Happy Black Friday

I am in the perfect spot for the busiest shopping day of the year - at home. We may venture out later in the afternoon to get Dave a haircut but we'll stay well away from the malls. Well, I might run into one store while Dave's in the chair. I'm still trying to find something to wear to tea tomorrow. (One of the historic houses is putting on a "Dickens Tea" tomorrow afternoon. One of my coworkers volunteers at the house and tells me that they lay out quite a spread, including figgy pudding. I've always wondered what that was exactly. The house will be decorated for the holidays, there'll be music - her daughter has been hired to play the violin, and my coworker will wander the rooms reading passages from "A Christmas Carol".)

I had a couple of outfits in mind, but I no longer fit into them. Had I lost the weight he said I would by all the walking he was going to put me through in Europe I might have been able to appear somewhat stylish tomorrow. (Honey, you walked me until my legs were ready to fall off but guess what? I'm still fat!) As it stands now while Dave will be quite dapper in his suit (and ladies, he does look fabulous in a suit...) I will probably end up in some drab skirt/blouse combo looking like his pity date. You know that couple you see where you think to yourself, "Wow, he is so good looking! She must have a great personality." That's us!

In the past couple of months I haven't had much luck with shopping. While in Europe last month my major purchases were pyjamas, and glass art. I wanted French lingerie, Italian leather goods and jewelry. I couldn't find anything I wanted to buy. Huh?? This month is more of the same. The local Brit shop has never heard of Toffee Waffles. The boots I found in England but didn't buy because they would be cheaper at home? Can't find them in the stores. Can't find a velvet jacket. I don't like buying shoes/clothing online because I never seem to wear the same size designer to designer. I know it doesn't really matter in the larger scheme of things (except the Toffee Waffles - if you've had them you know) but it feels good to get it out.

Is it sc(oh)ne? or sc(ah)ne?

Either way, while in Ireland we had the best scones I've ever tasted. At Clontarf Castle to be precise. We had just arrived in Dublin (took the red-eye from Washington DC), and were looking forward to breakfast. Oh course, they had just finished serving. We were told we could get a light snack in the lounge. Tea and scones, heaven! The scones were large and fluffy and piping hot. So good. As a result, when we had afternoon tea at the Dorchester in London and The Pump Room at the Roman Baths in Bath we couldn't help but compare the scones and be just a wee bit disappointed.