Some scenes from NYC

I have never considered myself much of a "city girl".

Given my choice, I would prefer to live smack dab in the middle of 500 acres somewhere secluded, private.

To be in a world all my own.

But it is fun to be part of the Real World sometimes.

Nothing can make you feel more part of the global community than NYC.

There is a connection to everything and everywhere there.

It's a wonderful for an adventure.

NYC subway .

Times Square... daytime.

Times Square... night time. 

Subway.

Stan's.

Brian's Homeland

Listen.

Do you hear the angles singing from up above?

Can you hear them?

If you can't.... 

than you must not be a Yankee fan

 because that's what it's like coming here.

We had a great time with Luke and Danielle.

It was a VERY exciting game with the Yankees winning and so much fun!

Here's just a few pics from the stadium.

This is Stan's. A traditional spot to go to before the games.

It's outside the stadium.

Inside the stadium there is even a butcher from Lobel's Steaks.

The biggest jumbo-tron in the world.

It really is pretty cool.

Our subway stop.

161st Street

Yankees winning the game.

This is a mural in Stan's.

There is a Hard Rock Cafe inside the stadium.

Batting practice.

Off to the Yankee Game Today!

We are kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a trip to Yankee Stadium today.

Yankees vs. Phillies

We drove down to Philly to grab Luke and Danielle.

(It's a no kid kind of day too!!! 

They are having fun of their own with Grammy, Grandpa Dave, and Ellen)

Have a great day! :)

What am I reading these days???

Georgette Heyer

About a month ago while wandering through Barnes and Noble, I stumbled upon a book called 

The Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer. The cover looked so pretty to me, I was intrigued. 

I flipped it over to read the back cover and noticed that there were several references and comparisons to Jane Austen. 

I adore Jane Austen and am skeptical towards any comparisons to her.

So I bought it.

I read it.

Loved it!

I went back and got two more. And guess what?

I loved them too!

So now I have officially jumped onto her bandwagon of fans.

And guess what else?

I think I like her more than Austen.

She is much easier to read.

I have, so far, read 8 of her 50 novels.

All them are wonderfully developed plots with casts of interesting characters, filled with humor, and romantic love stories.  

I do have to say that most of her endings are somewhat abrupt to me.

(I am always wishing for one more chapter!)

But I am wiling to put up with that single "flaw".

If you love the Jane Austen genre of love stories, check her out.

For Danielle's Guest Room

Yes or No?

Let me know.

(I won't be offended if you don't like them or they don't work.)

These are photos of the tree in my front yard.

About 3 weeks ago.

The buds were just about to burst open.

Now the tree is thick with leaves.

mother's day weekend... part 2

What a wonderful day....

A nice card.

An allowance to Barnes and Noble.

Belgian waffles, blueberries, whip cream, bacon, and orange juice in bed.

Lazy time in the morning to read.

Philadelphia Zoo.

Lots of smiles and laughter.

Dinner on the grill.

Kids in PJ's.

Piled in the car for the drive home.

Started a new book.

Kids fell asleep soon into the trip.

Safe drive home.

Climbed into bed.

Fell fast asleep.

Thank you.

(It's nice to have an "almost armed" bodyguard following your child around everywhere she goes. Uncle Luke will make sure that no matter how much he teases her, no one else will!

Note: in the first photo... see him standing behind her?)

mother's day weekend.... part 1

Phillies vs. Braves

Off to Philadelphia again to be with our partners in crime....

Luke and Danielle.

We had great seats on the 3rd baseline.

The Philly Fanatic never came up to our seats but the kids had fun just the same.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous!

Sam and I wore our Yankees hats.

(I don't have anything else!)

Brian opted to be somewhat of a fan by wearing an Eagles visor (but he did have his Opening Day T-shirt on from Yankee Stadium.).

Sam did have his McNabb jersey on.

I did have a Yankee hater in front of me the entire game.

He didn't see my hat until the end of the game and then just rolled his eyes.

(That was very kind considering I heard his remarks all afternoon long when the occasional Yankee fan would wander by.)

Brian, Sam, Beth, Luke and Danielle

Beth was off and on through out the game.

She almost pushed Luke to the brink by not staying in her seat for longer than 5 minutes.

Making all of us have to constantly move into a position that would let her pass.

She couldn't decide whose lap she wanted to sit on.

She just kept walking back and forth and "couldn't get comfortable because she was bored."

(whine, whine, whine)

He shut her up by making her double fist cotton candy and popcorn.

In the last inning she decided that Daddy's was the best.

Luke getting in a quick jog with his fellow rookie recruits.

Some Zeke Loving.

After a long sweaty day, milkshakes, cheese fries, Zeke lovin'....

it was time to go for a swim in the tub!

:)

Opening Day

As much as I am known for loving the winter,

 I equally love the benefits of warmer weather and summer.

Something happens to my hibernating state of mind and the hunt for the "Norman Rockwell" version of American life comes into full focus.

I get a heightened sense of love for lemonade, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, 4th of July, playgrounds, flowers, sprinklers, laying in a hammock, bubbles, concerts in the parks, mowing the lawn, picnics, ice cream stands, fireworks, all things red, white, and blue, and... baseball.

Really list goes on and on.

Saturday morning was our introduction into the most simplistic form of

 Americana summer life. 

Sam's opening day of Little League.

After a Little League parade down Rt.11 he had his first "real game". 

It. Was. So. Much. Fun!

I really did not know what to expect. 

Well, I honestly was thinking that it would be just an 

extension of the last 3 years of ball at the Y.

 But it wasn't....

He GOT it!!!

As my aunts said, "He's got his head in the game!"

There was no doubt about that.

He was focused and knew what he was supposed to do.

The most important part was that he LOVED IT!!!

Coming into home plate he decided he needed to slide.

(Just wanted to test out his new skill.)

Brian is  great coach for these little guys.

And as if he knew what Sam was going to do, he pulled the T out of his way.

(I wish you could see Brian's huge smile on his face in the image above.)

On the pitcher's mound, in his "ready position."

Going for the grounder...

... throwing it to first base.

After a great hit, running to first with everything he had.

Playing first base and "encouraging" the pitcher to throw him the ball.

Part of #10's cheering squad.

Aunt Donna, Beth, and Grammie Theresa

#10 Himself.