April in Marco

How lucky are we to be able to spend time with Chris and Devin twice in a month? Son the Elder joined us on Easter Saturday after challenging weather Good Friday cancelled his flight to RSW. He made it finally and joined us and Devin in Marco for some family time. It was a nice balance of activities, games, meals and togetherness. Will was able to make a few appearances, too. 

Sadly, Bill was bit by a dog on 4/17 and was in disabled mode all week. It's been quite a recovery from a wound infection, with two trips to the urgent care center, two shots in the butt and multiple prescriptions. 

Easter has come and gone. The island is clearing out and hints of summer weather are beginning to emerge. Life is good. Thanks be to my God. 

Will with Devin. The teen's first golf lesson and 18 holes

Chris and Bill

Super windy round after the storm blew out. Bill was my caddy.

Dinner at Fin

A Snowy New Year's Eve in the East

A beautiful day for a wedding! It's all relative, but a December wedding begs for snow, and we're getting some today. With the help of my studio assistant, the bloghusband, we finished nearly 175 wedding programs this morning.

They turned out really nice, especially with the hand embellishments of metallic stars and glitter snowflakes, adding a touch of New Year's bling and pizazz. Now, I can focus on what I'm going to wear. As Wild Willy said, "the mall is open." He knows me well. Ah, the pressure. Be safe tonight. Happy New Year's celebrations.

Boxing Day in Tisbury

The morning after Christmas is always so special.  Aside from being the blogsister's birthday, it's a day to just do nothing.  It was another magical Christmas celebration in our vineyard haven.  It's a simple life here on the island, and we had to make do with fishing lures and other island gear to to decorate our tree.  I particularly love the peace sign topper.  The gift-giving theme this year was "summer schlepping made easy."  The bloghusband and son received a beach dolly or cart with real fat wheels.  The design is supposed to ease the load on sand.  We have yet to find a solution for all the gear one must schlep to Long Point for a day of fun in the sun.  Hopefully, this Wheeleez product will do the trick.  While on that website, a similar cart, for use with a kayak, looked like an good gift idea, too.

Coco stopped by and was bearing gifts, also.  One of the many reasons to love this island is the creative and entrepreneurial people who live and work on the vineyard.  Coco's mom makes and markets yummy blends of sea salt, herbs and spices.   We were the lucky recipients of a couple varieties.

The blogson wants to grow up and be a DJ, now that he has nearly mastered his XBOX game from Santa,  DJ Hero.

The fire in the pot belly stove has been burning since our arrival.  I've been working on my needlepoint with the dogs at my feet.  We all enjoy the togetherness of one room living on the vineyard, even the teenager in our life.

Everything Really Does Get Done

Time expands to what you need.  It was another day of scrambling to get things done, but everything really does get done.  It's been a killer pace.  In addition to all the holiday tasks and demands, I completed two major projects, the PTO January Newsletter and the graphic design and layout for Lauren's wedding programs.  It's been early mornings and very late nights.  Yesterday, while riding up to the island (still listening to Atlas Shrugged on tape) I dozed off several times.  Luckily, the bloghusband drove the whole way.  Today, we bought a tree at Morning Glory Farm, finished up the gift and grocery shopping, wrapped gifts, and cooked a fabulous dinner.  The island is very crowded, and Main Street was jumping today;  reminiscent of August, except for the tons on snow!  We're all looking forward to a relaxing week on the island.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Accomplished Merriment

Shop for 44 gifts; 27 hours

Wrap 44 gifts; 3.5 hours

Cater dinner for 12; 8 hours

Clean up dinner for 12; 2.5 hours

Merry Christmas:  Priceless!

The extended family holiday celebration is officially behind us.  We had a lovely, white Christmas gathering yesterday with twelve of the fourteen family members in attendance.  Jeff and Amelia were stranded in Florida; flight cancellation victims from the weekend's major snow storm.  The bloghusband's four children have not been together since his 6oth birthday, nearly two years ago.  As we head into Christmas week, and prepare for an intimate Vineyard celebration on the 25th, we are truly grateful for all of the blessings bestowed upon us and our family.  It is my sincere wish that you enjoy the spirit of Christmas, and be reminded that hard work and sacrifice has it's rewards (if only in the eyes of baby Jesus and your own sense of accomplishment).  Amen!   

'Tis the Season for Creativity

Creativity is not only about finding that perfect gift for a loved one, it's about simplifying meal time during the Christmas rush and still being mindful of consuming nutrients.   Dust off the 'ol crock pot and fill it with steel cut oats and water before you go to bed.  Add some raisins, cinnamon and vanilla bean to the low cook setting and delight the family with nourishing and quick comfort food in the morning.  Add something special to the dinner party menu, with little effort, by slicing up some sweet onions and putting them in the crock pot to caramelize overnight.  In fact, I cook them on low for sixteen to twenty hours.  They get mahogany brown and are delicious with just about anything.  Finally, with all the treats over the next couple of weeks, think about using apple butter in your baked goods instead of some of the real stuff.  It is said that you can reduce the fat in a recipe by one-third without really compromising the taste.

Week in Review

Still on my hiking kick since California earlier this month, I got the bloghusband out to Pyramid Mountain in Morris County, NJ. We forged an adventurous hike on the vineyard, too. According to my calculations, 90 minutes of walking on uneven terrain burns 775 calories. In between our hikes this week, we had some wonderful family fun.  Pictured below:  Hens on the vineyard hike, curious Billy, The water's edge, Braden's tattoo, Sweet Alexis, Close up creativity, Nanny's decorations, Pyramid Mountain hike.

Live in the Present this Holiday Season

Now that we are fully immersed in the holiday season, here's my friendly and annual reminder to readers to be ever mindful of living in the present, especially during the next month.  The proliferation of stress management advice available at this time of year is indicative of the throngs of people who are living in the past.  Strictly speaking demographics, over half the people you come in contact with are reeling from the long-term neurosis resulting from divorce, not to mention other trauma and disease.  Hopefully, you will make an extra effort to surround yourself with the people who treasure you and your contribution to their life.  For those other, unavoidable moments of togetherness with people who just can't express a genuine word of kindness, gratitude or appreciation, and have difficulty extending a sincere compliment in your direction, keep vibrations positive.  You could be the change and eventual strength these people need to rise above their own deficiencies and inability to conquer peace and joy in their life.

Happy Mother's Day

After nearly a full week of daily rain, the sun is shinning in a big blue sky. The green of spring is vibrant. May flowers are in bloom. What a glorious day to celebrate life! Being a mother is one of life's most special privileges. The joy of raising and nurturing a body and soul is an honor, which extends throughout life. The bond between a mother and child lives forever in revered memories of tenderness and strength. Tonight, National Geographic channel is presenting Extreme Amimals: Life in the Womb. The program will explore the reproduction of four different animals with 4D ultrasound images.

Happy Easter Sunday!

What a glorious day it is in Sanibel, Florida.

Sláinte!

To your health, as they say in the old country. Here's some rebel rousers wishing you a good day.

Fat Tuesday

Eat, drink and be merry, it's Fat Tuesday, or as they say in French, Marti Gras. In Polish communities, it's Paczki Day. It's the last day for sinners to sin. So use up that lard and sugar in the house and make some donuts. Tomorrow begins the fasting.

A Thought for President's Day

"No man will ever

bring out of the Presidency

the reputation which

carries him into it."

-Thoma Jefferson

February on the Vineyard

"Where is everyone", we asked the lineman at MVY. "Hey, this is busy", he said as he drove us from our plane to our truck in the long term parking. It was one bumpy flight, and I'm happy to be alive.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”



2009 Officially Begins

The holiday season can be just exhausting!  It's kind of nice to get back to some sense of normalcy and order.  Now is the time to focus on the things that matter, such as diet and exercise; at least for the first month or two;-)

The Obligatory New Year's Herring

Nasty stuff. Even on a cracker.

Oak Bluffs with the Old Folks

Plenty of seating at the restaurant this morning. By the looks of the
diners, everyone was in bed by 9pm last night.

Resolve to Make This Year Your Best

This year, may you fill your soul with peace of mind, nurture good health, find joy in the most unusual places, spread laughter, reap prosperity, grow friendships, fall in love and bestow gratitude for all gifts, big and small, everyday.

New Year's Eve

This was us a couple of weeks ago.

Us tonight!