Stuart brings me flowers often, at least a few times a month. He has done so for as long as we have lived together. Even now, it is always such a nice surprise
Day 41: Surprise
Tag: Everyday objects
Day 38: Spicy
We use spices liberally. For most recipes, I double the amounts written and often add one or two that weren’t even mentioned. And, because we love variety of cuisines, we’ve ended up stacking dozens and dozens of jars. I think one of our major expenses, whenever relocating to another country, has been replacing all the spices we’ve had toleave behind.
When the kids started eating the same food as us, we reduced the heat, but otherwise changed nothing. The girls simply grew up eating anything and everything.
They still join me in the kitchen – just to smell each spice and taste every herb. And now they even enjoy little chili.
Day 33: Humble but Mighty
A long day in the office means I am getting back to photographing my favourite kitchen implement: the mighty fork.
Day 29: Oil and Water
Here it is. My first “intentional” photography project in over 8 years. It’s not much – but I did have to dig out my dust-covered tripod, set out the lights and spend some time getting the settings and colors right.
It was fun. What next?
Day 28: Music or not
I’m not big on music. I occassionally listen to something in the background, but more often I listen to books or (much more rarely) podcasts. The only exception is during exercise. You really need rythm to motivate yourself to run or lift weights.
Stuart plays guitar and I’m glad girls have inherited some of his enthusiasm. At this stage (with no training at all) it is too early to judge talent. But they play every music instrument they have with gusto!
Kiara especially likes to listen to music while she draws or does crafts. I’ve been surprised to realize she enjoys classical music too – and for one whole summer her favourite song was a Swedish choir rendition of Santa Lucia (a reference that probably makes more sense to anyone from Scandinavia).
Day 27: Long Night
South Africa and Finland are in the same time zone (+/- an hour). It’s 20h+ travel, but it is basically one badly slept night…
Telling this to myself was much easier, when I did not have to keep peace between two 7-year olds who have both slept less than 4 hours the night before.
Worth it, tho.
Day 13: Not in the itinerary
Things don’t always go as planned. I, for one, wasn’t planning to spend the first three days of my vacation in hospital. Luckily, it’s all treatable, and I hope to get out of here soon. I’m fairly convinced I would have more beautiful things to photograph almost anywhere else.
Day 6: Every Day Drama
Big emotions are standard in a household with two seven-year-olds. At least the reasons for those emotions are (mostly)valid these days. I still remember the days when our girls could have a one-hour meltdown because their imaginary soup had carrots in it. And they did not want carrots.
And in case it’s not immediately obvious: the image is a heavily dramatized close-up of a kitchen grater.
Day 5: Water Habit
No one in our household is big on drinking water. We all drink at mealtimes, but between meals we just… don’t. I keep making vows to improve and often carry a water bottle around for a week or two. But nothing sticks. The girls are a little better, but not by much.
At night, however, they wake up to drink – and to alert me the moment their bedside bottle runs dry.
Blue Moment 