Teddy & Moomin does America!

Happy Valentines Day!

2012-02-13T13:58:00.001-08:00

At the weekend

2012-02-06T17:21:00.000-08:00

I have dropped my Saturday shift at work and its sooo lovely to be off. This past Saturday we took a walk into town and then along the river... there are two little parks along the river side which were very nice. We came across these greek style statues which were pretty cool. Then we stopped off at a cafe and tried some duck rillettes which was delicious!

Superbowl Snacks

2012-02-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

Today was Superbowl Sunday we decided to stay home and watch the game... so Russell cooked up some man food to have while watching it. His team (Patriots) lost :( but the spicy turkey legs were yummy.

Baked eggs with pork & sage sausage and portobello mushrooms for lunch

Spicy turkey legs - delicious :)

On the Tyne

2012-02-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

My desktop picture is a view of the Tyne, people at work were admiring it today... they thought it was somewhere exotic! it inspired me to post photos from last year when we were home :)

Once Upon A Time In America

2012-01-19T19:42:00.000-08:00

Teddy was excited to take a shot of the Manhattan Bridge like the famous one in Once Upon A Time In America, we were lucky - the light was just right when we got there.

Brooklyn NYC

2012-01-19T19:28:00.000-08:00

Hello all, hope you are all having a good start to 2012! We took a very short trip to NY last weekend, we spent 2 nights in Brooklyn and just hung out there checking out some of the neighbourhoods. It was really nice but so so cold! Here are some photos from our walk along the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge & Manhattan skyline

There was a beautiful old carousel between the bridges which we had a ride on - Teddy really enjoyed that!

Me enjoying snails for the first time - yum

Sunday Treats

2011-10-31T10:56:00.000-07:00

Enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon. We went to the yummy frozen yoghurt shop. Mine was coconut, black cherry, almonds and dark choc drops.

I cheated and wore my new birthday shoes early!

Russell's River Cottage Loaf

2011-05-11T18:19:00.000-07:00

Teddy is quite the cook these days, he decided to try out making bread from scratch. It was relatively easy and fun to make...

YUMMY!!!

The bread turned out so good, we sat on the patio eating it with pate and cheese. Until it started to rain :D

New-do

2011-05-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

New hair, I was bored of being a red head so decided to go back dark and have a bit of blue too. I think I like it. Although some times when I look in the mirror I think who is that?!

I heart NYC

2011-03-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

A few snaps from our trip to NY. We finally got there after wanting to since we arrived in DC. There was a band playing Russell wanted to see; so we hopped on the mega bus and had three nights in the big apple. We tried to fit a few of the main sights in while we were there but we mostly wandered around checking out some of the different neighbourhoods. These are places you should recognise...

Maddison Sq. Gdns, Empire State, Chrysler Building & Grand Central

Brooklyn Bridge, view of Manhattan Bridge & Empire State, Wall Street

The famous Katz Deli and their 1lb sandwiches!

Teddy at The Little Lebowski shop and a stroll in Central Park

I absolutely loved it - can't wait to go back already and see some more!

All I want for Christmas.....

2010-12-10T11:12:00.000-08:00


Hello Kitty DMs

Mac - Pureshow

MAC - 6 Twists of Tartan


Revlon - Galaxy Top Coat

Marc Jacobs (wishful thinking!)

Just one week...

2010-12-10T10:20:00.000-08:00

We arrive home next Friday and I already have a list of things I wanna see/do/eat (mainly eat):-

1. Twiglets
2. Grey Street Christmas lights and Fenwick window
3. An English Curry probably from Brighton Tandoori
3. Christmas Pudding
5. Possibly Fish and Chips from Sandyford Chippy
6. ooohh Snowball (the drink)

I will have thought of more by this time next week I am sure.

The only thing Teddy wants is a Kebab (from Whitley Bay).

Camera Action

2010-12-09T13:06:00.000-08:00

With some of my birthday spends I booked myself a little photography course which I took on Wednesday.... it was pretty basic just to learn about composition and more of the programming on my camera. I felt a little silly as everyone had big fancy cameras and knew all the jargon! and I just had my little pocket camera but I did learn a few tricks... so here are some of the photos. I think the Vietnam ones are the best.

President Andrew Jackson

Albert Einstein

Veitnam Veterans Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Union Station

Thanksgiving

2010-12-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Thanksgiving just over a week a go with some of the guys I work with at Biergarten who weren't going 'home for the holidays'. Its sort of like Christmas dinner back home - its always a turkey, usually a ham and all the trimmings.

The trimmings are different here though we had mac 'n' cheese, cornbread, greenbean casserole and sweet potatoe casserole. For dessert it was pumpkin pie, pecan pie and sweet mince pies (courtesy of the brooks kitchen) to add a british touch... I also made our gravy as Amercian gravy is different to ours. The most intriguing for me was the sweet potatoe cassarole or 'candied yams' which I like the sound of. Its sweet potatoes and other stuff with a marsh mallow top!!!...

Biergarten folk...

Matt & Jess

Mike & Lacey


Jess & keith

And...

Amy

Russell

Lazing in Miami

2010-11-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

Our trip to Miami was brilliant - very lazy and chilled out which was exactly what I wanted for my birthday. Just got to lay around the pool and catch the sun. We did have a little wander one day along Ocean Drive to see some of the deco buildings and do a little shopping (or window shopping, I couldnt find anything I wanted to spend my birthday money on!). For my birthday we went out to dinner at a Japanese restaurant called Nobu which was delicious and drinks at some of the hotel bars......

.... Wish I was back there ha!!

Thank You!!!

2010-11-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say thank you for all my lovely birthday cards and gifts! xxxxx

Miami Beach

2010-10-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

I am really excited to be going to Miami on Sunday for my Birthday, can't wait to just lay around the pool and beach for a few days. Our hotel looks amazing - YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

More holiday snaps

2010-10-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Teddy wanted me to add a few more holiday snaps....
Yip there are some food ones in here. We went to a place in LA called Philippes its really famous for its french double dipped sandwich (they claim to have invented it) its basically a sub roll with the sides dipped in gravy/juices from the meats they put in them - you can get beef, pork, turkey, ham maybe some others any way they were delicious!! While we were there the local news crew were in filming.

One of our favourite places was a texas style bar/ restaurant right near our hotel... the ribs were mint and I am not even bothered about ribs usually.

Some others Teddy wanted adding....

Santa Monica Beach

Waterworld @ Universal

Russell on Alcatraz

First time we've had yorkshire pudding in USA

Downtown SF

The Golden State

2010-10-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Finally got round to posting some holiday snaps...

First stop L.A. mainly we hung out on Sunset Strip and went to lots of the infamous hang outs... Whiskey a go go, Viper Rooms, Formosa Cafe, Trocadero. I guess my favourite thing was seeing Steve Adler and having my book signed haha!

Did lots of the trashy tourist stuff like Universal Studios, hollywood stars and their homes... the black and white house is Simon Cowell's, 7515 Mullholland Drive is Tarantino's.

We did try to do something a little more cultural one day - we headed down town to one of the art galleries but it was closed ha!!

Next we spent a few days at Santa Monica & Venice beach... check out Teddy posing on Muscle Beach!!

Then we took the PCH 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to San Franciso the scenery was amazing, only wish we had more time to stop and take more photos. The land gradually changes from almost desert like to lush green national parks with a rugged coast line all the way.

San Fran was really cool it has lots of character with the old Victorian houses and the steep hills, the Bay is really beautiful too. We did all the main tourist stuff - walked across the Bay Bridge, visited Alcatraz, took a ride on one of the old trolley cars.

World Cup Action

2010-07-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

Not had much time recently to blog and nothing really exciting to report. Just a LOT of work! I thought I would post some pics of the beer garden during the world cup... sorry about the quality they are from a blackberry.
It was great opening the beer garden the day the world cup started; it was so popular for weekend early kick-offs we had queues outside the door at 6am!
Russell came down yesterday and tried one of the wurst platters and enjoyed a few steins. As good as they are, I am kinda sick of the sight of the wursts now. I don't even think I have ate that many just seen enough of them !!

Absolutely Wonderful

2010-06-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

... This was one of Ted's favourite sayings whilst in DC! Particularly about the food. He thought it was funny that we always seem to take photos of food and he liked to join in the fun. So here is a special food blog of some of what we ate while they were here. (Yes we are all a little bit rounder).

Dinner @ Nooshi - One of mine & Russell's go to places

Pizza @ 2Amy's - One of the best Pizzerias in DC

Dessert @ Filomena Ristorante - An Italian Val & Ted found

BBQ sauce accident! @ Old Glory

Burgers @ Bullfeathers

Enjoying the infamous Chili Half-Smoke @ Bens Chili Bowl

Busy Bee

2010-06-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's been such a long time since I blogged - my time is kinda precious now. I started my job at the beer garden two weeks ago and its been really hectic. The place is mega busy over the weekends and we are working LONG hours. I am not grumbling though as means finally making some bucks! My name even got mention in a review for the place :D
I have also started a second job; which I am really excited about it is working for a urban ministry which runs summer camps for kids in the more impoverished neighbourhoods in the city. I am the Executive Directors Assistant mainly helping with admin/accounts stuff but will also get to work with the kids sometimes. I am so happy about this job! Here is their website if you want to see what I will be doing City Gate

Another Sightseeing Tour

2010-06-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

Russell's folks arrived last week for their first visit to DC, so the sightseeing starts again! Our first stop was the Zoo...

The obligatory zoo photo... there is always a queue for this shot!

We were lucky enough to see the orangutan's out playing on their ropes; they dropped a couple of poops each I hope they weren't aiming at anyone!

The otters were my favourite; this little guy was very cheeky.

We visited the Old Post Office and went up the tower; which gives you a brilliant view of DC.

Out playing shuffle board... at one of our locals

We also visited the Smithsonian American Indian Museum which we hadn't been to before. They were having a Hawaiian Celebration Day so I got to make a Hula necklace :)

An Indian Warrior made from baseball gloves :)

Not sure what the plan is yet for us this weekend, hope you have a happy one though xxx

Eclipse (to be or not to be)

2010-05-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

Much to my dismay I am starting to get excited about the Eclipse movie; for one thing I have been listening to the new Muse song for the soundtrack and its really growing on me. At first I didnt like the intro and thought it was a bit cheesy but now the romantic in me is winning over... the chorus fits really well with Eclipse.

I have watched a couple of trailers and it looks a lot more action packed than New Moon. I loved Twilight the movie and recently finished reading all the books which I couldn't put down, even though most of the time Bella and Edward annoyed the life out of me! But it was only last week that I finally got round to watching New Moon and I was sooo disappointed it really was rubbish I thought then there is no point in seeing the new one - but now I am in a dilemma tehehe!!

Yippee - a job!

2010-05-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

I am going to be starting work very soon... I found out a German style Bier Garten was opening in DC and contacted the manager and I went to see him last night and he offered me a job! Sweeeett!

I am really looking forward to it; since going to Munich last November I developed a love for German bier - hefeweizen especially. It should be really cool working in a bar again and super good it having a huge beer garden as I will hopefully get to be out in the sun even when working. They are just waiting for some licenses to come through before it opens. (Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, I need some pennies!)

I pinched this pic from a blog article on it Biergarten Haus

Paddington Bear

2010-05-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Especially for Jane... knowing I was going to be visiting a lot of sights again when Mam and David were here, I wondered how I could make the photos a bit more fun. So, I decided to take little Paddington Bear along as a mascot.

Paddington @ Washington Monument

Paddington @ The Reflecting Pool

Paddington @ Jefferson Memorial

Paddington @ Lincoln Memorial

Paddington @ Lincoln's feet

Paddington @ The White House

Paddington @ The Capitol

Paddington had a great time, he loves to pose! He is now my official travel companion (along with Hobble of course).

A Tourist in DC

2010-05-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I last blogged; my Mam and David were here for a two week visit so I haven't really been using the computer. So along with them I was a tourist in DC again. So here is a little montage of the pics from the past couple of weeks.

Photos from Arlington Cemetry and the Iwo Jima Memorial.

We took one of the open top buses to do some of the main sights.

We visited the Newseum too, which had some interesting stuff.

Particulary the Pulitzer Prize Photography Gallery and the piece of the Berlin Wall the have on exhibit; this photo is from the west side.

Hobble celebrated his birthday too; he says thanks to everyone for the kind gifts.

At the American Dinner; Ice Cream Floats and Shakes - yummy

A foot long Chilli Dog - David famously had a Hot Dawwwg everyday!

I think my Mam's favourite place was in the Sculpture Garden by the big fountain. It was really hot during their visit and it was great to dip your feet in the pool.

It was great to see them and show them round our new town!

Bin Boy Brooks

2010-04-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would tell you about Teddy's new hobby/habit... might make you giggle. Each day he likes to go into the trash (v. american - I know) room at the end of the corridor and dig around for newspapers!!! He says he can't believe how many people bin their unread papers, so he goes and gets them for himself. Does it sound better if I tell you he only looks in the recycling...

Monsters in action

2010-04-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

A lady who bought my eggs kindly sent me a link to her flickr where there are some really lovely photos she has taken of them... check it out http://www.flickr.com/photos/22051346@N00/sets/72157623642356145/ They are maybe four or five lines down, having a jolly in little boats.

B B Q!

2010-04-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

First BBQ of the year! Moomin will take any opportunity to have a BBQ, Sunday was a lovely hot day so we invited Dan over for a BB and some sun bathing down on the patio. The big grills are gas though which kinda felt like cheating to me and you don't get the same charcoaled taste, still it was a good barby!

No need to get jealous, it's cold and a bit rainy today

Festival - part II

2010-04-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday gone was the Sakura Matsuri; the Japanese Street Festival which is part of the cherry blossom festivities. There were about six blocks closed off downtown with loads of stalls selling Japanese food & drink, fashion, arts and crafts. There were also stages showing music, dance and marshall arts etc.

Not sure what these dudes were called but they were mint

Kendo demonstration - Teddy thought this was hilarious,

the noises the made were pretty funny

Pleased with my new necklace

And of course we had food...

Later we meet up with Dan and went down to China Town for a meal. Its the first time I have been to a Chinese restaurant as I have never liked it when people have chinese takeaway (its all greasy). But this was really good we had dumplings and wontons then Schezuan beef, peking duck and something with prawns and bean curd - it was all yummy and I will defo have chinese again!

National Cherry Blossom Festival

2010-04-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

The festival is a two week long celebration every year marking the beginning of spring. The cherry blossom trees which were a gift from Japan in 1912 are all around the tidal basin and along the Washington Channel. It is a really beautiful time to visit DC as many of the major sites are around this area so you get to see them when it's all PINK! Yesterday we walked right around the Tidal Basin here are some of the pictures we took.

Featured

2010-03-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

I am feeling super excited and very proud at the moment...... I had a message on my etsy shop to say someone had featured one of my items on their blog. This girl is from Australia - this super cyber space world always amazes me.... someone on the otherside of the world loves my little miss eggbot! Thats cool.

Star of the show - Miss Eggbot

Check out The Strangest Dreams blog http://thestrangestdreamsblog.blogspot.com/ where she is featured among other freaky little easter items. I feel like I need to brush up on my photographs, the others look a lot better and I need good photos to attract people to my shop. I am working on some ideas at the moment for the shop so will hopefully have something new to list soon.

The Hood

2010-03-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

If we go out anywhere locally we always head south and go to either 'Cleveland Park' or 'Woodley Park' which are two neighbourhoods just a short walk away, heading toward the centre of DC. They are both really cool areas with a lot of restaurants and bars. I would say if we had a 'local' it would be Nanny O'Brien's which is an Irish bar in Cleveland Park. Its not really very Irish apart from a bit of paraphenalia and I think an Irish music night on a Monday, which I have avoided! but its a decent little local pub.

At the weekend we decided to walk north for a change...checked out one of the book shops we had been meaning to go to called Politics and Prose it was pretty good, really big and they often have authors in doing Q&As or readings - there was one going on while we were in there which sounded pretty good. They also have book clubs and there is one at the moment for modern Japanese literature so I am thinking about giving it a go.

A bit further up the road is the American City Dinner & Cinema Cafe which we visited for lunch. I loved it, it was really old school I have never been in one like this before its kind of like being in a super shiny aluminium trailer. It was decked out with little booths and neon signs and had 50/60s classics playing. I was very excited!

I tried my very first root beer, I really enjoyed it but can understand why others might not. It tasted like dentyne chewing gum to me (which I really like) a bit medicinal, a bit cinnamony. Teddy hated it - I guess its a marmite type of thing you are probably gonna love it or hate it. Russell had a ChilliDog, you can hardly see the dog for all the chilli!

This place has a little extension type thing where there are a few more tables and chairs and they have a big pull down screen and they play a classic movie every night at 8. So will defo be heading back there soon to catch a movie and have some more root beer!

Sunny Days

2010-03-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

The sunny weather has arrived, the daffodils have started to pop up and everyone has their shades on. Luckily there were a few sunny days for David's visit we got to sit outside for dinner somedays; proper holiday stuff.

Enjoying Margarita swirls - yummy brain freeze

Pretty skies :-)

The weekend gone was really warm between 23-25degrees we spent Friday afternoon in the park with a picnic and some sunbathing and frisbee-ing. Saturday we had a browse round the city, it was so busy everyone enjoying the first hot weekend.

I am going to enjoy the spring sunshine as much as possible - it was just like being on holiday at the weekend. Hopefully, I will have climatised by the time the real hot weather comes. Try and get my whiter than white skin used to the sun.

Mr O - round 2 on the Blogger!

2010-03-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

Thursday March 11

Today we went to the Smithsonian Art Museum, it was pretty cool. In my opinion the sculptures were particularly good. Some of the paintaings and pictures aren't really what I consider "Art" but most of it was really good.

This Horse made from driftwood was pretty cool, I thought.

We also went to the Bowling Alley in China Town.

This is me getting ready to do some damage at the Bowling Alley

It was a good night had by all... even if Russell was the Victor.....I'm not bitter haha.

This is me loosing it in the bar after loosing to Russell at the bowling... no I'm not a sore loser!

Saturday March 13

SHAMROCK FEST! was a total wash out, literally! It was the most ludicrus downpour ever, we got totally soaked!

Tuesday March 16

Today we went to the Natural History Museum. It was really amazing and there was loads to see. If anyone was thinking of visting DC I would definitely recommend going to the Smithsonian museums, there are loads of them, for all interests. They are all free admission and well worth a visit.

All of the Smithsonian museums are here thanks to a British guy (Mr Smithson) who left half a million dollars worth of gold to the Americans in his will; the only stipulation being, whatever they did with it had to be educational and it had to have his name on it...

Wednesday March 17

Today me and Amy went to the Tidal Basin to have a go on the Pedal Boats, good fun but hard work peddling the boats around the lake. The lake has great views of the monuments and the city.

Thursday March 18

Today is my last day... I'll be going to the Airport in a couple of hours. I've had an amazing time and have visited loads of sights. It's been great catching up with my sister and Russell, I've had an awsome two weeks and will no doubt be visiting again in the future.

DC stays where it's at but the memories are mine to keep.

Mr O signing off - over and out......

Guest Blogging by Mr O

2010-03-11T09:52:00.000-08:00

Hi I'm Amy's brother and I'm on a visit from the UK. Below are a select few of the pitcures taken so far on my tour of DC.

Friday March 5th

This is the Lincoln monument on the Mall, it's pretty impressive; i've seen it loads of times on TV and in films and stuff but you never really appreciate how huge it is until you're close up. It's massive!

Below is a picture of me and Amy standing below the Washington Monument, usually seen in pictures showing it's reflection in the Reflecting Pool but the pool itself is quite some distance away, closer to the Abe Lincoln monument than where we are now.

Later that day we visited Hooters, an amazing American invention; whoever thought it up needs a gold medal. With good beer, good food, and even better waitresses on tap, what more is there?

This was my waitress Kristie, what a swell job she did...

Sunday March 7th

On Sunday we all went to the National Zoo, it was a pretty good zoo in comparsion to others i've seen

Below is me and Russell standing at the gates of the Zoo.

Later that day we went to a Mexican Restaurant for food, it was mega tasty. I had Ribs, Giant Prawns, Steak Strips and other green stuff to go in my Tortillas.

This was some of the finest Steak I have tasted, good work Chef!

Monday March 8th

Today Amy and I visited the American History Museum, it had some really interesting stuff about the Presidents of the US but what I thought was more impressive was the actual jacket that Fonz wore in Happy Days, the Red shoes Judy Garland wore in the Wizard of Oz and the C3PO costume Anthony Daniels wore in Return of the Jedi. Haha...good stuff!

This is me with C3PO

The pair of Dorothy slippers held at the Smithsonian in DC

Wednesday March 10th

Today we went to the Air and Space Museum, it was pretty cool. An absolutely enormous building, it housed loads of really huge Aeroplanes and Lunar Space modules and stuff like that. We had a tour guide who seemed to know what he was talking about, he was pretty cool.

Below is a picture of me and Amy taken by the thermal imaging camera. Clever stuff, I thought it looked pretty neat.

This is the Bell X-1; the first ever plane to break the sound barrier,shaped like was a 50 caliber bullet it reached 957mph - Mach 1.45 on March 26th 1948

This is Amy standing next to Charles (Chuck) Lindbergh; the first man to ever complete a Trans-Atlantic flight, it took him 33 days to fly 3600 miles....good work sir!

This is a taster of what i've been upto so far, taking in the culture and having a laugh.

Mr O...signing off....

Introducing the Egg Team

2010-03-10T17:51:00.000-08:00

I finally got round to setting up my etsy shop. My first lot of creations are my creme egg cosies.

Check out my shop here http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartHooks let me know what you think...
My shop banner is just a temporary one, I am having something with a little more panache designed.

Long awaited arrival

2010-03-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

I just realised there has been quite a lack of posts, so thought I would drop a quick one. We haven't really been up to a lot the past couple of weeks, saving cents for when my brother visits. He lands tomorrow for 2 weeks, so should be lots of sightseeing and photos for the blog then.

Last Thursday our shipment from the UK finally arrived it's really nice having our stuff around us again. I am trying to get it all unpacked for David's arrival tomorrow....

32 Super big boxes to unpack - nice

Just some of the washing - yawn-a-rama, there are piles and piles worse than coming home from a holiday

Books - yipee!! They were the first things to unpack

We also had an unexpected arrival; Mama Moomin looked high and low for some of her Christmas decorations in December, they were on a ship on their way to the USofA haha! Best be off now lots to do.

2010-02-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

We went down to the Mall this weekend to take some snaps of the snow covered sights.

The reflecting pool was frozen over, the photo on the bottom shows what it usually looks like.

As close as I got to sledging

Tired of sight seeing and photos!

Snowmageddon

2010-02-08T11:36:00.000-08:00

That's what they are calling it here, a little bit dramatic but funny too. It was crazy in the supermarket on Thursday people queueing out the door for supplies! I think we have had maybe 30 inches check out the photos from Saturday.

The tennis court net was almost covered.

Photos of our road

A lady cross country skiing down the main Avenue.

Snow Angels.

Washington 'snow' Monument

Even though it is Snowmageddon the Superbowl still went on. It was our first Superbowl and I wanted the Saints to win because I liked their strip the best and it seemed most of Washington wanted them to win too, so it was a good result in a match many people didn't think the Saints would win.

Teddy enjoying his 25cent wings

A Serious Man

2010-02-02T12:07:00.000-08:00

We went to the Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse last night to see the Coen brothers - A Serious Man. The cinema was really cool like an old school movie theatre but you sat at tables and had a server so you can order food and drink through out the show, much better than a mulitplex. They had movie themed burgers and cocktails which was cute and on a Monday its only $1 entry - mint. I only want to see films here from now on!

The movie was good too it's a black comedy about a man who seems to be questioning God about why bad things are happening to it him, very funny and a great ending.

Supplies

2010-01-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the supplies. TEA - I couldn't do without a proper cup of tea and in the supermarket you could only buy a 20bag box of twinnings for something silly like $5 so I was having to ration those. I have been saved thanks to packages from home. We also asked for Bisto and oxo as you just don't seem to get it here and gravy comes in a tin YUCK I don't even like to think what that tastes like.

Russell misses pies! They seem to have a lot of sweet ones but not savoury, I will have to get baking.

I miss squash/diluting juice I have yet to see that in a shop but we can't really have that sent in the post so I will just have to do without.

Teddy's -V- Moomin's Breakfast

Can you tell who is becoming americanized?! I am sticking to my marmite on toast, luckily you can get that but only the small jars. There are so many flavours of pop-tarts I thought that was a 80s/90s thing that fizzled out, obviously not here and I think it mentions somewhere on the box how it includes vitamins or something as silly!!

Exploring

2010-01-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

Not to rub your noses in it but we have had some really nice weather this week so on Thursday I packed a nutella sandwich and took myself off to the Mall to check out the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculputure Garden. I stopped off at the Smithsonian Castle first. It's not really a 'castle' its just nicknamed that because it looks like one and maybe it makes the Americans feel like they have some more history.

The sun was shining as I sat in the gardens eating my sandwiches.

It was impressive from the inside too.

The castle was the first of all the Smithsonian institutes and they are named after some English dude James Smithson who had never even been to the States but left half a millon dollars in his will to found an institute in Washington DC 'for the increase and diffussion of knowledge' and so we have the Smithsonian - the worlds largest group of museums and its all free :-)

Some of my favourites at the Hirshhorn Gallery...

'Larkspur' ... two angels kissing??

Martha Rosler 'The Grey Drape'

Pablo Picasso 'Woman with Baby Carriage'

Willem de Kooning 'Woman'

You might recognise this bunny...

from our very own; Barry Flanagan 'The Drummer'

Some shots from the mall - The Capitol and Washington Monument

Julian Casablancas

2010-01-13T16:03:00.000-08:00

We went to our first gig in DC last night Julian Casablancas was playing at the 09:30 Club so we thought we would go and check it out. We weren't expecting much - it's hardly seeing the Strokes but we wanted to see what the club was like too.

It was a good little venue but as for the gig there were only a few decent songs, one of which was a Strokes cover. The songs which were Strokes-esque were the best and the others were all a bit too bad 80's electro/crap rock. The support were called Tanlines and they were really bad, "I am sick of all this rubbish music, like Animal Collective and all that happy crap!" to quote Teddy, positive as ever.

The snaps are a bit naff, I thought about pinching some but then decided that would be cheating.

Back to School

2010-01-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Firstly, Happy new year I hope 2010 is a good one. I guess you have all had your first week back - I hope it wasn't too much of a chore. Teddy had his first week in the DC office which went well. He took in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch, I think he is trying to fit in with the American kids! I have been doing a lot of pottering round; reading, going to the gym and I completed my second crochet project - table mats. I am quite happy with them not bad for a beginner...

I also took myself to the Textile Museum hoping to find some inspiration for my next project. They had a Japanese contemporary fashion exhibition on which was really cool as I got to see some real life Issey Miyake clothes, only you couldn't touch :-(

I think I will get the rough guide out and plan some outtings for this week too xx

Teddy & Moomin's 2009 albums of the year

2010-01-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

As 2009 is over we thought we'd give our top albums of the year. It was meant to be a top 5 but we couldn't narrow it down so here is the top 6. First, a few bands that didn't quite make the list; Them Crooked Vultures, The Dead Weather, Richard Hawley, Wolfmother, Devandra Banhart, The Mars Volta and Muse. Yes, that's right, Muse didn't make the list mainly as it's not nearly as good as their other albums apart from a few songs.

So in no particular order...the top 6:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You

Peter Doherty - Grace/Wastelands

The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk

The Horrors - Primary Colours

Merry Christmas Everyone

2009-12-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has had a great few days and that you all are a little fatter! We had a lovely Christmas here quiet but good. We opened presents in the morning then prepared dinner, no turkey in this house we went for big fat juicy steaks instead. For pudding it was homemade mince pies and pumpkin pie which I spent almost all of Christmas Eve baking but even if I do say so myself the pastry was mint. Thinking about it now we didn't have crackers - I am not sure if they do that here, what a shame missing out on all those really funny jokes tehehe! Then we just chilled out for the rest of the day nursing big fat bellies.

So many presents we must have been good this year.

Looking so pleased with my Christmas booties.

What could this be?!

Teddy bought these speakers with the Christmas money he was given I think its his best present - cheers dudes.

I bought wool with my money purple to make a bag, green to make tablemats.

This will keep me busy - thanks everyone :-)

Pictures we bought from a local photographer to decorate our bare walls.

Checkout the green dishware I bought these with my Christmas money too - thanks!

Boxing day we just lazed around eating more naughty food (I think I will go to the gym today) I read one of my new books and Teddy adjusted his speakers all day ha! We hope everyone enjoys the rest of there hols and has a great new year lots of love and best wishes from across the pond xxx

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

2009-12-19T13:03:00.000-08:00

It was beautiful when we woke up this morning a white covering everywhere, we decided to take our first walk in Rockcreek Park to enjoy the snow. It was strange in the streets really silent and peaceful.

Even the newspaper boxes looked pretty in the snow!

Wish we had a sledge it looked like so much fun.

It snowed constantly the whole time we were out and got much harder to walk in, so thats our adventure for today back home now enjoying hot choclate and soup.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-14T18:32:00.001-08:00

At the garden centre choosing our tree... after the tiresome job of carrying it home Teddy slept whilst I put put up the decorations.

Putting the finishing touches to the tree and table decorations; those of you who know how neat and tidy I am will know the dining table will always look this way over Christmas time. It's easy being a domestic goddess when you don't have belongings!

Some pics of our humble abode - Teddy enjoyin' his first ever eggnog. They are very yummy but also very naughty and we still haven't used the gym yet - whoops.

Finally - America!!

2009-12-13T13:07:00.000-08:00

Been here almost a week now keeping very busy assembling furniture and checking out the local neighbourhood. Last night was our offical first night out in DC, we decided to check out

"Miracle on 3rd & 4th Street - An Ugly Jumper Crawl"

Moomin couldn't resist the opportunity to wear her Christmas sweater and Teddy was dragged along in his most 'ugly' jumper.

Our award for the best ugly sweaters went to these dudes - good effort!

We meet some new friends; Amber, Roger and Nick. They were most kind to us newcomers sharing insider tips on DC and cheers for shouting us burgers.

Even Santa was out for the night I told him our new address so fingers crossed he will send us some presents.

The long lost Aunts

2009-09-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

I took a road trip to Notts at the weekend along with Jessica to visit Grant. Grant had told Ben that he was going to be meeting his long lost Aunty's; he was a little shy when we first arrived but then I think he liked us we read a bedtime story (the atlas - he is going to be quite a clever one!) then took him to football practice the next morning and to a kids party on the afternoon - it was lots of fun playing Aunty!!

Ben and Grant

We did a little shopping in Southwell on Saturday afternoon and a lot of eating sweeties!!

Then after Xfactor we managed to put on the glad rags and drag ourselves out into town...

Thanks Grant for a great weekend, you were a super host. Sorry us two left your shiney new house like a whirlwind had just hit! Love your pair of slugs x x x

Busy bee

2009-09-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

Been keeping my self busy since last posted trying to get a little creative again, started making a dress that wasnt too successful as I cut out the wrongsize so had to unpick it all and need to re=cut (at least its smaller - makes me feel a little better!) I successfully made some bits of jewellery...

Teddy - while I was in the beadshop getting things for your cuff I couldnt resist a new head band; red, black, shiny and loud I had to have it!

Teddy is in DC at the moment - he is there for 2 weeks :-( ... maybe he will make an appearence on the blog.........

I started a new temp job today; it ain't too good. The office was so cold and no one spoke to each other all day I thought I was in a mourge surrounded by corpses!!! We will see what tomorrow brings but I think I will be looking for something else. TTFN

Teddy's Second Post

2009-09-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

Only joking about the previous post.

Just wanted to post something interesting like the new Muse album which comes out on the 14th...

I've just ordered the new boxset which has the album vinyl and cd plus a dvd... very much looking forward to hearing it but it will be released while I'm in the States so Moomin will hear it before me.

Later.....

Teddy's Premiere Post

2009-09-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

I am sick of Moomin!

About time...

2009-08-21T01:03:00.000-07:00

The long awaited next post! I have been meaning to sit down and write for ages...

So we are living back in Durham at Mama Moomin's house and its lovely to be catching up with family and friends. Teddy is working back in his old office a few days a week and the rest at home. Moomin is working with her Aunty as an Assistant Hair Extension Technician - tehehe quite a difference, its fun but long days and achey legs!!

Mama Moomin had a family get together over the bank holiday weekend Teddy and I had great fun having a water fight with my little cousins

The next day we took the train down to York, we had a great time and Teddy bought me a beautiful dress from a lovely little vintage shop. I will post a picture when I get round to trying it on again!

TTFN xx

Home Sweet Home

2009-08-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

So we are pleased to be back in the North East after finally moving on Friday from Plymouth. Yay..... The drive back was long and boring, but it'll be the last time we ever do it again.
First things first we get hair cuts yipee!!!

It felt great to drive over the good ol' Tyne Bridge and if we had remembered the camera I would have posted a photo..... note to self if I am to be a Master Blog-a-tron I must always have my camera to hand! TTFN

Cooked Breakfast...

2009-08-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

We handed the keys in for our flat on Friday... so we are living it up in a B&B for a week. I chose this one because there is two lovely doggies here - Molly and Oscar the spaniels and Teddy and his belly are happy as they get a full english each morning.

So we are not doing America just yet...

2009-08-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Me bowling

Sara bowling

Last week in Plymouth ... we have been tenpin bowling tonight with Sara and Dan then for a Japanese - yummy!

Now I'm learning how to blog - yip check me out!

Testing testing...

2009-08-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog... this will be our American story. We will be keeping in touch and letting you know how we are getting on in the land of dreams!