June 24th, 2009
MOV09506
Welcome to my new blog!
June 13th, 2009Thanks for visiting, look around and let me know what you think!
Fannie May’s 7/11 Eighteen
June 7th, 2009
Snubbed by the Lottery Ticket Officials at midnight in the Paterson 7-11. A large plate of Penne Pasta at Volare’s. A stop in Madam Tosseau’s. A fun day in New York City. And oh yeah, did I mention my prom? Lots of fun stuff happening this weekend. Especially Sylvie’s hair. Funny, but it was the same hair on Sunday than it was on Friday. Only slightly flatter. Ralphie, Anthony, Sal, Falco. Maitre’d – Some interesting characters, good food and loads of fun. See pics here
"Burnin Marshmallows"
April 26th, 2009
After nearly a year’s respite the blogmaster returns. He will pick up where he left off. Day eight arrival at Kinsale. Way back in summer 07. No worries, we have grand memory banks. In the meantime it was chock full of activities this weekend. Erin and the band arrived late Saturday evening and right to bed they went. Only to waken to a wonderful surprise. Fannie Mae was knocking on the back door at 7am this morning. Fannie’s Dad was kind enough to get up at 6am and drive Steph up to the house so she could make the first trek of the season to Stormville. First a stop off at our favorite brunch stop. Gloria’s. Wouldn’t ya know. Clare had a Turkey Club. Erin followed suit and the rest of us had a normal 9am brunch. Right to Stormville to beat the crowds. Fancy hand woven Tye-dye’s by big Frank himself. We go the family deal this time around. Lots of sun as the temp reached 90 and the girls jumped in the pool. I mean ran through the sprinklers. Back to school tomorrow. Gradation on the 18th. Looking forward to it. Thanks for the fun guys. See ya next weekend. See pics here
Day 8 – Kinsale – In Progress
February 9th, 2009
We woke to the most beautiful view ever witnessed by man. At least I did anyway. To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer, The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die—to sleep, No more; and by a sleep to say we end. The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks. That flesh is heir to: ’tis a consummation. Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep; Heard that one before. Even those words cannot describe how beautifully pristine the coast of Kinsale was.
Sorry Clare, But we are all out of TURKEY
December 29th, 2008
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new turkey club, conceived in mayonnaise, and dedicated to the proposition that all Turkey Clubs are created equal. NOT. Gloria is my Hero, the birthday girl squealed. I had the best TC ever. Prior to the Turkish Club we stopped off on Route9 Bowlarama. Three games of bowling with the bumpers up made for a fun frolic at the alley. Erin beat Dad and was quite happy about it. It was Sylvie’s first visit up north and she went home with a new favorite song. Sung by Dr. Hook called Sylvie’s Mother. A little bowling, alot of food, a movie and a ride to the majestic Hudson river was all I could muster up as I was growing weary and tired off all the nonsensical girl crap. See you all for Steph’s 18 in a few months. Happy Birthday Clarevoyant See Slideshow here
The Secret Code to Christmas Gifts
December 19th, 2008
I have secretly hidden the code to unlock this Christmas present somewhere 
on this page. If you hunt around and do the usual point and click of 
the mouse, you just might unlock the gift that is in the box. Which is Erin’s gift 
from Santa that is just screaming to be opened. VERY KEWL is all I can say. I wrapped the gift with special wrapping paper, so that very well might be a hint. But I also hid a few keys somewhere on the Internet. With a little ingenuity and alot of common sense. You will locate the code. Oh, you have to answer the Secret Question correctly first without looking on the Internet and searching for the answer. The computer has been trained to recognize a cheat. Once you have cheated you will not be able to gain access to the first code, which means you will never be able to open the box. If you do break the code in an honest effort, the gift in the box will double and Erin’s friend Clare will be the lucky recipient of the same VERY KEWL gift that Erin will have. Good Luck and Happy Hunting. Merry Christmas SANTA CLAWS
Hail to the TREE
December 7th, 2008
Erin’s Eighteenth flew by. Xmas made it’s way around the corner and we were off to the tree farm. Donall passed up about 600 beautiful douglas firs before stopping, selecting and carrying home the winner. A beautiful green spruce with long needles and a full belly of limbs. Not changing from the norm we couldn’t find the tree stand, but eventually it turned up. Snow started falling, Erin started yawning and Clare let out a big IWAC and we all called it a night. SEE PICS HERE
Happy Eighteen Erin
November 24th, 2008
Wow – I remember the Saturday so very well 18 years ago. It was 830am and I was at work installing mirrors in the Gap HQ’s. I got a call from TT saying we are on our way to the hospital. I immediately jumped/hi tailed it into my car. But as usual was a few minutes late. Our beautiful girl Erin was born around 930am. We didn’t have digital cameras back then so I can only show you guys a few pictures from about ten years back. Boy is she cute. We celebrated Erin’s birthday at a famous Mexican restaurant aptly named Jalapeños in the famed restaurant district of Salem, NY. Now earring has a drivers license, a job, braces ready to come off and a few select colleges waiting for her to enter. Time flies when your having fun tye-dyeing. See Pics Here Here is Erin’s favorite soup recipe in case anyone has the gravitas to make it for her…..I did………….
Houlihan’s Baked Potato Soup 3 cups potatoes (about 3 medium), cut into 1/2″ cubes 2 1/2 cups water (this is separate from the water used to boil the potatoes) 4 tablespoons butter 2 medium onions, diced 2 tablespoons flour (gluten-free is fine) 2 tablespoons chicken base 1/2 cup dried potato flakes 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce 3/4 cup heavy cream* 3/4 cup milksalt, to taste 1/4 cup bacon bits 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons green scallion tops, thinly sliced Place potato cubes in pot with water to cover. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes, or until potatoes are just barely tender when pierced with a skewer. Drain and set potatoes aside. In large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the onions and saute 10-12 minutes or until transparent. Be careful not to let them brown. Add the flour and stir the mixture 3-4 minutes to eliminate any floury flavor. In mixing bowl, whisk together the 2 1/2 cups water, chicken base, potato flakes, basil, and Tabasco. Add slowly to the onion mixture over medium heat, stirring or whisking constantly so no lumps form. Add the cream and milk, stirring until smooth and lightly thickened. Simmer lightly 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cooked potatoes and heat through. Garnish (in bowls) with cheese, bacon bits, and sliced scallion tops.