My first summer on the Riviera is going to be an exciting one. In all kinds of ways, but one in particular. In around six weeks time, I shall become a Grandmother. Eagerly the whole family has been awaiting the arrival of LB - Little Bean and now reality is hitting home. A new baby in the family and a new generation. It seems August is our month of choice for giving birth and there is a fair chance of being a double birthday celebration, perhaps even on mine!

I know my son and daughter in law have been thinking and talking of names since it seems forever, and no clues have been given. I've sat with them and we've waded through the sublime to the ridiculous, all great fun. We found ourselves in stitches with outrageous appelations.  I remember doing the same myself when pregnant. I bought a book of names and my husband & I played the stick a pin in a page game. Fortunately for my son, we realised this was not the way forward. I think he would have had justification to disown us as parents, if we'd really gone ahead and called him Gaylord Iagoba.

I read that today the most popular girl's name in UK is Grace and boy's is Jack, both of which have been in the top 10 for a few years. It seems what goes around comes around as these were considered old fuddyduddy names that wouldn't have dreamed of  in the late 70's yet are very popular now.

I'm sure the very proud parents of the first Rivera Woman baby, India Rose Grace, spent a great deal of time choosing such beautiful names for their little girl,and I know that all the names have a very special significance.

Our name is such an important part of our life. Happily I've always liked mine, yet I know many who detest theirs. When I married, my husband specifically asked me if I would change my surname to his. He said it was one of the greatest gifts he could give me and it honoured his late mother.  All my feminist principles went out the window with his request. Historically a name has been bestowed as an honour. It's true a name is a great gift to bestow and I am proud to accept it.
Poor Juliet learned the hard way the power of a name, yet, she knew  the answer to 'What's in a name?', before it crossed her lips and ultimately destroyed the star cross'd lovers. And yet, Shakespeare noted 'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet'. Would it? I'm not so sure.

And so to my new name, I have decided to open it up to my fellow Riviera women to help me out. I'm too laid back to be Grandma, I'm far too young to be Grannie, Gran, Nanna and I'm not a Nanny. I can't just be Wendy, because the other grandmother is too.

 All suggestions greatfully received...

wendy@therivierawoman.com

My love of colour continues and could not resist this recipe for macaroons! Enjoy.