Hostess with the mostest, or how I learned to love adult parties.

Went to grownup Christmas party last night. I've never been to a party quite like it. Dan met Brian and Ruth at the pub.They invited him to sit with them since he was alone. Turns out, they've moved back here recently. They were living in Australia and moved back to the county in May... SAME AS US! Just kidding.

This couple were extremely charming and welcoming to us. They were absolutely lovely to Natalie. Every one of those couple's friends and family were just as charming and welcoming as they were. The family friend who also moonlights as a card was entertaining, verbose, and mildly vexing. But not for me. Seemed he was intent on setting things on fire with Chinese lantern balloons.

It was very relaxing, fun, impressive. I'm having a time of it trying to get started on this anecdote.

We walked there, so they're close by. Just down the High Street; southern edge of Langley Moor. Maybe another 100 yards, then it's Meadowfield. I'm digressing already. Damn.

They live in one of the row, terrace houses. Three floors. And almighty Hermione's handbag, the house is deceptively large. From the exterior, you wouldn't know that there was space for large couches and a 12 seater dining room table.

There was a tree in the front room's window, then another tree in the dining room, just as large. In the nook under the stairs there was a miniature tree, although still quite sizable too. It was sitting atop a buffet (maybe? could've been a dresser.)

I was mildly irritated that I had to take off my *new* boots when we entered. But I totally understand why we did. I wouldn't have wanted to mess up her house by any means. And with all the mucky slush on the way, well, I took them off without any fuss. But I had my embarrassment because I was wearing my old white and gray athletic socks and my new pants were petite cut so, I looked awful from midcalf down. However, I'm fairly certain the rest of me was fabu. Just going off of Dan's catcall when he saw me. I actually went out and bought a party shirt for the occasion. Sparkly top. Make-up. Earrings. Autumn would've been proud. Crap, digressing again. What I'm eventually getting to is the food. I'm a foodie. It's what I noticed.

There were COURSES. Maybe it'd be better for me to say what I'm used to first. That way, you'll understand hopefully?  Typical for standard party in my *youth* (I can't help but snicker at that) was a table shoved against a wall or a cluttered counter with large bowls of chips and/or pretzels, some confection of sweetness but only if it was a classy party. The iniquitable veggie tray and salsas and dips and quesos. Oh, and if I was feeling particulary Martha Stewarty, the lovely bacon and brown sugar wrapped wienies. All this largesse accompanied by the alcohol which was the main objective of our/my parties. Please know that I'm basically combining every party I attended since August 1997 until May 2010 into one so that I can recall what is tantamount to a trough or pasture. Moo.

 Some parties didn't even have tasty refreshments that crunched. I will say that up until now, the best parties were always the ones Autumn had. Am I right y'all? Yeah. Digressing. Just trying to say that I really like my friend's skills even though... can't go anywhere with this.

So, first we're greeted and asked if we'd like some mulled wine!

Me: I love mulled wine! We're so much alike!

Me in Real Life: "Oh yes, please. I love it!"

Then, there's this long table in the dining room with lots of platters that have really interesting looking things. I tried one of each because a good many weren't anything like what we serve at our parties. Here's a brief summary...of round one
Mini scotch eggs- this size is scrambled eggs, surrounded by sausage..then battered and deep fried. I think I mentioned deep fried Twinkies to my conversation companion at this point. All I got in return was "Huh? What's a Twinkie?"
Cheesy poufs- yes, seriously.
Twiglets- tasted like a burned oven scraping
Veggie quiche- didn't eat! Hate quiche.
Vegetarian sausage on toothpicks, with pickled cocktail pearl onions and cheese. - Liked the sausage, I'd serve it.
Ubiquitous vegetable tray- Everything was julienned. Weird. Nice. But weird.
Small bowls of Nacho Cheese Doritos- I couldn't believe it ! Where do you get this!
large tray of cherry tomatoes, green olives and Wensleydale cheese cubes on toothpicks.
Surrounded by Pringles, salt and vinger & sour cream and onion


And then, began round two....which is simultaneous but towards the end of round one.
Sausage rolls
Pizza
Cheese tray with 5 different artisan cheeses (THEY WERE ROUND AND HAD BITS!)
Along with a Camembert. Oh so very stinky.

And finally, but I'm sure there was more to come; we left as it was close to 10:30 pm.
Homemade gingerbread cookies. Dipped in Chocolate
Homemade mincemeat pie.

Now, all while this is happening, people are standing around talking in the various rooms of the ground floor, just having a great time in general. And I was one of them. Ruth, the hostess, between her hostessing duties and talking to her friends, went out of her way to make sure my glass was always full, that I was okay. She even had her high school friend (also named Ruth) follow me around so that I would not be cut off from adult conversation while watching my kiddo prance around in the front room. Friend Ruth was lovely to talk to. Cousin Hannah was presh, just presh. She has two boys, one around Natalie's age and was sorry she didn't bring him for Natalie to meet.  And then, when I told Hostess Ruth I was done for the night (she had asked me if I wanted to have a top off) she asked me if I would like a coffee and then asked me how I liked my coffee! Then she brought it to me after saying it might be about ten minutes since she had some things to sort out before... I dunno, I quit listening at that point. I was just blown away by someone asking me how I take my  coffee.

Then! As we're leaving because we know we've got a tired little girl (and who'm I kidding...tired mom) Hostess Ruth says, quite sincerely, that she was sorry she didn't get to talk to me more and wondered if I might like to go on a lunch for drinks arrangement?


Me: OH HELL YEAH! You betchur ass I'd love to go have a drinky with a classy dame like you! You're close to my age! You've Traveled. You seem sane!

Me in Real Life: "That would be absolutely lovely. I think we've got your phone number still, on the Tesco receipt."

Ruth: "And that's a ..."

Me stopped listening because Me was screaming,"YOU IDIOT! CAN'T YOU JUST SAY YES AND SHUT THE HELL UP GRACIOUSLY? TESCO RECEIPT?!", while I'm scrambling around the entry hall looking for all child related paraphenalia and transportables, scarves and hats.

Dan's standing there writing something on his trademark mini-books and handing the paper to Brian who very sweetly is not judging me. But I really think that an outsider watching that exchange would've also found a lot to laugh at.

I assume is my phone number for Brian to give to Ruth when she is no longer having to deal with slobbery Me. Slobbery is like when you're running around with your head cut off (chickens do) and you're looking for stuff so that you don't leave it behind. And you're also happy but anxious to make good impression on someone who has just invited you to their house and you don't know them and they don't know you but you feel like you owe it to them to hide the ugly. Because you've just met and all.

So I try to recoup. It didn't go well in my head.

Me in RL: "I'll give you a call this week. Natalie's school may be out because of the weather, but there might be a day when we can get together for lunch or drinks."

Ruth: "Oh Natalie should come...."

I quit listening. I gotta stop doing that because I don't recall conversations well when I respond to stuff that I only half listen to.

Me: Natalie should come? Oh lady. You don't have any kids. Ain't no way imma be rockin' dat sweet pint with her in the room.

Instead, what I said was,

Me in RL: "Sure thing! Sounds great!"

National Roof Over Your Head Day

   This accordion musician is usually to be found on the Silver St Bridge in rain, snow, or sun. I have always enjoyed hearing him playing, even if he doesn't play much variety. For me, is one of the things here that mean "Durham". Today, he wasn't playing his usual song. He was playing 'Frosty the Snowman'. IMMD!

And I'm grateful for that. And for potable water. And non-frozen sewer pipes. Our sewer pipe is exposed to the elements! So weird.

St Oswald's was open today and thank goodness. From the moment Natalie woke up, it was snap snap snap snap at mommy. Dan commented on it and got on to Nat for it. And you know what? I hadn't realized she was crabby until he said something and then it was BANG. I could see it then.  So we got out in good time, standing room only on the bus. Natalie was very good on the bus. She most always is.

I've taken a few pictures for you because it seems that I get more traffic when I have pictures than not.

First: Last night's dinner: Roast chicken, stuffing and BRUSSELS SPROUTS! Hey hey hey calm down now. This was a dinner of firsts: first time to roast chicken, first time to roast BrusSprouts, first time to use 15 pence stuffing. And it was very very very very very good!

No, that's a chicken. My oven is really small.

Apologies. I didn't get to my camera fast enough before Dan found the chicken.

This is the appropriate amount for two people and a 3 year old to consume.  But dear sweet goodness,  did I have gas later that night!

"Do you know what the word 'nada' means? In all those Mexican films you made, did you ever pick up what it means?" "Isn't it a light chicken gravy?"
Aah! I don't recommend the chicken Bisto. But beef Bisto ain't bad. I'd eat beef Bisto straight.

First clear day in a week.

Went shopping today. I had three objectives: purchase a coat, try on the boots at Clark's, get shoes for Natalie's nativity play. The place: Prince Bishops shopping mall.

Signs posted at intervals warned shoppers to beware of falling snow. There was music playing on outdoor speakers. Quite festive. At the end of this lane is Santa's Workshop.

National Fritters Day and Post 51. There be aliens here, yar!

CHEESE! Hurry up mom! Take the dang picture!

While grocery shopping at Tesco yesterday, I made two impulse purchases. You can see them above. We needed an advent calendar! And The Snowman DVD! The calendar was £1.99 I think, and The Snowman was only £6. What a deal!

What can I tell you? Another day of snow. Got the big fat flakes again! School is closed. I made fruit tarts and for dinner, I'm going to make a roast chicken, for the first time!

and yes, I did buy two so that I could save £3... I got another one that was priced £6! 

 I will take pictures of the process. This should be fun. I have project!  Even have recipe ready to go. SO EASY.

Today is Thursday, trash day. Think they'll come?

Our backyard is just as lovely as the front:

Day 6. Also known as National Pie Day and Eat a Red Apple Day.

It has snowed each day, off and on throughout the days. I'm glad Dan was able to make it back, but he leaves again at the end of the week to go back to Orsay. 

UK MSN has pictures posted by readers that are really beautiful. They're of the snowfall and the impact of it on the area. Much of the pictures are from the northern half of England and from Scotland. Looking forward to seeing some from the south, that is, if the snowfall gets to that area.

Well, today I believe I will get Natalie to her school. It is open today. I have a conference with her teacher too, this afternoon. We'll see how the weather pans out for us. We've had a great time playing outside; we made a castle that looks just like the top of Mr Oogey Boogey-man's head. We threw snowballs at the house to make our kid laugh her head off. We've watched Christmas movies to get into a fun spirit for the holidays. The only trips I've made outside of our street have been to the grocery store...and that was four or five days ago.  I've done dishes, but that's about all I've done for housework. More needs to be done. I need a shower. I'm irritable. I'd like to get some greenery to decorate the mantel. 

I think I'm going to stop here so that I don't segue into complaints as I am dangerously close to doing so.

I posted a picture to MSN UK News and it's on there!

http://news.uk.msn.com/photos/special-photo-galleries/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=155343379&page=2

Also, picture #10 (as of posting time) is of the Wear. I see it every day riding on the bus to and from Natalie's nursery.

Man, oh man, am I stoked! My picture is the second one!!! They actually used it! I'm overreacting... BUT WHO CARES!!!


EDIT 12/1/10: The link is no longer for my picture and if you didn't get to see it, that's okay. It is posted in an earlier blog...The third picture, I believe in the 'we went for a walk' post...

3 days

It has been snowing for 3 days straight. Natalie and I went to Tesco for bread and milk and what we got was a circus. The bread shelf was almost completely empty. Luckily, we were able to get a loaf of Tesco brand wheat bread. They call it brown bread. It was only 47 pence. That's about 75 cents US$. Milk was 1.55 which is $2.42. Hmm, maybe I should just list:
Bread @ .47 =  $0.73
Milk @1.55 = $2.42
Peanut Butter @ 1.90 = $2.96
6 pack Yogurt @ .90 = $1.40
Bag of Fusilli pasta @ 1.10 = $1.71
Mince (ground beef) @ 1.21 = $1.89 x2 = $3.77
Stirfry veggies @ 1.00 = $1.56
Total: 10.34 = $16.12 for three bags of groceries. @$5.37 per bag.

And I brought my own bags because that's what you do here and I got 11 Green Clubcard Points.
How is it that peanut butter is the most expensive item? I don't care, it lasts a long time.

Anyway, more about the circus: They had huge display of Foster's beer on the floor in front of the entrance. It was on major sale: 10.00 for a case of sixteen or twelve, i dunno, didn't pay attention. There were men milling about looking for shopping carts to cart the cases. Men were standing by people in the checkout lines waiting for the carts to be emptied so they could take them. I was in the 10 items or less lane, and the guy in front of me was buying 10 frozen pizzas and three carrots. Woman behind me had one package of paper towels. Then behind her, was the long line of men standing holding 2 to 3 cases of the Foster's beer. These are big cases, people.  The cans are 8 inches tall at least; they are at least as tall as bottles back home and three times as big around. Those men really wanted that beer!

Today, as the snow came down (again), Natalie and I made M&M sugar cookies. That was fun and I like baking with her. Sadly, I have no pics.

Dan is still in France and today was his day to go sightseeing and shopping. Last time he brought back some Laderach chocolates from Zurich. The closest to you guys where you can get some of this angelic byproduct is NYC. They have a store there. Should you be anywhere near that town this holiday season, go there, buy up the lot and you'll have the best gifts to give. Ever.

Better dash, sounds like someone threw a snowball at my window. Pesky kids.

Walking In The Air (from: The Snowman)

This is from a long long time ago. It is still a beloved classic here; part of the Christmas pop culture. I remember watching this. At first, I didn't want to; mum was strongly encouraging. 20+ years later, I hear this song at the PlayPit and was just entranced. I racked my brain trying to remember where I heard it and had to ask the lady who owns the Pit. She immediately knew and told me.

I share it with you. This is what it really looks like here. The boy singing is Peter Auty, a former St Paul's Cathedral choir boy.

We went for a walk

Remember my meadow? The one that I found on a walk with Natalie back in May and it had the sunset and illuminated back-lit dandelions? Well, we went there again today. I believe I will share with you the lovely.

To the upper left is the Meadowfield soccer and rugby pitches.

I like this picture a lot... but...

this one is my favorite picture from today. 

Ah, making a snow star with Star Song.

So, it has been six months to the day that we've been here. Here's a pic from the first few days:

Men, in this country, when at karaoke, dance with each other. This and the next picture were taken at our local. 

Such an unattractive photo of myself but to be expected when one has had a few pints. That's Kev. He's been very nice to Dan and myself. Informative about stuff around here and he's a fan of Florida...the state, not the team.