Memorial Day

I don't consider myself to be much of a farm girl, but it was wonderful to be back at Red Barn Farm for Memorial Day.  I arrived back in the USA on Friday and Saturday, my grandparents collected me from my sister's and brought me to the family farm.  As much as I'm enjoying life in London, it felt good to come back to the vibrancy of Pennsylvania farmland.  

Within an hour of being back, my grandpap sent me off to the cherry tree with a challenge to pick more than I ate.  He knows me well!

Memorial Day, my sister and her husband came to the farm as well.  They proceeded to pick the entire tree!  

The end result: yummy yummy cherries for us all with plenty to share!

Books, Books, and Books :)

Valerie and I devoted Friday to cataloguing our developing library for religious studies.  We anticipated it would take about two hours of one person reading titles and authors and the other typing.  In true form, it took us more like four or five hours, with a lunch break for Chinese and Magnum bars in the middle of the day.  As we always do, we had a good time as we worked, particularly as I stumbled over exotic names or Valerie misheard.    

Here was one such goof:  

Hope: The Message of John.  It's a commentary.

Valerie: Oh, by John Stott?

Hope: No, by Bruce Milne.

Valerie: But it's John, right?

Hope: No, it's Bruce.... Oh, wait, I get what you mean.  Yes, it's the book of John.

Valerie: It's "The Book of John?"  I thought it was the Message of John?

Pause for a deep breath as we both giggle outrageously at our confusion over such a simple title.

Hope: The Message of John by Bruce Milne, which is a commentary on the biblical book of John.  Done.  

Yo Sushi

I was challenged to try sushi.  I've never had a desire.  I believe the pictures speak for themselves.

The initial procrastination of perusing the menu

False bravado

A brave attempt

Just no.

Will never repeat this process again!

Webb Patent Sewer Gas Lamp

You really can find anything in London.  My friend Chris was just visiting and one place we stopped was a little off the beaten path and was instead on the "smelly path."  Apparently, this is the last remaining Gas Lamp in London.  It was invented in the 19th century to utilize  the fumes from sewers.  Well, maybe it's energy efficient, but I'm kinda glad all of London doesn't smell like Carting Lane, the home of the the Sewer Lamp.  It runs all day and night though :)

Ellies in London

A few weeks ago, 260 painted elephants showed up in London.  They are part of a campaign to raise awareness for Asian elephants and protect their habitats.  If you are interested, read more about the Elephant Parade.

Portobello revisited

This afternoon, we celebrated L's birthday with coffee and sweets at Gail's Bakery, a fun little place on Portobello.  

Afterwards, I was rather entertained by shop signs :)