Pieces of Me

the days of summer

There might be 93 days between the first day of summer and the the first day of autumn but  for my girlies and I, we count summer from the last day of school to the first day of school. And that is seventy-four days. Which is twenty-two more days than we had last summer thanks to the school district moving towards a more traditional school year calendar.

And at the beginning of the the school summer break I ask my girlies to make a list of things they want to do. And I make my own list as well.

On our to-do-this-summer list:

at the movies: Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Pismo Beach

more movies: Brave

Softball tournaments

Lake Tahoe

Summer Photography Camp for Kids at jessicasprague.com

father's day

Sunset Celebration Weekend

a wedding

two wedding anniversaries

and more movies: Ice Age: Continental Drift

a birthday

fireworks

summer reading lists: theirs and mine

making jam

picking cherries

summer fruit: peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots

summer flowers from the cutting garden: dahlias, zinnias

swim lessons

blowing bubbles

hot weather: 90 degrees

picnics at the park

and still one more movie: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

running through the sprinklers

Disneyland

hand-watering the garden

sidewalk chalk drawings

water balloons and squirt guns

zucchini...lots of zucchini

I am definitely looking forward to the long, hot days of summer!

five on five

It's probably from living in a rural sub-division that does it, but I love a good city. And London, it's a favorite. Since this is my third trip to London in eighteen months, I thought I would list (some of) my favorite things about London.

ONE   Transport for London

Getting around London is remarkably efficient. The underground trains go all over the city as do the buses above ground. I take the tube when I'm here--cabs are really expensive--and I use an Oyster card to get the best fare. My goal for my next trip to London is to learn to use the bus system; I think for short trips it might be quicker and less expensive. 

TWO  Museums

There are several museums in London to choose from and many of London's big museums are free. The British Museum is a favorite and one that I like to visit every time I'm in London. The big highlight (along with the big crowds) is the Rosetta Stone but the Egyptian mummies and Parthenon sculptures are not to be missed. Other favorite museums include National Gallery, V&A and the Science Museum. 

THREE  London Walks

Sometimes it's enough just to see the sites. Other times, it's nice to have all that content put into context. Get the history and the stories. London Walks can do that. All without booking ahead--just show up at the designated tube station.

FOUR  Fortnum and Mason

Foodstuffs is my souvenir of choice for co-workers, my mom and the neighbor that takes out (and puts away) my trash cans while I'm gone. And it's what I like to bring back for myself. Teas, cookies, chocolates, and jams. And while the Food Hall in Harrod's is amazing for the sheer size and volume of food and crowds of people, I prefer the Ground Floor of Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly. This store has beautiful window displays celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee , a wonderful range of cookies and tea in pretty pale blue packaging and several restaurants in which to have lunch or afternoon tea. 

FIVE    Parks

London has five parks in the city center: Green Park, The Regent's Park, St. James's Park, Kensington Gardens, and Hyde Park. Kensington Gardens is my favorite with the beautiful formal gardens and lake. But any of the parks are a great place to relax and have a picnic or go for a walk.

blogging cpr

I am attempting to revive the blog.  I'll let you know how it goes. Emergency help may be needed.

may day

Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

Filed under "being-in-the-right-place-at-the-right-time", I was in Salisbury today with my mom and dad after a visit out to Stonehenge. As it turned out, the Queen was in Salisbury for a royal visit. I was able to snap this photo as her car drove by. I have to tell you, I was pretty thrilled.