Vermont fun

Maddy got to visit Santa's Land in Putney VT this weekend with Auntie and Meme (daddy had to work and pack for the move, so he stayed home). She is the 3rd generation, Meme, Auntie & Daddy all visited and played here as kids, and the best part, it looks just about the same as it did 20+ yrs ago. The park is geared towards little ones who want to sit on Santa's lap, feed the raindeer, see exotic animals, play on the slides, and ride the train and carnival rides that the park keeps on hand. The park has been open since 1957, and I hope it will be around for many years, to let the new generations have the delight and joy of seeing Santa's 'other' home. Here are some pics from the park.

This slide was FAST. Auntie and Maddy went down together on the wavy slide, riding on our magic (burlap) carpet!

Another Giveaway

Decisions, decisions..... both would be sweet. Check it out

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SGCuKWEcV7U/Sm9-52nzu5I/AAAAAAAABaA/q1nazv2RH_Y/s1600-h/choose-your-own-giveaway.jpg

If you win, you get a choice of a preppy travel mug, or a tote/carryall

Make sure to mention who you heard it from, because if you enter and win and say you heard about it from me, we both win!

Contest ends at midnight Sunday August 2nd.

Quiet night

Had a nice quiet night. Made veggie pasta for lunches for the next few days, had a couple of Hebrew National Reduced Fat hot dogs (I know) for dinner. Believe it or not they are really good and don't taste like a lighter version of the original. A bit later I curled up on the couch with my knitting and a big mug of sour cherry serenade tea... yum

I wonder how the pasta is going to taste. Take 1/2 a jar of Newman's Own Marinara, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1/2 Vidalia onion, 1/2 yellow pepper, 1/2 orange pepper, 1 med zucchini, a dash of Italian seasoning and garlic. Cook the peppers and onions down, add the zucchini and sauce and can of tomatoes and simmer for 30 minutes and pour over whole grain penne. Sounds yummy, hope it tastes the same!

Next up is to download photos from this weekend's VT adventure and say a prayer for Stellan. Pull thru little guy.

Say a prayer

Please say a prayer for Stellan and his family. Things are looking very rough right now and they need all the prayers, love and support they can get.

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/07/monday-morning-update.html

Gastronmic adventure

Tried a new pizza joint for dinner. Well, not a new one, just new to me. It's an Irish restaurant Murphy's Brickhouse Pizza.

We were brave and ordered 2 pies, one familiar pie: pepperoni and onion. The other small pie is called The New Englander. The name is pretty innocuous, but the toppings are definitely unique.

What do you think of a white pie with baked ham, pie mix apples, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on a sesame seed crust?

Yeah, I wondered what I was thinking after I ordered, but was really surprised. It was good!

Having dinner tonight w/ Dad & Patty. Long overdue, I think the last time I saw them was the wedding.

Finally get to see pics of Italy & Greece, and get some good home cooking!

Dad's a bit down still from J's passing, I want to be able to put a smile on his face today :)

Arg!

Today seems like an effort in futility. In 7.5 hours of work, at least 1.5 hours were spent twiddling the thumbs because computer programs apparently have gone on vacation. Its interesting, as soon as the programs go down you hear groans around the floor.

Less than 30 minutes and I can amscray!!!

On an upside, it sunny, there is blue sky, puffy clouds, and a gentle breeze. Summer has finally arrived! :)

Johnny's wake is tomorrow. Wish I could go. I am watching my niece so my dad and stepmom can go. GGRRRRRRRR. I am sending hugs to the family down in stamford, cuz I am not going to be able to make it down.

Be at peace

It's never easy to hear of a death of a person in the prime of their life. Its even harder when you know the person, especially when they are family.


I heard that a dearly loved cousin passed away this morning. He leaves behind a lovely wife, 2 young sons, and a family that will grieve deeply for his loss. I know he will be one of the many angels looking down on S & B as they grow up, and I know that their family will make sure that the memories and stories of their dad live on.

I remember that he spent part of a summer at my grandparents when I was a kid, he made an impression. I remember this teenager who taught me to play cards, and rode a motorcycle, and a sweetheart of a man who didn't mind having a curious child hanging around. This was someone I had an innocent childhood summer crush on. He grew into a good, loving man who was devoted to his family and simply a good person.

I was always happy to see Johnny, he was one of my favorite cousins. I just saw him 2 weeks ago at my cousin's wedding, a happy man proudly showing off his newest son, who is just a few months old. He seemed so strong and put together, and I will really cherish the memory of that day and the hug and kiss that we had as a hello. It ended up being the last.


Rest in Peace John Keaney. I hope you find the peace in heaven that you were searching so desperately for. I am going to miss you so much.
April 25, 1970 - July 10, 2009

mmm

I actually made dinner tonight.... holy crap stop the presses!

I had some chicken cutlets chillin in the freezer that I decided to cook up. I grilled them with a bit of Montreal Chicken seasoning. Add to that fresh, tender, grilled asparagus tips, and yellow rice with red beans.... yummo!

Only problem is I have no idea what the heck I am doing for tomorrow (dinner that is- leftovers for lunch) :)

its done

I had bought some fun yarn a couple of years ago and had put it in my yarn bag and promptly forgot about it. Last month I came across it and thought what the heck, lets see if I can make a hat (no pattern or instructions). I knit it on and off over the last few weeks and finished today. Its cute, but freakin hot to wear in July!! Here's the end result

who'da thunk

... that an impound lot would be closed the day before a holiday making a person wait until Monday for their broken car (not me).

...that police would be able to clear an intersection of an accident w/in 30 minutes. Was going to the grocery store and there was a 2 car acc at the entrance, but by the time I left, no cars, no wreckers, no cope.... wierd!

... that someone would be so low as to lie and use their child's health as an excuse, then was caught in said lie.

... that everyone and their uncle would choose today to go to Costco, traffic was a nightmare, then almost forgot to pick up the contacts that came in (the reason I went today)

... that thunder was heard for about 4 hours today both home and running errands.... can't they go away for a bit?

Thats enough for now, off to sleep then prep the berries for the dessert I am making for the family cookout tomorrow.