All Entries in the "Blog" Category
Meanwhile, back at the ranch
A window display in Guildford, England. That little guy spun around. I am not quite sure what to make of this… any guesses?
Yes, I’m still here. My computer crashed big time again last week, and my poor husband had to reload everything TWICE. By the time I was up and running, my dear mother-in-law came over for a couple of days from Texas for a very nice visit.
So now I’m re-loading photos blah blah blah. Hope to get up to speed soon.
Here are some interesting recipes I’ve tried recently:
And, wow, I didn’t know this about Alton Brown! Interestingly, this is similar to what we are trying to do. Mostly eat better and cut the junk ;-)
Um, maybe I shouldn’t mention that I made a huge batch of Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars this weekend and they were gone in less than two days. Oh dear! And then there was the Pumpkin Coffee Cake I made on Friday… oops.
Reading Binge
“…I started to read. I finished the book in one sitting, leaving the children unbathed, dogs unwalked, a husband unfed, and giving alternate cries of joy and recognition throughout.”
–Jilly Cooper in her introduction to EM Delafield’s Diary of a Provincial Lady
Okay, so it hasn’t been as bad as all that, but I have been inhaling books for the last few weeks, pretty much ignoring this blog. Sorry about that. I tend to go on these reading benders, and well, I am sure you can relate, can’t you?
And then, of course, while reading, I’ll come across something I HAVE to look up and then find all sorts of interesting information on the Internet, which translates to more hours of reading.
For example:
84 Charing Cross Road Revisited
and
I mean really! I could spend days just sifting through this stuff.
And last night I finished Q’s Legacy by Helene Hanff, so now I have more goodies for my to-read list.
But I need to shove the books aside for the day to prepare for a little weekend jaunt… we’re going to the land of pasteis de nata and fado.
I’ll remember to bring my camera… and leave most of the books at home.
Have a great weekend and see you next week ;-)
.
PS I watched Bancroft/Hokins/Dench’s 84 Charing Cross Road. It was lovely! But oh, how I would love to find the 1975 BBC production. And to see it on stage in the West End one day… maybe someone will bring it back? Fingers crossed.
Utterly charming
If you are looking for a good book to chase away the winter blues, pick up this little lovely!
From the back:
In 1949 Helene Hanff, a “poor writer with an antiquarian taste in books”, wrote to Marks & Co Booksellers of 84 Charing Cross Rd, in search of the rare editions she was unable to find in New York.
Her books were dispatched with polite but brisk efficiency. But, seeking further treasures, Helene soon found herself in regular correspondence with bookseller Frank Doel, laying siege to his English reserve with her warmth and wit. And as letters, books and quips crossed the ocean, a friendship flourished that would endure for twenty years
This book reminded me of the emails and comments I have exchanged with some of you. LOL!
My only regret is I inhaled the first half of this edition too quickly. Basically I sped-read through 20 years of these people’s lives and almost as soon as I started, it was over.
NO!
The plus side? The other half of this edition contains a sequel.
YES!
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street is Huff’s account of her first visit to England. I’m only part way through this second book, but it made me think: this woman would have written an awesome blog :-)
And now I’m dying to see the 84 Charing Cross Road movie, starring Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, and Judi Dench. Those of you who Netflick, this might be one to add to your queue. I’m going to order it next time I write to my bookseller: amazon.co.uk Ha ha!
Have a great weekend and stay warm, everybody. x
Well, there went January
A girl + her new guitar = love at first sight.
Thanks for all of your kind messages for Roxi! She had an awesome birthday weekend. It’s weird to realize that she’s 16 and that if we were in the States, she probably would be driving. As it is, she has absolutely no desire to get behind the wheel. I bet you can’t guess what she does want to do. LOL!
Sweet Sixteen
It’s hard to believe this rocker chick is going to be sixteen in a couple of days. Happy birthday, baby girl. I have a feeling this is going to be a huge year for you!
xoxo
Week in Pictures 2
Roxi and I went to see Escape the Fate at the O2 Academy Islington. I am so glad we weren’t in the PIT. For Roxi, it’s all about the show and the musicians and not being part of the crowd.
Roxi spent a few days at our local library taking her end of semester exams (finally!), while I enjoyed the local books. This was a good one, in case you were wondering :-)
Rainy days.
Sunday drive on the A3 through Hamshire, to take Roxi to a band rehearsal.
While she was practising, Mr. DJ took me to…
Chawton Cottage, Jane Austen’s home during the last eight years of her life. It was bigger than I thought it would be. And somehow, though I really loved being there, something about it made me a bit sad. It might have been the weather though, because it was a sloppy, rainy day. However, those feelings aside, I definitely had this sort of “pinch me, I’m here!” giddiness. Jane Austen walked here. Jane Austen slept here. Jane Austen ate here. And most importantly, Jane Austen wrote here. Here in this house, at a little desk, near a window facing the street. It was a total fangirl experience.
A great name for a pub :-)
Yesterday, Roxi and I took the train back into Hampshire so she could record a song with a band she’s been working with on the side. The drummer is from her music school and he and his band mate asked her to write the lyrics for one of their songs on their EP.
It was a lovely morning.
And though it started out cloudy, the sky cleared up to a beautiful blue.
I walked around town for a few hours. Since I still had some time before Roxi was done, I found a little spot at the local library. This is a good book, by the way. I’d love to find a copy of it for my home library.
By the way, Petersfield, Hampshire is located in an Area of Outstanding Beauty. I hope to explore more of these areas soon!
Week in Pictures 1
Well, as you can see, my iTouch camera and I have been having fun this week! I do miss my big camera, though, especially since Mr. DJ got me a very beautiful wide angle zoom for Christmas. It is a little intimidating! But I think I’ll take it around with me this week and see what I can do with it.
Things that have happened this week:
- Roxi finally took some exams. It is a good feeling to check those off!
- She also started two more music classes with Berklee Online in addition to continuing with her regular US HS courses online.
- In addition, she has been working on her applications to a couple of contemporary music schools. One application is turned in, the other is due on Saturday.
- We booked some travel for the Spring (Portugal and Greece–woo hoo!!).
- I am finally getting back to my regular schedule (too long off during the holidays).
- I started scanning family photos and inputting data into my Family Tree Maker (software). Oh my, there are SO many resources online (free and subscription based). I can tell this is going to consume a LOT of my time.
Commuting
On the train home yesterday. It was jiggly!
I made this little video while Roxi and I were in town yesterday. I got a few new toys over the holidays, and right now my new iTouch camera and I getting to know each other a little better :-)
BTW, I am going to try a little experiment for the month of January–blogging once a week. Gasp! This should be interesting… see you next Wednesday!
Happy (belated) 4th bloggy birthday to JaPRA!
Well, hi there and happy new year!
My brain is finally back from holiday, just in time to say a big Thank You!! to all of you for your friendship during these last four years. My how time has flown! Writing this blog has been very rewarding for me in many ways, but the best and most surprising part has been making so many friends with such awesome people both online and in person. Thanks for sticking with me through all of our moves and adventures :-)
