Nor'easter

A nor'easter (also northeaster; see below) is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, so named because the winds come from the northeast, especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada. More specifically, it describes a low pressure area whose center of rotation is just off the East Coast and whose leading winds in the left forward quadrant rotate onto land from the northeast. The precipitation pattern is similar to other extratropical storms. Nor'easters also can cause coastal flooding, coastal erosion, hurricane force winds, and heavy snow. Nor'easters can occur at any time of the year but are mostly known for their presence in the winter season.[1] Nor'easters can be devastating and damaging, especially in the winter months, when most damage and deaths are cold related, as nor'easters are known for bringing extremely cold air down from the Arctic air mass. Nor'easters thrive on the converging air masses; that is, the polar cold air mass and the warmer ocean water of the Gulf Stream.
                                                                                            -Wikipedia

AKA a boat load of snow in Maryland!!

Help Feeding America...for Free!!

I found this the other night while surfing around on some blogs. What an easy way to feed America!

"Kraft Foods has set a goal of donating the monetary equivalent of

10 meals for each eCard sent, up to one million meals."

Click Here to personalize your eCard and send it to someone and Kraft Foods will do the rest!

Riddle Me This Batman...

Commonly known fact in cooking: Baking is healthier than frying.

Does that mean that baking bacon is healthier than frying bacon in a pan?

Mmmmm my house smells delicious!

Chim Chim Cher-ee

As we speak the chimney sweep is here doing his thing...sweeping my chimney! I'm totally bombarding him with questions as well. I figured I might as well since he knows all about fireplaces and I do not. Goodness knows I don't want to burn down the place just because I wanted some s'mores! Yes, that's right, I really only want the fireplace for the delicious s'mores that I will be able to make.

Confession: I've had the graham crackers, Hershey bars and marshmallows in my pantry, patiently waiting, since October :)

They were supposed to be here around 1pm but alas, it's 5:30pm. Apparently the guy that was supposed to sweep the chimney went AWOL today. His loss because today has been a baking day. The guy that stayed after his normal working hours to sweep my chimney is getting a big bag of homemade cookies! Mmmmm me love cookies!!! Hopefully he does too!

Blackbaud Trust Fund

Once upon a time I worked for Blackbaud. They have a program that allows employees to accumulate "money" based on good customer feedback that is received for that employee. You can choose to trade that "money" in for gift cards. I worked there for about 2 1/2 years and spent about 2 years saving up the "money" I received. Right before I quit, I cashed out on what my coworkers liked to call my Blackbaud Trust Fund. The reason it was called my Trust Fund was because I had quite a bit saved up. I knew I wanted to get a big ticket item but I had no idea what until about a year ago.

I would like you all to meet the newest member of our family.

Bought and paid for by my Blackbaud Trust Fund!!

Go ahead and say it...she's a beaut! I like to live by the "go big or go home standard" so I went all out and got the Professional 600 Series with the 6qt bowl. Under the hood we've got all-steel gears, direct drive transmission and a whopping 575-watts of power behind this bad girl. (I know, all of those stats get me all giddy too!!)

I went ahead and got the Ice Cream Maker attachment that goes with it as well because who doesn't love ice cream?? I also got the cloth cover, which isn't really big enough for the 600 Series but that is okay. I will use it as a pattern to make a bigger one with way cooler material. Mom and Dad even bought me an extra 6qt. bowl and bowl covers for Christmas!! All and all I would say my kitchen is pretty much tricked out for the next 50 years because this sweet little big addition to the family is a powerhouse that will keep on truckin!

I haven't brought myself to throw away the boxes quite yet.

Their just so pretty :)

Dear Blackbaud,

I got her in black in honor of you. Thank you for allowing me to have a "Blackbaud Trust Fund."

Looooooooooove,

Joy

Gobble Gobble Gobble!

A few pictures from Thanksgiving...

Go ahead and say it...you want to eat him up because he's so cute!

Not to mention he has some sweet bed-head!

Erin's first turkey and it was delicious!! 

Turkey legs aren't just for the county fair anymore :) 

This week is a busy week. Lots of meetings and things that need to get done! I am working on getting the Christmas decorations up...minus the tree. I decided it wasn't worth moving the furniture around for the tree since I won't be here for Christmas. Hopefully December will fly by like November did and it will be January before I know it! 

Weekend Trips are the Best!

The latest weekend trip was Boston (pronounced Baustin). Adrienne flew up from SC and I drove up from CT to spend a weekend with Rayna. It was a crazy busy weekend but we had a blast and got to see everything you possibly can see in 48 hours.

Rayna, Adrienne and I in front of Paul Revere's house.

So this in the famous church! Paul Revere said one by land and two by sea and those lanterns were in the steeple of this church.

Little known fact: Revere didn't actually put the lanterns up there, two of his friends actually did it for him because Paul was out looking for the British troops.

Inside the same church, they have boxes that you sit in to watch the church service. The boxes are actually there to keep you warm in the winter-time. Each family would "rent" their box out for the year. Check out the name on this box...

Captain Robert Ward, 1924

Let's play Guess Who

Answer:

Guess it's safe to say that the picture on the dollar bill is not so accurate :)

Okay this is a great picture. Saturday night was Boston's Christmas Tree lighting. One problem...can you guess what it is from this picture??

I hate when only half the lights work ahaha

Where else would one have dinner in Boston but at the oldest restaurant in Boston as well as the oldest restaurant in continous service in the United States, Union Oyster House! It's pretty obvious what you have to order here...and they were all delicious!

The classiest 7-11 I have ever seen...like ever in the world of 7-11s. It's Beacon Hill though, would you expect any less from the most desirable and expensive neighborhood in Boston? Yeah, me neither.

Senator John Kerry's house in Beacon Hill. His maid was sweeping up all of the leaves. I'm going to guess that the ketchup part of the family pays for this place :) Pass the Heinz please!

This one is just funny...

Check out the rest of the album here!