kitschenette - life in the swiss lane

Wilco @ Volkshaus 11/11/09

Wilco @ Volkshaus 11/11/09, originally uploaded by kitschenette.

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco.

My ears were blasted out by the frenzied, endless-guitar-soloing lead guitarist, but Jeff Tweedy's mellow charm won me over.

Is it a cliche to say that I like their old stuff better than their new stuff? I admit I'm not really too familiar with the whole Wilco back catalogue, but I don't think the old stuff involved playing a deck of twiddles and knobs with a kitchen whisk, and the keyboards with a pillow (true! it happened).

Happy birthday!

Croatia, cafe, originally uploaded by kitschenette.

Happy birthday to my girl, who is 6 today (I can't believe it). She got a guitar, lots of paints, brushes and pens, a digital photo frame for her bedroom (she loves looking at photos) and books - all things which perfectly fit her creative little soul.

3/4 of a family portrait

3/4 of a family portrait, originally uploaded by kitschenette.

Our street is eerily devoid of menfolk and children today. This morning we packed the men and the children off to a weekend in the mountains, for some Daddy/kid bonding time, leaving the frauen to luxuriate in the peace and quiet. And oh, how I am luxuriating! I'm going to drink a leisurely coffee out of the cups that I love but rarely use (in case they get broken). I will eat lunch if and when I want to, and it will be something I actually like to eat. I will not have to remind anyone to be somewhere at a certain time, or do something they should have done but haven't. I will stay up as late as I like reading my favourite book. I will make a simple dinner (a laksa, I think) because tonight the menfolk-less frauen are coming over for dinner, where prosecco and chocolates and other yummy things will be enjoyed.

The men and kids have pizza, fondue and a big old house (no central heating, therefore fires must be made) in the mountains to enjoy. Games of chess are planned, as well as some bow-and-arrow making.

It's a win-win situation all round!

(Whose fab idea would that have been? Actually not mine this time, although I did get the ball rolling during summertime, when I got the menfolk to take the boys camping (after all my scheming, Bruno was away the day they went, though). They had such a great time they thought to do it again, hence this weekend away.)

A sandy beach

Sandy beach, originally uploaded by kitschenette.

Look at that amazing water!

Lighthouse, Dugi Otok

Lighthouse, Dugi Otok, originally uploaded by kitschenette.

This is where we stayed in Croatia. We had a really fabulous time. Seems like a distant memory - even my tan is fading underneath the layers of winter woolies!

Swinging at sunset, Croatia

Swinging at sunset, originally uploaded by kitschenette.

Finally finding some time to upload our many photos from our Croatian adventure. Here is the first of many - Lolly swinging on the rope swing under the big pine tree at the lighthouse as the sun set.

Florence and the Machine @ Mascotte, 17.10.2009

Florence and the Machine @ Mascotte, 17.10.2009, originally uploaded by kitschenette.

Saw Florence and the Machine last night, and they were fabulous. Florence is like a limber Amazonian Kate Bush, with a voice that belts out to the back of the room. The Machine is a gigantic electric harp, played by a nimble-fingered Goth boy. Thumping drums and bass provided by Hooded Boy and another Drummer Boy. Keyboards by pretty blonde in sparkly silver shoes. Guitar by Florence's accomplice. It was the last night of their European tour, and despite fire, hail, birthdays and bruises they managed to complete the tour intact (she said). The gig was a musical feast - today I've spent a lot of time thinking about it, going over it in my head and enjoying it all over again. Some shows are so fantastic you just want to see them over and over again, glutting yourself on the experience - this was one of them. Check out the video below for a taste of her live (note:this is no way reflects the intensity of actually being there!):

Nightlife

Back to real life, Florence and the Machine tonight, sitting at a cafe people watching while I wait for Plasticfancy and Fabienne.

Birthday boy

Birthday boy, originally uploaded by kitschenette.

It was Max's 9th birthday yesterday. Happy happy birthday to our sweet boy!

We arrived home on Wednesday night so that we could celebrate Max's birthday at home. More to come soon about our Croatian adventure.

Icecream!

Delicious rhubarb and strawberry icecream, homeward bound.