Cottage visit with Helen and Dan

Happy birthday to my friend Paul, and Happy Fourth of July to my American pals. In fact, general Happyhappy vibes all around.

Thanks to Helen and Dan for giving me permission to post some of the pics I took of them during their cottage visit. I always try to be respectful of people's wishes re: being photographed as well as public posting of photos; a couple of my friends have asked me not to take any photos, regardless of whether or not they're posted.



I get immense enjoyment from portrait photography and also am trying to improve my skills, however, so I was delighted (and grateful) when our friends Helen and Dan said they didn't mind at all. At the end of their visit, I gave them a CD of all the photos I took.

And, of course, this meant I had to be cooperative when they wanted to take MY photo. :-)



In fact, the whole week was wonderfully laid back, with much reading, napping, saunas and swimming, writing, drawing, dancing, paddling, making music, playing board games, and general lazing about. I especially enjoyed getting to know Dan better; I had only met him once before, very briefly. Such a funny, smart and sweet guy!



We celebrated Helen's birthday during the week. Jeff and Dan prepared a special breakfast that morning, with Dan's German pancakes with fruit and a sprinkle of icing sugar on top, fresh fruit, champagne and orange juice.



I made Butterfly Cakes for Helen's birthday from scratch; I was a bit nervous because I don't do much baking, and the cottage oven is unpredictable, but I was happy with how they turned out. Sadly, I forgot to take any photos. Butterfly cakes are also known as Fairy Cakes, and are basically cupcakes with the tops sliced off, filled with buttercream, and then the halved tops replaced on top to look like a butterfly's open wings.

SO not good for you but SOOOO good.



We certainly ate well at the cottage. Dan specialized in breakfasts, and Helen also cooked several wonderful meals, including Cornish pasties from scratch (above photo).

She also improvised a cake for dessert one night on whim, from ingredients she could find in the pantry and fridge, and served it with warm custard drizzled on top. Yummm....



It rained several times during the week, but the four of us didn't care; we read, played games and napped during the day. And (when there was no thunder or lightning) we also went swimming in the rain.

One of my favourite moments: floating on my back in the lake during a gentle rainstorm, watching the clouds slowly drift by.



You can see more photos from our cottage visit here.

Babylon Five Virgin update

SPOILER WARNING: The blog below focuses on my reports while watching Babylon Five for the first time. An LJ feed is also available. If you haven't seen B5 yet and don't want spoilers, please DO NOT click below.


Season 4, Episode 79: Rumors, Bargains and Lies
Season 4, Episode 80, 81, 82: Moments of Transition, No Surrender, No Retreat, Exercise
of Vital Powers




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