Cookies, cookies, cookies!

Someone's got to do it so I nominate myself.  This ...

is on the shelves (another blog and another day) and I just couldn't resist!  Not being Julia Child, nor wanting to recreate her fiendish dedication to french cuisine, I am going to make every recipe in this magazine between now and Christmas (or at least try).  If there are any recipes that I (in my humble opinion) feel you just can't live without I will share them with you, right here!

I should note before I start this project that the Martin family (mostly) would rather eat a cookie than anything else and my daddykins is of the opinion that the amount of cookies we have eaten actually close to doubles the national average of cookies eaten per household.   No small task! 

The Grand Old Lady ...

She celebrated 100 years this year and I know that I have been a faithful follower of hers for many years.  She offers a smorgasbord of delights.  Let's start with random pictures of people that attended the celebration.  I took all of these pictures not looking through the lens but just sitting it on the table and hoping for something good.

I know, I know - he just looks like Elvis turned garden gnome!

10:30 a.m. and it's nap time ...

If you're gonna eat I'm gonna try and photograph it.

A little bum floss adjustment ...

And the animals ...

Mmm ... you talkin' to me???

Redefining "head rest"

Maybe this is my better side ...

My love of pigs is only marginally smaller than my love of dawgies.

LAST, and certainly most important - THE FOOD!

Blue raspberry cotton candy - the times they are a changin'!

Deep fried jelly bellys - waaaaaay too sweet!

Remains of the day.

The gang -

Mo-poo and Lyle

Pat and Kim

Lyle and cotton candy

Shauna-banana



We tried it all - no beverage was left unsipped; no food left untried.

Yes, we waddled out of there with belts slightly loosened, dragging our feet.  I don't think we even walked 300 yards the entire day but we ate our way through it, conquered the taste treats to be had and left feeling totally sick to our stomachs - the way of a good day at the PNE.

Small fantasies ...

I have a pretty fabulous life - great friends, family and job.  There is nothing I want for or need.

Clothing and footwear is the budget wrecker of many a girl but I live my work days during the summer in Keds:

And my nights and weekends in Asics. 

My reality is that I have to spend money on gear for swimming, running and cycling.  However, a big however, I do fantasize about being able to wear shoes like:

or ...

 NOT REALLY!

Seriously though I do so wish I could wear:

or ...

But my other reality is that I have NEVER been able to fit my calves into them.  Year after year after year I go into the store and try a pair on, a really fabulous pair that makes me smile and makes my inner Imelda heart soar!

But in all these years I've never been able to get them over my ankles!

One day ...

The last days ...

I love the autumn - I've already done a post about it.  But I just have to hold on to the last warm day of sunshine, dawgs and the beach.  Below are some pictures from our days in Saltery Bay.

Wonder what's out there ...

Almost a bouillabaisse!

Just a hint of what's to come ...

Sunshine on the water makes me happy ...

There's a bottle of french wine just out of your sight line ...

So long summer!

Photo credit:  K. Young Photography

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to its bliss,
and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

George Eliot

Music in the park

Last weekend Foster Child:

was performing at Hugh Boyd school park in Richmond.  Let me introduce you to the members:

Karla (songbird, keyboard and harmonica player and the Squeeze's sister):

Tracey (songbird and the Squeeze's sister):

Whitney (adored niece AND songbird):

Paul (bass) - Mmm ... bass players are always so cool!

Mark (drummer):

Tim (lead guitar and maybe a wanna be vocalist?  Noooooooooooo - let the cute one sing!):

 

 
The Squeeze (rhythm guitar, singer and all-around cute boy):

Also there to support and WOO Foster Child on were:

Ed (the Squeeze's pal from high school), Deb and Hugh:

Gregg (the Squeeze's pal from high school), Elaine (on the right), Spencer, Evan and Bradley:

George, Maria (have you seen how good my hair looks after she's had her way with it! - about 6 times a year I have a good hair day) and Apostole:

 

The BOYS of '77 (Gregg (and family) and Ed (and family) always support us at everything we do!):

Judy (my pal forever and another "always there supporter") and her nephew and nieces:

Marina (my high school friend, fellow triathlete and "always there supporter"):

Last - Ed, Deb and Hugh being groupies!

I can't introduce you to the two newest members of the band (Bose sound system speakers, et al.) because they stand silently in the background but boy-oh-boy are Tim and the Squeeze ever lovin' their contribution!

P.S. - I'm gonna have to speak to Whitt about how to post pictures properly!