28Feb
Every winter the New York State Museum has a fundraiser that benefits after school programs for Albany’s urban areas. A ton of different floral arrangements are created by various local florists and other groups and spread throughout the museum – each design reflects the exhibit that it is displayed in. Some designs are intricate and extravagant while others are simple, yet still involve a lot of creativity.
Holding the event at the museum is great idea, not only because money is raised and put to good use, but also because a lot of people come to explore the museum when they otherwise would never get to experience something that is in the heart of Albany. Click yellow button to see some of my favorite displays. Read more »
27Feb
Dogs they’re such interesting creatures.
Last weekend we were suppose to dog sit for a pug named Motley (yes, Motley). Being a huge animal lover I thought this would be a fun idea and so did Sam, but there was one problem – Miss Molly.
My pooch is a priss and is well known on our block for being one. She has claimed the whole neighborhood and then some. So before a two night slumber party, I decided it would be a good idea for the two pups to meet. Their first date was at our apartment – and Molly claimed her turf by barking incessantly for nearly thirty minutes, and it was decided Mr. Motley would have to stay somewhere else for the weekend.
Then there was a second date at Motley’s house – there was hiding (by Molly) but not as much barking. They ended up playing a bit in the end. So, we thought maybe we could give the dog sitting a try.
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21Feb
This week at the Times Union Center there was public ice skating on the hockey rink, and for some reason my friends thought it would be a fun idea.
I was skeptical from the beginning, but I thought I would give it a try. I hadn’t skated in a long time, and the fact that the skate rentals were a blast from the past didn’t help much either. They looked like something you should wear on the moon – definitely space age material. I wear a size 6 1/2, and they didn’t carry half sizes. So, I tried on size seven – way too big. I went back and the guy handed me a pair of sixes (and at first he gave me two left feet) – I asked the guy if they were kids skates, and he said, “No, they are adults – they are just hard to find now-a-days” – well hello they are from the 80′s.
There was a three year old who was skating better than me (of course she was pushing around buckets twice her size for balance, but they didn’t have any tall enough for me). Anyway I’m blaming my poor skating on the inefficient equipment.
19Feb
Tonight my friend Vicki and I stopped at 677 Prime in downtown Albany for Happy Hour, and what do you know – they were having a special promotion for Coccadotts Cake Shop! My dad is crazy about their black and white cookies, and these cakes are big around our office for birthdays, holidays and any other excuse we can muster to eat cake. (We didn’t know about the special promotion – I swear)! I honestly don’t think I can use enough exclamation points in this blog post)!!!
We each bought the special cupcake martini (absolute vanilla vodka with pink cupcake batter garnished with frosting and cotton candy – yum), and we received a coupon for five free Coccadotts cupcakes – plus we were allowed to snack on as many of these little tasty cupcakes as we wanted!!! My camera pictures don’t do the site, taste or smell of these delicous treats justice, but take my word for it – they were a tiny slice of heaven. The counter was littered with mini cupcakes, probably fifteen or more trays – peanut butter cupcakes; carrot cake cupcakes; orange cream cupcakes; red velvet cupcakes; chocolate and mint cupcakes; vanilla with chocolate frosting; chocolate with vanilla frosting – you name it and there was a cupcake – all so beautiful and hand made.
I’m high on sugar now.
19Feb
You can do more than write on them! A fun project to do at work when you’re bored at home when you’re sick of reality television – the flowers are sticky notes and the box is made from my recycled monthly newsletter.
Here’s how: Flower and triangle box
16Feb
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations came out in the beginning of February, but how does Oscar watch all those movies in time for the awards show that are only a few weeks away on March 7, 2010?
Well Mr. Oscar and other Academy Members are very lucky because they get special screenings, free admission to commercial runs of films, and free pre-release DVDs to abet them in seeing the nominated films.
So, what are the rest of average-Joe-citizens supposed to do in order to play along in the voting process of the Academy Awards, especially if we don’t know who is nominated yet?
We listen to the Oscar buzz, and plan every weekend, week night, and social hour around watching movies. For the past three months a few of my girl friends and I have been preparing our Oscar ballots, (and we’ve watched almost every nominated movie together). Here are the movies I’ve watched (and I’m still not done):
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15Feb
Sam is a real estate agent, and in his line of business he meets some pretty interesting people – many of whom we’ve remained friends with over the past five years. One of his current listings is in Brainard, NY, and it’s a lovely home in the middle of the country complete with hardwood floors and chickens. Yes, chickens – beautiful golden chickens that roam free and lay fresh eggs every day.
On Sam’s last trip to the house – the owners gave him some eggs. So, for Valentine’s Day Sam made me a croque monsieur, a fancy frech ham and cheese sandwhich. There are a lot of different recipes, but he dipped the bread in egg; pan sautéed them so they were nice and crispy, and added ham and cheese with mayo – boom a fancy french sandwhich. These eggs are so yummy. Read more »
