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Ben did a great job with the turkey–he soaked it over night in a saltwater and honey concoction and then cooked it on the grill. It was magnificent. Only problem–not enough leftovers!!!

My Thanksgiving involved lots of baking, specifically pumpkin and pecan pies-and of course several calls to Texas for info about which recipe to use and how to attach the cute little leaves to the crust 🙂

to take cool photos of people. My dream includes taking these photos in lovely light and of families. Whatever the family looks like–a group of friends, a couple, kids, cousins, parts and pieces of families, just people who love each other. Because that love translates. It is painted clearly on faces and in body language. I just adore capturing cool images-This past week in London, I was struck by all the incredible paintings we saw. The artists were able to use ever part of the canvas deliberately. Choosing a subject, a theme, the setting, foreground, background-all the parts and pieces working together to tell a story. The story I want to tell is family. What it looks like, how it interacts, the love, the silliness, the frustration–ok, not so much the frustration, but when it’s funny, absolutely!

So meet the latest subjects of my camera. These darling children belong to some friends of mine. I went to college with their dad, and love their mom. You can see how delighted they are with the antics of their dad. I was laughing so hard when I took this, I am surprised that it’s in focus. That’s another aspect of my dream. For the whole picture taking thing to be fun. Not just for me but for the people too. It seems like getting your picture taken is stressful. Is my hair right? my clothes straight? smiling? eyes open? ect. I dream that it can be fun and *gasp* enjoyable! Anyway–I have a dream…and did I mention that it is incredibly cool to get paid to do something one loves?!?!

Oxford was great. We stopped by old haunts including St. Mary’s Church, the Bodleian Library, Blackwell’s, Taylor’s, D & G’s (the site of Baily’s Ice Cream–sadly, none was made today,) Keble college, University Park, and 9 & 10 Canterbury Rd. Spring of 1997 was a bit different than the current set up. House parents now live full time on the premises in both houses, there are two houses, and Dr. & Mrs. Willis were in residence this semester. We had a lovely chat with the students, met the house parents, and spent an hour catching up on travel stories with both Dr. and Mrs. Willis.

Oxford the town has GROWN. Many more buses than we remember and tons more bicycles. There are 2 shuttle companies that run between London and Oxford. And another coach (yes-that’s bus to you Americans) company that runs between Heathrow, Gatwick and Oxford.

We made it an early night and I was able to look through all the pictures we’ve taken. Predictable results some are good, some are not-so-good, and just a few make me really smile. I will post some of my favorites after we get home. Tomorrow is our last full day in England-sad, but we’ve had a great time-time is just FLYING! My goal is to take some great-truly great photos of us before we go-time seems to be running out. Signing off–

By special request, I am posting from London. It’s wonderful!! Or as the locals say, "brilliant." The Lord has graced us with beautiful days here in the British Isles, delightfully sunny and crisp and we are having a ball. Tonight we saw Mary Poppins at the Palace theater. I am still singing the songs–always a good indication 🙂 Two nights ago we saw Andrew Loyd Webber’s latest, The Woman in White. It was fun too.

Earlier today–it’s after 11pm here, we climbed to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral–all 530 odd steps. The view is still magnificent. Thank you Father for the stunning sunset. Tomorrow we are planning to travel by tube & bus to Oxford just northwest of London. We will revisit the town where we lived for a semester in the spring of 1997. I seriously cannot believe it’s been almost ten years!  Sir Benjamin of Canterbury road (knighted by Ethan Whaley fellow traveler and friend) shall be returning to his English roots tomorrow, if the Lord wills. 

That’s all from jolly old England for now–Cheers!