weird object friday

I was fascinated by this fish, yes I said fish, at a trip to the aquarium.

You really have to search the tank to find it. The leafy looking parts of its body are great camouflage.

weird object friday

I love this brass sculpture. It is frightening and beautful at the same time...

....and how realistic.

margaret's challenge

Margaret challenged us to think of 5 things you would NEVER catch coming out of our mouths.
Well, here goes:

1. I am never going to eat another tomato.

2. No, I can't do that for you.(although I am working on saying no)

3. I am glad I don't have any dogs.

4. Ice cream, no thank you, never eat it.

5. I prefer Ocean City over Widlwood.

What are your five things???????????>

relaxing weekend

This weekend was my annual "girls weekend". Each November we take the long drive to Western Maryland to meet at Rocky Gap in Cumberland. It is a wonderful drive--full of beautiful leafy scenery and mountains. I love to drive it.

Rocky Gap is a resort tucked away in the mountains. We get a lakeside room and have a slumber party.
Saturday morning we take a five mile hike around the lake. One side of the lakeside loop is basically level, but the other side is quite hilly. I love the walk but the back of my legs are talking to me this morning. We didn't see much wildlife this year, only a couple of chipmunks. We did see some bear prints, but thankfully missed those making them. We also saw evidence of busy beavers.

Part of the trail reminds me of Dorothy's walk through the woods in The Wizard of Oz.

There is a golf course that winds through the property. I am not a golfer but I am told it is a great course.
The lake is not a natural one, but you can't tell.
At the end of the trail, is an aviary. They treat the wounded.
My friend, Linda, has a special relationship with the birds. The ones below seemed to communicate with her.

It was a fantastic weekend and I am thankful for the friends I shared it with.

weird object friday

Last weekend, my husband and I took a ride(the lower gas prices got us all excited) through Western Maryland. We meandered our way through all the little towns. One of them had scarecrows on every signpost in town. Local families had done them. This family just a got a little more creative. Can you imagine this in some cornfield?

halloween luncheon

We had a nice day at work yesterday. We took a short time out for lunch. Everyone brought in a dish and we re-energized. We had our two favorite trick or treaters attend: Rylan the dirt bike rider and.. ....Penny Lane
The whole office was in great spirits.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned I was a good cook but a lousy baker. But, I didn't mention that it works out well in our family because I married a man who loves to bake. He made a peach upside down cake for a bake sale at work. My daughter took exception to that so he surprised her with her favorite, pineapple upside down cake.

weird object friday-halloween style

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM-Do you consider this a trick or a treat?

Are you ready for some football

Well the day didn't end up like I imagined, but it was a great day nonetheless. My daughter was supposed to be my football buddy, but she got called in on a client emergency. My friend, Karen, who is also a Raven fanatic, was kind enough to go with us.

The Ravens start every game with an honor guard. They have the same gentleman sing the National Anthem every week. Today they had a satellite hookup with a Maryland National Guard unit serving in Irag. The Guard did a flyover and the unit in Irag said a few words. Karen and I were all teared up. It was a very touching presentation.

Next, come the fireworks. The opposing team first comes out and then the Ravens are welcomed onto the field with blazing fires and fireworks. Quite a production. It was a great game. The defense has always been good, but this year we even have an offense.

Lets go, Flacco!

Tomorrow, Sean heads back to Austin, but today he is all ours.

rainy, but perfect

Today it is pouring in Westminster, but I love that kind of day in the Fall. It is a nice day to stay in and cook. Sean is home for the weekend. I woke up this morning to an argument downstairs between Sean and Niki. I couldn't wait when they were kids for them to grow up and stop the fighting. Our family has always been very vocal. They both, along with their father, would have been great members of a debate club. I loved the noise this time though--the intelligent back and forth sparring. I really miss Sean being home. I know his sister does too.

I am a good cook but not a good baker. I did give it my best shot though. A pumpkin cake. The rain outside and the warmth inside made for a great day. Sean's favorite meal is sour beef. That has been simmering on the stove all day. Ah, the delicious aroma of ginger, cinnamon and clove. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

happy weird object friday

Could it be a Raven-0-lantern. This jack-o-lanterns combines two of my favorite Fall things--pumpkins and football. Hope it brings us luck on Sunday. Sean is coming home from Austin for the Ravens game. Bob, Niki, Sean and I are ready to say "Who let the dogs out". Go Ravens!

Charles and I had a great weekend. We headed down to Salisbury to the Autumn Wine Festival. I am always in search of a good new ice wine and I like to find the small out of the way wineries that you can't purchase at the local liquor store. Success. Three new ice wines from small Eastern Shore wineries. It was a nice afternoon. Wine tasting, nice food, and good jazz. We even ran into two old neighbors.

weird object friday

My brother, Bob, recently brought me back this wonderful souvenir from his recent trip. I even have him thinking about weird objects.

It looks like a necklace and is beautifully colored. But, the most beautiful thing about it, is it's sound...

The Ocarina is an ancient flute like wind instrument. Bob purchased it from a young boy selling souvenirs while visiting Peru. And it is my new best friend, one whistle and the dogs respond right away.

Random thoughts

Puppy progress. Since Bailey has come into our lives, she has been hesitant to have anyone hold her. She occasionally lets you pet her, but only on her terms. She will come up and settle next to you, but don't reach out, she will jump. The vet thinks it is because she lost her mother so early. Well, for the past week or two she has liked being held and petted late at night. Niki has been patient with her and it is really paying off. I love this season. I trimmed back the front yard, and the remaining Autumn flowers ...

..have had lots of visitors.
This little flowerbed welcomes bees, moths, grasshoppers and crickets.Charles and I had to take the RV for servicing. The trip to the dealer takes us through the beautiful Carroll County countryside. The colors are out and there is a nice crisp feeling to the air.

My daughter Niki has a small tattoo on her hip. It is a little shamrock. Our last name is Irish and it was a strong personal statement for her. She had it done about 8 years ago. My mom loved lilacs and Niki wanted to add a couple of lilac petals around the shamrock in remembrance.We have talked about this for six years.

So when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she decided it was time to go for the lilacs. I wanted to have a lilac too, but never had the nerve. So I took her to Little Vinnie's, a shop we knew that was sanitary and had talented artists.Chris created a design, but I am the one that ended up with the tattoo. Niki's artist had a bad day with a difficult client and they decided to put it off.

It was not a comfortable procedure, but not too bad. It takes a couple of weeks to heal. The picture doesn't do the coloring justice and it is still swollen, but I am happy with it. I know it sounds silly to a lot of people, but it is a nice reminder for me of my mom. The tattoo may be on my ankle but the remembrance leads straight to my heart.

And lastly, but certainly not leastly: If you all could keep my cousin, Kathy, in your prayers. She is in Johns Hopkins and could use some positive energy. Thank you all. Gerry

Happy Birthday Niki!

Today is my daughter's 27th birthday. Niki is a daughter to be proud of. She is independent, kind, intelligent, liberal minded, and fiesty. She has brought our family a lot of joy and happiness. You always have to stay on your toes when she is around. My birthday wish for her is a lifetime of happiness. All those candles really lit up the room, but she had enough air to blow them all out in one breath. Wonder what she wished for?
She spent the afternoon at the Ravens game with friends. Too bad they couldn't deliver a win for her birthday, but it was a good game.
Friends and family then arrived at our house for her requested birthday dinner of pot roast.
... and we had enough hands to close up the pool for the winter.

Doggie update: Bailey is growing up. She is losing that puppy look, although, she is still a bundle of energy. She and the other dogs are the best of friends. The three of them run around the yard until they are ready to drop.
That is when you usually will see Riley enjoying the sun and a good chew. Hope everyone had as good a weekend as we did!