Charity Quiz Night

Last night Blue Sky Trust had a charity quiz night. I was responsible for the decorations, which were in fall colors, with a fall theme. Everyone said they loved it. I also baked some lemon drizzle cake, chocolate fudge cookies, chocolate cake with gnache, and spice cake with cream cheese icing. It sold so fast, I should have baked more. It was such a fun night, with the smell of hot apple cider in the air. Everyone was in such a good mood, and you could feel the support for Blue Sky Trust. About 130 tickets were sold, which was well over what we ever could have imagined. Even Clive, the quiz master, asked to volunteer. In all, we raised over 1,000£ for Blue Sky Trust! What a great night!

Organic Veg Box

This is my second week receiving my organic veg box. I love it. It is so exciting to see what is in it. Basically, it is vegetables from different farmers grown locally and delivered to my door each Thursday. Benji is always excited to see it because he gets loads of the tops from the carrots. Its always full of dirt too...as it is literally picked and then thrown into the box. I guess the longer the dirt is on the vegetables the better, as when they are washed by power washers from super markets, sometimes the good stuff gets washed off as well (according to our veg supplier). Last week I met the main supplier, who was very nice. His wife often posts yummy recipes on their website for us to try. Today, Jim delivered the box. Its nice trying out new recipes because each week something new is in the box. I am super excited to cook some yummy vegetable risotto tonight.

Thank you for being my friend...

Some friendships are only for a season. While others are for many seasons, which join together, and become a lifetime. Nicci is one of those friends. We have certanily had our fare share of ups and downs...but through them all, one consistent theme was there...we truly are kindered spirits. The other day, as I was struggling with the fact I feel quite alone here in England, I recieved a card from Nicci. Tears flooded my eyes as I read the heart felt card. I really miss my Nicci, but I am comforted by the fact that she is only a phone call away. And so, I sing, 'Thank you for being my friend, for being the one on whom I depend'.

Thank You Nicci for always being there for me!

Missing the kids...

Jeanine, my older sister, sent me pictures of Chloe and Hudson today. They are getting so big! I really miss those kids. Its times like these that I really miss being close to my family. They were at Rilleys farm, picking pumpkins for the harvest season. With Halloween coming up, and those cute little ones are going to be Max and Rubey (bunnies), and Thanksgiving right around the corner, I really wish I could be there. I cant wait to see them in a few months... Chloe is going to be a flower in the Christmas play at church. She was really upset because Chris and I werent going to be there. But now I think things are looking like we will be. I cant wait to surprise her. I am still sad over missing her dance recital where she was a little sailor and danced to a Shirley Temple song, the Cod Fish Ball. Anyways, I cant wait to see them!

Carols

Last night Chris and I went to music group at church. It was the first practice for the Christmas Carols, which will be happening in December. While Chris went to band practice, I had my first choir rehearsal. It reminded me of the old times as a Silver Note in show choir. I dont think we are going to be wearing any costumes, especially not silver sequence dresses, but I have put in a request to be Suzy Snow Flake. Ian, the choir instructer and one of our friends, said this may or may not happen. I guess its one of those things I just have to get over, you can only be Suzy Snow Flake when you are a child...unfortunantly I had to be the elf in the Christmas play when I was 5. I guess somethings you just cant get over. But that aside, it was a really fun night and we met loads of new people. I cant wait till next week.

The Case of the Missing Rings

(Above: Jess and I at Cherish 2007)
Last night our dear friend Jess came over for dinner. It was a yummy meal of pasta with pesto and mascarpone cheese. I also made some homemade bread sticks...all gluten free of course. While kneading the dough, I slipped off my rings so that they didn't get included in the mixture. After we had devoured the meal, and were sitting in the living room enjoying a nice cup of tea and chatting, I noticed my rings were gone. So, I jumped up to get them, and to my surprise they weren't there. After 3 hours of taking apart our entire kitchen (literally taking the cabinets off the walls and moving the oven), we found the beloved rings in the trash can, covered in dough. I am so thankful for my loving husband who took up the awful task of going through the trash with his bare hands, and for putting up with my crying as I thought about my irreplaceable Tiffany's Engagement ring he so lovingly bought a few years ago. I am also thankful for Jess, for being by our side and supporting us during our mini crisis. Just another night at the Parrys house.