The Little Man

He came with his nanny to our International Lunch :)  

Packages!

I'm being spoiled via Royal Mail. Each day for about five days now, I've had something, either a card or a package from home waiting for me when I return to my flat.   Today it was this little guy: 

I sat down and cried.  It's been a long few days, with a lot going on in my life and work and several different friends going through difficult times.  Having just come from coffee with one such friend, my heart was heavy.  I had a long bus ride, thanks to traffic, and on the way was reminded of so many people who need prayer.  

Coming home to find this bear was such a blessing and I don't use that word lightly.  Love.  I felt so loved, by the sender and also by God.  God puts people in our lives to remind us of His love, and I'm so thankful for that.  To the sender of this little bear, and to all of you who send emails, cards, etc, thank you so much.  You make my day brighter and so often, God times those gifts to be received on just the right day.

Marrakech

Camden Town is a favorite place to explore.  Thanks to my friend Stephanie, I've become acquainted with a little Moroccan tea shop called Marrakech.  Its become a place I like to spend an evening with a friend.  They do make the best baklava, not as though I've ever had baklava that was bad! 

As you can see, its really charming!

  You should come visit and I'll take you for coffee or mint tea :)  And of course, baklava :)

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain

A friend of mine was able to visit with a few days vacation from her job as a nanny in Spain.  We wandered through Hyde Park and made our way to the Diana Memorial Fountain.  Along the banks of the Serpentine, its a lovely spot to sit on a sunny day.  Whenever I walk along the Serpentine, I can almost forget I live in a city....

I know the desire behind the creation of the memorial was to have a place reflect the qualities that endeared Diana to so many people.  Its a very welcoming place.  I remember reading that "visitors are invited to sit and refresh their feet" in the water of the fountain.  Because of that, every time I've been to the memorial, kids have been playing in the water.  I personally like to find a kid free spot and lay down in the sun.  Combined with the usual joy we all feel on sunny London days, the running water, and the sunshine, I can very easily take a nap!

Picnic lunch in Trafalgar Square

Absolutely gorgeous day!  Blue skies, actually nice and warm in the sunshine.  I ate my Ritz crackers (YES) and cheese and strawberries sitting next to this lovely fountain in Trafalgar Square, delighting in the sun on my face.  

I wasn't the only one enjoying the sun.  Mr Mallard joined me :)

Summer creeps closer

Despite the disruption to flights in and out of London, life has been pretty normal for me.  Yesterday, I was down at Speaker's Corner.  As you can see from the photos, the crowds are returning with nicer weather.  This past week actually felt almost hot when standing in the sun!  The people were plentiful, the conversations energetic!  If you are ever in London and bored on a Sunday afternoon, just meander down to Speaker's Corner and bring your opinions with you!

Easter Holidays

I love surprises, and I was able to surprise my family with a whirlwind trip to the USA for the Easter holidays.  Just ten days, but it was so worth it!  Family is too special to not take advantage of these opportunities when they arise.  My gorgeous sister picked me up at the airport and took me to surprise the rest of the family the next day.  

My grandmother got to have all four of her granddaughters home for Easter Sunday, which I know meant a lot to her.  It was great to see my grandparents, who certainly have missed us with having our family spread out across the globe.  We still had the famous Easter Egg Hunt on the farm after a fabulous Easter dinner.   

Our family isn't close geographically, but what we lack in physical closeness, I like to think we make up for in emotional closeness.  I think the love we have makes it harder to be apart, but it makes our times together that much sweeter.  I love you all....never forget that!