I am a Honey Bee

All about my adventures with cooking, crafts, and travel

Family and Friends

Maine Snapshops

Here is a quick little photo run down from our past weekend in Sunshine Maine.

Escaping Boston

Braedan at the point

Getting lobsters for lunch at Conary Cove

“Tickle me!!!”

Happy (almost) 90th birthday!

Lilly at Ames Pond. Price as a good sport and held on to me while I leaned over the edge for this pic

Relaxing on the porch

It seems like everything slows down once we are on Deer Isle. It is the place where I can walk around a pond within 30 seconds of thinking about it. Where I can see stars… a sky full of them. Where the milky way is not a candy bar but something I can actually see! Just walk by a bush and I can pick a blackberry. The salt air makes me feel refreshed and tired at the same time. It’s the place where we walk on to a dock to get lobsters. I love that the plan for the morning is to get jam (hot pepper jelly to be exact) and the plan for the afternoon is to drink, read, and nap.

Can’t wait until we are back there next!!!

Canning Adventures

Every now and then Emily and I have these adventures where crazy hijinx occur. Such past adventures include our day at the Brimfield Antiques fair, our trips to the Quite Corner, and our day visiting the cape. With the summer winding down and the start of school fast approaching for Em we decided we needed one of these adventures. Well instead of going somewhere we decided to say local, very local in fact…. my kitchen. We decided would would make jam and can it!!!!!

Last Christmas I got a pressure canner and a canning accessories kit (thx amazon wishlist and Mom!)  Since then I bought 2 books on preserving home made food, starting to hunt down some canning blogs, and follow people on twitter. So with the equipment, some ‘knowledge’, and a desire we set out to make jam and can it.

Hijinx did ensure. We ended up with plenty of burns from hot jam and steam, a sticky floor, well used aprons, and got to prove that my smoke dectors do in fact work ( I already new that the one in the kitchen worked but sure enough, the one in the living room does too!). Luckily Price and his friend Chris were out getting us more jars when the apartment filled with grey smoke. Of course, Price knew when he called with a question that from our laughing and hint to ‘take your time’ that something was up. Price sums it up best… we are bad news. Yes, but we love it 🙂

So we ended up with 26 jars of 3 types of jam. Everytime a jar popped we would squeel, jump, or give each other high fives. eek! We have not cracked open any of them. I’ll describe them when I post recipes next week.

Enjoy our video…. be sure to leave some jam or general canning suggestions. I’m going to do another round of canning at the end of August!


Camping by Numbers

1 weekend camping on Lovell Island

23 total campers

our group of 4 had a TON of to lug on/off a ferry

2 coolers of food

25 pounds of ice

5 gallons of jungle juice

15 minutes until price lost his contacts in the water

2 boys looking for us. Price and Jason walked all around the island looking for us. We were just on the other beach.

2 bathing suits

4 gallons of water- 1 gallon per person per day

1,000. Number of times Natalie yelled at me to get in the water.

0. Number of times I went in the water.

2 Frisbees

1 brand new flip cam

74 photos

1 hookah. Yes, our friend Essa brought that, along with its peach tobacco, tin foil, and charcoal. We thank him for it.

spf 12 for my body (oops forgot my back!)

spf 45 for my face

75 pumps of hand sanitizer

1 avocado. yes it is necessary to bring 1 camping

0 paper towels

1 bottle of rum to go with Dr Pepper and Coke

1 headband. Price’s hair is so long that it is always in his face. Natalie was kind enough to gift her headband to him.

8? refills of sangria and wine in brightly colored cups.

12 seconds between fog horn bellows. Price counted, I slept.

3 hour nap once we got home

PS- totally stole this #’s thing from Emily Frame’s blog- Ruffling Feathers

music, sun, and a solo cup of wine

I was in CT this past weekend so I could be in the Tri-State area to see Dave Mathews Band on Saturday at Citi Field. Plus it was my way of seeing Price, who is doing another week in CT for work. Friday night drives to CT with Emily always include opening up all the windows and breathing in Greenwich air. As we are heading down the exit we start opening up the windows and yelling about being home. I doubt I would ever live there again but that is part of the reason why I get so excited about being there. Weekends to bring me back to where I grew up.

Price and I met up with TJ, my brother, and his girlfriend, Laura, for lunch on Saturday. I had not seen my brother for his birthday (7/2) so this was a nice way to check out the Greenwich Sidewalk Sales and have lunch.

Kris and I while Zac Brown Band was opening

Then we went to the Dave Matthews Band Concert on Saturday night with Kristen, my sister, and brother in law, Michael. This was my 3rd DMB concert and my sister’s millionth. It just does not get old. The music is fantastic but if your attention seems to lag from the endless jamming then just turn your attention to the crowd to stare in amazement at the drunk/high people ‘dancing’. Just hilarious.

Zac Brown Band opened for DMB. Price and I were really excited about this since we have been listening to their CD, The Foundation, for a while now. They played their hits like ‘ Toes’, ‘Highway 20 Ride’ and ‘ Chicken Fried’. They ended their set with ‘ Killing in the Name’ (Rage Against the Machine) which was funny hearing it from a country band.

 

As always, DMB was fantastic. They played a great show with newer songs off last years album, as well as the classics like ‘Crash’ and ‘Satellite’. My favorite was ‘Funny the way it is‘. As much as I like smaller shows there is something really amazing about the energy that 40,000 people gives off. It was such a fantastic night with the 4 of us going out together.

 

Sunday included very little aside from getting lots of sun. Perfect Sunday! Price and I ended up getting up early to go to my stepdad’s boat since we did not see him for his birthday. Unfortuantly my mom had to take off as soon as we got there but she did pour me a solo cup of white wine before she left 🙂 Both wine and sun make me red… double whammy! We ended up going out on his friends fishing boat to hang out in the sound to catch some blues. I had no desire to fish, nor the required license, so I spent my time getting lots of sun and taking pictures. Every time I was about to dose off someone caught a fish!

 

The above photo is the exact reason why I am nice and rosy this week. We are going camping next weekend on an island… must tan the back of me and those poor pasty legs.

Kicking off Summer

Price and I kicked summer off early by spending our weekend in CT on boats. Memorial Day is the kick off of summer to me, along with just about every boater out there. Which is why I love that my dad and step dad own boats… lots of boating fun.

On Saturday we started the day by going to Bruce Museum in town. I wanted to see an Andy Warhol exhibit they had and Price wanted to check out an exhibit on preditory animals. Pretty cool exhibits for a small museum. Plus it was great that we got to use our Museum of Science Membership since it is in its Reciprocal Admission program.

After the trip to the Museum we went over to my Dad’s boat to see him for Father’s Day and for a ride on Long Island Sound. We started off by going to Cos Cob Harbor to check out the massive houses that are some of my favorites and some new ones to check out.

Our ride continued on down towards New York. On our way down we passed by Playland, which made us discuss their fireworks, New Rochelle, where the boat for my sister’s wedding reception left out of, and several lighthouses that my dad told us about.  We got pretty close to Manhattan Island before turning around after Riker’s Island so we could make it back in time to get some sides for dinner and be on time for Robin, my dad’s girlfriend, who was meeting us for dinner. We had my favorite salad from a place in town and my dad made Tangy Turkey Burgers.

Price and I have a healthy competition that relates to this ring game at the boat club. I have been playing this game since I was a kid. I rock this game. Now, I admit that Price is good at it, even playing it backwards and having it loop back onto itself. But… he can’t get ‘holes in one’ like I can. 🙂

 

On Sunday we headed up the coast to spend the day in Westbrook, CT, where my stepdad’s boat is located. We took the boat out so we could be anchored while we ate lunch. The jet skiers in the area really enjoyed our trip out to Duck Island. I love watching them jump over the waves. Maybe I’mm try that this year? Ha probably not. I just like to put put around on it.

It is always so surprising how different the temperature is/feels when you get out on the water. While we were at the dock we were baking away but once we were anchored we got to relax since there was a nice breeze out on the water. Even the dogs notice the difference. Pipes cuddled up the Pricer to relax – she has been glued to him since he has been down in CT working. Glued!

 

It was such a nice weekend. Totally worth getting a bib shaped sunburn from the dress I wore on Saturday. 🙂

Surf, turf and a hint of cirrhosis

Last Saturday Emily and I went on a Cape Cod Adventure. It was my first time down there since I was a young kid. We ventured around the Dennis and Yarmouth area. We started with an amazing breakfast from a place called Grumpy’s. Then we went shopping and went to a Strawberry Festival. Funniest and cutiest thing ever… we showed up at the historical society, paid $5 for stawberry shortcake and a drink, and got to listen to a church choir sing sings from the 40’s and 50’s. We were the youngest ones there by about 30 years. Too Funny!

Last year we decided we had to get lobster from the source so Em and I drove up to Maine and got lobsters off a dock. While driving back through New Hampshire, we  stopped in a state liquor store. The endless aisles of boxed wine prompted us to buy some for a night of lobsters and cheap, bad boxed wine- always classy. We decided that Saurday night would be a repeat of last years adventures. Below is a photo break down of the evening.

Clean some muscles and clams. Start the night with some peach arbor mist. BUT it has to be served in a mason jar glass!

Cook muscles and clams with some white wine (not flavored!) and garlic. When you don’t have a lid, just put a platter on your large skillet to keep the heat in.

After the arbor mist we started going after other wine in the house. Bottle after bottle and this is what happens

Take out the opened muscles and clams. Throw in some spinach… helps fight off the cirrhosis!!

Enjoy! And when you don’t finish you put the extras outside for the raccoons and skunks. Picky bastards decided they did not want anyway. Stupid bandits like to eat the rabbit poo we throw out. go figure!

ahh see here… this is the boxed wine dance. Must celebrate the adult juice box.

And then Emily and I have Price cook the lobsters. I just can’t deal with them clanking around to fight their way out. Price cooked his steak in the rain. But he said it was really good steak!

I decided to practice doing my hair for halloween. I figure it will be so much better when it is longer and I’m not boozing. Jack was eatting the coffee table so Emily decided his punshiment would be kisses, and hers would be a possible allergy attack.

Much to our surprise we woke up in the morning with no hangovers. That would have been awful… so much sugar! So our lobster, steak, and boxed wine evening went off without a hitch! Ohh I can’t wait for next year!!

 

*I am not trash talking boxed wine. There are plenty of good boxed wines out there. In fact a lot of wine makers are going the boxed wine route because it is more eco-friendly. We just make it our mission to buy the worse boxed wine 🙂

Graduation Part 3: We like to Party!

Last but not least, this is the final installment of my college graduation pictures. We had such a great time having our family and friends over. We had BBQ from Red Bones and have 2 women from Hostess Helper come help to make it all run smoothly. They were great esp when we were about to bring the food out and is started to have a heavy summer shower. They quickly regrouped and we cleared off tables and chowed down on a lot of food inside.

We even had a caricature station set up! I had met Ash Jackson at a party before and loved the work that he does. My nephews loved him and we loved that he was so great for taking the time to whip up dinosaurs and animals for them while getting out caricatures done. I’m going to get our caricature framed this week!!!

A big thank you to our family and friends for all your support and for celebrating with us. And, of course, a big thanks to my mom for organizing such a great party.
(Handmade thank you’s are being sent out 🙂 )



LOST “Party”

It took me a while to get in LOST. I admit that I did not get into the show for a bit. Price would watch it and I could not understand it. “So the hatch made the plane crash? And there is a polar bear? What is that smoke thing? Wait, they never explain it?” Finally I gave in and it became an addiction. We spent too many late nights watching it after Tuesday night classes.

Once we found out the date of the Series Finale we decided there needed to be a LOST Party. Well, not so much a party as having a few people over for dinner and to watch LOST. Either way it was a great way to relax with friends and watch LOST. I even made the 5 of us boarding passes for flight 815. This SITE had great Dharma logos and printables.

So last night we had Natalie, Jason, and their friend Ashley over. Ashley had never seen LOST, so I have a feeling we drove her crazy yelling at the TV. “RICHARD!!!” “LAPIDUS!!!!!!” “Ah I knew it would be Juliet!” But it was great to see her picking up on the story pretty well after watching the recap.

The best were the typical moments like

“So the island moves time and space?”

“Yep, when they turn the wheel.”

“…”

 I’m not sure what I think of the finale. I know I am going to watch it again this week. Plus I am going to watch the whole series in order at some point. Last night I was disappointed with it but not that I have thought about it I’m sorta please with the ending. I’m glad that they got reconnected in the end to move on. At least it did not end up with a kid shaking a snowglobe (St Elsewhere.).

Were you a fan of LOST? What did you think of the ending??

 

You’re a Mess

On Friday night, Price and I went over our friend Jovan’s place for a Sangria party. He has been traveling across the country working on farms for this thesis. He was back briefly so he planned a party for people to catch up with him. It was great to see him and catch up. Plus enjoying some wine and sangria didn’t hurt. I got the typical flush. (Jovi is on the left in the first pic)

 

I woke on Saturday morning to 26 degree weather… perfect weather for a bike ride, right? The thing is that I hate the cold and I had not been on a bike since high school (like 7 years). So I figured the Yelp Elite sponsored tour through Urban Adventours would be interesting and a bit scary. Well the saying that riding a bike comes back to you is true, but it does not mean you are a pro. Yep, I fell at the very start. My foot slipped off the pedal so I spazed out, and then fell right over on my right side. Skills. I brushed off and did the rest of the ride with a sore ankle, knee, and palm but the extra pain was worth it because our 3 guides from Urban Adventours were amazing. Since I was scared of falling again and having the rest of the group run me over or fall because of me I stuck to the back so I spent the time talking to the end guide. They were so great and taught us a lot about the city. I’ve been here since Sept 2003 but still can learn so much! Like I walk by the birthplace of Benjamin Franklin every time I go to the Milk Street Post Office.

 

 

After the bike tour I met Price at the Great Masonic Lodge downtown. They were doing an open house and we heard it would be pretty cool to learn about it and get a tour. The different lodge rooms were unbelievable. We went into one and it was beautiful, the detail in the ceiling, trim, furniture- all stunning. Then off to a more stunning room. The craftsmanship was breathtaking. There was a ceiling that really left you in awe. I loved being there. Plus the tour guide said I asked good questions. Teacher’s Pet 🙂 After the tour we stuck aorund to watch this print maker. We saw his table before the tour but did not have a chance to check it out since I arrived just before a tour started. He was so cool telling us how printing making was used then, how to clean things clean, what the ink was made of, what the poweder did, etc. He even let Price use the press and take home the finished piece 🙂

 

   

 

Saturday afternoon became an extended lounge into nap time. Ahh can’t get enough of nap time. The title of this post is exactly what Price said to me after showing him my swollen right ankle. Plus then I started to get all flushed and had a slight fever which Price summed up casually with something like “Well, it’s probably ’cause you were rode a bike over 10 miles in below freezing temps.” Well, duh.

Sunday was Sunday… get the paper, coupons, cleaning, laundry, food shopping, angry rabbits, NASCAR was rained out. Just the day before Monday.

Rememberance

Remembrance
Remembrance is a golden chain
Death tries to break,
but all in vain.
To have, to love, and then to part
Is the greatest sorrow of one’s heart.
The years may wipe out many things
But some they wipe out never.
Like memories of those happy times
When we were all together.
~ Author Unknown

My Poppy died 2 years ago today.

The passing years don’t make it easier, just a bit duller.

I miss that when we would visit him he would always say “Aaaa you made it!” and typically pinch my cheek.

I miss that he always had hostess crumb cakes in the fridge for us. He said he did not like them but kept it for us. Magically there were never the same # left from the last visit.

I miss my Dad telling me the funny things he would say once he moved into my Dad’s place. He would accuse my dad of eatting his chocolates, but in reality he finished his and started to eat my Dad’s.

The pictures are from his 95th birthday party in 2005

 

But I don’t want to!!!

I don’t want to go to work tomorrow. I love having fantastic weekends but hate that they come to an end.

On Friday Price surprised me with cake. I have revolted from boxed cake mix- except for funfetti. I love funfetti!!! So when I saw he posted a picture of the cake on facebook during the day on friday I was thrilled because he made me a cake. It was so unexpected and so nice.

Plus my friend Natalie and I went to a Yelp Elite Event!  Great event with great food, booze, and some cornhole. I love yelp!

 

On Saturday we had plans to go to the Museum of Science to see the Harry Potter Exhibit early on in the day to beat the crowds, instead we slept in until 10.30. Although we had a late start and had to deal with crazy crowds we had a good time. I even got into a little bit of a friendly debate about NASCAR at the bar where we had lunch. Which lead Price to say “Never a dull moment” as he pulled me away from the guys outside. But guess what- I totally won beat 4 guys in that one 🙂

I was disappointed that the people at the MOS working the Harry Potter Exhibit were such Nazi’s about taking photos. There really should have been a few opportunities to take some good HP stuff. You cound not even take a picture of the poster outside the exhibit!  Crazy! At least they had a chess piece from HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Price and I are now MOs members so we are looking forward to going back to see other exhibits. Plus there is a network of 300 museums and zoos that have a reciprocal program so we can get in there- including the Bruce Museum (Greenwich CT) and the museum of Science and Technology (Syracuse, NY).

And then I scrapbooked, watched football, and we made a turkey today. Which is an amazing feat since we cooked it in that tiny thing over Price’s shoulder. It was good but I made crappy gravy. Oh well, at least the turkey was a success.

So i’ll have to brave the rain and the 50 mph wind gusts that we predicted for tomorrow. happy monday.

 

Oh happy day

I celebrated my 25th birthday with

a beautiful flower (gifted in a flour sifter) at my desk from Helen

maple layer cake with maple buttercream frosting from Julie, plus she gave me the cutest bunny earrings from Figs and Ginger

 

 

   

pizza with price

This has become a tradition for my birthday. It’s the fifth year making pizza together on my birthday. We make pizza at other times during the year but we have to do it on my birthday… it just would not be my birthday without it. I have the same toppings on my pizza every time, pineapple and jalapenos, but this time pricer also got some ham to make it a real hawaiian pizza. I think this was our best pizza yet.

and

flan cake from kellie that we ate before I remembered to take a picture! Damn!!!

 

Thank you to everyone who wished me happy birthday and for making it so great.

.