It's hard to understand but when Doug and I are apart for a stretch of time there is always Grace. However, toward the end, it starts to wear off. D you are missing from me!
Come home safely. 5 days to go!
Simple is often better
Janelle and I helped decorate a friends wedding reception in Nashville this weekend. It was fun working together again. The venue had this massive table that could not be moved so after some thought we lined a row of ranunculus and it was stunning in it's simplicity.
On eating alone
Some people have a hard time going to a restaurant and eating alone. But I quite enjoy it!
I sit at the bar, people watch and happily enjoy a favorite dish I don't have to share. If you are visiting DC may I suggest the octopus at Zaytinya? They do an outstanding job!
Many friends who have told us "oh, I don't like octopus!" have changed their mind after sampling it here. If you go, let me know what you think.
Home in DC
Summer is here and I have our balcony ready to enjoy life in the city. Nothing better than watching the city awake in the morning.
Unexpected Surprise
Tonight D & I shared a meal at a local Spanish tapas bar in Oxford. Truthfully, it was nice to eat my favorite foods again. There are just so many meat pies a girl can eat!
At the end of the meal, the owner came by to check on us and we began chatting in Spanish. I mentioned that I was looking for a nice brandy or dry sherry to send my meal. Next thing I knew he returned with steaming hot water and began twirling my brandy glass to gently heat it. I've never seen that done but he assured me it was the "proper" way to drink brandy. I don't know if I'd go to that much work in the future but it sure was good!
Only in England, #3
Only in England, #2
D & I had lunch in a pub. I found our dining companions fascinating. Each in their own world, happily ignoring the two Americans who thought they were so cute.
Afternoon Tea
When Janelle turned twelve we took a mother-daughter coming of age trip to England. It was a memorable three weeks together. Formative for our relationship for sure.
During days off from studying D and rented a car and wandered the Cotswolds. Imagine my surprise when we found ourselves back at a teahouse Janelle and I had visited so many years before. So little had changed. I think we might have even sat at the same table.
If you are in Burford make sure to stop at Huffkins. You won't be disappointed.
Only in England
Picnics are the best!
One of my favorite travel activities, whenever we are traveling, is to peruse a local grocery store or wander a farmers market. It's the best way to get to know the culture and its people. It's the perfect window and an intimate look at what people value and hold dear.
On a weekend holiday outing, D and I found ourselves at an amazing market in Ludlow. Here is a peek into what we purchased. We couldn't help ourselves.
We stocked up with the intent to drive the countryside and enjoy our picnic. But alas, the rain forced us to "picnic" in our car. None-the-less it was delicious and memorable.
Oxford Life
Doug is an avid photographer. Which makes me a bit lazy. I can easily forget to take photos. I did, however, manage to take these. I couldn't help myself. Oxford is simply quaint.
Rapeseed Season
D & I arrive in London and caught the bus to Oxford. I was prepared for drab and dreary... but not this brilliant yellow in the fields. Wow, did we luck out! We arrived at the peak of the rapeseed season. Rapeseed is now the fastest growing vegetable oil in the UK. It has the lowest saturated fat content of any cooking oil – half that of olive oil – and is rich in Vitamin E and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids Rapeseed is what makes canola oil... who knew? Certainly not I.
What a gift to take in this shock of color. These photos don't begin to do justice to this amazing mustard color.
The best seat in the house . . .
somewhere over Europe
A favorite activity of mine when I was a kid was staring at the sky daydreaming. Whenever I saw the tell-tale signs of an airplane overhead I would imagine me up there heading to some exotic location. Oh, the places my imagination could take me!
Yesterday we transitioned from Eastern Europe to Oxford where D will be studying for the next three months. As I looked out my window seat I reflected on that young girl and how many of her dreams have come true. I am supremely blessed and grateful!
Creatives are everywhere if you look
I make it a habit when I get to a new city find where the local artists and creatives are showing their work. I search online, look at local papers, scout coffee shop bulletin boards or ask shopkeepers and hotel staff to see what is happening. Sometimes just by asking you can have a great adventure.
Today was one of those days. There was a two-day pop-up artist venue. This is what happy looks like!
Homage to L'Fleur
http://www.lfleur.cz/
A couple of years ago I was traveling with Janelle and Mindy in Eastern Europe on exploratory Kilometer 66 buying trip. While in Prague we stumbled upon a new bar that had only been open a few days. It was a magical night as we were entertained by the creative mixologist behind the bar. The whole night the girls kept saying, "We have to bring Dad here!"
Of course on Doug's first trip to Prague, I had to find out if it was still there. Score! Still open. The talented mixologist was creating his magic. The place was Doug approved.
If you are visiting this lovely city be sure to take time to check it out. I promise you won't be disappointed. Go early as it gets a bit crowded later in the evening.
A little night magic
Life gives us choices. Either complain about the rain or celebrate it. This photo taken by D captured the night magic perfectly don't you think?
Seriously... these are crazy good!
with Doug Fike, Prague
These spiral potatoes on a stick are seriously good! You'll find them at various street vendors in Eastern Europe. I became seriously addicted. But then again, I love me a crispy thick potato chip!
Serendipity
On my first trip to Krakow, Janelle read about a “do not miss, pierogi place” we managed to find. They had so many options to choose from. We tried as many as we possibly could. All the while Justin, Josh & Doug were unseen guests, at our table. I think we enjoyed the meal more by dreaming about one day returning and share it with them.
I told Doug that come-hell-or-high-water I was gonna find that place and he better prepare to come hungry. Unbeknownst to me, the apartment Doug rented for three nights was directly above Pierogi Mr. Vincent!
Serendipity perhaps?!
No sleuthing required. It was a gray rainy day and we had such a lovely apartment Doug volunteered to go down the five flight of stairs. (My Hero!) What is it about takeout and eating in one's apartment that makes you feel like a ‘local’ for a moment? It was a perfect meal.
It’s worth marking this place on your map! Mr. Vincent, Bozego Ciala 12, Krakow, Poland
Krakow, Poland Day 2
Doug got accepted into a two-month term in Oxford as a research fellow. His term would mean that we would be apart from one another during our upcoming 35th wedding anniversary in June. So, we cashed in some frequent flyer miles and began making plans. We thought about a stint in Malta or Greece, possibly Ireland… but in the end, we settled on visiting three major cities in Eastern Europe.
Two years ago I traveled to Eastern Europe with Janelle and Mindy for the first time. We had a great time exploring, tasting new foods and scouting potential Kilometer 66 suppliers.
Ever since I’ve been dreaming about taking Doug there.
What a joy it was to introduce Doug to Krakow, Poland. If you are in that part of the world I highly recommend a few days exploring this beautifully preserved city. And, if you go be sure to go to Polakowski Restaurant. It’s a great first immersion into Polish food and cheap to boot!
I almost forgot to take pictures! The food was such a delight. Be sure to check out the real fruit decorations. Who does that?!
Stencil Graffiti Greetings
We checked into our Airbnb, dropped our bags off and set out to explore our neighborhood in the Kazimierz district – the old Jewish Quarter.
At the end of the first block, I was greeted by this image. I would walk by it daily and it never failed to make me smile.
Then a curious thing happened. I started noticing other images stenciled in other corners of the city. Here’s what I found.
Obviously, this person is a movie buff. I wonder what else I missed? Could other graffiti stencils be waiting for me to discover them in other corners of this vibrant city? I guess I’ll have to make plans to return.