Author: Jen

  • Avenue Q

    Thank goodness for laugh ’til you cry comedy. Avenue Q is as funny as everyone said it would be.

  • Hiccup

    Since the arrival of our guests I have realized how accustomed I am to the things which once overwhelmed me about Life in London. It’s so nice to share our London experience with good friends.

  • One Pub, Two Pubs, Three Pubs, Tums

    Summer London Sundays make me feel much better about life. Thank goodness for good food and good friends.

  • Columbia Road Flower Market

    Can you smell that? Sunday smells so good on Columbia Road in Shoreditch.

  • Love and Chocolate

    Love is in the air and brownies are making waves. Is there anything better than love and chocolate?!

  • The Marksman

    “When in London, do as your friends from Tennessee do in London.” Right David?

  • Life Means So Much

    It’s time to push through this awkward in-between bit. I hope you are ready to get back on the ride; sick or no, grab your big gulp, corn dog, and cotton candy. We are getting back on.

  • Finally

    I did have to wait a while, but I am glad to have finally found peace with a few storm clouds in London.

  • Over the Rainbow

    I had a dream last night that I was tirelessly searching through boxes for Dorothy’s ruby slippers. Those sparkly shoes were no where to be found.

  • Pants

    Underwear.

  • Jumper

    A sweater or dress that is pulled on over the head.

  • Apples

    (Cockney rhyming slang, also said as “apples and pears”) Stairs.

  • Bubble and Squeak

    A side dish made from the leftovers of a proper roast dinner. Main ingredients inclue mash and cabbage, but other items such as corn, peas, brussels sprouts (even meat) can be found in bubble and squeak.

  • Mash

    Mashed potatoes.

  • The House Guests Have Landed

    Today, I can say that Westminster Abbey is beyond my expectations because I finally went inside.

  • Bangers

    Sausage(s).

  • The Canals

    A totally new concept to me – canal walk. And it was here under my nose all this time.

  • Boot Sale

    A “market” where private individuals sell their unwanted household jumble from the boot of their cars in a shared space or hired location. (Do you like how we are building on words we have previously learned?!)

  • Fire and Stone

    Does it really matter which pizza you pick when that’s what you want?

  • Lowlander

    What a great place to meet a friend for chips!? (And a beer stick.)

  • Jumble

    Junk, like the stuff you sell at a yard sale (which is not called a “yard sale” here. Stay tuned).

  • The Porterhouse Pub

    This one should be on your next central pub crawl. And bring your camera; it’s cool inside.

  • Fag End

    Cigarette butt.

  • Dirty Stop-out

    slang. A name to call someone who stays out too late. (Using this term implies that you think the person in question may have been up to something naughty while being out too late.)

  • Happy Mother’s Day!

    Yesterday we wandered around the grounds of St. Paul’s, enjoying the gardens and small green spaces between there and home while the sun warmed the city. We are looking forward to having visitors soon who will explore the cathedral with us. Between our flat and the church there are wonderful spaces that would be lovely…

  • Sober

    Who knew thunderstorms were such a integral part of my definition of home? London skies are a big tease.

  • Hummus Bros.

    Give (chick) peas a chance. Vegan, Wheat-Free, Beef-eater? Yes, that’s on the menu.

  • Long Time, No See

    Would you believe me if I told you we were still sick? What if I told you that we were sick on a Bank Holiday? Yeah, I know.

  • P!NK, The Funhouse Tour

    It’s everything and nothing you would expect from the girl notorious for doing whatever she wants.

  • Butty

    Sandwich.  Chip butties are quite popular in London.  (Yeah, that’s big fat American”fries” on bread.)

  • Stag Do

    Bachelor party, sometimes lasting more than one day or night.

  • Hen Do

    Bachelorette party, usually complete with fancy dress.

  • Mate

    Friend.

  • Take Away

    Similar to the American term “take out”, though sometimes used as a noun.  i.e. Let’s get a take away tonight.

  • Green and Red

    Green and Red serves Tex Mex and more Tequila than I can look at.

  • Coq d’Argent

    If you can’t find enough green space for your alfresco itch, look up.  Several London roof top bars boast beautiful views and great atmosphere to go with the drink.  One such rooftop bar and restaurant happens to be in my neighborhood.  Coq d’Argent is a lovely place for an after work drink or a ambient…

  • Beer Mat

    Coaster for beer.  (I guess you could put other beverages on it as well, but it would still be a beer mat.)

  • Lorry

    A truck commonly used for carrying goods and materials, ranging from van size vehicles to 18 wheelers.

  • Stupid White People

    The weather this weekend was wonderful.  The sun shone, the sky was blue, the clouds were white and few…  Unfortunately, we’ve been sick.  I wanted desperately to roam the streets with the sun on my back – I just couldn’t muster up the energy to do much at all.  On Saturday we thought we could…

  • Plaster

    Bandage, like a Band-Aid.

  • Full Stop

    Period.  (Think back to the time of telegraphs…  Usually used to give emphasis to a statement.)

  • Ah, Spring!

    Spring has sprung in London! Check out these lovelies in Lincoln’s Inn Field…

  • Beer Bum

    I had heard about this phenomenon, but now I have witnessed it.

  • Fanny

    (slang) Female genitalia. [Careful, tourists…  No, it’s not called a “fanny pack” in London.]

  • Nappy

    Most commonly, a diaper.  Also, a shallow cooking or serving dish with sloping sides.

  • Looking Back

    We’ve survived to look beyond the six month mark. This is the point at which we have weathered the real work to be done and have left to figure out where we are going – and how far we are from ground zero.

  • Tube

    Term referring to the public transport via underground trains, the sections of trains are called “cars”.

  • Grand Designs

    So, yeah, we’ve always kind of been Home Show nerds.

  • Well

    Very.  As in, “I am well capable of doing my own dishes.”

  • Untraditional Easter

    Not only was yesterday our first Easter in London, it was also our first time to have dinner at Emily’s. We headed Thames-side for a lovely evening with our host and our new friend Ken. I was so impressed with the table setting, complete with an Easter egg for each guest! We giggled and ate…