Seaview Bay Course

With travel more of a nuisance than ever, this year we decided to take our summer holiday in nearby Atlantic City. We spend the first half of our trip at the Seaview Resort in Gallaway.

Con and I played 18 holes at the Bay Course, one of the resort's two championship golf courses. Though the Pines Course is the more popular of the two courses, having hosted the 1942 PGA championship, we opted for the Bay Course with its strong ocean breeze keeping us comfortably cool despite temperatures in the high 80's. That afternoon, the girls enjoyed spa treatments at the Elizabeth Arden Spa while we relaxed poolside.

Top of the Trop

We spent the second half of our holiday at the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City. We reserved two rooms in "the Quarter", the Cuban themed section of the resort. However, upon check in, Con managed to up-grade us to a three bedroom beach front suite in the South Tower so that Con and I, Jack, and the girls each had a room to ourselves.

Con and I played a quick 9 holes at May's Landing Golf and Country Club before heading back to the Trop for a family dinner at Carmine's, famous for their huge portions.

The following night we booked a table at Cuba Libre, an authentic Cuban restaurant modeled after 1940s Old Havana, complete with a live Latin floor show. Afterwards, we saw the new Batman movie, "The Dark Night" at the IMAX theater.

Concert in the Park

Con and I were fortunate to be among the 67,500 fans who flocked to Central Park's great lawn last night for a free concert by Jersey's 2nd greatest band, Bon Jovi (sorry, Jon, Bruce is still #1).

As we checked into our hotel, we heard the line to get into the park was 20 city blocks long. So, we headed to the Rock Center Cafe, for a leisurely dinner and around seven o'clock, we headed to the park. Contrary to the scene five hours earlier, we breezed through security with a half hour till show time. The park was divided into east and west side tickets with three sections on each side. We were in the third section on the west side.

Con decided the show would be much more enjoyable from the front section so, taking me by the hand, he walked up to security at entrance to the second section. Much to the amazement of on-lookers, the officer moved the barricade aside and waived us though. The same happened at the next section and we found ourselves about 100 feet from the stage, where we enjoyed the remainder of the show.

Afterwards, we headed over to the Whiskey A Go Go for martinis. I once again witnessed the power of Con, as we were ushered in the VIP entrance, by-passing the long line of hopefuls waiting on the sidewalk.

Pretty in Pink

Couldn't resist adding to my summer shoe collection. These Sperry Topsider mules are perfect in pink and Con will be happy I've finally tossed my old, worn favorites (well, not really but they are in the far reaches of the closet).

Now, if only I can justify those pink FootJoys. Con, honey, I know they will improve my game, if not in score certainly in attitude!

Bon Jovi Fever

Having spent my formative years in New Jersey, I should logically be an avid Bon Jovi fan. Somehow, I never jumped on the band wagon until this past summer when Con and I were blown away by his performance at the Live Earth concert. Ever since, I've been hooked.

When Con called to report a free concert in Central Park, I knew we had to go. An early morning queue for tickets was not an option, so after a quick purchase on Ebay we're counting down to 7:45 pm Saturday !!

Rumson and Fireworks

We spent a lovely July 4th at Mike and Dor's home "down the shore". I love the scenic drive down the Navesink River, past sprawling estates home to celebrities such as John Bon Jovi, Queen Latifa, and Con's favorite, Bruce Springsteen. No celebrity citings, today, since most were gathered on the banks of the Navesink to watch the Red Bank fireworks display.

Though the weather was a bit rainy, spirits were high both figuratively and literally. The cousins spent all afternoon in the pool while the "grown-ups" enjoyed Mike's grillin': clams, shrimp, chicken breast and london broil, along with his specialty dish, spicy jumbalaya, and Dor's fabulous home made potato salad, followed up with Grandma Grace's famous cheesecake, and a well timed visit from "the icy man".

We made it back just in time for our hometown fireworks, which we watched from a neighbor's lawn.

Take Me Out to the Ball Park

What better way to kick off the holiday weekend than a baseball game at our local Somerset Patriots followed by a spectacular fireworks show.

Though the Patriots were defeated by the Bears 11-6, a great time was had by all. Jack clocked the baseball throw at a screaming 15 mph and spun the wheel of fortune 6 times in his attempt to win the grand prize. He didn't win the big prize, but we did come home with several nice stickers and vouchers to future games.

The most enjoyable part of the night was the firework show set to patriotic music - where else can you sit in a nice comfy seat, (legally) drink a beer, and watch of the best firework shows in NJ?

Shirtless Indians

Today Jack started camp at the Trailside Nature & Science Center camp. His session "Washani, Wigwams and Wampum" focused on the New Jersey Lene Lenape Indians.

The first night, I asked Jack what he had learned. "Mom, girl Indians don't wear shirts," he replied. Hmmm.....I don't remember my girl scout camp counselor ever discussing that fact. It seems that his comment was based on a picture in a book they read on the Lene Lenape.

Seriously, though, the science center is actually extremely academically oriented. In addition to numerous exhibits on mammals and birds, there is a fluorescent minerals show, a discovery room for young children, featuring hands-on exhibits and live reptiles, a huge tank with live turtles and fish, and Jack's favorite, the Theater of the Night.

Jack had a wonderful time at camp and learned much about the local Indian history.

US Open - Go Rocco!

Con and I both love to watch golf. In 2006 we went to the Open at Winged Foot, and though the experience was great, nothing beats watching golf in high def on our own wide screen TV as we did for this year's Open.

You've got to love Rocco Mediate, with his peace sign belt buckle, tourist pins on the cap and frank personality, who, at 45, almost took out the greatest golfer of all time. Oh, and for those who continue to deny that belt buckle is indicative of any political or moralisms......please!

What's with the rule that when you have a tie in the U.S. Open, you have to come back and play another 18 holes? Especially on a Monday, when we all have to return to our day jobs. Why not just play one more hole and winner takes all, or, like tennis, win by two?

It's Not Over Till It's Over

I'm both sad and relieved that today, Hilary Clinton has conceded the fight.

As a woman, I was supremely proud that a female was a serious contender for President. Like most, early on in the campaign I was convinced she had the race locked up. As time passed, I became increasingly torn between loyalty and electability.

I am and always will be loyal to Mrs. Clinton. My extreme admiration and support for her has never waived. However, as the issue of electability escalated, so did my concern about the possibility of success for the Republican candidate.

So.....although I am tremendously disappointed we won't have the first woman candidate for President of the United States, I now feel confident we will have a much needed change.

Birthday Boy

For Jack's 6th birthday, we had a miniature golf party at the Hyatt Hills Golf Club in Clark, NJ, a newly designed nine-hole public course, complete with a full-service clubhouse, a driving range, putting green, and a spectacular eighteen-hole miniature golf course.

It was 90 degrees but despite the heat Jack and friends had a fantastic time. Con was a trooper, keeping the scores fair and making sure no one fell (jumped) in the water. Thanks darling for sticking with us when I know you secretly wanted to play the "big boys" course.

Eagles at The Rock

Not only was the sound system at the new Prudential Center (the Rock) the best I've ever heard, the facility was so clean and neat we forgot we were at a rock concert. (OK so maybe the average age was 40...)

Con and I enjoyed pre-show martinis (his, grey goose, slightly dirty, mine, stolio cosmo) at the Ice Bar before settling down to the best evening of live music I have heard. The bar man mistook him for a celebrity, but before I could capitalize on his mistake, Con came clean and admitted he was indeed infamous for certain acts in his youth, however not a celebrity by today's standards.

*Set 1: How Long, Too Busy Being Fabulous, I Don't Want To Hear Anymore, Guilt of the Crime, Hotel California, Peaceful Easy Feeling, I Can't Tell You Why, Witchy Woman, Lyin Eyes, Boys of Summer, In The City, Long Run.
*Intermission again at the Ice bar, this time less packed than pre-show as it was restricted to club seats only.
*Set 2: No More Walks In the Woods, Waiting in the Weeds, No More Cloudy Days, Love Will Keep Us Alive, Take It To the Limit, Long Road Out of Eden, Somebody Walk Away, One of These Nights, Life's Been Good, Dirty Laundry, Funk 49, Heartache Tonight, Life in the Fast Lane.
*1st encore: Rocky Mountain Way, All She Wants to Do is Dance
*2nd encore: Take It Easy, Desperado

Boys, you still have it!

Watchung Spring horse Show

Each Memorial Day weekend, swarms of parents, grandparents, and spectators come to Watchung Stables in Mountainside NJ for the annual Spring Troop Show. Youngsters and adults put their mounts through their paces - walking, trotting, cantering and, occasionally, galloping.

This was Chrissy's favorite show, where she earned her AA status as the pairs champion in 2003. I'll never forget thier victory gallop around the ring, gaits perfectly synchronized as if they were one horse, not two. Check out the stable's web page. That's her winning the blue in the Jr. Hunt Club show!

What few people know, though, is the Watchung Stables property was once a Nike Missile site. From 1958 until fall of 1962, the Nike Site 73 was an active defense base during the Cold War.
For the next 20 years, the site was inactive until government gave the land to Union County in the 80's to recloate Watchung Stables from it's original site to allow for completion of Route 78.

Sybase Classic

Thru the generosity of my friend Kathleen, who's company sponsors the event, Con and I received complimentary tickets to the Sybase Classic at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ. As in previous years, the tickets came with access to the Shoprite Hospitality tent on the 18th green.

Our tickets were originally for Friday's play, however due to rain Friday's second round was combined with Saturday's third round for a total of 27 holes. We followed our favorites Ochoa & Sorenstam who teed off consecutively. Of course Con's attention was also on the beautiful Natalie Grublis who, in her short red gingham mini, caught the eyes of men and women both.

Kentucky Derby 134

Dubbed the most exciting two minutes in sports, I am as much a fan of the pre-race activities as the race itself. The Kentucky Derby is my excuse to throw a southern style affair, and much to Con's chagrin, hang my derby flag.

This year, we planned a southern barbecue with ribs, biscuits, corn on the cob, and course, Mint Juleps. Though I quite detest bourbon, somehow it is quite palatable mixed with home made simple syrup and a sprig of mint. Julep in hand, we watched highlights of the hat parade, interviews with celebrities, royalty and politicians on millionaires row, and croned a post-time rendition of "My Old Kentucky Home".

This year's overwhelming victory by Big Brown was unfortunately over shadowed by an injury to the runner-up, Eight Belles, the sole filly in the race, who collapsed with two broken front ankles and was immediately euthanized after the race. Which leads to the age old question, should girls really be playing against the boys?

Paradise in the Florida Keys

There's no place like the Florida Keys. One hundred miles south of Miami and you feel as if you've travelled to the Carribbean. My parents, Grace and Phil, retired to Marathon Florida 10 years ago and we've been down to visit three times a year ever since.

This winter, Delta decided to cancel it's direct flight to Marathon leaving us no choice but to fly in and out of Miami. So, for this year's spring break, we decided to do things a little differently. Our flight arrived late Saturday night into Miami airport, so we stayed overnight and set out the following morning.

For some reason Jack became completely obsessed with a purple glittery purse in the hotel gift shop. No amount of persuasion could budge him from this obsession, and being more concerned with public scenes than gender confusion, I purchased it for him. Con then filled it up with toy soldiers, rocks and other manly things.

The drive to the keys was lovely....we stopped off at for a tropical lunch and then arrived at Phil and Grace's in time for Happy Hour. Over the next several days, Con and I became very well known at the Sombrero Tiki Bar. I replaced my usual Stolio Cosmo with a frozen Mudslide and Con switched to the Rum Runner. We split our time between the Sombrero Resort swim club and beautiful Sombrero Beach, a block from Phil and Grace's . Jack quickly became an expert snorkeler while Chrissy perfected her tan on the pristine white sand. Each night at 5 pm Rosie and Jasper, Grace's Jack Russel Terriers joined us for a sunset swim in the 80 degree water.

The highlight of our trip was an adults only gourmet dinner at the Butterfly Cafe at the Tranquility Bay resort. For the kids it was a swim with the dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key.

More Fun in South Beach

After a lovely five days in Marathon, we headed back to Miami for our last two days of fun in South Beach.

We spent our days on the beach and nights people watching on Ocean Avenue. Chrissy was ecstatic to be invited into Lenny Kravitz's club at the Delano. Unfortunately, as a minor she had to decline.

Too soon it was time to return home. Jilly was very glad to see us. Her holiday at The Preppy Pup in Summit NJ was fun but she was happy to be home!

Scotch Hills Country Club

Con decided we should find a local course where I could practice without all the stress of a high volume course. We found Scotch Hills Country Club, a lovely nine hole public course with a very interesting history.

The clubhouse, originally the Ephraim Tucker Farmhouse built in the mid-1700’s, became the George Osbourne tavern in 1897. (I knew there was a reason Con was drawn to it). In 1900 the farmland was converted into a nine-hole golf course and the farmhouse into a clubhouse.

In 1921, a group of prominent black investors purchased the property and formed the first African-American owned and operated country club in the United States. The Club became a center of African American society at the time hosting jazz greats Count Basie, Duke Ellington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Joe Louis, Althea Gibson, and Sarah Vaughn. After a tax lien foreclosure in 1938, Scotch Plains Township acquired the property and renamed it Scotch Hills Country Club

Who would have guessed our little "practice" course had so much history?

St. Patty's Day

Quite by accident, Con and I found ourselves amid a St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Born and raised a Brit, it would take more than a little Leprechaun magic to get me to celebrate the day or participate in the somewhat ridiculous tradition of dressing in green. However, a week prior to St. Patrick's Day, we stopped for lunch at a local tavern, the Blackthorn, and were quite surprised to find a celebration in full force with green everywhere (wearing it, drinking it, and eating it). Before we could turn around, we received a huge, friendly welcome from the bar man who in no time had us tipping a pint of Guinness and enjoying a plate of corn beef and cabbage.

I guess there was some of that Leprechaun magic present, after all!

Vegas, Baby

Con's annual sales meeting was held at the brand new Palazzo Resort in Vegas. The resort opened in January 2008 and Con and I were the first guests in our luxury suite. We spent the day pool side and enjoyed a couples massage at the Canyon Ranch Spa before meeting Con's business associates for a dinner in the private dining room at AquaKnox.
I wanted nothing more than a gondola ride along the Venetian's quarter mile grand canal, however that was way too touristy for Con. So, instead, we headed over to Jay-Z's 40/40 club to watch the Seattle - Green Bay game then a fabulous dinner at Tao.

The next morning, I left for LA, leaving Con on his own in Sin City.

Opening Day - Ski Season

This year, Chrissy, Jack and I bought season passes to Mountain Creek. We kicked off the season with a mini-holiday at the Appalachian hotel, right on the mountain. The heated outdoor pool and hot tubs were perfect for soothing our tired muscles. Con came too, though unable to ski with his "football knees", he enjoyed tubing in the afternoons as well as the apres ski scene at Hex's lounge. Jack loved the Kids camp and by the end of the week both he and Chrissy had mastered their skis and boards.

We found a local Irish pub, the Irish Cottage Inn, complete with an authentic thatch roof, installed by "master thatcher" Colin McGhee, which was perfect for a family style dinners.

The Rockettes at Radio City

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is my favorite Christmas Show. Chrissy, Jack and I have been many times, but this year was Con's first show. The show, updated for the 75th anniversary, still had our favorites “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and “Here Comes Santa Claus” as well as Santa's 3-D flight through Manhattan. Our third row seats were a perfect viewpoint for the “Living Nativity,” which revisits the first Christmas with camels, sheep and donkeys. I was disappointed, however with the finale narration, which in it's new format was not nearly as moving as previous years.

Peddler's Village

Christmas is my favorite time of the year and the official kick off of the holiday season is our trip to Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA to shop the specialty craft shops and view the fantastic entries in the annual Ginger House in the Villlage Gazebo.

At dusk we headed to the Cock 'N Bull restaurant for an early dinner and watch the illumination of the thousands of Christmas lights throughout the village.

Pumpkin Picking at Ort Farm

This weekend was our annual outing to Ort Farm in Chester to pick pumpkins. Jacked loved the John Deere tractor that pulled our hay wagon out to the pumpkin patch. Con's ribs were ultra sore from his recent accident, but he still managed to endure the bumpy wagon ride and help us carry several massive pumpkins back from the patch.

At the farm, we stocked up on fresh apples and apple cider along with some farm made apple and pumpkin butter. Jack fell in love with a new litter of pigs, and petted several other farm animals including goats, lambs, a calf, several chicks and ducks. One animal we did not pet was a very cranky donkey who was busy terrorizing his equine friends.