Hi, it’s me again.
japra | Jan 13, 2009 | Comments 14
You know that weekly format I said I’d go to? Never mind. I can’t seem to function without my weekday brain dump here at JaPRA, so this blog will continue as is. If I disappear without warning, that means my art muse has paid me a visit and we’re in the studio.
What’s new around here?
Roxi
The last of the deserters, rather, repatriating students, left as of yesterday. This last one was one of Roxi’s best guy friends, so it was a difficult parting. Four new kids have joined the grade. Two of them (guys again!) are in Roxi’s advisory.
I think I have mentioned here before that a few of Roxi’s good friends (and quite a handful of the current 8th graders) are leaving at the end of this school year to go back to the States. I think they are all starting to feel this pending separation now, especially with this taste of goodbyes.
And to top it off, Roxi has a cold, poor dear.
Mr. DJ
Mr. DJ finally got the music studio computer working again and was playing with the recording software this weekend. One thing led to another and, well, he and Roxi wrote a bit of song! They’re still working on it, and really, more than anything, it is just a way for them to learn how to use the software. Still, it is fun to hear what they come up with.
Me
I spent all day yesterday making a second full computer back up to a tiny hard drive that I plan to put in our fire safe. I feel much better about my photos now. Oh, and I ordered some jewelry tools.
Also, I’ve been reading a lot lately (got a lovely stack of books for Christmas–Yay!).
Nella Last’s War (still reading, have to take this in small bits)
Delia’s Complete Cookery Course (Classic Edition) (haven’t finished this one yet)
I’ve another stack of books (mostly about art), but I’m trying not to devour them all in one gulp!
I think I’ve hit a cooking slump. I’ve been cooking a lot lately, but nothing too taxing. When I asked my family if there was anything they were interested in eating that I’ve not made yet, the only thing they could come up with was fondue. I’ve been craving vegetables and salads–lots of vegetarian stuff. I think I’m just tired of all this slow food I’ve been making.
Weather
It was so cold here last week. I think the lowest I saw on the thermometer was 19 F or about -7 C. We had a thick layer of frost on Sunday morning, by evening it started to rain. Thankfully, the temperatures have been hovering in the upper 40s since then. I am so happy I can sit in the conservatory without turning on the auxiliary heater.
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I read The Historian a while back.
I loved it. It was very well done.
Glad to see you back here!
We had ice on the car window yesterday morning, but today would be OK for shorts. (The nice weather days are always during the work week.)
No rules for blogging! I’ve slowly discovered this… I’m glad you have all this info here. Right now it’s… 5pm? there? No, 3pm.
Time for a cocktail!!
okay, maybe that’s just me.
Welcome back! :-)
It’s still freezing cold, with hoar frost lasting for days now and no reflections of light. Any longer than this and we will descend into darkness, I’m afraid.
I hate goodbyes. I don’t know why but even watching people say goodbye on TV will usually get the waterworks flowing. Poor Roxi.
I am eagerly awaiting “The Independence of Ms. Mary Bennett” from Amazon this week. I’m a sucker for all the Pride and Prejudice follow up fiction, but this one is by a respected author (Colleen McCullough) and no one has ever written one on Mary! Fabulous!
YAY!
I’ve heard how cold it is over there… colder in london than in antartica (where it’s summer!). it’s not supposed to be above 20f for the next few days here.
xoxo
BSR–I was totally immersed in the world of The Historian. I read it last weekend, all weekend. We planned to do a long walk, but the weather was gross. I was totally happy to curl up in bed and read.
Chris–It’s tea time! Time for some of your delicious cake :-)
Merisi–Oh, the dark days are the worst! I wish I could send you a bit of sun and a little blue sky. Hang in there! Spring is just around the corner (or so I keep telling myself).
Lucy Lucia–Mary Bennett? Really! I’d like to read that one. I’ve read a couple of P+P follow ups.
P-D–I’ve never lived anywhere this cold before. I can’t imagine living anywhere colder than this with snow that you have to, you know, shovel. Stay warm!
God, I read The Historian last year and although it was fantastic, I got quite spooked by it at times. Highly recommend it though.
that Guernsey books sounds interesting, if only for its title.
We’re expecting to go into a deep freeze tomorrow, -20C, scary.
I guess Roxi is going through the down side of expat life, at least there’s Facebook.
Hey you just pop in and out as the mood takes you, afterall it’s your blog! Nice to see you whenever. :)
I’m really, really glad you came back! Your braindump is our delight. Love the fruity self-portrait, btw.
I got books 3 and 7 from your list. I’m hearing about 1 everywhere it seems. I’ve been eyeing up 4 for awhile now; glad to hear a recommendation.
I’m taking my Cambridge friend (shared birthday week) to Persephone tomorrow. You are next, my friend!
I hope your return isn’t because of problems with the art, but I’m glad you’re back! The books and related comments sound interesting. I will have to look for the WWII diary–I can never get enough of that stuff.
Expat Mum–I was reading The Historian late at night. ALL the lights were on. Some bits of it were a bit creepy.
Christine–I wish we all lived closer and we could send these books into circulation. I hope you stay warm! I cannot even imagine what -20C feels like. Do the kids have to go to school when the weather is like that?! And yes, thank goodness for Facebook.
Akelamalu–I was thinking about you yesterday as I was sorting through my Krakow photos. I still can’t believe we were there around the same time! I’ll be putting up a new Krakaw post today. I am sure you’ll recognize the sites :-)
Bee–You know, I emailed Persaphone to find out how much to buy their entire collection. It was a bit out of my range to do it all in one go. BUT that doesn’t mean I can’t pick up a title or two or three every month or so. I have “Kitchen Essays” too. Do you have that one? It’s charming.
Kathy–Actually my art is going very well. But my daily blogging here at JaPRA has turned into something of a habit. When I don’t do it for a while, things don’t feel right. I did forget to “show up” at my art blog yesterday… I will remedy that immediately. BTW, Nella Last’s War is right up your alley! If you can’t get it in the US, please let me know. I think you can get it through Amazon.com, but I’ll send you a copy if you can’t find it. There are two volumes.
How funny about the draw of your blog. It does take self discipline to blog only weekly. Blogs don’t come one size, and it sounds like daily posts fit you as long as it leaves time for your art and other blog.
That’s an impressive stack of reading – I just ordered Jane in Winter too. My husband is a big Delia fan.
I heard about your cold weather- amazing!
Two volumes! Yikes! I’ll definitely put it on my list and should be able to find it somewhere. I know what you mean about the blogging habit, I can’t seem to stop posting to my London blog!