fact that I have never learned to decorate a cake. But I do make good cinnamon buns (thank you Mum!), Karelian Pies (thank you Google!) and an occasional savoury muffin.

About this photo: Stuart doesn’t bake. It is a set-up.

Day 127 – Eyes wide open

July 25, 2017August 6, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Makro, People, StuartLeave a comment

When Stuart and I started dating, he once told me how I made him see the nature in Johannesburg differently again. I was childishly excited how there are flowers blooming around the year – and commented on it non-stop. He had lived here long enough not to see it anymore.

We all need to be reminded sometimes to see what is around us. Luckily there are children aroud. Children and foreign visitors.

Day 118 – Your Share of Spaghetti

July 17, 2017July 19, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Cooking, Europe, Stuart, TravellingLeave a comment

It’s easy to find good food in Rome – as long as you avoid the biggest tourist centers. It’s much harder to find good food that is not Pasta Carbonara, Pizza Margarita or Veal Saltimbocca.

Local tasting menu celebrated ingredients from close by – an experience worth every kilo gained.

Fried artichoke is a specialty of the Jewish Ghetto.

Day 117 – Prayer

July 16, 2017July 18, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Europe, Stuart, TravellingLeave a comment

In the past few days, I have visited more churches than in the last 3 years combined. Most churches in Rome were built to bring a sense of awe – a job well done! But as with most awe-inspiring things, if you look closer, you find touching, interesting and funny details to bring them close.

Day 116 – Eternal City

July 15, 2017July 18, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Europe, Outdoors, Stuart, TravellingLeave a comment

Rome is city with over 900 churhes, 200 flavors of gelato and 3000 years of art. It’s a city where a city gate designed by Bernini isn’t necessarily even mentioned in the guidebook. It is hot, crowded, expensive and chaotic. It is breathtaking.

Day 112 – Vegetable Risotto for One

July 11, 2017July 13, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Cooking, Home, StuartLeave a comment

I am a highly unorganised person. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone who has ever spent longer intensive periods of time with me. Through years of practise, I have learned to maintain a resemblance of order, especially in public. At work, I have even been complemented as highly organised (shows you how easily people can be fooled…). But inevitably the facade always comes crashing down and I lose the plot. I try to do this when I’m alone and have time to sort out the mess.

The only exception for the rule is cooking. I am an organised cook – I plan the process ahead, get ingredients out and measure things ready. I even make sure I chop everything I will not have time to chop during the cooking process. I often wish I could bring this attitude more into the rest of my life.

Stuart wishes it too.