My BBC Obsession

I have been so busy lately.. you know vacation is just so tiring- hehe.  It's actually the recovery from vacation that is tiring.  Every time I think of blogging I start, but never finish a post. Recently I found a blog post with awesome suggestions on  Dramas to watch on Netflix - click here to see that list.

 I am always looking for good shows to watch and realized all the shows I've been watching recently seem to be from the BBC .   I thought I'd share a few of these with you, who doesn't like a good BBC detective show.

My commentary on these in general is I like that most of the actors aren't perfect looking, they look like normal everyday people.  It does drive me a little nuts because in all of the detective shows none of them have guns, yet they are in situations where they clearly need them... makes me a little anxious.  I wonder how they can do it in real life without guns.... 

So here is a list of the top 5 detective BBC shows plus a BBC sitcom I have recently watched:


Luther- 3 Seasons on Netflix
A dedicated urban detective dealing with criminals as well as his home life.  I really liked this show, intense and it doesn't hurt that John Luther is a hottie.  More about it here

Broadchurch 1 Season on Netflix
Detectives trying to solve a murder in a small town.  A lot of different suspects.  I believe this was made into a US version but only has one season.  The British version has 2 seasons (and a 3rd coming out) but currently only 1 available on Netflix.  You can buy season 2 on Amazon.  I love this show- great character development as different things unwind in the small town.

Vexed- 2 Seasons on Netflix
Two detectives working together but totally different personalities- he is a slacker and obnoxious, she is driven and professional.  Funny and a bit irreverent- I liked season 1 but didn't get into season 2

White Chapel- Amazon
I am sad that Amazon isn't offering this to Prime members anymore (you can buy the seasons on Amazon), a really good series about a group of detectives solving different murders, season 1 is about a Jack the Ripper copy cat killer.

Happy Valley 1 Season on Netflix (working on season 2-thankfully!)
About a woman who is a police sergeant pursuing the man who assaulted her late daughter.    This is intense, has some language, but good.  

Delivery Man 1 Season on Netflix
This is not a detective show, sitcom, but fits into my current BBC obsession.  About a male police officer turned midwife... funny with great dialogue and characters.  I hope they make more seasons, I really liked the humor.

I just put the following BBC shows on my watch list:
A Young Doctor's Notebook
Wallander
An Honorable Woman
Hinterland
Bletchley Circle
The Monarch of the Glen

I might have a British accent by the end of summer : )  What are some of your favorites??
 Enjoy and happy watching!!

My Boyfriend's Back!

Yep you heard me right, my boyfriend is back!  Jay and I took a 3 day vacation away from the kids (thanks to our awesome friends who helped us out).  He had a speaking opportunity in Orlando at a nice hotel, so I tagged along and we made a weekend of it.  A weekend of sun, fun, relaxing, ice-cream, chocolate croissants, flirting and I got to see Jay in action for work.  

Jay speaking at a conference- I was impressed!  

Lately with his travel schedule we do what we can to throw in some good conversation over the phone or within the 2 days he is home.   Timing has been tricky and hard to get any type of conversation let alone a good one.  I feel like an FBI agent with my strategic conversations with him.  I know it will be short so I give him the latest on the kids, dog, home, work and try to slip in something about me (I don't know why FBI, but I've always wanted that title so...). These 3 days I didn't feel rushed and didn't have to check my list of things to talk with him about.

I highly recommend doing what you can to get away with your spouse.  It makes such a difference.  We were able to talk-without having to be strategic with our wording or using code words (listening 12 year old ears are extra sharp these days), we were able to talk about more than our kids and home stuff, we got to do a lot of other things without having to worry about kids.  I felt like his girlfriend!

It was just the refresh we needed.  For all of you with little kids I know it seems like this time will never come....it does, try to at least do date nights in the meantime (although over night is better : )

Sleepless In Seattle

Last weekend we did a quick trip to Seattle- I say sleepless because we managed to stay on Central time in the mornings (awake by 6 a.m.)  and  Pacific time in the evenings (going to bed at 11 p.m.)... kind of nice because it made the days seem longer, although we might have been a little crabby by the end.  Initially we went to participate in the RockNRoll Half Marathon!  Turns out my back isn't quite ready for me to run 13.1 miles, so I went and cheered Jay, Heidi (my sister) and Jason (brother-in-law) on.  They were rock stars, I was seriously impressed!

It was fun filled weekend of:  

RockNRoll Half Marathon

(btw the National Anthem was played on an electric guitar-very cool)

Team EBRP!

Heidi (love her wings!)  and Jason crossing the finish line!  

Jay had an amazing time of 1 hour 48 minutes especially for his first half!  I think he's addicted. 

EMP (Experience Music Project) Museum
My sister and I took the kids to the EMP museum there in Seattle Center- WOW, very cool museum.  I would highly recommend it.  They have a whole music section which we could have spent all day in (and for those of you who know me, know I am not musical- although secretly wish I was)  I managed to embarrass my children (yes!) at a karaoke part of the museum.  They didn't give me a microphone, so what's a girl got to do... show off her dance moves- a little running man, cabbage patch, sprinkler!  I didn't run the half so I needed the cardio workout : )

Sunday Brunch
Sunday we went to a brunch with Team EBRP- it was really nice getting to know the families and sharing stories.

Good-byes
After that we said good-bye to my sister and her family, they had to drive back to Idaho (aren't they the best for driving 7 hours to spend this time with us??).  Cousin time is always awesome and of course so is sister time!

Peas in a pod!  Cute girls!

Justus is his favorite!

Love these two boys!

Pike's Place and Ferry
Our family decided to go to Pike's Place Market on Sunday and do a ferry boat ride.  I love farmer's markets and oh I love the fruit out here on the west coast.  We bought a nectarine that was so juicy I had juice running down my forearm as I ate it and I didn't care (the fruit in the Midwest isn't juicy and doesn't have that fresh flavor).

The ferry was really cool because not only did we get some awesome views we also learned some interesting facts about Seattle.

Visiting Friends
Monday morning we took Jay to the airport- he was off to Boston for work and since our plane didn't leave until that evening we went to visit one of my roommates/friends from college, Heather.  It was so much fun.  We talked nonstop for 6 hours and I enjoyed every minute of it.  I haven't seen her in over 20 years, and it seemed like yesterday.  She took us to a cute little Norwegian town and we got some very tasty pastries...I won't say how many I bought, but let's just say I got whatever looked good...  I did share of course! It was a great time catching up with Heather and seeing what an amazing person she continues to be

I have to give a plug for military families.  Heather's husband is in the military and it is amazing the things that her husband does for our country, not just him but the sacrifices his family makes as well.  I have a deeper appreciation for that and the sacrifices they all make to keep our country safe! !

We made it home safely and without any tired cries... (I might have almost cried when for about 3 minutes I couldn't find our car in the parking garage in the MN airport).  We  had a great time in Seattle, I love that city- so cool and has a lot of fun things to do.  We will be back, maybe next year I can run the half!