Not sure if you knew this but I started a Facebook group for people to be to sell, buy, exchange, or give away their stuff in the RAF Mildenhall/Lakenheath area. It was the first of the kind and my real motivation behind it was to prevent people from throwing stuff away. Well it grew into the biggest one and because we had so many members, we had rules to help it run smoothly. That created a lot of grief for me and the other admins.
Anyways, I came across this thing called Varagesales. I took a look at it and other admins of FB groups said how much easier it made their lives. So I made the decision to move my FB group over and it continues to grow!
Varagesales is a platform that makes managing your groups so much easier. It is integrated with your FB but makes uploading pics in categories so much easier, deletes sold items after 7 days and as an admin, makes my life so much easier. It has saved me so much time and effort.
So if you are in the area, come join our group in Varagesales and happy selling!
Showing posts with label Thankful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thankful. Show all posts
Thankful for the Autumn
Over here they call it Autumn where I think we mainly say fall but could use both. The other leaders in my Brownie pack highlighted this because we were teaching the girls a new seasons song, which was American. :)
I like this time of year. I can't really put my finger on why. I love going on walks with the hubby and the dog. I also like the changing colours of the leaves. Its time for me to fill the freezer with chillis and soups to bring to work for lunch. I wrap up nice and cozy on the couch with the hubby. I pull out my slow cooker more. That was one of my best buys, you just cut up a bit of veggies and meats and add a little herbs, stock or gravy and when I get home from work, dinner is ready.
The other reason why I like this time of year is because my neighbors (including my in-laws) bring me fruit from their trees. I have spent the whole evening on Friday chopping apples and pears in my food processor from their gardens so that I can freeze them for future use. Hopefully I will find the time to do some blackberry picking to add to my hoard.
Now that I have stocked my freezer, I am ready for the next few months and the upcoming winter.
What do you like at this time of year?
Thankful for lovely weekends away
So this weekend I found myself sitting on the beach watching my husband land yatching. I will write about that in another post. We were down on the Southeastern coast of England in New Romney. We got really lucky with the weather.
After Jon had a go at land yatching, we headed to Dover to see the White Cliffs and eat cockles. Its something you have to do when at the seaside!
I think its too long of a drive to turn around and come back in one go so I secured us in a room at a pub in the center of Canterbury.
Sometimes it is nice to get away if only for the weekend. Especially when we have such nice weather at the end of September.
I hope that you take mini breaks like this and get out there.
Thankful we are so close to Europe
As much as I love England, I still love to go to other countries and see the sights. I am very lucky that Jon is up for it too!
There is no reason not to head to the continent via, train, car or plane. It is so accessible!
In fact recently we went to Naples from Stanstead, an airport about an hour from my house.
We have been to Paris on the Eurostar and I dream of driving down to the South of France bringing Dusty with us for a break.
Where are you dreaming of going while you are here?
How do you like to travel from England?
There is no reason not to head to the continent via, train, car or plane. It is so accessible!
In fact recently we went to Naples from Stanstead, an airport about an hour from my house.
We have been to Paris on the Eurostar and I dream of driving down to the South of France bringing Dusty with us for a break.
Where are you dreaming of going while you are here?
How do you like to travel from England?
Thankful for being able to share the special day with my friends
So last weekend was the last of the weddings I am to attend this year. I have been to four weddings per year for the last three years. I was looking to see if I could make a career change into attending weddings.
I have already written about the differences between American and British weddings. What I love about weddings is you get to really see a part of the couple you would have never seen otherwise. They are whole day celebrations which I love!
So here are the four weddings I went to this past year. Congratulations to all the lovely couples and thank you for letting be there on your big day. Especially to Laura, who allowed me to be a bridesmaid! The best to all of you!
I have already written about the differences between American and British weddings. What I love about weddings is you get to really see a part of the couple you would have never seen otherwise. They are whole day celebrations which I love!
So here are the four weddings I went to this past year. Congratulations to all the lovely couples and thank you for letting be there on your big day. Especially to Laura, who allowed me to be a bridesmaid! The best to all of you!
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Kristian and Miki
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| Chris and Laura |
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| Jack and Anna |
BTW, our diaries are free at the moment so book us in quickly! :)
Kimx
Thankful for free events!
As much as I love the sun and warm weather, my favorite time of the year is Autumn rolling into the winter. The reason why is during the summer you struggle to meet up with friends because everyone is so busy going on holiday and trying to make the most of the warm weather so I find that I get together with friends in the later part of the year.
Here are some free things going on in the next few months:
September
October
November
Here are some free things going on in the next few months:
September
October
November
- Bonfire Night- All over the place
- Remembrance Day- All over but you can get into Duxford Air Museum for free
- Veteran's Day at Cambridge Madingley American Memorial Cemetery
- Bury Christmas Fayre
December
Please get out there!
Thankful for the beautiful scenery I get to run through
I meant to post this two weeks ago but have been a bit busy with life which is always good and bad.
I was in Newmarket with my Brownies for our pack holiday and took a run on my old stomping grounds as I used to live there before I moved to Cambridge.
I was thinking how lucky am I that I get to run where I see the horses out for training and run down the 18th Century high street where Charles II would have come to watch the races and visit his mistress.
I am so lucky that I can run through the ancient streets of Cambridge which still have many original buildings and the charm that I love.
Sometimes things are hard for us all but we need to could our blessings on the things that are going right in our life and those of you lucky enough to be able to live here for 2-4 or how many years, remember that when you can't wait until the next assignment! I would have killed to be here instead of Minot!
I was in Newmarket with my Brownies for our pack holiday and took a run on my old stomping grounds as I used to live there before I moved to Cambridge.
I was thinking how lucky am I that I get to run where I see the horses out for training and run down the 18th Century high street where Charles II would have come to watch the races and visit his mistress.
I am so lucky that I can run through the ancient streets of Cambridge which still have many original buildings and the charm that I love.
Sometimes things are hard for us all but we need to could our blessings on the things that are going right in our life and those of you lucky enough to be able to live here for 2-4 or how many years, remember that when you can't wait until the next assignment! I would have killed to be here instead of Minot!
Thankful for being here in these exciting times.
No doubt you have hear that Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to George Alexander Louis of Cambridge this week.
I was noticing that a few other my friends were so happy that they could be living in this country when the birth happened and other events of the previous years. That made me reflect on my time here. Since I have lived in England, Kate and Will got married (I went down with some friends to be there), the Queen had her Diamond Jubilee (went down there for that too), Olympics and the Paralympics were held (went to events at both) and finally the third to the throne was born. I have not been able to get down to go see the easel that the notification was on but I did think about it- I had too much homework!
Always these are exciting times! One thing that the British do really well is celebrate! Anyways I look forward to many more exciting events in future.
I am also thankful that I just finished two more classes and have a weeks break to catch up on other things before the next ones being. Now off to enjoy the sunshine!
Thankful for my rock, my husband
I have been trying to post things that I am thankful for every week but I had some devastating news last week and I could not find anything to be thankful. I am sure as time goes by I will come to terms and hopefully things will improve and I will be able to share more with you. It just made me realize how much people do not appreciate what they have and do not know how lucky they are.
So I am thankful for my husband sticking by me and being my rock.
That is all I can say is that I do not know where I would be without my husband.
Thankful for being to adapt things here that make me feel at home
The weather has been lovely! Hopefully it will last! I was like a little kid at work on Friday, looking forward when I could go home and sit in my garden and enjoy the sun!
Yesterday Dusty and I went for a run, we should have gone a bit earlier because it was a hot one! The hot weather reminded me of the sun tea that my mom would make. She would put a pitcher of water with four teabags on the front porch, our house was in Evergreen, Colorado on a plot of land, and allow the sun to heat up the water and allow the tea to brew. I wondered if I would be able to do the same with Jon's tea. It never hurts to try does it? So I got a pitcher that I had threw in four PG tips tea bags and put it on the patio in the back. I covered the top with a plate and just let it sit. The rest of the day I spent lounging about the house and garden doing homework. I am not complaining but it was a hot one and there was not a cloud in the sky!
Today I went to church down the road. Then when I got back, Jon and I decided we would take Dusty out before it got really hot. It was lovely and seemed to be the same idea for other dog owners. We came home cleaned the house and I threw in lemon and orange slices along with a few strawberries in the tea which I left chilling in the fridge (I had to remove a shelf because the fridges here are so small!).
Anyways, not I am sitting in the back garden, sipping my iced tea and writing papers due today! Hopefully I will get done soon because I think that the Jesus Green Lido is calling my name!
What did you do during this heat wave?
Thankful for things being so accessible
Well this weekend has been fantastic besides the torrential rain we experienced on Saturday. Friday after work, Jon, Dusty and I headed down to Stourbridge Common and set up a picnic along the River Cam to watch the Cambridge May Bumps. You can check out my video on my Facebook PAge to see what that is all about. The weather was windy but great for an event like that. I was worried I would have to stand out in the rain to make the video but I got lucky!
Saturday was a wash not only because of the rain but because of the homework I had to submit.
Today was another day. It started out hot but muggy and since Jon did not have any commitments, I cleaned the house and we set out to walk to Grandchester Meadows. We took paths through a nature reserve where we let Dusty loose and then again once we got to the meadows. Then we had lunch at the Green Man in Trumpington in the beer garden so we could tie Dusty up. The burgers were great btw. Then we walked all the way back. In all it was 8.5 miles which may not seem like a lot but with Jon's injury, I know he was in pain, but also enjoyed himself.
It just surprises me that the British can have a reserve right in the middle of a busy town like Cambridge. I think that it is important that we get out and about especially when the sun is out. I have moved a bench to the last corner of the garden that gets sun for the day. It ended up sunny when we returned and so the cat and dog are joining me in the open air.
What parks, reserves or paths are near you? Perhaps plan to take an excursion for the day when it is sunny and just be out there!
Also I have called my dad to wish him a "Happy Father's Day!", make sure you do the same.
Thankful for when the sun does come out
So I have come to terms that I do not live in place that gets sun like Denver, my home town, or Florida, where my dad lives, but I sure do appreciate when the sun does come out.
I think it is so funny how the English respond to the sun. The past week and a half has been lovely weather, I even got to wear my sunglasses on my way to work! When the weather is nice, the parks are full of picnics, the river is full of punters, and pubs are full, especially the beer gardens, people scramble to make the most of it.
This past week I have come home from work and just sat in the garden reading my book until the sun went down. I took Dusty on a few long walks, bumping into people I have not seen for years, which was great. At lunch at work, I sat outside on the green soaked up some rays while getting ahead on my assignments. Jon and I headed for a drink at a local pub that opened up and found a place on a wall in a very full beer garden in the sun. It was a great week!
So it is not every day that the sun comes out for us, but I think I will make the most of it, I write while trying to get the last bit of sun I can from the weekend. I always get overexcited about the sun and forget to reapply my sunscreen so have been sunburnt but I don't mind, I got some sun!
I hope that you will make the most of the sun when it is here and go for a walk, have a picnic, head for the closest beer garden, or sit outside in the garden topping up your Vitamin D.
Thankful to alternative methods
For those of you that do not know, I have been sick for the past three weeks which may have been a mixture of an allergic reaction to soya from my trip to Japan and a cold. I never stay home from work but I went home early two days and two days I couldn't even get myself out the door. It is still lingering but going to all those saunas at Centre Parcs helped my chest out and being around all these beauticians came with a lot of advice.One of them suggested ear candles for clearing my ears and sinuses. You can get these at Sally Beauty and alternative medicine and natural health stores.
You put them in your ear (you need to have someone else help you so you don't burn yourself) and burn them down to the line and the flame causes a suction which clears out your ears (a bit disgusting) but I felt better after it.
I also was introduced to Night Nurse. This was my savior! You take it at night if you don't have a productive cough. It knocks you out and suppresses the reflexes that keeps you up. This gave me my first full night of sleep after a week and a half with out.
I thought I might share these things since I found them useful!
Thankful for Spas
I am sorry for the quick post but just wanted to mention that there are so many great places to go for a girls day out.
I went to the Aqua Sauna at Centre Parcs. For the day it costs £69 without treatments but includes lunch! Initially I thought it was a lot but I am a bridesmaid so its expected that you go to everything. I was really presently surprised. It took us nearly all day to go into every spa room. You can also go there with you partner as it is not a women's only as is The Sanctuary. Bring your own flip flops and a book!
Here are some that I have been to and recommend:
The Clarice House
Aqua Sauna- Centre Parcs
The Sanctuary
Esse
Everyone needs pampering and there is so much around!
Have you to been to any of these or other spas? Do you have any recommendations?
I went to the Aqua Sauna at Centre Parcs. For the day it costs £69 without treatments but includes lunch! Initially I thought it was a lot but I am a bridesmaid so its expected that you go to everything. I was really presently surprised. It took us nearly all day to go into every spa room. You can also go there with you partner as it is not a women's only as is The Sanctuary. Bring your own flip flops and a book!
Here are some that I have been to and recommend:
The Clarice House
Aqua Sauna- Centre Parcs
The Sanctuary
Esse
Everyone needs pampering and there is so much around!
Have you to been to any of these or other spas? Do you have any recommendations?
Thankful for Dusty
I have returned to running after my dog, Dusty, has recovered from his cataract surgery. It has been a long time since ran together. I was thinking that we have been all over Cambridge, probably in places we would have never been otherwise. We have ran through Newnham up to the Orchard Tea room, up the guided bus way towards Huntingdon, and through Cambridge city centre before everyone else was awake. It just makes me appreciate how lovely it is here.
So this post is a suggestion for you to get out there and be active and you might see places that you wouldn't go otherwise.
So this post is a suggestion for you to get out there and be active and you might see places that you wouldn't go otherwise.
Thankful for opportunity to be exposed to all things new
I was thinking about what I would write for this Sunday's post on Friday. As is life, I found inspiration with what I was doing this week.
Not all of you know that I work at the University of Cambridge. I think that it is absolutely fantastic. I get to meet so many inspiring people (so much so I have gone back to school!) and the things that they are involved with amaze me. The people I support are in the field of physics which is not an area that I have any knowledge of.
Cambridge University holds a few different festivals during the year which are open to the public. This week happen to be the Cambridge Science Festival. So if you are interested in attending any events held by Cambridge University, I suggest signing up for the email and following the RSS Feed that can be found here.
Jon and I attended a talk by Professor Frank Close, the author of The Infinity Puzzle. The talk was about the Higgs Boson. I will not even try to explain what the Higgs Boson is, but it had made the news in the past few months. It is also something being researched by physicists so I thought it would be interesting to see into the world that I help support. While I was sitting in the talk, I thinking about how lucky I was to have an opportunity to attend events like this. There are loads of talks going on not just in Cambridge University but all over the place. I could spend my life attending talks and about such a wide range of subjects.
Today Jon and I are going to a talk by the Naked Scientists. Both of these events were free and there are many that are for children too. I like going to these things because I learn something new, which is always nice and it builds on who I am as a person.
I can tell you my views have changed since arriving here in 2006. They continue to change the longer that I am here and sometimes it is for the better. Although I am not sure that I will ever truly understand physics.
What things have you been involved here that are new to you? Do you feel that you are growing as a person being over here?
Not all of you know that I work at the University of Cambridge. I think that it is absolutely fantastic. I get to meet so many inspiring people (so much so I have gone back to school!) and the things that they are involved with amaze me. The people I support are in the field of physics which is not an area that I have any knowledge of.
Cambridge University holds a few different festivals during the year which are open to the public. This week happen to be the Cambridge Science Festival. So if you are interested in attending any events held by Cambridge University, I suggest signing up for the email and following the RSS Feed that can be found here.
Jon and I attended a talk by Professor Frank Close, the author of The Infinity Puzzle. The talk was about the Higgs Boson. I will not even try to explain what the Higgs Boson is, but it had made the news in the past few months. It is also something being researched by physicists so I thought it would be interesting to see into the world that I help support. While I was sitting in the talk, I thinking about how lucky I was to have an opportunity to attend events like this. There are loads of talks going on not just in Cambridge University but all over the place. I could spend my life attending talks and about such a wide range of subjects.
Today Jon and I are going to a talk by the Naked Scientists. Both of these events were free and there are many that are for children too. I like going to these things because I learn something new, which is always nice and it builds on who I am as a person.
I can tell you my views have changed since arriving here in 2006. They continue to change the longer that I am here and sometimes it is for the better. Although I am not sure that I will ever truly understand physics.
What things have you been involved here that are new to you? Do you feel that you are growing as a person being over here?
Thankful for local butchers
With the breaking news this week about horse meat being found in the meat sold by Tescos and other large grocery stores, it brings something to my attention that I think a lot of people are also thinking about, what do we really know about our food. On another blog I write about my trip to become green, thrifty and crafty so I will try to save you from my soapbox antics. I have become more interested in my food since I got out of the military and found out about that I am allergic to milk and soya so that leaves me with a lot of food that I cannot eat.
We have a butchers around the corner from where I live, I have recently been going there for most of the meat that we eat, it is a bit more expensive, but I know its fresh and I can ask the butcher where he got it from, you can't do that at Tescos and any other supermarkets. One other place that I will get my meat from is the Co-operative, they are the lesser of the evil big chains and they push fairtrade, organic and local foods.
This is another point that I think that is that we should support local farmers where ever we are. A lot of farmers here and America are losing their farms because they cannot compete with farms overseas in places like Thailand and we are losing the quality of food in favour for mass production.
Rant over...
So I am thankful there are still places like my local butchers where I can go and ask where my meat comes from. Now I must remember to go see him to get some haggis for Burns night, make sure you get yours.
One butchers you should go to is Powters in Newmarket for their Newmarket sausages, Jane is crazy about them!
We have a butchers around the corner from where I live, I have recently been going there for most of the meat that we eat, it is a bit more expensive, but I know its fresh and I can ask the butcher where he got it from, you can't do that at Tescos and any other supermarkets. One other place that I will get my meat from is the Co-operative, they are the lesser of the evil big chains and they push fairtrade, organic and local foods.
This is another point that I think that is that we should support local farmers where ever we are. A lot of farmers here and America are losing their farms because they cannot compete with farms overseas in places like Thailand and we are losing the quality of food in favour for mass production.
Rant over...
So I am thankful there are still places like my local butchers where I can go and ask where my meat comes from. Now I must remember to go see him to get some haggis for Burns night, make sure you get yours.
One butchers you should go to is Powters in Newmarket for their Newmarket sausages, Jane is crazy about them!
Thankful for the Markets
I don't really use the markets as much as I should. I am currently taking part in a course called, Carbon Conversations, so that I can reduce the amount of carbon I contribute, I know I am just one person but I want to do my bit. Buying local food not only reduces the distance you food travels, but then you can eat foods that are in season and help out the local farms and business people, sounds like a win-win to me!
I am very fortunate that Cambridge has their market everyday of the week. I went last week to get my bits for Thanksgiving (yup, I still celebrate it) and really got some good fresh vegetables. I was trying to make a pumpkin pie but I have two problems, one- you can't get the pumpkin pie filling in the can and two- I am allergic to milk and soya so I couldn't have it if I can get it. So I initially was going to try it with butternut squash but they had cooking pumpkins (suggested by the stall holder). I like that being able to talk to someone which seems rare in today's world when you need some help. It turned out okay but its not the same but I wouldn't expect it to be most dairy-free recipes are close but never exactly the same. The good thing is all my guests were British so they didn't know what it should taste like:)
I got my other bits and had bought the turkey from the local butcher. Who was very knowledgeable and has helped me to cook two perfect turkeys.
Where I work now, they have bus that will take you into the centre of town at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I get off early on Fridays so I think I might have to make using the markets a more regular things.
That way I can know that not only am I reducing my carbon footprint, helping out the locals but I am getting good food that is very fresh.
So maybe you can't make it every week, but do try to use the local markets for your fruit and vegetables. I think that they are also cheaper than what you will get in the supermarkets and definitely fresher than the produce you will find on base.
I am very fortunate that Cambridge has their market everyday of the week. I went last week to get my bits for Thanksgiving (yup, I still celebrate it) and really got some good fresh vegetables. I was trying to make a pumpkin pie but I have two problems, one- you can't get the pumpkin pie filling in the can and two- I am allergic to milk and soya so I couldn't have it if I can get it. So I initially was going to try it with butternut squash but they had cooking pumpkins (suggested by the stall holder). I like that being able to talk to someone which seems rare in today's world when you need some help. It turned out okay but its not the same but I wouldn't expect it to be most dairy-free recipes are close but never exactly the same. The good thing is all my guests were British so they didn't know what it should taste like:)
I got my other bits and had bought the turkey from the local butcher. Who was very knowledgeable and has helped me to cook two perfect turkeys.
Where I work now, they have bus that will take you into the centre of town at lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I get off early on Fridays so I think I might have to make using the markets a more regular things.
That way I can know that not only am I reducing my carbon footprint, helping out the locals but I am getting good food that is very fresh.
So maybe you can't make it every week, but do try to use the local markets for your fruit and vegetables. I think that they are also cheaper than what you will get in the supermarkets and definitely fresher than the produce you will find on base.
Thankful for Cycling
This is post is inspired by my German friend, Lilli, who I worked with at Sweaty Betty. She once said to me that cycling made her feel free. At the time I couldn't really relate as I was just getting into the habit of cycling to work everyday and being a new cyclist, but now I have to agree. Two years later, I cycle with as much confidence as Lilli does and now I feel free when I am cycling.
I am very fortunate that I live in the outskirts of Cambridge and anyone who has driven in Cambridge, knows it is sometimes a nightmare. I was thinking the other day, how quick it really is. I can always leave the house last minute and never have to take in account the traffic because there are so many different ways to get to one place.
I also like it because its so accessible to all. When school is in term, you will see Cambridge filled with students heading to their lectures, businessmen in their suits on the way to work, and moms with their children in tow. I like how all classes ride cycles around town and all ages too.
I am very fortunate that I live in the outskirts of Cambridge and anyone who has driven in Cambridge, knows it is sometimes a nightmare. I was thinking the other day, how quick it really is. I can always leave the house last minute and never have to take in account the traffic because there are so many different ways to get to one place.
I also like it because its so accessible to all. When school is in term, you will see Cambridge filled with students heading to their lectures, businessmen in their suits on the way to work, and moms with their children in tow. I like how all classes ride cycles around town and all ages too.
Thankful for the free Musuems
I love the fact that so many museums are free here. Check them out here. It makes all the art collections and artifacts so accessible to all. It is a great way to get your children interested in these things but also if you are an arts or history enthusiast, it doesn't have to be expensive. My favourite one in Cambridge is the Fitzwilliam but the colleges have quite a few that are being redone and make learning about science, history and art fun! I suggest you save the museums for rainy days as there are other things to do when the weather is nice!
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