Tree Climbing

When was the last time you climbed a tree?

Better yet... when was the last time you climbed a tree,

pretended to be Micheal Jackson,

and grabbed your crotch...

while singing Man in the Mirror?

Just wondering....

If it's been awhile, 

I highly recommend you find your nearest tree,

and give it a go.

Trust me on this one.

God is a Comedian

Dear God,

You really are a card.  Remember that deal we made freshman year?  I was a slave to H&M and we decided after I got my degree I would not be like the people I worked with.  (OK maybe I decided that myself).  Anyways, remember them?  I'm sure you do seeing as you're God and all.  One of them had a degree in human resources and the other one was qualified to be a nurse.  I don't know why the HR guy worked there, but I know the one who was qualified to be a nurse didn't pursue a job nursing because she would have to take a drug test if she was a nurse, and that would interfere with a few of her lifestyle choices.

Via

But I made (mostly) good decisions.  I studied really hard.  I even went to summer school to load up on extra classes.  I did pretty well.  And everyone said I'd get a good job because I'm "smart."  I never thought I was smart.  You and me both know I'm just really good at memorizing things.  But if enough people tell you something, you start to believe it.

Via

So God,  I think you're having a laugh right now.  It must have been pretty funny to watch me blubber my way through my interview for a grown up job last week, pretending I'm an adult with my Sarah Palin hair and my Sarah Palin business suit, but none of her confidence - even though I prayed to you 72907123 times before I walked through that door.

Via

 And today, I go to drop a resume off at an Italian restaurant chain, at a job I barely want, and a guy wearing a TAZMANIAN DEVIL tie interviews me.  Look, I know he is one of your children and all, but seriously, a tazmanian devil tie?

Via

And I'm supposed to work FOR him?  Assuming I get the job, which I'm pretty confident I did.  That's great.  Thanks for helping me live up to my potential.

Love,
Kelly

ps.  I'm just kidding, God.  I do appreciate the potential source of income if I get the job.

90. Have Portraits of Everyone in My Family : Heidi

I painting this the other night while watching Big Brother.  Have you guys heard of that?  I think it ran for a few years in the US but it's a pretty big deal here.  It's just a bunch of people living in a house with no TV, no internet, no phones, etc.  They get really bored and then there's a bunch of drama/romance/etc - kind of reminds me of summer camp actually.  I'm embarrassed to say I'm addicted.  But at least I multi task!

Do we see the resemblance?

Speaking of my bucket list, I'm planning a chicago cupcake crawl for when I go over next week!  I'm so excited!  Any Chicagoans who need a sugar high are welcome to join!
It will probably occur on Wednesday July 4th.

Regretsy...

Dear Friends,

I have a story to share with you regarding the worst $12 I have ever spent.  A few weeks ago before our one year wedding anniversary (the paper anniversary I might add), I had plans to get the wedding vows we wrote together framed as a gift to the husband.  Well on the only day I could look for them without him asking what the hell I was doing, I could not find them anywhere.  I went into panic mode.  I couldn't find our vows and time was a ticking if I wanted to get him a gift before the big day....

In desperation I went online and searched "first anniversary gifts".  One recommendation was a piece of artwork,  totally nails that "paper" thing, but what piece of artwork would he want that we can actually afford?  I remembered when we were in a shop a few months ago he was ooing and ahhhing over this £300 painting of a meerkat family.  He likes small furry animals, especially meerkats, don't ask.

I thought maybe I could find something cheap and affordable on etsy.com.  (kind of like ebay for handmade goods for those of you who haven't heard of it and must be living under a rock or something).  And just my luck, there were meerkat photos and meerkat paintings!  I settled on an "art print" of a single meerkat head - for only $12 including shipping from Canada!  Score, right?

It arrived the day before our anniversary and I didn't have time to wrap it.  The next morning Nick brought me  up my gift and I opened up this beautiful wooden jewelry box.  (I left mine in America and have been on the hunt for a new one).  Excitedly, I gave him his gift....

WTF was I thinking?!?

Not only is it absolutely ridiculous, the seller also had an interesting interpretation of "artist print" because this was clearly printed on someones home printer and basically just looks like a big meerkat postcard. 

I think I'm going to get it framed. 

For more Etsy Regrets, check out this hilarious website... Regretsy.com

A Walk Across America

I can't get enough of this video.  

Homesickness has been rearing it's ugly head at me lately, 

and I just love how American this is.

I finished my internship at the canine hydrotherapy place on Thursday, 

and one of the clients asked me what I missed about the USA...

Salsa, warm weather and sunshine, driving with the windows down, driving for that matter, talking loudly, going to the pool, stores being open later than 5:30 pm, the American sense of humor, the mall, the way our houses look, loud sometimes obnoxious people who are full of character, wearing shorts, summer bonfires, lemonade stands, the way the skyline looks at night,  football and baseball season, corn fields and corn on the cob, bible thumping, gym shoes and baseball caps as an acceptable outfit choice, twangy accents, running into people I know everywhere I go, lightening bugs, good produce (the only thing england can grow well is strawberries), hugs instead of handshakes, everything being much bigger, clean streets, and patriotism... to name a few

I've never felt homesickness so strongly before, and I have done a lot of traveling.  There are two reasons for this, firstly, although a year ago we planned on being in the process of moving back to the US right now, the recession is making my husband very wary of what our prospects would be like back home - and the fact that we are here indefinitely makes me feel nervous.  Secondly, I've never thrown myself into life in England.  To be honest, I never wanted to live here, but it was easier for me to move here than him to move to America.  I guess I resent the fact that we're still here, but I need to make the most of this opportunity while I can.  So eff off homesickness...

How do you fight off this disease?  

And what would you miss if you moved to a far away land?

Carpe Diem, Friends.

ps. Thank you for the well wishes on the job front.  Unfortunately I was a blubbering mess at the interview.  I don't think I got it. :(

One Small Favor

I have a job interview on Friday and every time I think about it I feel like I'm going to throw up.

I wasn't going to tell you about it, because I don't like talking about it that much and I figured if I told you and I didn't get it then I'd have to tell you I didn't get it and then I would be sad.  

But I believe in the power of prayer...

So if you're reading this, and you believe in that too, please pray for me.  

My Run

So I joined this blogging world basically to keep people on the other side of the Atlantic up to date with my life and take pictures of food ( don't judge I'm a natural fatass). Somewhere along the line I met Emz, and I started following her because she is funny.  

But I didn't know what I was getting myself into, you see, this chick runs marathons for FUN.  I know, right?  Who does that?

I think I read one too many of her running posts and then for some crazy reason I put do a half and full marathon on My Bucket list...

I still haven't signed up for one yet, I'm not quite brave enough - but yesterday I finally completed the 7 mile loop from my house to the reservoir and back!

So I figured I take this opportunity to share some photos of my route and my playlist with all you crazy running bloggers out there!  Please don't judge me for being such a teenie bopper.  

Hey Soul Sister - Train

Lisztomania - Phoenix

So Sweet - Jonathan Rice

Goodbye - Sneaky Sound System

 A Favor House Atlantic - Coheed and Cambria 

I Love It - Sneaky Sound System

Rosalita - Bruce Springsteen 

Magic Stick - Lil Kim feat 50 cent

Fresh '83 - Game feat 50 cent

Pictures - Sneaky Sound System

I Like That - Richard Vission and Static Revenger

Money Ain't a Thang - Jay Z and JD

All This Love - The Similou

Mr. Jones - Counting Crows

Meet Me Half Way - Black Eyed Peas

Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

Get By - Talib Kweli 

Electric Feel - MGMT

Billie Jean - Micheal Jackson

Smooth Criminal - Micheal Jackson

Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms 

Get Up and Go - Hanson

A Minute without You - Hanson

Run This Town - Jay Z

Hey Driver - Lucky Boys Confusion

Get Right - Jennifer Lopez

Encore - Jay Z

Atari - Lucky Boys Confusion

What We Talkin Bout - Jay Z

July 17th

Today last year we got married.

It was the single best day of my life... so far.

Our wedding couldn't have been more perfect.

But, this year has had it's ups and downs...

And I wouldn't recommend marrying a foreigner to anyone -

because it's not easy.

But if you are totally, completely in LOVE with them -

then it's worth it.

Happy anniversary Neener!

I love you so so much!

Breakfast at Tiffany's Tuesdays : Like a Drink of Cherry Cola

Ok I know it's Wednesday, but I made this yesterday so it still counts.  I was going to post it last night, but I started my work experience yesterday and the country bus I must take to get there only runs once an hour.  Meaning I spent an hour of my life twiddling my thumbs at the station and didn't get home till 11:30.  Oh big old American SUV how I miss you!!!

Here is my healthy and delicious breakfast smoothie.  It made me sing that drinkacherrycola savage garden song all morning.  Kind of annoying but worth it.  Hope you like it.

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1 cup frozen cherries
• 1/2 - 1 cup soy milk (depending on whether you want it more icecreamy or smoothie-ish)

Blend away my friends!  

Ps.....

Watermelon and Arugula Salad

After all that ice cream and cupcakes I have been trying to get back on track with the cleanse.  I am finding it pretty challenging, and usually when I fail it's because I'm not prepared.

We were running low on grocercies last week and that was making it really hard on me.  However, I'm still working on delicious detox recipes and I figure even if I don't eat like this ALL the time, eating like this sometimes is better than never.  Right?

Last September I posted this delicious recipe from epicurious for Watermelon, Arugula (aka Rocket in England), and Feta salad. With the simple removal of feta, this recipe is detox friendly and still super yummy.  

Watermelon is my summer season obsession so I try to use it as much as possible.  Incorporating it into salads - hellz yeah!  And if you are cooking for someone who seriously objects to veganism, (like my husband) adding some feta to it takes no extra effort.

Enjoy!

I'm A Winner!

Just wanted to say thanks to Flore and Grace for giving me this award!!

Apparently I'm versatile!  Yay!

Thanks you guys! 

I love awards, and I love meeting every one from this little blogging world I seem to have become apart of!

I guess I am supposed to share seven things about me now.  

I'll try not to bore you to death!

1. I hate pickles.  Actually I have a phobia of them. If you must know it is the result of an incident in kindergarten and I cannot be anywhere near them without gagging.
2. I went vegetarian at the age of 9.  I can't remember a single meal I have had with my father since then where he hasn't offered me meat and thought he was being hilarious.  Never gets old does it Dad?
3. My sister, Lizzie, and I have what we like to call "an alliance."  We like to make fun of our other sister, Dani, for not being in said alliance, but we like her anyways.
4. I have never broken a bone.  Nick has brittle bones.  I hope if we have kids they will get my bones and his ability to eat whole jars of Nutella without getting fat.
5. I want to be a morning person.  Every morning I try to get up early, and every morning I fail.
6. I wish British people got my sense of humor better and I wish I got their sense of humor better.
7. I have a highly addictive personality.  I can focus on certain things pretty easily which can often be good, like reading 3 chapters of my genetics textbook the night before an exam, but has been REALLY  bad since I have been unemployed.  I don't want to admit how much time I have wasted on facebook / blogging / checking email.  Note: this is why I don't "follow" more of your blogs.  I can't stop reading them!

Now for the fun part!  I get to give the award away!

And the winners are....

Lauren from Life!

Molly from A Foreign Land

Krystal from Village

Jodes from Seamstress for the Band

Angela from Quirky Nerdy Princess

Our Cow Molly

Ok so I already admitted Sarah and I are bad influences on each other.

But I must confess - this one was my idea...

Please don't judge.

Our Cow Molly  makes fabulous ice cream right on their farm.

It's the best ice cream I've ever tasted.

Ever.

It's a pretty adorable little shop.  

Speaking of adorable, this little girl lives on the farm.

She introduced us to her favorite cow.

She also likes ice cream.

Note the chocolate covered chin.

I like ice cream too.

I scream for ice cream.

Is there a single picture of me on this blog where I'm not eating?

Don't answer that.

I took thousands of photos so I could make your mouths water.

I had lemon and crystallized ginger ice cream.

A little strange?  Let me assure you it was...

To Die For.

It really was delicious.  

ps.  I am back on the cleanse now.  And I have healthy recipes to share with you soon.

What do you prefer, pictures of ice cream and cupcakes or healthy fresh fruit and veggies?

Tea and Cupcakes

So about that Cleanse....

My friend, Sarah, was here until yesterday, and it didn't go so well.

I'm not sure whether she is a bad influence on me... or I am a bad influence on her.

But we are definitely a bad influence on each other.

But you only live once right?

And I had to take her to Cocoa.

It's just the cutest place ever.

I know you've seen it before.

yawn.

But it just makes me happy.

So here it is again....

We drank so much tea!

I felt little crack headish after my

2,398th cup.

Can you tell?

I think Sarah did too.

When in Rome, eh?

If you come visit me I'll take you here too.

Promise.

ps.  I missed you this week, blogosphere.

pss. That shirt I'm wearing is the first thing I've bought from a thrift store - part of number 80 on my 100 things to do list.  What do you think you fashionista bloggers - cute or totally grandma-ish?

You Yanks Like Stately Homes, Don't You?

When I asked the girls on my rowing team where I should take my American friend, Sarah, 

Chatsworth - "a stately home" was recommended.

So thats where we went.

We had a great time.

We took silly pictures with sculptures....

Played dress up.

Wandered around the beautifully manicured gardens.

And imagined how great life would be if we had diamond encrusted tiaras to wear to our next fabulous dinner party in that fancy dining room.

Everything was absolutely beautiful.

Apparently it's often used as a location for Vogue photo shoots.  

I don't do outfit posts, but I do do stuffing my face with brie and cranberry crepes from the food market that just happened to be going on in front of the house.

Yeah so the cleanse/diet didn't go so well yesterday...

But it was a delicious addition to a fabulous day!

Hope your weekend is extra fun!

Happy 4th of July my patriotic friends.

Please wear your red, white and blue and sing I'm proud to be an American for me.

I think my America pride is generally frowned upon over here...

Just Call me Cellulite Sally

OK so since I found out I get to go to the states this summer I am having a major dilemma.  The thing is, in England there is rarely a need to let the sun even see your legs, not to mention get into a swimsuit!  You might say I've let myself go.  And this is bad news my friends, because you see I must get my thunder thighs into a rather form fitting bridesmaids dress and a bikini for all those pool days I am planning on!  Lucky for me Deliciously Organized  posted a Summer Cleanse on their blog.  Hallelujah!  This is just what I need!

I started on Monday with the no caffeine, no gluten, no animal products, and no sugar diet.  You can read more about it here.  I can tell you that it has been hard, I'm not having too many problems coming up with things to eat, but I feel pretty rough, like I'm having a very mild hang over all the time.  Apparently this is my body getting rid of junk - and get rid of junk it has!  I've lost about half a pound a day so far.

Anyways if you're interested, holler at your girl!  I'd love to see recipes you come up with and hear your results!  If you're not interested now you might be after I tell you about this delicious thing I concocted the other night....

Peach Salsa

Ingredients

• 4 peaches
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 small onion
• handful of parsley
• 1 fiery red pepper (sorry I bought them at the market and they had no name)
• 1 scant tablespoon sea salt

Chop it all up, throw it in a bowl and call it a day!  The flavors do get better if you let it sit though, so you might want to make it up a little while before you're planning on eating it.

We had enough of this to use two nights in a row, and it was so dang good.  The first night I had it with some baked tofu, while Nick made himself a piece of chicken (yeah I don't cook that stuff, but I tolerate it as long as he doesn't kiss me after dinner).  

But the second night we put it to even better use. Check it out....

A bed of lettuce, wild rice, black beans, peach salsa, and fresh guacamole.  This is my kind of meal.  Totally fresh, clean and packed full of flavors.  You should eat this whether or not you're on some crazy cleanse.

Look out for more detox recipes as the week goes on.  My friend, Sarah, is coming to visit tonight though and I think I might slip up when shes here!  Eeeek wish me luck!