Big Sky Country...

The other day I was rummaging around at my local used furniture shop. I like to stop by there when I'm in a treasure hunting kind of mood. This little shop is where I found our living room chairs. Hunting for treasure is one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon. The anticipation of not knowing what I will find is exciting. On my last expedition, in the cluttered little shop, I found a painting that I loved. I was surprised because its not the type of painting I would usually be drawn to. When I picked it up I got nervous. I could literally feel my heart rate go up! I thought of my friends and family, particularly the ones I deem to have good taste, and what they might think. Then I brushed my doubts off my shoulder, paid £3 and walked out the door with the new painting under my arm. 


When I returned to our little nest I cleaned up the picture frame and ambled around the house wondering where I should place our new treasure. I decided on our bedroom for now. During the cold, grey and wet month that February is proving to be, I've been delighted by the vibrant greens and blues in my mountain view. The sunny vast mountain range boasts of big sky country! I catch a glimpse of it and it makes me smile. I'm also teaching Bea 'blue & green' via our new little treasure. Since its not a family heirloom, I let her touch the greens and blues so she can feel the texture of the painting on her chubby  little finger tips. Our winter treasure has proven to be priceless!

Retro frame 

A Taste of Something Sloe...

My dad's family proudly hails from the beautiful mountain state of West Virginia. I heard stories as a child about family members making moonshine during Prohibition which took place in the 1920s and 1930's. Late in the evening, after dinner, the the elders of our family would sit around the kitchen table chatting. They would jokingly say that if you drank too much of the family's overly powerful concoction you could go blind! I'm not sure how much truth there was to these stories! This past autumn MC and I decided to try our hand at something a bit more tame... 

We went to the Dorset Coast for a week to take in the fresh air and beautiful scenery...  

Durdle Door

We stayed in a little village called Corfe Castle. The village is shadowed by the ruins of a medieval castle which sits on a hill.

Corfe Castle

In the autumn there was an abundant supply of apples and berries to be had.

Apple trees at the cottage

We ventured out on a few walks and had lots of snacks along the way...

MB & Bea picking blackberries

On one of our outings, exploring the countryside, we passed locals picking berries that we didn't recognise. The berries, we were told, are called sloe berries and are often used to make sloe gin. Mmmm....making sloe-gin sounded like a promising endeavor to us! We returned, with bags in hand, to the hedges that were full of sloes and picked to our hearts delight. We even had to brave a herd of semi-wild ponies galloping by. We jokingly say that we risked our lives for our sloe gin!

MC & Bea picking sloes

Sloes

We brought our freshly picked sloes home and got straight to work...By the way, I miss Mason jars but Kilner jars a great too. 

Gin, sloe berries & sugar

We tucked our Kilner jars full of gin, sugar and berries in the under stair cupboard. We gave them a little shake every few weeks. Last week we decided to have a little sip of our concoction. Our sloe gin won't blind anyone, thankfully, and is a lovely way to end our days during this cold winter month.

Cheers! 

Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water. 

~W.C. FIELDS

                  

Humor me, if you will...

Am I allowed to post about Thanksgiving and Christmas when they have more than passed us by? It's January and I think as long as I squeeze it in before Valentine's Day I'll be doing alright. 

We met some new friends on the flight over.
There is nothing like an international flight with a one year old.
We were super lucky and met a bunch of Americans
on their way home for Thanksgiving.  

We spent six weeks in the States and started our stateside visit in North Carolina. Our lovely friends JJ and KJ kindly let us crash their Thanksgiving. We finally had the pleasure of meeting sweet miss J who is a delight. No shock there! Bea and J crawled around each other and J was kind enough to share her big sister with Bea too! Its nice to have new friends but old friendships are something to be treasured. I was reminded of the ease at which life flows when you're around old friends. Even when MC was sick and the girls were teething like crazy! We took the girls to the mall to get there picture taken with Santa. We have a fabulous picture of the two of them on Santa's lap screaming bloody murder. Hilarious!!! 

Bea & J ~ playing and drooling together

After visiting North Carolina we headed south. Florida at Christmas must seem strange to most. For me it is simply home. The sun was shining and I was happy to bask in it. Its funny how when you visit home so much seems to be changing and yet thankfully so much remains the same.  

Mom's camellia's 

I wasn't the only one enjoying the sunshine...Little miss Bea was happy to get rid of all the wool sweaters, mittens and winter hats. Most days she played barefoot and fancy free on her grandma and grandpa's front porch. It was great to see how much she loves her grandparents. Bea and grandpa are best buddies! 

Mom started a tradition years ago of having 'the girls' around for hot chocolate and cookies on Christmas Eve morning. She started it as an interlude, if you like, for all 'the girls' in the midst of a hectic holiday season. It was fun to catch up with everyone and to meet a few new girls too! I loved that Bea was there to experience and meet all these wonderful women. 

Speaking of meeting someone...Bea finally met her great grandmother Joy. It was beyond special to have four generations under the same roof. Bea is named after her great grandmother (who goes by her middle name, Joy). They loved each other and are kindred spirits. 

Four generations

Bea with her great grandparents

While we were home in Florida Bea celebrated her first birthday. We have a one year old! How is that possible! Everyone told us the year would go by fast and it has. Bea is such a great addition to our family and we love who she is and who she will become. I remember thinking when I met MC that I couldn't remember life before him. Everything changed and the dance of our lives is one we take with blessed ease. I feel the same about Bea. I can't remember our lives before Bea and feel as though she falls into step with MC and I effortlessly. Except when she really really doesn't want to go to sleep! 

Our daughter was officially stamped 'nice' by Santa (grandma) so between her birthday and Christmas she had ample practice opening presents. She had a great time surrounded by her family, playing and receiving gifts.

In the States some people tend to decorate their houses with Christmas lights and one of my parent's neighbors decorates like you wouldn't believe! I thought it was a bit much but Bea loved it. We would pass by the house on our afternoon walk and Bea would get so excited, even with the lights off! 

Less is not more...

MC and I were married in a beautiful park in my hometown. At Christmas the park is decorated with a ton of lights. Guess what...Bea LOVED this too!!!

Christmas in Florida...chomp chomp

Speaking of old friendships... My best friend lives in the town we grew up in. T is without a doubt one of the loveliest people I know. She is so easy to be around and has got to be one of the most 'real' people I know. We had an english class together our freshman year in high school and we've been friends ever since. I found an old picture of us at our high school graduation and it brought back so many good memories. Here we are at Christmas 2011. A little older but a whole lot wiser! 

We finally met K my brother's girlfriend. She is beautiful on the inside and out and is a keeper. Our family just loves her and if that weren't enough she helped us kick the boy's arses playing a 'friendly' game of Cranium. The game ended with my mom and dad on opposite teams attempting to act out 'mud wrestling'. If you don't own this board game, you should! 

M & K

Bea and Uncle M

In January when we returned to the UK we had a little 2nd Christmas celebration with MC's family. Bea loved hanging out with her cousin K. K is so sweet and gentle with Bea. He showed Bea how to go up and down the stairs with a little help from granddad.

January is proving to be a long month with Bea having been sick on and off for the last three weeks. I discovered how nice it is to be close to family especially with a little one! Boy do I miss them and how much they cared for Bea, MC and me:)

At the 11th hour...

Today is Remembrance Day on this island. It is similar to Memorial Day in the States. In a very dignified manner at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month everyone stops for a minute of silence to remember those who should be remembered for their sacrifice and bravery. I'll be thinking of my grandfather, my father and my brother along with all the other brave men and woman who answered the call.  

 Grandpa circa 1940's 

Daddy circa 1970's

My brother a few summers ago

Still Waters Run Deep...

This past October marked an anniversary of sorts. I officially hopped the pond five years ago. To say that the last five years have been an adventure would be a massive understatement! I thought moving to this lovely little island would be a relatively easy and a straight forward process. We speak the same language don't we? Could the weather really be as bad as everyone said? I'm sure its just like home. Before I moved I received lots of umbrellas and fake tanners from friends. Nice! 

~Five years ago~

This milestone has made me stop and think about all the changes that life has offered up in the last few years. What would I tell the American girl who is bound for England on an evening flight across the Atlantic ocean? Where would I even begin...


I think I would tell her this...Keep the umbrellas, 'cause you're gonna need them! You'll learn to deal with the weather and it will turn out to be an excuse to buy lots of cute accessories like boots, scarves and adorable hats. You'll need all those accessories to cover up your uber pale skin! You won't have to join a gym because you will be walking to lots of places. That's how european women stay in shape! 


You'll freak out and think taking public transport is kinda strange, but do it! You'll change your mind and realise that public transport is awesome, at least in the U.K! Though you'll hear lots of complaining about the trains and buses. If only they knew! You'll wonder how you ever lived without efficient train and bus services. 


You'll freak out the first time you get sick and think the medical care won't be as good as back home. You'll be wrong. Two days after you've given birth to your daughter, at the hospital, a midwife will knock on your front door. She will be wearing wellies and have a flashlight in her hand because the snow that has all but shut down your city is falling thick and fast. She is stopping by to check that you and your baby are alright. Over a cup of tea she will chat with you, examine your baby and put your tired and weary mind at ease. A few days after the midwife's visit a doctor will make a house call to check on you and your baby. You won't ever question the quality of your medical care again. 


You will miss American food. Not the stereotypical American food that europeans sometimes like to be snobs about. You'll miss the melting pot of American cuisine. You'll miss biscuits and gravy. You'll miss vidalia onions and good sushi. You will miss summer BBQ's or any BBQ for that matter! You will dream about shrimp and grits. All of this mouthwatering and heartache will finally force your hand. You will begin to cook all the foods that you miss. You will learn how to make biscuits from scratch and every time you make them you will feel closer to your granny. The time in the kitchen will be full of laughter and tears. Triumphs and tragedies will all happen in that cozy little kitchen and you will feel closer to home via your plate. You will explore the cuisines of this little island and not so distant lands.  You will wonder how you ever lived without an electric kettle! You will wonder how you ever lived without all the lovely wine and cheese. As you sit by the fireside of your local pub with a black lab snoring at your feet and a family eating dinner at the table beyond you'll wonder why we don't have pubs like this back home. 


You will learn what 'enough' really means. Enough food in your tummy, enough clothes in your closet. You will wake up one day and realise that you have enough. It will give you a sense of peace that you didn't know existed. Quality will finally trump quantity in your eyes. Details will come into focus.


You will miss home, even five years on. You will miss big American hugs and smiles. You will miss that distinct lack of cynicism which makes home so great. You will purchase the Little Engine That Could and Oh, The Places You'll Go and swear to read it to your daughter a million times by the time she's ten. 


We are separated by an ocean and a common language. But remember, calm does not equal cold. You will see dignity in all her quiet glory and it will humbly bring you to your knees. 


You might want to stay true to your own voice but lower just a bit. Yes, we really are that loud! When you go back to the States and are chatting to extended family and friends you will get used to being asked where you live in London, even though you don't live in London at all. And believe it or not, you'll get used to saying over and over again, "its a mid-atlantic' state not too far from Washington D.C." You'll also get used to hearing about people's holidays when you mention that you are originally from Florida. "Yes, Disney is nice and yes, they do put on quite a show." After three and half years on this little island you'll learn not to mention Florida if at all possible!         


Oh, and by the way, the guy your leaping across the pond to be with...he's totally worth it! 

~The Dorset Coast 2011~

Done and Dusted, for the moment...

This is Bea's nursery. I want to add some book shelves where the chair is after the new year. We spend many a happy hour vroom vrooming, reading, babbling and snuggling in this sweet little room. I love this room and I hope Miss Bea does too! 

There once was a little room that looked like this.... 

...then it changed into this...

...and then it became this...