Just Dance...or listen!

Buffett Concert...Thanks for the music influence, Dad!

As I take a quick break from a dance party with this really cute 3 year old, I have a question or a thought about the music we listen to these days. {No, this isn’t a diatribe about rap because I can’t lie, I enjoy 50 Cent, Akon, and Usher about as much as the next girl.}

Dancing around to Jimmy Buffett (first “the song about cheeseburgers” and now “the shark song”) with my little man, I thought about when I first began to like Jimmy. It started with my Dad, of course, who I think is a closet Parrott Head. My sister sang Cheeseburger in Paradise at a tropical restaurant/bar in Abaco, Bahamas when she was maybe 6. Yes, 6. She also knocked a parrot to the ground on the same day. Sassy, even at 6. (At least, I think 6…correct me if I’m wrong, mom). So if W is on track at all, he too could be singing Buffett at bars (daytime of course!) in 3 years…and when I’m vacationing in the Bahamas…hah!

Point of this whole post is this: What music did you listen to when you were little (aside from Raffi and Ms. Glazner from Pilgrim Preschool) that maybe you didn’t like (but your parents did) or perhaps you did enjoy it (thank you, Jimmy Buffett)? Have you suddenly realized you have come full circle, listening to the same music your parents like?

I’ll give you a couple examples:

My mom used to listen to Rod Stewart. I was not particularly fond of those tapes as they were back in the day. However, in high school, I went to my first Rod Stewart concert. I still love him even though he is too old to be wearing bright pink spandex tops at concerts.

The Eagles? (Okay, I didn’t have anything against them, but now I appreciate that my dad actually liked good music.)?

John Denver? (Wiley already knows Country Roads) (And here is a story: I once found the lyrics to Country Roads in my Dad’s guitar case. I had not heard the song before. I read the lyrics, saw they were good, and decided my dad had been holding out on us. We were going to be rich and famous because my dad had written this fabulous song. Unfortunately, John Denver beat him to the punch, and my dad was only trying to learn the guitar chords and lyrics to sing. Yes, laugh if you must. This is a vivid memory in my mind.)

Oh, and ANY oldies. I think those are always cool. The Temptations? Aretha? Tina Turner (is she an oldie?)? Yes, please!

Who are your “classics” that were cool when your parents were chasing you around and are still cool today?

[speak up friends! Comments welcome! I think you can even comment without signing up. Ain’t too proud to beg, sweet readers. I promise this is the last music post.]

Dear Country Music,

As I listen to my all time favorite Brad Paisley, I realize suddenly that I am listening to country music! I have returned to it from a stage filled with Jack Johnson/chill/type music (except for the two times I have gone running, and that was filled with Rhianna and other rap stars.) Yes, I have returned. My last encounter with country music was as I was unpacking in my new flat and wanted to cry because I longed for all that country music sings about. I shut you out of my life for a bit, but honey, I have returned. And with an ode, to boot! (I have gotten a lot done on my to-do list, so my reward was to write this ode, as silly as it may be!)

Dear Country Music:

We were both young when I first heard you. I was litty bitty listening to you on the radio buying Alan Jackson’s greatest hits, jamming out and pretending to be way down yonder on the Chattahochee. Dancing to Tim McGraw with best friends, barbecue stains on our [monogrammed] white t-shirts, yeh something like that. Our fun continued, from the classics to the nasal-y Rascal Flatts where we dreamed of fast cars and freedom. Life moved on from sweet home Alabama to North Carolina and then…

My husband said “Let’s move to London. I’ll be the prince and you be the princess…baby just say yes!” I said, “I was born country, there is no way! This is where I want to raise my kid, just like my mom and daddy did.” But alas I’d a had to miss the dance and didn’t want to be standing outside the fire, missing out on a once in a life opportunity. So country radio I did leave.

Unpacking my bags with sirens and car horns blaring, I longed for a small town Saturday night. Some here say I might have my lipstick on a little too bright. And I’ll substantiate the rumor that the English sense of humor is drier than the Texas sand. I missed the friendliest people […] you’ve ever seen. And well it is cold over here, and I swear, I wish they’d turn the heat on. I shut you out country music, and turned to moody John Mayer. And then one day, when the sky is blue, I returned. And I’m going to love you, like nobody loves you. Oh, country music, You know I love my chicken fried, cold beer on a Friday night, a pair of jeans that fit just right, and the [country] radio up. But for now I will learn to love my meat pies, dark, warm lager at noon on a Wednesday, and a pair of Wellies that keep me dry, and my iTunes turned up to my dear friends Tim, Kenny, Brad, Keith, Taylor, Johnny, et al.

xoxo,

wakeforestmama

PS: I can't figure out how to share this song with you but check out Jerry Jeff Walker's London Homesick Blues for a fun, hilarious country song about, you guessed it, London!

....

the most "country" picture of me i could find. also the worst picture of me. but if you made it this far on this post, i guess you can see it!

Happy Halloween!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween last night! We certainly missed trick or treating with friends and family, but London/our little neighborhood put on quite a show! Some houses were decorated to the nines complete with chainsaws and/or Thriller music (Scooby Doo did not care for these houses). We even met a Georgia fan out on the street! I saw the Georgia "G" on their cups, and how could I not say something? Aunt B, you would have been so proud when Scooby told the 2 UGA grads "How bout them dawgs!?" The Georgia Dad was dressed as Elvis, so obviously did an Elvis-voice "How bout them Dawgs."

Scooby Snacks? No, just straight up sugar!

Daddy (Shaggy as Scooby wanted him to be called) and Scooby Doo!

Spotted: Elderly crossing sign.

Because you need to see the close up that includes hunched backs and canes.

CANDY! (+ token apple...someone always has to give out fruit, right?)

I call this "too much sugar gives us crazy eyes!"

Mmmm Sugar! (someone always has to give out plastic tubes filled with sugar...this year there were three!)

I may be a little biased, but I have come to the conclusion that Scooby was probably the cutest kid out there. It was almost like literally carrying around a real puppy with all the "aw, how cute!'s" and "look at Scooby! how sweet!" He was quite the hit! Kudos to the 3 blind mice, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and milk and cookie costumes I saw out there. Much nicer to look at than the scary masks, vampires, and fake-blood themed costumes! (I was surprised, though, to not find a single High School Musical themed costume or a Hannah Montana.)

Hope you are recovering from your sugar highs today! What were you for Halloween? What was the best costume you saw out there?

Windsor Castle

A couple of weeks ago, we ventured out to Windsor Castle. An easy train ride (that Wiley loved!) from Paddington, it was such a perfect day trip. We could have spent a lot more time wandering around the little town. The Castle itself was incredible. Hearing about the knights was so cool. And all over the city they have exhibits about Henry VIII, including one at Windsor. So, we saw paintings, sketches, old books of his, and even portraits of Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, etc etc. (and if you read any of Philippa Gregory's books, you are fascinated by it even more!) St. George's Chapel is there as well, where Catherine of Aragon (Henry's 1st wife) used to sit for services. Henry is also buried there (along with some other monarchs) with Jane. It is barely noticeable, and I almost literally walked right over the plaque without noticing it! Moral of the story, go to Windsor Castle. It has been my most favorite thing we have done so far, and we have done some pretty great things.

Obviously, you have to take a picture with the guard.

And one with your son who is wearing guard-printed pants (thanks Barnes Boys!) and standing at attention.

My boys outside the castle. St. George's Chapel is on the left.

Close up of St. George's. So pretty. And notice the blue sky!

Picnic lunch on a beautiful fall day, gazing at fall colors and a castle, yes please!

Marching...duh.

And this is why I love London.

Sounds like Someone has a Case of the Mondays

to lighten up your "case of the Mondays," live (kind of) from London...

Um Wiley, did you say you wanted to go to Buckingham Palace?

I feel certain that you just said you wanted to go to "Buckling-ham Palace."

oh, and I have to add, I am the happy owner of these happenin' kicks.

You will either:

a) be proud of me because you know how I have wanted to add these to my shoe closet/rack

or

b) laugh, thus continuing our feeble effort to ease your "case of the Mondays."

or

c) all of the above.

["case of the mondays , trademark Office Space, see memorable quotes]

In the great green room

Who doesn't love Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon. Recently when we have read it at night, Wiley has been fascinated with "mush."

"And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush."

"Goodnight nobody. Goodnight mush."

So. We made mush this morning for breakfast. Mush, as in porridge oats, as Tesco calls it. Wiley was so fascinated, he wanted to see it, smell it, and then obviously taste it!

On a rainy morning with a bit of brown sugar, the mush was surprisingly comforting (particularly with hot tea and pumpkin bread). (Although it reminded me a bit of Camp Nakanawa's oatmeal.) And, Wiley actually liked it!

"mmm...mush!"

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Oh. My. Goodness.

You there, with the Sainsbury's delivery truck. Yes, you bringing crates of food to my door. That's right, you, as you carry my bags of groceries up 3 flights of stairs (first time order, only). Are you sure you are not Santa Claus?

Today has been brilliant.

Just look at this:

And look at this:

And then look at this:

My kitchen is coming together. There is something more than Nutella and Peanut Butter, both of which are almost gone and both of which I forgot to order. I have beer (keeping it real here, Michelob Ultra, duh.), Diet Coke in my spare refrigerator, along with extra apple juice. Considering our main refrigerator is about the size of the one you might have had in your freshman dorm room, I am beyond thankful for the extra space. I think it will come in handy when I cook at Thanksgiving and Christmas when our families are here!

I ordered my groceries on Monday night and today they are here (note to self: order ahead of time, so you don't have to go to store before groceries come). Delivery was free. And all of my items arrived. I checked them off, sort of like when I worked at Table Matters and was making sure all of our precious Tag items and beautiful Good Earth and Juliska items arrived in good order. I did not have to lug them in the stroller (buggy), the Tube, or the bus.

So here I am, doing something so London-y, or at least big-city-ish.

I tried to find a fun kitchen quote on thinkexist.com, but had trouble finding one I love. (However, the blog title is taken from my new coffee mug and apparently from Harry S. Truman as well!) There were some hilarious ones that were not quite appropriate for the blog, some sentimental ones, and a couple (one from John Piper) reminding me that my identity and satisfaction is not tied up in my well-stocked shelves, appliances, and gadgets--that my identity is instead based in the Lord who has so graciously continued to be faithful to us in our journey here whether it be in finding a place to live, a place to shop, a kind neighbor, or welcoming people at a Woman's Bible Study.

He is so good...or as the British might say: He is so brilliant!