"I am a Hazelnut..."

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This is what I am...does it sound like me?

Hazelnut Tree, the Extraordinary
Charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody and capricious lover, honest and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgement.

One Down, One to Go....

This has to be the slowest day at work that I have had in a very long time…I know there are things to do, but I just cannot do it! Also, I know tomorrow will likely be busy one – so I will just save everything for tomorrow! Then I am outta here for 5 days!!!

I suppose I should do the weekend update thing – Friday night my sister and I went to Vitos for supper. I had their new dish, Penne Zesto, which was fab, but the service really sucked. We should have eaten in the bar area, as we usually get better service, but I didn’t think of it at the time…I could only eat half of the Penne Zesto, so I took the rest to John, who was working a night shift.

Saturday was the “Not so Amazing Race – Saint John edition”. The idea was the brainstorm of a friend in honour of another friend, E. that has moved to Halifax…a little going away get together. The day was a lot of fun! Everyone met at O’Leary’s to get organized and get our first clue. I teamed up with Pika, which worried me a little because there would have been a possibility that we would strangle each other, but we turned out to be a great team! We both had the same idea about the day – no running as it was incredibly hot, and if we felt like it, we would disqualify ourselves and find a patio somewhere to get a cold one. But, we soon realized we were probably going to finish near the top, so we stuck to it.

The clues took us throughout the South End – from Brunswick Square Shopping Mall to the Three Sisters Lamps and back again. Each clue was a photograph of a feature at the location we had to find, and at some of the locations we had to complete a task – like a water balloon throwing contest, a word puzzle, etc. This part took about an hour – it seemed to fly by very fast!

Before the last leg of the race, we were team #3 out of 8. The last task had the teams sucking either a pitcher of beer or pop (our choice) thru straws at the same time – or one team member having a drink of tomato juice with three raw eggs. We opted for the pop – as we were both driving and the egg thing wasn’t something either of us would do. After that contest we ended up 4th, but at least we didn’t throw up like one of the girls on the team that came ahead of us….we survived with our dignity in tact!

We then had yummy cake from the Baking Stone for the guest of honour – some of us already have a trip planned to got to Halifax in August for a visit with E…should be a good time!

I have to say to the organizers (I think some of you read this) – What an excellent job! We should make it a yearly event….

So, after the race, Pika and I both headed back to the valley – both rather tired. Later that evening, my sister & I went over to C and A’s place, and Pika joined us there. We were going to have a fire, but the Thunder/Lightning/Rain put the kibosh on that. All was well because we had a really good time catching up and having a laugh…

Sunday, John got home from work in the morning and we had a very low key day. The heat prevented much for physical activity, so we stayed in the cool family room for most of the day, just heading out once to pick up a few groceries and a little drive by the yacht club to look at the boats. We BBQ’s for supper (just like any other night in the summer!) and then had P. stopped by later in the evening, and then M&J after that for a little visit.

June 24 Feast

Appetizer
What time do you usually wake up each day? If you could choose your wake-up time, when would it be?
Weekdays my alarm is set for 6:15am, but I do not get out of bed until 6:20ish….weekends I am usually out of bed by 8am. I would prefer to wake up at 8am every day!
Soup
When was the last time you bought groceries? What store did you go to? Name 3 things you purchased.
I stopped at Sobeys last night on the way home from work and bought Potatoe Salad and Coleslaw for last night’s BBQ supper and a fruit salad for today’s lunch!
Salad
How many books have you read so far this year? Which was your favorite and why?
I can only recall the last 10, but I know there are more. My favorite was “Confessions of a Shopaholic” because I actually laughed out loud at the character’s antics and felt the character was realistic (I saw myself in the book a few years back).
Main Course
What is something you consider to be very elegant? In particular, what about that item/place/person conjures up the feeling of elegance?
The colour white when used to decorate…for example, plush, white furniture, large white pillar candles atop a white mantle over a brick fireplace (painted white!) or crisp white linens on a table. I cannot say in particular why I feel that way, but it is a look I would love to have in my house, but it is not practical...
Dessert
Who taught you how to drive?
I took Drivers Ed., but my father also took me driving. I took Drivers Ed because everyone else did and back then (maybe still today) if you took Drivers Ed, insurance rates were better.

Summertime

I made a last minute decision and booked June 29 and 30th off and I am so glad that I did! I really need some time away from this place. With the July 1st holiday and the weekend thrown in there – a 5 day break is good!

Return to work on July 4th for two weeks then it is off to see Kenny Chesney in Massachusetts (booked July 22&25th for that trip). It will be odd working July 4th because for some reason I have always had the day off over the last few years…well, last year I was out of work, so maybe that doesn’t count…2003 I was camping in Nova Scotia…2002 I remember because I got my navel pierced that day….and then there was a wicked thunder / lightning / rain storm that night. 2001 – can’t recall but there is a strong possibility I was camping. I actually did have July 4 – 6 booked this year originally but, due to reasons that I cannot control, I would just end up wasting the days as we could not plan anything.

The first full week of August is booked, but I may end up using only 3 days…I still have next winter and spring to get thru and I usually like to take time off in the springtime. And I have Sept 2 booked which, in conjunction with Sept 5 Labour Day, gives me a 4 day weekend.

We did change our reservations for July 22 & 23rd from Revere to Lexington. I found a Quality Inn on line that seemed like a better choice – easy access off the interstate and would not require going anywhere near Boston, which was what John was looking for. They also have a swimming pool and hot tub – only $10 more and had a better overall rating on Expedia…

I am Fabienne.....

What Pulp Fiction Character are you?

John did this one - he is Butch

Photos

My shot at "artistic photography" below....taken with an old fashioned 35mm camera, then scanned...my digital camera never seems to work for me as I am not sure how to change the settings...I just point, click and hope for the best.

Had our first camping trip the weekend of June 11th - just an overnighter - not a full fledge trip as we only brought the bare minimum - tent, sleeping bags and camp chairs. It didn't seem right without our coolers, stove and lanterns and screen tent, etc. We spent the day at Kings Landing then camped at Mactaquac Provincial Park. Nice area.

Window at Kings Landing - June 11, 2005
Posted by Ms.29

Lilacs at Kings Landing - June 11, 2005
Posted by Ms.29

The Friday Feast for June 10

Appetizer
Name one thing that made you sad this week.
Reading a headline on CNN about a little girl getting killed in traffic while trying to save a turtle
Soup
What was the last object (not person) you took a picture of?
My Garden last night (posted below)
Salad
Who do you talk to when you need help in making a decision?
My husband
Main Course
If you were a weather event, what would you be, and why?
A sudden thunder storm – because my moods can flash and then disappear
Dessert
Suggest a website that you think your readers would enjoy visiting.
The Imdb.com – international movie data base – linked to the right

This picture was taken just minutes after the the shot I posted below...amazing how quickly the sun set!
Posted by Ms.29

The start of an evening cruise in Lunenburg Harbour on the "Eastern Star".....
Posted by Ms.29

At Ashlea House B&B in Lunenburg, NS on our honeymoon. We went on a motorcycle, so it was casual wear only. That's the B&B mascot, Dorry, a Duck Tolling Retriever
Posted by Ms.29

One of my favorites from our wedding last summer - during the Tall Ships...we took advantage of the backdrop for a couple of quick pictures...I am pushing my veil back against a slight breeze....
Posted by Ms.29

Picture quality is poor - but you should get the idea
Posted by Ms.29

We found our Green Thumbs

I was planning on taking some digital photos last night of our new shrub garden, but it was a bit overcast…I will try tonight.

That was the big day last weekend – John and I spent all day Saturday ripping out the old weeds, etc. from our front garden (all except the peonies). We pulled as many weeds as possible, and planted (two of each) Mugo Pine, Emerald Green Euonymus (spelling?) and Blue Juniper, laid landscaping fabric, then mulched it. Then we put out a set of moonlights that were a wedding present last year. So very proud of our accomplishment…it’s a big deal because neither of us has ever been “gardeners”. We just had to do something with the state of the front of our house. We should have thought of that before buying a house with lots of green space.

We had my 4-year old nephew over for the night, and then my sister came over for dinner. Later on, M&J and P stopped by for a "social gathering". A really great day!

So, what else is new….been looking into places to stay while in Massachusetts in July and in Lunenburg / Halifax in August. I found a place called the “Rodeway Inn” for $80US in Revere, Mass (part of the Comfort Inn chain) and booked it, but then read some reviews of it on tripadvisor.com. One person liked it, the other two felt it was the perfect place to spend an hour….also, it is basically in the heart of Boston, and John would prefer staying on the outskirts. There is a “Quality Inn” in Lexington that we may book instead. I know I am thinking about this trip too much and driving my husband crazy, but over planning and over analyzing is essentially part of my character.

Nothing booked for Lunenburg yet, but places have been narrowed down!