Happy Pie Day

Get it?

I thought it was funny.

Off By A Few Days

We don't really do Valentine's Day, but we are excited about this.  Enjoy!

2017

Here's to a wonderful new year!

We Didn't Forget

Fourth of July in Newport, RI

Pell Bridge

 Just before the fourth of July weekend Darby and I drove up from Norfolk, VA to Newport, RI to visit Jim while he was there for school.

Yes, you never stop learning when you're in the navy.

Pell Bridge & Naval Warfare College

That was a long ten hours in the car with only two stops!  

Darby was a trooper.  She didn't get sick once and handled it like a pro.  I was so proud, since in the past we've had to deal with car sickness.  And she was so happy to see Jim!

She wasn't the only one!  It had been a month since we'd seen him.  So this was a wonderful mini vacation for the pup and I.  Plus a fantastic trial run before we go on a major road trip.

Quality Darby & Jim Time

Jim and I had been in Newport twice before.  The joke is that we always seem to come back to Newport every eight years.

I don't think we'll be back in eight years though.

So we went to a few places that held a place in our hearts.  Of course we went to Del's for a frozen lemonade.  I found that it's sweeter than I remembered, but then again tastebuds do change with time.  We were also able to get an Awful Awful from Newport Creamery.    We got a large Oreo flavored one to share.  At first we thought it would be too much, but by the time we finished it I was seriously thinking I should have gotten my own.

What is an Awful, Awful you ask?  I'm so glad that you asked!

It is a blend of flavored syrup, milk, and a secret frozen ice milk mix.  Awful Awfuls are "Awful big, awful good."  Apparently if you can drink three at one sitting, then the fourth one is free.  Although I don't think I could ever do that.

All in all, it was a GREAT trip.  Relaxing and a wonderful time to just get to spend quality time together.  Plus Darby got to explore new areas, which made her a braver dog.

Halloween

 As most of our friends know, Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday.  Every year we have sat out in our driveway with our neighbor, John, to pass out candy.  Normally there is a tasty concoction that I have brewed up just for the occasion.    In colored plastic cups.

We have done it almost every year we've been in this house.  So that's seven or so Halloweens.

It's been a pretty great tradition.  And the kids that stop by get a decent haul since we're the only two houses that do candy.  One stop, twice the candy.

I use the past tense because this will be our last Halloween in this house for a while.  By this time next year we will be in California.  Hopefully we'll be in a great neighborhood that likes Halloween as much as we do.  It makes me slightly sad though.

We didn't do pumpkins this year.  I just couldn't find the time or the gumption.  It was kind of bittersweet.  We normally carve pumpkins, eat cheap pizza and watch 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'.  I did watch the show, just not the rest of it.

Instead, this year we did it up a bit more.  We grilled.  Had lots of tasty beverages.  Invited friends over.  There were ten adults that night.  Quite the little shin dig don't you think?

And we handed out full size candy bars.  That's right we do it up right at our house.  And I had no candy left by the end of the night.  Does it count that one of my friends 'traded' me a bucket of their fun size candy for five of my full size candy bars?  And I didn't eat any of my candy.  I swear!  Trick or treaters really made out like bandits at our house.  Not only were we giving out full size candy bars, but there were two other adults giving out candy by the handfuls.

Plus we had Edgar Allan Poe's works being read by Vincent Price playing in the background.

All in all, I think it was a pretty successful night.  Especially considering we didn't shut down until midnight even though the trick or treaters were done by eight.  Gotta love a fire pit, good drinks, great friends and fun conversations.

A Christmas Carol

Ticket & Program

So over the Christmas holiday we were able to attend a production of  'A Christmas Carol'.  One of Jim's co-worker's mentioned that his daughter was in it.  Which, by the by, she was wonderful in.

This production was put on by the Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theatre in downtown Norfolk.  It's a wonderful theater just across from the MacArther Mall.  Lovely architecture.  I could have wandered around just checking it out.

It's interesting to see something you've watched on TV numerous times.  Actors want to make each part their own, which I understand.  However, sometimes the timing is a bit off and can make the line you're trying to make your own sound very odd.

Wells Theater Ceiling

And a note to anyone attending a play, when the lights dim and the play begins....

Turn off your FREAKING cell phone!

Not only is it rude to the people around you, it's rude and distracting to the actors.

I didn't pay to hear your obnoxious ring tone go on and on while you dig through your luggage size purse to find your phone.  Yes, that was directed to the obnoxious woman sitting behind us who did this.  Even the people she was with commented on it.

I had to hold in the laugh when I heard, "Really?  You couldn't turn off your freaking phone?"

Other than that it was truly enjoyable and I believe something we will do again!

A Furry Family Wish

Tis the season to be jolly. And from the looks of this photo our pets were tired out from making merry.

From our family to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases!

Veteran's Day

To all of those who have or are serving in the military...

We thank you!

Your sacrifices have NOT gone unnoticed. You are appreciated for all that you do.

And for all the military spouses out there?

Your support is most appreciated.

A Wish From Us To You...

We would like to send out best wishes to all the mom's out there.

Happy Mother's Day!

Santa's Little Helpers?

Have you ever wondered how does Santa know if you've been good or bad throughout the year?

I mean the man can't be everywhere at once.

Can he?

I think I've finally figured this one out though. I think he has animals all over the world keeping tabs on the Naughty and the Nice.

Like this little guy.

He was outside my sliding glass door for about twenty minutes. Peering inside to see how the other half lives.

Didn't even flinch when I walked by the door. And he could have cared less when I walked up to the door to take his photo.

Brazen little guy. The one thing that did scare him? My dog in a desperate need to go outside. But then again I think there's a good reason to fear a dog.

Although I not so sure that he's the best of spies. I mean I did notice him. Guess he'll have to be retired. LOL

He sure was cute though.

Fine Already!

So apparently the thought of me not having a tree up this year has put many a friend in a tizzy. My bff actually went out and bought me a tree for this year. So to put your minds at ease I'm posting a picture of my tree. And yes there are now presents under this tree.

Bah Humbug!

I think I've become Scrooge. As everyone else is putting up their trees I've been sort of avoiding the holiday.

I'm not putting up a Christmas tree this year, so here's my nod to the holiday. I got trees painted on my toes.

I'll be sending out my Christmas cards and presents, but will not be decking my halls. Here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Our New Year's Eve

So for our New Year's Eve celebration we decided to make a tri tip roast for dinner this time around. I know my picture isn't the best. My batteries were low and I couldn't use my flash. We got the idea from a friend who makes them and found a recipe on the web.
We served it with Ingleside's Special Reserev Petit Verdot. Which is so good!

So good in fact that our buddy, Greta, drank it. And she's not a big wine drinker.

We barely made it to midnight. And switched from the Three Stooges marathon to watch the ball drop.

A side note: In my opinion I think Dick Clark needs to step away from the limelight. I'd like to remember you in a better light than the one I saw. He screwed up the count down for goodness sake.

The Season Has Begun

I know we are inundated with Christmas before December gets here. I think I've actually been trying to ignore it this year for some reason. But now I can't, because my brother-in-law has done this.

Good job Phillip!

-Michelle

Thanksgiving

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It seems like only yesterday we had just bought our home and moved in. And here were are a year later. Where does the time go?

So many things have happened this past year and there are so many things to be thankful for.

Of course I'm thankful for my hubby, my home, my family and my health. And I'm truly thankful for my friends. I couldn't do a post without a picture so I thought I'd put my 'babies' up on the blog.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. And know there are many things to be thankful for. I hope you can find at least one.

-Michelle

Goodbye 2008 Welcome New Year

Since this will probably be the last posting I do on the blog for this year I thought I'd bring a good chunk of our family to bid 2008 a fond farewell.

         

                                   

          

 
                                    

From Pumpkin, Princess, Kaiser, Kyla, Commander Poo Poo, and the two humans allowed to share their space, we hope you all have a happy new year!

-Michelle

P.S.  The photos are fresh.  I just took them yesterday with my iPhone.  ;-)

Christmas Carols

'Tis the season to be jolly.

Since before Thanksgiving there's been a radio station that's been playing Christmas music 24/7.  I guess they've been trying to get everyone in the Holiday spirit a little early.  

It got me to thinking.  Your music tastes change as you grow.  

One of my favorite Christmas carols as a young child was 'Joy To The World'.  Could be the influence of the Lutheran school I attended as a youngster.  But what child can't start smiling at the boisterous chorus?  Of course I liked the normal fun Christmas songs, but that song really sticks out for me.

As a teenager I was in our church choir.  I remember trading off midnight services and morning services with some of the other choirs that the church had.  Sadly that choir is no longer in existence.  The choir director has passed on.  But one of my favorites to sing was 'Silent Night'.  Sometimes we even sang it in German.  And for some reason even singing 'Stille Nacht' gave me chills.

As an adult I'm not as active in the church thing.  I still love the same songs that I did as a child and teenager.  They still give me shivers.  Though I've noticed as of late that 'Santa Baby' seems to catch me every time I turn on the radio.  I always thought it was sung by Cyndi Lauper, but apparently it was sung by Madonna.  Also 'I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas'.  Something about the song makes me smile.

So what's you're favorite Christmas song?  Religious or secular.

-Michelle

It's The Great Pumpkins

Okay so I'm a bit late on this.  Things got a bit hectic and I got side tracked.  Such is life.  So for those of you who mentioned that you wanted to see the pumpkins, here they are.

Everyone who knows us knows that we always carve jack-o-lanterns for Halloween.  And this year was no different.

As you can see Jim carved the relatively same pattern that he does every year.  The Black Pearl.  That doesn't mean that I'm not going to post the picture.  His is the only pumpkin that survived to be displayed on Halloween eve.  Even if I did have to use some toothpicks to help it stay alive.  Sadly we had someone smash our pumpkin after the trick or treaters were done.  Jim says that kids will be kids, but that's for another story.

I did one called Fraidy Cat.  I wasn't really in the mood to carve jack-o-lanterns this year.  And this was the easiest pattern to do.  Sadly it didn't last to seen Halloween Eve.  And we actually carved our pumpkins the night before Halloween.  Isn't that sad?  I thought a cat pumpkin was very appropriate for the year I've had.  Luckily I got photos before my pumpkin bit the dust the next day.  

Kyla and Pumpkin were both interested in the jack-o-lanterns when I lit them up for the photos.  In fact each picture took a little longer than normal because I had some very curious kitties that kept getting in the way.  

And yest this year we only did two pumpkins.  Maybe next year we'll do more.