Love, Young Lion

I made Spiced Coconut Pudding straight from Pinterest (and on such a whim)! I was pretty dumb and plumped the chia seeds with water instead of following the directions & putting them straight into the coconut milk...we'll see what happens. I had to put loads more seeds as well. Oh well! 

I had to grind the cinnamon stick myself cause I'm super kinfolk apparently. I didn't have any nutmeg so I added zero-calorie hazelnut syrup instead (just a splash). It tasted pretty good before I put it in the fridge! 

Try it out yourself. I'll let you know how it was in about an hour or two!

Love,

Young Lion

Just a few of the pressies I got for Christmas!

Vintage Stag & Doe Candlesticks & Holland Candles // My sister

Dolce & Gabanna Makeup Goodies // My cousin

Winston Churchill Quote frame // Mum

Pandora Charm // My Aunt

The house & gardens at Hinton Ampner evoked some memories of films & books set in World War II. I was thinking about the houses in Chronicles of Narnia, Atonement and probably some British TV dramas I've seen. I wasn't sure what it was about the house that reminded me of country houses that were used to host children from the cities/turned into hospitals during the war. I love love love ivy that covers stone & brick, so it was pretty clear why I liked this house. Also, the intricate and peaceful gardens sloped downwards, revealing a view of the lush, rolling hills of the South Downs.

Pictures are family-heavy today! Not much to report here. We walked all over the grounds of this estate and were quite tuckered out. So, we went to a cute coffee shop (surprise, surprise) and a cheeky bit of shopping. 

Ello! It was high time my family made their way to the Christmas Market in Winchester. We went there two years ago and fell in love! The lights were perfectly placed, the ice rink teeming with rosy-cheeked children and the thousand-year-old cathedral looming comfortingly above all the celebrations. We had roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and perused. I bought a few tidbits before we headed over to the AWESOME Everyman cinema to watch The Hobbit (another tradition). 

Honestly, I will never underestimate how comforting traditions can feel. As my friends know, stability is something I haven't had much of in the past few years (and still lack). So, when I find something (or someone) I can count on, I stick to it. I no longer think it's boring to do the same thing at the same time year after year. I'm glad we have this Christmas tradition and I dread the first time I spend Christmas away from my family. Though we are not Christian, we revel in the quality-time and happy spirits and atmosphere, as should everyone.

Have a good one :)

Love,

Conversations in the car are sometimes extremely intriguing. They shouldn't be any different than conversations outside of the car. Well, one person involved isn't able to obsessively check his/her phone, so maybe that's what changes the dynamic. Whatever the reason, I seem to remember car conversations, even if they are ones I had with myself. When I drive, my mind is clear and allowed to wander. A friend of mine recently asked if it was head-clearing to go on long drives alone as often as I do. She assumed that it's probably nice. When I thought about it, I realized that it truly is nice. Until it's not. Until I'm so in my own mind that I talk myself into believing things that I wouldn't believe otherwise. Idle minds---I'm not a fan.

Anyway, I was listening to Radiolab & This American Life on the drive from and back to Austin this time around. I couldn't pinpoint how exactly they did it, but those podcasts seemed like such an innovative way to tell stories of the past & present & future. However, they weren't exactly innovative. Radio has been around for decades. It used to be the dominant form of media consumed by the public. As a kid, I hated listening to NPR in the car. I kind of wish my parents had forced me to listen to it with them, though. Maybe I would have been smarter.

I got to thinking about how I could replicate Radiolab, because that's what I do when I see a creative idea that I like. I try to create my own version of it. So, I was scrolling through Facebook after landing in London to spend the winter holidays with my family. As I scrolled through the pictures of my friends' lives back in Texas, I thought "Wow, I could not be further away from them (in physical distance)". But is that true? It definitely isn't. Out of curiosity, I decided to see if there was an algorithm or website to figure out what the furthest place on earth actually WOULD be. I found out that Port-aux-Français, French Southern and Antarctic Lands was the furthest I could actually get from Austin, Texas. 

It's fascinating because it makes me think about my superlative use. What actually is the MOST I could eat? The SLOWEST I could walk? Does anyone really care? Would I actually go to the Antarctic Lands just so say I got the further away from home I could possibly be?

How far would I actually go to prove a point? Personally, I couldn't go to Antarctica. Can't stand the cold. But I'm a stubborn person so maybe I'd do it if challenged. I'm sure there are amusing stories about people out there who have gone great lengths (the FARTHEST they possibly could) to prove a point. Maybe I could compile them and mash them together to create my mini-Radiolab? Maybe.

Love,

God Cries on Texas

Way back in August (so a month ago), Rose & Jill & I went to explore some watering holes in Austin. There are quite a few, but we didn't exactly account for the drought Texas is in/summertime. 

No matter, I still got to revel in the sheer beauty of nature while hanging with my girls. I love that we live somewhere with so much natural beauty--despite the ridiculous heat during the summer & hurricane season, we can spend most of our time outside. 

Basically taking a coffee shop tour of San Fran today (not really)

The first one is Bean Bag Coffee---I got a Tuscany crepe and it was very good. The fries were good too but I shouldn't have had them because I am SO SO full. Nice ambiance--a bit loud though. I had to sit at the windows because felt awkward taking a 4 seater table just for myself. Not too comfortable (has this become a yelp review or something??)

The second one (pictured) is Oakside! So cute. Feels like a place I could become a "regular" at (I say as if I live in SF...). It has tons of paintings and decorations around the place and the wifi is fast. The upstairs seating is where it's at for getting work done. Great neighborhood as well! I got the thai iced tea (I'm sort of an aficionado) and it was excellent. Extremely creamy yet still strong taste. 

My next stop is Booksmith ! I hope I don't buy too many books though--can't really haul them back to Austin.