Comfort Food

I very rarely get out for lunch so I have a stash of natural peanut butter and crackers to snack on during the hungry hour. The other day, while preparing my crackers, one of the maintenance men came by and recanted how he and his sister used to watch the monster double feature on Saturdays with peanut butter crackers (his had jelly too). My director used to reminisce too. While sharing a multi-ethnic Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago, this topic came up. It was interesting to hear the variety of 'comfort' one finds in what one is culturally used to eating. Surprisingly, both my adult children reminded me that there food was 'pastina' - I used to make it on Sunday nights because it was easy and economical! It was a macaroni and egg dish my aunt used to make me when I visited her in Providence. Guess I inadvertently passed on the tradition. Got me to thinking. What foods are YOUR comfort foods?

It's been a while since I've blogged. So long, in fact, that I had to reacquaint myself with posting! Life has a way of getting too involved that sometimes the things that we like spending time doing get overlooked. So, enough of the excuses. I'm back. With the exception of a few trips to Chicago and NYC, I've only been traveling locally over these past few months. Thought it was time for Ty to actually see other parts of the Massachusetts area. Over the summer, long weekends were spent hiking along the coastline cities and towns and being tourists among out-of-state tourists! I've had the opportunity to check in on some of my blogging friends and hope to get back to others I have been absent from for a few months. Most I have kept up with on Facebook so I am able to keep quick notes to self about blogging friends. The photo is from this year's Falmouth Road race - a ritual for the family. This year the weather began rainy but as the day and face progressed there was a cool breeze for the runners. My daughter is in training for the New York marathon in November so she and her running friend joined my niece and her family as the Shore Street Team this year. I hope you have all had a remarkably safe and happy summer. It's been hot in the East -- but at least I haven't seen snow! Stay well!

ABC Wednesday: M is for Marion, MA

A lovely summer place to hide from the rest of the world. Time does indeed seem to slip by this tiny town sitting a the edge of the Cape Cod Canal. Have spent many a summer weekend enjoying the tranquility of Marion.

ABC Wednesday: L is for Legend

Near the beginning of the Napali Cliff trail,a 5 minute walk from Ke'e Beach, are the vague remains of Kaulu Paoa Heiau. Large stones now create a long flat grassy platform. It was once considered an ancient halau and most sacred, where legend has it, the goddess Pele danced the hula and fell in love with the high Kauai chief, Lohiau.Present-day hula halau (troupes) still leave lei and other offerings to Laka (goddess of hula) in crevices in the cliff face.

PLEASE: A Heiau is a sacred place to the Hawaiians. Please be respectful. This place is not a marked area and does not have signs posted to NOT trespass. BUT IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THAT NO ONE SHOULD VISIT THIS AS A TOURIST SPOT.

ABC Wednesday: K is for Kells

As in Book of Kells. This is a stained glass window in one of the college's libraries. Although the image is one of Celtic heroes, they could almost be Evangelist portraits from the Book of Kells.

ABC Wednesday: J is for jewelry

Still trying to play catchup: J is for jewelry. In the past, a summer family tradition was jewelry beading on the eve before the Falmouth Road Race in August. We would 'help' our younger family members bead jewelry. All this was to raise money for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Museum. As you can see, everyone (males included) were recruited to lend a hand to designing something for the younger siblings to sell. Actually, it became a contest to see whose design, male or female, would sell first. (The men have been the winners in that category.)

The morning of the road race, while those who were running were shuttled to the starting line at Woods Hole, the younger ones would set up a lemonade stand and jewelry display for the bystanders along the road race route.

It was a great way in demonstrating to the young'uns HOW to give back to their community while having fun.

PhotoHunt: Spicy

What Ty misses most of Hawaii is his food. So, we made a special trip (a few times) to his Hawaiian food haunt for poi, lomi lomi and other specialities. I've tried the food but found it - spicy because of the use of onions. Really can't get my taste buds around poi either - although that is the first item on his wish list for visiting relatives!

ABC: I is for Identical

Sorry for the lateness in my posting. I'm working my way to be current.

I know I've posted this photo before (it's a family fav) - but this seemed a good 'I' word - Identical twins. These two girls were romping their way around the town of San Gimignano, playing tag. One tagged the door, which unbeknown to her was slightly ajar) and the other twin was right behind her 'tagging' her. I caught this photo just as they were about to lose their footing and fall into the entryway. They continued their giggles...

ABC Wednesday: H is for Hula

Hula is the soul of Hawaii expressed in motion. Hawaiians agree that the first hula was performed by a god or goddess which makes the dance a sacred ritual. Some believe the hula was only danced by men, but legend and historical sources tells us both men and women danced. Hawaiian hula is unique and totally different from other Polynesian dances.

Every movement in hula has a specific meaning, and every expression of the dancer's hands has great significance. Chants accompany the movements and aid in telling the dancer's story. Today, several hundred halau hula (hula schools) and less formal hula groups are active on every island and the mainland, teaching hula to thousands of students and keeping the old ways and traditional Hawaiian culture alive.

Mea Culpa

I've been remiss with blogging and commenting on my blogfriend's entries. Life has been busy. Just wanted you to know you are thought of .... will return shortly!

ABC Wednesday: H is for Hole

as in Woods Hole. This was taken on a foggy autumn day. Can't you tell? Woods Hole is actually part of the Falmouth, a town on Cape Cod. As most of you know, I spend a great amount of summertime on the Cape. Woods Hole is a biking and running destination for most of my family on early weekend mornings. Home of the Oceanographic Institute, and port for the ferry to the islands of Nantucket and the Vineyard, Woods Hole can get cramped with traffic. It's only a small village tucked against the Sound.

ABC Wednesday: G is for Garden

Here are some flowers from my garden - years past. Can't wait to get my fingers dirty again soon....Peonies are a family favorite.

PhotoHunt; Loud

A New York Street vendor. Actually the sound of his reed instrument was quite soothing, but he was playing it through a very loud microphone system!

ABC Wednesday: F is for Fans

Ahh, to be a college student again~

PhotoHunt; Point

Staying in Florence (*sigh*), here's the point at the top of the Tower. Sure it's some sort of communication tower. But I love the cupola on top of the Duomo. Hard to believe it's been almost two years since we were last there.

PhotoHunt: Heart

Well, it has to be the anthurium! These plants were imported from Hawaii (most of Hawaii's plants are imported) from England in the 1800's. Over the ages, it has come to represent 'hospitality' due to its heart shape. The anthurium have been cultivated so that there are now many varieties and colors, although it typically has a bold red flower.

Happy Valentine's Day!

ABC Wednesday: D is for Duomo

Ah, Florence! How you could not love her resplendent in all her art and architecture -- not to mention her mouthwatering food. This photo shows the triumvirate -- not on the Duomo (cathedral) but also Giotto Tower and the Baptistry in the foreground. We were there early morning, which was the best time to take photos without the crowds.

PhotoHunt: Flat

The flat leaf of the lily pad floats on top of the water. This photo was taken at a family get together one lovely warm summer's end Saturday at Elm Park in Wellesley, MA.

ABC Wednesday: C is for Cousins

Cousins making memories, strolling down a Parisienne street.

PhotoHunt: Dark

It's the hour before sunrise, sunrise, and New York in all her glory. You can see Freedom Tower in the distance (crane), which now graces the site of Ground Zero.

ABC Wednesday: B is for Beantown!

What else could it be? Boston, Beantown, Home of the Bruins, Red Sox and hopefully soon-to-be Patriots football team! Boston, capital of Massachusetts. Ex-governor Romney running for president. Home of Boston College (yeah!) - the only college football program most represented with college grads on each of the 2 teams vying for the Super Bowl.

PS: Wish there were a way to add music to this blog. Oh well, this will have to suffice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iARe58XFGuU&feature=related

PhotoHunt: Bliss

Thanks, K, for the nudge in getting me back with this photohunt blog too! From one to three photo entries per week -should keep me motivated. This week's theme is bliss. I could use the same photo that I used for 'bling' because after all it would be blissful if the Red Sox won another World Series this year, but I chose instead one of our favorite places to drop in when visiting Chicago. It's right on the river and pretty funky, The Purple Pig. Not only are the drinks good, the food - well, interesting - but most of all the people are the friendliest and heart-warming souls. Can't wait to get back there again.

PhotoHunt: Bling

Boston's beloved Red Sox team (well, beloved here with the exception of last year's play) has won two World Series Championships recently: 2004, when they finally broke the curse of the "Bambino" - Babe Ruth - and 2007. It was a truly fun time in Boston sport history.

My 'bling' this week is courtesy of an older gentlemen who has worked at Fenway Park, home to the Red Sox, for over 50 years. I took Ty on the Fenway Park tour last year and met him.

ABC Wednesday: A is for Architrave

ABC Round 10 here I come! I'm joining in the fun. A is for Architrave. Here's one on the Parthenon in Rome. Love this building's architecture. The word 'architrave' is a derivative to two words - one from Greek and one from Latin (how apropos) meaning 'main beam'.


To see more cool posts, please visit Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC WEDNESDAY website. You can find it at http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/.

PhotoHunt: Circular

Maybe it's because I'm hungry! Oh, and of course, the ball sculpture from London!

PhotoHunt: Bling

While i was in New York City's Union Square, I came upon this statue of Andy Warhol -- I think he could be the King of Bling in this statue....