Grey.

The English weather is about as quick changing and temperamental as my moods. One hour it is sun shining and blue skies, the next it is pouring and there is not a patch of blue to be seen.

I've decided I should just plan on being cold for 2 years.

This morning when we were walking out of our house Livvy stopped and said "Mommy it's grey!"

The past few weeks, oh who am I kidding, the past month has been cold, wet, and awful. I keep wondering if those spring clothes under my bed are ever going to come out from hiding. Hopefully in July.

It really doesn't help to read my FB Newsfeed and here about the 80 degree weather in my hometown.

What is even more bizzare then this freezing weather is how the English don't even bat an eye! On Saturday it was cold and rainy, but my ever-so-determined husband decided we would brave the weather and see a castle.

I thought we would be one of a handful of people that would be so undeterred. Wrong-o. We parked in the over-flow parking. Mom's with their rain-covered buggy's are tropping up sidewalks mid-downpour. It's mind baffling.

Amid this puzzlement I realized that maybe this is how it always is here and life goes on.

Alright, Brits, I'll go buy myself some wellies and get used to it.

Easter 2012

Let me just preface this happy, all around beautiful celebration with the explanation of me discovering that holidays in a new country will be unmistakable different.

In preparation for Easter I went to the store to purchase the necessities: 1) Easter candy, 2) dinner supplies (ham, cheesy potatoes...the works), and the 3) plastic eggs to fill and hide. 

Here's how it went down:

1) Easter candy: In this country they don't do big bags of candy (or anything for that matter) to divvy up amongst a family. You buy one giant chocolate egg and then some multi packs of random chocolate. Different, but chocolate is still chocolate, so I'm rolling with it. 

2) Ham. Ok, the "gammons" here are not cooked people. Totally raw. So after some research, and a few stressed out moments, I figured out how to tackle the uncooked ham. I soaked the (non-frozen) ham for 3 hours followed by some intense herbal and flavoring treatment, then boiled and baked. In the end it came out actually pretty good, but can I just tell you to please appreciate the beauty of an already cooked ham in your neighborhood grocery store. 

With the ham part down I attempted to get the supplies for the good ol' cheesy potatoes. Sadly, it called for Cream of Chicken Soup which upon an execution of Hawaiin Haystacks I did discover that they had, but sadly it tastes nothing like it should, so we did without the cheesy taters. 

3) They had approximately 1 bag of 8 plastic eggs and I bought them. SUCCESS! 

Ok, now that the mostly uninteresting details of a housewife's Easter woes are over let's get down to business.

Livvy and Jude

They did not notice any of my Easter faux pas (such as using a mixing bowl instead of a basket) and thoroughly enjoyed their Easter egg morning. 

We got all dolled up for church (thanks Vern for the adorable dress for Livvy) and we celebrated the true meaning of Easter, our Saviors life and resurrection.

We even had the special treat of having my-touring-Europe cousin and her husband over for they day!

It was a beautiful day and I am so glad it was so full of family! 

Veronica Visit: Best 16 days here so far.

Finally I have come to the end of the Veronica visit chronicles. Let me just sign off with a quick list of the top ten reasons you want a Veronica to come visit. you.

10. She will load your dishwasher before you even have a chance to notice the mounding pile.

9. She will hold your crying baby and make him laugh and giggle.

8. She will provide hours of entertainment via her Apple computer camera for an all too busy toddler.

7. She will laugh when the ever-so-clingy toddler follows her to the bathroom, only to wait outside and ask her if  "She's done yet?" and "Are you wiping?"

6. She will go see Hunger Games with you and you will remember what being just a sister felt like.

5. After a very drama filled bath time of soap in eyes, pee (lots of it), little feet slipping and the followed whining, she will make you laugh so hard you are crying, rather than just crying.

4. She will bring a piece of home and family into your life and take away the sting of homesickness.

3. She will watch your kids and give you a night out with your hubs.

2. She will love your kids and make your tiny, sometimes lonely life, feel full and important.

1. She will remind you of the 100 million reasons she is your best friend and the best sister you could ask for.

Veronica Visit: Pooh Corner

A.A. Milne wrote the Winnie-The-Pooh series about his only son Christopher Robin and his adventures in Ashdown forest located in the quaint English town, Hartfield. Lucky for us Hartfield is only 20 minutes away! 

So on a bleak Monday morning we drove to Pooh Corner (a tiny family owned shop) that gives out maps to all the pooh sites located in the "Hundred Acre Wood". 

Livvy has slept with 2 Pooh Bear stuffed animals since she was a baby and she was so excited to go see where Pooh Bear lived! She kept asking if "Christopher Wobin" would be there. .

She didn't find Christopher, but she did pick out her very own "Pwigwit" and has been loving him ever since.


We walked about 20 minutes to Pooh Bridge and played a quick round of Pooh Sticks. 

Then we booked it back to the car because we were freezing. At one point I had Jude in the Baby Bijorn and Livvy on my back. Let's just say that didn't last long =). 


We love love love Winnie the Pooh...and Pwigwit. 

Veronica Visit: Scotney Castle

Prettiest castle I've ever seen. I felt like we stepped into a fairy tale.

Veronica Visit: Groombridge

Upon moving to Tunbridge Wells I learned that the Bennett home in Pride in Prejudice (featuring Kiera Knightly) is 5 minutes from my house. So after watching the highlights from the film, we hoped into the car and pulled up to the large moated manor house.

Sadly we found out on upon arrival that you actually can't tour the house. We wandered around the gardens though and enjoyed the sun that finally came out for a few hours. 

After our "tea time" (aka snack time) we boarded a boat down the stream to the enchanted forest. 

After our 5 minute boat ride we landed in the enchanted forest. The forest had animals and playgrounds and a giant dinosaur. Livvy loved loved loved it. 

Jude also discovered the fun that is swinging and had a blast.

We ended the day by chasing some chickens back into their coop. Little escape artists needed Vern's mad skills of kicking them toward their home.

One of my favorite days with Vernonica. =)

Veronica Visit: Alfriston

On our way back from Brighton we stopped in Alfriston, a tiny town (literally made up of only one road), to see the old church and try some pub food. 

After checking all the pub menus (all four of them) located within a few feet from each other. We sat down to have a taste of England.

Right after we sat down I looked over at Livvy to see her grinning from ear to ear. She was so excited to be eating at a restaurant. =)

The George Inn was the pub that we ate at and it was first licensed in 1347. It had great food and even better atmosphere.

We ate our food and then were off. It was a nice ending to a busy day. 

Veronica Visit: Brighton

Brighton is a pretty popular beach town located about 1.5 hours from us. It's mentioned in a few of Jane Austen's novels. So, naturally it was a on our list of must sees. 

Besides hanging on the pier and people watching while eating cookies, we also went to the Royal Pavilion which was way cooler than I expected. It was designed by John Nash commissioned by King George IV, who was known for his extravagant life style and overindulgent taste. 

I wish you could see what was inside the spectacular building! It looks so out of place now and I think it was quite the upset back when it was built. On every wall, banister, corner and door there was lavish oriental decorations. From the ceilings hung huge chandeliers being held up by gigantic dragon statues. Pictures were obviously prohibited. We were in shock at how indulgent the king must have been to decorate his palace with so much opulence. 

We had a really great day, minimum tantrums, maximum apple eating and pigeon chasing.