What Riley and I Have Been Up To... (and some pictures)

Let’s see…we got back from Pennsylvania and NY a few weeks ago. It was a nice trip, we saw family and it was good to be back in NY, I hadn’t been in about two and a half years. I do love that city. Dave and I almost moved there right after college, we were all set to go; Dave sold his car and college boy furniture, we were off to travel for a few weeks and then he got a job offer for a job in SF and that was it, we stayed in the Bay Area. Once settled in SF moving to NY lost its appeal and we never revisited the idea. However, after living in London for four years I think I could easily, and happily move to NY.

Riley had to go to the vet for her annual shot. She wasn’t happy about it and made a scene on the way there, in the waiting room and during her appointment. I made Dave go with me this time, just so he could see how embarrassing she is. The vet asked us, “is she like this at home?” We assured him she only behaves this way when she sees him.

I went to my first football match, Chelsea v Everton. Can you believe it has taken me four years to see one? It was fun. I think I’d go back. I do like how the match lasts 90 minutes (plus any penalty minutes) and that’s it. No time outs, no commercial breaks, no stalling during the plays. Don’t get me wrong, I like my American football and basketball but going to those games, especially football, you know you’re in for the whole afternoon. The Chelsea match saw us out and back in about three hours. Just enough time for Riley to have an accident in the bedroom. And enough about that.

We had dinner at Zucca (one of our faves) this past Saturday night. On our way home we stopped to stare at the Shard and take some pictures. Do you know if you want to visit “The View from the Shard” it costs £100 to see it right that very minute? Otherwise it’s £25 in advance and £30 day of. Those prices!

The weather was actually nice this past weekend! How exciting. We took Riley to Battersea on Sunday then I took her back there on the Bank Holiday. It was so nice to be out in the sun, the full sun, and to feel like summer is actually possible. Today, not so much. I think summer is over.

We’re off to Provence this weekend and I’m really excited. We’re going back to the same place we have stayed at the past two years. It’s one of our favorite trips in Europe and I am eagerly anticipating the Provencal countryside, the markets, the food, the sun (hopefully) and the three days we have to relax.

After that I am off to California for eight days. We get back from Provence about 10pm Monday night and I have a 10:30am flight to San Francisco Tuesday morning. I had to fit it in that way due to the circumstances but that’s fine, I can sleep on the plane. It will be nice to be home for a few days, but sadly Dave will be missing out. So I’ll eat some good food and go on a crazy Target shopping spree on his behalf.

I’m making these cookies as I type (and that typing might have occurred yesterday). (via The Barn) I love cakey, chewy chocolate chip cookies. Dave likes the thin and crispy ones so we could have a problem. My favorite ever chocolate chip cookie is made using a cake mix but a) I don’t have the recipe here (even though I’m sure it’s probably reallllly simple, since it does use cake mix) and b) I refuse to pay some astronomical price for a box of cake mix that I could buy at Target (and may buy next week…) for about $2. So I’m trying these. I’ll let you know how they turn out.

Edited to add: The cookies are good. Although I may like the dough more than the baked cookie. Is that weird? I just made more after letting the dough sit overnight in the fridge and while I don’t think that added to the flavor in any way I do think these second and third batches turned out better. Overall I give them a “solid.” I’d make them again.

 

2013 - A Bit Underwhelming

I’m talking about the flower displays on Sloane Street, not my actual year.

In honor of the Chelsea Flower Show (see my review of last year's show here) stores on Sloane Street and around Sloane Square decorate their windows and entrances with flower displays. Last year there were some really elaborate displays, including a soldier with a bearskin hat entirely made out of roses. This year? Not so much. There are fewer stores participating this year and a few just have some potted plants and flowers outside the door. However there are three that are pretty amazing.

Brown’s has two swans covered in white flowers. Quite fancy and the peonies are gorgeous.

Brunello Cucinelli, right next door, has a whole “pearls and cable knit sweater alfresco dining” thing going on. Dave wondered when the fake pearls would be stolen.

And a store on Pavilion Road has a mushroom made out of roses theme. It’s kind of Alice in Wonderlandesque and quite cute.

My pictures aren't great. I took the pictures of the mushrooms while Dave was giving me the side eye and the others while Riley was tugging on her leash. 

I Don't Understand the Question...

And I won't respond to it.*

Never nudes, Lucille 2, Bob Loblaw, Gene Parmesan, Egg, the chicken dance, Steve Holt! and the entire Bluth family. They're coming back! And to celebrate the Banana Stand is on the road. Have you seen, it's currently in London! It was by Tower Bridge yesterday, Leicester Square this afternoon and will make more stops in the city next week before heading to NY and LA. I am dying to see it, as I LOVE LOVE LOVE that show. We're off to the states tomorrow for some family stuff (and let's be honest, to shop and eat) but I will see that banana stand when I am back in London next week. I am already counting down the hours until May 26th when all of the new episodes will be available at once on Netflix. Thank god we didn't cancel that membership, it's worth it just to see what happens on the next "Arrested Development."

*Dave and I say this to each other. It's a perfect way to express your inability to care about what the person said or asked.

PS - you can follow @arresteddev on Twitter to see where the Banana Stand has set up shop.

Amsterdam in London

I'm not usually this timely with my posts, but this warrants an exception. On our way to London City Airport Saturday morning we drove by Buckingham Palace and St. James' Park. We were on our way to Edinburgh for the night; more to come on that later, like in seven months. As we drove past the two sites I caught a glimpse of gorgeous tulips in full bloom. I immediately hit Dave to get his attention (gently of course) and told him we were going to the park bright and early Monday morning to check out the blooms. And so we did.

We took the tube to St. James' Park, walked up to the park and immediately saw the one, huge space planted with all kinds of tulips in almost every color you can imagine. It's located at the southern edge of the park, right in the middle of Birdcage Walk. They were amazing and truly, they rivaled the ones we saw in Amsterdam. We then walked through the park, saw the pelicans, saw some blossoms and came out to the roundabout in front of the Palace. The two grassy areas across from it are planted with red and yellow tulips and all of them are currently at the peak of their blooms. They are also stunning and so, so bright. Since we went early the whole area was rather tourist free which made the morning even nicer. Nothing against those tourists, but London when it's quiet is so enjoyable and almost peaceful, especially when you are wandering amongst tulips. I would definitely recommend seeing the flowers, especially since they will start to lose their bloom pretty soon. Hence, my first and probably only timely post of the year.

And now back to procrastinating...and pictures.