Spooky Encounter

So, I had prepared the worm, teeth, lip additive filled jelly

Went a smidgeon overboard on spookifying the house..

Switched some scary music on untill I became worried that the neighbours would think I was being either murdered, murdering someone or conducting an exorcism so swiftly changed it and decided to quickly brush my teeth..

And Luke decided to go low key and show his true nature…

After a little help with my friend from the devil’s celler ..

I was ready to let my guests in. With a spookily, somewhat perfectly timed, creak of the door they arrived for some spooky fun. I had decided to do a bit of a Halloween dinner party and invite some friends over and with the help of a Witch , who was there to bring me flowers

and to help stir things

I began to make the feast. This involved baking lots of chocolate, doughy eyeball shaped things.

For the menu there was

Nibbles

• Hellfire Spread.

• Witches Broomsticks – with cheese and marmite brushes.

• Spooky seasame men.

Dinner

• Mozzarella eyeballs
• Garlic ‘eye’ dough balls

• Green pasta with tomato and marscepone sauce

Desert

• Chocolate eyeballs

• Spooky jelly

It was then time to add a few more friends to the party…once we had brought them to life..

Before banishing them to the garden to keep watch for any unwanted guests. I had a string of garlic in the back garden so everything was covered.

 

I traveled among unknown men (and women! sorry William), In lands beyond the sea: Nor England! Did I know till then What love I bore to thee.

I’m settling back into the English way of life, slowly! It has been great to see some firm favourites again from kettles, Tetley tea,

PG Tips (including Monkey),

to roundabouts!

(Don’t worry. No-one was hurt in the making of this picture as I was not driving at the time)

Of course, it didn’t feel like I was back before I had been to see my grandparents for an eagerly anticipated catch up over a cuppa. I arrived just in time to see my Granddad get his Manchester City top on and was collected by my lovely Godfather. There were quick hugs all around and the boys went off to the match in a huddle of blue and with a flask of tea in tow. This time the flask did contain a teabag as last time apparently this was the one vital ingredient which was omitted. Then it was time for my Nana and I to get down to the really, serious business. Nattering.

I left my Grandparent’s quite a few hours later as both my Nana and myself  can talk for England. It was then time to take my parent’s boisterous puppy out onto the field. It was so refreshing to be in an English field. No matter where you go they always appear greener and I have no idea why. Or whether this is real of psychological.

I made it back, still with the puppy even though it was touch and go when she sped off and disappeared, and decided to introduce here to the peanut butter dog biscuits. Turns out that this is one picky pooch. She will not eat them unless you break them in half for her first.

Honestly! I suppose it is my own fault for encouraging her with peanut butter biscuits. She will be wanting a coat like the other American dogs or, heaven forbid, a set of wings like the ones the dogs were wearing for Halloween. Oh dear.

It was then time to tackle the sparse Trick or Treaters. This included helping a mini witch, a mini spider man and a mini wizard to choose some sweets from the Roses tin much to the amusement of their mothers. I had to go through each flavour untill the mini witch went away with her first choice anyway. I had no problem helping the other older bunch of Trick or Treaters as I ensured they knew they could take more than one sweet each. However, I didn’t mean for them then to grab huge handfuls and leave me with a sorry-looking tin of chocolates. I was just glad no other spooky characters knocked on the door for the rest of the night. Yet the damage had already been done as there was no more of the flavours I liked. Oh well I just had to find a trick then.

This trick turned out to be job hunting. There are so many strange jobs out there that I am not quite sure where to start. I have a  choice of applying for a call centre, a milker (yes, a real cow milker), an administrator or a dog walker? However, it appears you need previous experience or qualifications for all these roles. Unfortunately I just have a Politics degree which doesn’t seem to be helping me out at the moment. Maybe I could launch my own shop? Unfortunately someone has beaten me to setting up a local frozen yoghurt shop. Maybe a dog bakery would be a good idea? Or a sewing shop as I have just started another secret sewing project. Needles at the ready!

 

Back To Blighty

We boarded the plane and luckily had managed to get seats together. However we were then informed that they needed to fix something on the nose of the plane before we could take off. Well that was reassuring ,especially for my two nervous companions who hate flying. Thankfully the nose stayed intact on take off and we settled in to enjoy the dinner that was served on the plane, which was surprising because it was actually quite a pleasant assortment of chicken, rice and puddings.

Once we were fed there was an unsucsessful attempt to get to sleep. Well I was the only one unsuccessful as I found out when I glanced down my row and saw my sister  and mum peacefully sleeping. I would say they were quietly sleeping as well but there was some definite snoring going on but I can’t name any names whilst I still value my life. So instead of happily snoring away I occupied myself with a book and people watching. I began to worry as the lady sat across from me kept on going to the restrooms every five minutes. I was really hoping that there was nothing seriously wrong with her and I began to regret ever watching Contagion. However, we made it safely through the rest of the journey and eventually landed on English soil. It was then I raced to the baggage area expecting to find my suitcase, with the huge hole in it, replaces with a mound of all my clothes strewn across the conveyor belt.

I was more than a little relieved to see that my suitcase was intact. The relief was short lived when we found out we needed a pound to get a suitcase trolley. None of us had a pound so we had to manoeuvre our way to departures, which was easier said then done as we were juggling five suitcases and various bags. We struggled outside and finally saw my dad as he strode across the road and over to meet us. He faltered a bit at the sight of all of our bags but we were soon hugging hello . My dad and I abandoned my mum and sister and left them to get a taxi as we took some of the bags home. I rather liked being the prodigal daughter but im sure the preferential treatment wont last once I talk my dad’s ear off.

It was very odd being back in England. I had to remember which side of the car to get into and it was a novelty to see a roundabout again. I was amused to count how many corners there were on the way back home as well as traffic lights. There were no stop signs or crossroads in sight! It was also a lot more grey, yet I couldn’t be happier to be home. I actually get to stay in a house with stairs again. No getting the lift to zoom me up twenty-two floors to my apartment. Although the house felt smaller because the ceilings were lower but at my hobbit height that wasn’t too noticeable and I shouldn’t think that this will be a problem.

What was also smaller was the cooker and fridge. They were like minature ones compared to the ones in Indy. As are the English bottles of Diet Coke! I thought my dad was joking when he informed me they hadn’t been downsized. It was all rather confusing for me. I was also dazed as I wondered around Morrisons later that evening. Not only had the shop sprung up in my local town but it was rather English. No pumpkins and Halloween decorations haunting your shop. Instead there was an array of things I had been missing for the past six months like Marmite, ingredients that you can use to make a meal instead of having to buy a pre-made meal, normal red / green and blue  topped milk and of course Cadburys (Sorry America although you own Cadburys the bars you sell in America are nowhere near as good as the English bar!).

I got over the shock at hearing English accents again and not being welcomed everywhere I went. We returned home to make a ‘spag bol‘ and have a catch up around the kitchen table over a bowl of pasta. I just can’t believe we all lasted without any sleep. To avoid jet lag I tried to stay awake untill a normal English bedtime which meant staying awake for well over twenty-four hours. I kept myself busy unpacking and reorganising things but after some food and a glass of wine I was very much in need of a sleep. I just made it to bed before my eyes shut and I got to enjoy my first nights sleep back in blighty.

 

Au Revoir Hoosiers

So I began counting down the hours untill my departure from the US and what better way to do this than to revisit my favourite place and drag my mum along with me. This place was of course the library. I thought I would reward my mum for helping me spring clean the flat as I don’t really trust Luke to clean it properly once I have left. Men, in general, seem to have the absurd idea that cleaning incorporates a quick hover and maybe a wipe down of the surfaces if you are lucky. This implies that they think the dusting, mopping, cleaning the toilet and the oven are all conducted by the magic house elves. I wish!

We arrived at the library as it was going dark and it was beautifully lit up. I thought my mum would never want to leave the child’s section, especially when I popped her into an egg for a sit down. We then rented some scary themed DVDs for our ‘Halloween‘ night and I took mum to the sixth floor of the library, to see the view of the skyline, before leaving this place for the last time. It is not nice saying goodbye to things but luckily we had been to the Flying Cupcake Bakery before so I was hoping that a cupcake would soften the blow.

We then arrived back to the flat to find that my sister had decorated the table in Halloween style and was playing a Halloween soundtrack (0) .

My favourite being the Werewolves of London which always conjures up images of my dad bopping away to it. However my sister did not see why this was a scary song. Well she lives in London so maybe she has seen some Werewolves?

We then tucked into a bowl of chilli whilst being watched by our friendly ghost companions.

Afterwards we settled down to watch our scary films. However, no-one else appreciated the Jeckyll and Hyde movie I had rented. They seemed to miss the artistic quality of watching a black and white silent movie with words in bubbles popping up. Oh well, I did try. It was then time to re-weigh the suitcases and have our final sleep in Indianapolis.

After a restless sleep it was up early and time to load up the car. Luke was very, very happy that he had changed the car as we just about squeezed all six suitcases and various bags into the boot. With the car sufficiently weighed down it was straight onto the highway to Chicago. There was a slight blip when we had a police escort

so we took a detour into what looked like the set of a wild west movie. I kept expecting to see some tumbleweed but after crossing a few train tracks we were back onto the open road.

After a quick Subway we made it to the airport and struggled to get all of bags to the check out desk. I was praying that the bags were the right weight and the hole in one of mine did not get any bigger. We began to get worried as the airport lady tutted at the couple in front informing them they were a stone over weight on each of their suitcases and that it would cost an extra one-hundred and thirty dollars! I gulped as we approached the desk, especially as she informed us they could be no more than twenty-one kilograms when we were sure it was twenty-three however I thought it was best not to argue. The first suitcase went on and was a pound overweight. She let us off on this one but informed us that none of the others could be the slightest overweight. She was slightly scary, and a bit of a ball-breaker, and Luke and I nervously placed the other suitcases on. I couldn’t believe my luck. Two were forty-nine pounds when the limit was fifty! I’m glad I took some extra shoes out before we entered the airport. I just had to suffer one more ticking off about the hole in my suitcase and we had made it through checking in.

It was then a teary goodbye to Luke. I’m glad I didn’t wear mascara and I felt a bit pathetic as it is only five weeks apart. Maybe I had an allergy? However, I picked myself up and blew my nose and approached security with a somewhat of a fake bravado. I made it through for the first time ever without setting the beep off. However I did cause a jam in the x-ray scanner. Whoops! I then had to wait for Sarah and mum who were being asked to remove candles from their bags before putting them back in. I had warned them so I was fairly smug.

 

Photos Of Fall In Chicago and Other Bits

 

The LuLus Head To The Windy City

I started off my morning in a much more Russian way than I had anticipated with a shot of vodka. This was an honest mistake and a complete accident. I mistook the water bottle I had placed some vodka in for actual, real water. I got quite a shock I can tell you as my throat began to burn. However, it did mean that I was much happier to begin our road trip to the windy city. We set off with flasks of hot tea and coffee and a cup holder full of starbursts in tow but no more alcohol.

Yet the throat burning mistake did have the slight advantage of helping me go straight to sleep once I was snuggled in the car with my seat warmer on. Much to the annoyance of Luke as I blissfully snored away whilst he was having to keep awake in order to drive. At least there are some perks to not being allowed to drive in America not only am I always the designated drinker but I get to sleep as well and I did both of this roles quite successfully that morning.

We made one stop to get petrol and Luke found out, after repeatedly trying to fill the car up, that it did not take petrol. It did in fact take diesel and I was more than a little bit smug when I was the one to point this out to him after he kept on trying to make the petrol pump work. I had kept quiet until he resorted to reading the car manual. It was at this point that I just had to suggest using the diesel pump. I soon lost this smugness as we realised that Chicago is an hour behind Indiana and I was the one who had suggested having an early start. This early start meant we were going to arrive well before anything opened. Whoops! Yet I reclaimed the smugness again, it is a constant battle, after Luke ended up getting us lost driving through a steel works factory. With no end in sight I had nothing to do but admire the buildings and wonder if this is what a rat in a maze feels like. However, we eventually made it our of the mills and headed into the city.

We had a lovely drive by the shoreline, listening to a spot of Sinatra, and then ventured to the Museum of Science and Industry. Here we got to explore an old german submarine, my ideal eco house and then I made another mistake of the day by agrreing to go on a flight simulator, with just me and Luke. I knew it wasn’t going to be good when the assistant told me I could get a prize if I knew what people said on Halloween. My mouth answered for me before my brain had time to engage and I heard the words “Happy Halloween” echo around the room before my brain piped up with “Trick or Treat“. Well, Luke and the assistant fell about laughing and needless to say I did not receive the bonus prize. Instead we got to go on a two-man plane with Luke being the pilot and I was in charge of the guns. I realised just how big this mistake was when I was dangling upside down with my legs flailing and Luke informing me that he really does quite like flying upside down. He continued to fly upside down despite my insistent protest to ‘turn me back round’. We emerged safely from the pod although my hair looked like I had been swept through a hedge backwards.

We then got to sit in a non-moving plane before leaving the museum to check in at out hostel.

It was the off to The Bourgeoise Pig for a huge sandwich before we explored a bit of Lincoln Park.

We then bravely went to Magnificent Mileand indulge in chocolate and shops.

Unfortunately, the Redhead Piano Bar was very quiet so we retreated to the hostel for some drinks and a picnic. This time I was pleased to have vodka instead of water! We managed to get to sleep and were up early the next morning to further indulge ourselves with bagels before setting off on a mammoth trek through the old part of Lincoln Park and carried on going all the way to the bean (Cloud Sculpture).

Along the way we had a Starbucks and even though it was freezing I choose a frappacino, don’t ask me why but I then subsequently got brain freeze and I only have myself to blame. We then followed a trail along a very odd bridge and made it to Navy Pier.

It was then a quick dash back to the hostel so that we could drive to the airport to collect our V.I.G (Very Important Guests)

 

A Roll In The Hay And A Pumpkin Patch

So after the scare yesterday it seemed only natural to do a bit of ‘window’ Christmas shopping. It was a lovely sunny day, but cold. Yet even the sun didn’t prevent me and Luke having a wobble so I retreated to sit in an egg for a few hours untill I was a little bit calmer. Don’t worry, I didn’t escape to some magical land. I had escaped to the library for a bit of peace and quiet. Who said shopping, with a partner, was stress free?

Fortunately we reconciled and promised not to go shopping together for a while. A long while. We turned the rest of the day into a positive few hours with a lovely meal of fish and sweet potato wedges and watched some episodes of The Mentalist. This morning continued to be positive when Luke made me a lovely breakfast and I’m happy to report that he chose the right bagel today. No sweet bagel and scrambled egg nonsense this time. We then came up with the plan of making the most of the glorious sunshine and go in search of a pumpkin, as you do. Well we had to keep up with the Halloween theme that we began on Friday, didn’t we? The good mood almost ended as we were transferring our recycling box to the car. The lift doors opened. Luke made a move forward with the box. The lid flew off and lots of bottles spilled out. There was a particularly awkward pause as we glanced into the lift and saw a bemused couple who didn’t know what to do. We insisted that they leave without us. I almost abandoned ship as well but I didn’t think Luke would take that too well. He just about tolerated my burst of laughter and my helpful input of how he should have held the box. I then had to remain silent, well silently giggling to myself, for the beginning of our pumpkin search after Luke had told me to ‘pipe down’. Whoops.

We whizzed through a drive thru bank

and then our search took us to Stonycreek Farm which was filled with pumpkins, people, scarecrows and various activities. As well as a huge sign indicating we had discovered the right place.

We decided to prioritize and jumped on the back of a tractor pulled, hay-covered ride to the magical pumpkin patch.

After a near accident where the tractor set off too quickly splitting a family in half we were off. We arrived at the patch and began our delicate mission of finding the perfect pumpkin. We decided to get one each so that we wouldn’t squabble over who would carve the pumpkin or what sort of face. We are such children!

I hadn’t realised how painstaking it was to find that perfect pumpkin. As we trawled the patch we each kept an beady eye out for that perfect one. I was looking for something smallish whilst Luke was drawn to the enormous ones. Then it happened. I glanced into one of the openings between the Christmas trees and I just knew. I had found it. I had found my pumpkin. I vaulted over the other pumpkins to seize mine before anyone else. My pumpkin and I then joined Luke who was accompanied by his own, more circular pumpkin.

With the new additions to the LuLu family we hopped back on our jaunt on the hay ride and returned to the hub of the farm where we stowed our pumpkins

and decided to get some lunch.

We shared a dinner for one and it is a good thing we did!

They were enormous! I finally found a pulled pork sandwich I liked and I got to have some macaroni cheese so that is a few things ticked of my to do list before I leave. The others our procuring a Starbucks via a drive in, going bowling, cooking a thanksgiving dinner and nibbling some cookies and milk. I am easily pleased! I was certainly pleased with our lunch, which we enjoyed sat outside basking in the blissfully warm sun. It was then off for our next adventure in a hay maze. This maze actually proved to be more aimed at children but we carried on and we entered the maze through a spooky doorway.

We found our way along the path carved out in the hay bales. Now, I could almost see over the top which just shows how we were probably just a little bit too old to be in the maze. Still it was fun. I had almost got over any embarrassment about being in a childs maze but then Luke offered to take a picture. He snapped once and then in one swift move he kicked hay all over me and took another at the same time. Even I was surprised by this sudden dispaly of multi tasking!

I began to chide him whilst he was picking the hay off me. I was still strewn with hay and looking more like a scarewoman when we rounded the corner and happened to bump into the only other adult in there. Typical. I instantly knew what he was thinking and I was proved right when he remarked “Rolling in the hay, hey?”. He then disappeared into the hay bales roaring with laughter as I turned bright red and demanded Luke remove any other strands of hay from me before I had to face the group of parents waiting outside the exit.

I kept my head down and walked swiftly out of the maze and we headed to the gift shop. We almost brought a Mr Potato Head pumpkin but we decided two were enough. I was already worried they might be difficult to carve as last year I had to take a hammer to one to crack it open. We then descended on the candle making hut and made a candle each to go into our pumpkins. I struggled to line my wax up just right but I was quite pleased with my results.

I could give Yankee a run for their money. Perhaps. Well maybe after a bit more practice. With our new hand-made products we ventured to get a dessert. It would have been rude not to so we ended up sharing a cinnamon rich apple dumpling and a plate of gooey, caramel apple slices.

Then feeling a bit of a sugar high we left the farm. I adjusted my seat into a booster seat position so I could see out of the windscreen of the new jeep (thankfully this one has a very secure, very permanent roof) and I popped the seat heaters on. It was then a quick stop at the shops, after driving through a pro-life rally, and we brought our pumpkins home. Luke then disappeared for a drink. I subtly ensured he did as I had a strawberry, tofu popcorn cheesecake to make. It tastes, I hope, much better than it sounds! (please see my making etc page). For this I really needed to concentrate. Well not as much as I should have as I cheated. I can not believe it but I actually brought a pre-made crust! I know, I know, I feel ashamed too but the filling took some effort so I am not feeling as guilty.

However, as a sort of self punishment I have launched into three more secret sewing projects! I must be mad. This time I shall wear protective thumb guards!

Related articles

• It’s Pumpkin Season! (menopausemaniac.com)
• the pumpkins are here! (hopeseguin2011.wordpress.com)
• Are You Decorating With Pumpkins? (casasugar.com)
• Carve Pumpkins with Cookie Cutters and a Mallet [Halloween] (lifehacker.com)

 

Anyone For A Fright Night?

I have now begun to plan my next few trips. It’s hard being a traveller! In between my planning I decided to go for a walk and a Yogulatte. However, the weather people had different ideas as the rain began to pour down but nothing stands in my way of a Yougulatte! I skipped the walk and we went for dinner there and I am glad we did as I got to sample their new flavour of apple pie. It may just be their best flavour. Almost. I still have a ‘soft yoghurt’ spot for the peanut butter one, it’s just too nutty and lovely. We then ventured to Walmart, and other shops, so that Luke could get his coin book. That is correct, a coin book. I have sewing for my hobby so Luke has decided he didn’t want to be left out of all the crafting fun. He came up with the idea of buying a coin book and collecting all the quarters with states on untill he has all of them. All fifty. Aren’t we just the epitome of a rock lifestyle! It was then back to  our other hobby of watching The Mentalist. We are just far too crazy, right?

I was then able to enjoy my new candle

before heading to the shops. One man said I would never leave the bath and body shop I was in! Well I proved him wrong, just about, after I tore myself from a frosted doughnut scented candle. I instantly regretted I had as I struggled to make my way back to Riley in some very, very stong winds. I then had a few hours to get ready for my ‘date’ with Luke. Yes, even after six years , we still go on dates and I still get oddly nervous and excited. However, I was grumpy and Luke was slightly delayed so it wasn’t the best date we have ever had. Yet that is the good thing with going on a date with somebody you have already been going out with for ages as it doesn’t matter if the date doesn’t go well, you can laugh about it afterwards or in our case scream in terror. Don’t worry it wasn’t the date that caused us to become terrified but I had decided the best thing to do was to take Luke to the Fright Manor and no this wasn’t my way of punishing Luke for his tardiness but it is apparently an American tradition.

I have to admit that I was more than a little dubious about this decision as we pulled up to a one storey warehouse with a few suspect characters outside. I was even more worried when somebody wished us well and informed us that they were hoping we would come out alive. Were they being serious? That wasn’t very reassuring but I didn’t have long to ponder this as we then had to escape the guillotine

before we could enter into the Fright Manor through a shadowy black curtained passage. At first I got the giggles at some of the displays but I certainly was not laughing for long. Instead Luke and I were jostling for who should be walking in front as different monsters jumped out at us and screams began to echo around the manor. Luke insisted he couldn’t see so I had to go first. Likely story! I always knew I was the brave one, until we came across a loony doctor and then I relegated Luke to the back again.

All of a sudden the manor got decidedly more frightening as butchers, scarecrows, gorillas, luminous skulls, babies and dominating looking people jumped out in the darkness and it was dark. There were more than a few times we couldn’t see in front of us, not even our hands. Regardless, we bravely continued to try to push the other one in front and I am pleased to say I was better at this game than Luke. I managed to cower behind Luke quite a lot a we tried to quickly shuffle our way through the maze and ended up getting lost a few times. I stayed cowering untill there were some men wielding a chainsaw each were chasing us from behind, through a maze of bloody sheets, so I was then very keen to go in front of Luke on that particular section. There was just so many different frightening things to go through including a  huge spongy, suffocating, retractable tunnels that you had to squeeze yourself through. There was then one particular underground tunnel, lit up by strobe lightening, that had a glass floor revealing a body underneath. The lady in front of me pleaded with a faceless figure in the shadows to go another way. In the end she asked if she had to go in the tunnel and if there was no other way. The silent figure eerily shook his head and we all had to go through the tube which was finished off nicely by a hanging head at the end. Such a nice touch.

Finally we ran,  quite literally ran, away from a scene that reminded me of the Texas Chainsaw Masacre yet it was somehow more realistic when you are the ones running from the chainsaws. Not very good! We then managed to avoid taking a runaway chainsaw wielder home with us and made it safely to the car. We breathed a sigh of relief as we swiftly locked the doors and left to pick up some nibbles on the way home. We needed some bits after the terrible frights we had. I thought that will teach me never to go into somewhere that is called Fright Manor and think that I will remain calm and that I wouldn’t be scared. As I stumbled blindly screaming my way through the manor’s maze,  I decided that the next time I will not laugh in the face of fright, or mock it.

 

Back To Reality, Almost.

After finally ridding my living room, and my life, of washing for the immediate future I enjoyed a glorous sunrise before the gym.

Then I decided to tootle off to Starbucks for a coffee and some time out. The latte was lovely, the weather was gloriously bright but very crisp. Apparently Fall has arrived in Indiana? However, my peace was somewhat disturbed by the huge digger creating a hole in front of where I was sitting. Mental note for next time is to bring some ear plugs!

Slowly, I have then been returning back to my routine of going to the library, the gym and I have finished my sewing so am keeping a beady eye out for the next crafty hobby I can start. I have seen a kit to make a Papier-mâché Ghost for Halloween? I won’t be here for that but I could leave it for Luke as a reminder of me. Maybe a Papier-mâché Witch would be more appropriate for that purpose.

I have also made a trip to the train station which I didn’t know existed except for the huge, noisy freight train hooting along the distant tracks every so often. I have now got so used to it I sleep right through its hoots. I may even miss it when I am back in the UK. Maybe I will make a recording of it to play back when I am missing Indy. After trying five doors that were all locked and looked like they led nowhere, I looked around and discovered I had been trying to get into the service entrances of The Station Hotel. The station was actually on the other side of the road, no wonder the workmen were looking at me bemused! Still, I managed to get there and then had a lovely walk back through Indy, stopping at the post office along the way. I found it first time round and did not end up in the Federal Court this time. I brought my postcards for the West Coast (www.travellinglulu.com) and almost skipped home as I had done all my ‘tasks’ for the day.

I then spent a day baking mountains of Pumpkin Bread and Banana/ Sunflower Seed muffins for when my talented, beautiful friend from the UK is coming to visit!

If Luke doesn’t gobble them all first, which if he does he will not be getting any more packed lunches made for him. By the end of the baking malarkey I was covered in flour and needed to use lots of elbow power whilst trying to wipe the surfaces clear of the sticky, gloopy, floury patches. Oh well it was worth it as I had moe than a few slices of the Pumpkin Bread. That is the problem with baking! I end up eating way too much of it. Well someone has to be a taster, right?

I then had to concentrate on packing for Chicago, which is where I am meeting my friend. I had to keep repacking my suitcase untill I could just about close it, once I sat on it. I’m only going for a few days! I need to go on a course about how to pack lightly. I don’t know how I will get all my things back to the UK. What about my shopping cart!Will it fit in a suitcase? I can’t leave it here! I shall go and check if it fits.

Once I had packed I was able to relax and enjoy my anniversary meal with Luke accompanied by the bottle of red we got from the winery in Sonoma, It was lovely.

I just can’t believe we have been going out for six years! Luke insists you would get less for a criminal offence. Charming! My dad also provided his input of “God Good, You two should be married with children by now”. Thanks! Just remember dad that traditionally it is the father of the bride who pays for weddings so just be thankful we are not married by now!

The weekend got even more lovely on Saturday as I was awoken to breakfast in bed. A rare, extremely rare, treat for me. It was lovely as Luke had made scrambled eggs on a bagel and even managed to work my coffee machine! However, the bagel he had used was a cinnamon and raison one. I’m not quite sure if it worked with the scrambled eggs. It’s the thought that counts though. We then became aware of music from outside and went on the balcony. I thought, has Luke planned a romantic surprise for me and was there a band below our balcony playing serenades? No, it was a huge Fiesta party in the park near our flat. Oh well, maybe next year?

We went and explored the festival which had Ronald MacDonald encouraging a group of kids to sing and dance. There were some amazing smells and lots of stalls selling trinkets. We then wondered to the mall and this proved to be a slightly eerie trip. Luke had to drag me away from a delicious candle shop, they even had Cinnamon Doughnut smelling candles, and he stopped me spraying any more perfume on myself as he thought I was beginning to smell like a fruit cake! We then carried on into the mall and realised the lights werent on in one half of the mall, there was no-one around and all the shops were closed. This is occasionally the start of horror films so we got a bit worried, especially when we were surprised by a security guard on a Segway who came zooming past in the stealthy ways that Segways do. However, we found out it was nothing more sinister than work on water pipes and they had to limit risk of electrocution.

After the unusual mall experience it got more strange as we entered the Indy Irish Fest at Military Park. There was a sea of green people. No not leprechauns but people wearing as many items of green clothing as they could. There were lots of people walking around with a pint of Guinness, bagpipes playing, people playing hurling, people walking around with stew and live music stages. Luke was a traitor and got a pint of Coors and a pulled pork sandwich.

However, he did also get a portion of bangers and mash and then we enjoyed the music provided by the McPeakes. It was lovely just sitting outside, listening to Irish reels and soaking up the friendly atmosphere. There were a few worse for wear characters but in a nice way. There was one man who went up to the front of the stage and did the slowest head-banging routine I have ever seen but he looked like he was having a ball, which is all that matters.

We then popped to the shops to pick up a few things. I must have the power of foresight as I had brought some stain remover. This came into handy at the till as I dropped a bottle of Diet Coke all over the flour. Fellow shoppers gasped, and I cringed, as l watched two Litres of the dark liquid being emptied onto my cream trousers. The horror! Especially when the server wasn’t overly helpful and gave me another bag. I had to inform him we were at a point that was beyond bags and maybe a mop might be more sufficient?

I am now re-packing my suitcase in peace as Luke has gone to the Colts game. I jus hope I get to Chicago ok tomorrow and don’t end up somewhere else! Then I have to complete my mission for tomorrow and make it to the hostel before my friend. I have a window of about four hours. Surely this is enough? My sense of direction can’t be that bad. I’m hoping. Oh well, at least I won’t get hungry with my super packed lunch. Isn’t it strange that this is the first packed lunch I have made for myself , and not Luke, since we have been here! I did make his as well although I am slightly regretting it after he has come back after having had five pints at the Colts game. Thank you to those who went with him, you know who you are! Actually, I do really appreciate the free time to sort packing out but I am now having to fend him off with various kitchen appliances whilst I am trying to make dinner. Good job I can multi task otherwise one of us might end with some chicken soup over our heads and I can tell you know it will not  be me.

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