Pit Fire Tonight

Sitting outside, listening to Eric Clapton and drinking home brew. Life is good. :)



-- Posted From My iPhone

Pizza Night

Made some homemade pizza tonight, was looking forward to it all week. Turned out really well, the crust was chewy and crusty. We added some olives, salami and garlic, mmmmmmmm.

Thanks for The Valentine's Day Cards

Jack loved getting his V-Day cards from GG, Grandma Witchey and Aunt Reet. Thanks for the cards for Jack. Also Thanks for the card I got from my Mom and Kate got one from her Mom. Nice to be loved.

Freaks Him Out

We got jack a sword at the Ice Capades that has Buzz Lightyear on it. Buzz Lightyear doesn't have a sword and why would a spaceman need a sword? It doesn't matter, we got him one and he likes it, but it has a switch on it and lights up. He says he doesn't like the light cause it "freaks him out". I have no idea where he gets this stuff, I don't ever say that, but its funny to see a little person say something like this.

Lunch with the Fam

Had lunch with the Family on Sunday, we went to Coastal Flats and I had the Lobster sandwich with a grilled corn on the cobb. Man it was goood. Those people know how to cook, they are a part of the Artie's/ Mike's American/ Lone Star chain that just does food right. They are going to open a new one at Fairfax Corner in a few months that is Italian, so that will be a real treat.

Exhibit A

Dad sent me an article from the Washington Post all about stupid DC area drivers, they are the biggest bunch of idiots and screwballs you - and here is a visual example for you as Exhibit A. This dork was just too lazy, a week after the storm, to clean off any snow from his car so that eventually it gets blown off and causes an accident or worse.

Stupid should hurt.

Icicles

The weather has been fairly sunny, so it has started to melt and create lots of icicles from the roof. A couple of times I have gone out and the door knocks them off the overhang. We have some really big ones on the back "Widow-Makers" I call them. I am careful around them and try to knock them off if I can reach them so they don't impale the dog.

After Bath Time

"Hey, Look Up..."


"Smile...."

Ice Capades

We went to see Disney Ice Capades on Saturday at Verizon Center and it was a great time. We got the tickets through Teresa, Jack's Godmother and they were great seats, right in the middle on the aisle.

The only thing that we didn't like was the kid in back of us who just couldn't help but kick the seats while his parents looked on and didn't say a word. That's not fair, they asked him once to stop, but who knows what they said, it was in Spanish and I don't know what "If you do that again, I will pinch you" is in Spanish. Whatever it was, he stopped, but only for a minute and was right back to kicking. I gave him the look and he finally stopped. That wasn't so hard now, was it?

Jack loved watching all the characters, it could have been on a stage and he would have been happy with that. Since it was on ice, they had to ramp it up and do a bunch of twirls and lifts, whch didn't make much sense for a fish to do or a puppet (pinnochio) for that matter, but it was entertaining for all of us.

I would suggest parking a few blocks away where its only $10 as opposed to Verizon Center, where they screw you at $25 for the event. If it was a business day, all day would only cost $15. Otherwise, a good way to spend a Saturday with the family.

I did have trouble after I dropped Kate off at the Ronald Reagan building for her Wine Show. They had the exit for 66 blocked, no signs, no warning, just a guy with a truck and yellow lights. I had to go all the way up Massachusetts Avenue and find the beltway, which was probably ten miles. Made it home fine, but what an ordeal. If you didn't know by now, DC sucks at traffic issues. Couldn't give a care for Virginians, come in, spend your moola, figure out for yourself how to get home. Good luck. I think DC stands for "Don't Care" sometimes.

While we were there, we saw a sign for the Circus in March, so maybe we will go to that. Its coming to the Patriot Center after that, so maybe we will just stay closer to home and save the gas/parking money.

Mesmerized by the action.

Mickey at the Ice Capades


Jack spent most of his time watching like this:


The Big Finish:

Thanks, But I Didn't Need Your Help

I spent about two hours cleaning off the driveway this morning and then went to clear off the rest during the late afternoon. I had just finished clearing off the end of the driveway when two snow plows rolled by and delivered a three foot wall of new snow across the end of the driveway. If I had only known they were going to do that, I could have saved myself a bit of energy and time.

Before: Notice the clear driveway. I cleared the other six inches off that fell the next day.


My driveway after they cleared the road, while also blocking my driveway.


I recorded it when they came back by the other side of the road, doing the same to my neighbors. This makes three times I have cleared the driveway by the street.

When they cleared the road on the other side:

Eating Snow

The Dog

So when you spend a good amount of time inside, you devise ways to entertain yourself, the dog is great at entertaining us since she is ready to go at a moments notice if you have something to eat. She isn't picky, sometimes you don't even need that, some navel lint will do (I kid!).

Jack and I were sitting on the couch, eating goldfish and decided to throw a few at Bobbi the Wonder Dog.



Its always amazing how she can just grab little food out of the air. I would starve if I had to eat this way. I would also have to clean up a lot of food from the floor.

Warm Bread

So all those suckers that are buying up all the bread at the grocery stores should just make it. If you have flour, Water (who doesn't?) and some yeast, you got bread. The hardest part is getting hold of some yeast, which is easier to find at the grocery store.

Kate made a few loaves and they were great, we have been baking bread for the last year and its been great.

Fresh bread smells sooooo good.

Icicle Plant

This azalea sits below the roofline, so most of the snow run-off has been dripping onto the plant and then refreezing. The leaves are now encased in ice.

Snow, Snow, Snow

Heard enough about the snow? Nawwww. Well then these postings will be sure to remind you about how the last few days have been going. I have been digging when I go out, weather it be to the back yard (dog has to poop somewhere) or just to clear off the cars and driveway.

Mostly its been the driveway. We parked our cars all the way up, so I ended up clearing off the entire driveway. Next time I may just move the cars down a few feet and just clear off half the driveway. Word to the wise.

Every time I go out to clear off the driveway, the dog and the boy have been tagging along. They usually don't get in the way, but the dog is like my little stalker, she has to be close to me and watches everything I do. The boy just wants to be entertained, so I throw some snow on him and he's good. I tried to get him to help me shovel but he is not very strong and is lazy. What do you expect from a three year old? :)

We also made a snow angel or two and made a few snow drawings. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

What's Up, Chicken Butt?

Snow Angel.

No More snow, please.


Loyal Dog (and quite possibly my stalker)

Digging Out

After a short time out in the snow, its good to get a cup of hot cocoa.

Dapper Jack

This kid is cooool. Kate dressed him up for a Baptism last week and he looked like a child model. We didn't ask him to put his hands in his pockets, he just did that when Kate whipped the camera out.

Wanna Make A Snowball?

Did Someone Say Snow?

Yeah, it looks like we are getting walloped. I bring out special words like wallop on special occasions, such as today, when we have now accumulated 17 inches of snow and counting. Winds are supposed to pick up later too.

I took Jack out this afternoon so I could clear off the walkway and the back so the dog could do her business. I got as far as the end of the driveway, with just enough room to walk. After a few minutes, it was already covered up, so its not over.

Jack liked being in the snow and wanted to make some snowballs, but it was a little too dry to make them. Meanwhile, I shoveled some serious snow.

Dresed and ready fr the snow.

The Backyard, where it measured 27 inches deep.

27 Inches, so far.




Enjoying some Hot Cocoa after coming in from the snow.

Tiki Statue

I have been working on a special project involving tikis lately. When I am done, I will be sure to fill you all in on what it is, but suffice to say, its kitchy and cool and involves tiki statues. The above illustration is one of the sketches I illustrated as an exercise for the project.

Stay tuned.