Only 12 shopping days left!

Just a little RECESSION humor!

I am overwhelmed by the emails and phone calls I have received from friends around the world. Thank you for your thoughts, thank you for your prayers, but most of all, thank you for your friendship. As the holidays approach we are reminded that gathering with family and friends is really what the season is about!





With love and heartfelt appreciation.....Holly and Rick

Edinburgh....magical at Christmas!

Edinburgh is a fantastic weekend destination from London any time of the year but at Christmas, it is magical! Sandi and I just returned and I promised friends in London that I would send them the travel details so here they are ....blog form!
Book your seats with a table on a morning East Coast Train out of Kings Cross station. The ride takes just over 4 hours and it is beautiful - sheep filled pastures, towering steeples in small farming villages and as you approach Edinburgh, the rocky Firth of Forth coastline. We packed sandwiches and a good book (Sandi was reading Mary, Queen of Scots - perfect for this trip!) and the "snack cart" comes by with hot tea or a beverage of choice.

The Scotsman is a chic boutique hotel located right across the street from the train station and one block from the Royal Mile........
where you can explore the Scotch Whiskey Center with a fabulous restaurant, Amber. We enjoyed a late lunch starting with hot Whiskey Toddies but I would suggest that you reserve a table for dinner on line before you make your trip...you won't be disappointed in the meal!




The Royal Mile forms the main thoroughfare of medieval Edinburgh, linking the Castle at the top of the hill to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official Scottish residence. We were so intrigued by the tower associated with the unhappy reign of Mary Queen of Scots, we could just imagine how the whole murder of her Italian secretary took place.......you have to read the book!

The streets are full of shops selling kilts, wool scarves and cashmere, shortbread, even Haggis if you dare! During Christmas, a German market fills the valley with the smells of roasted nuts and Gluhwein (hot mulled wine). The Dome, an old bank turned into a restaurant, was elaborately decorated for the season and is a "must stop" for cocktails and people watching!

The only detail I have not mentioned is the weather-

It is really cold, I mean bone chilling cold! The wind whips off the Castle and even when Rick and I visited last Easter it was cold. But you just have to bundle up and pace yourself with stops for sightseeing, shopping, and a few hot Scotch Toddies or Mulled Wine.

How do they stay warm in those kilts?

Slainte!

That's Gaelic for cheers!


Dublin is the perfect city for a quick weekend get away....from London that is!
We stayed at the Shelbourne Hotel, a landmark in the heart of the city over looking St. Stephen's Green. It was just a few blocks away from shopping on Grafton Street and Trinity College where the major attractions are the Old Library and The Book of Kells, richly decorated manuscripts of the four Gospels in Latin.





Our first stop, not surprising, was the Guinness Storehouse and St. James's Gate Brewery. It is a self-guided tour through six floors of the brewing process and popular advertising campaigns of the past. It ends with a generous tasting of draught Guinness at the rooftop Gravity Bar with a 360 degree fabulous view of Dublin. Normally, I'm not a fan of the dark brown beer but once you get past the thick foam and the first few sips.....well it's all about the experience!
And for lunch....Steak and Guinness Pie of course!



We had no idea until we arrived that on Saturday night Ireland was playing France in football for a place in the championships and Sunday was the big rugby match between Ireland and Australia. It was a great weekend to be in the Temple Bar area in Dublin!

What to pack???

Or should I say, "What NOT to pack!"
Instead of taking photo's of London sights I thought it might be helpful for my Sister and her son, who have started the "thinking about packing" stage of their travels here for Thanksgiving, to actually take photos of some of the tourists...taking photos of some of the sights. Weird, I know but interesting none the less!

Boots and jeans, raincoats and scarves, cameras, backpacks.....huge silver bag?

I see a lot more people using their phones for a quick memory shot.


What happens to Ugg's when they get water-logged?




















Don't even think about it...the sandals that is!





Bright red hair seems to popular...easy to spot in a crowd!

Can you spot the American?

We plan to do A LOT of walking, go to the American Thanksgiving ceremony at St. Paul's, enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with good friends, see a show, and hit a few Pubs. The Oyster cards are topped off and ready! Start packing!

The Wizard of OZ

On Thursday, the 29th of OCTOBER, Dannii Minoque (Judge on X Factor) magically transformed Harrods in to the Emerald City. The green glow (usually blue lights!) of the building can be seen for miles and the windows invite young and old into Munchkin Land, the Corn Field, the Apple Orchard, the Scary Forest and .....

THE WIZARD OF OZ lies inside...as only Harrods can do it!







I will have to post another blog on my trip down the Yellow Brick Road to the Ruby Red Slipper Boudoir!


My neighborhood is decorated for Christmas, is yours?

The Kensington Wine Rooms

Since the sports car was covered with leaves and tucked into it's parking spot in front of the flat....Rick and I decided to take the bus to Kensington.......
(I didn't say it was OUR sports car!)





One of our new favorite restaurants in London is the Kensington Wine Rooms on Kensington Church Street. Friends met us there for a quiet birthday celebration, it was the perfect spot on a brisk autumn Sunday afternoon for a glass of wine and a hearty meal. The bar area has self-serve wine dispensing machines where you can purchase a taste or a glass of wine from all over the world. I didn't get a picture of my meal but when you read this your mouth will water....

Mint, Beet & Warm Breaded English Goat's Cheese Salad £5.95
Suggested wine: Pouilly Fume' Les Cornets, Loire 2007 125ml £6.95

Filet Steak, Fresh Horseradish Sauce, Green Beans, and Chips £19.50
Suggested wine: Argiano Brunello Di Montalcino, Tuscany 2004 125ml £10.75
(I included the prices for all my "foodie' friends back home!)

I especially liked the Isabel, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 from Marlborough, New Zealand.....thanks Steve, I'm saving it for another special occasion!