A Walk in the Park

There is nothing like spending a beautiful fall day in England (which means there was a bit of sunshine, and no rain) walking through the forest. On this particular day, I was walking Thetford Forest with one of my favorite kiddos (an 18th month old) and his Mom. We also had a borrowed pup for the day named Toby. It was such a great day.

We were in Brandon Country Park, a park that is a half mile from my house that has miles and miles of trails. It also has a tea house where we had tea and scones with clotted cream (of course!) before we headed home for the day.

One of my favorite things about wandering the English Countryside is that you never know what you might stumble upon by way of buidings, churches, monastaries, etc. Today we stumbled upon a beautiful mausoleum located in the middle of the forest. Although it is large enough to house 12 coffins (!) it no longer houses a single one. It is a gorgeous building, and is a great example of the flint work you will find all over Suffolk County.

Welcome Home, Tanka!

After a long (8 month in total) quarantine process, a 4 month separation, and some quick puppy-proofing in our current home, Tatanka Wildfire Walker joined us in England! Adam flew home to the States to finish the process (what a LONG process-- more on that later in this post for those of you who are interested) and fly with him home on a non-stop flight from Denver. It has been amazing to have him home again.

Before we move along with this post, a HUGE THANK YOU is owed to my wonderful parents-in-law who took Tanka in like he was their own. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It meant the world to know he was with you while we were getting settled here in the UK. We will never be able to show our appreciation enough.

Tatanka Wildfire Walker, 18 month old Golden Retriever

Jet lag

 Like Pup, like Master.

Since there have been so many questions about the quarantine process, here is a quick rundown:

• The UK is a rabies free country. Consequently, they are (very reasonably) concerned about animals bringing the disease with them when they enter the country. To prevent this, they have instituted a 6 month quarantine process to ensure the animal is healthy.
• There are two ways to complete the process: in the UK or Stateside. If you opt to complete the process in the UK, the pup will live at a kennel in the UK for six months upon arrival. If you opt to complete the process Stateside, the pup must spend 6 months in the US after a negative rabies titre (or blood test). This process requires a lot paperwork, particular players, etc.  Our advice: be sure to work with vet(s) who are familiar with the process; it may be the only way to ensure all the details are known and appropriately accomplished.
• The irony: As of January, 2012 all of the rules will be different. And from what I understand, there will only be a 3 week (!) quarantine instead of a 6 month quarantine. Oh, life is ironic.

Hobbies? Who has time for hobbies?

One of the beautiful things about having free time (a new concept to both me and Adam since we moved across the pond) is the ability to spend time cultivating hobbies. Over these past few weeks, I have discovered the joy in knitting again. Not only did I finish an afghan that I had started over two years ago (that I moved twice in Albany and once across the pond- unfinished), but I have been able to finish a couple of other projects. It has been so much fun!

I have to say, it has been an amazing thing to have time to cook, to bake, to knit, to play my cello (even venturing into a banjo/cello duet with Adam), to read, and to do various other things that I didn't have a chance to do over the past few years, except in a rush (if they happened at all). Thank God for time!

New hat made with yarn sent to my by my lovely SIL-- thank you, Sarah!

An ear warmer (the construction of which pushed my knitting/crocheting skills to a new level!)

Tea Time

While Adam was away, I took the opportunity to visit every famed tea shop in Suffolk County. Each visit was with a different girl friend, and each visit consisted of fine china, cucumber sandwiches, fresh scones with clotted cream, and cake. It was all so delicious. There is something about tea and scones served on a tiered silver tray; every girls' dream.

Tea at Harriet's Tearoom in Bury St. Edmunds

No Place Like Home

Adam returned to South Dakota to do what is very hard to do here in England (unless you are an Earl, or a Duke, or someone with a few thousand pounds to lose in an afternoon), and what is best (according to many enthusiasts) at home, in South Dakota: pheasant hunt. And this time was special for two reasons:

1. It was the first time out for our 18 month old Golden Retriever (who was bred to bird hunt and who has been trained-- at great expense-- to bird hunt)
2. He went out with his Dad and his brother, the first time just the three of them had some Q.T. in the field with some rifles.

The pictures speak for themselves.

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