Day 2 - Chatsworth

We knew this would be a whirlwind trip with only a week to see everyone and have a wedding and knew it was going to go by fast so we didn't waste any time.  On Tuesday, Sandra, Lindsey, Nicole and I went to Chatsworth, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.  No, we were not invited for tea, the home is open to the public for tours.  Last summer when I brought the kids, we came to Chatsworth for a picnic, and shortly after I returned to America, I saw a PBS special on inside of Chatsworth and I was amazed!  It was beautiful!  I had chided Sandra at the time about why she had never taken me inside the home and she remembered for this trip.  We just missed the home being decorated for Christmas, although they were working on setting it up at the time.  However, I think this worked to our advantage because there were very few people there.  So much nicer than being pushed through with the crowds.

Chatsworth

My beautiful aunts

Chatsworth has over 300 rooms, 40 of which are used by the current Duke and Duchess.  The ones we got to see were fantastic, so I'm not sure what their quarters were like...

A chapel

I loved this handpainted wallpaper

One of four libraries in the house

The dining room

After we completed the inside tour of the house, we headed outside for a little walk through the grounds.  They were just stunning, especially with the sun beginning to set (yes, it was only about 3 in the afternoon when I took these!)

Side view of Chatsworth

Nicole told me this is called an "ussy" not a "selfie"

The fountain

I think this one should be on their brochure...

In front of the dahlia garden

This is part of the stables.  Wow!  Lucky horses.

Sun setting behind Chatsworth

On our way out, we stopped at the local village for tea and scones before heading home.

The tea shoppe

Day 1 - England

I'm off on another adventure - this time back to the Motherland again for a week.  My cousin, Emma, is getting married on Saturday, so I get an early Christmas present - a week vacation with my extended family.  Unfortunately, I had to leave the hubby and kids back in the States as they had work and school.  Steve's mom, Diana, was so kind as to agree to come to fill my shoes for the week.  I'm not sure she realized what she was agreeing to when she said yes.  I left her with a tall order for keeping the house running, schooling Emmy and London, being chauffeur to 3 kids, etc.  I very much appreciate all she is doing!

My sister and I flew into Manchester within 1/2 hour of each other on Monday and were met by Sandra and Don.  The first day overseas is always a bit of a washout, but we did manage to go to our favorite park, Lyme Park, for a lovely walk with Sandra, Sally and Thomas.

Walking up to Lyme Cage

Thomas

 And now for the "artsy" photos.  The lighting was so beautiful as the sun was beginning to set.

Red deer

Sunrise, Sunset

This week we've had some incredible color in our sunrises and sunsets.  So beautiful!

Sunset

Sunrise

Sunrise

Sunset

Garden Goodness

My garden has been unbelievable this summer.  We have had way more beans, tomatoes, kale, beets and SQUASH then we could eat.  Especially zucchini.  Even I was tired of zucchini by mid-September.  So just for fun I decided to let one of the zucchinis go - just to see how large it would get.  I called it my "State Fair" zucchini.  I finally harvested it last week since the plant it was attached to had completely died.  Figured it wasn't going to grow anymore.  My goal was 10 pounds, but I came up short by 1/2 a pound.

My 9.5 pound State Fair zucchini...

We also harvested my 2 pumpkins.  Funny how one is so big and the other small.

And one final (maybe) basket of goodness from the garden.

There are still 11 more spaghetti squash to bring in but no one but London and I like it so I'm going to have to find new and creative ways to disguise the taste...

Happy birthday, London

Happy birthday to my sweet London!  He turned 11 today and is quite happy about it.  The boy loves birthdays!

He decided he didn't want a party this year, so instead Stevie got tickets to take him to a professional soccer game.  The Sounders are the pro team in Seattle and they just happened to have a home game two days after his birthday.

On the actual day, we still had school, but he did get to go out to lunch with me, Stevie and Emmy.  He chose their new favorite restaurant, Moctezumas (Mexican).  He had his pick of dinners and he chose split pea and ham soup and homemade bread.  The afternoon he spent playing with Emmy and the "new neighbors" (they moved in at the beginning of August, but E & L still refer to them as "the new neighbors").  

An osprey cake

Cake with the new neighbors

It was a pretty low key day, but I promise you, it was all the boy hoped for and more.

Happy birthday, Jimmie!

Pumpkin Time

It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and although a bit early, I thought it might be a good time to go to a pumpkin farm.  The sun was out, it was warm, and there weren't many people pickin' pumpkins yet - perfect!

This was the same farm we went to last year - a little family run place not too far from us.  They really cater to families, and though the kids were getting a little big for the play set and toy horses, E & L still were excited about the tractor ride.

Next year he might be the same height as Stevie...

L cutting his pumkin

E thoughtfully cutting hers.

I think this captures their personalities together.

Cannon, being a sport for his photo

The only photo of Stevie and I - I didn't check until later to see that the camera settings were wrong.

My carefree girl loves a swing!

Cannon's Polo

Cannon is playing water polo again for the high school team - this year he made varsity!  He really loves the sport and puts his all into the practices, swim conditioning, weights and the games.  It's a wonder the kid hasn't wasted away with all the exercise!  Last year, the team was brand new and they didn't win many (ok, only one) games.  This year, however, the team is doing great and has only lost one game.  It's really fun to watch!

Here are a few shots of #2 at a recent game against the other Gig Harbor high school.  They won 20
-3.