Notes from London Confidential.

As the summer days are long with the heat index rising here, where I live, I encourage you to check out an amazing author Sandra Byrd writes for teens and adults. Now lets be real I am bias as usual, she writes about England so I love her. Come on people who know me, you would not expect anything less. I truly have something to shout about. Emily loved reading The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. She loved both books, it captivated her and even a young man in her class who has now read it two or three times. Now these books called London Confidential held my daughter captive to read more. We can't afford to go home, so home was bought to her with British sayings that often can be forgotten once you have lived in America for a few years. Now if an author can captivate someone that much that they take notes and are upset that there is not any more being written I tell you that has to be a good book.

I have looked at Sandra's site, her blog is an inspiration and to be frank I would like to read her books myself. It does not matter your age if a book is good who cares what the age it is written for. It is just pure good and should be read. I loved the Penderwicks, Loved Wind and the Willows.

Now I am sure you are going to love being taken to London and learn what it is like to be an American in London. This is like a Bill Bryson in a new teen book. My ex husband loved his writing. So here it goes start reading. These are some books that us Brits and want to be Brits need to be reading this summer.

Here are the sites: http://www.sandrabyrd.com/index.php

http://www.jeannebirdsall.com/

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/billbryson/

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

There's always room for one more.

Home sweet Home

Thought I would post some wonderful pictures of England. So enjoy.

So hope I get to go home soon. I so miss it.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

There's always room for one more.

Make something new.

The other day my family and I put some noodles and Alfredo sauce, which had sun dried tomatoes in it, together with spaghetti noodles. We cooked and chopped up the sausage and then mixed it all together. It was extremely good.

You could do this with chicken or even ham. I bet it would taste good.

If you get into the coupon world, you can literally get somethings for next to nothing. Harris Teeter sometimes offers deals where coupons are doubled up to $1.99 and then Food lion often has some amazing sales. These are local stores near me.

I bet your local stores have some amazing offers as well. As the temperature rises be inventive you never know what you can make or discover.

We found dried peas you would think that it would taste horrid but it was a great snack and very healthy.

So all the best to you budding cooks.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

There's always room for one more.

Pies for troops.

At many of the stores over in America they are selling pies for the troops. They sell pies and to take them to the troops at a local base to celebrate July 4th .I think all countries should give their troops something nice and all those single mothers should get meals once a week. It is such an amazing thing not to forget those who are protecting our countries. My grandfather was in the war. Many of my Uncles were prisoners of war and were captured. So been involved with the military is surely in my history.

As Christians are in a military, all the time fighting the biggest enemy of all.

It sure gets a bloody field at times.

So if you are in America don't forget to help those troops.

But if you live in other countries see what you can do take something to a military member do your part, even ask if you can clean up a grave.

Whatever you can do I am sure would be appreciated.

Truly God Bless all the troops and family members.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

There's always room for one more.

Dads

Dad's come in all shapes and sizes so to speak. In England or at least when I was a child we would faithfully buy my dad socks, ties, jars of peanuts, soap on a string, pajamas or handkerchiefs it was always the same each Christmas or Birthday oh maybe some slippers would be added to the spice it all up, my dad never complained, well at least to us.

My children with their own dad have made him many a gift. I always have said making a gift meant more. He in turn has drawn them many an amazing pictures.

We see the dad's who are brilliant at mechanics and some computer whiz kids and others who are very laid back, good or bad they are Dads.

As I reflect on what makes a true dad it is someone who wants the best no matter what and will fight the bullies and will sit and have tea with me. I have been blessed that God sent me Mike an amazing father figure that I love dearly. One thing I know is that God has been the best Dad that I could of ever asked for and His love and Grace, has made the cold tea seam great. I know as I sip my tea today He will always be the Best Dad a Girl could ever have and truly want the best for me.

Thank you God, He will always want the best for all of His children.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

There's always room for one more.

Be inspired.

I have once again tried to get something going with making British food for the American people. We will see if it takes off. At a recent interview I was told it was an excellent idea so we will see. I also read recently something Gwyneth Paltrow wrote about herself, when she was been asked about her new cook book. These are my words of it as I remember," do what you are passionate about and do it well." I found that quite inspiring. In a world where we just try to get by to do something every now and again that is inspiring to ourselves I think is good. A friend of mine jogs, my brother use to fly and a wonderful man I know makes amazing things out of wood, it does not matter what others think the fact that you are trying to do it and make the most of it. I think it should be an inspiration to us.

So Dare to Dream Big and go for it.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

There's always room for one more.

Bitterness is a road to brokenness unless repaired.

About two weeks ago, I re-watched Gnomeo and Juliet. There was one gnome called Tybalt. He was a very bitter gnome and wanted to always have the last say, even if that meant hurting others around him. Close to the end of the movie, he was so angry that he broke off the hat of a gnome whom he didn't like, even though that gnome had done nothing to him. Carrying on with his anger, he used a lawn mower to race against another gnome whom he didn't like. He was so caught up with winning the race by literally braking Gnomeo that he would not listen to the advice of anyone. Instead of listening to the sincere advice of Gnomeo to watch out, he didn't listen and kept driving the mower of bitterness. He crashed himself straight into a brick wall. Bitterness can only lead to brokenness if not repaired. Though at the end of the movie Tybalt was glued back together, he never looked the same and kept loosing parts of himself because he was never fully repaired. He just fixed himself enough so he could look real, when really he was still a broken mess in need of being carefully fixed and healed. God is a God of grace. He is our Helper in times of trouble. If we allow Him, He will mend us back together to make us new.

So remember, the road of bitterness or the road of being repaired is your choice. And remember that whatever choice you pick, you will make a difference and affect others. What is your choice going to be?

Emily

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights.

"There's always room for one more."

Spring waters in our lives.

I have some amazing friends that encourage me and bless my life. I do not like walking near the edge of a cliff at all. I hate heights. Yet it appears that God has got me on a high cliff at this time in my life. I encourage you if you are on a high cliff like me, drink lots of water, read and read your Bible, sing and sing those hymns and songs.

Because maybe in that, the springs of water will shower down on us and give us hope.

Keep posted the best is yet to come I surely hope so.

Look and see what God has done.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

Theres always room for one more.

Don't Quit

There is a poem that I found by Jill Wolf that is very encouraging. It tells us that we have not failed until we quit to even try. Sometimes it is very hard to try when we feel discouraged or have doubts, but at the end of the day, we will never know what is around the corner until we try.

Here is the poem:

Don't quit when the tide is lowest, For it's just about to turn;

Don't quit over doubts and questions, For there's something you may learn.

Don't quit when the night is darkest, For it's just a while 'til dawn;

Don't quit when you've run the farthest, For the race is almost won.

Don't quit when the hill is steepest, For your goal is almost nigh;

Don't quit, for you're not a failure

Until you fail to try.

So remember today, that you can do anything if you just try.

Emily

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights.

"There's always room for one more."

Love must be tough.

Love must be tough I've heard many times. I am sure at times we associate it with bringing up children, maybe even helping people to be better with money or eating. The reality is love must be tough can really hit a home run so to speak in some many parts of life. If you go through any relationship issues often you will find your heart saying one thing and your mind another. Having good friends guide you through this emotional mess can help you to have tough love. Often aging parents can demand a lot and also say things that can hurt at times, here we go again love has to be tough. I remember how my brother would cry down the phone, yet the one thing I always said was I loved him. At times caring means that you can do it at a distance without allowing yourself to always be pushed from pillar to post. Love must be tough but also that is not always true to stay in tough love does not allow us to embrace the true love and acceptance found in Christ.

So while you drink your tea tonight think where you need to have tough love and where you need to be as soft as an old teddy bear.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

There's always room for one more

Norm is so overated

I think in life when people say you are mad or need help, well lets face it, you show me one normal person. I think we all have a little craziness in us. Whether it is running a race with a pink crown on our heads or dancing in the rain. Maybe norm is just over rated. Maybe singing every now and again on top of a table or shouting out your door when something great happens or climbing stairs two at a time maybe even three at a time is so much better. Hey maybe when no one is looking, yes a forty year old can do a cartwheel or stand on a chair singing like crazy to a song. Wow Thank God for plain silliness at times.

Fly a kite, run around your garden, have a water fight, eat ice cream late and laugh a whole bunch. You never know you might actually be like the rest of us not just norm but slightly mad.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

Theres always room for one more.

Snow in summer.

Well while the temperature in the States keeps rising beyond normal levels for this time of year. My friend Sharon mean while in England draws for a card company winter seasons that will be sold at Christmas. Wow lets face it thats really allowing yourself to cool down. If only we could jump into the picture like Mary Poppins. It might be extreme but when you are walking outside and you feel the temperature rising, you feel like yes Mary Poppins should be here.

A few words and off we would be walking down the streets of Bury St Edmunds, oh anyone wanting a cup of tea. Oh lovely one lump of sugar please my children will take three.

Well I say to one and all think snow, it could happen if only Mary Poppins would fly by and appear. Maybe I should write a note and tear it up and put it in the fireplace yes surely then she would appear.

So to my piece of paper I am going to write that note, to see if Mary Poppins will be popping down my chimney oh I hope it's clean at least there is no smoke.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

Theres always room for one more even you Mary Poppins.

Pippa Middleton verses my sister and her daughter.

My sister Kerry and her daughter Jude yesterday ran in the Race for Life in London yesterday managing to complete the 5K race in 45 minutes. Their names nor the names of the many other fine people running were not in the news. But Pippa Middleton runs in a triathlon and her name is all over the place, even to the extent of how she looked and how she bumped into a man without a shirt and lets not forget to mention every detail of what she had on. I am surprised that they did not sneak a peek to find out what colour her under wear and bra was. Lets be real yes she ran a race but so did a lot of other people that day. My sister was ill and she still ran to raise money for cancer her name is not mentioned nor what she wore or how her daughter stayed with her as she ran. Lets not forget these so called celebrities are just normal human beings. The unknown hero's of these races are those who send out emails raising money. The granny who runs because her daughter died of cancer. They do not want their names all over the news they want to make a difference in their silent world. So while the papers stare and make millions about Pippa Middleton I suggest you look around and see the real news people making a difference who do not care if you write diddly squat about them. They are the hero's not someone who can afford do have a private trainer.

Great job Kerry and Jude.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

Theres always room for one more.

In their eyes I am !!!

In my eyes I see myself moving slowly like a snail, not always knowing where I am going, not sure really what it is around the corner. But in my children's eyes I am Mum, I am the person they talk to, the person they cry their tears to. They see me in a much greater way than I could ever see myself. I see my life as many mistakes and few happy moments. But if anyone asks me have you any children my heart misses a beat so to speak and my heart is full of the brightest sun rays that God could ever make. People look at me and laugh with me they might even come and talk to me. But my children have seen the good the bad and the ugly in me and in it all I stand always saying I am nothing without God, always forgive, try your best and hopefully there will be a better day around the corner. They hold onto hope like a ship going through a thunderous storm and I too hold onto hope to see us make it through. They are amazing and God is so amazing to bless me with them. I so hope that He sees their faith and how they held on tight to Faith for a better day because they are just amazing just like the sun rise they are just as great to me.

Thank you so very much.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights

Theres always room for one more.

Beach Treasures

We went to the beach yesterday, I felt quite a lone it appears that beaches wherever you live draws couples and families and I am just a different family now. My friend merrily talked to her husband calling him honey while my heart sank. We never went to the beach much at all I hated the heat but perhaps that was not a good enough reason. I walked alone as my children and their friends played. I stood looking at the waves and then turned there behind me was a woman we ended up talking she had actually lived in Europe and moved 18 times in 11 years. She talked how she did not have a favorite place as each was different. I mentioned I was now divorced and how I was contemplating my life she said she had to go and said she hoped I found treasures on the beach I looked and told her that I had found a treasure in her. She smiled I turned and looked at the beach and then I turned and there she was waving. My beach was not so lonely maybe I will never ever see her again, she says she walks there every day. But in my patchwork that day she was woven as a pure gold color that made me smile, maybe I was not so far away from home, she made me feel like I belonged in a world I felt very alone.

So maybe if you feel a lone along the beach you will find your treasure that will brighten your day I hope so.

Wishing you lots of Tasty English Delights.

Theres always room for one more.