Anyone recognize these young ladies? They better be getting residuals...

http://www.peapack-gladstone-nj.gov/

Billy C's DC Legacy

Snow Day in Gladstone

It was an old-fashioned snow day in Gladstone (and Peapack). Big snowflakes, no school, kids sledding. Not even a near breaking-and-entering arrest could dampen the fun... Here are some photos from sledding. Post your own - I'm sure many great pictures were taken today.

Morangie Farm CSA Update

Well, just heard from the gentleman managing the Peapack CSA I mentioned earlier, and he is moving forward with the program. He has 20 - 30 families who are signed up, and he's raring to go. He's also planning a farm stand, and perhaps selling wholesale as well. So, if a weekly deliver of veggies isn't your bag, you can at least shop local.

So, in case you were interested, he's still accepting members. Here's his proposed list of veggies to pique your interest...

• 2 types of early peas, sugar and snap
• 12 varieties of pepper (Green, orange and red bells, 3 hot types, frying, round, and sweet banana
• 5 different potatoes (Yukon, red, 2 fingerling types and one deep blue variety)
• 2 pumpkins (jack-o-lantern and pie types)
• assorted small decorative gourds
• 2 radish
• 3 zucchini
• 3 fall squash (butternut, spaghetti and acorn)
• 4 types of sweet corn (white and bi-color)
• 2 onions (red and yellow)
• 4 lettuce (romaine, ice burg, green and red Boston)
• 2 types of leeks
• 3 eggplant
• 2 cucumbers (slicing and pickling types)
• 2 carrots
• 2 cabbage (red and green)
• 2 broccoli
• 4 beans (lima beans, fava beans, green and yellow wax beans)
• 9 types of tomatoes (big beef, 2 commercial medium sized, 3 heirloom types, 1 plum, 1 red cherry, 1 gold cherry)
• 2 watermelon types (red seedless and yellow)
• Bok Choi (same thing as Pok Choy)
• Arugula
• Swiss Chard
• Kale
• And more herbs than you can count

If nothing else, Sama and I will have lots of recipes to try on all of you.

Explaining Voting to Kids

“Mom, are the presidents tired from running?”

Yes, a question from today. Today, we voted. I say “we”, because anyone who knows me knows that where I go, usually there are two little boys trailing behind. One climbs and clings; the other has a million questions. They behaved… bribed by some candy… and together, we voted. I like to think they are more experienced, educated for having been with me, although from Elliot’s question later this afternoon, I wonder what they thought we were even doing there. And, of course, the ultimate 4-year old statement as we were leaving the polling place, “That’s it… that was boring.” Exasperated, I said, let’s go home and watch TV...

A Star is BORN...

In case you missed it on TLC the other night, this is Chuck and Nicole's TV debut. A star was born, Ayla, a little while later.

...and so it starts.

earlier i received the below photos from a friend of mine who spotted these unattended youths hanging out at the bernardsville train station panhandling and otherwise behaving in a manner not befitting the offspring of good, solid g-stone families. 

later this same old chum saw the small gang of cut-ups riding the train where he observed them picking pockets, noses, and lice from the hair of stray husbands seen trying to duck out of the photo

this is just the beginning, my friends. troubled times lay ahead. i suggest heavy chains.

 

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Monrovia, Liberia (AP)

Warlord Sorry For Slaughter

A brutal warlord known as General Butt Naked apologized this week for leading his forces to kill over 20,000 people during Liberia's civil war. 

The warlord, whose real name is Milton Blayee, got his nickname from his habit of racing into battle dressed only in combat boots, leading a similarly unclad gang of drug-addicted fighters. The Butt Naked Battalion was notorious for raiding villages, where they slaughtered the children and ate their hearts.

Speaking to Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission--set up to air the atrocities of the 1989-2003 war but not empowered to charge anyone with crimes--Blayee said he was sorry for his atrocities. "Every time i tell people my story, i feel relieved."

Blayee now lives in Ghana where he is a Christian minister.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - Feb. 5

Hey Mom, what’s for dinner? How about some pancakes and sausage for a fun change. Come to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - Tuesday, Feb. 5th.

Where: Peapack Reformed Church, Fellowship Hall
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm
Cost: Donations accepted

Mardi Gras-style Jazz Music – Games, Beads – Pancakes, Sausage and Gravy! All are welcome.

Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival: Jan. 23-27

If you've never been to Lambertville, NJ or New Hope, PA you may want to consider it for a fun day trip. Just under 1 hour from Peapack-Gladstone, the twin river towns offer quality art galleries, restaurants, and even a bike path along the canal. There are also several flea markets and plenty of antique shops in the area. This coming weekend we're headed to the Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival. The schedule includes a parade, live ice carving from a 300 lb. block of ice, historic walking tours, music and more. Looks like a good time. It's our first time at this event and let's hope for an increase in the mercury by then! We'll let you know how it goes. Here is the event site for more info: http://www.winterfestival.net/

ode to georgie

there once was a prez who got to go to yale

his blood was blue, his world-view stale.

when the saudis brought down the world trade towers

prez sent the king of that country a bouquet of flowers.

and then, when osama slipped into pakistan

prez made saddam insane the big bad evil man.

stayed up late one night boozin and smokin crack

told vice in the mornin', "hey, dick, let's invade iraq!"

from his ranch in texas he had phone sex with condi

wearin nuthin but cowboy boots and wavin his wandi.

little georgie was big now, had the lord on his side

and so what if tens of thousands had suffered and died?

the oil is yours, god told prez in a dream

you're on the all-powerful self-righteous team.

prez rubbed his hands together and swelled out his chest

and thanked the almighty for giving him this test.

so okay, of late prez has taken it on the chin

we no longer see that smirk he thinks is a grin.

but just cause prez has been kicked in the can

don't think for a second the fool won't invade iran!

Good-night Snowflakes

Trying to sleep on a snowy night
So clean from my bath and blankets just right

My mommy says ‘night-night,’ my eyes so tired,
But out of my window there’s something much brighter

The new-fallen snow leaves a magical glow
I’m curious and comforted by the beauty below

My hands – so chubby – press into the light
My breath on the window is warm on this night

How long will mommy let me stand here to behold
The beauty of winter, the snowflakes so cold

As snowflakes taper, I know I must return
To a bed warm and cozy, and sleep I do yearn

Her kiss is the warmth of my breath on the window
She wraps me in blankets so quick, I know
That night-time is waiting for me… so I go

I dream of the snowflakes, their magic and beauty
And wish that forever my night-time could hold me.

Family & Friends First Aid and CPR Class

Peapack Reformed Church Offers “Family & Friends First Aid and CPR” Classes: February 8 and 22

Start the New Year by learning how to save the lives of those you love. Whether you want to sharpen existing CPR and first aid skills, or learn the basics to protect your family, friends and neighbors, this two-session class prepares you for the unexpected.

Instructed by Andi Huber, a certified EMT with the Long Valley Rescue Squad, school director, and PRC Sunday School teacher, the ‘Family & Friends First Aid for Children Program and CPR’ class is a non-test curriculum developed by the American Heart Association. The Family & Friends First Aid for Children Program is designed for family members, including older siblings, grandparents, new parents, and friends, who care for children and infants and want to know first aid basics. The Family & Friends CPR Program is designed for family members and friends who want to learn basic CPR and do not need a course card.

Class dates are Friday, Feb. 8 and Friday, Feb. 22. Both sessions start at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall of the Peapack Reformed Church. Registration is for both dates.

A per person cost of $20 includes two evenings of instruction plus books and materials, and can be paid by check on the first evening of the class. To register, please send an email to amydietrich04@hotmail.com or call 908-741-4345. The course is limited to 8 students. For more information on the American Heart Association, go to www.americanheart.org.