My Wellies

I wouldn't have known what Wellington boots were before I moved here. I guess I always called them rain boots (how boring). But EVERYONE here seems to have a pair of Wellies they wear on rainy days or to work in their gardens. I've wanted a pair since we got here, and I just ordered these from Target (thanks, Scott!). I think they're pretty cute!

They're called Wellies in the UK after the famous Duke of Wellington, a national hero for his 1815 defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. We've visited his London home, Apsley House (and the Wellington Arch across the street from the house), as well as his official residence as Lord Warden, Walmer Castle (here and here), where he died in 1852. There's an original pair of wellies on display at Walmer Castle. The above photo is the Wellington Arch and the guards on their way to the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

(Side note: Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, was named for the Duke; and there are theories that the dish Beef Wellington was also named for him. He's a big deal. I just like the boots.)

Chocolate Confessions

Confession #1: I haven't always liked chocolate. Until I was about 16 years old, I didn't even like it a little! Those of you who know me must be shocked at this revelation. These days, there are few things better than a bit of chocolate! My conversion began with York peppermint patties in my stocking one Christmas morning. (I still find the chocolate/mint combination to be the most satisfying. I recently even made mint patties in my own kitchen (below on the right)--delicious!)

Confession #2 (and this is the big one): I can't eat American chocolate anymore. The moment I first tasted European chocolate, its superiority over American chocolate was immediately evident, but I hadn't yet become so spoiled as to be repulsed by American chocolate. Unfortunately I recently ate some American chocolate--it was even the highest-quality stuff--and I'm not just saying I prefer European chocolate over American; I'm actually saying that I can't stand American chocolate and can't eat it. It's disgusting! (This is shocking; I never thought I'd say I can't eat See's again!) Speaking of a certain brand of European chocolate, my friend Cheria said that it "makes American chocolate taste like plastic." I agree with her and extend that description to all European chocolate I've tasted. What's really sad is that I know I'll have to move back to the US someday, and European chocolate will no longer be as accessible.

Confession #3: Cadbury is not my favourite English chocolate bar. I've been conducting a taste test poll among friends and Jacob's coworkers to see which milk chocolate bar is more popular. The winners of the "Where's Jacob?" contest were also asked to participate in the taste test (as part of their prize). Here's where things stand in the Cadbury chocolate versus Galaxy chocolate poll: Cadbury: 5, Galaxy: 13. My friend Hollie says the Cadbury, though good, is just "too much work" and that the Galaxy is "a better creamy." My brother Mike and his wife Melissa initially liked the Galaxy but changed their minds because the Cadbury has a more chocolaty taste.

Emily and Joel took their task of taste-testing the chocolate very seriously. We received a scientific paper from them entitled "A taste test study looking at the comparative favorability of Galaxy to Cadbury milk chocolate," in which they reported on their double-blind taste test involving 2 test groups (their friends Shannon and Simon--pictured on the left). One participant in their Result Group B said that "...the [Cadbury] was quite good...but the luscious-deliciousness of the [Galaxy] won me over." Their study concluded that the Galaxy bar is "superior to the Cadbury milk chocolate bar in taste, texture, aesthetic appeal and overall experience." Although there is definitely room in my life for both Cadbury and Galaxy, I have to agree with their findings.

The above photo is of one of my favorite chocolate experiences so far. When we were in Germany in October I found myself in the chocolate aisle of a grocery store admiring the many varieties of Milka bars. I couldn't resist this one: Milka Kuhflecken--white and milk chocolate in a pattern resembling a cow's spots. Not only adorable, but mouthwateringly delicious.

I'll just leave you with this photo of not-so-subtle British marketing messages on chocolate bars. You know you want to...

Snowy Day

We don't get much snow in England, especially the region where we live. (I'm convinced Hogwarts is in Scotland.) But yesterday and today we've had beautiful snowfall! Jacob even got the morning off work because of the weather!

We know some of you get snow all the time, so it's not a big deal to you; but we don't, so we're enjoying it!

(Apparently it's the worst snow in 18 years in England; London's transport--including the 5 main airports--closed down this morning.)