October 2014 Part Three

Wednesday the 22nd:  Not too much to report.  We mostly relaxed, did laundry, I worked on my blog and Vicki made Cabbage Beef soup from a new recipe.  It was very good and definitely is a fall soup as it had diced apple in it and was very hearty. It really hit the spot on a chilly and rainy fall evening.

On Thursday, we picked up Susan Bogard and headed over to Garden State Plaza to see Saint Vincent.  It was spectacular.  Bill Murray should at LEAST get a Best Actor nomination, if not the Oscar.  And Naomi Watts was sensational - the entire cast was great!  Terrific film.

A few minutes into the film, my phone vibrated.  I sneaked a peak but didn't recognize the Hackensack number.  As soon as the film was over, I checked and it was a message telling me that my new glasses were ready!!!  So, while Susan went to see about having her watch repaired, I took my very happy self to collect my glasses.  I really like them A LOT as well I should!  Here's a quick photo but keep in mind, it's been raining a lot so the hair could be better!

We grabbed a quick, small bite at the mall - and headed home for leftover soup and an evening of rest and relaxation.

On Friday, we picked up Lorraine and went to Riverside Mall for a little window shopping before dinner at P. F. Chang's.  Lorraine bravely tried California Rolls and enjoyed them more than her entree.  She'd never been before but had a gift card.  She said she'd probably never go again as she really didn't like it much.

Saturday was spent preparing for Sunday Brunch which Vicki was hosting.

Vicki is the Ultimate Hostess!  She prepared some absolutely yummy dishes, including pumpkin pie bars and a lovely Brunch Casserole.

Denice, Kathy and Pat

Pat, Ginger and Vicki

After partaking of this feast, we headed to Bergen County Playhouse to see 45 Steps to Broadway by Neil Simon.  It was good!  After the play, Kathy, Pat and Ginger headed to their respective homes, and Vicki, Denice and I went to Biggies for a bite to eat before heading home.

On Monday morning, We Three boarded a train to Hoboken to spend the day.

The trip was quick - less than 30 minutes - and since we're all seniors, it was mighty inexpensive!  Much better than driving into Hoboken and trying to find a parking space, which is a major hassle.  We did a lot of walking around the waterfront - yes, On The Waterfront was filmed here.  Vicki and Denice plan on watching it when Vicki visits Denice in Little Egg Harbor in December.

The day was absolutely glorious!  Not a cloud in the sky.

Denice was Baptized in this church.

New World Trade Center

Empire State Building with Chrysler Building peaking out.

By this time, we'd built up an appetite, so we headed over to Little Town NJ which had been recommended by Nephew Dan.  It serves locally sourced food and has a lot of craft beers on tap.  No, I didn't have a beer but Denice did and said it was good.  I think dinner there would be a fun thing to do.  Our waiter, Angel, was just that - an angel.  He tried to comp dessert but we passed as the food portions were large - so he comped our drinks: diet Coke for Vicki; club soda for me; and a craft beer for Denice.

Vicki

SkeeBall in Little Town

More walking was in order.  We JUST HAPPENED to walk past Carlo's Italian Bakery which has been featured on TLC, but I'd never heard of it.  We bought canollis to take home for dessert.  Vicki and Denice said they were good, but I'd not had one in a VERY long time and remember DiAnna's in Garfield being better.

Before the commuter crush started, we hopped a train back to Hackensack.  Of course, we met a very nice conductor who was a HUGE Cowboy fan.  Then home for a light supper.

On Tuesday, we went back to Garden State Plaza AMC and saw The Best of Me.  It was typical Nicholas Sparks - they fall in love and someone dies and the audience cries!  Pretty good, but not on the top of my list.  After the movie, Denice left to go back home to Little Egg Harbor and we shopped at GSP and then went to Paramus Park.  We tend to energize the economy when we're together.

We stopped at an Asian Restaurant to take food home.  I waited in the car while Vicki went in to get it.  While sitting in the car, I noticed:

"Fine Wines?"  I think not!  But what the heck.

We have a few things planned for the next few days, but nothing major.  We're both looking forward to our Vermont trip!

So, Ciao for now!

October 2014 Part Two - Pennsylvania

On Monday, we got up, packed, checked out of Hotel Icona, meeting another fine young man who was the Assistant Manager.  Since it's off season, there were no bellmen so he toted our bags to the car.  He asked if we had a FIVE STAR stay and I told him it was more of an EIGHT STAR stay due to all the fine folks there.

Off to Pennsylvania!!  We tried to contact Mom's cousin Edwin but he never answered his phone.  We also decided not to take the GSP north and instead took a more rural, scenic drive.  While Vicki drives, I crochet, and before we knew it we were crossing the Delaware River on the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia skyline was stunning but I was unable to snap a shot.  The Garmin I gave Vicki was directing us quite nicely and we ended up in Line Lexington for lunch at Zoto's which is across the street from where our Dad's place, The Line Lexington Diner and Dining Room used to be.  It's now a gas station.  We both had really good grilled cheese sandwiches which is nearly compulsory in a diner, with yummy cole slaw on the side.

We checked out our old [and I DO mean old] house and our Grandmom Roeder's house and then went up to Hilltown.  I went to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart from first through fourth grades.  It's a two-room schoolhouse.  The parish was established in 1919.  The church is downstairs and the two schoolrooms and the nuns' convent were on the second floor.  I could hardly believe it's still there.   It's still a church [chapel] as you can see from the sign.  The large rectory is next door.

Isn't that just amazing!

The new Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church held its first Mass in September of 2000.  My Aunt Myrtle Roeder, who is 95, also attended OLSH and was asked to make a presentation during this event.  You'll see her later.

We moved "to town" [Perkasie] in the early '50s and we attended St. Agnes [Sellersville], which was a four-room schoolhouse with two grades in each room.  I was there from fifth through eight grades.  St. Agnes and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart merged in 1978 or 1979 and it's now called [drum roll, please] SASH School.  It's set up to have first through third grades in Sellersville and fourth through eighth in Hilltown.  I saw this sign and felt very honored.

Off to Perkasie!  We saw our old home, the places where we played and the schools we attended.  There was a covered bridge a few blocks from our home where we played in the creek under the bridge.  It was moved to a park several years ago.

I had a friend who lived on the other side of town and I used to walk to her house through this tunnel.  It's much nicer now.  When I was a kid, it was kind of scary and I'd trot through the tunnel.

We found the site where our Dad had his Penn Jersey Auto Supply Store, but it's now a place that sells handmade soaps.  This is the Perkasie Fire House which was catty-corner across the street.

Our Dad also had a luncheonette and bar in Perkasie.  Vicki thinks it was called The Mayflower but can neither confirm nor deny.  Maybe I can do some digging to try to find out.

We did more driving around - went to Lansdale where I went to Lansdale Catholic High School one year and Vicki went to St. Stanislaus.

Vicki was The A#1 driver of the world and gets major kudos for that.

We found a spot to spend the night in Montgomeryville and turned in pretty early.  We're Old Broads, after all.

On Tuesday, we went to see Aunt Myrtle in Warminster.  She lives in a beautiful Erickson facility which we'd been to a few years ago.  She's 95 and has the spirit of a 25 year old!  Kathleen, her daughter, met us and we all went in together.  My cousin, Lee, was there as well and believe it or not, I'd not seen him since I was 10 or 12, when we moved away from Pennsylvania.  He lives in Maine / Massachusetts in the warmer months and in Sanibel when it's cold.  He and his Partner, Betsy, were on their way to Florida.  It was SO nice to see him and to meet her.  

Here are the four cousins:  Lee, Me, Kathleen and Vicki.

And here we all are with Aunt Myrtle.

After chatting for quite a while, we went to the dining room and had a lovely lunch.  Here are Kathleen and Aunt Myrtle.

Then, back to Aunt Myrtle's apartment for more chatting and some of Aunt Myrtle's DELISH homemade chocolate covered pretzels and yes, I had two and they were wonderful!  I'm on vacation.  We hated to leave but Lee and Betsy had some errands to run before continuing on to Florida on Wednesday, and we needed to get back to Hackensack before it got too dark.

Kathleen is also interested in doing The Walk in Spain.  I saw the movie and became interested as well, but I sort of put it on the way back burner.  I'm going to reignite my interest and check it out again.  I think it would be an amazing thing to do.  We'll see if I'm able to do all that walking.  She has fairly new knees and I don't!!!

So, that's it so far.  We have a movie planned for tomorrow with a friend; dinner with Lorraine on Friday and getting ready for Vicki's pre-play brunch on Sunday.  I'll sign off for now but don't expect another posting for at least a week, as we're probably not going to be doing too much note-worthy stuff!  If anything earth-shattering occurs, I'll let you know.

Ciao!

October 2014 Part Two - Wildwood

As I said in Part One, Friday was spent doing laundry and getting ready for our trip.  However, we were able to slip in a walk as well as a trip to the nursery so Vicki could get a lilac bush which we'll plant next week.  While there, I fell in love - with a tree!!!  It's a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and I've GOT to find out if it works in Dallas.  It's very eerie looking - in fact, Vicki's DIL calls it a Ghost Tree.

We were so excited for our trip, we had an early dinner and went to bed without watching Blue Bloods!!!

Saturday we headed south with high anticipation.  There were a few clouds in the sky but the forecast was good.  We decided to leave the Garden State Parkway and stop in Ocean City for a little walk on the boardwalk.  Before getting to Ocean City, we stopped at a Wawa to grab some water and a Tastycake pumpkin pie to "taste."  We each had a bite [I might have had two] and got back in the car.  There, we witnessed a policeman questioning a suspicious looking loiterer.  It was obvious that the "loiterer" was used to this type of treatment as he pulled out his ID as soon as the policeman pulled up.  A little excitement but not very much, really.

So, off over the bridge to Ocean City.  We found a great parking spot and started walking the boardwalk.  By this time, the sun was really bright and I HAD to purchase a visor.

Just seeing the ocean invigorates and calms me, at the same time.

So, we decided to drive along the barrier islands instead of going back inland.  Amazingly, Superstorm Sandy didn't affect this part of New Jersey very much, but most folks were evacuated.  As soon as we got to Wildwood Island, we were Two Happy Old Broads.  After a little tour around North Wildwood, we decided to walk the beach before lunch.  We noticed there was something going on at the Hereford Lighthouse and stopped there.  It was a book signing by Steve Murray, who wrote about the history of the lighthouse.  He was a very nice gentleman who knew Vicki's fourth or fifth grade boyfriend.  He also knew the boy who took me to Junior Prom.  Small world.

A walk on the beach was in order for sure.  Gosh it was a beautiful day.

We took our shoes off to dig our toes in the sand, and I even ventured into the shallow surf.  Speaking of surf [typing, actually], there were several surfers out there taking advantage of the beautiful day and the water warmed by the Gulf Stream at this time of year.

One of the docents at the lighthouse answered a burning question of mine: where to get the best cheesesteak sandwich.  She told us the 24th Street Grill and then we found out that her daughter owns it.  So off we went as the ocean air did a number on our appetites.  We met the daughter, Pam, and told her we were sent by her mother, Dee.  We split one and had a "handful" of fries.  Best?  Maybe not, but darned good.

We hadn't made a reservation but I'd found the Hotel Icona at Diamond Beach in Wildwood Crest so we took a look.  They had a vacancy and we checked into our SUITE!!!  Two rooms! One with a kitchenette and living area with sleeper sofa, and a bedroom with two queen beds.  Both rooms had doors to the balcony.

The photograph immediately above is at the end of the parking lot.  It's a private beach shared with The Grand next door, which is a 10 story condo building that looks great - but all condos.

After checking into our "suite" and unpacking, we drove around the island looking at our old schools, churches and homes.  It's amazing how much some things have changed.  We decided to take a long walk on the boardwalk as we'd been sitting a good part of the day.  It's pretty much "off season" now and very few places were open, but we ran into several friendly folks who live on the island and ride their bikes on the boardwalk.  We put some steps on my FitBit and since we'd just split a steak sandwich at lunch, we were getting hungry.  Again, several places were closed but we found the Marvis Diner and grabbed a burger.  They were closing for the season on Sunday!  Sure wish we had REAL diners in Dallas.

By this time, Vicki realized she was missing her glasses which she'd bought in March, and had to rely on her new prescription sunglasses.  We tore her car apart looking for them but no success.  We'd made two stops in Ocean City and a couple of stops in Wildwood.  I called the 24th Street Grill but they were closed.

So, right after breakfast on Sunday morning, we hopped into Vicki's car and headed to North Wildwood, praying the 24th Street Grill was open.  I called!  They were open!  The lady who answered said she THOUGHT a pair had been found but would call the owner who put they away safely!  SUCCESS!!! They were there and we were SO thankful.  All's right with the world!  And we didn't have to trace our steps all the way back to Ocean City!

Off to Cape May!  Sunday was beautiful but WINDY like crazy!  Cape May is right over the bridge in Wildwood Crest.  The bridge was up for a boat, so while waiting for it to pass, I shot this marker.  I'll have to look into it.

We went directly to to "downtown" area and started walking the pedestrian only streets.  We found out that there was going to be a trick or treat event at all the stores from 12 to 3 so we decided to leave and go back later as it was getting crazy with kids.  Actually, the parents were out of control!

We then went to the Sunken Ship and other spots along Delaware Bay.

The above photograph is SO blurry and it's because the wind nearly blew me over.  That's a Lewes to Cape May ferry on the horizon.

We then went over to the Cape May Lighthouse.  There's a Hawk Watch there and there were a bunch of serious birders there with their big-time cameras set up.  Serious bunch of folks.

We found a WWII bunker there that neither of us knew about but which has been there since before we were born.

On one of our treks over the dune to the beach, I started seeing a lot of Monarch butterflies.  Then, I spotted this!  Just amazing!

Since we were completely windblown we decided to go back to the downtown area and see what was going on.  The parade was just ending and the streets were walkable and the stores were shop-able!  In one store, I saw a pair of earrings I kind of liked but thought they were too much like the pair I was wearing.  When I reached for my ears, only one earlobe had an earring.  Obviously, it had blown off in the wind!  So I bought the new pair!  It was a SIGN!!!  We picked up a few other things - one is a surprise for Vermont!!!  So there, Jim and Sue!!!  I can keep a secret too!!!

We were both getting hungry so made the trip back over the bridge, which was again open for a boat.

We went back to our room, freshened up and went to Coastal Blue, the restaurant in the hotel.  We had a fabulous meal served by Jennifer, a Top Notch waitress.

I must say, Hotel Icona is a First Class place.  And it was made that way, not only by the comfort of the rooms, but the staff!  Each and every one was amazing, but highest kudos go to Sherri Lee Stevens, the Sales & Catering Manager.  She was beautiful, inside and out - and made us feel like family.

I'm going to publish now and will continue with our trip from Wildwood to Pennsylvania in Part Two - Pennsylvania!

Over and Out!

October 2014 - Part One

On Sunday, October 12, I arrived at Newark Liberty and the weather was clear and a million - nary a cloud in the sky with a very pleasant temperature.  Vicki and I met as we both headed to the luggage carousel.  My bag was retrieved and we chatted our way to her car.  For the second time in about ten years, the airlines damaged my luggage to the extent I will have to buy a new piece.  No, I didn't drag it back inside and upstairs to complain as it was scraping the ground and threatening to fall apart.  So, picture SAD FACE.

Before heading to Hackensack, we stopped at the Renaissance Hotel to pop in on nephew Dan, who just got a job there as Desk Clerk.  He's such a People Person that I'm sure he'll be running the Marriott Corporation before too long. ;0)

We, then, dropped my things off at Vicki's home.  She has a great home and has it decorated just beautifully, with the exception of one room just off her kitchen.  Since she's lived there [11 years], she used the room as a "catch all" place, but in her mind, she had a vision.  A couple of times during my visits, we'd start to clean it out, but it was overwhelming.  This year, our plan was to have a garage sale and try to get rid of a lot of the stuff in that room and the basement.  Let me just say:  my sister has NEVER been able to keep a secret.  However, unbeknownst to me, she, my brother Jim, and my SIL Sue started working on the room over Labor Day weekend.  She also had the help of a few friends and installers from a floor store.  Her plan was to let me stumble upon the room on my own but she just couldn't wait or she'd pop so she led me there!  The room is just beautiful - it's her Summer Kitchen - full of windows and all the things she's been collecting for 11 years.  Below is a photo of the room and one of Vicki eating her first meal, which I'd prepared Monday morning.

The room is so HER - bright and sunny and full of color.

After I was able to scrape my jaw off the floor, we headed over to Red Robin for a burger.  I, of course, had a libation - a tequila pear martini.  It was just okay in taste but very pretty.  I'd much rather sip a nice tequila.

Then home to unpack and hit the sack.

On Monday, we decided to do a little shopping.  After all, I had to get a new suitcase.  Since it was Columbus Day, we decided NOT to hit a major mall.  If you've ever been in the area, the Garden State Plaza parking lot is packed on a normal day.  Definitely a place to avoid on a holiday.  Ran a few errands, bought a suitcase and then did some grocery shopping before heading home.

We combined our culinary talents and prepared a beautiful dinner.

Believe me, it was as good as it looked.  Vicki prepared a wonderful salmon; I made the smashed purple potatoes [with sour cream and butter]; and I prepped and Vicki cooked the broccoli.  I love purple potatoes and Vicki had never had them.  They're harder to find here but we've not gone to Whole Foods yet and I'm sure they have them.  In any case, Fairway has them, but it's a little out of the way.

On Tuesday, we decided to take in a movie, so off to Garden State Plaza.  We got there early as Vicki wanted to get a new pair of sunglasses at Lenscrafters.  Unfortunately, while she was doing her deal, I spied THE pair of frames I've been looking for.  I hadn't planned on spending THAT kind of money on my trip, but I wanted to strike while the iron was hot.  Vicki's were ready in an hour - I have to wait 10 to 14 days for mine.  Another SAD FACE.

We saw The Judge which was not what I was expecting.  Very good; great acting; emotional; funny in places.  Probably a three tissue film.  After that we did a little shopping [no tax on clothing here, so it's compulsory], and then grabbed an early dinner at California Pizza Kitchen.  Then, home, a little TV and bed.  We ARE a pair of exciting Old Broads.

On Wednesday morning, after waking up my back and a few cups of coffee, I did a 45 minute walk while Vicki took care of things in the house.  Walking here isn't at all like walking at home.  There are actually pretty steep hills around her house and I could feel my buttocks warning me, but I persevered and listened to a podcast while walking.

I sat on the porch to cool off before my shower when Vicki told me not to shower as she wanted to do a little hike in a forrest in Teaneck.  So she went off to her appointment and when she got back, we went to Teaneck for a hike.  The area is off Puffin Road and I so wanted to see a Puffin but wasn't lucky enough.  The trails are well cared for and marked nicely.  At the parking area [which is shared by the Puffin Museum] there is a sculpture gallery outdoors.  Really nice.  I took a few photos with my iPhone but next time will take my Nikon.  Here are the few that I / Vicki took:

The first one above was actually along one of the trails that we took.  This was really a surprising place - in the middle of a densely populated area with bird sounds, little streams burbling away, and the sound of trees being ruffled by a breeze.  We only saw one human along the way and he was carrying a proper camera.

Then home, showers, and dinner preparation.  Vicki found a recipe for Stuffed Peppers which had a Mexican flair, so we tried it.  It was good, but no cigars.  For some reason, neither one of us felt satisfied afterward.

Thursday:  Nephew Dan dropped in this morning as he was curious about the secret the entire family was keeping from us.  Yes, he liked the Summer Kitchen.  After he left, Vicki continued getting ready for our day and I prepared a stunning omelet.  After partaking of said omelet, we ventured over to Wood-Ridge and picked up Lorraine for our day out.  We went to Ridgefield Park to Starplex [WHAT COMFY CHAIRS] and saw Gone Girl.  The movie was completely engaging and while well over two hours long, seemed to fly by.  Did we like it?  Yes - except for the ending, even though we'd been told it followed the book.  Well, harumph - didn't like the ending and probably would not have liked the ending of the book.

After the film, we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner, partially to celebrate Lorraine's birthday which was in September.  Nice meal and lots of chatting.  Here is proof: Vicki, Lorraine and me.

Lorraine is The Best and I never tire of her stories, laughter and unexpected F Bombs.  She's like a Big Sister to me and I just love her to pieces.

On Friday, we're just going to do laundry and prepare for our trip to Wildwood and Pennsylvania.  I'm going to try to squeeze in a walk but that's up in the air.  So, I'll post this tonight and probably won't post again for a week - unless something unexpectedly earth shattering happens.  Ciao.

Vicki's 2014 Trip - Part 4

The thing about blogging is, if I don't do it on a daily basis, I forget what we've done.  Hopefully, I'll get this right.

On Tuesday, we headed up to McKinney to do some mirror shopping.  Of course, one of our very most favorite places to shop is The Little Red Hen which sells clothing. ;0)  And yes, we each bought some.  Alas, no photos.

A little off the Square, there is an antique mall and I got another mirror for over the tub, as well as a large tin and "jewels" crown for over my bed.  See below.  ;0)

At Plum Creek Primitives [also on the Square] I bought some round placemats for the kitchen table.  More on that later.

Of course, since Emporium Pies is new in McKinney, we had to see if it's as good as the one in Bishop Arts.  It's safe to say IT SURE IS!!!  Vicki had the Lord of the Pies again which is a deep dish apple pie with caramel swirls.  I ventured out and tried the Drunken Nut which was a yummy pecan pie.  I will say MY pecan pie is better.  Just saying.

On Wednesday, we picked up Gal Pal Val and then met Mary Yates at Forestwood Antiques.  I think I got 4 or 5 small mirrors there and fell in love with a beautiful heart shaped one but left that one there as it was a tad pricey.  I might have to go back but for now it will have to stay there.  After lunch at The Chocolate Angel and a little shopping in nearby stores, we headed to North Dallas Antique Mall, and yes, I got another mirror.  It was a fun fun fun day with My Mirror Mavens!!!  And yes, I've been kicking myself in the butt for not getting a photo of the four of us!!!  Dang me!!!!

When Vicki and I got home, all the mirrors were hung and to me, at least, it looks wonderful - better than I expected.  If course, more mirrors can [and will] be added to the two alcove walls.

On Thursday, we hurried back to McKinney as one of the placemats I bought on Tuesday didn't match.  The "hurrying" part was because bad weather was predicted and the skies looked horrible.  But nary a drop hit us.  After a stop at Stonebrier for lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, we headed home.  

After a bit of a rest, we grabbed Jay and hurried to Nate's for dinner.  Again, not a drop but the skies continued to be scary.

Thankfully, we didn't get the bad weather - just a little rain - but just a little north of us, it was very scary with lots of large hail - tennis ball sized!  Lots of damage in and around Denton and points north of here.

No films tonight - just being sisters:

And now, it's Friday.  I dropped Vicki off at the airport at around ten o'clock this morning and I feel like a fish out of water / a man without a country / lonely.  I took these two photos this morning just before she left:

We had a very good visit and did a ton of things.  I just wish we lived closer so we could see each other more than just a couple times a year - but I'm VERY grateful for that!

And so ends a wonderful 16 days with My Sister Vicki!!!  I LOVE YOU, VICKI!!!