Friday Foto Friends ~ My Adopted Town

From The Hudson Valley Magazine comes this article titled: This Is How to Spend a Charming 24 Hours in Germantown The Hudson River town may be tiny, but it packs historic sites, gourmet markets, and artisanal alcohol into a few square blocks.
BY SABRINA SUCATO
(Click on photos to see full size)

Germantown is quiet. Unlike the other towns that line the Hudson River, the quaint community remains something of a secret within Columbia County. Weekenders flock to nearby Hudson and Chatham, both beloved for their trendy upstate aesthetic. Even many Hudson Valley natives remain unfamiliar with the riverside space, which houses just over 2,000 residents. Yet the area’s small town atmosphere is precisely what makes a visit there so appealing. It’s the type of place you go when you want to silence notifications, turn off your cell phone, and simply unplug.

When life gets the best of you, plan a getaway day trip in Germantown. The heady combination of country air, open space, and welcoming community will renew you by the time you depart for home.

9 a.m. – Eat breakfast in a grocery store at Otto’s Market

Otto’s is cool. It’s been around since 1927, yet it somehow manages to feel hipper than Whole Foods ever could. Hit the airy market for breakfast, when you can score Black Seed bagels, homemade egg sandwiches, and fresh pastries. After the meal, take another half an hour to browse the local and specialty products available at the space. With Stumptown coffee, Roberta’s frozen pizzas, and Jeni’s ice cream all in one place, grocery shopping has never been so good.

10:30 a.m. – Wander through the past at Clermont State Historic Site

As the former home to seven successive generations of the Livingston family, Clermont State Historic Site is a tangible reminder of the descendants’ impact on the Valley. Use a visit to the National Historic Landmark to tour the four gardens of Clermont and brush up on your Hudson Valley history in the visitor center. If the weather cooperates, wander around the hiking trails or simply spread out a blanket to lounge for a while amid the scenic landscape.

12:30 p.m. – Eat like a local at Valley Harvest Ice Cream & Grill

Don’t expect white tablecloth service for lunch at Valley Harvest. The family owned ice cream parlor and grill prepares meals according to season, so diners can experience the freshest crop the Hudson Valley has to offer. Check out the daily special board, which features tempting eats like a spicy chevré burger, made with goat cheese, grilled jalapeño, and homemade slaw, or a green goddess salad, which comes packed with cucumber, tomatoes, broccoli, and avocado. Whatever you do, don’t leave without a cone of ice cream from Boice Dairy. Flavors range from maple date and strawberry to apple pie and pumpkin. Get a scoop of it on a slice of apple pie if you’re feeling really indulgent.

How About Dinner?

Can't get rid of all the zucchini growing in your garden and you are looking for different recipes to try. Here's a nice easy casserole to try.
Zucchini CasseroleIngredients

3 large zucchini (cubed with peel on)
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
16 oz. shredded cheese
1 can cream of celery soup
2 eggs (beaten)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sugar
3 cups bread crumbs
1 stick butter, melted

Directions

Cook zucchini and onion in enough salted water to cover, just until slightly tender. Drain and add next 5 ingredients and mix well. Pour 1/2 into 15x11x2 casserole. Stir butter into bread crumbs and sprinkle 1/2 on first layer of zucchini mixture. Repeat layers. Bake at 350°F for 35 to 45 minutes.

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Buon appetito cari amici
(Good appetite dear friends)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quote Of The Day

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Until the next time dear family and friends have a blessed day

My Day So Far

I'm joining in on Melanie's My Day So Far meme. It's a new weekly Monday meme. Here is my first one.

The date today: August 27, 2018 (can you believe September is 5 days away!)

The weather today: Hot around 90 degrees and High Humidity! The couple of cooler days and no humidity left the building Saturday to my sorrow...

What are you wearing? What I always wear around the apt. a loose top, jeans and old sandals I wear all year.

What chore around the house have you been putting off? Cleaning out the closets and arranging everything in them from Summer to Autumn clothes, shoes, etc.

Is there anything in your fridge you need to throw out? No I only store what I'm using, cooking, eating, etc. Living alone doesn't call for a stuffed fridge. 😊

What are you reading? Not anything special right now.

A scripture verse you'd like to share.

How about a creative project you are working on? One in progress or one still in your head. Just a couple of Autumn and my Lady Stick graphics right now.

What special dish or baked item are you planning for this week? I never plan ahead. I usually open the fridge or cabinet to see what I'm in the mood for and rarely bake anymore as I can't afford the extra calories. 😉

A funny graphic, photo or quote?

Any parting thoughts?

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Until the next time dear family and friends have a day of blessings

Saturday 9: Think (1968)

Being it's Saturday I'm joining in on  *Saturday 9*  for today. Hope You join in too. It's a fun meme.

Saturday 9: Chains (1962)
In fond remembrance of The Queen of Soul (1942-2018).

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it Here
1) As befits one of America's premiere artists, Aretha Franklin sang at three Presidential inaugurations. The first was Jimmy Carter's in 1977, when she sang "God Bless America." What's your favorite patriotic song?  Actually it's the same as Aretha's "God Bless America".

2) The daughter of a Baptist minister, Aretha grew up with church music. She told Rolling Stone one of her favorite songs was the hymn, "Victory Is Mine." What's your favorite religious song?  I have two that stick in my head, "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art".

3) She welled up a bit when President George H. W. Bush presented her with the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. When is the last time you shed a tear?  Whenever I see anything sad regarding children.

4) In 1980, the Queen of Soul sang for the Queen of England in a Command Performance at The Royal Albert Hall. Have you ever been to London?  Only through PBS Masterpiece, Acorn TV and BritBox. 😊

5) Since Aretha had many honorary degrees, it would have been appropriate to refer to her as Dr. Franklin. Who is the last person you referred to by his or her title (Officer, Father, Sgt., Dr., etc.)?  A priest. Father Ted.

6) In this week's song, Aretha tells her lover that it doesn't take a high IQ to understand what's going on in their relationship. Do you know your IQ?  It's been years. The last time when I was 16 it was 160 (yes the same as Albert Einstein). Only in my day I wasn't treated special. Who knows what level it would be today 63 years later. 😌

7) A sculpture of Aretha is on display at Madame Tussaud's in New York. Do you think wax museums are cool, or creepy?  It depends on what I'm looking at. Mostly creepy.

Friday Foto Friends ~ Catskill Mountains And Peace Train

The beautiful Catskill Mountains is my choice for this week's Friday Foto Friends. I get to see them all the time from my side of the Hudson.
Views of the Catskill Mountains like this led
To the name "Blue Mountains" for a time

I'd be a nervous wreck sitting on the edge like her

The Sleeping Old Man In The Mountain From My Side Of The River

I thought I would also present a video along with photos of the Catskill Mountains. It's the first of its kind Peace Train on the Catskill Mountain Railroad! The Peace Train excursions in August offer a unique unification of community with organizations that promote world peace while featuring local musicians to entertain, inspire, and explore connections between our earth and her inhabitance while journeying along beautiful landscapes of New York State’s historic rails. Only a minute and a half long.

Wednesday Poetry Day ~ Picnic By The Lake

Looking through photos on my laptop I found this photo of a family picnic taken in the Summer of 2015 at a picnic in Dutchman's Landing a park in Catskill, NY and it reminded me of a poem I wrote since we don't really have family picnics anymore. Life and families have changed with work and family everyday goings on. That's me in the orange blouse, my son sitting on my right and my sister Louise across from me. All the others are family.

Picnic By The Lake

Alone I'm sitting near my blanket with a picnic basket close by,
And reminiscing of family outings by the lake and softly sigh.

Memories of happy summer days filling baskets at break of dawn,
Those days of family gatherings that now have long since gone.

Summer meant a picnic at a nearby lake on a warm and sunny day
Before the lush green grass and leaves on trees soon fade away.

As I sit here in my chair watching sailboats cruising on the lake
I daydream of past family picnic outings half asleep and yet awake.

Yes, those sweet memories of a long ago happy summer day
Lives on forever in my mind and hopefully never fades away.

Toni Taddeo ©
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~That's actually the Hudson River and the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in the background. The photo was taken with a cellphone and is a little blurry, I'm not sure who took the photo. Many of the younger family members went on a hike when the photo was taken. Until the next time dear family and friends, have a day of blessings. 💜

The Art Of Acrylic And Oil

Every once in awhile I discover on the net an artist I haven't heard of before and their art is really natural and wonderful. The artist I'm featuring today is Sharon Lynn Williams who says, "I have been a professional artist for 20 years and have been teaching art to adults for over 15 years, and am just LOVING it! Please visit my website HERE to see my gallery work!"

Chain Lakes Summer ii, Acrylic Painting ©

Chain Lakes View, Plein Air Oil Painting ©

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Thought Of The Day

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I hope you enjoyed her art as much as I did. Until next time dear family and friends be blessed.

Saturday 9: It's A Jungle Out There

Being it's Saturday I'm joining in on  *Saturday 9*  for today. Hope You join in too. It's a fun meme.

It's a Jungle Out There (Theme from Monk) (2003)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it HERE
1) This week's song is the theme from the detective show that ran from 2002-2009. Were you a fan?  Believe it or not I've never watched the show. My sister Phyllis was a fan and loved it.

2) The song warns us about the air we breathe and the water we drink. Does your home have an air or water filter?  No just a humidifer I use in the winter when the air is dry in the apartment.

3) The lyrics say, "People say I'm crazy to worry all the time." Are you a worrier? Or do you just take things as they come?  I'm one of the latter. I do take things as they come. I just wake up each day thankful I can wake up. 😊

4) TV's Adrian Monk is known for his outstanding deductive powers, an homage to Sherlock Holmes. Have you read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books featuring Sherlock Holmes?  I am a true Holmes fan and read all of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books and seen every Holmes movies and TV shows even the new modern versions except for "Elementary" for I can not see Watson portrayed by a female. I'm too old school.

5) Monk was also known for fastidiousness and precision, an homage to Hercule Poirot. Have you read any of Agatha Christie's books featuring Poirot?  Again, everyone that knows me knows Hercule Poirot is my most favorite detective and yes, I own and read all Christie's books and own the complete Poirot DVDs along with Miss Marple my second favorite of Christie's detectives.

6) This song was written and performed by Grammy and Emmy winner Randy Newman. Do you have any trophies or plaques?  Yes many, from my son's powerlifting trophies and my grandson's baseball pitching trophies. Sorry no music ones. 😊

7) Before winning an Oscar in 2001, Mr. Newman had the distinction of having the most nominations (15) without a win. Do you consider yourself a graceful loser?  Absolutely!  😇 I have to be as I play cards with my two sisters every Monday afternoon.

Friday Foto Friends ~ Lonely Tracks

Not having anything new to post I thought I would repost a favorite one of mine from over a year ago. Anyone that knows me, knows my love for trains and seeing empty tracks at different times and seasons brings out the artist in me. There is something about those empty tracks that are beautiful besides being forlorn and lonely. I can almost hear the distant whistle and rumbling train coming down these lonely lines. Come take a trip with me to see the beauty in empty tracks with me. Tell me what you think when you see them.

The Fog and Tracks of Georgia

The Empty Track of Mt. Pocono, Penn.

The Rails and Rainbow of Nashville, Tenn.

The Sunset Tracks of Secret Pass, Nevada

An Old Abandoned Train Track In Massachusetts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name or her ~Logo on the Left Side Menu~ . It's a wonderful group of ladies that participates. Until next time dear family and friends have a lovely weekend.

Wednesday's Poetry Day ~ Another Sleepless Night

Sunday night I was sitting by my laptop. It was 11:30 at night and I suddenly got a brainstorm and here is what I came up with...

Another sleepless night

Here I sit in front of my PC
Trying so hard to stay awake
While I'm yawning constantly
A cup of coffee I might take

My fingers slip upon the keys
Maybe stand and take a break
Another sleepless night for me
Kept me from being wide awake

Okay, now I get this tired hint
I'll get up and close down the PC
And empty the coffee into the sink
It's sleepy time right now for me

Off to dreamland for an hour or so
I'll just get up and close the light
No fighting sleep and off to bed I go
And wish you all a blessed good night.

Toni Taddeo ©

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Laugh Of The Day

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That's about it for now and until next time dear family and friends have a day of blessings.

More Unconscious Mutterings

Here's this week's Unconscious Mutterings meme. All you do is answer with the first thought that comes to your mind for each question. Usually one word answers will do. This time I used more sentences and lines from a couple of songs.

I say ... and you think ...?

1. Original ~ And First Created
2. Vent ~ Let It All Out!
3. Screw ~ Loose
4. Type ~ 0 Positive
5. Odor ~ Scent
6. Lazy ~ Hazy Days Of Summer ♪♫•*¨¨*•♫♪♪♫
7. Release ~ Me, Let Me Go ♪♫•*¨¨*•♫♪♪♫
9. Status ~ Quo
10. Architect ~ Building Designer
11. Management ~ Controller

Now you try answering either on your own blog or here in my comments.
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Nothing going on today. So until the next time dear family and friends, have a day of blessings.

The Simple Woman's Daybook {August Edition}

I'm joining in on Peggy's SWD meme for today. The meme is monthly and so I'll be posting it anytime during the month.

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... It's 8:30 AM, humid, damp and sunless morning.

I am thinking... about not too much just trying to get back into the creative mood again. This humid summer weather has made me lazy.

I am thankful... For getting up and being granted another day on this earth thanks to The Lord.

One of my favorite things... right now is watching my favorite baseball team the New York Yankees play especially when they win. 😉

I am creating... just a few little pixel graphics and a beginning start of a new poem not much else.

I am wearing... the same old, same old, well not the same every night but a loose top and jeans.

I am reading... Not anything special right now.

I am hoping... the new short haircut keeps me feeling cooler and that the reading bug hits me again soon.

I am learning... that at my age I can still enjoy the little things in life and maybe some bigger things. 😊

In my kitchen... the only thing going on right now is a fresh pot of coffee.

A Favorite Quote Of Mine... ""God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me." 😇

Post Script Not much else to post and so dear friends and family have a day of blessings and keep cool.
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Thought For The Day

Friday Foto Friends ~ The Hidden Turquoise Lake

Located out in the village of Fayetteville, Green Lakes State Park is one of the most heart-stopping places
that you'll ever explore.
"Green Lakes State Park's outstanding features are its two glacial lakes surrounded by upland forest. Both Round and Green Lakes are meromictic lakes, which means that there is no fall and spring mixing of surface and bottom waters. Such lakes have a high potential for evidence of ancient plant and animal life. No boats of any kind are allowed on the lakes. Another special feature of the park is the 18-hole Green Lakes State Park Golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, where visitors can snowshoe in winter, and there are 15 miles of trails that cross-country skiers can use. When it comes to searching for some of the most extraordinary hiking trails in New York, generally you’ll hear people suggesting that you look in regions like the Adirondacks or the Catskills. But what if I were to tell you that there’s an out-of-this-world trail waiting for you right out in Central New York stealing your breath away."

Another special feature of the park is the 18-hole Green Lakes State Park Golf course

All around both Green and Round Lakes you'll find interconnecting trails that will take you through the woods

And give you an up-close look at the crystal-clear water that makes up both of theses incredible lakes

Resembling the colorful water that you would find down in places like the Caribbean, the water here experiences no turnover
and allows you to see all the way down to the bottom of the lake

Which means you won't have to strain your eyes to see the wildlife that calls these beautiful bodies of water home!

I know all states have their own beauty but I wanted to show you some beauty in my upstate New York.

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Quote Of The Day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you're interested in joining the Friday Foto Friends you can visit Debbie by clicking on her name or her ~Logo on the Left Side Menu~. It's a wonderful group of ladies that participates. Until next time dear family and friends have a lovely weekend.