On Vacation...

...barely. Currently undergoing a move: hence the delay in posting. Expecting posting to resume early next week, unless I get sick of looking at boxes and decide to update my Apocalypse Survival Guides...

A tout a l'heure!
-Aimee

"Carpe Diem," by Aimee.

Carpe Diem.

I'm typing this from the fifth floor of the Pink Shell Resort on Fort Myers Beach, thinking about how lovely the past few days have been here on the beach with my mom, my cousin Jessie, and my Aunt Mary, Aunt Sue and Aunt Kathy. It's becoming a yearly tradition during March for the sisters to come down to Florida to enjoy the spring weather and the sun, but it's bittersweet because we all remember being here with my Memere, who we've since lost, and my grandfather. My Memere and Pepere vacationed here at this resort for years. Leavi nf behind them a staff who still remembers how kind they were-an inspiration for their kids and grandkids...

It's a much needed break and recharge after an intense week of grading and report cards. However, I am much overdue for a blog post. So today's simple message is: Carpe Diem. Seize the day. Stop and smell the roses. Have a moment. Breathe the air like it will run out. Watch the stars until they get fuzzy. Lose yourself in view of water.

On that note: time to follow my own advice.

International Women's Day

A worthwhile watch in honor of International Women's Day.

"Get Outdoors: Start Planning your Summer Trips!" By Aimee.

"A Review of the Best Hiking/Camping/Rafting/Kayaking and Outdoor Trips on the East Coast of North America."

 (From Florida to Prince Edward Island) By, Aimee Nadow.

Florida

Ft. Myers Beach

Aims & Billy, Ft. Myers Beach Pier

Having hiked most of Clearwater and St. Pete on the West Coast on the 3-Day and in training (for the Susan G. Komen 60-mile walk in 2010) I can tell you some of the best places to walk on the West Coast: (1) Flatwoods Park (New Tampa, FL) for the 7-mile loop (2) Honeymoon Park, (Palm Harbor, FL) for the beaches (3) Ft. De Soto Park, (St. Petersburg, FL) for the beaches and outdoor recreations (4) Homosassa Springs Wildlife Preserve, (Homosassa, FL) for the manatees, (5) Sand Key, for the beaches (Clearwater, FL), (6) Sanibel Beach in Ft. Myers, (7) Ft. Myers Beach and Pier. 

On the Panhandle: (1) Okaloosa Island: Henderson Beach State Park, (2) the Village of Baytowne Wharf, in Sandestin Resort, Front Beach Road in Panama City, FL (beware of Spring Breakers!).

On the East Coast: (1) Space View Park, in Titusville, FL. (2) The Kennedy Space Center on the Cape Canaveral Seashore.

 In South Florida: (1) The Everglades Alligator Farm, (2) Scuba Dive the Florida Keys with the Florida Keys Dive Center, (3) go on a walking tour of Key West! 

 Georgia

Be sure to check out the haunting Andersonville, (Camp Sumter) a Confederate Civil War Prison for Union soldiers (where my relative Benjamin Nadeau just barely survived) with horrific living conditions and tragic history. 

Tennessee

Best Hiking: Located in the Great Smoky Mountains national forest, Mt. LeConte is the highest mountain I have ever climbed at 6, 593 feet. It is preferable to it's higher neighbor and the infamous Clingman's Dome, because C's Dome has a noisy road that runs all the way up to the summit right next to the trail and has lots of tourists at the summit observatory. (Like New Hampshire's Mt. Washington.) There is a rustic lodge that you can book for the crag of LeConte ahead of time if you want to stay the night. 

Best Rafting: Rafting the Nolichucky River with Cherokee Adventures. The Upper Nolichucky boasts class III and IV rapids, and a full day (or extended trip) rafting experiences with lunch and breaks and swimming included. 


South Carolina Walking around downtown Columbia, there are so many great outdoor places to eat and drink. Especially at Five Corners. There is a great park there on the capitol, with monuments and greenery where you can see the infamous Confederate flag.


North Carolina Maggie Valley: home of the Blue Ridge Parkway is also one of the great mid-Atlantic places to hike or ski (especially at Cataloochie) that are a resonable drive from the South. Beech and Sugar mountains in Boone, NC, are two other ski mountains, although when I skiied there they had record colds (-5 degrees Fahrenheit) and ice cover.

 

Virginia

If you want an overnight, "camp" like experience, or need to build corporate team building skills, or just want to get away for some high ropes, low ropes, spelunking, hiking, camping, (they have a hotel-like lodge too) rock climbing, canoeing, and mountain biking with some of the most qualified guides I've ever met: check out Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, in New Castle, VA (click for map), where we take the 8th graders in the fall every year for a week of personal challenges and extreme adventures. The caves are amazing living ecosystems, the biking just the right amount of work and reward with amazing views, the high ropes just "high enough" to provide thrill and safety. I recommend this facility at the highest level of accolades. Also, one of the coolest outdoor "living history"places are Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown and the Harrison's Berkeley Plantation (on the East Coast) which was featured on my favorite show Ghost Hunters.

New York

Spleunking: For the best caving in New England, head to Howe Caverns in upstate New York. Just visiting the webpage reminds me of all the cool attractions: from the river boat tour to the walking caverns tour. Gorgeous lighting and educated guides complete the caving experience. (Even if you don't get dirty at all.)

Massachusetts

On the Bike Trails of Cape Cod

Some of my favorite outdoor places are in Massachusetts: state of my birth and 22 years of life! From (1) The National Seashore in Cape Cod, to (2) Biking the amazing and hilly trails of P-Town, to (3) walking/biking the Cape Cod Canal, to (4) seeing the Ames' family mansion and beautiful trails and grounds of Borderland State Park, to (4) walking through the South Boston Open Art studios tour in the Fall, or (5) the Freedom Trail, to (6) camping and visiting the battlements and forts of the Boston Harbor Islands, to (7) hiking Mt. Greylock, to (8) seeing the Pops play outside at Tanglewood in western MA.  To walking around Oak Bluffs and riding the Flying Horses Carousel on Martha's Vineyard. Not to mention: Salem, Sturbridge Village and Plymouth, Ma!

Martha's Vineyard with Mom

Cliff Walk, Newport RI

Rhode Island

Rhode Island (the state, not the drivers) remains close to my heart, especially when I think of Newport. From the (1) Cliff Walk in Newport, to the (2) mansions of Bellevue Ave, to (3) Horseneck Beach,  to (4) Sachuest beach and Sachuest Wildlife Refuge, to (4) WaterFire walk in Providence, Rhode Island has some treasures of outdoor places that I have to visit every year!

New Hampshire

Summit of Lafayette



At Galehead Hut '08

My home away from home. My happy place. I've spent more time in New Hampshire over the course of my life than any other state (aside the ones I have lived in). Whether our family was kayaking/fun-yaking/rafting the Pemigewasset River, or the Saco river, we always had fun water adventure trips. I've been hiking the mountains of New Hampshire since I was four in 1989 when I first climbed Mt. Monadnock, and then when we summited Mt. Washington for the first time in 1994, when I was nine. 1994 started the bucket list goal for my Mom & I: to hike all 48 of the 4000'ers, and 16 years later, we only have ten left! From skiing at Bretton Woods, Wildcat, Pat's Peak, and more, to staying at ALL of the AMC's high huts and lodges, I plan to spend a good chunk of the rest-of-my-life here. Other great placs to visit are: the gondolas at Cannon & Wildcat (for the foliage), walking around downtown Portsmouth on a weekend night for the nightlife and local festivities, boating on Lake Winniepeusake, Keene's Pumpkin Fest, and driving the scenic Kangamangus Highway.

Summit of Mt. Garfield

Me at Killington

Vermont

Tom at Killington

Skiing Killington, or Mt. Snow are my normal reasons to visit Vermont, although I have been for Maple Syrup and for the famous "Sugar and Snow" suppers.  Check out my ski review of the Vermont Green Mountains here...

Maine

Bar Harbor, ME

College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor

Camping at the Baker River campground as a kid, and then as a college student twice, has been so memorable for me. Located on the western ME border with eastern NH: from tubing, to kayaking/canoe trips, the swimming and fireside: the campground has it all. Seeing the famous Maine Seacoast in Bar Harbor in winter, still resonates in my mind as some of the most beautiful images I have ever seen. The summer cottages in Pinerest Cottage Road around Lake Maranacook are a staple of my childhood summers and fall weekends.  Shopping and walking around Freeport, Maine is another one of my guilty pleasures. I could spend a week at L. L. Bean checking out all of the gear in the now four+ stores attached to the Flagship store. Hiking Kathadin, and also white water rafting the Dead River were very memorable trips in Maine in my life!

Pinerest Cottage Rd

New Brunswick

Fundy National Park in New Bruswick, Canada, was another one of my favorite outdoor places from both of our childhood trips into Canada. (Back before you needed passports!) The Canadian national parks are full of educational programs for kids and adults alike, have pristine riverbeds to hike and swim in and plenty of trails for hiking and biking. The campgrounds were immaculate and everyone was friendly. I remember feeling so safe! 

Nova Scotia

Kejimkujik National Park (Kej-gi-ma-coo-jik) was the infamous playground on the beautiful Nova Scotia, where my brother nailed his chin on a slide on the playground and had to go the hospital for stitches. TWICE in one weekend. But I remember how beautiful the park was, and how gorgeous and stunning the entire of Nova Scotia was!

Prince Edward Island

Of course, I would be remiss not to include the gorgeous beaches and inlands of P.E.I. (Mostly due to Charlottetown, and Green Gables and the "Anne of Green Gables Musical" where I remember the audio cassette was $20 at the time, never mention the $35 CD! And that was fifteen years ago!) But really- as a young girl- this was the HIGHLIGHT of my life: thank you Mom & Dad!

"The Powers of Tea: Economic, Social, Healthful and Energetic," by Aimée.

(Scroll down for my  "Top Ten Supermarket Teas," and the "How long/hot to brew teas chart.")

This week I discovered that I was running low on my favorite type of tea (Wild Orange Blossom from Teavana- yes, it's one of the free samples they offer currently) so, rather than to drive an hour down to International Plaza and swim upstream against a current of the pretentious shoppers poorly showcasing their name brand clothes with tacky accessories and ridiculously tall heels (joking), as I navigate to one of my few favorite destinations: the Apple store, Ann Taylor Loft, Teavana and Z Gallerie, I decided to reorder online. Over a hundred dollars later, I decided that the tea industry, while providing organic and free trade products for a surplus, is a booming industry millions of people all over the world enjoy. So I decided my post today would be about Tea.

(Note: Yes, I have a feeling this post might seem more like a giant advertisement for teas rather than an informational cornucopia of suggestions, but I promise to include many different sources and types and health benefits (read about the Top 10 Health Benefits of tea here) as usual, to dampen my own personal preferences.) Read about fair trade here... 

When I was thirteen, my mother took me the the Colonial Blackington Inn, (see photo on right) where I had my first sit-down tea service. It was delightful. (I am still tickled to see my middle and high school girls having birthday parties and teas at local tea parlors here in Tampa!)

In 2008, there was a Chinese teacher at Academy who shared her culture of tea with me. It was from her that I learned about "loose leaf" tea and how it's fine to drink teas that aren't strained for example. She brought in many flavors and varieties for her class to sample for one project and then she shared the petals and leaves with me for weeks. She didn't have a "process" of measuring, sometimes she mixed based on color palate in her glass decanter, sometimes based on flavors: she would mix green tea rolled leaves with a chrysanthemum buds for flavor and caffeine. Being of the artistic, free-spirited and experimental mind myself (just look at some of my cooking failures if you don't believe me: ask Nate or Tom about the "salty shrimp"!) I decided to try buying loose leaf teas myself.

This resulted in my first trip to Teavana with my husband Tom to buy some tea! (Warning: funny story ahead.) So Tom, who really liked the sample Rooibos tea that was offered at the entrance (a brilliant selling strategy I must say) which was a blend of two teas. So he went up to the counter and asked to buy some. The salesperson asked him how many ounces he would like. Tom asked him how many fit into the large container. The salesperson said 16. So Tom bought 16 ounces of the two blended teas. Now, when the large containers came off of the shelf, there is a price on them $6, or $8 were common, but one of Tom's said $12.00. Now neither of us realized that the this price was the price of 2oz. So when all was mixed and sealed, Tom's 16 oz jar ended up costing about $150.00. (Yes, I'm still laughing!) I ended up with a much more economic 4oz of my favorite Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls Green Tea, in a smaller jar, which at 12.00/2 oz only ran me about $25.00 (they also charge your for the containers). Now this experience might seem funny, because in retrospect, we knew next to nothing about Teavana and how they sell their products, and our ignorance was expensive. But, on the positive side, Tom enjoyed his Rooibos tea for over a full year, because the containers were amazingly well crafted and resealed, and it ended up being a worthwhile investment for him. I went through my green tea in about two weeks, and needed to go back to buy more. Since then, I've been drinking the Teavana jasmine tea, as well as the Wild Orange Blossom tea (which with a hint of the german rock sugar Teavana also sells is close to heaven). This morning, I mixed the jasmine dragon pearls with the Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea for a delicious tea with caffeine and hints of fruit.


I realize that the experience of tea is not always practical for the office, work or travel or the budget. So I've collected a list of the "best of" teas, easily available in the supermarket (sometimes in the organic sections).

"Top Ten Supermarket Teas," by Aimée.

#1. At about $6.50/box (18 sachets), the Numi Jasmine Green Monkey King is ethically traded, organic and almost identical taste to Teavana's Jasmine Dragon Pearls. Usually located in the organic/natural aisles of the supermarket.


#2. Lipton's Island Mango & Peach: a staple of my  travels to and from Boston, I usually fill my Simmons thermos with hot water so that I can enjoy this in the afternoon of a 14-hour+ solo drive. The smell still makes me think of the rest stop in New Jersey where I enjoyed a cup (in my car and away from the smog). But don't let my image of Jersey deter you- it's a delicious tea, so fruity and restorative. (~$3.50/box for 18 bags).

#3. Sip for the cure! The Republic of Tea's Pink Grapefruit tea donates a bit of the cost to Susan G. Komen's breast cancer research. ($10.00 for 50 tea bags). This green tea gives you a jolt of caffeine and antioxidants with a lovely citrus flavor. (One of my favorites in college.)


#4. Twinings of London's Earl Grey Tea. Nothing beats the "rainy day" staple of Twining's Earl Grey tea. The slightly "bitter" bergamot and black tea leaf give just enough caffeine to beat the rainy day blues and recharge over a warm, steaming cup. My first "loose leaf" tea (from when I was 12, which my mother bought for me at Colonial Williamsburg,) I have always enjoyed this British staple, especially on a rainy or cold winter day. 



#5. For the best green tea: TAZO's Zen combines green tea with a hint of lemon(grass) and mint to create the 'zen-like' experience Starbucks sells for $3.50 and up. You can get a box and make 24 of your own iced or hot Zen teas for about $6.00.


#6. Tazo's Passion Fruit Iced Tea: the staple of Report-Card week afternoons, this delicious tea with sweetener is divine, without is a bit on the bitter, but still rejuvenating side. It's Starbuck's signature iced tea. You can buy the tea bags and make it yourself (which, I'll admit, I've never done with a Starbucks so closely located to my school) for about $6.00/box.




#7. Celestial Seasoning's Sleepytime Tea. What my mother should have given me as a child to help me sleep (instead of milk- I was lactose intolerant, but we didn't know, haha!) I still like this caffeine free herbal tea because it is so soothing. 


#8. Celestial Seasoning's Herbal Tea Sampler: the best of everything in one box! It includes: Lemon Zinger, Peppermint, Sleepytime, Chamomile and Honey Vanilla Camomile (for colds). 

#9. Lipton's Blueberry Pomegranate. This is Nicole's favorite, and I thoroughly enjoy it as well. It is fruity, and loaded with antioxidants. The pyramid sachets, the same as in theirMango Peach tea (#2) help the leaves and berries steep better and add for a more flavorful tea experience.

#10. Bigelow's Mint Medley. Random fact: Did you know catnip soothes the (human) stomach? I doubt it's in here- but it is in the mint family! Spearmint and Peppermint contribute to the soothing nature of this brisk and refreshing drink. Mix it with a green tea for caffeine, or drink it alone to have a refreshing wake-up moment.


Don't forget! The tea experience can be ruined by over steeping or overcooking. Check out the following chart to know how long and at what temperature to make teas at:

Chart courtesy of http://www.artoftea.com/.

"Laughter is the best Medecine," by Aimée.

Need a laugh? Here are some of my favorites:

(*****= Five stars, ****= four stars, ***= three stars, **= two stars, * = one star.)

For Harry Potter Fans: 1. A Very Potter Musical (entire musical available free on YouTube in parts). *****

2. "Mondays," feat. Hoops & Yoyo. *****

3. "Coffee," feat. Hoops & Yoyo. ****
4. "Funny Cats: A Video Montage of clips,". *****
5. "Arnold's (Schwarzenegger's) House of Pizza." (Warning: language.)
6. "Cycling Crash" (ouch!)
7. 2011 Oscar "Musical" montage, feat. HP7, Toy Story 3, the Social Network and New Moon: HILARIOUS! *****
8. "The Spelling Bee," Brian Regan comedian. ****
9. "The Sun Stare," Brian Regan comedian. ***
10. "Crank Calls," Brian Regan. ***
11. "Cup of Dirt, (The Science Fair)" Brian Regan. *****
12. "Homemade Bike Ramps," Brian Regan. *****
13. "Driving Pet Peeves," Brian Regan. *****
14. "The Slip 'n Slide," Dane Cook. ***
15. "Car Alarm," by Dane Cook. ***
16. "Gerard Butler & Craig Ferguson: Interview 2." ***
17. "Gerard Butler & Craig Ferguson: Interview 1."****
18. For messy kids: "Why I'll Never Be An Adult." ***** (Warning: language)
19. "The End of the World Skit." (Warning: language) *****

20. Daniel Tosh: "Completely Serious," 9-minute clip. (Warning: language) ***

I'll keep adding more as I think of them- keep checking back! Post your own favorites below! 

“Des memoires en français,” par Aimée.

“Des memoires en français,” par Aimée.

Bienvenue à mes lecteurs (partisans?) français de France et à Canada aussi. Excusez-moi- pour mon français est terrible. Il est depuis quelques ans que j'ai écrit ou ai parlé français… puisque ma grand-mère est mort. Aujourd’hui je voudrais écrire en français: se pour souvenir d'elle.

De temps en temps, je pense de ma grandmère, ma Mémère. Quand j’étais petite, elle m’a dit beaucoup des histories en français, et quand j’étais une éleve, j’ai etudié le langue, dans sa honneure. Le français  est la langue de ma famille: pas mes parents, mais ma grandmère et mon oncle aussi. Ma Mémère était une Fonteneau, at mon oncle un Dupuis. J’aime beacoup des memoires, parlant avec tous les deux en français. Je l'ai aimée autant de. (Oh l'ironie, avoir aimée, est mon nom aussi.)

Cette mois, je la pense à parce que c'était sa anniversaire, pendant que cela me fait triste, je suis heureux cette année, parce que mon frère épouse une fille merveilleuse dans le lendemain anniversaire de Mémère. Ce sera une occasion joyeuse! Je suis contente.

Mon mémoire préférée était quand j'étais petit avec  mon frère (dans les parcs nationaux au Canada de l'est) peut-être dans le parc national Fundi, je pense, et nous jouions “chat” avec les enfants locaux à une cour de recreation,  campant avec mes parents. Nous n'avons pas su dire « chat » en français (“tag” en anglais)  donc nous avons dû imiter les mouvements, mais finalement les enfants locaux sont chiffrés que nous avons signifié, et tous joué ensemble. C'était très amusant!

Un autre fois, au Canada, dans le même parc, maman et moi, nous avons eu au “séminaire extérieur éducatif” pendant le soir, completement en français, lequel que nous ne pourrions pas comprendre parce que nous avons lu le signe mal. Ça c’était drôle aussi.

C’est a l’heure, il faut que j’aille au travaille. Adieu! Je t’adore!

Pépère, moi, maman, Mémère et ma cousine Jess dans '08.