Extravaganza - 37th Year

Kick off the 37th Extravaganza was last night.  I have been volunteering for NCTV, Newington Community TV to host this show,  making this 
my fifth year.

It is a great event.  It began last night with helicopter rides, the carnival, ice cream sundaes tie dye tee shirts, and a great band!

We have to be thankful as the weather last night was perfect and the citizens came out for the evening's festivities.  We were able to get some video of the folks waiting for their ride on the helicopters, we saw the carnival, listen to the band, missed the ice cream, and watched the kids make their tie dyed tee shirts.

It is so much fun to interview the kids that come to visit.  They get excited that they may be on TV.  The P&R staff are thankful that we cover the event as capture the fun and stories of what makes this event so memorable.

At the end of the event, Sandy and I, got our ride in the helicopter.  The end of the day ride, in my opinion, is the best.  There it was, the sun setting on the horizon and painting the sky.  What a lovely way to end the day.  

Feeling very fortunate...

First Day of Winter

While all of us are getting ready for the holidays - we are coming up to the first day of winter. The Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night on our calendar here in Connecticut. I enjoy the the winter and love the snow.  I look forward to seeing the snow fall, smelling the fireplaces burning, and enjoying the special drinks and foods that are only winter.  To bring in Winter, I'm featuring my niece, Taylor's video she made, set to Sara Bareille and Ingrid Michaelsons's song Winter Song.  Thank you Taylor, Thank you Sara and Ingrid, .... Enjoy!



PS about 100 days till Spring :)

Tis the Season - The White Tree

Two years ago I put up my white tree for the first time in a long time.  That year was special as my nephew, Seamus help decorate the tree.  This year, now the third time.  It has evolved a bit from the past years.  I found that those pics you get at the craft store make a lovely decoration to the end of the stick branches.  I found little doves in silver, gold, and white.  I  found some beautiful crystal icicles in Storrtown Village at the Big E.  Hand made and imported by Kurt Adler, they reflect the light so beautifully and add that extra sparkle to the tree.

The new addition to this year is a hand made crystal pineapple.  I found it at the Yankee Candle on my way back from New Hampshire.   Pineapples have long been a symbol of welcome, hospitality and wealth to all that live here.

It goes back to Christopher Columbus and to colonial America.  Once discovered, the pineapple became the 'treat of kings'.  No matter if you were back in Europe or here in colonial days, the pineapple became sought after.  Shop keepers were known rent out the pineapples before they were purchased by the more affulent families in the town.

In the seafaring towns of the east coast of America, the symbol of the pineapple can be seen in the architecture.  It was said that pineapples would be put out on the gate signifying that the sea captain was home and available to receive guests.

Time to take the tree out, set it up, and enjoy the ornaments that you have collected over the years.  No matter what holiday you celebrate, those decorations have stories.  Do you have the stories written down?  Hopefully this year, as you decorate for your holiday, you may have the chance to write about them.  

By the way, my tree is complete and I'll be enjoying it all month long!

It's was a Great Time - I am Thankful

Day Two - We were up pretty early to make breakfast and get underway to go to the Connecticut Science Museum.  This was a really big day.  We started in the water room and played with the various vortex water vessels and built water dams with Leggo's.

Then off to the top floor where we calculated our carbon footprints, saw the Connecticut river fishes and animals and the rocks from the glaciers that came through at the end of the ice age.  This wasn't on the hit parade for Seamus

The fifth floor offered probably the most fun.  The picture here was from the sports lab where we found he would be great at different sports.  In the pictures of health lab is the ever popular "mind game".  Two opponents strap on a headband that measures the alpha brain waves and the person with the higher waves attracts the ball towards them and subsequently loses the match.  The first time, AP won of course.  The second time (we went back three times), and after some coaching of how it works, he was able to come out victorious against another young boy like himself.

We traveled through space, saws nebulas, the sun and explored Saturn in the comfort of recliner space chairs.  Thank goodness, my feet were about to give up!

Going down - to floor four - gave us some time with race cars, sailing toy boats and balancing a beach ball on a stream of air.  We tried to beat the robot on making a puzzel, didn't win at this one.  The robot had much more experience and actually was quite funny;  imagine that!  We worked in the sight and sound lab and played with movements of how they affected sound. 

Before we could leave, we were back to the water room to play some more with the Leggo's.  I must say it was a great time with my 'favorite eight year old nephew'.  He's a joy to be with.  One evening I had him read to me a whole story - OutLoud - oh my goodness, you'd think I'd asked for some horrendous task to be done.  With some coaxing, he did read an entire story to me before dinner.  He did quite well, I was proud of him.

Bedtime is also special - there is the routine, jamies, teeth brushed - all of them, pick up the room, shoes by the door and then I get him tucked in with Koda and set the lights just so.  Then we talk - or should I say he talks, asks questions all about our day's activities.  Since we just did Thanksgiving dinner, we repeated "let's say thanks" each night and spoke about the who and what we are thankful for.

Dear Seamus - since you are not here tonight, I'll say my thanks and hope you dream of them.  I'm thankful that you come and stay with Aunt Patty; that we get to go and see Santa; that you help me with chores and do a very good job.  I'm thankful for you reading to me; for you trying raisin bread with cinnamon and sugar; for you learning to spell three words.... guitar, science, museum.   By the way, we will visit Hartford's library, the carousel, and go ice skating the next time.  Till then, love you bunches and sweet dreams.

Perfect Kick off to the Holiday Season

Once again I had the pleasure of having my nephew, Seamus, join me for the weekend after Thanksgiving.  It has been a whorl wind so far. 

We packed up from grandma's house, duffle and Coda, and we drove back, about an hour, to my place.  My nephew didn't stop talking.  He calls himself a 'chatterbox'.  Actually I don't think I know another kid his age (8 years) that could keep up with him.  He has an uncommon way of transforming a conversation and taking it off on tangents and all of a sudden he will say "hey, how did we get here?".  He's done it about three times in the 24 hours since he's arrived.

Thursday night isn't much, get a tour of the house, find all the light switches, reaquainte him to all the nuiances of my home so he will feel comfortable. 

Friday began with baking cinnamon buns.  It was really cute, he read all the directions including setting the clock and timer.  The Dough Boy helped out and Seamus placed the buns on the baking pan.  Mr. Eagle Eye kept watching the clock and the oven and thought it was really cool to see them rise.  Ding went the buzzer and we pulled them out - perfection was only a few dribbles of icing away.  He ate four of them along with a big banana and Aunt Patty's special/secret organge juice. 

Ok - we make the list of items to do, take care of chores and help Bob the Builder with several items he needs to take care of while we are gone.  There was lunch at Steve's; go to the Library for movies and books and get Aunt Patty's library mail; watch the movie at the Library; back home to get ready and then the real treat - go to see Santa turn on the lights!

The Festival of Lights has been my favorite thing to do since I moved to the Hartford area.  It's my way to kick off the holiday season; I get an enormous dose of holiday spirit all in one shot.  This year, the event was moved from Constitution Plaza to Bushnell Park to enable the growth of the event.  In that spirit, citizens gathered at the Plaza and walked through the city streets singing carols and picking up Santa along the way (riding a Zamboni machine) to the park. Traditions evolve, it's how they stay traditions!

So Seamus and I did just that.  We met some of the Wolf Pack hockey team and some of the cast from "A Christmas Carol", in costume, opening that evening at Hartford Stage.  We met Hartford's new mayor.   Mayor Pedro E. Segarra is a lovely man.  He took several moments to answer my questions about the downtown improvement and pointed out some of the upcoming highlights.   I introduced Seamus to the mayor.  He spoke directly to Seamus about the science museum and what a good time he will have.

Before long, the group of us began the march to the park.  Hartford's finest were on motocycles;streets closed off as we walked and sang.  Meeting up with Santa was really cool.  We moved into the park, obtained our complimentary hot cocco, and awaited the turning on of the lights.  There was a skating demo on artifical ice, and more caroling.  Hartford mounted police were there too.  It was a short lived program, a few dignitaries.  In my opinion, we need more pizzaz and I'm sure with the change in venue we will see improvements over the next years.  Since the carousel was open we walked over only to find the line was a couple of hours long.  We peeked through the windows and could see all the horses going round and round.  I promised Seamus we would come back at a time when it wasn't as busy.

We treated ourselves to IHOP for a quick dinner.  We laughed so much and then it was home, jamies and to watch part of the movie before getting ready for bed.  We said our "we are thankful fors"; I had to cut them off at ten as he'd never get to sleep.   All in All - it was a perfect day - sweet dreams.

PS  Before I forget, my eyes are heavy ....  things he wants to do for next time - ride the carousel, go ice skating, skateboarding, bake cookies, cook dinner, work as Santa's assistant, read a book, learn more words, do more math examples; make some crafts in my studio, go to Steve's, go to the art museum, make some art, then...he said .." I, like, maybe can stay at your (my) house for five weeks because KC will like me better",,,  the list goes on but I'm getting the giggles thinking of the great day I had.  Tomorrow will only get better.

PSS  This was a good one - he wanted to know... (you just can't make this up) .." if  grammie Kovack married Aunt Denise's daddy would the Filosa cousins be my cousins?  That would be cool, you can not have enough cousins".   Hey PopPop and JoJo - are you listening?

Thanksgiving Wish

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Wishing everyone a moment of time to relax this holiday weekend.

Wishing everyone enjoyment of the small things that make a holiday a special time.

Wishing everyone invention of a new tradition.

Most of all, wishing you and yours health, happiness, joy, and Peace.





Photo courtsey of controltheweb's @flicker

It's Fall and It's the BIG E!

It was Connecticut Day at the Big E this past Wednesday and according the staff, one of the largest attendance days.  Go CT!

 

I choose the day as it's in the middle of the week, and of course I like to see the parade.  Over the past couple of years, I've demonstrated making lace for part of the day and that gets me a ticket and parking!  Actually, the Big E would not be able to operate without all the volunteers at the fair. 

The Parade - there are lots of CT related high school bands, the Governor and her Foot Guard, the State Police, fife and drum, Miss Pre-Teen CT, Miss Teen CT, and Miss CT all riding in shiny convertible cars and lots of others.  The end of the parade was the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Hallamore Clydesdales each had a eight-horse hitch. Of course there is the poo zamboni ending the parade.  The horses are so amazing, their size and strength of these gentle giants pulling the wagons.  If you go to the barns, you can get pretty up close to these horses.

After a bout with morning traffic, I arrived and set up at the the New England Building / Creative Arts.  Actually we don't really have a space, we set up in the aisle. It would be nice if we had a 'real' space we could set up in (hmm idea for next year).  Linda (fellow lacemaker) met me there and we organized ourselves so we could talk with the patrons about lace.  I met Linda at the fair last year and helped her rekindle her love for lace making.

Before you know it, the building opens with a raising of the American flag, accompanied by a group of fife and drum musicians.  It is fun to watch the patrons go by, some are outright curious and come up and declare that I'm tatting (lol) and others are too shy unless you invite them over to see what we are doing.  The patrons like to touch - so I bring a pillow for folks to actually work some lace - the 'snake'. Time goes so quickly.  Some where around three and a half hours into it, I could feel my voice getting scratchy.  I really enjoy it, and can continue on and on about cross and twist and counting to four.  Stop by next year and watch us lace makers.

After volunteering for four hours (requirement to get a ticket and parking), I had the rest of the day to get around the grounds.  I watch the beef cattle get showed and receive their ribbons.  There were dairy goats, dairy cows, sheep and assorted other farm animals.  This is the best part of the show/fair for me.  I love to watch the hatchling chicks pop out of their eggs and tiny pigglettes wiggle around in a pen.  Sheep are the best. Sheep Rule.  One thing you need to know about the fair especially if you want to see the animals.  There are barn change over days so watch what day you want.  There may not be many animals to see.

Better Living Center is a riot.  There are all kinds of vendors willing to sell you anything to make your life better.  From fancy showers for your bath, to window screens, a blender, lots of pots and pans dealers,  and even a guy selling a mop!  It is really alot of fun.

So what is a country fair without eating your way around? That's easy - it wouldn't be a fair.  There is just about everything known to man to have to eat at this fair.  Big E Cream Puffs are amazing.  (not for me this year)  I was pretty good, a large fresh brewed Sam Adams beer to walk around with after demonstrating was just what my voice needed.  Lunch, a taco chicken salad in a shell, lots of water to drink.  Dinner had me search for fried clams that I found in the Rhode Island State house (yum yum), a little ice cream and a coffee to go at the end of the night.  Of course you can eat your way into oblivion. 

My feet were giving out, I actually walked around enough to log some 4 miles on my pedometer!  I found gel insoles in the Better Living Building.  That helped a bunch.  Though the best find was back at the Fiber Nook - (near the sheep).  I have a new genuine handcrafted sheepskin scuffs!  Even better - they are made by Golden Fleece Fashions in Caterbury, CT  !  I met the owner, Adele, and she said they are good 'forever'.  She was repairing a pair a customer brought back because the dog ate off the toes!

I have a great pair that family gave me from LLBean.  Each year I call to get another pair, unfortunately they don't carry this type any longer made slippers any longer and they weren't US made when they did.  My feet are nice a warm and I can have now preserve the other pair a bit longer. Don't you just love sheep!

While food is plentiful, so is the shopping. Everything you could imagine. I give the vendors a hat's off. These guys travel in motor homes and are on the fair circuit for five months of the year. Most of them say the Big E is the best! I took cards from several artist types, need to do some measuring at home before buying.

Another year, and another Big E.  I was trying to think of the number of times I've come to this festival.  My parents brought us and we camped out somewhere near there.  I think that in the last ten years, I missed one year due to weather.  There is still time to see the fair - it is well worth the trip!

Camp back in CT with Spencer

Spencer beating the computer!

It was a great time in St. Louis, though Camp was unattended back home.  With few days back on the ground, and attempting to see if the local nieces/nephews wanted to get to camp, Spencer came out on top.  His time spot was limited as he was going to begin football practice by mid-month in August.

First of all, his dad got him to me by 8 a.m. on Thursday morning!  Spenc - what a trooper.   We took the day a bit easy only after making sure I noticed that I am now shorter than he was!  Hmmm something happened in the last six month!  He's wearing a size 10-1/2 shoe already.  We kidded each other all weekend long. 

It was an easy day - he helped in the office and made a few bucks!  Let me tell you, he's a great assistant.  Follows directions, was neat, asked great questions, and he was able to complete all the shredding in the office.  We searched the internet about some really great sneakers, got the pass from the Library and did a little bit of grocery shopping.  We also began to design his blanket! 

We went to the New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park with a pass from the Library.  It was so hot outside!  We did see the various animals inside, turtles, furry creatures, fishes, and all type of rodents.  There was one snake there, oh my goodness, it was enormous.   The animals in the outside cages were not showy due to the heat.  We tried to hike around the lake, though the temperatures were soaring.  Instead we headed for home, only after going to the store and finding the exact sneakers he was looking for on-line.  I had him try them on for size and walk around.  Heck I got a bonus, and I found a pair of new sneaks for myself.

Friday was the big day - we went to the CT Science Museum again.  Of course we saw a 3D movie - The Oceans.  It was really amazing.  So today's plan was to start at the top and work our way down.  This way we should be able to see all the exhibits.  Unfortunately the car race was not there, but the mind relaxation game was.  This game is based on your brain waves.  You put a headband on and it measures your output.  The less of the output (more relaxed) the more the ball moves to your opponent!  Spencer was really good at this the year before and beat me heads down.  This year, we equally won.  Actually one game wasn't going to end until one of us got the giggles.  We agreed that it wasn't as exciting as last year, I guess we can choose something different for next year. 

Spencer shooting the ball with air

We finished up on the early side as I had reservations at the Rock Cats Stadium.  So off we went to the game.  Sad to say the Rock Cats were having a pretty bad season.  As I write this - they are 44/97 OUCH.  They were playing Akron at home.  First inning Akron gets two runs and the balance of the evening is three up and three down for both teams without much excitement until the ninth inning.  Then the excitment began.  Akron - three up and three down.  Now its the Rock Cats turn. They get hits, get a run,  and are on base (possible grand slam) with a chance to win the game.  It wasn't their night.  The fans were very generous in supporting the team.  Just as the last out was called, the announcers drop the lights and we had a fireworks display that would rival any fourth of July show.  It was fantastic.  Lasted some 30 minutes.  What a great day with Spencer.

Saturday was a family picnic.  I was up late the night before and early the next morning getting all the supplies and picnic stuff ready to bring.  The heat subsided, thank goodness!  It was going to be one of the most glorious days of summer.  We get to the park, it was a mess, I'm embarrassed.  Spencer helped with site cleanup. Family began to arrive and we began with our festivities.  I didn't see much of him as he buddied up with his cousins Trenten and Brenan for lots of fun playing bocci, some game in the woods, time at the pool.  He checked in throughout the day and that was good.  Before we knew it it was time to pack it up and take it back to base camp. 

Sunday, a lazy morning, he read the newspaper to me and had a chance to talk with his cousin, Chris in St. Louis.  We considered we could go to a movie.  One of his maternal side cousins had a bit part in an action movie.  I didn't like the trailers so we decided that the animated film would be a better choice.  We were off to see Despicable Me.  Really cute movie, the minions had me laughing,  lots of 'jokes' and who wouldn't just love the story line. 

Wow - time just flew by.  When you have the opportunity to spend time with your nephew - it's a real treat.  We had lunch and then I dropped him off.    His football schedule just arrrived.  I need to coordinate my schedule with his so I could see him play this year.

Spencer - you are a great nephew.  You made camp the best!  Designing your blanket will be very cool.  Now I need to make the pattern and samples and have you approve it.  Next year - we will find a new adventure!  Maybe the Yanks at the Green Monster?  Thanks and love you lots!

It Bloomed!

Wow - look what I found this morning as I did my early gardening!

It's a Water Hyacinth.  I found this perennial plant  Bob's Vegetable Stand in Wethersfield at the beginning of the season.  They had explained that I need to put it into a big bucket of water and let it sit.  A month an a half has gone by, nothing happened except for happy yellow jackets that loved the water.  This moring to my surprise, it bloomed.

This plant is considered a very agressive pest and clogs water ways.  While it is a perennial, it will not survive the winter up here in the north.  It is native to South America, and is illegal to transport or have them in Texas.  Florida has had them for decades and if left unchecked, like the Kudzu, the hyacinth will choke out and kill waterways.

In the mean time, I'm going to enjoy the blooms until the frost get's here and may continue to keep this water plant in my garden for summers to come.

Celebrating New Year - The Plan

It is about time for twenty-ten to begin for me.  While most folks enjoyed January 1st as their New Year's Day, mine is set on May 1st. 

For most of my adult life, I've spent the first four months of the year in tax season leaving me with eight months of what I call My Year.  I've enjoyed every moment of it, all though, occassionally it makes for tough scheduling.

So I find myself over the last couple of days making my Plan.  My Plan also includes writting out reflections of what was the good, the bad, and the ugly has been for the last four months.  It is a chance to unload all the to-do's and like to-do's out of my head.  It is a chance to critique my personal performance so I can make my performance better.  It is a chance to see where I can improve, deligate, and see that the Plan is taking form.

I use a spiral bound notebook, make a page for each area, like errands, house stuff, volunteer activities I'm involved in, and business items.  Easy to use, easy to carry along with me.  Mind you, this is a living notebook.  It gets added to it and subtracted from it and becomes a best friend as I make each day count.  This is where I find my bonus to-do's.  I find that I have a bit more time than I thought, and wow here's an item I can take care of and voila it's done.  One hour of planning will actually save you three hours of busy non-productive time.  To me, that's like getting an afternoon off!

When is the last time you sat down with yourself with pencil and paper and your yearly calendar in hand and written out your Plan?  It could be a just a list or could be more formal.  Why don't you take a moment or two - treat yourself to a planning session.  You will be pleasantly surprised at the amount of momentum that you will gain in this small exercise.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Just a quick note to all of you.  Thanksgiving is a great time of the year.  Sometimes it is so warm and other times it is like the middle of February.  This year it looks like it will be nice and most of all, it will be spent with some of my family.

Mom and I spoke this evening and did the run down.  Two pies and cake she'll bake tomorrow, and put out the serving dishes and such.  I'm making the salad for the dinner and the special salad for mom and I.  My salad is a vegetable salad - it has just about everything in it and is very colorful and good.  I'll be making a fresh vinaigrette dressing.  She puts the turkey in the oven about midnight and by the morning - the bird is just magnificant!  I've picked up various types of bread for dinner - a soft loaf and two crusty loaves.

 I'm also bringing another Thanksgiving tradition - the indian apples.  Now if you look up indian apple and get the defination - it's not Podophyllum peltatum, native to North America; also known as May-apple, mandrake, wild lemon, raccoon-berry, and wild jalap. It's pomegranates.  I remember as a kid enjoying them to no end and always sad when we finished them.  That tradition has been passed on to my nieces and nephews.  It also seems that I'm the "incharge" on getting and supplying the indian apples for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What are you traditions?  Are you passing them along, remember that those experiences that are passed along are great memories for down the road.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

PS - The Macy's Day parade begins at 9am!

NELG - a day at RISD Museum

Our lace group had the distinguished opportunity to view some of the lace collection at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Most, if not all, of the collection is not on public view and therefore Carolyn made arrangements with their director for us to view such great pieces.

Our request was, to see older, 18th century, only hand made, unusual pieces, leave out crochet and tatting - the result was just amazing and equisite. There were pieces of needle lace, bobbin lace in binche, flanders, mechlin, bruges just to name a few. There was a bed cover (in all lace) where the background netting was hand made - mind you, the time to make the netting alone - years? There was this little bumble bee placed onto the netting. We took quite a few pictures and maybe making a pattern for a group project for 2010. Lets say, there was so many ohhh and ahhhs, truly inspirational.

To our surprise - we found that we, NELG, had made a donation of a very unusual piece of lace a couple of decades ago. The director was very kind to bring it out for all of us to see. We need to find out about it's history and how it came to be that we donated it.

The picture above is a border in binche. It is enlarged as the original piece is only 7cm from the top to bottom. Yours truly hasn't had the opportunity to learn binche yet. It is a sample of what we saw. I'm awaiting for some picutres to be loaded as I couldn't take pictures with flash in the room.

Any way it was a great day for our lace makers of NELG. We are now making arrangements to demonstrate making lace at the Wadsworth Antheneum during a special exhibition of "Allure of Lace"

MIssing All of You - Busy Week

Hello to all of you once again. I've missed writing to you over the last days. I'm back in the saddle and will be back to posting regularly. So what has gone on:

My time away was filled with the end of tax season - for the last time for 2008. Yes, there are clients that needed extra time to take care of business. I'm glad it's done, like every year, it is good to have it all completed. I've some time to prepare for next year, put my improvements into place, and yes it is exciting to prepare for another tax season - it will be my 31st one at that.

It's Friends membership time of year. My staff and I worked diligently and prepared the letter, the printers took care of printing, folding and stuffing, the post office got them out in the mail and I didn't have to remind the local post office to deliver the letters from the Friends. So far, in about two weeks, we have receive over $12,000 which is more than half we are to raise.

I'm preparing to give two talks - one this week and one in November. So I'm practicing as this week's must be done in 20 minutes!

Then it was my high school reunion - yes the Class of 1974 from Trumbull High School. WOW, you do the math - it was our 35th year. I must say we are a very very handsome bunch. We've aged beautifully. Much thanks to Liz and crew that made all the arrangements. This is the first reunion I didn't organize. I was heavily involved in the fifth, tenth, fifteenth, and twenty-fifth. It is an enormous job to put on a party like this. So big thanks to her and my classmates that stepped forward.

The weekend was just too short. We had over 160 classmates attend (I graduated with over 600). It was like speed dating. You get to say, OH YEAH!!!! I KNOW YOU!! (screaming at the top of your lungs) hug hug kiss kiss, and then the reasonable safe questions, 'where are you now? what are you doing? married? kids? ' and then ding - on to the next classmate. On Sunday at brunch (for those of us that were staying at the hotel) we were remarking, in very horse voices, about who we saw and many of us surprised that 'so-in-so' was there and "I didn't see him/her". We voted, it's a do-over event as we didn't have enough time to see EVERYONE! Just some simple math - 160 classmates and if you spent just 5 minutes with each, I need 800 minutes - and that equates with over 13 hours!!!

I'll make another entry of observations and pictures once all of the pictures are posted.

Chalk Walk - Something to do

I so love this time of year. The Big E, Durham Fair are this weekend and right here in my own back yard is Newington's Water Fall Festival and Chalk Walk competition.

This event began as an idea that the businesses and organizations have an event. We close down a street in the center of town and make it a all day party. What a great idea. I worked on the event at the beginning and it all came together as we are celebrating the sixth year.

One event - the Chalk Walk - begins at about 6:30 am. Artists pay for a space on the pavement and paint a picture. They have till about 2pm to create their works. It's amazing to watch them work away. Since it is a contest, one of these lucky artists will walk away with bragging rights and a check for $500!

The rest of the festival is grand - lots of things to do, entertainment on the stage, of course you get the best eats supplied by our local restaurants. It is alot of fun and it is FREE. Need to be outside and enjoy some fresh air - stop by the Water Fall Festival and Chalk Walk. Hours - 10 to 5pm on Market Square Newington, CT - click here for some pictures from last year

Big E - Big Day in New England!

It was a great day at the Big E. After my volunteer hours in the Craft area where I demonstrated making lace I was free to enjoy the fair. So Jules and I began to look at the map and really began our day. We tasted our way around.... perogies, soft chicken tacos, some ice cream, cotton candy, a Sam Adams Octoberfest!, fried clam bellies, fish sandwish all very yummy!

Of course we went through the petting zoo, into the barns for the sheep, (wool sheep arrive on Friday for the next week) beef cattle, got the last peek at the Jerseys, ran over to the horse barn to wish the Connecticut girls good luck on the evenings "fit & show" competition, saw baby chicks born, I even held a 12 hour old chick - so cute. Then llamas, alpacas, bunnies and chickens and this momma pig and her newly born piglets! I was having a field day. Jules was taking it all in. If you haven't been to a big fair - the Big E - will get you a great education.

The vendors were there to hawk there goods from cowboy hats, to decals for your cell phone and everything inbetween. Then there was the parade and it was Connecticut Day! Governor Rell was there with lots of dignataries, lots of high school marching bands - all from Connecticut - Fife & Drum, the Govenors Foot Guard and Band were present along with our mounted police and even the Coast Guard band. It was rounded up with the clyesdale horses - magnificent animals - followed by the pooper sweeper :)

We began to slow down as the sun began to set, so back to a few shops, stopped to see the Sea Lion Splash, sponsored by New Alliance Bank - now it was so cute and we saw the start of the Madi Gras parade and I even picked up a necklace thrown from on of the floats.

It was a great day and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Even more special to me was the chance to introduce my good friend Jules to a favorite New England tradition.

And here's the last of the piglets!

Memorial Ride for Officer Peter Lavery

This morning I was doing my putting around when the sounds of hundreds of motorcycles went by on the Berlin Turnpike below me all escorted by various police officers. It lasted over five minutes, then I remembered!

It was the Fifth Memorial Ride for Officer Peter Lavery. A great guy, super law enforcement officer on my local PD. The night, December 30, 2004, he responded to a domestic violence call in town. Tragically, he was gunned down in the line of duty. This one incident paralized then polarized this great community I live in.

Today - they ride again. Beautiful day, a 35 mile ride beginning and ending at McGuires Sports Bar on the Turnpike. The funds donated today will benefit the scholarship fund created in his memory. The family, who estabished this fund has raised, with the help of our community and those who support law enforcement, tens of thousands of dollars and has awarded scholarships to many deserving students beginning a law enforcement career.

Thank you to all those individuals who choose to dedicate their lives to protecting our way of life.

Another Blanket - This time for Shelby

If you saw my blog a week or so ago, you saw the blankets for Shelby's older sisters. It's become tradition - and now it is Shelby's time. She picked out her blanket, colors were approved and I'm on my way!

The basics is that the blanket is comprised of 154 squares with 7 rounds each - the 8th round is the joining round. So far this is where we are:

The first round - lite pink is complete! All 154 of them! The second round - adding a burgandy like color is on about 130 of them so far. Progress!

Tomatos - What to do?

Ok - this year I got out there early - before Memorial day - and planted a heirloom plum variety and a grape variety. I covered them at night when it was a bit too chilly. Watered them as they needed it and then........... mother nature delivered rain, rain and more rain. It's rained ever since up until about two weeks ago. Whatever flowers and leaves were on the plants were washed away.

As I write this, I have just pulled the planter out of it's spot and dumped the vine and put it away for the winter. This is a sad state of tomato affairs. I do remember being in grade school and being able to swipe a ripe tomato out of the garden and take it with me to school. Not this year.

Not all was lost as I did get some fruit. The grape variety put out three, I enjoyed two and a critter came for the third one and the plum plant put out one (can you believe that!) that never ripened and some critter took it!

I must say it is a tough summer for many of us that enjoy the home grown tomato off their own vine. I hope your garden has done better!


ps - just wait till next year - I'm going to come up with some type of comtraption that will keep the floods from taking my tomato plants and probably drive my condo board crazy.

Take me out to the Ball Park

.... as the old song says, and with that session three of Camp Aunt Patty commenced today. My grateful, smart and funny nephew, Spencer, is here for his stay. Agenda is a Rock Cats baseball game, Mystery visit, and then on to the CT Science Museum.

We did our "traditional" lunch at Steve's, then off to the Library for more books and a few movies. My nephew is a master at being a grocery shopping assistant. He's turned me on to Fusion V-8 juice - yum yum.

Then off to the ball park, making sure we packed rain gear - yes - it rained most of the day though just in time for the park to open, the sun slid out and we ended up with the a most enjoyable evening.

First order of business was a souvenier, I gave him a ball cap of his choosing and then off for the autographs by the players.

How exciting this was - these guys play in the Minnesota Twins Farm System AA ball. If you don't know the Farm system, the first level is the Rookie, next up is A, then up to AA, and final stop is AAA before reaching the majors. Spenc and I did a thorough review of the stats of the team members, he dusted off my unused baseball knowledge. One thing I did notice that they were all born in the mid 1980s.

Could this get any better? Of course it could - in the 2nd inning -voila - Spenc gets to catch a foul ball! He's the now proud owner of a AA league baseball. We had great seats - two rows above the home teams' dugout. It was a long game. Tied for the entire game - zero to zero - so off to twelvth inning! Then it was 1 out, man on first and third, and the batter hits the ball, low, a grounder and the guy of third makes it home! Yippie - we were yelling, stomping feet, banging on the seats as that's a baseball thing as the concrete doesn't make much sound. It really doesn't get much better! Thanks Spenc!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

The Three Girls!

So Camp continues, my three nieces from St. Louis had their very first sleep over with me. It was great to spend our time just hanging out and sharing their thoughts hopes and dreams. We talked into the late evening and even watched a video - girls night out. Really bad and silly.
The following day it was sleep in, for them at least I finished Jessica's big girl blanket finally. It was a crochet piece in a patchwork quilt pattern. Then it was Shelby's turn to pick out a blanket for herself. After lots of books, and even a trial swatch of a red pattern subsitiuted into blues, she decieded on a a StarBurst pattern.

The rest of the day, we had breakfast,brunch, lunch. In a meal as that anything goes - even fudge!! It was then off to the library to drop off books and, but of course, borrow more books paper and cd and takeaway and a cd of music. We then left to so go to Milford to birthday shop at Mood Swings though it had closed early. Sad - so - I took them to the beach and we walked the beach for a bit. Great day outside. After our little adventure at low tide, we all went to dinner at the Outrigger. It's on the Sound, and we sat out on the deck for a lovely dinner. I must say we were the only table showing we were having lots of fun on the Monday night. We had lots of laughs, a bit of silliness, and most of all great memories. Thanks girls...... love ya Aunt Patty