tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83260692024-03-19T12:51:32.318+00:00abby's bloglondon, knitting, bicycling, coffees and other stuffabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.comBlogger297125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-81213792961745859532012-03-03T09:59:00.000+00:002012-03-03T10:00:49.363+00:00I'll try again this March.You know what? I'm going to try this again. It has been so long though that I don't even recognize the format of blogger. Heck...<br />
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It is March. My favorite month. That and September/October, but really I like March because you never know what you're going to get. Rain? A blizzard? Summer temps? You just never know.<br />
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And it is my birthday month. This fella's birthday month too. He turned 2 on March 1st. I'm hoping to get a picture of him wearing my birthday gift, but we'll see. Got to get my mom on that as my nephew lives all the way in Wisconsin and I'm here in London.
Instead, I just have a few pictures from my short visit in January. I bet he has grown lots since then.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/6802480688/" title="033 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img alt="033" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6802480688_9015eb8aed.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/6802480684/" title="029 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img alt="029" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6802480684_9c4315ec8a.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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<br />abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-90952076494482950862011-05-26T12:08:00.005+00:002011-05-26T12:29:54.028+00:00Little Green Veggie Eating MonsterToday looks like the perfect day to curl up in the living room, watch the rain out the window and just knit. Knit like mad. Then nap. Then knit. And maybe nap again.<br /><br />But I am at work and its lunchtime and because it is raining, I can't go outside. Or nap. Or knit. At least there is a 3day weekend to look forward to.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5746166753/" title="Green Monster by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5746166753_0a0d2453f1.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Green Monster"></a><br /><br />Do you see that? I think this kid has potential for RED HAIR! <br /><br />So, this is my nephew. He's modeling the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/pumpkinspices/hooded-striped-top">Hooded Striped Top by Debbie Bliss</a> that I knit for him. It is a bit big, but I reckon that is spot-on so he'll be able to wear in when Fall comes in a few months. Yes, I'm skipping through Summer to justify a big knit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5746722424/" title="Green Monster by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5746722424_7ae66ca370.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Green Monster"></a><br /><br />The husband picked out the colors. He thought they shouldn't be too "baby" and pastel. I think he picked some good ones. Plus green goes well with RED HAIR.<br /><br />The hood and sewing of the seams with the hood were my only downfalls. Things bunched up and made me frustrated. And I'm really bad at picking up stitches, so I didn't enjoy the ribbing around the hood. It's bitty and I don't like bitty. If I had a lot of raining days, I could have knit this way faster.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5746709992/" title="Green Monster by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/5746709992_6dc9751213.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Green Monster"></a><strong></strong>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-18382197428985217632011-05-18T19:09:00.001+00:002011-05-18T19:09:30.251+00:00Midwest Ho!<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5726955329/" title="Toby looks onward"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5726955329_cfec9e398a.jpg" alt="Toby looks onward by pumpkin spice" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5726955329/">Toby looks onward</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/">pumpkin spice</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>We've returned from our long trip back to the states. Lots of fun and photos to share. As usual, it'll take me ages to upload them though. We really need a new computer. Or more memory space anyway.<br /><br />Man is it tough to get back to work.</p>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-640890668872763912011-04-03T21:17:00.001+00:002011-04-03T21:17:41.905+00:00Happy Fruit.<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5564740456/" title="Untitled"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5564740456_4596e465e9.jpg" alt="Untitled by pumpkin spice" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5564740456/">Untitled</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/">pumpkin spice</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>Toby left me a message on the kitchen table.</p>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-54627512493703974632011-03-31T14:01:00.002+00:002011-03-31T14:04:31.668+00:0030 turns to 31.<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5564157177/" title="Untitled"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5564157177_87a4cfac27.jpg" alt="Untitled by pumpkin spice" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5564157177/">Untitled</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/">pumpkin spice</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p>I'm not talking about today's date. I'm talking about my age. I hear a lot of women stay 31 for a very long time. I wonder how many years I'll get out of it.<br /><br />Had some lovely drinks and some grub at <a href="http://www.gntrbt.com/about_giant_robot.php">The Giant Robot</a> on Friday night. I was told my drink of choice (a groovy pink Campari, Martini and prosecco-styled Negroni) is something a grandma would drink. <br /><br />I bet his gran is a classy lady. As am I.</p>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-21022721174396255782011-03-22T16:27:00.003+00:002011-03-22T16:46:18.921+00:00Craft and Coffee.A couple of interesting London things to keep an eye out for....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1CQ-jY6oTYCELP6bW4m0VPF3KYA5PaANDzFfbOTcb-I5wwWWHbyx8e84VRAKSLGqYdTHtMycYYUCiS8Qk7LDkEIExgAmPl6zryiRoXroinm41XmZ5tnxZdPyHXH1FlQcHXlh/s1600/Renegade.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1CQ-jY6oTYCELP6bW4m0VPF3KYA5PaANDzFfbOTcb-I5wwWWHbyx8e84VRAKSLGqYdTHtMycYYUCiS8Qk7LDkEIExgAmPl6zryiRoXroinm41XmZ5tnxZdPyHXH1FlQcHXlh/s320/Renegade.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586943346462398386" /></a><br />(picture from Renegade website)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/london">Renegade.</a> Isn't actually until October, but I feel the need to shout that Renegade is coming to LONDON! At the Old Truman Brewery. This has potential for amazing things.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.londoncoffeefestival.com/">The London Coffee Festival</a>. How could this not be good? Also at the Old Truman Brewery, where lots of good things happen. Apparently there is some sort of "third wave" coffee thing going on. I don't really understand this, but I take it to mean that more people are paying attention to the goodness of coffee. Sort of like they do in the states. People here are starting to catch on that there is coffee beyond the chain stores. It is a very good thing.<br /><br />Speaking of coffee...went to <a href="http://www.prufrockcoffee.com/">Prufrock's</a> new location on Leather Lane with the husband last week at lunchtime. I wish I had taken a picture because the way my coffee was brewed was quite the show. I had a come brewed in a siphon. Chemistry crazy cool. Have a look at the <a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2:29594/prufrock-coffee">Timeout article</a>. I will be going back. Probably not with Tobes at lunchtime because we waiting about 15 minutes for a cup, but I'll be back.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-53477554118825587622011-03-19T10:06:00.004+00:002011-03-19T10:40:26.990+00:00Just so the husband knows.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5479643998/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5479643998_6694a42ed2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The picture above was taken on a <a href="http://www.stazionesassi.it/">historic tram</a> you ride up into the foothills of the Alps that surround Turin. <br /><br />At the end of the line, you arrive in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superga_air_disaster">Superga</a>. In 1949, the entire Torino football team died when their plane crashed here. There is a memorial next to the Basilica. It was easy to see how this could happen. It was so foggy when we were there, you couldn't see a thing. (Pictures below)<br /><br />So, this husband of mine in the photo up there, he's been making me very proud lately. In the photo, he's reading <span style="font-style:italic;">It's Not About the Bike</span> by Lance Armstrong. I've never seen the boy so engrossed in a book before. He carried it around with him on holiday and picked it up to read whenever he could. This put a massive grin on my face.<br /><br />He has also just set off for a long ride out to Tring, which is where his sister lives. About 45 miles from here. He wants to increase his cycling fitness and he is doing it. Such a beautiful blue sky sort of day, so I reckon he'll have a good time.<br /><br />He's has such a rough time lately and he's handled it all with a lot of courage. It makes me so very happy to see him enjoy things like cycling and reading.<br /><br />I'll say it again, I'm quite proud of him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5479495898/" title="IMG_0199 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5479495898_249ef71c72.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0199" /></a><br />View in Superga.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5478892443/" title="IMG_0198 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5478892443_d576385184.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0198" /></a><br />What the view was meant to look like.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5478788002/" title="IMG_0182 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5478788002_4e31221f5a.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0182" /></a><br />The tram line.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5478790878/" title="IMG_0188 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5478790878_57764f0746.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0188" /></a><br />Us outside the Basilica.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5478880145/" title="IMG_0196 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5478880145_1f2ddcf985.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0196" /></a><br />Trees around Superga.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5479488962/" title="IMG_0197 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/5479488962_61edceb035.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0197" /></a><br />Ready to ride back down. So foggy that day.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5479648032/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5479648032_9279ba5e13.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br />Something to hold onto.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-78563933223523498142011-03-15T09:04:00.002+00:002011-03-15T09:06:48.278+00:00A calm day.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5461171323/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5461171323_d213b06732.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br />For some reason, the fog always makes everything feel calm. Even when there is construction all about. And trains screeching. And people crowding around a platform. And the noise in your head when you think about the world.<br /><br />Just one look at St. Paul's in the fog and I start to feel like I can face the day.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-44344794269017207932011-03-06T18:24:00.004+00:002011-03-06T18:53:31.760+00:00Sunday evening.Sunday evening is here again. It just sort of happens.<br /><br />I thought I was being lazy today, but when I write down all of the things I've done, looks like I've been busy.<br /><br />Dishes and 3 loads of laundry. The grocery store. Knitting, reading, uploading the rest of our <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/sets/72157625970024197/">holiday snaps</a>!<br /><br />I made <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Popina-Book-Baking-Isidora-Popovic/dp/1845979648/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299436289&sr=8-1">granola bars</a> and <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/slow-cooker-pork-tacos-recipe/index.html">pulled pork</a> for tacos.<br /><br />Food.<br /><br />We had a lot of that in Italy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5478143795/" title="IMG_0176 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5478143795_1a4657a403.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0176" /></a><br /><br />Pizzas at 8 3/4 in Turin. (We even went back a second night).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5478146781/" title="IMG_0177 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5478146781_0d556774ba.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0177" /></a><br /><br />Lunch at <a href="http://www.princi.it/">Princi</a> in Milan. (Yes, we went here a couple of times too)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5502419366/" title="IMG_0293 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5502419366_22d05a59a0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0293" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5502420578/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5502420578_35e28f23a1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And gelato. We tried to keep it to two a day. Some people were more generous with their ice cream than others...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5478148489/" title="IMG_0178 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5478148489_5595846cb5.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0178" /></a><br />Hadn't touched this yet, that is a second scoop on top. What a meanie! <br /><br />Our dinner tonight better be as tasty as those meals in Italy.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-79490441762321599692011-02-27T11:19:00.002+00:002011-02-27T11:35:03.235+00:00The start of Milan.It is sunny! Clear blue skies today! <br /><br />Which means I want to get outside and soak some of it up. Toby is on a long bike ride and I'm going to get a coffee and sit outside Horniman Gardens. I'll look at the crocuses and daffodils and be grateful that March is almost here.<br /><br />Still struggling to upload all of our holiday snaps. Our poor desktop computer is fighting hard to stay with us, but when you can only upload 3 pictures at a time, it gets frustrating.<br /><br />Toby promised me we could take lots of silly pictures on holiday.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5462491804/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5462491804_5c93518427.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Which we did.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5461889293/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5461889293_6dd87aab42.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br />There were some serious photos too.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5462057063/" title="I by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5462057063_daa81b3a83.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="I" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.chiesadelcarmine.it/EN/">Chiesa Santa Maria</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5462176726/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5462176726_33c7243fa3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan_Cathedral">Milan Cathedral</a><br /><br />Most Italian cathedrals, heck, most cathedrals are pretty awesome, but this one was amazing. The art inside that thing...beautiful, so, so beautiful. I took a couple of pictures inside, but as I didn't use the flash, they aren't great and don't do it justice.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-24996081568475537762011-02-22T08:58:00.001+00:002011-02-22T09:03:18.018+00:00This morning.There are so many people cycling in London these days. No fewer than 15 cyclists waiting for the lights to change with me at the end of Blackfriar's Bridge. <br /><br />I can't decide if this is wonderful or horrible. I only think it is horrible because I'm selfish and would rather the roads completely to myself. That would mean the cars, buses, taxis, vans, scooters and motorcycles need to go too. That would be wonderful.<br /><br />Ugh. Today is grey again.<br /><br />But soon I will share some happy and sunny (for a few days anyway) pictures from our visit to Italy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5466189898/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5466189898_fcf2ac0757.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-41782059017201030722011-02-06T19:56:00.003+00:002011-02-06T20:01:08.669+00:00St. John take 3 (with a birthday surprise)Toby's 28th birthday was on Thursday.<br /><br />We went to <a href="http://www.stjohnrestaurant.com/">St. John</a>. All night he had his eyes on the big treacle tart. He was so worried they were going to run out by the time we were ready for dessert.<br /><br />I wasn't worried though as I knew there was going to be a little surprise for him.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5422153464/" title="Birthday boy by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5422153464_44950e5858.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Birthday boy" /></a><br /><br />Happy birthday Tobes!!abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-89376229860462110782011-01-22T17:42:00.002+00:002011-01-22T17:59:16.975+00:001.The first post of 2011. A little late, but I don't mind because posting isn't my job. And my job isn't my life.<br /><br />I'm trying out a different attitude this year. One that will hopefully make me a little calmer and make me stop worrying about silly things that aren't important.<br /><br />I've already had plenty of challenges to that approach!<br /><br />Tobes and I ended 2010 with a little theater at <a href="http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/the-glass-menagerie">The Young Vic</a> (The Glass Menagerie) and then some dinner and beer at <a href="http://www.drafthouse.co.uk/drafthouse/towerBridge.asp">The Draft House</a>. London looks awfully pretty at night. Funny to think that just down the river, there were thousands of folks waiting to see the fireworks. They stood outside for hours waiting for midnight to arrive. We headed home early and watched them warmly and quietly on the sofa.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5377365193/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5377365193_9a859d7118.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5377366887/" title="New Year 2011 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5377366887_960f6bff19.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="New Year 2011" /></a><br /><br />I don't like to use my flash, so pictures are a bit blurry sometimes....<br /><br />Next month we head to Italy to celebrate our 5 year anniversary! You can bet there will be lots of pictures. Anyone know any good bicycle shops in Milan or Turin? Or, more importantly, any wool shops?!abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-56971641565059009162010-12-19T19:56:00.004+00:002010-12-27T18:49:21.226+00:00London at ChristmastimeOn Thursday night, I cycled home in the snow.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274624704/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5274624704_58c94393c9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br />On Friday morning, I had a flat tire. Toby fixed it. It snowed again during the day. We cycled home from work. I got another flat tire. We walked home. With our bicycles. Nearly 2 hours.<br /><br />On Saturday morning? <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274012741/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5274012741_dca7aefc74.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />It started to snow again and all was forgiven.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274618634/" title="IMG_0127 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5274618634_760fa9e9d6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0127" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274569036/" title="IMG_0136 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5274569036_e201d93cb7.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0136" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274564160/" title="IMG_0138 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5274564160_a6df96e5bc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0138" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274558812/" title="IMG_0141 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5274558812_a5617ff4fb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0141" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274551798/" title="IMG_0146 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5274551798_17864641a6.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_0146" /></a><br />(Two flats in one day = buy a new tire)<br /><br />Once we finished walking in the snow, we enjoyed some proper Panettone, straight from Milan (NOT via Sainsbury's. This is the good stuff)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274550350/" title="IMG_0147 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5274550350_1ff7c113dc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0147" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5274546390/" title="IMG_0149 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5274546390_f458436777.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_0149" /></a>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-44181660252712598252010-11-27T14:18:00.003+00:002010-11-27T14:28:34.060+00:00Come visit Forest Hill!I think I ought to get a little more involved with my community. How could I JUST find out about <a href="http://popupforesthill.wordpress.com/">this awesomeness</a>?<br /><br />Crazy activities right on the very street I live!<br /><br />T-shirt painting while you drink sangria and eat tapas at 148 Kirkdale...<br />Thai vegetable carving at the Thai Orchard restaurant across from the station...<br /><br />Actually, I'm a little annoyed that I just found out about this. I live on a very main road in Forest Hill and it is only today that I've seen a couple of signs advertising this event. Are they trying to get the community together or are they bringing people from other neighborhoods into this one? I'm a little confused.<br /><br />I shouldn't complain too much. This is an excellent idea and I really hope it turns out well and gets a lot of support.<br /><br />Come visit Forest Hill!!abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-44315005252724571742010-11-20T10:41:00.006+00:002010-11-21T11:25:51.315+00:00Away he goesLife is busy. Fall is swooshing past without giving us any proper time to appreciate it.<br /><br />The morning bike rides to work have been very chilly. We grumble awake in the morning, not wanting to leave the warm bed behind. Though, occasionally we are greeted with some seriously amazing sunrises. You need sunglasses to be in our kitchen on mornings like that. Then we bundle up in all our windproof/waterproof jackets, socks, trousers, etc to go out in the cold. More grumbling up the hill by the <a href="http://www.horniman.ac.uk/">Horniman</a>...but then we get to Peckham Rye Park. The way the cold hangs in the air is so beautiful. The sunflowers are now all brown stalks, but surrounded by the dewy, bright green grass and the frosty air hanging around them - it is just so darn beautiful that for a little while, you really don't mind that you're out in the cold. It is actually pretty darn nice to be in the crisp, cold air.<br /><br />Then a Royal Mail truck will speed by you while beeping their horn and completely ruin the moment, but heck, that's a cycling commute in London.<br /><br />The husband is doing even more cycling these days. He recently purchased a <a href="http://www.surlybikes.com/frames/cross_check_frame/">Surly Cross-Check</a>. He'll be taking all sorts of adventures on this bicycle. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5171161609/" title="it starts by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5171161609_544ce23fbe.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="it starts" /></a><br /><br />Long adventures. Last weekend he set out for his sister's in Berkhamsted. <br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=Fa4CEQMdilX__ylZAWuBMwJ2SDGRB1HQLq4OJg%3BFR7OFQMdcV_3_ynXOE_eMUN2SDGqYFCuVu0Azg&q=forest+hill+to+berkhamsted&sll=51.358919,-0.031586&sspn=0.428769,1.400757&ie=UTF8&saddr=forest+hill&daddr=berkhamsted&ll=51.360634,-0.034332&spn=0.31411,0.52426&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=Fa4CEQMdilX__ylZAWuBMwJ2SDGRB1HQLq4OJg%3BFR7OFQMdcV_3_ynXOE_eMUN2SDGqYFCuVu0Azg&q=forest+hill+to+berkhamsted&sll=51.358919,-0.031586&sspn=0.428769,1.400757&ie=UTF8&saddr=forest+hill&daddr=berkhamsted&ll=51.360634,-0.034332&spn=0.31411,0.52426" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br />We live in South London and Berkhamsted, is a bit further north and actually out of London. About 40 miles out there! (round trip around 60 miles as he got a train part of the way back)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5171763894/" title="on the road by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5171763894_194afeea33.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="on the road" /></a><br /><br />I was a little worried as this was his first really big ride. I waved him away and out he went down the road at 10 to 10.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5171163537/" title="10 to 10 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5171163537_1a2635ecbf.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="10 to 10" /></a><br /><br />His sister has some post ride pictures that I'll have to show you another time. Yes! he made it to his sister's in one piece. AND he really enjoyed it! Which means that this Saturday he is also out on a long bicycle ride. To <a href="http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond_park/">Richmond Park</a>. I reckon this ride will be a lot prettier than the traffic-filled streets of London.<br /><br />I suppose it is only a matter of time before he joins one of those fully Lycra-d up <a href="http://www.oldportlianscc.co.uk/">cycling clubs</a>....abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-85663786011998319182010-10-31T10:04:00.003+00:002010-10-31T12:04:52.411+00:00Happy Halloween!It is Halloween again!<br /><br />I'm looking out the window and can see a bright red tree to the right and a bright yellow one to left. I'm eating candy corn and caramel apple suckers. I'm smelling a cinnamon candle. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5113924409/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1142/5113924409_0d73887902.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Everything Fall and Halloween-y is here and yet, I've got no craving to carve the Halloween pumpkins. What's up with that? I made sure we purchased pumpkins weeks ago and they have been sitting in our living room and I keep talking about how we need to carve them, but ... well, we sort of have to today or not at all as it is Halloween. Weird. Anyway, we'll get around to carving them and I'll take some pictures and put them up here at some point.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5113926307/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1362/5113926307_b4da243793.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I did do one very Halloween-y thing this year. I made a pumpkin hat! This is Dylan's (my nephew) first Halloween and I knit, so he HAS to have a pumpkin hat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlvBkXEZGOmh5ta8KkrfXe3oIWmoAY_g3wBgCJiCDCacm4X4FW6ZaBM-32EKdAxtXR3j6mA5DXd7uZ7dfFQD9ZbOo538-Zb6GgsIGUgr3aQqbkvySPiX4sGglC5mwaLLpLqsP/s1600/66363_1309229590411_1820733361_589182_5313175_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlvBkXEZGOmh5ta8KkrfXe3oIWmoAY_g3wBgCJiCDCacm4X4FW6ZaBM-32EKdAxtXR3j6mA5DXd7uZ7dfFQD9ZbOo538-Zb6GgsIGUgr3aQqbkvySPiX4sGglC5mwaLLpLqsP/s320/66363_1309229590411_1820733361_589182_5313175_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534178812735292834" /></a><br /><br />My sister took this picture when he went to the pumpkin patch. Every Midwestern kid has memories of the pumpkin patch and I'm glad Dylan's getting that tradition in early.<br /><br />Happy Halloween to you all! (and mom, we did the old fall time-change here in the UK, so I think we are only 5 hours difference now! for a few weeks anyway)abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-52835176755972173832010-10-23T08:04:00.003+00:002010-10-23T08:33:47.557+00:00St John take 2.Last night, Tobes and I went out after work. This doesn't happen too often. We ditched our cycle commute and took the train (don't worry bicycles, this just confirms how much we loathe to take the train into work). <br /><br />Stopped for a quick drink with Toby's co-workers at <a href="http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/11/11686/City_Retreat/Holborn">The City Retreat</a> on Shoe Lane (very near Chancery Lane). I walk pass this thing a lot and it just looks like your average pub. Never felt the need to go inside. But his friends suggested it -- the pub looks awesome inside! Super high ceilings with exposed beams. Lots of enclosed booths so you can hide from the rest of the bar-goers. As one girl said, it makes you think of Harry Potter. Yep, I felt like I could have a butter beer there. It's a Sam Smith pub, so all the drinks are pretty cheap, but they aren't anything special either.<br /><br />Anyway, that wasn't the highlight of the evening. The highlight was going to the bar at <a href="http://www.stjohnrestaurant.com/">St. John</a>.<br /><br />Awhile back, Toby and I had our anniversary dinner in the restaurant bit. It was offal. Haha, no, it was great! There was offal (Toby had a bone marrow/parsley salad). There's a bar area too that has great food and isn't so expensive, so we thought we'd come back sometime. Friday was finally that time.<br /><br />The place was pretty busy, but we spied a table for two in the back corner by the baker's oven. Toby was fast and we secured our 2 chairs and table. I wouldn't say he stole the table, but well, let's say he was more confident that that chair was ours!<br /><br />I love EVERYTHING about this place. The white-washed walls and wooden tables. The suckling pig on a platter that gets carried into the main restaurant. The clientele was mixed with designer-y types, ladies with leopard-print, people with "interesting" glasses, and old men in their elbow-patched sweaters (we sat next to 2 old men that were totally awesome).<br /><br />They had <a href="http://www.meantimebrewing.com/availability.html">Greenwich Meantime</a> beers on tap (Helle's for T and Oktoberfest for me. I can never resist an Oktoberfest style beer). Friendly bar staff too!<br /><br />We ate bread & butter (because their bread is the best around!), olives (we don't even like olives, seriously, but I knew they'd be good and not marinated, so if we are ever going to develop a taste for olives, this is the place to do it), welsh rarebit (the biggest you've ever seen!) and cold lop (cold roast pork) with green beans and shallots. I was actually bouncing around a bit as we ate.<br /><br />And then, because we were there so why not, we splurged and got the rum & raisin ice cream. AWE-some.<br /><br />A little worried about what our night out on the town was going to cost, but at that point we were both so darn happy that we were there that it didn't matter. I went up to clear our tab and the lady said £31.40. I kid you not...all of that goodness for £31.40!!<br /><br />The evening was topped off with a walk through the city, around St. Paul and over the Thames to London Bridge. Pretty, pretty and more pretty.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-76578540458499803692010-10-15T20:22:00.006+00:002010-10-16T14:54:48.939+00:00Colorful KewIt's been a little while since I last put up a post. I'll write about that time later. I think I need more time to reflect. And maybe it is too soon to reflect.<br /><br />It was and is a very sad time. The summer of visits out to Bovingdon, of garden veggies, and of drives in the car listening to the radio are over.<br /><br />Now we have the fall and the chilly nights (man does our flat get cold!!), cycling in the rain and dinners where we don't want to leave the warm kitchen.<br /><br />You know what might be lovely to see? Something cheery and colorful. Got just the thing...photographs from Kew Gardens! When my mom came to visit (when was that again? end of Aug/beginning of September?), we took a boat down the Thames and wandered around Kew. The place is massive. Kew needs mutiple visits throughout the year. Loved what we did see though. I'll try not to go overboard here. If you want to see the full set....they are on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/sets/72157624911306817/">flickr</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5025151341/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5025151341_aa220cf69a.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5084875972/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5084875972_55db6570ed.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5084286669/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5084286669_3a0b9c0917.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5084880166/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5084880166_7329867487.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/5084883230/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5084883230_b758131754.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-21915544518632021962010-09-06T18:46:00.012+00:002010-09-06T20:01:58.413+00:00Mom in the City.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4960357719/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4960357719_80a1ed085e_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Yep, the mom came to visit last week! (No, that wasn't her. Just a lovely dog she liked.) She's been to London a few times before so we didn't need to see Buckingham Palace or Big Ben (though we did end up seeing Parliament and a few times).<br /><br />Instead, I took her to <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cloud+world+mario&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl">Shoreditch</a> (trendy) and <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=cloud+world+mario&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl">Peckham</a>. That's right, I said Peckham.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4960379239/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4960379239_c57e57c3ed_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Last summer I heard about this place called <a href="http://www.frankscafe.org.uk/">Frank's Campari bar</a>. It is on the rooftop of a disused carpark in Peckham. We never got around to going and I thought this would be a good opportunity to show my mom a place off the touristy path.<br /><br />It wasn't signposted too well, but we found it and very hesitantly boarded the lift. I know we were all thinking the same thing when Toby bravely pressed the 7th floor button. "Please don't break down. Please!!" The thought of getting stuck in that thing for who knows how long was very scary. The place looked deserted so who knows how long it would have taken for help to arrive.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4960977762/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4960977762_65ce91ba42_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4960386315/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4960386315_a7c650c72e_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The top couple of floors had some art installations (it IS art Toby) and the very top of the carpark hosts some picnic tables with half of covered in a tent/tarp thing. We all got drinks (gin collins for my mom and I - very sour, but very good). I had a brief moment where I thought food would be a good idea. I even glanced at the big chalkboard with the evening's menu. £10 for chili. I repeat. £10 for a chili. You've got to be kidding me. No food for us. Just some drinks and a view, before it started to rain.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4960966848/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4960966848_84ebbb7baf_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Peckham is a great place for a view of a city. Who knew? <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4960970584/" title="Untitled by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4960970584_8f41a1ae4b_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="" /></a>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-68638622248167713342010-08-14T13:15:00.006+00:002010-08-14T13:34:17.370+00:00Yes, I have a local coffeeshop.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EWEKGNP-kRiUByY75i2x4EOJ73J17BlpMp6j9rduxhmibctniRQucRedfnf595RpD4taB-AlRBy4PMNAcY4t5Cm_ZckrcO-Tbf-bSkIs1xuwFgtFqjmJKp5g2OWeWahizgv-/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EWEKGNP-kRiUByY75i2x4EOJ73J17BlpMp6j9rduxhmibctniRQucRedfnf595RpD4taB-AlRBy4PMNAcY4t5Cm_ZckrcO-Tbf-bSkIs1xuwFgtFqjmJKp5g2OWeWahizgv-/s200/IMG_0066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505256256690681538" /></a><br /><br />I went on and on about this place and am only writing about it now? Yep.<br /> <br />Verdict? I love this place. I mean LOVE this place.<br /><br />Finally, finally, finally, a coffee shop that makes me feel like I'm back in Minneapolis. Small, friendly, and good coffee (I like their lattes. Heavy.) It just has that feeling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsqOucQ_jrQi_GUYfRYkSq5uBQxJ9Jqik1Tsn2FPSmI6wLqfL1fmjfUbAf_tdG7JEvp1e3LwWU6PKv5B1orkXaSIHV8jvUB17g-YoxUMM1j1KNOBm167kDkR-WBa5cZJgkbde/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsqOucQ_jrQi_GUYfRYkSq5uBQxJ9Jqik1Tsn2FPSmI6wLqfL1fmjfUbAf_tdG7JEvp1e3LwWU6PKv5B1orkXaSIHV8jvUB17g-YoxUMM1j1KNOBm167kDkR-WBa5cZJgkbde/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505257759954668882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3x1T24X-eU9HgSLOKVqRI_JH2r_e4WPWAFAueMHJWsPHsKwlgIKdoMWIyuTjPK7LhRYl-QnOS8dZFn5r5XwS03xkz5mTlu0k-Ak9iXSufs2Z5fX68oIUfJQAGT0dAbRRfm79/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3x1T24X-eU9HgSLOKVqRI_JH2r_e4WPWAFAueMHJWsPHsKwlgIKdoMWIyuTjPK7LhRYl-QnOS8dZFn5r5XwS03xkz5mTlu0k-Ak9iXSufs2Z5fX68oIUfJQAGT0dAbRRfm79/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505257754029625506" /></a><br /><br />The one thing they are lacking is coffee. No, no, I mean just plain old coffee. No espresso machine. We're talking brewed coffee. This is still one thing that coffee shops don't really do in London and I cannot figure out why. Penny University opened up, but not for long. Whenever I looked at reviews, people seemed to be getting all up n' arms about it. Saying people are pretentious for liking coffee brewed at its best. This is NOT a new thing people! Before all the fancy dancy espresso-style drinks, when you said coffee, you got coffee. Sheesh. Guess I'll have to keep using my french press at home. Not a big deal as I really shouldn't be buying coffees everyday. That adds up mighty fast. But I do want to support them so much. In my opinion, St. David's needs to stick around. It adds a little something special to Forest Hill. I think there are more good things to come.<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.option-c.co.uk">Option-C</a> do a really well-informed review. I'm just here to tell you that you should go. Go right now. Bring a book and plan on spending some quiet time with it and your velvety coffee. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz1XEoClM__Cy3ZDQzy6TtkBKpJNKV5T2pXsBjGj_t6yZBKDIWueONNvF1UYgX18wGOnslxmRILyNE6BJOrtAK1t4GD9d3qh7iaqpXsKJNMivpkxybmRUN7FdkHhJvEiUnFpD/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz1XEoClM__Cy3ZDQzy6TtkBKpJNKV5T2pXsBjGj_t6yZBKDIWueONNvF1UYgX18wGOnslxmRILyNE6BJOrtAK1t4GD9d3qh7iaqpXsKJNMivpkxybmRUN7FdkHhJvEiUnFpD/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505256646940415234" /></a>abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-916487423507093172010-08-01T16:19:00.012+00:002010-08-02T10:40:55.075+00:00the one about the veg<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4821253234/" title="more broadbean beauty by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4821253234_0ea873756d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="more broadbean beauty" /></a><br /><br />The summer isn't whoosing by as quickly as I thought it would, which is good because I don't have that fall, back-to-school feeling yet. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4820635287/" title="broadbeans are amazing -- no, really! by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4820635287_1e2d5dd779.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="broadbeans are amazing -- no, really!" /></a><br /><br />I want more summer sun.<br /><br />That said, it is the first day of August. So, I should get myself prepared, as this is the month that is going to fly by.<br /> <br />I blame the vegetable patch. Toby's parents have a vegetable patch that I've been "shopping" at every weekend.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4820623805/" title="green by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4820623805_680e4e518c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="green" /></a><br /><br />The courgettes (zucchini - I think Toby likes the American word better. How could you not? It starts with a "Z" afterall!) are monster-like. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4821247512/" title="courgette-y goodness 2 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4821247512_8f9ddccc41.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="courgette-y goodness 2" /></a><br /><br />Almost every dinner we've been eating involves a courgette.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4820638409/" title="courgette-y goodness 1 by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4820638409_ebd50e0d3f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="courgette-y goodness 1" /></a><br /><br />I've had lots of firsts with the gooseberry. First time picking them...first time cooking with them (elderflower cordial and a bunch of unrefined caster sugar)...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4820636287/" title="gooseberries by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4820636287_f2e96e228b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="gooseberries" /></a><br /><br />...first time eating them!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4821256542/" title="gooseberry crumble! by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4821256542_45ac722930.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="gooseberry crumble!" /></a><br /><br />We see garden veg wherever we go.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkinspice/4821245598/" title="bike and cabbage - a still life by pumpkin spice, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4821245598_f30fc9807d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="bike and cabbage - a still life" /></a><br /><br />Okay, okay...we haven't gone that crazy. <br /><br />I'm just saying, I'm enjoying our Summer of Veg. Got to get to the kitchen now. I've got a rhubarb crumble in the oven and I can't be having it burn.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-5213250001990575252010-07-13T08:24:00.001+00:002010-07-15T08:21:27.607+00:00st davids!oh my goodness. after nearly 6 years of london life, I finally have my own local coffee shop.<br /><br />I even had their inaugural coffee! the barista was so sweet and handed over my coffee with two shaking hands. he was nervous. i'm so excited for them. <br /><br />sad thing...no normal brewed coffee, just the espresso machine. but it is square mile coffee and they are thinking about provided plain brewed coffee.<br /><br />oh i can't wait to visit again on Friday!! (will take pictures!)abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-17370897962723484462010-07-11T12:49:00.002+00:002010-07-11T12:55:54.026+00:00A find?St. Davids coffee house in Forest Hill. Opens July 13th at 8am. You know I'll be there for my free coffee.<br /><br />It will have <a href="http://www.squaremileblog.com/">Square Mile coffee</a>!! So many high hopes for this coffee shop, you've no idea how excited I was when I saw the shop today.<br /><br />Please don't let me down Tuesday morning...abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326069.post-82596777344437984502010-07-11T08:02:00.002+00:002010-07-11T08:09:08.203+00:00morning-time stillnessIt is so, so very quiet this morning. A Sunday morning at 9am feels like a weekday morning at 6. And if that might not be as quiet as it is today.<br /><br />I wonder what it is...maybe the heat has slowed down the trees and birds as much as it is slowed all the people down.<br /><br />I'm going to drink my coffee (I used my poor neglected coffee grinder this morning. It is happy coffee) and enjoy the quiet. Oh wait! Is that the wind in the leaves? That is a sound I'm okay with listening to today.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04718008441083711607noreply@blogger.com3