Daily Archives: October 27, 2008

We Came, We Ate, We Conquered…

Posted on October 27, 2008 | 1 Comment

Last year in our UK posting for ten weeks, my dad happened to be visiting Italy. We looked up all the cheap fares and finally got one over a weekend where Jim only had to take 1/2 day off work.

This was his first-ever trip to the UK or Europe. There was so much I wanted to show him. A friend and I toured Scotland two days a week and Jim and I made day trips on weekends but this was special.

We arose 3:00 a.m. Saturday and took a taxi to the airport bus, going to the out-of-the-way airport to save a few pounds on EasyJet. Arrived Pisa and negotiated a train ticket to Florence. We arrived, travel-weary and sleep-deprived, about 1:30 p.m.

The rest of the trip was a whirlwind and we didn’t even see a museum. We met Dad and Jane in town and went immediately to lunch. Italians know how to have lunch. We walked a bit on our own, took a brief nap and it was time to get cleaned up for dinner. Italians know how to have dinner.

Sunday breakfast was cooked by my Dad, with minimal assistance from me. Jim and I headed out and met them for lunch, took a long walk and it was time for dinner. We arose at an ungodly hour Monday morning for the return trip.

The point is that I’d like to plan various educational and culinary vacations for us that last longer than 36 hours (plus eighteen hours in travel time). Aside from eating and walking, the only truly prophetic thing we did way buy gorgeous Italian soaps at the Farmacia at Santa Maria Novello. Now that’s an experience, but we were power shopping for gifts for family and business associates as we only had a couple of weeks left before returning to the States.

So, I’d hate for Jim to say to Italy, “been there, done that” because he truly hasn’t. He did enjoy the food and, as a cattleman’s son, especially the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak made from Chianina beef that is simply dressed with salt, pepper and fruity olive oil).

Ireland? France? Germany/Switzerland/Austria? Greece and Turkey? It’ll be fun to plan and perhaps when the flaky economy straightens out, to actually do. We do have a long weekend coming up and I need to use some airline miles or lose them, so we’ll let you know what we decide. No, that one won’t be Europe!!! Cheers, Dee

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Fingers Crossed

Posted on October 27, 2008 | 1 Comment

Check out www.seasonalgourmet @ wordpress for fantastic quiche recipe. I’m going to make several for Thanksgiving weekend. Margie’s not fond of onions so I may have to do one or two with tomatoes and spinach and feta, or something like that. Even classic Quiche Lorraine with bacon and gruyere would be fantastic. Because I believe that real men DO eat quiche!

My first car, single gal, aged 20, sat eight. It was my Mom’s old 1972 Vista Cruiser wagon, a gift for college graduation. It lasted about six months before I cracked the block. It wasn’t exactly the “stylin’” car I wanted to drive to my first real job.

After years of driving a clunker (pea-green VW Bug with fuel injection and semi-auto transmission, a double no-no), buying Mom’s 1980 Honda Accord (great car), first new car (Jeep Wrangler), driving my husband’s 1997 Honda Accord… I’m about to come full circle.

Here’s where the fingers crossed part comes: we saw an SUV we liked yesterday and are having our mechanic check it out today. Had another a few hours away fall through last Friday when it needed significant amount of mandatory work done. We had it checked out at its location and it was the best $90 we ever spent! So we’re hoping this one checks out.

If so, I’ll be an SUV “Mom” taking her kid to soccer practice (read taking Zoe to doggie daycare or to have her nails trimmed) and toting groceries. Since we’ll never use the back seats (car seats seven) they do fold flat and that can be Zoe-land with her sheepskin and I may get Jim to agree to the separator so that she’s comfy but doesn’t scratch the leather seats or get her voluminous fur everywhere. And it’s so much more stylish than the Vista Cruiser “woody” wagon. What a difference thirty years makes!

After the car situation is sorted out, assuming it passes muster with our wonderful mechanic, it’s time for a pilgrammage to Penzey’s for herbs and spices and dark cocoa for Margie. I have to do my menu for the girls’ cooking class Thanksgiving Friday and shop accordingly.

There’s a milestone coming up early November. Let’s just say I’ll be eligible for an AARP card. Yea! I love making our money go farther on trips by staying at good hotels for less, renting cars for less et al.

Fingers crossed! Cheers, Dee

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