Just wanted everyone to know I have joined a military spouse blogging community started by a fellow Army wife who blogs as Household 6 Diva. You can see the button on the right hand side that will take you to the main page with the list of other military spouse bloggers.
This is sort of new for me, sort of exciting, and a little scary at the same time.I have to thank Laura for inspiring me to join. Now I just need to ask her to help me make the blog more inviting.....
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
FCPA Summer Entertainment Series Annouced!
Today the Fairfax County Parks Authority released its Summer Entertainment Series schedule for 2011!!! I've been waiting for this for months! While there is no Steep Canyon Rangers or Holy Ghost Tent Revival playing this year, The Pietasters are back. I also see that Scythian will be playing this year. Joe, Jaime and I were introduced to Scythian in 2009 when they played Grandfather Mountain. We will definitely be going to that concert!
Take a look at the schedule (there is a link embedded above) and if you see anything you like let me know! There's nothing like a free show! Perhaps we'll see you there!
Take a look at the schedule (there is a link embedded above) and if you see anything you like let me know! There's nothing like a free show! Perhaps we'll see you there!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
National Take Back Initiative
Now I don't normally blog about things outside of our daily life, but I am taking the time to blog about a program that is as about as awesome as electronic recycling in my opinion: the National Take Back Initiative. This is a program sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration to provide a location where people can safely dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs, as well as expired drugs purchased over the counter, in an attempt to keep prescription drugs from hitting the streets, being abused by family members, and not end up in our water supply or land fills.
I missed the first event in September 2010, but when I cleaned up our medicine cabinet I put all the expired medication in a bag and have been holding on to it in hopes that they would have this event again. I encourage you all to do the same this Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
To find a collection site near you check out this site.
I missed the first event in September 2010, but when I cleaned up our medicine cabinet I put all the expired medication in a bag and have been holding on to it in hopes that they would have this event again. I encourage you all to do the same this Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
To find a collection site near you check out this site.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Eggs, candy, and ice cream!
We had the boys over Easter weekend and it was jam packed with excitement. Saturday morning we had a play date with my co-worker Danielle and her son Tim, who is Joe's age. We met up at Shadowland for laser tag. Now, I remember when there was the personal laser tag equipment you could buy back in the 80's. But this was not that. It was very sophisticated and high tech. Danielle was unable to play with us so it was me and four boys inside this darkened room with ramps, corners, and bi-levels. We weren't suppose to run but it was hard not to on the ramps when you were trying to get away from an 11 year old! It was a lot of fun. The boys (Joe, Jaime, and Tim) had the advantage over us since it was easier to crouch down and duck walk. Each game Tim was ranked #1, then it was James, then me, and Joe. Jaime only played one game since he was unsure about the dark spaces and tended to stay in the same place.
Saturday night we had dinner at Auld Shebeen in Fairfax to hear the celtic band Edsall Road. Molly used to work with two of the band members. Jaime and Molly woofed down their fish and chips, I loved my Irish BLT, James almost licked his plate of stuffed chicken, there was nothing left on Chris' plate, and Joe munched on his hamburger. While the music wasn't really Joe's style, he prefers celtic music with a lot of drum like Albannach, Jaime was just swaying away. Molly took him up closer to the stage so he could have a better view. And he was completely taken when a very simple instrument of two polished bones about the size of popsicle sticks that when slapped against one another sounds like a castanet.
Sunday morning the Easter bunny left several large eggs in the yard for they boys full of candy and a couple of gifts. Molly and Chris joined us once again for dying eggs, eating homemade pizza, and then to help us make ice cream using my Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker that uses family power to make the ice cream. It took longer than 15 minutes but it was worth the arm strain. We finished off the day with a rousing game of Outrage in honor of the Queen's birthday this past week (and unfortunately the Raven card about the Queen's birthday didn't come up) and Chris was able to steal the scepter and make it out of the Tower before any one else could challenge him.
Saturday night we had dinner at Auld Shebeen in Fairfax to hear the celtic band Edsall Road. Molly used to work with two of the band members. Jaime and Molly woofed down their fish and chips, I loved my Irish BLT, James almost licked his plate of stuffed chicken, there was nothing left on Chris' plate, and Joe munched on his hamburger. While the music wasn't really Joe's style, he prefers celtic music with a lot of drum like Albannach, Jaime was just swaying away. Molly took him up closer to the stage so he could have a better view. And he was completely taken when a very simple instrument of two polished bones about the size of popsicle sticks that when slapped against one another sounds like a castanet.
Sunday morning the Easter bunny left several large eggs in the yard for they boys full of candy and a couple of gifts. Molly and Chris joined us once again for dying eggs, eating homemade pizza, and then to help us make ice cream using my Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker that uses family power to make the ice cream. It took longer than 15 minutes but it was worth the arm strain. We finished off the day with a rousing game of Outrage in honor of the Queen's birthday this past week (and unfortunately the Raven card about the Queen's birthday didn't come up) and Chris was able to steal the scepter and make it out of the Tower before any one else could challenge him.
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| Not as many as we have dyed in the past, but plenty of fun was had by everyone! |
Monday, April 25, 2011
Family visits
So we found out last Sunday that James' sister, Tab, and her family were in the DC area through the week. It was Spring Break for upstate New York and they decided to come and see our Nation's capital. I got a surprise text message Tuesday afternoon from Tab asking if I were busy since they were in the area. Turns out they were already in my building waiting for me downstairs! When I got off the elevator I was bombarded by three giggling girls: Makayla, Ronnie, and Dani (a.k.a. the Pixie). We sat downstairs in the Pavilion catching up and hearing about what they had seen and liked. I even brought them up the the eighth floor to see my cube, my view of the Washington Monument, and to look down into the Pavilion--the girls are afraid of heights :)
We made plans for dinner on Thursday, with them driving down from Maryland (where they were staying). Then on Thursday, there was a change in plans and they rode home with me on the Metro. They were all amazed at how I could tell them which station we were at without looking at a sign. That's what you get for riding Metro about five times a week for 4 1/2 years!
By the time we got home, James had finished grilling the burgers and the fries were almost done. It was chillier than it had been that week but we decided to eat outside. I decided to be adventurous with the "adult" burgers and used an America's Test Kitchen recipe for garlic, chipolte, and scallion burgers...yummy! And then just regular burgers for the girls. There wasn't much left from either!
Then it was talk, talk, talk among all of us. Ronnie and the Pixie played downstairs in the boys room. Makayla, the eldest, prefers to hang out with the adults, and more specifically me. But eventually they did pull out Kinder Bunnies and played a game while Tab, Jon, James, and I sat out back.
Then it was time to take them back to Metro. They would have a rather long trip back to Maryland, but they said it was worth it. And it was!
We made plans for dinner on Thursday, with them driving down from Maryland (where they were staying). Then on Thursday, there was a change in plans and they rode home with me on the Metro. They were all amazed at how I could tell them which station we were at without looking at a sign. That's what you get for riding Metro about five times a week for 4 1/2 years!
By the time we got home, James had finished grilling the burgers and the fries were almost done. It was chillier than it had been that week but we decided to eat outside. I decided to be adventurous with the "adult" burgers and used an America's Test Kitchen recipe for garlic, chipolte, and scallion burgers...yummy! And then just regular burgers for the girls. There wasn't much left from either!
Then it was talk, talk, talk among all of us. Ronnie and the Pixie played downstairs in the boys room. Makayla, the eldest, prefers to hang out with the adults, and more specifically me. But eventually they did pull out Kinder Bunnies and played a game while Tab, Jon, James, and I sat out back.
Then it was time to take them back to Metro. They would have a rather long trip back to Maryland, but they said it was worth it. And it was!
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| Tab, Jon, Ronnie, Makayla, and the Pixie |
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tilling the earth
Last night I gave James two options: finish painting the TV room and start on the stairs to the basement OR get the beds in the backyard cleaned up for future planting. He chose the opportunity to spend time outdoors. Which was cool with me as I got to put on my new overalls my mom got me for Christmas for gardening! I have been working on these beds for almost four years. They were a mess when I moved in and I have done battle every year to whip them into shape. It is starting to pay off.
There is something very soothing for me to work in a garden turning soil and letting my mind wonder to now where in particular. And very satisfying to turn an unruly flower bed into a tidy flower bed. The soil was still damp from rain earlier that day and as it turned I smelled such an amazing scent that was so settle that it was gone a second later.
My backyard has done a 180 and that patio is ready to receive visitors! Just waiting for the last few days of cool weather before planting. I can't wait!
There is something very soothing for me to work in a garden turning soil and letting my mind wonder to now where in particular. And very satisfying to turn an unruly flower bed into a tidy flower bed. The soil was still damp from rain earlier that day and as it turned I smelled such an amazing scent that was so settle that it was gone a second later.
My backyard has done a 180 and that patio is ready to receive visitors! Just waiting for the last few days of cool weather before planting. I can't wait!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Injury in the Name of Fashion
While I love my height in general I hate it in reality. Reality of shopping that is. Apparently if you are a woman over 5'7" you can't shop with the regular folk. You are a freak of nature and are regulated to the hinter lands of internet shopping just hoping that the company's sizing chart and quality control are up to snuff. If that company even believes in inseams that are greater than 32". Do I sound bitter?
I must admit that clothing companies in the recent years are catching on that tall women want to buy their clothes and the "tall" option for tops and pants have begun to emerge. But almost forget about shopping in a store. Especially if you are not a size 6 (which I'm not) so you are still regulated to the hinter lands of internet shopping. Do I sound bitter?
So shopping is not a lot of fun for me. Usually because I can't fit anything in the stores. I don't mind shopping in the spring or summer because I can get away with the short sleeves and skirts that are on the rack. Forget about winter. Not only because I dislike cold, but those are the most ill fitting clothes I own. Mostly too short in the arms and torso. There are a few companies that specialize in clothing for tall women. But even fewer physical stores that these companies occupy.
Luckily there is Long Tall Sally and their pop up shows! LTS is a British company that my mom read about in the newspaper in either 2000 or 2001. When Nancy and I went to London in March 2001 we went to the store and we were in love! A store devoted to women 5'9" or taller!? No regulars or petites in sight!? But it was in England. So we would group together purchases in order to save cost on shipping. Then a couple of years ago LTS bought out the Tall Girl Shop company which had stores in the US and Canada. As exciting that news was, we were then disappointed to learn that while the Canadian stores would remain open under the LTS brand, the US stores would close. Boo hoo. But the close out sale at the Tall Girl Shop in Tyson's Corner was pretty good. Then last October LTS had a "pop up show" in Washington, DC. Pop up shows are basically like having a store "pop up" for the weekend in a location so you can physically try on and purchase clothes from the catalog. Nancy and I went and it was amazing. Clothes that fit! Shirts that were long! Pants that started at 34" inseams!!!!!! Heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And this past weekend was the first of two this year (the next one is in September). The rumor last October was that they are hoping to establish a store in the area. Now that looks like in one to two years. But until then they will continue to come to Washington, DC and offer these pop up shows. Halleluiah!!!!!
So why the title of the post "Injury in the Name of Fashion"? Well, I suffered an injury this past weekend while at the hotel where the pop up show was being held. My right foot slipped over the edge of a stair and proceeded to bend itself almost at a 90 degree angle around the edge. I fell straight down on my bottom and had to sit for a couple of minutes before getting up. I was afraid that I had broken my foot and was fearful of standing up and having my body go into shock like it did when I broke my left foot in 2006. Luckily when I did stand up all was well, except for the limp. And I wasn't going to let this stop me from shopping. I was hobbling all around the racks pulling clothes left and right. The sales associates were so nice and kept asking if I wanted ice, I told them no thanks...I had shopping to do....and shop I did. I love my new clothes! That fit!
Saturday night James took me to the ER to get X-rays and I didn't break any bones, it was a contusion, bruised, on the top of my right foot. I am now in a oh so attractive orthopedic shoe for the next couple of days. But I have a great pedicure so that off sets the ugliness of the shoe. It doesn't hurt unless I walk around without the orthopedic shoe. My fourth toe has seen better days and I am hoping that the bruising goes away shortly. I'd take a photo but it would break the camera.
The things we do for fashion......
I must admit that clothing companies in the recent years are catching on that tall women want to buy their clothes and the "tall" option for tops and pants have begun to emerge. But almost forget about shopping in a store. Especially if you are not a size 6 (which I'm not) so you are still regulated to the hinter lands of internet shopping. Do I sound bitter?
So shopping is not a lot of fun for me. Usually because I can't fit anything in the stores. I don't mind shopping in the spring or summer because I can get away with the short sleeves and skirts that are on the rack. Forget about winter. Not only because I dislike cold, but those are the most ill fitting clothes I own. Mostly too short in the arms and torso. There are a few companies that specialize in clothing for tall women. But even fewer physical stores that these companies occupy.
Luckily there is Long Tall Sally and their pop up shows! LTS is a British company that my mom read about in the newspaper in either 2000 or 2001. When Nancy and I went to London in March 2001 we went to the store and we were in love! A store devoted to women 5'9" or taller!? No regulars or petites in sight!? But it was in England. So we would group together purchases in order to save cost on shipping. Then a couple of years ago LTS bought out the Tall Girl Shop company which had stores in the US and Canada. As exciting that news was, we were then disappointed to learn that while the Canadian stores would remain open under the LTS brand, the US stores would close. Boo hoo. But the close out sale at the Tall Girl Shop in Tyson's Corner was pretty good. Then last October LTS had a "pop up show" in Washington, DC. Pop up shows are basically like having a store "pop up" for the weekend in a location so you can physically try on and purchase clothes from the catalog. Nancy and I went and it was amazing. Clothes that fit! Shirts that were long! Pants that started at 34" inseams!!!!!! Heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And this past weekend was the first of two this year (the next one is in September). The rumor last October was that they are hoping to establish a store in the area. Now that looks like in one to two years. But until then they will continue to come to Washington, DC and offer these pop up shows. Halleluiah!!!!!
So why the title of the post "Injury in the Name of Fashion"? Well, I suffered an injury this past weekend while at the hotel where the pop up show was being held. My right foot slipped over the edge of a stair and proceeded to bend itself almost at a 90 degree angle around the edge. I fell straight down on my bottom and had to sit for a couple of minutes before getting up. I was afraid that I had broken my foot and was fearful of standing up and having my body go into shock like it did when I broke my left foot in 2006. Luckily when I did stand up all was well, except for the limp. And I wasn't going to let this stop me from shopping. I was hobbling all around the racks pulling clothes left and right. The sales associates were so nice and kept asking if I wanted ice, I told them no thanks...I had shopping to do....and shop I did. I love my new clothes! That fit!
Saturday night James took me to the ER to get X-rays and I didn't break any bones, it was a contusion, bruised, on the top of my right foot. I am now in a oh so attractive orthopedic shoe for the next couple of days. But I have a great pedicure so that off sets the ugliness of the shoe. It doesn't hurt unless I walk around without the orthopedic shoe. My fourth toe has seen better days and I am hoping that the bruising goes away shortly. I'd take a photo but it would break the camera.
The things we do for fashion......
Monday, April 11, 2011
2 quarts of half and half....not 1 quart
Yesterday we had our friend Laura and her son Sammy over for pizza and homemade ice cream. The boys love the pizza and I thought we would share the good eats. This was our first attempt of the year for homemade ice cream so I had to pull out the ice cream maker and James had to track down bags of ice.
Now, the recipe I use is my from my maternal grandmother's family and I have been eating it since I could walk. It is written down, but it's completely open for variations. My problem was that when it said one to two quarts of half and half for some half baked reason I bought only one quart. It's been over nine months since I made it last! So there was a whole lot of milk in the container.
After an hour the ice cream was still churning. And I knew that wasn't a good sign. We unplugged it and packed it to set up. When James brought it inside we basically had snow cream! Frozen milk that tasted like vanilla. Which wasn't bad, but not what I wanted. Everyone enjoyed it none the less.
It is just the beginning of ice cream season...I'm sure will get it right soon!
Now, the recipe I use is my from my maternal grandmother's family and I have been eating it since I could walk. It is written down, but it's completely open for variations. My problem was that when it said one to two quarts of half and half for some half baked reason I bought only one quart. It's been over nine months since I made it last! So there was a whole lot of milk in the container.
After an hour the ice cream was still churning. And I knew that wasn't a good sign. We unplugged it and packed it to set up. When James brought it inside we basically had snow cream! Frozen milk that tasted like vanilla. Which wasn't bad, but not what I wanted. Everyone enjoyed it none the less.
It is just the beginning of ice cream season...I'm sure will get it right soon!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Visitors welcomed....
When I got home on Friday evening there was a car parked in my spot. We have reserved parking so this was a bit interesting. I parked in our neighbor's vacant spot and headed in to see if whom ever was parked in my spot was legitimate. And indeed it was! James' brother-in-law Colin.
The last weekend in March James received a call from Colin who is in South Carolina currently for work. Since he was on the East Coast (he lives in KS with James' sister) he figured he would come up for a night and visit. This past weekend was decided upon but then James didn't mention anything else for the remainder of the week. So it was a nice surprise to see him. We went out to dinner and then bundled up out back with a fire.
I made waffles for breakfast on Saturday and then he was off heading south. It was so nice to see him when we normally only see Colin in the may lay that is Bartlett family holidays in NY.
This just goes to show that the House of Bartlett-Kerr is always open for visitors. We have a comfortable bed, clean sheets, a dog that will lick you, and cats that will for the most part leave you alone!
The last weekend in March James received a call from Colin who is in South Carolina currently for work. Since he was on the East Coast (he lives in KS with James' sister) he figured he would come up for a night and visit. This past weekend was decided upon but then James didn't mention anything else for the remainder of the week. So it was a nice surprise to see him. We went out to dinner and then bundled up out back with a fire.
I made waffles for breakfast on Saturday and then he was off heading south. It was so nice to see him when we normally only see Colin in the may lay that is Bartlett family holidays in NY.
This just goes to show that the House of Bartlett-Kerr is always open for visitors. We have a comfortable bed, clean sheets, a dog that will lick you, and cats that will for the most part leave you alone!
Friday, April 1, 2011
A Prairie Home Companion
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A Prairie Home Companion Cast Photo FROM LEFT: Fred Newman, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, Garrison Keillor Photo credit: Dana Nye |
Well, I am even more excited because I just bought tickets to see APHC live at Wolf Trap next month!! APHC comes every year to Wolf Trap it seems, and last year Molly and Chris went for the Friday night show. They said it longer and more racier than the live Saturday night broadcast so I am really looking forward to this experience.
Nothing like a Friday night, under the stars, having a picnic with your husband and family, listening to Garrison Keillor's voice, Guy's All-Star Show Band, and the Royal Academy of Radio Actors.....
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