Awaiting the brunt of the storm

Lots and lots of rain - no strong wind yet. Just back from a "Waiting for Irene" hurricane party, where Hurricane drinks were served. Hoping for power tomorrow morning for coffee maker!

Come on Irene

It just started raining steadily about 1/2 an hour ago. No wind yet.

Calm but rainy - front yard

We are mostly concerned about losing power for an extended period of time. I'll post new photos as weather changes, especially if it gets exciting!  Hopefully no disasters. Behave Irene. Stay safe.

Harvest time

I just harvested a big, plump, juicy tomato from my deck:

As you can see, its huge! The tomato plant went into the pot on my deck in early June and took all summer to produce this one tomato. One. Un seul. Solo una.

Let me give you a little perspective:

A farmer I'm not. I know the tomato plant "requires a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day" and my deck doesn't provide that during a dry summer. During a wet summer, like we've had, this is what we got. We're going to eat it all tonight. At this rate we will not be self sustaining - ever.

Bermuda cruise - asea

Don and I took our first-ever cruise this summer. We went with another couple who recommended the perfect first-time cruise: NYC to Bermuda on Norwegian because its "free style." It was such an easy vacation. Bryan dropped us off at the terminal in NYC and off we went with music blasting, people swimming and dancing, and cameras clicking.

Cruising down the Hudson R. out of NYC harbor

Sunsets were beautiful!

6am on our third morning we finally saw land again! Bermuda was beckoning.
Celebrity cruise ship followed us from NY.

Norwegian Gem docked at Dockyards, Bermuda

The cruise ships dominated the island shorelines of Bermuda. There were many activities that we took part in on board, including, shows (comedian, juggler, Second City), parties (70's dance, white out), pub crawl, relaxing (on balcony, at pool), games (trivia, Quest, craps lesson) and eating! More on beautiful Bermuda next posting.

Visiting Haley @ Camp

We had a wonderful visit in Maine over the July 16-17 weekend. Haley has been working with the equestrian program at a summer camp about an hour away from Portland, Maine, which is far but relatively close considering she is usually over 3000 miles away! She gave us a tour of her amazing camp - WOW, lucky campers - and then we headed into to Portland for dinner in the Old Port section of town. Haley is looking great and is loving her summer. We so enjoyed talking with her. 

Haley & Bryan in Portland, ME

Haley at Beal's Ice Cream with sprinkles!

We also enjoyed a stroll through Portsmith, NH, before, and Marblehead, MA, after our visit with Haley. She's back to school in SoCal soon. 

Happy 19th

We recently celebrated Carolyn's 19th birthday - not an especially big deal unless you live in Ontario. The next time we go home together, Carolyn will be able to join in with a legal toast to our wonderful daughter.

Of course all her birthday's are a big deal to us! We love you, Carolyn.

Front walkway completed

Except for a few minor things, our front walkway is done. Don and I spent a little time this past weekend replacing our deer fence around our front garden and are pleased that it is all looking better than before. The dirt areas have been reseeded for grass and, in some areas, more pachysandra will be planted. 

New front porch and walkway

Toby is testing the walkway for its perchability.