I love

… entertaining… Having friends over… Lots of food and drink. I love dinner parties at home more than going out most of the time. That’s coz you can eat and drink and relax and have a great time generally relatively inexpensively. You prepare most of the food and friends bring a bottle of wine over. You don’t have to divvy up the bill at the end of the evening.

I used to have friends over in Singapore for special occasions like my my birthday or Christmas but cooking in Singapore is a chore and a half. The heat plus the humidity (think high 70s, low 80s) make cooking literally slaving over the stove. No wonder my mom always wanted to take a shower after cooking before eating! I was on the tube this morning emailing a friend and wrote to her on this subject! It’s much easier hanging out at home when it isn’t blisteringly hot and stiflingly humid; at home, all you want to go is go to a restaurant where it’s nice and cool (downright cold sometimes so you need a cardigan indoors instead out out!) and not have to worry about doing dishes. In the heat.

I love this picture. It’s a screengrab from a soon-to-be released movie Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep as Julia (Child). Jayna recommended the book/movie. I also really want to read the book. Apparently the film’s based a frustrated secretary’s blog entitled The Julie/Julia Project which has now been taken offline. I love the yellow spots of light that look like candles or lightbulbs. I love the fact that there are flowers on the table (I think Asians generally think flowers are a waste of money because they’re so expensive - air flown in - and wilt so quickly in the weather). I love the table littered with glassware - cocktail glasses and wine glasses and water glasses, all catching the flickers of light. I love that they’re outdoors. I love the out-of-focus lights on the bridge in the background, indicating they’re near water. I love that the host isn’t in a tee shirt and shorts and looks absolutely happy. I love that everyone’s clapping. I love it. I love it. I love it!

This is making me rethink my requirements in a home. Outdoor space - is it a necessity? Will I be happy in a flat with no outdoor space even if I could only use it a few months a year? Will I be happy with my dining table in the living room? Will I be happy with a 4 person dining table? Fingers crossed.

Can’t wait for the book/movie. I want the one with the cover that isn’t a shot from the movie.