December 29, 2008

This blog was not created to rant and rave about life and the little roadbumps we encounter. However, after thinking about this for a few days, I'm going to rant and maybe rave, as well.

Don't you just love our media. It's not just in the Dallas area, it's all over the country. Our weather forecasters have become alarmists out only to get ratings. Over the last few years, the term "wintry mix" has been used frequently. It's a delightful little term but when used by the "meteorologists," you'd think the Ice Age was about to return. "If you don't HAVE to go out, don't." I'm retired so I don't have to go out but last year when I DID have to go out, I did. I worked less than 15 miles from my house. If using the North Dallas Tollway, I would go over 10 to 20 overpasses [we call it terrain change]. There is, however, an access road that stays close to the ground - which I used successfully every time. Wintry mix, my foot! Okay, higher.

So, that was annoying enough. The other day, Friday or Saturday, we had wind - gusty wind - but it was warmish. Not tornadic winds, just wind. Our local ABC affiliate had a "reporter" on the scene OUTSIDE, mind you, who said: "Dozens of leaves" have been blown around. Dozens of leaves! Can you just imagine the fear she must have instilled in North Texans! So, I stepped out to our back courtyard and took this shot of probably more than dozens of leaves.



It was very scary but thank God and Greyhound, we survived. Now, that felt good. I may rant or even rave more often.

Happy New Year! Stay safe.

Post Christmas 2008

I sure hate to post without a photograph but here I go.

Christmas has come and gone. Christmas Eve is when Jay, Steve and I got together. We had a wonderful [if I may say so myself] meal of chateaubriand, twice baked potatoes and broccoli after a lively appetizer of shrimp cocktail. Jay handled the dessert of CC Brown's Hot Fudge Sundae. I'd been baking all day and when I picked up my KitchenAid Mixer, I felt a little twinge in my lower back. Wine and champagne seemed to alleviate pain on the Eve, but on the Day and day after, I took to the heating pad and meds. Watched a couple of movies and nodded most of those days.

Alas, the dawn broke on this fine day with just a little pain. To celebrate, Jay took me to Grand Lux for brunch. I had a terribly mediocre Eggs Benedict. What a shame! Cafe Eden serves such a wonderful brunch but not on Saturday. I don't think I'll be recommending Grand Lux for brunch any longer. Denney's is better for breakfast and one doesn't have to put up with an overaged, overly energetic and loud talking server who thinks she's 25!!! Oh, yeah, our wait person was a pain at Grand Lux and we've had her before and have been known to leave. She also has a loud screechy mid-western accent as well. Maybe that's why the Eggs Benedict were not good.

I hated the back issue. Danielle and I had planned on lunch at Loft 610 and a movie on Friday but I was afraid I'd get physically stuck. We're going to try again next week. No more baking for me unless Jay gets the mixer up.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. More soon - with photographs - I promise.

Nearly Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All.

Not too much has been happening. Last Sunday, December 14th, four-fifths of the Baguettes had brunch at Eden on Lovers Lane in Dallas. WOW. It was terrific. Danielle had been there before but not for brunch. It's been hyped as having the best brunch menu in Dallas - YES IT DOES. Three of us had the Eggs Benedict [awfully terrific] and one had a made-to-order omelet [she said it was FAB]. The food was perfectly prepared and our server, Cameron, was absolutely THE BEST. It's a BYOB establishment and that's definitely NOT a problem. We will definitely return.

On Friday, the 19th, I had lunch with my former boss, Monica Velazquez, at Loft 610 in Plano, right on the Frisco border. Monica had been there before and really liked it. She knows her stuff - it was terrific. I had a smoked turkey reuben which was wonderful. The side was a mix of regular and sweet potato french fries - great. The only addition I can think of is to add an aioli dipping sauce for the fries. The Alchemist in Waterbury Center, Vermont ranks high on the dipping sauces. [Thanks to Steve, my son. He's younger and has a better memory and has also been to the Alchemist more than I.] The Executive Operating Partner, Chad Holland [originally frolm Upsate New York] gifted us with a dessert of white chocolate bread pudding which was pretty darn fantabulous. They're not open for lunch/brunch on weekends but definitely deserve a visit.

Tomorrow will be devoted to cookie baking - oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip cookies. I've already got a batch of burbon balls in the refrigerator [which are ripe and ready].

Oh, and last Sunday, I saw MILK and can't recommend it highly enough. Sean Penn BECAME Harvey Milk. Emile Hirsch was superb and Josh Brolin was the evil Dan White. Terrific film

Saw The Dark Knight the other night - 3/4ths of it was wonderful but it appears they just didn't know how to pull it all together at the end. Heath Ledger was a huge loss and will be missed. He was a wonderful Joker.

Tomorrow, I'm going to see Austrailia. I've heard it's not all that spectacular but I truly want to see it anyway.

I have 30 pages of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle to finish. I could have finished it last night but am so afraid Edgar's going to die and I don't want him to. Probably one of the most beatifully written novels I've ever read.

So, stop by in the next few days for fresh Christmas cookies and perhaps a glass of the nog or the grape.

In any case, have a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or Holidays.

Peace and Love to All.

Thanksgiving 2008

Well, we've done it! Survived another Food Fest! It was just Jay, Steve and me, but there sure was enough food - and then some! I found a recipe for this carrot cake on Allrecipes.com and must say it was mighty tasty. Steve, who loves carrot cake, gave it a thumbs up.



These potatoes were put to good use. The mashed potatoes might have been the best I have ever made. I think the half and half along with the sour cream did the trick! The sweet potato was grated and sauteed in olive oil and garlic. Tasty. Steve made his chipotle sweet potatoes with adobo sauce - spicy and yummy.



Jay was just thrilled at the Cowboy victory over Seattle!



I got a new digital SLR camera and tested using available light on Steve. He also got a new digital SLR [thanks Mom-Mom] but it's way too complicated for me! He takes really great pictures but leaves the people pictures for me!



Alex sampled the pate, mashed potatoes, stuffing and turkey and seemed to like them all. She's a terrific dog but certainly has a mind of her own.

In the next several weeks/months, I'm going to be taking random pictures in order to learn my camera so be patient, please. I will be using all sorts of settings on my camera and taking all sorts of shots.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Feast. Now get out there and stimulate our economy! Buy, bye!

November 19, 2008

Okay, I just wanted to see if anyone was reading. Today was an absolute BLAST. Yep, I woke up. Waking up is always good. I'm NOT looking forward to the day I don't wake up.

Vicki drove Ginger to JFK Airport so that Ginger could visit family. THEN, Vicki took her car to Bob's brother's body shop. I went to Bally's and took a Silver Sneakers class. My butt hurts.

THEN, and hold on, I got my hair trimmed - just trimmed.

THEN, I bought a few things for dinner.

Thats it. No pictures. Nothing really.

But please stay tuned as it might change and I might do something FUN.

Halloween Weekend 2008

To all my diehard fans [okay, maybe 3], I have finally gotten to the task of completing this part of my blog.

I got back to Dallas on Monday night and must have caught a bug on the plane. No details; suffice to say, I was down for the count for a day and a half. Then, on Thursday, I had a wisdom tooth extracted. No pain whatsoever during the procedure and a few hours later I took 2 Aleve and have been dandy ever since.

Vicki and I spent Thursday to Sunday in Seekonk, Mass. The weather was glorious [no scenery shots - sorry Steve] and we had a wonderful time.

Grandma Dina woke Josh up and he's excited about his First Halloween [poetic license, here].




Grandma Vicki got him dressed but he's too excited.



Mommy gets Josh ready for his pre-costume bath.



Josh learned in Vermont that splashing is very much fun.



Josh just can sit still. he wants to be Tigger.

And here they are: Tigger Josh and Doctor Laura.

Titi Mary stopped by and tried to talk Josh into another costume but failed.

Here is Doctor Laura in her pre-surgical attire. She looked adorable and had a real stethescope.

So that ends my 2008 trip to the Northeast. I hated to leave as Dallas is so far away from Vicki, Jim and the Seekonk crowd.

I don't know when there will be another trip, but stop back from time to time to see. I may even post a trip to Central Market - complete with pictures!

October 29, 2008 Wednesday

It's Wednesday and we're going to have my sister Kathy and her fella, Jimmy, over for dinner so we're off to shop. Also, we have to prepare for our trip to Seekonk tomorrow.

We shop and lunch at a local diner and Vicki puts together a WONDERFUL sauce/gravy with meatballs and sausage. It's an extra huge pot so we'll take the rest to Seekonk.

I think I've mentioned a street in Hackensack that goes ALL OUT for Halloween. In fact, at night during this week, the street is closed to all but foot traffic. While I was out there today walking the street, a group of school children were on tour with teachers and aides. This is some street! Following you will find just a few of the over the top houses!

Vicki said this street has been doing this for years. Of course, there are homes all over the area that are decked out for Halloween. I've not been here for Christmas since Steve was in college so I don't know the type of decorating they do for that holiday. Maybe in a year or two. . . or maybe I can get Vicki to make a contribution to my blog???

So tomorrow we got to Seekonk. Pictures will follow but not until Sunday as Carol isn't wireless yet. Stay tuned and I promise you will see pictures of the MOST beautiful children ever!!

Nite.

October 27, 2008 - Monday

Here we are on Monday. Just one more week to go before I have to leave! Today, Vicki and I did some more running around which included a trip to Ridgewood to visit La Casita, a shop where Susan Bogard works. Susan makes beautiful jewelry and items are included in the store windows. And yes, I bought some clothes. After all, there's no sales tax on clothes so I'm actually saving money. PLUS Susan gave me a "friends and family" discount. I really should go back and save more money!!! Really nice clothes and, of course, her beautiful jewelry.

We also stopped in Bloomingdales!

On Sunday, we had Rocky and Lorraine Gelok and Ginger Hoey for a lovely fall dinner. We really had such a good time. Saturday, it was windy and rainy and it was as if the sky was cleaned. It was just beautiful. However, all the leaves are now in the driveway and on the lawn. Rocky and Lorraine lived next to my Mother since 1959. I babysat for their two oldest boys while I still lived at home and Vicki sat for all three.

Anyway, when Steve was here and we were at Total Wine & More, he found Smutty Nose IPA. We were shocked to discover that one of the men on the label looks just like our stepfather, Neil Markley. Now, back in 1959, all the neighbors on Arnot Place were good friends, but soon Neil [being the oldest] became grumpy and used to yell at all the kids, especially Rocky and Lorraine's three boys. The friendship between Neil and Rocky fell apart but as you can guess, they are still our dear, dear friends. In any case, on Sunday, I asked Rocky if he wanted a bottle of beer and presented him with the Smutty Nose IPA. He could hardly believe his eyes and got quite the kick out of the label.



Here is the formal picture of Laura and Josh that Matt and Carol had made in August. I'll get mine when we got to Seekonk on Thursday but just in case . . . They are extremely adorable kiddos.

We're going to walk over the Clinton Avenue tomorrow and I'll take pictures. The street is now blocked off to car traffic - just pedestrians. I've never seen so many Halloween decorations!

Ciao for now.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Not much has been going on. On Monday, we did laundry and rested from our Vermont trip.

On Tuesday, we shopped [I returned a sweater - Vicki bought a few outfits for Laura], had lunch and saw The Secret Life of Bees. We really enjoyed the movie. I highly recommend it to you ladies.

On Wednesday, we tried to find the Orvis store but it moved and there was no note. I might have to Google it. I caught a cold so we headed to the drug store [I know, it's exciting] and then home for soup.

Regent Care [where my mother was] has a birthday party once a month for all the birthdays in that month. Tuesday was the October Birthdays celebration. Regent Care is a very nice place. Lorraine's mother, Mary, has been there for over a year and a half. The third floor is for rehabilitation from injuries/strokes and Mom was there for all but 2 days. The fourth floor is for the residents who don't want to be a burden on their families or who have Alzheimer's Disease. The entrance was decorated for Fall and looked lovely.



The residents were eagerly awaiting the entertainment and cake, of course. That's Mary looking at the camera. She was 95 years old in August. The lady in red is a resident and the lady in white, as well. The little lady in blue is Mrs. Patterson who was Mary's neighbor for 58 years. She looks like a sweet little old lady, but don't let that fool you. She's a PIP and cusses like a sailor. In fact, she displayed her ability to curse in Italian. She's quite fond of the F-bomb.



These two men, who are part of a Reggae Band currently playing in The City, entertained for over an hour. Vicki and I really enjoy them. They used to play at The Crow's Nest, a local restaurant, and they play quite often at Regent Care. They are very nice young men.



There were about 50-55 folks in the room, only 3 of which were male. The ladies sang along and there was much toe-tapping.



Here is the lead singer getting ready to pack up and head to The City for tonight's gig.



Lorraine, Mrs. Patterson, Vicki and I left at the same time, so I had to snap this photo. Lorraine is nicest person you'll ever meet. She left sauce, sausage and meatballs on Vicki's porch which we ate for dinner. YUM.

I think today will be a "stay home" day as my nose is runny and now Vicki is sneezing. We have a couple of movies to watch and I think that's what we need to do. We were going to go to Wurtzboro, NY for the memorial services of Christine's mother on Friday morning, but it's nearly 2 hours away and starts at 9am. Neither one of us feels like getting up at 5am to drive to a place we don't know how to get to, so we decided not to go. Christine will understand.

More in a day or two. Be well.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Before I start, I must make a correction. Pat's last soccer game played on Saturday was won by a score of 4-0. I want to be sure you are made aware of his sportability! He's terrific!



It's Sunday and our last day in Vermont. These two little angels popped over to our room bright and early. I was ready for them and while Vicki got ready, I was the entertainment. They're just adorable - but I repeat myself.







We all meet for breakfast at the hotel and then congregate in the lobby to wait for Jim and his family. Carol and Laura cuddle up with a rather large Green Mountain Bear!





Laura chats up one of her cousins at fireside . . .





and then hopes this sleigh will be filled with goodies from Santa in a few months.





Steve left for Pittsburgh to visit friends and Vicki and I left for home. Matt and Carol and kids were to head back to Seekonk as well.



On our way home, we decided to take it easy and stopped to take in a view or two. Vermont really is quite beautiful and everyone looks so healthy.

So, our days in Vermont were spent with loved ones and it's a bit hard to leave this place and our wonderful family. BUT, in two weeks, Vicki and I are heading up to Seekonk, Mass to visit Matt, Carol and the kids. And just to whet your appetite for more photos of those sweet babies, here's Josh saying goodbye. Love those eyes!

I probably won't post for a few days as we're going to chill, see a movie and walk/exercise. You know what that looks like.

Ciao for now.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

What an absolutely perfect Vermont day! Vicki and I were awakened around 7pm by Laura and Josh. Here he is with Mom Carol. Josh is the most even-tempered, happy, cuddly and adorable little boy I've seen in about 40 years! And Carol is Earth Mother Extraordinare! She makes all his food. Of course, right now it's only rice cereal and mashed bananas but she did it all for Laura and Laura's BRILLIANT! Just ask her!



Today was the first hard frost Waterbury has seen this season. The cars in the lot were covered in frost and it was a nippy 34. However, the sun was shining and no need of a coat - just a sweater. We wanted to see snow on the mountain tops but not just yet. Dang.

We all met at McCarthy's in Stowe for breakfast. Great food. I had a Belgian waffle, two eggs over easy, one slice of bacon and a sausage link. Josh ate an entire banana and loved every bite. Pat couldn't join us as he had PSATs and a soccer game.

After our hearty breakfasts, Jim, Sue and Steve went off to watch Pat play soccer. Matt took Laura and Josh for a car ride to put them to sleep. Vicki, Carol, Chris and I shopped for cheese, dessert and ingredients for the dinner Chris is going to prepare for us.

Around 2, we met back at the hotel and Matt and Carol took Laura and Josh for a swim. It was Josh's first encounter with a pool and he loved splashing himself in the face. Here's Matt and Laura.

And here's the beautiful Giuseffi family: Josh, Carol, Matt and Laura [with her cheesey smile].

They enjoyed the pool while Vicki, Chris and I headed up the mountain to Jim and Sue's home to prepare our dinner. Vicki made fabulous stuffed mushrooms; I prepped for Chris; Chris prepared a pasta dish with shrimp, scallops, basil, GARLIC, wine, butter and love. It was terrific. Jim tries to get the water to boil faster for the pasta, but we all know a watched pot . . .

While we enjoyed Chris' wonderful meal, Josh ate rice cereal!

We played for a little while after dinner and Laura found a hat. Have you ever seen a more beautiful little girl? I think not.

And what about Mom Carol? And Handsome Josh? They're just beautiful - Josh, Carol and Laura.

Chris has a gig tonight at an art show in Waterbury Center. It was an extremely eclectic mix of art and people, to say the least. Very hippy dippy. Here Sue, Steve, Josh and Matt enjoy a moment of laughter, while Laura is off dancing.

The music was great. That's Chris on drums. The gal singing [not pictured] was very good - very Norah Jones-like.

I was holding Josh for a while and decided to join others who were sitting on the floor as Josh is no lightweight. Somehow my legs were turned into a train with Josh, Bella and Laura wearing me out. Bella and Tatiana took Laura under their wings and Laura had a ball.

We then went back to the house for maple pecan pie and pumpkin pie. Laura, being the charmer that she is, talked Sue into reading her yet another story. Sue, being the lovely lady that she is, obliged.

We ate the pies, drank coffee and continued to have a wonderful time. Oh, and by the way, Pat's team won the soccer game today by a score of 4-1, with Pat having an assist. It was his last game of the season. Steve said it was a terrific game with wonderful weather, as long as you were in the sun. Here's Pat as his computer.

After such a long day, we're all pretty bushed - especially Josh who is taking another power nap, this time on his Grandma, who wouldn't have it any other way.

Much as we hate to call this evening to an end, children must be put to bed. So, we make ready to head back to the hotel. Here is Steven trying to make an even cheesier smile than Laura makes.

Again, this Old Gal is whipped. I love playing with the kids but it's really hard work. God Bless Carol and Matt for doing such a terrific job with those Little Angels.

So, nite nite for now. We leave Vermont tomorrow and it's going to be hard saying goodbye to the family. I am, however, so very grateful and fortunate to have such a wonderful bunch of relatives/family/kinfolk. Whatever you call them, they are much loved by me.