An eclectic assortment of bits and pieces from the past couple of months…
. . . . .
I recently found myself with a Wednesday morning free, so I asked Big Boy if I could keep him company while he ran errands. We chatted as he drove, and then we went and had a coffee. How often does life give you the chance to spend quality time with your adult children?
. . . . .
I didn’t take the photo below, but Bethany sent it to me because she knows how much I adore Not-A-Baby-Anymore Grace. Small bossy girl decided she would put on an impromptu ballet performance for patrons of the Revesby Worker’s Club…
. . . . .
We sat at St George Hospital for 22 days. It was a hard time. But the kindness of the nursing staff – their compassion and patience and competence – made things just a little bit easier. Robyn the physio took us under her wing and made Dad as comfortable as possible. We will be forever grateful to them…
. . . . .
My beloved nieces live in Singapore, so I don’t get to see them nearly as often as I’d like. They’re both world class fencers. The youngest gave me the pins she’d received from the Sea Games (where she won a bronze medal), including the coveted red pin only given to competitors. I’m so proud of them that it feels like my heart might burst…
. . . . .
My fossil collection has now outgrown the mantlepiece. A vintage crystal spider guards our treasures while we sleep…
Our latest addition is this 145 million year old ammonite in matrix from South Dakota. It’s hard to see from the photo, but the shell has a pearly shimmer to it…
The stunning specimen below isn’t in my collection (from memory, it retails for over $600), but lovely Tom at the Living Fossil Gallery was more than happy for me to take a photo of it. I think it’s absolutely magnificent…
. . . . .
Happy Snack in Homebush West (formerly Flemington) make my favourite banh mi – it’s filled with pork balls, salad, paté and sauces, then toasted to perfection. My personal recommendation is to ask for chilli, then carefully remove every piece before eating (or risk spontaneous combustion)…
. . . . .
Small Man and Big Boy, having a Garcia and De Niro moment. It makes me incredibly happy that they’re so close, even as adults…
. . . . .
Our friend Will introduced me to Coffee Alchemy. They make the best decaf I’ve ever tasted…
Coffee is a very serious business at this little Marrickville café and roaster, and on Saturday mornings, one barista makes the shots, the other does milk. No food on offer, just elegant, perfectly crafted brews. Owner Hazel de los Reyes holds the Australian Cupping title (bean selection) as well as a variety of other barista titles. If you’re passionate about coffee, seek these people out…
. . . . .
Big Boy took us to his favourite all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque. Wagyu House in Croydon is a hoot – $29.90 per person for all the meat and sides you can consume in a three hour sitting – served in a converted car yard on Parramatta Road. I really like that the meat is cooked over hot charcoal rather than gas…
I don’t get my money’s worth there, as I just want to eat banchan and side dishes, but Small Man more than makes up for me…
. . . . .
Pete and I spent a sunny afternoon beachcombing at Warriewood recently. I picked up these pieces of pumice – it’s amazing to think that they were spewed out of a volcano half a world away. They’re as light as air…
. . . . .
I hope you’re all having a lovely month! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I’ve been wondering how you are. Lovely post. 22 days is a long time sitting in a hospital. Lots of love xx
Thanks lovely. It was a long time. Gaining momentum again now. :)
We love the Wagyu place there too – often a birthday treat. Glad you got one on one time with one of your big boys – as mine get bigger it becomes more precious!
Claire, it’s the maddest place, but my boys love it. We took mum the other day and she asked for a cup of hot water and they said, “oh sorry, we don’t have hot water”. What restaurant doesn’t have hot water? :)
Nursing staff are worth their weight in gold and don’t get paid nearly enough in my view! Lovely assortment of bits and pieces.
Josephine, they really don’t. The staff at St George were just so kind, we were extremely grateful.
It’s lovely that you got a chance to spend some one-on-one with Big Boy. They are gone so soon.
He’s still at home, Amanda, for which I’m incredibly grateful. But I do know it won’t last long!
Such pockets of small joy in what must be a very challenging and sad time for you and your family.
Food can be such a solace as is both cooking, baking and recipe reading for me. My bread making is going great guns here, Priscilla’s child Cybil has been wonderful and now has produced 8 of her own children, I think of you every time I’m feeding it, growing it and needing it. Thankyou :)
Chrissy, thank you for telling me that, it’s put a huge smile on my face! So good of you to be sharing Priscilla/Cybil around!
That coffee looks divine! It is so nice that your boys are close friends, very sweet.
Lori, they really are, it’s lovely to watch. Though sometimes we’ll go out to dinner and the two of them will chat away and ignore Pete and I. Perhaps that’s how it should be. :)
Such nice post, Celia… some of the photos left me speechless, they had so much emotion and beauty….
now, the coffee art – I am fascinated by what the baristas can do with foam – I am art challenged, cannot draw anything to save my life, but art fascinates me in any shape or form
hope you are doing well…..
Thanks Sally…wasn’t the coffee pretty? I was so impressed with how perfect it was…
Glad to see you’ve had some wonderful moments in the last month despite the 22 days in the hospital. I hope some day to enjoy quality adult time with my boys as well. Right now our time together involves them driving me insane! Hubby is working way too much lately so I don’t get the one on one time with each if them that is much more pleasant.
Gretchen, it will pass, but I’m sure that having three of them so young is exhausting! :) It’s good that they get along well though!
So nice that you can spend quality time with the boys in the midst of so much recent heartbreak. When I read about your nieces fencing I just thought ‘how cool’ to myself – what a wonderful sport for young women to be involved in.
I’m fascinated with your fossil collection – not least your ability to file away so much knowledge. Your month is looking good xx
Thanks my darling friend. I do like my fossils. I’m currently trying to read a book about volcanoes, just for fun. :)
Your bits and pieces are always interesting, and inspiring a positive view of life :)
Thanks lovely! I hope you and the G.O. are having a fabulous month! xxx
I always enjoy reading your bits and pieces posts. Your two boys look gorgeously radical and moody in that cafe shot. And the little dancing girl- great photo!
Fra, I knew you’d like the photo of bossy girl! She’s an unstoppable force! And thank you, the boys were deep in the middle of a conversation – they often look like that, Small Man eager to tell his brother something, and Big Boy all grown up and considered. :)
A moving post! You’ll always remember that hospital corridor . . . but also the kindness of those attending your late father. Am so glad to see your sons full face and not from the back . . . and they have good taste in food – that Korean barbecue place in Croydon looks great value for an appetizing meal! Have always loved the art of fencing: so wanted to join the Sydney Uni team but it was too costly a sport for a recently-arrived migrant girl. Can understand your pride in your nieces . . .
Thanks Eha! The fencing is amazing to watch!
Wonderful “bits and pieces’ Celia, thank you for sharing. Your boys have such generous eyes. My big boy called in to see me last night and decided to move all the lounge furniture around. He assured me it was better feng shui, I was doubtful……… but it does feel better this morning.
Madge, I’m happy to hear that! Did he install some moving water for you as well? :)
Your picture of St George Hospital made me teary Celia. It’s where my father died nearly eleven years ago.
Your boys are beautiful young men.
Thanks Melissa. I have trouble looking at the photo too.. xxx
I’ve never seen pumice on Warriewood Beach. The photo of your two boys is gorgeous. I love the photo of your niece flying through the air with her fencing sword. The bread roll looks fantastic but I’ll take your advice about the chilli. I’m so glad you were happy with the care your dad was given at St George xx
Charlie, I think we were at Turimetta Heads? And yes, Dad was given the wonderful care – it’s wonderful to think that is possible in a public hospital. xxx
Glad you are back in whatever form but this was lovely. Thank you.
Thanks Susan. Hopefully back more regularly in September, it’s been a long few months…
Celia it’s lovely seeing you venturing up this way….the pumice was exposed in the April storms when most of the sand on Warriwood, Mona and Newport ended up in the car parks.
Melissa, that IS interesting to know, thank you. Lovely beaches you have up your way! :)
Lovely to see such happy and fun moments in amongst a difficult time for you. Your boys are just gorgeous xx
Thanks lovely. I do so adore those boys of mine!
:)
Glad to hear from you Celia! Missed your bits & pieces. Could with a delicious hot coffee right now with this rain we’re getting. Your boys are so handsome! Reminds me of my 2 older boys… 2 peas in a pod! That’s such a blessing!
Lina, they’re very alike and very different at the same time! Thank you! :)
Doesn’t Big Boy look like Pete in the top photo? Love the photo of Garcia and De Niro!
Rose, he’s looked just like Pete since he was born. I used to walk into shops and people would look at him and say, “oh, this is Pete’s son, then?” :)
Love your post Celia. Aren’t fossils amazing? The South Coast is a great place to find fossils. Recently we found some in a rock next to us at a beach. Not sure what it is though, some sea creature we think. Plenty of pumice here as well. handy for the shower!
HI Christine, that sounds amazing! Which beach are you talking about? We’re always looking for new fossil hunting sites!
Hi Celia, I’ve just realised that I hadn’t replied to you comment. The beach is Pretty Beach, not far from the famous Pebbly Beach, between Ulladulla and Bateman’s Bay. Ulladulla has guided fossil walks during the Summer but easy to spot them yourself.
Hi Celia, lovely photo of your boys :) Nursing staff are just wonderful, they work so hard and are so caring in often very difficult circumstances x
Stefanie, as I sat in hospital, it amazed me how kind the nurses were and how much knowledge they had. They were often so much kinder than the doctors, actually.
An eclectic and well rounded post Ms Celia. LOVE the recommendation for the chilli. If I am ever up that way I will order the pate and the meatballs and carefully remove them all ;).
Fran, that would work. Just like the chilli, you’d still be able to taste the pate and meatballs.. :D
The coffee looks amazing! Your collection is really cool, although I’m terrified of real spiders, I just love that crystal spider!
Thanks Eva, I made about a dozen of them once, and there are just a few left.. :)
Some special times amidst some very sad times. I’ve been thinking of you and sending love. I too ask for the chilli and then remove it. I just have to remember I’ve got chilli on my hands and not rub my eyes (some of us are slooooow learners). Xxxx
Thank you, my lovely friend. xxx
Ooh I really enjoyed this post. Loved the photos but the ones of your boys were my favourites :) I’m not a fan of spiders but your crystal one is rather gorgeous and special. And I love that your fossil collection is growing. PS. I ask for extra chili and make sure I eat it, even if I do self combust. Big Man thinks I’m bonkers, I tell him it’s good for the blood!
Tanya, you’re built of sterner stuff than I am! Yes, the fossil collection is growing, we need to figure out more storage. At the moment the surplus is sitting in a box! :)
My son biggie is 23 and I to love when I can steal a moment of one on one with him. He happened in while I was reading your post – he too collects fossils and loved your pics. He said he would love to see everything in the box.
Lury, I’ve written a few posts on fossils that he might like…
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2014/04/12/archive-post-the-somerville-collection/
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2015/05/18/living-fossil-gallery-mosman/
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2014/04/29/dove-and-lyre-newtown/
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2015/05/12/the-rocks-markets/
Wonderful bits of life shared here, Celia. I am glad to see you’ve had some quality time with your young men. They’re the future and they must be a wonderful salve on your hurting heart. Your photos are just wonderful! I enjoyed each one. :-)
Debra, thank you! The boys really are a joy and comfort to have around. xxx
Oh Celia – such lovely moments! I especially love the picture of your errand time with Big Boy and the shot of the two boys together. My “small man” just left for his last year in college after being home for the summer for the first time in 2 years. It was lovely. Tomorrow I am running errands with my amazing daughter-in-law. After raising two boys, having a daughter is a revelation. Coincidentally, we are finishing our errands with lunch at a new Vietnamese restaurant I found that has delicious bahn-mi sammies. Sending you all wishes for those sweet times to sooth your loss.
Thank you, lovely Lynn. How nice to have your youngest home with you! Did you ever get him to build you a Lego iPad stand? :)
Hi Celia,
again, so sorry for your loss, but so pleased to read that the staff helped ease the burden somewhat.
So wonderful to read about your bond with your sons – just gives me something to aspire too so thank you for reiterating the importance of family as sometimes it all gets lost in this crazy world.
I also wanted to add as the comments are closed, that I’ve made your fruit and nut sourdough with fabulous results. I’ve got one sitting in front of the heater now it’s a cinnamon, orange, fruit and nut loaf and I can hardly wait for the morning to get cracking…it’s sitting alongside an overnight sourdough too – I’ve got a few friends hooked :) Again, thank you for being such a rocking trail blazer – your work and posts are so great, I just know they are tried and tested with love….sorry if I’m coming across all brown nosing but I’ve done so much research and I just keep coming back to you :) so a big floury high five honey, Jan x
Jan, that’s so kind of you, thank you! It’s incredibly rewarding to know that you find the blog useful – makes it all worthwhile! :) xxx
Oh my, 22 days sitting in a hospital, what an endurance, but you all made it!
And I just love the shot of the dancer / entertainer to be! take care. Cx
Thanks darling, hope all is well with you. xxx
i collect fossils too. love that one you have there. and yes you can see the shimmer. so lovely.
Sherry, it’s an addictive hobby isn’t it? I so love it. I drive my mum crazy because I’d rather buy fossils than clothes! :)
Celia, I’m just now reading this and loving your “bits & pieces” — even the hard parts. You’ve been through so much, but I’m thankful that God has blessed you with happy moments in between, xo.
Darling friend, as I always say, we live imperfect lives filled with perfect moments. We just have to remember to look for them! :) xxx
Ain’t that the truth! xoxo
Celia, you always have the most fascinating “bits and pieces” to share! And you are quite amazing!
That’s kind of you Jean, thank you! :)
This is truly a lovely and warming post Celia. I love the vintage crystal spider and your fossils, and the ‘De Niro’ moment, wow – what handsome young men you have.
Shaheen, thank you! I think my boys are gorgeous too! :)
Take care dear friend… and thank you for sharing your treasured bits n pieces xx
Thanks lovely one..hope we get to catch up in the near future.. xxx
Celia, I’ve been out of communication for a few weeks and so much has happened. I’m so sorry about your Dad, he sounds like a wonderful person. You are so lucky to have warm memories but I doesn’t take the place of his presence. What a great emotional legacy he has given your family.
And Selma, I didn’t know she was ill. How terrible.
My heart goes out to you all.
Liz, thank you. It has indeed been a long couple of months. Spring arrives in Sydney tomorrow and the garden is giving us joy. xxx
Oh wonderful life things Celia. I have passed wagyu house and wondered about it? There is not enough words to express the kindness and compassion of some of our heath care professionals. We will never be able to thank them enough. xx
T, you should take Skater to Wagyu House, it really is the most bonkers place. As I mentioned above, Mum asked for hot water and they didn’t have any – what restaurant can’t give you a cup of boiling water? :D And yes, the kindness of the staff at St George was almost overwhelming.. xxx
The answer to your first question is we never get enough time with our adult children. I don’t know about you but I still marvel at how fast time went by from holding a tiny little bundle to walking my lovely daughter down the aisle.
Oh wow, the wedding has happened!!! Congratulations to you all! :)
Yes, it did and everything was absolutely marvelous!