sweetness

In the midst of essay craziness, my printer decided to run out of ink. So on this drab and dreary day, I was forced to trek out to the Staples on Foss Islands (it is not as exotic of a location as it sounds, and don't get me started on the exorbitant price of ink here). During my walk, which can only be defined as grey, I began appreciating the sweet things in York--the things that make me smile in this English winter weather.

It began here. This lorry (translation: truck) comes around every few days or so to deliver fresh flowers from the Netherlands to the florist around the corner from me. I peeked inside it once, and it was probably the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. Imagine the rows and rows of colourful flowers lined up inside. Unfortunately I was on the opposite side of the street today!


A colourful window display in the shopping area.


Same window.


Can you spy the little Japanese doll?


I love how she peeks out behind the frame.


Happiness.


I'm trying to convince my talented jeweller
of a sister to move to York and work at this bead shop.
They're hiring!


Les petits plaisirs.


A teddy bear in the corner.


A candy stand at the market.


I am always attracted to these candy berries.


This is a repeat, but I adore Russian dolls.


I want to begin a collection of them one day.


A Helter Skelter at the Children's Christmas Fayre.
Cue the White Album, please.


Beautiful flowers covered in drops of rain.


Sweetness requires a stop at the best shop in the world.


I want to live here.


There's everything I'd need, really.


And all in beautiful, brightly coloured prints and patterns.
xx

iceblink luck

Yesterday I was walking through town and discovered that different ice sculptures were set up on some of the streets in the shopping area. Some photos are below.

Then last night was the stained glass Christmas party. Fun times, now back to writing the papers due this week...

An angel.


Same angel from another angle.


I like this tree.


Giraffe outside of El Piano.


All the children seemed fascinated with
touching the ice sculptures. So cute.


I think this was my favourite.


You can't really see it, but there was a snow machine
atop this building blowing fake snow into the street.
I was not thrilled by this, seeing as we are not too far
removed from the ungodly amount of real snow
we got last week or so, which has still not been
cleared from my street.
xx

down to the market

The international market is back in York! Hooray! Of course, I made a beeline to the nice French cheese lady (who I happily conversed with in my rapidly-deteriorating French), but took a few other photos along the way. I really should take more. Perhaps I will go back and be less distracted by French cheese. Until then...

Mmmm I miss France.


German sausages.


Russian dolls.


What I came home with. French goat cheese = love.


As you can see from my lunch, I was feeling very French today.
Beet salade, du chevre, a baguette, and some cabernet. Parfait.
xx

out in the cold

Well the snow just keeps on coming--we've got over a foot now, I think. I remember vividly the conversation I had with Mom while packing... I think I said something along the lines of "Well it is more temperate in England, so I'm not going to bring my snow boots with me." Big mistake. I am missing my luxuriously gorgeous rabbit fur Minnetonka snow boots (complete with fur pom poms!) very very much right about now. Here is why:

Minster in snow.


Dean's Park behind the Minster.


It was really coming down at this point.


Later that evening (well actually it was probably only 3:30, but the sun sets so damn early here), I saw that students had built a big snowman in front of the cloisters. Yay!


Actually, they built a whole village of snow people. I don't know why the students are so happy seeing as they are not canceling school (which is ridiculous)!


After a week, they finally have the main roads clear.
My street, not so much.


Also: I received my first Christmas card today!
Thank you, Aunt Lynne & Uncle Doug. It's on my bulletin board!
xx

wonderful christmastime

I love the Christmas spirit in England. Because there is no Thanksgiving to distract them, preparations begin early. Like it's a good two full months of decorations and carols and shopping. And it's amazing. Hot mulled cider and mulled wine in the streets, Christmas "fayres," and shopping mania! Here are some store windows I particularly loved while walking through town at dusk a few days ago, pre-blizzard...

Shoppers in the street.


I love this holiday display of motorcycle boots.


From another angle. I covet the pair in the center of the left row.


Stars at Little Betty's, the place where I spend way too much money on calorie-laden sultana scones.


Trees sticking out horizontally from buildings are the quintessential English Christmas decoration.


Faux snow!


I love all the white.


I adore this. Especially the dress.


Yay Christmas!
Next stop: trying mince pies.
xx

early winter

Happy Thanksgiving to my lovely American chums! What an incredible year...I have a lot to be grateful for today. Also: it is freezing cold here and SNOWY!

What I woke up to at six o'clock in the morning...


School at eight o'clock.


I decided to walk around the corner from school into the Museum Gardens and St. Mary's Abbey.


It had transformed overnight into a winter wonderland.


And the moon was still in the sky.


St. Mary's Abbey.


I never cease to marvel here.


Ice land.


No one was around... so peaceful.


A beautiful snow.
xx