Saturday August 7th - On vacation to Ithaca, NY.
Rented a cabin with Jim and Susan and explored all over the city. (Bob met up with us Sunday afternoon - went to a family wedding in Canada)

Ithaca is Gorges!
We stayed at Buttermilk Falls.


We unpacked, and set up our beds and the cabin.
Buds has a quiet moment to himself...



The 3 of us headed out shortly after to cool off in one of our favorite secret places... it's in the Plantation area of Cornell - Flat Rock.




After the 3 of us explored the area, we headed back to the cabin briefly before heading out to dinner. We decided to eat in town vs. dinner by campfire. Figured we'd save it until Bob came in the next night.
We ate in the Ithaca Commons - a place called "Just a taste".
We started off with "flights" of wine. This included about 5 glasses of a certain type of wine, from sweet to dry. A great way to get to know different wines.



We had the same type of dinner there...you order small plates of really neat different things, in small portions, and share... and they keep bringing you what you've chosen. A nice light way to try new things. My favorite thing was this summer squash dish.. the spices were just incredible...and I Love squash... really good.

The 3 of us headed back after dinner to the site, and built a fire.



We made up a ghost story together, and had our G&T's by firelight.
(I missed Bob that night...but know he's having a great time with his family in Canada).
Buddy kept me company by the fire..He loved being outdoors for so long!

Up and at 'em the next morning...we headed out to Ithaca Commons for an unexpected fancy breakfast!
The food was extraordinary.... neat little touches, interesting sauces, and side tastings... really good.
After breakfast, we went back to get Buds, and then Susan took us to Cornell Campus to look around.
There was a beautiful church on campus that I'm so glad she showed me. The church was beautiful inside, but the courtyard to it outside was just so quaint, and beautiful. I never would have seen this had she not taken the time to show us.

Here's a closeup shot of a vine I just loved

And here's me with Buds... such a good boy !


Now hot, and ready to swim, we headed out to Flat Rock to swim,float and play! Buds LOVED it ! We threw him in and he swam and eventually he was doing it himself.
( I don't have any pictures from this place yet because I used a waterproof disposable camera...have to get it developed but will update asap!)

We headed back to the main part of Ithaca to the Cascadilla gorge - Just beautiful. We hiked up the whole gorge and played in the falls along the way.






I LOVED it...we walked all the way up, refreshed the whole way, and then had lunch at Collegetown Deli...such a cute place too...we sat on the outside terrace and had a sandwich, and dried off. Gave Buds a treat or two, and then headed back out down the trail. ps. it's SO much better walking DOWN the trail...phew!
:)
We headed home to make dinner - Bob's going to be there soon ! I could'nt wait to see him.

We arrived damp to the cabin, and got changed...on my way back from the restroom I saw Bob's car pull in...I got so excited, and couldn't wait to see him...
:)
We hugged our hellos, and all began preparing for dinner.
Grilled chicken, "packages", and sweet corn !
mmmm.
("packages" is Susan's term for packages of aluminum foil wrapped veggies that you lay in the coals..)


Bob saves the day with his awesome fire preparation..that teepee effect really works!


What is it with food cooked over a fire.. the chicken was SO juicy, veggies never tasted better, and the corn was so sweet and yummy...
mmmmmm.

We hung out for a while, but eventually made our way to some of the Ithaca College town bars. The boys needed their time out. We played pool first, but it was way too hot in there... so we stepped out, and walked around to find something cooler...
Thanks for showing us around town Susan !


We came home, and made S'mores! and hung around by firelight.


The next morning Jim and Susan headed out early to shop around Ithaca, and reminisce some of her favorite places where she grew up. Bob and I slept in, and had a quick breakfast before they got back. We left Buds home for the afternoon, so just the 4 of us went out exploring. Susan took us first to this great little known place called Six mile creek...or was it Five mile? Either way, it was beautiful. The best part, was it was deep enough to float in. We started out at one place and floated probably 1/2 mile...which is pretty far for floating...
I was laying there in the water... couldn't hear anything - silent, as the trees above me passed by.
I think that was my favorite part of the weekend...the floating.
Unfortunately, I don't have a single picture of it though...it was a location that wasn't camera friendly as far as taking it with me.. and my waterproof one was used up.... So...no record.
:(
(Jim might have one of us though...I'll have to check)

From here, we went to lunch again at the same collegetown sandwich shop... had some sandwiches, and took Bob this time DOWN the gorge. But only half way...to play in the falls (knowing we'd have to hike back up).


He loved it - he climbed all up in the falls too!



After another day of refreshing water funfilled activities, we headed back to the cabin. Jim and Susan packed to go home...I wish they could stay...
Had so much fun there, and Susan told us all about this place and that place around town, a true native.
We said our goodbyes, and took one last group shot before they left - By guys!


Bob and I headed into town to get some groceries for dinner the next few nights, and came back to make it. We made packages again, with burgers. Dinner was awesome again... I think I'm gonna see if Bob can build us a fire pit in our back yard...
can you get on that Bob?
:)
No, it's just the food tastes so good on the camp fire, and the smell of the wood is just so campy...
anyways... had a great dinner...

We hung out after dinner playing Uno, and 21. Uno is great... and Bob was kicking my you know what at 21... over and over and over...ahhh!
We compromised and made s'mores!

Hung out some more, and eventually made it to bed.
Buds was tuckered out! How cute they are!


We were up the next day, and Bob and I got a quick breakfast in town before heading out to swim in the falls again.
We walked around the Commons area since he hadn't been there the other day, and had some bagels.


We headed home after to get Buds, and took him to the falls with Bob that he didn't get to see the first day we were there without him. He got to see Buddy swim in the falls for himself. They had so much fun running around, fetching, spalshing, relaxing...


I got Bob to get IN a waterfall, and float in it...
he was a little bit hesitant...but once he did it, he agreed it was well worth it...

Buds thought so too!

And a final shot of the infamous feet before we headed home for dinner


We pretty much did the same thing that night...though it started to sprinkle right around dinner time.. so we quickly grabbed our food from the pit, and ate in the cabin...
I loved being there in the woods... the birds, the sun through the trees, the smoky campfire smells, s'mores... it's endless... most importantly being with Bob, friends, and Buds...
One last shot of Bob and I in front of the cabin before we headed out the next morning...


We packed up, and headed back to Flat Rock - through Cornell. Bob hadn't gotten to go before and wanted to let Buddy play one more time before the long drive home. I got in and floated again for a little while. It seemed like Buds was trying to save me at one point too...he jumped in and swam right up to me... so cute!
One last shot, and we're headed for home

Bye from Ithaca!

I just wanted to put in an entry of my friend Shannon. I haven't had the opportunity to get a picture of her lately, but a-ha! I did just the other day. She's moving into a new place - bigger, less rent, incredibly charming, and NO screaming babies, or firetrucks roaring by !
:)
She took me out for SUSHI to celebrate at a new place on Park Ave...Kobay. It was a beautiful night, perfect company, and really good food. Thank you Shannon!
:)
More pictures and stories to come!

July 18th, 2004
Bob's belated B-day gift - a trip on the new Ferry,
"The Breeze" to Toronto, Canada!
:)
We were there at 6:15am to leave around 7am...we can't believe we got up, and made it there. We both didn't sleep well the night before from all our anticipation and excitement..but we made it!
We got on board smoothly, and were honestly amazed with how spacious it was...there were chairs everywhere, and plenty of room to walk around and check out different views. They had breakfast on board too, so we grabbed some eggs, and had a seat.
mmmm..eggs...
We roamed around for a bit...here's Bob on the stairs.

We watched the movie playing "13 going on 30" for the remainder of the trip, and before we knew it, we were there and disembarking...




We waited for just a few minutes for the public transit bus to show up to take us into the city...
there were huge posters all around welcoming us...
Bob had to get a picture of this little kid...too funny..
:)
We made our way downtown...saw an ad with my name, so of course - had to get a shot...

From here, we took the subway to the Ontario Science Center...about a 1/2 hour away...the public transportation is amazing there...it's so easy to get around.


We walked around...Bob got to play with so much stuff...it's all user friendly, and they want to you learn and see for yourself all the answers to scientific theories, etc.
We got to watch a movie on this circular screen...much like our own Planetarium here on East Ave. It was called Forces of Nature. Natural occurances like Tornados, Volcanos...etc. Very exciting...though Bob and I were fighting sleep deprivation...we made it through!

After the movie, we continued to walk around and check everything out - there were 5 floors of different scientific things...like earth, astrology, computers, etc... I found a skinny mirror and read about it explaining how it works... knowing me, I don't remember "how" it works, but I remember wanting to look like I did in the mirror !
:)

I got into a spacesuit too - 3,2,1 take off!!


We eventually made our way out...knowing we had to be back to port soon.
Bye from the Science Center !


The museum took up pretty much the whole day, so we didn't have time to catch dinner. No problem though - they had dinner on the boat! We were off back to the subway, and waiting for the bus again when we spotted a sign back to the ferry..


We kinda had to wait a while before it got in..it was late...but I had dinner and a movie on my mind, and dind't mind waiting...

Here it comes !...


We got on board, and grabbed a window seat... and headed over in line for dinner...mmmgrilled chicken sandwiches.
:)
I caught one last shot of Toronto as the boat pulled away...it was a beautiful day and evening..



We ate dinner, and watched "50 First dates" on the way home...we had a great time in Toronto, and just having time to ourselves together.
Happy Birthday Bob !
Cheers!

Saturday July 17th - Sue's Bridal Shower !
We arrived at Jill's place and mingled. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and enjoyed the party outside. Sue was radiant, happy and surrounded by friends and family.


The first game we played had one of us from each team dressing up in tissue paper as a bride - great idea! They all looked awesome - Sue got to judge, and picked Erin, looking stunning in her t.p.!
I had worked on Neely - here's an example:


After this, we played a question game where Sue was asked to answer questions about Kevin - that he'd answered prior to the party.
She did AWESOME! AND she even came up with a MORE right answer to one of the questions than HE did... she knew him better than he knew himself.
lol...very impressive Sue !
:)


From here we opened presents - tons of awesome gifts...one of my favorites was Erin's - her presentation was SO clever. It was one of those galvanized tubs - but she filled it with white styrafoam peanuts and put beers, tonics, and even Tangueray - nothing but the best ! Oh the pile of pictures I have with Sue and her G&T in hand.
:)

When she got to my gift, she was so surprised that the presentation was mine... she was admiring it, and looked so cute when she realized it was my wrapping...so funny


This cookie basket was SO cute too:


After all the presents, Sue handed out a gift to her brides maids. She MADE matching purses for them to use with their outfits. I thought that was so cool...she sewed them herself. I was talking to her mom about it at one point too, and her mom was saying how much Sue liked to sew...
I've never taken that up, and don't know if I would have the patience for it - but I admire it so much. Here they are...
:)


Once the presents were done, and Sue's mom had finished the bow plate, (is there a technical name for that? I'm so out of the loop sometimes!) :) I got a quick shot of Sue and her mom with the bows.
She is a sweetheart...


From here, we made our way in for CAKE !
mmmmmmmm...

That was SO cool that they put their picture on top...I LOVED it.
Here's the bride to be cutting her cake - right in the middle of the picture - leave it to Sue ! I remember thinking, she's totally going to cut it right in the middle... and she did..
:)


We mingled some more and said our goodbyes. I am so excited and happy for Sue ... I get more excited each day thinking about her wedding, my reading I'm going to do (scare me! - she knows I'm totally going to sob...no.. I'll contain myself..)
anyways... I'm just happy to be her friend, share her smiles, and give her "showers of happiness"

Happy Shower Sue !
:)

Friday July 9th -
Heim and Care arrived around 7pm at 100 Holcroft rd! I was and always am so excited to see them. We smiled and laughed our hellos, and made our way to dinner with Bob at Hogans Hideaway on Park Ave.
A favorite of mine for the atmosphere, and good food...and hats on the wall for Heim. We made sure she tried one on before we left. From there, we headed over to my new studio space I'm sharing with Susan - where I hope to create lots of note cards, and scrapbooking pages...I hope it disciplines me to really get going. I'm anxious to see what I can do!
It was about 10pm by this time, so we headed home and visited around the dining room table...catching up, and telling stories - My favorite thing.

Up and at 'em around 10am the next morning. We had a nice pancake breakfast at home, and then got them started on watching "The Spanish Apartment" - a movie I've been wanting them to see. Unfortunately, I had to work a wedding that day...so I thought they could watch that, and then head to charlotte beach for the day. It was perfect sunny weather. I was so happy for them that they got to get outside, and enjoy the sunshine for a few hours...

I joined them after the wedding for a little while...I should have worn my suit - the water was actually really warm, and people were swimming! Now I know and will be down there as much as possible!
:)


Anyways... after the beach and soaking in the sun, we headed to dinner - just us girls. We ended up eating outside an eatery on Park Ave - The Big Apple.

Good food, people watching, and stories...perfect weather too...It was also great cuz Care hasn't sat outside a cafe for dinner before so that made it a new experience for her!
We then made our way over to one of my favorite summer places to hang out - Lux. They have a great patio in back with picnic tables, and I thought it would be great to play a game out there - they have a whole bunch of games to choose from. Jim and Susan met us there, and we all played Celebrity Taboo! It was fun, but harder than we thought...I thought I knew all I needed to know from watching "E!" but there was a lot more to it than that. It was fun just the same, and we enjoyed our time being outside and together.



We were up and at 'em earlier the next day and headed out to the Highland Park Diner for breakfast. Another beautiful day. Care got her 'cakes, Heim her scrambled eggs, and I had an english muffin egg sandwich and fruit cup.
mmmmmm.

We met up with Bob and Buddy at the Corn Hill Festival afterwards for crafts, and 'creams. HOT!
Got some sun, some shade, and lots of smiles.




One of our first experiences was meeting a bunny named Toffee - little did we know this little "bun bun" would grow on Carrie so much. :)
He was So soft, and adorable - she could've taken him home right then, I'm sure.




Heim managed to find some beautiful hats - her favorite - so naturally, I had to get a shot.
My beautiful Heim


We all got some crafty goodies, and refreshed ourselves with Abbotts, and Ben and Jerry's. We made one last stop to say goodbye to Toffee and headed out.
Oh yeah - they surprised me with something I was looking at too ! A wire 3 vase flower holder - I was so surprised and thankful - it's just beautiful and unique !
Thank you both for that - I will think of you both everytime I put in new flowers.
:)

We got home, and said our goodbyes... Heim brushed the budster one last time before she left

He seriously had it made the whole weekend.

Bye Heim and Care - I will miss you!
'til Alexandria Bay !
:)