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!

[beanandspud]

Ah Scout, we LOVE both Cars and Cars 2 and I know far more about Lightning McQueen and his friends than I should probably admit to. Cars 2 does have some shooting scenes in it but we saw it at the cinema and Small Bean wasn't phased by it.

I find a lot of the Disney films a bit hit and miss when it comes to scary bits and/or enjoyment. Small Bean hated Finding Nemo when the fish was captured but likes Pocohontas. Won't watch Jungle Book but quite liked Beauty and the Beast. He also has a current fascination with Top Gear (particularly the Bolivia special) and Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat. No pattern at all but makes a nice change from the usual tv favourites.

Would anyone like a cheeky Wednesday ?

[UniS]

Boy was rather taken by Top Gear when he saw it on our holiday - he struggled a bit with the concept of TV rather than iPlayer.... Wanted me to pause things when he went to the loo.


Can Mellors bring me over a nice warm shawl please? tis a bit nippy. Not lit the fire as didn't get home till 8. We all 3 went to Brownies tonight. DH and I ran a circus skills workshop and boy joined in with it all. There were 14 girls and 3 boys. Organized Chaos and shrillness for 40 minutes! DH was reeling by the end.

[Scout19075]

The joy of watching films at home, Maud, volume control!

I have to admit Cars was a nice change from Peppa Pig, Ben and Holly, Here Comes a Train and all of the adult/grown-up train DVDs he has. That's what he likes. He doesn't seem fond of children's television -- cartoons are okay but things on CBeebees makes him go but give him a documentary about The Flying Scotsman or any other steam train and he's in heaven. He is a bit of an old soul that way.

We own Cars 2 and most of the other Disney and/or Pixar films but I haven't watched it yet so would probably want to preview it. I really like the Toy Story trilogy but seeing as Toddler is starting to pretend play with his toys, especially his Bunny & the rest of the warren, I'm not sure if T.S. would freak him out at this stage.

[beanandspud]

Warm shawl coming up Unis...

Would you like to come and do a circus skills birthday party? Sounds fab!

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Oooh, UniS. Come and run your circus skills workshop for our Brownies!

::Totally impractical suggestion::

Would anyone like a super deluxe hot chocolate with sprinkles and optional marshmallows?

[Scout19075]

Is it made in the special Guide camp way?

[mistlethrush]

MC liked Monsters Inc at quite an early age - although it often resulted in tears near the end (very empathetic)

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

::pours hot chocolate for all in need::

[oxeye]

tis weird what films they like isnt't it? Here we luurve Cars and Cars 2 but still find the Aristocats too scarey! I mean what is that? cats lost, cats found, all is well but apparently Edgar is too too much and the barking dogs are a bit freaky!

love finding Nemo, love Wallace and Gromit, UP is scary (and so sad I sobbed from start to end) love Despicable Me (which I am a bit obssessed with) and Dumbo but that is quite scarey too apparently

mucked up toys in Toy Story totally freaky but TS 2 and 3 ok.... you never can tell with Oxboy!!

MistleDog I still miss OxHound....

wave to all and slurp of hot chocolate!

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

I have just ordered Hotel for Dogs on Amazon. I will report back on it next week!

Slurp, slurp.

[beanandspud]

Slurp!

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

::proffers cinnamon muffins::

[UniS]

munch

[mistlethrush]

Mmmm muffins for breakfast

[Jacksmania]

Mmm, muffins for a late night snack :)

We're in Seattke this weekend. DH, DS, MIL and I. Going to the top of the Space Needle tomorrow. DS, entertainingly, calls it the Space Pin :o

[Jacksmania]

Seattle

Not sure where Seattke is

Bloody autocorrect. I told a friend of mine to "feel Bette" earlier. She replied "who's Bette and are you sure my husband would be ok with me feeling her??" :o.
And then of course there was yesterday's "boopsy".

[Banderchang]

Gah, just wrote a long message then lost it! 'Twas mostly waffle anyway, so no matter.

Hope everyone has nice plans for today. Ds and I are off to toddler group this morning, then might do some baking this afternoon. I want to get our garden tidied up a bit, but after all the flooding earlier in the week it's a bit of a quagmire out there. We have tentative sun today, so hoping it dries out soon.

Hoping for a calm day in the midst of mayhem. Having major car traumas which are now finally resolving (car with dangerous intermittent fault which the garage couldn't diagnose), and our department are moving offices next week on the first day of term! An ideal time for everything to be unplugged and out of action!

Today will involve cake I think :)

[Scout19075]

We're off to swimming this morning. Banderchange, TS and I have been swimming since he was about 4/5 months old. It's very much part of our weekly routine and we he loves it. His BFF is in our group/class too so it's general fun and mayhem every week.

Toddler has made (read: colored) ten Christmas cards for me this morning. Wahoo! Christmas Pudding number three is steaming in the slow cooker with number four to go in this afternoon (each batch makes two 2 pint (or four 1 pint) puddings so I always steam in groups). This weekend I'm ordering the last bits needed for Toddler to make/finish making his Christmas presents. Also this weekend we're going to make a batch of mincemeat (need to make two batches in total, I think, but only making one this weekend) and bake the Christmas cake (the fruit has been soaking for a week). Christmas is well and truly underway here in ScoutCamp!

Oh, and this weekend we're going to the in-laws to see the Tornado as it's running a special from Paddington to Devon (stopping near where the in-laws live) and then on to the Bluebell Railway for a treat.

Still no word yet on whether we're going for Thanksgiving early or not. MrScout wants to book our flights this week so hope to know by the weekend.

Our wedding anniversary is on Monday and I still don't know what to make/do for MrScout. Any suggestions?

Oh crumbles, I need to go make lunch for swimming and get into my suit so must dash!

[UniS]

Gosh scout you guys do get around the country don't you! I seem to stay within 50 miles of home most of the year but you chat about popping down to devon and finishing off in Sussex!

Went for a little bike ride today, was fun. about 12 miles and tea and tea cake at a National Trust Castle.

[Scout19075]

No, we're not going to Devon. The train is but it's stopping in Berks so we'll see it in Berks then head to Sussex. But yes, we do get around the country.

[mistlethrush]

How close are you to the place with the nice pier and the water clock on said Pier Scout?

[UniS]

any one for crumpets and hot chocolate? I'd like honey on my crumpets...

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Oh yes please, UniS. Honey truly is the nectar of the gods.

[Scout19075]

MT, I think I know where you mean in which case an hour (approx.) but not 100% sure my mental picture/map grid is the same as yours.

I could go for a hot chocolate, thanks.

Not long home from stopping to see a Guiding friend. Why is when I leave there I always question/doubt myself when it comes to Toddler?

[mistlethrush]

Scout - its a rebuilt / new pier. We'll be around that neck of the woods at Christmas...

What do you mean - 'doubt yourself' ? is she questioning your parenting skills, does toddler act up there or do you get the impression she's looking down her nose?