Boston Bean Soup with Watercress

I've been loving Lindsey Bareham's cookbook Just One Pot, which I picked up from the library here. Since I literally have one pot, this cookbook has been a lifesaver.

I made Boston Bean Soup with Watercress for dinner last night and we are having leftovers for lunch today. Today, when I took this picture, we didn't have any watercress left, so I used fresh parsley from the garden. It was sunny and warm outside, so we ate at the wrought iron table and chairs in the back courtyard.

2 T olive oil
5 oz bacon strips or pancetta, chopped
1 large red onion, finely chopped
2 plump garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery sticks, with leaves if possible, finely sliced
1/2 T flour
1 T smooth Dijon mustard
14-oz can chopped tomatoes
14-oz chicken broth or 1 chicken stock cube dissolved in 14 oz boiling water
squeeze lemon juice
1/2 t Tabasco sauce
14-oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3 oz watercress
4 T grated Parmesan cheese
salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat the oil in a spacious, heavy-based saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the pancetta or bacon until beginning to crisp. Stir in the onion and cook for about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and carrots. Season lightly with salt and generously with pepper. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, adjusting the heat so that the vegetables sweat rather than brown.

Add the celery and leaves to the pan. Cook for a minute or two, remove the lid, and sift the flour over the top. Stir until it disappears. Now stir in the mustard, tomatoes, a little of the stock, a squeeze of lemon juice, and the Tabasco. Bring to a boil, gradually adding the rest of the stock. Add beans, return to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Taste and adjust the seasoning. Finely chop the watercress. Just before serving, stir in the watercress and serve each portion with a spoonful of Parmesan cheese and either a drizzle of olive oil or dash of freshly ground black pepper.

Date Night at the Theatre

I had a first date on Wednesday night. Even though I had to ask the boy out and pay for the tickets myself and he didn't take me out to dinner first, I still think it was a great first date! Here's my date and I:

Merrit and I outside the house, getting ready to walk to
the theatre.

I had to explain to Merrit on the way to the Whitley Bay Playhouse that we were on a date and that meant that instead of running a half-block ahead of me yelling back at me to hurry up, he should walk with me, and hold my hand, and ask me about things I'm interested in. Once we were walking hand-in-hand, I said, "I'll start."

"So, Merrit, I understand that you have been homeschooled until now and this is your first time in public school. What's that like?"

"Well, it's a lot of fun and I like it. It's a long day though and sometimes I miss you—I mean—my mom. But, it's good. Um, so have you been settling in here? Are you making friends?"

"Oh, thanks for asking. Well, yes, I have met some people that are nice, but it'll take time to make good friends. Don't you think it takes time to make friends?"

"Yeah."

"Oh look, here we are at the playhouse."

It's a short walk! Just two blocks.

The playhouse is right across the street from Merrit's
school.

We had tickets to see Lionel Bart's Oliver, presented by the Whitley Bay Operatic Society. It was a great show. The boy who played the part of Oliver Twist was only eight years old and he did an amazing job! I was so impressed and touched when this little kid sang "Where Is Love?" all alone, under a spotlight, in front of a mostly-adult audience. Such bravery for a young kid.

I watched Oliver once before, a long time ago, when my cousin was in a high-school (or maybe even middle school?) presentation of the play. I sort of knew the storyline, but I was a bit rusty. What a great story. What great music!...Songs like "Food, Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," "As Long As He Needs Me," "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two," and "I'd Do Anything." And how cool is it that they had a live, albeit small, orchestra to accompany the actors?

Merrit took this picture from our seats on the third row.

This was Merrit's fourth play. He's seen Stomp!, Schoolhouse
Rocks (a production with an all-kid cast), and Macbeth (in which
his friend Max played the part of Fleance).

After I took Merrit's picture with the tix, he wanted to take mine.

At intermission, we bought some crisps (potato chips) and gummy snakes.

Merrit saw a teacher from his school at intermission and said hello. He didn't think to introduce me, but we're still working on date etiquette!

During the second act, Merrit was getting a little tired. He leaned over and whispered, "I think if I could eat a couple more gummy snakes, it might help me stay awake." Ha ha. Always working the angle, that one.

He had a lot of questions during the second act, as the plot became more complicated. The music helped him differentiate the good guys from the bad guys; the musicians in the orchestra pit played little bits of "mood music" (I'm sure there's a term for this but I don't know it) during non-speaking and non-singing parts of the play. And of course he jumped back in his seat and covered his eyes when Bill Sykes strangles Nancy on London Bridge at midnight. Just a little violent but, hey, if you've seen Macbeth, you can handle just about anything.

Thankfully, the Broadway version of the story is much less dark than Charles Dickens' original. In the play, Mr. Fagin is a comical character who seems to have a good heart even though he makes his troop of orphaned boys work as pickpockets in London, but in the Dickens story, Mr. Fagin is a criminal who treats the children cruelly and who is eventually tried and executed for his crimes. Note: I didn't know any of this before yesterday...but you gotta love Wikipedia.

When the play was over, we held hands and walked home in the dark. That was sweet. We watched an airplane fly overhead and found the moon, half-hidden behind the clouds. We talked about whether Mr. Fagin was good or bad, or a little of both. And whether he could change his ways. I didn't have to tell Merrit not to run ahead or to hold my hand on the way home—maybe because it was dark out, but I like to think that it was because he was having a nice time on our date.

Pass the Germ Around

First Ollie had a fever on Monday. Then I had a fever on Tuesday. Then Merrit on Thursday afternoon. Mike? He's been sleeping on the couch and, knock on wood, hasn't picked up the germ yet. Maybe we are uber-susceptible to colds here because we're being exposed all new varieties of bugs...? Life of an expat, I guess.

Speaking of the downsides to living overseas, I read this interesting post on another expat site the otheir day. Can't say I relate to all of it, since Mike's company has done handsprings to help our transition go smoothly, but it was eye-opening to see what other peoples' experiences can be like.

Meanwhile, we're loading up on the Vitamin C and immune-boosting herbs. Hopefully we will all be in top form for the weekend!

The Boots to Beat

These are my boots. I love them.

Was I crazy to spend $200 on them? (Omgosh, did I just say that out loud?)

Nope. And here's why...

I have worn them just about every day since February 15, and my feet have never been happier! They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.

They have stood up to all the walking I've been doing, they are warm (maybe too warm for NC?), water resistant which makes perfect sense around here, and with the little wedge, they add a bit of style but I don't feel overdressed dropping Merrit off at school or going grocery shopping. The full sole is perfect for uneven surfaces; I think I'd break my neck in heeled boots or higher wedges on these cobblestone streets and old, cracked sidewalks! (Tina, that was for you.)

The boots look cutest with tucked-in skinny jeans in either black or denim and a tunic-length top. I also wear them with my boot-cut Lucky Brand jeans over top of the boots. (Snagged those at 75% off, which is more my speed. I'm usually Team Bargain Price, not Team Full Price.) Not as cute that way because you can't see the full boot, but still a good look.

I want to try them with tights and skirts/sweater dresses, but I have to wait for our boxes of clothes to arrive. My wardrobe right now consists of only what I packed in my suitcase for the trip over: Three pairs of jeans, three graphic T-shirts, one long-sleeved grey T-shirt, three tunic tops, one pashmina, three turtlenecks (in red, black, and brown), and my light grey puffer coat. This is a versatile collection of clothes (thanks to my friend and personal style consultant, Simply Fit Mama's Brandy, for helping me put it together).

However...after weeks on end of wearing the same stuff, day in and day out, in different combinations, I'm in a total style rut! I'm ready for a little variety. In the meantime, thank goodness I have some super cute boots to boost the style quotient just a tad and perk me up.

Here's the video that sold me on the boots:







What is your favorite wardrobe item? Do tell! And did you pay full price or get it on sale?

Driving School

Mike: Since I have to work today, why don't you drive me into the city? It's Saturday and I'm not in a rush to get in. So we can take it nice and easy. You up for driving?

Mir: No.

Mike: C'mon, you want to be trapped in the house all day? You have to learn to drive at some point.

Mir: I want to take lessons first.

Mike: Really? You know that you'll have to drive around with a giant "L" on your car. People here think that that stands for "learner," but you and I both know what it really means.

Mir: Okay....

Mike: BOYS, GET IN THE CAAAAAAR! 

Mir: Alright, everyone buckled up?

Merrit: Hey, I found my lollipop from yesterday!

Ollie: [starts crying] Lolly! Lolly! I wannalolly!

Mike: Merrit, you are not going to eat that in front of Ollie. Hand it up here.

Ollie: LOLLY! I WANNALOLLY!

Mike: [unwrapping lollipop] Merrit, I'm going to give Ollie your lollipop. Everything is going to be fine.

Merrit: Aw, man...

Mike: I just need Ollie to be quiet. Here, you can play your PSP...Okay, Mir, put in it reverse. Back up slowly...SLOWLY I SAID.....Okay, that's good.

Mir: [silence]

Mike: Now just pull out and make sure you stay on the LEFT side of the road....Okay, that's good. Stay on the left.

Mir: I can't do this. Hey, let's just get out now. You go on into work and we'll do this another day. 

Mike: You CAN do this. You ARE doing this. You'll be just fine.

Mir: [silence]

Mike: I SAID STAY ON THE LEFT! 

Mir: I feel nauseous.

Mike: Okay, here comes the first roundabout. Things here are a little loosey goosey. So don't feel like you have to stay in the lane you are in. Just don't hit another car and you'll be okay. Stay in the inside lane and take the second exit.

Mir: Okaaaaay....

Mike: Merge, merge, MERGE now!

Mir: I'm starting to get a headache. I can't do this.

Mike: See that was easy. You made it through your first roundabout. Hey, look at you. You're driving in England.

Mir: [focused silence]

Mike: After this next roundabout, you'll be on the dual carriageway to Newcastle. The lane that you end up in will be the lane that you stay in for a while. So you can just relax and enjoy driving.

Mir: I think I'm going to throw up. Crack a window. I need some fresh air.

Merrit: Mommy, I just passed the second level and the end boss was a huge green giant and I totally cut his head off.

Mir: HUSH! I'm really concentrating right now and I can't... listen... to.... what.... you're....

Mike: You're doing fine....You're drifting to the left. Watch the curb. You have traffic on your left.....You're doing fine. Now we're coming into the city.

Mir: I don't like this. I want lessons.

Mike: Now merge into this lane...[pointing]...this roundabout is the biggest in Newcastle...just stay in the center lane...once we come out, you're going to take an immediate left. 

Mir: [silence]

Mike: Take the left now, the left lane. LEFT. 

Mir: I missed it!! Sorry. I'm sorry! Now what?

Mike:  I don't know. I haven't been down this street before. We'll be alright. Just take the next left.

Mir: Is that MY RED LIGHT?!

Mike: No! You're stopped in the MIDDLE of the intersection. You need to move! ...GO!...

Mir: Did you see how those two ladies looked at me?

Mike: Who cares? The British have a lot of grace....hey! watch the lampost....the British have a lot of grace, but lamposts, not so much.

Mir: Oh my God, am I in the wrong lane??? I AM IN THE WRONG LANE!

Mike: No, no, this is a one-way street. You're doing fine...[sweating]

Mir: We're lost aren't we?

Mike: No, we're just looking for a place to park.

Mir: [silence]

Mike: Park there.

Mir: I'm going to throw up now. 

Mike: You did it. Now just turn off the car. We'll eat here in the city and then you can drive me on to the office. 

Mir: I'm not driving anywhere.

Mike: What? You've got this...

Mir: No, I don't. That was horrible. I'm not driving anymore today.

Mike: But I thought you were taking the kids to the farm after you dropped me off?

Mir: Change of plans. We'll walk to the castle keep and just take the Metro home. You can keep the car. 

Mike: Cool. I need a cigarette.

Mir: Me, too. Can I have one?

[I must acknowledge my co-writer, Mike, for his contributions to this post! Thanks honey!]

Castle Recap: Bamburgh, Craigmillar, Newcastle's Castle Keep

As promised, we have some castle recaps to deliver. A few weekends ago we visited England's Bamburgh Castle and then, the next day, we walked through Scotland's Craigmillar Castle. And just today, the boys and I toured the Castle Keep in Newcastle upon Tyne. (Mike had to work. Boo.)

Sorry about the photo quality...we are still limping along with just our iPhone.

Bamburgh Castle
An astounding castle right by the sea. Stunning views. As you can see from the photos, we were there on a gorgeous day! Homeschooling friends back home: Check out the "History" section of the Bamburgh Castle website. Be sure to click on the books in the library for cool interactive features.

Just to give you an idea of how dramatic and picturesque this castle is, it has been the setting for eight different films between 1952 and 1998, including Roman Polanski's Macbeth in 1970. (Definitely need to rent that one!)

Here's the view from the southeast-facing overlook.

The cannons are a later addition to the castle.

The Norman Keep (straight ahead) was built by William the
Conquerer 900 years ago. Inside the keep, there's an even older
Saxon well.

Taking a breather.

The view, looking out over the village of Bamburgh
and surrounding fields. Beautiful!

Mike and Ollie in The King's Hall, a great room that's
now filled with display cases of antiques, weapons,
artwork, and artifacts.

The rock work in the ceiling of this passageway is awesome.

In the 1700s, the castle was used as a coast guard station, of sorts.
These chains were used to drag ships and their wreckage up onto the beach.

Warrior pose.

The boys each got a plastic sword from the gift shop.



Craigmillar Castle
Just three miles from the city centre of Edinburgh, Scotland, we found Craigmillar Castle. We got there at about 11:00 a.m. and just happened to get in free since a sign on the door of the entry station said that they had already gone to lunch...the gate was open...so in we went.

This castle was really different from Bamburgh in that it is in a basic state of ruin. For instance, where old wooden floors and roofs would have been, there is now nothing. Pigeons were roosting in its rooms. Artists' renderings helped us visualize the way the rooms would have looked, the way the gardens would have looked. I really liked this better, because you had to use your imagination.

This interior courtyard is peaceful and serene. This sycamore
tree, known as Queen Mary's Tree, was supposedly planted
by her.

These stone spiral staircases always make me think of the Sleeping Beauty movie,
when she climbs all the way to the top of the tower and finds the spinning wheel.

View from the top. This castle had tons of nooks and crannies
to explore and tight spaces and stairways. It was so cool.

Outbuildings included a dovecote and a chapel, which is now
where they have set up the public toilet. Seems wrong...

The castle timeline. For you history buffs.

The history books say that Mary Queen of Scots visited
Craigmillar twice in the 1500s. And now we've been there, too!

Newcastle's Castle Keep

The castle keep, or great tower, is all that remains of the castle built in Newcastle in 1080. What's crazy is that before this castle was built here, there was a Norman earth-and-timber castle on the site. And before that, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery on the site. And before that a Roman fort called Pons Aelius.

After paying 4 pounds to get in (just for me, the kids were free),
the first thing we did was climb spiral stone steps all the way
up to the roof.

1

Of the 10 bridges that cross the river Tyne in Newcastle, we could see
seven of them from the roof of the castle keep! In this picture:

the Millenium Bridge, completed in 2002, and the High Level Bridge,

completed in 1849.

Behind the boys, here's the Cathedral Church of St. Nicolas'
lantern tower. The stone work has amazing cutaway sections.
Gorgeous!

Looking down from the third story to the second story
into The Great Hall.

The boys watch a train go by from the windows in the
castle wall.

Outside the castle now, we found the old city well.

And a portion of the original city walls.

Playing with the castle keep in the background.

Can you believe these gorgeous blue skies? Who said
it rains all the time here? Dude, I probably just jinxed it.

We walked along the Heritage Trail, which took us down by
the Quayside (pronounced "keyside"), or riverside. But
that's a post for another day...

Milestones

Merrit's front tooth is coming in!

And Ollie is dressing himself!