Thursday, September 26, 2013

Leslie's Summer Recap

Wow.  This summer has been so fast, fun, and full of adventure that I've hardly written about it.  I took a lot of snapshots that never got shared on the blog, so I thought I would gather a few here to remember the summer.

 We had our first crop of strawberries.  It was small, but they were delicious!


 I got visits from some very cute babies (that really aren't babies anymore!)


Who could resist reading one more story to this cutie?


We had some crazy pretty rains (and a lot of dry spells).


 More summer guests!


We are always sure to put our guests to work!  Jaime's mom helped dig potatoes.


Many summer road trips.  House on the Rock, anyone?



Seriously delicious summer taco salad.

Sometimes it's so fun to look back at pictures and realize that you really did savor the season after all.  Happy fall, everyone!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

A little bit o' London!

by Leslie

A couple of weeks ago, we went on the trip I've wanted to go on for, well, most of my life.  I've always loved the literature, television, and vibe of Britain, an finally, this summer, we got to go!  Here are some highlights.



This is the first piece of advice we got in London.  You know what?  It really didn't hurt me to mind the gap.  It really didn't.


We stayed at a great little B & B run by a great lady called Deepa.  The breakfast was great and she was so accommodating of our schedule.


First night in, we had to stay awake, so we walked up to Primrose Hill for a drink and some snacks.  I have to say, Jaime stayed looking fresh!


Our bed and breakfast was near Camden Town so we walked down to the lock on the first night.  I would love to say we went there on purpose . . .  but we didn't.


Don't forget to take a selfie by the water!


Our first "real" day in London we went to the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery.  It was an action-packed day, and it was great.


Even Colombia was represented on Trafalgar Square!


Oh, look!  Another happy accident!  Twinings Tea shop in the heart of "The City."


Look how long and skinny it is!  I came out with a Royal Jubilee tea blend.



Kensington Palace--lovely, but not as great as I was expecting.  It was set up more like a museum than a palace.


Kensington Palace gardens.  Lovely!


This is me in front of the Prince Albert Memorial.  It was so grand!


 Afternoon tea?  Why yes, of course.  This tea was taken at The Parlor in Fortnum and Mason's department store.  Best. Scones. Ever.


The next day included a trip to Westminster Abbey.  Amazing, awe inspiring, and damn old.


 "Look kids!  Big Ben!  Parliament!"


 We met some friends at Canary Wharf for a lovely dinner.  Thanks Wilson and Marianna!


Here is my token telephone booth photo.  You can tell I am not excited, and that's because it smelled like urine.


 This is Somerset House where we went to the Cortauld Gallery.  This was Jaime's one "must-do" activity.  I am so glad it was, because this art museum is amazing and small enough to see everything.  Go there.


The next day, we went to Waterloo Station to pick up some train tickets, and came upon an amazing market where we had numerous amazing eats.  Here Jaime is eating a lamb curry inside fresh naan.  Delectable.
 Next, we popped over to a sign labeled "Malaysian Street Food" where we had what the vendor called pancakes.  Making these was an art in itself.  Ours included sugar, coconut, butter, and beans.  The verdict?

 Delectable!!!


 Second dessert, anyone?  Fresh churros and chocolate will have to do, I guess.


Instead of second dessert, Jaime opted for a chorizo kebab.  It gave him strength for our next journey--to Salisbury!


Once we got to Salisbury, we immediately hopped on the bus to Stonehenge.  It was amazing and creepy, but there were waaay too many people there.


We also stopped at Old Sarum, which is where Salisbury used to be.  Here's Jaime in front of the old castle.


Life is hard hiking through the heath (or taking a bus through it).


 Anyone fancy a Medieval song or two?


Salisbury Cathedral was one of the highlights of the trip.  It was short-lived, though.  The next day we headed off to Bath!

 Bath was so gorgeous and relaxing.  Here is "the crescent", one of Bath's archaeological feats.


The Pump Room!!!!!  I'm a big Jane Austen fan . . .


Tea at the Pump Room was like a dream, complete with string quartet.



The next day we were back to London, and then to the states.  It was a trip I will never forget.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Leslie's Summer Recap

Wow.  This summer has been so fast, fun, and full of adventure that I've hardly written about it.  I took a lot of snapshots that never got shared on the blog, so I thought I would gather a few here to remember the summer.

 We had our first crop of strawberries.  It was small, but they were delicious!


 I got visits from some very cute babies (that really aren't babies anymore!)


Who could resist reading one more story to this cutie?


We had some crazy pretty rains (and a lot of dry spells).


 More summer guests!


We are always sure to put our guests to work!  Jaime's mom helped dig potatoes.


Many summer road trips.  House on the Rock, anyone?



Seriously delicious summer taco salad.

Sometimes it's so fun to look back at pictures and realize that you really did savor the season after all.  Happy fall, everyone!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

A little bit o' London!

by Leslie

A couple of weeks ago, we went on the trip I've wanted to go on for, well, most of my life.  I've always loved the literature, television, and vibe of Britain, an finally, this summer, we got to go!  Here are some highlights.



This is the first piece of advice we got in London.  You know what?  It really didn't hurt me to mind the gap.  It really didn't.


We stayed at a great little B & B run by a great lady called Deepa.  The breakfast was great and she was so accommodating of our schedule.


First night in, we had to stay awake, so we walked up to Primrose Hill for a drink and some snacks.  I have to say, Jaime stayed looking fresh!


Our bed and breakfast was near Camden Town so we walked down to the lock on the first night.  I would love to say we went there on purpose . . .  but we didn't.


Don't forget to take a selfie by the water!


Our first "real" day in London we went to the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery.  It was an action-packed day, and it was great.


Even Colombia was represented on Trafalgar Square!


Oh, look!  Another happy accident!  Twinings Tea shop in the heart of "The City."


Look how long and skinny it is!  I came out with a Royal Jubilee tea blend.



Kensington Palace--lovely, but not as great as I was expecting.  It was set up more like a museum than a palace.


Kensington Palace gardens.  Lovely!


This is me in front of the Prince Albert Memorial.  It was so grand!


 Afternoon tea?  Why yes, of course.  This tea was taken at The Parlor in Fortnum and Mason's department store.  Best. Scones. Ever.


The next day included a trip to Westminster Abbey.  Amazing, awe inspiring, and damn old.


 "Look kids!  Big Ben!  Parliament!"


 We met some friends at Canary Wharf for a lovely dinner.  Thanks Wilson and Marianna!


Here is my token telephone booth photo.  You can tell I am not excited, and that's because it smelled like urine.


 This is Somerset House where we went to the Cortauld Gallery.  This was Jaime's one "must-do" activity.  I am so glad it was, because this art museum is amazing and small enough to see everything.  Go there.


The next day, we went to Waterloo Station to pick up some train tickets, and came upon an amazing market where we had numerous amazing eats.  Here Jaime is eating a lamb curry inside fresh naan.  Delectable.
 Next, we popped over to a sign labeled "Malaysian Street Food" where we had what the vendor called pancakes.  Making these was an art in itself.  Ours included sugar, coconut, butter, and beans.  The verdict?

 Delectable!!!


 Second dessert, anyone?  Fresh churros and chocolate will have to do, I guess.


Instead of second dessert, Jaime opted for a chorizo kebab.  It gave him strength for our next journey--to Salisbury!


Once we got to Salisbury, we immediately hopped on the bus to Stonehenge.  It was amazing and creepy, but there were waaay too many people there.


We also stopped at Old Sarum, which is where Salisbury used to be.  Here's Jaime in front of the old castle.


Life is hard hiking through the heath (or taking a bus through it).


 Anyone fancy a Medieval song or two?


Salisbury Cathedral was one of the highlights of the trip.  It was short-lived, though.  The next day we headed off to Bath!

 Bath was so gorgeous and relaxing.  Here is "the crescent", one of Bath's archaeological feats.


The Pump Room!!!!!  I'm a big Jane Austen fan . . .


Tea at the Pump Room was like a dream, complete with string quartet.



The next day we were back to London, and then to the states.  It was a trip I will never forget.