unexpected holidays, sort of

A couple of months ago I mentioned how one of my New Years resolutions was to read more and how much I admire the Fifty Two Fifty Two project. Current book count of 2010 is eleven with having started three more books - my horrible habit of reading multiple books at the same time, I know!

Yesterday for some reason I sat down with a brand new book and didn't stop until I was done four hours later. Granted it was not the hardest book to read but I can't remember the last time I was as relaxed to do that. It seriously felt like a mini break away from life.
Started another one last night, No Impact Man by Colin Beavan. Found it the other day and remembered watching this trailer while I was in Tennessee.
Being green at heart and always looking for ways to make this world a better place, I like reading what other people do. So far I'm loving it and think that everyone should read up on these things. In my opinion everyone should check out Matthew Sleeth's Serve God, Save The Planet as well. Probably his book and the whole God is green series that the Mars Hills community walked through a couple years ago, have shaped me quite a bit. As has Carl Honore and his book In Praise Of Slow.

Don't know why but had a day off today as well, so going with the whole green theme, I finally had time to check out our garden and planted some seeds. Hopefully they will all turn into plants and bear much fruit :)

picnic in the park

It finally feels like spring on the cold and grey island, so to celebrate we had the first picnic of the season!
My lovely friend Hannah

(who dressed so she would match the napkins -  true story!!)

and her boyfriend Todd

came and brought a whole basket full of goodies. After church we went to the park behind the British Museum and had our lunch. As I was looking after the Zekestar, he came along and was running around us in circles screaming "I'm a ladybug, I'm a ladybug". Funny and definitely not as strange as the guy in pink shorts trying to box with a tree making all the noises you hear in cartoons when people fight.
Sitting in the sun was gorgeous, the food delicious and in the company of old friends life always seems a little better!

On another note. A big cheer goes out to Nicole and Simi who got engaged last week. Congratulations to you both xx

family near and far

There is something about family that is universal. You can't pick them and you love them no matter what :) (Yesterday my entire family gave me a rendition of Silent Night... why? I have no idea!!! That's just how insane they are and I couldn't live without it hehe) Best part is, when those crazy people you call family are not in close proximity, God extends it and brings in more people that all of a sudden you have a whole other family in your area.
Over the years I've become part of so many "families" and feel blessed to have them all in my life. They're those kind of friends where you lose your guest status in their house. You're not asked anymore if you want anything as they know that you will help yourself :)

I guess it all started with the lovely Schmids who have been there as long as I can remember and I have to admit that I miss them a great deal!

Next up the Pfau family in Salzburg entered the Astrid world...

they have been the family away from home for years and years now. I treasure the time I get to spend with them and love every single one of them!

Before I moved to Sydney, I spent some time in NZ and met the Stiles family who became my family in Sydney. It was the best thing and I am so grateful for all dinners, sailing trips, weekends in the Hunter valley, Christmas's, birthdays, etc we've had together. They're amazing and I wish I could fly over now and hang out with them.

It's been almost two years... definitely too long, that's for sure!!!

My crazy time in Tennessee was taken over by the adorable Porters who just welcomed me with open arms. Seriously everyone should have Porters in their world!!

So when I came to London, God hooked me up with the lovely Stewarts and I couldn't have found better friends than them! I am writing this, sitting on their sofa. It's been an incredible few days at their house. Should have gone home ages ago but feel so sick - food poisoning or something yuck - and apart from Jeremy taking the piss, they just fold out the sofa and never want me to leave haha.

When you hang out with God, life is pretty unpredictable and all of a sudden you find yourself surrounded by the craziest people. They make life richer and so much more fun. One day I hope that they all meet and I get to give back a portion of what every single one of them has given me!

skype video madness

This is what happens when you've got two completely insane "grown ups" with a knack of the ridiculous and mix it with a two and a half year old.

Jeremy said that they could be the next youtube sensation hahahaha

Hope you all have a fun Easter weekend and get to celebrate Jesus, who He is and what He's done for us. I'm forever grateful and cannot believe how blessed we are.

eggs and lots of colour

Apparently in this country you don't do proper easter eggs, everything has gone commercial chocolate eggs!!! It's not good and no where near as much fun as colouring your own eggs.
I tried to find my hardest to get colours and more fun stuff to paint eggs but found nothing. So we were left to natures alternatives... onion skins, red wine, spinach, etc. We definitely have to perfect it and in the end we just painted them :)

more spring in the city

Thanks daffodils for coming out and painting this whole place in all shades yellow xx

Easter week

and this is how fast a whole week has gone by without me even noticing...

I'm camped out, once again, in the great SW of London this week. Lots of family time and fun with the Zekestar who is really into wrestling at the moment, Alarm!!!

On Sunday I took him to the most fun playground at Hyde Park - pirate ship, treasure chest, etc it's awesome. We climbed the look out and got to the treasure, while Zeke circled the chest I jumped onto it.

Zeke: Good boy Yaya.

Yaya: I'm not a boy Zeke, I'm a girl...

Zeke: Good man Yaya!

Love him to pieces!!!
Life has been great and I'm loving the warmer weather, the new flat, all the lovely people I get to work with, church and God has been opening up doors I never knew existed. Feel spoilt and immensely blessed.