My Silver Lining

I dropped Adam off at the tube stop in Epping today. (Epping is the northern-most stop on the Central Line and is only an hour drive from our home. It's an easy way to get into London.) He was taking the tube to Heathrow Airport (he was flying back to the States to pheasant hunt in the great state of South Dakota and to BRING BACK OUR PUPPY!).

My drive back was, well, a bit of an adventure of sorts due to two accidents on various motorways. The result: I sat in traffic for FOUR hours. The product: some beautiful pictures of the Suffolk County landscape. The English Countryside was the silver lining to my traffic jam. How I love thee England.

Los Estados Unidos

I recently traveled back to the States for a couple of weeks, which was so worth it, especially when I got to: see two friends marry after 10 years of dating, spend time with my sister and brother-in-law, mom and dad, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, two beautiful nieces and many other wonderful friends. I wish I had been a more dedicated photographer while there, particularly to capture the time I spent with friends. Alas, see below for some snapshots of my time.

My furry niece Maggie Moo

My other furry niece Maya Bear

The wedding of two friends who have been dating for 10 years (!). This wedding was also the impetus for a 10 year reunion between college friends, and the impetus for me to spend time with my Mom and Dad (who flew in from NY), my twin sister and my Brother-in-Law.

College Reunion Part Deux at Buffalo Wild Wings the day post-wedding

I also unexpectedly (and so happily!) got a chance to see my wonderful Mother-In-Law, my Sister-in-Law and my two beautiful nieces while I was in Minnesota. A real treat!

The Twin Cities: Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota

Lake Calhoun

Old Man & The Sea as seen live at Lake Calhoun

Beautiful Minneapolis Skyline (my favorite!)

Minneapolis City Hall, home of the City Planning Department

Maria's Cafe and the glorious corn pancake

My favorite bridge, the Hennepin Bridge

Minneapolis Skyline

One of the great local grocery stores in St. Paul

The best outdoor patio in the Cities at W.A. Frost

Garrison Keillor's Bookstore

The Cathedral of St. Paul

Quality time with Mom and Sister enjoying the Cities, shopping and the domestic arts. 

At the Guthrie taking in a performance of Much Ado About Nothing

Homemade Pepper Jelly

Northfield & St. Olaf College

Ickworth

Welcome to Ickworth, a place that brings Jane Austen novels to life.

Can't you just see the carriages pulling up for the ball?

"Would you like to take a turn around the garden?"

The Grounds

The estate's Church, about a 10 minute walk from the house

The property vineyards

We could hear the sheep baas as we looked on.

The Servant's Quarters (otherwise known as the basement)

The stove

The original kitchen dresser