Some Fantastic

My Mommy came to visit!!! Poor Mom arrived with a cold and was asleep on drugs the first night after I introduced her to the phenomena that is Spargel. We went to a restaurant in Wiesbaden and had asparagus creme soup. Right now asparagus is in season and the Germans are crazy about their Spargel. Ever place has a Spargel menu and you see signs and stands on the sides of roads with spargel. Spargel, spargel, spargel!! It's just like Forest Gump with the various shrimp dishes, as Mom joked.

Mom having apargus creme soup.

Friday we wandered around Mainz and Saturday we went to the weekly market in Wiesbaden for some fresh bread, cheese, strawberries, and freshly cooked chicken. We had that for lunch on the patio.

On Mother's Day, we headed to Holland. We stayed near the Keukenhof gardens, but Sunday evening we realized we were only minutes from the North Sea. It was really windy and subsequently very chilly, but we can now say we went to see the North Sea. Mom even bravely put her toes in the water and I think they were almost frozen when she took them out.



Monday we went to the tulip gardens at Keukenhof. We missed the peak of the tulips and didn't get to see the fields of endless tulips you see when you're driving through that region, but the tulip gardens at Keukenhof were beautiful and I think I got some great pictures.

Tuesday we headed to Amsterdam (hey, we had to pay for gas and the hotel somehow;) ) and got lost so many times I could barely stand it. As Mom pointed out, I'm usually good with direction and even I was getting lost. We took a couple of canal boat rides, saw the Van Gogh museum, toured a houseboat, and had Dutch pancakes. We stayed in a great bed and breakfast called The Flying Pancake, which was much better than the hotel we stayed in near the tulips. I really liked Amsterdam and definitely will make a trip back at some point.

On the way home to Wiesbaden, we stopped by Cologne so that she could see the Cologne Cathedral. It's an enormous church and I wrote a bit about in when Chris visited, because we did the same thing on the way home.

I have posted all of my pictures from Mom's visit, if you'd like to see them. I haven't updated them with captions or anything, but I think it's pretty clear where I took most of them.

Tea for Two

...or really for almost 30 guests. My boss, Chantel, had a women's English tea party today. Jen, Amy, Kim M., and I all met at Kim H.'s house and drove down in one car.

Kim H., Amy, me, Jen, Kim M.

Cocktails started at noon and we were offered drinks as soon as we walked through the door on one condition--we had to get our picture taken first. Chantel's son, Kaleb, and his two friends were the butlers, complete with tuxedo....t-shirts. We had an offering of mimosas, bloody marys, spiked lemonade, and there could have been something else too, but I stuck with the mimosas.

Me, Naymar, Jen, Kim H.

Although weather.com was calling for rain, it was sunny the whole time and the tables set up outside on the patio were gorgeous. Chantel has a perfect backyard for a gathering like this.

Carrie, Kirsten, Melanie, who are all pregnant.

Carrie and Melanie have about a month left.

After everyone arrived, we sat down and ordered from a list of teas. Everything was homemade. We were served little finger sandwiches with everything from egg, cucumber, and salmon. They were delicious. Next we had four different varieties of scones, but the one I tried first, basil and tomato, I stuck with. The desserts they brought out looked amazing, but I was so stuffed that I didn't have anything but a piece of chocolate. I think I saw homemade angel food cake and that's my favorite, but I couldn't even bring myself to get a piece of that.

There was a contest for the best bonnet and for best "tea outfit." I voted for Naymar and apparently there was a 4-way tie, so the butlers got to weigh in, but chose someone else. It was a lovely day and just as we were leaving it started to rain. We were lucky it held off for the afternoon.

Kim H. and Jen

Me, Amy, Naymar

Kaleb (middle) and his two friends, the hardworking butlers.

Chantel and Amy

Now it's time to get cleaning for Mom's visit. She arrives on Thursday.

Drive My Car

After work today I wandered down to the end of my street to the Kurhaus, where they were having an antique car gathering. It's something called Wiesbaden's Older Timer (which is the German word for antique car) Rally. It was much different than any sort of antique car gathering in the States, but then again, this rally lasts the entire weekend, they drive them sort of in a parade, and I don't know what else.

Today was also a holiday in Germany, so for all I know the cars and their owners had been doing things all day. However, the owners weren't next to their cars, there was no one to ask questions, they weren't sitting in lawn chairs with Corvette leather coats, and chatting with other car owners. No, they were sitting drinking beer, wine, and champagne with other rich people.

Rich people looking rich and being rich.

As cool as some of these cars were, and as crazy as Germans generally are about their cars, they weren't as shiny or as fantastically clean as the old cars you see in the U.S. There were a lot of old Mercedes, a 1955 Astin Martin, a lot of Alpha Romeos, some Skodas, a Porshe, Jaquars, a few Rolls Royces, and one American car--a Cadilac. It was interesting to see the cars, because they were different--they weren't the roadsters, the T-birds, or the Model Ts you see in the U.S.. I had never seen an Astin Martin that I know of and the old Porshe was really cool. It seemed like the cars you see in old movies. Movies with rich people.

Old car, modern convenience--cord for an MP3 player.

The following car is the so-called ‘Aluminium Sculpture’, a 40/50 H.P. Phantom I Open Tourer from 1926. The first owner had been the Maharadscha of Nanpara in India. It's made of polished aluminum, 6 cylinder engline, and weighs 1, 815 lbs.

When I Get Where I'm Going

I was lucky enough that I had to go back to Maryland for work and before that I went to Ohio. It was a good time to go for many reasons.

Main Street in downtown Wilmington, Ohio

Thursday, Mom and I headed down to Wilmington to see Grandpa, Rosey, Kenny, and Maurine. But first, we did a quick stop at the outlet malls. We had an hour, so after sycronizing our watches, we split up to find our bargains. I have to say, I think I did a mighty fight job stimulating the economy in under an hour. Oh, and Ann Taylor loves me.

We did the usual lunch at McD's (not McDonald's) and then Grandpa had to go home, because he wasn't feeling well. The rest of the afternoon we caught up, Mom and I found great recipes in the Rachel Ray magazine Rosey had (and subsequently got subscriptions when we got home), and drank some wine. That evening, since it was Rosey and Kenny's 59th wedding anniversary, Mom, Jennifer, Dana, Rosey, and Kenny went out to the General Denver for drinks and appetizers. (I tried to take the following pictures surreptitiously, but they didn't turn out very well.)

Kenny and RoseyJennifer and Dana

Mom

Friday, I once again tried my very best to stimulate Ohio's economy. Once again, I think I did a darn fine job! I took Dad to some appointments too, then we went home and hung out. Although not on my initial list of restaurants to visit while home, I was glad to have an old favorite--Donatos Pizza. Chad made a quick visit home too, so we told London stories and he showed us the pictures he took of the rest of his trip.

Saturday was another delicious dinner at Dad's before we headed to the Blue Jacket's last game of the season. They lost to Minnesota in a very disappointing game. They scored 2 goals in the first couple of minutes of the first period, then lost by a margin wider than I care to admit. It was fun to go, as I always enjoy the games with Dad. We even got free posters of the team, which made it to the NHL playoffs for the first time in their franchise history (don't ask how they did against Detroit in the playoffs, though). That night we got home just in time to see the end of the Miami University final game of the college hockey playoffs. Miami was playing Boston College, the #1 team in the nation. They lost in a heart-breaking overtime game. They were winning 3-1 with 3 mintues left, when Boston took their goalie out. Somehow, with a minute left, Boston scored two goals. Miami lost in overtime and it was such a devastating loss. Luckily, I don't think Miami is losing too many seniors, so they may be back next year, hopefully in the final game again with a different outcome.

Stinger, the Blue Jackets mascot

I got to Maryland and I ate my way through the week. I had a long list of restaurants I have been hungry for, so I didn't waste any time when I arrived. I had a steak at the Capital Grille, fresh roasted chicken at The Dogwood, my favorite Chianti and shrimp scampi (although Tillie's will always be my favorite) at La Scala, a bison burger at Golden West Cafe, I pigged out at this great Mexican place north of Baltimore (and whose name I don't recall), brunch twice at Miss Shirley's, doughnuts from New System Bakery (a.k.a. Heaven), and I had some delicious pie at The Savory House.

The Avenue in Hampden

I had a grand time in Baltimore, even if I did have to be rolled around in a wheel barrel because of all the food I consumed. Too bad work got in the way of having more fun. I got my butt beat at bowling (best of 5) by Chris. The owner of The Savory House (and Dangerously Delicious Pies), Rodney Henry, had a free outdoor concert of Baltimore bands on Saturday. It was BYOB and it was great.

Rodney "the Pie Man" Henry (in orange)

Junestar

The Young Jaquars

I also went to an O's game, but it was pouring before it started. We waited for a while, then left because we didn't know when/if the rain would stop. So I had my beer at Camden Yards, but didn't see my boyfriend Brian Roberts.

The ominous sky.

I'm sorry I didn't get to see everyone. It so hard when you have so little time. I'm grateful for the people I did see and I can't wait to see you again soon.

Way Down in the Hole

This weekend I came out of my hole a little bit, or out of my shell, as my friend pointed out. I think for the first time in my life, I've been affected by the dreary, grey, weather. It has been non-stop grey and grossness for months and it has really gotten to me. This past week, however, it was sunny. Cloudless and almost warm sunny. It was so refreshing. All I could think about was having a drink or a meal outside at one of the restaurants and people watching.

Saturday, I went with three of my girl friends to the Wiesbaden market, which is held every Saturday. It was gorgeous out!! Everything looked different with the sunshine. And everything tasted great too. I sampled some blueberries, rasberries, and these cool mini, bitesized kiwi fruits. I didn't take any pictures, because I was mostly enamored with and eating the food any chance I got. I bought some cheese, bread, and olives all for dinner that night. I wanted to buy more, but since I'm leaving on Wednesday, I knew I couldn't eat it all before then. Every free Saturday I have, I'm going to make a point of going down there.

After our rendezvous at the market, we found a place to have lunch outside. We chatted, had our requisite adult beverages, and enjoyed seeing the strange outfits the Germans were sporting. I wished I had had my camera poised, because there were some true winning style points for some of these outfits.

Following lunch and one of the reasons all of us met was to each find a hat. My boss is having a ladies tea party the first weekend in May, complete with cocktails at noon, little sandwiches, pasteries, English scones, and tea in the afternoon. We're supposed to bring a tea cup and to wear a hat--there will be a winner for the best hat. Now all along I've been opposed to buying a hat I'd probably wear once, especially one of those gawdy huge things that you always see the Brits wearing in the movies. I had even said I was going to show up in my Orioles floppy hat, which I thought would be a definite winner. But once we got to Karstadt (the department store) and started trying on hats, I started to change my mind. I wasn't going to buy one of the gawdy ones, but something I might wear again, and given that many of the hats made me look like a man, my choices were limited. Thank God I went shopping with friends, because we all told each other when we looked stupid. I went with the cowboyesque style hat.

Next we headed to the women's department just to see what sort of clothes they had. Kim ended up finding this cute skirt, but the only one in her size was on the manequin. So we asked a woman to take it off and getting it off--the arms were coming off and she couldn't get them back on. Of course, I had to take a picture of that.

Werewolves in London

It's been quite a while since I have written anything. I doubt anyone checks my blog with such anticipation, only to be disappointed that I still hadn't posted anything. Who knows, maybe there are admirers out there, who I'm unaware of.

"Look kids! Big Ben, Parliament!"

The most exciting thing that has happened recently is that the Roberts kids met up in London the weekend of the 14th. Chad had some business meetings in England, so he asked if I wanted to meet him in London before them so we could tour around and hang out. After a confusing beginning trying to find each other in the London Heathrow airport (you'd think international arrivals would arrive in the international terminal), we had a great weekend together. I think we walked the entire city of London or at least my calves felt like we did. It was fun to be around someone who had never been to Europe before and who was so enamored with how old everything is.



Our first day, we had the requisite fish and chips and tried a British brew. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, with bright sun all day. I read in the paper Monday that it was the warmest it had been all year--around 60 degrees. I think we both really liked the Tower of London and the Yoaman (Beefeater), who gave us a short tour and history of the grounds. The Crown jewels are held there and they are quite impressive--so many diamonds!

These are only a few of the pictures. Chad has the most that we took on Sunday, because I forgot my camera in the room that day, so you get to look up my nose at the one I posted here :)