...more Photo Booth fun

Silly Anne...this is what happens when it's midnight and I can't fall asleep. I make faces at my computer. Erik thinks I'm quite odd...

The face is the mirror of the mind...

The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without
speaking confess the secrets of the heart.
-Saint Jerome (374 AD- 419 AD)

Erik and I have had our new laptop for awhile now, and I find myself still soooo amazed by the built-in camera. When I'm bored or need a good laugh I sit down and play with the "Photo Booth" application. It can keep me busy for hours...really. Hey, what can I say, I'm easily amused! This photo of my lovely eye was taken using the comic book effect.

Wanted: Paper Source in CT

I love the store Paper Source! I wish we had one here in CT. The nearest store is in Boston...and that is too far to drive for paper. Paper Source is the place to go for decorative paper, gifts, cards and more. It is a creative superstore! I was on the hunt here in Manchester this evening for some cool wrapping paper for the gift I'm bringing to my friend's shower this weekend, and not a single item at the stores I visited made me oohh and ahhh. Paper Source would have had the artsy paper I was envisioning, I just know it! I'll have to stock up next time I'm in Boston visiting Cassandra! I'm fully aware that I am way too picky and should have settled for the first decent wrapping paper I saw tonight, but it was $6.99 a roll, and there was no way I was going to spend $6.99 for a roll of so-so wrap that I will probably never touch again. Grrr... Sometimes I wish I was not so picky. Sometimes I wish I could learn to just settle for something. But no, not me. I get this picture in my head of how I want something to look and I just can't seem to be happy until it is just right. Well, after many stops around town I ended up at Christmas Tree Shops in total frustration (Erik was happy, he could at least go into Guitar Center for a minute) and I did it...I settled for a nice gift bag, pretty white curling ribbon, and plain jane tissue paper. Well, enough ranting over useless stuff tonight, I'm off to bed.

We are tied to the ocean...

"All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea -- whether it is to sail or to watch it -- we are going back from whence we came."

--John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) Speech given in Newport at the dinner before the America's Cup Races, September 1962

New Layout...

So, I have been bored with the way my blog looks lately and have decided to make a few changes. This, of course, has forced me to learn a bit of html. I'm slowly but surely getting the hang of it and will be tweaking the blog over the next few weeks. Let me know what you think/like/dislike! The header up right now is something I threw together fast while the new and improved Artsy Anne header is being built. Yippee!

Craft Meme...

Last week Cassandra tagged me for a Craft Meme! Here are my limits on creative pursuits in order of things i do most often and/or importance...

4. Love it! This is my thing
Photography, gardening, paper crafts, baking, jewelry making

3. I do, or have dabbled in it
Rubber stamping, beading, scrap booking, knitting, painting, sewing, cooking, drawing, floral arrangement, woodworking, macramé, crewel

2. I'll give it a try
Glass blowing, book binding, weaving, mosaics, stained glass, pmc (precious metal clay)

1. I've got absolutely no interest
Soap making, candle making, doll making, leather work

Summer Fun

We spent this past weekend at the Cape visiting Erik's grandmother. We were blessed to have another wonderful trip with minimal traffic and beautiful weather. I love the beach! After every trip Erik and I spend the drive home thinking of how in the world we could pull off moving to the shore! I doubt it will happen in the near future, but we can dream about it!


On the way down we made a pit stop in Chatham, MA before visiting with Gram and had fun seeing the boats at the Chatham Fishing Pier. It was a very very bright sunny morning and I even had to break down and wear my sunglasses. For those of you who know me...I never wear sun glasses. I know, I know, I should wear them more often...I'm just not a fan.


While there we bumped into this guy hanging out relaxing in the warm water by the boats. A Seal!! My guess is that he was waiting for a big old fishing boat to come in and throw some of the days catch over his way! He was so calm just floating in the water.


Next we rambled over to the Chatham Lighthouse and walked the beach there. Despite some strong winds, we had a beautiful walk! We left Chatham and drove back towards Hyannis around noon to visit with Gram. We relaxed on her beach for a bit and then had a wonderful dinner! (followed by watching the Red Sox game...Erik was very happy!) It was so nice to be able to visit! Thank You Gram!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I'm trying to do more writing on my blog...so bear with me, I'm trying something new. As I was re-writing my profile info last week I realized I had lots of things to say, but didn't want to put it all in my profile. So, I started a post on my favorite restaurants. Then I saw a post Cassandra put up Thursday on her blog for the weekly blog challenge listing her favorite things. It got me thinking and I'm going to do a series of posts on my favorite things, places, restaurants, etc....basically anything that makes me happy. This first post is on restaurants. I would love to hear your comments! Here goes nothing... bon appetite!

Anne and Erik's Favorite Restaurants

I LOVE to eat! Erik and I love to go out to eat, it's not that we don't enjoy cooking, we just love to go out. We have been trying to stick with local restaurants...or smaller chains lately. It's hard to do, but it feels good to support the small businesses out there. Here are some of our favorite spots to eat...

Breakfast-

• Reins Deli, Vernon, CT -- Reins Deli makes a breakfast sandwich called the "Next Door Special". I get mine with baked ham, fried egg, cheddar cheese on a pumpernickel bagel.
  

• Bonnetts, Harwich, MA --They are famous for their breakfast treat "The Meltaway". Mmmmm... My mouth waters just thinking of them!
  

• Nags Head fishing Pier, Nags Head, NC --Nothing beats eating breakfast in a screened-in porch on a pier overlooking the ocean.

Lunch/Dinner-

• Not Your Average Joes, multiple locations in MA -- We have never been disappointed in their food or service. I love this place! I have enjoyed every meal here.

• Shady Glen, Manchester, CT -- Cheeseburgers here are sinful. The crispy cheese makes it amazing!
  

• Owens, Nags Head, NC
  

• Penguin Isle, Nags Head, NC
  

• Sukothai, Manchester, CT
  

• Al Dente, Boston, MA
  

Dessert/Coffee-

• Shady Glenn, Manchester, CT-- The best ice cream...yummy! Mocha Chip is my personal favorite and Erik is partial to their Chocolate Peanut butter. We have never had a flavor we did not love.
  

• Finale, Boston, MA -- I had a chocolate fondue with Cassandra a few weeks ago that was finger licking good!
  

• The former Junkanoo Island Cafe, Nags Head, NC :(
  

Mr. Garden Gnome Says...

"Thank Goodness it's Friday!"

Hide 'n Seek...

We went for a walk the other night at dusk and all the frogs were hanging out in the pond. Most of them hopped away when we stopped to take a peek...but this little guy hung around for a quick (very quick) picture!

Walking

I love to go for walks. It's a great time to reflect on the day and get in a little bit of much needed exercise! Erik and I have been trying to fit in more walks during the week. Erik walks around our neighborhood a lot on the weekdays and by doing so he has learned the back roads around our house very well. One of our favorite places to walk (other than on the beach...I miss NC!) is Nevers Road park in South Windsor, CT. It is a 1.57 mile loop and is very well maintained. The trail is scenic and we always stop to visit the frogs in a small pond along the trail. Erik's grandfather has a tree planted at the park in his honor, so we like to visit it first, say hello, and then hit the trail!

Erik's Grandfather's Tree

The little things in life...

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."
-- Vincent Van Gogh

When life seems hectic and you feel as though you are being swallowed up by all the stresses of the world, try to remember to take time to enjoy the little things that make you happy. It's hard to do when your mind is racing in a million directions, and you can't seem to find a moment of peace...but try, even if it means staying up past midnight on a Sunday night when you are exhausted. :)

Girl's Weekend in NYC!!

NYC here we come! Last weekend I spent the day with Dyann (Erik's Mom), Holly and Brigette (Holly's Mom) in NYC! We had a great time seeing the sights, meeting the stars, and celebrating Dyann's birthday. It was a fun girls weekend! The photo above is of us having brunch at The View Restaurant. It was located on the 47th floor of our hotel and it revolved!

Here is the view from The View!

Me and Dyann

Holly and Brigette

The view from our hotel room.

We stayed at the beautiful Marriott Marquis Hotel right in the heart of Times Square! These were the elevators in the hotel...they were quite space-age! We had lots of fun riding them up to our room on the 22nd floor.