Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Spaghetti Squash


My FAVORITE season is here!

I just love so many things about fall. The crisp air, warm smells, vibrant colors, my birthday, and lots of yummy foods involving pumpkins and squash. We celebrated last night with a festive dinner including one of my favorite dishes, spaghetti squash. This recipe is so easy and super delicious.


1 Spaghetti Squash
Olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese ( to taste)

Slice spaghetti squash length wise.
Remove seeds and scrap clean with large spoon.
Place on microwave safe dish (one half at a time) skin side up, cover with saran wrap.
Microwave 10-12 minutes. Remove from microwave and let cool for 10-12 minutes or until tolerable to touch. Repeat with second half.
Using a fork, gently scrap along the inside lengthwise producing strands like spaghetti.
Season with salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil to taste.


Monday, September 21, 2009

Monday...

"Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature's inexorable imperative."

~H.G. Wells

Friday, September 18, 2009

Coming to America.

During our rehab session yesterday Mr. M and I started talking about travel. He hasn't traveled much.

"I'd love to go to Rome." He relayed. His grandfather is from there. His grandmother is from Florence. They came to America in 1912.

They were scheduled to be aboard the Titanic.

Fate: an event or course of events to inevitably happen in the future or the supposed force or power that predetermines events.

Some glitches in their travel plans prevented them from making the ship.

They took the next ship to America.

"Call me Ishmael."


I filled my summer reading months with David Sedaris, Sloane Crosby, short essays, a few easy novels, and of course some leisure magazines. The cooling temperatures have me in the mood for something a little more in depth. Something worth snuggling up in the recliner for hours on end. Any suggestions?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Botanical Gardens


Speaking of my trip to Brooklyn.... If you're ever in the area, check out the Botanical Gardens. It was absolutely beautiful and so peaceful. You'd never know you were a stone's throw away from the Big Apple. And adult admission is only $8.oo!!




Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Red

Last month I made a trip to Brooklyn to visit my friend Erica.

This was my view on the train ride....

Honestly Red must have worked for New Jersey Transit for 50 years. The ENTIRE ride (90 minutes) he provided a full detailed tour for Blue. The complete history of when the stations were built, what connections could be made, common mistakes made by travelers...The guy knew everything! It really was amusing.

I've always loved the story telling fashion of grandparents/elders. There just something so heartwarming when you hear tales of youth and times unknown, relayed with just enough exaggeration and spice to paint a picture, sinking you deep into the past. I was recently revisting the sentiment of my encounter with Red, leading to my discovery of elderblogging.

Time Goes By is a great site " a complex mix of reporting on every aspect of aging....old people writing on their blogs about past and present lives, interest and passions..." Maybe we could all use a little change of perspective in our day.

When I arrived at Penn Station it became apparent, as Red prompted Blue's preference for a trip to Long Island, a view of the Hudson, or north into Connecticut, that they were just spending the day riding the trains....

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Weekend with the Weavers


We had a great trip to Maryland last week to reunite the CHS gang and all our significant others.


We enjoyed lots of cold drink and good laughs, dancing and signing, story telling and reminiscing. Looking forward to next year!

Orioles vs. Indians game.




Gardening



Overall it's been a good year for our garden. We had tons of lettuce and spinach early on and our tomatoes and peppers are in full swing now and don't look like they'll be slowing down for a few more weeks. We've even got one lonely, late blooming eggplant on the way.

We learn more every year. This year we lost all of our cucumbers to a soil bacteria. There is no way to tell you have it until it starts killing your plants mid growing season. Other obstacles for this year included deer and a multiplying population of ground hogs. We lost our daisies and Black-eyed Susans but managed to save all the veggies with a little fence work.

Pepper plants early summer.
Pepper plants now. Note addition of fence.


Daisies mid June before blooming.

Addition of fence and anti-deer plants around the remaining daisies (mid summer).


Aside from the deer damage, my flowers and herbs did EXCELLENT this year. I have begonias, lavender, sage, oregano, and some forgotten name flowers on our back patio area and impatients in the shady front area.

Front early summer.
Filled with Impatients.




Friday, September 4, 2009

My new...

haircut!! It really was refreshing and exciting to shed my long locks for a shorter bob style. It's been on my mind for awhile now but i just didn't have the nerve until a few weeks ago. I've been getting a lot of positive reviews. Next step is adding some color...maybe even highlights! Those grays are really starting to peek through...


Thursday, September 3, 2009

Begger

On my way home from work there's often a homeless guy standing on the side of the road near a red light. I've seen him there 2-3 times a week for a while now. I've always kinda felt bad for him. He's elderly and has a bad arm probably from spastic cerebral palsy. His cardboard sign ask for food or money.

I NEVER give money to homeless people (street musicians are different). But, I do have a soft spot for feeding people. On several occasions he was right next to my window and I had nothing to offer. A few weeks ago (I'm a bit behind on my blogging!) I had an untouched granola bar on the passenger seat. I rolled down my window feeling good about my offering.

In a rough, husky voice, " I have about 10 of them."

Pausing to compute the denial, "F**king beggers can't be choosers! never again man. NEVER!!"

begger cartoons, begger cartoon, begger picture, begger pictures, begger image, begger images, begger illustration, begger illustrations

Unbelievable.

A few days later I saw a neighborhood women yelling at the man and taking pictures of him and the street sign. He hasn't been there since. I guess he's been run off his corner. Good.

Stupid jerk.


Fresh Prince

About a month ago, Jim and I watched Seven Pounds. Even amongst the details that seem a bit unlikely (I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it) it was a good movie and worth watching. It made me realize how much I liked Will Smith as an actor. Renewed faith in his acting skills prompted us to rent Pursuit of Happyness. Based on a true story, I found it inspiring and heart warming.
The Pursuit of Happyness wallpaper

I must admit to feeling some sort of deeper emotional connection with Will Smith's character in both movies. It was unexpected. I think my memory was clogged with Carlton Banks, neon oversized geometric clothing, following by a distinct memory of dark sunglasses accompanied by a black suit. As classic as Men in Black is, it's not something I feel the need to watch ever again. I guess it just proves he's capable of delivering variety. If you haven't seen any of his newest films. Check 'em out.

Birthdays.


This is a busy week for birthdays in my family. All the kiddos in one week!! I love watching them grow up and develop their own little personalities. Being Aunt 'Chelle lets me spoil them without too much responsibility!

Wishing I could be there to celebrate with their happy smiles and messy ice cream covered faces.

Packages are in the mail.

Happy Birthday...

Jevin (6)


Elliona and Austin (3)