Life in New Jersey

Tonight, I cooked up a bunch of veggies with garlic and Italian seasonings, and some cheese ravioli, which Ron added sauce to, and with a salad, this made an okay dinner. Ryan had to eat something else because he's allergic to eggs (the ravioli had eggs in them,waaa,)





but
Ryan was happy cleaning out the bowl we used to make vegan cupcakes from the great little vegan cupcake recipe book.
This is an excellent cookbook even if you aren't a vegan. You can see the cupcakes on Ryan's Vox blog. He took photos and wrote his blog himself. He's 7! Check it out.

Cute or what?!

Here's my little cousin, hard at work, on my laptop. He's finding a new image for my Vox blog. He also worked on his blog, adding photos that he took on our walk. He's so computer savvy. I wonder how many kids his age even know what a blog is? I just had to share this photo with you.

New Jersey update

After dinner yesterday, my little cousin and I took a walk in his neighborhood. He wanted me to take a photo of the bird on the wires and it did turn out to be a nice composition.



A neighbor added some personality to a tree. The trees and flowers are in bloom here. I get to enjoy spring twice, since we've already moved on to another state back at home in Virginia. The little guy enjoyed the walk, especially my allowing him to use my camera part of the time. We put some of his photos on his Vox blog. Others we'll print and make into postcards. Happily for all, his mom is doing well. Yay!

Heading north....

Yesterday, I rode the Amtrak train north to New Jersey. I’d forgotten how nice it is to ride on a train, the silent start, moving forward slowly, watching the landscape change. Moving from freight train views to landscapes, to, my favorite, industrial views...we were making good time until just before the MetroPark station, where my family was waiting for me. We stopped, we started moving VERY slowly, we stopped, we rolled on, we stopped. It turned out there was an accident involving a person on the tracks, no details, but we did see some firefighters on the tracks as we rolled through the New Brunswick station. We were one of many trains backed up (same rails used by New Jersey commuter trains, I think) We ended up being an hour late, while standing only 15 miles from my stop, but no one was cranky, just curious.

Now, I’m in suburban New Jersey, to be with my cousin, who is doing very well after her surgery.

RUSH, Chuck's exhibition of Glass (3)

Last night, Chuck's show at Quirk Gallery opened to the public. It was the best First Friday in a long time as the weather was perfect. Lots and lots of people were out, walking on Broad St., visiting galleries, so much fun. Chuck talked to a lot of people about how he did the work and sold another piece. Afterwards, we partied in the newly opened two yards. Jack's dance floor was great, Tango dancing experts danced and taught people how to do Tango. Both yards had lights, food, drinks, people. Our nieces, Marilyn and her daughters, came early to set up so that Chuck and I could stay at the gallery. Thanks bunches. People brought food and wine to share. Thanks more bunches. People from different parts of our lives came, diversity abounded! We had a blast!

Rush, Chuck's exhibition of Glass (2)

Last night was the preview for Chuck's show. These are just a few of the many pix I took. The gallery was packed and it felt SO good. Chuck was relaxed and happy, and even better, a piece sold. One of the smaller ones that isn't in any of these images. I've just dropped Chuck at the gallery for opening night for the public, I'll change into some black, going to the gallery clothes, and will join him there.
Afterwards, party time at our place!

Pink

This post is for Dawn. Yesterday, our cousin Dawn had a bi-lateral mastectomy. Today, at my hair cutting place, they were making a cancer survivor chain in preparation for their annual Lance Armstrong cancer awareness day. I added a link in the chain with Dawn's name on it. I'm wearing a pink tee shirt in her honor. (I rarely wear anything but black) She is a survivor. I'll be going to spend time with her in a few days.