Today was not all about baking. It was also about a little trip to a local tree nursery, Bob's Trees in Galway, New York, where Katie, the boys, and I had a great time looking at pretty evergreens (Katie wants to plant a "Christmas Tree" as part of her outdoor landscaping around her house). The real attraction, though, was the abundance of Monarch butterflies which have chosen Bob's Trees as a layover point between their original point of departure and Mexico. I was so amazed when I learned on an NPR segment that Monarch butterflies fly all the way from Canada, and south to cross the Gulf of Mexico in order to reach their destination. When I look at their little bodies and delicate wing structures, I wonder how they are able to accomplish such an impressive feat. Pete was joyful at the sight of the butterflies, which at first he called "birdies" but then, in Pete-speak, fabricated his own version of "butterfly." He and Henry ran after them with enthusiasm, but without enough speed or skill to actually capture one (good thing - I'd hate to be responsible for a missed trip to Mexico). I got some good pictures of the chase of the butterflies:
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| Joyful! |
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| Pete chasing butterflies! |
After that, we had a full afternoon with lunch at Hattie's Chicken in Wilton (the satellite version of the famous downtown Saratoga Springs restaurant). I had a really delicious house salad with a scoop of chicken salad and Hattie's own buttermilk ranch dressing. Amazing! Katie had a chicken sandwich with coleslaw as a garnish, and the boys had real chicken fingers and fries. It was terrific and a place I'll go back to again and again!
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| Katie said, "I'm getting that next time!" |
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| Hattie's cool restaurant! |
After lunch, we made a quick trip to Home Depot where Katie and I bought some mums and pretty pots, wanting to make everything look pretty before my daughter Tricia's bridal shower in a few weeks. When we came home, Katie planted some new (and transplated some old) bushes and plants in front of her house. Henry had decided to take four mum plants and, in his own way, set them in the ground, spaced evently, with their little spikey description tags right along side (adorable!). When he was all done, Katie helped by digging the holes a little deeper and setting them into the ground, since they wouldn't have survived an hour with their entire root ball above ground level!
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| Henry's plantings... (plus one acorn he found that will become a giant oak tree!) |
I look forward to the next two days of this long weekend, but with a little bit of apprehension as I wait for my daughters Meghan and Tricia to complete their cross-country drive from LA to home, something they're doing in just 4 days. Meghan will be home for the first time in over a year, and Tricia flew out to meet her in order to keep her company on the long drive east. I wont' relax until I see them standing right in front of me!
Early tomorrow morning (Sunday) we're headed to The Saratoga Race Track to watch the thoroughbreds' morning workout. I haven't been to the track this season (6 weeks every summer) and the last day is Monday, so we're cutting it close. It should be very exciting for Henry and Peter, and I will take pictures (big shocker!).
Hope you all enjoy a relaxing Labor Day weekend. All the best!
