Rocks in the Dryer

Inside Frozen Fenway

My 7 year old has friends in high places.  Lucky for me, I got to be his chaperon.  His hockey coach just so happens to be a senior executive for the Boston Red Sox by day.  When Fenway Park was frozen this year, guess who's team was invited to play...lucky little nuggets.

Yes, I thought it so cool that my son got the rare opportunity to play and take part of this unique event, but I found myself a bit consumed by my own incredible opportunity to be in a nearly empty Fenway Park.  When does that happen?

Mildly speaking, I took lots of photos:

Do you know the story of the lone red seat in the right field bleachers? It signifies the longest home-run ever hit at Fenway. Read bout it here.

Our team's spectators (at left in photo) were given the privilege of sitting in a private box overhanging the ice.  Boiling hot chocolate and other goodies were overflowing for our consuming pleasure.  The rest of the schmoes had to sit waaaaaaaay far away under an overhang in a roped off corral out of the suns reach (see them far right in photo). Nah nah na boo boo.

After our team finished playing we received a private escort up to top of the Green Monster where we had the privilege of watching the next game - as if we hadn't gotten our fair share already....

All in a day's work.

Look Before you Leap on the Lion

Are you a Mac or a PC?  If you are a Mac I have a public service announcement to make.  Beware of Lion. 

                                                                                  - female lion tamer image source

This is not a tech blog and the person who writes this blog is dangerous at best with the little amount of tech savvy possessed.

I had a big idea that backfired in ways I can not begin to comprehend.  As a new years "let's get off to a fresh start" resoltuion I set off upgrading all of my apple equipment to the newest operating system, Lion.  This year I was going to stay on top, do it right, have all my devices working nicely with one another, be current.  It took a long time and a many step but I did it.  I was so proud and pleased ...... and then.

With all updates in place and all old things gone and disabled, I sat down to start some good, solid, new year work.  To my utter dismay, I was welcomed with an unforeseen side effect.  None of my software is supported by Lion.  None.

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of all things Apple, HUGE I tell you, but none of my software is supported by my new operating system? WTF!

The ramifications took a while to sink in.  I no longer have a single program that works.  That really, super, major sucks.  In my own unique fashion I started the research (yes, a day late and many dollars short) to find many a friend in my shoes airing their frustrations on forums all over the web.  Poor suckers are we.  There is no real going back.  What's done is done and my new, new resolution has me learning new programs and learning to work in new ways.  I am appreciative to the folks at Adobe for offering a free trail download of InDesign - at least I could get my Valentine project done.....what next, it expires in a few days? I am not so sure. But maybe some day I hope to learn to look before I leap...

 

Make the BEST Valentines EVER!

I can't believe we actually did it!  This might just be my most favorite project to date.  What was more was was that my children actually participated and were moderately engaged (using the term 3-D was very helpful).

We had a snowy weekend and I thought the white back-drop would add a nice touch.  Taking the photos was easier than anticipated and was complete using fewer clicks of the shutter than ever imagined.

I cropped them a bit, changed to black and white (easier for us than dealing with a themed wardrobe), added a little text and sent them off to my neighbor CVS to print.  I sit here today in shock, they are done, 18 cents per print + cost of tootsie roll pop.  Fabulous and cheap? That never happens!

A neighborhood friend was over playing in the snow, so we made one for him too.  He had on a red hat so I didn't go full bore on the black and white -  but just faded the color a bit....

People, you can do this.  If you are not able to add text in a graphics program, just slap a label on the front or get your kids to write on the back.  They are just too darn cute.  I want to say again, as I have been getting undue credit, this was not my idea....just something I saw here and here and as any good blog crawler would do - I am hijacking it and passing it on.  Go forth and be crafty.

 

 

Oy, the Valentines........

"Parent the children you have", is that how it goes?  

Long ago, I let go of the fantasies of doing crafts with my kids.  My kids are not interested.  Go figure they got me for a mom.  Each year, each holiday, each normal person's time of fabulous craftiness, I have a reality to deal with and a decision to make.  

I get so excited about making valentines with my kids, and then my actual kids show up.  It turns into a punishable offense when they will not engage in their seasonal crafting requirement.  Even though I've learned to dumb "boy" it down in an attempt to meet their willingness and ability.  It still usually fails.

Not this year?  Maybe, just maybe.  This project we might be able to do!

via www.designmom.com

Found the idea on Designmom, who found it on KeepinitReal.  This home-made valentine might just meet our collective needs and abilities.  I can take the photo, they should be able to pose for it.  I can cut the slits for the lolly pops and bribe them with more lolly pops if they participate by signing their names on the back. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" - or "A fool never learns"?  Let's just see how this goes!

The Jell-o Fish

I had a Christmas party, but how could you know that.  I haven't attended to this blog since November.  Life has been going on and I have been developing lots of new and exciting entertainment....

Back to the party.  I had a Christmas party, yes I did.   I didn't take many photos and for that I am regretful.  The mid-century menu was divine and matching decor, in my opinion, beat the band.

I did, however, take a photo of the fish. 

- hipstimatic dated it, however so appropriately '81.  It's 2011 all the way

 

Last year I threw a mid-century menu party and made a jell-o mould, sticking to the theme and all.  No one touched it - and who could blame them, jell-o and cool-whip are kind of are gross.  The jell-o recipes of the 50's are disgusting, yet so ...... festive! I have plowed through many back issues of "The Joys of JELL-O" trying to find just the right one to bring to my modern table and then, out of nowhere, a flash of genius!  Vodka!

Don't put cubed ham or peas, tuna, olives and apricots in the jell-o - put VODKA in it!

The Vodka fish was an enormous hit.  Not only was it fun, festive and tasty, it was entertainment, a conversation piece!   The fish was hacked to death right there on his mirrored display for all to see.  People I never dreamt so daring, were slurping up Vodka Fish and with great pride and celebration.  Who knew.

This fish has breathed new life into entertaining as I know it. He made his way to my neighbor's 7 fish dinner Christmas Eve, that was a virgin fish, family party and all.  I have been invited to participate in a recipe swap.  I wonder if Vodka Fish is an appropriate submission?  Big Daddy and I have a couple of party invites on the horizon where we are asked to bring an appetizer.... hmmmmmm, what to bring? Vodka Fish!

 

Here's the recipe:

Obtain a large fish jell-o mould (mine came from an estate sale) 

Choose seasonally appropriate jell-o flavor and color 

Follow package directions substituting (to taste or tolerance) some/all of the cold water with vodka

Enjoy!

 

 

crave more jell-o inspiration - see here: 

Must be dog week...

Ok, fine, last post about my four-legged friend.  He got a new bed and it rocks and we love it and it's so sassy!  From Bowwow Beds on Etsy.  Check it out!  Just the cover, stuff with bed pillows - simply divine.  Nite-nite pup dog.

Guiding Eyes Campus Tour: Emotional Verison

I introduced you to our new dog Vince, but waited to tell you the rest of the story.  Vince was bred as and trained to be a seeing eye dog by Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  I've plowed through their website over the years and thought I was well prepared for the day I would visit the campus and meet our new dog.  I had known this day was coming for many years, I assure you, prepared I was not.

"Through These Eyes, We Can See"

I am the first to admit I can be emotional.  I am an excellent crier and when a stimulus tugs at my soul there is nothing stopping me from being consumed by emotion.  We arrived at Guiding Eyes about 30 minutes early and I was a blubbering mess as the boys and I finished our self-guided tour of the campus.

I knew seeing eye dogs were exceptional creatures, I just had no idea what went into creating them.  The army of dedicated people involved in raising and training them, the amount of love, dedication and gratitude of this community and it's work was overwhelming.

This was a great big lesson in "What I didn't know I didn't know".  I had introduced myself and my boys to a world that I knew was going to change our lives, but in no way was going to offer us the impact it has for so many.  We were standing to gain a pet to love and care for.  My boys were standing to gain responsibility and the boy/dog relationship I craved for them.  I couldn't begin to wrap my head around what it must be for others who come to receive their service dog.  I had an immediate need to do more than just adopt Vince, but to enroll myself in the ongoing work of the school and the community, I was aching to be a part of it.

We have yet to sign up for any more active duty, the day to day of caring for our new companion is enough for now.  What I know is possible is exciting, and as each day we become more competent and comfortable "dog people" I know we will have more to give and more to do.

You can "Like" Guiding Eyes for the Blind on Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/#!/guidingeyes

I could spend hours trolling through their photos.  Of my favorites are those from "Sit Stay Competitions", or this one with an army of angel dogs awaiting their next mission.

This one made me laugh - remind me to make these "Get Busy Cupcakes" ("get busy" is the Guiding eyes elimination command) for Vince's next birthday.

Those cupcakes tell the story of my current life, but needless to say,  I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Where Have I Been?

No secret I have been a little absent.  The only excuse I can muster is my new BFF, Block Head.  Where I have been you ask? I have been walking my dog. 

I walk him around this fair town until my heels bleed, I sweep and vacuum his hair, I pick up his poop, I go to the pet store acquiring his necessities, I make tantalizing treats and activities to entertain him in my absence.  He is sucking up all of my time.  Time beautiful time.

Lucky he's so darn cute and sweet, I have to contain myself from eating him.  I love him, my little boys are over the moon, but gracious sakes alive, where does the time go?

 

 

 

Decorate for Thanksgiving?

On my last pilgrimage to Brimfield, where I normally tote home a plethora of vintage Christmas decorations, I had a revelation that perhaps I should share the love with the other many holidays throughout the year.  It's no secret that my Christmas collection just may be complete.  This time, I  turned my eye to Halloween and Thanksgiving.  I am sorry to have not shared Halloween with you, I've been busy, doing what? I am not quite sure.... but It was with unbridled joy that I packed up Halloween and broke out Thanksgiving.

How!

It is rather helpful that most every room in my house is already accented with harvest orange, makes Christmas a bit challenging, but Thanksgiving, oh Thanksgiving - the palate is perfect.

Dippy vintage planters have been the launching point and I look forward to growing my meek collection.  Since you can't make it to Brimfield before Turkey Day (next show isn't until May 2012) there are loads of them on ETSY.  (the link was searched in "Vintage" for "turkey planter") I see many a multiple of the few I have already acquired - and look how many more!  I usually put a $10 price limit on any of my vintage holiday necessities.  Easily achieve on ETSY and Brimmy. 

Need a hostess gift for your Thanksgiving celebration - grab one of these babies and plonk some mums in it - done!  Now that is something for which to be Thankful!

Rockywold Deephaven Camps : Year 2

I am a bit behind in chronicling the events of our summer.  It's so rainy here today seems like no better time.  This was our second year at Rockywold Deephaven Camps, our newly found favorite place on earth.  Accommodation, acclimation and dining hall table placement are grounded in "seniority" at RDC, with two years under our belt, can't quite say we've yet earned it, extended families have been camping there for literal generations.  We'll get there.  This year was not as jaw dropping as our inaugural visit, in that it wasn't all new.  This year, it was easier to get in the groove. It was a year to appreciate, anticipate and reacquaint instead of flat out discovery. 

(last years accounts can be found here, here and here)

Don't get me wrong, the second time around was just as delectably sweet.   Maybe it was better, meeting up with "old" friends was incredibly welcoming and I didn't have to spend so much gawking at the ice house, I could get on with other camp activities.

As predicted the first two days were rainy.  Rainy, Rainy, Rainy.  Luckily, as expected, there were strapping young men delivering firewood to our cabin daily (as life should be), and plenty of hours to teach the boys to play, love and embrace card and board games.  We made the most of it and moved on to welcome sunny skies for the remainder of our week at camp.  Here is a little peek at the week, in no particular order:

As any good camper would, we waved tearful goodbyes to our friends and were eager to get back before we even left. ahhhhhhhhhhh.

Today Started with Dog Vomit

It's a been a crazy few weeks:  vacation ended, school started, there has been carnage, the emergency room has been visited more than once.  I have been chasing the ever elusive normal.  I thought today was going to be my day and then....

Our sweet new doggy Vince saw his chance at a popsicle yesterday and took it.  When he saw me coming to end his pleasure he did what any 70lb labrador would do, he swallowed it whole.  Stick and all, he swallowed the whole darn thing.  I nearly fainted.

I spent a good part of my evening reading links produced by the google search: "My labrador swallowed a popsicle stick whole".  There was a surprising amount of content, apparently large labradors all over this fine country respond the way Vince did to a popsicle slipping out of the hands of babes.  It came clear there were about 3 scenarios that were going to play out for me and my new companion: 

1.  We were going to do some major diet modifications that would eventually result in the production of a "poop-sicle".  I wasn't exited about this option, aside from the fact that I didn't see how in the world that was possible.   I was ready for the task, I didn't get the chance to ask Vince what he thought, but I went ahead and made a large pot of white rice in preparation.

2.  This is the option that kept me awake most of the night.  The stick would get stuck somewhere inside and need to be surgically removed.  Need I express the reasons why I was not interested in this option?

3.  Popsicle stick might reappear via vomit in the first 24 hours.

Voila!  I have never been so excited to see dog vomit in all of my days.  Dog vomit with a popsicle stick on top, was far better than the proverbial icing on the cake.  I nearly cried tears of joy.  The boys and I ran around the house dancing and singing in honor of our four legged friend.  It was true a celebration.

So that was it.  A little dog vomit and a couple loads of laundry.  When dogs vomit in my house they always do it in my children's beds - se la vie - better than ruining the carpets, and let's be honest, worse things have happened in their little set of twins.

If anything has happened to me in the last few weeks it is certainly that I am learning to not panic in times of unforeseen stress, emergency.....whatever you wanna call them.  A deep breath and little google search is (sometimes) all you need. 

 

Not What I Ordered

This is the weather forecast for our upcoming vacation:

Not quite what I had in mind.  What is it that makes a good vacation? Location, Location, Location or weather?  We could veer off course a bit and head to Vegas:

Holy moly look at those sunny skies. 

Big D has already started his downward spiral into rained out vacation depression.  He's making big statements like:  We are NEVER vacationing in the US AGAIN!!  I think the better way to deal is to take more vacations a year.  Dude only takes one week off each year and for many years, that week has been all rain.  I am feeling for the man, but think we need to spread it out a bit - vacation a bit more so that a week of rain is not the end of the world.  Oh well, Rainy old Rockywold, here we come!

That was NOT my Vacation

Since the birth of my children I have learned to look at what used to be a vacation as more of a business trip. The scenery changes, the work load does not.  I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks on the cape, but it didn't seem much like a vacation. Am I really this big of a brat?!

The house we rented was simply beautiful.  The weather was next to perfect.  The company of family and friends was plentiful and pleasurable. What was the craziest part?  I took little to no photos.  This is very odd behavior for me and I don't quite know how to explain or justify it, other than the fact that it did feel more like a business trip.  Big Daddy only joined us for the weekends, so that added to the business trip feeling.  I didn't pack enough clothes, so the amount of laundry I did also made it feel like home away from home and not in a vacation-y way.  The house was lovely, so I did an inordinate amount of cleaning trying to keep it as nice as we found it.

We rented the house from a family who lives on the cape year round and have decided to go RV-ing for a year.  They are homeschooling their kids and visiting all the national monuments, big citys and parks.  What envy I feel.  They rented their home, as stated on their blog, not only to help cover costs of the trip but to also remove the option to bail out of their plan.  If their home is rented, they can't call it quits and go home.  Love it.

I am sorry I didn't take photos of the house - it was a simply stunning, custom built, perfectly appointed arts and crafts bungalow.  Drat.  I took the boys to Race Point, twice and again, took no photos.  Dang it.  We went to Provincetown twice, no documentation.  Spent time in Wellfleet, went to the Chartroom, ate at lobster shacks - you name it we did it and not one shred of proof....

I took this one photo at White Crest Beach in Wellfleet part of the Cape Cod National Sea Shore:

It was my first visit there and was stunning to say the least.  I obviously didn't read the fine print on this beach where the website says:

White Crest

A beautiful beach with towering sand dune cliffs. The waters at White Crest Beach (also called Four Mile Beach and Surfer's Beach) are rougher, making it ideal for the surfers who often flock here. Hang gliders are allowed before 9am and after 5pm. Facilities include restrooms, a concession stand, and lifeguards. Parking fees are $15 per day at the large lot. Please note that White Crest is not the greatest place to bring young children, senior citizens, or the disabled, as a steep dune path with no staircase leads down to the beach. How to get there: Take Cahoon Hollw Road off Route 6 in Wellfleet. At end, take a right on Ocean View Drive and follow to end

That would have been good to know since I took 2 children and 2 senior citizens.  The children LOVED running up and down the cliff, my 6 year old sprinted up and down nothing short of 15 times (he's a blur in the above photo).  My father didn't much care for the hike back up, sinking up to his knees under the weight of coolers, chairs and umbrellas...... but we all survived and might just even go back.

With that little chunk of summer behind us we are packing for the real vacation, and happy it's been raining for days - must mean clear skies ahead!

 

 

Being Invincible

Oh save my soul.....we have welcomed a canine into our family.  Vince, the invincible is in the house.  Vince is not your average dog, he is a dog we have been waiting 8 years to adopt.  Waiting that is, longer than he has been alive.

When I was pregnant with my older son I heard about the Released Dog Program at Guiding Eyes For the Blind.  Dogs are released from the seeing eye dog program for a host of reasons (fears, behavior, medical etc) and clearly the released dogs need homes.  Guiding Eyes breeds their owns dogs, raises them from puppies (actually puppy raising families do that job) they attend guide dog school, graduate and go on for a life of service.  Many, for obvious reasons don't make the cut.

The average wait time to be matched with a dog is 5 years, but when 5 years found me with a 5 year old and 3 year old I declined my match (Sheldon - can't believe I remember that).  This past February we decided the time was finally right, as right as right can be.  We reactivated our status on the waiting list.  A week ago Sunday we drove to New York to claim the Invincible.....

Vinny my boy is remarkably handsome, very well trained and has house manners that are simply mind blowing.  Vince did work as a seeing eye dog for 6 months, but it seems he has decided that a life of service is not the life for him.  Vince wants to be free.  Actually he really, really wants to be free.  His reason for being released is that he "bolts" whenever he sees the chance.  He assess the situation, sees an opportunity and goes for it.  It's odd really that a dog that can practically use the phone and drive a car will take off and not come when called 'cause he really really really wants to go on an unsanctioned adventure.  We have our work cut out for us, but as far as I see it, the real dirty work is done.

We are all settling in, and I think it's safe to say .... More to come.....

Bicycle Co-Op

I have an old hand-me-down bike that has served me rather well over the years.  The problem was, it was not much of a pleasure to ride.  It was used by me on a begrudgingly, as need basis only.  The seat hurt my seat to say the least and the classic "lean to the handle bar" position has never been pleasant on my aching back.

Would a new bike help?  I had to wonder.  My New England summers offer many glorious biking occasions that I long to take advantage of, in a more pleasurable way.  In my own town, for instance, I enjoying walking to do my errands, but how dreamy to bike and do the same.  My little men are always more interested if it's a bike trip.

I started looking at bikes, the sit-straight-up-beach-comber bikes that Martha's Vineyard tourist brochures are iconic for is what I had in mind.  Most I found were far too expensive for my budget or desire.  All I had found left me with an undeniable "not a chance".

Then I went to Target.  Oh my.  There it was, the perfect-for-me-bike at a much better price (and I know much less quality but 'tis not really part of my "need"), still I was having a hard time justifying the splurge.

Talked to my friend Kerrie who was about to go on vacation and found out how much bike rental would be on the Vineyard for a week - guess what - it was exactly 1/2 the cost of buying the Target bike.  Our master minds decided to buy the bike together and each of us (luckily with no travel overlap) would take it on our summer excursions.  Genius!

Could you die?  Vintage inspired, white walls and all.  When I peddled down our street the first time my 8-year old claimed: "You look like an old-timey lady mommy".  "Great", I responded, "That is just what I am going for".  I can only hope his minds eye was seeing Gidget or That Girl and not the old mean lady from the Wizard of Oz.

My bicycle sharing friend has enjoyed a week of peddling around Martha's Vineyard already and told me how she decorated it for the 4th of July.  She sent me this photo:

I can see how the Inn behind her is decked out in all of it's glory, the bike I am not so sure is living up to it's potential.  I rather had something more like this in mind:

Se la vie, next year I'll make sure I get the bike for the 4th! 

We did add the sassy Nantucket Bike Basket - it removes easily, and has a handle for your hydrangea picking needs or farmers market shopping, oh the joy!

Aside from the huge spring loaded seat and white wall tires I think I might just like the handlebars the most with their gushy, handstiched-esque, leather-esque details.  Coulda fooled me, they feel like the real deal.

Did you want to see the basket again?