I am a Honey Bee

All about my adventures with cooking, crafts, and travel

Living

Catch up on Project 365

I spent a lot of time this weekend playing catch up on my Project 365. I realized that I had not uploaded pictures, or even organized, in months. I was taking a lot of photos but I was just dumping them all in a folder called ‘ TO FILE.’ Clever, no?

So I took the time this weekend filing pictures andĀ uploadingĀ them to Shuttercal. I’m still in the process of finding some pictures and uploading them but I got a lot done so it’s a good start. I’m really looking forward to ordering my Shuttercal box and monthly set of photos.

Check out my year to date:

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

Let’s GO Racin’ Boys!!!

Earlier this year we discovered you could go for a ride in a NASCAR race car andĀ immediatelyĀ decided that this was something that had to be done. So my Dad got Price a gift card at graduation to do it. I decide that while it would be fun this could be Price’s thing to do and let him have all the fun while I got to take pictures. Plus I might have freaked a little, ha.

The Ride-Along Experiences are offered by Richard Petty DrivingĀ Experience. The ‘crew’ travels to different tracks on off racing weekends. In this case we went to New Hampshire International Speedway, and the NASCAR raceĀ occurredĀ the week before (Clint Bowyer won). I had called ahead to find out the details about signing up for a ride-along. They told me it was first come first serve starting at 9:30am. Based on that we decided to leave Boston at 7am so we would get in line first. Low and behold, there was no line since they started early!!! As soon as Price signed up he got to go on his ride along.

At first he got suited up in a protective gear, then got a head sock on, then a helmet. They told him how to get in the car, which Price said was pretty easy. The crew woman put on a HANS device,Ā hooked him in, and then up the the safety net. Price said the car has sooo much horse power that it makes your stomach feel like it’s sinking. It’s really hard to tell how fast you are going since there is noĀ speedometerĀ and everything wasĀ justĀ whizzingĀ by. He can’t imagine that the guys go even faster than what he did, and they do it with 42 other cars around them. He had a great time and did not want it to stop at the 3rd lap.

After the ride along, we hung around to watch the guys who signed up to drive the cars themselves. Then we went to Canterbury Shaker Village, which I will post about tomorrow, and spent the night camping. It was a great weekend šŸ™‚

I got him a DVD of his Ride-Along, which will be arriving in 4-6 weeks. Stay tuned…

Happy Birthday Price (recap)

Yesterday was Price’s 28th birthday!

My original plan was to try to leave really early so we could see The Town at the 2pm show. Well things did not work out but I think it was for the best…So Price went on a job interview in the morning and GOT THE JOB!!!! So we had to celebrate his birthday and a new job in the same day! So off to dinner we went…

I met Price at the bar at Fugakyu, a local sushi place. It’s pretty cute that he picked this place weeks ago because when I got my current job 4 years ago he took me out there to celebrate. We ended up getting drinks and recapping the day at the bar.

I first started with a Cocoa Cobana drink and then saw the bartender makinga Lychee Martini so I went with that, and another, and then another.

We started with Edamame and Shrimp Tempura. Normally we stick to just edamame Ā but I skipped lunch and we hardly ever come to Fugakyu since it’s a little more pricery than other places so we figured we might as well go all out for so much celebrating.

We shared a Pine-tato Roll (Fried sweet potato & grilled pineapple) to try something new. And Price got his usual Tekka Maki and Crazy Maki (Shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado, spicy mayo, scallion & eel sauce).

I got a Philadelphia Roll (Smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber & scallion) which is kinda a big deal since I don’t like Salmon. At all. But I figured I should try something new since I didn’t like tomatoes or avocados a few years ago and now I love both of them. In the end I liked it but I probably won’t order again for awhile. But I also got aĀ JalapeƱoĀ Tuna Maki (Tuna, jalapeno pepper, onion, avocado, pickled daikon radish & black sesame). That might be a new favorite.

We had such a great time cracking up at jokes, discussing the new waiter (he did a good job), talking about first day of fall and the full moon (firstĀ timeĀ since ’91), and everything in between.


Since I didn’t make a cake we went to Finale to get a little something. Which I think worked out fine since we were sooooo stuffed from sushi. But Price did pick out a cake and I am going to make it on Monday as a New Job Cake.

Love you Pricer!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Okay so this photo is from last year but I love it. Plus I was stupid and forgot to take photos while we were out at dinner. So I only have a few shots from when we were doing presents. I’m lame. But, again, I love this photo. This was from my Mom’s big 50th birthday bash. So that should count!

Have a fantastic year full of laughter, great memories, quite moments, strong drinks, books you can’t put down, beautiful sunsets, sloppy dog kisses, great food, lots of knitting, clear blue skies, brightly colored scrubs, dogs that sleep in, time to relax, and whatever else you can imagine!!!! I love you!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad’s 70th Birthday.

My brother, Me, and our Dad

Last night we had a little party for him at the boat club. I love to cook so I took on theĀ responsibilityĀ of the dinner for the 10Ā 11 of us. I planned grilled chicken with roasted veggies and a salad. Robin, my dad’s girlfriend, brought the appetizer- muscles and garlic bread. I also made a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. He told me her had a slice for breakfast today. I think that is a perfect start to any day, let alone your birthday.

It was nice to be able to make something for everyone to enjoy, even though I had to do 3 trips to the food store that day. (sigh) It all came together and we had a great time.

Happy Birthday Dad.



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 canĀ actuallyĀ 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 kitĀ (thx amazon wishlist and Mom!)Ā  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 šŸ™‚

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’llĀ describeĀ 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

ourĀ groupĀ of 4 had a TON ofĀ 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

1Ā 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 handĀ sanitizer

1 avocado. yes it isĀ necessaryĀ 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 secondsĀ betweenĀ 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 onĀ SaturdayĀ 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,Ā 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,Ā 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.

Ā 

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.

Ā 

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 šŸ™‚ 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!

Ā 

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.

Wind- it’s pretty amazing

Last night Price and I went sailing for the first time. One of my coworker’s sent around an email in the morning asking if people would want to go sailing that night. I jumped at the opportunity since we had never been sailing before. In fact, one of our goals was to going sailing on the Charles this summer. When I’ll meet that and raise you sailing in Boston Harbor. Goal set, and clearly surpassed.

So we met Larry at the launch to take us to the sail boats on theĀ mooringsĀ for boats in the Boston Harbor Sailing Club. He explained the parts of the 27-foot boat. Like the keel- which will keep you from capsizing since it displaces around 2,000lbs. Loving that.

Price took one and side and I took another to handle the jib sail while Larry took the back to go from side to side as we tacked from side to side. WeĀ crisscrossedĀ the harbor as we watched a group of sail boats race. It was unbeliebale how fast they were going and how far over they were leaning. It was such a beautiful night.

The ride was amazing since it was pretty windy. So windy that when my side was closer to the water a wave came across the bow and got me soaked. I thought it was the funniest thing ever. So I loved it even more when Price got his turn and got wet. Mauhahaha!

Thanks again, Larry!





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. Ā We got pretty close toĀ ManhattanĀ 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 madeĀ 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. šŸ™‚

Ā 

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 justĀ likeĀ to put put around on it.

It is always so surprising how different theĀ temperatureĀ 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!

Ā 

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

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, weĀ  stopped in a state liquor store. The endless aisles of boxed wine prompted usĀ to buy some for aĀ night ofĀ lobsters and cheap, badĀ boxed wine- always classy.Ā 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. BottleĀ 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 notĀ want anyway. Stupid bandits likeĀ 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.Ā 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 ofĀ good boxed wines out there. In fact a lot of wine makers are going the boxed wine route because it isĀ more eco-friendly.Ā WeĀ just make it our mission to buy the worse boxed wine šŸ™‚