alexist

So... catchup!

Yesterday I sorted out my High Holy Days tickets (only £30, not bad! In case you're wondering, I have to pay for seats because I'm not a member. It's only for these holidays, as there are quite a few people who only attend then. I don't want to join just now, as we'll be moving in a few months and I don't know if we'll be in this area.)

Then met Neil at lunchtime and sorted out wedding rings. We almost had a problem as they couldn't order Neil's in time, then the other salesman pointed out that the display one was only one size off, so it could be resized easily.

Next, chocolate shopping. First stop, the Chocolate Society shop. I went in and after waiting at the counter for a few minutes (while shop staff didn't even look at me) asked the girl, "Do you do small boxes, like for wedding favors?" She said "no, sorry" and simply turned to help the next customer--without asking if there was anything else she could help me with. I was still standing there. I was very unimpressed, especially as I WOULD have bought some chocolates as theirs are nice. This is the 3rd time I have been there and the 3rd time the service was rude--I won't be shopping there again!

Next, L'Artisan du Chocolat. Now, despite being just off Sloane Square, they were very nice. Asked if I needed help as soon as I came to the counter (without jumping on me the minute I walked in), were friendly and professional, and offered me a free sample chocolate. They do more unusual flavors--we've only tried a few so far. They're either really nice or really odd. :-) I think Fortnum & Mason do the little ones too, and their Valrhona ones are lush, so if we decide these are a little too unconventional for favors I'll check there.

I killed an hour in Foyles, then met Neil. He'd stopped in the pub to watch cricket. Tcha! I dragged him out. We went to Borders to get a birthday pressie for Casee, and got some books on 3 for 2 (I got the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency and Why Not Me? by Al Franken. Neil got The Da Vinci Code.) After Noodly Goodness (aka Wagamama) we headed up to Muswell Hill. Casee's birthday party was good fun, with a VERY long session of the Name Game, good people, and a Dress.

I was supposed to be up by 10:30--Neil said he'd wake me up if I wasn't. I woke up at 11:00 and discovered that the reason I hadn't been kicked awake was that Neil had taken the opportunity to play Civ. ;-) Made it out of the flat by 11:30 and headed to Muswell Hill. We picked up Kit & George and went to Moss Bros, where suits were procured and crucial decisions regarding waistcoats, ties, and handkerchiefs were made. Neil is on a strict diet starting Monday to ensure his waistcoat won't be too tight. ;-)

Casee appeared and we adjourned to a nearby pub. Drinks, food, and the crossword followed. After a brief trawl of some of Muswell Hill's charity shops, Neil and I headed home via Waitrose. I was going to have a nap but it was too warm. Eventually, I produced toad in the hole with onion gravy and mashed potato. My first time making toad in the hole turned out well--I should have put oil in the tin WITH the sausages so they stuck less (hey the recipe didn't mention it, and I've never cooked sausages before!) but the batter was great. Potato not so great, I should've given them 5 more minutes and i would've had fewer lumps, but I was rushing because the toad in the hole (this is sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter) was ready sooner than I expected. I am now full.

Neil is making me watch Test the Nation. I did the quiz on the website: 45/70. It was a bit UK-centric though. Like I know British TV theme tunes!