Can you believe it, seriously? Six months, where did that go?
Well, it was an interesting remaining spring, summer and most of the fall. I've been painting vegetables and enjoying that. We harvested a ridiculous amount of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash/zucchini blossoms. The straw bale gardening really worked out well with the lettuces, string beans and herbs. The tomato plants were well over ten feet tall.Try as we did, we couldn't stop them from collapsing all over each other toward the end of the season. From one Roma plant we got over a hundred tomatoes. I saved most of them for Christmas "gravy". It was a very dry season, so watering was kept to a minimum which intensified the flavors of the vegetables. We had a skunk living behind the garden which was scary, but he decided to leave town because I kept throwing dog poop around his den. We've had one more tragic visit from the fox, or actually foxes. There are at least 6 here now, but their visits have been dramatically decreased since we now have two Cane Corsos, which are Italian Mastiff. "Lupo" (pictured above left) was an anniversary gift. I got him in late June. He's four years old and I love him so much. Such an excellent dog. "Bastone" (above right) is now six months old. He was for my birthday. He's a handful right now, but so smart and lovable. Jeanie also has a five month old puppy, "Primo". Yes, we adore this breed. Our puppies' half brother will be on TV this Thursday--Thanksgiving, after the Macy's Day Parade broadcast on NBC around noon. He won "Best of Breed" at the Philadelphia Kennel Club Show last Sunday. His name is "Firehorse Franklin". The pups' father ("Firehorse Dorian") and maybe their grandfather ("Rambo") will also be in the commercials for the show. The breed has just been accepted into the AKC, so it's a big deal. Franklin is the first Corso to be televised. His nickname is "Oak".
Jeanie and the gang moved home from California in August and are renting a house close by. Thank you God, dreams really do come true. She's in school full-time. I'm so grateful to have them here. Jonah got Primo for his eighth birthday. Primo spends weekdays here playing with Lupo and Bastone. They're all on Invisible Fence and just run and play all day. I get to pick up the kids from school and cook for them. Tonight we have a sleepover planned. Just like the old days, minus one kid.
We did the Puppy Kindergarten classes with Primo and Bastone. Lupo did a Manners I refresher class. We have used Mary Remer's "What a Good Dog" school for 26 years! I'm thrilled with her training philosophy.
My canary "Valentino" is doing great and has started singing again after spending the summer molting.
Exciting news, Danny left Georges' and is now working at
Amada owned by Iron Chef Jose' Garces! Both Jay and Danny have their first leg of Master Sommelier. Danny and Torri went to France for over two weeks in September and Jay and Celeste just returned from Italy last week. Jay worked in a couple of restaurants there and they visited family. He cooked for us the day after they got back. One dish (see photo above) was risotto with a big white truffle shaved all over it. Literally one of the best things I've ever eaten.
When I get stressed I clench my teeth in my sleep, so I totally cracked the tooth that had root canal. I had to have it extracted at the end of July. My dentist was outstanding, not one second of discomfort. Thank you Dr. Funari!
We had our 32nd Anniversary at
Nectar. Never a disappointment. So good. Thank you Patrick.
My Aunt Jeanne turned 70 in August. Her birthday party was so much fun. Cent'anni Aunt Jean!
Our beloved Asser and Lindsay are engaged. Can't wait for their wedding. Ashley and Joe Frost are also engaged. Another wedding to look forward to.
We went to Sovanna Bistro in September for my birthday. It was terrific! My wonderful friends Sue Silenzi and I, then Peter Maggio and I went to
Nectar for my birthday. Good friends and Nectar are a match made in heaven. Thank you God for them.
I joined several art groups and like MCGOPA, which is Montgomery County Guild of Professional Artists. Great people with a lot of talent.
Speaking of art, a couple of things.
I've pretty much discontinued the small daily paintings. With the grandchildren and dogs taking up so much time, I've decided to work a little bigger, mostly 8"x10". Less output, but more challenging. Also, Jay Jr. and I have an exhibit reception, at the Gryphon Cafe' next month on Sunday, December 12th. I'll get back to you with the time. Probably late afternoon.
I'll stop at that. I need to get back to work and finish a painting of Cippolini onions. I don't know if I'll be able to get back before Thanksgiving, so please have the best one ever. God bless each and every one of you, huge!
Can you believe it, seriously? Six months, where did that go?
Well, it was an interesting remaining spring, summer and most of the fall. I've been painting vegetables and enjoying that. We harvested a ridiculous amount of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash/zucchini blossoms. The straw bale gardening really worked out well with the lettuces, string beans and herbs. The tomato plants were well over ten feet tall.Try as we did, we couldn't stop them from collapsing all over each other toward the end of the season. From one Roma plant we got over a hundred tomatoes. I saved most of them for Christmas "gravy". It was a very dry season, so watering was kept to a minimum which intensified the flavors of the vegetables. We had a skunk living behind the garden which was scary, but he decided to leave town because I kept throwing dog poop around his den. We've had one more tragic visit from the fox, or actually foxes. There are at least 6 here now, but their visits have been dramatically decreased since we now have two Cane Corsos, which are Italian Mastiff. "Lupo" (pictured above left) was an anniversary gift. I got him in late June. He's four years old and I love him so much. Such an excellent dog. "Bastone" (above right) is now six months old. He was for my birthday. He's a handful right now, but so smart and lovable. Jeanie also has a five month old puppy, "Primo". Yes, we adore this breed. Our puppies' half brother will be on TV this Thursday--Thanksgiving, after the Macy's Day Parade broadcast on NBC around noon. He won "Best of Breed" at the Philadelphia Kennel Club Show last Sunday. His name is "Firehorse Franklin". The pups' father ("Firehorse Dorian") and maybe their grandfather ("Rambo") will also be in the commercials for the show. The breed has just been accepted into the AKC, so it's a big deal. Franklin is the first Corso to be televised. His nickname is "Oak".
Jeanie and the gang moved home from California in August and are renting a house close by. Thank you God, dreams really do come true. She's in school full-time. I'm so grateful to have them here. Jonah got Primo for his eighth birthday. Primo spends weekdays here playing with Lupo and Bastone. They're all on Invisible Fence and just run and play all day. I get to pick up the kids from school and cook for them. Tonight we have a sleepover planned. Just like the old days, minus one kid.
We did the Puppy Kindergarten classes with Primo and Bastone. Lupo did a Manners I refresher class. We have used Mary Remer's "What a Good Dog" school for 26 years! I'm thrilled with her training philosophy.
My canary "Valentino" is doing great and has started singing again after spending the summer molting.
Exciting news, Danny left Georges' and is now working at Amada owned by Iron Chef Jose' Garces! Both Jay and Danny have their first leg of Master Sommelier. Danny and Torri went to France for over two weeks in September and Jay and Celeste just returned from Italy last week. Jay worked in a couple of restaurants there and they visited family. He cooked for us the day after they got back. One dish (see photo above) was risotto with a big white truffle shaved all over it. Literally one of the best things I've ever eaten.
When I get stressed I clench my teeth in my sleep, so I totally cracked the tooth that had root canal. I had to have it extracted at the end of July. My dentist was outstanding, not one second of discomfort. Thank you Dr. Funari!
We had our 32nd Anniversary at Nectar. Never a disappointment. So good. Thank you Patrick.
My Aunt Jeanne turned 70 in August. Her birthday party was so much fun. Cent'anni Aunt Jean!
Our beloved Asser and Lindsay are engaged. Can't wait for their wedding. Ashley and Joe Frost are also engaged. Another wedding to look forward to.
We went to Sovanna Bistro in September for my birthday. It was terrific! My wonderful friends Sue Silenzi and I, then Peter Maggio and I went to Nectar for my birthday. Good friends and Nectar are a match made in heaven. Thank you God for them.
I joined several art groups and like MCGOPA, which is Montgomery County Guild of Professional Artists. Great people with a lot of talent.
Speaking of art, a couple of things.
I've pretty much discontinued the small daily paintings. With the grandchildren and dogs taking up so much time, I've decided to work a little bigger, mostly 8"x10". Less output, but more challenging. Also, Jay Jr. and I have an exhibit reception, at the Gryphon Cafe' next month on Sunday, December 12th. I'll get back to you with the time. Probably late afternoon.
I'll stop at that. I need to get back to work and finish a painting of Cippolini onions. I don't know if I'll be able to get back before Thanksgiving, so please have the best one ever. God bless each and every one of you, huge!
