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12-11-11 day after the party, MOM’s, Santa, Ponzio’s

12-11-11
We stayed over at the Keeney Kastle as it
was a late night. We didn’t want any deer
interrupting our drive home.

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When we woke up I saw a CARDINAL outside
our bedroom. This photo is through a window
with a screen. Pretty good, considering, right?

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Vanessa modeling some accessories that Ava acquired
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Adam sitting on the deck – it was chilly but pleasant
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Max all bundled up. He looks good in Leopard
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took a short hike in the woods.
Came up on this deer hut but no deer.
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Blaze took a walk with us
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We went for breakfast at MOM’s!
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It was a cute little place in Ringoes, NJ.

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fortunately, I had some monkeys with me
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this lady’s hat was quite crazy.
I’m thinking I wouldn’t wear it……
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I got huevos rancheros  — good but better at
Full Moon Cafe in Lambertville.
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Any idea what this is??
Take a guess before scrolling down to the next picture….

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Michael’s fish under ice in the pond!!!
who knew????

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Michael with Dave — Santa’s helper  —
delivering Candy Canes to Ivyland Village.
Chester is wondering WHERE ARE THE DOG BONES?
maybe next year???
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Merry Christmas Santa!

Cousin Rose Mary met me at work after my wine tasting.
We grabbed dinner at Ponzio’s dinner in Cherry Hill.

Q
Everything happens for a reason.
Just a reminder!

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Have you ever said or thought
“Its my life, I can do whatever I want”.
We each, regardless if we are aware or not leave prints of ourselves, our emotions and our lives with each person we encounter.
We color not only our lives, yet those we interact with.
We have no power over what the other person decides to do with the colors we leave behind,
however we do have power of what colors we paint the world with.
~ C.Nordyke
 
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12-10-11 Christmas Party at the Keeney Kastle

12-10-11
former Neighbors Adam & Vanessa were having their first Christmas party at their new house.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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Vanessa & Adam
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Apparently, their friend VIC & I were the only ones
to get the “WEAR COWBOY BOOTS” memo……
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Ava with dad Adam
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My turn with Ava
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Fun was had by all!
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Michael talking to Anthony who’s
Banana Republic shirt I was loving
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Tough Mudder girls!
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Me with MB & Tanya
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Adam opening another bottle of wine
bc Champagne & beer were not enough….
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Tanya with MB’s baby GRACE!
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Adam, now making us Cosmo’s…….
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Cosmos at 12:20, really??
yeah, we needed them…..

We were toasting to the fact Adam was still
awake 3 hours past his bedtime…..
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Princess TANYA
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Blaze enjoying a midnight gnaw on his bone.

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“Christmas
is doing a little something extra for someone.”

………note***
we don’t have to wait until December,
we can do this all year round…..

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“Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service.
To all, charity. To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.”

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12-9-11 errands, ME day, FREE cat

12-9-11

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Good Health and Happy Life,
~ The Hellers

My first stop today was Heller’s Seafood.
Needed ingredients for a dish I was making
for a party. Sushi grade Salmon.
PLUS — I had a coupon.
The whole venture only cost me $2.85!

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Are Frogs Legs SEAFOOD???
Anyone ever eat them???

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If you live near me this is the ONLY place
you should be buying eggs.
They are just $3/dozen.
Cage free, hormone & antibiotic free.
On Street Rd – about 1/2 mile off 611.
Honor Box. Easy.
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I was having a neck “issue” and tight shoulders.
Too much computer time I think.
I used a gift card that Danny gave me for Mother’s Day
& got an hour long massage with Karen
at Susan Matthew Salon in Ivyland.
I must say, it was quite fabulous….

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next stop was the Candy supply store —
you’ll see later why I needed to go here.
It’s located in Hatboro & they have great
supplies for candymaking.
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Bella —
FREE to good home……
a friend found this kitty & now she needs
a FUREVER home.  Do you or someone you know
need a Christmas Kitty??? let me know!!!
Please share her picture so we can find her
a place to call her own!

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This is my recipe for Salmon Tartare.
If you are a fish lover you will love this!
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Simply delicious!
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Peppermint Bark!! 
It’s pretty easy to make.
Next time I’ll give step by step instructions.
I need to make more b/c this batch
has already been allocated.

Q
Time for the BUBBLY!
It was a busy day.
and I finally got to sit down at 530.
better than never.

R
What Christmas traditions does your family have?

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The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
“A person is what they think about all day long.”
I say:
Thoughts are Things.
Think the good ones………….

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12-8-11 Gym, the Wave, Wine

12-8-11

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Another day at the gym.
I like circuit training, it’s like not working out
even though you are…..
Check out Derek, he has GREAT specials
for December.

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I got quite sweaty today……

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I discovered a new shampoo that I am really liking.
It smells so good sometimes
I wonder if I should be shampooing or eating…..
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My friend is out of town & was served this for breakfast.
Can you guess what STATE she is in???

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Look at me….riding the WAVE at work….
I’m not afraid!!
this picture is for YOU Danny Diehl!!!
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I tried this wine today & liked it quite much.
Official review to come.
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Doesn’t it sound delicious?
And wait until you hear the price!!!
It will sound even more delicious…..
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Got a hard to find bottle of beer.
The beer guy at work & I are friends so
he always saves me the good stuff.

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Oh yeah, I love my clothes having
cat/dog fur all over them…..

U
Don’t get cute…… HELLO KITTY!!!!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“You are often sorry for saying a harsh word,
but you never regret saying a kind one.”
Bert Estabrook
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Perhaps it’s worth considering no expectations.
Intense effort followed by an acceptance of what you get in return.
It doesn’t make good TV,
but it’s a discipline that can turn you into a professional.

==============================

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Wednesday December 7th 2011 Holiday Wine/Food Presentation at Carlow Cookery

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Tonight my friend (& financial advisor) Jesse
invited me to give a Holiday Wine/Food pairing presentation
for his clients, current & new ones too!
It was held at Carlow Cookery in nearby Doylestown.
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Gloria Ferrer Sparkling Wine Sonoma Brut  

paired with 

Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta

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Smile Dan!
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Friends Joyce & Debbie
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Pine Ridge Chenin blanc/Viognier blend  

paired with

Crisp Greens, Walnuts and Goat Cheese with a Roasted Apple Dressing

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Denis from Carlow Cooking in action!
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Liam (from Carlow Cookery) with Ellen
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There’s Jesse this evenings host
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SMILE!  Carrie & David Brookreson –
the other part of the team.
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Helen – ConnoisseurCierge —
as my friend Rich named me. 
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Cooking up the mushrooms for the next dish
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 Mark West Pinot Noir

paired with

Sauteed Chicken in a Marsala and Mushroom Sauce

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MEAT!!
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Kaiken Malbec

paired with

Beef Braised with Carrots and Demi-Glace

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Everyone is paying attention
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TV’s for the viewing pleasure of all
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You could see the cooking action with the TV
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ChocoVine

paired with

Chocolate Mousse

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Helen & Denis

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Great wines taste like they come from somewhere.
Lesser wines taste interchangeable; they could come from anywhere.
You can’t fake somewhereness. You can’t manufacture it …
but when you taste a wine that has it, you know.
~MATT KRAMER, Making Sense of Wine

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Wine is a highly personal experience.

 You may like something your neighbor hates, just as with food.

 Your bitter is the next person’s sweet.

~CATHERINE FALLIS, Wine: Grape Goddess Guides to Good Living

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All of the Pictures from this event may be found here:

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Wednesday 12-7-11 Beer School at Memphis Taproom

Wednesday 12-7-11

A
Memphis Taproom – I just discovered that they
have monthly Beer School the first Wednesday of each month.
Did I mention that it is FREE????
Who’s in for next month???

B
Today was Belgium Beers & first up was Chimay Blue Label.

Very nice

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Trappistes Rochefort 6

another nice one…..
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painting of Memphis Taproom
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Brendan the owner of this bar & 2 others.
Nicely done Brendan. All his bars have super tap selections.

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next up was Westmalle Trappist Ale

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I got Bananas on the nose of this beer.
a little odd. much liked.

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ME! “working”
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stealth photo of my beer tasting partners
Finn & Jeff
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OXFORD COMPANION
~ the author was in town signing these books.
I wanted to get one for Michael but had a
pre-commitment during the book signing.
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The Memphis Taproom always has a stellar line-up.
The Yeti, Magma & Mongo were ALL awesome!
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SMOKED COCONUT CLUB
~Grilled lemon garlic tofu, smoked coconut, tomato herb mayo.

(made famous by Diners, Drive-ins and Dives)

I told Brendan the owner I will never need to see the menu again.
THIS is the ONLY THING I will ever order at Memphis Taproom.
It ROCKS.
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Port Brewing MONGO on tap.
can’t get much better than that!
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sign as seen in ladies room

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lining up dishes for a photo shoot

Q
LIVE Life. You only live once…..

R
Make one person HAPPY each day…..

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“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

Walt Disney
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Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end.
It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s
when you’ve had everything to do, and you’ve done it.
 
– Lord Acton

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12-7-11 Hatboro Rotary with Hatboro-Horsham High School Choir

12-7-11
My friend Jesse invited me to his weekly Rotary Club meeting.
This was a special meeting that would be including the
Hatboro Horsham High School Choir.

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The Rotary meeting was held here at Village Italian Bistro
minutes from our house.
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the kids getting ready
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friend Joyce asking what she called the MAGICALS
about the choir. Really, they are the Madrigals……
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Friend Jesse — thanks for the invite!
even if we had to be there EARLY!!!!
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We even got to sing Happy Birthday to a 98 yr old.
yeah, Ninety Eight……….
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The choir preparing to sing
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But first!!!  A picture of the guy talking about Pearl Harbor
wearing his paper hat….i forget what it all means.
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Jesse’s daughter MARTHA sat with us.
Here she is enjoying the 98 year olds birthday cake.
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I was really trying to get a picture of KURT the boy singer
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there’s Jesse. Having FUN at the Rotary meeting.
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There’s Kurt! (from Glee)
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Martha & Me 🙂

Q
do different stuff….

this was my very FIRST Rotary meeting!

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POSITIVE QUOTE OF THE DAY
————————————————————————–

I think that how one lives

is more important than how long one lives.
So I don’t feel too bad.

– A 32 Year old South Korean cancer victim

— Lim Yoon-taek
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