Prize giving

Right, now those school prize givings are over, I'm elbowing the headmistress out of the way and having my very own private prize giving ceremony. I swish up to the podium in my finest fishtail taffeta - in emerald green, since you ask. Around my neck is a simple choker of precious stones, given to me by TL. I clear my throat. I begin.

Some of my adorable friends have seen fit to honour little me (tiny, modest cough, and the merest fetching hint of a blush - not a menopausal tide of puce, definitely not) with some of the finest blogging awards known to, er, bloggers. First of all, thank you so much to dearest Coding Mama Tasha and to the lovely Mum-E for the Honest Scrap award, which I shall display with tremendous pride on my virtual mantlepiece.

With this award, I must choose 7 other blogs to pass the coveted gong onto, and list 10 facts about myself as well. I rustle with the traditional golden envelope. Unbearable tension in the audience. Someone coughs nervously. I frown at them, (though obviously not in a way which would cause what l'Oreal calls 'deep wrinkles') then rip the envelope open.

My seven other bloggers are:
MelRoxx Maternal Tales Half Mum Half Biscuit It's a Small World Rosiero Dancinfairy Perfectly Happy Mum

Ten facts about me
I lived Abroad for eight years.
I was put up a class in infants' school but no-one explained the sums to me and I've been a bit confused ever since.
I speak fluent French.
I'm learning ballroom dancing and recently came 5th in a Merengue competition! Admittedly there were only 7 people involved.
I get very ratty when I am too hot. Or too cold. Or if it's windy/rainy/snowy or cloudy.
I have an honours degree in Modern History and adore Simon Schama, even after Dead Ringers made him look like a mincing ninny in a too-tight leather jacket.
I hate going on holiday and would almost always rather stay at home.
I am never happier than when clearing out a cupboard.
I could easily spend all day in bed eating chocolate.
I am very lucky.

Now I turn to the gorgeous Maternal Tales, who has given me a lovely award for Words like Roses - very poetic! I am not entirely sure I am worthy. I ought, really, to make up an ode at least to grace my acceptance speech. But, after careful consideration, I've decided to spare you this time. My only task, therefore, is to pass the baton on to five others.

And the five are (rustle, rustle, as I drop envelope, pick it up, rifle through it and finally drag out the winning names): Diaries of a desperate exmoor woman Have a lovely time Are we nearly there yet mummy? Crystal Jigsaw Potty Mummy.

And, without further ado, I come to the end of the prize giving ceremony for this summer, with a tag from both Mum's the Word and It's a Small World.

8 Things I’m looking forward to The school holidays - lovely, lovely lie-ins
Our holiday in Sweden - though I don't really like leaving home, the cottage we're going to in Sweden looks gorgeous.
Visiting my great friend in Wales with my girls and another old friend. High jinks!
Re-reading The Leopard for my book group. An excellent choice, though I do say so myself! Seeing my younger brother and his family in early August
Watching the garden being landscaped, starting on Thursday!
Going ahead with some fitted cupboards - yes, my life really is this exciting!
A large glass of cold Chardonnay this evening

8 Things I did yesterday Took girls to Bluewater
Bought icing piping set - why oh why?
Bought enormous plastic lemon-shaped box to store .... bits of lemon in. Losing plot completely. Let the girls try on EVERYTHING in H&M - they were so happy
Found a T-shirt that Child Two looks lovely in - for £1!
Dragged everyone round Sainsbury's even though we were exhausted.
Found bottle of rosewater and the saffron.
Used Ottolenghi cookbook for the first time to make butternut squash couscous. Delicious!

8 Things I wish I could do
The splits
Leave things untidy
Finish novel number 2 - or at least edit the first draft
Lose a stone with no effort involved (and certainly no diminution in my chocolate peanut intake) Persuade the girls that it is possible to use public transport.
Travel light
Carry a tune
Take things less seriously

8 Favourite fruits ( I seriously can't believe anyone cares what fruit I prefer but it's part of the tag so ....)
Italian peaches
English strawberries
Scottish raspberries
Mangoes
Pineapple
Clementines
Cherries

8 Places I’d like to travel (I’m not mad keen on travelling so this is a stretch - most of these I've been to before and wouldn't mind going back if I was forced and someone did the packing for me) Sienna Sicily Paris Vienna Warsaw Sweden New York Lake District

8 Places I’ve lived
Birmingham!
Blackheath
St Andrews
Stockwell
Borough
Kentish Town
Clapham
Dulwich

8 Lovely people I’m tagging. Littlemummy Lulu er .... do you know what, I'm simply exhausted. If there's anyone out there who hasn't done this and would like to, then please feel very free. Likewise, if any of my nominees have already had their tags/awards, then please don't feel obliged. I think we could all do with a little lie down. So without further ado, I shall just thank everyone who knows me and I shall sashay off in my fishtail frock. And I most definitely will not fall over.