Out and About

Gosh, it’s been awhile hasn’t it? I’m home! I started several blog posts while still in London but was interrupted each time and unable to finish them. The last week and a half was filled with a sick Baby J with tummy upsets and teething. Dear DIL had some sort of stomach flu too that lasted several days. I was busy, busy the entire last two weeks. I did read all of your blogs but sometimes it was at 3:00 am! I apologize. 

I do have a few highlights. DIL and Alex sent me these beautiful flowers for my birthday on February 1. They arrived in a 1x5x24 inch box that fits through the letter slot in the door! When you open the box they look DEAD. I though, “that’s a strange gift”. 😂 Then you put them in a water filled vase with this special little packet of powder that “wakes” them up. Three days later you put a different packet of powder in new water to prolong the life. It was amazing to see the difference overnight. I should have taken a photo of the “dead” flowers.

The nanny gave me this beautiful Cath Kidston notion bag. 

I’ve always wanted one, but would never purchase one for myself. Sorry for the blurry photo.

We also had some delicious pieces of cake and a tart to share. The squiggly frosted one is tiramisu.

And a candle to blow out! Our DIL’s father’s birthday was on the Saturday after mine so we went to their home where DIL made an entire meal for the family including her sister, BIL, nephew and niece too. She baked an incredible chocolate fudge cake with two layers. Crumbled on the frosting in the middle and on top were dark chocolate digestive biscuits that I adore. How did I not get a photo? Too busy having fun with everyone.

Many days, just to get outside for a bit, I walked to the Old Paddington Cemetery a couple of blocks from the house, where Michael Bond is buried. He is the creator of Paddington Bear. On the top of his headstone are always new jars of honey and little figures of the bear.

I love the inscription. “Please look after this bear. thank you.” So simple.



A few more figures in a bag and bottle to help preserve them from the weather.

One Sunday evening just before they got sick, Baby J, DIL and I walked to a neighborhood restaurant for dinner. It was nicely decorated.

We ordered several small plates to share. We both love truffles so we had truffle sauce wings, truffle fries, truffle Mac & cheese, kale salad, some kind of bread and truffle chicken croquettes. Oh, my gosh! It was all so delicious. We don’t normally eat this fancy but I loved it all. There are so many restaurants in this city and most are in neighborhoods so you can walk to them.

I was also asked to make my homemade chicken and noodles the night before I left. It has become a tradition for me to make this for the entire family the night before we leave to come home. I make my noodles from scratch and roll them out and dry them. I made two huge pots of noodles, garlic sautéed fresh green beans and garlic bread. There certainly wasn’t much left of anything after we finished eating! I may have to buy another pot next time, so I can make three kettles full. 🤣 Alex is always upset that there isn’t enough left over to freeze and have later. They all love these noodles, but I think Alex loves them the most because they remind him of home. I do try, but no matter how many I make, they eat them!

I think that’s about enough of my babbling on. I arrived home late, late Friday night. Saturday was spent doing laundry, grocery shopping and visiting mom. Yesterday was church, then we took my sister out for lunch for her birthday and after that Piper came home with us for the Super Bowl party downstairs. I haven’t had a spare moment to sit down since I got back to write a post. This morning I woke up with a sore throat and headache. I think it might be a sinus infection. I’ll spare you the details of what’s being blown from my nose!😁 The air was seemed to be even drier than usual on that long flight home and I overheard several people commenting about it. I’ll give it a day or two, but I think I may need to see a doctor for this. I’ll also do a Covid test later today, just to make sure.

Take care everyone. Today is my day to be able to talk to you all again on your blogs. Yay!

Blessings and love, 💜💕💜

Betsy