Days Missed on a Hammock

Happy Fall

2011-10-10T08:51:00.000-04:00

Here’s the young guy now occupying our front porch…he’s great to have a conversation with

Not too scary looking…

If you can get past the curmudgeonly face!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-29T13:40:00.004-05:00

Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays...

No matter how you celebrate...(even if it's by decorating Charles S. Parnell!)

Here's hoping you get enjoy time with family and friends...

And enjoy a Happy and Prosperous Happy New Year! :0)

My Son's work

2010-11-16T20:57:00.001-05:00

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary~Pablo Picasso

Tree Hug

2010-08-24T18:09:00.002-04:00

Sometimes its the massiveness of life that blows you away. The scale in nature can hold you so profoundly.

On a recent walk in our arboretum, we came across this massive weeping willow near our beloved river. Contemplating its portly mass, it's hard to imagine the years of growth. While I learned to ride a bike as a child, the willow was here. Graduating from high school and wondering where life's trails would lead me, it was still here in its spot by the river. The year my husband and I became engaged, again it was here during our visit to find a background for our wedding pictures.

And today, 25 years later, as I stroll with my youngest daughter, like a sentinel, the willow remains perched for our pleasure. We snuck under her limbs to admire the labyrinth inside, to sneak in a Mommy-daughter hug, enveloped in her protection.

Images of Summer

2010-08-07T08:54:00.000-04:00

Summer has been peaceful, warm...

We've strolled quite a bit enjoying the bounty...

And have spent most of the time with our toes nestled in the sand...

And I am not sure I'm moving from this spot, to be honest...:0)

Enjoying the Heat

2010-07-25T21:46:00.002-04:00

The last six months of weather have been extremely unusual on our island. We’ve gone from more snow last winter than we had seen in decades to the wettest spring on record…

But, oh! The summer! Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine…with over 80 degrees daily! It has filled our wet, darkened souls with light and laughter. The joy of remembering the feel of heat on your back when taking a morning stroll, the warm feel of your dog’s fur as you give him an afternoon stroke in the sunlight, lazy afternoons preening yourself in dappling sun on a chaise…

Those months of dank have been worth these three full weeks of bone drying heat.

The biggest preoccupation is keeping the flowers (and birds!) well watered so they may enjoy the warmth, too! Join Mary's Mosaic Monday to see more! :0)

Heatwave!

2010-07-24T17:55:00.000-04:00

"What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a state of continual inelegance"~Jane Austen

2010-06-26T21:45:00.000-04:00

"When you build bridges, you can keep crossing them"~ Rick Pittino

Living Authentically in Summer

2010-06-14T20:31:00.001-04:00

I know I should be spending tons of time outside now, enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather...but I just love how our den comes to life with the summer sun! Here's where we crash after dinner, put feet up to read the paper, grab a nap away from the afternoon heat...

It's a place that may not always have the pillows just so...

Usually you can tell someone's been in for a rest...but mostly, I love how it holds the collection of our years here, with small pieces of memories all over the place...the china cabinet holds my grandmother's play tea set from when she was a girl, champagne glasses from our wedding, a replica of my husband's first boat as a boy...nothing pricey, just a reminder of who we are and why we are...

These three cuties my husband and I purchased on our Mexican honeymoon

My youngets daughter made this papier mache shell collection that I adore...my son, the small vase yielded from his young hands many years before he'd make his way to art college...

Three bobble head turtles, one for each child...

Like I said, nothing expensive here but valuable to us...and we derive comfort from it all...as everything glistens in the summer sun.

Oops! Think I hear my family calling from outside to join them, but I may just have to settle into a square of sunlight dappling on the couch for a quick nap...

Do you think I need sunscreen in here?! Haha! :0)

Mr. Brainwash mosaic

2010-05-24T03:42:00.000-04:00

On a beautiful sultry Sunday, while on a visit to my art college son in Chelsea, we happened upon a loft exhibit of the Manhattan artist Mr. Brainwash. Mr Brainwash ("MBW") is a pseudonym for Thierry Guetta, a French street and pop artist who takes famously historic icons and amends the originals in slight or significant ways to achieve an ironic and often politically or socially biting effect.

We were very taken by his messages held here by a “pop” Alfred Hitchcock. What a unique perspective to share on Mary's Monday! 4 very different messages, each so very true, don’t you think?

Hammock Time!

2010-05-22T17:29:00.001-04:00

Whew! I've enjoyed a nice long breather on my hammock! :0)

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-04-18T19:45:00.002-04:00

Another year for reflection!

Somehow as the years pass by, birthdays sneak up on you like an unwanted guest at a party; you see her across the room, take a couple of special steps to avoid confronting her and sharing pleasantries, and just as you're busy at the buffet, grabbing another stuffed mushroom canape, Miss Birthday sneaks up along side your ear and whispers, "It's so nice to see you again!" And there you are, caught, having to confront another two digit number right in the face. Darn her!

When my family asked me what I wanted for my Happy To You, I really didn't know and came up empty. Cousins called and invited me out for cosmopolitans. What Birthday Girl could say no? But as I was driving home from a night of delicious red liquid beset in triangular glasses, I was beating myself up for not starting at least some laundry to make the weekend easier for myself!

Berating myself under my breath, I opened the door and I came upon the best present ever! A clean house! Cleaned by my dear girls and their Dad!

They straightened up the livingroom...

Shined up all the glass in the diningroom...

And waxed the bedrom furniture!

I even had a wonderful note on my bed pillow: "Sweet dreams about cheese..."

What else could a Birthday Girl ask for? Well, my DH said he was running out for milk to be sure we had enough for the day...

and he came home with my College son! He had taken the train from Manhattan to visit his Mom for the weekend (and to go surfing, of course...)

"And isn't it nice to see you, again!", I'll say at next year's buffet when I meet Miss Birthday. "You know, you can put your two digits away, my dear...birthdays aren't about that, they're about the people who love you and the gifts they give you from the heart...care for another mushroom canape and a cosmo?"

Maybe, Miss Birthday, you are not such an unwanted guest after all! :0)

80 Degrees!

2010-04-08T16:48:00.000-04:00

A surprise for us yesterday, an unexpected July day in April...

New York spring weather can be so crazy...at one moment, 45 and sleeting profusely and another moment, 80 and sunny...

And, of course, there's housework in any weather! But I needed to feel fresh air fill my lungs, sunlight on my face, so I grabbed Tucker, and off we went for a walk along the river! :0)

But, as you can see, I tuckered old Tucker out! It's been a long winter and we don't get out as much as his friend, Spot! I think we need a little more practice, Tucker! In the meanwhile, you just get cozy with that blanket! Back at it tomorrow, spring is here!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-03T16:10:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter to you all! Enjoy the holiday! :0)

Broadway Mosaic

2010-03-07T20:02:00.000-05:00

A colorful sharing for Mary's Mosaic Monday! During our recent school break, we took a trip to The Great White Way to see the Broadway show Mama Mia. The lights of Broadway are all at once captivating and breathtaking. You can hear people marveling in all languages as they rush off to a show or catch a bit to eat.

Starting in 2009, vehicular traffic was banned at Times Square between 47th and 42nd Streets, and at Herald Square between 35th and 33rd Streets as part of a pilot program; the right-of-way is intact and reserved for cyclists and pedestrians. Now the whole area is a pedestrian mall and you can actually sit in the middle of Times Square, in the middle of all the glitz and glamour, and have something to drink or eat! It's amazing... and if you ever get to New York, just a sight to see!

Mama Mia is a wondeful Broadway show for the entire family. The premise? A gorgeous 20 year old woman is getting married on a Greek island and invites three older men to her wedding...her mother dated all three of them during the summer the young woman was conceived and she'd really like to find out who her Dad is! Frollicking fun with plenty of ABBA songs to enjoy. At the end of the performance, the audience is out of its seat clapping and dancing-a ball!

I can't wait to go back!

Hammock Time!

2010-03-07T08:46:00.000-05:00

Enjoy your hammock time today, rest up for the week ahead! Today in New York--50 degrees! We haven't had it that warm here since early November! Yeah! :0)

Quote of the Day

2010-02-26T21:53:00.000-05:00

"Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed"-Storm Jameson

Zapped with a Bad Cold!

2010-02-24T08:49:00.000-05:00

Just when I thought I'd made it through, I've been zapped with a bad cold/bug and am in bed. Yikes! I was this close to not being sick this winter season. Mother Nature's having the last laugh! :0)

My girls have been cleaning off the dinner table, my DH straightening up...it's cute listening to them whisper in the hallway outside my bedroom, giving each other instructions, trying to keep quiet. The house will never be put together the way I would. But just knowing they're out there trying to help out Mom gives me a warm, comfy feeling inside!

And they make a pretty good cup of tea, too! :0)

Metropolitan Museum of Art , NYC

2010-02-21T20:33:00.003-05:00

Off from school last week, we forayed into Manhattan for a mini-vacation. To live so close to this incredible metropolis is truly a treat! If you ever get to New York City, do spend the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

And it will be all day! The middle of my mosaic shows the Temple of Dendur, a fully reconstructed Egyptian temple given to the US. In one of the small frames to the left you'll see examples of the temple's hieroglyphics. The Met has this life-sized exhibit in an atrium overlooking Central Park. Gorgeous!

Another favorite stop shown in the lower left: the Greek Gallery. Streaming with light, it's so peaceful to examine these statues celebrating the uniqeuness of the human form.

There's Modern Art at the museum also. You can see my girls contemplating a Jackson Pollack painting. Viewing the strength of his drippings on such a large canvas is overwhelming!

The upper right hand corner shows the facade of the American Wing. It is filled with actual rooms from original American homes and beautifully crafted furniture from all over the world.

Truly, there's something for everyone at the Met! And the best part? It is one of the least expensive treats in NYC...a small donation is requested at entrance but the best part was--last week admission was free for families! :0)

Now that's what I call a great mini-vacation!

Hammock Time!

2010-02-21T09:29:00.002-05:00

Enjoy the rest of your weekend with your feet up--I sure will! :0)

Case of the Missing Brownies

2010-02-17T08:29:00.002-05:00

We're going to a friend's for dinner this evening, so I made some brownies to take with me. Well, I'll just test one...(I tell the kids this is "testing for poison" and in no way indicates cheating!)

Stiff instructions to the people I live with: DO NOT TOUCH THE BROWNIES!

I went off to fold a load of wash and found this upon my return to the kitchen...

"Hey, who did this?" Silence.

Off to make the beds and saw this upon my return..."I said do not touch the brownies! Do you all hear me?"

"Not me, Mom, not me!"

"Don't know what you are talking about!"

Hmmm...Can't find a guilty soul...

"Now come on! There will be nothing to take to dinner!"

"Mom, we were just testing for poison...you know, just to double check..." Giggles.
Ah well, like mother like child...

Anyone Have a Room for Rent?

2010-02-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

Put a fork in me, I'm done! Anyone of my blogging friends have a room for rent? I'm not much trouble...I'll be a great guest, compliment you on every meal served, make my bed, clean up after myself!

After being pummeled again by snow here in New York and two days off from school, locked in the house with the girls, shoveling and shoveling (ok, maybe DH did that part)...

SAVE ME! Destinations south of New York preferred (although I love my northern friends dearly!) :0)

Woman's Best Friend

2010-02-07T21:33:00.001-05:00

Our Shih Tzu, Tucker, hasn’t been feeling well the last two weeks (one of my reasons for an absence from Bloglandia and Mosaic Monday!). Moping and spending inordinate amounts of time in his kennel, I finally took him to the vet. He was so lethargic, I thought for a moment we might lose him.

I never wanted a dog. But when my son was 10, he begged and begged. Finally one Christmas morning, after nursing Tucker in the basement all night so he wouldn’t bark, we surprised my son with him. Our young boy threw himself onto the ground and cried and cried. “I prayed and prayed for this!”, he yelled.

I knew I’d end up feeding him, I knew I’d end up walking him and bathing him. Now my son is in his junior year of college, Tucker’s eleven, and I am so attached to this dog I can’t believe it. I come home from work at lunch and talk to him. At night, when the day is done, he’s at my feet while I read the paper on the couch. When I am cooking in the kitchen, he’s under my toes waiting for something luscious to fall from the counter. I scold him and slip him a doggie cookie. When he wasn’t feeling well, I started to panic. My son called from college. My daughters were getting upset. Even my DH pressed for the vet visit. Whatever would we do without him?

I cajoled him into the car last Monday and he was happy to be off with me. When we arrived at the vet, I opened the office door. He saw the other pooches and gave me a pathetic look, “What’s going on here?”

I realized it was probably not smart to come alone. What if the vet said there was something terribly wrong? Shouldn’t I have taken one of the kids with me in case there was some decision to be made? I found myself staring at the fishtank in the corner of the waiting room so none of the other dog owners would see me starting to well up.

We were finally called in and I described Tucker’s symptoms. Sluggish. Tail down. Didn’t want to go outside. Accidents in the house. Fits of shaking. The vet was a really nice woman, such an animal lover! She said Shih Tzu’s are predisposed to disc issues in the spine. He’d need a cortisone shot and some meds and he would be all right.

Getting in the car, I was delighted! He even seemed better from the cortisone shot right away. The girls hugged and kissed him when he came in. Texts were sent to my college son. A sigh of relief all over!

Oh, and the vet also recommended glucosamine/chondroitin tablets. I take these myself for relieving minor joint pain. They have these pills for dogs. Apparently they are perfectly safe and help dog joints. Who knew?

But as I read the paper tonight, in front of the fire, with Tucker curled at my feet, it’ll be nice to know; we’re just getting older…together.

Quote of the Day

2010-01-23T08:03:00.001-05:00

"Certainly travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living"-Miriam Beard

Gosh, in the midst of winter, I need a change in my ideas of living--how about you? :0)

Surf's Up Bedroom

2010-01-19T20:41:00.002-05:00

Our eldest daughter loves the water! We live near the beach so surfing and skimboarding are a part of her active lifestyle... so when we thought about giving her a bedroom update...

Naturally, a surfing theme came to mind...first, we painted the walls Benjamin Moore's Clearest Ocean Blue...

Snagged a lamp at The Christmas Tree Shop for $3.00...

Googled "Surf accessories" in Amazon and came up with this great paddle for less than $14.00...

Moved the white chest against the blue walls...

Found this fabulous window treatment online ...it's like a hoola skirt!

And suddenly the room came together! Her bedding was another find on Amazon...I literally searched "surfer girl bedding" and this comforter set came up...

The whole project was not crazy expensive and done mostly online at Amazon. Simple! She loves it and mostly, it reflects who she is...a sporty surfer girl! :0)

Mosaic Monday

2010-01-17T19:22:00.005-05:00

As I’ve been thinking of all the people in Haiti this week, I have been wondering about the children who may be separated from their parents. Last weekend, before the earthquake, I took these pictures of my parents’ home for Mary's Mosaic Monday.

For me, there’s comfort here in the form of kind, loving words…there’s security here in the knowledge that if I need a hug due to stresses of the big old world, I can come to this place…where I know where everything is, where I know every crevice, where I know I’ll find a shoulder when I need it, a warm embrace...

And right now I wish every Haitian child the comfort, the peace, the warmth of his parents’ arms.

River Mosaic

2010-01-10T19:50:00.002-05:00

The cold continues to surround us so a chilly walk to the river near our home was warranted this morning. The brackish water is freezing in some places. The Canadian geese were in a riot honking, trying to figure out where they could set down in open water. The boats are covered, the docks all empty...even the local barn cat was waiting for me to leave so she could run into the reeds and get warm! I thought about sitting on the dock to enjoy the silence but the freezing temp was enough to make me run back home to the fire! :0)

Quote of the Day

2010-01-08T21:34:00.001-05:00

"Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out on the inside"- Mark Twain

Swimming in Comfort Food...

2010-01-06T17:25:00.005-05:00

When winter is hitting us right square in the face, I long for Comfort Food. The kind of food you feel like you can swim in and feel warm and cozy inside. One of my easiest and most satisfying comfort dishes comes out of my Crock Pot. I am a firm believer in slow cooking! I love setting it up, going to work, opening the door and thinking,"Oh, someone was here and dropped off a delicious smelling meal!" And then the surprise always hits me: Oooh! It was me! :0)

Pork Chops in Gravy

(see my other recipes on sidebar!)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup flour

1 and 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

6 lean pork chops (I often use center cut, no bone)

1 (10 3/4) ounce can chicken broth

dash pepper

Step One: Combine all ingredients except pork chops in bowl. Mix well.

Step 2: Place pork chops in bottom of Crock Pot...

Step 3: Pour wet mixture from bowl over all...Set on HIGH for 4-5 hours...

And viola! Pork Chops and Gravy! They are just screaming for a side of mashed potatoes...

Set the table in a warm and inviting room and you're ready to go!

Doesn't winter feel better already? :0)

Mosaic Monday

2010-01-03T20:52:00.001-05:00

Winter has taken a firm grip on our part of the world...snow has capped our trees, the flowers are dormant under a white blanket. The world is so still outside and silence reigns. There's a beauty and tranquility to winter that promotes being pensive...

...And now that the holidays are over, and everything is put away...except the mistletoe (see below), I can finally have some peace and quiet! Haha! :0)

Happy Mosaic Monday!

Hammock Time!

2010-01-03T08:53:00.001-05:00

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Can’t believe I am going to say this…but for the first time ever on a Sunday I don’t want hammock time! I’ve been on vacation for over a week and am going a little stir crazy in the house…hmmm! No hammock time but maybe the mall! :0)

Happy New Year Mistletoe

2010-01-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

Each year we hang the mistletoe in the kitchen door…a spot in our house of heavy traffic. It’s on the way to the laundry room and the garage so we are always passing through here. Yet, during this holiday season, more often than not on our busy comings and goings, a voice will cry out…

“I’m under the mistletoe!” And right then and there, you’ll stop in your tracks. You won’t think about the packages you may be carrying or the next appointment you need to get to. Smiling to yourself, you’ll drop everything to take this one small moment in time to acknowledge your love …

with a big hug and a kiss…right there in the kitchen, under the mistletoe…

even if it means you’ve grabbed Tucker, our beloved family dog!

You know, I think we’ll keep the mistletoe in the doorway this winter after we put away all the holiday trimmings…
Who couldn’t use a hug all winter long? :0)

Happy New Year, dear blogging friends!

Three's Company...

2009-12-29T20:49:00.001-05:00

Of all the pics we took this holiday - opening gifts, decorating the house, getting everything ready for family and friends...it is this picture that means the most to me this holiday season. As I was harried and waiting for guests to arrive, I set the children up with the task of egging and breading the shrimp for our Christmas Eve dinner. I was running around other rooms, doing other things... when I suddenly stopped long enough to hear giggling from the kitchen, jokes flying, and the easy conversation between siblings engrossed in a task together...for me, this moment was the meaning of Christmas...my children finding comfort in each other's company. I grabbed the camera and took a shot of the unsuspecting threesome!

PS--I changed my blog template--what do you think? :0)

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T08:43:00.002-05:00

Wishing you all the Merriest of Holidays from our house to yours! Tara

Getting Ready...

2009-12-21T07:36:00.001-05:00

Getting ready for the holiday...the table is set...

The scents of pre-cooking are coming out of the oven...

There's a certain joy to seeing a table ready for a holiday, everytime you walk past you think of the joy and laughter that will take place at this table when your loved ones are there...

Setting up for dessert and coffee...right near the table so I don't have to leave anyone!

I notice my children walking past the diningroom and smiling to themselves as if they know what is ahead, and I think how wonderful to know I am creating memories for them they'll carry all their lives!

Quote of the Day

2009-12-12T08:58:00.003-05:00

"If all the year were playing holidays; To sport would be as tedious as to work"-William Shakespeare, King Henry Iv, Act I Scene 2

Times Square, New York City, December 5, 2009

Funny Christmas Decoration

2009-12-09T20:13:00.001-05:00

Here's the Christmas decoration a neighbor has hanging from his house...you cannot imagine the funny looks you see as people pass by! Haha! :0)

Mosaic Monday-Museum of Modern Art

2009-12-07T00:02:00.000-05:00

The Museum of Modern Art is a jewel of a museum in Midtown Manhattan. It not only houses original Picassos (upper left) and Warhols (just below the Picasso) but this year it is hosting an exhibit of Monet's Water Lilies from his garden in Giverny.

The MoMA installation features the full group of Claude Monet's late paintings in the collection. These include a mural-sized triptych the size of one full city wall (Water Lilies, 1914–26) and a single-panel painting of the water lilies in the Japanese-style pond that Monet cultivated on his property in Giverny, France (Water Lilies, 1914–26), as well as The Japanese Footbridge (c. 1920–22) and Agapanthus (1914–26), depicting the majestic plants in the pond's vicinity. These paintings have long held a special status with the Museum's audiences and, much like MoMA's Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden (pictured in the bottom left of my mosaic), they provide a modern oasis in the center of midtown Manhattan.

If you can, do not walk but run to get there! It's a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, and the museum's restaurants have the absolute best food in this part of Manhattan (a little known secret!) Hurry, The exhibit ends in April.

Close Comfort

2009-12-01T17:18:00.001-05:00

Where to go for a perfect getaway after a busy holiday? To Mommom's house, my respite from the world. I pack up my daughters and we drive the whole 7 miles to my Mom's house as if she lives halfway across the state! Pajamas in tow, we are set for a sleepover night of relaxation! First, she'll make us a yummy dinner in the kitchen...

I'll be here on the couch as she's cooking away...

She'll call me to the dinner table like when I was 12 and finishing up HW in my room...

Then it's a relaxing night of movies and popcorn...

And lastly we'll all curl up in her four poster for some card games before drifting off to sleep...

Spoiled? You bet! But here's how I see it. I don't know anyone in Argentina, China, Sweden or the Sahara who loves me...just my Mom who lives 7 miles away and is the best comfort in the world!

Hey, wanna come? :0)

Hammock Time!

2009-11-28T21:14:00.001-05:00

After a weekend of food, friends, and family, don't you think you deserve a little stolen hammock time today? :0)

A Thanksgiving Holiday Poem

2009-11-24T18:46:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! :0)

'TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,

BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP

I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,

I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED - THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE

BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION

THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.

SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR AND

GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.

I GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,

PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,

'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY

WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.

BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....

HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.

MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP, MAY YOUR

YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE, MAY

YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.

Hammock Time!

2009-11-08T07:07:00.000-05:00

Ah, all I need is a day here in my hammock...which to choose, which to choose! Enjoy your Hammock Day with your loved ones! :0)

2009-11-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

"A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece"--Ludwig Erhard

Want to Make a Book of Your Blog?

2009-11-02T03:01:00.003-05:00

My creation
Originally uploaded by lidevry337

Happy Mosaic Monday to all of the participant's in Mary's Little Red House Mosaic Monday!

I often think about the time and effort I put into my blog. This mosaic of a recent trip to Manhattan to see my college son is just one example.

I think about how I'd love my children to have a nice copy of what I was thinking and feeling about in this snapshot in time. Will my thoughts one day be lost to cyberspace? Wouldn't it be great if I could publish my writings?

To the rescue The Cutest Blog on the Block! This website offers a way to publish your blog to your very specifications! You can design a book of your blog with your own cover design, chose just the posts you want for posterity, and it will even allow you to publish comments that were so dear to you from your fellow bloggers. In other words, you customize every detail!

I will definetely be working on this, as a gift to myself and my family. I wanted to pass the word along to you, dear bloggers! Enjoy designing! :0)

2009-11-01T07:35:00.001-05:00

Hammock time! Enjoy your Sunday with a good swing in the hammock! :0)

2009-10-31T07:04:00.000-04:00

Have a wonderful Halloween...we'll be busy trick-or-treating with our little one...:0)

Is That a Sandwich?

2009-10-27T19:59:00.004-04:00

Ah, school lunches...

The past two weeks my eldest daughter has been very busy competing in Varsity Tennis competitions...and we have been there at the sidelines cheering her on. As a result, our afternoons have been busy! Hastily we put dinner together and do a few chores before we all crawl into bed exhausted from playing (and watching!!)

As a result, I haven't been on Clean Patrol! This week I've detected a smell emenating from dear eldest daughter's bedroom. She is at the end of the hall and I don't often get that way unless I am delivering laundry. So imagine my sensory assault when I opened her door yesterday and was smacked with a pungent smell bad enough to kill anyone in its path!

"Honey, what do you think that is?" I asked her as she was sitting in the room viewing her computer.

"What?"

"That smell..."

"Huh? There's a smell?" Stunned, I was wondering if it had become so engrained in her nostrils she didn't even realize what she was sitting in.

"We are cleaning this room after dinner!" I closed the door to save my stomach from another whiff and also to save myself from the waves of protest.

We started with the closet. Nothing there. The drawers. Nothing. Went through the desk. Zip. Then we ventured under the bed. Silver foil flashed the lightbulb's reflection.

"What's that?" I asked. She shrugged. I pulled it out from under the bed. The smell grew closer and I knew we had the culprit. At this point she was gagging and laughing--the smell was beyond reason!

I opened the foil. The mold was past green, into a severe stage of deep brown gunk.

"I think this is a tuna sandwich gone bad. It appears to have been here since the beginning of school!" I said with disgust.

"Uh, Mom", she replied smiling, "I haven't brought tuna to school since last June. Guess it was there awhile!" Yikes! Straight to the garage garbage can!

Later, I actually had to drive the sandwich--double wrapped--to a local dumpster because the garage was starting to smell so badly!

PS--It did not look as good as the pic! Haha!

Hammock Time!

2009-10-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

Have a wonderful Sunday with your loved ones on Hammock Day! :0)

Quote of the Day

2009-10-03T09:05:00.003-04:00

(Madison Square Park, Manhattan)

"Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save"- Will Rogers

I Was in Ina Garten's Kitchen! Part II

2009-09-29T00:41:00.001-04:00

When Mom called one summer morning to suggest we just hop into the car and drive into Manhattan to see a reconstruction of Ina Garten's Easthampton kitchen, who could resist? We parked on 53rd Street very close to Rockerfeller Center, passed the elephant...

("Hey elephant, did you happen to see Ina's kitchen nearby?")

And spied the rooftop of the solarium. The kitchen was built right near the Rockerfeller Center skating rink in New York City. The rink is used in summer as outdoor seating for the Rockerfeller restaurant...

Walking right around the rink, heart pounding, here it was! C'mon, we're going in!

Inside we were able to walk around all over the place! Ina will be the first to say her kitchen is a work kitchen. The view is all stainless steel and white.

Ina really does not use fancy equipment. She loves her Viking stove and always has three timers above it for various dishes that may be brewing. Guests were able to open all the drawers. The drawer set up was supposed to be an exact replica of Ina's Easthampton kitchen set up. See the white crock above the stove (left) filled with stainless steel spoons? She's an advocate of either stainless steel or wooden spoons and strongly believes they should be in a white crock within easy reach. Even her pots are hard workers...white Le Creuset iron Dutch ovens flank both ends of the stove.

Here, a view of the diningroom set off to the side of her working island. The ambience is relaxed and comfy; slipcovered chairs can be easily washed in case of guest spillage and plates are simple white. She believes white plates make the best food presentation. (I believe they were Crate and Barrel). Flowers and fruit, bounty from nature, complete the table. Don't you just want to pull out a chair and sit down?

On the other side of her working/cooking island is a sitting alcove. Where else would you want to be as you wait for a cake to finish baking or eggs to boil?

You can just put your feet up by the fire until one of the three timers go off (hee-hee!)

Or maybe catch one of her recipes on Food Network. She says she likes to have a computer area in the kitchen. It is great to be able to Google what to use as a substitute when you don't have buttermilk for a recipe but thought you did!

Cooking demonstrations took place all week long. Mom and I cozied up to the island, took a stool, and watched a chef from Bertolli make a bruschetta appetizer, Chicken Alfredo main dish, and a dessert. Ina had been in earlier in the week so we didn't spy her. But that was just fine, the food was delicious! You'll see the chef is using the front stove on the cooking island. This stove is smaller than the one against the back wall and is the one Ina uses in her TV show to demonstrate her dishes.

When the demonstration was done, guests were welcome to sample all the food. Having a close seat, we tried it all...

I loved the bruschetta best of all!

After eating, guests were welcome to sit outside on the veranda by the Rockerfeller Center flags and have a coffee specifically made for you by Ina's helpers from House Beautiful.

"I'll take a Hazelnut coffee, please! Lots of cream!"

What a great day, thanks to Ina, House Beautiful and one eager Mom who came up with the idea to just do it! I hope you enjoyed the journey with me!
And what did we do for the rest of the afternoon? Well, went shoe shopping on Fifth Avenue, of course! :0)

I've been in Ina Garten's Kitchen!

2009-09-27T20:57:00.001-04:00

This month's House Beautiful displays the Ina Garten exhibit in Rockerfeller Center in New York. One early Friday August morning, Mom gave me a buzz. Did I want to hop into the car and take a jaunt into Manhattan to see the reconstruction of Ina's Easthampton kitchen? I jumped out of bed and we were off! I made this Ina mosaic just for all of you!

Tune into tomorrow's post... I'll take you through her amazing and gorgeous kitchen and show you all the cooking and tasting Mom and I did while we were there! :0)

Hammock time!

2009-09-20T08:13:00.003-04:00

Hope you are enjoying your hammock time this weekend! :0)

Quote of the Day

2009-09-19T07:20:00.001-04:00

"Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth"- Walt Whitman

A meal at my Mom's...

2009-09-15T07:02:00.000-04:00

A meal at my Mom's house is a treat in perfect etiquette. Always a floral centerpiece, tablecloths with texture, fine bone china...Royal Albert Old Country Roses from England, Villeroy and Boch glasses.
Each grandchild has a tablesetting of eight set away for him/her from their grandmother as a reminder of Sunday afternoons lounging through football games, cheese and fruit, and a game of Scrabble before a roast dinner.

Dinner reminders are bread plate to the left, drink to the right. I make a "b" with my left hand for bread joining my forefinger and thumb and a "d" with the right hand joining my forefinger and thumb for drink so the kids can always remember the rules! :0)

Having dinner in an orderly, old-fashioned way is such a warm and fuzzy way to spend a late in the day Sunday after a breakneck week of picking up pizza and licking buffalo wing sauce off our fingers. Here, food is a celebration, a right, a way of winding down a week and enjoying the harvest...

I often wonder if something isn't lost in the crazy pace of our lives. But then I think, on Sunday afternoons in the future, my children will be bringing our their own Royal Albert china from Mommom and teaching their own children the joy of a leisurley meal, all the while making a "d" and a "b" with their hands.

Here After a Respite...

2009-09-12T12:37:00.002-04:00

"But all endings are also all beginnnings. We just don't know it at the time"~Mitch Albom

After a nice long summer respite, feeling refreshed, here I am! Sometimes a little break gives you renewed perspective! Hope all is well with all visitors here! :0)

Quote of the Day

2009-06-27T07:59:00.002-04:00

"Time is just something we assign. You know-past, present, it's all arbitrary. Most Native Americans, they don't think of time as linear; in time, out of time, I never have enough time, circular time...all moments are happening ALL the time"~Mitchell Burgess

Exquisite Thrift Find!

2009-06-18T20:59:00.004-04:00

This past weekend my Mom and I went on a thrifting jaunt (early!!) at our local Episcopal Church's annual thrift fair...

The church was built around 1880 by William Vanderbilt. Mr. Vanderbilt commissioned Richard Morris Hunt, famous New York architect of the time, to design the church building and rectory. The style of the church is known as Norwegian Gothic and artisans were brought from Norway for the construction of the building.

The church was completed in 1880 for about $15,000!

Rummaging through a box, I found this blue and white serving platter. Blue and white will always make me weak at the knees. The flowers were so delicate and I knew I could use it with my dining dishes. I asked the woman how much, was told $5.00, and considered myself a happy camper!

That is until...

I turned over the dish to read the back and saw:

Now I was an ecstatic camper! A little fuzzy, but it says "Bernardaud Limoges, France" WOW! The only other piece of Limoges I have is a bowl given as an engagement gift from my parents.

A little research here tells me this stamp mark indicates this serving platter was made between 1900-1929. Bernardaud was established in 1900 by the family of the same name in Limoges, France. On another part of the plate indicates number "48". Mom says that makes it even more valuable to a collector.

Well, that collector is just little old me who is just so very happy to have scored a thrifty find for just five dollars!

Mosaic Monday

2009-06-14T20:23:00.005-04:00

Share with me a few stolen quiet moments from late Sunday afternoon in our backyard to help Mary at Little Red House celebrate Mosaic Monday. (Double click on the pic for a larger version).

Schedules are still filled with soccer games, end of year pool parties, and studying for final exams. But soon, here's where you'll find me...poolside, contemplating the flowers in the garden, grabbing a siesta under the cabana and reading the New York Times or The Soloist by Steve Lopez (highly recommended!).

Should I scoot over and offer you an iced Earl Grey tea?

Hammock Time!

2009-06-14T09:07:00.003-04:00

Enjoy your Sunday with your loved ones, after a busy weekend of sports and homework for finals, I'll be spending some time right here on my hammock (please let school end soon!) :0)

Quote of the Day

2009-06-13T09:12:00.002-04:00

It is perhaps a more fortunate destiny to have a taste for collecting shells than to be born a milionaire~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Summer's Arrival

2009-06-10T06:47:00.000-04:00

Summer has arrived to our island's shores...

The cattails wave a warm welcome...

Come on, they beckon, enjoy...

The water splashes and sprays...

Gulls gather for a festive afternoon...

Ah, the blooming joy of summer!

Houses of Charleston

2009-06-08T05:24:00.003-04:00

I am joining Mary at Little Red House to celebrate Mosaic Monday, a great photo project your can do here at Big Huge Labs. Recently our family took a trip to Charleston, that glorious southern city, full of good manners, soft drawls, and delicious seafood! Each of these historic homes has a southernly exposed "sleeping porch". According to our wonderful guide, when the doors were open, these porches helped "air condition" the homes by grabbing the ocean breezes.

During very hot weather, families might have slept out here as well, feeling the cool air all night. The enclosed second floor porches were perfect for this.

I hope you can see them all, I realize my mosaic came out very small when uploaded to Blogger---wonder why??

World's Oldest Blogger

2009-06-06T07:01:00.000-04:00

This lovely lady's name is Maria Ameilia and she is known as the World's Oldest Blogger. A resident of Galicia in the northwest corner of Spain, she passed away recently at the ripe old blogging age of 97!!

And you are not going to believe this--she had 1,162 followers of her blog from all over the planet! She felt that she had discovered a whole new world from blogging and adored all of her blogging friends. I love how this elderly classy lady found the same comfort, solace, and friendship from blogging that we also find.

Will we be blogging at 97? Hee-hee!

Thrift Sale Finds!

2009-06-03T07:01:00.001-04:00

Each year one of my neighbors has a super large multi family yard sale where all the proceeds are donated to Breast Cancer research. For such a worthy cause, I had to stop in and show my support. My money went to a great cause and my thrifting soul was filled! For $1.00 I bought this beautiful bird vase below...

I love the detail on the front! The opening is very narrow which i think will "fan" the flowers.

I also pictured up this walnut frame, below, in which I framed my favorite shot of one of our garden flowers... (again $1.00!)

This funky bathroom leopard print pic looks great in our master bathroom ($1.00!--don't you wish you had come along??)

$2.00 for this set of silver and gold frames hanging on a tulle ribbon. I think I'll put my daughters in one and my son in the other...

We forever have papers all over the counter in the kitchen. For $2.00, I can now put them in here and go through them on the weekend when I have time with a nice mellow cup of coffee!

My favorite piece (and most expensive at $5.00) was this all white serving dish. I love pieces with covers! This way, when someone comes home from a soccer game, piano lessons, surfing, they can grab something out of here and it's still warm...

And to my delight, it's really a double server!

Good finds for a good cause, what could be better?

New Life Right Outside Our Front Door!

2009-06-01T07:01:00.000-04:00

During our busy work week we are side door users-it's closer to the kitchen, the second refrigerator for groceries, the laundry/mudroom. So imagine our surprise when we opened the front door this weekend to allow some wonderfully warm spring air to float through the house...we saw straw and grass...could it be? There's something fuzzy in there!

We peeked inside the basket and to our utter delight viewed two newborn birds...

Mom was perched in a tree nearby, whistling loudly that we should get away from her babies! My husband is thinking they are shore birds known locally here as gackles. You'll remember last year we had a similar nest in a pine tree by our front door here.

I am thinking Mom returned but found the basket more convenient and maybe a little less work (I could relate--I am all for less housework myself!)

Look at the gorgeous blue of that little egg, isn't nature an amazing array of color and life?

Hammock Time!

2009-05-24T08:24:00.001-04:00

Enjoy your Memorial Hammock time...gosh, if we don't get some hammock time this weekend, when will we? Enjoy a restful afternoon! :0)

2009-05-23T06:34:00.000-04:00

"While the fates permit, live happily; life speeds on with hurried step and with winged days the wheel of the headlong year is turned"~ Seneca, 5 BC

With the start of Memorial Day weekend, summer begins on my island. It catches on like a fever and we inhabitants become nothing short of hedonistic!

Enjoy celebrating! Here's to longer days in which to linger!

Hammock Mosaic Monday

2009-05-17T18:17:00.000-04:00

Hammock Mosaic
Originally uploaded by lidevry337

This morning I am joining Mary at Little Red House in her first official hosting of Mosaic Monday!
1. Beach Hammock, 2. shakesy hammock, 3. hammock, 4. Nude beach hammocks, 5. afternoon hammock, 6. Leaf on hammock, 7. Banana Hammock, 8. Palms & Hammocks - Yucatan - Mexico, 9. hammocks

Of course, I have to have a mosaic of my favorite place--my hammock! I entitled my blog Days Missed on a Hammock...because life gets so busy with everything else, if we do not take the time to put our feet up, lay in a hammock and just watch the clouds go by, we are truly missing out on an important aspect of life. Now, get on your hammock with your laptop and head on over to Mary's to enjoy the rest of the Monday Mosaics! It's where I will be! :0)

Hammock Time!

2009-05-17T11:34:00.001-04:00

Enjoy your hammock time today with you and yours! :0)Tara

2009-05-16T06:24:00.000-04:00

"Facing a mirror you merely see your own countenance; facing your child you finally understand how everyone else has seen you" Daniel Raeburn

Beautiful Communion Angel

2009-05-11T06:14:00.000-04:00

Recently it was our little angel's communion day...
My son, her godfather, came home from college to be a part of her special moment... doesn't my Dad look just wonderful? He is in total remission from his lung cancer and we are so very, very happy!

It has been such a rainy spring here in New York but we hit an oddity--an 80 degree day and total sunshine! We chose this particular Sunday because it was our 23rd wedding anniversary and my parents' 51st!

Our daughter is wearing her older sister's dress...she considered that very special to be sharing it! 8 years ago when this little one was christened we also had my older daughter's communion on the same day...and I remember wondering if the dress would be passed down! And suddenly, here we are and she is happily wearing the dress (her older sis is her idol and she follows her EVERYWHERE!)

Time flies by so quickly but I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family..

and wonderful blogging friends like you to share them with! :0)

Happy Mom's Day Hammock Time!

2009-05-10T10:35:00.001-04:00

Have fun snuggling with your cub today! Happy Mother's day! :0)

2009-05-09T07:03:00.000-04:00

"Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or go out into the ocean"
-Christopher Reeve

Challenge yourself to go for it today! But, hey, let's face it...poolside with a cool drink and a good book ain't bad either! :0)

Playmates of Spring

2009-05-05T16:53:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you watch a friendship bloom that just should not be, changes the way you view things.

Tucker, our Shih Tzu, is very protective of Purdur, our lop rabbit...

When children are playing in the yard, and anyone of them starts to chase the rabbit, Tucker is close to his side. Here he is licking Purdur's fur--cleaning him off! What a pal!

These two spend plenty of time together frollicking in the yard... it is a delight to see these two care for each other...

Such a funny combination, I think!

2009-05-04T06:02:00.001-04:00

Mashed potatoes with gravy...Mmmm...

With tons of butter...

Plenty of pepper...I could just swim in them! I have been making them so much for dinner, no one will sit next to me! Because certainly you know, after you have spent plenty of time making a wonderful well in the middle, and ever so carefully placing the gravy or butter inside so it doesn't stream over the sides...

Mom's going to come by with her fork, wreck your construction, and grab the first delicious mouthful!

I may be eating alone this week...

Hammock Time!

2009-05-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

Enjoy your hammock day with you and yours...doggone it, what is the problem here? I am trying to get comfortable!! :0)

2009-05-02T07:10:00.002-04:00

"To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never, in a word let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common, this is to be my symphony"-

William Henry Channing

Osprey Sighting

2009-04-15T07:08:00.001-04:00

The ospreys are back in their nest on our river...

They look so majestic scouting the river for fish...they have a piercing, loud call. One was so close to me yesterday as he swooped down with his bounty...

While their nest is located on the river across the street, there's a big old dead oak behind our house where they are perching this spring...
I can watch them from my kitchen sink...

After a long New York winter, it has been so wonderful to see them nest building! Welcome back! :0)

Chicken and Leek Pot Pie

2009-04-13T08:35:00.003-04:00

What to do with leftover chicken? Chicken and Leek Pot Pie! I made this deliciously easy dish this weekend from about three cups of leftover supermarket rotisserie chicken.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large saucepan, melt 2 tbs. butter. Add one onion, diced, and 1 large leek, white and pale parts only, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2 inch pieces...cook five minutes.

Stir in 1 tbs. grainy mustard and 1/4 cup flour, stir until pasty, about 1 minute. Whisk in 1 cup chicken broth, 3/4 cup of milk, 1/4 cup heavy cream, stir frequently about five minutes until thick.

Stir in shredded chicken (about 3 cups or whatever you have leftover), 1 tbs dried tarragon, and season with salt and pepper.

Consistancy will look like this:

Spread the chicken filling into a 8 x 11 baking dish.

On lightly floured work surface, roll out one 9 x 13 thawed rectangle sheet of puff pastry. I used Pepperidge Farm...lay the pastry sheet over the baking dish and gently tuck in the over hanging pastry. Cut three small slits in the top for air release. In small bowl, beat one egg with a little milk and brush egg wash over pastry. Sprinkle with seasame seeds if desired.

Bake 40 minutes until puff pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly...

Serve with warm muffins...Yum!

My family lapped this up and it looked like a very complicated dish--I love "fooling" them like that! :0)

Spending Time in New York City!

2009-04-06T07:01:00.002-04:00

Last weekend we went into New York City for a visit to my college son. Here's the entrance to his college on Seventh Avenue...

There's art work all over the campus...

We took our girls, my hungry son, and his starving roommate to Blue Smoke on 27th and 3rd at the recommendation of my blogging sister, Pat, from Mille Fiori Favoriti. She told me this restaurant was right near my son's college and we would love it! Wow, did we! This is a BBQ gem!

We started off with a sausage sampler with great mustards...

Racks and racks of ribs...my kids are such carnivores! You recieve a large bucket on your table for discarding the bones...

A view of us from the second floor...

On any given night, this restaurant turns into a premier jazz bar... but we were there in the afternoon!For dessert, we had the sampler--a slice of everything on the menu!

We walked it all off with a walk in Madison Square Park...notice the "thin" building in the background? That's no illusion! .

Where else but in Manhattan can you find a statue of Chester Arthur, our 21st presedent?

View of the townhouses surrounding the park...

We had a great time catching up with him and spending the day in Manhattan! And yes, I made sure he was well fed and he did his wash (always the Mom! Haha!) :0)

Hammock Time!

2009-04-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

Have a great hammock day enjoying your weekend...hmmm...seeming to be having a little trouble here! :0)

Flowerless

2009-04-04T07:09:00.000-04:00

Finally, a crocus has bloomed in New York...

But that is all! So we are heading south, to South Carolina for a week...
To see some blooms...And gain spring in our hearts!

Of course, I'll still be in touch as we search for warmth and flora!

A Game of Library

2009-04-03T07:20:00.001-04:00

Our youngest daughter loves to play Library. She'll set up books all over the livingroom, categorized by age...

Here's her sign on the French doors leading in from the kitchen, telling everyone the Library is open for business...
She calls this the preschool corner...

Books for older kids...

You can even sign up for a library tour! She made everyone in the family a library card and uses my computer mouse to go over the barcode of the book! All of us were encouraged to sign up for a Library tour...

And you had better have your books back on time or you will receive a late notice! Haha! :0)

The Dogs of Spring

2009-03-28T10:04:00.001-04:00

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our life whole"-Roger Caras

Enjoy the dog smells of spring today! :0)

My Sweet 16 Girl

2009-03-25T07:01:00.000-04:00

My gorgeous eldest daughter turned 16 recently...we are officially at the age of the driver's license and driver education classes!

I am amazed by the young woman I live with. She is so very confident, so comfortable in her own skin at such a young age. During the first week of high school this year she came home all excited because she was given Sports Advertising as an elective class. Supportive, I thought it was great and told her so! "And I am the only girl in the class with 24 guys"

"How do you think that happened?", I asked her.

"Well, I do have a name that can be used for a girl or a boy so maybe that's it"

"Oh, yes", I said, "Well, look, if you want me to give the school a call and change you out..."

"No, that's ok, I think I like it!"

You go, girl!

That Irish Skin...

2009-03-23T07:01:00.002-04:00

I'm back from another blogging siesta...no excuse, just winter doldrums!

Ah, the joy of age...

I am finding as I get older that my skin is much more sun sensitive and tends to redden easily, even in a gray New York winter!

Imagine my pleasure when I see Clinique has come along with a line to combat my Irish heritage! Redness solution is an under makeup moisturizer that neutralizes face color. It's light green in color, but once makeup is placed over it, it evens skin tone. I love it, or should say I did until last week...

One hectic morning I was off to a meeting but decided to stop for a bagel at my favorite bagel place. I knew the meeting would last until lunch and bagels can always get me through a long morning. Ah, I pondered, sesame with chive cream cheese?? Egg bagel with salmon? Dreaming, I hopped into the car and sped off.

Oops, I'll need a coffee, too, I thought, as I joined the queue inside the bagel store. Hazelnut decaf with half and half will be wonderful!

"Next in line! Can I help---", the counter woman looked at me aghast.

"Yes, I'd like a sesame bagel with chive cream cheese..." As I am giving my order, I notice the woman's jaw is agape. Huh??

Another counter woman saunters by her, and as only a New Yorker can do, says, "Oh, honey, you really are celebrating Saint Patrick's day, aren't you?", My counter woman smiles.

And then it dawns on me...

I never put the makeup on over the green Redness solution moisturizer!!

"Yep, I'm going to the parade in New York" I said lightly...and high-tailed it out of the bagel store as quickly as I could!!

I'm Back from a Trip!

2009-03-03T19:41:00.005-05:00

I've been on a blogging siesta...what can I say? We have been hit with more snow this past week! About ten inches! Yikes! What a winter!

Before the snow we traveled into Manhattan to visit my college son and make sure the starving artist wasn't starving! Truly, New York City has a pulse that is unidentifiable. You literally feel it beneath your feet as you walk on the street. If you have ever been, you know what I mean. My son loves it! We decided to make use of our time by touring parts of the city. We took a tour of Rockerfeller Center and the NBC studios. You can get a ticket for both tours for $24.95 and it is well worth it! Here is one view of Rockerfeller Center. The flags surrounding the center represent countries from aroundthe world. The flags are in alphabetical order!

The famous Rockerfeller skating rink. Beloveds can rent the rink for $80.00 for 15 minutes so one can ask the other to marry them. Everyone gets off the ice, the man gets down on one knee and the couple, to much applause from spectators, skates around the rink. This occurred while we were there and, oddly, we knew the young couple!

The Rockerfellers incorporated many beautiful pieces of outer building artwork on the Art Deco buildings that surround the center. Originally, they were trying to entice the United Nations to be here instead of its current location on the water nearby.

Atlas...

Saint Patrick's Cathedral, the famous Fifth Avenue church, through the view of Atlas...

The only picture I could get inside the studio...(no cameras allowed!) But visitors are able to visit the Saturday Night Live studio and to when they asked for a volunteer to sit in Brian Williams and try to read the news teleprompter, the English major in me was WAY out of control and raised her hand and waved wildly. My kids wanted to die, but I was chosen and, let me tell you, reading the news off a dumb teleprompter is NOT easy! But I fulfilled a dream no matter how much I embarrassed my children!

Later, we ate at Bubby's, a famous eatery in the rich, hip Tribeca area. It was a favorite spot of JFK, jr.

They have their own cookbook...

Apparently people order pies from around the world...

Hope you enjoyed our visit to the Big Apple!

Ina Garten's Fave Bakery in The Hamptons

2009-02-16T13:01:00.003-05:00

On our recent trip to The Hamptons, we stopped at Ina Garten's favorite bakery...Tate's Bakery in Southampton...

The owner of Tate's is Kathleen King. Kathleen King made her reputation--and a thriving bakery business--on her famous chocolate chip cookies, a longtime favorite in the Hamptons and beyond. In TATE'S BAKE SHOP COOKBOOK, she brings her touch for simple, utterly delicious cookies, muffins, pies, cakes, scones and brownies to every home baker. Each one of Kathleen's recipes is easy to make at home, built from scratch, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Most of her recipes can be made in less time than it would take to go and get a store-bought version!

Ina Garten wrote the forward and frequents the bakery! Nope, did not see Ina when I was there!

Right away, I bought her cookbook. Or I should say my Mom bought it for me for Valentine's Day. Mom has had the cookbook for awhile and everything from it is delicious! What I especially love is you have everything at hand...no special ingredients necessary! I have it on my Shelfari below and it is available here at Amazon.

Some of the recipes you'll want to make again and again include:
Blueberry muffins
Ginger scones
Sour cream pound cake
Zvi's cinnamon swirl bread
Old-fashioned soft sugar cookies
Double peanut chocolate cookies
Beach brownies
Peach pie
Apple cranberry crisp
Carrot cake
Chocolate chip cake

There's even a section with recipes for energy bars, granola, and other healthy treats that Kathleen--an avid outdoorswoman--developed for biking and hiking trips.

You don't need a special occasion for Kathleen's recipes--but she can help with terrific ideas for birthday cakes, picnic basket goodies, bake sale offerings and more. TATE'S BAKE SHOP COOKBOOK will get you into the kitchen and out with a little heaven on a plate!

Hammock Time!

2009-02-15T08:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Hammock Day! Enjoy your rest! :0)

2009-02-11T20:34:00.002-05:00

I know I’ve mentioned it’s very gray and cold here in New York. The sky is ashen daily and it’s dimming on the spirit.

Two weeks ago my husband informed me he had bought another half cord of wood for the fireplace and it was being delivered that afternoon. Somehow the delivery men misunderstood his message and instead of delivering it to the backyard, stacked it up against my driveway. My laundry room overlooks the woodpile and every time I did laundry I was thinking how I hated all that wood on the driveway. It was a little difficult to manipulate the cars in and out. Busy, we just weren’t getting around to moving it.

Fast forward to last week. My eldest daughter has a good friend whose Mom died from a sudden aneurism. We were saddened to hear this sudden news and my husband assured my daughter he’d go to work late so she could attend the funeral. Walking onto the driveway in the morning to catch the newspaper, he noticed our van on the driveway had a flat tire.

Our van is about 15 years old. It is huge and has taken us on many happy vacations. My son is now the primary driver and it is covered with surfing stickers. I swear it still smells of last summer. Looking around in the back, my husband found the tire jack. Realizing he had to get my daughter to the funeral on time to console her friend, he started to change the tire. He realized the jack was so old it didn’t have a pump arm but rather was twisted by hand. He stuck it under the back of the van and started twisting. It wasn’t working. Discouraged, he stood up trying to think of what to do next. He had to get to this funeral. He realized he’d have to get a bit more under the van to make the jack rise. He leaned under the van and out of the corner of his eye noticed the log pile.

He doesn’t know what made him do it. But he said somehow he thought, just before he stuck his head under the van one more time, let me take one of those logs and use it to bolster the wheel well.

Back under the van to twist the jack, when suddenly, BAM! The jack broke in half and the van, tons of weight and massive in size, fell --but was still bolstered by the log. Truly, my husband’s head would have been cracked open!

I have been replaying and replaying this in my mind. What made him grab that log at the last second? You know what I mean? Good karma? You just wonder…

When I found out what happened, I walked right over to that wood pile, hugged it, and then kissed the log that saved my husband’s head. And you know what? I’ve got a great view of a gorgeous woodpile from my laundry room!

Thriftin' in The Hamptons

2009-02-09T19:02:00.003-05:00

This past weekend we took a drive to The Hamptons, otherwise known to us locals as the East End. Playground of the rich and famous, I had always wanted to go try thrifting here to see if it's possible to nab a good buy.

The first of the Hamptons, Southampton, is home to an incredible thrift store/consignment shop...

Let's take a walk inside to see what goodies there are! Pass the foreboding looking lion...

And step right in! With The Hamptons crowd lulling in winter, our store is only open on Saturdays!

I could not get over the prices...and neither will you! This gorgeous lemon colored couch...$400.00! It was so well made, the stitching was incredible (I HAD to inspect the pillows, of course!) Could I get it home??

This mahogony diningset...with 8 chairs covered in pink silk striping...$650.00! I was mentally rearranging my diningroom to fit everything! (Imagine me calling home: "Honey, can you borrow a truck...").This lovely dollhouse, with all the little girl trimmings, $250.00. The wallpaper and furniture were incredible!
This pine sideboard was $500.00...

This neat gravy boat $20.00...

$400.00 for this large sideboard...wouldn't it look great in a kitchen with a big blank wall??

In the end, I did not end up with any of these gorgeous pieces as I really do not have the room anywhere! But look at that, even in one very expensive real estate area, you can find a bargain if you look hard enough!

Now--which one would you choose? :0)

2009-02-02T16:50:00.004-05:00

Feeling the winter as endless, my youngest daughter and I decorated our diningroom windows with hearts for Valentine's Day...when I walk by, and the sky is again muddy-gray, they are making me smile...reminding me that although winter is firmly in our grasp...

There's still a lot of love here in our warm home...
and much to be thankful for...

2009-02-01T10:07:00.000-05:00

Enjoy your "Hammock Day"! I sure will--dreaming of a warmer season!

2009-01-31T09:35:00.002-05:00

"Each person has an ideal, a hope, a dream which represents the soul. We must give it the warmth of love, the light of understanding and the essence of encouragement"- Colby Dorr Dam

Pillow Notes

2009-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

It’s at the quiet moments during the day when thoughts of my children pop into my mind…I’ll be in an elevator and think of how my 8 year old daughter made us play school the night before and gave us stickers for good work. I’ll be driving to an appointment and remember my High School daughter coming home, shyly sneeking a magnet off the refrigerator, and me, catching her out of the corner of my eye, watching, as she hangs a Chemistry test with a 91 on it . I know she was wondering if we would notice it there. On a bank line, I get a vision of my son who is at college, calling the evening before to see how his little sister did on her first day of Chirpers (choral group).

How silly I must look, smiling to myself! In my pocketbook I keep empty cards and in a spare moment of time, I write them a little note about how they make me proud or how I was thinking about them.

Then somehow AFTERSCHOOL time comes. At our house this involves homework, driving kids places, kids driving me crazy, getting dinner on the table, baths…and by the beginning of the evening I am not thinking about any of them so kindly! Someone has surely complained about the broccoli on the dinner table (“Again, Mom?”), not picked the wet wash off the bedroom floor, spilled iced tea, forgotten to feed the rabbit…and I am tired of it all.

Then I’ll remember how I felt earlier in the day and get the note from my pocketbook and leave it under one of their bedroom pillows to be read before bed. Because at day’s end, when the house quiets down, and the kitchen lights are off (it is officially closed!) and everyone is either in bed or quietly studying, I like them again and I want them to know it!

I may have yelled at you for not picking up your wet towel at 7 pm but at 9 pm I can tell you I love you!

Lemon Cookie Madness!

2009-01-26T07:05:00.001-05:00

What to do on a REALLY cold weekend?? Make cookies, of course!! (Now where is that New Year's resolution of will power?) These are by Giada, so I am not claiming them for myself...but they are excellent and I have eaten way too many today! Make them and your family will be very happy! They have an unusual ingredient-ricotta cheese!

Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze---------350 degree oven

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 stick butter
1 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 15 oz container ricotta cheese
3 tbs lemon juice
1 lemon, zested

In medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt. Set aside.

In large bowl combine butter and sugar--beat until light and fluffy about 3 mins.

Add the eggs, one at a time. Add ricotta cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in dry ingredients by hand.
(My youngest daughter zesting below!)Spoon 2 tbs dough onto parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

When cooled make icing: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbs lemon juice, 1 lemon zested in small bowl. Stir by hand until smooth, dip in cookies...

Try to keep them away from family but do not count on it! I made these this morning and thank goodness there is a picture--because they are GONE! Sorry I couldn't save you one!

Hammock Time!

2009-01-25T09:40:00.001-05:00

Ah, this weekend I need to dream of warmer locales whilst on my hammock! Enjoy your day! :0)

Music in the Limbs...

2009-01-24T08:19:00.003-05:00

"I should like I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music". -George Elliot

My youngest daughter at her piano concert, she loves to play!

Sisterly Correspondence

2009-01-21T21:40:00.002-05:00

As a holiday gift my youngest daughter received a two-sided white board. At first, she played teacher madly! Her sister, brother, father and I were the students, of course. (And our dog, Tucker. He always got an A on his papers!) Soon it was time for back to school, and there hasn't been as much time for playing teacher...

But I started noticing she was just drawing...And then writing her older sister notes like the one below:

I'd see my High School daughter walk by, smile as she read the message, and write a response:

Now they write to each other all the time. One sneaks into the den and picks up a pen when the other isn't looking. And the excited look on the other sister's face when she realizes a message has been left is priceless!

I do not have a sister but when I had my second daughter, I thought my feet would never touch the ground again! I was so happy they would have each other in the world. They are seven years apart in age but suddenly I see a fostering of closeness that I guess only sisters can have. They'll both snuggle on the couch together to watch a movie, under the same blanket, although there is plenty of other space to spread out. They'll sit together in the chair at the computer watching "Funny Baby" videos on You Tube. No matter where my High School daughter is, her younger sister is not far behind...

Those of you who have a sister know what I mean. For me, I am so very glad they have something I do not...a friend and confidante for life! It brings me so much joy!

Snowy Wonderland

2009-01-19T08:49:00.004-05:00

We woke up this morning to beautiful fresh snow...it is so majestic and quiet outside...snow quiet is a comforting silence. The snow absorbs every sound...I took my camera right out to the backyard...

When everything is covered in white, it's pristine looking...

Oops! Meant to take this in last summer to store away...but now it has a certain beauty to it!

These evergreens are outside my kitchen...I love staring at them when I am washing dishes! Today they are touched with heavenly white dusting...

The view of our backyard...

"We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand...and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late"-Marie Beyon Ray

Today I am going to enjoy the white silence that surrounds us !