Half Term School Break Part 1

In Bath, there is the craziest thrift/vintage/everything store... It is like a crazy version of boot sale/yard sale . They opened it in the 1960s and it is a pretty cool sight. (I found the last piece of my Halloween costume there.)

Crafting with Stinky...

Started planning out meals...It actually made things easier, but we did deviate last night when I really, really had to have Thai foodStarted planning out meals...It actually made things easier, but we did deviate last night when I really, really had to have Thai food

Storytime at the Ely Apple Festival.

Anyone have any good ideas for kids' Christmas presents?? (All ages...)

Football Sunday?

The Uof M vs. Iowa game started at 11:30pm local time. For this reason, AFN (Armed Forces Network) aired the game today, starting at 11:30a.

Paul is from Iowa.

My dad is a die hard U of M fan.

They have a bet...

I have been programmed to make food on any day that you watch football, so I share with you my easiest football food recipe.

(There was only one left by the time I got to the plate to take a photo.)

HAM AND CHEESE TREATS

*warning: this is one of those annoying recipes without exact amounts.

1 package Crescent Rolls

2-3 slices of Ham

Big Scoop of Cream Cheese

TBS of Mayo

tsp of dijon mustard

Equal amount of cheese as ham (any kind will do, I used shredded mexican)

Chop ham and cheese up very small. Mix with cream cheese, mayo and mustard. Spread on inside of unbaked crescent rolls and roll up. Bake until done.

I also use this recipe as a last minute snack for playdates.

I really love AUTUMN.

There is nothing better than the October issue of Martha Stewart. I hope to get these out on time!

ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) in my window.Homemade Apple Jelly. (I youtubed the recipe...)Artwork by Tate.Making a few Christmas Presents. Oh, and we are expecting a baby in June. :)

What I have been up to...

Tate started school. He loves it! I've been reading this to him:We have been enjoying the canal near our house.
And a few of my favorite things...

And liking this cheap, but mineral eyeshadow.

Summary

Creative: Mending the 3 well loved quilts in the house so that I can wash them ASAP!
Fashion: Inspired by watching Joss Stone performances
Cooking: Recently made Homemade Scones. They were soo good.
Design: I need help! My house looks so sterile, so beige, so boring.
Fitness: Walked Tate to school for "Leave your car at home day". The mile isn't the hard part, it is the up the hills and down the hills and back up the hills that gets me. (My butt is getting an a good workout...hee hee!)
TV: Tyra, you lured me in. I watched the catch up episode of Top Model and am kind of hooked. So excited that The City is being shown on British (non-MTV) TV.

"Noodling" as Tate calls it

When I went to MI in the summer, I finally learned how to KNIT! I finished this scarf and it is so soft, mainly due to the fact that my mom gave me some fancy expensive yarn. Can I knit more than scarves? Not yet, but I have a Knitting for Kids DVD that I plan on watching when I am ready for the next step.

Need yarn? Check out my mom's favorite shop, Threadbear.

Soup Soup Soup

Potato, Leek and Creamy Mushroom Soup
adapted from http://www.cookuk.co.uk/soup_starter/leek-potato-soup.htm
(the link has really good photos!)

Butter or margarine-2 tablespoons
Garlic-2 cloves minced/pressed
Leek - one good sized one or 2 smaller ones
Potatoes -peeled and diced(same quantity as leeks + 1/2 cup)
Mushrooms - 8 oz
4 cups chicken broth
Salt
Pepper (white or black)
Milk or cream - 1-2 cups
dash of poultry seasoning.
1/2 walnuts (toasted--cooked in a dry pan for a few minutes)

Clean and chop the leeks up to the beginning of the green of the leek. Peel the potatoes and chop them into cubes. Chop mushrooms into small pieces, slices or diced. Set aside a small handful of potatoes and mushrooms. Saute leeks in butter. Once they start to soften, add remaining potatoes and mushrooms. Add Salt and pepper.

Once vegetables have started to soften, add stock and milk. Bring the soup to the boil and then let it simmer (just barely boiling) for the about 20 min.
Use a masher to break down the potatoes in the pan or use stick blender or regular blender to blend everything up. Add poulty seasoning and stir.

Take mushrooms and potatoes and saute in butter, salt, pepper, another dash of poultry seasoning. Once it all start to softens, add a splash of wine (whatever kind you have). Cook until it almost disappears and potatoes are soft. Add to soup for chunks.

To serve, add toasted walnuts on top and/or a little cream.

Back online

It's been about a month, but I have internet again. I was planning on catching you up on what I have been up to, but I forget at this point.

I'm in the mood to be creative... and share creative things with you.
Here is my acrylic album that I finished a bit ago:

I've just ski-dooed into an English Countryside Postcard

If you don't know what ski-dooing is, you haven't watched enough Blues Clues.

From Wiki:
"Skidoo", the action of transporting, through song and dance, into an alternate reality found in objects such as pictures in frames, books, and other informational paper products. This is seen done in every episode of Blue's Clues with Steve Burns and his blue puppy. This Skidoo song is, "Blue skidoo we can too!"

We have completed our move to Bath, UK. It's GORGEOUS here. I can see Bath Abbey from my bedroom window. And you can pick blackberries and apples on walks near our house. I used to think I was a city person, but I have discovered that I am not. I can think better out here.

We don't have internet yet, so I wont be posting for a bit. See you in a few weeks with photos.

Pizza Squeeze, Honey and Peanut Butter

Pizza Squeeze, Honey and Peanut Butter...all things I cleaned out of jars that I didn't want to because of the flipping Dave Matthews Pledge I signed. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about saving the environment, but sometimes I am lazy. I just kept thinking...I love Dave Matthews, I love Dave Matthews when I was grossed out by the crud.

Pics of my acrylic album to come.

Oh, and I kind of just realized that I am moving Friday. I have been in denial! I may stay there.

Travelling with Kids- Cool Link

So when we were getting ready for Barcelona, I came across this great link:

Delicious Baby

I love the travel suggestions and how this mom makes travel seem easy. It is inspiring!

I have to say, since moving to London, we have travelled A LOT. As uptight as I can be, there is something to be said with just doing it. Just jump in and GO!

However, when you do go anywhere with a little one, try to keep to a schedule. Try to keep things like a special blanket or toy to make them settle in as soon as possible. I have the most inflexible kid ever, and even he settles into a trip somewhat easily these days.

"Can we live in a hotel forever, Mom?" -Tate, age 4.

Random List Aug 09

1. Went to Portsmouth over the weekend. English beaches are very different from Spanish beaches. (We still had fun!) (Cool Teletubbie Hills that we played on.) 2. Learned to Knit.

3. Had a scrapbook crop on Wednesday--fun! Being around creative people makes me feel, well, creative. (pics next post.)

4. 2 weeks until the move to Bath. I am excited for the new house, but I HATE MOVING.

5. My cat walked into the neighbors kitchen through their back door. I am so embarrassed.

6. I am recycling more, because I had to sign this online pledge to get a free Dave Matthews Band CD. For instance, when I really don't want to clean out the peanut butter jar to put in the recycling bin, I remember the DMB campaign and I clean the freaking thing out.

Barcelona and Blog Holiday

Sorry for the lack of postings...the move, travelling, and summer fun have kept me away from the computer.

Random Stuff

Going to see this with Tate: (SO EXCITED!) Cracking up at this: (Sabrina and yarn)

Loving this: (Yes, I know it is only available at the GAP outlet, being discontinued and all...)And this: (LUSH's Natural Deodorant--it actually works!!)Leaving for here: (in like 2 minutes)

And the WINNER is....

Kennet Lodge.

Paul's first choice, my second, but I am happy that a decision has been made. I forgot to mention that the cottage didn't have a shower, but had 2 big tubs with handheld shower attachments. That, and the Lodge is closer to Bath, which Paul really thought was important.

I can now start freecycling for stuff for the house. If you haven't heard of Freecycle before, it is a place where people post items online that they want to get rid of.

In London, it is a goldmine because people are always living here for short time periods to move overseas and they don't want to bring furniture with them. Also, when we left the states, we put 75% of our things in storage, expecting a small furnished flat. We cannot get our things shipped over for this unexpected move, and don't expect to take much home when we return to the States.

Time for more coffee!!

VOTE for our house

We cannot decide. All opinions welcome!

Choice #1: Kennet Lodge

(Link will give more info from Right Move.)

Advantages: Closer to Bath, Brand New, Awesome Kitchen

Choice #2: Buckley Cottage

(Link will give you info from Bowood Estates.)

Advantages: English Cottage Character, Amazing Gardens.

**Both are a good size, near good schools, priced similarly (housing allowance covers it), and can house GUESTS:)