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Inspired by the Cotswolds, England
I still remember visiting the Cotswolds, England like it was yesterday. We stayed in the most charming hotel in Lower Slaughter, called The Slaughters Country Inn (formerly Washbourne Court Hotel after the family who owned it in 1470.) We stayed in a two story, two bedroom part of the manor that couldn’t have been more delightful with a small living room, dormer windows and plush beds. The first day, we stayed in the small town and wandered through the meadows, the churchyard, and along the streams, soaking in the scene. The low stone fences, the picturesque window boxes and gardens, the sheep grazing in the pastures, it couldn’t have been…
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Culture: Food – Holiday Foods from Around the World
Yes, there are the decorations, the presents, and the holiday get togethers… but by far one of the best parts of the holiday season is food! There are so many food traditions surrounding the holidays. Many cultures and countries have specific traditions surrounding holiday food– for instance, in Germany, when wandering through the famed Christmas markets, it’s essential to have a glühwein in hand to keep your spirits warm. A holiday party in England wouldn’t be complete without serving mince pie! Below are just a few of the holiday foods I illustrated from around the world. What’s your favorite holiday food tradition? Pumpkin Pie (America) – Although pumpkin pie can be…
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Pattern+Place: The Graphic Tudor Timber Framing of Shrewsbury
I learned at the ripe old age of 8 what Tudor style or timber framed architecture was. Seems pretty young to be studying architecture, huh? Well, really I wasn’t studying it, it just happened to be the style of house we moved into. This is the same house my parents still live in today, many, many years later. My childhood home is in California, not really the place you’d expect a lot of Tudor architecture. Our home is rather old by California standards (it was built in the 1930’s), but by European standards, it’s just a baby. So, when I traveled to Shrewsbury, England, I was so excited to see…
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Wanderlust Films: Harry Potter Inspiration at Christ Church College, Oxford
Who can forget the first time Harry Potter goes to the dining hall at Hogwarts. It’s a feast for the eyes. Every Harry Potter fan should make a trip to Christ Chuch College in Oxford, England to see some of the inspiration behind the amazing art direction and sets in the Harry Potter films. Several specific locations around Oxford University were used, most notably, the dining hall, but if you take a little time to walk around the campus, it’s clear to see inspiration was everywhere. Crests & Symbols Throughout the college, there are crests and symbols carved into walls and parts of stain glass windows. Perhaps some of these…
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Time+Place: A Steam Train Trip in Wales for a Thomas the Train Fan
Several years ago, we took a trip to Great Britain. Our kids were pretty young at the time (almost 3 and 4 years old), so when planning our itinerary, we tried to keep in mind activities that would not only entertain them, but also be fulfilling for us. When we saw the numerous Steam Train trip options throughout Britain, we became very excited. A day on a train was the perfect way to see the country side as well as keep any Thomas the Train fan engaged! There’s nothing more historic than taking a steam train in Great Britain, the birth place of the railway! It’s hard to believe this…
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Time+Place: Warwick Castle – A Visit to Medieval England
If you want a taste of Medieval England without having to give up modern amenities like plumbing, I would highly recommend a day at Warwick Castle in Warwickshire England. While on a trip through England, we stopped here for an afternoon with our 2 kids. Since our kids were pretty young, we weren’t sure how much “castle ruins” they would enjoy… it’s quite hard to convince a 4 year old that a princess truly lived here, if the place is in ruins. To our surprise, we were happily mistaken. Touring Warwick Castle is a great blend of walking through an old castle, filled with crumbling spiral stair cases, turrets, arrow…
