Back to the USA

If it seems like we have disappeared off the blog-o-sphere, it is because we jetted off to Atlanta to attend my little brother's wedding. It felt really good to be back in the USA. The things I enjoyed most while I was there were:

1. The American sized shower/tub.
2. The American sized washing machine and dryer.
3. The ability to blow-dry my hair in a bathroom equipped with huge mirrors. (In England, it is against the law to have an electrical outlet in the bathroom. So every morning I am stretching my blow-dryer from the outlet behind my dresser to the long mirror in my wardrobe.)
4. Raw, natural heat with the accompanying indoor air-conditioning. We were in shorts and sandals the whole week (well, once we bought some)... which was fabulous.
   
5. Continuous sunshine.
6. Mexican food and chicken wings.
7. The Mall of Georgia.
8. The quilt shop.
9. The zoo.
10. Hanging around family.

I have to admit that going to Atlanta did make me a little homesick for the states. But I am happy to be back to a simpler life in Yorkshire where the grass is always soft and green.

On the plane ride over, Isaac was worried his blanket might fall in the ocean and get wet.


Luke's 2 year birthday party.


Luke's birthday trip to the Atlanta Zoo.

Hanging out with cousins on Granny's porch.

The Wedding Day. Congratulations to Derek and Gina! We are so happy for you.

Pilgrimage Walk in Knaresborough

Today, the Steers family invited us for dinner and a walk from their home down to the River Nidd to see a shrine to St. Robert carved into the cliffs overlooking the river.

As we walked, Fiona Steers explained the history of the site. St. Robert, not officially canonized, was born as the son of the Lord Mayor of York in the 12th century.

After becoming a Cistercian monk, he later denounced the world and church and took up residence as a hermit in a cave near St. Giles Priory.

Toward the end of his life, pilgrims flocked to see Robert to seek spiritual guidance and healing.

Although we didn't walk all the way to the cave, we enjoyed seeing the shrine and small quarters of pilgrims seeking St. Robert.