Sherri was here

It was a busy week around here with Sherri in town at the tail end of a trip to Spain with Paulina and Michael. If I could have predicted the future I would have told her not to pack any warm clothing for the UK part of her journey because the weather has been practically as warm as Spain! High 70s and even 80 degrees around here. I was eavesdropping on a couple walking by our house last week and they summed it up perfectly -  "it is so strange to be walking through piles of fallen leaves in summer clothes."It is also strange to have all the windows open, but watch the sky get dark at 7pm. I had completely given up on summer (normally a healthy thing to do once October rolls around), but that was a nice surprise.

Sherri is still recuperating from a nasty injury to her toe after dropping a gym weight directly on it not long before she left the US so despite the sunshine we stayed in for a few afternoons to power through all the previous episodes of Downton Abbey. Can you believe I have had that saved on our DVR since last year? I seriously love that show. Jeff has learned to stop asking if he can delete it. We're 3 episodes into the 2nd season and just so you know Sherri - I refuse to spoil it for you!! According to wikipedia, it will premier in the US on January 8th.

After all these ladies, and sirs, and earls, and countesses we were in the mood to visit a historic house so I hit up the National Trust app (woohoo another app! although not sure this one contributes to my coolness so much) and picked Coughton Court, 25 minutes away. Personally, I think the most interesting thing about this house is that a family still lives there. In fact, members of the Throckmorton family have lived there for 600 years. I find that kinda mind boggling.

The weather was fantastic and, as expected, the parking lot was packed. The cool thing I've noticed about the National Trust sites is that even when they are quite full they rarely feel crowded. The grounds of Coughton Court are extensive and beautiful so it was a perfect day to wander around outside.

Mother-son portrait. I think Sherri will agree when I say there are too few of these!

Jeff and I acting casual on a cute bridge.

Apparently, visiting a historic house put Jeff in the mood to represent for the west coast. Nostalgia, you know, as in "mannn I never had to do this shit when I lived in Seattle".

YEAYAAHHH. You're welcome. If you're lucky, maybe we'll stand closer next time.

Sherri and I chillin' by a huge pot of flowers which Sherri did appreciate despite the fact that it wasn't the Sherri Special.

I'm not going to lie, I find the interiors of these kinds of houses a lot less interesting and beautiful than the outside. So, no pics of the inside except for this one of Sherri and Denny looking like they own the place.

 We were able to climb to the top of the tower to take in the views.

It never ceases to amaze me how flat the horizon is so much of the time. I look at these pictures and wonder "where the heck are all the mountains???"

Last night was Sherri's last night here so I (ok, I know some peeps around here are going to want credit too - Sherri chopped an onion very meticulously and Jeff operated the oven) cooked up some bean and cheese enchiladas and Mexican rice. Is Mexican food not the easiest, most delicious food to make ever??!? I love it. I tried a new recipe for the rice btw and it was delish. I'm really glad there are leftovers available for dinner tonight because just thinking about it is making me hungry.