I got a water bath canner about a year ago and finally put it to use this weekend. Not overly successfully, but hey, its the first time I've been around a canner since I was abt 8 yrs old. We got 1/2 bushel of Granny Smiths so we made a small batch of applesauce (quite tasty). Also attempted apple juice but the recipe and my large stockpot didn't ( Read more... )

What a whirlwind. On Saturday morning, we went to a show at the Verizon Center- Walking with Dinosaurs. It's touring nationally, put on by the BBC, narrated by a paleontologist and absolutely incredible. I think Todd and I liked it as much, if not more, than Joshua. There were 16 different dinosaurs that moved, roared and looked just like the real ( Read more... )

Just got back from 7 days at Disney World and had a fabulous time. We stayed at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge and it was lovely- not disneyfied so there was a place we could get away from the park hype. I'm a big fan of the Yellowstone, big-log lodge type look so the place felt very restful, especially since it is completely surrounded by trees ( Read more... )

We now have our second 2008 vacation planned. We're doing a 7 Day cruise in February. It has stops at Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Best part is we're using our vacation club points so the only costs will be our shore excursions, plane tickets to FL and spa treatments. We'll have a room with a verandah and since we're doing the Disney cruise ( Read more... )

I just found out that my chef is leaving my restaurant. So disappointed- not sure that Maestro will be the same without Fabio. I am so bummed. Visits to New York are in my future.

So yeah, I'm a dork but I've finally gotten excited about Deathly Hallows. Apparently my copy is now in Laurel, MD. I'm looking forward to reading it. I'm hoping (but not holding my breath) that it makes it's way over here and gets delivered tomorrow afternoon. That way I can read it for a few hours before Todd gets home and steals it from me.

A young artist rang our bell tonight. Turns out he and a bunch of friends, all from Israel are touring the county displaying their art. They are trying to sell enough of their art in the states so that they can hopefully open a studio when they go back home in a few months. Todd and I got some amazing art- all abstract, of course. I tried to get a ( Read more... )

Here is what I am thinking we'll do when we go to Japan next year- tell me if I am missing anything amazing:

( Tokyo )

I love this user pic!

Joshua turned 4 this past Sunday. He is getting so big. Seems like I go away for two days to Richmond and he's bigger each time I get back. He now has a real bike with training wheels. We also got a wii and Joshua loves it. He wants to play bowling all the time ( Read more... )