On keys and quays

– or the risks of being too tidy – I love DB’s mum. Apart from generally being an awesome lady, she’s DB’s mother, and responsible for 50% of his genes. She’s one of the only people I know, who can cook and serve 10 people dinner without the kitchen looking any different to before she […]

On swans and water policemen

When I think of November weather, my first thought is “grey” followed by cold, fog, drizzle, wind and rain. Today is the 2nd of November. It was 17 degrees (C ). The sky was blue and practically cloud free. DB and I went out in the boat. There aren’t many more enjoyable ways to spend […]

On improvisations on a swede

I found a swede in my local supermarket last week. That is a big deal here in Berlin where people generally don’t eat them. Anyway, I didn’t eat it last week because I wasn’t home in time to peel, chop, boil and mash it before my DB died of starvation. Yesterday was my chance. I […]

FROGS!! :)

    Added later: DB told me to remind anyone thinking of making/having their own barrel pond, that they have to get the frogs out of it in autumn before it freezes and take them to the closest lake. Thank you for being kind to the wildlife near you.   

On forced free time

I am a glassblower. I work with hot glass. In order to heat the glass I rely on a steady supply of gas. Methane for anyone interested. Someone in the building where I work is busy building something. I have no idea what it is they’re building, but it’s loud and dusty and resulted in […]

On waxing table legs

This is my table. It’s a work in progress at the moment. A couple of years ago a friend saw it sitting forlornly on a pavement, thought of me and rescued it by packing it into her huge van and bringing it over. We fought it up the stairs and that’s where it stayed until […]

On Christmas trees and traditions

Most people would probably think of baubles presents or sparkly sweet wrappers if you asked them for a Christmas tree tradition. Some might have a decorating ritual, or a special stand. Some might go out into the forest and cut their own. The DB has his own tradition. The tree hides, or tries to hide, […]

On what I learned from building a bookcase this weekend

* There’s a lot to be said for getting wood cut professionally – the corners were square and it didn’t wobble when we joined it together. * There’s also a lot to be said for measuring properly. Which we didn’t. There’s a lot of difference between 1370 and 1365mm. Especially when that’s the measurement all […]

On bookshelves

I moved to Berlin in January. Most of my things moved in after me. Most of them still live in the boxes we moved them in. For the last few months my bookcase looked like this: No[t much] longer! First, the DB chose a good space for a bookcase. Then we measured it. Then I […]