Weekend round-up and 4th photo meme
japra | Feb 04, 2009 | Comments 15
In the excitement of our first big snowfall and two divine “snow days”, I totally forgot to post my weekend wrap up. And what a weekend it was too!
Guess who came from Texas
This is Roxi’s traditional BD cake, spice cake with caramel frosting. Woo Hoo! Roxi just finished the last piece yesterday. Hint, hint.
My amazing mother-in-law flew into town on Saturday to attend Roxi’s all school talent show. Roxi and five of her friends opened the show with “Seasons of Love“–they were awesome! If I can get permission from everyone, I’ll see if I can put a video up on YouTube. Right now it’s on my Facebook site, so if you’re my “friend” go watch it!
In addition to bringing her amazing self, my MIL brought Roxi a homemade birthday cake. Can you believe it? The woman flies 10 hours over 5,000 miles just to see Roxi perform a three minute song. AND she hand-carries a homemade spice cake with caramel frosting. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is. Oh, that’s not proof enough? How about hauling two 12-packs of root beer on the airplane? And two packs of gold fish? And two bags of Dove Chocolate hearts? Plus other pressies from the States?
Yeah. That’s what I’m saying.
4th Photo Meme
Audrey of Multitude tagged me with the “4th” meme. I bent the rules a bit to better fit the theme of this blog. So, this is the 4th photo from my 1st Canon Digital Rebel photo folder.
I took this photo on February 17, 2007–our first full day in England.
We were staying in a flat right on the Thames, almost directly across from Big Ben and Parliament. When I first saw this view, my breath caught. After six sleepless weeks of packing, moving things into storage, hiring international movers, giving things away, dealing with schools, learning about the UK Pet Travel Scheme, putting our Texas house up on the market, stressing over visas and start dates, and saying goodbyes (gulp!), I knew we were finally in England and ready to start our new adventure. It was a Big Moment.
Today, sitting in my conservatory in the English countryside nearly two years later, I wish I could pull my naive self aside and say: “Girl, you have one wild ride ahead of you. You’ll need your sense of humour, an open mind, and an extra, extra large dose of patience. Good luck!”
By the way, if you’re interested, here are a couple of posts from our early days in London:
This was a fun meme. It brought back some wonderful memories of our first days in this amazing country. Thanks, Audrey!
If anyone else would like to participate in the 4th meme (4th photo in your 4th photo file), please let me know in the comments, okay? I’d love to see your photo and read the story behind it. :-)
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About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in Holland with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 15-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I love this post and I loved the other two posts you linked to too! One day I will have to read your blog from the beginning! It is awful of me I know, but I try stay on top of day to day posts first! I should start writing about what I like about the UK.
Wow! MIL is pretty awesome!!
Love the picture of the Thames, but I enjoyed the story even more.
That was lovely. I enjoyed reading about your early days.
Emm–Thank you! I would love to read about the things you like about the UK… and South Africa too :-)
BSR–Yes, she rocks!!
Audrey–I can’t believe we’ve been here almost two years. Time is going by so quickly.
Wow – what a MIL. My now-15-year-old daughter would have done just about ANYTHING for American root beer when we lived in Oxford last year.
Knowing your family, I’m not surprised that your MIL is so amazing! Positively an angel! Mimsy
rpkelly–Welcome and thanks for taking the time to comment :-) Roxi saves her root beers to share with friends when they come over to our house. A 12-pack can last six months or more! On Roxi’s first day of school her in the UK, a boy in her advisory told her, “You’re going to miss root beer.” He was right, but the funny thing is, she didn’t drink a whole lot of it in the States to start with! I would be interested to know what your daughter misses in terms of UK food ;-)
Mimsy–You’re too sweet. :-)
What a wonderful mother-in-law and a lovely reminiscent post! And what a cake.
I want the recipe to the spice cake with caramel frosting – pretty please? I am lusting after that big-time, and I think that your MIL is wonderful!! (BTW, we always get goldfish and chocolate chips in our care package.)
It must be strange to go back and read your first impressions of England. You’re practically a native now!
What a wonderful MIL!
This is a great meme for bringing back memories isn’t it? I did it today too.
I enjoyed reading your memories of your first impressions of London. :)
Christine–I am beginning to doubt that it was such a good idea to put that cake on my blog. Every time I see that photo, I CRAVE a piece! Oh no!!
Bee–I am looking for that recipe, for you yes, but also for me. I am going through withdrawal. That tastes like pralines. I’m dying! Will share when I find it. And yes, it is strange to go back and look at my old pics and posts. On one hand it seems like I’ve been here for ages (it feels like home) but on the other hand, it feels like we just got here. Don’t want to think about leaving…
Akelamalu–I am going to visit you right now!!
JaPRA, looking back at your first posts and comparing it to your blog now, I can see how well you’ve adapted. Roxi has an awesome grandmother! I wonder what you will bring home with you from England. We often fly home with my mother-in-law’s marmalade. The best thing about a blog, is you’ll always have this keepsake of your time abroad.
RPKelly, I’m feeling nostalgic too. Fun to see you here.
That’s completely incredible that your MIL brought a cake on the plane all that way! And spice cake with caramel frosting?! YUM
I want to see the video!
Sarah–I think about re-patriating often and wonder… “What will I miss?” I have a long list.
Chris–Are you on Facebook? And I thought about your red velvet cupcakes today.
What a beautiful photo!
Many thanks.
Greetings from London.