what you on about?

We think about family often being so far from home, usually in conversation, but today I thought about my father a few times when I was just going about my daily.  Love Taza posted a new Vampire Weekend song that I played a few times over and in the song is the very British phrase, "What you on about?"  I laughed remembering how often my father uses that phrase and how my siblings and I would mock it growing up.  His was more, "What you on'ing about?!?!?!?"

Then again I was reminded of him when I was walking Henry around the village today.  I could. not. walk past a piece of (even the tiniest) litter without picking it up.  (For those of you who know Nigel, the man will pull over on the side of the road to pick up a piece of trash.)  It has been a windy few days and our usually spotless village has a few pieces of trash here and there.  So then again this evening when Marco and I took Henry out, I bent down to pick up a chunk of styrofoam and Marco was all, "Okay Nigel."

I started a job this week at Wadenhoe House, just a five minute commute from our village.  It is a far cry from my geospatial intelligence days but I am excited about it.  The house and grounds are stunning.  And tasked with studying it's history this week has been fun. 

 

office view

We went for a pub dinner last night and brought the boy along.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! xo


First image from Vampire Weekend "Step" official video.

weekend-ish in photos

We took it easy this past weekend.  Hung out with a two year old, doing two year old things like watching Curious George, sticking stickers on everything, enjoying park outings, and all the naps.

For the first time, our village walks involved a stroller and I LIKED it.

Marco and I had a fancy night out to celebrate the end of my plush and temporary retirement. 

I realized I need to document my boy via video more often.  See Henry and how he Frisbee's here.

 



a premier league match: aston villa vs. manchester city

Self-admitted casual football fan RIGHT HERE.  I am usually entertained by Marco's Premier League, Champions League, La Liga stats / news chatter.  And I genuinely engage him with multiple sentence football conversations when I have more to say than, "Who is playing tonight?" or "Aaah, my favorite coach is on!" which is the usual.

A few weeks ago Marco came home from work with some news that he made an impulse ticket purchase to see Man City play at Aston Villa.  I was so excited seeing that I had every intention of bowing out of all football match plans because being a so-so fan usually doesn't justify the ticket cost.

So true to Marco form, he did some pub scouting for our pre-match drinking.  He picked The Barton Arms.  We enjoyed some Thai food and pints as Marco caught me up on players of the two teams and I google imaged them, asked what countries they were from, and if they play for their national team.  Aston Villa's goalie is, American!  Man City has some of the best players in the world right now. 

We walked to the stadium from the pub.  Took our seats in the first row feeling literally on the pitch.  Marco quickly realized he prefers seats higher up, "where you can see plays develop."  But being down so close had it's benefits.  Cliche alert - Seeing the skill, finesse, and speed of these guys up close and in person is mind blowing.  Hearing the power and speed that they put on the ball.  It takes the wow appreciation factor to a whole new level. 

It was a loud and exciting match that ended with a 0-1 Man City win.

Some fun facts:  No beer allowed at the seats, which results in a mad dash for a half time pee break and chug-a-beer before it is back to your seats.   There is a human security guard wall from the top of the stadium down to the field that divides the away team fans from the home team fans.  There is onsight, in the stadium, sports betting.

babysitters club

We get to stay in this beauty of a stone house this weekend.  John and Jenevieve are in Liverpool for the Everton vs. Man City match - and probably squeezing in some everything BEATLES.  They are the best when it comes to taking care of Henry for us when we go away.  It is nice to return the favor and watch their giggly and giddy 2 year old, Rafe.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  xo

weekend in photos

We expected terrible weather this past weekend but Saturday wasn't raining or snowing so we took advantage by getting out and taking Henry to Oundle, the historic market town just 4 miles from our village.  We discovered a great wine and spirits shop and then watched Wales vs. Scotland rugby match at The Ship Inn.  We enjoyed some pints and Henry being Henry, got loads of laughs and pats.

Have you seen videos of goats and sheep yelling like humans?  We found it true when they didn't appreciate us getting close to their fence to watch / take photos of the baby lamps in the field.

John and Jenevieve have some family in town.  We spent Sunday evening at their cottage building fires, watching football, and having tacos.



Marco and Henry outside the butcher shop where we picked up some soup bones for Henry.

naples part 2

So, Sunday in Naples!  Lunch at Zia Connie and Uncle Bill's.

It was a GORGEOUS day.  From Nonna's over to Zia Connie's we went for a beautiful drive.  As the car climbed the winding roads to the high points of the city, we had vista views of the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and islands Capri and Ischia. 

I only had a few biscuits and coffee Sunday morning, saving myself for what I knew would be several courses of my full on favorite things, cheesy pasta, crusty bread, fresh mozzarella, and on and ON. 

We had pasta, made with ham, mushrooms, *panna, provolone, and bread crumbs.  Then roasted potatoes, fresh mozzarella and Nonna's sauteed greens.  We finished with fresh Zeppole di San Giuseppe - that Zia Connie picked up from a pasticceria - and homemade citrus aperitif. 

Pictures from Sunday below.  Such a short trip, but we feel beyond lucky to just hop down to Italy for the weekend to see family.  And no jet lag / long flights.  See you in the summer Naples, for some sun and sailing. 

Here is Naples part 1.



*My friends, if you haven't tried panna before.  I recommend picking up a carton or two the next time you are at an Italian market, they come in small cartons and you will find them in the pantry aisles.  Even used sparingly, it can MAKE a pasta dish in my opinion.