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Day 51 - Beluga Whale

2/20/2015

We went to the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT on the coldest day of the year. I'm not even kidding. It was like 2 degrees with a windchill of -20. One can only see the Beluga Whales while outside and we really wanted to see the Beluga's....we lasted all of 5 minutes. I'm not sure how the trainers do it!

The ride to Mystic was about 1.5 hours from here. It is great for kids of all ages - Boy 2 really didn't want to go, his expectations were low as he responded 'we have been to so many aquariums, I'll just stay home'. I don't think so buddy boy. We forced him and he had a great time! Anyway, while you are in Mystic, you MUST eat at Mystic Pizza. Yes, THE MYSTIC PIZZA - the one with the move that was released in 1988 where the infamous Julia Roberts got her big break! (I think...I could have made that last part up, but I really think I read it somewhere!) Not only is it a groovy thing to do, the pizza is amazing! The best pizza we have had since being on the East Coast! True Story (Newport pizza is lacking BIG TIME!)

OH, and when you go to the aquarium don't forget to ask for the military discount....it is pretty substantial!

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Day 50 - Newport Bridge

2/19/2015

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Another shot from the other side of the island.
Snow mounds continue to grow, this one was over 6 feet tall.
I stood on my car to get this shot.

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Day 49 - Hubby's School

2/18/2015

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I rarely make it to the 'other side' of the island, but this week I've been blessed to be able to take Hubby to work. I say blessed because hey, we have 2 cars and when one car decides it doesn't like this New England COLD ASS weather and doesn't want to start anymore, then we have a 2nd to shuttle us around to all our activities, and let me tell you there have been MANY, MANY activities this week.

I know many people are complaining about all the snow, but I must say, I'm loving New England in the winter!

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Day 48 - Newport Power Yoga

2/17/2015

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Today was the 1st yoga class for kids at studio where I take yoga.
Boy 3 was game and kind of excited about trying it, but Boy 2 was TICKED that I was making him go.
Boy 2 LOVED yoga, and he's a natural.

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Day 47 - Good Night Newport

2/16/2015

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Day 46 - Fresh Powder!

2/15/2015

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We were the only brave (?) souls on suicide hill this morning.
The powder was fresh and deep! The snow storm wasn't quite over - we lasted about 1/2 an hour in this cold winter wonderland before our fingers were totally numb and hurting.

How blessed are we that this is our front yard?!

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Day 45 - A Whole Lot of Cuteness!

2/14/2015

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Today we are so EXCITED to have our friends visiting! They Braved the snow and ice to come hang with us this President's weekend! We met this family on our first tour in Korea! Boy 2 and Frankie (the boy standing next to him) were the best of friends when we lived next door to each other! Yea for friends!

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Day 44 - Snow Mounds

2/13/2015

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This is one of the many snow mounds around Newport, we are expecting 6-10 more inches of snow tonight. I'm not sure where they are going to put it all.

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Day 43 - 2nd Annual Valentine's Cookie Exchange

2/12/2015

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One of my favorite things about being a military spouse (there are so many!) is that when you move to a new place it is not hard to carry on traditions - I live in a world where most people are in the same boat; they are new too. So when you throw something out there, people are eager to show up (even when they have to show up with 4 dozen homemade cookies)!

Today I hosted my 2nd annual Valentine's Cookie Exchange.
A great excuse to eat, drink & be merry with new friends!
The cookies were all amazing but my favorite was the Baklava!

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Day 42 - Homemade Marshmallows

2/11/2015

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Nothing is better than homemade hot chocolate unless it is homemade hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows.

This recipe comes from Alton Brown - you can get the original recipe here.

3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 cup ice cold water, divided
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or any flavor you would like)
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup arrowroot or cornstarch
Nonstick spray

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water.

In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.

Turn the mixer on low speed with the whisk attachment and while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.
For regular marshmallows:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and arrowroot/cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. I used miniature cookie cutters to make shapes!

Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

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Trish

Here I go again! Last year I learn SO much about photography while doing the 365, but there is so much more to learn! My ultimate goal was to learn to shoot in manual mode in which I succeeded. However I know I need to fine tune many, many aspects of my photography.

This year I will continue to grow in photography. I have just signed up for a class and hope to be making money doing what I love sometime in the new future.

Day 51 - Beluga Whale

Day 50 - Newport Bridge

Day 49 - Hubby's School

Day 48 - Newport Power Yoga

Day 47 - Good Night Newport

Day 46 - Fresh Powder!

Day 45 - A Whole Lot of Cuteness!

Day 44 - Snow Mounds

Day 43 - 2nd Annual Valentine's Cookie Exchange

Day 42 - Homemade Marshmallows

Trish

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