go sox! (red sox, that is)

I am working my way through pictures from our recent family trip to California. Until I get my act together, how about I share these pictures from Papa and Seal Pup 1.0's adventure to Boston to see a Red Sox game last month? I found the pictures while working on our California pictures last night and thought they were fun, so obviously I thought you'd think they were fun too.

Papa got two tickets to see the Red Sox play the Phillies last month and decided it was time that SP 1.0 saw the Sox play in real life. Getting there involved an automobile, a train, and the T (which was, you know, a great way to start the day, I guess).

And there was food.

Lots of food.
And, I am told, there was actually people playing baseball as well.More pictures in flickr.

thankful.

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We are all walking around with a pound or two (or five, whatever) extra about our persons; but we are none the worse for wear. I found myself especially reticent last week since Thanksgiving was, traditionally, a holiday devoted to my father and his visit to New England, as well as the enjoyment of good food. While my dad couldn't join us this year (and won't in future), I think he would be pleased to know that we ate good food. A lot of it, actually (see previous note about extra poundage). We also watched the new Star Trek movie, which I am absolutely certain my dad would have loved (it was quite good, and I say that as a non-Trekkie, not that there is anything wrong with trekkies, perse).

We also kicked off SP 2.0's birthday week (the countdown to '1' began on Thanksgiving this year).

Don't worry, there will be more birthday coverage later, I promise! There is a lot of birthday goodness that will need reporting! Get excited!

This year, we had two Thanksgiving meals, one on Thursday...which, you know, was Thanksgiving. And then we celebrated again on Friday. There was a goodly amount of fabulous food (if I do say so myself, and yes, I do). For those interested in such things, you can find the menu for the dinner tables here (or at least what was intended, I had to change the soup (no fennel) and I opted to make cupcakes instead of the meringue cake that only I would eat).

We had two meals because we had a special visit from some Adventuring Seals and we wanted to celebrate accordingly.

It was fun. And the cousins had a ridiculous good time with each other.
Even the youngest ones!

Watching all the Pups play with each other reminded us all about how we wish we could get them together more often. I think it was a good trip/visit (one of these kids got really sick after this tire swing ride, and it wasn't one of the ones from the west coast).

The trip was a short one, however. Papa had to load up the van to get the Adventurerers back home a few short days after they arrived. Since they were flying out of Boston, there was a little stop in Boston Common to see some ducks before the long flight home.Thanks for visiting!

And for those interested in such things...there are tons more pictures in flickr (hello, grandmas.)

edward's house

After our "Go Coast Guard!" weekend, we decided to take a day trip up to Massachussetts to town of Yarmouthport on the Cape. We have been wanting to take a visit to the Edward Gorey House for quite some time, and the days seemed suitably rainy and dreary to set the stage for a trip.

We are fortunate that the Pup just sort of tags along with us right now. There will come a point that he won't think trips like this are fun...till then...

It was fun. Edward Gorey was a character. He was an ecclectic collector of pretty much everything. When he died, 25,000 volumes of books were found in his home. That's pretty crazy.

The Pup had fun messing about with "The Doubtful Guest" outside when the rain stopped.

It's a fun little house museum that sheds a lot of light on the life of Edward Gorey. The exhibits/displays were very well done and they were fun and interesting.

As always, more pictures from our excursion can be found in flickr.

uniforms, gun talk, sheep and bubbles; or, ketchup

At first, I thought Papa Seal was going to takeover this blog entirely; but, no, he has home renovations and a dissertation to do (and since I am not, nor do I plan to be, directly involved in any of that business)...so I'm back! Since we are well into June. I thought it relevant to share how we finished out the month of May (this is more for Papa Seal's benefit than anything else, this blog is how he remembers things, so you know, I am just making memories possible). So yes, this is a catch up, or as I like to say, ketchup post.

First there was the grand event called Coast Guard graduation. I like graduations because it means I get to see Papa don his wedding duds again (the people in the military, they call them officer whites, whatevs).

The speaker at said grand event was Vice-President Dick Cheney (I recognize the ridiculousness in my linking to this; but, I think the picture is funny. I mean, it's official and everything). Some people referred to him as Howdy Doody, you can understand their confusion given his choice of millinery which many (myself included) deemed inappropriate for this auspicious formal occasion. But hey, given the choice of him shooting people or wearing inappropriate hats, I guess I will take Howdy Doody any day.

And then because I am me and my family supports my weird pursuits in all things fibery, we went to the Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Festival in Cummington, Mass. There was a lot of fiber (and a lot of it came home with me).

I am pretty sure that one day, the Pup is going to realize that we don't go to these festivals for him. Or warehouse yarn shops either (Webs, Northampton. Again. I know. It's like we live there.), he is a smart kid. He's going to catch on pretty soon.

And lastly, there was a birthday party for our friend Ruthanne. She turned 3, which--I am given to understand--is a very big deal. There was a lot of fun for the small fries.

There are tons of pictures to go with this scintillating abridgement of our May activities, you know where they are should you be so inclined. I need to catch this blog up before our trip to southern California at the end of the month. Because that is one California post that I wouldn't mind posting myself. So yes, there is going to be a flurry of posting here (shocking, I know)--you know, in my copious amounts of free time.

a low-fi kind of birthday

It is no secret that I really (really) like birthday celebrations. I will take any and every opportunity to drag out a week long (or 8 day's worth of) celebration out of my own or a friend's birthday; but Papa Seal, he isn't so much into the fun of it all. I once threw him a surprise party to which he responded, "we've done that once, let's not do it again." He liked seeing all of his friends and family but he hates being the center of attention, I get that; but I like celebrating.

A big part of celebration is food. Weight Watchers is going to hate me; but, it's true, at least in my world. Food plays a huge part in celebration. So you can understand my dissappointment when Papa asked for...a boxed cake. Seriously? Do you not know who I am?

Far be it from me to argue. So I made the boxed cake (or, birthday is a box, pick one). But then I made him a "real" cake later in the week, because seriously? Asking for a boxed cake from me on your birthday is just insulting on so many levels.

It's the souped-up-from-scratch version of the boxed cake, American Chocolate Layer Cake. I have become very close friends with Maida Heatter of late, she and Martha Stewart, they are my homegirls (they of course, don't know this; but, between you and me, they are).

Because who doesn't want 4 layers of birthday happiness?

This cake was enjoyed a few days after Kelly's birthday. On his actual birthday I was in Northampton, Massachussetts at Webs again (my own Utopia, of sorts) learning to spin on my new spinning wheel and Kelly was home with the Pup (I know, who's birthday was it, right?).

It was fun.

After my spinning weekend, Kelly went to San Diego for a conference. I thought the timing worked well, he got to see his family for his birthday...sort of (what's a few days when you are dragging out the celebration, right?).

After his return home, Anders decided to really help Papa celebrate right by getting the stomach flu and passing it along to him first and then to me. The last couple of days have been kind of miserable (we didn't even want look or think about food), but we are on the mend (the Patriots losing the Super Bowl didn't help, of course). Chicken soup, anyone?

Mom, tell Papa to get you an external flash, the built-in isn't worth beans.

In case you are curious, the first picture was how Anders felt when he thought he was going to be able to keep Papa's birthday scarf. No, not so much.

a trip to paradise city

So there is this place in Northampton, Massachussetts called WEBS. Fiber enthusiasts know it to be something akin to Shangri-La. WEBS is also called America's yarn store. Obviously, I had to go and assess this for myself, so right before the New Year began (I know, this is the last one, everything else from here on out is all about 2008!) we wandered west. I think the boys knew we were in for some fun.

I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. It was difficult chasing the pup, grabbing yarn, reading books, touching fiber, and playing with fiber equipment all at the same time. Something had to give, especially since I left my superhero cape home that day.

Kelly has decided that of all the yarn shops he has been to ("which is many") WEBS has to be the best. There is a "gentlemen's" (I guess anyone could sit there, really) seating area with really comfy chairs and all sorts of magazines, like Sports Illustrated. Kelly said the only thing that would have made it better would be a big screen TV.

Anders was pretty entertained with the yarn. It was everywhere, a beautiful thing, really. The main store front was nice, bright, and pretty; but the most fun (for the Pup, anyway) was to be had in the yarn warehouse. Seriously. It is a warehouse of yarn (if you can not find joy in that, frankly, I don't know what to tell you).

There is a loom room for those into weaving. I peered in and looked around, but I tried not to get too interested. I need a new hobby like I need a hole in the head, particularly one as costly as weaving. The looms are a bit steep at around $9,000. Fun things to look at though.

It was a good visit; and, we left without spending too much. The main point (besides just seeing the place) was to register for some classes (more on that later); that done, we counted the trip as a success. And of course, I can not wait to go back to the place that, I am convinced, is truly America's yarn store.

Shopping for yarn is hard work.