Summer Is Here

After the long winter of pandemic isolation, we have all been looking forward to the freedoms that easing restrictions and vaccinations will bring. Everyone in my house is a lot healthier than last year – though still taking it quietly, and looking after ourselves. As the spring warmed up, it was great to have some […]

Fife Coastal Path

At the end of April I spent a rare extra leave day with a dear friend, wandering the first section of the Fife Coastal Path from Newburgh to Norman’s Law. It was a warm-ish, rain-free day and we headed out just after school drop off. This was the first section of the path I had […]

Plant a Tree

Since reading The Overstory a couple of years ago, I have been haunted by the interconnectedness of trees, and the way humans have failed to value their essential contribution to the ecosystem we all share. This past weekend Possible hosted a live ‘At-home tree planting weekend‘ event. I joined in, and planted a little Elder […]

Macmillan Quiz Night

We’re into the seventh week of our second stay-safe-stay-home Covid-19 lockdown in Scotland. The borders and non-essential shops and services closed before Christmas and the children have been in homeschool again for five weeks. It’s been a long story…for another day perhaps…but Friday I celebrated my 50th birthday and began my 50 things challenge. I […]

50 Things for 50

These are the 50 things for my 50th year – a mixture of reinvigorating old hobbies, bedding in better routines, and having some new experiences: Creative Create a piece of art for the walls Learn to crochet Sew something for the house Bake a new cake Sew something for myself Make chutney Make something useful […]

Friends and Farewells

We were lucky in August to have a visit from our dear friends Julia and Jon from the US. Their visit flew by, but we were glad to show them St Andrews at its sunny gorgeous best (a rare sight this summer!). Here we were perched on the famous pier. It was Edinburgh Fringe Festival time – […]

We’re Have I Been All This Time…

Longest break I’ve taken in a while…somehow, at the end of a week at the keyboard, it is kinda hard to make time to pop in here. Silly me. Weekends have taken on a new measure of quality family life now that our time all together is really limited to breakfast and dinner/bath/stories/bed. We ALL […]

No Words This Week

Once again the world waits in horror…and I just don’t have anything to say. Japan – an unspeakable nightmare. May you get the help you need in this terrible hour.

This Moment

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Have a wonderful weekend. See other wonderful moments at Soule Mama.

Father’s Day Fiesta

What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than in the middle of a fiesta of football? In our house, World Cup year is a major cause for celebration…indeed, all other activities virtually shut down for a month. I was a little disbelieving in 2006 when Akira declared he would watch all 64 games, but […]