New Year's Eve - 2013 in Review

     As 2013 turns into 2014 in a few hours from now, I thought I'd take a moment and review this past year.  We all get those letters from friends & family, tucked into holiday cards, that tell all the good things that happened throughout the year, so I thought I'd kind of use that as a template of sorts for this post.  So here goes...

     Dear Friends & Family,
          I hope this finds you happy and healthy.  At this moment in time, everyone here is well.  We had a fairly nice Christmas, saw most of the family, and enjoyed our time together.

          Dave is having a great time hosting his Trivia Night events each week. He has now taken over doing it every week, rather than sharing the duty with another person.  He's also still working at the same location for his "day job".  Over 25 years in one place, can you believe it?

     I will soon be celebrating 3 years with The Gourmet Cupboard.  I love trying the mixes and sharing them with others.  I really love doing vendor events & craft shows.  I'm looking forward to doing a big Chocolate Expo in February - sampling all our chocolate goodies!!  I've gained a few members to my little team, and I am hoping to add more in this new year.

     Joe is doing well too - out on his own, going to college.  I still can't believe that he wants to be a police officer, but I think he'll make a good one.  I can't worry about him any more than I did when he was in the Marine Corps, so Mom has to let go and trust that everything will be fine.  (So hard for me to do.)

     Kourtni is loving her first year at Boston University!  I will admit to crying like a baby when I left her there in September, but I have been up there so much - for orientation, Parent's Weekend, and round trips bringing her home and back again, that I think we've both adjusted well.  She finished her first semester with all A's & B's too!  So proud of that girl!  I still have two more weeks before I have to bring her back for the next semester.

     Spencer is, well, Spencer!  He's such a little man - 10 years old, and doing great in fifth grade.  He loves school, loves his teacher, and is such a typical boy in many ways, & so completely un-typical in others.  I think he's permanently attached to his video games (especially Pokemon Y!)  He's still playing clarinet in the school band, and all 5th graders had to join the chorus this year as well.  He says he doesn't like it, and he's not a singer at home or in the car, but he must be doing something right, as he was asked to join the city-wide Honors Chorus for the Music in our Schools concerts in March.  He'd prefer it was for band, but he'll be there nonetheless.  It was so cute seeing him sing (and play) in the Winter concert at school.

    Then there is Mia - what can I say about her?  My little spitfire is still as full of energy as always.  Loving fourth grade, adores her teacher (who is currently out on maternity leave), and playing trombone in the school band like her biggest brother & sister did.  She's something else too - walking all around the house while she practices.  She can't wait until next year when she can join the chorus too - that one is definitely a singer, all the time!  Both she and Spencer are part of the school newspaper this year too.  I am looking forward to seeing their work in the next few months.

     Let's see - everybody is pretty healthy, except for me I guess. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes this year, and am trying to adjust to that.  (So hard around the holidays, with all the goodies in the house!)  I'd probably have to admit to being addicted to carbs, because it's so hard for me to find something to eat that doesn't have them!  But all in all, I'd say I'm still fairly healthy - could be worse, right?  Let's not go there.

     Mom is doing well too.  She's mostly resigned to being in the nursing home.  Sad that she has to be there at such a young age (65), but it really is the best place for her, having someone to make sure she's eating okay, taking all of her medications, and staying on top of when she doesn't feel quite right.  Thankfully she's avoided many falls lately, and here's hoping we can keep it that way.

     We've gained many new family members this year - a new nephew in February, a new niece in March, and a new cousin as well.  Loving all the little people in the family, on both sides!  We also visited, for the first time ever, Walt Disney World, this July!  We went there to gain more family members, as my sister Sue married my new brother-in-law, Bryan.  That added Bryan, and his son Connor, to our family, as well as all of Bryan's fabulous family.

     So, as 2013 ends, and we look into the eyes of 2014, I am hoping for nothing but happiness, health, and love for our family, and yours.  I am sure there will be sadness at times too - but I definitely wish for the good things to outweigh and overshadow the bad.  Raise a glass of whatever you're drinking - coffee, water, soda, or champagne, and here's to us all.  We made it through another year, and off we go into the future.

CORN - As Far As The Eye Can See...

     At least, that's what it is like when you're stuck inside a Corn Maze!!  Corn everywhere.  Ha ha!

    Okay, I can't believe, in all of my 45 years, and all of them spent living here in Connecticut, I have never been to Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, CT before!!  Where have I been?  Why didn't I go sooner?  I have no answers for these questions.  But I have been there now, and I loved it!  Originally we ("we being myself, my husband, and the two younger kids "M" and "S") went solely for the Corn Maze.  (In the honesty of "full disclosure", Lyman Orchards gave us the passes to the maze in return for this blog post.  All opinions & experiences are our own though.)  To be truthful though, there is so much more to Lyman Orchards than this maze!!

     We set off on this bright & sunny Sunday afternoon, for a nice drive to the Orchards.  The directions on their website are spot on, and we got there so easily.  Quickly found a place to park, which was surprising, since there were TONS of people there.  We got lucky, I won't lie.  Right by the parking lot was a nice little pond, loaded with ducks, and a small fountain in the middle - very peaceful and pretty.  We wandered around for a little bit, passing the hayride area, pony rides, smelling the fresh cinnamon cider donuts being made (oh did I want those!!), and then made our way to the Corn Maze area.  I had gotten our tickets online, which you can do here, so we just handed over the printed tickets.  They quickly scanned them and sent us on to the entrance.  There we picked up our maze map, pencils for the kids, and our choices of themed multiple choice questions, to help us find our way at the ten marked posts throughout the maze.  We each took different ones in case any stumped us along the way.  Mine was History, Dad took Sports, S took Scouting, and M selected Movies/TV.  There were also ones for tiny tots, "corny", and girls scouts.

     In we went!  It was a lot of fun, twisting & turning through the corn, finding dead ends and turning back, or just going around in a circle in this section or another.  We joked that if we needed to, we could have M stand on Dad's shoulders to help guide us out - but that wouldn't have helped one bit.  Even on his shoulders (he stands just about 6 feet tall), her four foot body wouldn't have been able to see much.  There were two bridges that bring you up above the corn too, but even up there, all you see is more and more corn.  At some point in the maze, we made the decision to split up - one kid with one parent.  I kind of thought we'd meet up again somewhere, and we did - OUTSIDE.  So then it became girls vs. boys in the race to get out of the maze.  M was a little worried that we wouldn't find Dad again, but I assured her that we were just as capable of finding our way out as they were.  And we did!  Yes, the boys won, and were waiting for us outside the exit, but we had fun and worked together with the clues, and the paths, and made it out without tears or frustration. I had no worries, they have "corn cops" stationed throughout the maze for anyone who needs help, gets tired, or just gets so frustrated they want to give up.

     Once you make it out of the maze, you get a success sticker, "I survived the Corn Maze."  Then we headed off to check out the Apple Barrel store!  Oh what heaven!  It is loaded with all of the fruit grown at Lyman Orchards, plus pies, breads, muffins, cookies, and so much more.  I can't even list it all here, really!  The smells are amazing, and if you can get around the throngs of people shopping in there, so much to pick from.  I ended up with only a bag of fresh red bartlett pears, while my husband was outside getting a huge bag of freshly made kettle corn, but I could certainly have spent a lot more time, and money, in that store!  Dozens of types of apples, gorgeous peaches, grapes, squash - you name it, it was there.  

     The more I look over the brochures I picked up, or the website - I realize just how much is located there.  I'll give you a little Lyman Orchards lesson now.  It covers more than 1100 acres of farmland, and it's only 30 minutes from Hartford, New Haven, or Waterbury CT.  They have their Apple Barrel market store, Pick Your Own Orchards (from June through October, you can pick strawberries, jostaberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, pears, apples, and pumpkins - all in their own seasons), the historic Lyman Homestead (dating back to the mid 1700's), and an entire Golf Center (including The Jones Course, and the Player Course).  They also do events there all year round.  We will definitely head back for some of them too.  They do special breakfasts, kids & adult workshops, WinterFest, a Mother's Day brunch, Strawberry Fest, Easter Apple Hunt, Connecticut Day, Berry Fest, Peach Fest, Sunflower Maze (in August), Clambake, the Corn Maze, and Brunch with Santa!  Be sure to like them on  Facebook, follow them on Twitter, subscribe to their YouTube channel, and add them to your circles on Google+, in order to keep up with the Pick Your Own season, and all their fabulous upcoming events.

     I almost forgot to mention that they donate so much to great causes too.  The Corn Maze (going on until November 3rd) donates $1 from each ticket sold to the American Cancer Society.  (That is a huge charity that is close to our heart.)  The Sunflower Maze that they do in August donates $1 from each admission to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center.  I took a picture of their boards showing how much they have donated to these causes.  What a way to give back to the Connecticut Community!

     If you find yourself in Connecticut, or like me, you live here and have never been to this amazing place, please, take some time to visit.  Yes, you can make an entire day of it, or at the very least, a whole morning or afternoon.  So much to see & do, a fantastically peaceful setting, loads of exercise if you happen to get "lost" in one of the mazes, and just a great family outing.  I am so glad we went, and I can assure you that it will NOT be the last time we go.

The Gourmet Cupboard recipe - Pork Cutlets with Apple Slaw

     I don't know if I told you this already, but one of my "jobs", besides Mom (taxi driver, etc), and Wife, is as an Independent Distributor for The Gourmet Cupboard.  One of the most fabulous parts of it is that I am so happy to be cooking!!  The mixes can be used in so many ways besides their original purposes.  We have lots of fantastic cooks in our distributors, that will share their recipes too.  

    I am going to tempt you with one of them today too. :)  This one was shared by one of our Top Team Leaders, Roberta Whalen.  (Don't get any drool on your keyboards!)

Pork Cutlets with Apple Slaw
Mix needed: The Gourmet Cupboard's Cabbage Crunch mix

Ingredients:
4 thin pork cutlets
1/2 cup honey mustard salad dressing
1 cup bread crumbs or crushed corn flakes

2 granny smith apples
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 bag shredded cabbage
1/2 cup yellow raisins or currants
apple cider vinegar
light olive oil to drizzle

Directions:
Pound out your pork cutlets, if needed, to flatten. Place in a zipper-style bag and cover with honey mustard dressing to marinate. Then dredge in bread crumbs on both sides. Place on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min.

Meanwhile prepare slaw by slicing your apples into small matchsticks. Place in a zipper-style bag with lemon juice to coat to prevent browning. In a large bowl, mix together, bagged shredded cabbage, cabbage crunch mix package, raisins, apples and oil and vinegar to your desired likeness. Toss well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

A great twist on classic pork chops and apple sauce but with a summer twist and very little time with the oven on. You can also omit the breading on the pork cutlets and grill them instead to make it totally oven-free!

By: R. Whalen

What do you think?  I think it sounds delicious, and I can't wait to try it out.  I'm definitely placing some Cabbage Crunch salad mix on my next order!!

Disney's The Lone Ranger Movie Premiere!

   

     Last night, my daughter and I attended the local premiere for Disney's The Lone Ranger movie, starring Armie Hammer & Johnny Depp.  I received the tickets from a local radio station, WTIC 96.5 FM, and since K & I are such big fans of Johnny Depp, we couldn't resist going!!
     The showing was for 7 pm, we arrived at 5:45 and still were #114 & #115 in line!  Make sure you go good and early if you ever attend a movie premiere at your local theaters.  There was a sign suggesting that we should have been there at 5:15!  Luckily we didn't stand in line too long before they started letting people in.  The line moved along fairly quickly too.
    Once past that ticket taker, we met up with another line - first to be searched with metal detectors, and then to leave our cellphones with attendants outside the actual theater room we'd be in.  I had never seen that done before, but I totally understand why they did it - this way, there would be no spoilers out there for a movie that doesn't come out until July 3rd.  Being the smartphone addict that I am, I'll admit to some separation anxiety & withdrawal symptoms, but I obviously survived them. Once that was all accomplished, we were let into the theater.
    Another unusual thing for me, was that there were none of the "previews" you see before a movie.  Again, understandable, this was a Disney premiere - they don't want to suggest other movies for you to see.  Just something I wasn't used to I guess (can you tell I don't get to go to the movies all that often?)
    Okay, the movie began, after a "nice" warning from the promoters that no one should have their cellphones on them, no recording, etc.  To be honest, knowing some of the Lone Ranger story, I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but Disney did it up wonderfully!  Having an unknown to me actor playing The Lone Ranger was good - no expectations for him to have met or not met.  Armie Hammer made a goofy law man, but once he took on the persona of The Lone Ranger, he was great!  I have to say though, Johnny Depp stole the show, as I'm sure he was meant to.  He was unrecognizable as Tonto, yet we still knew who he was, and I loved how he brought out his humor in a movie where I expected none.  (I don't know why I wasn't anticipating any, especially with Depp as the actor.)
     I am unsure why, but the movie also brought out things I never knew about The Lone Ranger, or maybe it was just some Disney magic storytelling. Whatever the case, we thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and the time flew by.  There is a little time shifting in the movie, and for either setting, you really feel like you are in that time frame.  I loved the outfits for the women in the movie - so authentic and fitting.  The characters were fantastic - some you love to hate (they really played their parts well) and others you cheered on even if you weren't sure you should.  So many great laugh-out-loud moments too.  I'm already quoting lines from the film to my daughter & friends (too bad the friends have no idea what I'm talking about.)
     All in all, we had a great time seeing this movie, and I really would love to see it again and again.  I think the rest of my family would enjoy it too.  I wouldn't hesitate to take my younger kids to see it either (they are 8 & 9) - yes the Wild West has some violence, but really not as much as many of the movies out there today.  Disney did a very good job with this legendary story, and as always Johnny Depp made another character his own.  

*Disclaimer - All thoughts expressed here are my own.  I received nothing in return for this review.  The movie pass was provided from a radio station promotion, and not by Disney.

Proud Mommy Moment

     

Tonight is another one of those proud Mommy moments - my older daughter graduated high school!  She's not my first to graduate (that was her brother in 2007), and she won't be my last (I have 2 younger children as well), but tonight's honor is all hers!  She IS my first child to graduate with National Honor Society honors (both NHS and French NHS), and she will be my first to go to college out of state.  I don't think I have the words to describe just how impressed I am with her achievements.
     Yes, I had tears in my eyes - fabulously happy tears mixed with wistful tears.  So happy for the young woman who has excelled throughout school and is going on to bigger, better things.  At the same time, sad for myself, to lose one of my best friends (don't say that to her, you'll just get the teenage eye-rolling).  I honestly will be so lost without seeing her every day, talking to her all the time, going shopping or getting lunch together almost every other day.  She will embrace the change and flourish in her new surroundings (Boston, MA!)  On the other hand, I will miss our goofy giggling, our sharing tv shows, our time together.  Empty nest syndrome before the nest is even more than half empty!  (My older children would call that pathetic.)
     Why is it so different with her?  Her older brother not only graduated high school, but went off to the US Marine Corps, and while I missed him greatly, I didn't feel this panic & sadness that I am feeling with her.  Maybe it's because he is my son from my first marriage, so he spent many weekends at his father's house. I was used to letting him go.  Except for the occasional sleepover, or a band trip during high school, she has rarely been away from us.  Certainly not this far away either,  a 2+ hour drive.  Yes, I have already travelled to her new destination a few times.  I know my way there and back (and have duly warned her of that fact.)
     To tell you the truth, I am more than a little jealous of it all too.  I graduated high school (back in the stone ages if you ask my kids), but never went on to anything else.  I went back to my mom's house, got a job by the end of the summer, and never went to college.  I will admit, I am completely envious of everything she has ahead of her - a new bustling city, so many choices of what to do with her schooling, her life, and her future.  I guess I'll sit back and watch her blossom & bloom, agonize that I am not making her decisions for her any more, and keep my fingers crossed for her.  I know she'll have those inevitable disappointments in her life, but I've watched her grow, and I know she'll rise above them & go on to more and more successes.

Adrift

     One thing you may not know about me is that for several years I wrote poetry.  Looking at it now, I can't even say it was good poetry, though people have liked it (they may have just been humoring me at the time, I can't be sure. LOL)  Well, today I got the urge to grab my pen and dabble at bit.  Here's what developed:

ADRIFT

Floating, hovering aimlessly
No destination, no anchor to hold me
Drifiting away with nowhere to go

Hazy & dreamlike, doesn't seem real
Like being half asleep but can't wake up
Which way to turn, I don't know

Each step feels heavy
Like walking in mud or on clouds
Don't want to lift my legs

Sleep envelops my soul
I'd rather dream
The effort to move, overwhelming

Keep my eyes closed, afraid to see
Just feel the breeze, but not the pain
Too easy to fade away and forget I existed

The sunshine heats my skin yet hurts my eyes
Head full of thoughts
Longing to be free on the wind

Trapped in my own cage, one I built myself
Locked and bound in a tiny cocoon
Counting down to nothing, no transformation ahead

Just nothingness, sameness, endless cycles
No purpose, no worth, no answers
Moving towards the wall

Blank empty stretches of wall to wall white
No color, no changes, no hope

The urge to spin tempered by the urge to collapse
Again, unable to decide which
My mind screams in confusion

I should be happy with what I have
I should embrace it all
Yet I don't, I can't

I want more, I want less
I want to know what I want
Too much is never enough

And the floating continues...
One day I'll reach the sky
Or crash on the rocks

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