Adirondack Adventures

For the past few years, my generous parents have been handing us an envelope each Christmas.  The contents inside reveal an adventure waiting to happen, a shared experience…and promise of new sights, discoveries, good food, laughter, inside jokes, love and contentment.  This year’s envelope contained a brochure for Garnet Hill Lodge in the center of the Adirondacks. The trip couldn’t have come at a better time…we all needed to unwind and there was a gigantic heat wave underway!

My parents arrived in Saratoga on a super sultry Wednesday afternoon.  We sat around the kiddie pool drinking beers to cool off while Neil splashed and babbled.  In the evening we walked down to Hattie’s for softshell crab and spicy slaw.  The mojitos really helped bring the temperature down a notch.  After dinner we strolled the streets and checked out the stores’ windows that were all decked out for the 150th anniversary of the racetrack.

I had to finish up my swimming lesson commitment at the Victoria Pool early Thursday morning.  The kids threw me in the pool at the end and it was fine by me…the temperature had already climbed to 90F by 10a.m.  We packed up and headed north, stopping by Oscar’s smokehouse for some cheese and pate.  Colin treated us all to venison jerky sticks and smoked mozzarella.  We asked the employees for a lunch recommendation and ended up at George Henry’s.  They have a very nice outdoor eating area overlooking the river, but with the temperature as high as it was, we decided to eat sandwiches indoors in the AC.  Neil downed French fries and bread and cheese and everything else.  He has been eating like a horse these days!

We finished up with lunch and drove another half hour to our destination, the Garnet Hill Lodge.  The Lodge sits up on Garnet Hill, looking southwest over Thirteenth Lake.  It’s pretty much right smack in the center of the Adirondacks.  The view was beautiful, especially from our 2nd floor balcony.  We got right down to business in the best way you can during a heat wave.  Swim suits and towels and beach bags and sunscreen and beverages.  I admit I’m a little rusty at going to the beach.  Our beach bag was a plastic garbage bag.  I haven’t bought a suit in years. But it felt absolutely freeing to float in a lake.  Neil loved it too, kicking and arching his back and smiling.  I used to visit a lot of open water when I was younger.  It was a destination when we were teenagers.  We really must get back on track with the swimming holes and whatnot in upstate. Spray parks simply aren’t enough.

After our romp in the water, jumping off docks and backstroking, we headed back up the hill to the Lodge for dinner.  The staff seemed completely overwhelmed, though there were only a few parties in the dining room.  Nonetheless, our food was hearty and did the trick.  Neil lost his energy and went to bed early, while Colin and I enjoyed a few more beverages in the great outdoors.  Nothing like a high power baby monitor and a well set up lodge (and grandparents nearby!) at the end of a fun day.

Friday brought gale force winds and more hot weather…it was truly strange to be on a gusty mountain in such heat, but without storms.  We visited North Creek for lunch and I ogled the Hudson River out the window as we drove. I wanted to be in the river, on the water, in a boat (but maybe not baking in a canoe in such heat…). After a long time away from living near water, I am aching for even a ghost of that experience.   I miss living on the Delaware and being on the river each night…the relationship between a single body of water and the seasons, the smoothness of a stream in the evening, fish jumping.  I really found myself missing the connection between a river and myself, and as we drove, I just stared and sighed. I miss smelling the river in my hair after each and every evening paddling. Must find a way back to that somehow…eventually.

 

We spent more time at the lake, letting the strong breezes slap the flies from our necks, letting the water cool us down.  The lake was very choppy, and I laid Neil’s bottom down on the sand so he could feel the waves lapping at his toes.  A precursor to our September ocean visit. He liked scooping sand with his grandma on the warm shore. I didn’t get one photo of him at the lake and I wish that I had.  That evening we drove to Indian Lake for dinner at the Tavern.  The food and wine was welcomed after such a long hot day.  Neil loved saying “Hi!” to the waitresses and bar-goers.  A thunderstorm finally rolled through, and we left during a downpour, saying good night to the locals smoking cigarettes in the neon bar lights.  You could feel the cool air rolling in and the relief that it brought.  Everybody’s shoulders went down an inch. Lightning circled us and lit up the mountains as we drove and we slept soundly as the rain filtered down.

The next morning after breakfast, Colin and I took one of C’s Safari Adventures to Nowhere in Particular. We hiked down the hill (me in Target flats as I did not bring any sort of hiking apparel this entire trip…smrt), tromped through some private property, and ended up hiking up another hill to Hooper’s mine…an abandoned garnet quarry.  It reminded me of Red Rocks Amphitheater…and was quite odd…red rocks towering out of Adirondack sphagnum muck…weird juxtaposition.  After squirreling through the quarry for a bit we headed back down to relieve the grandparents of their nap watch duties.  We enjoyed beer and cheese on the porch during a rain storm.   In the afternoon we attended a wine tasting at the lodge.  I got to talking with a few winemakers about the North fork of Long Island. Apparently it’s quite the little microclimate they got going on down there.  My favourite was Leo family winery…but the bottle was $50…so I couldn’t manage to take it home. We had dinner at Trapper’s Tavern in North Creek.  We especially enjoyed listening to this twenty-something old dude critique his own evening entertainment of 90’s rock. Neil was a wiggle worm and kept flinging fettucine behind him. He’s lucky he is cute…I was exhausted after this one! Nevertheless, when we got back to the lodge, we said night night to N and brought the boombox/ipod/beer package down to the ping pong room for the second set of the Chicago show.  Unfortunately we couldn’t keep the stream going, I got tired and smashed my finger, and we all just ended up quitting. Right after I smelled weed blowing through the porch window.  Apparently we missed a bonfire.  Old.

 

We packed up the following day and said goodbye to the grandparents.  Colin wanted to drive to Harrisburg Lake…and after a long and winding route we got there, via dead end gravel road.  This place was a little piece of nice.  There was a cool stream running at the end of the road that you could dip your legs into, and a suspension bridge leading out of the woods to a logging road.  We found someone’s lodge and a DEC camping site that looked pretty sweet.  I would come back and camp for a night for sure. Apparently you can walk to Wilcox Lake from this area, but we didn’t find that trail.  As if that adventure weren’t enough, we picked up pizza and headed over to SPAC for the My Morning Jacket/Wilco/Dylan show.  I really enjoyed this one…and the crowd was a very funny laid back mix of old and new hippies.  It wasn’t overpacked in the venue for once.  Neil really rocked out pretty hard and did not want to wake up for school in the morning.  Does that remind you of anyone you know?

 

All in all, our Adirondack adventure was satisfying, relaxing and filled with new experiences for baby Neil. We always appreciate the time we get to spend with family, and we come home to fill our bank with great memories.  This summer is just flying by…it felt so right to slow down and become weightless in a northern lake, sunlight dancing on water, lighting up a baby’s smile.  So right. So fleeting. Just enough.

 

PS: I'll add pictures in a separate post...too much for my phone to handle!

Heat Wave

It is hot here. Tonight and seemingly always. I am on the front porch after a sultry and too quick family dinner...after watching my babe pop off the boob and droop his eyes into a sweaty slumber. There's ice in my wine and a book in my lap and the hum of air conditioners is lulling me into some sort of midsummer trance. My neighbor showed up on his motorcycle and I could just imagine...what a breeze would feel like tonight. The prolonged heat and humidity has, I think, gotten to me. I know I'll dream of these temperatures when it turns back to 35 and freezing rain or negative 20 and crackling under my boots. But tonight I am just hot and bothered. Just a few more days and we will be joining my parents on an Adirondack adventure. The time is right.

FMQ

I came home tonight after two days of pretty annoying sickness, to three sleeping boys and a blind quail. The quail looked pretty piss poor there, let me tell you. I left the guys to snooze in the AC and donned medical gloves to assess the situation. I decided maybe this guys eyes were glued shut by something, and so I gently removed him (it is my only rooster). It's usually hard to catch skittish quail. This one was just like old kimchi the no eyed shihtZu. Unawares. So anyway, I get this thing, and in my blue greys anatomy gloves I take it to the garden hose and spray it down. After rubbing this guy's eyes with plantain, one opens. I'll take it. I put him back in his hutch and think to myself, "maybe I'll treat this nice quail couple to some fresh grass". Right. So as I move the hutch, it separates from the outdoor cage and both one eyed and fully functioning quail escape through the neighbor's chain link fence. I run through my yard, open George's fence, run up his yard on the other side, grab one quail in each blue latex fist and stomp on home in my wifebeater. Honestly, who else does this shit during happy hour on a Tuesday?

Mountain Jam Instagram

Slow Down Soak In

We just wrapped up a weekend at the Catskill House and damn if I don't have the 10:30a.m. Bloody Mary blues.  Time becomes so fluid and intangible in those mountains without a cell phone to check, a lap top clicking away minutes...Moments stretch into hours and still everything flies by so quickly. Slowing down speeds time up in a way.

We joined Anita and Nana for an amazing eggplant parmigiana dinner (with homemade marinara!) on Thursday night as clouds cloaked the cabin like a heavy grey blanket. I had looked at the forecast earlier and it was clear that we were in for a weekend of heavy rain.  Weather like that is always kind of a bummer, since the Haus has such wonderful outdoor surroundings to take advantage of.  Friday proved the forecast correct.  Rain, rain, glorious book reading and more misty rain.  Colin and I took a hike in the afternoon in the deep woods and stayed mostly dry. I found a decent patch of ginseng near the hunter's cabin, and brilliant red efts dotted the trail. Searching for the next newt was like a really easy (and they have to be easy for me!) Easter egg hunt. Further along down the mountain we came across a new structure being built.  It looks an awful lot like a bomb shelter or a bunker. Maybe we have a Prepper neighbor...

By Saturday, the weather had cleared substantially and we took advantage of the built-in-babyitting to revisit our festival prowess at Mountain Jam.  Hunter was slippery with the Catskills' signature red clay after enduring heavy rains and thousands of Wellington clad hippie feet. Their grounds crews were constantly spreading hay and it seemed to do the trick.  We enjoyed IPAs and crowd watching while listening to Michael Franti, Soulgrass, Amy Helm/Benevento and a little touch of the Lumineers.  We had to take a shuttle to and from the venue...about 8 miles...I wish they had something like that in place for Coventry.  I think this was the seventh year of Mountain Jam.  We had also been the 2nd year and it has grown significantly since then.  I'd like to go back...especially to see Phil Lesh or some of the evening headliners. It's a sweet spot for a festival.

We hiked again on Sunday.  Since it was so beautiful out (finally), we brought Neil along in an old backpack. It was his first "loop hike" on the mountain and he seemed to really enjoy watching the forest pass by him as he held on to Colin's curls.  We saw more efts and green frogs and the three dogs bounced between trail and scent in the wet forest.  I wish we could have stayed another week, just to see new wildflowers emerge, watch the blackberries ripen, hear the birds songs' dissipate into the heat of summer, the bullfrogs begin to call.  I guess we're always wishing for more time aren't we?  To be with our loved ones, to finish a project, to do a load of laundry, to walk with our pets, to cherish our children. As much as I love to watch the world turn and the seasons eclipse one another, I also wish I could freeze time.  That for perhaps just one month everything could stay as it is so that I could fully relish the slobbery kisses, sticky fingers and wide grins that have been plastering themselves to my heart these days like bumper stickers of love. It's important to remember this lesson the Catskill House and other special getaways gently bestow upon us...slow down...soak in...enjoy life. And if it strikes your fancy...have that 10:30a.m. Bloody Mary.

Neil eats...

Bread
Olives
Pickles
Yogurt
Hummus
Tzaziki
Raspberries
Blueberries
Goat cheese
Carrots
Squash
Peas
Black beans
Crackers
Mashed potatoes
Pita
Strawberries
Pears
Bagels
Meat loaf
Fish

...and so does Doug!

Snake Walk

Yesterday was gloriously warm...in the 70's and breezy. Neil and I ended up driving north to Gansevoort for a cheeseburger and a hike to look for the Eastern Hog Nosed snake. Rebecca led us around Mud Pond, pointing out all the beaver activity, blossoming plants and snake habitat. It's refreshing to be the non-leader on a hike for me. I always end up gaining a new perspective. Here are a few photos from the hike...purple Hepatica blooming in the leaves, someone's cache of snail shells, the power line that snakes like to sun themselves under, and a beaver chew. We met back in Saratoga for glasses of wine and Greek food. What a wonderful day!

Colorful Colorado

This time a week ago I was waking up in a Hyatt in downtown Denver to similar, sunshiny weather...ready to begin a day celebrating the wedding of our dear friends Ross and Rory. I never thought I'd say this, but I really miss my short, hectic stint of traveling life!

We began our trip on a rainy Wednesday, electing to fly out of Newark because of the continuous flight availability. We took our time and Neil napped and noone felt rushed and everything went perfectly, except we missed our flight. I still dont know how we managed that one. Oddly enough, the next flight to Denver was just an hour later. I really wanted time to have a nice glass of wine before we boarded, but it was not to be...we were rushed again and the last to board our second flight. Too relaxed? Maybe. (Because taking your entire stroller apart barefoot in a crowded airport while holding an 18 pound sack of potatoes is just like a fucking spa treatment, I'll tell ya what). Anyway, we made it, our company on the flight was a sympathetic mom of three and Neil mostly bounced and played.

We got to Denver later in the evening than we had hoped and by the time we sorted through the luggage and the rental car and the air train and all that, it was dark. We drove north out of the city and picked up a few local beers and (don't judge it was the only place around) Jack in the Box, and wound our way up and up into the cavernous mountains until we reached Crags Lodge in Estes Park. We succeeded in keeping Neil asleep while we settled down to relax in our little suite. Colin poured two wine glasses of Yeti and we sank deep into the sofa. I think we lasted for twenty minutes of "party" before slinking into bed. Woohoo!

We woke to a wonderful mountain view the next morning. We could see straight across the valley to the Stanley Hotel (made famous by The Shining)...clouds wove through the twin owls, an uncommon sight according to the lodge caretakers. Neil practiced his climbing and crawling as we showered/hosed off the travel stink in the incredibly temperamental old tub. We lounged downstairs in the rustic living room and flipped through the historic lodge pictures before hitting the road for Rocky Mountain National Park.

I've never really experienced mountain weather before and dang if it isn't temperamental too! It changes from nice to naughty in a few seconds time. We three drove as far as we could on Trail Ridge Road, through snow and thunder and hail. We could only go as far as Rainbow Curve, and we couldn't see the largest mountains, but it was still wild and beautiful. Bull Elk grazed near the road and Ponderosa Pines kept watch above them. We descended and drove through the valley bottom, the moraine, where everything was still snow laden and iced in. Soon, it was time to head back to civility to catch a Yankees game with 25 of our friends.

The ever changing weather, of course, had different plans for us. As we drove towards the city limits, thunderstorms blew through and doused the game. We made the decision to enjoy a low key afternoon in our hotel instead, sipping on Lupulin and making dinner arrangements. After a small walk, we cozied up at the Mountain Sun pub for some lovely food and even lovelier beverages, the best of which was The hummingbird braggot ale.
I remember thinking how friendly everyone in Denver is, and how laid back the fashion choices are. I would fit right in here, if I wasn't truthfully taken aback by the friendliness. It's a peculiar feeling to realize you are somewhat put off by genuinely nice people. I've spent too much time here in New York.

We enjoyed breakfast at Jelly the next morning, just a jog from both the Ogden and the Fillmore...shared a flight of savory doughnuts and filled up on coffee before our final hotel move. Although the festivities were just starting to hum, everything flowed and felt very relaxing. I met a friend to get a manicure and waited out another storm Ina clothing store while Colin watched Neil with friends. We spent the evening at a bistro reconnecting with loved ones and enjoying little bites of goodness. Our group of friends is so used to traveling and meeting each other in new locations...none of it was awkward. I love the feeling of picking up where you left off with a friend. It's even better in a room filled with old acquaintances. Neil loved being passed around into the arms of beautiful women. He passed the trial party with flying colors.

We enjoyed Denver Omelettes at the Delectable Egg on wedding day. Colin had to begin his groomsman duties at noon, so Neil and I took a walk, napped, and got ready alone. It really was peaceful and seemed like a nice break in the monotony of daily life. Before we knew it, wedding time was upon us. Neil donned his knickers, suspenders and bowtie before we picked up a couple of ladies for the mile drive to the governor's mansion. Upon arriving, another thunderstorm surrounded the outdoor space. Guests were whisked inside for a cocktail to wait out the weather. The skies soon cleared, and we filtered back to our seats to watch Ross and Rory, two old friends, genuinely in love, join hands for their next life journey. I remember getting tearful at the fact that this group of friends has been through the absolute worst of times and the best of times together, like an invisible safety net that materializes during life's most important moments. Neil said DADADA!!!! Man and wife.

Dinner and drinks and dancing...baby Neil sailed through it all. I'll always remember the look of joy he had on his face as he bounced around the dance floor. He is a true party animal. He crashed when we got back to the hotel, and I relaxed with a glass of wine while Colin bade farewell to our friends at the Peaks Lounge. It was a beautiful and fun-filled evening...surprisingly not stressful. I'm ever thankful for Neil's easy going spirit.

My first Mother's Day started with huevos rancheros at the Denver Diner. It could have been a terrible idea, but it was not. The clouds had cleared and you could see the largest of the mountains...or as Colin calls them...white caps. I'm pretty those are waves. We traveled all day and ate a late dinner at Bacchus in New Paltz before slogging home. It wasn't the most relaxing of days, but I truly enjoyed traveling with my two guys. And Neil said his first "mama"!

So there you have it. I am so grateful for the opportunity to visit someplace new, hug old friends, share quiet moments with my son, and have conversations with my husband. This trip was incredible.

Bits of Brooklyn

Nine Month Update

Neil had his 9 month appointment yesterday and he is just as happy and healthy as can be at 17 lbs 12oz and 26.5". His pediatrician remarked on how close he his to walking (even though he won't crawl a lick!)...and mama thinks she can wait a few more months for that milestone, thank you very much!

Neil has learned to clap his hand recently and is pulling up to standing and even cruising around on the furniture. In the evenings we have been sitting out on the front porch and chatting with passers by. N just loves dogs, so the neighbors' new puppy Boomer is a real hit. Every time he gets close Neil giggles and squeals in utter delight. It really is nice to be able to come home and plop outside on a blanket in the backyard rather than sit in the living room. Other Neil stuff: a touch of shyness around strangers, still waking up at night, eating solids about twice a day (pickles, olives, yogurt, hummus and bread are recent favorites), saying a lot of DA DA, passing off objects and taking them with him when he stands, bouncing (always), rolling around, rapidly outgrowing clothes...

I've been in the garden finally...it seems like this winter has been very long. The snap peas are sown, as are the first succession of lettuce, spinach and radishes. I'm am totally over paying for lettuce, so I'm hoping it does well this year. I also planted a lot of Swiss chard and some nasturtiums and a Clematis vine that I'm hoping will climb up the big telephone pole/clothes line post in the back. My potatoes and onions will arrive in the mail soon!

Today we're heading down to NJ to spend some time with the family before enjoying a much needed date to see a show at Brooklyn Bowl. I'm hoping Neil doesn't put up much of a fuss while we're getting our ya yas out. I'm ready for a little adultishness!!

Transitions

Things have really picked up around here lately. Colin has seen some changes in his work, and April is crazy for environmentalists in general. The weather has been less than awesome save for a few days of warmth. We saw a heavy snow a few weeks back and even yesterday we were faced with freezing rain. It dripped and half solidified on the magnolia branches and I was forced to remember the devastating late frost of last year...the one that killed our magnolia blossoms and most of New York's apple harvest with one swift cold bite. It's been a long winter here and I am welcoming any and all change, slow and sure as it is. The gardens are still mostly water logged, but I do have lettuce and spinach planted, and the catnip and chives are showing up to the game. Colin's grandpa gave me some plants that I hastily threw in the ground late last fall, and they are coming back up as well. The ground is warming, the frogs are peeping, and I can see the light. This morning I took an hour long riding lesson from one of Neil's caregivers. It included grooming and tacking up and a total reacquaintance with the saddle. On top of a very expensive and fancy Dutch warmblood named Ace. We walked and trotted and snuggled and lounged, but mostly we worked on transitions. Planting heels, closing hands, staying grounded and remaining focused to facilitate and absorb change.

It was the perfect metaphor to meet this April's needs.

It's been a while!

We just got back from an afternoon of maple sugaring and small farm fun. And yes I'm sipping syrup out of a mason jar while typing this! March is mud and snow, but it's also tree tapping, sap boiling, sweet, sticky goodness here in upstate NY. Maple Weekend is in full effect up here and the sap is flowing steadily. I really want to get back into maple sugaring after being on hiatus since I've moved to Saratoga. The park has some enormous maples in its southern property that seem like they'd be perfect for tapping. In the meantime, I decided to visit a couple of sugar shacks and check out their operations. Yesterday Neil and I went to Up Yonda Farm in Bolton Landing. Their operation is so cool, because its on this giant steep hill, and the sap just runs down via gravity. Today we visited Sugar Oak farms, run by a man and his 13 year old son. They tap trees
As far away as Hebron and bring the sap back to their suburban homestead in Malta via pick up truck...the Sap Wagon. His set up was so small and cool...the lesson that I took away from the visit was that there are really no good excuses for not doing what it is you wish to do. If you don't have trees to tap, borrow your neighbors' maples. Trade them for your famous syrup. Travel far and wide. Don't give up hope if you don't own your hardwoods. You can run a successful sugarbush right next to a major highway in a development! Happy Maple Weekend! On to St. Pat's!

Potato Plans

The ground is all ice and mud and chicken crap around here.  Last night we got some snow turned rain, and it froze in the early morning hours, making every damn surface slick as shit.  Still, my mind has already made the turn home towards spring.  The days are lengthening as we chase the weekends like dogs do their tails. The goldfinches and cardinals are getting chatty, and the squirrels are stuffing their cheeks with leaves instead of nuts.  My windows are filled with a warm glow in the evening rather than a stark bright white and blue landscape.  Such is February, brutal yet filled with promise.  I'm not yet impatient to work the ground, but excited to start dreaming up garden plans again. It is a quiet time to write down priorities, think up new endeavors, ruminate on last year's failures and decide on the young year's garden projects. New this year: Homegrown potatoes.

In the past I have grown potatoes in a sandy community garden (epic fail) and a garden within a state park (one huge success, one huge bonk).  This year I am looking to grow them within the boundaries of our backyard.  Since I have Neil, it would prove pretty difficult to try to grow anything anywhere other than home.  So I came across the idea of a potato tower on Pinterest, and it excited me that I could try to grow the tasty tubers without compromising prime real estate in my back garden. Check it out:

 

The whole process can be found here...I already have all the supplies necessary lying around in the garage barn.  You take some galvanized wire and secure it in a two-three foot wide circle.  Then you line the inside of the wire with straw (I buy my straw bales at Thorofeed near the track for $4), add a foot of compost and your first layer of potatoes.  Layer it up like a dip and plant whatever you'd like on top.  Perhaps some flowers, nasturtiums? would look nice up there. Or maybe some basil?  The potato leaves will grow through the straw outside the container, kind of like those strawberry planters you see around Father's Day.  The potatoes are ready when their leaves yellow and die in early fall. Then you are free to tip over the whole deal and harvest them. 

 

Sounds like a decent idea to me, and well...if you're going to make a potato tower, why not double the pleasure?  I went a little crazy and decided to order two different kinds of potatoes from the Maine Potato Lady.  We use potatoes a variety of ways at our house...baked, mashed and roasted being the most common.  This year I chose to grow Kennebec (baked/mashed) and Red Maria (roasted, potato salad, etc).

 

  Red Maria is described in the Maine Potato Lady's catalog: Finally, we have a beautiful name for "NY 129", a late-season red potato developed by the cornell breeding program.  I've grown this variety in my trials several times and was always impressed with the yield and uniformity of these large, round tubers.  Bright red skin is lightly textured and holds color well in storage.  Here is a picture from Cornell:

 

 

 

Kennebec: Released by the USDA in 1948, Kennebec is still one of the top ten varieties grown in Maine.  And no wonder!  It's very dependable under most growing condidtions, with high yields of large, white-fleshed tubers.  You can cook Kennebec any way, boil, mash or bake-and enjoy a superb meal every time.  Excellent storage.  Loads of white flowers cover this large plant.

 

courtesy of the Maine Potato Lady

 

So there you have it.  I had the opportunity to choose from early, mid and late season potatoes, so I chose the latter two in case we have a shit spring.  The Kennebec potatoes will mature in 70-90 days, and the Red Marias will take a few weeks longer. I plan on getting them into their towers in early May, as I don't really have to depend on the earth and sun to warm up this soil. Things I still need to consider include how to keep Doug from using them as a marking post...bird netting?, where to put them, and how to secure them from gusty thunderstorms (I'm thinking a tpost here).

 

Oh yeah, and what to do with my cherry on top: 100 sets of Stuttgarter onions.

 

Kid in a candy store I tell ya.

 

 



Not that I ever sleep ever...

Tastes Like Burning

Last night Colin and I planned a cute night in. Seeing as we were in Florida this time last year, we decided to make some Islamorada sandwiches and Key Lime pie. I suppose we were having a little too much fun with our whiskey and wine, because the next thing you know, our oven was on fire, complete with flames coming out of the door. It's safe to say we burnt our buns...I threw the flaming pan outside and covered it with a wet towel (see below).

Well, apparently this looked pretty appetizing to dear old Doug dog. I wasn't aware that he ate the charcoal brick in its entirety until I woke up at 5am...not to baby squalls, but to that panic inducing bleh...bleh...bleh bleh bleh bleh BLAAAAAAAA...

The fact that his puke was black was a dead giveaway.

I love dogs.