An Unexpected House Guest

Recently I noticed that some of my plants look like something was munching on them.  Well, there was a hungry hungry caterpillar living among my window boxes.  He scared the bejeebers out of me when I found him ascending my curtains.  I'm not sure what type of caterpillar this is or how it got into my window boxes which are behind a screen, but he was really big, close to about three inches.  As much as I like wildlife and nature I decided that having him in the apartment wasn't the best idea.  Simon liberated him to the outside world.

Upon looking him up I discovered that this is a yellow stripe army worm.  They turn into a brown moth and the larva can do serious damage to plants.  I only found one so hopefully he is by himself.

Happy Long Weekend & Good Bye Summer!

Today is the unofficial end to the summer.  Kids are heading back to school in just a few days, which means that I will be heading back to my job as a part time nanny in just a few days.  Am I sad to see summer go? You betcha, but at the same time the fall is going to be so busy and amazing that I won't have time to be sad about summers end.  

This summer started off with me freaking out because of a big decision I made last year, but not returning to camp turned out to be the best thing for me.  Because of this decision I have a new job and new opportunities.  I was also able to spend time with friends and my family this summer.

4th of July Party in the Park

Playing in one of Philly's many fountains with Jules

Alyssa's new grill. 

And then of course the Surfing!  I can't even count how many times Simon and I went to the beach this summer.  It was well worth the gas money and tolls to surf as much as we did.  Our season isn't over by any means we will still get a few more trips in before the weather gets too nippy, but this summer we saw some of the best waves ever on the shore.  Simon also says that I'm starting to have mad skillz on a short board.  Now all I have to do is learn to duck dive.

The best pic Simon has ever taken of me surfing.

There is one more adventure for this summer and It's going to be pretty spectacular.  Tonight Simon and I are going to see Bruce Springsteen play, we even scored amazing seats thanks to our friend Josh.  It's the perfect way to end the summer.  

Summer Adventures: The Finger Lakes

Simon and I spent last week up at my parents place.  The ride up to New York was rainy, but the week was great and was just what the Hubs needed to recharge and prepare for his students to return to lessons. 

No Trip to the Finger Lakes is complete with out a trip to the falls and a walk up the Glen Trail in Watkins Glen.  It's one of our favorite places to visit while we are up seeing my parents. 

We have so many pictures of us at the Glen, one more couldn't hurt. 

After walking up the glen we turn around and walk back down the total trip is 3 miles and it is a beautiful hike up and back.  On the way down Simon and I play Pooh Sticks in the rapids.  Simon was the undefeated champion this year.  I was hopeful when our sticks got stuck together, but Simon still won. 

My Dad took a few days off from work to hang out with us.  On Thursday we went to the Corning Museum of Glass.  I've been there before, but it was Simon's first time.  They have changed the museum a bit since the last time I had been there, but it only made it better.  

This piece is all hand beaded with glass beads! 

You can't go to the glass museum with out seeing a glass blowing demo. 

This was my favorite piece in the contemporary gallery.  

After the Museum we went to Watkins Glen for lunch at the Wildflower Cafe.  Mom and I did a beer tasting there for a brewery called Rooster Fish.  (If you are ever in Watkins Glen NY the Wildflower Cafe is a must the food is amazing!)

My Parents. 

Our Rooster Fish Beers.

The next day we went wine tasting on Keuka Lake.  Our first stop was the winery my mom works at, Rooster Hill Vinyards.  They were bottling and mom and Barry let us take a look at the process. 

Vats full of delicious Rooster Hill wine. 

We also had a beer tasting at the Finger Lakes Beer Co.  They had some yummy brews, and even root beer. 

Hops drying in the sun. 

This is the entrance to what may be my new favorite Keuka Lake Winery, Keuka Lake Vineyards. 

We did a wine and chocolate tasting that was amazing!  They have some great whites and a Lomor Merlot Reserve that is to die for. 

Bottles lined up waiting to be purchased. 

Summer Adventures: Summer Storms

I love a good rainy day, but a thunderstorm is even better.  There have been some amazing storms this summer and I really enjoy watching them and taking pictured of the clouds.

This storm rolled in while Simon and I were biking to our softball game. 

Lets just say our game was cancelled. 

And we turned back just in time.  Thankfully we did not get caught in the down pour.  We did sit on our stoop and watch the storm roll over Philly.  

This storm rolled in over Ocean City while we were surfing on Monday.  It was sprinkling while we were surfing, but then when the storm started to make it's way over the shore point the life guards called everyone out of the water and shut the beach down.  

Our day at the beach was cut short and we were stuck on the board walk for a bit.  When there was a break in the storm we made a dash for the car and got there right when the sky opened up again.  

It was really beautiful to watch while we waited the first part of the storm out. 

On our way out of Ocean City we had some flood waters to contend with. 

Summer Adventures: Boston in Philly

Jules was in town! We has a blast.  Here are some pics of our adventures and activities. 

We met up with some good friends at an old watering hole. 

We went to the Farmers' Market at Headhouse.  

We ate the most yummy 100% grass fed beef burgers from a food truck.  

And we played in a fountain in Philly.  

All in all it was a great visit with my Boston bestie. 

Summer Adventures: Boston

I recently spent a long weekend in Boston with this lovely lady, my good friend Jules.  The hubs had to work and Jules boyfriend Norwood is currently going to grad school so we had a yummy food, good company, boozy girls weekend.

Jules was making margaritas.  When you make margaritas in Boston you use a large knife.  Our Ice had melted together into one solid brick. 

We even chased down the ice cream truck.  This was a first for me.  My town didn't have an ice cream man and if we did he wouldn't have driven down my creepy dead end road in the woods.  

There was s'mores making.  Although we had a lot of trouble getting the fire going.  

But once we did I made this beauty of a s'more.  

The hydrangeas were blossoming.  I couldn't help myself I started taking artsy shots of them.   

I also got to hang out with the coolest kitty around, Linus.  

It was a great four days and I always wish I had taken more pictures.  

Summer Adventures: 4th of July

This Independence Day was my first in 6 years that wasn't spent at camp, and I must say I had a great time.  We spent the whole afternoon at FDR park, cooking and eating and drinking beers.  Then it was off to North Philly to watch the fire works.  Here's a sampling of photos from the day.  

We cooked some traditional and non traditional bbq meats.  (Traditional hot dogs and burgers, Non traditional gator ribs and caribou.)

This dude was just strolling through the park dresses as an American Flag.

Even our Jello shots were patriotic.

(P.S. There are only a few more days to enter the Alchemy Hour Giveaway!)