Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A great night for grillin'

There's nothing like a beautiful 75 degree evening to grill a fabulous dinner you know your family will love!  While out there, I noticed how beautiful my flowers are doing!  The sun did them a lot of good this summer, and now, they're loving these cooler days with some fresh rain. 
                                                 

We ate our yummy dinner: grilled italian lime chicken with cucumber-mango salsa and parsley potatoes.  So fresh.  Mmmm.
Makes me hungry all over again. 



And can I just say, after a LOOOOONG day back at school, prepping/making dinner, doing homework with the kids, and helping with shower night...I often wonder...how does Michele Dugger do it? 

Phew. 

Saturday, August 27, 2011

"The Picture"

So, there were 21 of us on our wonderful family beach trip this summer, to celebrate my in-laws 50th anniversary.  It was a spectacular week! 

There was MUCH talk, in the months prior to the trip, regarding 'photo attire.'  There were COUNTless e-mails back and forth and forth and back about what to wear....you can imagine, I'm sure!  My mother-in-law finally decided on the color scheme. 

After I placed my on-line order of the picture, I realized I ordered the wrong size.  8X10 is NOT what I wanted.  But it all actually turned out quite well!  I had this beautiful frame that I bought at a yard sale for 25 cents.  I had sprayed it white, and as always, left it empty for months.  It was propped against a mirror...just hangin' out.  Here it is framed:
(you can also see the book wreath I made and the wonderful hoosier cabinet top I found at a sale)

                           I love the detail of the frame.  Perfect for a beach photo, if you ask me! 

   So there you have it.  An on-line order mistake...turned perfect!

Cool art.

I love silhouettes.  We have one of Chris when he was young..probably around age 5...  I'm not sure why we don't have any others, considering they were fairly popular back in the 70's.  I remember my mom having a few as well of her family.  Small ones.

I saw this on a blog and thought it was VERY cool!  Somewhat of a retro spin on "silhouetting."  What do you think?




I have this wall of frames going up my stairs.  All the frames were empty for a very long time...I actually like them empty.  It's "art" in itself really.  But then I got tired of the 'blankness' and added some scrapbooking paper.  Here's what I came up with:

                                                                       (see Chris' littel head in there?...circa 1973'ish)

So I was pretty proud of my wall.  My mom, on the other hand HATES it.  It was quite apparent when she looked at it and said, "Ah.  Oh.  Ok."  My plan is it use some of the architectual photos I took in Fells Point and add them to some frames...
(this is a section of a beautiful gate)
(this is a carved embellishment on the side of a very ornate church)

 along with some family B&W's.  And now...maybe silhouettes in there too! 

What do you think?  I'll keep you posted on it's progress. 
...may be a while!! 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

school.

School.  It's that inevitable thing that haunts me, come August. Working in a school and being married to a school teacher and having 2 kids that are school-aged makes summers wonderful...and the weeks leading up to the first day of school challenging!  We've had such a fabulous summer.  Yes, I've had my fill of "Mom!  I'm bored!"  But when I look at the summer as a whole...it was fantastic. 

My kids attend the school where I work.  I think the school is great.  It's got much to offer...the latest in technology...a fabulous gym...a library that's filled to the brim...and fanTASTIC teachers!  Our town has felt the need to close many of the small schools...and build these crazy-big "elementary centers" with 500 kids per school.  It's a LOT!!  Bigger school = Bigger problems.  Naturally.  I can't say I agree with larger elementary schools.  But honestly, I'm really getting tired ... TIRED ... of all the complaints from parents/friends who's kids attend the school as well.  This past school year, our school didn't pass the state test requirements.  Does this mean the teachers are bad teachers and not doing their job?  NO!  But there are many people pulling their kids out of the school because of it.  There are many ESL kids that attend this school, so of course, there's going to be lower scores.  The kids can't read and understand English as well as their peers.  So duh!  Lower scores result.  It's inevitable!  My feeling?? 
If MY kid is showing progress, then why does it matter that the school as 'a whole' didn't pass?  When I was growing up, there were yearly required tests...but not tests like this.  ~ that 'rate schools' and 'judge schools.'  I really don't like it.  In fact, I despise it. 

So here I sit.  I'm backing my kids' school 100%.  I think it's a great school.  I think some of the parents need a little 'fine tuning on manners.'  But all in all...the kids are great.  And so is the staff.  And they're doing a kick-ass job teaching my children!! 

So here's to a great school year filled with laughter and learning...and hopefully, some new friendships. 

Cheers!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

...a night away...



What can I say?  It was great!  We had such a wonderful time.  We have explored the Baltimore area so often, and have such a good time that we continue to go back...and back...and back! 
We have found that Fells Point is our favorite section of the harbor.  Nothing can beat cobblestone streets and waterfront living.



A dear friend of mine has opened my eyes to the world of photography...not that I'm a great photographer, by any means (!), but I do look at things differently now.  On this trip, I really loved checking out all the architecture of the old buildings. 
Anyone remember the show "Homicide?"  The outside of that building is in Fells Point.  I loved the top of the building (see below)



Reminds me of an old courthouse or library. 
We spent most of the daytime there and had our fill of the 'happy hour scene.'  After checking into the hotel and walking around a bit, Chris decided we should check out Little Italy.  Much to our surprise it was the Annual Italian Festival on the streets of Little Italy!  WHO KNEW?? 

What a great time.  There really wasn't that much to it, but just being in a city...being the minority for a change...chummin' with so many people with different accents/different backgrounds...well, it made me glad to step away from Chambersburg for a bit and get a taste of some cultural diversity.  And boy did we!!!  Can I just say, I hit it off with the ol' italian men!  They loved my "white teeth" and spunk.  (????  I know.  Weird.)  I went up to the booth to get a cup of wine, and they unfortunately were out of white. The ol' guy looked at me and with his Itaian accent said, "ooh...I got somethin' for ya, hon."  He reached down under the booth and grabbed an opened bottle of pinot.  He said it was his own private stash from a party he had earlier. I was a bit skeptical to drink that "hand-me-down wine" for fear he drank from the bottle himself.  But hey...it's alcohol...germs are probably nill to none, right?  He filled my cup, but still had a bit left.  He said, "This is on the house sweetie, since we ran out of the other stuff."  I looked at his bottle, and there was a swig left.  Not enough for another cup ~ so of course, I said, "aw...look at that lil' sip.  You should just give me the bottle!"  ...

and HE DID!!!  bbwwuuuaaahahahahahahahahahahhaa!!!!!!!  Love that guy!! 

We ended the night at an Italian restaurant for dinner, followed by some night-life at The Howl at the Moon...which is a dualing piano bar.  If you've never been to one, add it to the top of your list.  Those dudes can play ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.  It's insane really.  There were wall to wall people and I loved every minute of it. 
I just wish I was a night owl.
Chris wishes I was too! ;)

Monday, August 15, 2011

It's what time??? It's SUSHI time!!!

So...my friend Heidi and I have been talking a lot lately about sushi. My love for it is grand!! Her husband somehow weasels his way into FREE platters of sushi rolls for giving the Japanese restaurant owners a little help with their exercise program...  sounds like a good deal to me!  Heidi's a go-getter.  She called and said, "ok. let's plan our sushi day!" 

so we did...

We followed Rachael Ray's recipe for "Party sushi rolls" which you can find on google. (call me lazy, but I ain't typin' all that!) We followed the recipe directions to a tee. 

Prior to starting, please note: This is NOT one of Rachael Ray's 30-minute meals!! 

There were quite a number of steps, but honestly, if you have the rice ready ahead of time, the process will fly.

Here's the process in a nutshell:

Make rice.

(that's me pouring the rice vinegar/sugar drizzle over the hot rice)


Prepare the innards. (saute the shrimp, roast the asparagus...etc.)


It's good to have a friend to help you.  At one point, it's helpful for her to be on call to help with the "flipping of the nori" and keeping the plastic wrap from flipping too!!

(that's Heidi and me.  Hi Heidi!!  )
(the bamboo mat above has plastic wrap covering it...then the nori...then the rice. After you 'pat' the rice all over the nori, you have to peel the nori off the plastic and FLIP the whole thing.  THAT'S where you need the friend!!!)  ;)


Line up the innards.


Roll...Roll...Roll...


Roll & squeeze...Roll & squeeze...


Ta Daaaaaa!!!! 


After slicing them up, add cilantro, pickled ginger, & wasabi paste



I'm dying here.  I calculated 1 roll, which includes 8 'rounds' to be only about 250 calories. 
C-R-A-Z-Y!! 

LOVE.


Sunday, August 14, 2011

grilled pizza...important addendum...

                                              Remember this?


I have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious tip! 
(thanks mom!)

DO NOT use 2 packages of pizza dough together.  It makes 1 GINORMOUS pizza that's virtually impossible to flip!  Instead, continue to buy 2 packages of pizza dough, but keep them separate.  Roll them into a 10" circle..or about..
This way, you can remove them from the grill and flip them easily with a metal grill spatula...rather than a spatula in each hand, and a very patient assistant to "take it" while you scream at him/her!! 

Happy Grillin'!! 


Virginia Wine Country...

What can I say?? There's nothing better than going on a weekend get-away with 4 of your closest friends. Hubby at home taking care of the kids...no one to worry about but yourself...it's marvelous!!                     
                                 Simply MARvelous!

We went to 7 different wineries around the Charlottesville VA area....I think.  Gee, maybe it was 8.  I was...um...well...enjoying myself so much, that I lost count.  If you go to Virginia and are looking for several wineries within 10 miles of each other...here are a few:

Blenheim (which is Dave Matthews winery that he helped to design and construct) - okay wine. Pretty view and a cool raised deck!

Pollak - good wine! There very briefly...friendly wine dude.  Didn't go out on the porch, but it had fantastic views.  Wish we could've stayed longer.

Afton Mountain - lovely patio to accompany the great cheese, bread, and peach salsa! 

Veritas - cool tour! (thanks Cathy!) If you're looking for a gorgeous place for a wedding reception...look no further!  Beautiful accommodations!

Cardinal Point - can't say I remember this one!!  Woops! 

Pippin Hill Farm - I'd say Veritas and Pippin Hill were equal in loveliness.  You must google search these places!  Again...a perfect setting for a wedding and/or reception!

Sharp Rock - a very laid-back, rustic kind of place.  It's in an old barn with a B&B on the property, consisting of a 2 BR cottage and a 1 BR carriage house, along with the owner's home. 

We had absolute gut-busting laughter, about 95% of the time. 


The other 5%, we were sleeping.

this pic was outside the Blenheim winery

I guess I remember 'most' of the trip!  I'm glad I'm an adult and know what it feels like to have too much to drink.  I think I did a pretty good job knowing my limitations.  But...boy...did I sleep well!

...last day...quick stop at Stone Rock...

I'll post more pics as I get them.  They are all just fabulous!
I'd love to go back for a weekend with Chris...just wish he drank wine!









Tuesday, August 2, 2011

...$10.62 worth of thrifting...

It's been a while since I've had time to go to my favorite, local thrifting spots.  Today was a good day!  I only had about 20 minutes, and I scored big during that time.  Sometimes, it's when I'm in a rush that I find the best things.  You?

For $10.62 I got a leather purse, large ceramic pot, medium ceramic pot, 2 coffee mugs, 2 happy hour glasses, and a gift! 

Check it out!!! 

I've been looking for a brown leather purse forEVER.  I continue to use my one-shoulder black backpack because it's easy, it's light-weight, and it's 'hands free' when I  need it to be.  But you know, sometimes that backpack isn't the look I want. But to spend $80-100 on a leather purse...well...I can't justify that. 

Why are you so excited, you ask?

 Because THIS is the exact size and shape I was looking for.  AND the best part??  It was $3bucks!!  AND it's leather!!!  (uhhh...can I say double-take?)

But that's not all!!  I continued on my way...with a grin on my face, and came across these lovelies...  a celery colored planter pot for my new IKEA plant ~ perfect size and cool shape. 62 cents (yes, 62)...and these cute little (dirty...sorry!) happy hour glasses!  One for me.  One for a friend.  Perfect.  Cute.  25cents.

Makes me want to sing M.C. Hammer's   .....  "Can't touch this..."


And how perfect does that plant fit in the pot? 



So I continued on my way down the street to the next shop.  I know this doesn't look like much of anything, but in person, they're much cuter. 
The pot is for another new houseplant for my kitchen. $3.50
2 IKEA coffee mugs. 25cents each
And a beautifully floral stamped white decorative plate with the cutest little bird on it for a dear friend who wants to add some white plates to her picture wall.  Perfect for her!  $2.50




So yes, all in all, it was a great 20 minutes of shopping!! And what did I spend??  Pennies people!!  Pennies!!