Foraging

Lately I've been completely into the whole hunter/gatherer scene here in England.  

Emphasis on gatherer.  

Free food is something that I am always a fan of so when you see it just growing in the woods, 

screaming "Eat me I am delicious and free!" fatty's gotta pounce!

I actually picked these on the outskirts of a soccer field while Heidi chased swallows.

Birds exercise my energetic puppy, and I pick berries.

Multitasking at it's finest I think.

The berries were soon turned into this.

Which looks kind of ugly but it tasted good.

Especially when Nick brought home Our Cow Molly to top it off.

I stole the recipe from here.

It worked out pretty well for a quick dessert since we're so busy right now.

ps.  It is mushroom season here in England.  

We see shrooms everywhere and we just bought a mushroom identification book.

We took it out for a spin this weekend and so far we're pretty sure we're going to poison ourselves.

But, fingers crossed, we'll identify some edibles and there will be mushroom hunting adventures on here soon.

Told you I was into gathering.

Turkish Market

We stumbled across this little Turkish market when we were shopping for house stuff the other day.

Then we came home and made a feast out of olives and baklava.  

Everything was delicious.

Markets everywhere are definitely a benefit to living in England.

My response to the market man's question of

Ginger apple, pistachio, or coconut baklava?

Yes, yes, and yes.

What can I say?

This girl likes to eat!

...and my arm fat is now reverberating in the air like my 8th grade teacher at the chalk board. 

Her A$$ was so big you could use it as a table.  

It stuck out parallel to the floor I tell you.
...and it appears I am on my way there.

Hello weight watchers....

Sneak Peak

Just a little quick look at my dirty work.

We're moving in Thursday. 

FML.

Guess which room?

Our detective work shows a small boy named Harley lived here before.

And he was a brat.

Grubby little finger prints and crayon drawings ALL over the walls serve as proof.

View from the bedroom some of you said you wanted a better look at last time..

Dark brown feature wall, which Nick suggested we cover with....

Glitter glaze?!?

I might be married to Elton John, (Lord help me.) 

but the magpie in me says, 

"OOOOhhh Sparkles Yesssss!!"

Guest bedroom with brand new bed ready for it's first guest in oh...

one week!

All primed up and ready for me to actually decide what color to paint it...

I'm pretty sure the consensus among the design loving blogarinas would be for Matinee Grey.

I still have my doubts, but I think I might trust you on this.

You haven't steered me wrong just yet...

ps.  Does that Meerkat look familiar?  

Yes, he provided matching stickers with his artwork.

Yes, I put them on everything.

Dog Days

Hello Sunshines,

I just wanted to pop into the blogsphere today to share this with you.  I was obsessssssssssed with this song from a Pedigree dog food commercial and every time it came on I was like what is that song!?  And I would promptly forget about how much I LOVED it.  Then it came on while I was on my computer and Nick was watching TV and I googled it and I loved it even more so I just wanted to share it with you because it makes me so happy.

Also speaking of dog food, this woman, Sharon Montrose has my dream job I think if I don't ever end up being a vet.  She takes pictures of dogs and other animals.  That is her job.  Cool.  And I want to decorate my whole house in her animal prints or just hang out with her.

The reoccuring deer theme is not intentional.  But if you want to send us a house warming present anything from her shop will do.  

Hope you are having a terrific Thursday.

Parties in the USA

So I have gotten some complaints about my blog struggling while I am DIYing.  The thing is, I'm working my butt off but I don't have much to show for it.  Lots of wall paper stripping, meeting old English tradesmen I can't understand, filling the millions of holes in the walls and painting.  You just be patient, little monsters.  The before and after shots are on their way!!

Meanwhile, as I have a lot of thinking time while spending the day alone, in between jamming to the latest tween hits on Heat Radio and praying that Katy Perry's Teenage Dream comes on next... I've been pondering a house warming party.  I don't know who I would invite, and that blows.  I want to show off my mad decorating skillz.  I need to make friends stat.  Anyone fancy a trip to England?

Here are some pics of awesome people I wish could party with me in our new house.  But at least I got to party with them in the USA while I was home...

Friends since birth. 

Richard was my locker partner and fellow camp lifeguard in highschool.

Now he's friends with my sister, Dani.  

She is always stealing my friends.

I am excellent at throwing parties.  

I even bought cotton candy vodka for this one.

I know, I know, you're jealous.

My mom and dad.  They party hard too.

My mom is the best hostess ever and I'd like to think I got her skills.  

Once my sister and I got in BIG trouble in high school

 for having people over without telling her ahead of time.  

When we explained that we didn't know why she was so upset she screamed...

"IF I KNEW YOU WERE HAVING PEOPLE OVER I WOULD'VE MADE HORS D'OUVRES!"

We've made sure to tell her ever since.

My baby sister and all her "tween" friends.  

She's actually in college now.  Big gurl.

Me, mom, Dani, and Lizzie.

Lizzie and her bff Tom.  

Prom Queen with her King.  

I love him because he wears bow ties and is only 18.

Dani and her boy toy Ryan.

Dani and I are Paris Hilton fans, stop judging us.

You're still judging.  Stop.  

Anyways, that's where she learned to soft smile like that.  

Man I love a good party!  

Oh annnnnnnnnnnnnd how about Alivia throws us all a party with lots of veggie food?!

Because you have just won my Give-Away!

Wooooooooo Hooooo!

Email me for your prize!

Foggy Morning

It never felt like summer in England to me, 

though to be fair I was told I "missed it" during the 3 weeks I was in America.  

I'm not sure if I believe that, but now it is definitely fall.  

You must hate me for not picking blackberries and baking with them.  

Trust me, I hate myself.  I should get on that before the birds get to them. 

 Oh and you might be bored of the dog and horses 
being essentially the only thing I take pictures of.  

Any one want to be a model?  

I'm sure it'd be easier to make you pose than the dog....  

Bedroom Inspiration : Oh Deer!

When redecorating our new house, we chose to to do very neutral colors so it would be appealing to lots of buyers should we decide to up and move back to America.

For this reason, I am loving the bedroom of Nikole Herriot, as featured on design*sponge.  So much, in fact, that we chose to  paint a chocolatey brown feature wall in our bedroom.

I think what really gets me are the antlers.  Wouldn't they be perfect for hanging necklaces?  Remember how I desperately wanted to buy a head, but Nick put his foot down?  Well I think since antlers are a little tamer version of that, maybe I could get away with it.... maybe...?  (If you're inclined I would appreciate you leaving comments on how classy and fabulous antlers are for Nick to read.  Comments on how he should give me free reign in the decorating department are also appreciated.)

Though I would have to find a vegetarian friendly antler option.  Any tip offs?  I know I saw wood carved ones online but I can't seem to rediscover them.  Oh and while I'm on the deer kick, isn't this duvet cover the coolest? (brought to my attention by Krystal of Village)  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get away with this though.  Maybe it's a bit of deer over kill (pun intended - yes, I think I'm funny), but I LOVE it!

I think it would be the perfect combination of chic hillbilly.  

Whats not to love?

Well thats the decoration inspiration for now.  If any one else has neutral bedroom inspiration please share it with me!  I am having the hardest time deciding on a color to paint our guest bedroom which has a weird blue/grey carpet.

Other than that we are trying desperately to get everything in a live-able state, but we are having trouble coordinating trades people.  Very frustrating!

Give Away - Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone!!

Wow!  

This is my 201th post.

I think thats pretty crazy.

And even crazier that there are still people reading this.

My blog seems to change directions a lot so I appreciate you for sticking with me.

But at the heart of it, I will always be a food snob,
and there will always be food posts around here.

Unfortunately, due to our current circumstances,
I won't really have much to share with you for awhile 

(except maybe pizza delivery photos)...

This makes me super duper sad.
I love taking pictures of food and sharing recipes - 

especially when you let me know how my stuff turned out in YOUR kitchen!

So in order to celebrate my 201th post... 

and to make sure I am still helping someone concoct delicious vegetarian food,
 I am doing a give-away!!

I've said it before,
Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone 
is my favorite vegetarian cookbook.  

The recipes are simple and I think they will appeal to you carnivores too.

The rules are simple:

Be a follower.

and

Leave a comment.

(I would like you extra if you left a comment telling me what dishes from this blog,
if any, you have made, or are planning on making, but this won't get you extra points.)

Simple right?
Winners will be picked September 15th.

Good luck!  

New House Stats

1.5 - Weeks since we exchanged keys to our new house
7 - Days I have spent stripping wallpaper
3 - More days I predict I will be stripping wall paper. 
2 - Number of wall paper steamers I have broken.  Who knew you had to refill them before they turn off?
0 - Major fights with Nick.
6 - Number of major fights I would have had with Nick had I been DIYing with him for a week straight this time last year.
79 - Pages I have read of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which I credit with helping me fight less.
3 - contractors we have met with.
13 - days we have both been sick (just a nasty cold - no worries)
2 - weeks till move in.
0 - Rooms that are complete.
2 - Rooms that have flooring.
4 - awesome new neighbors we've met.  
5 - times we went to B&Q (DIY store)
19 - paint samples I have bought.
2 - colors of paint that we picked that are not in stock at our local B&Q.
109,284 - times I complained about not having a car.
1 - Pinky toe of Nick's that is still broken.
0 - Number of times Nick has complained about not having a car while walking on broken toe.
1 - New guest bed that has been purchased.
17 - days till our first guest arrives.  


Yikes!  That my friends is stressing me out.  And my blog is becoming so full of words and no pictures and I hate that.  I hope I will have some before and after shots to show you soon, but right now we're still plowing away through the before phase.  Wish us luck!

ps.  I'm pretty sure I stole the number post concept from Emz.  

A Conversation with a Cabbie

It started with the usual where are you from...?

America.

It progressed to making fun of my slight twang.

"You're a quacky yank.  Quack Quack"

Yeah, I've got a little Midwestern drawl.

Conversation turns to politics.

Oh, brother.  This is not my strong suit.

He hates Bush.  Typical. 

Loves Obama.  Also, typical.

Cried like a baby when he was elected.  

He even said.......

"His election was like God coming to Earth."

A reincarnation of JC?

Come on.

Then, it got personal.

"Can I ask you something personal?"

Yeah I guess.

About September 11th.

Uh huh.

When the pentagon blew up - they didn't find the bodies.  

How is that possible?

Me - I'm not one for conspiracy theories.

At midnight Nick and I were discussing this conspiracy theory bologna.  

And he pulled this up.  He figured I wouldn't watch it for more than 5 mins.

Like I said, Politics - not my thing,

 and political documentaries - really not my thing.

But an hour and a half later, 

this documentary was blowing my mind.

Seriously.

My. mind. was. BLOWN.

So my compatriots, I'm now wondering...

how do you feel about conspiracy theories?

Especially when it comes to 911.

Bleh.

Dear September First,

You are really irritating to me.

Today I could have done without:

• Nick's broken toe (the week he took off work to do DIY with me.  Damn you, osteogenesis imperfecta)
• Heidi's insane amounts of energy.  Pawing at back door for 45 minutes straight this morning when we locked her outside to get a little extra shut eye - check. 
• The fridge breaking today.  
• The fridge magically fixing itself after I called the rental people to tell them it was broken. Doesn't that just make you look like an a-hole?  Oh and they already HATE us.
• It being September first and it reminding me that I don't think I have worked on any of my New Year's resolutions.  Time is a ticking and making me feel like I am in the midst of a quarter life crisis.
• The wallpaper in our new house REFUSING to come down.  And then the wall paper steamer breaking.
• Paint colors looking significantly different on the cards than they do on the walls.  How many samples is it reasonable to buy?  I'm pushing 20 and the husband is not a fan of this process.
• My American drivers license being good for one year and now I need a British one to be allowed to drive here.  

However, there are a few things I am glad for today:

• That there is one restaurant within walking distance of where we live.  And we had a good lunch date there today.
• At least the Doodle's energy can be funny.  (Using Nick's head as a stepping stool to climb on to the window ledge and giving him a bruised face in the process - check.  He looks gangsta now)
• Self help books.  I bought the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People at the airport.  Who am I?  I wonder if I will become highly effective?
• We ordered a brand new kitchen yesterday!  And we got it from the expensive place (Thank you 50% off sale!  You make me feel like a classy girl.)
• We might finally have a car soon!  Thank God.
• We bought a bed for the guest room yesterday.  And it is only 3 weeks till we have our first guest - who I haven't seen in 3 years!!!!!!  OMG!! I'm excited!!!
• Bloggers.  I like you guys.  Thanks for reading this crap I come out with.

That is all.