On some very rare occasions, I am in the mood to bake. Since we’re on snow day number who knows what, I needed something to fill my time. Now presenting, Martha’s “Chewy Cherry-Oatmeal Cookies.” I always use dried cranberries and today, I substituted half the butter with ground flax meal because I was short 1/4 cup and no way was I going out in the snow for a small amount of butter. Try these sometime, they really are fantastic! The honey makes them much more chewy than regular Oatmeal cookies.
February is a grueling month on the East Coast. Most people complain about March but I find February to be more difficult. Being inside gets old and finding things to do that don’t require prolonged exposure to the outside is very challenging. So what have we been doing in the cold?
1. Skiing & Snowboarding
2. Bowling
3. Teachers Day at the Celtics Game! (My co-workers would kill me if I posted their faces but 3 of us got to sit in the executive level at the Garden! Girls day at the game! We got to take pictures with the championship trophy and try on the ring! Teachers deserve some special treats once in awhile.)
4. Try to get outside for fresh air! Every once in awhile, the Lord BLESSES New England in the best possible way. By granting us a little sunshine and a temperature that is above 35, He gives a moment of hope. On our most recent ‘fake spring day,” we took a walk along the river to take some photos just for fun. 98% of the people outside had their cameras too. We all had the same ideas for spending the day in the sun.
1. Mrs. Puetz: Before I was a teacher, I studied Sociology in college. (students have no idea what this is) I basically studied how to deal with all of you better. Like ______(student’s name)______101 for example.
Student who was previously named in the conversation: Now that must have been a good class!
2. Mrs. Puetz: I keep telling you that your teacher who is so nice keeps doing things for you. Like today, I sharpened 15 pencils for you so you can stop getting up to sharpen yours!
Student (under breath but of course wanting me to hear): Every time she says that, I just have no idea what teacher she is talking about!
Because we didn’t send a Christmas card this year, I never really took the time to reflect on 2008 as I normally would. In an attempt to wish you all a Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy New Year, allow me to share some highlights of life here on the East Coast~
Kelly completed her first year of teaching and took a much needed break from children during the summer. In June, she went with her sister to Washington DC and bonded over early American History. Then it was off to Florida to meet mom and Tyson for some beach time and some Red Sox games at the Tropicana Dome.
The balcony of the Newseum
Ah...Coronas and Pina Coladas on the beach. That's the life!
She filled the rest of the time working almost full-time on planning Tyson’s sister Tabi’s bridal shower & bachelorette party. While being employed as a BAMOH, she did manage to find time to sit on the deck and read, search for cocker spaniels online and go for runs…occasionally.
In August, we headed out West. Only after our trip to the beach did we settle in for wedding-planning support. We are so blessed to have friends that are willing to make time for us when we are in Seattle. We always wish we could see everyone every time and we’re so grateful for all of you!
Ocean Shores
The beautiful bride to be!
Tyson began brewing his own beer this summer with a home-brew kit his wife bought him for his birthday! She proudly drank his first brew which was a clone of Mac And Jack’s American Amber, not to be found on the East Coast. It’s a fun new hobby that Tyson shares with a few friends out here. We enjoyed some kayaking this summer and a visit from Bryan, which always brings some random adventures.
The Brewmaster's tool
Feeding each other their ordered "side of bacon" with the nachos. How very Bry and Ty...
The Charles River
In addition to our Seattle visit, August was also marked by our camping trip in Acadia. We had waited so long to make it that far North in Maine and we were so thrilled at the views and the scenery. It really was like a little taste of home.
How much higher are we going?
Fall started off at gunshot pace. Tabi’s wedding was the second week of school so after meeting the class, we hopped on a plane and immediately morphed into “Tyson and Kelly – ultra-supportive wedding planning all-stars!” I guess Tabi can confirm or deny that…From the first night, we were thrilled to be a part of every detail as if we were not visiting from 3,000 miles away. It was a special time with family that we truly cherished.
Bachelorette Party - Woo!
Spa Day
Mr. and Mrs. Adkins
Mr. and Mrs. Puetz
After we returned from Seattle, our lives were forever changed by Buddy. After a year of searching for the perfect cocker spaniel and then debating between a puppy and a 1 or 2 year old, the decision was made for us. The staff at school knew we wanted a dog and someone knew of a family that had to get rid of a 2 year old cocker – for free! So we picked up the very cutest dog we’ve ever met and he joined the Puetz family unwillingly at first but has now settled into a very comfortable (and spoiled) life. Don’t worry, we watch the Dog Whisperer and try to practice pack leading as consistently as possible! But we also buy him a lot of toys…
He will destroy that bone is less than 30 seconds
2008 ended with a celebration of 5 years of wedded bliss. Tyson sent 5 enormous stems of our exquisite wedding flowers to my school as a surprise. The principal called me down to “talk to me about something in his office” so I had to go through a bit of panic before receiving the long amaryllis stems. We spent the 20th together inside, watching the snow fall all day and trying to decide how badly we really wanted to go out to dinner! It was all worth it when he surprised me with one of the most romantic restaurants in Boston (according to me, not according to any reviews). With champagne and a little sparkly surprise, we toasted to the journey we’ve been…across the country…through ups and downs and back again. We grown tremendously since that special day at Tracy Castle and we are thankful for the Lord’s faithful provision in our marriage.
The beautiful flowers
New York City
We ended the year with our now-annual anniversary celebration in New York City. It turned out to be our Christmas celebration as well due to 2 very recent Seattle trips. Although we missed our family over the holidays, we look forward to seeing them as soon as possible!
In looking forward to 2009, we are thankful for good health, low rent (a big deal in Boston!), good friends, a growing church, and more New England adventures to come! We spent New Year’s Eve planning our trips for the coming year so stay tuned…we might be coming to see you in 2009! And don’t worry…in return for a room in your home, you are always welcome to a room in ours.
Wishing you all a blessed 2009!
Love,
Kelly & Tyson
We're going to the World Series!
In chronological order of this year’s highlights, we had a wonderful Christmas trip!
1. Day 1: Being upgraded from a queen to a king room upon arrival at the Sheraton. Located at 7 & 53, we had easy access to everywhere we wanted to be!
2. Day 1: Getting 9th row seats to Wicked…then sitting in the 9th row on Friday.
3. Day 2: Using the gorillapod for the first time to take our picture in front of the tree!
4. Day 2: Expensive glasses of wine on the house with our Christmas lobster & steak dinner at Maloney and Porcelli because people had been cranky with our waiter all night and we were his best customers! Rave & Review: Although the decor and ambiance wasn’t anything to write home about, Maloney and Porcelli had a well-rounded classic steakhouse menu. Our server was wonderful and the wine list was within reach for 2 non-Park Avenue residents. We would definitely recommend this restaurant.
5. Day 3: A long romantic stroll through Central Park cannot be beat! We finally made it far enough North to escape deep into the trails and feel lost away from the city.
6. Day 3: Seeing an old friend who is one of the chefs at the trendy Bar Boulud, eating food that he ordered andprepared, eating too much free dessert and then touring the kitchen!
7. Day 4: Surprise couples massages from my sweet husband!
8. Day 4: Finding La Pain Quotidien and having the best lunch ever.
9. Day 4: Free champagne at dinner before we left the city. Rave & Review: Cafe Centro didn’t receive rave reviews on Zagat or OpenTable but we had a gift certificate so we figured it was better than paying somewhere else! We concluded that we disagreed with reviews we read and that the food might have been the best from the whole trip – the steak came with 3 incredible sauces, the tuna tartare was exquisite and then of course…we did get free champagne! But really, the service was not pretentious, the wine was affordable and our waiter was very friendly. Another great recommendation for dinner in the city.
10. Day 4/5: Making it home on the bus in EXACTLY 4 hours and not a minute more which meant we could make it onto the T and not spend $50 on a cab.
I must rave about a quaint find in New York City this past week. On a morning walk through Central Park, we passed a very attractive bakery at 7th and 58th called Le Pain Quotidien. I was intrigued by the large wall of bread and the wooden communal tables in the center. We stopped in for lunch and were very satisfied! The sandwiches are served open-faced on fresh bread with house made spreads and fresh vegetables. Even better, they have a ton of organic offerings, plenty of vegetarian options and use all natural or raw ingredients! The decor was rustic and cozy while the coffee in the large mugs was the like being at a French cafe. We plan to make this a regular stop on further trips and will be recommending it to anyone looking for a great spot for lunch!
- Blue Man Group
- Walking along the Charles River
Since I have oodles of time today to do nothing but pack for NYC, I am able to thank some people for coming to visit us recently! Mom came in October to see the leaves and she was not disappointed. We had a great time as always, showing her around and drinking good wine.
Last week, my good friend from high school came to Boston for the SECOND time! We always have so much fun. He and Tyson got to do manly stuff (tour the sports museum, go to Harpoon Brewery, eat grinders at the local Pizza place). I got to join in the fun as well.
Garrett likes to call just a few days before he will happen to be in town for something else. It is his hope that we will be available to hang out and possibly give him a place to stay. We always meet his expectations and we would meet yours too! We love visitors because it gives us excuses to do things in Boston we love to do anyway. Like go to Sam Adams!!
- Yum. Winter Lager.
- Those tasting glasses are so cute!
We were very nervous about how Buddy would react to the snow. He makes it pretty clear that he doesn’t like the rain so I guess he’s not going to transition well if we ever move back to Seattle! We were very happy to see him running and jumping in the snow, burying his face in it and using the bathroom as if it were any regular thing to do. We tried to put a scarf on him to keep him warm but that became a toy.
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| Snow Buddy |
Over Thanksgiving, Buddy had a friend visit who helped teach him some manners.
As a woman, she was able to bring balance and stability to his life while teaching him to also be polite and well-mannered.
This is day 1 when Paige and Buddy are still getting used to each other. Buddy’s dejected look is most likely indicating that he knows he’s about to be put in his place.
Playtime is going well…
They are learning to share!
Buddy is very thankful for his new friend Paige. They had a great weekend together, with only a few time outs for fighting over toys. Buddy has her purple dog in his mouth while she sniffs around for it unknowingly. They proceeded to separated for awhile to think about their actions!
