My First Spindle

I got a few minutes and thought I'd mention my first spindle.  Yep, I finally went and did it.  Since it's "officially" a souvenir, hubby hasn't objected...yet!  (No pics yet, because while I remembered the camera, I forgot the silly cord that is the essential bridge from the camera to the computer.  Pics posted upon our return.)

We visited a neat little place called the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm yesterday, and there in the gift shop was this cute little spindle packaged with a bit of fiber and it was in my hand and all rung up before I could blink.  Since today is a "sitting around the camp" day, I figured I might try my hand with it later on.  Wish me luck!

 Oh, and a quick question (wherein I reveal incredible ignorance) as I try to figure out the instructions on how to use my new toy:  Is the hook supposed to be on the long part or the short part of the spindle?

Going and Coming and Going Again

Two weeks ago, on July 5, Connor set out for his People to People Student Ambassador trip to Australia.  We put him on a bus at about 8am, in the rain, and off he went. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As far as we heard, all flights went well....until the final leg tonight.  The plane from Atlanta to Boston was significantly delayed, so instead of greeting them in Braintree at about midnight on July 19th, it was closer to 2:45am on the 20th.  Of course, by the time they were all unloaded and sorted out it was REALLY late (early?), and we got home just before 4am.  But he's happy...

In a few short hours, we'll leave for our trip to Timothy Lake Campground in East Stroudsburg, PA, where we'll be spending a week camping and enjoying NAFCAree.  From there, it's on to Ohio and the Longaberger BEE, then back to PA for a stop at Hershey Park on our way home.  And THEN we'll have pictures!

 

Fenway First

At nine, Gavin had yet to attend a "real" baseball game - one where the Red Sox are playing at Fenway Park.  Oh, sure, he'd been to Fenway on a tour (the Sox were out of town), and he'd seen the PawSox a few times, and he'd even been to his share of Brockton Rox games.  Yet he longed to partake in the particular ritual that is the Red Sox.

So, back in April, in order to actually have access to tickets that might be priced somewhere in the realm of reality for working stiffs like us, I joined Red Sox Nation.  The membership came with a pair of tickets which I ordered promptly.  Oh, and Gavin joined Red Sox Kid Nation so he could get a cool Red Sox cap and lunch box, among other benefits.  And then, of course, we WAITED..........

On Monday, July 2, 2007, the big day arrived!  Gavin woke up early, and essentially quivered in anticipation all day.  It took a bit of effort for me to get my work done in between all of the "Is it time for us to leave yet?"s, but somehow I managed.  Gavin decked himself in all his Red Sox gear, and FINALLY, it was time to head out to the train!  I don't normally allow myself to get caught in front of the camera, but a woman waiting for the train offered, and Gavin begged, so I (reluctantly - can you tell?) agreed.  A short time later, the train arrived.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   A Commuter Rail train, a Orange Line Subway, the #8 Bus, and a short walk - eventually we arrived at Fenway.  It has changed so much since the last time I was there, and yet, it's still the Fenway I'd always known and loved.

A Fenway Frank before the game................................................. Gavin's favorite player, Manny Ramirez, takes a lead off first.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Score:  Red Sox 7, Texas Rangers 3.

 

 

Walk to Ruggles Station, miss the train by moments, so it's another Orange Line train to Back Bay Station and the Commuter Rail leaves at 12:04 am. 

That's one happy fan.

A Day in Plymouth
Saturday was a gorgeous day, so we spent the day in Plymouth. First we went to Plimouth Plantation, where we have a membership. They were celebrating the Strawberry Thanksgiving at the Wampanoag Homesite with all sorts of activities, like this Mishoon Race:




Then we went up to the 1627 English Village for a bit. There, my nine year old, Gavin, played his version of "Stump the Preacher's Son" by asking about peanut butter. Let's just say that the next 30 minutes or so were quite interesting. Now Gavin wants me to get a job there just so that he can work there, too. We'll see how that goes....

While he was chatting, I got a shot of this very colorful rooster:

After that we went down to the waterfront and had lunch at Lobster Hut. Something about fried clams at the water.... .


Then we went on the Mayflower II. Can you believe that I'd never been there before Saturday? Since the weather was so nice, we hopped a short sight-seeing cruise before ending the day poking around the various shops. Yeah, it was a good day....

We went camping
Well, once again, I forgot the camera. I thought about it an awful lot, but then left the house without it. Oh, well. In any case, we finally made it out for our first campout of the season. It was great to see all our friends from the Quahaug Chapter of NAFCA.

We enjoyed beautiful weather all weekend and "Coffee An' " (the club supplies the coffee, and the rest of us bring the "an' " - dessert and snacks - to go with) on Friday and Saturday nights. A fabulous breakfast of French toast, sausage, ham, and homefries (additional fried egg optional) was cooked and served by the Wagonmasters, Glen & Deb Fencer on Saturday morning. Later in the day they also served strawberry shortcake. All the kids enjoyed playing assorted games in the field and swimming in the (VERY COLD) pool. Several of us sat around chatting while we knit, crocheted, or did other needlework

We "christened" two new trailers on Saturday. This is where folks show off their new rigs by having an "open house" of sorts, most often with some wine and cheese put out for the adults to enjoy, and some soda or lemonade for the kids. It's lots of fun to see all the neat features now available in campers. I don't know if the club has ever had a christening for a new tent, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did!

Our Teen Club made fried dough on Saturday and showed the movie "Freedom Writers" on the side of a trailer at night. And of course, we had a group campfire each night where various snacks - including s'mores and carrot cake muffins - were shared.

Yup, it was a great weekend. Even if my trailer was infested with ants... Lucky for us, we had club friends to help. :)

Memorial Day 2007
It was a traditional Memorial Day for us. First, the boys marched in the parade:


Then, we went to the Cub Scout Cookout and Raingutter Regatta for some of this


and this



And while I was there, I worked on the kippot for my friend's son's bar mitzvah next week. I couldn't manage a decent picture before the rain came, so I'll try for one tomorrow.

What? No pictures?!
Well, it's hard to take pictures when you leave the camera at home, silly...

Over the weekend we went to NAFCA's (North American Family Camping Association) annual Spring Safari, where Connor had a booth displaying his jewelry. (This is where I should insert a lovely photo of his beautiful display. Alas, I've failed as a parent and have no such visual to share.) He also had available some of his Connor's Cookies & Confections for those in need of a nosh. Not to be outdone, younger brother Gavin decided that HE needed to have something to peddle, so he set up "Gavin's Great Gulps" (ok, so we have this thing for alliteration in our family) and sold lemonade for fifty cents a cup. He's nine, he's cute (I'd show you but...), he sold gallons!

After the shopping and the HUGE Chinese Auction that they do, we hung out with the other campers, enjoying our chapter's dinner of meatball subs. Then we got to the good stuff: FONDUE! Oh, you should have seen it! (Sorry, yet again!) There was a garlicy-peppery-cheesy one (great with bread chunks), and a refried-beans sort of one (with the bread or the tortilla chips), and peanutbutter-white-chocolate (good on the bread, pound cake, donut holes, or the FUDGE that Connor donated to the cause), and butterscotch (paired well with the fudge, donut holes, pound cake, and strawberries). I keep thinking there was something else, but why should I torture with words when the (absent) photos would do it so much better.

Well, for the June campout, I resolve to NOT FORGET THE CAMERA..and to bring some fabulous fondue, since that'll be the "theme" next month...LOL Meanwhile, I'm going to try to get at least a few shots of the jewelry...

The Gang's All Here
While I'm getting used to just how this blogging thing works, I thought I'd try to post a picture we took at the People To People meeting this morning.

Presenting the 2007 People to People Australia Delegation from Southeastern Massachusetts.

Plans Change...
Ok, so things haven't gone exactly as planned... A few technical difficulties with the camera..bad lighting... We'll just try again later on.

I'm hoping that he'll finish this beautiful wire-and-blue-bead necklace, bracelet, and earrings set he's been working on. I think that'll be the first one I try to photograph.

Meanwhile, you can visit the site he made for his OTHER fundraising effort, Connor's Cookies & Confections. My boy is a fabulous cook!

Getting Set to Start
Well, here it is. We've finally got around to setting up this blog in order to show off the jewelry that Connor is selling to help raise funds for his People to People Student Ambassador trip to Australia this summer.

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If all goes according to plan, we'll be posting pictures within the next day or so, and folks can order whatever we have.