Week 8 2017 – a dinner party disaster

I love having friends over for food – I take a lot of pleasure in planning and preparing a meal, and serving it to my friends. I am a confident cook, so rarely worry about potential kitchen disasters: I just prepare as much as possible in advance so that I can spend most of my […]

Week 7 2017 – fondue at Edith’s House, Crouch End (review)

The area of North London I live in is pretty much perfect for life as a mother: full of baby-friendly cafes, restaurants and parks. When I don’t have anything particular planned and it is a dry day, I pack Ioan up in his pram and head out to Muswell Hill or Crouch End for a […]

Week 6 2017 – my (baby’s) body is a temple

With a freezer full of pureed meals for Ioan, in the last week I started trying him on blitzed versions of mine and Andrew’s food as well. Unfortunately this was met with limited success as Ioan had a nasty cold and sore throat (which he is just recovering from) so wouldn’t eat his solids and […]

Cookbook challenge – Anthony Bourdain: roast chicken with lemon and butter

Andrew and I love Anthony Bourdain. His TV shows are a perfect mix of travel and cooking, so that they appeal to us both, and although I don’t think he’s the kind of person I’d want to know (man, he’s scary), he is entertaining, witty, and writes a great book. His latest book is ‘Appetites: […]

Week 5 2017 – eating wisely, but not well, at the MaE Deli (review)

My lovely friend Jo and I have a tradition of treating each other to a birthday meal each year. Unfortunately for Jo, her birthday falls in early January, when she – and everyone else – is trying to eat a bit more virtuously, so we generally choose a restaurant that allows some healthy-ish options. This […]

Thoughts on being a (greedy) mum – month 5

Last month, Ioan had found his voice and started screaming. This month the screaming has continued but has also accompanied huge giggles – and it’s such a joy to see his face light up as he laughs and laughs. It makes up for the crying, which has been a bit more frequent recently due to […]

Week 4 2017 – an anniversary in the Welsh sunshine

On 25 January, Andrew and I celebrate 21 years as a couple. I think I can safely say that the last 6 months has been the most exceptional of that time considering the arrival of little Ioan. It’s he who I blame for my poor organisation in planning our celebratory weekend away, which was supposed […]

Week 3 2017 – preparing for weaning

​We started weaning a few weeks ago on the advice of a paediatrician, and Ioan has taken to solids like only the son of a greedy mum could. There hasn’t been a single item he hasn’t liked, but so far he has loved courgette, spinach and parsnip. I can barely scoop up the next spoonful […]