Tuesday, November 06, 2007

The TAIL/TALE of the New River weekend

While my sister-in-law and I visited my daughters /her nieces, my Sweetie, Phil and SAM took off for the New River for a relaxing chance to drown some worms, AKA Fishing camping and canoeing …just kidding there Sweetie…;)

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These are some pictures of their trip and a lesson learned about “Swimtail”.

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But now about “Swimtail”! As you see from the pictures SAM is one handsome dog. As is with any Labrador the “urege” to swim is second nature to this breed. AAAt some point when they guys were ready to bed for the night Sam was showing some distress, not wanting to move, when touched to locate any possible problems his hind quarters were especailly tender.

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After an earlier departure, because of SAM, and a fast trip to Richmond and the Vets office this was what had occurred. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador retriever make them excellent swimmers. Their interwoven coat is also relatively waterproof, providing more assistance for swimming. The tail acts as a rudder for changing directions.

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Yup SAM over did the swimming. Thankfully a few days of now swimming and all is well that ENDS well [pun intended]! A Labrador that undertakes significant swimming without building up can develop a swelling or apparent kink known as swimtail. This can be easily treated by a veterinary clinic and tail rest.

The modern Labrador Retriever is among the oldest of the modern "recognized" breeds; according to the American Kennel Club, pedigrees exist back to 1878. The Kennel Club recognized the Lab in 1903. The first registration of Labradors by the AKC was in 1917; many English dogs were imported post World War I and these formed the foundation of the American variety.
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Good-tempered, very agile. Excellent nose, soft mouth; keen love of water. Adaptable, devoted companion. Intelligent, keen and biddable, with a strong will to please. Kindly nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness. - UK Kennel Club standard
Looking content~~~~~~
Divided interests?
So cute they are both looking in the same direction
SAM
The New River is home to many species of freshwater game fish including bass, trout, walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, carp, or flathead and channel catfish.

Despite its name, the river is considered by some geologists to be possibly one of the oldest rivers in the world, between 10 million and 360 million years old. According to local folklore, it is considered to be second in age only to the Nile River and thus the oldest in North America. However, the ages of rivers are very difficult to establish with precision; as the wide range of possible ages for the New River demonstrates, there is no established ranking of the ages of major rivers. The New River flows in a generally south to north course, which is against the southwest to northeast topology of the Appalachian Mountains and the west to east flow of most other nearby major rivers especially in Virginia and North Carolina. This peculiarity may mean that the New River's formation preceded much of the surrounding landscape, although again this hypothesis has not been proven beyond doubt.

The New River, a tributary of the Kanawha River, is approximately 320 mi (515 km) long, flowing through the states of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia in the United States. Much of the river's course through West Virginia is designated as the New River Gorge National River. The New River is one of the American Heritage Rivers of the United States.
For sure not the foods we sampled…;)

Monday, November 05, 2007

Corny BUT It was A MAZI ing

Thanks Amy
What a weekend in many ways. For me driving there and getting there with no major getting lost was TREMENDOUS.A goal I had challenged myself with and I got a gold star.
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Tee hee there are my STARS! ;)
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This trip was purely a WOMANS WEEKEND…
But sure glad my Son in law joined us all in our ventures...I might say he is AMAZING
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SHUCKS, I had to say that ;)

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Stars for his abilities to lead with Brilliance
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My traveling companion and riding shotgun for me was my Sister-in-law. I am not sure how many hours we spent at the Outlets, but it was QUALITY time in many ways. ;)
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Actually we should have had one of those ped o meters to clock how many miles of walking we actually did. Bottom line all the good food we had got walked off as we leisurely strolled through many shops and restaurants.
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Everything we did was new except for Eastern Market Market, but as I have said I really enjoy that place.

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The market has been in continuous operation since 1873. This weekend we were blessed with sunny skies, while brisk in the early morning the temperatures warmed to the low 60’s.
******** After a good nights sleep, the pride of driving through major traffic and many lanes really was not a dream after all…we headed for The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertainment Show. Founded by Denise Medved in 2005.
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Before the Corn Maze and after Eastern Market and the trade show… ************ Wonderful food goes without saying. I had the Fatteh, warm yogurt sauce served over layers of chickpeas, eggplant, pita chips, tomato and garlic sauce, topped with pine nuts, with a stout Dark Ale. OH WOW!
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Of course more shopping to walk off lunch...;)
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Then off for a Corn Maze, Thurmont, MarylandPirate Theme. CHECK OUT THE PIRATE BOATS THAT ARE BUILT FOR YOU TO SHOOT PUMPKINS AT Pirate Theme. CHECK OUT THE PIRATE BOATS THAT ARE BUILT FOR YOU TO SHOOT PUMPKINS AT.
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After that more shopping and more food…then more shopping…Virtual Tour of Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar.A small slice of Spain with a wide variety of tapas (little dishes) in Historic Downtown Frederick Much like Jaleo’s but different setting and wonderful foods.
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Some of the foods we tasted:
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Espinacas a la SacromonteLeaf Spinach Sautéed with Pine Nuts and Malaga Raisins
************ Calamares a la RomanaFried House-Breaded Calamari Served with Citrus Sea Salt, Lemon and Garlic Alioli
**************** OH this one was new and YUMMY
************ Queso al HornoWedge of Creamy Brie Baked on Toasted Bread with Almonds, Port Wine Reduction and Fresh Oranges
****************************** Gambas al Ajillo y TomateTiger Prawns in a Tomato, Garlic, Herbs, Wine, Lemon Sauce
********************* Fritos de Datiles Y ChorizoCrispy Bacon Wrapped Spanish Dates Stutted with Chorizo on Mild Goat Cheese Cream
***************** Jaleos is also a favorite of mine.
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Needless to say Downtown Frederick was not a disappointment. Frederick County Maryland is less than one hour from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and nearby Gettysburg, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry. There are many attractions, historic sites, and Civil War heritage. Once a month, merchants host evening, art-related events during the evening as part of First Saturday Gallery Walk. Frederick is home to more than 100 exciting and diverse specialty shops and art galleries, some 200 antique dealers all within walking distance, and 30 restaurants with menus that span the globe. The historic district bustles with activity seven days a week and offers evening entertainment at three performance venues, as well as live music in numerous restaurants.
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That was our Saturday; we still had one more half day before we headed home…
Bottom line we never ran out of GAS!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Today's Carving

I cut the hole at the bottom of the pumpkin, then after the carving is completed I light a candle…then I look inside the pumpkin and see where the smoke it and cut a wee vent…
Yes Indeed Hot off the Press Today's Halloween Carving.
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It is finished…this years CARVING! TADA

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Annie’s comment me thrust ONWARD…
***************** Having this said Pumpkin for several days made choosing the pattern easier…
********************* Seems proper as off I go back to DC…
********************************************************************** See you all next week
*********************************** Enjoy it only took me 3 hours…
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Total FUN!
********************** My Rendition of ARNOLD Friberg’s The Prayer At Valley Forge

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Halloween OR who is the CUT UP?

And the PUN one PI
As in Pumpkin Math PI
Raccoon
Drama; Comedy and Tragedy Spider
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These are from last year, I have not had time to do any YET this year…BUT possible this coming weekend there is a strong possibility.
Camera in hand off we go again for a jaunt to see our daughters and see new and old favorite HAUNTS
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…EASTERN MARKET for one…
%%%%%%%%%%% See ya all next week!
%%%%%%%%%%%% Need last minute ideas for a costume? This site has some really clever ones.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%% · Carry a quarter and a hammer. What are you? A Quarter-pounder.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%% · * Dress in pink and carry a feather. What are you? Tickled pink.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% · * Dress all in black, tie a shot glass around your neck. What are you? A shot in the dark!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Frost nucleates ~

As the sun heats the flowers it smells like someone is canning green beans.
~~~~~~~~~~~What a neat word… rolls off the tongue well…
************ Last night I “tucked” the remaining plants with old fitted bottom sheets, I find the gathering of the corners makes it easier to not only cover the plants but it tends to keep the wind from blowing the sheet away before the frost hits the sheet.

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What comes to your mind when you see this word? There is of course Robert Frost ["Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper."--Robert Frost]…his poem Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening immediately popped to my mind.
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ummm even David Frost [Sir David Paradine Frost, KBE (born 7 April 1939) is an English television presenter, famed as both a pioneer of TV satire and for a series of legendary political interviews]
*********** … Even Jack Frost [Jack Frost is an elfish creature who personifies crisp, cold, winter weather; a variant of Father Winter (AKA Old Man Winter). He is a figure some believe to have originated in Viking folklore.]
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Cecily Pike wrote a children's nursery song describing Jack Frost as a "gay little sprite" and beginning with the words "Look out! Look out! Jack Frost is about! He's after your fingers and toes!"
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Then lastly there is James Whitcomb Riley. 1853–1916 and “When the Frost is on the Punkin”…
*********************** WHEN the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock, And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock, And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens, And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence; O, it's then the time a feller is a-feelin' at his best, With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest, As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock…
********************** Then there is this time of year you associate with this word as well.
********************** Of course I am referring to frost as: Frost is a solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. Then I chuckle and think Politicians… but that is another story. For sure the temperatures would be VERY different… ;)
************************* My Sweetie noted on the skylights a “fuzziness” … he was unable to see the moon clearly last night due to: Window frost (also called fern frost) forms when a glass pane is exposed to very cold air on the outside and moderately moist air on the inside. If the pane is not a good insulator (such as a single pane window), water vapour condenses on the glass forming patterns. The glass surface influences the shape of crystals, so imperfections, scratches or dust can modify the way ice nucleates. If, otherwise, indoor is very humid water would first condense in small droplets and then freeze into clear ice.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Wow what a day...A bonny Day

Willow (Salix) are a genus of around 400 species, Some willows, particularly arctic and alpine species, are very small The Willow is the tree most associated with the moon, water, the Goddess and all that is feminine. It is the tree of dreaming, intuition and deep emotions. Symbolically it belongs to the beginning of spring, when all of life is stirring in the depths and begins to shoot outwards once again. The willow has always been known as a tree of dreaming and enchantment, and it was associated in Celtic legend with poets and with spells of fascination and binding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the little girls name~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mom is named Paisley,might be speak my Celtic heritage.
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Paisley’s western name derives from the town of Paisley, in central Scotland. Paisley or Paisley pattern is a droplet-shaped vegetal motif of Persian origin,[citation needed] similar to half of the Yin yang symbol, or the leaf of the Indian bodhi tree or the mango tree; or to a leech. The pattern is sometimes called "Persian pickles" by American traditionalists, especially quiltmakers

In Indian culture, the Paisley was originally an illiterate way for village people to communicate that it was harvest time. They would put ink on the side of their fist and stamp it places so that people would know it was time for harvest. This symbol was later adapted in design form in artwork and elaborated upon by the town of Paisley

Some pitiful pictures of the New pet rescues…
The little Boys name is:
Jacopo (Character) from The Count of Monte Cristo (1934) They are adjusting New names NOW OFFICIAL Mom and Kids adjusting Quite well
Brisk and SUNNY… I got the Log splitter stared all by my self…I only split the logs I could lift until youngest son came out to help.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Hubby was attending to the Annual Lions Club Pitt BBQ. Which means I dinna have to cook, Always a treat now and again.

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We separated the yucky wood from the wood pile so to be slated to burn in an outdoor pit…sorta romantic and useful as well.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ My GOAL is to go through all the piles of firewood and SPLIT it all… A GOAL mind ya!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ One of the things I find so amazing it trying to predict how the wood splits. Sometimes the wood sounds like an ancient ship groaning under the stress of the waters and the tides... like the Book The Perfect Storm. I liked that movie after I read the book…as is in Most cases the book is better…in this instance, reading the book first let the movie FLOW more I felt.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ We got into several logs of Apple wood, man that is such a sweet smell in the fireplace inside… Well there were two or three logs that were filled with these COLOSSAL ants. Needless to say they were PEEVED with us.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I was going to take a walk about to see what was in bloom but stopped short as I saw Sweet Violets.

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What a day … "Sweet Violets" is a folk song with humorously surprising lyrics. The chorus is from the song "Sweet Violets" by Joseph Emmet, from his 1882 play Fritz Among the Gypsies.
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Saturday, October 27, 2007

About WVU and ~~ JAMIE the Great Moose Hunter

Ok first it is my Alma Mater as well as hubby’s. We just like College football. We have for many years done football picks when the season heads into the COLLEGE BOWLS.

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We like other sports,
The Pittsburgh Steelers, The Pittsburgh Pirates, The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions. The Pirates are also referred to as the Bucs (derived from buccaneer)… even The Pittsburgh Penguins.

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It's too early to tell if young Sidney will reach the level that hockey greats Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux did before him, but he definitely has the hype.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions. The Pirates are also referred to as the Bucs (derived from buccaneer).
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Sidney Patrick Crosby (born August 7, 1987) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. He was the first pick of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and one of the leading scorers during the 2005-06 NHL season, finishing 6th in scoring with 102 points (39 G, 63 A). Crosby was one of the most highly regarded draft picks in hockey history, leading many to refer to the 2005 Draft Lottery as the 'Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes'
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And in all that mix we have donated the use of some of our farm to the youth Soccer Leagues in our counties. YUP we love Soccer. Hubby’s has been a ref for the youth leagues and all of our kids played soccer from the youth leagues to high schools. Youngest son was also a youth Ref.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Add to that all the kids were swimmers, Hubby a swim team coach, youngest son also a youth coach and lifeguard as was eldest daughter…we spent many a time with four kids at many sports events. TIME WELL SPENT!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Might add Hubby was on his under grad college swim team and still EVEN now can impress me with his BUTTERLFY!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seems to go faster in the farm pond knowing full well that there are snapping turtles in there let alone the Bass and bluegill.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ So that brings me to our Great Nephew that bagged this Moose…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lets hear it for JAMIE! WHAT a MOOSE!

P, P and M and WVU

Bigger drops ~~~~~~ the woods smells so good now
Tiny droplets
Wonderful Wet Fall Leaves
A walk around our Creek
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The last several days we have had gentle all day and evening rain…
~~~~~~~~~~~~ It's Raining It's Pouring, The Old Man is Snoring a traditional children's nursery rhyme.
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It's raining, it's pouring;The old man is snoring.
Bumped his headAnd he went to bed
And he couldn't get up in the morning. Rain, rain, go away;Come again another day;
Little Johnny wants to play.

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(Spoken)"Hey I got an idea ... we could all play hide and go seek inside,now everybody hide and I'll be it!" Star light, star bright,first star I see tonight,wish I may, wish I might,have the wish I wish tonight. It's Raining - Peter Paul And Mary - 4:24 <> CLICK here for the clip
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Well then there is Countdown to Kickoff…
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YUP WVU Rutgers Football Game To Be Aired at Noon by ABC Saturday, Oct. 27, at Rutgers Stadium (43,000) in New Brunswick, N.J., will be broadcast on ABC at Noon.
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West Virginia (6-1, 1-1) is looking to knock off a ranked team on the road for the first time since 2002 when the Mountaineers take on the No. 25-rated Scarlet Knights.