It's An Assembly Line

I have all my baking products and utensils ready to begin baking.

After I take my Zumba class I will begin baking my apple oatmeal cheesecake bars and a cinnamon apple bread.  Yesterday I was in the grocery store stocking up on butter, low fat cream cheese, brown sugar, vanilla and flour.  I also stopped by Michael's to get some nice storage/packaging to place all the baked items.

I am leaving the eggs, cream cheese and butter out while I go to the gym so that they are soft and easy to mix when I begin baking.  This is therapeutic and the house will smell like autumn vanilla, cinnamon and apple - what could be more relaxing??!!

I look forward to more weekends of this type and to giving to others to enjoy my cooking.

Successful Day

What a lovely day to be apple picking - and we certainly picked a half bushel of apples.

This year although we were at the orchard by 10:45 to pick apples the place was quite full - there were even 3 buses that had brought little children to the orchard so that they could enjoy the apple picking.

Instead of taking the tractor to the orchard we decided to walk; at first it appeared that all the trees had been picked over; but, then we hit the mother load - plenty of apples and with branches low enough with apples that Callum could pick them himself.

Although he originally didn't want to go to the orchard - once he was there he got into the spirit of it and then didn't want to leave.  I now have my baking orders not only from Ryan and Gerard; but, also my office.

So Sunday besides going to Zumba class, I will come home and bake then go for my weekly manicure.

Our Tradition

Originally we were scheduled to do this yesterday; but, the weather did not cooperate - so instead today we are going apple picking.

I cannot remember how many years we have been doing this - but it must be more than 25.  We have tried several different orchards in the Hudson Valley; but, for at least the last 8 years we have been going to Wilkens Farm in Yorktown and about 15 minutes from my home.

We not only pick apples, but, the boys also get cider donuts, apple cider and then they might also look at apple butter.  I am looking forward to my beginning to bake again.  It started last weekend when I made Callum his cheese danish, yesterday I made a cake and on Sunday I will make some apple oatmeal bars to take to my team on Monday.

One thing I enjoy is cooking and seeing people enjoy the things that I have made - fall and winter lend themselves to that.

Navigating NYC

This is United Nations week in New York City and as a result the traffic is a "bear". Thankfully I can walk to the office.

Every year this week is a traffic nightmare for those of us who either live or work in New York City.  You have every diplomat from every country around the world participating in the event; therefore, needing security at their hotels, to and from the UN, etc.  Not only do we have the world diplomats we also have our President in New York and all of his security detail.

For 16 years I lived in Tudor City directly across from the United Nations - I used to have to pull out my driver's license to show the police I could walk on the streets that led to my home.  On the rooftops of my community were snipers watching the crowds.

You can deal with this as long as you depend on one thing - your legs to walk you through the maze of closed streets.

All I Need

All I need to get my work done is some 'peace & quiet' and no directives or other individual's priorities.

I finally had a day where I did not have anyone asking me to drop what I was doing and provide them with information or to explain myself.  I finally was able to complete a cost analysis that I have been trying to do for the past three weeks.  I also need to write up a few job descriptions and I am looking forward to the next day that will be ALL mine to work on it.

I am the type that if I need to work on something important - I need to be left alone to work on it.

Never Too Early

Today I have my heater and furnace serviced for the winter.  I just want to ensure that everything is working.

I know that the temperature does not require the heat to be turned on and it is not as if I am looking to turn it on anytime soon; I just want to know that when I do need to turn it on it will work.

I am probably one of the first individuals who calls to have their heater serviced; but, at least I am getting it done before they get really busy.  I think they appreciate it and I certainly enjoy not having to wait because they are too busy.

Now that this is all set - I hope it will be another month or so before the heat has to be turned on.

5000 Steps

On weekends when I do not go to the gym I am hard pressed to accomplish 5,000 steps for the day.

But, on the weekends when I have Callum and I do not go to the gym I easily make the 5,000 steps and more just in the house.  I am constantly up and down getting him something to eat, drink or putting something on the "big" TV for him, or getting the iPad, computer or personal DVD player.

It doesn't take into account the amount of times I am vacuuming, picking up toys, taking out garbage or wiping down the leather loveseat.  It is hard with him around to just sit still - for that I am grateful.

No matter how my house looks - I would never trade away my time with him.