Grilled pizza

Very excited. Got a special pan at Wegmans and we are making pizza on
the grill!

Steamers Shellfish to Go

Our first meal at the beach house is always one of these steamer cans
of seafood. All we have to do is pick it up, add a cup of water and
put it on the stove til it steams. We usually get crablegs, mussels
and clams. There is also potatoes and corn in the can. A complete
dinner!

Sonic Cherry Limeade

On our way to the beach we made our traditional stop at Sonic. Doesn't
seem like a big deal, but despite the fact Sonic commercials run on
our TV stations all the time there aren't any in the Rochester area.
This is the only time of year I get an infamous Sonic Cherry Limeade.

Beach vacay

I got new sunglasses and I'm heading to the beach. It's time for our annual trek to the Outer Banks with my parents. Oscar and my parent's dog, Wally, will be joining us, but Stewie will be vacationing at my Grandma's with an overly enthusiastic puggle.

Cricket = jar labels!

I could hardly wait to use the Cricut Aaron got me for my birthday. Here is my first project. I made jar labels for my chocolate sprinkles.

It's funny how things work out. Aaron says he was planning on getting me a Cricut well before my jar obsession started taking hold.

It was hard to peel each teeny little letter off the paper backing. I scoffed at the tools I saw they carry for this, but now I'm thinking I need those. Then I will label EVERYTHING!

I can't wait to see what else I can what else I can do with my Cricut!

Summer leggings

My winter leggings obsession has carried over into summer - with shorter and lighter leggings.

I'm also starting to realize that either I stand funny or my left leg is bigger than my right. Freaky!

Timmie Welcome Home

I made it home last night! I had a rough time getting there and a rough time getting home but I am home! And look who came along to the airport to pick me up! My belated birthday Timmie! Aaron explained... he doesn't have legs... so it took him awhile to arrive.

Pet of the Week

Ok so Barney is a little smirky. But couldn't we all use a little bit of that? "You really going to wear those shoes with that outfit?" *smirk* "You thought you would feel ok this morning after staying up last night til three watching Deadliest Catch reruns?" *smirk*

Barney #10196296

Barney is a 5-year-old male cat who is at Lollypop Farm because he was found as a stray. This super sweet boy weighs about 8 pounds. We don’t know much about his past, but we do know he will make a great addition to your family! He’s the type of cat that will work undercover to keep an eye on you and your household. Barney is patiently waiting to meet you! - Lollypop Farm

Unexpected tour of Dublin

I was supposed to go home today. I was supposed to be flying home via Dublin and on to JFK. But after sitting at the airport gate for several hours, my flight was canceled.

I was rebooked for the next morning, but I couldn't be that close to Dublin and not see something of it.

So I made friends with another traveler from NYC and we shared a cab into downtown Dublin, had some gelato and a look around. Quickest. Tour. Of. Dublin. Ever.

Fish & Chips

I had a very traditional English supper for my last night out.

We had a spoon with a number on it so they knew where to bring the food.

Very good fish and chips. And malt vinegar.

Sticky toffee pudding to top it all off.

Around Birmingham

Today I got a chance to walk around Birmingham a bit.

Everything was a big Hipstamatic opportunity.

Makes old things look... older.

Pet of the Week

Looking sad is a dog skillset and Bri has it down pat.

Bri #10148256

Bri is a 5-year-old female American Bulldog mix, weighing in at about 63 pounds. Bri came to Lollypop Farm because the landlord wouldn't allow her family to keep her. She looks a little sad in her picture, but she’s just playing it up for the camera, hoping you will give her another chance at a good home! She is super sweet, and loves her walks. She has lived with cats and kids, and did well with both, although Bri would do best in a home with kids over 6. Bri is eagerly waiting to meet you!

Travel food

Of course one of the things I love about traveling is the food. The chips in Europe seem so much more interesting to me.

I really need to remember to take pics of my food before I dig into them. Was making a significant dent into my croque monsiere before I remembers.

And I was halfway through my bangers and mash before I remembered to snap a pic. It's hard to take photos on an empty stomach.

Tradeshow

Since I made it to Birmingham safe and sound I am working hard at the tradeshow with my European colleague Madlen. This time we got our own social media desk! Sweet! I want to take it back with me.

Plane, Plane, Bus, Plane, Train

Of course an ash cloud floats overhead when I'm trying to get to Birmingham, UK for a tradeshow. Luckily I didn't get stranded anywhere. My flight to Dublin was diverted to Shannon and we took a 3hr bus ride to Dublin where we waited for the airport to open again and I got my flight to Birmingham. *whew!*

Housewarming Party

Finally, a mere six months after we moved into ths house, we had our housewarming party. The stars aligned that we were both in town and free of other plans that we could schedule it. I just could head into the summer and continue onto other parties without first having a proper housewarming!

I love that we have enough room to comfortably fit all of our friends!

For something fun I hung paint chips in each room and invited our guests to help us choose room colors by voting.

I like the suggestion of warm vanilla for this one. When you refer to food in a color you've got me hooked.

I can see a smarty pants designer friend left that middle comment PMS 413. (Joel) Surprised there weren't more hexidecimal color suggestions.

Wow. No one liked that one on the right.

"What?! Oh... no... I wasn't voting twice - huh uh." - Aprille caught tipping the ballot?

Benches on Parade in the Lilac Parade

Aaron, Oscar and I got to be in the Lilac Parade this year! We rode on one of the Kodak smile benches made for Benches on Parade.

At first Lauren decided she wanted to ride on our bench - really upping our cute factor with her AND a pug in a tshirt. Yes, I cut up an adult tshirt and made him a dog shirt)

We thought Chuck and Tina would have to pose with a back pack dressed as a kid.

Joel and two of his girls were there too. It was a great parade. Oscar enjoyed waving at the fans. Really you could throw 20 pugs on a float and be done - he seemed to be all they noticed.

You can see the Kodak benches at the Lilac Festival arranged in the world's biggest smile!

Been in a parade - can cross that off my list!

Birthday Cricut

Aaron got me a Cricut for my birthday! Watch out!

New Mailbox

This winter we got a new mailbox for the house. Read what Aaron and I each think about it over on AaronSaysJennySays blog.

Pet of the Week

I'm not sure why they named this kitty Ray, Ray is clearly a guy's name like Ray Romano. Unless they meant it like a ray of sunshine or Fay Wray. I might consider a rename here regardless. With that big M on her forehead I would go with Mildred or Mabel. Mopsy? Muffin? Big M?

Ray #7455849

Ray is a 1-year-old female cat who is at Lollypop Farm because her owner was moving and couldn’t bring her along. She adores attention, purrs and chirps when petted, and even likes an occasional belly rub. Ray has a beautiful soft coat. She has not lived with other cats and dogs, and would prefer to be the only pet in the house. Ray will be your own private investigator, so if you need a cat that knows how to stay out of trouble and will always keep your secrets, she just might take your case.

Birthday Cupcakes

What a sweet birthday I had today, thanks to my friends, warm wishes on Facebook & Twitter and these cupcakes Shruti baked!

Mini Sliders

I love mini food. This includes mini sliders. I am really excited because it's easy to make our own mini sliders at home now. Wegmans makes not only slider mimi rolls, but even ready to grill slider beef patties. The slider burgers come in variations like cracked pepper and blue cheese.

Why is mini food taste so much better than normal sized food? These are delicious!

Birthday Week & Mother's Day

I thought I killed this orchid off. All but one leaf fell off last year, but I kept taking care of it. Lo and behold last week, out of nowhere I realized that it had sprouted a new stem with blooms on it!

Birthday week has commenced and Aaron got my revived orchid a friend! This one looks like someone splashed paint on it!

My parents brought some pretty sweet gifts with them this weekend too. I had been wanting a coatrack and they found this cool vintage one. They also brought a fireplace screen and PYREX! I am so behind in my Pyrex documentation.

Mother's Day is always close to my birthday. i got my mom a wood lighthouse for her garden. Oscar and Stewie got me cards that they signed with bad handwriting and two new Japanese Maples for the house!