Found in Vermont

We came across an antique shop in Chester, VT and I found this mini cake plate (for $8). I love cake and I love cake plates.

Comfort food

We had chicken pot pie (from Pioneer Woman's new recipe book) for lunch today in Vermont. It was delicious. I'm going to make one myself soon.

Afternoon drive to Chester, VT

This afternoon we took a little drive over to Chester--another quaint Vermont town. We got gas and some treats, dumped our trash, did some antiquing, photographing, and I went ape in this fabric store. It had hundreds of bolts of beautiful fabric. The store went from room to room to room and even upstairs. It was amazing. I bought some fabric for a Christmas project. And I found a pretty little cake platter at an antique shop. Now we're back at the house resting up for a Phase Ten tournament.

Today

This pie

I've been drooling over this pie for a few weeks (I think I printed the recipe 4 times!) and made it today for Thanksgiving dinner. I haven't eaten dessert since August 31st (no cookies, cake, pie, brownies, ice cream OR candy). More about that on another post. I have, however, been eating dessert in Vermont and this pie did not disappoint. Next time I think I'll make more of the chocolate layer and maybe try real whipped cream on top. It's delicious. I'm going to go grab another slab!

Thanksgiving dinner

My Thanksgiving view

Another Thanksgiving in Vermont. It's been great so far. Lots of food, projects, movies (we're watching season 1 of Alias tonight), and resting (the best part). I'm thankful for a good life.

343!

Melanie is the winner!! I'll be sending you some cards next week.

I've been working in the Card Factory

Two weeks ago I had my annual Card Party which means I've been working in the Card Factory. I'm nearly done with making the cards for all the orders which is a relief. I'll be mailing some tomorrow. It's nice to make extra money and I'm happy that people like my photos. I'm hoping to sell them soon in an Etsy shop.













Do you want to guess how many cards I sold?! The winner receives a package of...photocards!

Where's brother?

My friend Jodi told me recently that her little girl Darian kisses her pregnant belly every day and she wanted to get some photos. I took some today after church (and after a little tantrum). I took some before Darian was born about 20 months ago. Jodi's hoping brother gets here soon (she's due on Thanksgiving).

The Blind Side

Big movie weekend. Tonight I saw The Blind Side. My friends and I planned on seeing the 9:15pm show and it sold out right before we got to the front of the line. Plan B was a quick trip to Target and then the 10:30pm showing at a nearby theater.

I loved the movie. I'm a sucker for movies based on true stories, especially sports stories. And I've said for years that most of our country's social problems are not going to be solved by programs--they will be solved by individuals helping other individuals. And this movie is proof of that. I even cried. I cried because it was a great story and I cried because I wish I could call my brother Robes tonight and tell him to be sure to see it (though if he was alive he probably would have already written an article about Michael Oher).

Go see The Blind Side. And see it before you see New Moon.

What you find if you google "New Moon party favors"

I'm still speechless over these edible cupcake toppers. Who makes these?! (Who buys these?!) I liked the movie. Go see it!

New Moon

Tomorrow night: I'm going to a party and I'm going to the movie.

Call Waiting

I have never been a fan of call waiting. I had to get it recently because my condo buzzer is now connected to my home phone. And of course my cell phone has call waiting. I have trouble with which button you push so you don't hang up on one of the callers. So what do I usually do? I tell the person I'm talking to that someone else is calling and ask if I can call them back. Hmmm...isn't the reason we have call waiting so we don't have to do that?!?

Baby at baby shower

Tonight I hosted a(nother) baby shower. The guest of honor is one of the preemies in the ward so he didn't get to attend with his mom. I took some photos of Anna who came to the shower with her mom. This little girl is a doll.

Sweet Sister Manderino

This is my friend Betty. I've known her since the first day I went to the Arlington Ward. She's leaving this week for Utah/California for her annual trip to spend the holidays with family. Betty is an amazing woman. I stopped by tonight to visit her before she left for the west and I'm so happy I did. I only wish I had had a tape recorder with me. She told me some great stories.

Betty is from Toole, Utah. She met her husband Gus (Agostino Manderino) in Toole when she was working for the Army as a key punch operator and Gus was in the Military Police. They met at a picnic -- over the desserts! They dated for six months and then married (she was 20, he was 28). They were married in her front room by her bishop (Gus was not a Mormon -- and didn't join the church until 30 1/2 years after they were married and raised their six children). Betty bought some beige fabric that the army used to make pants and an Italian POW made her jacket. She wasn't comfortable having him measure her for a skirt so her mother made the skirt for her. They didn't have enough sugar for a wedding cake so they had lemon pie.

I love the story that Betty tells in this little video clip about taking the train to Massachusetts after she and Gus got married. When she returns in the Spring I'm going to visit again with a tape recorder. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about her life tonight.

Hazel's blessing day

My friend asked me to take some photos today of her baby. I forgot my big fancy camera (that's why I always carry my small camera in my purse). She bought the blessing dress from "Aunt Etsy".

Is this Seattle?

Lots of rain today. Wipers on the fastest speed. Dodging puddles on the highway. Warm lunch. Getting things done. (Listening to Christmas music.)

2012

I went to see 2012 tonight. WOW! It's wild!! It's 2 1/2 hours. It's crazy and predictable and unrealistic (come on, California falling into the ocean?). GO SEE IT! In the movie theater (it's a big screen movie).

Note: WHO takes their 2 and 3 year old kids to see a PG-13 movie at 9:45pm at night?!

Grandma

A few weeks ago someone visiting our ward asked me how many grandchildren I had. Wow; I've never been asked that before, though I am old enough to be a grandmother.


















Last Saturday while in Maine I saw this red (favorite color) high chair at one of my favorite antique shops and I fell in love (I used to sit in one just like this only yellow). Now I have a place for little friends (and future grandchildren) to sit!

Veterans Day

I planned to take some photos at a cemetery but the day got away from me and now it's dark. I did take this photo while running errands in Arlington--a nice reminder of all the soldiers who fought for our freedom. To all of them, thank you.

Subway reading

I enjoy reading. I mostly read on the subway which ends up being 12-15 minutes each way (which isn't much) and that's if I get a seat. I've gotten quite a few library books recently but can't get through them because I hardly ever read at home. Last week all I wanted to do was FINISH A BOOK! And, I did (I think being home sick one day helped out!). The book was The Wednesday Sisters. I started reading another library book called Under the Table: Saucy Tales from Culinary School that I had hanging around but it was due today so I returned it. Last month I looked into getting The Help from the library but there were a number of holds. It's gotten very good reviews. I emailed a bunch of friends to see if anyone had it (no one did). When I called the library they said they had a copy in the "Read it Now" section so I dashed to the library after work and checked it out but it was only for two weeks. I got partway through the book and then had to return it. I had to wait 24 hours before checking it out again and someone snagged it. Reading a half hour a day, 3-4 days a week, doesn't add up very fast so I can't seem to get through books very quickly. Tonight I went to Target to get dryer sheets, milk and my own copy of The Help.

Note: Sorry about the boring post. Who photographs their new book for their blog?!

My night

I was heading to my friend's house (43 miles away) to get a hair cut tonight and stopped for gas about a mile from my condo. When I got back in the car, it didn't start. I'm mildly annoyed because Bluebell was just in the shop on Thursday. They told me then that the car needs some additional work (in the next month) so I'm hoping they can fix everything tomorrow. And I guess riding the bus won't be so bad.

It's almost Thanksgiving. So here are three things I'm thankful for tonight:

Being close to home when my car died.
AAA.
Friends who rescued me.

Note: That tow truck was cool and the driver was very nice.

The Rapson's 60th anniversary

Tonight there was a celebration for Warren and Harriet Rapson's 60th anniversary (upcoming in January). There was lots of delicious food, a beautiful cake, and wonderful friends (mostly the "old timers" in the ward). The Rapsons are a wonderful couple. They joined the church many years ago and have been stalwarts in the Arlington Ward. Warren hands candy out to the kids in the ward every Sunday. He knows I like root beer barrels and has one for me every week. It was fun to celebrate with them tonight.

On a quiet road in Maine...

About 20 years ago I was in Maine driving down a quiet road when I spotted a mailbox that said PITCHFORTH. I slammed on the brakes, got out, and took some photos. My mother's maiden name is Pitchforth and (duh) it's not a very common name. I think we've determined that if they're a Pitchforth, they're a cousin. I sent a mailbox picture to my Grandma (Pitchforth) who was still alive at the time. A year or two after the first sighting my brother Robes (Robert Pitchforth Patton) and his wife Kim were visiting and we found the road. And the mailbox. Robes wanted to meet those Pitchforth folks so we drove down the road. Barry Pitchforth was resting on a picnic table and once he saw us we had a nice visit. I thought he resembled my Grandpa Pitchforth. He thought Robes resembled his brother (which is interesting because people often mistake pictures of my dad and Robes). My mom called Barry's father and made the Pitchforth connection. I've tried a few times since to find the road with no luck. Until yesterday. I wanted to take the Kennebunkport exit. The exit split and I ended up near the tourist information center/gas station/McDonalds instead of heading toward Kennebunkport. I hopped back on #95 and took the next exit following the signs to Kennebunkport. I was on a quiet road and looked up and saw Pitchforth Drive! I slammed on the brakes, got out, and took some photos (for my blog and my family and my cousins)! Now I know where to find the Maine Pitchforths!

Tapioca pudding

My friend approached me today and mentioned that her husband, who is battling cancer, had asked if I would make him some tapioca pudding. As soon as I got home from church I made a triple batch. Hopefully more is better and it will brighten up his day.

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.