Christmas 2010

Geo and I were both sick ~ the common cold got the best of us. Addie was jet-lagged and Jenn was battling with allergies (she says it's Lucy who brings on the symptoms). Our celebration was quite low-key.

Jenn put together the best lasagna ever. Less mozzarella with added provalone was surprisingly good. This was our traditional Christmas Eve dinner.

Geo and Addie slept most of Christmas morning. Jenn took charge in the kitchen putting on a real feast ~ ham with all the trimmings, and more. We spent the day watching movies, reading, sleeping and eating.

It was a laid-back quiet Christmas, but best of all, we were together, the best place to be to honor the birth of our Saviour, Christmas 2010.

Investment Club

A few years ago, Geo wanted to join an investment club. I tagged along and didn't say much for the first few meetings. Slowly I became more interested.

This local group meets 1 - 2 times per month. We learn about investing, following the principles found at betterinvesting.org. Each month we contribute $25, pool our money, and jointly purchase stock in various companies. Geo says it's like being in a mutual fund, but with more control of the portfolio.

I've not only learned how to read stock reports, SEC filings, and stock charts, I've also learned about many industry sectors and companies that drive our economy. I've learned about coffee company marketing and acquisitions, new drugs offered by pharmaceuticals, drilling in the Marcellus shale region of Pennsylvania, internet search engines and on-line gaming in China, "gorilla glass," and solar energy, just to name a few.

At our meetings we discuss various companies, their financials and future projections, and decide which companies to sell and which to buy. Our little group of nine is actually earning money.

Yesterday I presented a company that I had researched. Our group voted unanimously to buy 25 shares of stock in this company, under $40/share. We connected to the broker by internet and placed the buy order immediately, right from the living room where we were meeting. I felt I had "arrived" as a full participant. This was the first time I presented a new company, not just reported on progress of those we already held. So now I wait with bated breath to watch the stock grow! If not, well, all that we learn is so well worth it.

I recommend the betterinvesting method as a proven way to build a portfolio. It's been a great experience for an amateur like me.

CONNECTED!

We have finally at long last gone wireless. Most importantly, we did this flawlessly, thanks to Cisco Valet.

It was a quick and nearly painless process. I encountered just one glitch, solved by a Cisco support person by phone (a world-away from here, in the Philippines). Seems at one point I clicked on "enter" instead of  "connect," and that was the problem. Whew, nothing major.

AND I connected my laptop and a wireless printer to the network.

Okay, no big deal, but for technologically-challenged me, this is a huge achievement.

So, A and J, no more waiting in line for the PC when you are here. ""Butter me up" and I just may share the password. 

Prayer for Protection

Jenn and Sean's good friend is suffering from cancer that has spread to his brain. He is just 24 years old.

He is in the thoughts and prayers of many who are supporting him. I've been asking friends to join in prayer for this young man.

One of my friends sent me this prayer that she prayed with her brother who also suffered with brain cancer.
It is a prayer of strength and hope. I am sharing it here. If you'd like, please pray for Jenn and Sean's friend, that he may receive healing, strength and peace.

This Prayer of Protection written by James Dillet Freeman :

The Light of God surrounds me.
The Love of God enfolds me.
The Power of God protects me.
The Presence of God watches over me.
The Mind of God guides me.
The Life of God flows through me.
The Laws of God direct me.
The Power of God abides within me.
The Strength of God renews me.The Beauty of God inspires me.
Wherever I am, God is!

Thank you!

Good News

Just reflecting on "good news" events over the past month...

Addie is not only surviving, but thriving in her life up in the Rockies.While interning at the science school, she is living in a cabin with breathtaking views all around. After months of searching the web, she finally found an affordable flight home for the holidays ~ one that fits her schedule perfectly. It will be so good to see her again.

Jenn and Sean have finally set their wedding date. Seems that the church was slow in responding to their request for the date of choice because of a retreat. Now the priest actually said that the church is willing to change the date of the retreat to accommodate the wedding. How rare is that! And Jenn and Sean have both decided on career choices so now they can plan for further education. A lot of deliberation went into that!

I'm taking a holiday card-making class. I'm finding it's strengthening my computer skills, besides being a way to get creative with projects. Thanks to Pat J. for recommending this for me.

Geo and I have enjoyed some fun events. We participated in a VT Humanities Council two day conference: Comedy and Satire, It's No Joke. We came together with about 200 people to examine the history of satire in literature, cartoons and movies. The presenters seemed to be in agreement that we are currently in a renaissance of satire, as had first occurred in the 18th Century. Geo and I will be reading with renewed appreciation our New Yorker cartoon book, a gift from Addie. Ed Koren from the New Yorker was one of the presenters at the conference.

Saturday evening Geo and I also attended a dinner in Stowe with an opera group. I had seen a simulcast opera in HD live from the Met at one of our local theaters, and this really sparked my interest in opera. This local group is encouraging opera appreciation by planning trips, dinners, and talks. We had a great time and look forward to meeting up with them again. I do hope to see more HD productions, as well as opera in person.

Other good news is that Mom is beginning to settle in at the senior living center. I met with the staff today and am so pleased with the level of care they are providing her. This gives us so much peace of mind. I do hope and pray that she becomes more and more at peace and happy in her new environment.

I'm also looking forward to Thanksgiving at the home of the in-laws-to-be. Sean's parents have generously invited us to share dinner with their family.This is the first time I can remember that in all my adult life I will not be the one doing all the cooking. I just know we'll have a great time, AND there'll be toasts all around with "pumpkin pie martinis." Yay! 

All this good news after months of challenging uncertainties will give me much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. Life is good.

The Harvest

Here's the harvest from two of my four potato bags. Actually, more were produced than I had expected.
The potatoes were all at the bottom of the bags. I do think there would have been even more if I had watered regularly.

I dumped the soil from the bags where I will now plant more garlic cloves to be harvested in mid July next year. When the garlic bulbs are pulled up, that will be spot to add a little more compost and plant still another late summer crop.

Best of all, the potato bags get reused, and I can move them anywhere in the yard where they will get the most sun.

I'm a little sad to see this growing season come to an end.

NYC, Phantom, and Green Day

To see a Broadway musical has been on my wishlist. Lo and behold, Friday night found Geo and me at the Majestic in NYC to see Phantom of the Opera. We were on a four day tour with the Vermont Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

That afternoon we had a session with two cast members who answered any questions we had about the production. They passed around the Phantom's mask, a latex make-up mask, and one of the actual costumes used in the show. The pink ball gown was heavy with fabric and beading. Many of the costumes weigh 40 - 60 pounds.

For the show we sat in the front row. I could actually look down into the orchestra pit. We could feel the heat of the pyro-technics. Those who were blind were provided with headsets to hear the action audibly described while it was happening. It was an outstanding experience to see the longest playing show in the history of Broadway ~ 22 years and still going strong.

There was a crush of people in the streets as we were leaving. People were shouting and screaming because one of the Green Day musical group was leaving the theater across the street. That's where American Idiot is playing, featuring music from the Green Day 2004 album. Now that's the musical on my new wishlist! Who knows, it could happen...



 

Garlic Planting Day

Today was garlic planting day. Married to a guy who thinks pasta with marinara sauce is one of the indispensible food groups, I use a lot of garlic.

I covered an area in the lawn with a layer of four pages of black and white newspaper. I used the soil from one of my potato bags, dumping it over the newspaper. Then I buried cloves from two bulbs of different varieties of garlic (one mild, one spicy hot). The cloves were planted about 6 inches deep. Next I'll put a layer of mulch over the soil.

Garlic is one of the easiest plants to grow. In this New England area, I put the cloves in the ground at the beginning of Fall and harvest in mid July. Just take a square foot of lawn and turn it into a garlic garden.

Butterfly and the Bee

I was taking some pictures of bees buzzing around the flowers. Along came this butterfly to share the nectar. This is my favorite shot.

Update: I re-discovered this photo as I was looking at old posts on the blog. I am reminded to stop to see and enjoy the beauty of nature.

If you found me here, please check out my new blog here: Resolutions. Thanks!

Here's How It Happened

Jenn's BF Sean has been working in Oregon for the summer. Last night his parents invited her for a sunset boat cruise in Boston. She accepted.

While on the cruise there was an announcement by the Captain that something was found on the boat that belonged to Jenna and would she please come to the front of the boat to pick it up. So she went, and - to her surprise - there was Sean! She was really surprised and excited to see him. Then, in front of everyone on the cruise, he drops to one knee and brings out a ring. He proposed! She's ecstatic. She said everyone began bringing out their phones and cameras and started taking pictures. There was a professional photographer who happened to be on board and she agreed to send them photos free of charge.

Strangers who witnessed the proposal asked if they'd be invited to the wedding. Sean, clever guy that he is, said everyone could come ~ it's going to be potluck.

Congrats, Sean and Jenn! May God's Spirit of Love keep blessing you abundantly.

Lean and Clean

While she was visiting us for the weekend, Jenna peeked into my closet and said, "Mom, these are the same clothes I remember you wore when I was growing up!" She went on to recall the pink and blue Mickey Mouse pullover that I wore "all the time."

"But, Jenna, it was reversible, AND it was a gift from your Dad..." However, I had to admit to myself that I was staring at a lot of memories hanging in that closet. Soooo,

the very next day I decided it was time to do some sorting. Out went the outfits that are no longer in style or that are too worn out to be seen in public without some degree of embarrassment. Out went the clothes that no longer fit me very well ~ these were boxed for Goodwill.

Three hours later, there were a lot of empty hangers in my closet. I couldn't believe how much stuff had been in there just taking up space.

One surprise is that I found a package with two brand new pair of summer shorts that I had purchased a while back, and had forgotten. New and a perfect fit, definitely keepers. Oh, and I discovered another package ~ two winter shirts that I bought for Geo for Christmas. Last Christmas.

I hustled my donation boxes down to Goodwill before I could change my mind. (I almost rescued a pumpkin colored tee-shirt...couldn't I keep that for Halloween? But NO, I had decided to let it go and there's no turning back.)

I resolve to no longer wear my memories, nor hang on to clothes just in case they may fit me once again.
Amazing, I'm not missing any of it. Not yet.

My new motto: A lean closet is a clean closet!

Thanks for the inspiration, Jenn.

Six Days Later

Potato vines continue to grow. I've planted Chieftan, Green Mountain, and All Blue potatoes.

For an amazing list of heirloom potatoes, check out this site from Curzio's Kenosha Potato Project:

http://www.curzio.com/N/PotatoCatalog.htm#Anchor128

Curzio reports that he planted 70 bags of various potato seedlings. Sounds like a record number!

Potato Bag Gardening

On May 8, I planted potato seedlings at the bottom of 4 bags, 5 seedlings of one variety into each one. I covered the seedlings with a few inches of compost and topsoil. As the vines grew, I kept adding compost and topsoil to keep them covered. 

The bags are now full and the vines are beginning to grow up over them.  A few of the vines are beginning to flower. Here's hoping for a good crop!

ISM

Inspired by Slow Money

Geo and I attended the national Slow Money Conference. Shelburne Farms in VT was a perfect setting.

The participants were an eclectic mix of organic farmers, entrepeneurs into sustainability, and socially responsible investors (and us).

The Slow Money movement is somewhat of an economic revolution to promote an alternative way to invest - not to expect a return of quick profits - but to build partnerships and alliances for a healthy environment, vibrant local communities, and strong economies.

Investing in local organic food systems is a way to start. It may be as simple as buying at local farmers markets or buying into a CSA. It may be as serious as investing a sum of money into a local food-related enterprise that needs capital to grow.

I came away from the conference examining my own value system. As one leader summed it up, "What more can I do today to live and act on what I believe?" Do I "put my money" where my values are?

So Geo and I are committing to learn more about local companies and products that help heal the environment. Tomorrow we take a trip to Hardwick, VT to meet with the owner of VT Natural Coatings, a growing company that actually makes wood stain using whey, a by-product of cheesemaking.

It was an inspiring conference. Learn more at slowmoneyalliance.org.

Bunny Battles

The wild rabbits are feasting on the lilies in my garden. They chomp off the leaves and the tops. I planted brown and white “chocolate” lilies, but the only way I’ll ever see them is by the picture on the package. So the lilies are being replaced by cosmos ~ the bunnies pretty much ignore them.

My wish for sunflowers in the garden is also being sabotaged by the same critters.  They leave behind just enough of the bare stems to prove that they’re winning the battle. My response is to keep planting more seeds, and to sprinkle some bunny-be-gone garlic and dried blood (ugh) granules. The smell is supposed to repel them. We’ll see…

As for Swiss chard, the bunnies seem to be nibbling some of it, but not much. Guess it’s not their first choice for their menu selection.

This year I did not plant any spinach. From last year I know it starts off better than the wimpy-looking Swiss chard, but bolts way too soon. When the Swiss chard takes off, it keeps growing strong until late fall. In fact, it’s the very last of my veggies that I harvest. I pretty much use spinach and Swiss chard interchangeably anyway.

When the peas are finished ~ yes, they are blossoming now ~ I will put in carrots. They'll be planted behind the wire fence that Jenn helped me put in last year. It's buried forever about 6 - 8 inches deep! Let the bunnies watch those carrots grow. Hopefully they'll not be munching any of them.

Apple Spice Muffins

It's a rainy Friday, and a good time to bake muffins. Here's my recipe for Apple Spice Muffins:

Mix 2 eggs with 8 oz. Vanilla Greek-style yogurt and a 21 oz. can of apple pie filling.
Add 18 oz. spice cake mix. Combine well, but do not overmix.
Grease muffin tins well and fill with batter. Make sure there is at least one apple slice in each section.
Sprinkle tops with cinnamon.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes. 
This recipe makes about 20 muffins.

Reviewed by Geo. "Mmmmmm, these are good!"      

Olive Cheese Balls

A great appetizer!

Here's a recipe I resurrected from an old, yellowed, falling-apart Betty Crocker cookbook:
Olive Cheese Balls.

On paper towels, drain and dry about 40 pimiento-stuffed green olives. Mix 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded cheese with 1 and 1/4 cups flour.

Add 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine and knead thoroughly 

Take about a teaspoon of dough and wrap it around each olive, rolling it into a ball. (That's the fun part.) Place on ungreased cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart. Cover and chill for at least one hour. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 - 20 minutes.

The finished product! I'm serving them as an appetizer with our Easter ham dinner. Next time I'll add a dash of cayenne pepper. 

             Martini, anyone?

Update: I just re-discovered this recipe which I had forgotten. This is a unique appetizer that I'd like to make again!

Oh, and if you found me here, please check out my newest posts at: Resolutions. Thanks!

Enjoy the olive cheese balls! 

Lucy

     I've had a request to post a pic of our fur kid Lucy.
     Here she is in all her cuteness!

Ed Asner as FDR

 

Last night Geo and I saw Ed Asner in a one-person play about Franklin D. Roosevelt. We were in the front row. I felt like I was sitting in an easy chair eavesdropping on history.

There was a smooth interplay with “FDR” reminiscing about his days in the White House, and then enacting scenes as they were occurring in the Oval Office.

I needed to overcome a few distractions. Even with makeup, Ed Asner did not exactly look like FDR. And hobbling on two canes did not live up to my understanding of FDR being too paralyzed to support himself. Also, I was enthralled with seeing Ed Asner the actor up on stage right in front of me. It’s not often I see Hollywood stars in person.

For a few brief moments, however, I really felt like I was back in Roosevelt’s time and watching current events, not aware of the outcome. The outrage and sense of urgency at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor were especially powerful.

The last scene was poignant, and I will not reveal it here.

Now every time I think of FDR, I guess I will be picturing Ed Asner. He was that good.

Out with the Old, in with the New

"Bye-bye" to the tattered old blue sofa. We loved you so.

Today we have a new addition to the living room. Our deep red microfiber sofa arrived to replace the old one.

I was reminiscing about good times and family memories attached to the one we had purchased in ’87. Geo says, “yeah, and the kids used to jump on it.”

“What?!! When they were little, they weren’t even allowed to SIT on it! When were they jumping on the couch?”

I suddenly felt the fresh pangs of a Mom whose kids were disobedient. Okay, that was many years ago, and the “kids”are now well into their twenties.

A and J, if you did jump on the couch when I wasn’t around, I’ll forgive you for that.

Now the only one I have to worry about jumping on the new sofa is our fur kid Lucy. Grrrrrr! 

Soul Food

On February 13, Geo and I attended the Northeast Organic Farmers’ Association (NOFA) winter conference. Farmers we are not. However, Geo is interested in the locavore scene here in Vermont, and I am interested in learning new gardening practices. Living in a most rural state, we need to be informed about agriculture.

Keynote speaker LaDonna Redmond of Chicago was worth the price of admission. Unable to find real food in urban supermarkets for her child with multiple allergies, she set forth on a mission of organizing her inner city neighborhood to grow organic veggies. She promotes a sustainable, organic, urban, and local food system that has soul. The food that is grown nourishes not just the body, but also the soul. Food actually becomes a by-product because what is really grown is community. It’s about knowing the people who grow your food, how that food is grown, how it's prepared, and with whom you share it.

She went on to say that the Hippies (who began the back-to-the-land movement) have a lot in common with the Hip-Hop Generation. Both are counter-cultural and anti-establishment, as is sustainable, local and organic agriculture. What she calls the soul-food system is about building community. Community needs to happen in urban areas as well as rural. Through soul-food, the Hippies and Hip-Hop Generation may be able to meet on common ground.

One of the workshops I attended was presented by Lee Reich on weedless no-till gardening. He advises using wet newspapers (4 pages thick) spread out over soil or grass, covering them with an inch or two of compost, and planting seeds directly into the compost. They will take root and grow through the newspaper. The grass or weeds below the newspaper, with no light and air, will smother and die. So this is my plan for my 5 packets of sunflower seeds. I’m collecting newspapers now and will be ready to plant in Spring. This I will do without digging up the lawn in the backyard. Reports to follow.     

#5, Check!

Jenn challenged me to list 50 things I'd like to do during 2010, and DO them. I took up the challenge. Saturday I checked off #5: See an opera.

Verdi's Simon Boccanegra was performed live at the NY Met, starring none other than Placido Domingo. This performance was broadcast in HD, as it was happening, in select theaters across the U.S., including one in South Burlington. I was there. It was fabulous.

Besides focussing on all the action, the camera took us into the orchestra pit, backstage as the sets were being changed, and even into the audience. I could see notes on the musicians' sheet music, and even beads of sweat on the performers. I especially liked seeing all the detail on the costumes. And, yes, there were subtitles for the Italian lyrics.

I'd recommend this experience for anyone who loves music, even if unfamiliar with opera (like me). I'm already planning to see Rosssini's Armida on May 1st.

Someone famous once said, opera has it all - passion, violence, romance, vengeance, murder - what's not to like?

Emotionality

Jazz vibraphonist Stefon Harris is performing in Burlington. Last night he led a workshop on the art of listening. Of course, I had to be there.    

Stefon defines music as the science of organizing sound and silence into emotion. The workshop was about experiencing music emotionally. Sitting at the piano, he directed us to close our eyes, then to experience and demonstrate the emotion our ears were hearing. One time he changed just one note in the chord, and the sound - and the emotion - changed noticeably. 

When our group was having difficulty demonstrating an appropriate emotional response, he asked us clench our fists, or open and raise our arms, just to feel if if the physical response was in tune with what we were hearing. Then we would sense if it was right or not. This worked. He said the body naturally knows how to respond to emotions.

  

When I hear a performance, I may walk away impressed with the technique and virtuosity of the musicians. Now I will focus on how I am feeling as the musicians are recreating and communicating emotions musically.

As Stefon said, when he plays, if we’re not feeling it, he is not doing his job. If we come to a performance filled with the distractions and anxieties of the day, he says, let the music take you away. That’s the beauty of it.

I am eager to practice my new listening skills. It won’t be long. We’re hearing Stefon Harris play the marimba and vibraphone tonight at the Flynn, along with the Imani Winds.

VJO

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra performed in Burlington last night. They are a twenty-piece group playing in the musical tradition of founders Thad Jones and Mel Lewis.

What I find so unique about them is that they’ve been performing Monday nights at the same club – the NY Village Vanguard - for more than 40 years, staying together despite the departure of key players. That’s staying power. In 2009 VJO won a grammy in the category of large jazz ensemble album: Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard.

It’s a great time hearing live jazz performances, but it was a special treat for us to hear the full sound of a jazz orchestra in the style of big band jazz music.

To check out the Village Vanguard, click on my title VJO.
Swing on, VJO!

Soledad O'Brien

CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien spoke at UVM yesterday as part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day calendar of events. Geo and I arrived early enough for first row seats.

She spoke about Martin Luther King, Jr. as being a servant leader, and because he served as “one of the people,” he had great influence. She noted that a true leader is not just one who can see problems - “anyone can see problems…” – but a person who sees the possibilities within the problems. Although her themes were familiar, she presented them with not-so-familiar quotes of MLK, the people who worked so closely with him, and even her own parents. Her parents, a bi-racial couple, were not discouraged by an oppressive social climate of their times because they knew and passed on to their children that “America is better than that.” They lived, as did MLK, demonstrating what was possible within situations in need of change.

Soledad went on to challenge the audience to look around to see what needs to change, then to personally respond positively and actively to make it happen.

At the reception afterwards, she continued to engage everyone in conversation around her, mostly about her recent experience in Haiti. Geo and I were impressed with her high level of energy that does not quite come across seeing her on TV. I will definitely be looking for her documentaries with new interest.

Pineapple Cake

I'll call it "Lazy Sunday Afternoon Pineapple Cake" because it took less than five minutes to put together.
I mixed a 20 oz. can of crushed pineapple, 3 eggs, and a generous splash of rum with 1 box of yellow cake mix. This took less than five minutes. I poured the batter into a greased cakepan and topped it off with a handful of pecan pieces. It went into a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. What a great aroma! It came out perfectly. To serve, all it needs is a dollop of whipped cream. We'll enjoy this while we're watching the football playoffs today.

January Thaw

Today I wore a jacket without an overcoat. Geo wanted to ride down the interstate in our Subaru with the window open. If it is January in Vermont and the temperature is in the upper thirties with the sun shining - well, it feels almost balmy outside. A lot of that snow accumulation has already melted away.

Yesterday I stopped in at Gardener's Supply for their outlet clearance sale. I picked up a few things, including another string of solar lights for our tree in the front yard. On my way to the checkout counter, I noticed displays of seeds for 2010. Sunflowers! I picked up seeds of unusual varieties. Now that I have them, I will be planning for new flower gardens. January thaw is definitely giving me Spring fever.

They Arrived Today

Two of my Christmas presents from Geo arrived today. Each year at least one of his presents to me is culinary-related. This year I’ve received subscriptions to Cooking Light and Cook’s Illustrated.

I can’t help but think that these are actually gifts for him. He knows I’ll use these gifts and he reaps the benefits. On the bright side, he knows my interests and finds something that I will really enjoy and use. Guaranteed, he does his research and gives the best.

Last month’s Cook’s Illustrated featured an article about cinnamon. So I ended up throwing out what I had in the cabinet and ordered the highest rated, a Vietnamese extra fancy cinnamon from Penzeys Spices in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. I love Penzeys, and I recommend their Ethnic Milwaukee collection of spices and herbs for pasta, meat and fish - basics for culinary creativity.

Okay, I’ll admit I bought Geo a gift of a Belgian waffle maker. And I’M the one who’s enjoying the waffles (with a dash of Penzeys cinnamon)!

This year promises to be another one of eating well.

More Snow!

Enough already!

50 in 52

Jenn suggests that, this year, instead of making new year's resolutions, make a list of 50 things you want to do in 2010, and DO them. Check off one per week. Included on her list:

go to a museum
do a craft project
hike a mountain
do a good deed for a stranger without them knowing it was you
walk 5 miles
travel to a location by yourself, pretend to be a tourist, take pictures, and scrapbook them
stay in bed for one day and read
bake something for a friend
mail a letter to someone you haven't heard from in a while
clean out your closet
have a shopping spree, take out $100 from the bank and spend it all on yourself at the mall

I would add:
plant sunflowers
update address book
attend a seminar

Okay, I'll take up the challenge. 50 projects in 52 weeks. We can do this. First project: Make a "50 in 52" list.

Snow Day

It’s deep out there. Addie, Geo, and I dug out the driveway. (I found a new use for my garden cart. I filled it with snow, then pushed it off to the side to dump it.)

This aft I watched a little football, including Brett and the Vikings creaming the Giants 44-7.

A pot of chili is simmering on the stove, and cornbread is in the oven.

The snow is still coming. Looks like lots of it will be around for a long while.

Jenn, don’t forget to pack those new red X-country skis for your next trip to VT.!

The Year of Listening

New Year’s Eve found Geo and me in Burlington for First Night 2010. What I like best about First Night (besides people coming together from near and far for one huge celebration) is being able to hear music of different genres – all at one event. We heard vocalists and instrumentalists, jazz, blue grass gospel, and even hip hop. It was nice seeing Ed and Peni at one of the venues. We briefly met up with Addie and her new friend Billy, and we dined at the Blue Cat. 2010 and my “year of listening” definitely opened on a high note.