Category Archives: British
Staching up for Movember
David Beckham, Tom Hanks and Nick Cannon are just a few who are celebrating Movember this year.
I just looked at the calendar and realized that we are nearly smack-dab in the middle of Movember and I haven’t even blogged about it yet.
If you’re new to Movember, here’s the skinny: It’s a movement designed to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer. Also known as “No-Shave November,” the goal is to keep the razors at bay for the full month of November. It actually began in Australia but has since taken the world by storm.
I must admit that I have known quite a few Brits who have done (and continue to do it) each November, but haven’t seen the same enthusiasm stateside. What do you think? Is this still taking off in the US?
Translating Scottish accents
When I was living in Scotland, my ear became attuned to the Scottish accent. My first week there, I had no idea what most people were saying, but was good at smiling, nodding and saying “uh-huh” at what I imagined was the appropriate moments. I listened a lot.
Ewan McGregor has a great Scottish accent.
But before long, I had a more clear, ballpark idea of what people were saying, particularly cabbies and it usually involved the weather. Or football. Or America. Or sometimes all three. And the longer I stayed, the more I understood, until I, too, began speaking in my own strange Scottish-ese (which sounded nothing like a Scottish accent).
I think I could have used the Speech Accent Archive back in the day, this cool little resource that can deconstruct accents anywhere on the globe.
I still adore the Scottish accent, so lilting and lovely, and am always pleased to hear it, however rarely I encounter it these days.
Airborne and Berocca
So it’s been a ridiculously busy week for me and I’ve been nobly fighting off the beginnings of a cold for several days now.
My battle plan is simple: at first signs of a cold, I drop an Airborne in a small cup of water, wait until it stops fizzing and drink. This vitamin-packed tablet always seems to stave off a cold for me if taken early.
Birthdays and coffee walnut cake
First things first, a very happy birthday to my lovely husband (who hates to be blogged about so will refrain from saying any more here).
Well, except one thing. The cake.
I find it so challenging each year to move seamlessly from Halloween to his birthday. No matter how much I prep ahead of time, there’s always the issue of the cake (which I simply cannot bake, after a long night of trick-or-treating and merriment making!).
Here’s the goal:
Coffee and walnut cake
It’s his favorite cake in the whole world. So very British that I just can’t buy it off the shelf. It’s nothing like American coffee cake, all streuseled and cinnamon-specked. Pillsbury has no idea WTH this cake is and neither do any of our local bakeries and so I usually go with his second favorite cake in America: A fruit basket cake (a buttermilk cake filled with fresh strawberries and bananas in whipped cream). No less delicious, I might add.
But this year, oh this year. I’m going to attempt the coffee and walnut cake. Yes, it will be late. But I hope it will be worth the wait!
If it is, I’ll post the recipe I used – I’m debating between BBC and Delia Smith right now. If it’s not, well, let’s never discuss this matter again (and will bribe a baker friend next year, perhaps, willing to make a cake on Halloween night).
Happy Halloween
I want to carve a union jack o’ lantern! Next year! Photo credit: New Ravenna Mosaics
Can you believe it’s Halloween already? I’ve been looking forward to this day for so long (we bought costumes back in mid-September) and yet I always feel rushed to prepare.
Anyway, this year I’ve kept it mercifully simple. Bought a giant bag of candy at Target, which promises 180 pieces (okay, now there’s more like 160 pieces, but never mind…), which should hopefully be enough. We’ve decorated the house a bit (complete with orange twinkle lights) and we’ve carved our pumpkins early! (and knock on wood, they haven’t collapsed from mold.)
Even more fun? Our family is dressing up this year, Peter Pan-themed! J.M. Barrie would be so proud. I shall be Tiger Lily!
Have a lovely and safe Halloween, all!
Best of British infographic
I spotted this infographic on Pinterest and thought it was worth sharing! Have a happy Tuesday!
Gap’s London Tote
I just spotted this city tote on Gap.com. 100% cotton canvas with a sweet design of London on the front for $19.95. They also do Paris, San Francisco and New York! What a stylish way to carry home groceries!
The way to say shhh…
My sister-in-law is visiting us for a few days from England – and am getting lots of good blog material!
Here’s something I didn’t know:
In England, kids are taught to do this in class when teachers want them to be quiet:
In the U.S., we do this:
See the subtle turn of the finger? Fascinating!
The Britishisms are coming!
BBC News reported yesterday that British English is invading America. Read their spot on story in full.
I was particularly surprised to find “do the washing up” (wash the dishes) and “twee” (excessively cute) to have entered the vernacular. I have never heard either of those stateside. What British English do you use most?
John Lewis’ latest advert
I’ve blogged before about British retailer John Lewis’ adverts and how well done they are. Well, they’ve done it again.
Check out their latest advert, which launched last Friday.
Great concept and lovely cover of INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart” sung beautifully by British singer Paloma Faith. *Sigh*
BRITRISH.COM 