Yesterday I was in Melbourne and accidentally on purpose found myself in an op shop (shock! horror!). Actually it was an upmarket/fancy pants op shop in Fitzroy. Anyway I loved this apron and could really relate to the desperate pleas. (Wash the dishes, scrub the floors...Help! PLEASE, Help!)
I couldn't, however, relate to the price tag.$15 for a stained (although admittedly amazing) apron, sorry, no can do.
I also came across this recipe book. Annie Ross looks like a helluva gal, when she says "Come on In" you can't say no! Do you like her come hither/don't mess with me look? Check this quote out from Chapter 5. "I was working in Birdland opposite Buddy Rich a while back. A cat came in one night who used to hang in the village and invited me to his place in Haiti. Buddy said I might as well go because he and his old lady had spent two groovy months there." Wow.
Annie shares some beaut recipes such as Cold Veal with Tuna Fish, The Grapefruit Diet and Pigs Trotters. Yum!
The real reason for the city trip was that time is nigh for University Open Days. What happened to my little baby?? Yep, she is almost grown up.
So we braved our way through the pouring rain and wind to the damp & crowded tents of the University of Melbourne. On a sunnier, or a least dryer, day I'm sure we would have been oohing and ahhing a bit more at the stunning campus. Gorgeous old buildings galore, green lawns, swimming pool, etc etc etc. Did I mention arch ways? Lots of them. Despite the rain there was a festive atmosphere. This woman was in a real party mood.
We gathered information like a couple of swooping seagulls - pamphlets, booklets, a quick cuppa for mum and then we were out of there. Back through the rain, comparing rain affected parts. Her: soaking wet sock due to hole in boot, Me: soaking wet arms due to inefficient/cheap coat. We both loved this little house which is about as narrow as they come, nice balloons huh?
Then it was onto the Catholic University which couldn't have been more of a contrast. Although it didn't have the grandness of Melbourne Uni it was extremely friendly (we like) and easy to access (good too) and the furry faced professor of psychology cheerfully helped us with our questions. So then we tootled back up the freeway . A lot to take in and I'm glad Char is still in year 11. At the moment she is keen to study psychology but her interest in the arts may take her in another direction.
It's funny having kids at different stages and ages. It really doesn't seem that long ago that Charlotte was having a princess party herself! Now she is practically a woman and is such a great daughter & person. Sometimes it's hard for her coming home to a house full of noisy, crazy kids who can be demanding & pesky. I know she loves them but I can see how hard it is for her at times. It's tricky for me too as I walk the tightrope of family life, trying to keep everyone happy, making sure they are all listened to, fed, cleaned, loved (that bits easy). I hope she knows how important she is to us all and how much her little sisters and brother love & look up to her. I hope she knows how much we miss her when she is away at shcool. Life is complicated, and being 16 is too. Charlotte, I know it's hard sometimes, I'm sorry I don't always get it right,
I love you xo
14 comments:
She looks like such a beautiful young woman (which I'm sure would be quite a bit to do with your mothering!). What a day to remember down the track.
that Annie looks like she'd cook a mean meatloaf ... what a crazy cook book
Just a quickie to let you know i picked your name out in my giveaway x x
Sara x
Your daughter is very beautiful and it seems she knows what direction she wants to go in life. My son had elective choices yesterday and has no idea at all now. He changed his mind after work experience so is a bit lost at the moment. I am sure your family will always look back on how wonderful a mother you are, and how close your family is even if your daughter has to be away at uni later on. It is nice to have little children whilst you have teenagers too, makes life interesting.
What an exciting time in life! We know you are such a supportive mum, and if you can admit that sometimes you're only human, then I think that your children are doubly lucky.
The whole university thing looks like great fun - our boys are likely to leave France when they get to uni stage (maybe back to the UK, maybe elsewhere in Europe) so it will be doubly challenging to support them!
Yeah well, I reckon you must get a lot right. And this is going to sound a bit weirdy, but dang it, I'm saying it anyway...having met Charlotte fleetingly and once only, she still left a grand impression. She comes across as a person with the world at her feet, a smart head on her shoulders and a heart full of goodness.
(apologies Charlotte for any induced cringing embarrassment)
What a beautiful post about a wet but great day spent with your daughter. It's so hard when you want your children to grow up happy and healthy and into the best person they can be, but just not too quickly!
Sorry... I forgot to comment on Annie - and how could I not!
I am wondering if she has spent too much time in the liquor cabinet and not enough in the kitchen...?!
I think the emotional spadework is one of the hardest things about being a mother, and teenagers need it in, well, spades! When they're small you think it will be easy when they're older, but it's not, in fact their problems are often more complicated! But for me the wonderful thing about having a range of ages is that I will still have a little(ish) one left when the big ones have gone.
Pomona x
Sounds like you had a great day together.
What a beautiful post. I personally don't think it's a parent's job to always get it right. I don't think that's humanly possible. I think it's our job to love our kids and help them find their own path, come rain or come shine.
I reckon Charlotte's a very lucky young woman, and not just because she's got such a gorgeous red coat.
One can see the love you have for your daughter through your words. She is at an exciting time in her life and how lucky she is to have you with her every step of the way.
your daughter looks gorgeous and it is obvious from following your blog that you are a fab devoted mum, tho i imagine living apart at this time must be soooo hard and high on the guilt factor. annie ross doesn't look like she suffers from too much guilt however! what a cracker of a book - i LOVE her hair and that foxy cover shot, not to mention her free spirited comments. would love to share a bottle of red in her kitchen!
Oh gosh all those big decisions at such a precious age....
Now about that cook book...woah! and that hair...amazing hair! ha!
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