RTT: Random Musings of Life Rediscovered

First off: Every event we go to sells crepes. Holy moly, are these the most delectable things in the world.... So delicious, all drizzled in chocolate sauce, or Nutella, filled with strawberry jam or fresh strawberries. I am desperately seeking a crepe pan so I can set to work making them at home. So far my tight-fisted self has not found one for less than £10 and, for reasons unknown, I deem this as too much. I will relent shortly, I expect. First, of course, I need to try and make them with a pan already in my arsenal. (The scrumptious photo was lifted from this site.)

I attended a "phototrek" workshop this weekend at Mottisfont Abbey. A gorgeous old home and grounds that are part of the National Trust, this place really sets your imagination into overdrive.
The stately old home with it's touches of modernity make it so easy to imagine yourself living there with your family. And your army of servants. Minions would be helpful when running a house of that size plus taking care of all the gardens and the river walk.... In a cruel twist of poor planning, I only took photos of the grounds and close-ups of all manner of lovely things. Like this:


Because you would totally rather see a caterpillar than some old mansion that makes you think of posh times hundreds of years ago. Right??

In fact, the house and grounds are so dreamy that I was overcome with romantic feelings and linking my hands in my husband's, I turned to Daddy-007 and declared that I wanted to get married to him all over again. Provided we had the ceremony and reception at Mottisfont Abbey, of course. As our children tumbled over the lawn and then perilously close to the water's edge, he gazed into my eyes and said, "Well... maybe we could just throw a party to celebrate living here." Ah, yes, the romance was thick in the air....

My kids have recently discovered the internet channel on the Wii.... When they aren't watching fairly innocuous shit like this:



They are watching expletive laden Mario Bros. clap-trap that may or may not involve Mario & Luigi getting hammered on homebrew whiskey and then gang-raping Peach. I don't know that this has actually happened (or exists on YouTube), but sometimes I come racing upstairs in stealth mode to peek in the room and make sure that the hysterical giggling or complete silence is not them watching the things that we all hope to protect our children from.

And, honestly, you would be amazed at how many YouTube videos of Mario & Luigi saying and doing all sorts of inappropriate things are out there! Of course, being female, I can only imagine the depths of depravity that adolescent boys find hilarious.

Speaking of adolescent boys.... my 10 year old son stinks like a freaking goat. We finally cajoled and browbeaten him into taking showers every other day, but really he should be showering every single day. There is some horrid thing happening with his sweat and hair that makes his head smell SO BAD! I can actually smell him enter a room if it has gone longer than two days and he is currently heated up from jumping on the trampoline or some other physical activity. Deeeeee-sgusting.

Despite what anybody may have told me about the English and their personalities before we got here, I have to say that I am experiencing a bit of a love affair with the lovely people of this village! We got not one, but two dinner invitations last week.... and we, thankfully see eye to eye with the people here in that children are NOT welcome additions to dinner at someone's house. Babysitters are expected to be obtained and the kids are to be left at home so the adults can actually have a good time and not just be servants on the go, having to make their their little charges content in foreign environs.

Now.... if we could just find a babysitter!! I have struck out on three possibilities and have just sent out a plea via email to a group of other moms at school. Say a prayer for me. Or for the kids, they need it more than I do because they'll be even more miserable then me if we don't find a sitter soon.

And in the WTF?! department: I am auditioning on Thursday for a singing part in the village New Year's play. I have to sing this: http://blip.fm/~e2c70 God save us all, I am not an Elvis fan and the part is for a Polish ex-stripper who performs the song "Now or Never" while performing a mock strip-tease around a stop sign pole.

Don't ask.

Wish me luck, but do NOT say "Break a leg!" as I am currently hobbling around on a bad knee right now.... An injury common to the old and infirm who like to partake in overly vigorous bouncing on trampolines, apparently.

Thanks for hosting Random Tuesday Thoughts, Keely!!