Friday, August 29, 2008
Dylan's birthday
We have had such a wonderful day!
We went down to Rand Farm Park this afternoon to celebrate Dylan's first birthday, and it was so much fun. We got a late start from home because Martin had to get a haircut and there was quite a wait at George's Gents Hairdressing, but we were the first ones there anyway. Dylan's nanna and grandad, great gran and grandad, and Charlie and Beth were there. We had a picnic, ate birthday cupcakes, and then Dylan opened his gifts. The packages from Velecia, Angie, Grandma Lofley, and Grandma Cook all got here on time, and he loves his stuff. Well, we love his clothes and he loves his toys!
We wandered around the farm then, which was interesting. Dylan was a little bit scared of some of the animals (bizarrely enough, mostly the sheep). But he loved the chickens and absolutely adored the pigs and piglets. He got to pet a rabbit--and ended up groping an employee's chest instead--and a cow. Then we went and played in the toddler area of the adventure playground. After he was done playing we went back through the farm to go home. This time through, he loved the animals. He even put his hand inside a calf's mouth (and then promptly tried to put his hand in his own mouth--gross)! He was asleep within 5 minutes of us starting the drive home, and slept the whole way. He woke up and had his dinner, and now we are playing with some of his new toys.
I was pretty impressed with myself. I made his birthday cupcakes from scratch! I used the Emery County cookbook (thanks Grandma, that was the best bridal shower gift EVER). It was a very strange recipe that called for baking soda dissolved in milk instead of baking powder. Plus you added boiling water to the mix right before you baked it. I was a bit dubious, but it turned out ok. Plus I made German chocolate cake frosting. Delicious.
It's nearly bath and bed time--thank goodness. I will definitely be getting an early night tonight.
I can't believe Dylan is one already. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday he was born, and sometimes it seems like he's been with us forever. A whole year!!!
We went down to Rand Farm Park this afternoon to celebrate Dylan's first birthday, and it was so much fun. We got a late start from home because Martin had to get a haircut and there was quite a wait at George's Gents Hairdressing, but we were the first ones there anyway. Dylan's nanna and grandad, great gran and grandad, and Charlie and Beth were there. We had a picnic, ate birthday cupcakes, and then Dylan opened his gifts. The packages from Velecia, Angie, Grandma Lofley, and Grandma Cook all got here on time, and he loves his stuff. Well, we love his clothes and he loves his toys!
We wandered around the farm then, which was interesting. Dylan was a little bit scared of some of the animals (bizarrely enough, mostly the sheep). But he loved the chickens and absolutely adored the pigs and piglets. He got to pet a rabbit--and ended up groping an employee's chest instead--and a cow. Then we went and played in the toddler area of the adventure playground. After he was done playing we went back through the farm to go home. This time through, he loved the animals. He even put his hand inside a calf's mouth (and then promptly tried to put his hand in his own mouth--gross)! He was asleep within 5 minutes of us starting the drive home, and slept the whole way. He woke up and had his dinner, and now we are playing with some of his new toys.
I was pretty impressed with myself. I made his birthday cupcakes from scratch! I used the Emery County cookbook (thanks Grandma, that was the best bridal shower gift EVER). It was a very strange recipe that called for baking soda dissolved in milk instead of baking powder. Plus you added boiling water to the mix right before you baked it. I was a bit dubious, but it turned out ok. Plus I made German chocolate cake frosting. Delicious.
It's nearly bath and bed time--thank goodness. I will definitely be getting an early night tonight.
I can't believe Dylan is one already. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday he was born, and sometimes it seems like he's been with us forever. A whole year!!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wahoo!
I just booked our tickets to come and visit the family at Christmas! We are flying out on the 16th of December and will be staying for three whole weeks--can you stand us for that long, mom?
The best bit is, we are flying from Humberside airport instead of Manchester. It means an extra connection at Schiphol, in Amsterdam, but it also means that we are flying from the airport that's a 15 minute drive from our house instead of 2 1/2 hours. Even with us actually flying away from our destination to start, we are still saving hours of time and not spending that much more money. Hooray for regional airports and KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines)!
Now I just have to wait until the 16th of December. I can hardly wait to smell that sweet, clean, dry Utah air and give everyone big hugs and kisses. And I can't wait for all of you to meet my beautiful Dylan. I just hope he's good on the flights. How on earth are we going to keep him still for 17+ hours? Any travel tips from parents with young kids. And I don't mean giving them Benadryl before the flight--I think it's horrible to drug your kids up so they sleep the whole time!
The best bit is, we are flying from Humberside airport instead of Manchester. It means an extra connection at Schiphol, in Amsterdam, but it also means that we are flying from the airport that's a 15 minute drive from our house instead of 2 1/2 hours. Even with us actually flying away from our destination to start, we are still saving hours of time and not spending that much more money. Hooray for regional airports and KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines)!
Now I just have to wait until the 16th of December. I can hardly wait to smell that sweet, clean, dry Utah air and give everyone big hugs and kisses. And I can't wait for all of you to meet my beautiful Dylan. I just hope he's good on the flights. How on earth are we going to keep him still for 17+ hours? Any travel tips from parents with young kids. And I don't mean giving them Benadryl before the flight--I think it's horrible to drug your kids up so they sleep the whole time!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Medieval Day...
We have had such a brilliant weekend so far! Martin and I went in to Grimsby yesterday and I got a haircut at Zimmini (remember last year when I got the most expensive haircut ever? Same place!) while the boys went window shopping. Then we had lunch at a pub called the Parity and drove down to Utterby for the medieval day.
The event was being held in a big field behind someone's house. It was great! They had decorated with a giant castle cutout and had old school tents up everywhere. There was an archery stand, a display about local builders who restore old wattle and daub houses in Lincolnshire, face painting for the kids, a tent where you could make a family sheild, and family races and jousting.
Dylan had so much fun, because the field was huge and we just let him crawl around to his heart's content. He went all over the place. He wore his horse costume from Aunt Angie and Uncle Greg, and looked FANTASTIC! Martin and I wore the costumes that I made, and we looked pretty good, too.
Martin's dad came for dinner, which was nice as well. There was a hog roast, and we also had venison, sea trout, and roast rabbit. Yummy!
By far the best part of the day was that it completely wore Dylan out. He fell asleep in the car on the way home, woke up long enough to have a bottle when we got back, and slept until quarter past 7 this morning.
It was a busy run up to the day, though. I made blackberry and apple pies (with blackberries that Dylan and I picked together, no less) and spiced apple cider. I also made the costumes, and that was not easy. I finished mine about a half an hour before we left the house, and it involved curved seams, darts, and button holes! By the time we showed up, I was already exhausted. But it was so worth it!
Today has been good as well. Church was interesting. The chapel is being redecorated and has been completely gutted. The pews have all been moved into the cultural hall, and it is a bit of a squeeze. I hope it doesn't take long to finish the chapel, but it is going to be so much nicer. The church looks a little bit ghetto at the minute. It was built in the early 70's, and it really shows. One of the first things to go was the cheesy cheap wooden panelling that covered the entire front of the chapel, and it looks better already. Didn't really get much of a spiritual buzz, because I spent most of the time chasing Dylan around. That's pretty normal now, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Martin had his last game of the season in Hull today, but Dylan and I stayed home and had a nap. Then we drove over to Kirton Lindsey and met Grandad for a drink and some cake at the windmill there. It was a gorgeous afternoon spent in total relaxation, and Dylan was as good as gold. I had a wonderful visit with my father-in-law, as well. I really do love my in-laws. I just prefer not to hang out with both of them at once.
Now Dylan and I are relaxing and waiting for daddy to come home. He's been confined to a car seat or his pushchair for most of the day, so he's enjoying just roaming around. I'm enjoying watching him!
By far the best part of the weekend is that it's not over yet. It's bank holiday Monday tomorrow, and the Place is closed. Martin and I are going to be working out in the garden. It needs a serious tidy! We will get to spend the whole day together tomorrow!
Last year I was 9+ months pregnant on the bank holiday Monday. We went to Cleethorpes sea front and had a picnic, and I was huge and swollen and miserable. I played catch with Martin on the beach and my water broke that night. I can't believe it's been a whole year since then!
The event was being held in a big field behind someone's house. It was great! They had decorated with a giant castle cutout and had old school tents up everywhere. There was an archery stand, a display about local builders who restore old wattle and daub houses in Lincolnshire, face painting for the kids, a tent where you could make a family sheild, and family races and jousting.
Dylan had so much fun, because the field was huge and we just let him crawl around to his heart's content. He went all over the place. He wore his horse costume from Aunt Angie and Uncle Greg, and looked FANTASTIC! Martin and I wore the costumes that I made, and we looked pretty good, too.
Martin's dad came for dinner, which was nice as well. There was a hog roast, and we also had venison, sea trout, and roast rabbit. Yummy!
By far the best part of the day was that it completely wore Dylan out. He fell asleep in the car on the way home, woke up long enough to have a bottle when we got back, and slept until quarter past 7 this morning.
It was a busy run up to the day, though. I made blackberry and apple pies (with blackberries that Dylan and I picked together, no less) and spiced apple cider. I also made the costumes, and that was not easy. I finished mine about a half an hour before we left the house, and it involved curved seams, darts, and button holes! By the time we showed up, I was already exhausted. But it was so worth it!
Today has been good as well. Church was interesting. The chapel is being redecorated and has been completely gutted. The pews have all been moved into the cultural hall, and it is a bit of a squeeze. I hope it doesn't take long to finish the chapel, but it is going to be so much nicer. The church looks a little bit ghetto at the minute. It was built in the early 70's, and it really shows. One of the first things to go was the cheesy cheap wooden panelling that covered the entire front of the chapel, and it looks better already. Didn't really get much of a spiritual buzz, because I spent most of the time chasing Dylan around. That's pretty normal now, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Martin had his last game of the season in Hull today, but Dylan and I stayed home and had a nap. Then we drove over to Kirton Lindsey and met Grandad for a drink and some cake at the windmill there. It was a gorgeous afternoon spent in total relaxation, and Dylan was as good as gold. I had a wonderful visit with my father-in-law, as well. I really do love my in-laws. I just prefer not to hang out with both of them at once.
Now Dylan and I are relaxing and waiting for daddy to come home. He's been confined to a car seat or his pushchair for most of the day, so he's enjoying just roaming around. I'm enjoying watching him!
By far the best part of the weekend is that it's not over yet. It's bank holiday Monday tomorrow, and the Place is closed. Martin and I are going to be working out in the garden. It needs a serious tidy! We will get to spend the whole day together tomorrow!
Last year I was 9+ months pregnant on the bank holiday Monday. We went to Cleethorpes sea front and had a picnic, and I was huge and swollen and miserable. I played catch with Martin on the beach and my water broke that night. I can't believe it's been a whole year since then!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Marriage to a sports fanatic...
I knew Martin was a sports fiend when we first met. He forgot we had a date because he went to softball practice, for crying out loud. The fact that he ranks sports pretty high on his priorities list is not news, but it still irritates me from time to time.
Yesterday I felt REALLY sick. We went in to church, but I only made it through the first hour. Martin very kindly brought me home. He tucked me and Dylan into bed for a nap, and then left for 5 1/2 hours to go play baseball. I could hardly drag myself out of bed, and he left me alone with Dylan to play a stupid game!
I have always been really disgusted by those men who play on a sports team of any kind and make it the most important thing in the world. It doesn't matter what sport it is, either. You know those sad, pathetic men, right? They treat their Saturday softball team like they're playing major league baseball or their Sunday league football team like they have a chance at winning the Carling Cup. They only take days off work for their team, and all family trips have to coincide with away games? I feel like I am married to that man!
The cherry on top of the weekend was that football season has started again. Match of the day is back on, so Martin will be spending the next 9 months watching it every Saturday and Sunday night. If we do happen to go out we will have to be home by 10pm so he doesn't miss it. And baseball is still going on, so he will tape that and stay up after match of the day to watch it. He will go to bed at around midnight or later every weekend for the forseeable future, and will then be grumpy and useless in the morning when I need to rest. He will complain about being tired, and it will be totally self inflicted!
OK, I feel better now that I got that off my chest.
In other news, Dylan spent his first night wawy from us. He slept over at Nanna and Grandad's house on Friday. I was really worried that he'd be upset on Saturday morning when he woke up and Martin and I weren't there, so I woke up early anyway, but he was really good. He woke up early, but wasn't fussy or upset. We're planning another sleepover for our anniversary next month.
We went to the church fete in Wootton on Saturday. It was a party/fundraiser for the Anglican church in the village, and it was good fun. We bought some cakes, Martin played a few games, and Dylan crawled around on the grass and was just generally adorable. Afterwards we went to the Mundays' for dinner. Once the kids were asleep Emma and I did some scrapbooking and Martin and Lewis played on the XBox. And yes, we did leave in time for Martin to watch Match of the Day.
So that was our weekend. It was pretty good, all things considered!
Yesterday I felt REALLY sick. We went in to church, but I only made it through the first hour. Martin very kindly brought me home. He tucked me and Dylan into bed for a nap, and then left for 5 1/2 hours to go play baseball. I could hardly drag myself out of bed, and he left me alone with Dylan to play a stupid game!
I have always been really disgusted by those men who play on a sports team of any kind and make it the most important thing in the world. It doesn't matter what sport it is, either. You know those sad, pathetic men, right? They treat their Saturday softball team like they're playing major league baseball or their Sunday league football team like they have a chance at winning the Carling Cup. They only take days off work for their team, and all family trips have to coincide with away games? I feel like I am married to that man!
The cherry on top of the weekend was that football season has started again. Match of the day is back on, so Martin will be spending the next 9 months watching it every Saturday and Sunday night. If we do happen to go out we will have to be home by 10pm so he doesn't miss it. And baseball is still going on, so he will tape that and stay up after match of the day to watch it. He will go to bed at around midnight or later every weekend for the forseeable future, and will then be grumpy and useless in the morning when I need to rest. He will complain about being tired, and it will be totally self inflicted!
OK, I feel better now that I got that off my chest.
In other news, Dylan spent his first night wawy from us. He slept over at Nanna and Grandad's house on Friday. I was really worried that he'd be upset on Saturday morning when he woke up and Martin and I weren't there, so I woke up early anyway, but he was really good. He woke up early, but wasn't fussy or upset. We're planning another sleepover for our anniversary next month.
We went to the church fete in Wootton on Saturday. It was a party/fundraiser for the Anglican church in the village, and it was good fun. We bought some cakes, Martin played a few games, and Dylan crawled around on the grass and was just generally adorable. Afterwards we went to the Mundays' for dinner. Once the kids were asleep Emma and I did some scrapbooking and Martin and Lewis played on the XBox. And yes, we did leave in time for Martin to watch Match of the Day.
So that was our weekend. It was pretty good, all things considered!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Messes...
I think I must be a weird mom. Dylan is SO allowed to get dirty. He plays in the garden, crawls around the park, touches everything, and generally gets messy all the time. I'm ok with that--I know you should let your kids get dirty, and bathtime soon comes around. But I can't stand food mess!
Dylan is just starting to learn to feed himself with a spoon, and it actually turns my stomach to have him covered in food. Mud from the garden is fine, but banana and oatmeal is just disgusting to me. I know he's got to learn to feed himself eventually, but I really wish I could just feed him myself until he's coordinated enough to not make a mess. Unfortunately, he will never learn if I don't let him make a mess. Maybe I'll just wait until Martin comes home and let daddy deal with the mess?
We've been watching the Olympics in the evening and it's so strange to watch the BBC cover it. They are so not impartial (understandable, I guess). They're all about "team GB," and a lot of times they don't even show the Americans competing because they're interviewing either the Brit or someone from one of the colonies. It's really frustrating. And any time someone wins a medal it is a HUGE deal--even a bronze. Funny.
Anyway, need to take care of my messy baby!
Dylan is just starting to learn to feed himself with a spoon, and it actually turns my stomach to have him covered in food. Mud from the garden is fine, but banana and oatmeal is just disgusting to me. I know he's got to learn to feed himself eventually, but I really wish I could just feed him myself until he's coordinated enough to not make a mess. Unfortunately, he will never learn if I don't let him make a mess. Maybe I'll just wait until Martin comes home and let daddy deal with the mess?
We've been watching the Olympics in the evening and it's so strange to watch the BBC cover it. They are so not impartial (understandable, I guess). They're all about "team GB," and a lot of times they don't even show the Americans competing because they're interviewing either the Brit or someone from one of the colonies. It's really frustrating. And any time someone wins a medal it is a HUGE deal--even a bronze. Funny.
Anyway, need to take care of my messy baby!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Out of body experience...
Have you ever felt like your body didn't actually belong to you? The last time I felt that way I was heavily pregnant and my body wasn't my own--it had been taken over by my 9 1/2 lb. baby. But the other night I was getting out of the bath and looked at my leg. It didn't feel like it was my leg. I honestly felt like the leg I was looking at belonged to someone else. Totally strange moment.
The boys and I did our grocery shop tonight, and we saw the funniest thing. When we were loading our bags in the car, I looked over at the car parked next to us and did a double take. Sitting in the driver's seat, looking for all the world like he was about to start the car and drive away, was a great dane. I'm not kidding--it looked just like he was getting ready to drive away. We wanted to take a picture, but there was too much glare off the car window. SO funny.
That reminds me of the most bizarre thing I ever saw--when we were living in Cedar City we were driving down to St. George. It was right around Thanksgiving, and as we rounded a bend on I15, we saw a headless turkey STANDING at the side of the road. It was a little bit surreal.
Our bedroom window is totally painted now, and we are just waiting for the glass to be installed. Hooray for windows that open! Of course, now the weather is cooling off. But it'll still be great to let a little fresh air in. Bizarrely, most windows here don't have screens. I find that strange, as there are a LOT of bugs here. It's totally weird to open the window and have nothing between you and outside. I guess it's just what you're used to!
The boys and I did our grocery shop tonight, and we saw the funniest thing. When we were loading our bags in the car, I looked over at the car parked next to us and did a double take. Sitting in the driver's seat, looking for all the world like he was about to start the car and drive away, was a great dane. I'm not kidding--it looked just like he was getting ready to drive away. We wanted to take a picture, but there was too much glare off the car window. SO funny.
That reminds me of the most bizarre thing I ever saw--when we were living in Cedar City we were driving down to St. George. It was right around Thanksgiving, and as we rounded a bend on I15, we saw a headless turkey STANDING at the side of the road. It was a little bit surreal.
Our bedroom window is totally painted now, and we are just waiting for the glass to be installed. Hooray for windows that open! Of course, now the weather is cooling off. But it'll still be great to let a little fresh air in. Bizarrely, most windows here don't have screens. I find that strange, as there are a LOT of bugs here. It's totally weird to open the window and have nothing between you and outside. I guess it's just what you're used to!
Friday, August 08, 2008
Some Dylan pics...
Dylan's first haircut--just a bit off over the ears!
Top hats out in the garden.
Dylan always has a huge belly after he eats his dinner!
My window. It cost £1700 (around $3400) because it is custom built and absolutely HUGE!
Nanna and Dylan have a special moment together outside Thornton Abbey.Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Happy healthy baby!
And I should mention huge as well. I had Dylan weighed and measured today and he is tipping the scales at just over 25 lbs. He's also 81 cm long (that's just shy of 3 feet, for the metrically challenged). He's just below the 91st percentile on his weight, and at 99.6 on his height. We have a BIG boy. Every time the health visitors see him they gush about how beautiful he is. I have to agree.
Not too much going on at the minute. Martin has nearly finished painting the window, and we should have it installed early next week. I'm excited to have a window that opens in the bedroom! The weather has been really hot (for England) and with the humidity hovering over 70% most days that makes things pretty miserable. A window that opens will cool things off considerably.
My friend Jen is in the hospital. Her asthma flared up and she isn't responding to treatment. I always forget that asthma is a serious condition that can even be life threatening. Mine is so well controlled that it isn't really an issue. Dylan and I took her a bag of toiletries and stayed for a short visit. Her family are far away and she has been lonely in the hospital with no visitors. I know how she feels--I had a lonely few days after Dylan was born, even with Martin's family and lovely Emma coming to visit. The days are long when you're stuck in a hospital bed.
Martin's off to baseball practice tonight, and when he gets home I'm going to watch Mama Mia at the cinema with his mother. We're bonding. It should be fun--our mobile phone company does half price tickets on a Wednesday, so it's really cheap to go. Can't wait!!!
Not too much going on at the minute. Martin has nearly finished painting the window, and we should have it installed early next week. I'm excited to have a window that opens in the bedroom! The weather has been really hot (for England) and with the humidity hovering over 70% most days that makes things pretty miserable. A window that opens will cool things off considerably.
My friend Jen is in the hospital. Her asthma flared up and she isn't responding to treatment. I always forget that asthma is a serious condition that can even be life threatening. Mine is so well controlled that it isn't really an issue. Dylan and I took her a bag of toiletries and stayed for a short visit. Her family are far away and she has been lonely in the hospital with no visitors. I know how she feels--I had a lonely few days after Dylan was born, even with Martin's family and lovely Emma coming to visit. The days are long when you're stuck in a hospital bed.
Martin's off to baseball practice tonight, and when he gets home I'm going to watch Mama Mia at the cinema with his mother. We're bonding. It should be fun--our mobile phone company does half price tickets on a Wednesday, so it's really cheap to go. Can't wait!!!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Humble potato....an englishman's view
Where to begin... I read the comment that 'anonymous' left on Jamie's opinion of english potatoes and although I can see where he/she might be right on some points, I think he/she is being just a little harsh.
First of all, I have tried a few of the American potato varieties which our esteemed commenter described as absolutely awful and I have to say I most heartily disagree with his/hers opinion. Having worked in a high quality restaurant in the U.S I was able to try various varieties of potato and can I say that the Yukon Gold is an exceptional potato, not as already mentioned, absolutely awful.
The key to this argument is that although we have the humble potato, which can be used for many different things, such as the King Edward, Maris Piper or Desiree (information from the British Potato Council (yes we have a Potato Council)) it has been diversified and specialised to bring out the qaulities that are best suited to their tasks. Now, Jamie said that this overcomplicates things and to some extent i agree. However, where a generalised spud will do a good job, a potato that has been bred especially for the task will add that little extra something to the pot. I am not trying to be elitist and tell you that an all purpose spud is no good, far from it. In fact I am a huge fan of the Maris Piper AND the Idaho spud. But sometimes, you need to add that little bit extra to the equation.
I guess, when it all comes down to it, it is all a matter of opinion, nobody is wrong or right. However, we should all bow down to the gloriousness of the Spud, in all it's wonderful guises: Itasca, Nooksack, Red La Soda and Katahdin (by the way these are 4 of the approximately 350 types of potato listed on the Potato Association of America (yes they have one too!))
So, now that we have revelled in the awesomeness of the spud,can't we all just get along?
First of all, I have tried a few of the American potato varieties which our esteemed commenter described as absolutely awful and I have to say I most heartily disagree with his/hers opinion. Having worked in a high quality restaurant in the U.S I was able to try various varieties of potato and can I say that the Yukon Gold is an exceptional potato, not as already mentioned, absolutely awful.
The key to this argument is that although we have the humble potato, which can be used for many different things, such as the King Edward, Maris Piper or Desiree (information from the British Potato Council (yes we have a Potato Council)) it has been diversified and specialised to bring out the qaulities that are best suited to their tasks. Now, Jamie said that this overcomplicates things and to some extent i agree. However, where a generalised spud will do a good job, a potato that has been bred especially for the task will add that little extra something to the pot. I am not trying to be elitist and tell you that an all purpose spud is no good, far from it. In fact I am a huge fan of the Maris Piper AND the Idaho spud. But sometimes, you need to add that little bit extra to the equation.
I guess, when it all comes down to it, it is all a matter of opinion, nobody is wrong or right. However, we should all bow down to the gloriousness of the Spud, in all it's wonderful guises: Itasca, Nooksack, Red La Soda and Katahdin (by the way these are 4 of the approximately 350 types of potato listed on the Potato Association of America (yes they have one too!))
So, now that we have revelled in the awesomeness of the spud,can't we all just get along?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The humble potato...
Martin did sausage & mash for dinner tonight, and we were almost out of potatoes. So he went outside and dug up the first of our potatoes from the garden. They are lovely. And it made me start thinking about the humble old potato.
The ones in our garden are "vale everest" potatoes, because, like everything else in the whole world, the Brits manage to take something that is gloriously simple and complicate it until it's not even nice anymore. Back home, you have potatoes. Over here you have about 12 different varieties. You have Maris Pipers, Charlottes, Marfonas, etc. They are also designated by area they were grown. Hence, Jersey royals, Lincolnshire whites, Boston new potatoes. And each one is best for different things. Some are best for baking. Some are suitable for mashing. Others are best for chips. Still others are used in salads. So, instead of just buying potatoes when you go to the supermarket, you buy 6 different kinds of potatoes depending on what you are making.
I miss good old Idaho spuds! One potato for all purposes, and still the best in the whole world.
Although my Vale Everest spuds ARE gorgeous!
Now I'm done with my rant, Dylan had his first ever haircut today. I took him to George's Gents Barbershop, just up the street. I asked him how much he'd charge me to just trim it above the ears (that's the only place it needed doing) and he told me he'd do it for free. It took about 3 minutes, and Dylan was really good. He held remarkably still and was just intrigued by the buzzing of the clippers. He's very dashing now, and there was actually more hair than I thought. It's just so blonde that you don't really notice it unless you're looking. On top it's got lovely streaks of strawberry blonde. Oh, my son is so handsome!
The ones in our garden are "vale everest" potatoes, because, like everything else in the whole world, the Brits manage to take something that is gloriously simple and complicate it until it's not even nice anymore. Back home, you have potatoes. Over here you have about 12 different varieties. You have Maris Pipers, Charlottes, Marfonas, etc. They are also designated by area they were grown. Hence, Jersey royals, Lincolnshire whites, Boston new potatoes. And each one is best for different things. Some are best for baking. Some are suitable for mashing. Others are best for chips. Still others are used in salads. So, instead of just buying potatoes when you go to the supermarket, you buy 6 different kinds of potatoes depending on what you are making.
I miss good old Idaho spuds! One potato for all purposes, and still the best in the whole world.
Although my Vale Everest spuds ARE gorgeous!
Now I'm done with my rant, Dylan had his first ever haircut today. I took him to George's Gents Barbershop, just up the street. I asked him how much he'd charge me to just trim it above the ears (that's the only place it needed doing) and he told me he'd do it for free. It took about 3 minutes, and Dylan was really good. He held remarkably still and was just intrigued by the buzzing of the clippers. He's very dashing now, and there was actually more hair than I thought. It's just so blonde that you don't really notice it unless you're looking. On top it's got lovely streaks of strawberry blonde. Oh, my son is so handsome!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Overlapping seasons...
Dylan and I went for a walk to feed the ducks last night after Martin went to baseball practice. On our way down to Water's Edge, we picked and ate some blackberries. Man, does my boy love blackberries! The weird thing is, on Saturday we were picking strawberries. Strawberries are a spring crop, and blackberries are usually an autumn crop. It's so totally bizarre that we are picking both at the same time!
We had our last choir practice of the summer tonight. It went really well, but Martin left our house keys at the church. Not cool, since the chapel is 27 miles away. We had to climb over the back wall to get into the house because I don't usually lock the back door. Martin climbed over and jumped down, I handed Dylan to him, then he went and got the ladder for me to climb down since it's a drop of about 7 1/2 feet. I felt like I was breaking in to my own house. The best part is, we are now locked IN the house. You need the key to unlock the door, even from the inside. Somebody who lives in Barton and was still in town is bringing our keys to us.
Don't we have such exciting lives?
We had our last choir practice of the summer tonight. It went really well, but Martin left our house keys at the church. Not cool, since the chapel is 27 miles away. We had to climb over the back wall to get into the house because I don't usually lock the back door. Martin climbed over and jumped down, I handed Dylan to him, then he went and got the ladder for me to climb down since it's a drop of about 7 1/2 feet. I felt like I was breaking in to my own house. The best part is, we are now locked IN the house. You need the key to unlock the door, even from the inside. Somebody who lives in Barton and was still in town is bringing our keys to us.
Don't we have such exciting lives?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Martin looking all hot and studly in his baseball uniform.
Dylan enjoyed picking strawberries on Saturday morning. He ate more straw than strawberries, but had a great time anyway!
The view of the gatehouse at Thornton Abbey from the strawberry fields.
Dylan is bobbing up and down on his little red tractor, bringing in the strawberries!
Martin brilliantly suggested we bring a tent with us to the baseball game. Dylan had a marvy time playing in the tent, and he even took a nap during one of the games. Hooray for Martin, the deep thinker!Red Letter Day...
I don't know why it's a "red letter day" when something good happens. Maybe someone can enlighten me. At any rate, we had one yesterday.
We checked the bank balance yesterday, and had a pleasant surprise for the first time in months! Our insurance company has paid us the money for our new window, and we received a massive payment from HM Revenue and Customs--we think it is back payment of tax credits. Hooray--I can buy myself some new t-shirts!
I hate being poor. I know it builds character and all, but personally I'd rather be a wealthy and horrible person. People who always have enough money will never know why it really is the root of all evil. If you are struggling to make ends meet, it's all you can think about. Money worries consume you, and stress leaks into all aspects of your life. You don't even realize how much you've been worrying until the pressure is lifted. Then, all of a sudden, you feel like you can breathe again.
Martin did some work on the entrance hallway tonight. He filled the big hole in the door from the old letterbox and sanded down all the rough patches . It will be ready to paint tomorrow, and that will make a big difference in there. It's the little things that make a big difference with projects like this.
The closer our house gets to being finished, the more I love it. It will be hard to leave, but I am so excited to move back home that it will be ok. I know we will be able to make another house a home, just as long as we are all together.
We checked the bank balance yesterday, and had a pleasant surprise for the first time in months! Our insurance company has paid us the money for our new window, and we received a massive payment from HM Revenue and Customs--we think it is back payment of tax credits. Hooray--I can buy myself some new t-shirts!
I hate being poor. I know it builds character and all, but personally I'd rather be a wealthy and horrible person. People who always have enough money will never know why it really is the root of all evil. If you are struggling to make ends meet, it's all you can think about. Money worries consume you, and stress leaks into all aspects of your life. You don't even realize how much you've been worrying until the pressure is lifted. Then, all of a sudden, you feel like you can breathe again.
Martin did some work on the entrance hallway tonight. He filled the big hole in the door from the old letterbox and sanded down all the rough patches . It will be ready to paint tomorrow, and that will make a big difference in there. It's the little things that make a big difference with projects like this.
The closer our house gets to being finished, the more I love it. It will be hard to leave, but I am so excited to move back home that it will be ok. I know we will be able to make another house a home, just as long as we are all together.
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