Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Drum roll please...the total is...

Well, we have made it to the end of October and I know that for me, it flew by faster than expected.  I guess that is just another sign of getting older - you could tell me that it is still August and I just might believe you.  Time seems to just slip by in the blink of eye, which means I need to make even more of an effort to enjoy things in life so I don't miss them!



I always enjoy seeing that my blog has another view or that a particular post is popular, but this past month, it has been extra rewarding to watch your comments and shares come through as I aimed to raise both breast cancer awareness and funds to support the cause.



 Here is what we ended up with:
- Seven comments on the blog post "Keep Calm and Fight On"
- Ten shares, likes or posts from Facebook

Overall, based on the deal I originally proposed, this would mean that I would be donating a total of $17.  There is just something about even numbers, so I will gladly be rounding up that number to an even $20.  Sure, $20 is not tons of money, but just think, it is $20 more than would have been donated if it wasn't for your words, your clicks, and your posts.  How easy was that?


Thank you to everyone who shared my post, especially those who maybe I haven't talked to in a while, but felt it was worth taking the leap to share anyway.  Thanks to those who I don't even know, but were willing to share my story.  Of course, thanks to everyone for your warm, loving, funny, supportive comments on the blog!

Until next time, FIGHT on...
Maggie

Monday, October 29, 2012

A Windy, Rainy, Stormy Day of Forts, Cards, and Flashlights

Today, as I sit on my couch safe and sound since work is closed due to the impending weather from Hurricane Sandy, I was thinking back to my younger days.  Growing up in Central New York, we had our fair share of big storms in the winters in the manner of blizzards or ice storms.  In summers, hot days that were cooled off by cold fronts lead to storms with huge thunder claps and giant bolts of jagged lightening.


via here

I've always loved storms - I love gathering flashlights and candles to light the way when the power goes out.  I grab all the pillows and blankets around to make a cozy fort to camp out in.  I find all the playing cards around so games of crazy eights and rummy will make the time fly by.


via here

So, today, while I get my flashlights, blankets, and playing cards ready, I will keep in mind that we are lucky to probably just get some big wind gusts and heavy rain.  I know that others will not be as fortunate today as this storm passes through.  Hopefully you will be one of the those who get to just wait out the weather.  If so, what are your favorite stormy day traditions?

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

Thursday, October 25, 2012

A Fall Favorite - Apple Picking

Recently, Mr. C and I spent a Saturday afternoon up in New Hampshire and it was a perfect day for apple picking.  We chose to go to Brookdale Farms, which is actually a spot we have gone apple picking at every year since we were in college together. 


Even though we don't necessarily need apples at home, it is a fun tradition to keep up together.  I love driving down the dusty and bumpy road to the orchard.  My favorite part is coming around the final bend in the road and seeing a sharp, pointed steeple from a local church piercing the blue sky filled with puffy clouds.


Every year, I have to hunt down Empire apples.  I love how crunchy and tart they are - most people rely on apples like these for baking, but they are some of my favorite to eat (and I always try at least one while out picking, but who doesn't?).

Does anyone else ever feel bad for all of the forgotten apples that are spread around the ground beneath the trees?  I know, I know...apples don't have feelings...but still?!


We picked such a nice day to go, I didn't even need warm boots or a jacket!  Fall is my favorite season for sure, but there is no need to rush the cold weather, now is there?  I broke out the flip flops and made my way through the stringy hay in the orchard.


It was a succesful trip of picking a few good apples, sampling one here or there, and of course, grabbing a pumpkin to bring home to adorn our front porch.



Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A Weekend Away, Eh?

While traveling for work isn't always as glamorous as it may first appear, there are in fact a few benefits!  I recently was working in Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Canada.  This meant that the Niagara area was practically begging to be visited!  Since I have been away from home quite a bit this past month, Mr. C decided that he would come spend the weekend with me.  I already had the hotel, the rental car, and my expenses paid for thanks for work, so we only had to worry about getting him to me!  He flew into Buffalo on a Friday night and stayed through Sunday afternoon.  It was great to get a special weekend away together amidst the many weeks of me being away from home and my new husband.



Now, most people from this part of the country have visited or at least heard of Niagara Falls, but what about Niagara-on-the-Lake?  This little gem that is less well-known should be added to the list of must-see spots for anyone who loves charming lake towns, tasty restaurants, and small wineries. 


Niagara-on-the-Lake is situated right at the edge of Lake Ontario - one of the Great Lakes.  This region makes for great grape growing conditions.  Many wineries in the Finger Lakes and Niagara region are known for their sweeter wines, but upon exploring, there are some great dry Rieslings and full-bodied Malbecs out there as well.  I usually am not a fan of white wine, let alone dry whites, but Mr. C and I tried a Riesling at Maleta Winery and the crispness of the wine was what really struck you, rather than a sharp dryness. 


In terms of sweet wines though, I would be remiss if I did not mention the amazingness which is icewine.  Icewine is created when grapes are left on the vines until the temperatures drop below freezing.  This wrinkles and crinkles up the grapes, extracts out the water, and leaves just pure, un-diluted grape juice behind.  These grapes are then harvested and made into sweet, nectar-like heaven!  Icewine from the Niagara and Finger Lakes region is commonly made from a grape varietal known as "vidal" but if you get the chance, I think the harder-to-find Cab Franc variety is a winner in its own right.


We came home with a bottle of icewine from a small, family winery called Between the Lines.  Streets in this area are called concessions and lines rather than the typical street, road, drive, etc.  This winery is situated between two of the lines, earning its play-on-words name. 


The operation is led by two brothers from Germany and one of their wives is the "face" of the winery.  She was a lot of fun to talk to while sampling.  I hate when you feel awkward sipping away at your wine and you have the person behind the counter just staring at you.  She knew her stuff when it came to wine, but she was still relaxed and welcoming as well.


No visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake would be complete with out a meal.  The heritage district is where you can find the "Main Street"-esque action of cafes, boutiques, wine shops.  The sidewalks are bustling with tourists and locals and the center of the road is anchored by a large clock tower.


Mr. C and I found a small Irish pub for lunch and enjoyed good drinks and food.  The best part of our meal came at the end when we ordered traditional Irish custard.  I had never heard of this and was honestly a little skeptical from the waitress's description of it being more runny than a frosting, but thicker than a pudding.  We didn't know what to expect, but the dish was beautiful to look at as it was swirled with sweet toppings.  After we hesitated for maybe a millisecond about not messing up the pretty design on the custard, we dove in and found that it was lighter than we expected, fresh, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet.


Overall, it was a great weekend spent together enjoying our neighbors to the North in Canada!

Until next time, travel on, eh???
Maggie

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Blogeo #2

Still figuring out this whole video blog thing, but here is attempt number two!  Enjoy!




Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

The Eternal Debate: To Recline or Not To Recline...



There it is...one small, silver circle...one little button. 

How could something like this, when pressed, lead to some pretty strong feelings from most people?  Well, when you have paid three-hundred-something dollars to sit in a pilly-fabric chair, 30,000+ feet above ground in a metal tube filled with other fellow airplane travelers, that is precisely when just one little button can lead to something much bigger.

Nearly everyone has an opinion about reclining seats on an airplane.  Some feel that it is their God given right to press that little silver button and they will recline if and when they want to, damn it!  Others would never consider doing such evil as they wouldn't wish a reclined seat on even their worst enemy.

Where do you stand? 

Is it your right to get a little more space and fly in a more comfortable position? 

Is it rude to shove yourself back onto someone else's lap during your time in the sky?

Do you think it is more of a "case by case" situation - does it matter if you look over your shoulder and ask first?  What about the length of the flight?  Exit rows?  So many variables!

Let's hear your thoughts!

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Sights and Bites #3


Hello from the Garden State!  Currently, I'm in New Jersey for a week of business travel.  Last night, after a full day of traveling through the rain, I decided to find a place for a relaxing and refreshing dinner.  Having covered this territory for three straight years, I can confidently say that I know the lay of the land and have found my "favorites" in many categories.  I have a favorite hotel to stay at, favorite roads to take, and favorite restaurants to visit. 


One place that I found my very first year is a restaurant called Grato in Morris Plains, which is today's featured place to grab a "bite".  This restaurant has a warm atmosphere and ambiance as the stone walls are dimly lit with over hundred candles.  The white table clothes let you know that you are in for a top-notch experience, but the friendly staff keeps the place from being stuffy.   I can't figure out if Grato reminds me more of Italy or Sonoma, CA, but either way, I always have a nice time here.

When first seated, guests start their dining experience with freshly made, crusty-on-the-outside-yet-soft-on-the-inside bread and pesto ricotta spread.  After a few minutes of reading the dinner menu from my seat at the bar, I decided to order an arugula salad with ripe fig, soft Gorgonzola cheese, crispy pancetta and a lemon olive oil drizzle.  I also decided to make an easy choice and enjoy a glass of the house red wine, but they have a pretty extensive list of other wines by the glass and bottle. 


Of course, no meal for me is complete without indulging in some sweetness.  Per the recommendations of both my waiter and other nearby diners, I went ahead and ordered a desert called tartufo.  This was a large scoop of hazelnut gelato covered in a soft shell of chocolate and hazelnut crumbs.  It was plated with caramel sauce and homemade whip cream and the best part was the surprise middle!  In the middle of the scoop of gelato, I found crisp almond biscotti and candied cherries. 

As I was sitting around and taking some time to savor my desert, the bartender was describing an interesting basil lemonade that they have been serving.  From seeing that both my and fellow bar diner's curiosity was perked at hearing about such an interesting sounding drink, he barely hesitated a second before insisting that he make up a small batch of it for us to sample right then and there.  It was crisp, refreshing, just the right amount of sweet.


Overall, it was a great meal with great service in a great location.

Today, yet another drizzly, cloudy day, I was looking forward to stopping by one of my favorites places.  Now for those of you who know me, you can probably guess what I'm about to name as this post's "sight" and for those of you who don't know me as much, well, I can't wait to tell you all about this great spot.  Drumroll, please - today I spent part of my afternoon at a Wegmans grocery store!

I know, I know - when you think grocery store, you think meat, dairy, produce, freezers, check out.  This is so much more!  The variety of things to see, sample, and enjoy seem endless and the people who work here are friendly and helpful.  I enjoyed strolling up and down the aisles of Wegmans today, picking up an item or two to bring home to our pantry once I return from this trip.  I grew up in Central New York and we typically shopped at Wegmans, so visiting one of these stores while I'm traveling gives me a little taste of home and comfort.

So, that's that folks - a great place to find a tasty Italian meal and spot that can help fellow Central New Yorker's reminisce about home with a visit to our equivalent of Mecca.

Until next time, travel on...
Maggie

Monday, October 1, 2012

Keep Calm and Fight On

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!  For those battling breast cancer, a special month certainly isn't needed to be aware of this nasty disease, but for others, it is a great chance to take time to learn more about prevention, symptoms, and how to fight for a cure.


For me, it is ironic that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month as two years ago, it was a night late in October when I first noticed that something seemed "off."  I had carried a heavy box that day and figured I must have just pulled a muscle in my chest or shoulder.  I didn't want to think anything of it (even though the little voice in my head said to pay attention).  I remember telling Mr. C about it in passing and I probably don't thank him enough for pressing me to call my doctor.  I wanted to dismiss it, assuming it would just go away with time, but finally decided to call my doctor to run the situation by them. 
Fast forward a week or so, one ultrasound scan, one biopsy later, and one unforgettable phone call asking me to "bring someone with me" to hear the results of the biopsy.  Just like that, my life was changed forever.

I was going to ask you to take a moment this month to schedule that overdue mammogram soon or to take a few minutes to check yourself at home or to at least learn about your family history and risk factors.  I was going to ask you to do all this for me, but then I thought, no, that isn't right.  

Do it for you. 

Do it so you never have to make a phone call to your family 300 miles away with heartbreaking news.  Do it so you don't have to learn how absolutely fab-u-lous you look with no hair and no eyebrows.  Do it so you don't have to quickly get over your inexplicably crazy fear of needles.  Do it so if there is something to catch, you catch it early!

For each comment received below or link to this post on your own blog, I will donate one dollar to breast cancer research.  Do your part by spreading the word and I'll do mine by supporting the cause!

Until next time, travel fight on!
Maggie