Recent Stuff

Workout equipment!  Yes we have purchased the workout equipment and I GOT my exercise bike.  I wanted a treadmill in the beginning but The Hubby said there was no room because of the stuff he wanted and since the bike is what I've been using lately, I gave in.  I really should be on it this morning but I slept so badly the past few nights I have absolutely no energy.  Nightmares, hot-cold-hot-cold, and just not being able to sleep.  I do this occasionally and I guess it is the occasional time again. 

I'm trying to get on the blogging band wagon again but the words are just not coming for some reason.  I'm feeling kind of inhibited by all those around me and not being able to express myself.  I love blogging and love for people to read my words but it seems that is a two-edged sword because people I KNOW read my blog.  I have to edit and I don't like to edit myself.  Oh well, just have to be peppy, non-threatening and have no opinion on anything.  Yeah, that's healthy.

I've finished yet another painting.  Check out the art blog listed at the side of this blog to see my most recent.  There is another art show at TCC starting next Monday through Dec 2 and I'll have two paintings and a photography entry.  Slowing down a bit in the art stuff, not feeling inspired lately.  Maybe when I get my space kind of cleaned out again I can focus.  Especially since Daddy is taking care of himself again.  He's grocery shopping and paying his own bills!  Almost don't know what to do with myself.  This coming weekend we are taking him to the cabin and hosting a brisket dinner to celebrate his re-entry in to the world.  He's excited and I can't wait to introduce him to my friends. 

Chapter 3 - Travel

USS Constitution

The Old North Church 

Making Monterey Jack cheese at Pine Land Farms 

So funny here with one of the older ladies on the bus tour.  The Hubby came upon 80 year old Charlsie with her hands prying open one of the cows mouths to count how many teeth she had.  The Hubby quickly whipped out his phone and Googled, "32 he told her."  It was so funny!

Now for some beautiful color!

Albany Covered Bridge - I'm going to paint this.

Unfortunately there were several of the historic covered bridges that were washed away or severely damaged by Hurricane Irene in August!

Captured this fabulous rainbow over the Robert Lincoln family home, Hildene with my phone.  Figures!  

Chapter 2 - Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor

Thunder Hole

Cadillac Mountain - Acadia National Park

This little guy was bugging people and waiting until he could sneak away their lunch.

Quite amazing that I was sitting up here as the drive was a bit tense.  Mostly my head was down, eyes closed and by the time I got off the bus my legs were jelly and the emotions burst through with tears.  But, I made it!

Bar Harbor

Yummy!

More Acadia NP...Sand Beach

Chapter 1 - Boston

We were off on Friday, October 14 for our whirlwind 8 day trip to New England and the colors it held.  We arrived at the airport about 7:30 for our 9am flight and as we walked through the airport I noticed the shoe shine stand and since I wore my boots, well, a shoe shine it was for our trip!

When we checked in our names popped up on the screen but a familar name appeared with ours, Bev and Rich.  I just assumed that they were just on the same flight but was soon to find out they were also on our tour!  It was wonderful to have friends along the journey.  Rich is actually our insurance guy but we have known him for over 30 years and it was awesome to get to know them better and forge the friendship!

The bus...our mode of transportation for the next 8 days.  I was soon going to hate this bus.

Sights around the town of Boston, MA

The sounds the dog tags made when the wind breezed through them was beautiful and rather sad.

The finish line of the Boston Marathon...unfortunately we were seldom off the bus so all I could capture was a blur as we went over the finish line.

Fenway Park - Home of the Boston Red Sox

One if by land, two if by sea!

...the stairs they climbed to ring that famous bell!

More to come...

Home Again

We are finally home after a very long journey to New England and all it's colorful glory. I won't post pictures here yet as I have to glean through the over 450 pictures we took to post just the right ones. For now I will just share video number 3 from our wonderful girl, Sangster. Enjoy.

Vacation

Just a quick post to let you know we are away, away on our vacation.  It will be short but much needed.  We've left the business, Clayton and the house remodel in capable hands while we are away.  We're touring Maine, Boston, Bar Harbor, Vermont, etc.  Hope to have wonderful pictures to share and to paint soon.  Later Gators....I mean lobsters!

Potato Corn Chowder with Turkey Sausage

I made a successful recipe and thought I would share.  There are not any exact amounts as it is a soup so just go with it.

Ingredients:

leeks
red potatoes (new potatoes)
fresh corn
chicken stock
salt and pepper
turkey sausage crumbles
water
milk
red pepper bruschetta
olive oil
cayenne pepper

Okay, this is how I did it -  I chopped the leeks and then sauteed them in about a tablespoon or two of olive oil.  While that was sauteing the leeks I took three ears of fresh corn and cut the kernels off and then took the knife and scraped the cream off the cob.  Three ears made about 1/2 to 1 cup of corn.  The leeks I salted a peppered as I did the corn and the potatoes.  I tossed the corn on top of the translucent leeks and 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper to taste.  I then chopped the potatoes to bite size pieces and added to the pot with about 2 tablespoons of the red pepper bruschetta.  That is a specialty item at the grocery store and is not necessary but it adds color.  You could probably use jarred roasted red peppers.  Then I added some chicken stock, because that is what I had on hand, and water to cover the potato mixture.  When the potatoes were nearly tender I added the package of turkey sausage crumbles and about 1/2 to a 1 cup of milk.  Taste and adjust the seasonings.  This was so yummy you can not believe and it is even better the next day. 



Ummmm, Now That's A Treat!

Girls Are Grown And Gone

She has released her second video! 

Check it out here:

Girls Are Grown And Gone

If you missed the first one, here it is:

The Conversation

October And All It's Glory

Good morning weekend, October, and fall...

October 1, where has the time gone this year. I really like the month of October when the air is crisp, the colors you see are stunning, and it is the beginning of my favorite time of food preparing and eating (not necessarily in that order)!  Fire in the fireplace, a good book, bundle up with a hot toddy and a big pot of chili or stew.  The downsides of cooler temperatures for me though are that the cold kills my joints and once my feet are cold I never warm up. 


It's cold and flu season and I just can't seem to get enough sunshine.  Plus it's Halloween my most unfavorite time of the year.  I refuse to even go near that grocery aisle that contains the nasty candy (not really nasty).  I won't have it in my house and I won't have my lights on either to distribute.  I don't want the leftover candy around.  My way of dieting.  I always hated dressing up in costumes as a kid and still do.  Instead I'll enjoy all the other things that fall has to over, as previously mentioned.

This glorious month we will be traveling to Maine, Boston and Bar Harbor and a few other areas for 8 wonderful days.  We go on trips that are sponsored by our bank as that eases my mind since I'm a wary traveler.  I hope to have some kick a__ pictures to share and to paint. 

The bathroom is done and we can now relax a bit, take a breather and enjoy the rest of the year with that hot toddy and bowl of chili in front of a warm fire and a good book.  So happy fall to all my friends.