A Story About Frogs....

For us, it all started at Thread City Cafe in Willimantic CT. We noticed frogs everywhere. My favorite frogs were perched on spools of thread on the bridge in the center of town.

While dining at the Thread City Cafe we learned in the mid 1700's, during the French and Indian War, the towns people woke to unexplainable loud noises outside. The women and children were scared. The men prepared for battle while listening to the mournful noises, assuming the sounds were from the approaching Indians.

When the men marched to the perimeter of the town, they found 1000's of bull frogs in a pond that had dried up (records indicate either from drought or drained from a nearby mill). The horrifying sounds were from the remaining frogs in search of water. Although Windham did not have a newspaper at the time, word spread and this was referred to as the battle of the frogs. For generations, this story was shared and Windham took the brunt of many jokes. Now, it appears the towns people share a common pride with the frog story and it clearly plays an important part in Windham's history. Ribbit...Ribbit...

An Unplanned Day...

Ever have one of those days in which you wake up with absolutely nothing planned? Probably like most of you, this does not happen very often, especially while on vacation.

We had one of those days recently. Nope, nada, nothing planned. A day to recuperate after a few days in NYC. Well, this lasted a nano-second before I started texting my sibs. After all, we are home visiting family; shouldn't I spend every waking moment doing something?

Thus far, this was the BEST day of our vacation. My sibs came to the lake with their kids. No stories to share, jokes to tell, or news to announce. Just unconditional love & laughter only family can share.

Hmmffff...who comes up with the "time to prepare" estimates on recipe's?

Have you ever noticed how many recipes indicate they can be prepared in 10 minutes? I like to think I am organized and able to multi-task & work efficiently in the kitchen. But, 10 minutes...come on....I'm not superwoman!

We googled a recipe that includes banana's and sour cream since we had 6 overly ripe brown banana's & 16 ounces of sour cream left over from a party.

Found a wonderful recipe at All recipes. Click here for the recipe.

The kids were excited to take the challenge to see if we could prepare the bread in 10 minutes as indicated.

We organized all of the ingredients and measuring utensils on the counter before starting the clock. The 3 of us worked together like a well oiled machine. We simultaneously measured, mixed, and poured. It still took the 3 of us 55 minutes to prepare the breads!!! So puulleesse, excuse my ignorance and let me know how these estimates are determined!

The recipe produced 2 large loaves and 3 small loaves. We added blueberries, chocolate chips and walnuts ~ the bread rose beautifully, and was surprisingly moist. It was well worth the 55 minute prep time!

My Kind of Beach

Harkness Memorial State Beach, in Waterford, Connecticut, is not for everyone. It's not for surfers nor boogie boarders. It's not for body surfers or kids wanting to frolic in the waves.

For starters, this seaside state park sits on 200+ acres of lush park-like grounds, surrounded by stately trees and lush gardens.

Records indicate, in 1907, the property was purchased by Edward and Mary Harkness as both a working farm and their summer home. Edward and Mary were originally from Ohio(!).

The interior of the Harkness Mansion (purchased by Edward & Mary) may be toured throughout the week. It is also rented out for weddings ~ can you imagine ~ breathtaking views of the ocean! Click here for mansion tour details.

This is the 4th year we've brought the kids to Harkness. I'll admit, upon our initial decent to the shore this year, we were all a little disappointed in the weathered beach. The winter months brought many large rocks & lots of sea shells to the shore ~ leaving the sandy shores sharp & uneven.

This also brought new adventures for the kids. They spent more time building rock walls & rock castles in the sand than the typical sand castle. This year they were also fascinated with climbing and exploring the rock formations along the grassy knolls.

A few pictures of my favorite beachcombers...or, as we say

while reading Pippi, my "Thing-Finders."

Story~Time

I know there will come a day when my kids won't want me to read to them anymore. In fact, I feared, "that time" would be this summer. At 10 yrs & 6 yrs, they both enjoy reading their own stories. Yet, there is something magical about sharing a family story, especially if read while away on vacation. I held my breath the 1st night. Phew, they were thrilled I brought us a book to read!!

We are reading one of my childhood favorites, Pippi Longstocking.

Originally published in Swedish in 1950 before being translated into many other languages. The author, Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) wrote 100's of books, poems & short stories. She also won the Hans Christian Andersen Medal ~ the highest international award in children's literature.

The book is still available ~ here is a link if you are interested. Go ahead, you deserve it!

No matter what time we get home from our day trips and/or visiting with family, we all curl up in Mommy's bed after our baths and snuggle & giggle about the adventures of Pippi Longstocking.

Well you should know what you have to do -

you can feel the right thing to do in your heart

- Pippi

Some Say You Can Never Go Home.....

Although, I agree with this statement with all of my heart, I will strongly argue that no matter the roads life will take you, there is never anyplace quite like home.

A place that pulls at your heart strings while you are away.

A place where you can go and feel unconditionally loved by your sibs,

no matter how much time has passed.

A place in which you never forget the curves in the road

or the unnamed landmarks that bring you home.

A place in which you never forget the decisions made in your past

that make you who you are today.

Growing up a service brat, I never felt the sense of home. Heck, when you move tens of thousands of miles away from 'home' every few years, you quickly learn to become detached from your surroundings and find comfort and happiness within your family & faith.

Moving away from New England ten years ago or so has changed all of that. I never felt a part of the community while living here, yet returning to the lake each summer brings me greater joy than being anywhere else on this earth.

We have been home less than 48 hrs and I feel at peace with myself & have already enjoyed the simple pleasures of being home.