Mind the Gap. Mind the distances. Holy crap this city is massive. Going anywhere takes serious planning and wherewithal.

Legging it

Hope Paterson May 6, 2014

Despite spending my early years growing up in London, Charlie is much more familiar with all the neighborhoods. As usual he has taken the lead on navigation. Phew. We've been tubing (when it’s not on strike), busing and legging it around the city. We didn’t bring a stroller so there’s a lot of carrying, shoulder lifts and a heavy dose of complaining when the distances are too long.

Transporting a pie from Borough Market. Riding on the top deck is simply the best for little ones.

This is a city with a purpose. It has to be. It’s productive beyond imagination and has a density of people and history that’s hard to fathom. The English are a funny bunch. They are quite repressed and under control. Queues, etiquette and form lead the way. Yet, I keep seeing explosions of personality and expressive culture jump out at me. Ohhh I love a city with so much texture.

Charlie went nuts taking pictures of graffiti in Shoreditch. It was a lot more gritty than the L.A street art.

London is littered with cameras. Big Bros is watching...or rather big kitty.

The kids would have loved a ride in this teeny tea vehicle.

Alfie assuming the power position in front of a play fire truck at Battersea Zoo.

If Charlie doesn't come back to Canada with a Land Rover I'll be gobsmacked. He gets love in his eyes when he catches glimpse of a perfect specimen.

London lag

Hope Paterson May 4, 2014

London. I'm back. My mind has been thick and sluggish with jet lag and countless old memories. 15 years have passed since my last visit. And it's been 25 years since I lived here. I knew it might be a bit weird to come back after so much time away. It's been harder than I expected. All sorts of feelings are bubbling to the surface. I can't believe I spent so much time here, yet I hardly remember actually living here. I wonder how one’s brain can compartmentalize life’s chapters like that?

What if I had stayed in the U.K? Would I be different? Would there be an English version of the current Hopey? I’m sure my penchant for wearing wigs would still be alive and kicking. With a prep school accent perhaps?

In an effort to put form to the fuzzy memories, I took Charlie and the kids on a wee tour of London, as I remember it.

Dartmouth Place--my first house in London. The tiny Chiswick home brought back loads of memories of James and me playing in the front garden. Only problem...was it this house, or the one to the right? Mum?

Here's our second house in London - Stamford Brook Rd, Hammersmith. I remember this one well.  James and I would make mud pies on fallen slate tiles, then cook them on the dryer vent behind the house. It was like our own imaginary restaurant. &… — Here's our second house in London - Stamford Brook Rd, Hammersmith. I remember this one well. James and I would make mud pies on fallen slate tiles, then cook them on the dryer vent behind the house. It was like our own imaginary restaurant. We'd build layered forts in the upstairs attic for hours until we heard the call for dinner. And how can I forget hearing night after night of dinner parties roaring downstairs. My mother would come upstairs and kiss us goodnight with garlic wine breath. I still love that smell.

Battersea Park Fair. My aunt Mandy used to take me here to play. Here is Sophia jumping in the same park, same age, same stage. Time flies!

The Natural History Museam. I don't think they've changed one exhibit since I was last there in the 80's. Charlie and I found ourselves laughing at the aged displays. The kids didn't notice. They loved every bit of it.

I have fond memories of going to Harrod's Food Hall. I think my granny used to do her weekly shopping there. Insane thought. We took the kids to gawk at the elaborate displays of food and  get lunch. Sophia chose sushi and crispy duck dumplings… — I have fond memories of going to Harrod's Food Hall. I think my granny used to do her weekly shopping there. Insane thought. We took the kids to gawk at the elaborate displays of food and get lunch. Sophia chose sushi and crispy duck dumplings. With no place to sit, we squatted outside a locked park. Not the classiest location, but it worked.

Standing outside my old nursery school--The Unicorn. They let us come inside and have a tour. The room that stood out the most was the tiny, weeny loos for kids. The smell of Dettol brought me back to being a 5 year old.

Sophia's trying her new poses on the Kew Road,  just opposite my old school. — Sophia's trying her new poses on the Kew Road, just opposite my old school.

Expending some energy. I loved phone boxes as a child. They make excellent time capsules.

Why have one when you can have two ice creams?

Little men love a lolly. I wasn't allowed to eat candy (much) when I was little. Since returning, I have found myself gazing at all the English sweets I could never gorge on. Sophia and Alfie think it's hilarious.

Ending the day with a spot of tea brings back memories. Sophia loved making her own with lots of cream and a sugar cube.

Big Ben is still there.  Check out the sky! It's a typical London grey. I won't lie. It has made me miss the Cali sunshine. — Big Ben is still there. Check out the sky! It's a typical London grey. I won't lie. It has made me miss the Cali sunshine.

Look up. Look down. There's something to see on every surface.

Dear L.A, I will be back.

Hope Paterson April 30, 2014

Charlie knew I would love L.A. He knows me well. My compulsion to observe people is hard to ignore (too bad I'm not an actor). L.A is simply the bomb for jaw-dropping scenes of unforgettable sights, peculiar people and weird shit. As he put it, it's a destination for sun seekers and attention lovers. Anything and everything goes. People are just friendlier here, the food is always fabulous and weather is off the charts good…every day. How can you not be in a good mood? How can you not look hot dang delish in your barely covering clothing? People are on display and they love it.

Our Airbnb was a few steps away from Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice Beach. This mile-stretch boasts art galleries, hip restos and high-end boutiques. Apart from this wall mural, we saw very few hipsters. The Venice streets were filled with barely-cl… — Our Airbnb was a few steps away from Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice Beach. This mile-stretch boasts art galleries, hip restos and high-end boutiques. Apart from this wall mural, we saw very few hipsters. The Venice streets were filled with barely-clothed people decked out in colour and flailing fashion. Five nights was ample time to scratch the surface. I could have stayed much longer. I WILL be back.

Venice is draped in street art. For the most part, the graffiti we saw was happy--sunny pictures of flowers, tiny dogs, smiling faces, unicorn-leopard-dogs.

Easter Weekend brought everyone out to play. There were skaters, egg-hunters, tourists, grannies in bikinis with their radios and two riders perched in their wagon, watching the world whiz by on the boardwalk.

Sparkling Spiderman and Bunny Sophia at the Sunday Market in Santa Monica. They do farmer's markets right in Cali. There was ample food, live music, market vendors, face painting and a petting zoo. What more could you ask?

Sophia getting her animal fix at the petting zoo, Sunday Santa Monica Market.

She's gobbling her large scoop of rhubarb ice at Sweet Rose Creamery. What you can't see is me slurping on a stranger's vanilla milkshake in the background. A largish man saw me not order anything for myself and exclaimed, 'You  can't not eat i… — She's gobbling her large scoop of rhubarb ice at Sweet Rose Creamery. What you can't see is me slurping on a stranger's vanilla milkshake in the background. A largish man saw me not order anything for myself and exclaimed, 'You can't not eat ice cream. Try this milkshake! It's the best in the world!'. He then passed me his own brimming cup before he had his first sip. I couldn't turn him down..could I?

All eat, no talk. Sometimes we leave lunchtime far too late.

The best burgers of the trip at Barney's at Brentwood Country Market. I thought Charlie might eat his fingers off..

Enough Annie's Mac and Cheese to drown a small child. If you have a child under 5, you know what I'm talking about. This stuff is like gold for little ones. I had to remove Alfie kicking and screaming from this towering display at Erewhon's Natural … — Enough Annie's Mac and Cheese to drown a small child. If you have a child under 5, you know what I'm talking about. This stuff is like gold for little ones. I had to remove Alfie kicking and screaming from this towering display at Erewhon's Natural Foods. He wanted them all.

Mexican food, fexican mood.  Tortillas make excellent mustaches. — Mexican food, fexican mood. Tortillas make excellent mustaches.

Big Bear Babysitting. Thanks to this remarkable man, Charlie and I had a full three hours on our own without children. Three full hours to wander and curse cheesy BelAir, and amble down Abbot Kinney without kid-interruptus. Hooray for the only child… — Big Bear Babysitting. Thanks to this remarkable man, Charlie and I had a full three hours on our own without children. Three full hours to wander and curse cheesy BelAir, and amble down Abbot Kinney without kid-interruptus. Hooray for the only child-free time we had during our stay in California. Thank you Andrew!

All fired up

Hope Paterson April 21, 2014

Few men turn down the opportunity to play with fire. Charlie is no exception. I think one of the main reasons he chose our Airbnb in Venice Beach (apart from stellar location and geodesic dome in the backyard) was that it had it’s own wood fired oven. Within hours of arriving in L.A we decided to host an Easter dinner with whomever we could gather and fire up a feast.

We hunted and gathered our ingredients from the Santa Monica Market. It wasn’t a huge market, but it boasted some of the best produce in La La Land. We bought buttery and peppery lettuces, kohlrabi, zucchini, dense-sweet tomatoes, Cali cold pressed evoo, rich cream, local pork shoulder, teeny weeny fingerling potatoes, nuts, dried fruits, Bulgarian feta, beets, fresh herbs, garlic galore and perhaps the juiciest strawberries in the universe.

Choking on all the artichokes they're so good.

Not to forget the life-changing Meyer lemons from Mike's parent's tree. Better than good.

A variety of fruit wood roaring in the clay oven. The sweet, smokey smell permeated everything; including our hair, clothes and skin.

I love cooking with Charlie. Who knew? We rarely collaborate in the kitchen. I think I know why:) I have the tenancy to take over in the kitchen. He likes to take his time and know where to find things (our kitchen at home is a miniscule warren that I can quickly navigate). This was an unfamiliar set up for both of us. Time to join forces and create.

Some of the feast. We got too distracted to keep taking pictures. Time to eat.

Especial La Super-Rica

Hope Paterson April 21, 2014

We spent a short, sweet and boozy night in picturesque St. Inez with uncle Gabe and Mike. St. Inez is wine and ranch country. So, upon arrival we all got down to business. Bottles were opened. I cooked a feast including rib eye steaks. Alfie and Sophia pulled the guns out. Charlie and Mike took heaps of pictures with their ridiculously large cameras. And Gabe...documented it all.

Perfect company for a perfect evening at Mike's place in St. Inez. The only thing missing...lovely Louise!

All fired up. What is it about kids when they get their hands on guns?

Sophia and her godfather Uncle Gabe. Their love runs deep.

Mike led us from St. Inez to La Super-Rica Taqueria in Santa Barbara for some hangover helpers. Julia Child was bang on when she declared this swarming stop her favourite Mexican restaurant (yes, it's been around that long). The long line-ups led us to paper plates piled high with melted cheese, fresh tortillas, grilled meats, guacamole, salsas galore . We slurped it all back in just under 10 minutes with the help of a few ice cold cervesas and freshly squeezed watermelon juice.

Long line ups + late lunch = cranky kids.

No talking. Just grunting. Hands darted furiously at the plates. The 'Mexican' coke (without high fructose corn syrup) was a present from Gabe to my kids. Thanks.

Lying in a pile

Hope Paterson April 20, 2014

I've always wanted to lie in a pile of animals. To wriggle, squidge and roll with them would make me truly happy. The preferred animals are soft and plump (ie. have some meat on them). Think elephant seal, not goldfish.

Elephant seals sloughing off their coats for spring. They lie in piles to conserve energy. I asked the local guide if he thought I could lie in a pile with them. Definitely not. They would rip me to shreds.

The way of the Foojabway

Hope Paterson April 20, 2014

This sub species of Fajondilizer emerges at birth.

The Foojabway has a compulsion for mischief. You know you’ve got one as soon as you see one. They sparkle with naughtiness and have a hardy, almost pinch-able face. We've been running with one for the past 3 years. He's kept us hopping, giggling and constantly aware of pending dangerous situations.

The Foojabway wearing his beach headdress. His nostrils are jammed with gritty sand. HIs smirk is in full blaze.

Things Foojabways do:

-run with scissors

-often wear an invisible (or visible) head dress

-act like a miniature bull in a china shop

-are drawn to perilous situations - mild to severe danger

-are inclined to break, where others might simply bend

-when given the choice between sweet and savory, the Foojabway always choose sweet. It fuels the sparkle.

Mountain station

Hope Paterson April 18, 2014

We drove up, higher and higher, until we came to our perch above Sand Dollar Beach. Sweet air, lush greenery and supreme peace nudged us into our own little worlds.

My new hero - Todd Selby. I'm pouring over his new book 'Edible Selby'.

The kids are searching for materials to play with. We weren't sure how they'd take to having no toys on the trip. For the most part (a couple of restaurant trips have been wild) they improvise and their intricate imaginations emerge.

Shhhh. We're methodically hunting for jade.

Can you see the soft, squidgy hunks of local mozzarella hiding under the veggies?

Sunshine dips below the fog. Good night.

Big Sur. Bien sur.

Hope Paterson April 18, 2014

Big Sur. BAM! Beyond our expectations.

The sea air instantly made me sleepy. My narcolepsy has reached a whole new level on this trip.

Long car rides makes these fajondilizers hot, hungry and frisky.

This was far more than a mere bakery nestled in the Big Sur range. Apparently it caters celebrity weddings and feeds truckloads of locals throughout the year. The kids turned their noses up at the 'steak fries' covered in nutritional yeast, nestled … — This was far more than a mere bakery nestled in the Big Sur range. Apparently it caters celebrity weddings and feeds truckloads of locals throughout the year. The kids turned their noses up at the 'steak fries' covered in nutritional yeast, nestled next to heaps of homemade aoli. Ok, more for mummy.

Sophia and Charlie scampered down the rocks to check out a waterfall.

Monterey. Take me away.

Hope Paterson April 17, 2014

So far, I've had endless opportunities to peep inside general stores, linger at Whole Foods and lurk by produce stands. It's been a food-focused trip. There has been zero antiquing for Charlie. Oh lordie...there's going to be a re-balance one of these days. We stopped at yet another food stand to pick up produce for our trip to Monterey.

Stopping at a farm stand near Monterey. These strawberries can't taste better than they smell?!

Monterey’s prime attraction 'The Monterey Bay Aquarium' delivered a morning of entertainment. The perfectly situated complex of tanks, exhibitions and ocean-side experience sparked all of our imaginations. It was also a prime space to lose distracted children. We held onto the curious kidlets and explored with vigour. The Aquarium was filled with elusive sea monsters, tentacles, jellies and fuzzies that had our eyes on stilts.

I was expecting it to look a lot like the Toronto Aquarium. Not at all.

Sophia has nailed the art of pulling us through exhibits with speed. It's highly annoying. Like a determined rudder, she knows what direction to drag us, and how fast. These ginormous waves captivated her long enough to cause squeals of delight. Poor Alfie was petrified.