Charles Street

I need to spend more time downtown.  #iloveboston

Dinner at Bon Me

It was great to meet up with Rebekah Crawford (former Arlington Warder) last night for dinner at Bon Me.  They moved to Boston as a young couple for her husband to attend grad school at The Big H (that's what I call Harvard) and their three kids were born here.  I love that friends come back and visit for lots of reasons.  She's getting a Ph.D. and is in town for a conference.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #movebackcrawfords

I saw this antique on a walk at MIT

Mexican chicken soup for lunch

I bring baked goods to work to share.  Today my friend brought Mexican chicken soup and shared it with me.  It's muy bueno.

Sister Fat

When I was in the temple on Saturday and older gentleman asked my name. I said, "Sister Patton." He loudly replied, "PAT?" I said again, "Sister Patton." Then he said "PACK?" I spoke louder and said, "Patton like General Patton" and he yelled "FAT?" Then the man sitting next to him helped him figure out my name. #sealerneedsahearingaid #thanksforthelettersBIGboggle #iammormon #templehumor

The Boss

This morning while driving to work I finished listening to “Born to Run” on CD. Wow. I loved it. The best part was that Bruce Sprinsteen himself read his book. This book is an honest, raw biography of my favorite rock star. I learned about Bruce from my brother Robes who seriously was his #1 fan. Really. My first Springsteen concert (and I think I’ve been to 7 or maybe 8 between LA, Boston, and Miami) was at the LA Sports Arena with Robes. I was shocked when Robes stood on his chair and sang and danced and screamed; I had never seen Robes like that! Springsteen is an amazing performer (3+ hour concerts--the best!). I’ve bought keychains at the last few concerts I’ve gone to and I buried them at Robes’ grave in Florida. I enjoyed hearing about Bruce's life and how he became famous, his family relationships, and about his wife and kids. One of my favorite things he said (about his kids) is, “As parents you are their audience; they are not meant to be yours.” And I loved what he said about his wife Patti Scialfa: "I let Patti know me." He had a strong connection to LA and he talked about riding his motorcycle for miles in Southern California; all places I’ve been. Anyway, part of me is sad that the book is over. Good thing I have a copy of the book and this poster on my bedroom wall to remind me that Bruce is The Boss. #epcondo2017 #brucespringsteen

The Chipmans

The Chipmans came over for dinner!  Their oldest was sick and didn't make it but people, they have SIX girls!  I'm envious of their sisterhood.  We have lots of mutual friends and I've known about them for years so it was fun to finally share a meal together.  #newbffs #commonrables #bostonfriendsarethebestfriends

Meatloaf for dinner

When you invite a family of 8 over for dinner you double-ish the meatloaf recipe.

Helping the new deacon tie his tie

#arlingtonwarddeaconsareforever #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

A collage of antiques from yesterday

I didn't buy anything but saw lots of great stuff.  #epramblesaroundnewengland2017 #sincewhenisthatphoneanantique

Cool house

I like this house and went back to get a photo.  #nophotographicregrets #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

Is Jesse Pinkman hiding out in Connecticut?!?

#breakingbad #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

Hartford Temple

I rambled to the Hartford Connecticut Temple today.  I've been wanting to get back here to do some work since the open house.  It's a beautiful, peaceful place.  The prayer blessed those with heavy hearts.  #tendermercy #hartfordldstemple #iammormon #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

Hartford Temple

I rambled to the Hartford Connecticut Temple today.  I've been wanting to get back here to do some work since the open house.  It's a beautiful, peaceful place.  The prayer blessed those with heavy hearts.  #tendermercy #hartfordldstemple #iammormon

20 years

20 years ago today my brother (Robert) Robes -- a devoted young father, loving husband, gifted sports writer, dedicated LDS bishop and genuine great guy filled with joie de vivre -- was diagnosed with an anaplastic astrocytoma brain tumor. When I called him to find out the results from the MRI he had the day before and found out the news I was stunned. The doctor told him the tumor was the size of a golf ball, deeply rooted in the right side of his brain, and he should be very alarmed. He had gone to his appointment alone so he had to drive home and tell my sister-in-law Kim the news. I had secretly hoped his health issues were a problem with his pituitary gland (isn't it one the smallest glands?). Robes had the worst side effects from steroids and then brain surgery (and received the official diagnosis of brain cancer), followed by radiation, chemo, and many more horrible things and 18 months and 3 days after March 25th he passed away. I miss my brother every day. His death was a huge loss to his young family. I want a cure for cancer. WE NEED A CURE FOR CANCER. #ihatebraintumors #canceryouarecruel #pattonmemories Note: this was his byline photo for the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel (he covered the Miami Heat, golf, NCAA playoffs, bowl games and more).

Breakfast of champions

Oh and I just fixed my own windshield wiper.  Bam.  #givemeabiscuit #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

Breakfast of champions

And I just fixed my own windshield wiper.  Bam.  #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

Saloniki

There's a relatively new Greek restaurant down the street from MIT called Saloniki.  I went there for lunch today.  And yesterday.  Both times I had the Nico classic pita with lemon-oregano chicken and tzatziki.  It's delicious.  Is it weird to want to be rolled in a life size pita when I die?

Ann Romney's recipe

I guess I have some semblance of self control if I haven't eaten one cookie.  Yet.  #madeatmidnight #annromneyrecipe

TBT: the Pattons

We had professional photos taken every year.  Side story: Robert asked once why he didn't have red hair.  My mom's reply was, "the question is, 'why do they have red hair'?"  We have a great grandparent on each side that had red hair.  #pattonmemories #someonehadashiner #ilovemybigtooth

Just had a mammOgram...

...and I love when you're in the machine and ready for the scan and she says "don't move".  Don't move?!?  #myb00bisinavicegrip #iamnotgoinganywhere #seeyanextyear #ineedatreat

Today at Costco

Do you know about the vanilla bean shortage of 2016?  That bottle of pure vanilla was $24.99.  #abakerneedsvanilla #justthebasics

Lunch at Bon Me

#ineedafork

The Derm

I always count how many times the dermatologist sprays my pre-cancerous spots with liquid nitrogen.  Today: lucky 21. #feeltheburn #ouch #rareselfie #ileftwithabagoffreesunscreensamples #ialwaysdo #howeveriambadaboutusingit #hencetheluckynumber21 #nomorehashtags

Remembering Grandma Pitchforth

Today is Grandma Pitchforth's birthday.  This was the summer that I flew alone to visit them for a month in Salt Lake City.  #pattonmemories #pinksponecurlersforthewin #saltlakecity #ilookgoofy #arethosecorrectiveshoes

Family History cafe

Ashley on the right is opening her home one night a month to do family history.  #icallitthefamilyhistorycafe #ihavenoideawhattodo #ineedthefamilyhistorycafe #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #arlingtonwardfamilyhistoriansareforever

Relief Society

I'm a few days late with this post but I wanted to say that the Relief Society (the women's organization in the LDS church) was 175 years old yesterday and I'm proud to be a member! This photo was taken on one of the best days of my whole life--six women (plus tall Ben in the back) drove 4 hours to Queens to do clean up after hurricane Sandy. We worked hard cleaning out a garage and basement for one family and helped demolish a woman's kitchen (that's her daughter in the front) that had been rebuilt after the last hurricane. I'll never forget a Judy Pate ripping up hardwood flooring like a boss. It was such a memorable day and we were all proud to wear the Helping Hands vests and represent the Relief Society and Mormon Church. #iammormon #helpinghands #reliefsociety

Black bottom cupcakes

I took black bottom cupcakes for dessert.  #umyum

Yummy muffins

These banana blueberry muffins from Janssen's blog are so good.  I ate one earlier and I left 8 of them on the porch of a sick friend and I really want to devour the last 3 but I'm not eating after 10PM.  #bakesomeonehappy

Baker family photos

Life with a brand new baby and a two year old.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #arlingtonwardbabiesarethebest #bakerfamily2017

I'm not Irish

#happysaintpatricksday #bottomrightlimejellowithcottagecheeseandcrushedpineapple

You decide

#manikinchallenge OR #sleepingMITstudent

Bigger is not necessarily better

#bakingsnob

The day after

#bombogenesis #dontmakesnowconesfromthissnow #muzzeyhighparkinglot #bostonwinter2017

I love a snow day

I cleaned off and cleared a path for two cars.  And walked out to the quiet street.  #ilovetheseasons #nofilter #muzzeyhigh #bostonwinter2017 #helpthyneighbor

Snow day

I've had a lazy snow day but decided I had to be somewhat productive.  So I cleaned my fridge (why do I always have so many expired items?!?).  #redretrofridge #epcondo2017 #snowday #bottomrightdrawerisforchocolatechips

#whoopiepieday

My friend loves the quilt

She's a CORAble

#arlingtonwardbabiesarethebest

My delightful neighbor

Another quilt done!

If you zoom in you can see the hearts machine quilted by @hannahslongarmquilting. I love how it looks, I love all the Bonnie & Camille fabric, I love the minky on the back and the striped binding. I'm going to stop making quilts for a while and.....get my tax info ready for the accountant, read and possibly clean. Oh and finish The People vs. OJ. #ilovetosew @bonniecottonway @thimbleblossoms @simplylovefabrics

Back to Fat Biscuit

I had the Miss Piggy for dinner (with cheese grits on the side).  #iamgoingtotryeverythingonthemenu #scriptureimeandinnerclub

My crown

After six dentist/endodontist appointments and a bunch of money (and I have good insurance) I finally have my crown.  Photo and crown cred: Cami Jones

TBT: hair story

One time when I was getting my pixie haircut at the Merry Go Round salon, the girl next to me said she wanted her hair like mine.  When the woman was done cutting the girl’s hair she turned the chair around and the girl looked in the mirror and started to cry.  She wanted my hair color not the cut.  #pattonmemories #whocutmybangs #thoseshoes

#anotherquiltonthebed

My quilt is done and I love it!  I just washed and dryed it and it's all crinkly, just the way I like it.  #lapquilt #Ilovetosew

The wait is over!

#ilovethelibrary #bestthingabouttoday #nowineedaroadtrip #bigbossfan

Banana bread

I tried a new banana bread recipe last night from Jane Maynard and it's really good (sour cream and butter make everything better).  For years I've been using a recipe from a college roommate.  Now I have two good recipes.  #bakesomeonehappy #madeatmidnight #myphotostudioisaheaterintheoffice

International Women's Day

#grabyourcape

Comfort food

#okmaybenottheapple

Freebie table

This table is in the lobby of my condo building.  People put things on it they are giving away.  I've probably put 45 things there in the last few months (and 8 things the other morning).  My rule is if it's still there after 24 hours I take it back.  That's only happened once with a 50 cent IKEA vase.  #braggypatton #iknowyouwantthatwallpaper #epcondo2017