Goodbye to “The Office”
I’ve had a terrible head cold this week – sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, the works! The best part of it all has been hunkering down with old episodes of “The Office”. The American version. I’ve watched the show on and off all of these years and it’s just fallen off the radar the past couple of years. Nothing personal, just a lack of time and perhaps other shows (“New Girl,” “The Mindy Project,” “Girls”) have taken precedence. But this week I’ve managed to get back to it, starting with Michael Scott’s farewell and continuing through Season 8.
I still remember when I first heard that Americans were remaking “The Office.” It was not long after we had moved back to the States and I couldn’t imagine a show without Ricky Gervais and his very talented cast of characters from the original. I assumed it would fall flat, but then I watched it and was pleasantly surprised by how well the American version worked! It began from the same point of the British version and then went a completely different way.
I still have a lot to catch up on and was probably cheating by skipping to the end but in my current “Office” state of mind, I couldn’t resist watching the season finale last night. Did you watch it? Great, right? After nine seasons, I loved the wrap-up, seeing all of those familiar faces and finding out where they landed. No spoiler alert. I’m just proud of what the show accomplished and am excited to go back and continue watching from where I left off.
I like Marmite
When we visited the U.K. last month, I discovered Marmite. Yep, the love-it-or-hate-it yeast extract is now my boo.
I had tried it about 10 years before and I fell strongly into the “hate” camp. But this time around? It blew my socks off with its unami goodness! Paired with buttered toast and a perfect dippy egg, it became my favorite breakfast.
I bought some to take home and have continued the love affair on this side of the Atlantic. If you’ve never tried it, pick up some at CostPlus World Market and let me know what you think!
Oxford Circus tube station goes Gatsby
To promote the release of the new “Great Gatsby,” Oxford Circus tube station has taken an Art Deco turn!
Thanks to Buzzfeed for this find!
Postie problems
A friend posted this to Facebook and it did make me smile! Had to share it with you!
Stateside Candy Company
Americans who are homesick for their favorite candies can get them delivered in the U.K. now, thanks to the Stateside Candy Company.
The selection is impressive, including Hershey’s and Twizzlers, Life Savers, Willy Wonka candies, salt water taffy, Mike and Ike’s, jumbo gummy bears and the list goes on and on! Grocery items like American cereals, pancake mixes, cookies, cake mixes and barbecue sauces are also offered. U.K. delivery charges start at £4.50.
A Mother's Love or Something Like It
On Mother's Day, one would normally expect to see inspiring tributes to patient, selfless mums.
But when I started scanning my telly memory for heartwarming mother-child moments, I'm afraid I came up a bit short. What I kept finding instead were mothers and their grown children at odds. From colicky babies to toddler tantrums to teenage rebellion, mothers love their sons and daughters dearly, even when they aren't very likable.
Jam tarts
When we visited my mother in law in Devon, she made a lovely pie for dessert and had some extra pastry. What did she do with it? She whipped up a batch of jam tarts!
The kids loved them. All you need is some pastry and a dollop of strawberry jam (or really any flavor you like). Easy peasy! Aren’t they pretty?
The Bluth’s frozen banana stand is in London
Attention, “Arrested Development” fans! The Bluth’s frozen banana stand is in London right now! It will continue to pop up in different places around the capitol until May 21 to promote the fourth season of “Arrested Development,” which kicks off May 26. LOVE IT!
Thanks to Buzzfeed for reporting on this!
Anniversary dinner at Ode
One of the highlights of our recent trip to England was celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary at Ode in Shaldon, which has been named UK’s most sustainable restaurant by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
The food was absolutely amazing, delicious, fresh and exciting from beginning to end. Service was friendly and helpful (owner Tim Bouget was lovely!). And all of this for a great price! Our wedding anniversary fell on a Wednesday and Ode features a reduced price menu on Wednesdays: three courses for 29 pounds! We added a couple of glasses of kir royale to start and a very pleasant French white wine to accompany our main courses.
Helen Mirren reprises her royal role in “The Audience”
If you loved Helen Mirren in “The Queen,” you will adore her in “The Audience,” which premieres at the National Theatre in London on June 15.
