Friday Five

1. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

As I'm not a big fan of ginger bread I'll have to say sugar cookies! Especially holiday shaped cookies. Even plain old circle one are good, I love being able to get together with my little cousins and decorate them. Though this year we're planning on having everyone gather and make gingerbread/ rice krispie treat houses, so I may miss out on the cookie decorating.

2. What's your favorite holiday movie & why?

Hands down 'The Year without a Santa Claus.' How can you go wrong with Snow and Heat miser?

3. Is there a gift that you bought for your kids that you wish you hadn't after they opened it?

I don't have kids. I do have young cousins and other people that I buy gifts for every year, but I normally don't regret buying them stuff as I know they'll appreciate it no matter what. I also tend to buy people stuff I know they'll be able to use and not go to waste, which would be the only reason that I would regret buying something, knowing that it's not going to be used or liked.

4. What is the messiest room in your house right at this moment?

Living room. Since the tree is already up and presents are already gathering under it, it just makes the room look cluttered.

5. What is the furthest you have driven for the holidays?

When I used to live in Fort Kent I would travel back to MA for the holidays and depending on the traffic and weather it's an 8+ hour trip.

Tea Time and other British Things...

Turkey, cranberry and brie quiche.

Scone, clotted cream and jam.

cute little chicken tea cozy

Mrs. Bridges Pantry is a new discovery of mine, it's a lovely little place to go and enjoy a little pot of tea (they have many varieties to choose from) and scones and clotted cream one of new favortie things ever. I seriously like it so much I wish I could get clotted cream from the grocery, but alas I can't.
I also wish this place wasn't 1+ hours away from me so I could there more often!
I had that quiche up there it was good but apparently I still don't like brie and probably never will.
There's also a state reservation park right down the road. It's so nice to be able to get out into nature even if it was only for an hour or so. I would have stayed in that park all day if I hadn't had to get back for work.

Until next time
Adele

My How Time Flies....

A few days ago I was on FB and saw a friend's post about jokingly trying to bring MySpace back well my interest was sparked and earlier today I took a trip to my MySpace and after about ten minutes of trying to remember my password I was in!
My last activity was more than two years ago so unsurprisingly it took me awhile to figure out how things are working there now since everything has changed. My verdict? It's still unappealing and I won't be going back anytime soon!
The reason I'm even bringing this up is because I found some pictures I took and hadn't seen in a while that I actually like so I'm sharing!

1. The view from the plane over Orlando going to the RT convention a couple years ago.
2. A friend jumping off a rather large snow bank in town up in northern Maine.
3. Just some flowers, a blue sky, and a bug.
4. Can't remember if it's a sunrise or a sunset... either way I like it.

MFA, Cookies, and Hats....

... OH My!

It's very rare that I have a weekend day off and even rarer than that is when I have the same day off as some friends, but alas me and a couple others were lucky enough to get last Saturday off work. So we planned an impromptu trip out to Boston to visit the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts). I love this museum we were there for a good five hours and still weren't able to cover everything.

I hope babies weren't really this ugly.

These geese stopped traffic.

My favorite exhibits were the Buddha room where there are four (or five) life size Buddha statues. It's a very peaceful and quite room.
Also The Clock, an ode to time and cinema, by Christian Marclay was amazing and I don't want to imagine all the time and effort it took for him to make this movie.

I'll never be to old for a penis joke.

We didn't read what the exhibit actually was before going into the room to look at the film, so as we were sitting there watching the time slowly change through all of the clips I look at my phone and it was the same time as in the film. Honestly I was a little creeped out before I realized it was supposed to be like that.

I love the inside detail of these guitars.

After the MFA we went over to Feneuil Hall for some cookies and smoothie, both were delicious. And took a tiny look through Urban Outfitters, because it was right there, where I found a lovely hat that I will be wearing forever.

This hand blown glass plant...

... is amazing.

Thursday Tunes

As I've said before in an attempt to blog more I was doing a few daily memes but the usual meme for Thursday is Thursday 13 and as seen by lack of posts on Thursdays I often have a hard time coming up with ideas for that one.
So I've created one! Thursday Tunes, where I'll share one or two songs that I'm liking at the moment. Which will hopefully not only lead you onto some nice music but give you a better look at who I am.

My friend recently drove down to Philly for a music festival and saw this band. I've heard of them before, but never really listened until she repeatedly played this song. Love it.


I just love Iron and Wine. There's something about Sam Beams voice that keeps me listening.

Friday Five

In an attempt to start blogging more I've decided to do some weekly blogging things. So here is my first Friday Five. Where I'll answer 5 random questions every Friday (hoping I remember) along with some other lovely bloggers.

1. What movie do you love to quote?

Though I can recite a few movies word for word, I don't really have a favorite movie that I quote often. So I guess I'll have to say Napoleon Dynamite. Yeah, the line, "Your mom goes to college" is classic. 

2. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?

If I dirtbike counts than I've driven one. But a real one? I know my uncles and father had owned some bikes so I may have when I was a lot younger.

3. What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? 

I love being cozy on the couch and loosing myself in a book or just thinking while listening to the rain hit the roof. The sound of thunderstorms is one of my favorite things.

4. Do you prefer a bunch of small gifts, or one really big, (expensive) gift?

I really don't know about this one. It sounds horrible, because it is, but I have a hard time showing appreciation for gifts that I don't like. Not that I'm not grateful that someone thought of me, but I'm kind of disappointed that they wasted their money on something that I'll never use. So I guess small gifts.... if I know what it is ahead of time ;p

5. Do you ever lose track of days and show up somewhere wrong?

I often lose track of what day it is. Many times I think it's one day while it's really another. It's horrible for work because I think I'm suppose to be there at another time than when I'm actually in.

Thursday 13 Bowling Alley Tips

Recently I decided to finally go back to work after taking an almost three month break. Now it may shock some people that I'm working at a bowling alley, but I really do like it for the most part. Is my degree being wasted? For now, yes it is. But this isn't a career it's just something I'm doing until I figure my shit out.

Now like I said I do like working there, but there are just something that bother/ annoy the employees so here are 13 useful things to keep in mind when you go bowling.

13 Things to Consider while at a Bowling Alley

1. Carry your own damn balls back to the rack. You got them yourself. You're definitely capable of putting them back on your own.
2. Your smelly shoes do not get returned at the snack bar counter! This should need no explanation.
3. With that said, make sure you have socks if using house shoes. They are PUBLIC shoes.
4. If you call Ketchup "sweetener sauce" don't get angry if the bar tender doesn't know what condiment you're talking about. Last time I checked ketchup isn't exactly sweet.
5. Keep your kiddies (and yourself) off the lanes! The lanes are oiled therefore slippery as fuck! You will get hurt, if you go down far enough you will DIE! The machine doesn't know you're not a ball. It's not fun having to reboot the whole system because of an emergency shut down to save your stupid ass.
6. Yes, the (my) bowling alley has a bar. Just because it's in a bowling alley doesn't mean the rules change. If you don't have an ID it's your own fault you're not being served. Do not get angry with me. And yes my manager will say the same thing.

7. Unattended children will be given to the Goblin King…. No joke.

8. No, I do not know where the bathroom is. I’ve only worked here for over a year but I’ve never seen it, it’s very elusive. Also if you just opened your eyes you’d see the restroom sign and wouldn’t have to ask me, “Do you know where the bathroom is?”

9. Yes, you’re allowed to pick your own bowling ball, that’s why they’re out on display for you. If you need it I’d be glad to help you find the right bowling ball for you i.e. finger size and weight. But the bowling balls are never going to just magically show up on your lane. Also for those that feel compelled to ask if you’re allowed to choose any ball, no, you’re not just because you asked.

10. Let me stress the point that you’re at a bowling alley, not a night club… or gentleman’s club for that matter. There’s no need to wear a mini skirt. You bend when you bowl we don’t wanna see your ass, or anything else. And leave the stripper boots at home. Once again bowling alley, you don’t need five inch heels.

11. Food at AMF bowling alleys run around the same price as movie theater food. Also it's not worth the price we charge for it. Just keep that in mind. Also don't mess with people that deal with the food. Have you seen Waiting??? That's stuff is true. I've seen flies purposefully mixed into someone drink... it's not pretty.

12. You are allowed to have food and drinks down near where you're bowling. BUT not in the sitting area near the approach. If something is spilled and stepped in with bowling shoes, those shoes are now ruined!! They will not slide anymore if they get wet.

13. Lastly you are there to have fun. Right? Otherwise why would you come pay a gazillion dollars to bowl? Employees are friendly and helpful, as long as you're also courteous. You're only there for a couple hours at most, we're there every day all day. It gets tiring after a while, especially when people don't follow the rules for safe bowling.

I realize this post may seem pompous and mean but it's how all AMF employees feel at one point or another. And I have to get it out some how. It's not like I can just go on a rampage and scream at my customers ;p

Thursday 13 Summer Movies

My First Thursday Thirteen ever!
Here's a compiled list of movies that I've gone to see this summer, as it's now August I'm considering the main part of the summer over, even though there are still a few movies coming out that I would like to see.

Top 13 Movies I've Seen This Summer.

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2: The movie that marked the end of an era. I can't deny that I'm sad that it's over. I grew up with Harry Potter and hold the story very close to heart. At least we still have the books (and can re-watch the movies) and Pottermore!

2. Super 8

3. Horrible Bosses

4. The Hangover 2

5. Captain America

6. Thor

7. Fast Five

8. Arthur

9. Cowboys and aliens

10. X-Men First Class

11. Winnie the Pooh

12. Mr. Popper’s Penguins

13. Bad teacher

See more Thursday 13's here. 

Paying Homage to Thoreau

"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature."

Henry David Thoreau

A couple weeks ago on a Thursday I finally took the short trip up to Concord to Walden Pond.

Walden Pond

I've been wanting to make the trip ever since I had to read Walden for a class a couple years ago, but since I lived in Maine at the time and it was winter, meaning snow and no hiking trails I was willing to walk, almost every time I came down to Mass for a visit, it was just never a good time to stop.

chipmunk having a snack

But now that I live in Mass again it was only a matter of time before I made the trip and since I had nothing to do the other day, I made the decision to go. I'm so glad I did, it's so beautiful out there and there's a lot of other things to do around Concord that it's a nice getaway for a day trip.

I'll definitely be making a few more trips out there this summer as it has now become a favorite spot of mine and the friends I took along with me.

sculpture of Thoreau in front of cabin replica

If any of you are ever in the area stop by Walden, take a hike, look out at the view, swim, marvel and think about the conditions that Thoreau chose to live in over 100 years ago.

 

inside the replica of the one room cabin Thoreau lived in

another view of the lake