Let the Christmas Festivities Begin!

On Saturday, we drove about an hour to a small city called Bakewell, which is near  Chatsworth House.  We had never been to this place before, although it is in the same area as the Peak District, one of my favorite places in England. We met up with two of our other American friends to go through the Christmas Market.  Our day didn't start off the best as Jeff forgot his wallet, we drove around for an extra 15 minutes looking for an ATM, and the minute we got to Chatsworth House the rain began. Typical wet and cold English day. Plus we forgot the "good" camera. This is becoming a pattern, isn't it?

 Nice, lovely day to be outside shopping...maybe not so much.

Little better of a view to see all the tent-tops and people!

We walked around the market for a while. I enjoyed all of the taste-testing.  Homemade cheeses, crisps (chips), biscuits (cookies), cakes, sauces, spices, and many other goodies.  There was so many neat tents set up with handmade decor, clothing, accessories, and many things. I found some cute bracelets and scarves, but held off because...well I have too many as is.

I went to these one tent to look at these small cakes as they were covered with chocolate. I was intrigued, so I asked the owner what they were.  He described them as chocolate covered marshmallow fluff on top of a wafer crust.  I was just going to buy one to try, but it gave my friend, Jo, and I a broken rum & raisin flavored one to try. So yummy...I bought 5.

I got an "after eight" which was mint flavored, white chocolate/strawberry, cappuccino, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate.  All looked about the same but has the different flavorings mixed into the chocolate.  We have both enjoyed a few so far, but I'm guessing they won't last much longer!

 One was crushed in the process of getting it to the car safely. But you can just see how much marshmallow fluff is inside!

 Close up on the "After Eight" one. And yes...they are all gone as I am typing this on Monday evening.

We grabbed a basket of chicken & chips (fries), talked for a bit, and walked around the grounds of the House a little. Since the weather wasn't cooperating, we did not walk in the gardens or go inside the house. The gardens were huge, and I think I'd like to go back on a nice spring day to enjoy them.  We will have to add it to our "To Go" list.

 Thanks to Jo & Jeff for inviting us, and letting me steal a couple pictures. 

And, as some of you might be wondering. Jeff was in attendance, although he wasn't loving the experience as much as I did. Therefore no pictures for him.  That man will never love shopping...

Onto the next adventure...

Yes, We Sang in Public!

On Friday night, we went out with a few friends to sing karaoke.  Now I'm sure my family/friends are freaked out thinking I scared all the people of Nottingham and surrounding areas with my awful singing voice and Jeff's family/friends are thinking "Man I bet he rocked it!". Either way, we both had a great time filled with lots of laughs and fun. Thanks to my friend, Sarah, for sharing all of her pictures and videos of the night. And welcome to your blog debut, friend!

Jeff and I met up with some friends, ate a yummy Chinese dinner and headed into these little private rooms to rock out to all kinds of music. I surprised myself and started singing within a few songs.  Although, I only met a few of the people a couple times before, we had a great time singing and hanging out.

I can't remember all of the songs we sang, but Beyonce's Single Ladies was one that Jeff impressed everyone with.  Jeff and I were pretty quiet when the British songs came on that everyone knew.  The Backstreet Boys wannabe group, Five, came on and everyone knew the words.  Jeff and I just sat there all confused.  {For some reason, videos are not working when using a mobile/tablet type device...computers seem to be the only ones working, sorry!}

There were a couple more artists that we were clueless on the words, but it was fun hearing the popular British hits, American ones, and the ones that we would all belt out at the top of our lungs.  We do have some videos of the night, but we'll share those with a few lucky individuals one day.

 Jeff and I rockin' out on the left. My friend, Sarah, and I on the right.

 

Jeff singing a love ballad with one of his friends.

Onto the next adventure...