The cruel side of nature

Even the Pope can't control nature!  When he released two these two peace doves they were immediately attacked by a seagull and a crow!  Doesn't augur well, does it?

Nature at its best

Sorry, Infogenium, that last pic is revolting and this one will more than make up for it. Animals are much nicer than people.  Well, some people.  Most people...

I've been a bit slothful over the holidays, what with lying about watching the tennis and splashing lazily in the pool, so have got behind with my blog and answering emails. Emma starts back at school tomorrow and Hugo has his first day at preschool, so I'll soon have to get back into routine.

I'm pleased with myself for not buying any stuff (except one pool noodle) so far this year, and am trying to throw something out every day, even if it's just a receipt that I've been saving for years.  When I realise I've got thousands of receipts it makes me wonder!  Of course, if ever I do need one when something needs returning, you can be sure I won't be able to find that particular one.

Winifred, I have to admit I don't like sushi much, either - I'd sooner have some nice bread or a roll any day.  Last week Emma chose beef pie, so we made a big one and had the whole family for dinner.  It was yummy with mashed potato and peas, followed by rhubarb and custard.  Nothing like good old-fashioned food!  I love having everybody here for meals, even though it's a bit of a tight squeeze in 'Nanny's house'.

Darwin must be turning over in his grave!

Surely the survival of the dopiest, not the fittest.

What doctor would do this?

What a lot of bother!!!

This pic is taken from the internet as I still haven't figured out how to use my new(ish) camera.

I decided that Emma and I would make sushi this morning and fortunately Japanese Grandma and Grandpa came downstairs to help.  In fact, Grandma did all the work and I've never seen such fiddly stuff!  OMG, I can't imagine anybody going to so much bother - I'd sooner make a sandwich any day!

With Hugo wanting 'my turn', too, we had grains of rice, cucumber, tuna and avocado from one end of the kitchen to the other.  And Emma insisted on making 'Hello Kitty' shapes, complete with whiskers, eyes and nose cut out of the nori (edible seaweed) and a bow cut out of lemon peel.

I had thought it would be a good chance to learn how to cook Japanese style, and have a weekly session, but now I'm having second thoughts.  Don't know if I could cope!

New Year's Eve upstairs

I picked a good daughter-in-law, didn't I!  She's a marvellous cook, and this was our dessert on New Year's Eve.  I went upstairs for the meal, then rolled down again, several glasses of champagne later, to watch TV.  The coverage of the night's events was so disappointing I switched off and went to bed about 9.30.  Like many other people, I'm bored by fireworks and think it's a terrible waste of money.  The following morning I saw glimpses of celebrations round the world, but failed to get excited by any of it.

I'm glad you liked the quote, Olga and Winifred.  I hope you've been able to life it successfully for your FB page, Winifred.  It certainly is good advice and I need to think of it every day!

Live in the present

What a good philosophy to live by.  I'm going to give it a try in 2014.

There are lots more of Lao Tzu's quotes here:  http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/lao_tzu.html

Yes, Winifred, I realise how fortunate I am to be so close to my grandchildren.  It's hard to believe Emma was only 3 - Hugo's age now - when we moved here three years ago, and now she's finished Kinder and has grown a lot.  Frank, you are fortunate, too, to be surrounded by family.  I'm sure Max and Georgina will always want to be close to you, Winifred, even though they're teenagers.

Happy New Year to you all.