We all showed up at 9:00am. Coffee was hot, assorted donuts filled two boxes. Brooms, shovels, garbage bags and gloves were for the borrowing. Weeds were abundant.
It was a perfect family day out. Olivia was attached to her ipod, Rush waved to friends he saw passing by, Fred filled 3 garbage bags of weeds and I found myself where ever I was needed, frequently reminding Olivia which was a weed, which a perennial.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
lake afton lot
I told Fred we needed to get there early, I wanted to make sure we had a parking spot. He laughed, not thinking anyone else would show up that early. I was delighted to see they had!
Friday, May 30, 2008
fred enters his green phase
I never thought he would sell his beloved 8mpg pick up truck, but he did. Last night he traded it in for a mini cooper and got his first (in his life) speeding ticket, on the way home from the dealership.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
baby goose for a night
Neither goose nor I slept well last night, he went to the rehabilitation center early this morning. Cost me $22. Good luck little goose.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
parade watching from Starbucks
This couple decided to avoid the crowds and view the parade from Starbucks. Fred and I joined in about 10 before the parade ended and found the seats along the window on the other side empty. It was nice and cool inside.
I guess it would have been rude to tap on the glass from our seats at the counter and tell the folks on the sidewalk to move a little to the right?
I guess it would have been rude to tap on the glass from our seats at the counter and tell the folks on the sidewalk to move a little to the right?
Monday, May 26, 2008
vermont capitol
Fred and the kids were so happy to have me home. This 5 day visit to see my mom and sister was the longest time I've been away from home. If the flowers and hugs upon my return were any indication of how much I was missed, I'd say my job as mom and wife is pretty secure.
espresso
I had a wonderful visit in Vermont. I'm just catching up, but I'll add some photos and stories in the next day.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
old coin bracelet
On Sunday, Fred gave me an old bracelet made of coins. It's been fun to study each daydreaming of European travel in the 1930s.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
lilac bush
ahh finally these four skinny lilac bushes planted three years ago are showing what they've got.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
gardening--my mother's day gift
For mother's day the kids and Fred worked in the garden all morning through early afternoon, weeding and getting the granite blocks over to the far side of the garden where my new berry garden will be.
birthday
I had the best birthday/mother's day weekend. Fred and the kids do it right. Even when my birthday and mother's day fall on the same Sunday, I still get two cakes, two sets of cards and the gifts are specifically designated as either birthday or mother's day.
This year we broke tradition and didn't get our cake from Cramer's bakery as a good Yardley resident must do, but we tried a new German bakery the next town over, and feasted on the German chocolate cake. The Sunday cake was cheesecake and I'm still to full to even try it yet!
This year we broke tradition and didn't get our cake from Cramer's bakery as a good Yardley resident must do, but we tried a new German bakery the next town over, and feasted on the German chocolate cake. The Sunday cake was cheesecake and I'm still to full to even try it yet!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
porch of rose hall inn
Roses everywhere, the motif nearly overdone from carpet to soap wrappers, wallpaper to the silver napkin rings at breakfast. It was the second day after a really good sleep before I made the connection and asked Fred the name of the place he had booked.
The odd thing, there wasn't a single rose bush in the garden, or living rose flower to be found. We had sweet tea on the porch in the most leisurely fashion and Fred smoked his bi-annual cigar. I can't wait to go back.
At our second breakfast we learned that our room, with the three small windows facing the street was where Charles Frazier spend two years writing Cold Mountain.
The odd thing, there wasn't a single rose bush in the garden, or living rose flower to be found. We had sweet tea on the porch in the most leisurely fashion and Fred smoked his bi-annual cigar. I can't wait to go back.
At our second breakfast we learned that our room, with the three small windows facing the street was where Charles Frazier spend two years writing Cold Mountain.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
shooting blind
Oh I wish I could get a straight answer to a straight question when I need it. It should have been easy enough. Rush was invited to his first Bar Mitzvah, I know the parents well enough. What I don't know are the gift customs for this Jewish celebration, but I'm quite certain it's possible to do things wrong, very wrong. So I figure a phone call will answer my question.
So I call, hoping Stephanie answers the phone. "Hello?" (not Stephanie) :"Hi Peter, this is Val, Rush's mom, maybe you can answer my question". I heem and haw and finally blurt it out--but it doesn't go exactly as I expect. He politely leaves me with no answers just that Stephanie will call me back. Then I beg that he forgets I called, no reason to get Stephanie involved (and likely go through the same thing)
Now if someone, who didn't have such answers, called and asked me what someone should bring to a standard Methodist-
Mormon-Southern Baptist home birthday party for a teenager. I could answer that question. A $20. bill. All the kids do it, cards are optional. But do it wrong, and bring a gift or gift-card, and it will be noticed. That's easy, ask and I'll tell you the way it is.
I don't really care what the 'answer' is, just give me a hint, and all will be good.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
palmetto candy and tobacco
I love the name of this old shop "Palmetto Candy and Tobacco". I guess some things just go together. The interior did not dissappoint.
Fred found some type of package pork rind, between the pickeled pig's feet and candied toffees, so he was happy in boyhood memories. I passed on all, but sure enjoyed the humor of a shop you'd never imagine opening today.
Fred found some type of package pork rind, between the pickeled pig's feet and candied toffees, so he was happy in boyhood memories. I passed on all, but sure enjoyed the humor of a shop you'd never imagine opening today.
home coming
Nine years was too long to be away, I know that now. The years passed so quickly.
My mother-in-law Nell, 90, is a strong woman, widowed in 1960, never remarried, never relocated, independant and not outwardly emotional. When she went for the brief, awkward embrace of Fred, her middle child, I saw tears in her eyes--which she quickly wiped away and laughed off before inviting us inside.
My mother-in-law Nell, 90, is a strong woman, widowed in 1960, never remarried, never relocated, independant and not outwardly emotional. When she went for the brief, awkward embrace of Fred, her middle child, I saw tears in her eyes--which she quickly wiped away and laughed off before inviting us inside.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
self
It was one of those perfect Saturday mornings. We found the local Starbucks and with nothing on our agenda for several hours, that non-travel day following such a restful night's sleep, we found our seats by the window and sunk into the big red chairs.
No distractions from kids, no Internet, no Blackberry, no cell phones-- we relaxed fully in body and soul. Guilt-free from things we should be doing, but weren't--and told each other stories and wishes we'd somehow never told before.
No distractions from kids, no Internet, no Blackberry, no cell phones-- we relaxed fully in body and soul. Guilt-free from things we should be doing, but weren't--and told each other stories and wishes we'd somehow never told before.
Monday, May 05, 2008
blackberries
I found this bowl in an antique shop this weekend and knew it belonged in my photo studio holding small fruits. The only trouble was the shop owner wanted to sell a matching set of 8 bowls together--for a crazy price. No, I didn't want eight, I wanted one.
So I found Fred. He has a way to getting shopkeepers to do what I want in a way that they want to do it. It's a mystery to me.
All I know is I got one bowl with a small crack for $5 and I am very happy. The shop owner was too. Go figure!
So I found Fred. He has a way to getting shopkeepers to do what I want in a way that they want to do it. It's a mystery to me.
All I know is I got one bowl with a small crack for $5 and I am very happy. The shop owner was too. Go figure!
piggy park bbq
We had the best time on our little vacation to Columbia South Carolina! I'll upload photos and stories when I get caught up just a little more.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Thursday, May 01, 2008
platter of berries
I'm so excited we are going on a little vacation. Yes, it involves my sharp-witted 90 year old mother-in-law who shows me she loves me by reminding me of each imperfection. She keeps me humble this way and I love her for it.
But that's not the best part of the trip. The best part is that Fred booked a nice room at a B&B for our stay. We aren't going to be staying in his childhood bedroom, you know the room in the converted attic which 40 years ago was perfect for a 10 year old. Nope not this time. The B&B he picked looks perfectly suited for me taking photos, they even have a fat cat. I'm giddy with delight and off to pack my suitcase!
But that's not the best part of the trip. The best part is that Fred booked a nice room at a B&B for our stay. We aren't going to be staying in his childhood bedroom, you know the room in the converted attic which 40 years ago was perfect for a 10 year old. Nope not this time. The B&B he picked looks perfectly suited for me taking photos, they even have a fat cat. I'm giddy with delight and off to pack my suitcase!
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