Lunch at Chatham Bars Inn...

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of lunching with my sisters-in-law at the CBI Beach Side Grille. This is the second year we have enjoyed each other's company for our, hopefully, "annual birthday luncheon." You know how difficult it can be to get together at various times of the year for such celebrations, so we decided to do it "once a year for all!" The weather was beautiful, the food delicious, the company delightful, and the view - well - what could be nicer that sitting alongside Chatham Harbor on a summer day!
Until next year....Happy Birthday dear sisters!!

Rockin' around the Christmas tree...

Garett and I joined in the fun at his DayHab Christmas party yesterday afternoon. The festivities included dancing to a lively mix of music, sing-a-longs, and yummy chocolate cake!!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

The Nest was a hub of activity on Saturday as we celebrated Chris's 30th birthday. Buttons the Clown even stopped by to make balloon hats and toys and paint faces. Lots of fun, food and fellowship!

The third journal...

This journal's owner requested a recipe...so I decided on this favorite snacky thing...which was always made for my family by our dear Auntie Nell.

Mother's Day gift...

Is this the greatest or what!!!

Childhood memories...

An ATC created for a recent swap...and these are only a few of my cousins! I'm the third from the left...This photo was taken in about 1956 or so.

Gobble, gobble...

Well, here it is - Thanksgiving Day - the beginning of the holiday season! I look forward to going to Worcester today to celebrate with my Mom and siblings; along with my nieces & nephews (and their significant others). And, of course, my husband and sons will all be there, too! This has got to be my favorite holiday, because it is the only time that ALL of us are able to be together. Hopefully we'll have some good photo ops today. My assignment is complete - two pans of bread stuffing, one large bowl of cole slaw, and brownies. Thankfully my sister Tina makes, totally from scratch, all the pies....and they are soooo yummy. Joe is cooking the bird and everyone else will bring the rest.
Well, off to get ready and hit the road...
My best wishes to you for a happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Three owls...

While browsing at Barnes & Noble last week, I spotted this journal; and considering my owl siting of several weeks ago (see Oct. 4 posting), I just had to have it!

Getting back to life off-Cape...

Well...I haven't posted for a while now, but it's not because I haven't been up to anything...quite the contrary! Settling back into an off-season routine has been a challenge. (My season, as you well know, is summer...so the rest of the year, all eight long months of it, is my off-season!) Getting back to work, re-immersing myself into my church activities and adjusting to life in my "winter home" have been rather time consuming, but always interesting. Additionally, I had the pleasure of traveling to Atlanta last week for a wonderful visit with friends there.
Nevertheless, I have still maintained my dedication to ATC swaps, and present here the most recent card, created for a swap at Scrapbook Cupboard in Bridgewater. The theme was "Trees" and I knew immediately that I just had to showcase Joyce Kilmer's poem...an all time favorite of mine.

I can't believe I ate...

...Hot Dogs!!!

Not being much of a meat eater, hot dogs are one of the last foods I would ever eat; but this afternoon, while visiting family in Worcester, my brothers and I took a trip down memory lane and went to Coney Island, a Worcester landmark well known for their hot dogs. Not only were the dogs to die for (grilled & smothered in meat-sauce, onions & mustard on a steamed roll), but just being inside the place was a trip back in time. All the furnishings, along with the carved names and initials on the booth surrounds, are original - and everything is remarkably clean. Coney Island and its attached bar, George's, were established in 1918 and are still going strong. To see the old neon sign aglow at night is a real treat. I can just imagine being there in, say, 1946, when Worcester's finest were returning home from the war and reuniting with friends, listening to Sinatra's latest hits on the jukebox and chowing down a few dogs...

So if you ever find yourself in downtown Worcester, it will be well worth your time to satisfy your hunger by getting a "Coney dog" or two ($1.50 each) or, as I did, three! Ah, I can still (burb) taste them now!

Happy Birthday, Paul!!!

I certainly cannot let this day go by without posting a special birthday wish for my brother Paul. This ATC was created using a childhood photo of him taken, obviously, after he had injured his arm. Paul has dealt with a lot during his lifetime...accidents, surgeries, therapies...but survived it all and is probably a stronger person because of it. One thing I can say for sure is that he never complained about pain and discomfort...he was a real trooper through it all! Paul has been a very special friend and uncle to my son Garett, and for that, among many other things, I am deeply grateful.

Happy birthday, dear brother...we love you lots!!! Garett sends birthday wishes, too!

The Newlyweds....

Yesterday was an exciting day for the family....our niece's wedding. With the Atlantic Ocean as their background, Joanna & Sean exchanged their vows at Bass Rocks in Gloucester, under a beautiful, sun-drenched sky. After the service, family and friends joined together for a dinner reception. The beautiful bride and her groom are pictured here, dancing their first dance as Mr. & Mrs.!!!

Congratulations and best wishes, Joanna and Sean, for a long and happy life together!

Bye, Lorna...

I know I've said this before, but one of the greater pleasures of having a summer home on the Cape is being able to share it with friends and family. The last few days have been days of fun, fun, fun with my dear friend Lorna. We talked, ate, drank, talked, swam, sunned, talked, shopped...well, you get the idea...we did all the stuff girl-friends do! Her 'significant purchase' this visit was a Trollbeads bracelet, which is absolutely stunning! As a matter of fact, I may just have to start one of these gem collectors for myself!

Well, Lorna is gone now...the house feels strangely empty and quiet...but wait!...who's that coming up the driveway?!?!

Two brothers, one sister...

The last few days have been a fun-filled time of reminiscing and reconnecting with two of my three brothers. This is probably the first time since I left our family home (33 years ago) that we have actually lived together in the same household - and they were just kids then - John was 17, Joe was 12. To have experienced them as adult men with history was a joy, and yet, in many ways they are still the little brothers I have always adored. We spent many hours at the beach and lots of time remembering our shared childhoods. We even became nostalgic for some of Mom's home cooked Lithuanian food; so, needless to say, we made some borscht (beet soup) and keugele (potato cake), which turned out great!
Well, the boys are gone now, but the memories will remain forever. I love you guys, thanks for being here!!!

Garett on horseback...

As part of his capeAbilities program, Garett has been receiving "horse-therapy" this summer - he is not only riding, but also learning about the grooming and care of horses. The fact the he is actually in the saddle absolutely amazes me!

I am most appreciative and thankful to program staff member Patti J., who has afforded him this opportunity. The program is available to capeAbilities clients due to a grant written for this purpose. Therapy sessions take place at Diamond's Edge, a stable in W. Barnstable.

Whale watching...

Garett and I had the pleasure of doing some whale watching yesterday. We departed from MacMillan Warf in Provincetown at 10 am, aboard the Portugese Princess II of the Dolphin Fleet. The trip to Stellwagen Bank passed quickly as we traveled out of the harbor, the shoreline providing beautiful scenery along the way. Before long we were being entertained by the many whales we encountered as they surfaced, breached, rolled and flapped their tails in the chilly waters of the Atlantic. Much to my surprise, there was always a whale in sight! After about an hour of watching these beautiful creatures, we headed back to the harbor.

While on the trip we met a couple from N. Carolina who were visiting Massachusetts to attend a wedding. They were doing the whale watch to fulfill a lifelong dream...I think they got their dream's worth!!!

Happy Birthday, John Mike!!

Well, another day, another birthday. No, it's not quite that ordinary. Today, St. Patrick's Day, is my brother John's 50th birthday. I share this ATC I made using an old photo of him basking in the glow of the candles on his 3rd (I think) birthday cake...made by me! My favorite thing about this photo is the wonderful look of wonder and glee on his face...he just couldn't wait for his birthday to come! I love you, John...Happy Birthday, brother!!!

Happy Birthday, Joey!

Before any more time passes today, I want to post a special message....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY BROTHER!!!! Joe being the youngest of the six of us, and me being the oldest (with 15 years between us), I guess I will always remember Joey as the baby brother I often looked after and cared for. Having been born on a leap day, there's always the question of when to celebrate in the off years - on Feb. 28 or March 1. This year I choose March 1...hope you have a happy one Joe!!!

Monday's child...

For this week, I will be posting a card each day...created to a favorite childhood poem. My weakness on these cards is the stitching...not my forte.
"Monday's child is fair of face" features a childhood photo of my sister Tina, whose face was and still is more than fair...she's adorable!

A special day...

Happy birthday to a very special person...Hazey....friend, sister, aunt. We love you!