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Memories Brought back by the Bachelorette

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I am not one to do weekly recap posts on television shows and my husband will probably skip reading my blog today once he reads ‘bachelorette’ mentioned. I began watching with season two of the Bachelor and then with season one of the spin off, the Bachelorette while I was engaged. Fast forward to today and that is a decade of watching a show with generally the same plot, just new characters.    To be fair I would rather watch the Bachelorette over the Bachelor any day. Guys all vying over one girl  vs a season full of catfights.  No competition there. Why do I get sucked into it every season?

The dates?  The romance? The premise that you can find your soul mate?  

 My favourite thing about the show is watching their dates in far off countries. Especially when they go places where I want to travel, places I have been, and those that hold a special place in my heart. The last two episodes of The Bachelorette have touched me because of the locations.  Since this blog highlights on travels I would like to touch on the two places and why they mean so much to me.

On the Bachelorette Season 9 Episode 4, Desiree goes to Seaside Heights on a date and gives her date to a lovely couple whose house was hit by Hurricane Sandy.  I actually stopped watching this episode when it got to this point.  I continued watching it this week before starting the new episode.  It was hard to watch.  Seeing all the devastation from their view up in the helicopter.  Harder to imagine that we were just there for a summer vacation with my family last August.  We had gone there a few times growing up as my father’s dad lived nearby in Newark. He loved to take us to the boardwalk when we visited every few years from Europe.  You may have even read my posts about Seaside Heights and the Jersey Shore.  My husband has yet to go to New Jersey and my sons really want him to experience the summer staying at the beach house, walking minutes to the ocean, and enjoying the the fun, food, and games on the Seaside Heights board walk of the Jersey Shore.  I hope that despite the tragedy this wonderful place can be restored to an even better state than it was before. So that many more can cherish the same memories at the shore. 

This week’s episode Desiree took the men to Munich, Germany.  A city I love so much and a country I used to live in for a few years. I was watching every second with a huge amount of wanderlust.  I have been on that same mountain top that they were on and have been snowboarding in the Alps many times.  It is the place of so many happy memories with my father and going on snowboarding adventures together as a family and with our friends.  It was actually my first location choice for our vow renewal because of how special of a place it is for my family. I honestly cannot wait for the day that my husband can whisk us away to southern Bavaria. 

Being married for just about ten years with eight and six year old sons, date nights with just my husband and I are few and far between.  We have had friends watch our kids or have had arrangements set up when we were both working.  But we have never had an actual babysitter who we could regularly call up so we could go on frequently schedule date nights.  It is something I wish could be changed in the next ten years.  My husband by far wins with who has gone out with other adults more during our time here in England.

I have been out with my husband for his Uni function (so not a one on one date), once with his Uni friends without Ryan (to get me out of the house), a girls night out with my friend from  Hawaii who was visiting in London, and a girls night out in Bath with a fellow expat.  Other than that if I go out it is with the whole family in tow.  I think that is why I still watch the Bachelor/Bachelorette because I live vicariously through their dates.  I know not everyone gets the London Eye shut down for their date or a famous band to serenade them for dancing in the city streets, but I still like the idea of sweeping a girl off her feet.  That and who would not want to just jet across the world to visit a new country just for a date?  

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I cherish my photographs from our vacation last summer at Seaside Heights on the Jersey shore even more after Hurricane Sandy hit and destroyed a place of such found memories.  Since the passing of my father I take photos of everything because I never know what I will not have the chance to photograph again. Even now going through old photo files on external drives, you will never hear me say ‘I wish I took less photos’. If anything looking back at old photographs I wish I knew back then what I know now about photography, composition, and lighting.  I definitely wish I had more photographs of my father and more photographs of all the places I have lived and travled through out the world.  While majority of those I can not or not easily take photos of now, I have also realised I do not have a lot of photographs of my husband and I together.  Since that is something I can change I have been working hard and on making sure we tackle that feat this year.  Photographs are truly precious to me.
Question:  What past moment in your life would you most like to have a photo of?
I asked this same question to my sponsors and here were their answers:

Jessica Lynn: “If I could have a photo from any past moment in my life it would definitely be one of me, my mom, and my week-old daughter together. It was just three months ago, but I regret not taking a picture of the three of us when she came out to visit.“

Tara: “I can’t think of one specific moment, but in general, more photos of me and my parents. I lost both my parents last year and it was sad to realize I could count the number of photos, after the age of 14 (and I am 27, by the way), of me with one or both of them on one hand! I photograph
EVERYTHING now!“

Rachel: “I’d love to have a photo of the first kiss between me and my boyfriend.”

Tammy:  “The moment I met my hubby. :) that moment our eyes locked on each other.“

Melyssa: “I’d like to have a photo of my nana making me mac & cheese. I don’t even really like mac & cheese, but because she always used to make it for me, I associate that memory with the feeling of home. It was never about the mac & cheese, it was just about her love. I’d like a picture of that.“

Lisa Ng: “I would love a photo of the first time I held my son. I have plenty photos afterward, but just not the very first time.“

Thank you to my lovely sponsors for taking the time to participate today. Make sure you check out the blogs of these wonderful ladies and I’ll ask the same question to you, my reader, below:
Q:  What past moment in your life would you most like to have a photo of?
XX
B.


Easy Organic Chocolate Muffins

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If you find something that makes you happy then stick with it. A simple statement I heard somewhere in the past. While looking back on the the good times as of late and the contentment found within I am finding things that make me happy. Going places, be it a country walk in the countryside or traveling places further off, experiencing new cultures, and being in good company are instant pleasers. The bottom line I have found is if I am doing something with my family, good times are bound to follow. 

I was recently asked to try out a recipe for organic chocolate muffins. They were described as being so easy to make that they were perfect for cooking with your children. Since everyone in my household loves to cook and bake I was eager to round up the ingredients for a special after school treat. The only amendments I made to the recipe was instead of smashed up chocolate, I used an organic cacao powder and I sprinkled some porridge oats before putting it into the oven to bake. My sons had so much fun making them and the whole family had fun eating them. The muffins were so delicious that they were all gone before dinner time the next day.

This recipe is for delicious organic chocolate muffins that kids will love to cook as much as they love to eat them. They are super simple, full of organic ingredients and taste extra delicious. Plus you only need one bowl and one spoon to make them. Perfect for both the kids and the parents who will be cleaning up afterwards.

Ingredients:



1/4 tsp natural salt
1 large organic egg
125ml (4fl oz) organic milk
50g (2oz) unsalted organic butter, melted
100g organic chocolate (white, milk or dark – whichever is your little ones favourite) bashed and smashed up in a sandwich bag (i.e. The Fun Bit). Green and Blacks have a range of cooking chocolate that we’re addicted to.
Making the muffins:
Preheat your oven to 200C / 400F / Gas Mark 6
Take a big bowl and using a whisk or the classic wooden spoon, mix together the egg, sugar, milk and melted butter.
Then sift the flour, salt and baking powder into the bowl and mix it all together.
Add the small pieces of broken up chocolate and give it a good stir. It’s probably best to give the spoon a little lick at this point and make sure it tastes yummy.
Spoon the mixture into muffin cases so that they are 2/3 full and bake for 20 minutes. They should be springy to the touch. 
Leave them in the muffin tray for 10 minutes to cool. Then gobble them all up with a glass of milk.
Q: Since my husband does the majority of the cooking, I like to do baking. My kids like to help us both out in the kitchen.  But what about you?  Do you cook or bake at home?  Have a favourite recipe you make the most?

Blog Friends/1

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We had a week of warm sunny days here in England only to have friday be cold and rainy.  As we had planned a bbq on the lawns behind the Royal Crescent, I was quite sad to see the rain clouds.  My smile has returned this morning with seeing the beautiful sunshine has returned for the weekend.  It looks like we will be returning to Monkton Farleigh for our first fete in England as expats.  I look forward to showing you photos and a recap from our adventures on our country walk today. 
Do not forget you are Invited to a Tea Party Giveaway!  Check out the link to yesterday’s post to find out how you can score the perfect gifts for a Tea Party from bloggers all around the world! 
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I have some pretty amazing sponsors on A Compass Rose.  This month especially and I would like to take today to introduce you to a few of these ladies.  So without further adieu I please meet:
http://www.postcardsfromrachel.com/

Hi, everyone! I’m Rachel and I write over at Postcards from Rachel, a lifestyle blog. I’m a former expat who loves to post about my family’s travels, recipes, DIY, my two dogs and everyday life. I’d love for you to stop by and say hello!

http://starlettadesigns.blogspot.ca
Hi everyone! My name is Tara and I am the sole person behind Starletta Designs, a handmade jewelry design business. I strive to make affordable jewelry using high quality materials like gemstones, sterling silver and 14kt gold fill. The pieces I create are always limited edition or one of a kind, as I am always creating new designs! I also write a blog; shockingly called Starletta Designs as well. The blog is a mix of personal and business topics.

My Etsy shop: http://starletta.etsy.com 
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/StarlettaDesign
Bloglovin: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5132755/starletta-designs

http://www.withlove-rachel.com/
Hi there, I’m Rachel, the blogger behind With Love, Rachel. I write about all of the things that make life wonderful, from adventures in traveling to fabulous shoes. I drink more wine than I probably should, I consider bargain shopping one of my talents, and I often think out my plan for how to survive the zombie apocalypse. I’m also training for my first ever marathon and sharing the challenges that come with it.

http://hi-life-love.blogspot.co.uk/

The Hi-Life & Love blog is a lifestyle blog about a Hawaiian girl currently living the mainland adventure with her island Marine.  She is a mom, a wife, a Tahitian dancer, and model.  Bella posts about fitness, aspergers, beauty, shopping, cooking, and all things Hawaii.  Guest posts from her teenage daughter and preteen son also are featured on the blog.  She is a military wife that has lived longer outside the mainland US in both Japan and and Hawaii.

http://thenectarcollective.com/
The Nectar Collective documents my life as a California girl living and growing in Tokyo, Japan. 
I recently got a dog named Monja, who has a fetish for worn socks and is basically the sidekick to my silly and happy life. I write all about positivity, travel, love, dogs, DIY projects, and how we can each spread our unique nectar to the rest of the world. Come say hi, and have a bright day!

Thank you to these lovely ladies!  If you are interested in joining them on my side bar:

Sponsor – A Compass Rose

Sponsored: Vacation Countdown

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I cannot tell you how happy I am that June is here.  I do not think I would be as elated if it was not for all the gorgeous sunshine that has been bestowed on merry ol’ England.  It is so lovely and so warm that I find myself making any excuse I can for being outside.  I have actually been able to catch up on most of the laundry since I can have it drying outside on the line.  I honestly could get used to this.  There is a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that the weather is just toying with me.  That when summer is full on and I am vacation in Wales in August I will be greeted with nothing but rain.  Rain is supposed to bring good luck on your wedding day, it did rain on my wedding day, and for my vow renewal I would just like a bit of sunshine.  Please?
So in the process of cleaning and folding clothes I  have been in a spring cleaning mode to get rid of all outgrown or overly used clothes from my sons’ wardrobes.  For me I have decided that means it is finally time to part with all those clothes I put on only to look in the mirror and throw it on the floor.  While my husband has no problem shopping for himself and always looks so GQ on his way to work, I  usually will not buy something for myself unless its a gift.  Through looking in shops in the town of Bath and looking at the online websites I have decided to start looking for pieces needed to fill in gaps of my wardrobe and for the summer.  Through my search I have realised I should check out a John Lewis shop.  I had already seen much of the Spring Season 2012 of John Lewis at the Bristol Fashion Week a couple months back.  I have not had the opportunity to be inside a store yet since moving back to Europe and yet I have a few pieces from John Lewis that I would love to own.
The first is the pair of wing tipped shoes my blogger friend, Jade, is sporting in the photo below.  They look like a pair of shoes that should already be a staple in my day to day look book.  I asked her where she had gotten them and she told me John Lewis. 
The next is this linen dress by Mango, something I found while searching for items to take with me to Wales.  I have quite a few summer dresses but they were mostly all purchased in Hawaii and seem to fit that island vibe better than this one.  This simple linen dress hit my eye because of the lines and details gives a very classy appearance. 
As a girl does my shopping online journey takes me from one train of thought to another and then I start thinking about California, my time living in the coastal town of Monterey, and my trips to San Francisco,  L.A. and San Diego.  There was one song that would always play on my music player when taking a road trip through or to California.  California by dkjfdkjfkdjf   The infamous theme song from the television programme The O.C.  Which starred Mischa Barton who became the girl whose wardrobe we all wanted to raid.  She now designs and there a purse of hers found at…you guessed it, John Lewis.

http://www.musicmagpie.co.uk/consoles-video-games/sell-wii/index_wii.asp

So while the good weather is out I will be outside lounging in it, vicariously shopping online for the perfect items for my vacation to Wales.  
Q: What wardrobe pieces are you adding to your summer look this summer? 
Or are there any key items you think every Girl Gone International should have in her bag?