Apple Pie

Some people go on vacation and don't do a thing. I like to do things that I never have the time to do at home.

We baked an apple pie this week. This is the second year we've done it. I forgot to add the sugar to the first apple pie I made last year. Plenty of ice cream fixed the lack of sugar.

This year, the pie was great (still had ice cream on top of course).

I've got to work on my decoration though. Those are supposed to be moons and scary cats on the top crust. Martha Stewart would not be impressed. Sorry Martha.

Martha Stewart's Apple Pie Recipe

Lobster claws

"Owww! Where are my claws?" said the lobster. "In my belly", I said.

Still on vacation!

We’ve been to Barnacle Billy’s and Lords so far. Mabel’s Lobster Claw is tonight.

(Excuse the bad photo - it was taken from my phone's camera.)



Barnacle Billy's
Lords Harborside
Mabel's Lobster Claw

Fallen off the wagon

We saw fireworks in Ogunquit last night. They shot them over the beach, so we were able to watch them from the Marginal Way, which is a tiny footpath along the coastline.

I’m not sure what the fireworks were for – my guess is they heard that Charles ate ham for breakfast!

We were able to snap a few photos using the tripod which was schlepped up here and the slowest lens setting on the camera. It worked great and here's one of the results!

How to use a camera tripods
Buy a Tripod
Marginal Way

Pinch and S'mac

We just returned from NYC yesterday. We were up there celebrating a friend’s 70th birthday. It was a surprise party with about ten guests. (We didn’t yell surprise or anything – I did say it was his 70th birthday, right?)

Last time we visited New York, we found a restaurant that came highly recommended. This restaurant only serves two things – pizza and mac & cheese. (I think they might have salad, but who really cares?)

It’s called Pinch and S’mac and is located on the Upper West Side. I went there for the mac & cheese (of course). They let you select the cheese(s), breadcrumbs or no breadcrumbs and other ingredients to add, including bacon (oh yeah).

Want to know the amazing thing? I really liked the pizza too. (Sorry Poppa Johns, you’re still my regular guy at home.) Honestly though, who would even bother with pizza when you’ve got mac & cheese and bacon? But the pizza was really, really good.

So you know that Pinch and S’mac is now a regular on my tour of NYC. I may not make it to my 70th birthday party. What, from eating so much bacon, and mac & cheese? Oh, no, I just meant, I’ll probably be at Pinch and S’mac, while everyone else is waiting somewhere to surprise me. That is, if it’s still around in 50 years (hey, I look 20, right?)

Pinch and S’mac (they do deliver, but only for a couple of blocks, darn it)

Camera Bag

I’m enrolled in a photography class right now at the local university. You know that means? No, my pictures have yet to improve. But it does mean shopping for photography accessories, of course.

On the Gaiam site, I found a solar camera bag for my Canon. The bag has a flexible solar panel on top that sends a 1.5W trickle charge to a 12V outlet to charge equipment.

OK, so I may not be Ansel Adams (yet), but I sure know the importance of natural lighting.

Gaiam

Car Seat Extender

How many times have you been driving your car while talking on the phone, eating french fries and texting with three or four friends – when suddenly, out of nowhere, the guy in front of you slams on his brakes causing you to spill your cocktail? Even worse, the dogs in the back seat go flying forward, bounce off of the front seat and land on the floorboard. (Well it happens to some people, okay? Let's not judge.)

Those people (and I’m not saying who) should consider buying an inflatable car seat extender. It’s supposed to be for big dogs that don’t fit comfortably on the seat and are properly restrained with a dog harness. But really, who has a dog that big?

The great thing about this product is that it inflates to the size needed for your car, from Mini Cooper convertible to large SUV. (Although, convertible tops should probably be closed before using an inflatable - aka bouncy - device.)

Rocco and Jezebel

TravelSmith

Going somewhere for the holidays? Without me? Well, I'll let you in on a little tip anyway.

Buy some locks for your luggage from TravelSmith. They're TSA approved, so airport security won't have a fit.

The best part? They're letters, not numbers. You create the combination using an easy to remember word.

But don't use O-P-E-N, OK? Unless you want someone pawing through your clothes. Eww, you're not into that, are you?

Order now so you get them before the holidays arrive. Oops, too late for Thanksgiving.

TravelSmith

Voscher Luggage Tags

When most teens graduate from high school, their parents give them wonderful gifts to commemorate the achievement. My parents? They gave me luggage. I think it was their subtle way of saying "Get out."

Voscher Home Collection has a new line of luggage tags that help you easily identify your luggage. Using a graphic from their Tampa landmark art series, they've created durable tags. You know, a little bling for your suitcase.

Buy some for family and friends as stocking stuffers for this holiday season. And, better get a couple for yourself, unless you want to lose your own luggage.

Voscher Home Collection