Monday, November 24, 2008

Safely Home

Although my fuzzy head still feels that is on a plane or a train or a bus or a boat, I'm really truly home. HOME! I haven't been home since Halloween night. I've been gallavanting around New York, Rome, Venice, Lucerne, Paris, London, and the Isle of Guernsey. I believe I have mentioned the generosity of my father before, but here is further evidence of his virtue: Dad planned, organized and payed for all of his ten children and their spouses to traipse through Europe, culminating with a few days on the Isle of Guernsey to retrace the steps of our family name. Amazingly, the BBC picked up on our story and interviewed our family for their radio show. Here's the link: Interview for BBC Let me not also forget to mention the kindness of my mother and father in law in New York, for taking charge of the two charges while the Quiet Man and I were away. Not a tear was shed in our absence. Better than the food, the sites, the art, the history, the world at my feet-better than anything was the chance to spend 14 days in the company of my brothers and sisters. I reverted to my silly childhood personality, the one buried underneath a decade of responsibility and deadlines, and spent a good 20 hours a day laughing and talking. I've resolved to slow down and enjoy this journey we call life a little bit more. Especially for the sake of my own little children, who are so ready to giggle and talk and watch clouds float across the sky. It's good to be home. I've missed you, dear readers!
Here's a shot from my birthday in Paris. See my little brother with his tongue sticking out? Some things never change!Coming Tomorrow:
Tuesdays with Dorie
Catching up with Rice Pudding and Kugelhopf
and maybe maybe maybe pecan pumpkin pie

77 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

WELCOME BACK, PRUDY!!! I've missed your posts, but I'm SO glad that all has been well and enjoyable while you were away :-)

Beth (jamandcream) said...

Im so glad you had a fantastic time. Hope the weather was kind for you

Di said...

Welcome back! It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I wish I got to spend more time with my sisters. It was nice to see them at my youngest sister's wedding in September, but we didn't get to spend much time just hanging out. *sigh* Can't wait to see your takes on the last few TWD recipes.

Anonymous said...

girlfriend! how great. i just wrote a post on the coolness and super generosity of my parents for taking me to France and Monacao for 3 weeks for my b-day, too! how fun! woo hoo to our parents!! So glad you enjoyed! gotta love the brothers!

Lucy..♥ said...

Welcome back!! What a wonderful, thrilling journey with your family ;-)

Stephanie said...

How fun for you and how generous of your dad. And I guess I haven't been around long enough to see real pictures of you on the blog, but you are GORGEOUS. So lovely. (And I mean that in a very nice, non-stalkerish kind of way.)

CB said...

I was just thinking the other day that I haven't gotten a Prudy comment or post these last few TWD weeks. ::sniff:: Glad you're home safe and it wasn't because you were ignoring me. HAHA. Can't wait to see what you think of the kugelhopf and rice pudding.
/Clara

Unknown said...

You are back!!! Yes! I was getting so worried that you wouldn't return. Silly me! What a wonderful trip. I can't believe all your siblings were able to spend that time together in Europe. How amazing! And what a perfect birthday! Your family is beautiful and what great in-laws. That's funny that your kids didn't miss you- I am sure they did, just a little. I am so glad you are back! I can't wait to listen to the radio interview and see your wonderful recipes! Welcome home!

Mary Ann said...

That was me, above. I was just signed in with a different account. So glad your back, Prudy! I have checked everyday, multiple times, hoping to see a new post!

Unknown said...

You have been missed so much!! So glad you had a great time, love the photo's and looking forward to see posts from you again :)

Marjie said...

I have missed you, and I'm glad you had such a wonderful vacation. The kids must have had a wonderful time with their grandparents, too; nothing like a little spoiling for them!

Anonymous said...

glad you're back! missed your posts!!

Amy said...

Well my goodness, girl! it's so nice that you are back! What an amazing trip!!!!! Holy cow!!!

Can't wait to here more about it... pictures and more bloggerations coming soon?? I would love to read about it all!

Bless you this day! Welcome home!

jennifer rogers said...

glad you are back and can't wait for more yummy recipes!!

Christiana said...

What a gift! Glad you're back...I'm in withdrawal...Need more food posts. :)

Christiana said...

oh...*beautiful family*, btw!

Sara said...

What a beautiful family, and a darling couple! Oh, and can't forget your adorable kids. What a fun vacation. That is a generous father. I would love to do that one day. Well, you have been missed! I'm glad you are back, and am very excited for your posts.

Anne said...

What a fun trip! I love the pictures and feel like a slacker since I still haven't posted mine, lol.

Can't wait to see more recipes- we've missed you!

Peggy said...

Your trip sounds great! But we missed you here in blogland. Welcome back! The photos are lovely.
left you an award on my blogsite. . come on over and pick it up when you can!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip, and I can hardly wait to hear all about it over thanksgiving dinner...for the next 40 years! 3 more days until the gravy fest!

Tanji said...

Yay!!! Oh, how I've missed my Prudy. Great pictures! Glad you had a fun time. I can't even imagine the hilarity of being with YOUR family for so long. All the ones I've met are crack-ups. I became a Prudy stalker this last week - checking your blog liek 3 times a day. Cuckoo! :)

Emily said...

WELCOME HOME! What a wonderful trip!!! It sounds like you had a blast! I love traveling in europe! Every country is so different and has so history and amazing places to explore! I am glad that you had fun!

NKP said...

Welcome home! You were missed.
You are beautiful and posititely glowing in your photos. You must have had the time of your life!

wileyfamilyof5 said...

WELCOME BACK PRUDY. I MISSED ALL YOUR WONDERFUL RECIPES, AND INSPIRATION.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Wow, what an awesome opportunity you had! You are truly blessed. And what a fine family. I can see that you are a beautiful lady, inside and out. Welcome home.

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Welcome back! You were missed. You are a lucky girl. What a nice family you have. Really cool artcle too.

Maria said...

Glad you are back!! You have been missed!! Sounds like a fun filled trip! Can't wait to hear more!

Yasmeen said...

Pleasure to have you back Prudy.You look very pretty and blissful in your pics and so do every one in your family.Hats off to your dad for all the incredible planning:)

Cristine said...

Welcome home! Sounds like you had a blast!!!

Esi said...

Welcome back!!! That sounds like an absolutely amazing trip!

Anonymous said...

YAY!!!! I'm so glad your back! I was beginning to get worried. You know- some bloggers just fall off the face of the internet for months- and I had gotten so use to checking your blog everyday- I was really worried! Because I don't know you personally or anything I didn't know you were going on such an awesome trip. It sounds like you really had a blast. And what a great time of year to go! Well I'm super happy that you're back. Can't wait to see some new recipes!

Allie said...

Welcome back! What an exciting trip so glad the whole family was able to go it looks like a fantastic trip.

Peter M said...

What a generous Pops you have and that trip sounds, er IS awesome!

Welcome back & it's nice to put a face to the blogger.

Patsyk said...

I've been missing you while you enjoyed yourself! Looks look a truly wonderful trip and what a thoughtful (and generous) gift to all of you! Welcome home and I'm looking forward to your upcoming posts!

Ali said...

I never realized how much I really love your posts until they were gone...for soooo long! I'm so glad you enjoyed a lovely vacation. I look forward to enjoying your upcoming recipes.

Catherine said...

I love love love that picture of you and the quiet man at the top of your post. I know I was there, but I can't remember the name of the monument you are standing in front of. So sad. Anway, you really do look gorgeous in all of your pictures. You look gorgeous in all of my pictures too! The kiddies look so cute, too. I hope we get to see them, soon. I feel the same way, I miss all the kids, too!

Rachel said...

I'm so jealous! It sounds like you had a wonderful time. That's a gift that you will never forget. Glad that you're back, can't wait for your pecan pumpkin pie recipe.

gigi said...

Oh, thank goodness my precious friend is safely home on USA soil! You can't imagine how much you were missed.
I'm sitting in a public library using the computer. We are out of town and in the middle of nowhere land so I'll catch up with you soon. Love ya.

Jack & Rosie said...

I love the picture of you two and everybody in the background waving and sticking their toungue out! I keep staring at the pictures and reminding myself that we really were there! Seems almost like a dream! And if that wasn't even time to spend together- we'll see you in a few days. :)

The Blonde Duck said...

Prudy you're gorgeous! Why do you hide? I 'm so happy you had a great time! I've missed you soooooo much! You've missed lots of stories, so you have lots of reading! :)

Audrey said...

We missed you! Welcome back and nice to see your smiling faces!
Aren't you all gorgeous?!
Audrey

Rachael Hutchings said...

HOW FUN!!! Glad to have you back though, I've missed your posts!

Fantastic Mr. R said...

Even though I was there spending time with you, I still missed Prudence Pennywise! I can't wait for more fun posts and recipes. And I REALLY can't wait to eat your Thanksgiving dinner...I've been dreaming about it all year.

Christy said...

Prudy..I'm new to your blog and have to say..I love it! Your family is beautiful and what a fantastic gift you were all given to be together overseas. I'm anxious to see what great photos and recipes you post from your excursions.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a wonderful trip! That is so cool - and to have your birthday in Paris! WOW! I missed you. Glad you are back!

Liz said...

Welcome back! I have seriously missed your witty, delicious, inspiring posts. Your vacation looks wonderful--I can't imagine anything better than family and Europe, all in one package. :)

Proud Italian Cook said...

Hi Prudy, Welcome home! What a wonderful family you have, your parents gave you memories for a lifetime with that trip. You and your husband are a gorgeous couple.
Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Pamela said...

Welcome back!! It sounds like a great time was had by all. And what an amazing opportunity to get to spend so much precious time with your family. Your parents sound AMAZING! I'm off to check out that link to the BBC.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Good to have you back, but what a fantastic adventure. So glad you had a good time. Beautiful birthday picture of you. Happy Thanksgiving.

Steph said...

I'm glad you're back! I missed your posts a lot, but I'm glad you had lots of fun with your family travelling. I was just thinking the other day how long it's been since I heard your 'bake a cake song' on your blog..hahah. I can't wait to see what you have for Thanksgiving!

Michal said...

i missed you and look forward to hearing more about your adventures. how many times did you crank call the other hotel rooms? i remember the old without-responsibility girl!:)

dharmagirl said...

Yay, you're back, with great stories from afar! What a marvelous trip--it looks like you and your family had a wonderful vacation/adventure.

Happy baking and writing and welcome home:)

Marilene said...

so very fun! i was getting a little worried with you not posting for so long. glad to see it was for a magnificient reason!!

Katie and Mark said...

Yeah! Aunt Prudy is back! I missed you, and your post!

Can't wait to hear about your Thanksgiving dinner! I am cooking for my little family as well-wish me luck...

Marie Rayner said...

Welcome back Erin! It looks and sounds like you had a fabulous time and what a trip!!! How wonderful for all of you, what a treasure!!! I'm sorry that we didn't get to meet, but there will always be another time, I am sure of it!

JJ said...

You were sooooo missed! And I can not wait to hear more about your trip! I adore Lucerne (did you get to Interlocken?)! You look fabulous!

Suzie said...

What a great trip - memories that you will all treasure forever. Since you have a Guernsey connection - have you read the Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society book? So charming....

Prudy said...

Tanji:
If you really want to stalk me, please just come on over. I miss you!

grace said...

she returns! i'm happy that you're safely back and that you had a lovely time. family is so important. :)

Kirsten said...

Welcome back! That trip sounds amazing. Looking forward to hearing more as you catch up! We've missed you!

RecipeGirl said...

What an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing. We've missed you !

Ali said...

I am so glad you are back. I can't wait for more yummy recipes.

Ps - you are beautiful! I loved the pictures.

Unknown said...

Wow..have I ever missed your posts! I am so glad you are back!! It sounds like an amazing trip..glad you had fun! And how cool that the BBC interviewed your family.

Sophie said...

You and your husband are such a cute couple :). Glad you had so much fun with your family, you Dad sounds like such a fun guy! :)

Anonymous said...

Prudy, how I've missed you!

I love the last photo - especially the couple in the back that are waving.

Clumbsy Cookie said...

OMG! I haven't realized you had gonne with all your family! That just awesome!!!!!!! What a cool dad! Glad you had fun!

Anonymous said...

I am pretty sure it was your Grandmas money that paid for the trip. You should ask him how that whole thing “really” went down…

vanillasugarblog said...

well my dear we missed you!!
You have one very nice father to do all that. I can only imagine the cost of that, but ahh the memories. I can tell by reading your words you had a blast. Didn't know you had such a big family.
How was the weather?

runnergrl123 said...

Welcome Back!!! I missed reading your post while you were gone, but I'm glad you had a wonderful time.

steph- whisk/spoon said...

welcome back! that must have been an absolutely amazing trip!

Jaime said...

happy belated birthday!

Nancy/n.o.e said...

How fun to be able to put a face with the persona! I'm glad you had a wonderful trip; if that doesn't sound like the trip of a lifetime, I don't know what does.
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous...you have to be such a great cook and creative person and so gorgeous also?????!!!! Loved this post...such a happy looking couple, very fun to see. Happy you are back and that you had a wonderful time!

Aimee said...

What a wonderful gift! I hope that you and your family enjoyed that once-in-a-lifetime trip...I love your blog!

Jenny said...

How pathetic that I'm just now catching up with my fellow bloggers. What a wonderful thing your dad did for your family. I can just imagine how much fun you all must have had. Welcome back, I'm sure you've all made memories to last forever!

Anonymous said...

You are absolutely breathtaking! Welcome home!

~Cat

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