Great job! We're In!

But...

What's with Michele's secret wave? Hmmm...

Whatever. Love the team. The dress?

It has to go...I'm just sayin'

~jules

The Next Olympic Sport

I'm just sayin'...I think I'm going to lose it!

McCain/Palin endorse the NRA

Boy, 8, shoots himself to death at Mass. gun show...

This is so disturbing...why is an 8 year old boy allowed to attend a gun fair, 

let alone hold a gun, let alone an Uzi submachine gun?!!  

This poor little boy is dead and a mother grieves because of negligence on so many levels.  Before you pull the lever on the 4th think 

about the safety of our children...

The NRA needs massive controls and parents need to have better judgement.

My prayers are with this family, my vote is with the right team.

Sealed With A Kiss For A Good Cause!

Ok fellow bloggers...Now I know we are in a bad place in our economy (dare I say recession?!?)...however, my pals and I (mental and tsannie) are tri-chairing a fundraiser for our local community hospital's non-profit foundation, (The Norwalk Hospital Foundation).  We have been able to secure some really cool auction items so I thought I would share them with you....If you are attending the event you will get a chance to bid on them live...however, if you cannot make this soiree you still have a chance to participate via sealed bid.  Just e-mail or call in the $ amount you would max out at and if we do not exceed this at the event the sealed bid would be opened and revealed to see if it surpassed the last bid...if so, you win!!  Of course, you would be responsible to cough up the dough:)  This is for a charitable cause people so your donation is tax deductable.  

Thanks for allowing me to stand on the blog box!

A Preview of Auction Items

Cabo San Lucas Waterfront Villa
7 night stay in Mexico at exclusive 5,000 square foot private residence, 

sleeps 10
Breathtaking views over the infinity edge pool to the pristine Sea of Cortez
Includes golf for 4 at El Dorado and round trip limo service to airport of choice
Black out dates: 

Nov 25-29, Dec 20 - Jan 3, Apr 4-19, Nov 24-29, and Dec 19-Jan 2
For more information go to www.cabolifestylevillas.com Value $25,000

Lindblad Expeditions Galapagos Adventure
As close as you can get to the extraordinary
A trip of a lifetime awaits two lucky world travelers. Nowhere else on earth gives you the opportunity to interact with such a wide array of creatures as the Galapagos Islands. Your ten day excursion includes outside cabin accommodations aboard The National Geographic Islander, where meals are included in addition to daily excursions using kayaks and glass bottom boats. Space available as early as January 2009.
For more information go to www.expeditions.com Value $15,000

Travel to London in Style
A unique opportunity for two that includes 2 round-trip, Upper Class tickets on Virgin Atlantic Airway’s award-winning service from New York. Upon arrival simply check into London’s famed Dorchester Hotel for two nights
and a top table for you and a guest at London’s hottest restaurant Cipriani will be waiting! Value $15,000

A Dinner Affair for 30
A memorable evening (in the NY metro area) where the only challenge is your guest list of 30. Your menu provided by the creative talents of Gracious Thyme Catering. Abbey Tent provides the tent, tables, chairs, linens, and lights. Value $5,000

Pheasant Hunting and Pleasant Lunching
A day of pheasant hunting awaits you with Chef Pietro Scotti (Owner of Da Pietro and Zest in Westport). Pietro will guide you on the hunt and cap off your adventurous day with a delicious lunch. Value $1,500

Drive In Movie Screen
Looking to create an outrageous child’s birthday party, bar mitzvah or to celebrate your family reunion in style? Feature the 20’ by 35’ Big Surf Drive-In Movie Super System. Package includes delivery, set up and removal.
All you need to provide is the DVD! Value $3,000

Poker Party
Bet you can’t wait for “Boys Night Out” playing poker with 10 friends. Evening includes private room, dinner, beverages and cigars – who’s in? Value $2,000

Plus
Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation
How to Shop Arthur Ave Spring Tour
Giants and Jets Tickets New York Yankees Box Seats
Greenwich Polo Tailgate Party
Skybox seats for 12 at Ringling Brothers Circus
BMW M6 Series motorized children’s car 

Ice Skating membership to The Rink @ Longshore
And much much more… 

For more information please call 

the Norwalk Hospital Foundation at 203 852-2216

Happy bidding!

Jules

It's been so long since I have been on the blog that.....

We have petrified on Cocktail Corner

It's been a while..

Way too much going on..... especially with the Olympics....enjoy...

Market Fresh!

On a recent trip to Boston we stumbled upon the farmer's market 

@ Copley Square...I must say, our market's pale in comparison.

Enjoy the view!

Check out what Kerry has to say about her market!

Farmer's Market Bounty!

Scored big today at the market!

Please support your local farmer's market, plus it tastes good!

New York Taxi, Skywatch!

Yea, we have sky here...somewhere...

Check out more Skywatch Friday on the new Sky Watch Friday site here. 

It's all courtesy of Tom over at Wiggers World (and his helpful cohorts)!

NEWS FLASH! HOT OFF THE PRESS!!

TSANNIE AND GB PLAY A ROUND!

A monumental day here in CT...After nearly 30 years of marriage, 

Ann and GB play 18 and live to tell about it ...I am sure, tsannie will reveal 

all the exciting details...check out her site!

I certainly hope they hit the ball better than this...I'm just sayin'

(fast forward to 6 minutes:)

Just Got My Spur's A Janglin'

Yesterday my lovey and I enjoyed a gorgeous evening here with a game of twilight golf at a nearby club...little did we know that there was a theme, "Cowboy"

We missed the memo!  Damn, and I have some really great cowboy golfwear, like my Stetson, visor, Lucchese golf shoes, and club holster...NOT!  

Golf was fine, I managed to remember to keep my head down after 4 holes...

geeeeeeze all these things to remember 

just to hit a stupid ball across a lawn!!

Dinner was another story...we had a choice of 2 entree's, lovey got the salmon...very fishy...I got the pulled pork...OMG, I had to send it back...(If you are faint of heart..MPM, stop reading and put on TVLand)...It looked like someone placed the hairball my 17 year old retriever coughed up this morning on a plate along with some 

black bean/corn salsa and collard greens...

yuck, yuck, yuck! 

The best part of the evening was when one of the elders of the club got a hold of the microphone and sang "Home on the Range"....

I'm just sayin',  just shoot me!!  

Atleast they could have piped in this version:)

A Vermont weekend

Recently, my lovey and I spent the weekend in the very quaint town of Woodstock, Vermont. Complete with a general store called, Gillingham's that provides one stop shopping for anything from a fine Bordeaux, to window treatments, to VT maple syrup, or even fishing hip waiters.   

We had a lovely weekend with our pals Mike and Mary. They have a beautiful home walking distance to town so we were able to walk to a fabulous dinner then stumble home...

Of course, prior to that, we had to visit the lovely Woodstock Inn 

and pinch a few cookies during high tea!

While the weather was hotter than necessary we did manage to enjoy an afternoon of golf in the Greenfield Mts near Killington, VT.

And, discover a few covered bridges located throughout Vermont.

Mike and Mary were very gracious hosts...our stay was most appreciated!  If you have a chance to visit Vermont, please do...

there is something to do for everyone...

until then we will keep the home fires burning.

PS.  Mary and I hiked this MT...can I just say...I either need to stop this 

kind of activity or get in much better shape:(

Hello Wall...

This was the opening act for a one woman show called Shirley Valentine... A middle aged woman in England who has realized that at this juncture of her life it's really not what she expected...her daily routine, her invisible exsistance to her husband, her children and the monatony of it all...

This opening act just sums it up.

(Pauline Collins in the movie version)

(Willcox)

Where's my lunch?

Where's my f**king lunch?

Big big tears

By the bright blue sea

As deep as forever

Oh Shirley, Shirley Valentine

If only mother found

What you found

I wouldn't be here, dreaming

Salutations dear listener

This is a comedy in three acts

Breakfast, lunch and tea

And they better not be late

Here he comes

Through the bordello doors

I kowtow to my pimp

I'm a good little whore

Hello wall

Nice to see you wall

Good day at the office wall

Your dinner's on the floor darling

And scrape me off the ceiling

Well I'm a mercenary wife

Where it complies

I compromise

I only wear this skin

'Cos I sinned in m'past life

I want war

And you want me

I want war

And you want breakfast, lunch and tea

On stage please, on stage, thank you.

Sweat drips off my brow

I know my lines, my moves

My place in life

And it's ticking away

I'm not going on tonight

That insecure feeling

A void of nothing-ness

I'm dripping away

Well I'm a mercenary wife

I want what money buys

I only wear this skin

Cos I sinned in m'past life

I want war

And you want me

I want war

And you want breakfast, lunch and tea 

Did you every have one of those aha moments.......This was a great one woman play and movie.  

I would highly recommend seeing it should it hit the circuit again.  

The movie is available on Amazon.

Blooming Tuesday

What would I do without the gardening guidance of my pals MPMama or TSAnnie...you see I hardly have a green thumb...actually, if truth be told, they might suggest that when it comes to gardening...I am all thumbs:)  I own it, I'm fine with it!  This spring I purchased a couple of dahlia's for the garden, pretty in pink and yellow...MPMama advised that if I cut back the flowers to the next bud, it will continue to bloom...so being the good student, I did as I was told and what a very pretty bouquet it produced...

thanks for the advise!

Yesterday, after reading Noble Pig encouraging us to branch out from our usual wine ways, we loyal Chardonnay fans tried a fine Rose' wine...it was interesting and refreshing, 

however, we are not ready to jump ship just yet!

(my soon to be 7 year old took this shot:)
I don't think that puss in the middle was ready for the plunge...do you?

You've Got Mail...

I am conducting a little survey...Earlier today I did a little walk/run around the neighborhood and took notice of the various types of mailboxes that the homes sport...I thought to myself, are these mail receptacles a reflection of their owners...

What does your mailbox say about you?

...Mini Me!

...Location, location, location!

...I like to be like Mike.

...Pretend I'm not here.

...In love with life.

..Don't mess with me.

...Off her rocker.

Perhaps this should be Mailbox Monday!

I'm just sayin'

I'm back..for a Friday Skywatch!

Every now and then you just need a little break...I don't know about you, but, there are days when blogging seems more like a job than fun.  I started out blogging for shitz and giggles...then all of a sudden, I am surrounded by folks that, this is their life...nothing, against that at all, I just can't commit.... So, I resume my regular life and pretend the blog isn't there...but it is and I am reminded that on some level I really do like it ...I guess the best part is reading the comments from all over the world (of course, that is on an incredible post day:)  

I guess it does take a village to make a blog...Hmmmmm, have you heard that b-4?

Here is my Skywatch....Wiggers , if you are a golfer you would have loved this course...this shot was a par 3 and you start on a hill 25 ft. higher than the hole...enjoy the view!

Jules

ps that is not my arse at the tee!

Sky Watch to Heaven

(Golf was cancelled, however, mother nature gave us a glimps of this...)

Stormy skies give way to a key hole to heaven...

let your imagination soar to the great unknown and enjoy the ride.

Jules

Check out more Sky Watch on wiggers world

ABC Wednesday...

Back in the day...this man would often Wax lyrical With his 

Wicked sense of humor and a Whole lot more!

W.C. Fields

Finally, since my son is a huge WWE fan, 

I would be remiss if I didn't share this post with you!

Check out Mrs. Nesbitt for more ABC fun

Summertime Grazing...

Sweet little baby deer came to graze

Whilst her mama kept a watchful eye

Yesterday morning in my backyard...what I did not catch on film was this mama and another mama on their hind legs duking it out...

they looked like angry kangaroos!

What a Lady!

Hot Off The Press!

Saw this on Yahoo...with the caption
"Jessica Simpson disses her boyfriend's ex..."  

Come on ...she is just bragging about how she is keeping her boyfriend!
I'm just sayin'

A Note From The Swimming Pool...

OK, WHO DID IT??

ALERT NOTICE

*****haven's main pool and diving pool have been shut down due to bodily foreign matter deposited in the pools.

State protocol dictates the pools to be shut down for 24 hours, therefore it will re-open @ 1:00 p.m. tomorrow.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

~~~~~

GRRRRRRRRRR

i'm just sayin'!

Sky Watch Stormy

Quite the storm the other night...just gotta love mother nature!

Check out more sky watch friday @ wiggers world

The Very Important Letter V!

Yes, class welcome once again to ABC Wednesday

brought to you in part by the ever so clever Mrs. Nesbitt!

Today's topic is the letter

V

V begins several worthy word...

I just didn't know where to begin.

You see on occasion...

I have been known to Vacillate,

I am partial to V-necks,

I have been to Hawaii to see the Volcano's,

My home is rarely Vacant,

I tend to gravitate towards Vagabonds,

I have never been to Vail,

I have been Vaccinated,

I won't blog about my Va-gi-gi,

I think that would be Vulgar,

My explanations will sometimes be Vague,

I love homemade Valentines,

I secretely wish I had more Va, Va, Va, Voom,

And I deperately need a Vacation,

Oh, and did I mention that my maiden name begins with V...

so, I was always at the end of the line.

So, today I will share a very hip, California-esque,

V that sometimes adorns my 6 year olds feet....

Van's Very Cool Shoes

Did you ever have one of those days?

This just sums it up!

Russert on Imus...

Yes, you will be missed...

Happy Father's Day ...Dad

I love this shot...my dad came from Chicago to the east coast 

to show my son how to make home made pasta...

what a great memory for the Con-man

Of course, wine must be present during all tutorials...teehee:)

Happy Father's day to all that be...

Jules

Cherry Fairies of Summer...

Cherry-Time

Cherries of the night are riper

Than the cherries pluckt at noon 

Gather to your fairy piper 

When he pipes his magic tune: 

Merry, merry, 

Take a cherry; 

Mine are sounder, 

Mine are rounder, 

Mine are sweeter 

For the eater

Under the moon. 

And you’ll be fairies soon. 

In the cherry pluckt at night, 

With the dew of summer swelling, 

There’s a juice of pure delight, 

Cool, dark, sweet, divinely smelling. 

Merry, merry, 

Take a cherry; 

Mine are sounder, 

Mine are rounder, 

Mine are sweeter 

For the eater 

In the moonlight. 

And you’ll be fairies quite. 

When I sound the fairy call, 

Gather here in silent meeting, 

Chin to knee on the orchard wall, 

Cooled with dew and cherries eating. 

Merry, merry, 

Take a cherry; 

Mine are sounder, 

Mine are rounder, 

Mine are sweeter. 

For the eater 

When the dews fall.

And you’ll be fairies all. 

Robert Graves

Just Puttin Around...On Sky Watch Friday!

It's a beautiful day out here on the course...

I only wished I golfed that way too...

Please visit Old Wom Tiggley for more great pics!

Just say another prayer.........

Besides my dad...this is another one of my blue eyed favorites...

Apparently Paul Newman has some sort of cancer...take a moment for him and others in your life to say a little prayer, good wishes, or whatever works for you...and for him and yours'.

Mr. Newman's habitat is in the vicinity...funny story, I happen to be at the local wine shop (imagine that:) ..when rummaging through the wine in the fridge, a lovely man actually says excuse me, so I kindly obliged...

at check out I say ..."was that?...is that?"

Yep!...I just never expected it....

Mr. Newman, shops for white wine too:)

Those blue eyes need our help now too...

I'm just sayin.........Jules

U is for....

Under 

Construction...

And after....

(our family room)

Please visit Mrs Nesbitt for more on the letter U!

Party in a bag!

Hi all, …very busy weekend. 

Why do they cram everything into the last 2 weeks of school?…Grrrrrr. 

Friday: Closing house at school…basically, an early evening cook out 

for parents and children with a buch of things to jump, slide and climb on…

Saturday: End of school clam bake

Sunday: 3 Lacrosse games, a high school graduation and 

a 7 year old birthday party…check out the party in a bag….

I’m just sayin’…this bag contained some pretty interesting goods…

I think I received the same bag at a bachelorette party…what is that red thing?????

Screened In Sky Watch

From where I sit it's pure beauty

The pink skies, the low tides,

The crooked tree with spindly arms that say,

come and pitter patter on me.

Alert...I lounge and ponder,

To explore, to bathe, or go beyonder...

Hmmm

I wait...I wait...

For my escape!


There's more Sky Watch Friday at Wigger's World.

ABC Wednesday

(google image)

IS FOR...

TIKI TIKI TEMBO!

I remember my children preforming this old Chinese tale...they say this tale led the Chinese to shorten the first names of their children...what do you think?

Enjoy the show!

Please visit Mrs. Nesbitt for more ABC's

Gourmet Group

gour·met 

(go̵or mā′, gôr-; go̵or′mā, gôr′-)

noun

a person who likes and is an excellent judge

 of fine foods and drinks; epicure

Some of my friends started a gourmet group a few years ago.  My husband and I have attended many of their glorious food fests...so much so that they asked if we would like to join them.  We were honored and said yes...there are approximately 5 couples that share the dinner, each couple is assigned a course, the couple hosting the dinner provides the entree.  This past weekend we hosted the dinner.  As the host you also get the "right" to decide the theme for the evening.  During a recent visit to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, we stayed at the One and Only Pamillia (highly recommend this place...just a breath of fresh air!)  The resort restaurant was created by the famous chef Charlie Trotter, it specializes in spa cuisine.  

(all purchases @ the O&O gift shop are accompanied with this sweet canvas re-useable bag..very forward thinking and stylish too!)

Having had such an amazing experience there, we decided to select a Charlie Trotter inspired theme for our evening.  This, is all well and good, however, as a first time host, it was wildly intimidating, the other couples have been doing this for years, this was our first!  

We selected the menu, and assigned a recipe to each couple, as the host you can also invite other guests to join in on the fun...since this was my first excellent gourmet adventure, and considering my dining room table would comfortably seat 12 we invited just one other couple. While it is not required, the "other" couple wanted to participate, so their charge was to provide the aperitifs.  In the CT cookbook,  2 recipes caught my eye, one for heirloom tomato and basil water and another for a peach lemonade, I thought the tomato and basil drink would be just delightful as a shot with a little bit of vodka, a salted rim and a wedge of lime, the peach lemonade would be perfect with a splash of champagne....I was right, with the T&B drink, although they went down so smoothly that we never got to the lemonade...another day;)

 (Nice ring Mental P!)

Many Thanks to Mental P Mama and Squazz for their contribution to our evening!!

The appitizer, consisted of grilled prawns with a curried cucumber yogurt sauce, expertly prepared by J&P!

  (hurry get the camera these are going quick!)

The first course was flawlessly presented by tsannie, steamed Pacific mussels in a saffron, fennel, tomato broth...this could have been a meal with a few baguette slices!

The second course, prepared by S&B was picture perfect..delicate steamed ginger mushroom wantons in a lite mushroom broth that left you wanting more....

 

The salad, was a mouth watering flavor sensation...a beautiful presentation of peaches, radishes and roasted red onion...tsannie out did herself!

(tsannie in action!)

Next, was the entree of grilled beef tenderloin, a side of tomato/leek strewn quinoa, prepared by yours truly...how can you screw up beef tenderloin...I got off easy!

The hardest part for me for this entire evening was making sure the table settings was up to par with the settings I have observed in dinners past...

We topped off the evening with a desert beautifully prepared with a flair by S&T...Chilled chocolate-orange souffles with chocolate sorbet...(we forgot the sorbet...which was fine by me...I am still enjoying the pint today;)  

Unfortunately, I cannot reproduce the actual recipes, but you can get the cookbook at the Charlie Trotter site...check it out!

Just love Sweet William

...I am just sayin'