Week 28

Before I moved to London, there were a lot of things I had never really spent much time thinking about. . .for instance . . . what kind of socks are appropriate for welly wearing, how I feel about kids wearing school uniforms, morning/low tea vs. afternoon/high tea vs. cream tea and why do each of these refer more to what is eaten with the tea than to the tea itself.  When a friend asked me to join her at the Somerset House for some coffee and to see an exhibition on “Wonderful Wool,” I realized I had basically spent zero time thinking about wool.  An exhibition on wool?  Seriously?  “The Brits love their sheep . . .” she said.   I had been looking for an excuse to go check out the Somerset House anyway and she has lived here for over ten years and seems to know what she is talking about as far as cool things in London go, plus I enjoy her company . . . and . . . somewhat secretly, I was very interested in a photography exhibition going on at the same time so I figured after I got bored spent five minutes some time humouring my friend getting cozy with the sheep (what was this, a petting zoo?!), then we could go look at some real art for God’s sake.  Totally (mostly) kidding.  This didn’t really all go through my mind, I admit.  Actually, what I was really thinking was, “Go to a cultural arts centre in the heart of London in the middle of the week sans children with stimulating adult company?!  Count me in.  I don’t care what art we see OR what animals we are petting for that matter!”  At any rate, we agreed and I found myself at the hoof of the “Wool House.”  And boy am I glad I did.  Why hadn’t I spent more time thinking about wool?!  I had no idea.  It is absolutely, one hundred percent fascinating, amazing, beautiful and artful yet utilitarian and functional . . . not to mention warm and cozy (which felt perfectly appropriate in that moment because frankly, Hell might be a better option than this frozen spring we are all having . . . at least it would be warm).  Room after room, we saw countless and really beautiful objects made out of wool - blankets, hats, scarves, furniture, rugs, all kinds of high fashion apparel both women's and men's, art pieces, pillows, curtains, even a mattress.  It was all so very tactile and although I felt a bit sheepish (haha) touching items on exhibit, that was certainly part of the whole experience.  The culmination of the exhibition was a parade through seven stunning installation rooms in which individual designers had created entire cohesive interior designs celebrating this wonderful material.  The amount of diversity on display was astounding.  The designs were classic, simple, ornate, modern, sometimes old fashioned and homey, sometimes funky and surprising, always elegant.  By the end, I was sold.  On sheep.  On wool.  On the Somerset House.  We headed over to the photography exhibit, but ironically it paled in comparison and I quickly headed straight back to the Wool House to capture some of its fabulousness with my camera.  Baa.  

Week 3

I think almost every person I spoke to about moving to London, raised an amused eyebrow and said, "Oh yeah, London is AWESOME.  (meaningful pause) The weather isn't so great though....."  Well, this week certainly seemed to diminish that description a bit.  When I tell people here I am from California, I receive pity, a rub on the shoulder, and a look that seems to say, "Oh, you poor, crazy fool.  What on Earth would you move here for?!"  Ask me in a couple of weeks, but for now my reply to that is, .... whatever...we just keep on keeping on.  I continue to walk Liam to school, 1 mile each way (which, if you haven't done the math yet, is one mile there+one mile back to the house+one mile there+one mile back to the house, which in effect = a marathon by the end of the week!), the shoes get sloppy wet, the hair a complete frizzy mess five minutes after I style it, and a bit of a chill settles deep into the bones.  But hey, I am in London people.  I have a boy.  He is four.  What am I supposed to do, sit in front of the fire with a glass of wine and watch BBC while Liam literally bounces off the walls?!  As lovely as that sounds and incidentally, is probably just what my upstairs neighbor does all day (minus the bouncing Liam)....we have things to do.  This week was all about exploring . . . . in the mist, in between raindrops, under the umbrella, stomping through puddles, etc.  Forge ahead.

Forge ahead and attend a traditional Sunday roast at your local pub while the rain pours down outside and the fire blazes inside.  This is in fact quite spiritual for those of you wondering why am I not paying the church due visit.  This is how we started Week 3 here in London :)

 

Liam and I headed out to some amazing museums this week as well.  Our landlord recommended the Museum of Natural History and the Science museum, both of which A. Kept us dry ....and.... B. Were absolutely stunning both in architecture and content.  I had to drag Liam out of both of them.  C. One word....FREE!!!

We don't always explore indoors when it's raining.  We headed up to the Hampstead Heath one day for some romping around after hitting the museums.  I mean, come on England.  Just ridiculously beautiful.  The whole time, I was envisioning coordinating a fantastic photoshoot . . . an engagement, a family shoot, or even just the oh-so-fun Annual Anderson Family Christmas Card Self Shoot.  I expect this blog will be seeing more Hampstead Heath photos...
  

Ok, ok.....I talk a big game.  Yes, we get out there, but not without the requisite humungous Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie and Cappuccino or better yet, a bag of salty potato chips and a pint of....well...anyway...you get what I am saying....  The rewards for exploration and good attitudes in the rain are great . . . both for Liam and Mommy :)
Cheers!