peach jam

Step 1: With small bowl on head, measure out sugar by the pinch

Step 2: Admire big bowls of peaches Gran meticulously peeled and cut, after plucking them from their peach tree in Ohio.  These are fresh Ohio peaches from Waldamere.

Step 3a: Consult directions on pectin.

Step 3b: Take a break and watch some Lion King songs with PopPop.

Step 4: Use little jars for yummy peach jam gifts all winter long.

federal hill

Here are some more photos from Lizzie's visit before we left for Vermont.  These are from dinner/dessert on Federal Hill in Providence.  Don't you just love Liz's necklace from our antiquing earlier that day!  Miss ya Lizzie!

colt state park

jester

Before all our excitement in Vermont and before J left for his big trip to Australia, we had some fun in Bristol at the library summer reading splash event. The jester was silly and the Del's was refreshing. He taught the crowd how to do a "microwave" with the tiniest part of your tiny pinky (which is what he is doing in that photo with Lizzy at the bottom).

vermont video

Vermont! from LB on Vimeo.


Killington with Gran commentary from LB on Vimeo.

boston common

Boston Common from LB on Vimeo.

We dropped my sister at Logan airport and cruised over to the Boston Common:

The swan boats are much bigger, but still man powered by some really in shape person that pedals them around the lake.

The Freedom Trail re-enactors had some loud rifle shots to show off, some cool tents, and clay wheels (Aiden thought they should make pancakes!).

Hi, again (Guest Blogger: J in Australia)

Right now I'm sitting in my hotel's breakfast area (where the internet reception is passable), drinking Aussie shiraz out of a coffee mug.  I feel like I've been here a long time.  During the day, it's all hustle and bustle, jumping from writing a paper to attending a set-theoretic notation-filled presentation, to the fine ritual of morning and afternoon tea.  At night, alas, everyone goes home to lead their normal lives.  While tomorrow night I'll be going out for dinner, most nights I'm alone, just me, a salad (made from ingredients purchased at Supabarn), an a TV full of Simpsons reruns and sports I've never seen.

These are the times when I miss you the most.  Canberra Center shopping mall is full of trendy, exotic-looking restaurants.  It would be great to go out on the town together.  I've got a good sense of what it's like to work at ANU, but little sense of what it would be like to live here.  If we were together, we could make a proper vacation out of it.

This weekend I'm going to trek up one of the nearby "mountains" (the Aussie word for "hill') to see some kangaroos.  I'll probably catch a movie, too.  (Probably one that contains sci fi, suspense, and plot, so one that is triple-disqualified by your criteria.)  I think there's a chance I'll be taken golfing, or, at least, to eat lunch at some golf resort.

I'm jealous of all the people with toddlers.  Aiden is probably waking you up early right now, as I write, and I think I'd happily take him for now, though it would mean losing a night's sleep.

Well, it's eight pm here, and I should head to bed soon.  I'll see you soon.  Well, I'll see you eventually.

Love,
J

thirty fun

This first year of my thirties was full of different flavors.  J's ice cream flavor question would have to be some flavor with a strong taste.  Everything, including good and bad, I tasted intensely both sweet and sour.  Looking back despite the occasional unpleasant after taste, I'd rather have a strong flavor than no flavor at all. (J's chuckling since he kids that I think ketchup is spicy - not true)

Celebrating thirty fun was no different.  I was lucky enough that a best friend from college was in town to celebrate.  They treated me to a day in Newport while Aiden caught up on lotsa rest napping and hanging out with my folks.  We had lobsta, including lobster mac and cheese (not pictured - Thanks BnB!).  We made it to three Newport Mansions I hadn't seen for a while.  Then it was back to my place for some Harvey Wallbanger cake my mom made in the my old Witzy the duck pan (thanks Mom!).  A relaxing day full of some of my favorite tastes.

Thanks mom and dad for spoiling me AND Aiden this past week - I truly appreciate all the help!

Here is a birthday good list:
Mom surprising me by sneaking around at Vinny's to buy this cutie:

Thanks R for the delicious popcorn specially delivered - I would recommend that Kettle Korn to anyone! So, so good.

Thanks J for feeding my pesto frenzy with another special delivery.

Flowers from friends that spoiled me on my birthday (Thanks!):

Thanks to everyone that sent good wishes for a great birthday and an even better year ahead!

woodstock, vt

The off season in Vermont means that restaurants close early if they are open at all (which we learned the hard way the night before), but also it means street festivals!  There were two art fest type deals going on in towns that my folks and Aiden cruised through the day that Liz and I shot the wedding.  Aiden was well-sugared with some lemonade and this was even before the trip to the Ben and Jerry's factory.  Vermont is so charming in the summer, and my parents are already scheming to go back.

vermont teddy

Aiden was a double lucky duck in one day he visited the Ben and Jerry's Factory and then the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.  He made a new bear friend and named him Uno.  Thanks Gran and Pop for all the spoiling fun!