Starting the new year with good and bad

So today, we were supposed to go to Dan’s mom & her husband’s house (Lois and Harry) for their annual New Year’s Day open house. The three of us were supposed to go, but as I woke up, I got a sinus headache and was getting so grumpy.

Dan ended up going alone and taking Theo.  I ended up taking like 3 naps and still not feeling 100%. My head still feels full.

Theo did well at grandma & grandpa’s house - even with a full house.  Dan did say that he get a little testy at the end when people were leaving and he was ready to go.  He was grabbed/trying to stop him and I guess he tried to nip someone.

I ended up talking to my brother, Brett, for awhile, and just watching tv.

We got our annual stocking from Lois and Harry full of goodies - fruit, cookies, candies, little stuff, and lottery tickets.  We always have fun with the lottery tickets - even more fun that we actually won $130!!!

So, 2018 is starting out as a turn of luck! Let’s see what happens when the lottery numbers are pulled on Wednesday!  We purchased a couple of tickets since no one has won in awhile and the jackpot is BIG!

Adventures: DIY and Bday Present

For months, I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to get us for some sort of memorial for Esa.  I looked on Etsy and saw some items that I liked (bracelets, keychains, etc.), but haven't taken the time to really go forward with it.

Then I was looking at the May 2014 Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  This was on the last page.  Seriously....

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/73957618856070650/

Do you see that?  Of all of the names/initials, they use in this publication E S A.  Now, if that is not a sign, I don't know what is.  I have thought about making something, but never really knew what I wanted.  There you go, idea solved.

Today (May 30), is Dan's birthday.  This post is/was a work in progress (and not published until May 30 - just in case Dan decides to look at the blog).

Trial run with paper 

(and a backward letter - what can I say, I don't use stamps very often)

I used 2 Creative Memories tools to get the ovals (used the middle of the tools) .  I purchased the stamps at AC Moore and had the ink pad.

Of course, the next idea that came in my head was maybe I can make a Zed one too, but with his REAL pawprint!

Friday, May 23 afternoon

It took me about 4 tries to get the bottom right large one done.  It's a mess, but I decided to keep it and it would be mine for a reminder how much problems I originally had!  LOL!  I guess it would have helped if I had cleaned the stamps BEFORE using them on the clay!  Like I said, I don't use stamps very often.

I TRIED to do Zed's pawprint (he is so patient!), but his paw is bigger than the large oval AND even when I pressed on his paw, it didn't really make a mark.  His nails did, but not his paw.

Zed's charm has is adoption date on it.  Esa's has her birth date on top and death date on the bottom.

So side story - I made these around 1 pm in the afternoon and had it sitting on the oven to cool when I went on a walk with Zed and our neighbor, Lynne and Sable (Esa's best friend) around 2:15 pm.  I figured - plenty of time to hide everything before Dan gets home at 4 pm.  I had cleaned up the mess when the charms were in the oven, so only the pan was out on the stove.  

Lynne and I come around the corner and who is sitting on our porch but Dan!  PANIC!  I thought for sure that he saw the charms.  So I immediately said, "What are you doing home?  Did you see what was on the stove?"  He said no that he saw that the leash was gone and immediately came out to the porch.  He said he saw something sitting out, but didn't go inspect it.

So, truth will be told on Friday when he gets his presents.

Wednesday, May 28

The finished products.

Dan's

Mine

I enjoyed making these.  It was a quick and easy project that means a lot.

The Daily Zed: Geocaching

We decided to go geocaching on Sunday since it was a long weekend and it was going to be nice out.  We invited Dan's sister and her husband along too.  We had gone to the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship  before, but still had a lot of geocaches to find.

Our plan was to go to the Equestrian entrance since that would be closer to the geocaches.  Well, that didn't go as planned.  First of all, we took a wrong turn and ended up at another "sort of " entrance that only had like 2 parking spots.  We got out of the jeep and then looked at the map.  WRONG PLACE!  

We got back into the jeep and went to the right place.  The gate wasn't open.  WHAT?!  So much for that plan.

So we just went to the main entrance and walked the trail.  It all ended good.  We walked a good 3.5 miles.  Little Z was a tired boy when we got back to the Jeep. 

ready to pass out on mama's lap

We did find one geocache, but the container was broken and there was an ink pad in it that leaked all over everything.  Disappointing.

It was great to spend time with Donna and Bill, so the day wasn't a waste at all.  We all enjoyed the day.

Of course, we had some excitement on the way there.  The check engine light came on.  GREAT!  Not again!  We'll see what the code is this time.....

After taking a little nap, Zed was up and around and back at it.  He knew there were treats in the geocaching bag, so what does he do right in front of Dan?

That little stinker!

Adventures: Reading Area

Every night, I try to read a little before going to bed.  Sometimes, it's just a magazine, and even then it might only be a page or two.  I know the short time was due to not having enough light on my side of the bed, so we got a floor lamp.  

Then I keep staring at the empty corner.  It used to have Babe's (my cat) treehouse, then it had an air purifier.  For about the last year year it's been empty.

Now, I know this little corner is not HGTV material.  I have been meaning to re-upholster the chair forever, but have never done it.  It's been sitting in the basement area - first used, and then put in a corner and not being used.  There are stains on the seat, it's not as comfortable as used to be and I think Babe left her mark on it by using it as a scratching post a couple of times.

There's a reason why I keep the (now) worn out chair and doesn't match anything I have.  It was my mom's.  I remember being told that Mom spent a lot of money on it.  I think it was either custom made or at least it was upholstered with a specific fabric that my mom picked out.  I can remember there being curtains that matched it too.  It was originally in the "guest" room that eventually became my room (that's a whole other story).  That being said - this chair is probably 60 years old.  My parents got married in 1951, so I know it's from the 50's (like the rest of the furniture I've inherited).

The little stool/bench has been my nightstand for awhile.  I wanted something small, and had it in the basement storage.  It was made by my grandpa Caprarulo (my mom's dad).  Who knows how old that thing is.  Grandpa passed away in 1969 (2 months after I was born) at age 91, so I don't think it was made anytime around then.

So, yes, my little reading area is not HGTV material, but family history material.

I used it for the first time last night.  Let me just say, Zed didn't like it.  He wasn't able to cuddle up with me like usual.  He sat on the floor next to me, stared at my lap but didn't jump up; and realized that he had to wait until I was in bed to cuddle.

The Daily Zed: Mini-vaca

Zed stayed with his Aunt Donna and Uncle Bill this weekend while Dan and I went to the M3 Festival.  It was really weird not having him around, even though we weren't home that long on Friday night or Saturday.  Sunday, we had brunch with Donna and Bill before picking Zed up at their house.  We got to the house before Donna and Bill so I went around back to the glass door to peek in on Z.  This is what I saw....

What an awesome watchdog.  I was even tapping on the door.  He probably would have had a fit seeing me through the window and not being able to get to me anyway

The Daily Zed: Valentine's Day!

I woke up to a surprise this morning.  I didn't expect anything from Dan. It was a nice surprise since today is a rough day for both of us.

I was planning on making a card for Dan yesterday, but he was home from work.  I  planned on doing Zed's paw print. 

I got all set with a towel on the floor, paper, ink, and wipes.  Zed came over and rolled on his back.  It didn't work trying it that way. Then with him sitting up which worked out well.

First couple of tries.  

The final one.  Zed was so patient with me pressing his paw down a couple of times.  Never mind cleaning his paw afterwards!

And the final product - 

Becoming Betty Crocker: Cheerios Banana Muffins

So I went to Harris Teeter this week for groceries and they had a bag of bananas for $1 (again).  Last time I made frozen banana with peanut butter sandwiches.

These snacks were for both humans and pups!

I checked out some other banana recipes in Pinterest and found Cheerios Banana Oatmeal muffins.  I even pulled up Pinterest when I was in the store to make sure I had all of the ingredients.

These were easy to make and I had so many bananas that I did a double batch.

Crushed Cheerios - found out that if you start in the corner of the baggy,

it's much easier to crush them

The rolling pin was my mom's - I don't know how old this is, but it's solid glass and still works well!

The dry mixture

smashed bananas

 

Confession:  I think this was the first time I ever used my (formerly my mom's) potato smasher.  BTW - is that the right term for this utensil?

 

 

I love my dough - so of course, the pups had to try it.

Esa was all for it.  I think she has a sweet tooth.

Zed wasn't sure at first, but then liked it.

Finished product!

 

These were really good - and I'm sharing with my friend, Michelle, and friend/neighbor +Stephanie Segall.  Hubby doesn't really care for bananas so 24 muffins is a lot for one person, so I was planning on sharing.  I might even put some in the freezer.

 

The one thing I wasn't happy about was them sticking to the bottom of the wrapper - what's up with that?  I know it mentioned spraying the pan in the recipe, but I didn't think you had to spray wrappers!  I thought it was if you didn't use wrappers, you had to spray! 

 

Note:  I did not eat the wrapper (it's to the left)

 

Whatever - use your teeth and pull that good stuff off, Michelle & Stephanie!

Side note:  This recipe is from The Chew.  Yes, I know I'm home all day, but I don't watch a lot of TV (unless it's a lazy day or it's an Law & Order marathon).  I found out about all of the different talk shows through my brother.  He watched all of the talk shows and when I was visiting, I found out about them.  He would have liked these muffins. <3

Adventures: The 127 Sale - World's Longest Yardsale

For months now, my sister-in-law and I have been planning a trip to The 127 Sale - World's Longest Yardsale.  We have talked about this sale for years (since it was featured on HGTV) and it's been a bucketlist item for me.   

This trip really did not go as planned.  Basically from the start.  Originally I figured that we would be there the whole time (Thursday to Sunday).  Unfortunately, my sister-in-law had to work on Monday, so no big deal, we'd come back on Sunday.  For planning, I originally thought 100 miles/day but overnight decided on 50 miles/day (THAT was a good idea).

The original plan was for me to drive up to NY with the Jeep.  Well, the check engine light had been coming on a lot (at least once a month since May).  It's always been code 740 (torque converter).  We were told in July 2011 that we would need a transmission, but after a reset and a flush, the code didn't come on again until September 2012.  The jeep has been driving fine, but we figured that we would at least get it checked out before I went on this long trip.  Bad news - it really did need a new transmission.  First gut instinct was "new car" (90K on the car & 10 years old), but then after thinking about it overnight, we changed our mind (no job and new car payment = bad plan) and got some estimates.

Backup plan in effect - I would take the Elantra to NY and we decided to take my brother's car (now my SIL's car) to Ohio.  The Impala is bigger than the Elantra.  That way we could get some stuff in the car!  Bonus change in plans - My SIL's sister, Helen, decided to come with us.  The more the merrier!  Hence another reason why the Impala would be better.  At home, originally we thought that we would have to wait until I got back home until we got the Jeep fixed and Dan would drive it to work and if it broke down, he would just have it towed and then get a rental.  HOWEVER, believe it or not, the Jeep dealership was the best price/deal for the transmission AND we got a loaner car during the work.  WOOHOO!

So trip up to NY was fine (Tuesday).  Wednesday, we were going to leave about 3 pm.  My SIL text me that she was coming home early because she thought she might be getting an UTI and was going to head to the doctors.  Doctor's visit went fine, SIL got antibiotics and was going to down a bunch of water.

Since it was a drinking evening (and I mean water/fluids, not alcohol), we stopped a LOT.  But we were all fine with it.  We had a blast on the ride out.  Luckily, we all get along.  We finally arrived at our hotel about 11 pm.

Thursday, SIL felt better and we had a great day.  We probably stopped at over 75 yard sales.  Some multiple sales in one location.  We started probably about 9 am and by about 3 pm, I was done.  We weren't really seeing anything interesting and I think all of us were about done.

I picked up bunch of old (like 1940's) cat and dog figurines.  I have my mom's dog figurine collection so those old figurines call to me.  I also picked up one small depression glass dish that caught my eye.  And I picked up 2 glass pendants.  I ended up spending about $20.

About 30 miles out from the 2nd night stop/hotel, we decided to just go to the hotel.  Once we unpacked, we headed to dinner and then we were basically ready for bed.

Friday morning, we were in Van Wirt, OH and we were thinking about hanging around there for a Ribs Festival along with the yardsale.  We got ready and then, SIL said "I think we need to go home, I'm not feeling well and I don't want to end up in the hospital here"  That's all it took and we were on our way home.  Let me back up and say, on the drive to OH, whenever I saw a hospital sign, I would always ask "do you need a hospital?"  And on Thursday, Joanne said that she almost said "we need to turn around" on the drive to OH.  I knew if she said we needed to go home, she defnitely wasn't feeling well.  She was WAY TOO excited about this trip to let a little belly ache ruin it.  We (Helen, Joanne's sister) and I could tell she wasn't feeling well during the drive.  Joanne wasn't talking at all.

Friday, we got back to NY about 6 pm.  We took some backroads and took our time.  I figured I would head back home a little early (Sunday instead of Monday), but got to spend some time with each of the nieces & nephew.  Friday, was Maegan's turn - dinner at Friendly's.  Saturday was VJ's turn - dinner at Texas Hot then No Bake Reese's Bars with Chrissy.  Sunday, VJ rode home with me so we got plenty of time together.

Let me say that we came back to a construction mess (we left one too).  Joanne is getting their bathroom redone so no shower for a couple of days, just a toliet upstairs.

Jeepy is back at home and is working fine.  Hubby drove the loaner car - a Jeep Patriot - while I was gone.  This is the 2nd time I've driven a Patriot & I didn't care for them either time - especially this time since there were NO UPGRADES on it - no power ANYTHING (windows, locks, nothing).

Satellite radio was the only good thing.

However, was only for 2 days - it ended on August 1.

Becoming Betty Crocker: (No) Baking with the Niece

So there is something to be said about genes and taste buds.  My nieces and nephew love some of the same foods as I do.  One of them is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  Usually whenever I see a Reese's Peanut Butter recipe, I post it to +Chrissy Clark's Facebook page.  Just in time, one was posted a week before I was to visit.

Since our 127 Sale trip didn't go as planned, I was able to spend time with each of my nieces and Chrissy & I made No-Bake Reese's Bars.  These were super easy to make and within one hour, ready to eat!

I will say, the recipe calls for a 9X10 pan.  We had a choice of 14X10 or the pan we used.  We picked the smaller pan - the thicker the better!

Chrissy stirring the peanut butter mixture

Mixture in the pan.

Pouring the chocolate on.

pre-refrigerator

post refrigerator

THICK, THICK, THICK!

 

These things were RICH! But AWESOME!

Becoming Betty Crocker : Old Family Recipe

Ok, so not really an old family recipe, but how my aunt Helen would cook meat every once in awhile for Sunday morning.  Of course, her sauce was her recipe. Mine is Francesco Rinaldi.

Pork chops in spaghetti sauce cooked in a crockpot!  YUMMY! I forgot how yummy. This was the first time that hubby ever had this and was like "where did you get this recipe?"

Serve with spaghetti & DONE!

Becoming Betty Crocker: Yuengling BBQ Spare Ribs

So a couple of months ago, my nephew went on a mini vacation and did some beer brewery tours.  One of them was at Yuengling in Pottsville, PA.  We had gotten him into the Guinness BBQ sauce and he decided to pick us up a bottle of Yuengling BBQ sauce.

We had some spare ribs in the freezer, so I decided to get the slow cooker out.  LMJS - this BBQ sauce did not disappoint!  It was really good.  No different than Guinness.  Who would have thought that a person who does not drink beer (or really any alcohol) would enjoy beer barbecue sauce, but I do!

Since you cannot get the Guinness BBQ sauce in the US, try this sauce out if you get a chance!

Adventures: Vacation at the Beach

Sunday, June 9 - 10:30 am
Last year, we went to Broadkill Beach in Delaware.  We picked this beach because it is dog-friendly all year round.  I found a house that was located right on the beach and hubby LOVED it.  I enjoyed it too.  It was really quiet and we could just hang out.

When Hurricane Sandy came through in October, I found footage that showed a glimpes of the house where we stayed and figured they probably had some water damage.  Last year, there was a little barge right at the back of the house.  It's gone now and you walk right out to the beach.

This year, we are staying in the same house.  We were very concerned about the traffic.  Last year, we came up on a Sunday.  This year, Saturday.  We were very lucky.  Hardly any traffic.

We took our first walk on the beach and hit the motherload.  There were a LOT of conch shells - and I mean WHOLE conch shells on the beach.  WHAT??!!!  Both Dan and I were so excited.  We both didn't plan on getting any shells (or stones - last year, there were a bunch of granite stones).  We ended up picking up about 6 of them.  Then we couldn't carry any more!

There are more people here than last year.  I can remember the people to the left being here (because of their dogs), but this year we are surrounded by people.  Including the owner's daughter, son-in-law and grandchild upstairs.  DANG IT!  Didn't think it would be too bad, BUT you can hear EVERYTHING.  The kid is young and is just making noises (no screaming babies yet).  I can basically hear their converstations and the best part - the toliet must be right above where we are sleeping because during the night.I heard them toot when they were in there and then a flush.  GREAT!

Sleeping arrangements aren't the best.  As last year, Esa has claimed the full size bed and Dan and I are in the separate twin beds.  Not a big deal.  Until you get Zed in a twin size bed with you!  Talk about a bed hog!  So I didn't sleep too well/was kind of stiff this morning from not moving around much.  The best story.  During the night, I thought they were doing something upstairs because it sounded like maybe the baby was in a rocker and it was creaking the floor.  NOPE - it was ZED SNORING!

Zed seems to be doing much better this year.  Last year, it took him awhile to relax.  He just seemed nervous for the first couple of days.

This morning, we went for a 2 mile walk.  There aren't as many horseshoe crabs as last year.  Our daily ritual was turning over the crabs so that the would live.  We met a couple of dogs & people.  We only saw one conch shell & it was living.

8 pm
This evening, we went for about a 1.5 mile walk.  We basically had the beach to ourselves.

We were daring and let Esa off leash.  We are always hesitant because we just don't know if she will listen or not.  There were a couple of times that she didn't come right back (and headed towards off beach) and we had to walk up to her, but for the majority of the time, she did great.  As always, no issues with Zed.

Not that we would ever expect Esa to go into the water, but she looked at the water coming in and out today.

 

 

 

Monday, June 10

11 am

So the rain has started.  We expected it - the forecast said 80% chance of rain today.  We were able to get about a 1.5 mile walk in this morning.

 

Zed leading the walk this morning.

 



Today will be catching up on e-mails and probably some scrapbooking.

 

9 pm

Yup - scrapbooking day! Plus a really good nap day.  It downpoured quite a bit, but we were able to get a 2 mile walk in around 7:30.

 

 

Tuesday, June 11 - 11 am

Well, I think our upstairs guests have left.  Not sure when they left during the day yesterday, but they didn't come back last night.  Both of us are happy.  The baby wasn't bad, but it sucks when you aren't used to kids.  How would they feel if our dogs were barking all of the time?

 

We went on a 2 mile walk this morning.  We met up with Grizzle again and got chatting with his owner.  She used to live in Front Royal and worked in Ashburn.  We were talking about the storm last night - just waiting for it to hit here, but it didn't.  At home, the neighborhood lost power for 7 to 9 hours.  Not sure if a line was down or if there was an accident.  The freezer should be good and the refrigerator was basically empty.

 

Speaking of the freezer, the refrigerator freezer has an issue.  Of course it happens the day before vacation.  I thought it I had just dropped an ice cube, but it was more than that.  We emptied out the freezer side and put everything in the chest freezer in the basement.  And Handyman Dan, worked on it.

 







Looks like a tube is leaking from the inside.  We'll be dealing with that when we get back.  I tell you, 10 years in a house and you might as well replace everything.  We've already replaced the A/C, next might possibly be the furnace.

Back to the walk.  We saw another dead baby shark.  I forgot to post that we saw one last night.

Surprise, surprise - Esa was playing in the water with Dan some!

 

 

3pm

So our view will probably be changing.  Like I mentioned earlier, the beach has changed some because of Hurricane Sandy.  Yesterday, they were changing the seashell road (which was new) in front of the house.  Today they have added surveyor's sticks and a BIG beam.  I know the house in to the left front of us is missing a utility pole, but it looks like they are going to actually build.  There were house beams on the beach last year and they are now missing.  They may be just replacing them.

 

The view to the left last year (2012).

 

 Wednesday, June 12 - 7:30 am

 

 Last night, we met up with my family for dinner.  They are in Ocean City, MD about 50 miles away, so we met half way.  We had a great time at a little restuarant called Blue Water Grill.  The food was wonderful.

 

We saw something that you usually just see in the country or maybe on the highway.  A chicken truck - or should I say 7 chicken trucks.  Not really something you want to see when you are at a restaurant.

My niece, Chrissy, & I shared the best pie ever - Peanut Butter Pie - with Reese's on top and an Oreo crust.

 



We went for a 2 mile walk when we got home and what did I find on the beach?  A hermit crab!

 

11:30 am

So, not a quiet morning.  They are putting structural beams in the sand which leads to a bang, bang, bang X many for each beam.  Then times that time about 10 beams.  There goes our view too.  They really might be putting in a house :(.

 

Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 11 am

We got in a 2 mile  walk before the storm.  They finished the beams and left the crane, so if lightening strikes, it's going to be close - like 50 feet from the house.  They almost lost the metal beam into the house.  It wasn't secure and started to fall into the house.  Luckily, they got it before it fell.

 

The walk included another shark - an even larger shark.

 

 

and I found the smallest conch shell we have ever seen.

Guess what - it was occupied.

Friday, June 14 - 12 noon
Well, this morning has been long and dreary.  It's been overcast, WINDY, and rainy.  Esa has been up since 6 am.  We were going to go to the park, but I really don't feel like going out in the crazy wind.  Seriously crazy wind.  I think that is why Esa woke up so early.  Anyway, Dan and I are going to go finish his geocaching goal of getting these 50 caches that are in a big X.  He went the other day (Wednesday), and got 45 of them.

Since yesterday was pretty dreary, I did some more scrapbooking.  I started our 11th anniversary scrapbook.

 

 

5 pm -

The beach was almost gone this afternoon from the storms.

 

 

The weather cleared up so we took the pups for a walk and then went geocaching for the final 5 that Dan missed the other day.  Success - including getting wet.

When we got home, we found a surpise - the pups had gotten into the walking bag that has water, poop bags & treats.  They ate all of the treats.

I've started to pack.  I definitely didn't read as much as I thought I would.  That's what happens when there's internet and tv.

 

Monday, June 17 - 10:30 am

 Time to get back in the swing of things.  The drive home on Saturday was uneventful.  We obviously picked the right week again this year because all of the traffic was going east and was backed up.

 

We got to meet the cleaning lady for the house.  She was told to clean at 10 am  and we were told 11 am to be out.  We were packing up and almost done when she showed up.

 

Our last walk on the beach included seeing dolphins!  We were both so excited to see that.  We saw another dead shark on the beach and a TON of horseshoe crabs flipped over on the beach.  Our goal for the walk was flipping as many over.

Flipped over horseshoe crabs

 

The pups checking out one that we flipped

close up of the shark teeth - this shark was maybe 1 1/2 feet long.

 

We are hesitant about going back next year to the same house since there will be a big house in front of the house we stayed at.

 

The new view (before they picked up the construction equipment.

 

Crazy looking clouds coming in on Friday night - never rained, but got really windy.