Everything in Bloom

Today's weather is a dream. Perfect in every single way, it's not too hot, it's not too cool. If every summer day on the east coast could be just like this...I don't think I would have a complaint...That's not true, my one complaint would be being stuck inside in air conditioning when it's just too good to be true out there~
Last night, to blow off some steam from a hell of a work day, I weeded the front flower beds, well to the best of my ability, not really sure what I could or should and should not pull:) They look pretty good. But everything is growing like crazy right now and is so thick....it needs some thinning out. I also weeded around 2 of the 3 fish ponds. Perhaps I will tackle the 3rd pond tonight....Although a book & the hammock sounds a bit better for tonight...w/ a glass of white wine.Umm. 41 minutes left and counting!

 How cute is that little guy. He was taking a nap when I stopped home for lunch today. I woke him up.

Baked Penne

Homemade sauce, braciole, meatballs & sausage: Courtesy of Grandma Carmen! 

Mike cooked the penne to perfection as always, added some Mozzerella and Ricotta and Whala! Dinner is served. Although, our tiny plates later barely made a dent. You would think we were cooking for 10 people!

And Stella is very sad because she cannot eat any, tomato sauce is no good for doggies:(

Mikes new recipe...Pork Marsala

This is made with wine, not marsala wine, but Pinot Noir, Mushrooms, Onions, a bit of flour, served over Basmati Rice. Umm delicious!

A Sunny Saturday Morning

Stopped by Mom & Dads for a nice walk and a couple great cups of coffee!

Dinner at Grams

A little antipasto, white wine, french bread, pork chops, potatoes, a blueberry buckle for dessert and a nice summer evening walk.

Thankful for the working week to end

Its Friday and thankfully this week is over. It was about all I could take! Mike and I are going to grams for a delicious dinner tonight and I am really looking forward to relaxing with some great food and company and not having to worry about jumping off to head to work in the morning. Anything goes tomorrow as I have NO PLANS! I do, however work a double on Sunday, but I won't think about that just yet.

Here are a few updated shots of the house I took last night after the storm.

Testing ISO

First shot is at 200, the second is at 800.

Early Morning Motivation

Mike and I didn't get to bed until very late last night, so I am both surprised that not only was he up at 6:00 and off to fix a roof, I was up at 7:30 and outside taking pictures! 

It really is the little things that make me happy!

New Art

I scored this painting the other night for a great price and It just finishes off this room! It's oil and up close it is just stunning!

2 Strange Shots

I believe I turned off the flash to get a candle shot & then a shot of the wine rack with the mirror, but this is how they came out. I was a little freaked out by the second one, it seems like 2 images are overlapping eachother (Which, I know you can do, but I didn't.)

New Camera. First Subject

So, Mike and I went and picked up my new camera last night. SO EXCITED. We stopped off and ate Five Guys (that was our first time,) I think I will be fine either never eating there again or waiting at least 2 years. Not to say, it wasn't delicious, it was. However, I felt like I was going to have a heart-attack afterwards. The menu said cheeseburger or little cheeseburger. In my mind, "little" meant comprable to a white castle....aparrently, after ordering the bacon cheeseburger with sauteed mushrooms, I discovered that "little" meant one less gigantic patty of beef! We couldn't finish our burgers or the 1 large fry we shared. Talk about a supersized meal! I am sure just in that meal we consumed more calories than even a larger person should consume in one given day!

Enough about Five Guys. We went home, Mike headed off to practice and I sat, in my new little breakfast nook and took each piece from the camera box in awe that this....besides a house or a car, is probably the most expensive gift I have ever gotten for myself! I charged the battery, which took over an hour, so I sipped a drink while starting "Remember Me," with that overly cute Robert Pattinson. Finally the camera was ready. I have alot of reading/learning to do, but I just LOVE this camera and thank you to Sheila for convincing me to just get it! (I am going to have quite a few questions for you!!)

So, here is our pretty Stella azul:

Cooking with LOVE

I am happy to announce that now, with the purchase of a new Camera the "Cooking with Love, Volume II" Cookbook will be back in action this year. Everyone, for Christmas will receive another cookbook with all of our favorite recipes through out the year, photos & all.

Oh & Stephanie...This time I will be SURE to remember to include in the instructions for any pasta dish to "boil the pasta...first!"

:)

Happy Fathers Day to My Dad!

Yesterday was Father's day & so we all got together at Mom & Dads and had a summer feast of freshly caught fish & clams! John & the girls went digging for Clams in which Dad made a chowder and Mom fried up all the Porgies we caught! Ummm. It was delicious! Gram and I did some dancing in the kitchen while the guys played piano & guitar and apparently... after I left John showed gram some new moves he is learning in training!

(Poor Mike is sick with Lymes disease and had to stay home. I hope he starts to feel better soon!)