tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24816851170235213862024-01-21T02:05:05.464-05:00Stamford Talk: Eat, Think, Drive, Blog!Let's gossip! ...because life in CT is so boring if we don't.Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.comBlogger652125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-32629035878745231362012-07-13T07:36:00.000-04:002012-07-13T07:46:16.783-04:00Stamford Downtown Horse Tour 2012My friends and I spent two hours walking around the concrete and asphalt streets of Stamford yesterday... why? To see the horse statues, of course! A friend planned out a four-part tour for us, and yesterday we completed leg three. I <a href="http://fcmom.blogspot.com/2012/07/stamford-downtown-horse-tour-2012.html">blogged</a> about it more extensively at my more parenting-focused (but still locally-slanted) blog, <a href="http://fcmom.blogspot.com/">FC Mom</a>, if you want to take a peek! <span class="fullpost">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moms and babes of Horse Tour 2012, Leg Three</td></tr>
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Thank you <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.272313736184260.66617.173258076089827&type=3">SDSSD</a> (I'm so proud of myself for finally learning the acronym for Stamford Downtown Special Services District) for creating such a wonderful Art in Public Places 2012! This <a href="http://www.stamford-downtown.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=124">webpage</a> has links so you can print a guidebook and map, and Horsin' Around Stamford Downtown <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.272313736184260.66617.173258076089827&type=3">facebook page</a> has pictures of all the horses with their names. Beautiful! </div>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-68978928071291149632012-06-23T11:22:00.001-04:002012-06-23T11:22:42.822-04:00Scalzi Park for SummerI love the new improvements at Scalzi: the walking path, the two new playgrounds, and the great splash pad pictured here. I only wish there was more seating at each of the two playgrounds. Each playground only has one bench that fits five adults. Definitely not enough! Still there's lots of shade between the two playgrounds for picnic blankets. I love Scalzi!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-erFQ-caCT7o/T-XfJKiK7HI/AAAAAAAABGg/Pmid0TfMah4/s640/blogger-image-651801133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-erFQ-caCT7o/T-XfJKiK7HI/AAAAAAAABGg/Pmid0TfMah4/s640/blogger-image-651801133.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-95txp0xN5Dg/T-XfJ6yK4hI/AAAAAAAABGo/QLDPmCSDYrM/s640/blogger-image-1061217206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-95txp0xN5Dg/T-XfJ6yK4hI/AAAAAAAABGo/QLDPmCSDYrM/s640/blogger-image-1061217206.jpg" /></a></div>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-69795164632176300342012-06-03T14:46:00.001-04:002012-06-03T15:55:49.242-04:00Cove Beach: Free RentI am only slightly amused by the lifeguard's-view-blocking cabana some family has erected at Cove Island. Or maybe they live there? Looks about the same size as my college dorm room. I'm guessing this is NOT on the "stuff that's ok at Cove" list- essentially, putting up a small house on the beach to block everyone else's view. Ah well, anything goes at Cove. <br />
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As long as a <a href="http://stamfordtalk.blogspot.com/2009/09/cove-beach-marking-driving-grown-men.html">grown man isn't attacking a child</a> who gets in the way of his roller blading, I probably shouldn't complain. Maybe the lifeguard told them they could use it as long as they keep all the curtains open, and keep it an open structure. I suppose that's fair.<br />
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<br /></div>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-47336717947095276482012-06-02T22:44:00.003-04:002012-06-03T15:56:38.147-04:00Advocate Photo Blog Making News! Darien Girls' Lacrosse Coach SuspendedI am constantly talking about how awesome the <i>Advocate</i>'s photoblog <i><a href="http://blog.ctnews.com/insight/">In Sight</a></i> is. I don't mean to be repetitive, but there's an interesting discussion happening right now about <a href="http://blog.ctnews.com/insight/2012/05/30/did-the-darien-girls-lacrosse-coach-step-over-the-line/#comments">the photos</a> that Bob Luckey posted of the Darien girls' lacrosse coach grabbing her goalie's helmet and appearing to shove her backwards. The discussion at <i>In Sight</i> gets into pressures of high school sports, parents' expectations... it's something anyone who's been through school, or who has kids, can relate to. Go <a href="http://blog.ctnews.com/insight/2012/05/30/did-the-darien-girls-lacrosse-coach-step-over-the-line/#comments">take a look</a>! <span class="fullpost">
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I don't know anything about the coach or her team, but I do think:</div>
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- It's great to open a dialogue about how we expect our kids to be treated. I think that's what Bob Luckey meant to do, and I commend him. </div>
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- I would not want any adult to put their hands on my kid like that, even if they were on a high-pressure, high-performing team. </div>
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- Adults who work with children have a responsibility to hold themselves, each day and each minute, to the highest behavior standards they can manage.</div>
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- Everyone makes mistakes, and mistakes vary in degrees of seriousness. </div>
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- A pattern of mistakes is a problem. </div>
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I <i>just</i> saw in the paper (how ironic that I'm calling it a "paper" and I read it online) that the coach is suspended for the rest of the season but can return in 2013. Wow. <br />
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I don't know if that would have happened if the photos hadn't been published. That might upset some people, but I think it was definitely right to publish the photos. The school system investigated, and this is what they decided. I think they were lucky to have gotten the chance to make sure their students are treated in an appropriate way. I think it's great they are giving the coach a second chance, too. That seems very fair. </div>
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What's interesting is that the incident took place on Friday May 25 and the photos weren't posted until Wednesday May 30. I wonder if there was hesitation over the publication, or if, like me, the photobloggers are usually too busy to sit down and blog! </div>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-29068015968685923622012-06-02T20:30:00.001-04:002012-06-02T21:29:52.019-04:00Stamford Sinkhole... Impressive!A reader (thanks BD!!!) sent me photos of a rather terrifying sinkhole on Fifth Street just east of Bedford. I have to assume someone's tire went into this, because how else would it get that deep before someone noticed it... This really freaks me out. <br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dq_Ol8QCX7U/T8qwLDVSXII/AAAAAAAABFM/5tQ91ZWiHXM/s640/blogger-image--703587953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Dq_Ol8QCX7U/T8qwLDVSXII/AAAAAAAABFM/5tQ91ZWiHXM/s320/blogger-image--703587953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-24304813491533705622012-06-01T07:12:00.001-04:002012-06-03T15:57:07.801-04:00Birth Talk! Midwives, VBACs, Nancy Wainer in CT/NYI went to a very enjoyable event last night: the opening of my birth educator's new studio! I have <a href="http://www.stamfordtalk.blogspot.com/2012/02/good-birth-resource-hypnobirthing-of-ct.html">raved before</a> about Cynthia Overgard's <a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/">Hypnobirthing of CT</a>- both she and her birth class are an invaluable source of information, inspiration and support. Cynthia's <a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/class-format-and-schedule/location/">new studio</a> in Westport is spacious (and gorgeous) so she can more easily accomodate classes and events... AND it's across from the Whole Foods. Does it get any better than that?
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The keynote speaker at the event was <a href="http://birthdaymidwifery.com/">Nancy Wainer</a>, the midwife and <a href="http://birthdaymidwifery.com/books/">author</a> who coined the term "VBAC" and works passionately to prevent unnecessary c-sections. Nancy had many kind words to say about Cynthia and her work with mothers who want to have the most peaceful births possible. It was such a pleasure to hear an experienced midwife speak about the many misconceptions about birth, such as women being (disturbingly commonly) told that their pelvis is too narrow for their baby. (Hello, the pelvis expands in labor! And the baby's head smushes because the skull bones aren't fused yet. What's more likely to slow labor is your baby being in the wrong position so their head can't smush and descend as effectively- a midwife can tell you simple things you can do to get your baby in the best position <i>before</i> labor starts.) Can you tell I'm a fan of midwives? <br />
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Nancy Wainer is also speaking tonight at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cesarean.support">ICAN of Westchester</a>. <a href="http://ican-online.org/community/who-ican">ICAN</a> (International Cesarean Awareness Network) is dedicated to improving maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary c-sections, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting VBACS.<br />
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The ICAN event is being held at the Eileen Fisher Offices in Irvington NY from 6-9:30. I WISH I could attend this but my baby cries in the car after 6pm and that's just too long of a drive for me to hear my baby cry. (I always think, she got a good nap, maybe she won't cry on the way home from this party/event... nope, screaming, hyperventilating, choking, sobbing. Pathetic.) If you are interested in birth and many of the current issues surrounding it, I can highly recommend this ICAN event. Nancy is a <i>very</i> engaging speaker and I'm bummed I can't go hear her. </div>
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Details:</div>
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Friday June 1, 6-9:30</div>
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$20 per person</div>
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Light refreshments</div>
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Eileen Fisher Offices, 2 Bridge Street, Irvington NY 10533</div>
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RSVP to ICANWestchester@aol.com to reserve your space</div>
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pre-crawling babies welcome<br />
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I had midwife care for my second pregnancy and birth and let me just say, it was worth the 45 minutes I had to drive (across the Tappan Zee) to every appointment. There is also an excellent CPM, <a href="http://www.circleoflifemidwifery.com/">Joni Stone</a>, in New Haven if you want to save yourself the bridge toll.</div>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-52583697874686078022012-05-15T18:25:00.001-04:002012-06-01T06:28:23.632-04:00Eating Stamford UptownI did not know about this! The deals end this Friday, so get out and enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jb8fvPQI8tU/T7LYCs_PVKI/AAAAAAAABE0/U2EDcqjWrts/s640/blogger-image--1231351697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jb8fvPQI8tU/T7LYCs_PVKI/AAAAAAAABE0/U2EDcqjWrts/s320/blogger-image--1231351697.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-37441647430506806872012-04-10T07:47:00.007-04:002012-04-10T13:16:23.464-04:00Local Company: Pure Play Kids<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y12bjIV8TqU/T4Qgyk7Ma9I/AAAAAAAABD8/gqDH53OPXZw/s1600/5063-Transportation.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y12bjIV8TqU/T4Qgyk7Ma9I/AAAAAAAABD8/gqDH53OPXZw/s200/5063-Transportation.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729740679199615954" /></a>I finally placed an order with the locally-based and owned company <a href="http://www.pureplaykids.com/">Pure Play Kids</a>. I'd been seeing the company's toys at my friends' houses and I was starting to get toy envy. We got these two <a href="http://www.pureplaykids.com/felt-tastic-playset-sea-life/">felt playmats</a> (Sea Life and Transportation, right) for an upcoming plane trip. Of <span style="font-style:italic;">course</span> I'm bringing the iPad, since I'll be traveling with 2 kids by myself with a layover, but I'd like to last at least an hour- maybe two!!!- without technology.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXcauOk9rDU/T4QoTE8dXZI/AAAAAAAABEI/s2nBMhCIvvQ/s1600/1538-Lion.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXcauOk9rDU/T4QoTE8dXZI/AAAAAAAABEI/s2nBMhCIvvQ/s200/1538-Lion.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729748934132063634" /></a>The <a href="http://www.pureplaykids.com/animals/">wooden animals</a> from Pure Play Kids are beautiful- my friend has several and they are large and sturdy. (I put them on my wish list.) <a href="http://www.pureplaykids.com/wooden-school-bus-toy/">This bus</a> is also a great piece.<br /><br />Check out the very nice <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pure-Play-Kids/291759023668">Facebook page</a> with useful tips, links, and coupon codes! <span class="full post"><br /><br />From the Pure Play Kids <a href="http://www.pureplaykids.com/">website</a>:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Pure Play Kids offers one of the largest selections of battery-free, TV-free, creative playthings in the USA. We have a sharp focus on creativity, safety and natural materials. So whether you seek wooden toys, cloth dolls, natural teethers, Waldorf toys or the perfect baby gift, Pure Play Kids has you covered. Additionally, Made in America toys are the bulk of our offering, and the remainder are fine European toys. Kid-powered is the term we use to describe our products. Let kids provide the motion, sounds, storyline and characters that drive the toys – not vice-versa – and witness a flourishing of imagination, confidence and skills.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYPpGQThLyg/T4QosxleV4I/AAAAAAAABEU/sWbaYhWQr6M/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYPpGQThLyg/T4QosxleV4I/AAAAAAAABEU/sWbaYhWQr6M/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729749375611983746" /></a>I also love that many of the pics on the site are taken in Stamford, like this one of the <a href="http://www.pureplaykids.com/three-piece-garden-and-beach-set/">garden/beach set</a> at Cove Beach!<br /></span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-91526016229731987552012-03-30T16:31:00.003-04:002012-06-01T06:28:40.574-04:00Last Dog Days at Tod's PointI was marveling at the 20-30 dogs that stretched as far as the eye could see down the 300 yards of beach at Greenwich (also called Tod's) Point today. Then I remembered that after March 31 no dogs (or non-beach pass holders) are allowed. I have to say, all of the dogs, most of whom were off-leash, were incredibly well-behaved. It was enough to make even a dog-neutral person like me feel fondness toward them, sort of like how the Grinch's heart grows bigger at the end of the movie. One dog did bump my leg and get it a little wet, but that's nothing compared to that dog who put muddy paw prints on my butt at Mianus River Park. Or that other one who jumped all over me and got me dirty at Mianus later that same day. Anyway, what an incredible beach/park Tod's is. I'm sure it's going to be packed tomorrow, Saturday March 31!<br />
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In Stamford, the Belltown Fire Station is participating, in Darien, the Noroton Heights Station, and in Greenwich, the Glenville Station (they installed my carseats and they were SO nice to us). Fire stations in Trumbull, Fairfield, Norwalk and Stratford are also participating; click <a href="http://www.ctmomsonline.com/showofsupport-2-25-12/">here</a> to see the list. <span class="full post"><br /><br />It's wonderful of the fire stations to do this, and it's impressive what a group of dedicated mothers can do. </span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-52530015497396799632012-02-24T10:40:00.003-05:002012-02-24T10:44:20.273-05:00Cool Pics at In Sight PhotoblogYou are really missing out if you don't read the <span style="font-style:italic;">Advocate</span> photographers' <a href="http://blog.ctnews.com/insight/">In Sight</a> blog. There are two great pics you shouldn't miss:<br /><br />1. This <a href="http://blog.ctnews.com/insight/2012/02/16/giant-tiger-on-the-loose-in-milford/">awesome tiger statue</a> creeping through the streets<br />2. <a href="http://blog.ctnews.com/insight/2012/02/22/ash-wednesday/">This photo</a> of Yale Divinity students giving out "Ashes to Go" at the Stamford train station on Ash Wednesday! <span class="full post"> <br /><br />We are so lucky to have such great photographers in our area who are putting up cool stuff for us to see! </span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-292531496699513392012-02-19T19:02:00.007-05:002012-02-19T20:11:45.608-05:00EspressoNEAT Darien<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hufOX1Rz77Y/T0GUyfx_JiI/AAAAAAAABCk/2G53Z8OG_tI/s1600/IMG_6111.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hufOX1Rz77Y/T0GUyfx_JiI/AAAAAAAABCk/2G53Z8OG_tI/s200/IMG_6111.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711009397728028194" /></a>I FINALLY made it to <a href="http://espressoneat.com/">NEAT</a> in Darien today! My sister and I needed a place for coffee after the haircut I got at Red Door Spa in Darien (with the gift certificate she got me for Christmas- thanks K!). I was picturing us sipping lattes in paper cups at Starbucks when I suddenly remembered espressoNEAT. We googlemapped it and were delighted to discover it was 27 seconds and 459 feet away. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxqH2KxP-ew/T0GU963hJrI/AAAAAAAABCw/4pqyn_cADj8/s1600/IMG_6105.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxqH2KxP-ew/T0GU963hJrI/AAAAAAAABCw/4pqyn_cADj8/s200/IMG_6105.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711009593977546418" /></a>We of course drove there (hey, it's winter, and we had the baby with us) and made ourselves comfortable with a vanilla latte (so much less sugary sweet than a Starbucks latte) and chai tea (same). We had delicious pastries- almond croissant, carrot cake muffin, brownie- from SoNo baking company. The place was spacious and cozy. I declare NEAT child-friendly because of the well-spaced tables and the one large table with bench seating (great for trapping your mobile child) and a basket of fancy magnetic blocks for kids to play with. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCCXF3m9CSE/T0GVTsiqjdI/AAAAAAAABDU/QH67u_49Iqc/s1600/IMG_6112.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCCXF3m9CSE/T0GVTsiqjdI/AAAAAAAABDU/QH67u_49Iqc/s320/IMG_6112.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711009968089107922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvXoB6WqqCA/T0GVStrwmqI/AAAAAAAABDM/FH7RAjrS3_A/s1600/IMG_6113.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvXoB6WqqCA/T0GVStrwmqI/AAAAAAAABDM/FH7RAjrS3_A/s320/IMG_6113.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711009951215819426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv4He5lHkjw/T0GVSe7q6DI/AAAAAAAABC8/Io_DO4mxRjI/s1600/IMG_6109.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv4He5lHkjw/T0GVSe7q6DI/AAAAAAAABC8/Io_DO4mxRjI/s320/IMG_6109.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711009947256023090" /></a>There is also a wall full of gifty-type stuff, which is always fun! <br /><br />I swung by later in the day with the husband to get take out coffee. He declared his too cold and too expensive, but my (admittedly expensive at 5 bucks) vanilla latte was quite good! I'm still hoping to make Espresso NEAT a regular part of our weekend routine. Coffee and magnetic blocks, I think, accommodate both husband and child.</span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-58857152438205969652012-02-18T07:17:00.006-05:002012-02-18T07:50:12.027-05:00Beach Weather!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIFLPKAxfcg/Tz-ZO4mtnpI/AAAAAAAABCY/Vg-sRJ-xEe4/s1600/394130_10150566811814751_542244750_9043305_2047513649_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIFLPKAxfcg/Tz-ZO4mtnpI/AAAAAAAABCY/Vg-sRJ-xEe4/s200/394130_10150566811814751_542244750_9043305_2047513649_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710451333521055378" /></a>Well, not really. But this warm weather has been a blessing. Yesterday we walked with friends at Tod's Point in Old Greenwich in the morning, and Cove Island in Stamford in the afternoon. Cove is superior for older kids because of the playground. My almost 3 year old often wants to walk, but for me to get any proper exercise, he's gotta be trapped in a stroller.<br />"I wanna get- OUT!"<br />"Just one more lap, sweetie, then we'll go to the PLAYGROUND! Do you want some Goldfish?"<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">(Check out my hot new ride- the BOB Duallie double jogging stroller! This better be my ticket to dropping 10 or 15 pounds. I'll settle for 5 at the rate things are going!)</span><br /><br />Tod's Point is superior for adults who don't need a playground (that's the one thing Tod's is missing). I felt like I was in Nantucket with the beautiful vistas of the sound along long stretches of beach. There was even some postcard-looking driftwood yesterday, for goodness' sake. There is a bigger walking loop than Cove; part of it's wooded, and part is on the water, and I like that variety. March 31 is the last day for non-Greenwich residents to enjoy Tod's Point, so don't delay. <span class="full post"><br />Both locations were remarkably cold because of the breeze off the water, so BRING LAYERS! SEVERAL!</span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-30492330574104323112012-02-15T14:38:00.005-05:002012-02-15T14:47:35.413-05:00Cove Island Beach Lost and FoundNot sure I've ever seen a more picturesque lost and found!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6oHsY50OOY/TzwKTsUNYFI/AAAAAAAABCA/tD6gkY5EPo4/s1600/IMG_5957.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6oHsY50OOY/TzwKTsUNYFI/AAAAAAAABCA/tD6gkY5EPo4/s400/IMG_5957.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709449761028661330" /></a><br />A friend and I took a walk on a very chilly day. That's why it was so strange to see a man jogging ONLY IN UNDIES. See below (click to read more) for a very far away photo of the man. OK, maybe they were just really thin running shorts. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />You'll have to click on the photo to enlarge it to have any hope of seeing the figure I'm referring to in the photo. He's to the left of the largest, closest tree.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEKmi6OmBus/TzwKT_qbAWI/AAAAAAAABCM/uB2vif7x9xA/s1600/IMG_5956.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEKmi6OmBus/TzwKT_qbAWI/AAAAAAAABCM/uB2vif7x9xA/s400/IMG_5956.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709449766222102882" /></a><br />I feel like I often see really odd people at Cove. It's one of the many reasons I love the place. You'd never see that at Tod's Point in Old Greenwich.<br /></span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-52398566458184302842012-02-14T14:21:00.009-05:002012-02-14T17:20:28.400-05:00Photos: New Canaan Nature Center’s Winter Farmer’s Market<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PW47oJSVIdc/Tzq1V-W8hMI/AAAAAAAABAA/HtnaEsW46rI/s1600/IMG_6025.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PW47oJSVIdc/Tzq1V-W8hMI/AAAAAAAABAA/HtnaEsW46rI/s320/IMG_6025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709074866766644418" /></a>The kids and I went to the <a href="http://www.newcanaannature.org/">New Canaan Nature Center</a>’s Winter Farmer’s Market and I was really pleased with it.<br />1. It was indoors.<br />2. There were beautiful fruits and veggies.<br />3. There was FOOD! LOTS OF IT! PIES! SANDWICHES! SOUP!<br />4. All the vendors were nice. (I appreciated the oohing and aahing over my two month old by several of them. And another one even offered to take my photo with my two kiddos!)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMf3pwUJAVo/Tzq1J79gvoI/AAAAAAAAA_0/tpw_249OkSM/s1600/IMG_6041.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMf3pwUJAVo/Tzq1J79gvoI/AAAAAAAAA_0/tpw_249OkSM/s200/IMG_6041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709074659964665474" /></a>Decent prices on the veggies, I thought!<br /><br />The only bad things were that<br />1. My mouth was numb from dental work so I couldn’t enjoy the food today<br />2. My active, almost 3 year old kept my attention divided so I couldn’t leisurely browse.<br />3. I had already grocery shopped for the week. Next week I’ll try to leave more room in my food plan for Farmer’s Market stuff.<br /><br />We are definitely going back next week. This is a pilot program for the month of February, every Tuesday from 12-3. Please come out and show your support if you’re interested so the NCNC will continue it into March!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DyuC3pGJe4/Tzq13cD3DtI/AAAAAAAABAY/eDgJMLZBhQc/s1600/IMG_6027.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DyuC3pGJe4/Tzq13cD3DtI/AAAAAAAABAY/eDgJMLZBhQc/s320/IMG_6027.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709075441675341522" /></a>The Farmer’s Market was kid-friendly overall. I mean, you do not want to take your eyes off your (hyper)active toddler/preschooler, because there are pots of soup, but it’s a contained area so you won’t lose your kid if you say, sample some iced coffee. There’s also a neat outdoor playground on the way out that has furniture made from tree stumps and big bronze turtles. Really nice day outing if the weather is good.<br /><br />More photos after the jump. <span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W5ZUgcUE0B8/Tzq3qhYYnmI/AAAAAAAABBo/wfoeOqylEmU/s1600/IMG_6040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W5ZUgcUE0B8/Tzq3qhYYnmI/AAAAAAAABBo/wfoeOqylEmU/s400/IMG_6040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709077418788560482" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4T9WHaZK15w/Tzq2jJ3bY9I/AAAAAAAABBU/33WXj1L3IfU/s1600/IMG_6043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4T9WHaZK15w/Tzq2jJ3bY9I/AAAAAAAABBU/33WXj1L3IfU/s400/IMG_6043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709076192705602514" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-gkmgaQvU4/Tzq2iImqmOI/AAAAAAAABBI/PMWQcanazMw/s1600/IMG_6038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-gkmgaQvU4/Tzq2iImqmOI/AAAAAAAABBI/PMWQcanazMw/s400/IMG_6038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709076175186991330" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhWNwOBuQwY/Tzq2heea_YI/AAAAAAAABA8/0u_URKsIeLc/s1600/IMG_6030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhWNwOBuQwY/Tzq2heea_YI/AAAAAAAABA8/0u_URKsIeLc/s400/IMG_6030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709076163878124930" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zn2M-JAFmew/Tzq2fXuTHkI/AAAAAAAABAw/pepUS2aVFfk/s1600/IMG_6028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zn2M-JAFmew/Tzq2fXuTHkI/AAAAAAAABAw/pepUS2aVFfk/s400/IMG_6028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709076127705931330" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UoIpLvQJpCg/Tzq3rIVdyOI/AAAAAAAABB0/nLZSs_yULbk/s1600/IMG_6045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UoIpLvQJpCg/Tzq3rIVdyOI/AAAAAAAABB0/nLZSs_yULbk/s400/IMG_6045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709077429245298914" /></a></span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-73189450747815353082012-02-08T22:20:00.001-05:002012-02-21T06:10:13.155-05:00Good Birth Resource: HypnoBirthing of CTOne of my favorite local birth resources is Cynthia Overgard’s <a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/">HypnoBirthing of CT</a><a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/"></a>. I took Cynthia’s HypnoBirthing class just over 3 years ago. It’s great prep for childbirth because, in addition to providing thorough information on all your birthing rights and options, it's based on the fact that your brain is your most important birthing organ. The premise of HypnoBirthing is that fear and tension cause the labor pain experienced by so many women. With simple breathing and visualization techniques, women learn to remain relaxed, just as one would in an intense yoga pose, resulting in a quicker and more comfortable birth. (If I hadn't seen my sister have two births like that, I wouldn't have believed it was possible... but it is.) Although the goal is not natural childbirth, approximately 80 percent of Cynthia's clients birthed completely naturally last year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fmy5r56lTw/T0N7hYZ_OCI/AAAAAAAABDg/Q5bLmAhFTAs/s1600/hpct-header.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 176px; height: 141px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fmy5r56lTw/T0N7hYZ_OCI/AAAAAAAABDg/Q5bLmAhFTAs/s200/hpct-header.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711544565853272098" /></a>Cynthia teaches the 12 hour course out of her spacious <a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/class-format-and-schedule/location/">studio</a> in Westport. It’s a comfortable, friendly atmosphere, thanks to Cynthia’s warm nature and obsession with feeding people. (There is a table full of delicious food at every class she teaches.) Before realizing her calling as a birth educator, Cynthia was a corporate executive and finance professor at UConn in Stamford. Her childbirth class reflects both her meticulous attention to detail and her passion for empowering couples to have a satisfying birth experience. The class is organized, engaging, and enjoyable. <br /><br />I recently got back in touch with Cynthia while planning the birth of my second baby, and I’m more aware now of what an amazing resource she <span style="font-style:italic;">herself</span> is. From her experience with hundreds of local pregnant couples and new parents, Cynthia knows an enormous amount about birth options and resources in the area. Cynthia counseled me on the various birthing options for birthing my second baby, and to have her calm guidance was, well, pretty priceless. I can say for certain that she helped guide me to have the birth I hoped for. <br /><br />To get a sense of HypnoBirthing of CT and its impact on couples, take a look at the <a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/birth-stories/">birth stories and photos</a> on her website written by her students – there are more than a hundred, categorized based on where the couples gave birth. What’s also so valuable about those stories is that they prove that a good birth is possible. A great birth is possible. The birth you dream of is possible. The stories on Cynthia’s website helped inspire me to commit to the birth I knew in my heart that I really wanted. If women in Darien and Greenwich and Stamford were having the births they wanted, why shouldn’t I try for that, too? I had my second baby at home, with a homebirth midwife, supported the entire time by a doula (a woman who supports the laboring mother) that Cynthia put me in touch with. My birth would not have been as pleasant without my doula, and that’s one example of how Cynthia’s connections make her such an amazing resource to expecting couples even beyond what her class offers. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Cynthia really is all about connecting. She connects parents to the knowledge and the people that can help achieve the type of birth they want. She also connects mothers to mothers. One thing she does for her pregnant clients is host ‘<a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/class-format-and-schedule/refresher-classes/">birth story gatherings</a>’. She invited me to one this fall, and it was so awesome. I met 17 other pregnant women over a lovely lunch Cynthia provided, before we gathered around to hear the birth stories of two women, one who gave birth in a hospital and one who gave birth at home. The birth story gathering gives women positive stories, no matter where they plan to give birth, as well as the chance to network and meet other mothers-to-be. Also, Cynthia invites mothers who refer a friend to a champagne brunch in a private room of an award-winning Westport restaurant, which is another opportunity to meet other new mothers. The friendship of other new moms is such a boost in the early weeks and months of parenthood. <br /><br />All of this support and education add up to couples who have a better chance of having the birth experience they hope for. Last year, HypnoBirthing of CT served just over 100 couples. About 2/3 gave birth in hospitals, about a quarter at a birthing center, and 15% at home. Like I said in the first paragraph, about 80% of Cynthia’s couples birthed completely naturally. Fourteen out of the fifteen homebirth couples had their homebirth, and one was a non-emergency transfer after a VERY long labor, which also resulted in a non-surgical birth. What’s even more impressive are the VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) statistics. In this country, 1 in 3 first time mothers have caesareans; not surprisingly, thirteen of Cynthia’s couples came to prepare for a VBAC. VBACs used to be a big no-no, but evidence now shows that VBACs are significantly safer than repeat cesareans for most women. Listen to this: all 13 of Cynthia’s VBAC clients had natural births. Six were at home, and 2 of those 6 were HBA2C- home births after two caesareans. <br /><br />One reason for those stunning numbers is that Cynthia’s class shows you your <span style="font-style:italic;">ability</span> to birth. (We hear so many negative birth stories that it’s easy to think that a pleasant, humane birth is not possible.) Another reason is that Cynthia’s class makes you realize how important it is to have a <span style="font-style:italic;">caregiver</span> who believes in your ability to give birth. Cynthia will help you figure all that out by guiding you to the resources you need. <br /><br />HypnoBirthing of CT also offers <a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/class-format-and-schedule/breastfeeding-workshop/">breastfeeding workshops</a>. Even though I already have a lot of breastfeeding knowledge, I attended a session this fall because (1) anything Cynthia does is gonna be good, and (2) it’s taught by Rhonda Trust, the Policy and Advocacy Chair of the <a href="http://www.breastfeedingct.org/">Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition</a>. I am such a fan of breastfeeding that I wanted to make sure I’d met Rhonda and seen what she has to offer. Rhonda’s workshop was so positive, covering the hows, the whys, and the joys. The joy isn’t always a focus of a breastfeeding class, so I really liked that. Cynthia’s next breastfeeding workshop is on February 25, so please <a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/about-your-instructor/contact/">contact her</a> if you are interested. <br /><br />If you are pregnant and looking for an incredibly thorough birth class that will prepare you to have the best birth possible for you, check out <a href="http://hypnobirthingct.com/">HypnoBirthing of CT</a>. I can’t recommend Cynthia Overgard highly enough and I feel so fortunate to have found her. </span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-46656049242259223862012-02-02T09:08:00.000-05:002012-02-02T09:08:00.194-05:00SMNC Turtle Terror<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqjVVUdlsks/TynnnStEo2I/AAAAAAAAA-4/1bL8uPntCps/s1600/IMG_5921.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqjVVUdlsks/TynnnStEo2I/AAAAAAAAA-4/1bL8uPntCps/s200/IMG_5921.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704345065263244130" /></a>I went to the <a href="http://stamfordmuseum.org/index.html">Stamford Museum and Nature Center</a> today with a new friend from the Stamford Hospital <a href="http://www.stamfordhospital.org/Events/default.aspx?cat=255">Moms Group</a> (the source of all good things). Inexplicably, on this gorgeous warm day, we were the ONLY ones there except for one other family. At 10 am, the <a href="http://www.stamfordmuseum.org/animalembassy.html">Animal Embassy</a> (house with rescued snakes, birds, chinchillas, turtles, etc.) was empty save for the two caretakers and "Big Red," a turtle who was wandering around and scaring the crap out of my almost 3 year old. To me, it looked like the turtle was just poking around, but to my son, the turtle's slow movements were terrifyingly predatorial. (I have to admit it was a little stalkerish how the turtle kept creeping up on us, especially when it poked its head around from behind a table. Very cinematic.) <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0_QeDekyp8/Tynn0y2Fu4I/AAAAAAAAA_E/KsZI5yF16V4/s1600/IMG_5922.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0_QeDekyp8/Tynn0y2Fu4I/AAAAAAAAA_E/KsZI5yF16V4/s320/IMG_5922.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704345297229298562" /></a>My new friend Hannah reassured Q, picking him up and then showing him how it was perfectly safe to pet the turtle. Hannah has a British accent, so everything she says sounds very sensible, and Q soon calmed down. She also called the turtle a "tortoise." I'm not sure if that's the British word for turtle, or if Hannah knows that the turtle is a tortoise and not a turtle. Are they the same thing? I have no idea. Anyway, this evening at dinner, I said, "Tell your dad about the turtle at the Nature Center!" Q paused and pronounced very seriously, "Hannah saved me." <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zSELqICUQOc/TynoIfjpHQI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/3_dzJNAJwF8/s1600/IMG_5920.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zSELqICUQOc/TynoIfjpHQI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/3_dzJNAJwF8/s320/IMG_5920.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704345635649035522" /></a>It was also cool to see how the caretaker was chopping veggies to prepare breakfast for all the various animals! I'm not sure which one was gonna drink the coffee.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Game: guess which bowl below goes with which animal! <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ns1kfoVRFmc/TynoXOdmc4I/AAAAAAAAA_c/K3HlChlrWJA/s1600/IMG_5919.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ns1kfoVRFmc/TynoXOdmc4I/AAAAAAAAA_c/K3HlChlrWJA/s320/IMG_5919.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704345888758330242" /></a><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"> Except I don't have the answers. </span><br /></div>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-36189634252802839882012-01-27T05:14:00.000-05:002012-01-27T05:14:00.789-05:00Mike Vivalo: Yankees Fan, Fan Cave AspirantA friend's brother is auditioning for the <a href="http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/#fbid=_sHyR0MlMBt">MLB Fan Cave</a>, and I think his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9C4vIj1PfY&list=UUADbku4FN3hQYKFxJmBvJmg&index=1&feature=plcp">video</a> is really cool. It's full of clever signs and celebrities! Mike is a Yankees fan, so many of you will enjoy his video. I only know a little about the Fan Cave competition (read <a href="http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/application.jsp#fbid=_sHyR0MlMBt">the basics</a> here), but the winner of the competition gets to "<span >1) watch every single baseball game played, 2) interact and film video content with current and former players, celebrities and musicians, 3) discuss the hottest baseball and pop culture topics through blog posts and social media 4) compete in exciting challenges with other fans to remain in the MLB Fan Cave - and much more.</span>" The Fan Cave appears to be an actual place. I actively avoid baseball, but Mike's video is fun, and I LOVE his signs. Anyone who is good with words and ideas always impresses me. I think Mike would be great in the Fan Cave.<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e9C4vIj1PfY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Good luck Mike!<br /></span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-54386936654712792452012-01-26T12:03:00.009-05:002012-01-26T23:34:28.373-05:00The Office Fridge: When Coworkers Lose It<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fD0FM7RbGl8/TyGLMzSSj6I/AAAAAAAAA-s/ykMAgbfdBTo/s1600/IMG_4226.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fD0FM7RbGl8/TyGLMzSSj6I/AAAAAAAAA-s/ykMAgbfdBTo/s320/IMG_4226.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701991655269371810" /></a>One of my favorite new hobbies is photographing mean signs coworkers make for each other. You know, those signs about messy fridges and bathrooms? I cannot reveal where these signs are from, but I'll just tell you they are from the refrigerator in a local workplace. I especially love the literary touch that this anonymous sign-maker uses by including full newspaper columns to communicate just how disgusted they are by their coworkers' slovenliness. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhI-icSgf0I/TyGKZksgcVI/AAAAAAAAA-U/jNEfGS1SwhU/s1600/IMG_4224.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhI-icSgf0I/TyGKZksgcVI/AAAAAAAAA-U/jNEfGS1SwhU/s320/IMG_4224.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701990775179473234" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Two more signs after the jump.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBouaNXLO-A/TyGJb21a6_I/AAAAAAAAA9w/s6ZqRCDH0gU/s1600/IMG_4225.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBouaNXLO-A/TyGJb21a6_I/AAAAAAAAA9w/s6ZqRCDH0gU/s400/IMG_4225.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701989714896808946" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNb_ZD-03Uc/TyGJbnTK1II/AAAAAAAAA9g/XmpjLaT0QVo/s1600/IMG_4223.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNb_ZD-03Uc/TyGJbnTK1II/AAAAAAAAA9g/XmpjLaT0QVo/s400/IMG_4223.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701989710726616194" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Coming up: signs I've found in bathrooms. </span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-36251479395797222812012-01-12T16:35:00.005-05:002012-01-12T16:44:16.318-05:00New Canaan Nature Center Winter Farmer's Market<a href="http://www.newcanaannature.org/images/spring/about/8.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 219px;" src="http://www.newcanaannature.org/images/spring/about/8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>One of my favorite cooking blogs, the locally-run <a href="http://fullplatecookinglessons.blogspot.com/">Full Plate Blog</a>, posted on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mealsinasnap">her Facebook page</a> that the <a href="http://www.newcanaannature.org/">New Canaan Nature Center</a> will be having a Winter Farmer's Market on Tuesdays from 12-3. The first one is February 7, and I totally have it on my calendar! <br /><br />From the New Canaan Nature Center <a href="http://www.newcanaannature.org/">website</a>: <br /><br />Beginning Tuesday, February 7 the New Canaan Nature Center will host a winter farmer's market on Tuesdays from Noon to 3:00pm. The market is open to the public and will feature winter produce, dairy, meat, baked goods and other sundries from a number of Connecticut based vendors. Expected vendors include Riverbank Farm, Gazy Bros Farm, Goatboy Soaps, Butterfield Farm, Smyth's Trinity Farm, Mamacat's Tea, Raus Coffee, Whistle Stop Bakery and Connecticutly Grown Hot Sauce. Come for lunch - homemade soup and sandwiches from Walter Stewart's Market!<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />The Winter Farmer's Market, a joint partnership between the Nature Center and New Canaan Farmer's Market, will be held as a pilot program for the month of February and will possibly be extended throughout the spring and to Saturday mornings.</span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-61677903265336095482011-12-23T15:54:00.003-05:002011-12-23T17:40:13.928-05:00Worst Parking Lot in the World?We all know how bad the Ridgeway Shopping Center parking lot is, but I want to thank my friend for taking a photo today that PROVES how bad it is. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BryGtRScd2g/TvUB3pvXBGI/AAAAAAAAA9A/F72TSZNHc9w/s1600/402228_2860840361294_1268242974_3248835_1154152249_n.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BryGtRScd2g/TvUB3pvXBGI/AAAAAAAAA9A/F72TSZNHc9w/s400/402228_2860840361294_1268242974_3248835_1154152249_n.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689455759861417058" /></a><br />I suppose this parking lot incident could have been worse; it could have been an actual collision. However, I don't think it can get much more <span style="font-style:italic;">absurd</span> than this. Can you imagine coming back to your car and seeing that someone has parked, no joke, less than two inches from your car? I have to assume the driver of the white car was intoxicated or otherwise out of it.<br /><br />My friend who took this photo said that the family in the blue car wasn't too fazed by the white car's comically horrendous parking job, and that they seemed to find the humor in it. It took 3 people to help the family back out. <br /><br /><a href="http://streetsofstamford.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-true-parking-lots-are-devil.html">Streets of Stamford</a> just blogged about how bad this parking lot is, and he pointed out a <a href="http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Angela-Carella-Parking-lot-is-birthplace-of-2416022.php">column</a> in the Tuesday Advocate by Angela Carella about the lot, which includes many quotes from a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-hate-the-Ridgeway-Shopping-Center-Parking-Lot-Stamford-CT/177203595663956">Facebook page</a> called "I Hate the Ridgeway Shopping Center Parking Lot." I really admire the man that created that page. Read more about it in the <a href="http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Angela-Carella-Parking-lot-is-birthplace-of-2416022.php">article</a>, or go right to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-hate-the-Ridgeway-Shopping-Center-Parking-Lot-Stamford-CT/177203595663956">Facebook page</a> and like it!Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-83569865265346341112011-12-14T11:07:00.004-05:002011-12-14T11:17:25.986-05:00Drinks 'n Jewelry Tonight In Westport: Sounds Great to Me!A friend of mine has a jewelry company and is having an event tonight in Westport for GUYS to shop. So, send your dude, and use the ONE FREE DRINK as a hook to get him in the door! The company is called <a href="http://www.lula-belle.com/">Lula Belle</a> and there is a wide variety of jewelry styles. You can take a peek at <a href="http://www.lula-belle.com/shop/">the offerings</a> online. My friend is incredibly charming, so I know this event will be great fun, and if she's not there, one of her sisters who runs the company with her is sure to be there. The charm gene runs in their family, so check out this event if you're in the mood to get out tonight. Um, also, BBQ? Yum. <br /><br />Here is the info for tonight's event:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bobbyqsrestaurant.com/<br />http://www.bobbyqsrestaurant.com">Bobby Q's</a> in Westport - MENS NIGHT<br />Lula belle wants your men! Send them out with their male friends and let them shop for the ladies in time for the Holidays! <br />Buy One - Get One Free Drinks from 5:00 - 10:00pm <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Bobby Q's<br />42 Main St<br />Westport, CT 06880</span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-18283654858626983542011-12-12T10:32:00.008-05:002011-12-12T11:07:43.720-05:00Bartlett Holiday Showcase Event Thursday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvTm8CnRs4s/TuYhjU2V7PI/AAAAAAAAA8o/nIaL19hhFxQ/s1600/371.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvTm8CnRs4s/TuYhjU2V7PI/AAAAAAAAA8o/nIaL19hhFxQ/s320/371.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685268470377606386" /></a>On this Thursday the 15th, the <a href="http://bartlettarboretum.org/index.php?ID=1606&XID=1606:0:0:0:0&PID=0">Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens</a> is holding a Healthy Children’s Holiday Showcase. The purpose is to show off their new Children’s Indoor Classroom and an outdoor space called the Nature’s Explore Classroom in the Woods. Besides the tours of the space from 1-3, there are other events going on all day that look like a lot of fun: <br /><br />ALL DAY: Crafts, Indoor and Outdoor Tours, Shopping, Cookies and Hot Cocoa<br />11-2pm Mediation 101. Starts on the hour<br />11:30am – 1pm Winter Wonderland Story Time with Fairy Deb<br />1-3pm Winter Crafts, Welcome Critters and Science in Nature’s Classroom. Plus tours of the Outdoor Natural Playground and Learning Space (Messy Materials Area, Climbing Area, Building Area, Nature’s Music)<br />3:00pm Stroller Strides: Making Every Day a Workout with Shanae<br />3:30 – 4:30pm Kids Concert with Dre Towey<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_2eQ_2gcZ0/TuYiwULBKXI/AAAAAAAAA80/Vo4M0pdimc4/s1600/loving%2Bhats.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_2eQ_2gcZ0/TuYiwULBKXI/AAAAAAAAA80/Vo4M0pdimc4/s200/loving%2Bhats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685269793045817714" /></a>I’ve got a bit of a back issue going on (did I mention I had another baby 8 days ago, and that pregnancy hormones can make your joints loosey-goosey, and for some reason I am super-susceptible to these hormones!) but I may try to hobble up to the Bartlett because this looks like a blast. That's the new baby to the right, looking like a cupcake. She's awesome.<br /><br />Also, <a href="http://www.pureplaykids.com/">Pure Play Kids</a>, a locally-owned online toy store, is having a trunk show at the event, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Bartlett. I’ve been ogling the store online for 2 years now and have yet to buy anything. (Hey, I’m not done Christmas shopping yet.) I want to see their stuff and meet the owner!<br /><br />Click on the <a href="http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=7a5ykwbab&v=001Q54IKSLlf4FQ6wdFTDJc2d8QIZlRuHql8mgZqAlVjEVqf_9mXq1FLnaxUWWB4MXAyzGOTt2tX1V2XUyCWW5ZoyA-Hqn9AUN7T_Uky1hqWEMi_XtARF8uWXSNQfP6pNfJOP_kZXz-gu8%3D">flier</a> image above to read a bit more, including a little note at the bottom about a road detour. <br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Hope a bunch of you can make it, and if not, spread the word to your friends, and of course, you can always go to the Bartlett another day. We are so lucky to have these outdoor spaces in Stamford! </span>Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-19309723450073696762011-10-01T16:09:00.002-04:002011-10-01T16:16:08.663-04:00Haitian Book and Arts FestivalThe toddler and I are definitely going to try to swing by this event. Has anyone ever been to it? I haven't and am very curious to know what the coolest stuff to see will be. <br /><br />From the Ferg's latest newsletter:<br /><br />Haitian Book & Arts Festival<br />Saturday, October 8 from 2 - 7 p.m.<br />South End Branch<br />Hundreds of titles in English, French and Haitian Creole. Documentaries, exhibits, live music and poetry. Presented by the Haitian-American Professionals Association of Connecticut, Inc., in partnership with The Ferguson Library South End Branch and CTE Inc.Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481685117023521386.post-5959562744255118942011-09-14T06:04:00.003-04:002011-09-14T06:07:25.108-04:00Pumpkin Update 2: Organic AboundsEvidently organic pumpkin is available! My friend says you can order it on Fresh Direct, and I ran across it at Whole Foods Darien yesterday. I only bought five cans, because realistically, I'll only make a few batches of pumpkin muffins. Plus, I did not want to be a pumpkin hoarder. I wouldn't do that to you guys. Happy cooking and let me know if/when/where you are finding pumpkin!Stamford Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10145856659548079358noreply@blogger.com7