birthday girl

a few days ago by now. i always try to take the day off & spoil myself - it's usually gorgeous weather on 4 october. this year, the weather was horrid and work was manic. my parents had been for the weekend - all the way from the netherlands, especially! - & returned home, the kids had made me a card, which they handed over in the morning but then they were at school. so basically i decided i'd had a lovely birthday weekend, went to work, brought cakes in, and hid in my office to write grant proposals, publications, and meet with my personal tutees. a pretty ordinary tuesday. but.... i had not reckoned with my mates!

it was their birthday too, only 9&10 days later & they organised supper for all of us here. we started with an amuse of duck rillettes, pork crackling, and marinated cucumber, then i had portland crab salad with horseradish mayonnaise, loin of venison with caramelised chicory, maple syrup pear with milk chocolate mousse, wines, coffee, all organised by & experienced with some of the loveliest people on earth..... who needs a day off when there's mates like mine :-)

physics made cool

i came across this link and want to preserve it for when my kids go to secondary school (just in case their physics teacher is anywhere near as uninspiring as mine was). in the meantime, may i suggest everyone has a look! for instance, how far away is tomorrow...? or Schrödinger's Cat  made easy... personally i find it hilarious & amazing. all in a minute!

friendship cake

two weeks ago, i was given a mixture named Herman. he came with instructions, which included lots of stirring and chatting, plus a feed on days 4, 9 and 11 because then Herman would be starving. 

the kids completely entered into the spirit of things. every morning and evening Herman was stirred, asked whether he was still comfortable where he was, did he need anything, etc. 

monday night, just as i was settling down with my cup of mint tea, all of a sudden i heard a howling from upstairs. eldest (this is highly unusual). 'we forgot to feed Herman and he is hungry!' she just about managed to utter, genuinely extremely upset, through her tears. 

for just this once, i let both kids clamber out of bed again to feed Herman. 200g of self raising flour, 250g of sugar, 200ml milk. 'is that better darling?' 2 angelic voices asked.

today was day 11. here he is...... and here are 3 more little Hermans on their way to the next sets of friends (and yes, i have run out of tupperware boxes....)