The Tree

When I started maternity leave in November, the leaves had just changed colour and were still clinging onto the branches of the tree outside our living room window. At first I took the view for granted.

It was not until a few weeks later, when the tree was virtually naked (just before Junior was born in December), that it occurred to me that I should have taken pictures of it everyday to show the quiet passing of Autumn into Winter.

Never mind. I decided I'd take a few pictures each season and choose the best four to illustrate my view during Junior's first year, and my year of maternity leave.

Since there was not much urgency, I never got around to taking the Winter photo. I waited for a day with blue sky and maybe a bird or a squirrel - but mainly, I got a bit lazy. I looked at the tree everyday while breastfeeding Junior; I even showed it to him, although I'm not sure how far his eight-week-old eyes can see at this point.

This morning, I heard loud grinding noises outside, and by the time I came downstairs, this was all that was left of the tree. About half an hour after I took this picture, they had reduced it to a low stump (no longer visible from our window.)

Now I'm sad. There will be no Spring blossoms, no Summer shade. The squirrels will find a different tree, the birds will perch on the roof instead. My view has changed and I don't take it for granted anymore.

happy valentine's day!

lavender cupcakes

If I had to pick a favorite floral aroma, it would be a close tie between lavender and lilies. But as far as I know, you can't eat lilies...


I made lavender cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook. I wish you could smell them from the photos... they're heavenly.


The recipe calls for whole milk infused with dried lavender flowers, preferably left overnight. I bought a bunch of lavender last weekend. I wonder if the woman who sold it to me had any idea how I planned to use it. It took about an hour to cut the flowers off the stems and stuff them into the milk jug yesterday.


This afternoon I started with the nesting bowls that M gave us for xmas.





Hard not to feel happy with such fun colors and smart design.





The infused milk goes into the batter for the cupcakes, as well as the frosting.





While the cupcakes cooled, I made the frosting. It's not easy to make purple food coloring; I had to be careful not to oversaturate it. But I was pleased with the end result.





Delicious! So fragrant and sweeeeeeet.


The only downside to making lavender cupcakes for Valentines/my birthday this week, is that it all but guarantees S won't send a box of cupcakes to my office again... Gotta make the lavender ones last. Good thing I have enough infused milk for one more batch!

Pic of the Week: 4-10 Oct

A rose from the beautiful gardens at the Alhambra taken last year.

Pic of the Week: 16-22 Aug

Tulips, Jan 2009


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 26 July - 1 Aug

Street corner in Paris from our trip in 2006.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 7-13 June

Orchids :: Kew Gardens :: 2004


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 26 Apr - 2 May

Stadtpark, Vienna


These purple cabbages (?) provided some lovely colour to the landscape in Vienna when we visited last November.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 12-18 April

This photo is from Keukenhof Gardens in Holland. I went there in April 2005 to see the tulips and it was amazing: a living patchwork quilt of flowers, trees and grass. And among it all, this orange cow.

Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

flower therapy

The flowers start blooming in the Bay Area during February, just in time for our birthday month. In London, the flowers don't appear until April. I bought these gerberas today to add a bit of color and cheer to an otherwise grey, rainy day.

Spain :: Granada & The Alhambra

We spent our 'rest day' in Granada, which meant waking up early for a two-hour taxi ride that left at 7 AM. What we sacrificed in sleep was made up for by having a full day to explore both the town and the Alhambra.








We had not brought a guidebook with us, so without maps or any tourist information we were a bit disoriented when the taxi left us at the ticket office. We found a cafe for breakfast that also provided free wi-fi service (what a winning combination: toasted croissants and unlimited internet access!). Clever S found a map that he was able to save as an image on his iPhone. Rejuvenated by caffeine and technology, we wandered around the Cathedral area and shopping district in the morning.





In the afternoon we spent several hours walking around the Alhambra. I do wish I had done more reading about it before we went; it was beautiful but I'm afraid I still don't understand everything I saw. Accordingly, I'll let the photos speak for themselves.












































It was not the most relaxing 'rest day', but I'm glad we had a chance to see it. Any recommendations for further reading so that I can learn more about what I saw?

spring-in-training

it's beginning to feel a bit warmer. the days are getting longer (although british summer time does not start for a few more weeks. hint, hint to readers in california who might be tempted to call. as of tomorrow when you spring forward, we'll be 7 hours ahead instead of 8.)


it's not quite spring yet but i'm ready for my favorite season to reach full bloom...

happy valentine's day!

magenta carnations

continuing my flower theme

scented hyacinths

these will probably look - and smell - even better in a day or two.

pink purchases

the first tulips of the year




and a pink lambswool sweater on sale for £10.


spring might still be months away, but i can pretend in the meantime.