no place like home

Left for NJ 12/10 and the adventure was non-stop. This is Quincy (my friend Joan's dog) who made me welcome in my home away from home in North Haledon. It was a whirlwind of girlfriends, dinners out , sister time, hugs, visits back to school, endless glasses of wine, some incredible beer (18 proof Dogfish Head World Wide Stout), beach time with Barbe and Anne, the Endless Vine crowd, Holiday Fair at Union Square in NYC, picture taking on the Wildlife Drive at Brigantine (I took 195 shots) with Bruce, driving by my old house, remembering why I love my friends, a mar-tea-ni party, the Winter Solstice Concert at St. John the Divine's in NYC, Christmas shopping at Woodbury Commons, purchasing an iPad for myself....... and so much more....

the "gong and chime" tree of life at the Winter Solstice Concert

St. John the Divine Cathedral

there were at least a thousand snow geese at the Wildlife Drive and we timed it just right to see them fly off for food

it was FREEZING (the salt water marsh was actually frozen) and this hawk just sat in the sun posing

And then back home 12/19.... and the realization that I was "home"..... and it felt good... John and Jess are leaving for NH tomorrow night so we celebrate "Family Christmas" last night... John made a delicious dinner

My friend Sandi sent me this windchime that she had made for me. Look carefully and you will see how perfect it is for a NJ girl in NC!

Dave and I are sharing Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day I fly to Ohio to spend a week with my parents and brother and his family (plus 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 3 steer in a newly built barn)..... after that I don't think I want to see an airplane for months!

Brrr!!!

I have a new stove and the oven has TWO shelves! I tried it out last night by making a Roasted Vegetable Frittata from the new Barefoot Contessa cookbook my sister sent me. Dave and I loved it! And now with two shelves, I can make some Christmas cookies when I get back from NJ.

It has been cold here in NC! The wind chill yesterday morning was 13 degrees. I bought a new warm down coat so I can still spend time walking on the beach and at Airlie Gardens. I discovered some good duck activity at a pond almost across the street from my home. And finally got some decent hooded merganser pictures. The first picture is a female wood duck (I think!).

some old pics and one new

the two carrot cake 27th birthday cakes Jess made for John & Dave... when you marry a twin you end up making two cakes! .... isn't she the BEST!

I could look at this picture forever!

the cats got an early Christmas present..... Lacey prefers the "basement".....

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

Spent a great afternoon with John, Jess, and Dave playing a new game, The Settlers of Catan... John won!

even decorated the bathroom!

Wreath on the door at 222.

Fireplace works! Only did limited decorating since I won't be here much of December. Will be in NJ 12/10 to 12/19 and in Ohio 12/25 to 12/31.

Trip to Urgent Care Friday when I sliced my finger using my new, very sharp knife. Already healing well. Waiting for new stove to be installed. My oven stopped working Thanksgiving day. Looking forward to teaching a group of 20 8th graders on Thursday at Airlie Gardens!

Another Nutria and an Osprey with a Hound Fish at Airlie Gardens

December Begins

Carolina Wren

Female Cardinal

Boisterous Blue Jay

Eight turtles lined up to soak up the sun.

I can't identify this duck... any suggestions!

Male and Female Hooded Mergansers

American Wigeon and then MORE Hooded Mergansers...

Thanksgiving and the boys' 27th birthdays are over. Bruce flew back to NJ last night and Yolande left for CA this morning. Time to put up some Christmas decorations. I decided to go to Ohio to spend Christmas with my parents and Jim and his family. John will be with Jess's family in NH and Dave with Bruce in NJ.

Dad is out of the hospital and in rehab and feeling stronger each day.

Thanksgiving and another adventure

My Thanksgiving turkey.

Jess preparing a delicious dinner in her kitchen.

Yolande preparing her stuffed pumpkin... wish you could have tasted it!

The finished stuffed pumpkin... a work of art.

John and Jess working on dinner.

Dave was in charge of the rolls!

Early b'day presents for John and Dave.... marshmallow guns.

And the adventure part..... Dad had a TIA (minor stroke) at 3 a.m. Thanksgiving morning but we didn't find out until Mom called him around 7 and he said he felt sick. Mom was waiting at the rehab center for dad to pick her up. Jim & Sandy followed the ambulance to the same hospital mom was in two weeks ago. They spent most of the day waiting for tests and to get him admitted. Mom spent the day anxiously waiting for news and for someone to bring her home.

As of today Dad is doing well and mom is home. Dad has to go to the same rehab center for about a week and it looks like mom is really rising to the occasion and coping at home on her own when Jim & Sandy aren't around.

Ask me how happy I am that they are in Ohio and not on their own in PA!!!!!

A Weekend of Food

I loved my cooking/ eating class Friday night. These are the Southern Shrimp Cocktail Skewers.

I could have eaten the whole plate of Pull-Apart Ham & Cheese Bread. I am going to make them sometime this week!.

Me with a glass of wine..... and a smile!

The evening's cooking lesson and dinner was held in a great kitchen shop that is right around the corner from my home. I see some Christmas shopping there in my future.

Then on Saturday I went downtown for a Food Tour (http://www.lizbiro.com/home.html) that had us tasting wine & cocktails and sampling incredible food at 8 different restaurants. The best part was getting to talk with all of the chefs. I would do this again!

The rest of my weekend included seeing the new Harry Potter movie with David, watching the almost full moon rise over the ocean, and cleaning my house & planning menus for Yolande who arrives tomorrow!

More Ohio Pictures

My mom's cat, who she calls "the pretty little kitty with the raccoon tail and the little pink nose", but whose real name is Lacy.

Garfield (Emily's kitten) .... who entertained me a lot!

My brother (Jim) and sister-in-law (Sandy).... who take amazingly good care of my parents!

Dad and Jim walking the dogs. Aren't they cute!!!!!

Another picture of my parent's new home.

Mom's first day in the hospital... watching the Ohio State game!