Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Twenty Eight

'If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it is lethal.'

(Paul Coelho)

The start of this week was SO hectic. With Aum off school for the summer holidays I am working all day, I am living at my parents whilst I renovate the new house, and I had to pack for my 3.5 week trip to America whilst my worldly possessions are dotted around in various locations in boxes and suitcases. 



Now I realise how most of these are very much first world problems. I am lucky that 'full time employment' is usually less than 20 hours a week with a free annual transatlantic summer holiday, and that my parents pad has space for me to live in rent free; but when there are six adults and two dogs in the house all making noise, I have Aum and his three mates in the car arguing over who gets the iPad or I realise once I get back to Mum's that I have left the one thing I need to pack at the new house in Stockport twenty minutes drive away, you can forgive me if I want to scream. My track of the week above helped to calm me down at various points of meltdown.

To help take me back to my happy place I had my nails done on Tuesday, and on Wednesday I turned to one thing that aides many of life's problems, mac and cheese. This particular variety (with mozzerella and gruyere) was from The Little Deli Company in Hale, and even a connoisseur of the delicacy such as myself couldn't finish the huge portion. I took Aum and his friend there for lunch before letting them run amok (read: nicely play) in Stamford Park.

On Thursday, albeit feeling very unprepared, I trundled along to Manchester Airport for mine and Aum's trip to Chicago. Once I had waved our cases off on the conveyor belt and we were chilling in Costa with a coffee and muffin I could finally begin to get excited, as the moving and packing stress had suppressed the feeling up until then. It was a pleasant journey, I watched A Wrinkle in Time and Gemini which were both excellent - Zoe Kravitz is my current girl crush - and we had mac and cheese and veggie curry pasties as the 'dreaded' plane food. I've actually always really liked meals on planes, and I find the vegetarian options are so much better than the meat versions nowadays.  

We were tired by the time we reached the apartment we are staying in in the Wicker Park neighbourhood, so I didn't fully take in my surroundings initially. It is gorgeously decorated, modern but with some cute country style touches (including a picture perfect wooden verandah with a rocking chair) and although jet lag woke me up fairly early on Friday, the bed was so comfy I lounged with a coffee in it until mid morning before getting ready to go out. We walked onto the main street just around the corner and went to Kanela Breakfast Club for food, which I had found on Trip Advisor. The menu was incredible! I had the lemon blueberry pancakes with honey butter, and Aum chose their signature French toast (challah bread with lemon creme fraiche and apricot jam) with a side of bacon.

The next item on the agenda was tackling the 'L', Chicago's metro system. After a while deciphering the machines, we purchased the equivalent of an Oyster card and hopped on a tram into the centre for a wander around. It is such a vibrant city! We spent a couple of hours soaking up the atmosphere and sunshine, ending with a walk to Navy Pier which has shops, restaurants and a beautiful botanical style garden inside, and a fairground on the pier with fab views across Lake Michigan. We then headed back to our digs for some downtime before going out for tea, as the time difference was starting to have an impact.

We decided to stay local for food that evening at a Mexican place called Antique Taco, a fastfood/ restaurant hybrid a bit like Nandos. Wicker Park where we are staying is definitely the hipster area of Chicago; full of vintage shops, vinyl stores and real ale joints, it is a Northern Quarterer's dream. Antique Taco was relaxed but had a good buzz for a Friday evening, and the crab and shrimp flautas (flute shaped deep fried tortillas with filling) were divine. I also gave a rosemary margarita a try, but it was a bit too floral for my taste if i'm honest, I'll stick to the classic!

Yesterday was another jam packed day. We had brekkie at home and then headed to an Irish bar called Fado to watch the England match before grabbing some Stan's Donuts (dear LORD they are the best!) to keep us going. Then we caught the L and took a trip 103 floors up to the Skydeck of Willis Tower. I don't have an issue with heights normally, but standing on a transparent glass floor 1,353 feet up made me feel slightly sick, so I didn't spend too long on there. The views of the city, lake and skyline were worth a few moments of queasiness though, and Aum took delight in teasing me for the rest of the day. We picked up a traditional Chicago deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's on the walk home to share whilst getting ready, as we had booked onto an architecture cruise for that night.

The cruise started at 9pm, and lasted for 90 minutes travelling along the river. The whole city was lit up against the sky, and we got hot chocolates and listened to the tour guide tell us all about the history of the place and its buildings, ending in a spectacular firework display at the mouth of Lake Michigan. It was like being on a school trip, but a bloody cool one!

 Today is the day Aum started his summer camp, Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) at Chicago University. It is held at different academic institutes all across the US every year, and this is the fifth year he has attended, but the first time where he will be staying there as a residential student. It is not for everyone, being so far away from home, but he has always been a hugely independent kid, and loves the chance to mix with other people from around the world. It certainly helps me out, as entertaining an only child for two months each summer gets increasingly difficult the older he gets (he is now eleven). I helped him to unpack and then left him to it; he wasn't even arsed about me leaving, so I am now tucked up with wine and caramel M&Ms catching up with Love Island!

Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Twenty Six

'Like confetti.That's how you throw love. You worry about the mess tomorrow.'
(Lauren Eden)

This week has been another I very fortunately had off work. The beautiful weather hasn't stopped yet, so I spent Monday chilling on the boat and did a bit of outdoor yoga, before having a big scary meeting with my boss. By this I mean a casual discussion that I organised to address the future of my role and a potential payrise, which ended up being not scary at all, but in fact, very beneficial and highly rewarding (yay!). That coupled with the fact that I finally exchanged on my house on the same day, meant that the week got off to an absolutely stonking start.

On Tuesday I had both doggies for the day, so Emily and I went to John Leigh Park in Altrincham for a few hours with a little picnic and to let them run off some steam. Most of the rest of my week during the days was spent frantically trying (and failing) to start packing for moving, which has been fixed for July 7th/8th. I did take the afternoon and evening off on Wednesday though, to go into Manchester with my parents and Jasmine to watch Chic. We started with a cocktail on Deansgate Locks at El Diablo, which is another reincarnation of every other bar on there, with cocktails that are always two for one and pretty much all taste the same.

It was my first gig at the Castlefield Bowl, and I think it is up there with my favourites in the city, when the weather is decent anyway. I also approved of the addition of prosecco to the bar menu, albeit only a 500ml bottle. The band were incredible, playing all their old classics (Le Freak, Everybody Dance, Dance Dance Dance, Good Times) as well as an ode to the late great David Bowie, and the Nile Rogers hit with Daft Punk and Pharrell, Get Lucky. The atmosphere was electric, and it was so lovely to spend an evening as a family all together drinking and dancing, 10/10!

On Friday night I went out for a few drinks with Amanda, who was over from Paris for the weekend. We started in 20 Stories, which has been on my go-to list for a while. It has a rooftop bar with great views of the city and is pretty swanky, so there were the usual pretentious wankers to deal with, but the majority of the clientele were very friendly, and the cocktails I had were tip top.

We then downgraded to The Botanist for some bubbling smoking cocktails that were slightly more on budget, and then had a couple in Guilty in the Northern Quarter. It's a good job I checked my last train home, as I discovered it was over an hour later than I thought, so we could fit in a margarita or two in El Capo, bonus!

Yesterday and today I have been helping Chris with his stall at Holistic Manchester, a yoga and wellbeing festival at Victoria Baths, a venue I adore. I managed to sneak away to a couple of classes over the two days, a kundalini one which was super intense but amazing: we had to hug everyone in the room and shake our bodies like crazy things, and do salute to the sun sequences as fast as we could, it was mad! The second I did today was a bit more conventional but still challenging. Chris was absolutely chocka with people paying to have mini treatments and we sold some chakra stone sets and gave away lots of business cards so it was a successful venture.

Last night we rushed back and got ready to go to Smeed's 30th birthday, a Mexican themed house party where La Casita from Chorlton were doing the catering. It was a fun night with tasty food and a beautiful cake as per by Emily; it was nice to unwind with a margarita after a hectic and very hot day!

I also got a poem up on Instagram on Thursday, read it here, and my track for this week above HAD to be Florence - the queen has returned!

Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Twenty Five

'You have turned your heart into a museum of people you've loved to keep them alive inside you.'

(Nikita Gill)

I'm going to skip through the majority of this week as it was pretty uneventful with staying at Aum's. I got a poem up on Instagram, read it here, and I went to watch him in his school production of Mary Poppins on Thursday which was amazing, and that is no exaggeration! The school he is at really pull out all the stops when it comes to drama performances: hand painted backdrops, elaborate costumes and full makeup, a live band, mic attachments, the whole she-bang. Considering it is an all boys school and the lead (as well as multiple others) did the complet hour long play in heels and a wig, I was beyond impressed, this year was probably my favourite so far.

On Friday as soon as I had dropped Aum at cricket, I drove 'round to Tasha's and together with Hannah we road tripped up to Carlisle for Lydia's hen party. We didn't arrive until gone 10pm, by which time most were already there and in the hot tub! We hired a beautiful Georgian manor for the affair (there were 16 of us altogether and we all fit in very comfortably), and it was literally my dream house - fireplaces in all the rooms, roll top baths in the bathrooms, its own orchard, an Aga, a twisted staircase/ entrance hall fit for a queen and William Morris wallpaper galore. The rest of the bridesmaids and Emily had arrived early and decorated everywhere with banners, photos and balloons so it looked a treat!

As we turned up quite late we headed to bed after a couple of glasses of fizz, but were up bright and early yesterday ready for an action packed day. After a hearty breakfast we drove in convoy to Ullswater, where we took part in a canoe treasure hunt, which was beyond fun. Lydia's mum sat it out so we were in three teams of five, each in two canoes that had been strapped together. We had to follow clues and row to each next point in order to try and reach the booty first - four bottles of champagne!

 

I'm not going to lie, I am not cut out for rowing! Even with help from our guide who used his speedboat to push us along at times (shoutout to James at Glenridding Activity Centre) we were not exactly speedy. Unfortunately our team didn't win, but four bottles was more than enough bubbly to go around us all, and we needed the Dutch courage for the cliff jump that we did at the end, which was such an adrenaline rush, I did it twice!

Once we were home and had scrubbed up (after I had a quick dip in the hot tub to try it out) we all convened in the dining room for a three course dinner that we'd hired a chef to cook. I had the Thai fishcakes to start, followed by a vegetable tagine, and we all had the trio of desserts to finish - homemade pistachio yoghurt ice cream, triple chocolate mousse and a lemon meringue. The dessert and my main was delicious, but the starter had too much coriander in for my liking, and the meat-eaters main (chicken meatballs?) didn't go down too well. It took the hassle out of cooking or trying to find a restaurant to fit us all in though, especially in the middle of nowhere, so it was worth it.

After food I became a cocktail maker! I had devised a menu and me and a couple of others took orders and whipped up some alcoholic creations for everyone, which were very well received. Lots of silly games, drinking and dancing ensued, which you can thank for my choice of track of the week below, as it is mine and Lydia's 'song'! the last trio standing, Lydia, fellow bridesmaid Lizzie and I made it back into the hot tub with a bottle of prosecco at 2am, so you can imagine I was not feeling the freshest this morning!

Today we set off for home before midday, so I was sunbathing on the roof of the boat before 4pm, and Chris threw together a lovely tea for us ready in time for a Love Island catchup. Corker of a weekend!

Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Twenty Four
'Honour both the crazy and the peace in you. You will need one to create, and the other to ensure you do not destroy what you create.'
(Erin Van Vuren)

IT'S BIRTHDAY WEEK! It started with a very pleasant trip to Tarporley on Monday, a quaint little village in Cheshire. The weather is still amazing so Emily and I decided to go on a roadtrip somewhere and Tarporley has been on my list for a while. We had a wander, got some lunch at Chestnut Cafe (formerly No 6 The Tea Room) and relaxed in a park before heading back so I could do the afternoon school run. I had onion chutney, stilton and grapes on granary toast, which was a great taste combination, with an iced coffee. It was so nice to make the most of a day! 

On Thursday it was the big day, and although I was working I treated myself to getting my nails done and having a hair cut. I decided to take the plunge and get '70s style bangs cut in on a centre parting, which is taking some getting used to but I really like the change and have had loads of compliments on it, which is never a bad thing! I also got a birthday themed poem up on Instagram here.

I didn't finish work until half 7, but when I got home I was in for a surprise! Chris had the Love Island theme tune playing in the communal corridor (sorry neighbours!) and had put candles by the doormat and a sign on the door... The candle theme continued throughout the whole flat, and he had a bath ready for me with chilled prosecco on the side, a paneer curry bubbling away for tea, and a caterpillar cake for dessert! He had put so much effort in I was so touched, and to top it off he wore one of my favourite shirts of his, and bought me a new fancy yoga mat and the Stories for Rebel Girls book of short stories which is ace. Massive boyfriend points all round.

The following day I met up with Lydia in Lymm for a bridesmaid dress fitting and a quick coffee afterwards. Wearing the actual dress was so exciting (we had previously only tried samples of it on in different colours) and I can't wait until it is all adjusted and ready for the wedding day, I'm sure it will come around in no time. That evening Chris and I took the dogs to Levenshulme night market to meet up with Timna and her boyfriend Sam. We had some tasty dumplings and spring rolls from Rockin' Buddha, gin cocktails and salted caramel brownies from Lush Brownies - heaven! I love the community spirit in Levenshulme, and am keen to support local businesses whenever I can; the market is always buzzing and full of good vibes, and usually lots of super cute doggos too!

Yesterday I started another week of living at Aum's whilst his parents are away, but since I had already made plans for birthday part three I took him to his Grandma's to stay the night so I didn't have to sacrifice my partying! I met up with a few of the girls and Smeed at Altrincham Market for a couple of drinks, before moving on to The Cellar where Tasha's sister Genevieve also joined us. It wasn't a crazy one, but it was lovely to all get together for a catch up and a few bevvies, and the girls bought me a new Pandora bracelet and some charms which are beaut. I could definitely feel the alcohol buzz when I was walking home, and the house behind Aum's was having a mad party in a marquee with a full band when I got in, proper cool to bounce around the room getting ready for bed to!

Today I had a bit of a lie in and then went to collect Aum, and we have had a quiet day at home, which has been blissful after a hectic week, albeit for all the right reasons. Track for this week is the new single from Lily Allen, who I have never previously liked that much, but this tune is a real ear worm and I can't get it out of my head!

Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Twenty Three

'Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.'
(12 Rules for Life - An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson)

This week has been super quiet in comparison to the last few, but I'm not complaining. On Thursday I got a poem up on Instagram after having a week off last week, read it here. On Friday Aum had the day off school, and he had to do some Geocaching as part of a project. It was so much fun! For those that don't know, it is where an app on your phone is used to locate millions of hidden vessels known as geocaches on a map of whatever location you are in. They are placed in secret by fellow geocachers and contain a logbook to record the lucky finders, and often items for 'swaps' such as trinkets and hair bobbles etc. It is a craze that anyone can be involved in and is completely free, basically the world's largest treasure hunt! It was a top way of getting outdoors and having fun without spending any money.

We stopped for lunch at The Little Deli Co next to Stamford Park; Aum tried their croque Monsieur on my recommendation and loved it, whilst I went for the special: a 'grown up' fishfinger sandwich with fish goujons and homemade tartare sauce on wholemeal toasted bread. We went home afterwards and I spent the evening on the boat once I had finished; with the blessed return of Love Island this week I have managed to get Chris hooked already!

I adopted this weekend for early birthday celebrations, and yesterday some of the uni crew came out to help. We met at Hatch, a gorgeous little gem hidden on Oxford Road that is perfect when the sun shines. It is a hub of foodie pods and shops with a DJ and bar and pretty outdoor seating. After a couple there Chris headed home to babysit the doggies (being teetotal he had been warned of our impending messiness and decided to save himself!) and we went on to The Flour & Flagon, formerly The Pub and then had one in The Refuge inside The Principal Hotel which is serious #interiorgoals.

Feeling peckish we moseyed over to Grub, similar to Hatch but on a much larger scale, and I had a sundried tomato, cashew and spinach blend bagel by Schmear which was delicious. I'm not going to lie the night gets very blurry from that point! We had a few in The Shack, including multiple Jaegerbombs (thanks lads) and ended the night dancing in Bar 21. Shoutout to my boys for looking after me as I woke up with personal possessions fully in tact in my own bed this morning!

Christ I have been hungover today. I managed to hold it together long enough to force down some mac and cheese at my local pub and wave the boys off at lunchtime, before getting back into bed for a few hours! This evening was birthday celebrations part 2, a meal at Yara, a Lebanese and Syrian restaurant in Altrincham with Chris, my parents and Jasmine. As there were a few of us, we ordered loads of starters and mains and shared most of them (Mum and Dad are meat eaters so we couldn't share everything). The food is always so good at Yara, and it has the added bonus of being BYOB which makes the bill a bit cheaper, especially in a big group. I managed to take one for the team and have a glass of cider, the hair of the dog worked a treat.

We have just got back to the flat after pressie opening and homemade Victoria sponge birthday cake at Mum and Dads, in time for Love Island on ITV2 +1 - winner! A smashing weekend with some of my absolute favourite people. I am such a birthday whore, but for me it is not about the presents or a fancy meal, I just love everyone spending time together (being the centre of attention has absolutely nothing to do with it of course). Track for this week above is by a band I discovered via Candid called grandson, a bit of a banger if I do say so myself!

Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Twenty One

'Curvy hips, red lips, and a dangerous pair of eyes.'
(J. M. Wonderland)

It is that most glorious month where two Bank Holidays occur, and this week was the latter of those, culminating in a week off work for me, so with that looming I began Monday with a spring in my step. I met up with my mate Lewis for some lunch at Folk in Didsbury that afternoon; we sat on the terrace outside and despite it being well past breakfast I took full advantage of them still serving chocolate French toast with berry coulis and coconut shavings, which was incredible.

I've been pretty proactive with regards to my fitness this week, I did a yoga class on Monday, went spinning on Thursday, and I stayed at the boat after work on Friday so I put Chris through his paces with an abs workout. We hit the sauna afterwards for a chill out sesh. I got a poem up on Instagram as well (here). As it got nearer and nearer to the weekend I grew increasingly edgy about having made very few plans (mainly as I'd kept it free thinking I may be moving into my new house, or very naively could even be at the decorating it stage), but the prospect of the fabulous weather continuing meant that even a weekend in the good ol' outdoors didn't seem like a bad shout. 

Yesterday I was up and out early for a group workout session in the park with my sister's mate Adam, who has his own personal training business (read his awesome health & fitness blog here). It was bloody tough, especially in the muggy heat, but I enjoyed the social aspect of training with a couple of others, and once Chris had finished his guitar lessons, we walked to The Ship pub in Styal with the dogs for a few drinks in the beer garden, so I felt like I had earned a wine or two! After we had wandered back I made goodies with some filo pastry that needed using: asparagus and goat's cheese tartlets topped with sunflower seeds, and courgette, pesto and pepper rolls.

Today I spontaneously ended up at Bolt Fest, a rock band tribute festival in Bolton with my friend Rosie (as you do). The sun was shining, tickets were less than a fiver and Chris was recording with the band all day so it seemed as perfect an excuse as any to bring my hip flask out of retirement. Apart from a painfully slow replacement bus service to get home, it was a corker of a day, and probably the least messy I have got when socialising with Rosie, so I felt very proud of myself. FYI the track for this week above is the new single from Macclesfield's own Spring King, who I am glad to see return to the scene after a quiet couple of years.