Julia Child's brownies

I tried this recipe tonight. They are chewy and yummy and I dirtied half of my kitchen equipment to make them! I took two tins to work and they were a hit. I'll definitely make them again.

The beetle (singular)

It was pretty hot on Sunday so I opened my window while the Coxes were here for lunch. After they left I noticed a BIG beetle on the living room floor. I quickly grabbed this cup to contain it. I even put a book on top of it to be sure it didn't get away. It wasn't moving so I wondered if it was a fake bug that maybe the Windsor kids left in the toy shelf a few weeks ago. Ha! I went back to look at it and it was moving every one of those legs trying to turn itself over and escape. I've honestly only seen a handful of bugs in my condo in the five years I've lived here. This guy is going to end up in the toilet. This is why I don't open my window very often.

Stanley's got shoes

The Boy Scouts in the ward are leaving this weekend for their high adventure in southern Utah. My friend Stanley is going with them and he will turn 12 on the trip. He moved from Haiti to Boston to join his mother here back in December. A few months ago I loaned Stanley some camping items for an overnight on the Cape. He needed some gear for the high adventure so I offered to help get him outfitted for the trip. The main thing he needed was hiking boots/shoes so I asked a few friends if they were interested in contributing some money and Stanley and I went shopping tonight. We found some cool waterproofed hiking shoes on a great sale at L.L. Bean. While we were there I asked about headlamps but they didn't have any on sale and I decided to pass on getting him one. As we were standing at the counter taking care of paying, the clerk that helped us with the shoes told us to wait a minute. I heard her say, "I'm buying this. Everyone needs one of these on a hiking trip." She bought Stanley a really cool headlamp! What a nice gesture. I asked for her name and plan to send her a note. That act of kindness certainly boosted my spirits today.

A haircut in Grafton

I'm on vacation today. I drove out to Grafton to my friend's house to get a haircut. I'd only been to her place (farm land) at night so was pleasantly surprised to see an old red barn right near her driveway! I'm glad I had my big camera with me.

Cambridge Stake Center Dedication

A new favorite photo

He does have siblings

I love this kid!

Lunch guests

Renee LaPierre's Reception

Arlington Ward Picnic

Was this an accident?

Big week for the Cambridge Stake Center

Sunday is the official dedication! This week there is a basketball tournament, Jon Schmidt concert, Fireside, Spectrum Singers concert and the building is open for tours. I went over last night to check it out; it's exciting to have a Stake Center (we have had no building to meet in for over 12 years) and it's a beautiful building. Sunday will be a big day (I am one of the official photographers so I'll post lots of photos).

There she goes

Bluebell went to the junk yard this morning and I've got a "buck fifty" in my pocket.

Clever gift

50 red gifts for my 50th birthday!

Everyone needs a trusty mechanic

Last night I noticed the "check engine" light was on. COME ON, SILVER BELLE! We've been together two weeks. I DON'T NEED CAR PROBLEMS!

I called "my mechanic" this morning and he said to drop by on my way to work and he'd hook the car up to the computer and see what the problem was. [That's called nice.] I was there in 7 minutes and he figured out it was something with evaporation and the fuel line (?). He turned the "check engine" light off for me and then checked where you put gas in. The cap wasn't tight and he thinks that was the problem. I pumped gas for the first time in Maine (full serve gas stations are more common than self serve in Boston) and must not have tightened the cap enough. Oops!

I'm livin' and learnin' with Silver Belle.

A long, long time ago...

...on a Friday in June, I graduated from Mulholland Jr. High. My mom made my dress and who knows where we got that crazy hat. But I remember my dress (I wish I still had it) and platform shoes (not visible with the maxi dress) like it was today.

Happy Birthday to me!

I was hoping to find a cool antique this weekend in Maine. I've been wanting an old globe and I found one. It was $35 but because it was "dusty" the lady gave it to me for $25. Lucky me.

Birthday weekend

I had a good weekend in Boothbay Harbor. I drove 50mph, spent $50 on groceries, and listened to CDs in my car on volume 50. I had the best lobster roll (Trevett Country Store). I rested, wrote postcards, and read. I caught up on my Book of Mormon summer reading (2 1/2 hours worth!) and I re-started The Help for the third time. I finally got into the book and am half way through and looking forward to the second half. I drove around Boothbay and took photos. Fifty has been fine so far!

My view at 5:30am

A stop in Maine

The twins now live in Maine so I stopped to see them on my way to Boothbay Harbor. They are getting big and are adorable.

My bill

It's the big one

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