Day 311

Although I rather miss the ritual of biting off bunny ears, it's much easier to get good dark chocolate for Easter in the UK. Mmmmm. more...

Day 309

Homemade hot cross buns, full of currants and homemade candied citrus peel. Luscious. more...

Day 269

Happy St. David's Day!

(St. David is the patron saint of Wales, and his feast day is associated with daffodils and leeks.) more...

Day 264

We postpone this week's amaryllis update in order to bring you Pancake Day. I first had British-style pancakes with lemon and sugar on my very first day in the UK, so it's a bit nostalgic for me. And very tasty. more...

Day 254

My husband is cheesy, but very cute. more...

Day 215

Before I pack it away, here's a picture of the whole nativity set. Happy Epiphany! more...

Day 210

Starting the New Year off right, with fresh-baked homemade cinnamon rolls. more...

Day 204

We had a lovely Boxing Day walk at Bolton Abbey in the Dales.


A couple more sheep pics:





And a couple of the Abbey:





And the view from the Priory:


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Day 191

And here's the result! Not quite magazine-worthy, but it tasted pretty good. more...

Day 190

Jeremy's at a work dinner tonight, so I decided to bake this for tomorrow, which happens to be St. Lucia Day. Having discovered that my great-grandfather was Swedish, I can pretend I'm celebrating my heritage. Hey, any excuse for yummy treats will do, right? more...

Day 177

Thanksgiving potluck menu:
cheese and crackers, pickles, olives, veggies and dip, mixed nuts, snack mix, cheese straws, sugar cookies, turkey, squash and chickpea stew, bread stuffing, rice dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, peas, corn, waldorf salad, cranberry sauce, cranberry-orange relish, two kinds of rolls, bread, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, apple-cranberry pie, two kinds of ice cream, and whipped cream.

I could only fit a third of the people and a third of the food into the picture! more...

Day 175

Happy Thanksgiving! more...

Day 171

Snow!!! A teensy bit, at least.




I dutifully stirred up my Christmas pudding today, it being Stir-Up Sunday:

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- Book of Common Prayer

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Day 156

Tonight we went to a Dia de los Muertos celebration put on by the university Mexican Society. Lots of fun and yummy food! more...

Day 153

Bonfire Night. more...

Day 148

An office mate (as a dead rugby player) and my boss (as himself) at another office mate's Halloween party. more...

Day 95, Part II: Oxford

Punts below Magdalen Bridge.




Looking across Christ Church Meadow to Christ Church College.




Folly Bridge.




St Aldate's, seen from the top of Carfax Tower.




Magdalen Tower rising above the Botanic Gardens.




A sundial in the Botanic Gardens, with Tolkien's favourite tree in the background.




And just for fun, Portrait of a Duck.
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Day 95, Part I: End of the boat trip

Making an early start from Duke's Lock in order to get back by 9.30 am.






All neat and ship-shape, ready to be returned right on time. Given the adventures we'd had, this was astonishing!
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Day 94

This was one of the best views the entire trip, coming up through Somerton Deep Lock.




Setting out on a misty morning.




Autumn is on its way!




One of many lovely bridges we saw.




Somerton Deep Lock - 12 feet deep!




Ducks, geese, and boats.




A lift bridge: the bane of my existence.




The sun came out, for a few seconds anyway!




The boatyard and moorings at Thrupp, a very pretty little village.
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Day 93

The church at Shipton-on-Cherwell from the canal.




I couldn't resist stopping to have a look at it.




Intriguing carvings around the doorway.




The interior was simple and peaceful.




Cruising through a tunnel of green.




Up close and personal with the High Bush Bridge.




Someone found a lovely spot to moor.




Our galley even came equipped with a little vase, so of course I had to fill it!
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