Never Too Early...

I checked out my iTunes Chritmas Song list... I have almost 600 Chritmas songs, many are played multiple times by various artists... Do you know how many artists sing "The Holly and the Ivy"... maybe I have so many verions of it becaue it is one of my favorite songs... but then I have SO MANY favorite songs. Do I start to play Christmas music before Thankgiving - YES.
I realized today I'm 4 days late in downloading Michael Bublé - Christmas Album, came out on October 21st! Oh, and Carole King has a new holiday album too!

I also realized my last blog was on September 11th... not sure why? 

This September 11th, take time for "Mychal's Message"

Did you know the first officially recorded fatality following the attack on the World Trade Center was Father Mychal Judge, chaplain to the NYC Fire Department? After administering the sacrament, anointing of the sick to a firefighter, Father Mychal was hit by debris and killed. Father Mychal is known for his work with the homeless, recovering addicts, AIDS patients, and his work as chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. During his life, Father Mychal spent much of his time ministering to the homeless on the Breadline at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City. Father Mychals dedication to homeless men, women and children has become a calling to us that manifests itself as Mychal's Message.
http://www.mychalsmessage.org/aboutmm/aboutmm.htm

One More Try... but NO wet pillow!!!

Ten + years ago I convinced myself I "retired" from camping. We camped as a family every year, frequently more than once a year - in a tent, sleeping bags, etc. It always started with such enthusiasm, especially when Gene was young, he LOVED sleeping in-between us... finding kindling wood, the perfect stick to toast marshmallows, helped Phil put up the tent... We camped with friends and nothing beats sitting around an open pit fireplace at night... and having coffee in the morning by the water... and delicious blueberry pancakes... actually, cooking when camping is an adventure and I always loved it, from lobsters in Maine to pancakes in the morning - food tastes amazingly better at a campsite!

I accepted that it took 1 day extra to clean everything for set up, and 1 day extra when home to put it all away... Walking to take a shower never phased me, bug bites, I dealt with them... BUT continuous rain... did me in... we always tried to stick it out, hearing the rain on the tent is somewhat soothing and it helped block out some of Phil's snoring! My last trip was trying to deal with 5 days of continous rain ... when I laid down on a wet pillow - that was it. It was the final straw - Phil did not believe me, thought he'd get me back, NOPE - we could have given every piece of camping gear we owned away and I was fine with it. I don't need a luxury vacation, but a wet pillow was the ice breaker.

Fast forward ten years or more later, I'm considering it - for 1 night. Phil goes almost weekly, wakes up near a river to fly fish and he's as happy as can be - loves to come home and tell me just how GREAT it was... Not sure if I'm crazy - but I may give it another try - just ONE night...

(unfortunately, I have no pictures on line, but plenty in albums... will scan at a later date)...

BONEFISH GRILL!

Phil and I are "generally" not a fan of chain restaurants... too boring. Gene LOVES them, "highway food" - he's thrilled with his traditional at Houlihans... blah...

Tuna Sashimi

Bang Bang Tacos

We went to Bonefish Grill the night before "Irene" ... LOVED it!  Going again with friends tomorrow night, besides very reasonable... so good, fun and lively atmosphere,  fresh fish and the menu seems to have favorites but also seasonal specials... Highly recommended!

COCONUT SHRIMP

CRAB CAKES

http://susanssunnyside.blogspot.com/

All IN THE FAMILY ...

It's that time of year again....

Sarah is transferring to Fordham University (my Dad's alma mater)!

Elana is a Freshman at Towson University University in Maryland!!! 

Freshman Year at College is so exciting - Good luck to you, Elana!

Maggie has started her Freshman Year at Hamilton (her Dad's alma mater) ...
where she'll continue to row on their crew team! 

Gene is starting his first year of Graduate School ~ So proud of you!!! 

(and living back home, not so sure how he is lovin' that)!!! 

ALL GREAT KIDS! 

Blogger's Block...

It's official... facebook has really replaced blogging for me... being able to link articles, videos, pictures etc. - is just so easy... I'm sure I'll be inspired to blog again...  but not as compelled to do so... although I still do love other people's blogs...so please, don't let me be the only one on a hiatus!  I'm calling it "blogger's block" ...



How do you like your coffee...

Delicious Iced Coffee

My favorite summer drink... my new ritual - brew more coffee than usual in the morning - refrigerate the few cups remaining...and later in the day, have myself 2 large glasses of iced coffee!!!

I am coffee "particularcrazy" - I can eat just about anything...but I want my coffee the way I want it... hot or iced. ...and I prefer decaf hazelnut (when given a choice)...

Keeping it simple... Happy 4th!

We're staying local... Can't say I'll miss the insane traffic...

Lucky with this local watering hole...

Our town does an amazing day with games for everyone...

Oh, and no one does the fireworks any better!

Have a SAFE and Happy 4th!!

Seriously...

When Astrid posted this...

made me laugh...I've seen it too! 

This is my favorite...for obvious reasons!

How can we take these wines seriously? 

Gifts...

I'm finding myself resenting "expected" gift giving holidays... I'm also getting uncomfortable receiving an "expected" gift.  Does anyone else think it's just escalated to being "out of control"... I'm NOT even emphasizing Christmas... It's all the "other" ones... one after the next after the next... it leaves me to purchase impulsively, spend too much because I think I'll look cheap or know it will be returned...and being a "mall avoider" that feeling of HAVING to purchase something leaves me overwhelmed... especially when it's forced... I do find total pleasure in giving a special gift - that's not what I'm focusing on though.  What happened to a "small token"... or just a card (which I'm resenting buying since they are so boring and way too expensive)... Giving gifts has NOTHING to do with being thoughtful... and giving an expensive gift has no baring on how you should feel about someone... the worst is the "passive aggressive" gift receiver ... they set themselves up for disappointment and constantly tell you how others disappointed them on the gift they received - How can you react to that statement?  One becomes disappointed because they have unrealistic expectations.  I LOVE to surprise someone with something I know they will like... but I hate to HAVE to buy someone a gift... a genuine act of kindness goes so much further to me!

Summer Stock Theatre!

30 years ago I had one of the best summers I can remember ... I was out of college (theatre major) quit my job in the city and moved to NH to stage manage in a summer theatre stock company - "Town and Country Playhouse" - we did 8 full scale plays/musicals in 10 weeks... rehearsed during the day, performed in the evening - met some wild and crazy and very talented people... including this guy!!!

Gary (recently) with one of his adorable twins!

 No regrets doing this for the summer... came back to NYC, was hired to stage manage an Off Broadway Show, rehearsed for weeks and the morning of opening day it closed... never to perform! Life in the theatre - have to be made of something very special to endure it... some regrets I did not follow my training... but wonderful memories and skills came from stage managing... a few of the shows I've worked on; my love for the theatre has not altered a bit, hope to do some regional theatre again in the near future...

"Rider's to the Sea" was my Senior Year in College Independent Study Project -

directed this play, one of my most fulfilling experiences...

"Pippin" hands down - my favorite musical, ever! 

Prom Time!

They were both just little girls...

Maggie at a friends prom last week... tonight is hers!  

http://susanssunnyside.blogspot.com/