Leeds Castle

Traveling is probably my favorite thing to do. I love exploring new places, seeing different cultures and meeting new people. The spring of 2009 I went to England for 10 days. I will post some of my favorite pictures and memories of the trip. Today I will start with Leeds Castle.

The morning of our trip to Leeds castle, I was so sick. The day before I ate pastries puffs from Harrods bakery. These were pastries to die for .. I ate too many and I was almost going to miss this day at Leeds Castle. Leeds is by far my favorite castle we visited, so I am so glad I ignored my ailing and went.

The castle was built in the 12th Century and was home to many famous medieval Kings and Queens. King Henry VIII was by far the most famous of them. He is the king in the movie The Other Boleyn Girl. This castle is ridiculously huge, its 500 acres. It has a golf course, a lake, gardens, a garden maze, creeks, a grotto and cottages to name a few attractions.

 There were peacocks and other lovely birds wandering the grounds. Peacocks were a symbol or royalty and riches.

 The spectacular views on the grounds are breathtaking.

 Part of the rose gardens.

 Leeds Castle has cottages that can be rented out a week at a time to stay in. They range from about 500 to 1700 pounds for the week. I think that this would be a wonderful get away. I hope I get to stay here sometime in my future and really get to soak up the beauty of the castle.

I cannot even put into words how beautiful and lovely this castle is. If you ever happen to be in London take the train to Kent and visit Leeds Castle! It's charming and romantic. It would also be the PERFECT site for a wedding, oh how I would love to go to a wedding here.. maybe someday!

darling kitchen gadgets

I am so excited about my new kitchen gadgets~ Thanks to Anthropologie for creating such pretty and fun things for every part of our lives... These are a few of my new kitchen gadgets I just recently got.. enjoy

 

 This sweet butter dish is just adorable, the color is so fun and its only $12

 

This magnetic timer is perfect. I feel like I am in 1950s when I use it!

 

My best friend Rachael (Rachael and You), gave me this anthro apron for a wedding shower gift. It makes me want to bake desserts all day long, just so I don't have to take it off! I think it's so cute that I wish it had a back so it could be a dress and I really could wear it out in public.. for now I'll just bake a lot!

 

These letters are also from Anthropologie. We decided to not paint our kitchen walls because we could possibly be moving in the Spring and have to paint it back white, so I wanted to find some ways to bring lots of color into the kitchen. These letters are just fun~

 

I figured that the aprons are so cute (the purple is also from anthro, couldn't find a close up pic of it) that they might as well get some use while I am not wearing them, I am missing my red cherry apron, which I think will complete the look..

Halloween

Every year my Halloweens have consisted of red and orange leafs rustling on the street, cold crisp air, apple cider, and warm sweaters. This year we were on our honeymoon in the Caribbean, so I didn't get my Minnesota Halloween. The air was hot and humid and there were no leafs on the ground! So I decided we must still make our own Halloween. 

We had our friends come over and we decorated Halloween sweets! Here are some pictures of our outcomes:

Camille made her own pumpkin cookie! pretty good for a 2 year old!

 

Wes and Kayla's scary Halloween house

Me and Ty's creepy Halloween house

Our friendly cupcake ghosts

My First Blog

As I sit here and create my first blog, I have so many things to get done on the to-do list: make returns, organize wedding gifts, write 100 thank you notes, clean the apartment, make the chili I promised to make for dinner... but a little distraction can't hurt too much... can it?                                                                            
 

Ty and I got married 3 weeks ago yesterday. It's be one of the best experiences of my life, completely blissful. Being that we just got home from our honeymoon 3 days ago we haven't really gotten into the swing of "normal" married life. One of the first normal things we've encountered since being married was my cooking. Yesterday I decided to make chicken, potatoes and carrots in the crock pot. I have heard that you can't really mess up food in the crock pot. Well.. I did! The food was pretty bad and flavorless. If anyone has easy, simply, tasty recipes send them my way! :) Ty and I will appreciate it.

I am going to try my luck at this chili I said I'd make! Wish me luck!

two of my favorite pics from our honeymoon: