There Has been a LOT of snow (For England anyway...) the past few weeks and even though most of it has frosted over making it extremely icy, it doesn't detract from its beauty. Here are a couple of pictures I've uploaded, more to come when I'm back at my flat.
Due to certain things in my life right now I've been thinking a lot about comfort and what makes me feel safe. Here's my short list so far: The Fantastic Mr Fox (film): A recent addition to my libary of comfort films. I'm not sure whether its one or a collection of things that makes this film seem comforting. Maybe its the warming yellow tint that seems to sit through most of the film. It could be the wonderful sound tracks featuring a few of my favourite artists (Beach Boys, Rolling stones... But the OST is pretty good too). Or perhaps is because its a classic children's tale (no pun) by Role Dharl. But I'm guessing it could also be because its about foxes...
Sausage (veggie) and Mash with Gravy: There's something about this incredibly easy to make meal. Its preferable that the sausages are Linder McCartney, mash is cheesy and that the gravy is onion gravy. But so long as there is huge pile mash, at least 3 sausages and its all swamped in some kind of gravy type thing I'll be happy.
Little Atoms (podcast/radio show): A wonderful little radio show on Resonace FM (in London). A show that is "...a live talk show based around ideas of the enlightenment". It starts each week with their standard show introduction and followed with an accordion piece that makes me think of fire-places, cats, winter nights and crackling radio's. Every week a different guest joins one of the presenters and talks about their "thing". This can be anything from science to literature to religion. And it always seems interesting to me. I've actually bought books and learnt a few things thanks to the show. I advise everyone to listen to it live or if not via podcast, there website is: http://www.littleatoms.com/
Cats (Animal): I have always been a cat fan (though I still thing clever dogs can also make great pets) and there is something naturally calming about cats. A warm cat on your lap purring will never cease to relax me. I heard of a study recently saying that Cats (and apparently ferrets) are one of a few pets that actually lower stress and can even help depression, though I cannot cite any sources for this though so I only have hear-say and internet articles (pretty much useless). Still, it doesn't change the fact that a happy cat will always cheer me up.
I think there are probably a few other things that I find comforting, but this is all for now.
All they seem to do is wrap around my spoon when I try to stir it. And ripping of the string always seems like such a good idea until the bag rips and spills tea everywhere.
On Sunday I met up with Hannah Daisy for food,cake, tea and other good things. Brick Lane seemed like a good place to do all this.
After eating some lunch we moved on to the amazing MzCupcake stall.
I had a 'after eight' mint flavored one (topped with a little mint) and Hannah had a seasonal Punmpkin one.
Honestly I think these were the best cupcakes I've ever eaten.
Plus washing it down with a cup of Cardamom Chai... I mean you can't really go wrong.
We then mootched on to the sunday market,passing all the strange street "stalls" (which pretty much looked like someone had collected a few things from around their house and put them on a blanket in a street. As if to say 'This is the sort of thing you might find in my shoreditch flat').
The Sunday market is simpley a huge concrete warehouse filled with wonderful stalls. It reminds me of how Camden market used to be many years ago. We also talked of the many stalls "NO PHOTO!" rule. Seems a strange thing to think that you can own the light and does it really cause that much damage to your stall if someone takes a picture (particularly if its non-profit)? I wonder if many of them even think about why they don't like people taking pictures. I would assume that its just become a habit among stall sellers.
We also stumbled upon a cash machine sporting these language options:
