#scenic.

[spirostomum]

the view from my bed is of the bathr oom of the neighborin g ho use... . .. .......

[sundae-matinee]

Thankful Thoughts.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner... i thought it would be more than appropriate to celebrate some creatures, scenic destinations and sweet stuff that i am thankful for and treasure. 

BENJAMIN and CHOW.

Here are my boys at one of my favorite scenic destinations from my childhood; Holly Ross Pottery.  Holly Ross Pottery is gorgeous and peaceful.  Walking on the saw dust trails makes you feel like you are in a magical forest. 

West Coast Video

In the sea of vhs tapes and dvds is where Benjamin and i first met.  To some people it may just be a place where they rented video films.  To me i will remember this as the place where i met my best friend-- when i close my eyes i can still see Benjamin climbing the counters or riding his green monster bike around the store knocking over displays and terrorizing customers.

MOTHER.

i was raised by wolves (this will be a post all unto itself...).  My mother has always and continues to be a bright spot in my life.  Some of my best times (like howling at the moon or digging thru buttons for the perfect eyes) have been with her.  This photo was taken on one of our recent jaunts to Brattleboro, Vermont... notice my awesome scenic destination sweatshirt; just like a true HELEN.  What a lovely town... so many train car restaurants and fluffy pancakes with maple syrup.  i treasure the adventures mother and i have.

The Man with the Levers.

He runs the crazy ship known as my brain; constantly pushing buttons and conducting experiments. He is responsible for many of my grand ideas/schemes and creations.  Without him i would be lost...

What are you thankful for?  Leave your comments below. 

[sundae-matinee]

Frankie was misunderstood.

SEPTEMBER is an important month for the Benjamin-KICKS! relationship.

Last weekend while i was laid up due to my wisdom teeth extraction Benjamin & i viewed the horror classic-- Bride of Frankenstein:

this was not my first viewing.  when i was a sminy (small and tiny) child my uncle Weazel exposed me to all the classic horror films.  i thought they were simply grand!

When i first viewed the Bride of Frankenstein as a sminy child i specifically remember the TINY people:

the TINY people frightened me.  i would never want to spend my life trapped in glass and being picked up by a pair of tweezers! you would be doomed to a life as a pickle-- crammed in a jar!  how would you bathe?

however, this time it was not the tiny people that stuck out to me.  even though the Bride was really only on the screen for a mere five to seven minutes, the story reminded me of benjamin and i. 

The movie Bride of Frankenstein shows the gentle side of Frankenstein.  He is in search of friendship (FRIENDDDD), he wants to enjoy the simple things in life (Belgian beers, baguettes, & tunes), and attempt to understand why he was created.  He desires a mate-- someone that can relate to him and his hardships. 

When the Bride is brought to life-- Frankie is ecstatic and he immediately comforts her.  He can't wait to show her the joys of life (like treat stacking and comic books). Instead she screams in horror at the site of him. Frankie was willing to do anything for her...  just like Benjamin.

September 2007 was when i decided to "try".  For several months previous i was afraid.  Benjamin was like Frankie-- misunderstood, compassionate, sweet, and a patient man.  I on the other hand was like the Bride-- the simple sight of Benjamin caused me to scream in fright (well when it came to a relationship that is).  as we regularly did we would meet for a picnic lunch in the park.  one picnic in September-- we were just chit chatting and i realized how grand life was.  i wanted everyday to be like this.  i decided to try. 

now i think benjamin screams in fright-- you would too if you saw my experiments in the lab! 

a random sprinkling:

Artisan Boulanger Patissier

i was never a huge fan of croissants until i visited Paris.  i quickly realized why i was not a huge fan previously-- Similar to the way America fails at beer brewing can be said about their croissant skills. 

ever since we got back from Paris! i have been in search of a grand croissant.  well who knew that in the heart of south philadelphia admist the cheesesteak smells would be a french bakery ran by 2 Asian Parisian transplants.

the croissants will definitely fill the void until i get back to Paris! and i am definitely stoked to bite into this baguette later tonight at the Phillies game. 

VISIT and grow your survival belly:  12th and Mifflin in Philadelphia

[sundae-matinee]

The Treat that broke a Chow's Heart.

Vegan Treats is a lovely & tasty destination to visit when in the Lehigh Valley. 

Benjamin and i drove through the night & the woods to arrive at treat heaven.  Benjamin and Mr. Chow awaited outside with their faces pressed against the window & a puddle of drool at their feet.  As I opened the door and the smell of sweetness hit me like a punch in the face... I realized I was being asked to make the most important purchasing decision of our lives. 

There were dozens of choices... sweat was pouring from my hands... i was hyperventilating... i haven't been around this many treats since Paris! I could not make a decision.  Luckily the cashier saw my predicament and was worried for my well being.  She allowed Mr. Chow and Benjamin into the store to help with the treat selections.  Benjamin chose this delicious mini raspberry vegan cheesecake. 

Since we are in operation "grow survival bellies" we had to purchase more than one.  It's a good thing Mr. Chow was there... he pointed out how mini the treats were therefore, you are meant to buy many for treat trying.  I selected the mini carrot cake!  Look at all the layers!

Mr. Chow selected the sprinkle brownie.  At the time we didn't have the heart to tell him that it was not a Petissiere.  We wanted to and rarely tell him lies/fibs... but Mr. Chow was so excited... he finally thought the barrier was broken.  Humans! and Pups! eating together at the same counter... no longer would he find kibble in his bowl instead he would see a pile of beautiful colorful sprinkles.  In the end the brownie was broken just like Mr. Chow's heart. 

This face is why i am constantly giving him food under the table... he looks so hungry.  If he is going to survive the zombie invasion i must make his survival belly rounder.  I think I'll start mixing sprinkles in his food... Benjamin will never notice.

[sundae-matinee]

the art of treat stacking.

Knoebels is the epitome of a scenic destination.

Benjamin and i kidnap our niece Kylie for a grand tour of Knoebels each year for her birthday.  Below our snapshots from our recent adventure.  it is going to be devastating when she decides we are not "cool" anymore and refuses to be seen with us.

Knoebels is a magical place... it somehow takes you to another time era.  Each year we visit, it reminds me of how few places like this exist.  i love walking around at night and seeing all the lights. 

The rockets-- what a GRAND ride.  i was super sad because this year i discovered that i have outgrown the "spinning" rides.  lil kicksey can't handle the spins.  i went on the terrifying balloon race -- the circular motion! my dear whales i almost lost my precious pizza.  as kylie dashed up to the rockets, a tear was running down my cheek.  i wasted my spins on the lame balloons!  i could have been flying high like snoopy!  A wise owl, brother dan once proclaimed:  spinning rides- its how kids get high.  after speaking with kylie after her 7th spin sensation ride i believe that statement was proven FACT. 

Knoebels has treats.  Lots of treats.  It is a terrific way to build your survival belly.  Honestly, Knoebels would be a smart way to prep for the zombie apocalypse. Your survival belly would become massive and be prepared to live for months in the woods!  a belly filled with frips and food that was once upon a stick! At Knoebels you can't help but partake in the art of treat stacking. 

speaking of food on a stick...  what a grand invention- pickle on a stick.  and at such an affordable price, $1.

beautiful condiment udders swinging in the breeze.  what a marvelous way to put your favorite Belgian frites sauce toppings.  we should install one in the kitchen!

Knoebels frites are delicious!  sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night craving their deep fried goodness.  i shoot up like a rocket and start chewing on ben's fingers mistaking them for crispy potatoes!  a true survival belly staple.  the idaho potato gets a double woot-- worship the potato!  seriously, we need one of those udder ketchup dispensers in our retro kitchen of the future. 

Knoebels games are rad.  Kylie loves that we allow her to play games... well for one, we want to play too and they're affordable!  also, we want her to remember (and tell everyone) how "cool" we are.  personally i love the derby race but i could not resist posting this:  i heart kylie's face of determination of getting that damn frog on a lily pad.  that girl is going places. 

each year we ride the flume and buy the picture.  every year we are making the exact same faces.  it will be neat to see as years go by how plump/round our survival bellies get, how many wrinkles we have and... how we will still be sporting the faces of horror!

this completes my advertisement for Knoebels.  you should really go there.  your belly won't be disappointed.  imagine all the *treat stacking.

*treat stacking is the art of piling treat after treat into your belly.  as you consume the treats they stack one atop of the other in your belly.  thank you twin for adding this term to my vocabulary.