Knowing we would be hungry in the morning, we went to a local grocery for some breakfast food. The closest I could get to Honey Nut Cheerios was Honey Bees Loops. We also got a bag of Muslei and some Quik. Not shown are the awesome breakfast sausages - couldn't take a picture since they were in our stomachs.







Here is a view of our hotel kitchen. The fridge is disguised to look like a cabinet and the window actually opens. All the windows open which is why the room isn't stuffy and mildewed like hotel rooms in the US.







This is the view from the bedroom window - it's a nice place to walk. I saw 3 cats and a rabbit yesterday. The cats were tough looking, they had stocky legs, fat bodies and mushed in, mean looking faces. My cats would totally lose in a cat fight over here.








Here's the bedroom (with open window!). There is a flat screen TV on the wall across from the bed. Nice.


















Okay, so it took me a while to find the flusher. Now I know.












Sean is having dinner in our room. Yes, he is drinking a beer. Settle down people, it's all on the up and up. Yes, it is totally legal - the drinking age for beer is 16 years old. So there.

Scarlet and Friend

Scarlet met a friend for a playdate this morning. The poor old girl just couldn't keep up her stamina after a few minutes. She was content to lay down while Marley danced and jumped around her.









I see a future agility champion in Marley - he is very spry. Scarlet?......not so much anymore.














Such cute faces. And no - they are not related.

Wow Scarlet, you look smaller, did you lose weight? No? Well, your fur is a bit mangy looking, did you just get liberated from a torture camp? No? Hmmmm, I can't figure out why you look different......did you have some work done? Of course, no, you would never admit to that. Come on, what did you change? Oh really.....uh uh, really..........well, that explains a lot. I promise you, I will get Jeff a set of guards for the clippers. No no, you look fine, you look good. I'm sure no one will notice. It's only hair, it will grow back. Don't cry.




Creeeeeeepy!

Abbreviated Backpacking Trip

Well we tried to go backpacking over Spring break, but the weather did not cooperate. This is a picture of Sean after the group decided to cut the trip short, after we woke up to 36 degree temperatures and Rain Showers. But we did have a half a day of Hiking without backs and a good night at Big Meadows Campground.












Here is a picture from our hike on Thursday afternoon. You will notice that Spring had not sprung at 3000 ft. There were no leave or blossoms on the trees yet. And there were no herds of deer in Bid Meadow, like there is usually. On this day temperatures were in the high 50's and sunny, and there were no bugs out to bite you. Too bad those conditions did not persist.

Who's Thirsty?

Jeff just bottled his latest brew, so come on over if you'd like to imbibe. Beer making - what a GREAT hobby!

PS pretend you don't notice his shoes

Beef Short Ribs

Let me start by saying that I am not a meat lover. I am perfectly happy eating vegetables and meat substitutes most of the time. When I do decide to eat meat it had better be good and I think I stumbled upon the best. (This is what happens when one watches too much Top Chef.) What you see on the plate is: Beef short ribs braised in a vegetable puree and red wine on top of creamy polenta with a side of balsamic roasted asparagus.

The braise recipe was courtesy of Anne Burrell who apparently knows what she's doing. This is some good sh*t - but don't believe me, try it for yourself and if you don't like it, kindly bring me your leftovers.

Martini Party

Okay - first off, this cocktail hour was thrown together at the last minute. We decided to focus on just one drink: the dirty vodka martini, of which my good friend Donna J. supplied the recipe. Also, let me give a shout out to Mr. Chopin for supplying the vodka. If you must know, the evening was a success! Everyone stayed relatively sober and there were no knife fights in the driveway this time - what more could one ask for?

The beauty parlor

I took Scarlet to get a bath, her nails done, and a little bit of fur trimming today. This picture does not do her justice - too bad you can't stick your nose into the photo and smell her - it's good stuff.

Sushi King

Sushi King in Columbia, won Zagats Baltimore's best sushi award 2010 so I tagged along with my cousin Sara to see if was really that good. It was.









We snapped our pictures after we started eating which ruined the nice look of the dishes.



PS don't get the tempura.

Bought a Prius today.

Sara and the duck

Here is Sara posing with the cutest baby shower cake ever. This was her first fondant covered cake and I think she did a wonderful job.

Quack quack. Quack quack.

Jake was home and Sean is 16!!!!

Went to Stoney River for two celebrations: Sean's 16th birthday and Jake's short visit home. Here, we see Jeff, Sean and even Dani.












Here are Kathy, Nan and Jake not posing for the camera.











Jake and Sara looking at something that Jeff is so not interested in.













Why, who is this mysterious, shadowy stranger standing in my doorway? Judging from the outline, it looks to be Jake in his dress blues. There was no time to get the lighting right - he was dashingly dashing out the door as this photo was being taken.

Tree Trimming Party Dec. 4

So, it's not so much fun to decorate the trees without little kids around. So what does one do? One throws a party and forces other people to decorate for them. It was Fran's idea.










Sara and Sara are discussing whether to decorate or not to decorate.












Nan and Scarlet are exhausted.


















Sara is hanging a USMC ornament in honor of Jake.












Here is an extreme closeup. Hey, how did the incredible hulk get back there?

















Jake, this is for you. Enron all the way.



















I was so happy that Valerie came over with her bunch (bearing gifts!). They were a tremendous help with both trees. They actually did most of the work along with Nan.










Miss Ellie....

Miss Sylvia....

and Miss Julie....Thanks to you all!!!

Jeff SO did not want his picture taken.

I tried to find a picture of Mom-mom without a wine glass in her hand. It couldn't be done. Nan is still exhausted.

It was a great little party. Who's coming back on Dec. 26th to help me pack it all away???? Anyone??

Is your cat on drugs?

Again with the crappy camera.

If you look very closely you can see white powder on the right side of Tangle's face starting at her nose - what could it be? She has lost a bit of weight lately. Should I be worried?

New Front Walk

Ta-Da!!! Jeff put in a front walk - He said it's the first and last he'll ever do. Famous last words. Of course he did a terrific job.

Here's the view from the street side.










Here's the view from the house side.














And here's a view from the side side.

Wedding Cake

Hey, look at this beach themed wedding cake. Just look at it. Thank you for your cooperation.

OC 2010

After we got back from the West, we went straight to OC for a long weekend. Jake finally got to spend some fun time with Sara. They are cute together - can I say that? I just did!










Here is a bunch of our crew just laying around. We did a lot of people watching that day - I wonder if anyone was watching us?












Okay, yes - people were watching us. I know this because who wouldn't watch a grown man get a MANicure and pedicure. He was a good sport and let the girls do each nail a different color. He so craaaaazy.

Summer 2010

While we were in CA visiting Jake for his graduation, we took a day and went to Old Town San Diego. Here are Sean and Jeff posing in front of, maybe, a Post Office or something. Posing is the thing they like to do.















This is my favorite picture. Sean spotted these very large, green beetles eating their full of rotten fruit. It doesn't get any better than this.











We got to walk around an old house/yard where some important person once lived. I guess this was his outdoor stove. Maybe the servants cooked his very expensive dinners here. Who knows - who cares?











I suppose this is where the very important home owner would eat important meals with important guests. Usually I love history and old timey ways, but this is just......yawn......sorry.









Sean is gazing at this fountain, probably wondering when we were going to get him the hell out of there.


















This is the sign that sucks you in and makes you think you will see something interesting. Don't believe it!