The Mall on Sunday

Williamsburg Outlet Mall, one of those places brands sell seconds or out of season, or made-for-the-outlet-market goods. The girls love the Dinosaur and Race Car rides (though they're beginning to ask questions about actually pushing quarters in the slot), and we love our new Empire Red Kitchen Aid mixer. Here we're preparing to make pizza dough.

It's hard to believe Historical Williamsburg, so attractive, is a stone's throw away as is the beautiful William and Mary campus.

Flower Garland, Shields Market

There was a sweat shop set-up with quality-control oversight from HK c/o skype, as M had been tasked by our favourite local store, Shields Market, to create a springtime garland of flowers.

It was not a smooth journey and communal effort was needed to supplement the very plain interpretation of the brief that was stubbornly upheld, despite multiple interventions and a generous cash incentive.

Circular rug, in progress...

Here it is - the thrift store fabric-fest of a rug, currently a mix of six blankets, throws and tablecloths. Of course I have a plan and that plan is fairly colour specific! Solid colours, no earthy tones and a Marimekko Melooni aesthetic that challenges my suppliers - the good folk of Richmond VA.

Have 6 foot (!) ambitions and red is up for sourcing next. Then I can justify this IKEA classic rocking chair to complete the look or maybe its non rocking, cheaper alternative.

Muesli breakfast

A Jamie Oliver + Whole Foods triumph - home concocted muesli NOT granola and utterly delicious!

Only eight year's in aspiration and many boxes of Dorset later. Now all we need is a big IKEA cereal dispenser and we'll be like some Swiss alpine chalet of a morning...

• 8 large handfuls of organic rolled oats
• 2 large handfuls of ground bran
• 1 handful of chopped dried apricots
• 1 handful of chopped dried dates
• 1 handful of crumbled walnuts
• 1 handful of smashed or chopped almonds, hazelnuts or brazil nuts

Farm Bus on Kensington

Pulled up outside the local children's bookshop was this bus and a bunny and lots of local folks... inside it's like a movie set for fruit and veg.

We got our wicker basket and filled it up with yellow zucchini, blueberries and raspberries, that tasted as good as the ones from my granny's garden. I was transported back to summer afternoons picking them with her, debating if strawberries were better (they never were for me)  and then running around her raised walkway before tea on the lawn.

Instead I baked chocolate brownies with European cocoa, a dusting of icing sugar (aka confectioners) and a few surviving raspberries on the side - our Friday outdoor-cinema guests were happy!

The Farm Bus

PS: The car in front was owned by a cute guy offering free hugs - it was humid - I declined.

Build-a-Bear, Short Pump Town Center

... when your mum's not in charge and you've got your favourite neighbour by your side you can sometimes get to make your dreams come true. So on Tuesday 13th December Ameigh, the Smurf and Rosie the pink bear were born. They were handpicked, stuffed with fluff and given their own, specially selected giggles and finally a heart, before being fluffed under a dry shower. Birth certificates now on display.

Build-a-Bear

Whole Foods, Short Pump, Richmond VA

The ultimate supermarket breakfast in or outdoors. Organic sesame bagels and cream cheese, decaf Columbian on tap and ethically disposable flatware aka cutlery. The corporate take on the organic deli with very classy rest rooms and lots of home-schoolers.

Whole Foods