As I've previously stated on this blog, there are many reasons I love October. I've added a new reason though recently, and that is pumpkin flavored beers. Here we have bottles of Flying Dog "No Fear" imperial pumpkin ale and Cape Anne "Fisherman's" pumpkin stout. Two awesome tasting beers. At 9% ABV, I think that No Fear is my favorite of the two. Make no mistake though, pumpkin and spice flavor goes quite well with stout.
Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.
Listening to "Dear Mr. Fantasy" by Traffic.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Drunk Punkin
Last Saturday Recap
'Tis a slow one for news this week. I'm mainly doing things around the house this weekend while my ladies are visiting some friends in South Carolina. With that in mind I thought I'd take a little bit of time to do a photo recap of last Saturday's activities. First up is the photos from our visit to Hill High Farm near Winchester, VA...
I love this first shot because the elements in it are sure signs that fall has arrived.
A few tractor shots.
Katrina and Grandpa making their way through a maze of hay bales.
My little smiling sweetheart during the hayride.
While stopped to pick pumpkins. She's already cute enough, but holding up that little pumpkin makes her look even cuter.
One of two calves at the animal petting barn.
Later that evening we had a small campfire get together at my in-laws' church.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I love this first shot because the elements in it are sure signs that fall has arrived.
A few tractor shots.
Katrina and Grandpa making their way through a maze of hay bales.
My little smiling sweetheart during the hayride.
While stopped to pick pumpkins. She's already cute enough, but holding up that little pumpkin makes her look even cuter.
One of two calves at the animal petting barn.
Later that evening we had a small campfire get together at my in-laws' church.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Virginia: My Haven, My Home
For those who follow me on Facebook or Twitter, it is no secret that I've been having a bit of a rough time at work. It is what it is, and I'll leave it at that. That's not what I'm here to talk about this evening.
I'm here this evening to talk about my home state, the Commonwealth of Virginia. I'm a transplanted Virginian having spent the first 14 years of my life in New Jersey. My parents moved the family in September of 1994 down to the southern Virginia town of Keysville. Keysville is a small town situated about an hour southwest of Richmond. Almost a decade and a half later, Keysville still does not have a traffic light.
While it was a huge culture shock at first, after a few months I really began to enjoy my new surroundings. Sure I didn't have all the conveniences I once had, but I found that I really loved the countryside. It should be noted, that I did spend a good portion of my early childhood on horse farms (my parents had been renting the houses). From there and visits to other rural places, I think I developed an appreciation for the countryside early on.
I only lived in Keysville for four years. While I loved my new home, at 18 years old I needed more than that small town could offer. To that end, I enlisted in the Air Force and left for basic training in April 1999. While the last 12 years have taken me many places, I always enjoyed any chance I had to go home for a visit.
Another reason that Virginia is so special, is that I met my wife Kristin here. I met her the fall before I joined the Air Force. It was Halloween night to be exact. I had just turned 18 a few days before and she was a sophomore at Longwood College (now university). We kept in touch over the years and when I came back to the states in 2004, we started dating.
The first time I came up to visit Kristin at her parents house, near Winchester, VA, I fell in love with my home state all over again. The Shenandoah Valley is not only one of the most beautiful places in Virginia, it is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. I'm so happy to be stationed in Maryland now as it puts me closer to my hometown as well as Kristin's.
So some are probably asking what my opening paragraph had to do with all of this. Well, despite the bad week I had spending the weekend here in White Post has been renewing. Whether here or in Keysville, this state always allows me to find my center again.
From a hayride with my ladies yesterday afternoon...
To a campfire at my in-laws' church...
To a evening walk with Layla today...
After this weekend, the stress from the last few weeks has melted away. I can't say that it won't return, but for now I'm going to enjoy my haven here.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I'm here this evening to talk about my home state, the Commonwealth of Virginia. I'm a transplanted Virginian having spent the first 14 years of my life in New Jersey. My parents moved the family in September of 1994 down to the southern Virginia town of Keysville. Keysville is a small town situated about an hour southwest of Richmond. Almost a decade and a half later, Keysville still does not have a traffic light.
While it was a huge culture shock at first, after a few months I really began to enjoy my new surroundings. Sure I didn't have all the conveniences I once had, but I found that I really loved the countryside. It should be noted, that I did spend a good portion of my early childhood on horse farms (my parents had been renting the houses). From there and visits to other rural places, I think I developed an appreciation for the countryside early on.
I only lived in Keysville for four years. While I loved my new home, at 18 years old I needed more than that small town could offer. To that end, I enlisted in the Air Force and left for basic training in April 1999. While the last 12 years have taken me many places, I always enjoyed any chance I had to go home for a visit.
Another reason that Virginia is so special, is that I met my wife Kristin here. I met her the fall before I joined the Air Force. It was Halloween night to be exact. I had just turned 18 a few days before and she was a sophomore at Longwood College (now university). We kept in touch over the years and when I came back to the states in 2004, we started dating.
The first time I came up to visit Kristin at her parents house, near Winchester, VA, I fell in love with my home state all over again. The Shenandoah Valley is not only one of the most beautiful places in Virginia, it is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. I'm so happy to be stationed in Maryland now as it puts me closer to my hometown as well as Kristin's.
So some are probably asking what my opening paragraph had to do with all of this. Well, despite the bad week I had spending the weekend here in White Post has been renewing. Whether here or in Keysville, this state always allows me to find my center again.
From a hayride with my ladies yesterday afternoon...
To a campfire at my in-laws' church...
To a evening walk with Layla today...
After this weekend, the stress from the last few weeks has melted away. I can't say that it won't return, but for now I'm going to enjoy my haven here.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Lady Layla
Just a quick post this morning to share some new photos of our Pit Bull mix Layla. This dog is great very photogenic and she does a fairly good job of sitting still long enough for me to take her picture. More and more each day I count myself lucky that we found her. She is such a sweetheart and couldn't imagine this household without her.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
For The Love Of October
Finally after many months, October is here again. Of all the months out of the year, October is my favorite month of the year. Sure it is the month of my birth, but there are so many more reasons I love this month.
First, there is the weather. September often holds onto heat from August, and November generally marks the change to winter temperatures, at least in this region. October on the other hand seems to strike that perfect balance. Chilly evenings and cool or mildly warm days. Indeed October is a great month for campfires, bonfires and any other fire that you choose to gather around with family and friends. Second, there is the fall foliage. Trees ablaze with many beautiful colors seem to abound in October. I'm not sure yet how Maryland will be, but growing up in New Jersey, fall color always seemed to peak in this month.
This October 1st is a rainy one, but I'm enjoying it just as much as I would a sunny one. I love rainy, fall days. Perhaps it has to do with the weather at the time of my birth. My mom often relates how it was a cold and rainy October 25th when I entered the world at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. I hope everyone has a great October. I'm looking forward to bonfires and photographing trains with a beautiful backdrop of colored leaves. :~)
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
First, there is the weather. September often holds onto heat from August, and November generally marks the change to winter temperatures, at least in this region. October on the other hand seems to strike that perfect balance. Chilly evenings and cool or mildly warm days. Indeed October is a great month for campfires, bonfires and any other fire that you choose to gather around with family and friends. Second, there is the fall foliage. Trees ablaze with many beautiful colors seem to abound in October. I'm not sure yet how Maryland will be, but growing up in New Jersey, fall color always seemed to peak in this month.
This October 1st is a rainy one, but I'm enjoying it just as much as I would a sunny one. I love rainy, fall days. Perhaps it has to do with the weather at the time of my birth. My mom often relates how it was a cold and rainy October 25th when I entered the world at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. I hope everyone has a great October. I'm looking forward to bonfires and photographing trains with a beautiful backdrop of colored leaves. :~)
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Whip It Good
Just a short post tonight before heading off to bed. Yesterday's bonfire was a great time. There was lots of yummy chili and I discovered that pumpkin flavored beer rocks (especially with pumpkin cupcakes). I have yet to try other brands, but I will make a shameless plug here for Brooklyn Brewery's Post Road Pumpkin Ale.
Among the general awesomeness of the evening, my friend Clark brought his whip along with him and was demonstrating the techniques for cracking it. Here's a short video of him demonstrating.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Among the general awesomeness of the evening, my friend Clark brought his whip along with him and was demonstrating the techniques for cracking it. Here's a short video of him demonstrating.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
A Great Weekend Ahead
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Today is going to be a great day. First, my brother Brian and his family are driving down from Delaware to spend a few hours with us. It will be nice to enjoy some food and fellowship with them. It is also good for Katrina to get a chance to spend some time with her cousins. Of course when family comes to visit, I pull out all the stops when it comes to food, and today is no exception. In a little while, I'll be firing up the grill and throwing on a couple of sirloin steaks. Once they're done, they'll get sliced thin and served on toasted Italian bread with homemade garlic butter (using real Irish butter as the base).
Tonight we're headed to see some friends and enjoy a bonfire, pumpkin cupcakes and some spiced wine. I've also picked up some Post Road Pumpkin Ale from Brooklyn Brewery. I can't wait to crack open a bottle and enjoy it with a Cohiba cigar.
Now with the bonfire happening tonight, I wish the weather would turn a little cooler. Yesterday marked the first day of fall, but other than last week, the weather has not really felt like it. I'm ready for cooler temperatures and colored leaves. Fall has been and always will be my favorite time of year. I guess that comes from being an October baby. According to my mom, it was quite the cool, rainy day when I came into this world.
I hope everyone out there in intraweb land has a great weekend with whatever you decide to get into!
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Listening to "Crack the Meter" by Jordan Rudess
Today is going to be a great day. First, my brother Brian and his family are driving down from Delaware to spend a few hours with us. It will be nice to enjoy some food and fellowship with them. It is also good for Katrina to get a chance to spend some time with her cousins. Of course when family comes to visit, I pull out all the stops when it comes to food, and today is no exception. In a little while, I'll be firing up the grill and throwing on a couple of sirloin steaks. Once they're done, they'll get sliced thin and served on toasted Italian bread with homemade garlic butter (using real Irish butter as the base).
Tonight we're headed to see some friends and enjoy a bonfire, pumpkin cupcakes and some spiced wine. I've also picked up some Post Road Pumpkin Ale from Brooklyn Brewery. I can't wait to crack open a bottle and enjoy it with a Cohiba cigar.
Now with the bonfire happening tonight, I wish the weather would turn a little cooler. Yesterday marked the first day of fall, but other than last week, the weather has not really felt like it. I'm ready for cooler temperatures and colored leaves. Fall has been and always will be my favorite time of year. I guess that comes from being an October baby. According to my mom, it was quite the cool, rainy day when I came into this world.
I hope everyone out there in intraweb land has a great weekend with whatever you decide to get into!
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Listening to "Crack the Meter" by Jordan Rudess
Thursday, September 22, 2011
New Family Addition
We decided last week that the time was right for us to get a dog. I've wanted one every since I left home for the Air Force, but with being single and moving around a lot it just wasn't an option. Even after getting married, it wouldn't have been fair to the dog with both Kristin and I working. To add to everything else, we didn't want to run the risk of renting a place that wouldn't allow a dog. We had resigned ourselves to the fact that we had to wait until we purchased our own home within the next couple of years. On a whim though, I had decided to e-mail my landlord last week and see what he might say about adding the dog. I offered to pay an extra pet deposit if he said yes. Not only did he say yes to us having a dog in the house, but he stated that he was not going to charge us an extra pet deposit.
With the opportunity now right, we decided to pay a visit to the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) to look for a pitty mix. At this point, I should backtrack a little. I've always loved all types of dogs. Growing up, we mainly had mutts we adopted from shelters or the occasional stray who just showed up. This past year though, I fell in love with Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes after my mom adopted one from a rescue.
My mom's dog Shiloh.
At BARCS, we waited for almost an hour before we could even look at dogs because they were severely short-staffed on volunteers that day. Soon enough though we were back browsing through all the animals. There were many animals that we would have loved to take home with us, but we narrowed them down to three we wanted to take for a walk. Of the three, one in particular stood out. This dog was Juicy. Not only was Juicy nice and calm when we first walked up to her kennel, but when we allowed Katrina to give her a treat, she sat there and gently took it. No snapping, no lunging forward. After getting lots of gentle doggy kisses from her and seeing how she just wanted to be close to a person, we decided that she was the dog for us. In short time she was ours and going by her new name, Layla. Now for those wondering, yes, I named her after the Derek and the Dominoes song. All I can say is that Layla is a sweetheart. She still has a little puppy left in her (the cats are having a hard time adjusting because of that), but when she's not active, she's the biggest snuggler in the world. She loves to lay on the couch or in bed with Kristin and I and is generally shadowing one or the other. All I can say is that I am so grateful we found her. She is such a welcome addition to the family.
Here are a few photos I took of Layla the other day.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
With the opportunity now right, we decided to pay a visit to the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) to look for a pitty mix. At this point, I should backtrack a little. I've always loved all types of dogs. Growing up, we mainly had mutts we adopted from shelters or the occasional stray who just showed up. This past year though, I fell in love with Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes after my mom adopted one from a rescue.
At BARCS, we waited for almost an hour before we could even look at dogs because they were severely short-staffed on volunteers that day. Soon enough though we were back browsing through all the animals. There were many animals that we would have loved to take home with us, but we narrowed them down to three we wanted to take for a walk. Of the three, one in particular stood out. This dog was Juicy. Not only was Juicy nice and calm when we first walked up to her kennel, but when we allowed Katrina to give her a treat, she sat there and gently took it. No snapping, no lunging forward. After getting lots of gentle doggy kisses from her and seeing how she just wanted to be close to a person, we decided that she was the dog for us. In short time she was ours and going by her new name, Layla. Now for those wondering, yes, I named her after the Derek and the Dominoes song. All I can say is that Layla is a sweetheart. She still has a little puppy left in her (the cats are having a hard time adjusting because of that), but when she's not active, she's the biggest snuggler in the world. She loves to lay on the couch or in bed with Kristin and I and is generally shadowing one or the other. All I can say is that I am so grateful we found her. She is such a welcome addition to the family.
Here are a few photos I took of Layla the other day.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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