Happy Christmas!

This year was the second time in my 27 years that I have celebrated Christmas away from my family and friends in Washington. the first was whilst volunteering in Egypt and our group traveled to Bethlehem for Christmas.

Christmas in England is an incredible experience. Like so many differences in American and English culture, the celebration of Christmas is so subtly different. It might just be me because I was in the states for Thanksgiving and then Iceland for a week only to arrive in Chester on the 11th of December, but it feels like Christmas is a last minute flurry of shopping and celebration here. I think perhaps I've felt the festive spirit more in the past few weeks because I have the good fortune of working in a shop over Christmas that is located right in the center of Chester. Chester is a lovely town and during the holidays it is filled with Christmas lights, carol singers, street performers and an especially large amount of holiday shoppers.

Christmas Eve was great! I had to work until 6:00PM to prepare for boxing day sales at Fat Face, but afterward went with friends over to Tim's new house where a FEAST of Christmas proportions awaited us. It started with some mince pies and good conversation as pictured below.

The atmosphere was festive! Tim said I could be in charge of decorations, so Letty and I made a MASSIVELY long green and red paper chain which decorated the fireplace and around the tree. In front of the tree is Glen. Dawn and Glen are my friends from South Africa. They like board games and Glen agreed to make a duck face with Pringles in order to prefect my artistic Christmas picture... right... :)
I'm pretty happy with the results of my impromptu recycle bin angel tree topper. :) very festive!
Oh man was the food DELICIOUS! As you may or may not know, I am a vegetarian and often roast dinners do not hold much joy for me. I'm only just now beginning to develop any nostalgia attached to a roast dinner and with the lack of meat it can often be a bit flavorless. Not this time! Boy howdy. Tim with the help of Dawn and Gaz really prepared a Christmas feast. I especially enjoyed my portobello mushrooms in lieu of meat. yum! I highly recommend roasted portobello mushrooms to vegetarian and meat eaters as a great addition (or substitution) in a roast dinner :)Christmas crackers are a tradition which I totally love. Silly hats? Jokes? Little toys? and a small explosion? what could be better! :)
After the meal was complete and we all played a round of cards most guests left with the exception of Gaz and me. Thus began the four hours of Settlers of Catan. I think this photo was taken at roughly 3:30AM. I think Settlers is a great game, don't get me wrong, but I may have been a bit tired at this point. (note: Tim, Gaz and I kept our hats on the entire evening :)

On Christmas morning we opened presents including the socks from my mom and dad (which kept our feet warm all day! yes!) and then we exchanged presents and Tim gave me the lovely LOVELY watch and a cozy bathrobe along with a very thoughtful card with two little stick figures that look like Tim and me under the mistle toe :) We went over to his parents house in the afternoon for another great roast dinner and then Carol, Wally, Tim's brother Chris, Tim and I went out for a Christmas walk to the meadows. The weather was clear and bright, although a bit chilly. Who could complain with all that sunshine?Above: Tim on the icy meadows Below: Wally and Carol Vick

After we returned from the walk we gathered around the Christmas tree to open presents. I was a little confused at first and started dispersing the presents I brought to the places where people had been sitting earlier. This is what is done in my family on Christmas. Then before I knew it we were all kneeling around the tree and looking for our gifts. It was great! I caught on quickly I think and returned the gifts under the tree and knelt on a pillow for present time :)
It was a great Christmas and I think the best part was that I was still able to spend time with my family, albeit virtually via skype. It is better than nothing! Seeing them on Christmas and having nice long and completely un-rushed skype conversations really completed the day for me.

So Happy Birthday Jesus and Happy Holidays to one and all!

Oh the weather outside is delightful, but the train system is mighty frightful

I hope that you can read this poster in its entirety. I saw this when Tim and I were riding the train to Manchester in order to catch our plane to the states. It is one of those adorable aspects of the British rail system that the leaves falling on the tracks constitute severe weather and thus cause delays. I do like the colorful poster. Whilst other countries flood season, tornado season, earthquakes and snow storms which may or may not prevent public transportation, in England we have a season of falling leaves. I call it Fall, the people of England call it Autumn.

Happy Holidays!

This week was particularly fabulous and busy. The holidays are generally eventful times, but I felt this week was particularly so. A few wonderful happenings are documented visually below (with captions).

Tonight whilst my cookies were in the oven I was perusing my brother-in-law's flickr page and Jonathan and Kelly's blog. I realised how happy it makes me to see what is happening in their lives, and it makes my family and friends feel a little closer in proximity, which is important (especially at Christmas). You should see how cute my sister is in the pregnant next to the Christmas tree picture on their blog. :) Adorable!

I think I've gained a new appreciation for this Internet medium, and I can't say that I will be diligent about my posts, but I think I will feel more guilty about not updating my blog from now on :) That should help motivate me to write more. Part of my New Year's resolution may be to be a better blogger. Well, read it right after you finish faffing about on the Internet and reading this lovely blog post. Happy Holidays!

I started a new holiday job in Chester. yay!! A little money in my pocket and a chance to meet some really cool individuals. The store is called Fat Face and if I am going to work retail, working for that company is cool enough BUT I get to work in the city centre of Chester during Christmas. When the snow started falling today and the Christmas lights were twinkling I remembered what a lucky duck I am to be offered this holiday employment. :)

Last Sunday Tim and I had our one year-date-aversary :) It was great! So wonderful, pretty flowers, good food, entertaining movie. He bought me some beautiful lilies that I love and you can see photographed next to Fetish and the Christmas lights below. I was lucky to stumble upon those particular Christmas lights; my grandma Bea had a wreath that she used every year that now my cousin has revived which has the same kind of lights.

You may notice a new addition to my life in England that is the arrival of my much beloved bike, Fetish <3 My family was great getting the giant box to the airport and Tim was a trooper as we hauled her in a big bike box through several airports from the Seattle to Reykjavik to Manchester and finally on the train to Chester.

I brought her in to be assembled and picked her up today! Even though the roads were a bit icy and it was dark (and I sometimes forget to ride on the left) I couldn't RESIST riding her a bit tonight. Man I missed riding my bike. hooray for Fetish! More good news of the week! This is a picture of Tim next to a yellow door. Not just any yellow door! The door to his new house as he opens the door for the first time :) yay! I helped move a few bits of furniture this week and am looking forward to celebrating Christmas Eve with some good friends, hot drinks and a warm fire in the hearth. Congratulations Tim! woo!
Oh yeah, and I graduated. You know what they say: "You only graduate once... um... sometimes twice" So we made the most of it!!
Mistress of Arts Fiona and soon to be Mistress of Arts in 2010 Maddy were absolutely integral in my survival of my master's degree. They are intelligent and loving friends and I am lucky to know them. After the ceremony and a few glasses of wine in the department (and I think the professors may have started celebrating early because they were well merry by the time we arrived! haha!) we joined some friends, Jim and Bara for a coffee. My favorite part of my graduation was the chance to visit the best parts of Leeds, my friends. Also the gown with the funny cape. That is rad, no? This is what the streets of Leeds looked like on my way home from the festive frovilities with friends after graduation... a blizzard a blizzard! Well perhaps in British English it is 'a blissard' in keeping with their general apprehension toward the use of 'z'. oh so adorable. As for the weather? Freaking cold, but pretty!
So this week was eventful and completly blogworthy and just a touch exhausting. Which is why I am home making chocolate chip cookies, listening to my new Norah Jones CD and writing to you blogland readers. Happy Holidays.

Iceland!

There is so much to say about Iceland, it is a MAGICAL place. Truly... the island of ice and fire and I would recommend anyone to go and visit. Specifically I would recommend a visit this time of year (early December) and staying in Reyjiavik. We scored this really beautiful guesthouse in the center of the city next to a tasty coffee shop called the Grey Cat (but in Icelandic). We were minutes walk from teh port, the waterfront walkway, downtown shopping district and the city centre... in a word: incredible.

I guess I was right when I watched that PBS special on the geothermal activity and hotsprings of Iceland and thought it was secretly my real hometown. Land of Viking history, hotsprings and hay-fever free country side... there is a lot to find appealing.

Brother/Sister Face Off

Or DUEL I should say. For that was the case one fine evening after a great meal at Nathan and Shelby's house, Erik stopped by transfer Tim and me from the Millers to the McPherson's. We had time for a few games of Wii, since we were already running late. I think that this video makes it all worth it. Please keep in mind that I had already beaten Erik on the Sword fight option several a few times before this particular face off, hence the concentration on both of our faces, and the fits of laughter immediately following the very short virtual interaction. I'll tell you this much, my arm was really sore the next day. Wii= family fun!

Washington

Because visiting my family and friends in Washington was so amazing I wanted to do the trip justice in blog format. However, as is always the case around the holidays, I find myself in a bit of a time crunch and think perhaps if I don't write something now then perhaps I won't get around to it for some months (i.e. when my family visited me in England... still trying to choose the right photos). It didn't help that my internet was down for a few days, but good news! I have solved the technicalities of the internet dilemma and am not only a mistress of the arts (so my degree says) but also discovered I am newly a computer genius. Alright, let's see if I can get some of these photos to upload in the right direction and I will get on with the description of Washington!

TACOMA

First stop in the states was a lovely lunch dinner over at my cousin's Krissy and Dave (Dave wasn't my cousin before they were married, we're not Southern) and it was GREAT to see my family! Above pictured from left to right is Kelly, Mom, Krissy and me. I think this photo is pretty darn hilarious because of the faces mom and Krissy are making :) hahaThis is Dave and Krissy's cat, Cameo. It has no hair and no whiskers and feels really strange because when you pet it the skin wrinkles up under your hand. For some reason Cameo decided it really liked to sit on my lap and be my friend. Fair enough, but I will only pet your head little kitty.
Next stop on the whirlwind tour of sights, sounds and tastes of Washington was the fantastic coffee house, Satelite coffee with Alan and Tracey. Below is what happens when I set up the camera on a timer when Tim and I have had too much caffeine. Awesome awesomeness.

This is Tracey. Tracey is an angel from Tacoma who is there to make friends with everyone and encourages cycling and community where ever possible. Also she is a SUPER cook (She and another really great person and cook, Ang, made Tim and I a lovely welcome to Tacoma meal!) also Tracey is my former housemate and landlord and I think she is the bee's knees. But I may be a bit biased.

Other places sometimes further north than Tacoma

Seattle!

Erik and I took Tim on a tour of Seattle with an obligatory trip to the Pike Place Market ( one of my favorite places in the city). He found the sticky pork buns that he enjoys and my bro bro was able to find more tea than he could handle. This is the face he made to celebrate.

Kelly and Jonathan's House

We had Thanksgiving over at my sister and Jonathan's house. It was amazing. The food was delicious. I especially enjoyed the cranberry sauce that my sister made. Delicious. Good food, good family... that is what Thanksgiving is all about.

Downtown Seattle (take two)

This is my friend Eryn. We've been friends since High school and she met Tim and I down in Seattle for the the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Whenever I come home there never seems to be enough time to see all the people I love, but a little is better than none! I am so grateful for skype to be able to see and talk to my family and friends, it is a great way to stay in touch. I highly recommend it! (also I recommend befriending Eryn and Lauren (not pictured here but there in spirit) They are great friends)).

Mom and Dad's House

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we had a baby shower for my sister (left). It was really great to see the folks from the neighborhood and extended family. Also great to drink out of little pretty tea cups and this is the same magical day when I felt Champ KICK! for the very first time. Champ is the baby's nickname until he or she is born. The Friday before I flew back to England I saw Champ pull an alien baby move and actually saw it kick in my sister's belly. Amazing! That was for sure one of the highlights of my trip.
Above is one of my favorite pictures from the holidays! Tim and my dad went to the Apple Cup whilst we had a baby shower for my sister. Matching themed sweatshirts and beers. How cute! Huskies won of course.

Another highlight from the trip is seeing my friend, Emily, very pregnant! I am so excited for her, Paul and their baby. :) Congratulations Paul and Emily!

Mt. Rainier!

Besides the people, one of the aspects of Washington that make visiting so AMAZING is the great outdoors. Alan, Tracey, Tim and I headed up to Mt. Rainier (paradise to be exact) for some illegal sledding and general mucking about in the snow. The great snow sheets that we picked up on the way to the mountain did the trick for sledding. Our toes and fingers were frozen but it was so worth the visit! We even had fresh snowfall to make the day especially magical. Above: Tim and Rachel on Mt. Rainier. Below: Tracey, Tim and Alan cold but happy!
Time at home is always too short, but I am glad to have had the chance to see my family for the holidays (even if it wasn't Christmas) and see the friends and visit the places that I love. Happy Holidays!

Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar

From the makers of Vegan Cupcakes Take over the World, a recipe book that continues to bring much joy to my kitchen and to the hearts and stomachs of my friends and family, comes VEGAN COOKIES INVADE YOUR COOKIE JAR!


With Christmas just around the corner, this will be right at the top of my list for Santa, second only to World Peace and pajamas. In the meantime I am going to try out the teaser recipes on the Post Punk Kitchen website. If you like to learn alternative baking techniques, this is the place to go and these are the books to own and love <3

Hieperdepiep Hoera: Cycling and Eating with friends in Holland

To celebrate the completion of my thesis and the return of my marks I traveled to Holland to visit my friends, Isis and Florentine. Isis and I met last fall during our course, Reading African Cultures. She and her partner David live in Utrecht. Florentine and I met whilst we were both traveling in Peru in September 2007, and also lives in Utrecht. The holiday was absolutely amazing, so relaxing! I ate delicious Dutch food, slept in, road bikes and laughed with good friends in their beautiful country.

This is my riding on the back of Isis's bike on the way to see Flor. This is a GREAT way to travel!

After spending a long time in the local shop having Flor translate various gift cards for me (I LOVED this game!) we made it on a train from Utrecht to Amsterdam. We wandered around near the train station looking for the best deal on bike rentals and finally ended up at this lovely place. Two beautiful green bikes for 5 euros each for 4 hours. done and done. Me in front of the red light district in Amsterdam. Was a little disturbing to see the women in the windows dressed in less than modest attire, maybe not disturbing... so much as sad.

Cycling down the side of the canal in Amsterdam, we were lucky and had some amazing weather. I think all my holidays from this moment forth must include a biking component. Rollerblading in the park... all the rage on the continent.

Our train approaches Amsterdam station and after a long day of cycling and looking at shoes and boots all over the city we are ready to head home. I was really excited to see the selection of shoes in Holland involved numerous pairs of low kitten heels and flats. After living in Leeds for a year where heels are often at LEAST 4 inches, this tall girl friendly, clumsy girl friendly style was a welcome change!

Flor had me try the traditional croquettes with a vegetarian twist! The twist being that they were vegetarian, verdict? delicious! fried food is so good.
I happened to time my visit with the Utrecht Cultural Festival which meant free activities and music all over the city! We spent the morning painting mugs in the arts and crafts section. I chose to paint mine with the 'hieperdepiep hoera!' motto of the trip. (Dutch for hip hip hooray!) I saw it on a lot of gift cards and chose to make it my holiday mantra.

After a few days with Flor I returned to David and Isis's flat and the next day Isis invited me for lunch on the canal. One of the most beautiful parts of holiday are these lower level restaurants right on the canal. The second floor is at street level and then in a more protected area you can enjoy a meal outdoors and by the water. lovely!
David let me borrow his bike and Isis and I took a ride through the countryside. Our destination: riverside cafe serving massive Dutch pancakes!

and here it is!

Isis and I spent a day baking cookies and making soup and bread whilst watching Atonement (good film). This blue cheese foccacia along with pumpkin soup was especially amazing on a chilly Autumn day!
Cafe Linda! This one is for my mom, the call the Snack Bars are where they get the junk food like croquettes, fries, fried mozzarella, etc... .all those delicious Dutch treats that balance well in a lifestyle where I see more bikes than cars on every road.
This was taken the last day I was in Utrecht and Flor and I went to a little cafe so she could do her school work and I could do some reading and writing. These little sprinkles are what you order when someone has a baby. pink for when the baby is a girl and blue for boys. Since both Flor and I are due to be aunties next March there was MUCH talk about babies and baby clothes and how great it is to be an aunt and how excited we are. Whenever we saw the little babies on the back of bikes, or toddlers learning how to ride I thought of how excited I am to take Champ (my niece/nephew) out for a bike ride :) So Flor ordered me these little anise flavored sprinkles as a surprise. :) I did become quite attached to the idea of having sprinkles on my toast for breakfast, but favored the chocolate ones over any others. Yes, Yes I did bring a box back with me to England :) soooooo good.

Hardwick Hall- Road Trip!

After handing in our thesis Fiona and I celebrated with a day trip to Hardwick Hall. What better way for two English students to let their hair down than by immersing themselves in the history of a well preserved house from the Elizabethan era. Wild I tell you, we are just wild.

Hardwick Hall is such an amazing place, and it has some of the best preserved artifacts from the Elizabethan era. There are two Hardwick Halls, the one that still has walls is the new Hardwick Hall, but I really preferred climbing the stairs through the old one. Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, also called Bess of Hardwick, was second only to Queen Elizabeth in wealth. She invested much of her money received from her four very advantageous marriages into property; one of these properties being Hardwick Hall.

This is a picture from the ground level of the Old Hardwick Hall. The white plaster bits that you see are from the original house, and are remarkably well preserved for being exposed to the elements for hundreds of years.This is Fiona looking out of what would have been the hall in which they entertained important guests. This room was my favorite of the whole house, the view is breathtaking in every direction.

This is the view of the new Hardwick Hall from the old one, so lovely. After enjoying our wander through the New Hardwick Hall and around the gardens. We counted ourselves lucky to have avoided most of the rain and enjoyed a lunch in their kitchen. Delicious and with two vegetarian options! great! So we ordered both and shared them, quite tasty and filling. We decided that we would walk around the old Hardwick Hall and then find a dessert at the Farm Shop. When we drove to the farm shop we learned that it is not so much a farm shop as a butchery. So our two vegetarian selves browsed uncomfortably at the meat pies and slabs of flesh surrounding us. When we confirmed that there was not a single pot of jam or cake in sight, we exited stage left to the car laughing at our mistake. Turns out Farm shop in this case means just that... meat from the farm. We drove home through the idyllic countryside most satisfied with our first full day of post-thesis life.