Beans oh beans

Canning season has begun, and in honor of the occasion I decided to post my latest accomplishment. We've had a great bean crop this year and usually my attempts at bean canning are a disgrace, but I managed to get 16 pints this years. I think I'm most proud that I didn't cause any damage with the scary pressure cooker.

(I promise not to post pictures of all my canning this year!)

Viva La Vida

After waiting three long years for their return, my fav band Coldplay took to the stage at the XL Center in Hartford last night.  Steve & I scored some pretty sweet tickets on Ebay so I could see all the musical action up close & personal.  Unfortunately, other psycho fans had the same idea, so we had to deal with a few characters around us.  Steve enjoyed himself, minus the full glass of beer that got dumped down his pants and shoe. 

The concert was great, but the band totally snubbed us . . . no encore performance!  Maybe we will just have to go to Boston tomorrow night for another round of "Death and All His Friends".  Hey, 'just because I'm hurting, doesn't mean I'm hurt . . . '.

Nice laser shows, media/image balls, and other special effects-
Some personal touches-
Jammin'-
Even Will sang a little-
Mr. Martin was the all-around showman.

Hey, Hey, Hey . . . Good-bye

Last Monday, while the family was recovering from the big Cameron Reunion in Utah, we were mourning the loss of our good friend, Jaime.  She moved to Orlando, FL this last Tuesday with her three adorable boys.  Hopefully she becomes great friends with the Orlando branch of the Danley fam.

Cameron Family Reunion 2008

The Cameron Reunion was this last weekend. It was a great time with all our crazy relatives, although we really missed Deon and Steve and Jason and Lindsey and their girls. We could have used them in the hula hoop competition!

Here are a few pics from the Olympic portion of the reunion. Our team was from Japan, and we put together a pretty decent ensemble of costumes and flag. However, Jeff added his touches with two sumo suits. Jeff and Matt showed off their wrestling abilities, and Kurt showed off his ability of getting two sumo wearing guys into the back of a truck.

It was all pretty funny and great fun!

On Saturday morning, Altamont had their annual Longhorn 5k. Jeff, Dave, Kendrick, Kendall, Amy, Madison and Tyler all got up early to go run it. A few of us dragged ourselves out of bed to watch. 'That Danley Boy' got first place and Jeff came in 3rd.

Gavin and Will had a blast swimming and building their 'house' (under the wood stairs). I think they are having a little gladiator/sword fighting competition in these pictures.

The highlight of the Olympic competition was the syhcronized swimming. I was impressed with Jeff, Kim and Dad's ability to put together a routine. Dad gets the award for never coming out of character!

These are a few pics from the climbing wall. James couldn't quite reach the holds yet!

SUPER KELLI

This weekend we were extremely honored to have my genius college roomie visit us from D.C.  She is currently in her first year as a nurse, but we like to refer to her as "super nurse". 

Kelli can also be categorized as a "super traveler".  She has basically almost visited the entire world in her short life, but CT was one of her unconquered states.   She arrived on Thurs. evening after a long drive on 95.

Luckily, being a seasoned traveler, Kelli toured the majority of CT hot spots in one day.  We ended Friday at Yale and decided to treat our palates to the delicious Thai cuisine of Bangkok Gardens in New Haven-- thanks for the suggestion, Kim!

THE MOUNT Estate and Gardens of Edith Wharton

Can you see the humidity in this pic?

The stables.
Steve & Kelli discussing Ethan Frome.  :)

Yesterday Stephen, Kelli, and I drove up to the Berkshires in Western MA.  Considering it was the hottest, most humid day of the year thus far, we were anxious to spend some time at a slightly higher elevation.  

Our two points of interest were the Edith Wharton estate in Lenox, MA, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.  Unfortunately, due to 'artistic overload' for the male in our party, we opted for lunch over the NRM.  Lindsey, I will try to make it there eventually!!!

PLAIN & SIMPLY EXTRAVAGANT

Although her massive estate took two years to build, the inside decor was extremely simplistic.  Wharton despised "sumptuary excesses" of  the Victorian clutter of her privileged upbringing in New York, so The Mount's interior was inspired by the Old World designs of Italian villas, French pavilions, and English country houses.

MY DREAM GARDEN

The estate gardens were magnificent!  Ms. Wharton once commented that she was a better gardener than a novelist, and it shows in the design and execution of her spacious Italian gardens.

LITERARY MUSHROOMS

Dave, what are these weird, alien-like mushrooms?  We located these on the Edith Wharton estate.  Any guesses??

PARIS IN HARTFORD?

Downtown Hartford- The Statehouse

Downtown Hartford- The Capitol Building




A trip to CT wouldn't be complete without visiting the capitol building in downtown Hartford. Does the capitol's Victorian Gothic architecture really fit the general ambience of Hartford?  You be the judge.

IT'S GREEK TO ME

As we arrived home from The Berkshires, a violent summer storm raged through Berlin and caused a large tree to collapse over the entrance to our road from off the turnpike.  Using his incredible off-roading skills, Steve was able to get Kelli and I around the damage; however, we weren't too thrilled with what we found at home:  no electricity.  

This really wouldn't have been a problem, but we were expected at an Extravaganza party in Newington that evening with all of Steve's work buddies for food, fireworks, and fun.  After a hot & humid day in Mass, we were all a sight for sore eyes.  Instead of attending the Newington festivities, Kelli went to Rocky Neck State Park, Deon fell fast asleep in the non-A/C house, and Steve did (?).   Eventually, we all made it back together for some Greek fare at Tapa's in West Hartford at around 10 p.m.  

Unfortunately, the story doesn't end there.  Steve's 'tapas' didn't stay put for long.  He was sick all night long!!!!

FROG BLOG

How cute is this mini frog?  He was trying to be a part of a portrait sitting last week.