║today my way║

Accessories in place, hand on the hip, leg out and she is ready to shine in the flash of my camera. Nadia's fashion sense is still arranged by me on her behalf but she is gradually making moves into the higher shelves of her wardrobe. And she's chosen those Hello Kitty sunglasses over my strawberry ones. And I love her in them!

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A little voyager with a map of the town and all the entertainment awaiting for her. This mix of Nadia's surprised and excited face accompanied us throughout the day at the most colourful park in the world. She wanted to see everything and experience more than her height allowed her to.

And so we drove all the way to the heart of French capital and the home of Mickey Mouse and company - Disneyland. We can officially tick this park off from our growing list of places left to see in this lifetime. It was truly a fantastic day spent with people I love the most touring around handmade streets, taking snaps of a gigantic Minnie Mouse balloon brought with us home and sharing all the excitement accordingly. Thank you sunshine for blinding us until well after afternoon and giving our photos this glow we could normally only get on Photoshop.

The next couple of hours were spent walking and a huge artificial tree climbing which has taken us back to the childhood memories of imitating jungle animals and playing at head level. The tree had the whole household spread all over it including ready-made bed and a dining area. We went everywhere, did it all, ate apple dipped in a devil red icing sugar. Not a yawn spotted, not a sore foot noted. We could not have picked a more perfect place to spend almost a first day of spring together. Next stop? Asterix Park nearer Paris... I bet still this year.

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I knew it would have happened one day - Nadia's colouring passion expressed on lacking vividness piece of furniture which frankly needed some variety. It all started the day before with a bit of girlie nail painting bringing instant happiness to Nadia's world as seeing her fingernails adorned in little flowers and hearts has made her day. The little artist was born! And once mummy lets her doll into her grown-up and very distinguished world - they have more in common they have ever had before.

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Every day is like a card invitation that says: 'Today invites you for a fabulous adventure of which you are the guest of honour.' Just about everything that could have gone right today... did. I got up at 5.00 am, sat at the computer but instead of creating new lines, I just typed in those I have managed to write down recently. Next hour I saved for body brushing and a torture shower (last minute or so I'm torturing myself with shower of cool to cold water). Moisturizing and lifting lotions applied and I was ready to prepare breakfast of wholemeal bread with red salmon and salad cream paste, a mug of green tea and a glass of mineral water with a slice of lemon. My daughter would sleep until lunch time if I didn't wake her but we were going to a toddler group called Jelly Tots this morning so with a gentle cuddle and my lips on her warm, soft neck I nudged her into the arms of a new day. She ate her banana and strawberry porridge with fruity mousse beautifully, had shower, jumped into a little plaid skirt and forgetting her buggy, we walked downtown. Day was sunny but windy and spring's generous hand was easy to locate under the feet and between the benches. If only thermometer measuring temperature was a bit more sympathetic today...

Nadia had a lovely time with other kids, she was jumping, sliding, running and topping it with loud laughter. I was so excited to go into the nearby supermarket afterwards and see containers overflowing with delicious green vegetables of which sugar snap peas and baby carrots landed in my shopping basket. And as you can see on the attached photo I made a delicious oriental salmon with brown rice and today's veg treasures. This time I used rice instead of young potatoes and with every attempt of that dish I am proud to say - it gets quicker to prepare and tastier. After fulfilling lunch, we had girls' time on the sofa watching cartoons and getting spoiled with icy strawberry cheesecake which led us to a double nap. As the day was coming to a close I headed to swimming pool for another splashy class. I am so excited with the backstroke results, I'm even better at it than at the crawl stroke. On the minus side - I have only three more classes to go... I suppose I can enroll to the next - Beginner's level of my adventure with chlorinated waves (I am a Non-Swimmer until end of March) to enjoy the underwater fun.

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I remember wrapping up presents, even choosing the right jumper for my husband and now... it is all over, dinner is eaten, gifts unwrapped and Christmas tree lights waned. But memories through laughter and photographs will remain. I was excited to see if my other half liked his garments and - believe me or not - he said he wouldn't have chosen better ones! This declaration has encouraged me to become his personal shopper and look for clothes I like him wearing. As for me - Santa in the shape of my hubby brought me a new camera and laptop mouse. Does it mean I should tie myself to the computer?

I am working tomorrow so it is time to shuffle to bed. Merry Christmas everybody!!!

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Long ribbons of roads ahead in the night, blinking colourful decorations light up the gloomy stretch while Per Gessle is shouting from a car speaker: 'Hello you fool, I love you... come on join the joyride!' Where are we going so late, so tired and so happy?? It was our third wedding anniversary two days ago and after an afternoon shift, quick shower and a bit of smartening up - we headed to a close town of Wimborne and its great Italian restaurant - Topogigio. I have booked table for two and a half for 9.00 pm but we were a little late due to car park searching.

What a wonderful evening we had! Food wise, entertainment wise and our daughter behaviour wise - I couldn't wish for better outcome. We ordered a long-denied prosciutto e melone (melon and parma ham) for starter and spaghetti carbonara for me and pizza Bologna for my other half. Nadia had a tiny pizza Bologna but was so interested in table essentials such as cutlery, candle in a glass capsule, vase of fresh flowers, she barely had a bite of it. It was ridiculously noisy but perfect for a romantic shouting in our ears with steamy breaths. I wore a patterned black and white dress showing a bit of my cleavage and long brown boots.

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Winter is here again! Not as we know it - muffling roofs with a white down but when I can clearly see the windows of the opposite neighbourhood through the naked branches, I know it is time to cover up with a wooly cardigan and long stockings. Heating's on, hot chocolate warms my hands up, I'm reading a lot again. In three days' time I will welcome my favourite month in a whole year, not just because it is my birthday month and a season of all good things lining up ahead of me, but simply it is another one in my short journey on earth so I cannot wait to live it with every cell, every little emotion. And of course to feel snow again!

A long December will whoosh away quicker than Madonna's new single from the charts so the best option is to plan those few weeks in advance and enjoy them to the last second - on my own and as a family. I believe the sooner I start writing Christmas wishes to send them off to my family in Europe the better, so they'll arrive on time (unlike previous years). In between the writing process there's no better way of getting into the Christmas spirit than skimming across the ice, wrapped up in wooly clothes with a rosy glow on the face. For the winter season I expect to be extremely busy on the ice rink. As being nervous about balancing on a pair of silver blades, I should think of some skating lessons. And, oh! How about celebrating my special birthday on ice?? After we've burned up some energy on the icy surface, we can relax at the restaurant! Before my big day, another memorable time awaits us in a warm, friendly atmosphere of a comfortable restaurant, where we can enjoy the extensive menu offering fine fresh Italian cuisine. I still remember the taste of a prosciutto e melone (melon and parma ham) for a starter when my mum and her partner visited us a year ago. We sat outside in a small fenced garden under the canopy and enjoyed à la carte dishes. Three years ago me and Damian have exchanged our marriage vows in a beautiful wintery Rome and as a lovely reminiscence of this event, we are going to welcome the taste of Italy once again.

'We're dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones we used to know...' Yes, English tradition to take a trip back to the past for a banqueting feasts - Christmas parties! It is very unlike in my country to attend as many events of that sort as possible where people drink, eat and entertain themselves on the dancefloor. But we always look forward to a festive mulled wine upon arrival followed by a food buffet at our long time friends: Andrea and Woody's party where for the short hour or two we can chat to almost everybody in a small town of Swanage. To really get ourselves feeling more festive, I want to introduce our own Christmas party to gather those from far and near. And as for my daughter, we'll try not to miss any children party or meeting real Santa. I still haven't decided when it is the right time to help Santa with the Christmas shopping. First stream of this season favourite will be revealed on our Little Eve's day on the 23rd of December as a relaxation after the hectic run-up to Christmas with 'Cosy Boxes' - anything to get snuggled in, muffled and bundled up: wooly socks, cheeky pyjamas, fluffy slippers, all that girly bunch of goodies. And where is the best place to find not mass-produced but craftwork of real quality? Historic Christmas Markets, held in cities, towns and villages throughout the country are evoking the magic atmosphere. I dream of buying lots of hand made baubles made of glass, personalised and treasured for years. What about going to a real German Christmas Market next year for a day or weekend trip, where the stalls are covered with snow and roasted chestnuts are seeking my attention through their odour floating in the snowy air? (we have family in Dortmund where its market can claim one of the biggest ones in Germany, with over 300 stalls packed around a gigantic Christmas tree.)

The calendar winter starts on the 22nd of December, this is the shortest day in a year, so every minute and every sentence is so precious. How to make the most of the tiniest of days? For now I vote for ice skating or going to the beach and watch the day drowning into the ashen sea. In the evening preceding Christmas Day we will sit at the table with the family and celebrate the joy of being happy, healthy, eager to love others and spread the spirit of a time when our troubles are miles away. A traditional 12-dishes supper will be served in a less bountiful shape but I will try to include some of my favourite dishes - mushroom soup made from dried suillus, roast duck in apples. Well, the menu is not ready yet... Christmas is about cooking, sharing time and joy of being close to others so baking cookies or a nice cake seems to be an ultimate get-togeter! Who will wrap them up and give away to friends and neighbours? Shhh... that's Santa's job, he'll know how to do it. I'm sure I will be at work on Christmas Day, but this doesn't stop me from giving Santa a hand with filling the stockings with cute thoughtful trifles the day before. Time goes by and here I am - older than usual as I am entering the 30’s club!! Am I going to love my 30’s? I would definitely like to have a magical day, a breakfast in bed with a glass of champagne and... well, ideas of how to make it special are still bouncing in my head and I don't expect to decide on anything just yet. After a day of recovery from a dream birthday party, the universe throws another big event at me - New Year's Eve! I told you this month will keep me breathless...

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