xMas 2009

xMas this year was an unusual one, it was quiet in a way but nice and cosy. I have to admit I do miss the traditional English way of celebrating although I’m glad that this year I didn’t have to deal with some female’s insecurity and snobbery like last year. As an adult I expect adult behaviour and I could do without the drama at the time.

But then again, that day wasn’t about this guest -certainly not- it was about the hosts! And they’d done a most excellent job organising! The food had the quality of that from a five star restaurant: amazing, exquisite and finger-licking good! I also had the privilege to sample and have a more traditional xMas dinner the previous year.

I really miss the kind of cooking that I usually do whether that is for a special occasion or just the daily routine. Having to deal with other people’s wishes and diets can be quite a daunting task especially when it’s not even appreciated most of the time. So I’m longing for the day that I can be my own chef in my own kitchen again.

I’m so gonna enjoy the peace and quiet and the fact that I can use my own pots and pans, my plates, cutlery, dishes and glasses again. That day I will celebrate and make myself some chocolate fondant so I can fully and totally indulge in the sweetness of the chocolate and the sweetness of having my own kitchen again…

Greenwich Market

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny and warm day and I decided to go to the antiques market in Greenwich with C. because I wanted to look for some treasures. We got there early and had a coffee and hot chocolate on a terrace while basking in the warm morning sun. I’ve found some wonderful treasures, a Noritake tea set: six cups and saucers, six small side plates, a sugar bowl, a milk jug and a cake plate. The back mark seems from between 1911 and 1941.

I also found a cup and saucer by George Jones & Sons, Staffordshire and two tiny Chinese bowls to add to my rice pattern collection. And I bought three beautiful old books: I love how they’re bound, the covers and old pictures. One needs restoration work on the back but I learnt how to bind books while attending graphic art school so I can do some of it myself. It’s weird if you think of the fact that this book belonged to someone else over a hundred years ago…

The market is closed down as of next week, another beautiful and vibrant place gone because the borough sold the land to a property developer. These are the kind of places that make London London to me… Such a shame, but I’m happy I have something that reminds me of a beautiful day I got to spend there!

George Jones & Sons, Blue Dragon c.1891-1920

Noritake, c.1911-1941

Old books

Old books

Old books

Old books