September 2018

I'm not sure there has been a busier month for me than last month.  September was full of trips, volunteer work, work work, family, puppies, tricycles, hay rides, and book clubs.

I spent a very full week in England for work, including a weekend exploring the countryside.  I am lucky that a co-worker recommended some quick evening trips as well so I could see some local to Newcastle spots.  I took advantage of all the free time I had!

Over the weekend I visited 2 Pemberleys!  Chatsworth House from the Keira Knightley Pride and Prejudice (and mentioned in the novel itself) and Lyme Park from the Colin Firth P&P.  I can't tell you what a thrill it was to turn the winding road and come face to face with places I know so well from the big screen!

First up, Chatsworth House!  There were so many sheep grazing.  I took a grounds tour and ended up with a sheep walking alongside me.  I named him Mr. Darcy.

Next stop was Lyme Park.  

Here is the home in all its glory.

And a shot from the tv at home as I watched some scenes before heading to England.

Then I headed to The NORTH (I love how it's called that).  I spent a lot of time in Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, and Stockton-On-Tees.

My hotel was an incredible place called Rockcliffe Hall, on the grounds next to the parsonage where Lewis Carroll grew up.  These grounds and woods were his inspiration for Wonderland in the mid-1800s.  

I walked the grounds and found that the local Cricket club uses the grounds for their matches.  I stopped and watched for awhile.  Very cool to see!

My portion of Rockcliffe Hall

A wonderland area for children to explore

One evening we did a quick drive through Newcastle to see parts of the 1st century AD Hadrian's Wall.  It's 80+ miles long but not intact the entire way.  Walking the length of Hadrian's Wall is a fun event like our fundraiser 5Ks in the U.S.  They recommend you spend up to 7 days doing it because of the terrain.  Some people shoot for 3 days instead.

 Durham was my favorite town I explored.  While my co-workers had no idea what "Pemberley" was or why I'd want to spend my weekend exploring them (unbelievable!), they were very willing to point me to Harry Potter locations.  I couldn't have been happier!

St. Nicholas in Durham

 Durham Castle and Cathedral - where many of the first 3 Harry Potter movies were filmed!

Cameras were not allowed inside but a nice nun allowed me a quick snap.

The beginning of this hallway (not my photo below)

The grounds were incredible.  I enjoyed walking all around.

I was also encouraged to check out Seaham, not far from where I was working.  Here is the WWI monument to fallen British soldiers.  It's 9 feet tall and imposing.  There were a ton of visitors to it on a Tuesday evening.

My final side trip was to Fountains Abbey in Ripon.  You park and go into the welcome area and then as you head out you see just the top of the abbey, until you head down the hill and...

 Just gorgeous!

I can't tell you how happy I was to get home.  David picked me up at the airport and we took Thomas out to eat.  It was great to see him!  My puppies were happy to see me and I missed them.

Bailey needs a haircut - soon.

Look at Remy's little underbite.  So cute!

Remy turned 6 months old last month.

They like going on adventures (this time to Walgreens).

Brennan was 1st place in a 5K in September!!

Violet and I were lucky to snag the last tickets to see Reese Witherspoon on her book tour in Louisville.  Sheryl Crow interviewed her and we all got free books.  It was a super fun night!

Brennan and I volunteered at the Mill Race Marathon as bike security.  Brennan said he'd rather run the 5K.  I personally prefer the biking and cheering on all the runners.

Thomas caught a ride home one Friday.  He was only home for 2 hours - just enough to take him out to dinner, pack up some snacks from our pantry, and order him some supplies from amazon.  I am a good mom.

David (and his boss Aaron cheering him on) competed in the United Way tricycle race in Indy!

For the Litwits we discussed "In the Garden of Beasts" and I took (but did not make) a German Chocolate Cake.  

And Karen and Bob hosted our Wine Club for chili and all things Fall.  Here we are on a hay ride.  Karen served 4 kinds of chili and tons of yummy sides plus a peach crisp with vanilla ice cream.  I loved sitting around the fire pit with everyone!

Mary, Mike, Karen, and Bob

We got to see one of the only remaining 1919 Cummins diesels.  It was on its way to a show.  Very cool.

And finally, I served a dessert from Reese's book "Whiskey in a Teacup" and I made pasta with pesto, Eleanor's favorite, from "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" for my other book club.  

Already enjoying October and looking forward to two big family birthdays this month!

August 2018

A high school junior, a college freshman, and a new puppy!

We moved Thomas into his dorm in early August where he spent 2 weeks in freshman orientation.  He is living on a co-ed floor with students in his major and he's made a lot of friends.  He's adapted very easily to college.  Move-in was a breeze (he's a guy) and only required one trip to Target and a couple of drop-offs of random other things from his room.

 

He came home the following weekend and again over Labor Day so we feel like we see him a lot.  We also take him to dinner when we're in Indy.  He's doing really well.

 

One on visit home we went on a quick trip to Stream Cliff Farms where he had not been in 9 years. 

 

 

Brennan started his junior year.  He is doing great, maybe a bit overwhelmed with so many AP classes, but he's got this.  In addition to school he is tutoring 3 high school students, on the handbell team at church, on the high school robotics team, is running regularly, and is taking a UMichigan computer science class for fun.  He's enjoying having a car to himself I think.

 

I did some biking in August.  This re-purposed bridge from another part of the county now makes its home on our People Trail.  What a pretty bridge!

John, Erin, Amber and I went to see "Clueless" at the Art Craft Theater in Franklin.  Such a fun night!

For our Wine Club in August we had a Pontoon Key West night with Charlie and Jayne, Roger and Jan as our hosts.  Perfect weather and yummy food.

We celebrated Cindy and Eric's big trip to Paris with a surprise Paris party.

 

 

At the annual meeting I completed my 6 year board of directors term for the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic.  It was an awesome experience.  I will still be involved, just without board responsibilities!

 

 My team at work toured the child development center's outdoor experience area - it's truly incredible with tons of play areas that are designed to teach children about rolling down hills, looking for bugs, playing in the dirt, and playing even in the rain - all the things kids don't really do any more.  Then we played with the under-one year olds for a couple of hours.  So much fun!

 

 

The dogs are doing great.  Working on potty rules with Remy but he's getting there.  The dogs play rough together, but they are also friends.  They share food, toys, and Mommy.

 
Remy's first trip to the groomer.  Not that excited.

 

 

 

Cute little underbite

Bailey before his much-needed trip to the groomer!

They love Brennan!

 

 

In addition to all this fun family time, I went on a weekend trip to Maine with 6 girlfriends.  We did ALL the sightseeing imaginable on the Mid-coast of Maine which I LOVE.  Those photos are all over facebook, Instagram, and snapchat so I'll spare you.  We had a ball.