2013: Week 24

2013: Week 24, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The moon shines on Bruce Springsteen at Wembley during his EPIC concert during Week 24.

It was amazing. Bruce was epically good, as always. But it was also amazing because we took our 10-year-old and 13-year-old sons with us. They now know why The Boss is The Boss. It's almost as if our parenting job is complete. Ha!

I was also able to capture the moon rising over the Wembley. It's not often that you look up at the sky during a monstrous rock concert, but there you go. That's me for you.

2013: Week 23

2013: Week 23, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

X marks the spot on this delightfully sunny day.

Week 23 was a week of glorious sunshine. I found myself eating lunch and working in the garden every day, because I was so desperate to soak up the sunshine and Vitamin D. I even managed to get sunburned on two days. It all made a nice change from the endless gray skies we seem to have had so far in 2013.

2013: Week 22

2013: Week 22, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The Cutting Edge, in one way or another.

I literally stumbled across this street art on my way back from eating pizza on a retired double-decker bus. Only in London.

2013: Week 21

2013: Week 21, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Drinking in the experience that is ComicCon London.

A formula for you:
CosPlay* + Marvel Avengers + XBox Game Preview = ComicCon Nirvana.

*For the non-hipsters among you, it means "Costume Play". I had to ask the 13 year old what it meant.

2013: Week 20

2013: Week 20, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

When I was a little girl, I absolutely loved the movie "The Red Balloon." (One of the Simpsons writers did too, because it featured on the episode when Bart became an exchange student in France.)

This Red Balloon found its way to our ceiling during Thing Two's 10th birthday celebrations. It, along with a dozen other balloons, found their way there while Thing One showed us all how static electricity worked. Every morning after they had fallen down in the night, Thing One would dutifully put the balloons back on the ceiling for us.

2013: Week 19

2013: Week 19, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

High concentration, strategy and creativity were all in order as the boys tried to create the fastest drag racers at Legoland during Thing Two's 10th birthday party there.

2013: Week 18

2013: Week 18, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

In Week 18, I found that it was peak cherry blossom season in Greenwich Park during one of my morning runs.

The funny thing is, this is our 14th spring in Greenwich, but this is the first time I actually got around to taking a picture of the beautiful cherry blossom lane near the top.

No filter was harmed in the making of this picture.

2013: Week 17

2013: Week 17, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Sun + Trees = Epic Tree Shadows.

Captured in Greenwich Park during my morning run. It was fantastic to get a string of sunny days. It's been too long since we've had reliable sun.

2013: Week 16

2013: Week 16, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The 2013 London Marathon had perfect conditions on Sunday: a clear blue sky, sunny and lowish temperatures.

Every year we go to Deptford Creek bridge and cheer on the runners. I spied this patriotic fellow as we were walking back home. Unfortunately, my son lost interest before we got to see any interesting fancy dress runners, but we did manage to see Mo Farah, which was its own sort of awesome.

Inevitably, the cheering exercise also reminds me of the year that I ran the marathon myself, in 2005. It was easily in the Top 5 of the best days of my life. Although I won't be able to do a marathon ever again, it still brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye when I think about that day.

2013: Week 15

2013: Week 15, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Every year at the height of the daffodil season, we take our sons down the street to the Queen's House in Greenwich to take their picture in front of the daffodils.

Although we can't see how tall they're getting from year to year, since they sit down in the picture, it's still a great way to chart their growth and mark the years.

This year was the latest we've ever taken the picture, which is probably down to the cold winter and spring we've had. But usually we take the snap in mid- to late-March. This year, it was mid-April, and we could have waited even longer as the daffs are still emerging.

2013: Week 14

2013: Week 14, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Barbed wire still remaining from the D-Day landings at Utah Beach in Normandy, France.

2013: Week 13

2013: Week 13, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Otherwise known as the Easter Morning Massacre. What was left of one of the chocolate bunny. Not pictured: the other chocolate bunny, in a similar state.

2013: Week 12

2013: Week 12, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

This is the week it officially became spring. This is also the week it snowed in London (and in lots of other places around the U.K.). So if I were to make a mathematical formula, it would look something like this:
(First day of Spring) + 2Snowstorms / (Interminable Grey Skies) = Most Rubbish Spring EVER.

Yes, Rubbish Spring. That's what it's been.

On Saturday, the third day of spring, we woke up to snow. Now if I were still in Chicago, this would not be newsworthy. But here it is. We're all fed up with it. Please, if the sunny skies and the warmer temperatures could get here ASAP, we would very much appreciate it.

Thing No. 1 made this snowball while we were out and about on Saturday afternoon. Not surprisingly, we spent most of the walk complaining about the weather.

2013: Week 11

2013: Week 11, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The granddaughter of an Irish immigrant to the States, St. Patricks Day was a BIG deal in our family when I was growing up. My grandfather even had a special sign that counted down the days until St. Pat's, starting with 364. (He couldn't help himself. His name was Patrick too.) The tradition continued at university, where I was surrounded by other Irish-Americans who liked to live it up on St. Pat's. When I say "live it up" what I really mean is, "start the party at 8 a.m."

I then went to graduate school in Chicago, a city that *literally* dyes the river green for St. Patrick's Day. When I first moved there, I thought it was a joke, because the Chicago River was pretty green for the rest of the year. But no. On St. Patrick's Day, they dye the river a bright green. Amazing.

St. Patrick's Day 2013 in London was a cold, grey and rainy day. But I was determined to celebrate. So I set myself the task to find green things in Greenwich, which I did. I might not have drunk any green beer, but I think my grandpa would have approved.

Red Nose Day 2013

Clark Kent/Superman eats his breakfast and gets ready for Red Nose Day 2013. #rednoseday #squareready, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Clark Kent/Superman eats his breakfast and gets ready for Red Nose Day 2013.

His school asked that they dress up as superheroes. As he has outgrown his old trusty Superman outfit (Sad Face), we had to improvise, but I think the improvisation is better than the original.

2013: Week 10

2013: Week 10, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

In Week 10 of 2013, I had a variety of events from which to choose my weekly image. This past week we had World Book Day, me trying (and failing) to see a taping of the Graham Norton Show at the BBC Television Centre, and finally, Mothering Sunday.

These pussy willows were given to me by my sons on Mothering Sunday. No fool me, I put in a specific request for them on Saturday to give them a steer on what I would like. Early on Sunday morning, the two boys went out to the flower lady down the street and got them for me. When I finally got up (Saturday had been a very late night), they were waiting for me on the dining room table, along with my cards, some chocolates, some hand-made gifts and the Sunday Observer.

Pussy willows are my absolute favourite flowers of March. My Gramps had a massive pussy willow bush, so every March when he came to visit, he would arrive with an armload of them to give to us. (Now at £3 for 3 stems, the armload was worth a fortune in today's market. But I digress.) So whenever I see them, I think of him: his kindness, his love of reading and his dry wit.

Happy Mothering Sunday everyone.

2013: Week 9

2013: Week 9, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

The skies have been unrelentingly grey, but I spotted some crocuses that gave me hope that Spring will be here eventually.

I took this photo on 27 February, but for reasons unknown to me, that's not the time stamp assigned by Flickr.

2013: Week 8

2013: Week 8, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Week 8 of 2013 happened to be half-term week, which we spent in North Devon.

There is no way I can say the next statement without sounding like a twat, but honest, I'm not. We rented a castle to stay in for the week. The central heating might have been a bit dicey, but I did manage to get some good photos. This one was my favourite of the lot.

2013: Week 7

2013: Week 7, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

This was a week with loads of photo opportunities: Pancake Day (check). Valentine's Day (check). Arrival of my parents from the U.S. (check).

But I went with this one, because it's my favourite of the week. My son and I were waiting for the bus after his weekly swim lesson, and I saw that the rain and the car lights looked really cool through the glass panel of the bus shelter. I didn't know if the picture would come out, but it did, and I love it.

I didn't even put it through a filter or do any PhotoShop shenanigans. This is just how it came out.

As they say, the best camera is the camera you have with you. Thanks iPhone.

2013: Week 6

2013: Week 6, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Guerrilla Knitters brighten up the Thames Path in Greenwich. It never fails to make me smile.

For years, the Thames Path in Greenwich, between the Cutty Sark and the Dome, was a hard-core industrial area. Bit by bit in the last seven years, the businesses have moved and plans to redevelop the area into a residential area have moved ahead. At the moment, it is in between the two phases, making it a bit desolate.

Greenwich Guerrilla Knitters, our local guerrilla knitters group (doesn't every town have one?), have done their bit to brighten up the path in the last few months. I think it looks gorgeous, and it definitely brightens my day as I run down the path. During Christmas, they even mounted an advent calendar and Christmas stockings with a fireplace, which really was something else.

I picked this photo for Week 6 because I took this photos during my run on Friday morning. It was one of those legendary runs when you don't feel like going out at all, then you convince yourself to go a little farther and a little farther. Before I knew it, my plan to do a quick two-mile run had evolved into a five mile run. It was a glorious morning and the sun was shining. I'm also glad I took along my phone. I never do, but maybe I will start to make it a habit.

2013: Week 5

2013: Week 5, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

EAST London, as quickly captured from the DLR.

In actual fact, I was surprised I got the picture at all. On the way into the Stratford DLR station, I saw this mural and figured it would make a great picture. But eager to get on with the task at hand (buying son a new pair of shoes at Westfield Stratford), we hurried past it when we arrived.

Of course, sod's law meant that when we got back there to get our train home, the doors were about to shut and I couldn't stop to take the picture, as neither one of us had the required energy to wait 10 minutes for the next train. So as soon as we dropped our bags, I ran to the door and snapped several pictures as the train pulled out of the station.

Sure, the EAST isn't as much in focus as I would like. But I love how the tracks are out of focus, which is down purely to the fact that we were on our way.

2012: Week 4

2012: Week 4, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

In a week when London was blanketed with snow-- thus exponentially increasing the photo opportunities-- I went with this one instead. While the snow was beautiful, I thought this photo would be what I would want to remember for the week. It was, after all, my younger son's first protest march. May it be the first of many.

Lewisham Hospital, our local hospital, is facing the dismantling of its services due to the failure of a neighbouring (not even its own) health service. The plans, which are currently under review by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, would involve the closure of Lewisham's A & E departments and a reorganisation of its maternity ward, as well as the reorganisation of many other departments.

On a beautiful Saturday morning, my son, my friend, her son and another friend took part in the march, along with about 25,000 other people. I don't know if it will change Jeremy Hunt's mind (the cynic in me says no) but I feel better having made my outrage known in a very public way.

2013: Week 3

2013: Week 3, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Have you heard? It snowed in London (and elsewhere) this weekend. (Sarcasm hard to transmit electronically.)

In any case, we hit the slopes of Greenwich Park early on Saturday morning. Later, the hill in the background was heaving with sledders of all shapes and sizes. We like to get there early in the day when we have the place nearly to ourselves.

I took this picture on Saturday morning, and snow continued throughout that day and again on Sunday. London truly became a winter wonderland. But the sun is out now on Monday, so it won't last.

2013: Week 2

2013: Week 2, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Just in time for the winter snowstorm, we went off to Canary Wharf in week 2 for its annual Ice Sculpting Festival. There were some amazing ice sculptures, including a King Kong on a Big Ben, which we thought was quite inspired.

My son and I also had a go at doing our own ice sculpting. It was-- no big surprise here-- very difficult to do. Luckily, all of the hard work on our polar bear had already been done. We only had to do some minor work on it. Too bad it was so ephemeral, but at least I got to take a picture of it.

2013: Week 1

2013: Week 1, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

We're lucky enough to live in Greenwich. Home of the Meridian Line, the one of the locations of the Les Mis movie and the Thames. When the tide is low, we like to go out and see what treasures we can find on the foreshore. Luckily, we've done it a few times with people who know what they're doing, so sometimes we think we know what we're looking at.

This may or may not (we think may) be a roof tile from Henry VIII's Palace of Palcentia (or Pleasure Palace). When they demolished it, they threw all of the rubbish and rubble into the River Thames. As it was so huge, you can still find roof tiles pretty easily. The hole in the top is where they attached it to the roof.

I could be completely wrong, but that's what I like to think we found on our Sunday walk in Week 1 of 2013. My husband (pictured) was the one who scored it for me. Thanks.

End of the 2012 52 Weeks Project with Video

This is the Guardian video of its 52 Weeks Photo project. Watch it!

Regular readers of this blog will know that I participated in the Guardian's 52 Weeks Photo project this year. I loved it. It was a great and easy way to record 2012.

I'm chuffed to say that three of my photos were included in the video roundup.
• The boys walking in Blackheath under some Olympic bunting from Week 27 appears at 1:25. Click on this sentence to see the original post here.
• A bike messenger carrying his bike over his head amid the crowds watching the Olympic victory parade from Week 37 appears at 1:34. Click on this sentence to see the original post here.
• My 12.12.12 picture of Big Ben from the train from Week 50 appears at 2:11.  Click on this sentence to see the original post here.

Enjoy.

2012: Week 52

2012: Week 52, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

Date: Christmas morning
Time: Just after finishing opening all the presents
Place: Next to the Christmas Tree and in front of the TV
Watching What: The 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony on DVD
Why: Because he got it as a present

For my final picture of 2012, I could have chosen the classy nighttime shot of the Greenwich Christmas lights in front of St. Alfege's, which we saw on 27 December when we walked the Advent Windows with our friends. Very classy. But no. I went with this one because I love it.

Yes, that's Christmas wrapping paper on the floor that really should have been thrown away. Yes, there are new presents strewn about, seemingly forgotten about just minutes after opening them.

I love this picture because here is Thing Two cuddling his Christmas present from Thing One while watching (again) the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics. Thing One found the present at Hamleys in September and knew then that he wanted to get it for Thing Two for his Christmas present. I told him we should wait, because he might find something that would be better by December. But December rolled around, and he still wanted to get it. We dutifully went to Hamleys, but alas, the Tiger head puppet he wanted to get was no longer available. But I did some Internet sluething and found the manufacturer and ordered direct. Did Thing Two love his present? Did he ever. He's named him Caesar. Nothing like a brother to know the perfect present for his brother.

I also love this picture because of what we're watching: The Olympics. We loved every minute of it. August truly was the best of times and the worst of times for our family. But the Olympics were an experience of a lifetime.

And thus ends my 2012 52 weeks experiment. I'm thrilled I kept it up and was able to complete it. My 2012 photo time capsule is really something I will treasure.

2012: Week 51

2012: Week 51, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

For the penultimate week of 2012, I went with a Christmas picture of my whirlygig (I'm sure that's the technical name), next to the Christmas cake that our son won at his school's Christmas Fair.

For many years we've hoped to win the gingerbread house or Christmas cake at the Christmas fair, but walked away empty handed. But not this year. My No. 1 Kitchen assistant had to guess how much the cake weighed and he nearly got it bang on (it was 2.44 kilos, he said it was 2.5). Well done to him.

The funny thing about the cake is that we were sure it was a fruit cake. It looked beautiful, to be sure, but we thought the shape of the cake meant we were destined to be awarded something we didn't like. For one week, the cake then sat on the sideboard to be admired, but not eaten.

Finally, on 22 December, we decided to have a Cake Reveal Ceremony. We lit the whirlygig. We put Christmas carols on the CD. We all held our breath as I cut it. We were all thrilled to discover that it wasn't fruit cake at all, but delicious chocolate. Yum.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Greenwich Advent Windows 2012

Every year, Greenwich hosts an Advent Window project for Christmas. Homes and businesses adopt dates and become an "Advent Window" for that date.

This is one of the houses that is participating this year.

2012: Week 50

2012: Week 50, a photo by MAStapleton on Flickr.

12.12.12 at 12:12 (EST)

For the 50th Week of 2012, I decided to go with the 12.12.12 at 12:12 shot. Those of you with an acute knowledge of times of days will notice that I say it was taken at 12:12, which here in London would mean the middle of the day, not nighttime. As it happens, i was sitting at my computer at 12:12 GMT, so I went with the 12:12 EST time instead, when I happened to be on a train that was passing Big Ben. I think it's a far better shot than a screen shot, which is what a lot of people were posting for 12.12.12 at 12:12. Can I just say: Yawn.

Maddingly, the time stamp above says that it was taken on 13.12.12. Let me assure that isn't the case. It got that time stamp because that's when I went to the Over App to add the above text for clarification. Believe me at 17:11 (GMT) or 12:11 (EST), my nine-year-old and I were staring at the screen, waiting for the change to 12.12.12.

After 12 years of repetitive dates, that's it. The party is over. I'm glad I was able to go out with a bang, even if I had to fiddle with time zones in order to do it. Surely it still counts though, right?