Photo Friday: Country

Took this picture early one morning when Pippy and I spent a nice girls weekend at a little organic farm/b&b. I spent the morning wandering around the property and had some quality time with the chickens and roosters, but really liked this tree.

Taken with Canon PowerShot G5; Shutter 1/1250; Apeture 4.5 - edits in photoshop

Happy Earth Day!

I don't often get up on my soapbox. OK, so maybe I do, but today is totally appropriate as it is Earth Day. So first off


Maybe it's just me, but I feel like when Oprah gets in on the gig, you know there's some traction. Of course, I was very disappointed that she didn't mention one of the biggest things you can do to save the planet - eat local! I was impressed that the green issue of Vanity Fair at least is starting to recognize that food is an environmental issue. Because really, does changing all your light bulbs, and composting, and using less paper, and changing power strips and all that make sense if you are still buying tomatoes that are grown in a hothouse in China in January. Besides the fact that they taste like crap, think of all the resources that went to getting that to your plate.

Of course, I'm not perfect - I don't always make it to my farmers markets, and I buy synthetic fabrics, and Our electric bill is higher than it should (although that's mostly J leaving every single light on) I try to be aware of what I'm doing - be it choosing my food, my beauty regimen, or my home. So in honor of Earth Day, I'm going to try to do one more thing that I hadn't done before (I think it my be trying to "unplug" all those phantom load devices) and see if I can't save the world.

Oh, and here are a few more links that I couldn't work into the above:
WorldWatch
Ideal Bite
Grist
Slow Food USA

Fun Families...

Last weekend I got to experience my first "Richardson" holiday. See my new in-laws, who are lots of fun, have a tradition of fully celebrating the 1st of April. Stories of eating worms, milk exchanged for buttermilk in the coffee and disappearing cars had me intrigued, so when J's aunt (Cin) invited us to pull one over on J's uncle (GG) for his birthday, I was excited to get in on the fun.

The weekend started of innocent enough. J's dad came down from MA and on Saturday the three of us treked the 2 1/2 hour ride to south jersey under the guise of an innocent early easter with the family. That night some other friends who lived in upstate NY stopped by "unexpectedly" and we settled in for a lovely dinner, with everyone in on the joke that would commence at 5 am.

So early the next morning, while everyone was sleeping, Cin had arranged for a neighbor to "steal" GG car, so when 6 am rolled around, and GG got up to get the supplies for his prank, which were in his car, the tone was set for the day. Shortly after he began making coffee - but the regular and the decaf were switched and it took 3 pots before anyone told him what was going on. Now, mind you there was a house full of family and friends at this poing, GG's car is missing, he has no caffene and the doorbell rings and it's a friend with all his tools "expecting" GG to refinish the floors and do some work around the house. Eventually everyone woke up and a large breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs and scrapple were a 'cookin.

At this point J fell into the danger of April 1st when he realized that his pancakes were made not of yummy batter, but batter covered cardboard. GG finally began to suspect that the day was going to be a bit more than the family in the morning when the neigbor shows up with his car and GG sees the mounds of food for the all day party!.

Of course, Jack wasn't the only innocent bystander who was part of the collateral damage. When GG's car was back, and Cin was to observent, GG's plan to saran wrap her car wound up at plan b - they got my car instead.



All in all, it was a great day! Some soccer, lots of food, good birthday cake and family - who could ask for more than that!

Go Jersey...

Solar going mainstream -- for the realz this time

Just gotta say, love the fact that Jersey's #2 at producing Solar Power - we rock!

Welcome Wammy!

I have a new nephew. Meet Wammy! (AKA Wesley). 8lbs, 11oz and 21inches tall - he's got his daddy's genes!