McDonalds for Dogs

Our trip has been quite uneventful, just the way we like it.  Although it has been cloudy for most of the trip, its been dry and the traffic is manageable.  We discovered that the best places to walk Titan were when we stopped for gas or lunch.  There are just too many dogs at the rest areas; seems like everyone is traveling with a dog or two these days.  

We were pleasantly surprised when we stopped in Orangeburg, SC for an iced coffee and bathroom break, only to find this nice doggie area at the end of the parking lot.

The best part...we were the only ones there!  While Bill walked back to get the car, Titan and I jogged around this little park a few times in an effort to expel a little energy. 

Thank you McDonalds for thinking of the doggies.

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)

On the Road Again

It's that time of year again.  No, I'm not talking about Christmas or New Years...I'm talking about FLORIDA!  We're leaving today, December 30th and will arrive on January 1st, 2014.  What a great way to start the new year.  We have already had our fill of snow and cold weather!

Good-bye Maine...Hello Florida!

Smiling on Matlatcha

Let's go Red Sox!

Sunset over Charlotte Harbor

Harbor walk

ahhhhhh

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)

A Very Special Day, Indeed!

Today, three generations of Wehmeyer women attended the Portland Symphony Orchestra's Magic of Christmas concert at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland.   Myself, my daughter Wendy, my sister-in-law Paula Wehmeyer and my mother-in-law, Beatrice Wehmeyer attended the preview show at 2:00.

not a great photo but the best we could do to adjust it

This tradition started many years ago when Bea and her husband, Bob took their two son's families to the concert.  This included six adults and four small children, ranging in ages from somewhere around 2 to 7ish.  The adults enjoyed the concert but spent quite a lot of time trying to entertain their small kids, who were completely bored and wanting to know "is it over yet?", "can we leave now?", "why do we have to come here anyway?".  It was a loooooong 2-2 1/2 hours, every year.

Finally, after several years, with older children that could almost enjoy themselves, the cost of taking so many people to the concert was too expensive and the tradition ended.  

Although we have attended occasionally over the past several years, Wendy has re instituted the tradition and has been the one to order tickets every year.  This year we were joined by Paula and Bea, who will be celebrating her 93rd birthday in January.  Thinking back, when we first started enjoying these concerts, Bea was about my age and I was about Wendy's age.  Weird!

I guess technically, since Paula and I are Wehmeyers by marriage, not birth, it was only two generations but I'm not really sure how that works.

We never really know how long we will be on this earth but 92 years is a nice, long time and I'm so glad the four of us were able to enjoy this very special day together.  

 

Thanks for stopping by...

;o)

It's Time to Make the Candy

Holidays are coming, decorations are appearing, baking is taking place and for me, like many others, that includes making holiday candy.  First up this year is Sponge Candy, sometimes called moon candy because of it's final appearance.

I started with it because it's easy and doesn't take forever!  For those interested, here is the recipe I use...

Ingredients you will need:
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 Tablespoon baking soda
1 9x9 pan, lightly greased - NOT glass!!!
1 candy thermometer

Combine the sugar, corn syrup and vinegar in a saucepan.

Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves, stirring regularly.

Love the color

Continue cooking, without stirring, to 300* on the thermometer.

bubble, bubble, toil and trouble

The color darkens a little

Remove from the heat and quickly stir in the baking soda, mix well. 
Pour into the 9x9 pan and allow to cool; DO NOT SPREAD.  The "batter" grows once the b.s. is added so you have to move fairly quickly.

Once it is cooled,  remove it from the pan and break it into pieces.  

The name comes from the texture.  It's a hard candy that melts in your mouth and has a very distinctive taste due to the vinegar.  

Sponge candy stores well as long as it is kept dry, otherwise it gets sticky.

If you try it, please comment and let me know what you think.  Enjoy your holidays.

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)