We're on our travels again - for the moment (oddly enough) back in Pennsylvania. We got here much faster this time, though.
We don't plan on sticking around. As I write, there's an hour or so to go until our next flight...
See you on the other side of the Atlantic!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Commercial break
The Man gave me a very beautiful bowl for my birthday (from the very local Live and Love Pottery), and of course he and the kids went to a lot of trouble to prepare a wonderful meal for me. But no birthday is perfect. Even though the Man and Girl both saw this awesome infomercial during breakfast at our hotel in Harrisburg last week, I didn't get a Perfect Polly, the ultimate mess free pet.
Watch the video. It's true. It's amazing.
Friday, August 9, 2013
A lot of Bosch
You'll no doubt be wanting the answer to yesterday's challenge.
Not an anti-mosquito device (more's the pity - the bugs are suddenly out in force and I've got bites all over); and no, not a laser pointer or anything to do with a TV. But Old Dog is smart to remember that I've previously mentioned buying a dishwasher...
Our new Bosch dishwasher is one of those with all the controls hidden along the top edge of the door. It's so quiet, allegedly, that they've added a special light-up-the-floor feature just to let you know that it really is switched on (you might argue that this is a bit of a gimmick). For the record, it's not some top-of-the-range model, just the one that was on special offer at Lowes. What I most like about it is that, so far, the slide-in racks haven't collapsed while full of glassware; it hasn't yet tried to wash the dishes without any water or, by contrast, overfilled with water and leaked all over the floor- all amusing idiosyncrasies of our previous dishwasher. Oh, and it washes the dishes really well, too. So, we're very happy with it.
In other news, it rained all day.
Not an anti-mosquito device (more's the pity - the bugs are suddenly out in force and I've got bites all over); and no, not a laser pointer or anything to do with a TV. But Old Dog is smart to remember that I've previously mentioned buying a dishwasher...
Our new Bosch dishwasher is one of those with all the controls hidden along the top edge of the door. It's so quiet, allegedly, that they've added a special light-up-the-floor feature just to let you know that it really is switched on (you might argue that this is a bit of a gimmick). For the record, it's not some top-of-the-range model, just the one that was on special offer at Lowes. What I most like about it is that, so far, the slide-in racks haven't collapsed while full of glassware; it hasn't yet tried to wash the dishes without any water or, by contrast, overfilled with water and leaked all over the floor- all amusing idiosyncrasies of our previous dishwasher. Oh, and it washes the dishes really well, too. So, we're very happy with it.
In other news, it rained all day.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Hark...
The Boy hosted a basement get-together with...well, it sounded like everyone he's ever met.
I think there were only seven of them, actually, but with a set of drums and a fully amped electric guitar between them, not to mention some more than adequate pairs of lungs, let's just say they put out some volume.
Even the Boy grew tired of all the noise. He ended up sending half of them out into the backyard, so that the rest could get on and film some comedy videos - ostensibly the reason for the gathering.
They all left, promptly and politely (they may be loud, but they are all ever so polite), at exactly 5 o'clock. Two have since returned, however, for a sleepover...and the not-nearly-distant-enough sound of drums throbs through the house once more.
I think there were only seven of them, actually, but with a set of drums and a fully amped electric guitar between them, not to mention some more than adequate pairs of lungs, let's just say they put out some volume.
Even the Boy grew tired of all the noise. He ended up sending half of them out into the backyard, so that the rest could get on and film some comedy videos - ostensibly the reason for the gathering.
They all left, promptly and politely (they may be loud, but they are all ever so polite), at exactly 5 o'clock. Two have since returned, however, for a sleepover...and the not-nearly-distant-enough sound of drums throbs through the house once more.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Bookstore
What with the skating competition and the epic amusement park trip, we didn't have a whole lot of time left over for sightseeing around Harrisburg (Pennsylvania's state capital). However, we did manage to spend an hour in one of the world's most beautiful bookstores, the Midtown Scholar.
All in all quite a magical shop. We were excited to discover it.
Monday, August 5, 2013
How to make Mum's Birthday Dinner
The Man, Girl and Boy write...as Albaniana hinted yesterday, making birthday dinner for her didn't go entirely smoothly. The Girl made a card for her immediately afterwards to show what happened...
Question: Is Albaniana ready for Tomato Chutney birthday cake..?
Turns out, when you pick up one of those clever cake tins with a removable bottom you shouldn't just hold it by the side (unless you want the chocolate cake mixture all over everywhere).
However, it's an excellent opportunity to taste lots more batter. Which thankfully is sweet this time.
Despite the problems with the batter, we decide to make some icing. Turns out, you should check how much icing sugar ("confectioner's sugar") you have before you start mixing in the milk.
Man rushes to store for more sugar. Return is delayed by Police closing off road back to house!
Meanwhile Girl and Boy are given chance to learn how to cook sausages, rice and tofu. From the packet instructions and Google. Girl freaks out, and runs around trying to find pot lids, making phone calls for help, telling Albaniana 'everything's fine, don't be alarmed' and screaming at her brother, who helpfully sets the table and makes popcorn.
Inevitably, there was another packet of icing sugar on the counter top all the time. Turns out the Boy knew. (The Boy writes - in my defence I thought it was something else and they knew it was there).
'Nuff said. Except, by some miracle, everything turned out fine and the food was delicious...
Turns out, the white powder in the unmarked plastic container with the baking products is not caster sugar! Thankfully, the Girl wanted to taste some of the cake mixture, but that's one batch down the sink...
Question: Is Albaniana ready for Tomato Chutney birthday cake..?
Turns out, when you pick up one of those clever cake tins with a removable bottom you shouldn't just hold it by the side (unless you want the chocolate cake mixture all over everywhere).
However, it's an excellent opportunity to taste lots more batter. Which thankfully is sweet this time.
Despite the problems with the batter, we decide to make some icing. Turns out, you should check how much icing sugar ("confectioner's sugar") you have before you start mixing in the milk.
Man rushes to store for more sugar. Return is delayed by Police closing off road back to house!
Meanwhile Girl and Boy are given chance to learn how to cook sausages, rice and tofu. From the packet instructions and Google. Girl freaks out, and runs around trying to find pot lids, making phone calls for help, telling Albaniana 'everything's fine, don't be alarmed' and screaming at her brother, who helpfully sets the table and makes popcorn.
Inevitably, there was another packet of icing sugar on the counter top all the time. Turns out the Boy knew. (The Boy writes - in my defence I thought it was something else and they knew it was there).
'Nuff said. Except, by some miracle, everything turned out fine and the food was delicious...
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