Thought I'd kick August off by trying something new in the baking department. Here is the aquarium cake I created for Mo's sister and family when they visited at the beginning of the month. I'd change a few things next time, but I'm pretty happy with it.
During Yankee Homecoming, particularly, parking in the South End is a challenge. We had a number of guests coming to visit, and no available parking on the street. We'd always wondered if we could fit the Mini next to the X3 side-by-side in our tandem-style driveway. It took some convincing, but I wouldn't accept defeat, and here is the result. Room for 4 cars!
One of our most favorite weddings ever was Trey and Molly's, back in 2003 in the heart of the Berkshires -- beautiful New Marlborough, Massachusetts. I came across these snaps from that breathtaking day and wish that I had found them earlier so I could show their daughters when they came for a cook-out a few weeks ago...
During that visit, Lydia and Chloe had numerous puppet shows in the Shed-Dutch-Door-Theater, had a blast in the third-floor kids area and their parents enjoyed a game of darts (or two). So great to see them, and we're looking forward to a ski trip this winter.
Mo and I were meeting Matt, Andy and Melissa in Foxborough for the Revs v. Red Bulls game on a Saturday night. It turned out that the last public Patriots Training Camp session was that afternoon. We thought about it for 2.6 seconds and agreed -- Double Header! Mo had never been, and was shocked at how close we were sitting to the coaches and players.
We were both surprised at the number of fans that were in attendance. And then continued to be surprised by how quickly they all dispersed when the skies opened and the ensuing monsoon cut-short the team meet-and-greet that ends every session.
We dried out, changed clothes and met the crew on the roof deck at Bar Louie. It was gloriously sunny and warm all the way until game time. Mo had done a phenomenal job of arranging for tickets, and we couldn't have been closer to the action. All of us were bummed that Thierry Henry was not fit to play, but it was a great game vibe nonetheless.
The chuck-the-streamers-at-the-opposing-goalkeeper MLS tradition never, ever gets old to me...
Mo's tomatoes, coming right along. Basil smells amazing as well...
I went up to Maine to accompany Mom to her chemo "exit interview" with her oncologist. She still has radiation until the end of September, but after that she doesn't have to check in for six months. Treatment basically complete -- "cancer free" barring any recurrence. Beat it, cancer. Don't come back. Echoing that sentiment is the always-charming Parker. He really would prefer that we not have any more kerfuffles. (He rules.)
And the kerfuffle surrounding the arrival of Hurricane Irene was not insignificant. But when all was said and done, on our wedding anniversary when she finally arrived, it was a whole lot of downgraded-to-a-tropical-storm-nothing. But we were delighted to see that our corner store had priorities in order:
Ahhh yes, our anniversary. I dug up these photos. Here's one of our bartenders preparing his station, and my absolute favorite part, the beer dinghy.
The rain may have pushed the ceremony inside, but the rainbow immediately following and the party that ensued have yet to be duplicated. Thanks Mom and Dad.
Happy 18th, Mo!
