In Training

Parades here, parades there, parades everywhere

Everyone is talking about the Tournament of Roses Parade today, but alas, I'm at work and not watching.  Thank goodness for the DVR!  I LOVE parades and it doesn't much matter to me what they are celebrating.  If it's a parade, I'm there (or recording it... whatever).

This reminded me of one of my all-time favorite parade moments:

!!

Clouds in my coffee

I have a habit of taking photographs of clouds when I'm out - usually with my phone.  They're pretty.  But this one takes the cake!



No, it's not especially pretty... but it's a whale and a seal! 

Twitter Catch Up

So.  It's true.  I love Twitter.  Obviously, I tweet more than I blog!  Yikes.  This seems to be a common thing that happens to bloggers once they discover Twitter - neglect the blog for a while and then find their groove again later.  I hope this is that!

To start: here are some great links that I posted on Twitter but haven't blogged about:

Rosie the Riveter? No. Velma the Welder! : Velma worked on Higgins boats - a very, very important part of our D-Day victory! Via WWIIToday.

Businessman in Taunton (home of Royal Marines - 40 Commando) would rather hire a pedophile than a member of the armed forces.

Great article by Victor Davis Hanson on the Tom Hanks WWII-Pacific/Iraq-Afghanistan comments.

Lastly, Guinness Milkshakes? YES!

I will be better about posting on my blog in the future.  But, please take a look at my Twitter page, too!

Montar a Caballo, or Funny Incident in Spanish Class

The great thing about learning a new language is the mess ups.  The inevitable mistakes. 

We have a quiz every single day in Spanish.  Every Monday, every Wednesday and every Friday.  These quizzes are always given at the beginning of class and they cover what we are about to learn that day.  Meaning, we have to know the material for the day before we walk in the door. 

Our quiz on Monday dealt with vocabulary for sports and outdoor activities.

One of the questions: Translate 'to ride a horse/horseback' from English to Spanish.

Correct answer: montar a caballo.  Literally translated this means to "ride" or "mount" a horse.

When we arrived in class today our professor gently reminded us to be careful with our translations or we might, as one unnamed student did on the quiz, confuse the intended recipient. 

The student in question submitted this answer: montar a caballero.

Literally, to "ride" or "mount" a gentleman. 

I'm all Twittered up

I finally did it.  I'm on Twitter. 

themrsroyal is my Twitter site!

If you have Twitter and would like to, please follow me.  If you don't and are still interested in keeping up with the page just bookmark or favorite it and you will see the updates. 

Hope everyone has a VERY Happy New Year!!

My New Year's Resolution?  Drink more water, eat more fresh vegetables!  Easy, right?!

UPDATE: I've also added a Twitter Update link on the top right of the blog  --->

Headline & Story of the Day!

Thugs attack two transvestites... who turn out to be cage fighters in fancy dress.

Oh yes they did.

Complete with photos and video and great comments!

** Update **

An interview with Lionheart and Lights Out ... the two cage fighters!

Lookin' good gentlemen, lookin' good!

How the British do Iced Tea *

Let me preface this true story by saying that I am no tea snob.  I was drinking hot tea way before my first visit to the U.K. - sugar, no sugar, milky or not, lemon/honey whatever and I absolutely adore both sweet & unsweetened iced tea.  My family are big on the tea.  

Most of the British people I've talked with think iced tea is crazy, CRAZY I TELL YOU!! Which is cool (ha, pun) I know it's very different for them. 

While in England our family decided to go to dinner and a movie (Harry Potter).  Dinner was T.G.I. Friday's because it is close to the cinema and has pretty good food.  For those who may not know, it's an American restaurant which means things like free refills (Yes! Finally!) and American fare.  I'd been before on trips, but this was the first time I noticed Iced Tea on the drinks menu. 

I'd been about two weeks without iced tea and was interested to see what it would be like in England.  When our waitress came to the table I asked her if they made the iced tea fresh.  I only asked because I hate iced tea made from a powder - sacrilege!!  So horrible and so not tea.  The waitress gave me a quizzical look and said yes, they would make it fresh for me.  I was really excited! 

Out came our drinks and ...

I'm fairly certain that they made a cup of hot English tea (I think it was probably English Breakfast, the taste was very similar) added milk, then poured it over ice!  A sort of iced coffee but with tea.  And most definitely not as good!  It wasn't terrible - I drank it all over the course of the meal - I didn't want to make her feel bad!  Let's just say I won't be changing my iced tea making ways to be like theirs! 

And wouldn't you know?  It was the one time I didn't take my camera with me somewhere the whole trip! 

I'm thinking I might do a step by step photo tutorial on how to make iced tea - and fast!  It's very simple and really refreshing...

*Obviously not all of them (I don't think!)

Kath's Guide to Making Iced Tea

Seriously cute chocolate

I mean really!

But...

it is chocolate so I ate the little guy anyway. 

Something happy

Click here to watch something really cool that will make you smile!

Texas Horse Country

This is what we saw at an intersection in a small town we drove through last weekend:

Sweet.