Thanksgiving Dish #1

The first of the dishes I'm making for Thursday is done. I made this one tonight because you can make it several days in advance and just heat it up. This is Farrell's mother's recipe for a Noodle Casserole. It's basically designed to kill someone. I don't know what she was thinking feeding this to her children while they were growing up, but damn, it's good. :) Whole fat sour cream, full fat cottage cheese, several sticks of butter, whole milk, egg noodles, salt, sugar, and Kellog's Corn Flake crumbs on top. This dish belongs at the top of the freakin' food pyramid. It rocks. Thank you for the LDL Sharon! (And the funny part is, she won't eat it!!)

Arbitration Results

Due to my failure to be clear when laying out the contest rules for Contest #1 (i.e. I didn't think I needed to state "first and last names please"), I have decided that we have a tie. Mom and Bridget both win. Thanks for fleecing me.

Action Shot

Contest #1 is Closed!

Bridget guessed correctly (and completely)...the correct answer being, Roger Federer!! Bridget will receive her prize pack in 4-6 weeks. Look for more contests in the future. They won't be quite this easy, either.

Contest #1

There is a prize to be had for anyone out there who can identify the person my mask is portraying. Farrell and Ceci need not apply.

From Snuggles to Mommy

The loss of our little manny-man has been a lot harder than anybody could have imagined. I believe these are the words he would say to his mommy and to us if he could...

+++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Mommy,

I remember coming to your home as a baby bichon, coincidentally at a time when your home was new to you too. How funny that it seemed like we were both learning our new environments together! It was tough to be a puppy and be taken away from my first mommy at such a young age, but you cared so well for me and nursed me back to comfort and happiness. You loved me so much, didn't you? I could tell you did by the way you looked at me. You even looked different yourself whenever you were looking at me or talking to me. Your face always lit up, and your voice always lightened. You really thought I was special, didn't you? It was nice growing up in such an active house with so many people in and out all the time. It got confusing at times, but you were the one constant for me. Every single day, you were always there. I really was special, wasn't I?

I didn't like getting used to you going to work every day. Sometimes there would be pretty long days without you, but I always managed to catch up on some sleep and terrorize a few passing dogs just for fun while you were gone. I just couldn't wait for you to come home from work so we could just hang out for a little while. I just liked having you there, even if you were in a different room. It just made everything right to have you home. I'm sure one of the kids told you that every time you went away, I just didn't act right. Well, I have to admit. I was a little depressed. I knew it was my fault that you couldn't take me, since I didn't handle long car rides very well. But I always knew you'd come back. I never doubted that for a minute. And I suppose you deserved an occasional vacation!

Of course, one of the highlights of any day was licking your legs after you got out of the shower. I don't know why I never grew out of that habit. I certainly didn't need the water. I think I just knew that you liked it. I was never too thrilled with the baths, or even the visits to the vet, but on some level I kind of knew you were just taking the very best care of me. I didn't even mind when you practically cut my tongue off. It didn't really hurt. (After all, don't you remember Grandpa Spatafora?) It happens to the best of us. And thanks for indulging me on our walks. I know I wasn't the easiest dog when it came to the walking, especially toward the end. But often I just wanted to be outside with you, and walk the neighborhood with you. I was always so proud to be with you. And at the close of every day, I used to watch you closely for the signals that our day had come to an end, so that I could run upstairs and jump into bed with you. My favorite part of every day!

It went very quickly. I don't think any of us knew how fast it would go. But I just want you to know that I lived a very happy life. I doubt there are many other dogs who feel as contented and peaceful as I always did. And I know that you will miss me for a long time, and this will be hard. But every time you think of me, please don't be sad. I will be sending you memories of me forever. Whenever you think of me, it is probably because I am thinking of you too. I was brought into your life at a specific time and for a specific reason. I may not be right next to you right now, but I'm never really far away. As much as you think I gave to you, you can't imagine how much you gave to me.

What a family we have. I can't thank you enough for letting me be a part of it.

All my love,

Snuggy

Quick update...

I went to Atlanta last week for a National Student Nurses Association conference. It's always a great experience meeting other nursing students to compare frustrations and programs. I was with four other students from my school, and most of us seemed to enjoy ourselves and try to make the most of it. Our faculty advisor joined us as well. She is a terrific lady with a lot to offer and a great sense of humor.

I had a chance to meet up with "JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY" and see his house. All I can say is, have you ever seen MTV's Cribs? Truly unbelievable. I was surprised he has such good taste. But then I learned he has a decorator. :) (Just kidding Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.)

I got sick while I was down there and brought back some ATL germs with me.

Snuggles

Thank you, Snuggy, for fourteen years of unconditional love and companionship. You brought us more joy, laughter, and comfort than you could ever possibly have known. You will never be forgotten.

Basil Update

G-ma and Kim

Kim brought G-ma in to Harlem last Sunday afternoon, and we just hung out for the afternoon and evening. Grandma made lamb chops, they picked up Umberto's, Kim supplied chocolate chip cookies, I supplied the wine and we had a really nice time. I love this picture.

I think we really missed the boat...

This dog could have been a model.

PSB

I went to the gayest concert in the history of the world last night. This was like "Liza"-gay; Pet Shop Boys at Radio City Music Hall. In attendance was every single gay man in the tri-state area accompanied by one or two of their gay-friendly female friends. For our part, it was Ceci, Jen, Farrell, Chris P., Chris S. and I.

The show was nice; nothing spectacular…kind of boring at times, but overall pretty good. It was nice to hear some of the old songs “live” (as live as PSB can be), but most of the new stuff came off pretty bland.

It was fun to be together though, and a nice time was had by all. And thank you Ceci for spreading your pneumonia germs throughout New York’s gay population. The Bush administration is very proud of you.

New quilt

Basil

Ceci was over for dinner recently (dinner was just "okay"...inside joke) and we used fresh basil. Two of the stems dropped on the floor and she picked them up and put them in water to root them. Well, they rooted really well. I transferred them to a pot today. I am going to take a picture of these newly potted clippings once a week so we can all track their growth together. Isn't that going to be thrilling?

My new winter boots...

Do you like them? They're so comfortable.

Tar Beach

I've been spending a lot of time on the roof this summer.

Martina update

Ceci made a good suggestion; time for an update on Martina Hingis's continued comeback. She is now ranked #13 in the world (up from 9,999 in December of last year). We had a chance to see her at the World Team Tennis event in Mamaroneck a few weeks ago. Here are some pictures of that.

July 31 and August 1 Pictures

No excuses....

I just got lazy and always kept putting off updating this blog. Well, Farrell suggested today that it was time to get rolling with it again, and since it is pretty much the one year anniversary of it, I figured an anniversay post would be in order.

Struggling to get through the hottest and most disgusting summer I can ever remember in this God-forsaken city. (If only I had a car with which to escape it at times.) Last two days have been about 100 degrees (heat index in the 115 range). Like a true masochist, I took 12-14 mile walks both days. Took some good pictures that I'll post here.

Can't think of anything else worth saying.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!!!

I LOVE YOU!