The Ellen Patton tour of Maine

I took two friends (that have never been) to Maine today. We drove up to Kennebunkport and worked our way down to Kittery seeing the Bush compound, some antique stores, Perkins Cove, York Beach, Nubble Light and the Crate & Barrel outlet. We found this random place and got lobster rolls (yum!). We had perfect weather and it was a really fun day.

(The best) hot chocolate

Tonight I went to dinner with some friends at Wagamama. We were walking around Harvard Square after dinner and decided to have hot chocolate at Burdicks. I've heard rave reviews about their hot chocolate but I've never been. Wow! Now I know what all the fuss is about. It was absolutely delicious.

Relief Society Meeting

Tonight was a "Relief Society Meeting". We have been working on a project in our ward for a few months. Five copies of the book "The Hundred Dresses" have been passed around to the women in the ward to read and we have been collecting dresses to donate to a local shelter (we have well over 100). Tonight we gathered to prepare a meal (lasagna, salad, garlic bread, cookies) that will be donated and served tomorrow night and the dresses will be sorted and organized. We had a great group of gals there tonight. It always feels good to be doing something for someone else.

Mormons and horns

Some people say Mormons have horns.

Bluebell's horn stopped working about 6 weeks ago (not long after passing inspection). Getting it replaced has been on my list of things to do (along with lots of other things). Last weekend I was driving with a friend and the car in front of us stopped. Then their reverse lights went on. I yelled to my friend, "I don't have a horn! I don't have a horn!" Thankfully the car didn't back into me and two days later I made the appointment to have my horn replaced.

I tested it out as I drove down the street tonight-----toot toot!

Still learning lessons

I guess you can't just pick a parking lot to park in.  Lesson learned for $20.

What is a Photocard Party you ask?

Once a year I invite lots of friends over to see my photocards and place orders. It's like a Tupperware party. I've sold my cards at a few craft fairs/boutiques which means I have to anticipate what people would want to buy and then make a lot of cards. My Photocard Party includes a raffle (I give away a free 8x10 each night), a free card for everyone that attends (this year the choices are turkeys or Christmas trees), and treats (of course). I tape my cards up on my living room walls. I'm hoping for a turn-away crowd tomorrow night. And, I'm hoping to sell them on-line someday soon.

Getting ready

I'm having my annual PHOTOCARD PARTY the next two nights.

Oh condo, My condo

I've had some blogging friends ask for pictures of my condo. So I'll start with the outside. This is the back of the building (the entrance) and that is my one window! It really is 5 feet wide and (approx.) 16 feet high.

I love New England: let me count the ways...

Pumpkins and squash above front doors in Concord.

Back to the Old North Bridge

I said I would go back to the Old North Bridge to take photos and I did. I think these are the first family photos of these guys. Their little boy is always so happy and they are a fun family.

Fall family photos

I've photographed this family before. And, the little girl is delightful! We went to the Old North Bridge in Concord and it was the perfect place. I really like that old boathouse; I'll be photographing there again.

Buttermilk pancakes

I've never made them before until tonight (late night breakfast for dinner). Wow -- they are easy and delicious! I think this recipe is either from my friend Kate Windsor or my friend Mariann Hilton.

Buttermilk Pancakes
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbl. sugar
Mix these dry ingredients together with a whisk.

Then mix 1-1 1/2 cups buttermilk, 1 egg, and 3 Tbl. oil together and add to dry ingredients.

And now make some pancakes!!

Stake Conference at Trinity Church

Tonight was the Cambridge Massachusetts Stake Conference adult session which was held at Trinity Church. Our Stake Center is under construction and none of the buildings are big enough for Stake meetings. I'm not sure how it happened that we got to use Trinity Church but it was really cool to hear an apostle speak (M. Russell Ballard) and the choir sing in such a beautiful historic building. Pardon the crappy photo and I probably shouldn't have taken a picture inside the church anyway (sorry Trinity!). Stake Conference on Sunday will be held at the beautiful historic Copley Marriott.

You asked for the recipe

Grandmother Pitchforth's Sugar Cookies

½ cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 T milk

2½ cups sifted flour

2 t baking powder

1 t vanilla (I use ½ t. vanilla and ½ t. almond)

Cream butter, add sugar and beat until light.  Add beaten eggs, milk and flavoring.  Sift flour with baking powder together and add.  Chill dough then roll and cut into shapes as desired.  Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking.  Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.

Halloween baking

I filled two tins with these sugar cookies tonight. One tin is going to some friends and the other tin will be sitting on my desk at work.

Watch out

Last night my watch got caught on my shirt and the band broke and then soon after the battery died (crazy coincidence?!). I love wearing a watch; in fact, today I looked at my wrist to see what time it was about a dozen times. I decided that it was probably easier to buy a new watch than try to get to a repair shop (full-time jobs can get in the way). After work I went to a few stores at the mall and didn't find the watch I wanted. I remembered that this morning I had seen an on-line ad for Timex watches at Kohls so I went there next hoping they had what I wanted. They didn't. But they sold batteries and watchbands. So I dropped $14.81 and my watch is like brand new.