Oh Wow, Nancy, 14 lobsters! Sounds fantastic! Linda, enjoy that nice romantic sounding quiet weekend. :-) Jo, you do have alot on your plate, I hope things turn out the way you are hoping on all accounts...:-) Caliloo, I hope you show us your BR when it's done! And have fun playing in the snow, too... Hi Shaun, that's so sweet - 1st girlfriend...and the Newlywed game sounds F U N!!! I wonder if it's anything like our Saucy Charades game...oh boy is that naughty! AM, it sounds like a very nice weekend - but I bet you'll miss your guys... This weekend - tomorrow - is our Murder Mystery Valentine Dinner...two other couples. Everyone is so looking forward to it! On the menu is Blood orange martinis (doucanoe), warm spiced nuts (i've made these many times before but was reminded of them on Lori's blog), roasted asparagus wrapped in proscuitto (All that Splatters), and crostini with ricotta and oven roasted tomatoes (AnnT's - poofed)...followed by spinach salad in parmesan cups (Giada)...then Hungarian goulash with dumplings (from Simply recipes - I've made this before -it's great and thought it would fit the bill...a couple of hearty eating hunters, and another guest who isn't fond of cheese, and another not fond of seafood...)...wine...then for dessert, homemade chocolate raspberry ice cream from The Perfect Scoop. The kiddies will have fresh fruit, carrots, chips and dip, build your own sandwiches, and for dessert, homemade strawberry ice cream. (except Will will want the goulash and dumplings...) Happy Friday! Stacy

It's hot here too, my inground pool has water that's hovering in the high 80s to around 90, not very refreshing but better than nothing. Lars, Elery had a hot tub which was nice in the winter but we never used it any other time, so he sold it to his son. It felt really good to run outside in the snow and then jump into that hot tub though. I'll be watching for pictures of your yard work! David, I hope you get your pickles canned. I ought to be canning here already, but it's just too darned hot. Alexa, enjoy the cars and the music. Diane, TWO weddings in one day? Wow. I agree, though, double cake! Wow, Melissa, what a great haul of blackberries. Put them in the freezer and make jam later, though. Even as far north as here in Michigan the temps are in the 90s in the day, 70s at night. It's just weird. shaun, congratulations to your son! Gina, I'd also like to see how your renovations are going, I'll bet they're beautiful. Grace, good luck with that move. And homemade blueberry liquor? How do you make THAT and what do you do with it? Here I watched my niece and namesake, Angel, win a blue ribbon at the county fair for Western Pleasure, another blue for English something-or-another, a blue in barrel racing and a second place in flags. It was fun, she's 12. We made a side trip to the local farm market and bought red potatoes, corn on the cob, parsnips, beets, some SunGold tomatoes and a pint of fresh raspberries that we ate on the way home to save ourselves from having to make dessert, LOL. Elery is here, tomorrow he's going to finish painting the house while I go to the farm to run the rototiller and pick beans. I think Amanda and Dave are going to bring the kids for a cookout and a swim in the pool later in the day, we'll start working early in the morning to miss the heat, it's supposed to be hot again tomorrow. Sunday Mother is coming over and we'll probably put some salmon on the grill, we'll see. Clink, and TGIF. Annie

David - have a great time with your group! Sorry about the Sooners and sorry about Sam Bradford. Hope the shoulder heals quickly. Claire, happy gardening! I have daylilies and hostas to move too, but I am waiting until it cools off here a little first. We are finally getting warm summery weather this weekend LOL! Sharon, I am so jealous of your being able to spend the fall at the cottage after the summer people are gonw. That was always my favorite time of year in Ogunquit - saying goodbye to the tourists! Enjoy your time and Clive bcskye, sounds like a blast! What sort of horse show is it? I used to ride hunters (and a few jumpers) back in the day, but I love all sorts of equestrian competitions. Have a great time with the family too. Linda, OGM! 1200?!?!?!? There are going to be some happy pooches and you are a dear for the labor of love. Katie - sounds like a wonderful way to spend the weekend. As David says - dance like no one is watching! Annie, glad to hear those beanies are going to good use. And happy canning! I can't wait to start my next project, I just have to find a little time. Dedtired - enjoy the Cape - as I mentioned before, fall is the BEST time to go anyplace touristy - the crowds have thinned. Lyra - Good luck with the projuect. I know how that goes, seems I can always find something else to do rather than what really needs to be done. Somehow it all does get dome though - an enjoy your time off, you deserve it! I had my second jewelry class on Friday - I just love it. Working on a multi metal (copper and brass) pendant to learn my skills. I will post photos as I complete projects. Fri night was out with friends for Happy Hour, yesterday was relaxing at home and getting totally caught up on Mad Men. I am TOTALLY addicted to that show now! Today we are having another couple over for a BBQ - sometimes it is nice not to have a gang and just sit and enjoy a quiet evening with grown up conversation. Tomorrow we are thinking about going to the NJ shore (I am cringing at the thought, I don't care for the shore) so we'll see. Maybe I will send the men folk off and have a canning day to myself. Stay happy and safe everyone! Alexa

Major tree drama here tonight. LOL! Had to get the chain saw out to get the dang thing to fit in the tree stand....it's up in the house finally. Nancy, I've got a list on the counter I keep adding to tonight. Hitting the store first thing in the morning for everything I forgot earlier this week. Surprised you don't have more snow on the ground and your grass is green. We had a low of 13 here this week so everything is pretty much dead and brown now. Plenty of crown on hand though... Sharon, I've been wondering how you two were adjusting to the full time cottage life. I remember when I lived in the cabin up at the lake and like you said, it's pretty much dead this time of the year. Sounds like you will have a great time at Chris's place this weekend. Glad to hear that things are working out well for him and Amity. Hope Meredith's BF shows up too....Doug and Sara will make it a great evening for sure. You two (Sara) doing your baking weekend this year? Lars, I hope it's not to cold in Texas when you and Keving head down there. I know it what pretty chilly in Dallas this week. I know your family is a little farther south in the valley but it can get chilly there too. Fresh apples from your tree sound like the perfect gift for your boss. I remember you sending lemons and other things from your trees at your old place in swaps years ago. I also remember you making various chocolates for the holidays so whatever you decide I'm sure she will love it. Annie, sounds like a great time will be had with princess and bruvver. Can't wait to see pics of Madison...another one for you to spoil and have fun with in the kitchen for sure. Guessing she will love sprinkles on her cookies and cakes in a couple of years. Heck, she will be running that bread machine just like the princess in a couple of years...I'm sure of it. Alexa, sounds like a great day pal. Sorry to hear that DS will miss his swim meet.HOpe he is feeling better soon. Love to hear/see more about this wet bar. Is it in the sunroom? Man, you two always have a great project going on. Don't think I would Recognize your place with all that you have done the last couple of years. Trixie, you know I love Football so a big congrats and good luck to your hometown team. Hope they take state and playing in Jerry's fancy new stadium would put the icing on the cake for sure. I don't want to talk about college ball after the last few weeks...cough...cough. The NFL has been interesting too to say the least. Thinking LSU will take it home this year in college. Katie, enjoy that weekend off my friend. Everclear, who knew you could make all that with that stuff. Just another reason I still love this place. Congrats on your DD new place too. Clinking to you and your Two Buck Chuck....I know it's in a high ball glass...that d@amn stemware is to...well you know complicated. LOL Remember that from Canny Camp. : ) Back to the tree and decorations for this...