Thursday, March 31, 2016

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Our Queen At 90 - Full Documentary

Fabulous!


If this is Tuesday, it must be England #38


Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition to individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales. Warrants have always been regarded as demonstrating excellence and quality and are highly prized.

Kinloch Anderson holds royal warrants from the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales.  One stop shopping for the whole family when buying kilts from the foremost experts in Highland Dress since 1868.

Royal Warrant holders cover a range of products, many of which you would expect to grace the royal table or person - tea, shortcake, whisky, smoked salmon, champagne, bespoke clothing and shoes, and jewelry - but it was also interesting to see the range of products and services of the more unique Royal Warrant holders:

Calders & Grandidge, Purveyors of Preserved Timber Fencing (scroll all the way to the bottom to see the image)

Hayter, Makers of the Finest Mowers

Twyford Bathrooms, Manufacturers of Bathroom Fittings (the royal loos!)

Have you got any products in your pantry that hold a Royal Warrant?

Monday, March 28, 2016

Life Last Week #2016-13


Another week down, another week closer to Vic coming home. Work x five filled the days and there was plenty of other activity. Monday night was the March meeting of the Family Readiness Group with a speaker from the Fleet & Family Support Center on Finances. Great conversation - lots of really good questions led to more discussion and we covered many financial topics. It was Toiletries month for the Adopt a Sailor donations and it was so neat to see that most families thought of the female sailors with their donations of girly products. Sometimes donations for single sailors seem to focus on the guys so it was great to see the focus on the gals.

Tuesday was the final day of my second Whole 30. I'll stop calling it the Whole 30 and rename it my healthy eating lifestyle change because this is the way I plan to eat as much as possible. There will be splurges, but they will be once in a while events. Sophia drove down on Tuesday morning and I took off early from work so we were able to spend the afternoon and evening together. Unfortunately, our plans to have a British telly evening were derailed by what appears to be a malfunction with the TV so we ended up watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix on my laptop. The TV is seven years old; is that about the lifespan of a flat screen?

I flew out of bed and straight to the scales on Wednesday morning - drum roll please...more drum roll please...minus 11.5 pounds this month for a total of 20.5 in the last two months!! I am happy, happy, happy.
And this is what I've lost:
How's that for a visual?
Thursday and Friday zoomed by and it was the weekend already. On Saturday morning, the Family Readiness Group held an Easter Egg Hunt for the children and decorated a handprint banner to send to the ship. I volunteered to mail it so I stopped by to pick it up and ended up staying for a while chatting. I miss the Family Readiness Group days when I had a little one. So many fun things to do with the little ones.

The rest of Saturday was spent in a flurry of errands - groceries, Michael's, and Costco for gas. Home for laundry and other chores as well as more Grey's Anatomy. I don't know where I left off when I used to watch it so I just started from the beginning again.

Easter Sunday dawned wet here in the Pacific Northwest. I got ready for church and headed out, deciding to re-visit one of the churches that Vic and I visited when he was home. There are three that we are looking at here - can't quite narrow down which one is the best fit for us so now is the time for me to work on that. I like the one I re-visited today; it's not too big (which I like) but the music program is not quite what I'd like it to be. Worship music is really important to me. The second church is Vic's favorite so far - it has a good music program (although for me, it's too loud) and the church is large. I feel like no-one is ever going to know our names and that bothers me. The third one we only visited once so I'll give it another try but I think it's still going to be the least favorite.

Home to cook for the week - roasted cabbage, roasted potatoes and carrots, and chocolate mousse cups for an event tomorrow. It took all the willpower I had NOT to squirt the leftover mousse in the piping bag directly into my mouth but I prevailed! I have had a few splurges since the weigh-in on Wednesday but I was drawing the line at the chocolate mousse.

I worked hours on a care package for Vic and then packed it and sealed it all up without taking a photo. I was so excited for him to get the package, not for the decoration, but for the contents. I went on a shopping trip to the Filipino store and picked up all of his favorites and I could not wait for him to get it. I also told him to take a photo when he received it. When I saw on the ship's Facebook page that a mail drop happened on Friday, I e-mailed him to ask if he had received it. I'm still smiling at our conversation:

Me: I hear there's a mail call - any sign of your package?
Vic: I have the package. I will take it to my stateroom and take a picture.
Me: I hope the items in the plastic bag are ok - maybe a quick refresh in the microwave or dunk them in your coffee?
Vic: I will let you know. I will open it when I knock off ship's work tonight.
Me: You really should open it now. You'll be glad you did.
Vic: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! I AM KISSING YOU RIGHT NOW! MWAH, MWAH, MWAH, MWAH! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE HOPIA SURVIVED THE SHIPMENT!

Excited much, do you think? Hopia, by the way, is Vic's favorite snack - it's a dessert consisting of a tender, flaky pastry filled with sweetened mung bean paste.


What a great end to my week and guess what's going in every box from now on, whatever the theme? I think he's so busy eating his hopia that he's forgotten to send the picture. Hopefully he'll send it soon.

Hope you had a great Easter!


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #37


The Royal Hospital Chelsea
"Few British institutions can boast three centuries of unbroken service, and none is closer to the heart of the nation than "The Men in Scarlet (*)", the Chelsea Pensioners.  Their home, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, was founded in 1682 by King Charles II to provide soldiers with a fitting home in their retirement.   The Royal Hospital is proud to continue to serve its original purpose into the 21st century" 

 (*) On March 12, 2009 Mrs Dorothy Hughes (85) and Miss Winifred Phillips (82), became the first women In-Pensioners.


I've always been fascinated with the Chelsea Pensioners.  How I would love to spend a couple of days with them, hearing their stories!  The Chelsea Pensioners are an amazing British tradition, men and women who served their country and are choosing to live out their golden years at the Royal Hospital.  They surrender their pensions in return for board, lodging, clothing, and medical care.  The Chelsea Pensioners are a feature at many ceremonial occasions in Britain, distinctive in their scarlet coats and tricorne hats.

The Chelsea Pensioners in the 21st Century
I'm definitely adding this tour onto my list of Things to Do in London. 

Monday, March 21, 2016

Life Last Week #2016-12


Another busy week, another week closer to Vic coming home. Sophia decided not to come with us to Virginia - can't say that's news I wanted to hear but bottom line, I wanted her to come with us, Vic wanted her to come with us, but it's not about us. She's an adult, she's thought the whole plan through, and we just have to respect her wishes.  It's the only way I can wrap my head around moving across the country away from her.

Monday started with Excel III training, a good class, a good instructor, and I learned some new tricks. The rest of the week at work was busy and busy means it goes by quickly. I mailed off Vic's package, the best one yet as far as decoration, and wouldn't you know it, I forgot to take a picture! Had to e-mail him and ask him to take one when he gets it. Tax refund came in, another year with no IRS concerns (I hope!). St. Patrick's Day was uneventful, I ate cabbage but no corned beef or green beer. I wrapped up the week with a manicure on Friday evening before I headed to an essential oils workshop which was very interesting. Anyone here use essential oils? Seems to be an up and coming wellness practice that is even being used in the health care arena.


Up early on Saturday morning to head three hours south for the Navy Wives Clubs of America Northwest Area Council meeting. We gather twice a year to reconnect, conduct any business, and talk about what's working and what's not working in our respective clubs. It was a tea party which was lovely - totally not Whole 30 so I limited myself to three tiny sandwiches and a scone without any cream. Three cups of tea - delicious! Lots of chatting about Downton Abbey was fun.


Three hours' drive home meant that it was almost 8:00pm before I stepped in the house and I ended up staying up until midnight working on the computer and watching Grey's Anatomy.

Just a couple of errands this afternoon and the usual chores - laundry, dishwasher, etc. I didn't feel much like cooking so lunches and dinners are going to be creative next week.

Vic's had a busy week in South Korea. His highlights included kimchee, a visit to one of Asia's premium shopping complexes, and the grand finale, a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). He's back on the high seas.


Have a great week!

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Throwback Thursday

Chico, California 1987
Me, my sister Barbara, and Dad at my grandmother's apartment. I was feeling fabulous - lost a lot of weight (thanks to Mom who did all the healthy cooking) - look, I have cheekbones! - and we had an amazing Day after Thanksgiving shopping trip to Macy's where I picked up outfits that all fit beautifully - the best fitting room experience I have ever had! That's a silk blouse I'm wearing in, I think, a size 12. Hoping to get back down there again soon.

I love this photo of my Dad. He had the most infectious smile and laugh - I miss him terribly but am thankful for wonderful memories.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 259


1. What do you think about luck?

I started off with strong feelings about this topic but then my mind just went down a rabbit hole and it's gone. I guess I wanted to say something along the lines that we say we're lucky, or we feel lucky, or someone else is lucky but is it true? Do we or they not just work harder to achieve something, to earn something, to reach a goal?

2. Not counting your own backyard, what's a favorite green space in your town, city, or state?

Olympic National Park - there must be a hundred different shades of green - evergreen trees, bushes, mosses, flowers, leaves, it's all there.



3. How do you make your life more complex than it needs to be?

By not saying No more often that I should. I take on too many things; I should be more selective, I really should.

4. I read here the three places you should visit with friends. They are-New York City, Hawaii, and Amsterdam (rent a bike, walk along the canal, visit one of their world class museums). I felt the need to expound on that one. Moving on...Of the three places listed which would you most like to visit with friends? What's one place not on the list you think should be visited with friends?

I think Hawaii would be a fun place to visit with a friend. I loved Robin Jones Gunn's book, Sisterchicks Do the Hula, and I would love to take a trip like that.


What's not on the list? England, the England of Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, the Tudors, so many places to visit, sites to see, that one is on my bucket list with a friend too.

5. What's the last live performance you saw? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being best) how would you rate it?

It's been so long! I think it must have been Les Miserables on stage when we were in Norfolk, Virginia. Fabulous performance - most definitely a 10+!

6. March 14th is National Potato Chip Day. Are you a fan? Your favorite flavor? Besides potato, what's your favorite chip type of snack?

Definitely a fan  and it's salt and vinegar all the way! I love Pita Chips, especially the cinnamon sugar coated variety.

7.What rule is most important in your home?

A place for everything and everything in its place.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My favorite leprechaun - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #36


I  loved everything about the Two Fat Ladies cooking show - they used a lot of exotic ingredients, almost always cooked on an Aga, and shopped for meat, fish and produce and cooked in some of the most amazing locations.  One of my favorite shows was the one where they visited Fortune's Kippers in Whitby where they have been smoking kippers for over 139 years.

"Since the Two Fat Ladies visited our smokehouse, Fortune’s fame has spread to Australia, New Zealand and Canada where their television cookery programme the Two Fat Ladies has been broadcast."

A kipper is a fish, especially a herring, that has been cured by splitting, salting, drying and smoking.  If you like fish, you are in for an amazing treat.


Served for breakfast, they are the best way to start your day.  On our next trip to England, we'll be searching for Bed and Breakfast establishments that serve kippers - yummy!

Monday, March 14, 2016

Life Last Week #2016-11


Almost halfway through March already, where is the time going? It was another busy week at work for the four and a half days that I was there. Monday just flew by and then I took Tuesday morning off to go with Sophia to Olympic College for orientation and placement testing. Orientation was informative but we have rather a unique situation and fortunately, we were able to get all the answers we needed from a combination of the registration office, the Veterans' Affairs office, the advising office, and the local office of the Virginia university that she will attend which happens to have an online campus here at the community college. It turns out that she will not be taking a conventional classload this quarter as it's pointless to enroll in community college classes since she's already completed the lower-level classes that they offer and the online program for Virginia is on a semester system (we are on quarters here in Washington) so they are already in the middle of the spring semester. So, she will take the two fashion classes that are offered this spring and work since she was fortunate enough to get a transfer to the Petsmart in our area. That was a huge blessing because she hasn't really worked for the company long enough for a transfer but her boss was very accommodating and happy to pass on a reliable and conscientious employee to another branch. So, not the day we planned, but all in all, it was productive.

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful but Saturday made up for that. First, the monthly meeting of the Navy Wives and then a two-hour wait to get the car serviced - 30,000 miles already (ka-ching). Then errands, Michael's for some small baking pans so I can make a week's worth of the Whole 30 breakfast egg dish I've been making, then a trip to the Asian store for supplies for Vic's care package, and finally Trader Joe's and Ulta. I went straight from there to my friend's thirty-one bags party. She cooked enough Southern food for an army and that was tough for this Whole 30 girl to sit through! A tiny piece of pork tenderloin and a little bit of brisket was my dinner while the others sitting at my table consumed their weight in biscuits and sausage gravy, macaroni and cheese, and corn bread not to mention carrot cake and something called Sunday Afternoon Delight (imagine a cheesecake layer, a pudding layer, lots of Cool Whip, and shaved chocolate).  Rainy, windy, dark drive home because she lives almost an hour away; I did a few things around the house and then headed to be just after 11:00pm only to be woken up by a Facetime call from Vic at midnight. He's in port in Busan, Korea and was enjoying a little down time at the local Starbucks. He signed up for a tour so I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.

On Sunday, I was supposed to travel across the water to attend a Navy Wives officers' installation for one of our sister clubs but the weather forecast (extremely high wind warnings) was grim so I bowed out. I'm glad I did because the ferries on that route have been cancelled this afternoon and there has already been a tractor-trailer overturn on the bridge that is the other route we would have to take to drive the long way around. I'm hoping those who traveled up there get home safely. It's been a day of cooking, cleaning, laundry, organizing the office, and other miscellaneous chores. So far the power flickered off and then came back on, but many of my friends in other areas have been without since early this afternoon.

12 days until Sophia comes home and I can't wait.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #35


I've posted before about the fabulous time we had at my sister's wedding at Duns Castle in Scotland.  Today I thought I would share a little information about the area around the location of the rehearsal dinner, The Craw Inn in Auchencrow.  We'll call today's edition, If This is Tuesday, it must be England (and Scotland)!


The Craw Inn is a lovely pub and restaurant with a private dining room in the back which was perfect for our party of revelers.  The food was delicious and I highly recommend it.  I was intrigued by this line on their webpage, "..The extensive, frequently changing menu includes fresh local fish and shellfish landed at Eyemouth and St. Abbs...", and decided to look up these two places.

Eyemouth is a fishing port at the mouth of a river called the Eye Water.  It looks delightful and the town's website, Visit Eyemouth, is full of tips on where to stay, where to shop and what to see and do.  Here's a little photo to tempt you, if you haven't already clicked on the link!

Eyemouth, home of the Herring Queen Festival

I moved to St. Abbs, a small fishing village northwest of Eyemouth which turns out to be a well-known scuba diving area.  St Abbs has much less to do and see than Eyemouth, but it looks like a peaceful getaway spot with several accommodation choices - bed and breakfast, guest house or holiday home.  The St. Abbs Community Website will tell you all you need to know.

You know how it is on the internet these days - one link leads to another and I was thrilled to find this little gem, the Borderloop Cycle Route (click on the Borderloop PDF).  Now I am not a cyclist by any means, but I really think I would train to take a trip along this route.  Cycling an average of 35 miles per day, you will run the gamut of scenery on this route.  Whoever put this together has provided everything you need to know - where to rent bikes, where to break your trek for a meal, what to see on the way, and where to collapse into bed at night.  I'm not sure what the 1, 4 and T symbols mean on the map legend - if any of my British readers can help, please let me know.  I'm off to do a little more research on that.  All the roads marked appear to be A and B roads so I'm thinking that you could also drive this route, although cycling would give you the best views (as long as the weather cooperates!).  I sent the link to my sister and brother-in-law, thinking that this would be a lovely way to show their two boys the area around where they got married when they are a little older and can manage the cycling.

I hope you enjoyed this little trek through the Scottish Borders region.  I'm off to hop on the treadmill - if I'm going to be cycling 35 miles per day (one day!), I'd better get in shape!

Monday, March 7, 2016

Life Last Week #2016-10


I had to go back in my planner to see what I did last week - it just went by in a blur! Work, work, work, work, and work took up the daytime hours and they whizzed by in a blur as well. I LOVE to be busy. There was a Navy Wives board meeting and there was supposed to be a Book Club meeting but I passed on that one. There weren't too many RSVPs so the organizer opened it up to those who said they couldn't make it because they didn't have babysitters. Since I had been sniffling and had a sore throat, I figured the moms would prefer it if I kept my germs at home.

Sophia called and said she was coming home for the weekend - she wanted some "Mom time", how I loved to hear that! I wasn't thrilled that she was hitting the road after she got off work at 8:00pm but she texted before she left and then when she got to the ferry so all was well. She's a careful driver, it's the others on the road I worry about. We had a lovely, lazy weekend with some oldie but goodie movies (Please Don't Eat the Daisies with Doris Day and David Niven among them), home-cooked meals, a little shopping, and a trip to the cupcake spot (I abstained, still faithful to the Whole 30). We stopped off at the boutique downtown that is owned by the fashion instructor at the community college - I stopped by last week to ask a few questions and she said she would love to meet Sophia so it was a chance for them to chat about the next quarter's classes. Sophia is really looking forward to the fashion line-up.

I squeezed in a haircut and then it was Sunday night before we knew it. I got up early this morning to head to work and Sophia left a little after me to take the ferry back to Bellingham. She left MudLynn with me since she'll be back on Tuesday to attend the community college orientation and take the placement test.

Vic is still floating around and looking forward to his next port visit. All of his care packages have arrived intact and I'm working on the next one.

Downton Abbey came to an end last night - the end of an era. I didn't wait for last night's episode as I bought Season 6 a few weeks ago and binge-watched the entire thing until 1:00am one Friday night - I think I may have mentioned that to you. It's hard to imagine that we won't be counting the days until the next season. Not to worry, Mr. Selfridge will be back soon as well as the next season of Call The Midwife, Home Fires and Indian Summers. As long as there is PBS, we will have British telly!

I would be remiss not to include a tribute to Nancy Reagan who died yesterday aged 94. She is finally reunited with her Ronnie.
July 6, 1921 - March 6, 2016
Reagan Red - the fire engine shade for which she will be remembered

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday is going to accomplish two things:
1. Scan my older photos to preserve them
2. Take a trip down memory lane
An old photo, a little history, a little perspective on days gone by, I hope you enjoy.

Christmas 1969 - Casteau, Belgium

I seem to have become the keeper of the family photos. When Mum and Dad moved from Washington to England in the 1980s, they left quite a few things in my keeping, things that just stayed with me. I need to organize everything - right now I can think of at least four different locations where photos can be found! I have, however, one box that's called Old Misc and I thought I'd share a few memories with you.

This is Christmas 1969. Dad was stationed at the SHAPE Headquarters in Mons, Belgium and we lived across the street in the international military housing at Casteau. It was very international - a multi-service, multi-nation community. Our next door neighbors were German, across the street they were Dutch, next door but one were American Air Force, you could just go down the street and find a veritable United Nations. We were two hours from the coast (the English Channel) so we often had members of Mum's family to visit. This Christmas, Mum's mum, aunt, and sister joined us for the holiday. On the left of the photo is Mum's sister Grace (back), affectionately known as Dado, and Mum's mum Elizabeth, whom we always called Ninny. On the right is Mum, Sylvia (back), and her aunt Grace, who was always Auntie Grace. Mum's family was from Manchester, Salford and Prestwich to be exact, and they had all worked for years in the garment industy, making coats mainly. I can always remember that whenever we visited Auntie Grace, we always came home with a new coat. Where she got them all, I have no idea. I think they must have been seconds although they certainly never looked like it.

I loved these ladies dearly. They all enjoyed a tipple, although Mum would never admit to it, and both Dado and Auntie Grace would frequently resort to a typically English "Bloody Hell!" when there was something they didn't like or agree with! Ninny liked to play cards, but she cheated mercilessly. Of course, we would always pretend she had just made a mistake, and point out that she couldn't pick up from the deck and the discard pile at the same time!

There are a few things in this picture that make me very nostalgic. That's my stocking on the mantle (P.G. = Pamela Gail) and the candelabra over to the left is from a silver tea and coffee service that Mum and Dad bought for me when I was very small. It is still in my china cabinet. The Santa sleigh and reindeer above the mantle were always part of our Christmas decorations; sadly, I don't know what happened to them. And, of course, the fireplace. We always had a fireplace - Mum said a house was not a home without a fire. Even though we couldn't have a real wood or coal fire, we always had something like this to make the room cheery and welcoming.

I'm never sad when I go through old pictures as the memories that come flooding back are always happy ones. I just wish I had taken more time to ask questions and record answers. Ninny and Auntie Grace lived through World War I and II, and Dado and Mum, World War II - in England, right in the middle of it all. It wasn't until I was an adult that I really began to understand the value of oral history, the memories of those who had lived through times we could barely begin to comprehend. I urge you, if you have older relatives, to ask them about their life experiences. It's amazing what we can learn from them.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Wednesday Whimsy

Time to rev up the Wednesday Whimsy feature. If I'm going to make a conscious effort to blog more often, and believe me, with my schedule it's tough right now, I'm going to have to make some of the posts short and sweet. Deep and philosophical will come later, I promise.
Today's Wednesday Whimsy is Today in History, one of those little gems that may interest you, I hope it does. On this day in 1965, March 2, The Sound of Music opened in theaters. Who doesn't love The Sound of Music? Do you have a favorite character? A favorite song? A favorite scene? Or are you like me....love it all!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 257


Haven't done the Hodgepodge in ages but this one looked like fun. Click on the photo to join us.

1. February ended with an extra 24 hours in 2016. What did you do with your bonus day?

Worked all day, came home, fixed dinner, watched Netflix, and went to bed. Not terribly exciting.

2. What's something in your life that's grown by leaps and bounds in recent days, weeks, months, or years? I'm giving you lots of room to come up with an answer here, so no fair passing on this one.

A deep appreciation for my military spouse network. We live a unique lifestyle and no-one really understands unless they are living it too. Facebook has expanded the network exponentially...no matter where you are going, there is a group for you, new friends to meet, and resources in abundance. I am grateful to my military spouse friends who are always there for me.

3. Do you read reviews about a film before deciding if you'll see it? Did you watch The Oscars this year, and if so your thoughts on the program? How many of the Best Picture nominees had you seen prior to the broadcast? (Spotlight, The Martian, The Big Short, The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, Room, and Brooklyn) If you watched The Oscars who gets your award for 'best dressed'? 

Occasionally I will read the reviews but I usually decide to watch a movie if the trailer grabs me. I didn't watch the Oscars this year and I have not seen any of the movies nominated for Oscars, haven't been to the movies in a couple of months. My best dressed award goes to Sofia Vergara; I love everything about this dress, wish I could say the same about her hair.


4. When did you last have overnight houseguests? Give us your top three tips on being a good houseguest.

Sophia brought a fellow counselor from Girl Scout camp home for the weekend last summer; she was a lovely girl and I thoroughly enjoyed having her stay with us. Top three tips? Be tidy, don't expect your hosts to fund activities for your entire stay, and don't overstay your welcome. Unfortunately, we had guests a couple of years ago who were guilty of all three - a truly dreadful visit.

5. March 2nd is Peanut Butter Lover's Day. Will you be celebrating? If so, would you prefer a home made peanut butter cookie, a Reese's peanut butter cup, an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or shall I just hand you a jar and a tablespoon?

No, sorry, I'm on the Whole 30 healthy eating plan so peanuts and peanut products are out. If I wasn't, I'd pick the PBJ sandwich, I love a good PBJ sandwich.

6. Why is failure important? Or isn't it?

I think it's important, how else would we learn lessons about right and wrong or good choices versus bad.

7. Share with us one fun thing on your March calendar.

I'm going to the first meeting of a new book club and I'm really looking forward to it.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It's pouring with rain and it's time to go to bed. I love to fall asleep to the sound of the rain falling outside my window.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #34


Here's a great way to combine a love of England with a love of horse riding. I've had these two riding centres in my Favorites box for some time now. If you love England and horses, your next holiday could be just a few keystrokes away.

The first is Devon Riding Holidays at West Steart Farm in Stoodleigh. I love their website as it includes everything you need to know in an easy-to-find format. Zana Jackson, Jim Allen and Alfie are ready to welcome you to the farm and a wonderful riding experience.

Courtesy of http://www.devonridingholidays.co.uk/west-steart-farm/
The second is Draughton Riding Centre near Skipton. I found this one when I was searching for things to do and places to see in and around our favorite place on earth - Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales. We'll definitely be putting a visit to Draughton Riding Centre on our itinerary on our next trip to Kettlewell.
Photo courtesy of http://www.draughtonridingcentre.com/photo.html
For my UK riders who may be close enough to visit either of these places, I'd love to hear about your experience.