Gotta catch up!

I seriously need to catch up on my blogging!  I’ve had so many thoughts and done so many things lately that I almost wonder where to begin.  Yesterday was such a lovely day and I do mean lovely sunny day that I walked to the nearby village and back.  I couldn’t resist a stop into the haberdashery shop for some more yarn (or wool as they call it here).  I bought a nice white one that was also on sale for £2.  I’ve only just recently completed making my second crocheted hat and I’m so happy with how it turned out!  Almost like a cool beret.  

It’s always so hard to remember all those little things that I see or get to experience here so that my loved ones back home can know what it’s like here.  But I always have to tell myself that they cannot know what it’s like here unless they visit it for themselves.  It is impossible for me to even try and capture all those little nuances and subtleties that make living here such an ongoing and new experience.  If I just took a moment and realized how far I’ve come in trying to learn about and assimilate myself into a new culture, I’d be blown away!  A few years ago, I never thought in a million years I’d be visiting Britain let alone working there or getting to use the local transportation.  

There is just sooooo much more to the world than you know of and that’s only something that can be realized through traveling.  Traveling, to me, has opened my eyes up to more things than I can ever describe or convey.  I only wish that everyone had the desire to travel because it can teach you so much about yourself and the world around you.  It can help you to learn about your loves and your fears in life and make you face them head on, atleast that’s what it’s done for me.

Now, in light of new experiences and traveling, I must share my time at the market today.  I’d never really been to a market and it was such a wonderful time!  I loved looking at all the fresh fruits and vegetables for sale, the flowers, the antiques, the jewelry, the books, and the delicious looking cakes and breads for sale.  My BF’s mom bought me the loveliest little brooch of a 1920’s lady’s silhouette.  I just can’t get over how much I love it, it’s just the daintiest little thing.  I also tried a Chelsea bun, which is like an English cinnamon roll without the cinnamon.  I thought it was tasty.  Here’s some of my pics from the market—to make the picture larger just click on it:

I just had a fun day just wandering around and seeing all of the sights and sounds and smells of the day.  Oh, and before I forget, I went to the movies last night with my BF and his mom, and we saw The Young Victoria, a movie about Queen Victoria.  I must say I really enjoyed it!  I like the music, the costumes, and the plot.  I don’t know when it’ll be released in the US as it was just released here in the UK, but wherever you are, you should really see it.  It sheds light on one of the greatest monarchs that’s ever lived and really showcased the power of love.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can’t wait to see it again soon.

Apple Cake and Other Stuff

Hello All.  

I thought I’d post some foodie pictures that I’ve taken lately along with a crafty one–so think of this post as a sort of hodge podge of miscellaneousness as my posts will be from time to time.

This is a Jewish Apple Cake I made recently.  Incredibly, it has 3-4 apples in it, and boy is it delicious!  Delicious being an understatement.  If you want the recipe, just post a comment stating so, and I’ll send it to you. *Cue drool*  

 

Delicious Apple Cake o’ Goodness…It’s worth the effort every time.  Those of you who have tried it, you know who you are!  If I could have the knife skills of Jamie Oliver who can chop through 10 apples in two seconds while talking at the same time, than I’d have this cake done in no time flat.  Sadly, my chopping skills are a bit rudimentary, so it takes me quite a while.  But once the apples are prepared, than the rest of it is super easy!  

Our various mustard collection–American style, English, and Polish…yeah, I love mustard.  If I could, I’ve have a French one up there too. 

Yes, you read right, ketchup flavored Cheetos!  My BF and I bought these at the local Polish store of all places…they tasted kind of like a Cheeto inspiration…but not quite doing the job but worth a try.  

Scones with jam and clotted cream are the reason I live!  Nothing better with a cup of tea.  And incidentally, the reason that I came over to this country.  Just kidding.  This was however some of the best clotted cream I’ve ever had–it was from the New Forest and man oh man was it delicious!  Then again, with clotted cream you can’t really go wrong now can you?  What’s not to love about butter’s creamy English cousin that is in a class all its own?

Sound the angels! I’ve complete my first crochet hat!  It took a couple of smaller attempts before I was able to figure out how to do it correctly.  Thanks to Threadbanger: How to crochet a hat .  If you scroll down on the Threadbanger page, you’ll find some written instructions which I found very useful.  I made it during a long afternoon.  It’s quicker than making a scarf, which usually takes me quite a while.  And now, the finished product!  Ta da!