Typical, Atypical…
Atypical: Spending a weekday just lounging around the manor.
Lords of the Manor is located in a tiny village called Upper Slaughter in the Cotswolds. It is incredibly beautiful and serene. I want to move in.
Typical: Taking loads of obnoxious photos of myself in an attempt to get a good shot.
Atypical: Having high tea at the manor with some of my favorite people in the world.
Typical: Stuffing my face with carbs and sugar at the first mention of the sentence “We’re on vacation!”
Cucumber, cheese, egg salad, and smoked salmon sandwiches
Fresh, warm scones
Chocolate gateau, lemon cake, custards, and mini cheesecakes
Pinkies up!
Typical: Posting so many photos of myself that readers write in to ask, “Wasn’t Matthew with you?!”
My very own Mr. Darcy.
Atypical: Visiting ancient stones in the English countryside, where it is so magical you swear you can see unicorns frolicking in the mist.
Visiting the Rollright Stones
Jen, Matthew and Mom at the Rollright Stones
Kissing stones
Typical: Me ordering a salad and a jacket potato with baked beans at the pub.
I could have made a very convincing argument that this was not really a salad. Instead, I ate it.
Atypical: Mom drinking a pint.
Typical: Me insisting on taking her pint away from her so I can have a photo prop.
What is typical behavior for you when you are with your loved ones? For me it is taking lots of photos and eating good food!
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Love this post! I love pictures of the English countryside…and afternoon tea. So quaint and something magical about it (yes, unicorns!) Love the kissing stones, and the photo of you and Matthew in the pub
Typical for me with family: being absent from family photographs
You are about ten kinds of adorable! And I’ve totally been to that particular stone circle! I went with my parents in 2006 {before I’d even met James or knew I’d be moving here… crazy, isn’t it?!}
My parents and I were talking last night about them coming at Christmas, and I could see my diet slipping away with each word uttered. My Dad was going, “I found 9 pubs around our cottage” and “How about toffee pudding with brandy sauce for dessert?” and “Don’t worry, the red wine will never run dry”. The words were so beautiful, though
I love the kissing stones!
Typical for me with the family: A lot of eating and laughing.
That place looks absolutely gorgeous!!!
SO SO lovely!!
Typical behavior = lots of positivity, fun, and laughter.
First of all, those jeans look freaking fabulous on you. And everything is so proper and storybook in your photos! I always here about manors and rolling countrysides with high tea and mini cucumber sandwiches, but it’s a million miles away from where I am. Very cool…
Thanks Abby! They are actually these really thick wool pants. Nice and warm for English Autumns
…and THAT is why I love Europe! Seriously, those atypical things aren’t easily found in the US. So charming!!
Wow! What great pictures! I wanna go there!
wow, it is beautiful there! Looks like a fun time
Your pics are so fun! Makes me want to go home and see my mommy—although Wyoming isn’t’ exactly as picturesque as England
typical food behavior with my fam–me having anxiety about what I’m eating and trying to make my cook-with-butter-and-bacon-grease dad prepare everything healthier. BUT!! It’s also about delicious food and traditional, and it is my goal to embrace THAT part of it this year. Happy Friday xoxo
Aww cute post! Sounds like a very atypical (aka fun!) week. Great pictures:) Glad you got to have some QT with your mom.
Wow so many cool things in this post. First of all– so funny that you did a Typical/Atypical post as I’ve got one for next week in the queue called Definitely Maybe!
Brilliant minds think alike??
That manor looks amazing. Looked similar to the place where we stayed when I saw you! (from the outside at least)
All the Rolling Stone photos are so cool- and another frame-able one of the 3 of them!
When you took the pint for the photo op, didn’t you just steal it and make it your own??!
LOVE jacket potatoes and baked beans.
Typical eating out: a salad either with or as my meal. Trying not to eat too much bread. Trying not to order a diet coke, but desperately wanting to do so. Ordering something that I can’t get or won’t make at home.
Thanks for the recap!!
Ohhh send me a Mr. Darcy to NY please
you and your mama look GORGEOUS girl! I’m so glad you’re having such a great time!! wooo hooo!
I love your photos in this post! When I’m with family, my typical behavior includes cozying up with my siblings and parents on the couch, watching good movies and eating wonderful homemade meals. I can’t wait to see them again!
What an awesome time… so fancy!
That salad reminds me all the salads in Texas. The only veggie in there was lettuce (and maybe some red onion, which I would have requested to be removed), and then it was full of cheese, tortillas, etc. so I just ordered something that sounded better. I definitely overindulge on vacations. You only live once
OK, now I really want to make scones!
Love it, love it, love it.
Your high tea reminds me of London… and how I spent every last pound that I had for high tea at Harrod’s the day before I left. It was Christmastime, though, and so, so worth it.
Beautiful photos, beautiful mother!
haha, I love this typical/atypical post! For my family, food, loudness, laughs, and drinks are very typical. We also like to play a lot of games, and sing annoying Christmas songs over the holidays
I love this post! That manor looks beautiful. I love the kissing stones!
For my family lots of food and fun are typical.
Beautiful place, wow, it’s like being in another time. I love the tea and goodies.
Typical for me is Dave being annoyed at me for taking 23 pictures of him because I can never get him to take any of me….
Well, my typical behaviour is saying lots of lame jokes that only we understand, eating awesome food (but I have learned how to say no sometimes, fortunately!). I also take a lot of photos.
Love your photos. I want to go to a high tea!!
Yay for high tea! You are so fancy madam. Love it! I would actually give a lot for a warm fresh scone with clotted cream and jam right now. Sounds amazing!
Per your ? yesterday…tahini & bitter. I always combine w/ agave. It makes it easier to make it for a dressing anyway. Or stevia if you are ok w/ it.
Great pics again today!
I love high tea. I wish it was more available here.
I’m gonna have to agree with Deb,that great minds think alike. great minds who also make me laugh more than any other blog, on this lovely friday.
typical on vaca: I decide where we go to eat, planning ahead, usually involving a place that’s been featured on the food network. also typical: I usually plan my family’s vacations. If I research/find good buys/steals, then we’re going!
atypical: eating fast food on vaca. never ever. if I’m gonna go on vaca, not one meal will be wasted!
you’ve reiterated my desire to move to england and find myself an english man. preferably one resembling mr. darcy.
that place looks absolutely georeous!!! looks like it is from a movie! and the sugary, carbie treats don’t look so bad either
with my loved ones I always make sure there are plenty of food, drinks and photos!!
Okay, I know I said I don’t like cheesiness, but I totally “awed” when you called Matthew Mr. Darcy
That high tea at the manor looks right up my alley – love the sandwiches!
My family consists of many loud, gregarious women. So instead of competing for attention, I just sit back and enjoy the show. It’s always good for a few laughs
I love all the pictures. And I love high tea… The sandwiches and sweets look amazing!
And yes, I do tend to eat lots of food when I’m with my family…
We have tickle fightsss!
Wow all your pics look super amazing and YUM!!!!!
wow that looks beautiful! and i totally agree..when your on vacation it doesnt count what you eat!
I bet you are going to miss the BEAUTIFUL sences of this country. I know I will!
I think a typical thing to expect from me when I am with my loved ones is being more of an extrovert. I tend to not hold back my feelings because I know no matter what I say, they will love me anyways.
pS- thanks for sharing the link to your archived posts on your trip. I’m having a blast reading them and seeing your trip. I can’t wait now!
“Typical: Stuffing my face with carbs and sugar at the first mention of the sentence “We’re on vacation!” I laughed so loud at that! I picture that line being said in a comedy.
The manor is beautiful, the food looks awesome, and you and your family = the best! When I’m with my family I am incredibly silly, nerdy, and honest. That’s what I love. I really don’t worry about what they think because they love me no matter what.
p.s. the comment you left on my blog was incredibly sweet and I really took it to heart. Thank you so much.
It looks like you’re having such a great time, Lara! : ) Looks like the PERFECT place to have delicious food and tea!
haha omg I loved this post!!! You are too funny.
Loved this part, ‘Posting so many photos of myself that readers write in to ask, “Wasn’t Matthew with you?!”
It looks fabulous, enjoy it!!
your pictures of the English countryside and afternoon tea are wonderful!
Lara,
The Cotswolds is such a magical place. So fun you get to spend some time there with your favorite peeps.
You’re too funny. Glad Matthew could join you.
Looked like a salad to me, and Americans have nothing on a true British scone!
okay…I’m ready to move to England! It looks like you two are having a great time on your vacation! I love the picture of your mom drinking a pint
Lara those scones look amazing!! Are British scones like ours??
Our vacations do feature food! i.e. if we go someplace that’s known for ribs, we try to find the best ones!
Happy Saturday!!
Lords of the Manor looks beautiful! I love your pictures!
I’m super indulgent when I’m around my loved ones, particularly my parents. I have no self control and eat everything that’s offered to me!
ok, i have 800 comments on this post.
1. slaughter is the real name of a town??? scary…
2. those breakfast pastries are EXACTLY how i picture a british tea!
3. vacation = stuff your face in my world too
4. how tall is matthew?
5. what cool stones!
6. i borrow camera props all the time, same when we cheers since im usually sans booze.
7. typical behavior when im with loved ones is LOTS of good eating
Elise, you are so funny. OK, here’s the deal on the Slaughters (upper & lower!):
“The name of Slaughter has no connection with blood but is derived from the old English word Slohtre meaning a muddy place, which it may once have been but not anymore.”
Matthew is 6′1″. Jen is tall like me!
always eating great foods! and bigging out!
Ack! Your high tea made me so jealous! I had tea at the Orangery while on our honeymoon in London. I ate every crumb and loved every taste! I completely support stuffing your face on vacation or when visitors are in town.
Also, I am jealous of those great slacks you are wearing… and your oxfords. Jealous, jealous, jealous.
What a great post! That manor is stunning! I love visiting old story telling places
Your pics show the true enjoyment you are having! I love it all!
All the best
XXOO