Happy Halloween!

Now that I am officially going to be staying in the UK indefinitely, there are two American holidays I am making an effort to keep in the UK. Halloween and Thanksgiving. So in the spirit of Halloween, I carved my pumpkin, roasted the seeds and bought candy for any lucky little fellow that should knock on my door. And I've been rewarded with two tricky treaters of my very own. And Martin said no one would come by! Once we move out into the country and have our own children to torture(these kids had a look on their faces like they were being forced by their American parents to participate and were dying from embarrassment)I aim to have Halloween parties similar to those hosted by my sister that are always a day filled with fun and laughter. Hopefully we'll have enough land to have our own pumpkin patch from which people can choose the winning jack o lantern and a day enjoyed by children and adults alike. I can't wait!



One of the many benefits of living in the UK is watching the seasons change, and autumn is definitely upon us. All the trees have turned beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange, and for about a week, you are treated to sidewalks and fields filled with the falling leaves. They literally fall from the sky like large pieces of snow. I know this happens in America as well, but not once did it happen in San Francisco. It is really rather special and is a nice way to enter the cold and dark nights.



And in other news one of our chickens has been very naughty! We have two very cute door mouses (I don't like the connotation that comes with the word mice) who run around in our garden. I know the word mouse is synonymous with disease and the ick factor, but seriously, they are really cute. Think Stewart Little. Anyway, one of the poor mouses fell victim to our ginger chicken! Martin went to put them in the coop for the night and was horrified to see the back end of the mouse in the chickens mouth! A chase ensued with Martin chasing the ginger chicken and the black chicken chasing Martin. Needless to say our little friend didn't make it, and we are now a little concerned about what kind of chicken we've got running around back there! I wonder what else she has been eating?!

Made scones today for the first time. They didn't look great but they tasted great! Just need to get a proper pastry cutter and master the skill of applying the egg to the top and I will have a tasty and good looking treat on my hands. Nothing like a cream tea on a cold Autumn day.