Hello Bill Granger

Well hello, Bill Granger.

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So this morning, I actually met this man. We both happened to be on the same Notting Hill street, at the same little sunny café, at the same time. What a perfect start to Friday for me!

For those of you who are wondering, Bill Granger is the much loved Jamie Oliver of Australia. I have loved his cook books from the moment I stumbled across one years ago. My beloved bookshelf is currently stocked high with them all and one of his books often takes precedence on my coffee table. Breakfast time at my place can often be attributed to the culinary genius of Bill {for which I promise that I only take a teeny little bit of the credit for}

So there we were, sitting side by side, mere centimetres away from each other. You will be pleased to note that I harnessed every ounce of willpower inside of me to refrain from touching his shoulder and saying 'i think i could actually love you...er...your cooking' {On a side note, why do we, as relatively normal human beings, feel the need to touch famous people? Or is that just me?} 

He was quietly enjoying his morning in the sunshine whilst I was secretly wishing that my puppy was trained to go and say hello to people at my signal. What a perfect idea. To train my puppy to use her powers of cuteness for good. Mental note: find a dog trainer so that I am prepared for all future Bill Granger run-ins. 

Actually, no, I am not a stalker. I am just a girl who happened to meet a superhero of the cooking world. 

So next time you are in the market for a new cook book, check out Bill Granger. I promise you will not be disappointed.

And in view of today's happenings, tomorrow's brunch is going to be Bill Granger style. Corn fritters or pancakes or blueberry scones...so many to choose from, oh I can't decide.

Much love & Happy Cooking! xx

I dare you not to smile

It's the middle of the working week and the sun is shining in London Town. That alone should be reason to smile & be happy. And if that doesn't help, I dare you not to smile at this super cuteness.

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Happy Smiley Wednesday, Lovely People x

Unrequited love

Unrequited Love - Shakespeare wrote about it, the pages of history proclaim it, artists sing about it and most of us have lived through some form of it. 

©brandoncwarren

My story starts a little over a week ago. I was happily minding my own business on the platform waiting for my train to arrive. The board indicated 8 minutes. I texted my friends, who were joining me on the train at the next station. The sun was shining and I felt it's heat on my back so I was thoroughly enjoying my wait. That was until a young gentleman decided that he'd like to be a part of my day {and as he told me later, his life}

Now please don't get me wrong, I love talking to and meeting new people. I will happily talk to people at the supermarket, or at the hairdresser or anywhere for that matter. However, when someone invades your personal space and starts telling you that you are perfect for them and 'we just have to hang out and get to know each other more' it just is a little bit overwhelming. This is perhaps just shy of the whole 'God told me we were going to get married' spiel {but that story is one for another day}

To take it further, he asked me almost a zillion personal questions from my most favourite holiday destination to the where I had bought my boots from. I do give him credit, he did try. What he didn't do was to read the signals that I was not particularly interested in starting a relationship with a boy that I had met 6 minutes ago.

I tried to give him all the signals to let him know that even though he was probably a very nice man, I was simply not interested. I got my phone out {epic fail} in the hope that one of my friends would telepathically know to call me. Instead he saw this as an invitation to exchange numbers. He proceeded to recite his number at me with vigour. When I failed to take down his number he recited his number again in an even louder voice. By this stage we had attracted the attention of a number of fellow passengers. Some of the ladies gave me the understanding nod and some of the men looked rather uncomfortable.

Seriously, the longest 8 minutes of my life. Never before have I willed a train to come as much as I did on this day. The train arrived and added to the trauma by being totally filled with football supporters. I launched myself into the overflowing carriage hoping that he wouldn't fit. Another epic fail on my behalf. He just followed behind me and squished closer to me than before. I tried to manoeuvre my way between two slightly large, sweaty, beer scented football supporters {honestly this was the better choice here} A few moments in this predicament I found myself being tapped on the shoulder by Mr Persistent. He had written his number down and tried to give it to me. As I motioned that I had no hands to take it as I was holding on to the rail, he slipped it into my pocket. Serious breach of personal space.

My friends did indeed push themselves on the train for me at the next station and it was my sweet friend Michelle who came to my aid. When she saw my face, she knew the situation was dire.  Without hesitation she catapulted herself at me and saved me from my impending doom. I could breathe again. I had escaped. Or so I had thought. Let's now move forward 9 days to this morning. Monday morning, fresh starts, new beginnings, the world is my oyster mentality. I walked to the bus stop and my positive attitude was immediately displaced when I saw Mr Persistent there waiting for the bus. He let 3 of his busses go past without getting on one. He said he wanted to wait with me and accompany me some or all of the way to work. Once again he tried to exchange numbers and wrote his number on a piece of paper and handed it to me.

When the bus arrived I raced upstairs and sat next to another passenger. He sat in front of me trying to make small talk. After a while, he realised this bus was going totally out of his way so he decided to jump off. Once out of the bus he yelled 'Call me' and with that I got out the piece of paper that he'd written his number on and destroyed it. I was so thankful that the second Mr Persistent saga was finally over.

Granted that this story is more like unrequited attention rather than unrequited love, it still has the same elements. And honestly, I don't think the situation was all that fun for either party. The truth is that unrequited love really does happen. When it does, we just need to dust ourself off and keep on going in the hope that one day, if we haven't already found it, we will all find a love that is in fact, requited.

Much love xx

Author's note: Thinking of taking a chaperone with me on all my future public transport endeavours. All applications welcome.

To overreact

Ever overreacted?

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I must admit I have been known to overreact maybe once or twice {or maybe more, but shhhh don't tell anyone} I often laugh at myself when I think back to all the times my reaction has not really been justified.

Just like the man on the bus last night who threw oranges at a fellow passenger because he was playing the recorder. He certainly acted more emotionally and forcibly than was needed to sort the situation out.

Just like my friend's Dad who had obviously had an extremely stressful day when the KFC bucket he ordered only had 8 pieces of chicken instead of the expected 9. This piece of chicken sent my friend's dad into a somewhat explicit rant about chicken and then proceeded to take his fury back to the establishment to right this dreaded wrong. My friend and I continue to be amused by this story to this day.

To overreact. Amusing in hindsight but is potentially damaging to both ourselves and our relationships.

So breathe next time you feel yourself getting carried away. Look at the facts and see if the reaction is worthy of all the emotional energy you are expending.

x

Cinderella is proof

There is a new Kurt Geiger store on Portobello Road. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be something that I usually gush about, but the fact that it is conveniently {and perhaps dangerously} located less than 4 minutes away from work has meant that I walk past it many times a day.

I have tried to ignore it, but honestly, each time I approach the intersection it beckons to me. Thus far, I have been able to refrain from entering into the shoe heaven {so proud} Saying this though, I do find myself staring longingly into the delightful windows filled with shoes that whisper 'buy me, I'm so lovely and comfortable and pretty...'

I have been fighting it for so long {actually about 4 days now but who's counting} I was doing well until I remembered a card a friend sent me once.

And with this, I took my happy little self back to the shoe store. Here's to new shoes & enthusiastically testing a theory.

Much love and anticipation, from me & my newly dressed feet xx

For Katie

So it seems that your time has come to an end,
It's with sadness we farewell such a sweet & dear friend.
Our beautiful Katie will go on her way,
To bring some sunshine to someone else's day.

She has been with us for over a year, 

And leaves us to embark on a brand new frontier. 

We wish her well and we'll pray that she’ll be, 

Happy and blessed and forever carefree.

We all will miss the fabulous treats that she makes, 

All the brownies, biscuits and sweet little cakes. 

She was definitely surprised and didn’t foresee, 

The domestic goddess she would turn out to be. 

Behind that blue door, many memories were made, 

Happy days and special friends, that time can not fade. 

Bike rides by the river on a perfect summer’s day, 

Believing that chocolate is in fact the only way. 

The beauty and comfort that is the Christmas Bed, 

The daily debrief of all that has been said. 

The wonderful times spent over coffee and brunch, 

Not to mention the delicious wine and Sunday lunch. 

The delightful fashion shows of what we should wear, 

And help with the curling and straightening of hair. 

Sitting on the love seat with a sweet cup of tea, 

Encouraging one another in all they could be. 

We will all treasure the time we shared at Bunny HQ, 

It’s with warm wishes that we bid you sweet adieu. 

So as our dear Katie goes on her little way, 

We wonder what parts of us, with her, will stay? 

Perhaps from Tennille, her love of clothes and personal style.

From Hajie, her passion for life and sweet effervescent smile. 

Lisa no doubt, has given all the business advice that she knows. 

And from me, I guess she has developed an appreciation for bows. 

So may God keep you safe and may your dreams come true, 

We are excited to see what the future holds for you. 

So our dear friend, we just wanted to say, 

You are loved and we wish you well on your way. 

And wherever the road takes you and whatever you do, 

There will always be a place in our house just for you. 

xx

Take heart

It's hard to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the earthquake that hit Japan this last week. Within hours of the disaster, #prayforjapan was the main trend in the twitter world {and it continues to keep trending the world over} So let us keep being mindful of the people who are caught up in this natural disaster.

Over a thousand people are confirmed to have perished, over 10,000 missing and millions of people displaced with no access to power or water. Let us join together and pray for Japan.

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There is a light
It burns brighter than the sun
He steals the night
And casts no shadow
There is hope
Should oceans rise and mountains fall
He never fails

So take heart
Let His love lead us through the night
Hold on to hope
And take courage again

In death by love
The fallen world was overcome
He wears the scars of our freedom
In His Name
All our fears are swept away
He never fails 

Lyrics: Hillsong United, Take Heart {Aftermath}


Donations to the Japan Tsunami Appeal can be made through your local Red Cross or you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to Japan's Emergency Relief.