24 April 2013 gym,Chester, Wheelworks, Weasel, father daughter

24 April 2013

Maddie getting buff at the gym…..boot camp today.

after the gym I took Chester for a run.
We saw these girls doing a Boot Camp –
what I had just finished doing…..

Chester going for a swing….

Chester eyeballing breakfast….
eggs atop spinach with
Sautéed chorizo,peppers & artichoke hearts

took the Leopard Mobile for a bath.
they HANDWASH your car at Wheelworks.
I ♥ this place.

http://wheelworkswash.com/

Wheelworks has a comfy waiting room
with Coffee & donuts on weekends.
Everyone is friendly.
Take your car there today!

A clean car is a Happy Car.
Leopard Mobile is purring cuz she’s all prettied up!

Weasel wagging – can you see?

Sleeping beauties……aaawww

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It usually isn’t what you have
or where you are or what you’re doing
that makes you happy.
It’s how you think about it all.

www.marcandangel.com

April 24, 2013

Tuesday 4/23/13 gym, chickens, Sciascia Confections, “research” for work….

Tuesday 4/23/13

time for the gym with Maddie —
I hadn’t been there since last Thursday!
zoiks!

As you know this is where I buy my eggs.
What you might not know is….
you can actually buy CHIKCENS too &
have your own egg production in your back yard.

Friend Jesse bought a few chickens here.
Maybe I can start buying eggs from him?

When I saw these mini bananas in the store
I couldn’t resist buying them.
They taste a little different than “regular” bananas.

forgot I had these succulent little morsels in my drawer….

while I was catching up on sending some fan mail –
I snacked on a couple of these tasty treats…..

Who is getting Mail?? are you??

These cordials are the best ones I ever ate in my life.
If you ever have the chance to eat these –
take advantage of that opportunity.

Don’t have to tell me to eat them in one bite…..
though I am somewhat curious how they look inside….

Tom Sciascia is the master behind Sciascia Confections.
Learn more about him here & where you can get these
delicious bite size morsels….

http://thepaintedtruffle.com/

friend Denise came over & we headed off to Doylestown.
It’s maybe 30 minutes from Ivyland.
I wanted to do some “research” for my new job.

FORUTNATLEY for me – I was able to meet the
General Manager for Rob’s Bar & the more sophisticated
Bobby Simone’s Restaurant which is across from Rob’s.
(same owner)

http://ilovebobbys.com/

Scott & Dominick were our Bartenders.
They were friendly, informative & provided prompt &
courteous service with a smile!

I had a glass of this – a rosé from Spain
made with the Tempranillo grape.

You have my blessing to buy this wine
should you come across it in a store.
It was GOOD.

2011 Monte Castrillo Rosado, Finca Torremilanos

The younger Tempranillo vines (12-15 years!) are the source for this dry rosado. The limestone soils contribute the dry minerality flavors.

Bright cherry red with all the cherry/raspberry fruit you can stuff in the bottle. The finish is very long with a slight herbal edge and wonderfully drying acidity. Maybe a little orange peel with the finish.

I signed Denise’s credit card for her…..

Our next stop was Pag’s Wine Bar

http://www.yelp.com/biz/paganini-wine-bar-doylestown-2

this was a good stop too.
I chatted with the bartender & got the owner’s business card.
Kate the bartender said they need some Pitú –
Pitú is the most recognized brand of cachaça in the world.

Winebow happens to be the importer for Pitú….
how uncanny – they need it, I have it!

Our last stop was the Pour House —
Denise had never been there but has heard
all about it — just like you!!!

We ran into bike friend Joanne (middle).

Tuesday night is $5 cheesesteake night –
you can’t go wrong!

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“Do what you do, so well,
that people can’t resist
telling others about you.”

-Walt Disney-

April 22, 2013

Monday 4/22/13 Fred’s breakfast club & “Cycling & Photography”

Monday 4/22/13

A gorgeous day to get to New Hope
& have breakfast at Fred’s!!

(Joyce – how do you like the Trees framing the picture?
and I’m not even on a bike!!!!!??!!)

Breakfast FRED’s private breakfast club with
neighbor Mayor Bob — NOTICE the mug!

Mayor Bob leaving the mug (that we gave him) at Fred’s.
Incentive to come back & drink coffee!
It’s free…..

http://www.fredsbreakfast.com/

I went healthy today….
Oatmeal with craisins & bananas.
enough for tomorrow’s breakfast too.

our friend Doug’s doggie……

Thanks Shannon for the Congratulations Card…
the new job was a lot of hard work –
had nothing to do with LUCK……

a little “sumpin” friend Shannon sent me to
Congratulate me on my new job….

awesome note cards & monkey stickers….
I NEEDED both!

Later tonight, friend Joyce & I attended an event called
CYCLING & PHOTOGRAPHY here at the
D & R Johnson Education Center

http://www.drgreenway.org/jec.html

I need one of these for our front lawn,
RAYMOND????? can you help???

A toy for the front lawn to complement
our Bell Tower…..

D & R is about preservation

bird exhibit at D & R

PUFFIN Close-up for neighbor Deb

there were dedication plaques throughout the building.
this one was dedicated to “my Jerseycow”…….

Drifter lived a long life…..xoxo

REALLY?? Suspenders AND a belt??
Why?

The Education Center is a totally cool building.
If ever you have a reason to visit – take advantage!

*****************************************

achievement

Achievement is

a thing done

successfully,

typically by

effort,

courage

skill.

********************************

“Accomplishments will prove to be a journey, not a destination.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower

April 22, 2013

Sunday 4/21/13 biking & Dani Rae visit

Sunday 4/21/13

Went for a short bike ride today.
It was chilly & windy – didn’t feel like going –
but we did anyway…..

Breakfast at Ben & Irv’s was the inspiration.
AND we had a coupon!!

The Groupon & Spinsaver coupons really do get
us out trying new places.

Saturday 4/20/13 Meeting Maddie the Coonhound!!!!!

Saturday 4/20/13

TODAY finally got here….

HAPPY I was getting to meet
MADDIE the famous Coonhound
that sometimes shows up in my
Picture of the Day!!!

There she is: MADDIE!!!!

Here comes Theron Humphrey.

learn more about him here:

http://thiswildidea.com/about_theron

Maddie exploring

on the goooooo…..

Theron telling us about his adventures…
First was THIS WILD IDEA

http://thiswildidea.com/this_wild_idea_-_365

THIS WILD IDEA
was year long documentary

Theron traversed all 50 states for an entire year.

With his best friend Maddie (the dog!)
Each day along the way he met 1 new person

and told their story through photography and oral histories.

Theron also told us about his new Project
WHY WE RESCUE

Why We Rescue

is a yearlong story-telling documentary

that is traversing across all 50 states

highlighting how pets transform our lives for the better.

This project is an opportunity to share everyday stories

on how those pets can open our homes and hearts to the world.

http://whywerescue.com/

Maddie “helping” Theron tie his shoe.
Weasel does this too!

I love this wagging tail photo

One of my favorite photos of Maddie!!!

Maddie on Theron

http://maddieonthings.com/

sorry about the blurry picture —
just wanted to show what kind of a turn out he had.
There were more people around the corner.
I actually think MORE people should have been there.
It was total AWESOMENESS to meet Maddie
& especially Theron. Such a cool guy & dog!

I ♥ Maddie 🙂

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see ALL the pictures from my Maddie adventure here:

http://helenspicturesoftheday.shutterfly.com/pictures/2208

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We can judge the heart of a man

according to his love for animals.

— Immanual Kant

*************************************

You can live without a dog,

but it is not worthwhile.

~(Unknown)

April 21, 2013

4/19/13 Matt’s Red Rooster with Ivyland Friends :)

4/19/13

Friend Vanessa was in town visiting from California.
We gathered a group Ivyland neighbors & headed to
Matt’s Red Rooster in Flemington, NJ.

Matt’s is about an hour from Ivyland but totally worth
the commute & effort to get there.
We ♥ this place!

The wines I brought to Matt’s tonight.Read about what they are & how I acquired them:

http://wp.me/p3iSLc-1o

Me & Vanessahttp://www.mattsredroostergrill.com/

I ALWAYS like this view —
how FUN 🙂

Cheers – GREAT seeing everyone!MB, Deb, Tanya, Helen & Vanessa

What’s NOT to like about Matt’s???

a 22 for decor? What??
Does he need more Roosters or something??

rating: Extraordinary to Perfection for Food!
seriously, can’t get much higher than that!

a stealth picture of our super server Melissa.
request her!

Chicken & Waffle

hand pulled local chicken, cracked black pepper waffle, citrus salad

Yabba Dabba Dooooo

so enjoyable to have everyone together!

Matt’s famous fall off the bone ribs….

Pinky Swear – Deb looks thrilled….

Vanessa channeling Adam in Palo Alto…..

the girls!
Deb, MB, Tanya & V

wood burning grill done for the night…..
smoldering Ashes…..

I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out
in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom
of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.

~Jack London’s “Credo”

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See all the pictures from tonight here:

http://helenspicturesoftheday.shutterfly.com/pictures/2182

***********************************

‎”The most wasted of all days

is one without laughter…”

– E.E. Cummings

April 19, 2013

Thursday 4/18/13 Dinner at Petite Passion in Philadelphia

Thursday 4/18/13

SOME of the wines we brought tonight.
Not a bad one in the group!I brought the Spring Valley Vineyard wine
from Walla Walla, Washington.
(2nd from left)

Uriah 2002 Red Blend

Crisp and lively, raspberry, red pepper and spice flavors,

Lingering impressively on the juicy finish.
Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.