Tuesday, June 30, 2009

here's to the night...





we had such a busy weekend. i think we have finally wrapped up all the graduation celebrations - at least for this year. we finished up the weekend with a party for andrew and even with the schizophrenic weather everyone had such a good time, we celebrated well into the night. luckily for us we had a tent (thanks pat and alice!!!) thanks to everyone for coming and sharing in our celebration.

a couple of snapshots of the day...drew you're the best !!!










Friday, June 26, 2009

you have to admit...

yesterday was a day that heaven did some amazing rounding up with hollywood. no matter what your feelings for michael jackson his talent will be sorely missed..... he had an amazing capacity to captivate people in both good and bad ways... a piece of me feels bad for the way it all ended but it may be for the best. his behaviour and oddness probably would have only gotten worse as he aged. he was never allowed a childhood and i think his life was painful. i hope people can remember him for all he gave the world.
















and don't forget farrah, she put up such a courageous fight.




now she's a real angel.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

movies...

I love going to the movies - i am not a good movie critic per se i just love to go. i hardly ever watch movies at home . i will go out to one anytime the opportunity presents itself. this past weekend we went to see the proposal, with sandra bullock. i am giving it a thumbs up. i would put it in the "cute" category, nothing that you couldn’t miss but if you are looking to get out of the rain this could work. i am always hesitant to suggest a movie to other people because movies are - well, such a personal choice. i can always count on a movie review from my mom who #1 goes to a lot of movies and #2 i believe she and i have the same movie desires which are to - maybe laugh, to cry, to think, to feel. looks as tho there are some others coming up this summer worth marking up your calendar for.

ice age "dawn of the dinosaurs" (release date - july 4th) (these are worth seeing) always entertaining, very cute.

time traveler's wife (release date - august 14th) this is “a big event” it pulls you in. people like me who like magical romance… and i love rachael mcadams, i need to go, it's on my calendar. see the trailor here

public enemies (release date - july 1st) i am not usually a gangster movie goer but i do like johnny depp.

paper heart (release date - august 14th) looks cute, silly, kind of on the borat idea.

500 days of summer (release date - august 20th) my favorite kind, another love story. the trailer made my heart skip a beat. feel the love here

julie and julia (release date - august 7th) this is a must for me because of my food passion. it's made up of two true stories.

my sister's keeper (release date - june 26th) i am not sure i can see this - this is from the directors of “the notebook” one of my very favorites but i am just not sure i can handle this - i didnt' make it through the preview. just about ripped my heart out of my chest…

meet me about half way up, stadium seating, end seat.
i will have popcorn to share - i’ll save you a seat.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

whatever gets you through....

i am totally uninspired to blog today. it has been raining for weeks - 3 to be exact and i am starting to think that my mood is mimicking the weather - drab and dreary... i refuse to give up tho.... i need to feel the sunshine but i think i have to wait a few more days - or so the weather man says. so to brighten things up i met up with my girls tonight for a few snippets of dirt and a couple of cocktails. they always brighten things up...the lesson learned tonight is don't get ahead of the game. sometimes things aren't what they seem. wow - i guess we all learn as we go. nothing said tonight that a good bubble bath won't cure. but hip hip for christine's positive scan and one day closer to being better. if a bubble bath would answer all of life's problems....we could spend our days soaking away all our troubles...and pondering all our future challenges...sorry got to run off to stock up at bath and body works BIG sale of fresh squeezed strawberry lemonade shower/bath gel... inhale.....

Monday, June 22, 2009

hello summer...

i have been expecting you – i have big plans for us. i am thinking barbecues, trips to the beach with family and friends, moonlit nights, walks on the beach. i am thinking firepits and fireworks, boat rides, bike rides and popsicles, early morning walks, road trips and late night suppers under the stars, maybe some ice cream.. please, please, stop raining... your time is so fleeting and i want to enjoy every second.
i actually heard this morning that we are below average for rainfall in June. i don't think this could possibly be true.. and if it is i am hoping this means that july will be exceptionally sunny. i can dream... so today in honor of the first full day of summer...

Saturday, June 20, 2009

it's father's day...

dear dad,

on this father's day i wanted to say thanks for a couple of things.

first off tho i hope today you are rewarded with a good golf game.

thanks for making our milk turn green on st. patrick's day.
thanks for playing tricks on april fool's day. (love the watch on the fishing line)
thanks for taking us food shopping and letting us hang off the cart and for buying us candy.
thanks for taking us canoeing.
thanks for taking us to maine in the summer and teaching us how to live in the close quarters of a trailer.





















thanks for taking all those dorky movies of us on christmas morning. (they are so flattering)
thanks for taking us ice skating and making us believe we were as good as peggy fleming.
thanks for taking us to the drive in movie.
thanks for taking us to millis and showing us how much you loved the country. (even tho we learned how to inhale cigarettes out in the woods that winky stole from bruce (r.i.p.) but we were careful we had an ashtray with water.
thanks for letting us go riding with moe's boyfriend in the convertible with no seat belts.
f.r.e.e.d.o.m.
thanks for building us that stereo system so i could listen to build me up buttercup repeatedly for days on end.
thanks for the loving arms that caught me when i came off the ride in maine so very sick from spinning.
thanks for not killing me when two boyfriends came calling at the front and back doors at the same time.
thanks for taking me to my very first red sox night game - to this day i still remember exactly how i felt.
thanks for always helping me with my homework. (even tho i secretly just wanted you to give me the answers)
thanks for delivering me valentine candy to my house in lowell in a brown bag like that of a secret admirer.
thanks for coming to see me at lowell general when my preemie baby lay in the nursery there and giving me love and promising me he would be okay.
thanks for letting me come to your office to show off your new grandchild.
thanks for your wit and teasing especially to the grandchildren.
thanks for crying with me the day i came home from divorce court.
thanks for sending me emails that make me laugh.
thanks for making me proud to be your daughter.
thanks for not getting mad at me for making fun of your fashion sense. (or lack there of)
thanks for always making me feel you are proud of me.

you may be a man of few words but your love came through loud and clear.

i love you dad, dee
happy father's day.

Friday, June 19, 2009

tagged...

i got tagged to tell 10 things you might not know about me...

1. i pray.
2. i dislike relish, ketchup, and mustard my barkers go plain. but i like pickles and tomatoes.
3. i love thursdays.
4. i love my i touch as much as you can love an inanimate object.
5. i worked on a habitat for humanity house.
6. i worry about the people i love.
7. i enjoy entertaining - more than you enjoy coming.
8. i think, think, think, more than i admit to.
9. i dislike wimpy people.
10. my number one goal is to laugh every day.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

hip and edgy...just in time for father's day





j crew has got it. this is my idea of cool. they took this 183 year old liquor store in tribeca (cool in itself) and renovated it into their newest men's clothing store. you have to admit it is fabulous...

so are their things...

this is so sheik... i bet randy price shops here. check out more here




Wednesday, June 17, 2009

dream your days away....




couldn't you just spend your day sitting at this table?
to me it’s the perfect spot, it spells summer - simple & peaceful. i could sit and chat with friends over coffee and scones or salad and ice tea or dinner and wine….
this gorgeous photo was the cover of british country living which i happen to love. (not always easy to find here in the US) but it’s worth looking for. when you do you will be rewarded with gorgeous photos. this photo was taken by the very talented polly wreford.
you can make your own space like this even if you don’t happen to have a back yard or one with a tree. you could replicate this on your deck or in your kitchen - hang the lanterns from your table umbrella or string them around a fence. buy a couple of cheerful tablecloths or even a couple of yards of fabric fluff it around add some flowers, maybe some candles .. and dream away your days…


i think i am doing a lot of dreaming these days...

and in your new space you can serve this.....


• 1 cup unblanched almonds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 large eggs whites
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 5 cups mesclun salad greens

directions
finely chop the almonds in a mini-chopper or food processor. transfer the nuts to a shallow dish and stir in the paprika. lightly whisk the egg whites in another shallow dish. pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then press both sides of the chicken into the nuts to coat. place on a baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to set the crust.
preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. place rack on a baking sheet.
heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon of the oil and the butter. place the chicken smooth-side down in the pan and then raise the heat to medium-high. cook turning once, until the nuts set and turn golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. transfer meat to the prepared pan and bake about 20 minutes.
whisk the vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. gradually whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream, to make a smooth dressing. add the salad greens and toss to coat evenly. divide the salad evenly among 4 plates, top with the chicken and serve.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

what i am loving today....

this tiffany's ad...even tho i think tiffany's is overpriced, i must admit i certainly own my share of things from tiffany's and... i just love this ad...


















and this.... looking for a little color for your buffet table? this is perfect. and the next morning you can use the cukes to take away the party puffiness, not that you would have any, but i am just saying....








and...the new bike path near my house..... i just wish i was there now...

Sunday, June 14, 2009

melissa....



we are so proud of you wishing you all the best at UMass.

congratulations jonathan...



jonathan... great job. all the best for the future.
slow down you guys you are moving way to fast.
stacey and joe - as always, you sure know how to throw a great party - reminded me of beach days which will be here soon.
wish my camera hadn't died before people started doing patron shots. love ya.

Friday, June 12, 2009

a man's perspective.....

i love this..... and hope it's true..... have a wonderful weekend!!

Jake is a real, live single guy dating in New York City.

I'm not sure men ever fully grasp the pressures women endure about their looks. You feel like you have to maintain your youth; guys are told we get better with age. You count calories; we count the number of Double Stuf Oreos we can fit into our mouths at once. You run laps; we go on beer runs. Ladies, you look amazing -- and heaven knows we appreciate the upkeep (especially whatever it is that makes your hair smell that way), but the whole beauty rigmarole sometimes seems too exhausting. Here's a list of things you can drop from your routine. We won't notice, I promise, and we'd much rather have the extra time in bed with you in the morning.
Anti-aging "cures"
The other day I ran across a current picture of my first crush, a certain pop star. When I was a teenager, I thought she was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen, but the years have not been kind. Actually, the years have been fine; she has not been kind. After subjecting herself to plastic surgeons and other needle wielders, my first love looks out of this world. As in, like an alien.
Celebrities aren't the only ones who are fighting aging like it's Osama bin Laden. An ex of mine used to spend half her paycheck on creams and lotions for her laugh lines. Funny enough, I thought those little creases that showed up right before a big guffaw were the sexiest thing about her. They were a total turn-on -- especially if I was the reason she was so happy.
Padded bras
Sure, men stare at big breasts, but pay close attention and you'll notice we ogle every size. We're just fans. As my friend whom I'll call Sam says, "I've dated women with everything from an A-cup to a D, and I can tell you they all rock." In fact, the only thing that qualifies as a letdown is removing a woman's bra and not getting what was advertised. Thing is, men imagine what being with you might be like based on what we see (we have entire scenarios in our head, and smaller breasts play just as wonderful a role as large ones), so pulling a bait and switch kind of throws off our fantasy. And don't even get me started on those "chicken cutlet" things. They're like orthotics for breasts -- and why are they always that creepy beige?
Living in heels
Wearing painful stilettos to appear taller wins no points with guys, because hardly any of us notice height. If you asked me how tall any one of the women I've dated in my life was, all I could tell you with certainty is that she was "lady height." Want my best guess? I'd say between five and six feet. But, seriously, I have no idea.
Spanx and other girdle thingies I'm not sure men ever fully grasp the pressures women endure about their looks. You feel like you have to maintain your youth; guys are told we get better with age. You count calories; we count the number of Double Stuf Oreos we can fit into our mouths at once. You run laps; we go on beer runs. Ladies, you look amazing -- and heaven knows we appreciate the upkeep (especially whatever it is that makes your hair smell that way), but the whole beauty rigmarole sometimes seems too exhausting. Here's a list of things you can drop from your routine. We won't notice, I promise, and we'd much rather have the extra time in bed with you in the morning.
Anti-aging "cures"
Sure, men stare at big breasts, but pay close attention and you'll notice we ogle every size. We're just fans. As my friend whom I'll call Sam says, "I've dated women with everything from an A-cup to a D, and I can tell you they all rock." In fact, the only thing that qualifies as a letdown is removing a woman's bra and not getting what was advertised. Thing is, men imagine what being with you might be like based on what we see (we have entire scenarios in our head, and smaller breasts play just as wonderful a role as large ones), so pulling a bait and switch kind of throws off our fantasy. And don't even get me started on those "chicken cutlet" things. They're like orthotics for breasts -- and why are they always that creepy beige?
Living in heels
Wearing painful stilettos to appear taller wins no points with guys, because hardly any of us notice height. If you asked me how tall any one of the women I've dated in my life was, all I could tell you with certainty is that she was "lady height." Want my best guess? I'd say between five and six feet. But, seriously, I have no idea.
Spanx and other girdle thingies
Once, at the end of a great night, I met my sexual nemesis: the contraption my date was wearing under her dress. After attempting to figure out where the air-locked panties began, I concluded they were a guard against male advancement and retreated with a muttered "Let's not rush things...." So what if you look 10 ounces skinnier in those cobralike grips? It ain't worth it.
Obsessive leg shaving
When you consider all the places where guys can sprout hair, the last thing you should worry about is a little shin stubble. Men are aware that unless you're on round-the-clock guard, leg hair will return. It's OK, we can handle it.
Wake-up makeup
Your lip gloss is long gone, your hair is a nest, your eyes are puffy? Sweet. Seeing you that way reminds us we did something last night that mussed your perfect look. Something we liked. Something, in fact, we're hoping we can do again....
Jake is a real, live single guy dating in New York City.

Once, at the end of a great night, I met my sexual nemesis: the contraption my date was wearing under her dress. After attempting to figure out where the air-locked panties began, I concluded they were a guard against male advancement and retreated with a muttered "Let's not rush things...." So what if you look 10 ounces skinnier in those cobralike grips? It ain't worth it.
Obsessive leg shaving
When you consider all the places where guys can sprout hair, the last thing you should worry about is a little shin stubble. Men are aware that unless you're on round-the-clock guard, leg hair will return. It's OK, we can handle it.
Wake-up makeup
Your lip gloss is long gone, your hair is a nest, your eyes are puffy? Sweet. Seeing you that way reminds us we did something last night that mussed your perfect look. Something we liked. Something, in fact, we're hoping we can do again....

on my ride to work today...

it was raining really hard - the kind of rain that make you wish you didn’t get out from under the covers. the kind that makes you think deep thoughts. my thoughts were drifting off to a conversation i had this past week with a friend.
my friend that was in a really long term marriage that ended - i want you to know…. thoughts will haunt you sometimes but i have learned that if you must leave a place that you have lived and loved where all your yesterdays are buried deep it’s not easy, when you return to visit temporarily things will remind you of good days gone and it might make you sad.. but don’t turn back, never believe that an hour you remember is a better hour because it’s dead. it sometimes looks different from afar - passed years are safe ones but future years are unknown and maybe they will be amazing. remember any given moment can change your life – you just have to be there. every lost dream leads you to where you are today. it reminds me of a quote I saw "you are standing on the edge of two eternities the past and the future - which is precisely the present"…. keep your eye on the ball.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

do these earrings look cheesey????



omg are you kidding? anything you do or wear is ok... here take my coat it looks better on you anyway.

tonight was a night out with my girls the "pinky club" as in loser club etc...(explaination in previous post) same group of friends forever - the ones you tell your deepest secrets to...the ones that are living life in the best possible way-the ones fighting cancer, staying true after 40 years, pondering the future, planning ahead, forgiving each other, taking chances - we know first hand life is filled with surprises. soooooo.. don't miss a beat.

some bits from tonight -


76 days.. are you kidding? i can't wait 76 days... anticipation

i have my sites set on you...

i am in control - i don't think so...

do you know him?????

omg it's sooo boring...

i am going to australia for 2 months... oh and i am going to tahiti for a vacation in between...


over looking diamond bay????

it's all good... don't worry...

people are crazy...

i am trying to be a good wife...

he knows my plans...

oh no she didn't - oh yes she did...

i need to do something bad... we are waiting...

she let you in to her heart....

nothing like that ever came out of my closet...

short cut to love...

it's exciting...

we will have one more wine....

this man and me were at the bar and we.....

i've been married and divorced we knew that...

please sir -one cosmo, one wine, one pear martini, one sparkling water...

started out as a formal letter turned into a sexy email...

text text text....

pondered life and death....

she's got dreams to big for this town...

futures and present...

you have never been happier...

she's gotta do what she's gotta do...

one sunny day ... i woke up and knew that ..... there had to be more....


we laugh at eachother and at ourselves. we have eachother's back and promised to be there when we fall..... and you can only hope you are lucky enough in this life to find people like this to share everything with.... i love you guys ...

Monday, June 8, 2009

be still my heart....


i love this guy he has such charisma. i have missed you. i am so happy to have you back on my t.v screen having coffee with you in the morning. you bring an incredible passion for news, journalistic integrity and a connection with local viewers to the morning news.....

light and summery....

for all you pasta lovers.... i wanted to share the latest recipe i found that is perfect for you...


Baked Lemon Pasta
1 pound thin spaghetti
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
2 cups sour cream
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste if desired
Plenty of grated Parmesan cheese
Flat leaf parsley, chopped
Extra lemon juice
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook spaghetti until al dente.
In a skillet, melt butter with olive oil over LOW HEAT.
When butter is melted, add minced garlic.
Squeeze lemon juice into the pan. Turn off heat.
Add sour cream and stir mixture together. Add lemon zest and salt. Taste, then add more salt if necessary.
Pour mixture over drained spaghetti and stir together, then pour spaghetti into an oven safe dish.
Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Then remove foil and bake for an additional 7 to 10 minutes. (Don’t bake too long or the pasta will dry out.)
When you remove it from the oven, squeeze a little more lemon juice over the top.
Top generously with Parmesan cheese, then chopped parsley.
Give it a final squeeze of lemon juice at the end.
Serve with crusty French bread and a simple green salad.

Friday, June 5, 2009

sweet...

oh how i love you .... summer love. i came across this sentiment and thought ......



check them out at love notes





about how sweet summer love is - there is a feeling of promise in the air intermingling with dolce gabbana.

oh how i love you.

happy friday.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

what are my plans??

plans? other than changing diapers, bathing children, reading stories, working, cooking dinner, laundry, i umm have no plans. first i think i have stephen to thank for part of this - after all it was his christening that started this story.
it was a dark time - well it doesn’t seem that way now but it sure was then. i was a single mom with two very small boys, a job, a house, a standard car i just learned to drive, i was drowning in responsibility - alone. this life wasn’t rolling out as i had planned. while i was skipping along i fell into a pothole of misery - i had laid there for a while but there is always something worth getting up for. especially if two children are expecting you to.
so on that sunny september day i met this guy - he was
nice enough, quiet, i laughed a little - he was funny. i remember not having laughed for a while - at the end of the evening he helped me carry out my empty dishes from some delicious food that i had made (his words not mine) i found out much later that he ran my license plate that evening to see where i lived. (he liked me) he must have thought i was hot with that cool baby bag and that low maintenance mom hairdo. a few weeks later at another gala event – a grammar school reunion – one that i had not wanted to attend - i ran into that nice guy again. i knew he attended my catholic grammar school but he was older than me and dutifully he would not be talking in the school yard to girls - especially ones that bent rules. even during band practice he never looked away from his clarinet. he, after all was a rule abiding citizen even then. at the very end of the day he asked if i would like to attend the policeman’s ball. it was called a ball but in reality it was more like a christmas party that was free. (as the years have past i learned how much this guy likes free things) i agreed to go - what else was i doing with my exciting life? that night was filled with enough entertainment for a post in itself. but i do remember one thing - i laughed again that day. laughing seems silly but i gotta tell you it has gotten me through some tricky times. time moved on and i realized no one would be better suited to helping me raise these kids. he could make me laugh when frankly they did some things that weren’t that funny. i.e. rolling the car out of the driveway and almost running over a neighbor. so a few years later on new years eve he had something up his sleeve and a ring in his pocket. suddenly he and I had turned into we + two. something whispered in my head – remember shared joy is double joy, shared laughter is double laughter. so on this day 20 years later i have to say thanks – thanks for helping me raise those incredible little kids who are now men and adding a little beauty queen to the mix. thanks for taking a chance on me, you still make me laugh every day.

happy anniversary. i love you.

Anniversary \an•niversary\ n, pl -ries 1. a date that is observed on an annual basis because it is the same date as an important event in a past year, often the date of somebody's wedding 2. a celebration or other commemorative ritual marking the date of an important event, often a wedding