Winsor Castle

On Saturday, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day to head to Winsor Castle. The castle is about 30 minutes from our house. It supposedly is the "weekend home" for the queen and has been operating for over 900 years. There are multiple castles in the area and it is a struggle to remember who lived where, we really need to get a family tree to take to these places. The state apartments were opened to the public awhile back but they do not allow photos. I can just say the rooms were amazing, every possible surface was covered in gold leaf or artwork. I know every little girl wants to be a princess .... and seriously so do I! They had a room dedicated to all of the china commissioned for the royal family (I loved an amazing navy collection and another one with a bright blue and floral border), another room had armor, guns and swords and a collection of "gifts" from other countries ( I tend to think it is less of a gift if you just conquered them and took it....) and another room was filled with paintings of historical royal families. In a separate wing they had Mary's Dollhouse, a replica of the royal quarters with running water, working electricity and each painting inside painted by a respected artist. It was probably 12 feet high and extremely detailed. The grounds were beautiful and there was a place for a moat, "curtain walls" for protection, a chapel and the main building.

Jamie and Hadley in the main courtyard

Full view

I have seen my future travels, and it looks like the boy in the corner..

Front Tower

Lots of benches to rest after hauling my 25 lb loaf of love.

I LOVED the ergo when she was smaller and could carry her all day, but I tried her on my back (she hated it and wiggled), then on the front and then gave up. I guess it is good we tested it now instead of in Paris.

I could watch these two all day

Stopped for treats at a bakery called CandyCakes on the way back, I think I found heaven

Very Classy, nothing says love like a heart shaped photo on the national flag

We didn't get to see everything but since our passes are good for a year we are hoping to go back and see the chapel. There are also parks and plenty of space so it might be a good place to go during the spring when Hadley starts needing to run around.

One Year

One year ago today I started my maternity leave. I find that I am slowly forgetting things that were part of my every day life - how long to hydrate certain pectins, the difference in texture between xanthan and acacia gum, the temperature that fondant is heated to...and instead it is replaced with immunization schedules, feeding amounts/times, car seat ratings and how many layers will keep her warm. I will be honest, I miss my job, but at the same time I have never questioned my choice to stay home with Hadley. I know my industry and my personality and I had to pick one, I want it all...just not all at once. I wanted to capture somewhere all of the products I worked on/launched so that I can show my children one day. I want them to know that I found something I loved and I was good at it, I also hope they know that I traded it for a better job and one I love even more. So I guess this post is mainly for me to keep track in case I forget -

Developed new flavor for Sweet's sticks

Developed new flavors/colors for Sweet's taffy - Cherry, Red Licorice, Juicy Pear, Peach, Cotton Candy, Bubble bum

Safeway Lucerne Line, New product - Serving of fruit in each smoothie in Peach, Pomegranate and Mixed Berry

Safeway Eating Right Line, New Product - Chocolate Cranberry Granola and Cinnamon Streusel Granola

Vitamin+Fiber Water (Sugar Bowl Bakery) New Product Line - Orange, Lychee, Pom, Mango, Peach and Guava

Starbucks, New Product Extension - Light Creme Frappucino

Hershey's Cocoa Reserve, Line Extension - Cocoa Pod Truffles (different product featured, couldnt find it...)

Fruitabu, New Product - Splooshers (squeezable fruit) Grape, Strawberry, Raspberry

Most products we work on don't make it to market, these are just the lucky ones. A few projects that didnt make it - super smooth fruit for ConAgra (Snakpak division), 20 granola bars in 2 mos for ConAgra, strange yogurt project for CBTL, childrens drink (I hated it) for Dr Sears, endless product tests for Ocean Nutrition (they made Fish Oil), low cal chocolate sauce for Kraft, herb applications for Gourmet Gardens, Puddings/Drinks/Chips for Safeway, Pete's special projects potato chips/chocolate drink/chocolate bar.

Above all else I want my children to find something they love when they look for a career. Work is work - there will be days where nothing goes right, where you wonder if everyone is crazy but you, tasks are assigned that seem beneath you and you question why you went to school for this and then piles of paperwork that makes you want to poke your eyes out. (Funny, I have found I have the same kind of days at home, I just like my coworkers a little better) But at the heart of it, it should be something you enjoy, that excites you and you love. I am just lucky to have memories of the first career and enjoy the current one.

*** Editors note : Good grief, I just read this a few hours after publishing, and I swear I am literate!! Bubble Bum?!? I typically write in run on sentences and rarely use correct punctuation and I don't promise it will change (would require time and focus), but I would like to apologize to all the English majors (and basically anyone who speaks english ...)***

A Sweet Valentine

Every year I tell Jamie not to get me flowers for Valentine's Day and that going out to dinner is just crowded and a waste of money. Typically he listens to me, but I have to admit that these showing up unexpectedly at my door -

made me swoon just a bit.

And we took our littlest Valentine to a local pizza place for dinner on Saturday night. She munched on garlic dough balls while Jamie and I indulged in a dinner I didn't have to make.

Side note - Lasagne is not the same here, no ricotta/cheese layer, less herbs and covered in bechamel sauce. It won't be my first pick in the future.

I guess sometimes the splurge is worth it, and Jamie is so good to spoil me! Happy Valentine's day!!

Valentine's Party

Last weekend we hosted a Valentine's party. My friend Hayley threw a fabulous one in CA every year and it just wouldn't feel like Valentine's Day without it. I believe most of your social life is up to you, "the person who plans the party gets invited", and I wanted to go to a party! I invited people that 1) I knew their name, 2) spoken to more than once, 3) seemed nice enough. We had 20 people crammed in our house and had a blast!

"American" Dessert Spread

Beauty shot of Coconut Cupcakes

Our favorite candy - Phizzy Pig Tails. Gummies with a sour, fizzy sanding.

Started with a White Elephant, hilarious and cute gifts.

Lots of stealing (cause really, who doesn't want teenage cologne said to be filled with alluring musk scents?)

Edward even may have a new fan (Not my baby, Hadley will be Team Jacob...you know, the hot one)

Finished with a variation of the Newly Weds game, prizes for the Winner and the Loser

People stayed until 12, we ate way too many treats and had a wonderful time getting to know everyone a little bit better. Feels like Valentines now.

Just a Typical Monday

Hadley decided at 5am she was up for the day, didnt get the memo that in the Teuscher house - that is still night time. Tried letting her cry it out (teething?) but eventually got up with her until Jamie was up, she spends mornings with Dad so she gets time with him every day. He keeps her laughing while he gets ready and I sneak in a few more minutes with my bed.

Attended her first swimming class, she LOVED it. The water was warm and shallow and she loved kicking and splashing. The teacher dunked her under the water and it was a bit rough for both of us, she had her eyes open looking freaked out under the water. She calmed down pretty quickly back in my arms and we shivered as we ran from the center to our car in wet clothes.

The biggest news is that it is the first time I navigated on my own to a new place, didn't stall and parallel parked twice. Even took picture evidence. I am finally starting to look the correct way and not have to think about which side I am on.

We dressed back in warm sweats and she took a long nap (over an hour is considered long these days) and so did I.

We read books, played with stacking cups and did some laundry. I would hold her upside down and she would give large open-mouth kisses and belly laugh.

By dinner she had lost her pants and looked liked a hobo child, albeit a cute one. I tried feeding her chicken and she flung every third piece off her tray as if she was tossing flower petals on the floor. The grapes and bananas she stuffed in her mouth as fast as she could with both hands, making both of us laugh. She is getting so big. After she was done she blew raspberries, growled and then cracked herself up.

We took our nightly bath, dressed in our snuggly jammies and read our nightly scriptures before she hummed herself to bed.

Downed a few of these - they are called M&S teacakes, chocolate cookie, marshmallow and chocolate. Divine. I spent some quality time checking blogs and FB while Jamie watched the Superbowl on the TiVo.

It was a good day, a really good day.

It's raining, it's pouring....

Because most days look like this...

I *needed* these...

My Aubergine Hunter Wellies are so worth it. Comfy, dry, warm and most importantly - super cute. Bring on the rain.

Heading into Town

The English way -

Dress baby in warm clothes complete with cozy boots

Check departure times on phone app and book it to the station

Change trains in Twyford, take lift up and over to the Reading platform

Wait for connecting train, careful not to lose the tickets and watch teenager get busted for sneaking on a train, debate if taking a picture would be too obvious

Arrive in Reading town Centre

Lunch is the first stop, Hadley always gets the blueberry muffin

Pick up a gift, crayons and shop for party treats while this one keeps trying to steal the rest of the muffin

Trains leave every hour so plan accordingly and head back to train station, repeat process in reverse

Give Hadley the iPhone to keep her happy

Munch on a maple Yum-Yum to keep you happy

Head home, walking as fast as you can while trying to keep your baby from falling asleep in the stroller.