The Night Chirper

You may recall that last month Jim and I were suffered from a rare form on insanity brought on by a crazy loud, annoying night chirp.  We did a lot of google searching and couldn't really come up with an exact species but there seemed to be a large population of people with complaints regarding crazy night chirping birds. In was really starting to disrupt our sleep (which is saying a lot since we sleep half the night with a rolling toddler punching us in the head), so the night following my post about it Jim decided to go on a hunt and capture mission.  I don't really know what his plan was in regards to catching a bird but the guy has no fear with that kind of stuff and was on a mission.

Yes you heard it right.  It was not a bird, it was a little tiny frog.  I don't think the video does it justice but the thing was so darn loud.  You could hear it all over our neighborhood.  Side Note: The reference to the beaver trapping expedition is a story for another day.  Pretty darn funny but possibly only to Jim and I.  Anyways....

We put some wet grass in the container and stuck it under the porch light for the night, since light seemed to stop the annoying noise.  After a bit of debate, the next day we dropped him off behind a gas station.  It's a pretty nice area with a little pond area, ducks, and other wildlife.  Plus it's far away from residential areas. Jim asked a few neighbors if they had noticed the sound (of course they had!) and relayed his heroic story.  He is the neighborhood superstar now. 

No Baby

Waiting for your first child is mental & emotional torture. Sure I have a little back pain, heartburn, and can't wait to indulge in a sushi feast and glass of wine, but overall physically I feel pretty darn good. It's the anticipation of a major life changing event that gets to you. Life as we know it in the Robinson house will be completely different....one day....soon...maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, maybe 3 days from now. Not to mention we just can't wait to meet our little guy or girl and see their sweet little face. Aaaaahh!!!

I thought a little fresh air and hill climbing might encourage Baby Robinson to make an appearance today. So far no luck but it was a nice brisk morning to be playing in nature....

A Summer Update

The weather has been just perfect here lately. Breezy and cool at night. Warm & sunny with no humidity during the day. I guess I've just been too busy enjoying summer to sit inside and write about summer.....

For Father's Day my dad ventured onto a plane for the first time since 1970 when he was flying home from Vietnam, to spend a week at the Robinson Resort. We had a really great week lounging by the pool and tinkering around the house on little projects the way dads do. My dad also has the craziest repertoire of tales of days gone by of anyone I know. Jim and I think that he should write a novel....poverty, nomadic travels, knife wounds, war tales, women, drugs, dance parties, throw in a list of every job you can imagine and a even longer list of survived surgeries and near death experiences and you've got yourself a best seller. We loved having him and are already looking forward to his trip.

Papa and Elli 2009

After shipping Dad into the westward skies, Jim and I heading north for a weekend of nature. We usually try to get in at least two camping trips a year, but last year was just too crazy with the house remodeling and we didn't go at all. We skipped down Friday afternoon for Salt Springs Park. We've been there a few times before and really love the area. There are only 7-8 campsites that are nicely spaced out, so you don't feel like you're camping on top of another group. In fact on Friday night we were the only people there. There's a creek running right through the back edge of the campsites (where Sofee learned to swim a few years back) and plenty of great hiking. We got a little wet on Saturday morning but it cleared up and turned into a nice weekend. I love being forced into relaxing and enjoying a limited number of activities....during the rain we played a few rounds of Yahtzee and Rummy; during our breaks between hikes we took turns reading short stories out loud; and spent the evenings chatting endless by the fire, roasted marshmallows and enjoying pie iron pizza pies.

This week has been mostly work and a little play so far. Wednesday night we decided to head over to the Mann Center (an outdoor concert venue) for a performance by the Philadelphia orchestra. You can't beat $10 lawn seats and for orchestra concerts you're allowed to bring in any food and beverages you want. I whipped up a yogurt dip for some veggies and chips and topped gluten free cornbread with homemade fresh pesto, roasted red peppers, and grilled chicken for a delicious summer flatbread type sandwich. For dessert we had juicy red grapes. I love a simple picnic on a perfect summer night.

And that brings us to 4th of July weekend! We have no real plans, which I like best. I'm hoping for some nice weather for lounging by the pool. Any big plans for the weekend?

i heart fall.

Last weekend was such perfect weather! We had a great weekend complete with 2 popcorn nights (we make the best popcorn if I do say so myself!), a squash feast on Sunday, a cool crisp hike with Sofee dog, and plenty of home renovations. I'm happy to report that at a glance, in one room, from one angle it looks like a normal house! Next weekend....cross your fingers...new kitchen floors!!!!

Our weekends are so jammed packed and the sun seems to be disappearing pretty early these days, so we decided to head out to the park early and bring along a breakfast picnic. Out of convenience we stopped at Einstein Bros Bagels. We had never had breakfast there, but I had experienced a turkey sandwich on a bagel with veggie cream cheese there in the past, which was quite yummy. We have vowed to never go there for breakfast again!!

They basically microwave their breakfast sandwiches and didn't even toast the bagel! It was all soggy and mushy. I could've just went to Dunkin Donuts and paid half the price. Plus, it was a complete madhouse. Next time we'll opt for Manhatten Bagel were they make the eggs & sausage on a griddle and make an excellent breakfast sandwich (I prefer the wrap myself...neither of which are gluten free)

Tyler State Park. 10.17.10

Sofee.

The best dog ever.

At least it's clever grafitti

Go Phillies!!

Stay tuned for delicious Squash Feast recipes....

My uncle's bonfire.

At some point last week I got an voicemail from Jim's old chiro school roommate, and our good pal, Troy. He had some how deleted Jim's number but wanted to invite us to his uncle bonfire on Saturday night. Troy lives in Massachusetts and we obviously don't see him frequently...the last time actually at our wedding nearly 2 years ago. His uncle lives in Allentown, about a hour drive for us. "Bring a tent and some sleeping bags if you want to stay over."

Troy & Jim sporting their Garden Club t-shirts

We gathered up another chiro buddy and decided to make an appearance and head back home that night. We didn't really want to be imposing on a family gathering with Troy's family, but decided it was a good opportunity to catch up for a few hours.

My uncle is having a bonfire....

What a ridiculous understatement.

His uncle's bonfire is actually more like some kind of mountain festival.
Hundreds and hundreds of people.

A beer truck, rumored to house 30 kegs.

A hotdog and hamburger line that wrapped around a block.

A tent city filled with college kids and hippies.

Rope jumping into a pond.

Acres of wildflowers mowed down to form a parking lot.

And a bonfire the size of a house.

After a few hours of relaxing, enjoying the perfectly fantastic weather, & catching up with the Wilson crew, the festivities set way with a million little snap crackle pops of firecrackers exploding over the bonfire.

Followed by the most amazing display of fireworks I'd ever seen.

The thunderous boom echoed through your chest, rattling your organs and sending shocks through to your limps. Tragically loud. Deafening. Grasping your breath from the air before you've fully exhaled. It was exhilarating, almost panic.

At the end of the fireworks, the bonfire was set ablaze.

We ventured up close to watch.

In only a matter of moments, the crowd was inching back further and further because of the heat. Firetrucks set by patiently in case of any stray embures.

We lingered for awhile longer, then hit the roadways back to Philly with plans to return for the next event, schedule for 2012.

It was quite an unexpected experience. As Jon put it so nicely, not for any single cause or even a cover charge. Just because.

Moral of the story...if Troy Wilson invites you to ANYTHING, no matter how lame the desciptions, just go. It's bound to be a good time.

I love it.

I'm sitting in the spare room with the windows wide open with a light breeze rustling the curtains. It's so quiet outside. This neighborhood is so unbelievably quiet. I love it. I love it so very much. It's my favorite thing about our new house. It makes me feel content even amongst all the construction and chaos. It reminds of growing up and small towns. It's like I managed to find my own little small town right here in the 'burbs. At first it was kind of eerie. Especially when you combine it with the fact that EVERYONE in the neighborhood is super nice. Like one of those movies that start out all sweet and cheery and then all the sudden everyone is getting killed or there's a crazy ghost or evil spirit that haunts the neighborhood at night. Nope. Didn't happen. Everyone's super nice. and it's always super quiet. And I love it.

This weather would be perfect for camping. I'm really craving a weekend of campfires, s'mores, long hikes, and just hanging out with nature. We usually try to take at least one trip in the late spring and another in the fall, more if we can fit it in. But this spring and summer has just been too busy with the house, plus I don't even know where to find all the camping gear amongst the piles of boxes in the basement. We tentatively scheduling a weekend get away in mid September. I think we just have to make it happen.

This weekend we're booked up with GrandPop's 90th birthday party and finishing up a lot of little projects around the house. Changing out the light switches, hanging a curtain rod, perhaps installing a dimmer switch in the kitchen. Sounds like fun, right!?

Summer Bliss

I can not say enough good things about the weather around here lately. Beautiful blue, sunny skies, warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s with amazingly low humidity, and cool breezy nights with the windows wide open. It's been a little glimpse of heaven for me.

It was perfect week for BBQing, long walks with SoFee dog, a Phillies game, and even a Wilco concert last night.

Anthony and Kristin enjoying the lovely summer evening.

Fun nature discoveries

Lil' salamander.

Creepy "dead" forrest.
Hawk feather.
Funky mushrooms.

Camping

GREAT camping trip this weekend. Aside from a stormy night Saturday resulting in several inches of water in the tent, everything was perfect. Good company, lots yummy food, long hikes, and plenty of cards and ladder toss.

Stories and hopefully a few video clips to follow. For now I'm off to enjoy the rest of the beautiful weather and prepare some delicious grilled potatoes and veggies!!