Oot & Aboot (in Scotland)

This past weekend was spent in the charming and historic Edinburgh (pronounced: Edinbrah).  Our friends T&KC were heading there for a weekend away and we were invited to join the party... and what a party it was!
Friday kicked off with a 4.5 hour train ride through the countryside of England into Scotland.  We played games, drank champagne, and had a delicious picnic prepared by T.  We spent our first evening in Edinburgh eating, laughing, and dancing.
Saturday and Sunday we explored the quaint city (avoiding rain when possible).  We stopped into a few pubs, did a whiskey tour & tasting (yuck), and had several fabulous meals.
This weekend was the first of many fun adventures with great friends!

Fun Fact: JK Rowling finished Harry Potter in this room!

From the Tower of Edinburgh

Train ride home - absolutely stunning!

Sunday night we ended up at T&KC's to watch the Super Bowl and to eat T's steak chili (Recipe Here!) 

It was quite a long night, but it was well worth it to feel like we were in America ... eating great food with great friends!  What's a Super Bowl without it? 

Quick update on other noteworthy news that I forgot to write about: 

January 29: T and I went to see Henry V - a play starring Jude Law.  One of T's friends couldn't make it so we snagged the tickets last minute.  The only reason we forced ourselves out of the house on a rainy night was to see Jude. Period.  We didn't know what the show was about.  We didn't know anyone else who was in it.  We didn't even know if it was good.
It turns out that T and I didn't understand a single minute of the entire 2+ hour hour play.  We would look at each other and quietly laugh .... at jokes we didn't understand, French that was being spoken, and pretty much every few minutes that went by that we sank deeper and deeper into a confused state with absolutely no hope of comprehending this play.  And just to be clear ... EVERYONE else knew what was going on.
Honestly, it wasn't until the last 10 minutes that I could follow along.  A girl joined and it quickly evolved into a love story.  I mean, that's what I was looking for the whole time.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable and funny 10 minutes.  Who doesn't understand the language of LOVE?

Jude did a phenomenal job - & looked damn good doing it!  However, the play made me feel terribly unintelligent.  I need to read up on the history of England...fast!

I want this role: 10 minutes w/ Jude Law.  Seems simple enough ; )

January 25:  We went out to dinner with M&Mare.  It was a cabaret restaurant called Circus.  It had been listed as one of the top 10 date night venues in London.  It was one hell of an experience ... and the food was great too.  Going again for sure.  Leave it to M to find the best restaurants in the city!!!!

All of the performances happen right on their dinner table!

January 26:  Was spent celebrating T's 33rd Birthday! Brunch at Cookbook Cafe.  Waffles, omelets, bellinis, oh my!!! It was a tasty meal ... and the company was even better!  

Two back-to-back great weekends with our amazing London friends. 

xx

Almonds Are Better Buttered & EatGreenFeelClean

You heard it here first.  Almonds are better buttered. Factual.

In an attempt to eat a bit healthier, save money (debatable), and enhance my culinary prowess, I decided to make my very own, homemade, almond butter.  It was a small undertaking, but I felt proud.

If you have a blender, food processor, and some time, you should definitely try making your own almond butter.  I baked my almonds for 10 minutes before I began blending them, in hopes that they would soften a little.  As the almonds break up they start to release their oils, which makes it creamy.  This process could take 10-30 minutes before the consistency is to your liking.

it is literally soooo phenomenal - make it -try it - & fall in love

Keeping with the healthy eating theme....

This week I have been participating in my friends 3 Day Plant-Based Cleanse: A Gentle Reset for Your Mind and Body.  

I have been wanting to do a cleanse for a while now.  I know that I am capable of doing it on my own, but I struggle with self motivation.  I need to know that others are doing it too.  I need to have a plan of action.  I need to commit fully or else I'll break.  I can't be overwhelmed.  If I deprive myself, or if the goal is too large, I will lose confidence and quit.  It's just who I am and how I operate.  No judgements, please ;)

Well, this cleanse was perfect and it met all of my criteria : Easily attainable, structured, and lots of great food.  I didn't sign up expecting to be changed forever or to lose weight, I just wanted to eat healthy food and feel good while doing it.  At the very least, I was hoping that this three day trial would be a way to educate me on how to eat well with fun and exciting new recipes.  It did just that.  I feel great and I also feel motivated to continue to EatGreenFeelClean on my own.  I definitely am still a carnivore and lover of dairy, but now I have a new mindset, and recipe ideas, for how to eliminate meat and dairy from my diet and still have a well balanced & delicious meal.  The key to success was to be prepared! Each night, D and I would spend time together in the kitchen preparing our meals for the next day.  It was a wonderful bonding experience for the two of us as well.  

Win win! 

breakfast smoothie, snack (apple&delicious almond butter), and lunch

veggies & quinoa

quinoa lettuce wraps with honey&lime

zucchini pizza boats
tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, olives, sauce, garlic & basil

All in all, I think that this was a huge success.  I can't wait to do it again.  Thanks for the motivation, Mag! xx

For more information from a certified holistic health coach, go to MaggiePrairie.com 

Near or far, she can help you make a difference in your life! 

isn't she so adorable???

#EatGreenFeelClean

...I sure do

xx

Back At It

It's been hard getting back into the swing of things since our return to London.
When we said goodbye to family and left for the airport, I felt unusually sad.  It felt like the first time we left.
We had been in 'the states' for a bit over three weeks and I started to get used to the feeling of being home.  And boy, was it amazing!!  I spent the last two days in NYC and that really solidified my desire to move home.

Over a week later and I'm still trying to ward off this dreadful homesick feeling.  I haven't been able to pinpoint what the cause is exactly, and this time, I'm fighting my normal urge to overanalyze and I'm just accepting it and moving on.  Well, at least I'm trying to.

It was a welcomed distraction last week when I heard from PK (a mom from my old school).  She was in London with her husband for the NBA Global Games and we met for lunch.  We spent the day together walking around Marylebone and stopping in a pub for a beer.
I was super surprised, excited, and appreciative when she asked me to come to the game with her the following day.  We had such a great time!!!  We had a delicious Latin dinner and headed in to watch the Brooklyn Nets beat the Atlanta Hawks.
It was a major challenge not to stare at this Beatle and his beautiful family throughout the night.  He may or may not be my new (70 year old) obsession!!!

I consider this our first 'official' picture together :)
Sir Paul McCartney & Stella McCartney

PK and Me

Super thankful for such an unforgettable night in London.  A familiar face and the excitement from the game definitely helped quell my longing for home.

Until next time...

xx

Can Hardly Believe It

Yesterday marked 9 months since our courageous move to London.  So hard to believe.
We always find ourselves saying it, but time really does fly.
We have accomplished a lot, grown closer as a couple, and flourished individually.  I'd say being here, although it has been hard at times, has been a positive experience in our lives.  Likely one we will never forget . . . and cherish forever.

It's About Time

It feels wrong to be talking about Christmas on January 17, but I'm way behind and I can't leave such a fun and memorable time of the year out of this online journal of mine.  So, please, bear with me!

WARNING: a lotttt of pictures!

Prepping for Christmas in London!

ice skating @ the natural history museum with mike and maryellen

On December 13, our friends T&KC had a fabulous Christmas party at their flat.  T, Mare, and I spent most of the week prepping (making cookies, shopping, cooking, decorating, cooking, cooking).  T pulled out all the stops.   It was such an unforgettable night with our closest friends.

how amazing is this?? (thanks t&kc)

Dec 19: We're going home!!!!!
It had only been a little over a month since I'd last been home, but it was Christmas, and D was coming with me, so I was soo excited.  Our flight was delayed a few hours and we didn't end up getting home until close to midnight.  We woke up early on Friday morning to soak up a few hours with my sister and the kids before we headed to New York City for the night.

In New York, we saw friends, walked around our old neighborhood, took tons of gulps of the fresh city air, and I got fitted for a bridesmaids dress for Beej's wedding. Yay!

Saturday evening was the Linville's Caroling Party, which my family looks forward to every year.  It's hard to put into words how wonderful it is.  Good friends, amazing food, a brilliant pianist, and lots and lots of singing.

The next few days were filled with countless Christmas activities.

Christmas. WooHoo! 

My Christmas present from D!! 8th row :)

Signed by Rick Nash!!!

December 26: My cousins, their kids, my aunt and uncles came over to celebrate Christmas and spend time together. It was such a treat to be with them.

December 27: We headed to Wisconsin for a week! The whole family was together and we had a really great time.

January 4: We celebrated my Mom's nursing school degree!!!! Karaoke & Mexican food with her closest friends. Oh what a night!!

D had a work event, so we extended our trip an extra week and I'm telling you, I couldn't have been happier.  It was so necessary. The week consisted of extra family quality time...and I loved every minute.

I think that's it. Now on to 2014!!!

2014

Happy New Year!!!!

I'm hopeful that 2014 will be an amazing year.

xx,

V