Episode 34 - The Tearoom moves to New England

[beanandspud]

At this time of year New England is famous for its glorious foliage as billions of leaves change from green to a kaleidoscope of colours. The air is crisp and cool ? perfect for hiking, biking or a drive along back roads, where farm stands are piled high with crunchy apples and orange pumpkins.

Everyone is welcome. There are tea, cakes and wine aplenty so pull up a comfortable chair and join us.

The usual rule applies - no fisticuffs please!

We're home, too. Ugh.

Scout - we are planning lots of walks over the christmas period with new dog when we're down in your neck of the woods... just wondering if there might be a beach with a convenient coffee shop that might be convenient?

WOW, trees look good with a bit of coloured light thrown up at them.... I knew that before, but it's always nice to see again. I've been on a National trust site all day which has 2 cafes... and I have failed to have any NT cake.... too busy. Must try harder tomorrow.

That picture is stunning Unis - is there any way to recreate it in the back garden without any knowledge of electrics or an industrial power supply?

Welcome home Scouts and JM.

Poor SmallBoy.

It can be done.... the lights doing that are probably only 400w each ( maybe as low as 150w) .

Let me have a quick google and I'll see what I can come up with from DIY chains.

lamps and spikesfor a a cheap n cheerful sort of garden uplighting. We do use these style of lights, but only really for small trees.

these are the kind of lights we tend to use on big trees. the colour is given by the gasses in the lamp, not a filter so you don't "lose " light and they don't fade. Unit cost is quite high tho, around 50 quid for the lantern and then 40 ish for the lamp.

Thanks bean :)

What's up with SmallBoy? (((((((Scout))))))))) Is he missing grandparents? As much as you're missing your mum?

It's so bloody hard, isn't it :(
I'm missing mine, too.

I thought of you tonight as I was making chili and used some of your spice mix. It's just divine. I'd love to have the recipe.

And I'm ridiculously excited about the parcels :):):)

UniS, your tree is magnificent!!!

Oh, yes, JM, I'll email you the recipe when I'm a bit more settled.

We landed mid/late morning UK time Tuesday and came up to Scoutshire yesterday. SmallBoy is struggling with the time change. Our flight back was 10:05 p.m. EST and he was awake on the plane until about 1/1:30 a.m. EST because he was just so excited to be on the plane, to watch "babies" on the television (he remembered watching some CBeebies on the way out and there was a program about a baby he liked on it), to eat dinner/snacks, etc. He only slept about 3/4 hours on the plane then refused to ride in his stroller through Heathrow and passport control and then to the car because he wanted to pull his new "SB Sized Suitcase." He crashed mid-sentence around 2 p.m. UK time on Tuesday and slept until about 5:30. I got him up for dinner and a play and a bath and he went down around 8:30. With the exception of an hour overnight when he was up he slept from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. yesterday when we had to wake him up to leave in-lawsVille for Scoutshire via MrScout's work in/near YOUT. SB then crashed on the way to GuidesVillage around 4:30 (as in crashed within 2 miles of our house) and slept until around 6:30 when we woke him up for dinner (I couldn't keep him up and drive to collect MrScout and when we got MrScout and were going for food he just refused to wake). He was then up until midnight last night. I think he was tired but just didn't know what to do with himself. I finally sat with him for 30-45 minutes singing his "wind down songs", stroking his eyebrows and then just sitting there pretending to sleep (eyes closed, slow breathing, etc). I woke him up today around 8:45/9:00 so he could give MrScout his birthday present then get dressed & have breakfast -- we leave for swimming in a few minutes.

Fortunately MrScout took the car today so I can keep SB going until bedtime (give or take 30 minutes in either direction) so hopefully his shortened sleep last night, walking to swimming & the class itself, then playing all afternoon will keep him from falling asleep but not having to drive means I can put him to bed early-ish if needed in hopes he'll be back to normal by the weekend.

But last night at dinner he told me that he liked the airport and the airplane but "SB & Grandmom & Grandad so sad to airport to airplane." SB had a whale of time in the US and while ready to come home to his routine/activities/friends I think he misses his grandparents. He is, however, very excited to go to swimming today and to see his BFF. When he woke up he grinned and shouted "Swimming pool day!" before he even sat up.

I'm glad that various Tea Room children have received their postcards. It sounds like the UK ones beat us home by a day -- YAY! For those so inclined I have some badges that will be winging their way to you soon.

Oh, and did I mention that while we were at US ScoutCamp MrScout found out he had to go back to the US for work AGAIN. He leaves on Sunday and will be home on Thursday or Friday (he doesn't know when yet). The poor man doesn't know whether he's coming or going.

Poor SB. Poor MrScout. Poor Scout!!!!!! Time change is evil.
I hope he adjusts soon. How are you doing?

We had a miserable afternoon with much whining/whinging and crying. Then I said the magic words: Would you like to sit with Mommy and watch a little bit of television? Cue "Ben & Holly, Mommy, Ben & Holly!" Peace reined. I started bedtime at 6 instead of 6:30 (which is usual -- 6:30 for 7:00 lights out) and SB fell asleep on my lap towards the end of his story. I didn't have to do the whole lights out/kisses/cuddles/poems/stars/planets routine.

MrScout is out tonight.

Peace for me.

Whew!

Who's for homemade mincepies? Vegetarians option available for those that wish.

Yes please Scout! Might have to have a ginger wine with it too....

Yes please! I am off tomorrow so I even have a RL on the go .

Sending you lots of hugs Scout. Jet lag is evil, it's one of the reasons we haven't taken Small Bean too far as even a couple of hours difference makes us all grumpy and I don't cope well with lack of sleep.

Anyone feeling even slightly festive yet?

I always feel festive, Bean!

In fact, I bought my first Christmas 2013 present today. I don't know whether I should be or or . Or even .

Ginger wine.... not had that before.

Its got alcohol and ginger in... what's not to like? ()

I'll have a pint of something wet. and a mince pie or two .
I learn a new dance tonight and it was very energetic and fun to dance and easy ( I thought). Hurrah, as the other new dance tonight I struggled with and one I have been learning a couple of weeks I had all but forgot. opps. Tomorrow I have a meeting with kit lady to talk about uniform... I seem to have become a morris dancer.

Its got alcohol and ginger in... what's not to like? ()

The ginger, as far as I'm concerned :o
The alacohol's good!

^ alcohol, even

I'd like to say I've had some, but as I'm working, that would be
I'm working until 7:30 pm tonight. Ugh.

at UniS's new hobby... Does look fun (although met with much scorn from DH). Some interesting modern takes on uniforms too now.

JM - as always, because its the tearoom, there's some ginger-free alcohol for you to sample instead. Perhaps an orange version?

Where's this year gone to???

Happy Friday!

Happy friday to you too.

Thanks for the post card.

Glad it made it! I always worry when sending postcards overseas. I should be mailing something to you in the next few days.