Happy Birthday Arizona...

This is slightly belated, I know.  The rude month of February is currently ruining my life with its oscillating temps and snowless(ness)... But I have decided not to let this Birthday pass without candles and cake... for turning 100 is kind of a big deal!

Arizona and I have had a love hate relationship for as long as I can remember...

The blinding sun piercing my eyeballs every.single.day.  

The awful burns from the scorching seat belt buckles ruining all car rides.

The chemical burn up my nose upon each accidental inhale of chlorinated water.

Third degree sunburns and greenish blond hair.

Heat stroke.

Snakes, scorpions, and killer bees.

But even with all of this I cannot deny the place it has in my life.  I was born there, I got married there,  I had two children there, and I feel it just might be my destiny to die there... but that is yet to be determined.  I have learned to love it for all that it is and all that it is not.

Sometimes a little Vitamin D feels good on the brain.

I have tons of wonderful childhood memories there.  Most of them include the pool.

Living next to California has its advantages.

The sunsets are to die for.

The food is seriously fantastic, something I didn't realize until I left.

Most of my very favorite people have lived there or live their currently.

They have  luxury gyms that served as a sanctuary for me every.single.day.

So happy 100th birthday you crazy state you.  Try and stop making the national news with all your controversial laws and crazy sheriff... k?

DId I ever tell ya how I met the Doctor??

So there is this doctor, one who is dedicated to health and wellness, in a well rounded sort of way.  Of course, I receive emails from him quite often... ones with updates and recipes and personal family vacation photos...you know, the ones you sign up for **wink wink - not the kind that come from someone you actually know!
HOWEVER
I did meet him once.
You can see him HERE in case you are teetering on knowing whom it is I speak of.  His name is Dr. Weil and he makes the most fantastic teriyaki dish in all the land.  It is not only the perfect choice on the menu for the taste buds but it also matches the decor!  And the iced green tea is just lovely.  and the edamame dumplings and the temphe burger and the greek hummus...
anyways... here is the meeting a long story short sort of way...
Papa, UK, Gabi goose (age 3.5) and me at a table at Dr. Weil's True foods eating this very dish.  Kiel spots a one Mr. Sam Fox, restaurant icon in the sonoran desert area.  We spot him dining with the one and only Dr. Weil only a few feet away.  I almost faint.  Kiel begs me not to do or say anything.  I agree, biting my lip.  Papa pays for our lunch (because he treated me to lunch weekly for years and they were some of the best afternoons I have ever had).  Kiel and Papa get up normally and exit the restaurant.  I try and follow suit.  I gather Gabrielle's 500 playthings and her blanket and my purse.  She hops down in her cute pigtails.  I turn to exit just as my fellow companions just did.  I knock the outdoor umbrella with my purse and it teeters to the point that it almost falls directly on the doctor and Mr. Fox and their guests.  After an eternity passes and the umbrella doesn't strike my health hero in the head at his own restaurant I see them all staring right at me.
So did I play it cool?
of course.
I proceeded to tell them all how amazing their new eatery was.  How much I enjoyed my lunch.  How much I loved Mister Weil.  How I thought eating out there in the same patio with him was like eating right next to Brad Pitt.  Yes, I said Brad Pitt... 
He smiled big and laughed and was super kind.  I heard one of them say that 'that was awesome' as I walked away.
Then I met Kiel at the car and told him all about it and when we were safe with in the closed doors and windows I screamed and shook my head all around.  Kiel laughed and was thankful he left before me.
and that's how I met the Doctor.

Feeling Blue...

I love a Monday and I love a New Year.  I love starting over/do overs/rewinds/and moving on.  I embrace change and live for new adventures.  

But amidst all the resolutions and exciting new year starts I am left feeling a bit like a lost bird.  I have my sights on many things but my take off gear is sputtering.

Today I am going to sew something.

Tomorrow I am going to go to the gym.

This weekend I am going to organize my closet.

This month I am going to celebrate my oldest child turning ten in a big way.

As for everything else ...

I am also going to be on the look out for these, because my Papa is sending some my way!!  And if you know me, I do not share when it comes to oranges that are shipped in a box. 

Chloe's...

Is small town liven' in the big city... well big suburb anyway!

I went from refusing coffee for all my twenty something years until my introduction to this slice of heaven.  Chloe's corner was across the street from my new fancy workplace and all the shop girls were always running over there.  I had been in a few times, mostly for their then famous HOMEMADE POP- TARTS, yes you heard me right.  But never had I tried their ice coffee.  When the girls swore by its magical powers to get you through a holiday shift I was willing, and for 50 cents what was there to lose.
My sanity.
There were days when I was not on the schedule to work and would drive the 30 miles from my own home (that had its own coffee maker) for one of these!
Then I met Alana.  Well I had been ordering coffee from her everyday for a good year and we became friendly.  It was like I lived in a little town and knew the locals ;-)  Then one day The Mister got hooked on the coffee and he too ordered from her.  Then one day he mentioned that he knew me and that we were a Misses and Mister...
And she about jumped over the counter.  So excited to know two of her regulars were in fact a pair.
And I love that story.
Now, for the second year in a row, we have walked in right after arriving in town, and she knows us.  She gives us hugs and buys us a coffee and asks how we are doing.
 And I adore her.
So good to see you this year, hope to see you next time!!

xx

Heritage on a dish...

 

 My Grandma Linda's sticky buns.  Probably in the top 3 reasons why Christmas morning ROCKS!

This year, 2012, I am making it my #1 goal to successfully make this here recipe.  I have managed to make the three worst batches EVER in the three years I attempted.  Even with my mom there to assist they were either falling apart and NOT sticky, expanded to the point of no return, or I was scrapping them off the bottom of the oven for weeks to follow.  Might I add that the fire alarm was involved in one or more of those times... Yikes!

But for now, I am so so thankful to be on the list of recipients of these fine buns on Christmas morning!!  My Papa makes four batches a year and I GET ONE!! And not only that, he DELIVERS!  You better believe I had at least 4... maybe 5 ;-)  

Thanks Papa!

Perhaps a sticky bun tutorial on skype is in order?  What do you say?

 What is your favorite holiday treat??

Does anyone feel like this ^ just shy of two weeks til Christmas?

Oh good, thought I was the only one ;-)

I did wake up with great anticipation to visit Arizona soon.  When I am a visitor there I am joyful.  I am looking forward to ...

u.k.

the smell

a dinner at Shogun

a glorious 50 cent ice coffee

an LGO cookie, the apple one

the drive from 40th street to 56th place

Tangelos (if I am lucky)...

family visiting

Happy Halloween...

I can barely believe it is the end of October, for this beautiful month just flew by!  I desperately wish I had some amazingly cute craft to share or some ghoulish pics of our Shelburne Halloween extravaganza, but I do not.  Boo!  

However, I do have a plan to save face!  This evening I will be mixing up the warm Halloween stew for a hearty meal before all that trick or treating and I will also be serving this to my Harry Potter and Gargoyle Fairy...

Can't wait!

So this will be our second Halloween spent in Vermont.  Last year was particularly ghastly.  The town of Brandon and its residents really do go all out with decorations, spooky music, creepy witches lurking about.  It was great.  This year we are a bit farther north and will be prowling the elementary school neighborhood with new friends.

I must admit to LOVING a proper Halloween with chilly temps, howling winds, blowing leaves, the works...  But this spooky holiday brings back the very best memories.  Memories of our posse on Old Paint Trail, back in the desert.  Amazing neighbor hood friends, 6 foot subs, soda and a beer wagon, and some hilarious costumes come to mind when thinking back.  I was always cursing the weather, I was always wishing for New England Night.  I have my wish now and I am grateful...but I am ever so grateful for those amazing memories.  Miss you fine Phoenix Folks!!  Happy Halloween to you!

***despite the absence of a chill in the air, howling winds, or falling leaves there was 

NEVER A LACK OF FUN!

And because I was thinking of a ghoulishly past I gave in to the old photo temptations last night...

This is one of my all time favorite Halloween moments.  Uncle jay showing up as Woody to pair up with his sidekick Buzz for a night to remember.  You are simply the best Jay Allen and I miss you so...

 I think this was Noah's idea, to feed his sister to the candy monster...

His tactic worked... for she was not eaten showing it safe for costume posing!

Noah's idea to be Peter Pan and Tink.

Luke

 Minnie

 

  




I hope you all have a ghostly evening filled with fun and laughter.  I will be bundling up for temps in the 30's and 40's, YIKES!!

Happy Halloween to you Chantal, found this cute pic and couldn't resist!! 

Leaving on a jet plane...

It has been a solid ten years, like a rock solid 10, that Mr. Witt and I have devoted to creating and rearing our two little tykes.  

A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this all consuming extravaganza ...  

**a lot of love and dedication too.

I think I can count on one hand how many times Noah and Gabrielle have spent night(s) away from their doting parents; that was greater than or equal to 1 mile away from our home.

I mean, look at them.  You think I would give these guys up so easily??

But they are older now.  The adventure of life awaits them.  And they have left, with grams and papa, for twenty-five whole days...

This leaves me with two emotions:

Ecstatic 

and...

terrified, alone, totally freaked out, sad, anxious, and... a little lost.

**cue the laughter as I realize having time for yourself is not all it is cracked up to be!

Day 1:  Barely notice the absence due to seeing them in the AM before sending them on that Jet Plane. Then coming home to a neglected house that need a good scrubbing.  Cue the tunes and an iced coffee, i have work to do!

Day 2: Feeling excited for that time alone I have been searching for since year 2002.  Plus, b/c Mr. Matt is studying for a big exam,  I went to Brianne's, cuddled a Bea, did some sewing, and got in some girl time. 

Day 3: Holy hell, what have I done?

Just kidding, kinda.

I am really looking forward to this time of seperation for one reason and one reason only...

Time with this guy!

This guy and me, well we haven't lived together, without smaller ones, in a very long time.

Best part so far...

The giggling on the first evening at the dead silence.

I am super excited for the kids to be in the state they were born, with their Grams and their Papa.  I hope for them...

time in the swimming pool with watermelon breaks

sun tanned skin

 a warm exit from a cold store

late mornings in a dark air conditioned house, watching cartoons

a monsoon storm

a breeze carrying the sweet smell of  creosote

and a trip to Shogun, the most delicious Japanese food

I am super excited for the Mr. and Me to be in the state that we love, together.  

I hope for us...

a spontaneous night out for a glass of wine and dinner on a week night

a walk by the lake holding hands and getting ice cream

a bike ride down harbor road in the evening hours

to see one live band, at least just one

to hike in the beautiful green mountains

to take a trip, just a mini one

to be in love.

updates to follow...

Surprise!!!!

It's Grams and Papa!!

On Church Street?  Are you kidding me??

They thought we were just going out for ice cream...

Which worked out nicely because there is nothing better than a scoop shop dinner after a 15 hour travel day to surprise your grand kids!

This was, hands down, the best dinner ever!  Poor grams and papa waited in a Detroit airport ALL day waiting to get here to Vermont.  The delay was excruciating, but the sweet arrival was worth the wait.  

This was only the beginning.  There were baseball playoffs and recitals to watch, dinners to enjoy and board games to play, and tons of hugs to give and receive!

Mark and Jan were such sports... 

coming from the heat of the desert to what felt like a winter's day; they smiled the whole time.  Poor Noah and his cub mates swung their bats in the drizzly rain and chilly temps. Despite the rain out in the 3rd inning I was glad that the Witt seniors got the chance to cheer for their cub and cub friends!   

Way to go Noah!

Noah's team did amazingly this year.  His coaches were the nicest group of guys and the boys were so supportive of each other through every play!  I am so proud of Noah for putting himself out there and having a great time!  Can't wait for next year.

Now this weekend was the big DANCE RECITAL and I was so glad to have Jan with us!!  I am just not the best recital mom.  Organization is who I am, but when it comes to these things I get terribly flustered.  All the dates and times, rehreasal's and costumes send me into a spin!  Jan has some pretty amazing history with these events seeing that she was a dancer herself and her daughter Melayn, my sista, is a very talented dancer as well! Phew!

Pre-show hair and robe wearing. 

Oh Gabrielle, my little dancer.  This was your fourth recital!  I am so very proud of you for getting on that stage and smiling so big.  You are a beautiful dancer and we all love to watch your performance!

Well, some of us muscle through it...

Mr. Witt confided in me that he found his place in the audience, during all those sister dance recital years, quite painful.  I look at Noah and see just that.

Grams and Papa made it fun though!!

 Upon arriving backstage to pick up my wee dancer and deliver her to her awaiting fans she looked slightly sullen... Mom, all the girls have flowers...

Little did she know!

Jr. Witt brought quite the bouquet for his sister.  What a darling he is...

That is me.  Mom dancer.  Relieved that all went smoothly for darling daughter on her big day!  And dad, terribly proud, doting dad!

On a side note, I must share... I was feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed in the moments before the curtain opened.  Mr. Witt had brought the flowers in to the theater in their water container.  I threw a fit and made him take the water away so they would not drip on dear Gabi post dance.  He did as I asked and got caught in the rain.  The lights went down and the show began.  I whispered an apology for being ridiculous.  

And his reply:

I would do anything for you.

It struck me like a bolt of lightening.  

I cried.

We did it Goosey.  

 

You danced and I watched and it was a  

great year!

PHEW!!

So thank you grams and papa for being the special people that you are.  For coming to our village town that is so very far from your desert one.  The four of us could not love you anymore.  You were loads of fun and great sports.  And thank you for all the little in between things...

Like watching the art show

And playing creationary

And getting a photo cube!

 And making us breakfast!!

I am already counting down the days until your July visit!!