I love the sudden explosion of excitement that comes with a Friday. Today I’m feeling a little more excited than usual after spending a majority of the last two weeks indoors. I think it’s also because I finally have my strength back and can comfortably get back into my indoor-routines with Georgie. Organising, rearranging furniture, fixing things and cleaning, reading and being superheroes. This is what we do indoors. Cheers to good health.
The first time I heard of Erini was when I was asked to interview her for an article in the newspaper I used to work for. The reason for said interview was Erini’s popular workshops on raw food and how to advocate more raw ingredients and healthy meals into a hectic lifestyle. Although I have to admit I have only mastered one or two of her recipes-that’s only down to lack of motivation- I didn’t hesitate for a minute to grab a copy when I saw she had written a book with 100 recipes. All with no cooking involved. Soar on Raw combines mythology and mother nature in an inspirational and educational way and also boasts the most beautiful, colourful pictures. My favourite part is a shopping list she has included to get you started-because any person who prepares meals on a regular base knows how important it is to keep a well-stocked pantry and fridge. Oh and of course this book has spoken to the mother in me by including kids in the mix with recipes you can prepare for a child’s birthday party. I can’t wait to start feeding my family more raw goodies and getting this damn flu out of my system.
I’m writing this post horizontal in my bed with the worse headache ever, a blocked nose and a sore throat. Accompanying my misery is a cup of basil-thyme-eucalyptus tea, which is cold and beautiful music streaming from Radio Nova , which is interrupted by my awful internet connection. To make matters worse, over the past two days my little dude has had to watch me drooling on the couch, moaning and whining and losing my patience with silly things. I know I should give myself a break but you see, this is the first time since I had Georgie that I have fallen sick. Man, it sucks being ill but being ill and being a mummy is something that I find, really sucks! I hate not being able to play outside with him or kiss him uncontrollably or take him to the park, like I promised. The high point of my misery came last night when I bent down to give Georgie a bath and realised how weak and in pain I was. I cried. I didn’t mean to, of course because Georgie was right there watching me but I couldn’t help it. I just burst into tears. I felt so sorry for myself, I am ashamed to admit. But then in an instant all was gone: a little soul with only two and half years of experience in this world leaned forward, gave me a kiss and brushed the hair out of my face. ‘All better, mummy.’
There’s one place in Larnaca I love visiting. The thrift shop. Sad fact about Cyprus: We don’t have many. Don’t get me wrong, they exist! But not to the degree they exist in other European countries. This one is owned by an English lady who has turned this joint into a very popular spot with the locals. Granted, not many treasures are here to discover – isn’t that the case with most thrift shops anyway?-but I have gotten lucky. Besides, nothing beats buying five books for 4 euros and 60 cents! I can’t imagine handing over pennies in most bookshops. There’s a quiet corner in the thrift shop where shelves are tightly-stacked with books of every genre. Georgie enjoys reading time so he loves rummaging through them and flicking through the pages looking for tigers and dinosaurs. I love seeing the names of the old holders and little notes. There’s a sense of greatness being able to show my child that not everything beautiful and inspirational has to be brand new…and come with a hefty price tag.
The transition from holiday to routine came abruptly to Georgie. He misses his daddy after spending three weeks of morning chores, long breakfasts, naps together and afternoon swims. While I was barely hanging on to the last days of the summer vibe, the little man needed to be entertained. With kids, entering new phases is a crazy time but get it right and it can be magical. He wants to ride a dinosaur and go to school. On his own. Needless to say, there’s a massive improvement in his speech! Dude, we talk to each other! I ask, he answers. He asks, I do my best to answer. Why are you cooking, mummy? Because you have to eat. Why do I have to eat, mummy? The questions come like an avalanche with the sweetest force ever. Which ultimately means that it’s crunch time for Georgie and his ever-curious mind. I scour Pinterest for ideas on toddler activities and interests. Georgie absolutely adores his big cousin but there are times when a six-year old and a two-year old don’t mesh. They need stimulation and something to do other than annoying each other. Enter car wash. They had so much fun they ended up washing every single outdoor toy and themselves, of course. Tents, teepees, they all work when it comes to a pop up house in the garden. With Lily Rose as the house guard.Fruit and vegetable stamping. So simple, so pretty. Papa’s work has been supplying us with cardboard boxes. Yes! The possibilities are endless. So far we’ve got a car going-albeit with stockings as seat belts- and a race track and tunnel for his Hot Wheels. It’s no wonder I baked twice last week.
