Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Saturday was another beautiful day. Sunny, chilly and with the people I love.

Sydney found out about a little hike on a causeway into Lake Champlain in Colchester so Chris, Pat, Steve and Sydney picked up SANDWICHES from The Big Apple Deli and we met at a park near where we were going to hike.  It was determined that the causeway was closed for repairs until May so we decided to hike along the Lake through the woods.

While waiting for all of us to gather, a flock of geese flew overhead.  I tried to get a photo but had to be quick and this was the best I could do:

So after we had lunch on picnic tables, we headed out for our hike.

Lots of bikers on our walk and in summer months they have bike rentals here. That would be fun - to me.

Here are some random shots along the way.  Lake Champlain is just gorgeous! That's New York on the other side of the Lake.

And here is the Winooski River which runs into the Lake.

So, after walking off our lunch, we all split up to do "our" things.  Vicki had a "plan" so we had to get the ingredients.

And here is the end result of Vicki's plan - an absolutely beautiful and delicious antipasti:

Believe me when I say it was devoured within minutes!

Chris made some pizzas and they too were devoured.

Hiking sure works up an appetite.

Sue made a scrumptious apple crisp and which we all [especially Jim] enjoyed:

And this is the part of the trip I dislike - leaving until next year.  Steve and Zoe were heading back to Dallas first thing Sunday morning and Vicki and I were heading back to Hackensack.

Goodbyes were said and hugs all around.  So until 2020, that's all folks!

Hello November! The First!

Finally, cooler weather and no rain!  Here's a view from our balcony - it overlooks the pool and Jacuzzi but if you've seen one, you've seen them all.  It's 45 degrees and clear and a million!

Today is the day Vicki's son, Matt, and his wife, Carol, and Laura and Josh arrive so we wandered around Stowe until they arrived just before 1:00 p.m. Hugs were had by all.  Since they hadn't stopped for lunch, they left to grab a bite while Vicki and I headed to Waterbury Center with the requisite stop at Ben & Jerry's.  I had strawberry and will say it was better than Edy's in Frenchtown but doesn't hold a candle to Braum's.  Then it was up the mountain to Jim and Sue's.

A neighbor of Jim and Sue has the most wonderful barn / shed at the back of their property and I've never stopped to take a photo.  Well, I did this time!  Isn't it wonderful!

When we got to Jim and Sue's, cooking was already underway.

Here's nephew Chris with the amazing brie en croute that he made:

I had my good friend Paula make these shirts:  Mom-Mom's Minions with my Mom's photo on front and name and "ranking" on back.  There was supposed to be a group photo front and back but I think too much good beer and wine might have been consumed.  Chris also made a wonderful charcuterie board but I failed to get a shot of that one.

Here are random shots of The Family:

My Great Nephew, Josh, age 11-1/2

My fabulous Sister-In-Law, Sue who again won Best Hostess award!

Here we are, me, Vicki and Jim.

The Most Wonderful Brother, Jim.

 Here I am again.

 Nephew, Matt.

 My Great Niece, Laura, age 13.

 Here's Josh again.

 A Most Wonderful Sister, Vicki.

 My Nephew and super bass player, Patrick.

And my Fabulous Son, Steve, who made the MOST delicious raclette mashed potatoes . . .

to go alongside Sue's wonderfully yummy pot roast.

And here's Sydney, Chris's wife, who delights all of us and planned a fun outing for the next day.

Random shot:

Three of the cousins went pie shopping earlier in the day and they were delicious.  Laura and Josh tried to teach us a card game that had no rules and in my humble opinion, it was stupid since they were the only ones who knew how to play.  But we laughed, Patrick challenged and we all had a good time.

Josh and his dad inspecting an autographed baseball that Jay had in his "stash" that was Greek to me, but Matt, being a HUGE baseball fan, determined that it was signed by the Atlanta Braves in the 1970s.  They were happy to have it.

Since it was already past our bedtime, Vicki and I headed back to Stowe to get some rest for the hike on Saturday.

Happy Halloween! October 31, 2019

What a day! Temperatures in the mid-60s with rain mostly around the area.

Vicki and I slept in, sort of, and passed on breakfast.  We headed out to do a little shopping before lunch. At one of the places, I found a ring that is absolutely beautiful - to me.

Burnished Silver with gold edges and yellow diamonds.  But my brain engaged and I passed.  It was made by an artist in NYC and this is one of a kind - the other one that looks similar has white diamonds.  Thankfully, it's still in the store and I still have money in my purse! Happy Old Gal!

Since it was raining, walking around Stowe wasn't in the cards so we drove up the mountain a little bit and tried to find shops in which to browse or buy.  Nope - nothing - nada!  We did find pumpkins that were cute:

We grabbed lunch next door to The Green Mountain Inn.  We HAD to stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill where we grabbed the absolute BEST cider EVER!!  Also, ONE apple cider donut to share and a mini pumpkin pie to taste at Jim and Sue's.

The younger generation had gone to a brewery and brought brew back to Jim and Sue's for the weekend.  We all sat around, old folks and young folks, and planned out our day.  The youngers were going to go to Poor House Pies to pick up a few - three to be exact.  The olders went to Burlington and sat in the car in the rain and watched Lake Champlain for a while, waiting for our reservation at Leunig's.

FINALLY, it was reservation time!!! We HAD to be here since nephew Patrick was playing bass in The George Petit Trio. What a great group playing some really wonderful jazz tunes.  Here's the band:  George Petit on guitar; a drummer whose name I don't have at this time; and my nephew Patrick on bass.  They're really great!  Here's Pat with a pre-set double espresso.

Here's George:

Here's the drummer, whose name I will add as soon as I can.

And here's Pat with just a tad bit of Bass Face:

I took a little video of the band actually playing but I have to edit it.  I'll add that at a later date after Josh, who is 11, shows me how to do that.


After the first set, Patrick joined us and here's a shot of some more of The Family:

And here's my brother, Jim, with his sons Patrick and Chris, both of whom are extremely talented musicians:

Here's The Family outside Leunig's after a really great meal:

Church Street is a terrific venue in Burlington with shops and music venues and some good food. The rain made it glisten actually and since it was a light rain when we left, it looked a tad bit magical.

I'll publish this now but will add the video and drummer's name later.

Ciao!

October 29 and 30, 2019

Today's the day we're going to Vermont. I went to bed around 11:00 pm but woke up at 3:08 am raring to go.  We'd set our alarms / devices for 6:00 am but I just stayed in bed until Vicki woke up. After all she was the one driving and needed her rest.  We were out of the house and on the road at 7:08 am.

It misted for about 30 minutes but after that it was smooth sailing and we even saw blue skies along the way.  We'd planned on stopping at The Vermont Country Store and did just that.  I think we got there around 10:30 or so.

We shopped at bit and sampled the goodies they have laid out.  Vicki bought a beautiful sweater and I got a very sexy and alluring flannel nightgown.  I also bought some mustard in which to dip pretzels! Just as we were checking out a bus full of senior citizens [how dare they] pulled up and were about to hit the store.  We were told to head to Mildred's Grill across the parking lot if we wanted to grab a bite.  We did.  Not the most delightful place due to the remote buzzers they give to announce your meal is ready but the grilled cheese on sourdough was as big as my head and delicious! Could only eat half of it but I enjoyed every morsel.

Back on the road in short order!  We checked into The Green Mountain Inn in Stowe, unpacked, rested for a few and then went down to The Whip for a quick supper before heading back to the room for rest.  I had a most delicious Manhattan with a dab of maple syrup.  Doesn't it look good?  IT WAS!!

I've been dreaming about the New England Corn Chowder since I had it at The Whip in 2016 when I drove Jay and me to the northeast, so I had a cup and got the recipe to which I will add crab when I make it.  Vicki and I then had half a Harvest Salad - shaved raw Brussels sprouts, cranberries, bacon, pumpernickel croutons with a delicious dressing.  Really good!

We then proceeded back to our room but stopped at the phone booth to see if Clark Kent was around.

and were probably asleep by 9:00 pm.

On Wednesday, after a very good night's sleep, Vicki and I had a nice breakfast in the Inn and then did a little walking around and shopping in Stowe - no coats as the temperature was in the mid-60s.  We finally headed up the mountain to Waterbury Center where my brother and sister-in-law live.  Steve, Zoe and Stevie Ray Van were already there.  Believe it or not, hugging and chatting took place.  Steve wanted to give Zoe some attention before we left her alone in the van so:

We piled into the SUV and headed to Montpelier.  The boys split from the girls as they had no interest in shopping and we had not interest in alcohol consumption or purchasing at Barr Hill.  However, they bought a gin which is aged in oak barrels to give it a dark-ish hue and a bit of honey. I might have to taste that in the next day or so.

I bought a great new coat - reversible and much nicer than the winter coats I have at home. We waited by the Onion River for Steve and Jim to return.  We've eaten at NECI in years past but not this time.

After we all met up, we headed back to Stowe to Doc Ponds for the BEST burger I've ever had.  Since I've not been up here in three years, I'd not tried it but the rest of the family is mad about this place and Steve is the biggest fan; in fact, he ordered two!  I thought they were the perfect size - not too big that I couldn't finish it.  But Steve says it should be just a bit bigger.  And since it was Wednesday, the Edward from Hill Farmstead was only $4.00 and yes, I had one.  Several years ago, we'd gone to Hill Farmstead and had a "tasting" and I thought Edward was the best.  Here are a few photos of Doc Ponds:

We then headed back to Jim and Sue's to wait for Chris [their oldest] and his wife, Sydney.  We toasted their arrival with a bottle of pinot noir they brought and one that Steve got in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Both were excellent.

Back to Stowe for Vicki and me.  It's supposed to rain on Halloween but we have our Halloween shirts and socks ready to be worn.

Stayed tuned for more of my boring posts!

October 27 and 28, 2019

So what started out as a rainy, windy, miserable Sunday turned out just fine.  It started clearing up around 4:00.  Dorean, my BAFE, made reservations at The Ivy Inn in Hasbrouck Heights for 5:00 and she came for me at 4:45 in her new SUV.  Very nice ride - Buick Encore.  When Jay and I were here in 2016, Dorean came to our hotel and got to meet Jay.  I was very thankful he got to meet her and she said, more than once, that she was very happy to have met him.

Anyway, The Ivy Inn is a lovely, lovely little place that has great food and very good and generous cocktails.  We sipped our cocktails, chatted, chatted and chatted some more. We ordered our meals, chatted, ate and chatted. Believe it or not, we chatted of creme brûlée and then chatted some more.  I think we stayed there until nearly nine o'clock!  And here we are:

I always have a great time with Dorean and wish I could see her again before returning home, but she leaves for Northern California on Saturday to see her Fella! Of course, they're waiting to see as the Kincaid Fire might postpone her plans.  I'm sure hoping she gets to go.  And we decided that on one of the future trips to California, she might just have to lay over in Dallas for a few days to visit me! Fingers crossed.

On Monday, October 28, Vicki and I did some more running around.  We had to go pick up kielbasa to take to Vermont so we went to a Polish Market, Piast, in Garfield.  Vicki has been going there for several years but I'd never been in the store.  I wandered around and found so many yummy looking stuff imported from Poland or made right there.  We got the kielbasa and somehow some Polish pastries made it home with us.  And let me tell you, these pickles looked mighty good:

Since we got a kielbasa and a pastry for Lorraine, we went to her house and visited for an hour or so. We love her like a big sister and just love spending time with her.  When we moved to Wood-Ridge in 1959, our houses were right next door to each other.  She's the only person outside of family that I've known for so long.  Here's the house we used to live in and where Mom lived until she passed in 2007:

The Halloween decorations were brought in by the new owners a few years ago.  They have two little boys that Lorraine loves and they love her!

Vicki and I left Lorraine's and stopped to get subs for dinner.  We want to leave for Vermont by 7:30 on Tuesday so it's going to be early to bed tonight!  Steve got to my brother's in Waterbury Center yesterday and got all set up to work Monday and Tuesday in the Winnebago. Then the festivities can begin!

More to come, of course!

October 25 and 26, 2019

Friday was spent running errands around town[s]. We took a load of clothes to Spring House, a women's shelter where Vicki volunteers. Steve worked in his van.

Friday evening we went to Justin's in Wood-Ridge.  My [and Steve's] first time - won't be my last! Really good Italian food. Friends were at the table next to us and we bantered back and forth. I had my first taste of Lemoncello and might have to try it again as this did not impress me - and I love lemon.

Here are a few photos from the evening:

Above is Jackie who was at the next table.

Vicki and me.

Al, Jackie's husband, seeming to check out the floor.  Or maybe he was checking the pits from the marinated olives I ate - they were oh so very good.

And there's Steve and Vicki.

Justin's is across the street from Wood-Ridge High School - I went there my senior year. When we got back to Vicki's car, we found that it had been "christened" by numerous birds. Next time we go, we'll park in the high school lot where there are no trees!

On Saturday, Steve was planning to leave to head north.  Vicki and I decided to go to Pennsylvania where our cousin Edwin lived - and died in 2015.  Vicki and my brother, Jim, and his wife Sue spent many days in Edwin's house cleaning it out - he was the perfect example of a true hoarder. Karen Helm, a Center Valley PA native, actually bought the house at a garage sale Vicki, Jim and Sue held. She completely remodeled the house and grounds and it's quite attractive now.  We stopped by to see her for a little while - she's lovely.

We grabbed a quick bite a Cosi's - good sandwiches!  We tried to find Paterno Peach ice cream at Penn State Lehigh Valley but we failed.  We never found a "store" on campus.  So we headed south through Quakertown, Sellersville and Perkasie, passing many memories along the way.

We tried to go to New Hope but since it was a beautiful day, everyone else within 100 miles were doing the same thing.  We were unable to find a parking spot so we crossed the Delaware and stopped for a while in Frenchtown, NJ.  There was a Zombie Crawl going on and some of the participants looked absolutely ghoulish!  Since we hadn't found Paterno Peach ice cream, we opted for a cone - I got strawberry and Vicki got mint - neither of which was worth it.  I'm not typically a fan of Ben & Jerry's but we'll be right by it next week and if they have pumpkin ice cream . . .

Back home for leftovers from Justin's and a little TV.  Then early to bed.

It's Sunday morning as I type this and a gloomy, rainy, chilly day.  Vicki has plans tonight so I'm going to dinner with a gal I met on the plane several years ago.  We try to get together every time I'm in NJ.  She's my BAFE - best airplane friend ever!!

Ciao for now!

October 22, 23 and 24, 2019

Tuesday was a day simply devoted to shopping! Since there's no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey, I just HAD to get clothes in order to save money.  And since there was a Nathan's Hot Dog place at Paramus Park, well . . .   I also had to go to an AT&T store to get a data plan for my new iPad Mini.  

Wednesday when we woke up, this was in Vicki's driveway:

Yep, that's Stevie Ray Van, Steve's Winnebago, and that was the 35th day of his 2019 Vanabout!  He left Dallas on September 18 or 19 and headed to Vermont via the Pacific Northwest.  He stopped at several vineyards along the way and amassed six cases of wine in SRV.  

After a quick visit with Steve, Vicki headed out to get him crumb cake, one of his favorites.  I'm not much of a fan at all but did have a small taste.  Vicki and Steve had a field day.  Steve worked in SRV until about five o'clock and then we three headed to Rose's Pizza joint in Garfield.  Really great pizza.  Then home.  Vicki went out to meet with some friends and Steve and I partook of some sparkling wine from Gruet.  GREAT!!!

Of course, Zoe was included and enjoyed relaxing on a couch that didn't have wheels and vibration.

Thursday, today, Steve worked and Vicki and I went through things to get rid of and did other chores around the house.  She and I will have dinner at home tonight and Steve will take a bus into NYC to meet some friends.

So that's it so far.  Exciting, isn't it?!?!?