Last updated on May 5th, 2024 at 03:12 pm
It’s Friday. I wish I could start like I normally do with Happy Friday or better yet Happy FriYAY! There is no yay today, not yet anyways. This has been an emotional week for my family. Today, you see my dad goes in for life changing surgery to remove his entire stomach due to cancer. He has undergone months of chemo already and this is the next step. It’s been torturous living in another country, across the ocean from my parents during it all. Everything in my body wants to get to the airport and jump on the next plane to be by his side. Not that I could do anything to help but just being there. I am so nervous how the surgery will go and the time difference of going to bed and still not knowing if he woke up, how it went, how he is doing will be horrible. I am hoping, praying, pushing every positive thought in my body this is the end of cancer and he will be fine. He is the best father anyone could ever wish for and the nicest man you will ever meet, life can be so unfair sometimes. He loves his food and now he will have to eat a strict diet. Life without a stomach, how is that even possible? I am looking at it as a miracle that modern medicine can even do such a thing but it’s still scary nonetheless. Before he headed for the hospital he was positive so I am going to follow my Dad’s lead here and be positive too. (I may not have nails left but my heart is full of happy thoughts for a good outcome).
With this all going on back home, I have tried to stay as busy as I possible can here. I think I have given up my day job though just to become my kid’s personal assistants. The list of having to run here buy this present, run there buy this craft project or materials for it, run here drop this kid off, pick the other up here, and do this and that for each of them, each day. Phew, it’s a full time job in itself. I never thought how busy I would be just making sure the stuff for school is bought, wrapped, sent, signed, and paid for, every day it’s something. Do you feel like your kid’s PA?
THIS WEEK I AM LOVING…
Whenever I am having a tough time, or life is a bit too overwhelming emotionally I tend to stick my nose in a book. Lately, that’s all I have been doing. I actually surprised myself when I saw the pile of books waiting to be taken to the charity shop next to the door and how many there were. I have been complaining I wasn’t reading enough last year so I thought well I best just do something about it rather than saying I will. I find if I buy a few books at a time I am motivated to get to the next one quickly so I read more. I also read more if it’s a series of books because I have to know how it ends.
I am still finishing up the King’s Cage because it’s massive and also because I love the story I don’t want it to end. Then I did buy a few blogging books that have been recommended to me but haven’t been delivered yet. One called The Million Dollar Blog which I am sure everyone has heard of. I also been going over the first few chapters of my own second book that I started before this blog happened. I really want to get back to finishing it and getting it out there so my own series is complete. I had envisioned three books to it. You can catch my first book here, When Love & Culture Collide.
Have you “heard” the latest trend? It’s sweaters over dresses. I must say it’s a firm favorite of mine and little Missy Moo’s to throw on our knitwear over our formal wear to tone it down a bit. Let’s not forget how comfortable it is too. I know I am stealing two sections for fashion this week but I couldn’t resist. What do you think of the look? Have you tried it? Now, I just need more sweaters to throw on top of my dresses…. off to shop. Any suggestions?
I am a huge foodie, especially when it comes to food styling. It’s no secret here. I like to take hundreds of food snaps rather than just one for my recipes (oops). I am slightly obsessed. The one thing I haven’t mastered yet but trying to get it down is the 30 second video for food for my youtube channel, instagram etc. Here is a very bad first impression but we all have to start somewhere. I even went as far as knocking the camera over into the food half way through you can see the drop if you look close enough here. lol Any tips or tricks on where to place camera so I can prevent hitting tripod legs when I am moving about?? All ears….
The littlest of the Let’s Talk Mommy household is taking over the fashion section this week. I haven’t had a chance to photograph some new outfits I got recently. I am in need of a photo assistant so badly. lol But MM is shining brightly in her new yellow Monsoon Yuki Floral Playsuit paired with her signature vibrant pink tights and this gorgeous bunny rucksack and bunny pom pom. She is hopping to her own tune and I love this jumpsuit enough to want it in my size too. Why don’t they ever go high enough in sizes? Don’t they know twinning is in?
This week I took my favorite Leek & Potato Soup and I gave it a sweet and creamy spin on it. Instead of using potatoes I used sweet potatoes and the combination with creme fraiche, chives and almonds was the perfect match. It is quick and easy to make as are all my recipes. Watching vegetables sweat then boil then blend is easy right? And you come out with this delicious Sweet Leek & Potato Soup for the whole family to love. 
I can’t believe my hashtag community on instagram #LIFECLOSEUP is hitting over 46,000+ tags. So many amazing photos and so many photographers too. I love each one, each week. I am so glad I started this little community. It’s engaging, fun, supportive, and really makes up my week pouring over each one that pops up. I can’t thank you all enough for joining in again and again. I hope you all have got some new IG feeds to follow each week as I have done.
Linking to CoffeeWorkSleepRepeat for #littleloves
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Oh lovely, I am thinking of you today and sending plenty of prayers your Dad’s way. I hope that you get some news soon. Missy Moo looks absolutely gorgeous in her outfit, yellow really suits her!! I can see why you want one for yourself 😉 #littleloves
Thank you so much hun. It was hard waiting but relieved he is out of his op and ok. Long road ahead to recover though. She really does love her bright colors and lucky for her they suit her.
Sending lots of strength and love to you and your dad! Love the jumper over dress look – I used to do that a lot when I was teaching – I felt like I doubled my wardrobe! #littleloves
Thank you so much. Everyone has been so supportive. I know I have never done it before and realized I had MM doing it all the time so try it myself. lol
Sending lots of positive thoughts your way today. It is so beautiful how you write about your dad, he must be a very special man.
I agree with the children’s PA comment, though I would add family PA too, my morning has been spent sending emails, booking appointments, collecting prescriptions etc.. for the rest of my family.
Take care today sending you virtual hugs.
He is the very best! Out of his op but long road recovery ahead. Thank you so much. Sounds like we have similar errands hahaha Thanks for the hugs so kind of you.
Sending big hugs and lots of thoughts and prayers today and I hope that everything goes wonderfully well for your Dad – modern medicine is definitely a miracle and it’s amazing what doctors can do. And yay for jumpers and dresses, I had no idea it was a trend, it’s been a default setting of mine for years!!
It is really amazing I can’t get over what they can do now for people. I am so thankful for it. It will be a long recovery afterwards but he is strong and more positive than anyone else so I know he will be fine. I can’t believe it took me this long to try it. MM has been strutting it for years. lol She knows best.
Life really is tough at times. I hope your dad recovers well. Cancer sucks but modern medicine is amazing like you say. Who would think you could live with out a stomach. I love MM’s dress so much. When I start ŕeading regularly again I will have to read yours.
Modern medicine does have a lot to say I am so impressed what they can do. I am forever grateful for science. I love the vibrant colors MM always can get away with. I wish I could.
Love the sweater with the dress. I need a few of each to spruce up my wardrobe.
Sending you all of our love for your family, and I have everything crossed your dad recovers quickly. Isn’t it amazing what can be achieved these days though – living without a stomach is amazing! I adore those photos of MM – how grown up is she looking now.. and so much like you too :). Here’s a good week next week xxx
Thank you ever so much for your well wishes. He is out of op and ok. Long road ahead but we are all positive including him. MM is growing up way too fast on me. I can’t believe it. She is gaining height each day.
Sending lots of positive vibes your way and hoping for a good outcome for your Dad. Love jumpers over dresses! Didn’t realise it was a trend though. What a cute play suit! x #LittleLoves
Thank you ever so much. He is staying positive and ok after his op so we are staying strong for him. I can’t believe I have never tried this look before. It’s definitely cozy.
Oh lovely I can’t even imagine how worried you must be. Sending lots of love for your lovely Dad. #littleloves
I really hope your Dad’s op went ok. It must be so hard being so far away. Your soup looks amazing and your littlest is such a little model int he making – she is growing so fast too! x
How I wish I could put you over with your Daddy during the day to be home at night. So much love.
That picture of you and MM is simply adorable.
And that playsuit = gorgeous.
Congrats on such a massive achievement on #lifecloseup xxx
Was so glad to hear your dad’s op went ok. Hope his recovery goes just as well. Bet you can’t wait to get out there and see him. It’s a horrible thing to go through at any time but I know as an expat it’s unbearable not being there when you want to be. Love MM’s little outfit, she’s so gorgeous. Hope you have a good week x
Loving the pink and yellow so vibrant. That play suit is gorgeous and I like the sound of jumpers over dresses. #littleloves
Wow hun what a week! I hope everything went smoothly with your dads surgery xx dresses and sweaters look fab but I must admit I’m absolutely else’s with fashion-one day ill sort myself out again! Your video looks fab and very yummy-I think I need to check out some more of your recipes and I can’t believe you’ve written a book-how exciting! I must have a read x
I’m so sorry you’ve had all of this going on Jenny, your dad sounds like a marvellous man and I wish him well. I will be praying for a swift recovery and a good outcome. Bless you. I hope you’ve felt some peace this week. Your photos are always so bright and cheery though – loving your fashion pics and the sweater over dresses thing sounds interesting. I have plenty of sweaters but not many dresses! Do they not look a bit lumpy on the top half? Can’t imagine it lol! xxx
I love MM’s outfit, perfect for this time of year when the days was till sometimes be a bit dull. And how amazing does that soup look! Going to have to check out your recipe.
Loving MM’s outfit! She is growing up so fast, isn’t she? Been thinking of you and your family this week lovely x
Look at little miss, she’s so blooming cute and that dress! I’ a huge fan of jumpers over dresses, you should try Zara and H&M they have a great basics range which aren’t too expensive. Thinking of you honey x #LittleLoves