One of My Very Favorite Meals

A Little Snow Couldn't Keep Us Away

It snowed yesterday, a perfect day for organizing. However, I did get sidetracked from the office organizing and got stuck in a makeover of our kitchen closet/cabinet. You see, my office is on the back side of the big screen TV and the Bruins were on (btw, we lost in overtime to the Rangers....bummer).  At least I continued with mission organization in some form.  Let me tell you, this is one ugly closet inside, but you have to start somewhere. 

The payoff was, at the end of the day we were off to my parent's for Dad's linguine and clam sauce. He called Defiant Lobster the day before and ordered his clams. He knew the Tilton's would take of them, as they are experts (seriously, these people know lobsters and clams), and woudl make sure these clams were well rinsed with no sand.

I was looking forward to a heaven. A little snow wasn't going to stop us from our appointed rounds or the table.

We enjoyed some laughs on the porch before it was time to check on the sauce.

(Please note that Maxie-dog, the family mascot is overseeing how everything is going, as usual).

Better lift the lids and make sure everything is going smoothly.

Hmmmm, looks good to me. I call it 'ready'.

Max agreed.

So did the Chef. Time to serve it up.  Family style.

Let him at it!

Let me at it! (horrible picture, but we can't have it all, can we?).

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

Heaven.

Brother in law Niall was not happy when he skyped us this morning to say he had received pictures of the aforementioned meal. One of his favorites too.  Who am I not to share, in whatever way I can?

Off to do some more closet painting.  More hockey today AND the Patriots in a playoff game that will get them to the Super Bowl if we can take care of the Ravens.

Have a wonderful Sunday. Are you organizing like me? Watching sports like me in a little while? Cooking a Sunday dinner? However you're spending it, I hope it's grand.

Want to make it even better? Angie over at Knick of Time is hosting a fantastic giveaway from AppleWhite.  The sweetest tea towels. It's winding down and you only have today to enter, so hurry over. 

via applewhite and knickof time

Enjoy your Sunday and thanks for being here,



Happy Birthday Dad and Dancing in the Hood

Happy Birthday Dad/Mr. D.

It's my Dad's birthday today.  He's invited for a birthday dinner tomorrow night. I gave him a choice of a white lasagna or pork roast. He went for the pork. Like father like daughter I guess. I have to say, pork roast is one of my favorite Sunday dinners. Gar's too.

Dad and Mom went up the 401 Tavern for dinner last night and were welcomed with a booth, decked out in balloons in honor is his birthday. Typical Desi style at the 401.  The enjoyed themselves but wondered what the other diners were thinking about their 'special' booth.

That's Dad showing off his Are You Being Served mug we gave him for Christmas. We share a love for the show. Cracks us all up.

Some things about Dad:

1. He has been known to dress up on occasion, usually for a good cause for which money was being raised. His alter egos have included: Sister Mary Punishment, Rev. Charles DoGood, Tip O'Neill, an Italian girl named Angelina, a boxing trainer named Cauliflower McPug, and an Elf.  Yup. He's quite colorful.
2. Dad/Jerry loves a microphone.  He sang in just about every lounge/restaurant we were in that had one, or at any piano bar that had a seat. I take after him, well, in my own house at least.  He has also introduced a lot of people with a microphone in hand including SenatorAl Gore, Congressman Dick Gephardt, Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Bob Kerry..........the list goes on.
3. He served during the Korean war, but was luckily never sent overseas. He was very good at engineering, and this was a good thing. Later he became a missile engineer. Dad had jobs all over the U.S. from Arkansas to Idaho, from Washington state to Connecticut, and New York to Massachusetts.
4. He is the ultimate problem fixer. He knows how to get things done.
5. He raised 5 children with my mother; has 8 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
6. Dad has built half the furniture in my house, from my colonial hutch/water chest, our sailmaker's coffee table, my hopechest, spoonracks to my knickknack shelves and curio cabinet. He's also quite the folk artist, painting many of his creations freehand.
7. He's a great dad.

This one's for you Dad! Happy Birthday.

Smooth Deano singing one of your favorites.

Friday Night in The Hood

Last night the neighborhoodlums came over for my steak bomb sandwiches. MMMM. We all agreed.....extrememly yummy. When I get a picture, I'll post the recipe. It's easy and feeds a crowd.

After the sandwiches we need to move! Gar was the youtube DJ, while the rest of us cut a rug. OK, we didn't cut a rug, because we have laminate floors. But we did tear up the floor.

Tom and I got everyone started and then everyone else joined in.

Here's Sandee, gettin' down.

Gerry playing a little air guitar.

Joan stealing Tom back from me, for a spin around the floor.

Sorry they're blurry. I was in motion and so were they. Next time, I'll stop dancing while I take the pictures. 

Gar has officially dubbed Tom, John Travolta.

Sunset Meadows

Another beautiful one last night.

Have a great Saturday. Ours includes work at my desk, splitting wood, laundry and lots more fun stuff. What about you? Gonna dance the night away?

Labor Day Celebrations

Anniversary

Today is my parent's (Marge & Jerry) anniversay.  Do we really want to say how long they've been married? A LONG time. OK, if I'm not mistaken, it's 58 years this year!!! Like I said, a LONG time.

Always have loved this pic of them putting the 'do not disturb' sign out on their wedding day.

Very cheeky.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Mom/Mrs.D & Dad/Mr. D!!!

BIRTHDAY

It's really a roundup of celebrations. Tomorrow is my sister-in-law Kelly's

50th birthday. Did you think we were going to let that one slip by Kel? Yup. The Big FIVE-O.

That's her in this pic with my parents. She's in the front on the left, next to my sister Dianne.

Looking good Kel! AND, her eyes are even open!!! A rare moment in photos for Kel.

You know you love me, Kel. Love you back. Happy Birthday!!!!

BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was Gar's sister Grainne's birthday. Happy Birthday Gra!!!

I'm sure you celebrated in style.

And if you haven't yet, I know you will.  Hope you liked your birthday song, I was singing from the pool.

Labor Day

Today is Labor Day in the States. A day for the working folks to enjoy doing nuttin' much. Sit back and relax people. That's what today is for.....enjoy it.

"Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold.  But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow."  ~Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You

And since our latest illustration available at Bates Mercantile Co. seems to go with that rainbow theme, here's a sneak peak.

Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are.