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!