Morning ahoy

Morning song of strong winds and a babel of voices. Seems like someone is moving in a couple houses down the block. I think I can see their window from my balcony. It's a strategic location my balcony, hidden behind green thickets and fat boles. I can see everyone, none can see me.

Right, neighbors.
I must've mentioned in my archives about neighboring kids who like to invade my house and turn it upside down with their age appropriate nuisance. My house that usually exudes a rather calming aura is a madhouse of sorts when they decide to play all over the place, none of which I mind, it's rather fun talking to them, having them run around the house, picking up odd things and questioning me about every damn article they find. It's a bad day for the cat to be around the house that time because they terrorize the feline with such audacious pets and picks that the cat finds himself vastly outnumbered by little hands of prodding illness.
Cats being cats of course he finds a silent cranny that nobody knows of and hibernates till the child epidemic is gone.

It's usually my wont to feed the children cakes or give them boxes of chocolates as parting gifts when the leave my house.
I've rarely talked to the rest of the members of their family, save their mother. It's a big family of about 7 people.
So imagine my surprise when in the past week on two different occasions the kids came calling bearing gifts of homemade bread. Baked as they said by their uncle.
Oh it was so touching, and how wonderful was the bread.
On one occasion they brought a small baguette and yesterday it was a cranberry walnut bread. Delicious and homemade.
It's rare to find Chinese folks baking the kind of bread they gifted, considering most breads in China are rather sweet and often eaten as snacks and baking at home isn't really popular.. and it was then I found out from one of the kids that they're actually from Taiwan. Ah, will surprises never cease.

Well I'll say it was damn neighborly of them to give me such personal gifts, and now I feel bad that I haven't given anything back. So I'm thinking of giving them a homemade bread too. Perhaps one of my signature focaccia or maybe bake them a cake. Why not? It's winters and a hearty cake is always good.
Also, next time I meet their 'uncle' imma profusely thank him for such wonderful teasers treats, perhaps even exchange notes on baking.

Ah well.. so now it gets colder, and I wonder if I shouldn't spend the rest of today huddled in my bed.
I've this habit of opening some windows and balcony doors to air the house which actually lowers the internal temperature and begins to freeze its inhabitants. I think I'm going to close all these openings shut.

Time to do a spot of washing machine staring and other assorted coaxed chores.
Soon.. hearts