Happy Christmas!!

Waking late again, I woke Andrew announcing that it was 12:40pm and green parrots in the garden the tree!! Bizarre but true. We remained inside for most of the cold and rainy day taking photos of the green parrots, white ring necked doves, and watching movies. Eventually, the sun broke thru the heavy rain clouds and tantalized us to take a quick walk outside -and quick it was.

While it was chilly, Andrew and I walked arm in arm down Ladbroke Square spying families having Christmas dinner in their front windows. One woman was quietly readying her table for her imminent guests that have yet to arrive, a bouquet of flatware wrapped in white linen filled her hand as she polished the silver one by one before laying each piece in its place. Another home revealed a trompe l’oeil jungle scene with a leopard sitting atop a door frame with his tail casually dropped by the door.

Around the corner, we unearthed an open convenience store where we bought crackers, cheese, assorted green tea, and a box of our new favorite cookies: Bahlsen First Class Milk Chocolate crisp wafers.

Andrew was in charge of heating dinner while I prepared cheese and crackers and wine. It was a sweet little dinner with just the 2 of us and Vince Gauraldi playing in the background.

Additional Details Forthcoming.

Christmas Eve

Waking late, we found ourselves sauntering through London enjoying the holiday atmosphere at Harrod’s and Covet Garden during the hustle and bustle of last minute purchases. Because I took a 3 week hiatus from working out, my gluts were really paying the price walking up sets and sets of stairs within the Tube stations. I made a vow to my body that I would continue hard core cardio when we return to the States.

Later, we stopped at Tesco to purchase a food backup plan should we have difficulty finding a restaurant on our own for Christmas Dinner: Chocolate chip muffins, mixed nuts, granola & yogurt, juice for breakfast; water, vegetable winter soup, chicken soup, rolls, a chicken pot pie, and wine for dinner.

At about 8, we met up with our friends, Claire and Dawba at one of their favorite haunts. Wine, club sandwiches and philosophy filled our Christmas Eve when we found ourselves at their house with Bailey’s, chips, and some incredibly peppery hors d’oeurves.

We returned to our borrowed flat at about 1:30 am and enjoy a little holiday cheer of our own.

Additional Details Forthcoming.

Infamous London Fog

Our 2 hour trip from Munich to London on Sunday collided with the infamous London Fog. Thick, dense, and icy. Needless to say, our 2 hours expanded into 6!!

Our friend Claire insisted that we meet she and her family at a local pub for dinner. It was a heartwarming introduction to London during the holidays. Wine, chicken & fish pot pies, rum and raisin ice cream and yet, more wine. I feel like we're home.

Additional information forthcoming.