I can here the moans from here.....

Well I did it! I made my first fruitcake. I know, I know. I can here you all from here....BUT, my mom has a great fruitcake recipe which I tried two years ago when my eldest sister made it. The reason I like it is because it's made with dried fruit, and not those nasty "candied Fruit".There is nothing candied about them. They are disgusting flavored, over colored, bits of something that may, or may not have once been fruit-like. But this one is just dried fruits: apricots, dates, raisins, etc. And it has nuts  (pecans for mine) and shredded coconut. Yum. It also lacks the over spiced batter which tends to make it more of a spice cake than a fruitcake.
I fed some to hubby and he didn't die (or even make a face). Something to the effect was said about actually liking it. Either mice have gotten into it, or he's been nibbling on it.(but maybe I don't feed him enough...)
Of course any fruitcake worth it weight (and by gun there should be a lot of it) should be doused in an alcohol. Since I went to the Christmas faires this years, I purchased some Slider just for this purpose. What is Slider you say? It is Sloe (a berry) and cider liquor. God bless Sloe gin. It reappears this time of year just for a short while. Needless to say, I'm stocking up.
But back to the fruitcake.... So what is left has been wrapped in plastic wrap to preserve it lovely alcoholic content. I'd imagine it will be gone by Thanksgiving night.....

Light, delicious, with a bit of Slider run-off

Enjoying the Autumn....

Ah. It's so nice when the weather drops and there is the crispness in the air. I love it. I know it won't last - winter is coming. But for now, it's wonderful.
Hubby and I got out and about this weekend. Yesterday morning we took our favorite bus to the top of Sloane Street, to check out the Royal Thames Yacht Club, which we got an honorary 1 year membership to. Very she-she, but doable. Now we need to find some friends to take to tea there. I then dragged him across the street to Harvey Nicols to check out some perfume I've been reading about. Oddly, they didn't carry it. So, off to Harrods down the street. They had it- as they seem to have EVERYTHING. But it was too strong, even for me. So I'll pass on that. Back to Jean Nate (totally kidding)..some head home. On the way we stopped off at the restaurant where we'll be having Christmas dinner. That's right, no cooking this year. It's a first! And maybe a new tradition. I'm holding out for being away at Christmas from now on.....poked around some more and ended up at the Abington "pub" for a late lunch. It was ok, but pricey. Not going back.
Today, I dragged hubby of the the Capital car boot sale in Pimlico. I was expecting much, as a true car boot sale should be cheap and cheerful. But it was fun to go to one in the city.

Did pick up a few goodies- silk hankies for Hubby's suit pocket, a flask for m, a single bud vase for me, and Mrs Beetons book of home remedies. Should be good reading. Spent only about a tenner. Looking forward to wandering outside the city and get into REAL boot sales. Then bused on a new line back to the high Street. There we tried out a new (to us) cafe. Very yummy. Love finding new places to eat. Now, I just have to remember them.....

I think I've recovered.. I mean things are returning to their bland ways. The Girls are gone, and I've done the wash, put away the air mattresses, restocked the fridge and  had a time to nap. So, I resume my boring life. But it was great fun to have them here. I dragged them around to things I knew, and we discovered some things I didn't know. We walked, ate, drank, walked some more, and laughed more than I have in months. I miss them- and it's only been two days.
So, who's coming over next??  I am now know, by said Girlfriend, as the London Whisperer. Not too sure I know what that means....but I know it's a compliment.

Arrival at Heathrow

They were definitely lucky with the weather while here. Today I sit in lounge wear ( grubby old sweater and elasticized trousers) as the temp has dropped. It's 46 deg right now, and the heat has clicked on. I need to make a Darby pie for the International spouses get together tomorrow. We are supposed to bring a national cake or pastry... Um, American is made up of multi national and regions, so this is a tricky one. But I settled on Darby pie - crust, pecans, chocolate, and Bourbon. Good enough. I can make up a grand tale to go with it if need be.....
Below are some random shots from the time with the Girls.  Enjoy them.

Tea at The Muffin Man ( he's all over Cape Cod...)

Just in case you get lost

Pub Crawl before we had too many...

Remembrance Day observance

Horse Guards - so much closer than Buckingham Palace

It it ain't British.... it's CRAP!

Are you coming for a visit?   Here are some helpful tips!

While it seems simple "Looking Left" is tough, so my recommendation LOOK BOTH WAYS, the cars jump out

WALKING!  You are going to walk more that you have ever walked... you walk everywhere, so get some comfortable shoes, break them in or suffer the consequences!  You have been warned!

Bus or Tube?   We have used Public Transportation more in the last 8 days , than our entire life.... there is something truly refreshing about, not having a car... we do not miss it.... never having to worry about parking.. or having that extra glass or 2 of Wine!    The other factor, most cars are so small if the bus ran you over I don't think they would know it and keep moving...

The tube is underground, really underground.....never will you see escalators so steep "Visa Vi " "Tower of Terror", if you have height issues... this is not for you . 

This is an experience!  

MIND THE GAP!  Why because otherwise you wind up between the train and the platform!  

Any please do not worry if you forget anything, our new  favorite store "BOOTS"  has it all...... Really! 

As my London adventure comes to an end  I am truly blessed to have had the chance to explore London with my "Girls", I have have no sisters by blood, I have 2 wonderful sisters of the heart!  xoxox 

CHEERS!

Wait for it......Guest blogger tomorrow!!

That's right folks. WE are upgrading and having celebs writing my blog. Oh, you who thought I was witty, just wait till the mystery writer takes the pen, er..... keypad.

A Day at St Paul's.....

Today we had the spouse's tour of St Paul's Cathedral. Hubby's school arranged for a private tour, which consisted of a guided tour of the main floor and the crypts below. But the highlight was the tour up in the rafters, where the original wooden model is as well as the catwalks above the chapel area, library and great detail about the design and build by Christopher Wren. Nelson's and Wellington's tombs are below in the crypt and nicely lit. Very tasteful. I can only imagine how, back in the day, before electric lights, it must have been dark and depressing. But it's almost...beautiful now.
After dining at the crypt cafe, since we were starving, a few of us headed back up the 257 steps to the whispering gallery. It is the level 1/3 up the dome, where the acustics are so great, that when you face the wall and whisper, people on the opposite side, can hear you. Very cool. But then we decided to go up to the Stone Gallery, another 120 stairsteps. This level is 53 meters above the cathedral floor (you do the math!) took some great photos, but until hubby comes back with the laptop, I can't load them. So hold on, there a'coming.
It's amazing to think that there has been a place of worship called St Paul's on this spot for over 1400 years. Ah, but this the Olde Worlde....

It's been awhile....

Gosh, it's been some time since ive written. Need to jot things down, as im become forgetful in my old age. Still waiting for the weather to turn nasty. Looks like i've taken my sunny SD weather with me agin. We are 10 dedgrees above average this week. Just atarted to rain, but only this evening and part of tomorrow.
Kendall Szcempka has been staying with us for a few days while visiting her brother in town. Dragged her to then V&A, and took her and Cameron for tea and scone this morning. Cnt come all this way and not have a proper tea!
Hubby is away in America on a school "field trip". I believe this rain is the remainer of the storm that almostprevented his plane from landing in NYC. One of the group' s planes did get diverted to Maine. That would be interesting. Africans and Arabs in snow storm in Maine.....
Getting ready for the Girls to arrive in two days. It will be fun. Ive got things planned out, but I know it's always subject to change. There will be photos for that!!