September 13, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 12 DAYS

What's Really Important?

HOWDY HOWDY!

It's Sunday, and not to rush things along, but after today we've only got one more weekend (a very busy weekend) and then we'll be travelin' in Hawaii or better known as Paradise!

Can you tell that I'm excited?! We all are! 
As we should be, we've been to the Hawaiian Islands and know exactly what we are in for!!

TODAY is also -

Thanks to legacyproject.org here's a little info on this lesser known holiday: 

National Grandparents Day falls each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. 
It's not a holiday invented to sell cards and flowers. 

It was initiated at the grassroots level by West Virginian Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, with the behind-the-scenes support of her husband Joseph L. McQuade. They had 15 children, 43 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

There are three purposes for National Grandparents Day:
To honor grandparents.
To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children.
To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.

A day for young and old to honor each other, and an opportunity for civic engagement for all generations

Mrs. McQuade wanted Grandparents Day to be a family day. She envisioned families enjoying small, private gatherings, perhaps even a family reunion, or participating in community events. 

On a societal level, National Grandparents Day gives us a chance to publicly affirm the identity and importance of grandparents, that they do play a vital role in families. --

The kids are scheduled with their choir for a special Grandparents Day performance this afternoon, it is sure to warm the hearts of all those in the audience (I know they always warm my heart) and be extra special for those Grandparents who spend much of their left time alone because of our generation's and society's busy schedules!

In a day and age of rushing around and being on the go it is so very important to spend quality time with those that you care for and love.

Dinner for us will be back at home with the family (as it is most nights in my household), and EVERY Sunday that I'm not traveling. 
Sunday dinners have always been a huge part of my upbringing. An Italian Family tradition going back as far as I can remember, and one that you can certainly still see and witness back in the "Homeland" country (Italy)!

And speaking of food...I need a plan! 
Without a plan I start to get aniexity and stress.

I'll tell you a little more about myself and then we'll get back to the food:

Back in the day when Blockbuster and Hollywood Video were still in business, and it was kinda the thing to do...
(So here's where I wonder how on Earth did I ever have time to sit down and actually watch a movie at home???) 
Ya see... if I "plan" to go to the movies or turn into a couch potato for a couple of hours for event programming (i.e. Olympics, World Series, Academy Awards, Super Bowl) then I tend to have no problem.
BUT just sitting in front of a television to watch a show or DVD out of the blue...well that just isn't in my realm of possibility. Never happens. No time. Too many other things to do. All of which are by choice.

Anyhow what I was getting at was that when I use to go into the video stores without the selection planned out ahead of time and we'd just browse, if a decision wasn't made ASAP then 9.9 times out of 10 I would stress out and walk out of the store empty handed. 

This is sort of what happened last night when trying to figure out what we should do for breakfast!

Ya see dinner for my family is planned 7 nights a week (by me of course), breakfast and lunch is planned M-F, but then on Sat and Sun our schedules are always so different that we can get all screwed up and it's real loosey goosey - sometimes we even miss meals and go hungry...which is very annoying and sucks.    
No one likes that! 
But it's because there's no real plan.

As for today knowing that the kids have a 1:15p call time, I was trying to figure out what we should do for lunch before heading to the performance. 
I was in the store with Dave (who doesn't like making decisions) and Cosette....
Ideas were going back and forth, but nothing was working. I was about to walk out of the store with nothing!

It's simple - I need a plan.

Btw - Another thing that has always made me very nervous and anxious is being in a store...any store when they are closing. And God-forbid they turn off the lights! Ahhhhhhh       So not good.

Luckily we didn't have any food issues yesterday (because I had a plan)!

After Jet called it a wrap, I took our gang of 4 for a special treat. 
We went (for the first time) to Scoops OC!

Sampling away!

Very happy with our decisions!

I had Mint Coffee and Vanilla Banana Cookie Dough - boy were they GOOD!

I think we can make a habit of this!

And after dessert, we went to go get some lunch at Healthy Junk! 

YUP you read that right, we had DESSERT first!

Kombutcha - not Beer!

After our lovely alfresco lunch, we went to Barnes and Noble and got our noses stuck in a few books!

I was searching Travel (of course), and continued to work on the plans of some 2016 upcoming trips...more details on Travelin' Tuesday!

I'm gonna leave off here...Hope you have a wonderful Sunday and get to hug or at least call your Grandma/Grandpa!

Toodles,
-T 

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 12 DAYS

A big Hello to you!

Ok, so I'm alittle confused...the weather report is saying that it's supposed to be cloudy and rainy, and yet, the sun is shining brightly through my window this morning.

I've been on top of the weather forecast since yesterday since we have been planning for weeks to go to Adventureland to celebrate Kelsey's 9th birthday.  

With the torrential downpour yesterday and last night, I warned the moms of Kelsey's girlfriends, that we were on "stand-by" for our amusement park celebration, pending the weather.

But, I have to tell ya, it looks good to me, so as of this writing, the plans are going full speed ahead for a day of rides!

Kelsey with Georgia, one of the baby horses at the barn

Yesterday was a day filled with pride for me about my girls. 

Their day was spent at the barn riding at THE BEST riding barn around...DREAM COME TRUE FARM!!

Both girls have been riding for nearly 3 years and this Summer saw incredible progress for Kelsey's riding skills.

Their trainer, Concetta told me just how amazing she is doing and that she is ready for the next step: A more advanced horse; jumping higher cross rails and verticals.

What does this all mean...Concetta believes that Kelsey will be ready to "show" next year based on where she is now and the anticipated progress over the upcoming months.

Her riding work on the course is wonderful as well.
That was truly a joy for me to hear!!  

Kelsey (right) walking through the barn where there are over 50 horses!

Dedicated owner, Vito, bring new baby Rex for some training

As for Gianna, I'm a little speechless.  This kid, at 11, has more smarts than I ever had at twice her age.  

She is not only intelligent and resourceful, but, has a heart of gold.  Ok - what am I referring to?

This past year, the barn lost some of its riders - for whatever reason, their personal path took them away to pursue other interests.  Financially, the barn felt the hit and is now building up once again.

Gianna was very upset by this fact, as Vito, Concetta and everyone at the barn has become like a second family to her and Kelsey.  Their warmth, dedication and commitment to their "family" of riders is unparalleled.  

So, what she decided was that she wants to build awareness for the barn with the intent of increasing business for Dream Come True.

Her plan is to create a Dream Come True YouTube Channel for people with the following mission:
1) Teach valuable horse riding and horse care skills through videos.
2) Present videos of the new and advanced riders in the arena.
3) Create a personal relationship for viewers with the various horses, their personalities and interaction with their riders
4) Educate and entertain viewers with the many baby horses who live at Dream Come True and their training progress as well as the special and different care required for baby horses versus adult horses.

Quite an undertaking for an 11 year old.  Now, she has the blessing of Concetta and Vito and the commitment from MaryAnn, the barn's photographer and videographer to do everything they can to assist her in this effort.

Yesterday, she spent her time (in between riding and care taking of the horses), taking stills and videos at the barn.

Of course, I gave her my commitment that I would help in any way she needs, provided her school work doesn't suffer.  

Interestingly enough, this kid bought a new microphone with her own money- after doing much research - that hooks onto the camera and is charged through the camera so it is not necessary to charge on its own, making it very efficient!!  

Kelsey riding Buddy (credit: Gianna)

Sapphire nursing on mommy, Diamond Girl

Roman Dream - one of the baby horses (credit: Gianna)

I will totally keep you updated with this endeavor as I believe Dream Come True is a great horse riding destination for those visiting the East End of Long Island for a day of riding OR for those looking to pursue horseback riding as a regular activity.

Now, I must get moving for my day of fun for Kelsey.  For more information about Adventureland, CLICK HERE for an archived story I did about this 50+ year old Long Island Amusement Park.

Have a splendid day!!

-E
xoxo

WEEKLY RECAP

Throwback Thursday: Why is Portland sooo HOT?!
Foodie Friday: Scarlatto: Triple Threat in the Theatre District