little boy and his owl.

I went to another Craft fair to take photos and try not to spend money,

but this little owl, I could not resist. My son saw it as I was unwrapping it and

claimed it for his own.  I lost out on the owl.  Right after this photo he ran

and put it on his bed.  Cheeky monkey!

KID FREE Craft Day

Katelyn of MadBrilliantIdeas came by today and we crafted. 

Here are some photos of what Katelyn made, she usually

makes bags, coin purses, monster pillows and other assorted crafts.

Finish Toffo below...

Here is a painting I did with the leftovers:

I also painted and then decorated a canvas, however,

I can not post photos of what I accomplished as

it is a Christmas Gift for Beckie, and well...

she reads this blog. Dagnabit!

Grocery shopping/bringing home messages.

Over here, most people in the UK use some means of public transportation.  In some cases it can be costly if you are travelling to and from by taxi/cab.  So, the use of online delivery for groceries is a way of life for me.  With recent technology, I even have an application for it on my android phone! 

I tend to shop at two grocery stores teh most.  Either Tesco or Sainsburys.  I just found out about http://www.mysupermarket.com/ , which is a website that will tell you about deals you missed, or healthier alternatives, or even if other grocery stores in the area are selling what you want for less money.  A pretty good idea.  I havent figured out if I am still able to accumulate club card or Nectar points, etc through the website.  Great Idea though!

I will say it is nicer sitting down and thinking through meals and menus for the week, rather than going in and buying loads of things I wouldnt do to marketing or... my child trying to sneak something in the cart.  Okay, if I am honest... it is usually my husband doing this! Either way, it helps keep the budget on track and with 'favorites' it can be done in a matter of minutes.  I do miss shopping and being able to pick my own produce, but if I dont like what is brought, the delivery man will take it back and a refund given. 

Just so handy.  I know some of the larger cities in the US do this as well, but on a bigger scale here. 

Communication and Pronunciation...

One of the things that has taken awhile is geting used ot hearing things pronounced differently. The other is different words with different names.  If I say to my husband... can you pass me my purse? He will hand me my wallet.  If I say pointing at a pile of folded clothes, hand me those pants... he will hand me a pair of underwear.  Are you getting the picture?  Jersey for Sweater, Vest for onsie or undershirt, waistcoat for vest... and so on!

Now a word or two that can get you into trouble here... bum for bottom, not bum as in vagrant. Oh... and NEVER EVER say that your fanny aches.  Fanny is not a word word in the UK for your butt--nope it is slang for vagina.  Yup... you will get some strange looks.  Another one to be careful of saying is the phrase; 'Toss the Salad'... it is sexual inuendo here.  Whereas fag is another word for cigarette. fag ends = cigarette butts. 

There are words I hear that I have to stop and mentally translate into american in my head before I can continue... the person can be five sentences ahead and I am still working on the word that sounded wrong and replaying the first sentance in my head so I can comprehend it.  I dont watch the news here because I get lost! Deciphering accents and then name pronunciations... it is just too distracting.  Say for example there is a news story about something to do with Maryland, it would be pronounced in the UK as 'MARY-Land', not 'Meryland'.  Oh, and forget about any Spanish words being pronounced properly.   Tortilla, Jalepeno, guacamole to name a few.  Just sounds odd.   I think Dora the Explorer needs to do a food episode for the masses here! 

Life is amusing at times with what pops up!  As Always, if anyone would like to add some words and/or share a story, please do!

One of the things I enjoy about living in the UK...

Butchers and Fishmongers.

There is nothing better than being able to go in and get what you want, how you want it.  You can even get halal, or kosher if you wish. 

Just as in a grocery store, the butcher prepares time saving, pre-prepared parcels of meat like Beef Olives.  This was a new dish to me.  It is a thin cut of steak with a stuffing inside of it that you cook in the over usually with onions and gravy.  I prefer the oat stuffing, but generally known for being stuffed with a pork sausage.  It is a pleasant change from a meatloaf when you want a hot meal to warm your toes!

Which leads me to another pleasantry:  Bakeries

There is a local bakery that has an internal cafe that I quite enjoy going for lunch.  I have never been able to eat lunch meat and that knocks out about 95% of cafes and restaurants for me at lunchtime!  This bakery has a lovely steak pie that is heaven on my tastebuds!  I never tire of it!  If my husband is with me he likes going for the 'afters' aka desserts!  Coffee Towers, and Fudge Donuts are his favorites.  In truth, most of the desserts here are too sweet for me, so I tend to pass.  Hard to believe, I know!  Just not my sort of treats!


It is just nice to not have to buy these items in a supermarket but able to buy them direct from a specialist.  I like that it hasnt been taken over by Corporate Suits!  So, if you come to visit and have access to preparing a meal, please buy something from the local shoppes!  Odds are, you wont be disappointed!

Fast Food and Restaurant Chains

One thing everyone will agree upon when they find out I am American is that Americans know how to do Restaurant Food.  I hate to say it, but I agree.  I miss places like Chili's, and Outback Steakhouse, along with Wendy's and just about any hamburger place from Fuddruckers to Five Guys.

That being said, I have come across McDonald's, Burger King, Subway,  and KFC in the town I live in for when I am feeling nostalgic for Amercian junk food.  I hate to say it though, it isnt the same. Lets take KFC for example, they have french fries instead of wedges, no biscuits and NO MASHED POTATOES!  Here is the kicker, they have the GRAVY!  If you are found of the lovely dish they serve in the bowl in the states with either rice or potatoes, you are sadly out of luck.  As I am, seeing as it was one of my menu favorites, along with Honey boneless BBQ wings.  KFC wont let all you pepsi drinkers down though, as they do have it, but remember to ask for ice, and a full cup at that!  So, even though it is familiar--it just isnt the same. 

I must say I eat more heathily as I prepared 90% of my meals at home!  Back to the basics here!

FOOD: Shopping for groceries, Sounds Easy Right?!

One of my first experiences here that presented a challenge for me was going grocery shopping. Doesn't sound so difficult, but I would get so frustrated trying to find what I needed.  For Example, at first, it took me forever in the canned (tinned) tomato aisle.  My poor husband would get phonecalls, and I would ask him what I knew I wanted, but to him, it was completely different!  I knew I couldnt ask for help from someone in the store, if my husband didnt have a clue, how would they!?  Not only that, after I started home delivery,  everything being weighted with a different measurement messed me up, many a time!  Let me see if I can translate for you readers so you can understand.

USA Terminology                                                      UK Terminology
Tomato Paste                                                              Tomato Puree
Tomato Sauce                                                             Tomato Passata
Eggplant                                                                      Aubergine
Zuchini                                                                        Courgette
Snow Peas                                                                   Mange Tout
Ketchup                                                                       Red Sauce
Cilantro                                                                       Coriander
Okra                                                                            Bhindi


Imagine asking for Squash, and getting sent to the Juice Aisle.  Little language differences! 

There are more food differences, and as I recall them, I will add them to the list!  Who knows, maybe it will help someone else making the move from the US to the UK!  Some things I will add to the list, even though they arent that hard to find in the supermarket, they just might have a nickname that can stump you!

Another thing I noticed is when ordering at a restaurant, I spied a chicken dish topped with chili sauce.  Imagine my horrible surprise when I took a bit to find a minty flavored sweet sauce and NOT a spicy chili sauce.  My poor taste buds didnt forgive me for days!  In fact, I tend to prefer restaurants these days where I know I wont get any surprises, like Indian Cuisine, Chinese, or PIZZA!

Feel free to comment below on differences you may know about that I have not yet added, and I will put it on the list.