Monday 26 January 2009

The seas were angry that day...

The weather in Florida was amazing this year! We came off the plane with our winter gear in hand, and immediately started sweating from the heat. Even our suitcases were damp due to the severe change in temperature from NY.

We were able to swim, and boogie board, and had to apply copious amounts of sunscreen throughout the week.

All was sunny, and hot until...New Year's Day, AKA 'The Polar Bear Plunge."

The seas were angry that day. Only the bravest of us, (I think TJ and Kevin) went in the water all the way...the rest, just ran in, splashed about and ran back to put on warm clothes.

But we did it. 3 years in a row!

Saturday 24 January 2009

Friday 23 January 2009

It's all about the outfits...

I started playing golf the summer after I started dating TJ - we both love being active...and what a great way to get to know each other than by learning a new sport, (hmmm, a theme maybe? The weekend we both discovered there may be something between us other than friendship, involved an eight hour car ride to Tahoe, where TJ learned how to snowboard and I spent a lot of time blushing.)

When I say "started playing" I mean the first few, (5 or so) years involved outings like:
  • TJ showing me how to hit the ball with the learning whiffle-ball like golf balls in Golden Gate park, or on Crissy Field
  • Taking lessons with Dan (recommended by Kerry and Jen,) at the Presidio Golf course
  • Discovering those weird plastic tip things at the driving range

I moved on during our last years in San Francisco - to playing once with Jen and Steve up at Squaw, and then as regularly as we could on a par-3 course with Danielle and Catie - where our mantra was that it was all about "the outfits." We were determined to go out and have fun - nothing stressful. We stopped counting at 8, and loved wearing a lot of plaid, and bright colors.

Over the past 2 years, as we've thoroughly taken advantage of everything PVB and Sawgrass have to offer - playing golf with the Church family has become the highlight of my time in Florida. Kathy & John patiently give me little tips, and kindly focus on one thing at a time.

The best is when the 6 of us finish in the late afternoon at the course closest to home, the sun is setting and we wait for the guys to finish. It's a day out in the beauty together...there is a lot of laughter...great stories...and occasionally.....occasionally....I hit the ball, hear 'the' sound, and understand the love of the game.

This year, I placed a large order with Ralph Lauren golf, was fitted for clubs and moved even closer to actually playing.

I was determined to count my actual score, (yes, even admittedly going over 8.) The flag is in the sand....

it was a 155. There is always next year. At least I have the outfits.

Sunday 18 January 2009

PVB 08-09

Between Christmas and New years we played golf, went to the beach, ran, walked, and just had fun.

However - prior to that we went with 4 friends to see Gordon Ramsay's Taste of Christmas... which just further reinforced our opinion of him and his restaurants. He is a D. (evidence below)


Sp - back to PVB... there are a few photos over the course of the week there that sum it up (why don't we have a photo of a giant sweet tea??)

Great weather:

Great food... this is a Prince Charles special that is obviously chuffed (see previous word o the day entry if explanation is needed) to have made the trip across:

and some dodgy golf swings! (no windows were broken - but we certainly made a solid effort!):


All good fun... including the web debut of J&K on youtube... I posted it, then was advised to take it down... so if anyone wants to see some massive guitar heroing - go to youtube and find my videos... it is best from about 2:10 on...

Wednesday 14 January 2009

Hello...is this thing on?

In an attempt to discover who is reading this blog and know who you are, I've aded the 'follower' functionality.

If you could please...(pretty?) click on the 'follower' functionality on the top right side and register with your name and picture. It will be fun to see who's out there and motivating on the nights when we're tired, and want to go to bed, and are watching the icon spin as we upload pictures.

Thanks!

Tuesday 13 January 2009

Trip "back home"

(This picture is from my Sons of the Thames, rowing club, holiday masked ball ----it's got nothing to do with this post...but thought it looked festive =)

Christmas started for us with a fantastic flight, and arrival into NYC for a 10:30 pm dinner at Babbo with Kerry and Kevin.

The next day, we met Rob and August for lunch at Republic in Union Square and a visit to the sweet Christmas market in the square. Mom, Dad and Karen joined us for dinner...and we had such fun with August as he was very excited about Santa and of course, about seeing Grandpa.

We spent the next few nights out on Long Island seeing John and Lisa, lunch at Reeses, a night visiting friends (Karen, Justin, Stacia, Doug, Jen and Matt and all of their children,) Christmas eve with Mary and Ken Johnson, and a big Christmas morning brunch with John and Lisa!

We were blessed to spend Christmas morning with my family before flying out of Islip to have Christmas dinner with the Church family! We we even able to fit in a trip to Target (where we stocked up on zip lock bags, method products, and cheese its...all the important things we can't get here.)
Link

Wednesday 7 January 2009

The Gout!

Each time we see Kerry and Kevin - we eat like kings...and sometimes after we are together for a few days. it kinda feels like we are on a quest to mimic how the nathan's-hot-dog-eating-champion must feel when he (or she) gets home, kicks off their shoes and let's it all hang out.

It's our pursuit of 'The Gout'.

So, combine that feeling with a few weeks, (OK-months) of celebratory holiday event eating and drinking...and it's not a matter of if we're going to get The Gout, it's when.

In sharing recipes post-holidays and in trying to rid myself of those few extra mince-pie like additions I've been sporting on my form, I've been cooking a bit lighter since we got back to London. Well, I guess I should say I've been cooking. Period. No more eating out. It's back to basics, and back to controlling what goes into to a meal.

I hope you'll enjoy these few recipes which have become staples in our house, and that I've copied almost directly from Jamie Oliver. If you've visited us in Gates St, or Beaufort, or Belsize - you may have been served these...or the Wagamama-style asian soup that I make almost weekly.

Bon Appetit!

-------------------------------------------------------

Chili, Garlic Shrimp:

Ingredients:

-shrimp, peeled and de-veined (let's say a pound for this recipe...that's enough for two people if it's a main dinner.)
-1 large dried red chili, de-seeded and diced
-3-4 diced garlic cloves
-juice of 1 large lemon
-flat leaf parsley, (optional)
-toasted french, or whole wheat bread

Preparation:
1. combine garlic, chili and about 1-3 tablespoons of olive oil in pan over medium to high heat for about a minute
2. add shrimp, (make sure not to burn garlic) and saute until all shrimp are pink
3. once shrimp are cooked, squeeze in lemon juice and toss in chopped parsley (optional) to make a sauce
4. serve in bowl with sauce to spoon over toast

-------------------------------------------------------


Grilled Zucchini Salad

Ingredients
:
-4-6 zucchini, (sliced length-wise, very thinly. you can use a vegetable peeler or a mandolin.)
-1-2 large dried red pepper, (de-seeded and diced)
-4-6 sliced garlic cloves
-juice of 1-2 large lemons
-handful of chopped mint
-pecorino romano cheese, (use a vegetable peeler to peel into strips)

Preparation:

-Grill or roast zucchini strips in oven with light olive oil until they are slightly brown
-cool them in one layer (if they are stacked on top of one another, they get soggy)
-arrange on platter, with mint, cheese, and squeezed lemon juice
-toss the garlic and chilies over the top

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/soup-and-salad/courgette-salad-with-mint-garlic-red-chi

Thursday 1 January 2009

A look back...


2008 was a wonderful year for us - we were able to really 'live' in London and enjoy travels, without the hassle of a big move, or an adjustment period.

It was a BUSY year for us. Here is a recap of all the travels and visits from family and friends as I can best remember.

We blogged 60 times, according to my Nike+ I ran 865 miles, we moved from Chelsea to Belsize Park, and TJ enjoyed a full year of Old Fold Manor.

2008 consisted of trips to Jacksonville, NY (5x), Paris (2x), Berlin (3x), Munich, Mykonos, Athens, Santorini, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Katmandu, Nigeria, Israel (4x), Edinburgh, Cannes, Zermatt, Barcelona (3x), New Orleans, Vienna, Bristol, Brighton and Cambridge.

We had visits from my parent's, John and Lisa, Kerry, Maggie and Jon Fagan, Lauri, Christine, and Betsy and Chris.

We were able to attend Ascot in the Royal Enclosure, meet Joan Didion on the opening of 'A Year of Magical Thinking', attend Alyssa and Steve's wedding, take August on his first trip to the beach, play an amazing round at St. Andrews, and race in a rowing regatta.

We are blessed - and begin 2009 with a full list of places we want to visit, rested after a long visit with our families, and excited about what the new year will bring!!!!

Any votes as to where we should go in 2009?