Visit to the Zoo

Last weekend, Amy and Todd and the boys came to visit Auntie Kay and Uncle Mike in Jersey. While the older boys (mike and todd) went golfing, the gals took the smaller boys (my nephews) to the zoo nearby. This particular zoo is really fun, it is tucked away in the woods, it is somewhat compact, so you can cover some serious ground in just a few hours, and there are a few additional fun areas besides all of the animal watching - magic slides and a carousel.

Another highlight of the zoo trip was when Nolan became the 'sugar daddy' for the wishing pond, passing out change to the entire park of kids.  Long story...

Sorry, another highlight, was when the peacock modelled for us. 

We also kicked off BBQ season and cooked up a big meal after a long fun day. Thanks for the visit you guys!

Museums

In March, we fit in a little culture here and there, as a way to take some needed study breaks.

Mike and I took a study break one day this month to visit the great museum that is nearby. There was a wonderful exhibit of the work of Oscar Bluemner, and his paintings of the Paterson area in the early 20th century. It was during the time of the great Silk Strike in Paterson, which occurred 100 years ago this year. It was a beautiful set of work, colorful and passionate. I realized that I really miss my union organizing work these days...

We also went to NYC to the Met and met family and saw Matisse!! 

A month of Wonder

Well, March just began and took off! March was a month full of good stuff, so good, I guess I ran out of time to get over here and blog about it. Of course, March is the birth month of my partner in crime.  Mike turned a year older and wiser, but remains the best, cutest, and most supportive husband ever.

March was also filled with a lot of writing, editing, re-writing and final touches to my dissertation.  Which meant, said husband was doing a lot of cooking around here because I barely had time to eat. After I receveid the final word from my dissertation committee members, my dissertation defense was set and guess what?? I passed! It still feels a bit unreal. I had another few weeks of edits to make and today, I will upload the disseration to the school and be DONE! Wow. I had a few minor panic attachs this week (my title page had a signature in blue ink, I forgot to get my program director to sign in her spot on the candidacy form and she lives in Boston, you know, just minor issues that cause people to have to wait a full year to go to graduation...) If I make it through this coming Monday successfully (tax day and dissertation deadline day), I think I will be able to walk in graduation. See - this is unreal.

Celebrating successful defense with chocolate and bubbly

 We had very short stop in RI this month to give everyone a hug and celebrated Easter in Cape Cod. Mike and I were spoiled and stayed in a B & B for a night, which was just what we needed after this wild month.

I guess it is now on to April and Spring!!

hi mom!

birthday guy

who brought these guys?

the smallest family member, getting a tiny bit of attention

on the beach

oh, there she is

Late Winter

Well, even though it is March, it did not feel close to spring this past weekend at all.  It was cold and windy and mostly grey. I decided to do a little indoor gardening. We had a few plant losses recently so I wanted to get a few fresh plants and do some repotting. (Lesson learned though: wear gloves when repotting cacti...)

Mike and I made an amazing soup this weekend, I think it was my favorite soup ever.  It was cream of root vegtables with citrus spices. It was such an incredible mix of flavors. On the side, we had nachos with radishes and cilantro. It was a yummy dinner for late winter!

We got out of town and met Mike's mom and niece in NYC at the Met to see the Matisse exhibit. After a few hours wondering the great halls of the huge museum, we all met Michael and Hina (cousins) for lunch near the museum.

Winners

This year, we geared up for a serious Oscar-viewing gathering at Donna's, which included a lot of bling and games, of course. It was the 85th Oscars night! The gals put on sparkly eye makeup, bling bling jews and high heels with our jeans. Mike even put on an evening jacket (oh, well over his hippy flannel shirt) and Will put on a tux shirt and bow tie!!

We played TWO oscar games and stayed up until the very end. It was fun. I did not see serveral of the nominated movies but manged to see a few of them. I was really happy for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lawernce, my two fav movies this year.

And I loved it when Michelle Obama joined in on the sparkly oscar excitement!!

Bad lighting but you can see the sparkles

My Oscar Bingo card

Lots of sewing

Despite all of the writing lately, I have managed to put my sewing machine to work a bit here and there.  There are quite a few cute babies in my life right now so I made some baby gifts and used some new sewing materials at the same time. First up, a terry velour hoody towel for my tiny niece and it even had a little colorful wren on the outside fabric!

Then I used a fuzzy blanket fabric for a baby blanket for a friend's new baby girl. I used the tying technique to 'quilt' the 2 layers with pink ties!

Oh, there have been some zippers in my life lately as well.  My cousin Laura, who just learned how to sew just a few months ago, is already onto zippers! We made some valentine zipper pouches.  We also found a sewing notion store 2 blocks from her house that has a whole room just for zippers!! All colors, all sized. So we have some more zipper plans...

Finally, some snow, a lot of it.

Well, the Blizzard of 2013 occurred here in north jersey.  We got about 15 or so inches, it was beautiful and quiet and still.  And the sun came out after all of the snow fell. A perk of being a renter: you get to stay inside view the pretty white snow with warm coffee in hand, while the hired (by landlord) people take care of the driveway. My back thanks you guys.

Mike, happy that our landlord had the driveway cleared!

warm and sunny inside

our backyard

It has been a crazy few months: writing writing writing my dissertation draft.  Finally, just yesterday, my Dissertation Chair sent out my full draft to the whole committee for my first Full-Committee Review. If all goes well, I will get feedback, work for a few weeks to make changes and defend it!! Cross your fingers...then walk in May...

A lot of path models in my life lately. 

After a long week of late nights writing, my valentine treated me to gorgeous flowers, the best Indian take out around (which is my fav), and yummy dessert.

And now for the Saturday paper and a yummy hot beverage (we might have gotten a really fun new kitchen appliance that involved steamed milk). Because this Saturday and Sunday, I will not be writing or reading or editing my dissertation.  Not for a minute.