I love . . . February 14, 2010

In honor of Valentines Day and The Pioneer Woman, I’m posting a few of the things I love today.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE . . .

• . . . my husband of 32 years.
• . . . the fact that I’m going to be a grandmother very soon!
• . . . that our children are all nearby and that we are SO proud of ALL of them!  (more later on each. . .)
• . . . teaching elementary school children.
• . . . summer vacation (do those two go hand-in-hand?)
• . . . that we live on a farm (although, sometimes I think I might hate that, too!)
• . . . that I grew up on a farm.
• . . . my mother, who’s in her late 80’s, but acts like, perhaps, 50!
• . . . chocolate-covered macadmia nuts (oh, honestly, chocolate-covered anything!)
• . . . Dunkin’ Donuts (the coffee part—and that they know my order when I drive up at 5 am!)
• . . . late nights.
• . . . early mornings.
• . . . our backyard in the summer.
• . . . snow in winter!
• . . . first daffodils of spring.
• . . . that I can drive a tractor, a quad, or a convertible!
• . . . February vacation!
• . . . rollerblading with my daughter and friends.
• . . . walking on the beach.
• . . . movies that are good enough to make me cry.
• . . . my favorite children’s book, “Charlotte’s Web.”
• . . . our family’s classics: “Princess Bride,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Great Outdoors.”
• . . . Bob Marley’s music.
• . . . just about ALL country music.
• . . . blogging, and Facebook, and IM-ing, and anything that keeps me in touch with my kids and other interesting people!
• . . . the Pioneer Woman.
• . . . Crunchy Chicken (a green, bloggy friend).
• . . . the Farmer’s Daughter (not necessarily in THAT order!)
• . . . the accessibility of the Internet in general.
• . . . Christmas!
• . . . Friday nights!
• . . . that our youngest son is independent, hardworking, and excited that he just  bought his THIRD truck!
• . . . that our daughter is happily married; happily employed at something she loves (teaching); is more domestic than I am; and did I say–pregnant?
• . . . that our oldest son just moved into his very first home; is quite capable on his own; is appreciative; and has a wonderful dry sense of humor!
• . . . that we have a very close family on both sides.
• . . . that I had a chance to go to college as an adult.
• . . . that my DH is supporting my outlandish wish to earn my Doctorate.
• . . . our Golden Retriever, Duke, even though he knows how to open the outside door in the dead of winter, but doesn’t know how to shut it (thanks, Jonathan!)
• . . . our spunky foal, Isabelle, and her mother, Annabelle.
• . . . our old Percheron Workhorse, Vinny, who we now appreciate for his docileness.
• . . . thoughtful people.
• . . . kind people.
• . . . other people’s birthdays!
• . . . cheese (especially very sharp, “smelly” cheeses!)
• . . . that at barely 5 ft., I can have a monster of a son who stands 6’5″ tall!”
• . . . my sister and brothers and the memories we share.
• . . . pumpkins in fall and hayrides on the farm.
• . . . the first day of school  after a long summer.
• . . . the last day of school after a quick school year.
• . . . SNOW DAYS, when you’re homebound for the whole day!
• . . . chicken soup cooking on the stove.
• . . . chocolate chip cookies in the oven.
• . . . wood in the furnace.
• . . . cool dips in the pool in the summer.
• . . . heck, pretty much, LIVING in your bathingsuit in the summer.
• . . . paddling my boat around the pond.
• . . . cruisin’ topless . . .
• . . . friends who can read your mind, even when you don’t want them to!
• . . . kids who reach out to you at just the right time.
• . . . in-laws and out-laws.
• . . . coffee and chocolate (I think I already covered that!)
• . . . my true love to spend this Valentines Day with!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

What do YOU love?

Dining Out “Green” February 15, 2009

We had the pleasure of enjoying a Valentines Day dinner with another couple at the first “certified green restaurant” in our little neck of the world.  My good friend made reservations at Donovan’s Reef, telling me that she knew I’d appreciate their environmentally-aware techniques because she’d just seen a news story on their green efforts.

What does it mean, exactly, to earn the designation of  “certified green restaurant” from the Green Restaurant Association?

  

Well, Donovan’s Reef has been in business for 20 years, but it recently decided to work toward lessening its environmental impact, showing that even established restaurants can change their habits and implement new practices.   Donovan’s began working with the national non-profit (GRA)  in July 2008, to incorporate sustainability into the day-to-day operation of the restaurant.

So far, the restaurant has accomplished 11 steps under the GRA guidelines,  including installing energy-efficient lighting, low-flow faucet aerators in the kitchen to conserve water, and a full-scale recycling program.  The restaurant is now also composting food waste.

I dined on a delicious dinner of Lobster Pie, while my Valentine enjoyed his NY Strip (as per usual:  seafood for me, beef for him, when we’re out) and call it my imagination, but I think it tasted even better knowing the restaurant is practicing “green dining.”  Also, the price was right in line, if not more economical, than other restaurants serving similar fare in our area that aren’t certified by the GRA.

Oh, and another thing that would please our daughter, the environmental science teacher,  is the leftover beef we brought home for Duke and Eddie, was packaged in a recycled, cardboard-type of container, not polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam) products.  They absolutely loved it!  I know that Abbie is also interested in how much of the food they serve at Donovan’s is LOCAL, so I’m checking into that as well . . . I might even invite her to join me there for lunch . . .

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! February 14, 2009

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!! 

Hope you’re having a GREAT day!  It’s not too late to respond to my Valentines Day Poll.

Jena of  “Married to the Farm,” asked what was going on here, so here’s the response I left her in my comment in the Valentines Day Poll, which is the next post on my blog:

As for me, I wasn’t expecting much. I had a great day at school yesterday (with kids who were totally hyped up about Valentines Day, candy, and the ensuing February vacation) where we did Math activities with “Sweetheart” candies, estimating, graphing, finding perimeter, volume, etc.  Lots of fun!

To my utter surprise, I can home totally beat to be greeted with two dozen perfect red roses from my husband of more than 30 years who suddenly has turned romantic again! There was a time when we were dating when there were always generous bouquets of roses, then a long dry spell, when I told him “DON’T WASTE MONEY,”  especially around Valentines Day when roses are at least double the price!  It seems he didn’t listen this year, and I’m enjoying them anyway!

We’re also going out to dinner tonight with two of our best friends who were at our wedding thirty-one years ago and who have also been married for more than 30 years!  The really nice thing is the GUYS set this dinner date up!  Happy Valentines Day to Pat and Jimmy, too!

Happy Valentines Day to you, too!

Hugs,

Ruth

How are YOU celebrating Valentines Day? February 13, 2009

    

Please share how you’ll be celebrating this “day of hearts” by responding to this poll in the comment box!

**   I’m taking my honey out for a romantic dinner. . .

**  I’m creating some fancy culinary delights at home. .  .

**  I’ll be enjoying a good book at home . . . any maybe some wine and chocolate!

**  I’m still looking for that perfect Valentine!

**  I’ve got something else in mind!  (Tell us about it in a comment, if you dare!)